I like looking up relics from "back in the day" on You tube ... like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8vUTm64h0
I also like that you can watch music videos. Not so much for the video (I've never been a fan of the medium), but it's at least a way to call up a song on demand to figure out if you like it, or want to hear more from a new band.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Podcasts
I started playing with podcasts a couple of years ago, but it never really went anywhere for me. I haven't been able to find the time to listen to them. A friend suggested that I download them to my iPod and listen on my way to and from work. I tried this once, and quickly decided it wasn't for me. Generally speaking, I was interested in funny podcasts, and I found that laughing to myself was just too embarassing.
In the meantime, whenever I log into iTunes at home, the subscription that I set up keep chugging away! Maybe someday I'll have enough downtime to give them a listen.
In the meantime, whenever I log into iTunes at home, the subscription that I set up keep chugging away! Maybe someday I'll have enough downtime to give them a listen.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Extensions
I've been a long time user of the Google toolbar - very handy. Only made better by the introduction of Google's own browser - Chrome. I have made the switch at home, but still use Firefox here at work.
I've installed Greasemonkey and LibX, as well as the coloured tabs .... just for fun. :)
If only LibX and it's ilk didn't have to rely on notoriously unreliable ISBN data, I'd love it that much more.
I've installed Greasemonkey and LibX, as well as the coloured tabs .... just for fun. :)
If only LibX and it's ilk didn't have to rely on notoriously unreliable ISBN data, I'd love it that much more.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Social networking
I've been a facebook user for a couple of years now. I signed on relatively early, and recall wondering what the big deal was. Little did I know.
Since then, I have witnessed friends become engaged on facebook, found long lost pals from the days of old, connected with family members that I never get to see in person, seen first glimpses of babies near and dear to my heart, videos of friend's kids dancing and taking steps, silly drunken photos of my friends having a wee bit too much fun on the weekends, and differing views of weddings I attended, or was too busy being a bridesmaid to catch all the fun. These have all been wonderful things.
I have also seen people accidentally humiliate themselves because they didn't realize their actions would be posted, seen photos of people in situations that I am sure they didn't expect others to see, been "friended" by people from the old days that I didn't care much for to begin with (and vice-versa), and witnessed fights and jabs of high school proportions .... sometimes I can't believe what people will do online! I mean, didn't we all grow up and move past childish gossip and mean-spiritedness? And, since when was I friends with someone who treated me terribly in the past?
I have struggled with my connection to facebook. In the end, I have chosen to keep my account because the good outweighs the bad. I've found ways to integrate it into my professional life, and well ... I don't know how I would conduct my social life without it! It's funny how soon it becomes a part of your routine. As long as each user is well aware of their privacy options, and make sure that they cover their tracks to keep what they let others see in their control, I think it is a lot of fun. And, I also learned that the "remove friend" option is always a possibility. Whether you just can't stand to hear what someone is making for dinner yet again, or you find yourself reliving memories that you didn't want to in the first place, always remember that you are in control!!!
Since then, I have witnessed friends become engaged on facebook, found long lost pals from the days of old, connected with family members that I never get to see in person, seen first glimpses of babies near and dear to my heart, videos of friend's kids dancing and taking steps, silly drunken photos of my friends having a wee bit too much fun on the weekends, and differing views of weddings I attended, or was too busy being a bridesmaid to catch all the fun. These have all been wonderful things.
I have also seen people accidentally humiliate themselves because they didn't realize their actions would be posted, seen photos of people in situations that I am sure they didn't expect others to see, been "friended" by people from the old days that I didn't care much for to begin with (and vice-versa), and witnessed fights and jabs of high school proportions .... sometimes I can't believe what people will do online! I mean, didn't we all grow up and move past childish gossip and mean-spiritedness? And, since when was I friends with someone who treated me terribly in the past?
I have struggled with my connection to facebook. In the end, I have chosen to keep my account because the good outweighs the bad. I've found ways to integrate it into my professional life, and well ... I don't know how I would conduct my social life without it! It's funny how soon it becomes a part of your routine. As long as each user is well aware of their privacy options, and make sure that they cover their tracks to keep what they let others see in their control, I think it is a lot of fun. And, I also learned that the "remove friend" option is always a possibility. Whether you just can't stand to hear what someone is making for dinner yet again, or you find yourself reliving memories that you didn't want to in the first place, always remember that you are in control!!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
citations on library thing
WOW -- very cool feature I just found on Library Thing! You can select your preferred style and copy a full citation for the works in your account. No competition for Refworks, but pretty ccol nonetheless.
