dang3r_z0n3

A New Beginning - Life After Learning 2.0

2007-11-27T02:32:00.000-08:00

Life after Learning 2.0 - As promised, I have continued to blog...Once I get over the thrill of finishing this training program, I'm sure I'll be inspired to write more. At the moment - I still have a hangover...

#23 Is this really the end? Or just the beginning ...

2007-11-26T05:46:00.000-08:00

Wow - I'm surprised I finished in time - with a bit of persistence, I did it!!! This has been one of the most interesting training programs I have participated in. It has been quite time consuming - only because I have taken my time exploring.

The discovery exercises that I enjoyed most were:
Week 3: Photos & Images,
Week 5: Play Week
Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable audio

I really enjoyed Flikr and the long list of online image generators (I visited all links listed in this exercise). I found that the weeks listed above, were a lot more fun to complete.

Overall, this program has provided me with more knowledge about the Internet and Web 2.0. I have gained new skills through these activities and will probably continue to use my Blogspot, Flikr, Online Image Generators, Wikis, Online Applications & Tools and Podcasts.

Through Learning 2.0 and the encouragement of fellow staff members, I am now registerd on Facebook. This is the tool I will continue to use on a regular basis. You could even say - I'm hooked!!! It's a 'social utility' and I am a bit of a 'social butterfly'...

#22 Audiobooks (or "The end is in sight ")

2007-11-26T05:25:00.000-08:00

I had a quick listen to some of the 'Downloadable eAudiobooks' that were available on the 'World EBook Fair - Gutenberg's Audio eBook Collection'. I think it's a great idea for libraries to provide this service. It's keeping up with technology and the demands of the public. It's user friendly, cost effective and low maintenance.

I think it would come down to personal preference and what the customer is comfortable with. I've tried listening to audiobooks and I still prefer to read myself. Another question - would all books be available as an 'eAudiobook'?

#21 Podcasts, Smodcasts!

2007-11-26T05:01:00.000-08:00

I had a browse through numerous podcasts through the nominated directories in this exercise. I wanted to find a podcast that suited my space theme. It took quite a while for me to find something I liked. There were a number of audio podcasts that I had to filter through, because I wanted a video podcast.

Finally, I found a few that I liked and subscribed to the feeds, using Bloglines. You can view these podcasts by selecting the corresponding links (NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Video and Audio Podcasts and NASACast: What's Up? Video Podcasts)under my Blogroll. I hope this works!

#20 You too can YouTube

2007-11-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

I've explored YouTube before and have picked a couple of clips that suit my blog theme. If you have a good computer and a really fast internet connection - it can be fun, but there's a lot of junk on YouTube so it can be time consuming filtering through the evergrowing amount of videos being shared.

I selected these videos because I thought they were entertaining, without being too offensive.

#19 Discovering Web 2.0 tools

2007-11-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

I had a quick look through the Web 2.0 Awards and recognised a number of the winners for this year. It was nice to see that the technologies we have been exploring were listed. Of all the useful sites I'm now familiar with, I will list Facebook as being my favourite.

"Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you." I've been using it for about a month and have found it a great way to find people whom I've lost contact with. It's user friendly and highly interactive. The only annoying quality I've encountered is the constant bombardment of invitations to use new applications.

Other than that, it's a lot of fun and I have found it to be quite secure. As for it's applications in a library setting - I can't see one in regard to library operations - it's primarily a social tool.

#18 Web-based Apps: They're not just for desktops

2007-11-19T17:08:00.001-08:00

I've had a quick browse through Zoho Writer and it's applications. If I had known about the availablity of these online productivity web-based applications before I had bought my laptop (complete with the Microsoft Home Office 2007 software), I would probably feel a lot more excited about their use. I definately think they're useful and will become more and more popular. Eventhough I have Microsoft Home Office installed on my PC and laptop, I will probably end up using these online applications, such as Zoho Writer - to publish some of my blogs. Just like this one - created through courtesy of Zoho Writer!!!

#17 Playing around with PBWiki

2007-11-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

For this exercise I added my blog (http://dangerzone104.blogspot.com) to the Favourite Blogs page in the Learning 2.0 Favourites Wiki. My blog can be found further down on the list, under the heading of 'Hume Global Village Library Participants Blog'.

This has been one of the easiest exercises in this training program. It's pretty straight forward - Edit, Write and Save. As mentioned in my previous post, I have started using wikis for organsing the flow of information between friends and family members.

My first wiki is being used to organise this years Kris Kringle (http://kk07.wikispaces.com). All participants are to write down their top three preferences for gifts. It's basic - I admit, but it will prevent an overflow of emails in each participants inbox. A central location for communicating is a more convenient way of sharing ideas and information.

#16 So what's in a wiki?

2007-10-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

After visiting the library wikis that were given as examples, I found the best explanation for what a wiki is, was from the Youtube video, by Commoncraft videos, demonstrating wikis. It was simple - just how I like it!!!

I understand the practicle use of wikis and agree, they are a great tool for organising and communicating information to just about anyone with access to the Internet. Being able to streamline the communication of information is invaluable. It will definately save time!

My only concern is the accuracy and reliablity of information found on some wikis. It's still a new concept to me, but I will definately use wikis from now on - for organising family activities.

