Thing 23 Final thoughts

Wow, I still can't believe I managed to get to the end! When I first started, it was with some trepidation. Part of the challenge for me was to be disciplined enough to do each challenge each week.
I have really enjoyed writing my blog, and although it's not mindblowing, it is an accurate record of what I have done.
So many of the tasks we have done show how these applications can be used to the advantages of both the Library and the reader, and I'm sure that the SSL will implement more of these in future.
My favourite bits have been creating my iGoogle page, and all the things associated with it, such as adding my delicious bookmarks, and the other gadgets, which included my google reader update, and twitter. I will definately keep my iGoogle page, as I use it all the time now. I also really enjoyed Flickr and Picnik, and will certainly continue to use Picnik for editing my photos. I discovered that you can upload photos directly from your computer, edit them and put them straight back, without using Flickr, so that is useful.
Personally, It was nice to have the course studded with a few familiar tasks, such as using Facebook, so at least I had a bit of knowledge of something already.
Perhaps the least useful bit was using LinkedIn. For someone of my status, it wasn't a valuable tool, but I could see how it would be valuable to others.
What has been really lovely is that lots of my colleagues have done 23 things, so we have been able to support and help eachother if got stuck. I am so pleased I took the time to do this and look forward to using many things I have learnt.

Thing 22. Put your del.icio.us bookmarks on your igoogle page

I took the advice that said to choose the labpixies version of del.icio.us as a gadget. This was really easy to install, and once I had added my username, my book marks appeared. I had already installed delicious on my desktop so that the links appeared down one side of the screen, which worked fine, but now I won't have have that. The only drawback on having it as a gadget, it that the icons don't display next to the title, they just have a plus sign. I think it will mean that I'll have to rename some of my bookmarks so that they are meaningful, as before I just recognised them by picture. I will keep it on my igoogle page as it is so much better having everything in one place. I might have a little rejig on my page now...

Thing 21 Use a blogger gadget

I was pleased to see that this weeks task was something I had already done- putting my flickr photostream on my blog. This always makes me smile when I check my blog at the end of posting. I must remember to use Flickr more often so that different ones display. I altered the settings in my blog so that a few more thumbnails and a couple of videos displayed in my photostream. Lovely.

Thing 20 Thinkfree

Thinkfree looks lovely. However, after logging in, the site took ages to do anything, from loading the menu, to loading a new blank document. If I was doing something important, I would probably be worried that my data would be lost!
I like the idea of being able to upload files from the desktop, as you don't always want to create something from scratch. Thinkfree looks like a much more professional outfit than Google docs. I was able to upload a document fairly quickly, but editing it was way too painful. Perhaps it was my machine. Eventually, I shared my document with myself, which worked fine. Pretty, but s-l-o-w.

Thing 19 Create a google document

How great is this! The tool is very intuitive, and and despite a minor hiccup, when it said I couldn't share my document once I had logged in again, it saved with no problems. I had been aware of cloud technology in the way of something called zumodrive, but I hadn't used it myself. In this task, I created a flyer for my toddler groups teddy bears picnic, even importing a picture from my desktop, and emailed it to my colleagues. I then created a form asking which sandwiches, biscuits and crisps they would like to eat at a picnic. I even chose a picnic theme for the questionnaire. I like the way it uses all the tools you would use in Word, so everything was so familiar. Even the form was fairly easy to do. The only criticism I had was that if google docs is open, everything else I typed elswhere came out ever so slowly!
Otherwise, fab!
I can certainly see how this would benefit students working on a document together, they needn't be in the same country. The form would be useful to both staff and students I think, as we are always sending out questionnaires. What an easy way to do it!

Thing 18. Wikipedia

I'm a big fan of Wikipedia, and I admit to using it all the time, especially for filling in the vast gaps in my geographical knowledge. I'm aware of its flaws and the fact that not everything posted on there is 100% accurate, but usually for my requirements, it does the job. I had a look at the entry on Wikipedia itself, and at the discussion page on its reliability, which was interesting to read. I then had a look at the entry on senses as it is my daughter's school topic this term. I discovered at least 10 on there- as opposed to the traditional 5, so I might have to leave a few out so as not to complicate things! I decided I don't know enough about anything to edit an entry myself, so I was content just to have good hunt around for interesting things!

Thing 17. Explore and contribute to a wiki

Following the instructions, I signed up to the Web. 2.0 wiki and got the all powerful edit tool going. I really wanted to enter into the spirit of the task, but felt nervous about editing someone elses work, when I didn't have any real contribution to make. So, all I did was add a couple of words that I felt wouldn't harm the overall content of the page I was on. I was a complete chicken!
My concern would always be that you could write anything on a Wiki, and compromise it's validity. I like the idea of the Wiki, and in essence it's a great way of sharing knowledge, opinions, and a workload, and certainly has its place as a useful tool.