Thing 13

On-line productivity tools.

I actually already have an igoogle home page. I chose it because it is compatible with my e-mail program. I don't always use the igoogle home page because it can take longer to load. The widgets are interesting and like so many online things, they can also be time wasters.

I also use an online calendar for work. It is helpful to schedule something and be able to access it from work or home. It does require I access it through by work internet exchange but I can do it from anywhere.

I don't think I would use the to do list tool at this point. It may become an option if I have a large project.

Thing 12

After wandering through these social media sites (Digg, Reddit, Newsvine, Mixx), I started wondering how I was going to sift through the tabloid type content to things I would consider worthwhile. Of each of the sites, Newsvine had the best pieces of journalism. I was reminded that, as with all Internet content, the source needs to be considered and evaluated to determine if something is credible. I guess I prefer some filters to reduce the trivial instead of depending on popular vote.

I don't think I would spend much time on sites like these. Just because a site or article is popular doesn't make it worthwhile...think celebrity babies.

Libraries need to be aware of the public's viewing habits, but this one is not for me.

Thing 11

Del.icio.us is a tool I really look forward to using. There are many times I have wanted to continue research but wasn't at the computer I usually worked. I chose not to do the work because I didn't want to duplicate sites or start from scratch. I intend to build a list of sites I continue to use in library education curriculum.

I also think it will be a great place to keep the list of resources and tools we are using in 23 things on a stick. I really don't want to have to go back to the website whenever I want to go back to one of the things we have sampled.

Thanks for the introduction to this tool.

Thing 10

I explored some of the wikis listed in 23 things on a stick. I especially enjoyed the MN 150 wiki. However, as with many of the other things we have explored, I find that there is so much to sort through that I end up feeling I am in information overload. I haven't figured out how to narrow down the topics and as a result end up spending far too much time wandering through the sites.

How have others focused their searches and improved their use of time?

Thing 9

The online collaberative tools could be very useful. I have occasionally lost track of which version I am using and what changes I made or others have made.

One challenge would be to make sure there is a backed up copy of the document in another location on a regular basis should the content by lost, blocked, or unavailable for whatever reason.

I did find that google doc was initially easier to use but zoho writer could be quickly learned also. However, I don't know if I would use the collaberative online tool for the following reason--I am uncomfortable with the heavy handed grab for power and ownership of individual intellectual property.

In the article, Life Without Desktop Tools, in PC World, RastaMon expressed concern that any document or content placed in google doc would become the property of google doc. I read the terms of use document and after reading paragraph 9.4, I thought the intellectual property ownership to which google doc laid claim, refered to programs they host on their site, not the content that individuals puts on the site. It seemed that content remained the individual's intellectual property. However, the language in Paragraph 11 is very different. I don't think I could agree to those terms just on principle.

Thing 8

PictureTrail is fairly user friendly. It was nice to see the ease of transfering code into the blog with the click of a button.

Thing 8

Cool Slideshows