#15 Web 2.0, Library 2.0

2007-10-31T05:57:00.000-07:00

There was a lot to read; for a person who doesn't have much time - I had to speed-read through it, to be honest. I understood the gist of it and most of the concepts I already knew, therefore, it wasn't a very exciting read, but I do believe that the ideas and issues will create lively discussions amongst those who work in libraries.

Like all things, libraries will have to adapt to the changes in technology. In the past two decades alone, there have been considerable changes in library structure, resources, facilities and working dynamics, etc... I see this as a positive thing. Without change, how can one progress?

Libraries are no longer just a place for quiet reading and studying. The communities we service have more needs and it's our role to facilitate and educate. The world has never been more better connected and with the enormous amount of ever growing information that's being shared on the Internet - it's information overload and I'm not sure how much of that is realiable information.

Now, with all these resources - the main problem is being able to 'manage the information' available and keeping up-to-date with the changing technology that will assist in this process. Having worked in libraries we are aware of this, it's only common sense, so let's move on...

I have seen the library of the future, it's featured in Star Wars Episodes I, II, & III. Although, in the galaxy far, far away - they weren't called libraries. The Jedi Temple Archives contained possibly the single largest source of information in the galaxy. Within the polished architecture of the Temple, incredible amounts of data were stored electronically and holographically. Carefully organized electronic data, on super hi-tech computerised slabs or tablets were used instead of books. If that's where the future is heading, doesn't seem so bad afterall - and you know what they say? - Life often mimics art!

#14 Technorati

2007-10-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

Technorati is another way of finding and keeping track of your favourites blogs. I'm not sure which blog search application I would prefer to use; my Bloglines or Technorati. The Tagging Tool makes it easier to use, proving to be an invaluable tool - I can use my own tags instead of somebody else's. It's a matter of having enough time to play around with these new discoveries.

#13 Del.icio.us

2007-10-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

I've registered for del.icio.us - I don't find it that exciting so, I'm not sure if I will be using it much in the future. I don't use bookmarks (real or electronic) and I rarely use the favourites toolbar. Being able to get access to "my favourites" from anywhere - I think - will be useful.

#12 Rollyo

2007-10-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

A fast and easy way to create personal search engines using only the sources that I trust - sounds good to me - working in a library, I'm sure this will come in handy one day. I like the idea of being able to find the information I want, without having to go through irrelevant search results.

#11 LibraryThing

2007-10-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

LibraryThing an online service to help catalogue my books – interesting – I’m not sure if I’d really use it that much. I do like the idea of LibraryThing connecting people who read the same books and that it comes up with suggestions for what to read next, and so forth.

#10 Image Generators

2007-10-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

What can I say? These image generators are addictive. I've spent several hours browsing through that long list. I think I've discovered a new hobby. We'll see how long it lasts. What I like the most - is that they're user-friendly, so anyone can create an amusing image and have a bit of fun.

Courtesy of:
FBI Seal Generator
Concert Ticket Generator
Atari 2600 Label Generator

Week 4: RSS and Newsreaders

2007-10-09T06:03:00.001-07:00

My selections are from the list of 'Most Popular Feeds' from Bloglines. My choices were based on: interest, humour, trivial and educational values. The Blogroll includes a number of blogs by my colleagues and friends. Now it's public - everyone can share in my interests!

#7 About Technology

2007-09-27T08:35:00.001-07:00

My first encounter with computer technology happened when I was 7 years old. I was given a Commodore Plus/4 - and 'No' it wasn't a car made by Holden - it was a personal computer. Actually, it was more like a keyboard that came with a free game and joystick. I spent many countless hours playing that game 'Jack Attack'.

It was an impressive piece of technology - back then. I'd type in command codes from the manual and after 10 minutes, I had access to the piano program. "Cool" I thought - at the time. Nowadays, if I open up a file and have to wait for more than a few seconds - I start to whinge about how long it takes!

I'm losing my patience - because at the same time, I want everything to speed up! When I first connected to the internet; I was on dial up. Guess how long that lasted?? Three weeks!!! I'm on cable and have never looked back - Although, I do look forward to perhaps connecting to something even faster!!!

#6 More Flicker Fun

2007-09-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's "cool" that I can create a Pirates Licence or a Special Agent Badge by visiting a link and with a few clicks of the mouse and a touch of creative flair - dahdahh!! - it's all done.

#5 Flicker

2007-09-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

This activity reinforces how much fun you can have with photos and images. There's a lot you can do with your photos, the hard part is deciding which programs to use.

"Unsurety"

2007-09-18T00:05:00.000-07:00

Unsurety - I used it during a conversation last week and a colleague said, "That's an interesting word." I thought to myself - yes - perhaps I made it up. Turns out, I am not an inventor of words and the word does exist.

\Un*sure"ty\, n. Want of surety; uncertainty; insecurity; doubt.
(Look it up, if you don't believe me).

My blog is where I will be recording my thoughts, discoveries and exercises for the Learning 2.0 program.

So here I am doing something completely foreign; in hope that I will learn something useful. I'm nervous, being a first time blogger and I'm a bit unsure of what to write, hence the title. People I know may read my blog, so let's keep it clean - that's what I keep telling myself!

I feel uninspired as the working day ends, therefore, I will end it here until I have something worthy to write about.