Library thing
Well, I thought that I had a librarything account, but since I tried entering every email address I have used in the past two years, I suppose I am mistaken?? No matter, I am having fun creating a new one. Especially in the profile section where it asks what other services you are on. I am noticing these things more and more ever since I became more aware of the power of the semantic web. I like to think that I am positioning myself to be able to dive right in once it becomes more fully developed. At the very least, I got myself an OpenID with the username "janeschmidt". But I digress ...
Oh yeah ... Library Thing is our task for the week! The trick for me is to remember to keep going back to update it! But then again, that is my problem with all of these fun gadgets. They are passing fancies for me, unless I find some friends who are also active users. Gives me motivation to go back.
Main problem with Library Thing is that I don't really do too much leisure reading these days. I read a lot of current events and websites, so it doesn't leave much room for fiction. Ah, to be retired ....
Oh yeah ... Library Thing is our task for the week! The trick for me is to remember to keep going back to update it! But then again, that is my problem with all of these fun gadgets. They are passing fancies for me, unless I find some friends who are also active users. Gives me motivation to go back.
Main problem with Library Thing is that I don't really do too much leisure reading these days. I read a lot of current events and websites, so it doesn't leave much room for fiction. Ah, to be retired ....
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Bookmarking/tagging
I love bookmarking because it helps me to remember a great site that I want to revisit to view new content. Tagging? Not so much.
It may surprise a lot of you, but even though I love the concept of information organization (cataloguing, if you will. ahem), I am terrible at it!! As Janis, Val and Jackie can attest to, I am actually not that good at cataloguing. Details have never been my strong point. All this to say that this also makes me choke when trying to think of descriptive words to use in a tag. I mean, "funny" can only be used so many times, and anything more detailed usually tends to stand alone.
Perhaps I am over thinking the situation for my own personal use, but I certainly think that tagging and social bookmarking is very useful. However, it is not a saviour, and a perfect OPAC tagged by users it does not make. I like to say that a tag is only as good as the number of items it has received. What I mean by that is ... a tag is only going to help people find as many things that are actually tagged with it!!
Did that make sense?
WOW -- look at that; one "Friday" afternoon, and Jane managed to catch up on RULA 2.0. Happy Family Day everyone!!
It may surprise a lot of you, but even though I love the concept of information organization (cataloguing, if you will. ahem), I am terrible at it!! As Janis, Val and Jackie can attest to, I am actually not that good at cataloguing. Details have never been my strong point. All this to say that this also makes me choke when trying to think of descriptive words to use in a tag. I mean, "funny" can only be used so many times, and anything more detailed usually tends to stand alone.
Perhaps I am over thinking the situation for my own personal use, but I certainly think that tagging and social bookmarking is very useful. However, it is not a saviour, and a perfect OPAC tagged by users it does not make. I like to say that a tag is only as good as the number of items it has received. What I mean by that is ... a tag is only going to help people find as many things that are actually tagged with it!!
Did that make sense?
WOW -- look at that; one "Friday" afternoon, and Jane managed to catch up on RULA 2.0. Happy Family Day everyone!!
Woefully behind
I am setting terrible example by not keeping up with the 2.0 fun! Seems like a great way to spend my afternoon before my impending four day weekend! :)
Friday, January 23, 2009
RSS feeds
http://www.bloglines.com/public/
i think this is good for a blog that you follow intensely, but otherwise i found it frustrating that it clears out what you have already looked at. i wanted to see some of the cute kitty pictures again!
i think this is good for a blog that you follow intensely, but otherwise i found it frustrating that it clears out what you have already looked at. i wanted to see some of the cute kitty pictures again!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Hot chocolate for a dollar
Today marks day #3 of hot chocolate sales on Gould Street. I resorted to headphones on Friday. A small price to pay for having a beautiful office with a window, but an annoying one nonetheless!
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