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.

Thing 16 Twitter

I managed to find the #ox23 conversation, but couldn't for the life of me work out how to join it myself. Eventually I discovered that you have to type #ox23 yourself and not select it from a list somewhere- doh! Jane kindly tweeted at me, so I could tell there was someone else out there. I managed to send a couple of messages, and reply, and retweet. It's probably not something I would use all the time, but it is a bit of fun!

Thing 15 Twitter

Just signed up for a twitter account and it was incredibly easy, and intuitive. I previously was unsure about using twitter as I'm a mere mortal rather than a celebrity because I really didn't think people would be interested in what I'm up to is such detail! Well, I'm sure they're still not that interested, but it's a nice little tool, a bit like writing on your own wall in facebook. I've signed up to follow Chris Moyles, and his sidekick Dominic Byrne. I'm fully aware that there are a lot of fake accounts out there, so you need to make sure you are following the real person. I'm *pretty* sure no-one will pretend to be me...

Thing 14 LinkedIn

Well, I had a look at this and I seem to remember an old colleague of mine inviting me to join him on LinkedIn, and I ignored his request as it looked way too high powered for me. Having had a better look, I can imagine it would be useful if you were needing to network, or are wanting a new job, and some of the company information is interesting (I looked at the ALA and the OCLC company profile). Otherwise, I can't really see it being used by readers as an everyday tool. I can see why people would want a profile on both LinkedIn and Facebook- there are things you would put on Facebook you may not want a prospective employer to see, so having a professional profile would certainly put your edited, professional self out there!

Thing 13 Facebook

Facebook seems to be a really good way of keeping readers informed about news, whether it be a new database, or a Library closure. Because the info goes to people who have signed up, it will go to those who want is rather than it being a kind of cold calling. Some readers will access the information through their phones, so they can always be in touch with what is going on. I would say that the Wall is the most useful feature of Facebook, as it shows easily identifiable updates that you might not always notice on a website. It is also useful that you can contact individuals privately should you need to via email. It is useful to see other fans of the site, as it creates another community with a common interest. I am familiar with Facebook as I do have an account, and have recently set up a page for the toddler group that I help run. Handy if you need to remind people to bring in yoghurt pots for your craft activity of the week!

Thing 12. YouTube.

I was looking forward to having a look at YouTube because a lot of what I had heard was about it being the home of funny video clips. However, it is so much more! Having purchased a new tent I was keen know how to put it up, and to my delight, Vango have put a video on there, showing exactly how to do it. I imagine I will be looking at it a few times. I also looked at a tongue-in-cheek video advertising Plymouth University Library, made by some media students, which explained how the Library was under appreciated. My favourite comment from one student was that they only ever used Wikipedia, as it contains absolute facts.
Of course, I had to watch the Susan Boyle audition for Britain's Got Talent. Amazing.

Thing 11. Podcasts

I was quite keen to try the podcasts as my husband usually does the downloading of the CBeebies podcasts for my daughter each week, and I've never had a go myself. I was keen to listen to the complete interview between Chris Moyles and Katie Price last week, as I only caught the tail end, so my first subscription was to the Chris Moyles show, which naturally went hand in hand with Scott Mills, so I thought I would have him too. There is a chance I may subscribe to something more meaningful...

Lucy and Toby sledging

Sledging fixed
Originally uploaded by EYendell

I thought I'd have a go at pushing a photo over from Flickr once I had edited it in Picnik. Ta da!

Thing 10. Social bookmarking and tagging

Hmm. I'm not sure I liked this very much. For some reason I couldn't get to any of the pages by cutting and pasting the names in the way the instructions suggested, so I managed to find the Libraries by using a different search, and adding them to my network by saying "Yes" to a question. So, I managed it in the end and chose VHL and Languages. I did manage to subscribe to an RSS feed from VHL, and get it fed to my Google reader. I imagine if I was studying, that would be really handy to have up to date information from the Libraries I used.

Thing 9: Social bookmarking and tagging

I'm all in favour of having my bookmarks easily accessible, so this looked like a good way of doing it, especially as you can tag them to link them together.
I'm not sure if this is something I would use outside of 23 things, but it looks okay. I'm about to see if I can add more tags to my bookmarks retrospectively... here goes.

Thing 8. Picnik

I was really interested to try this image editing site, as I've become quite used to using Photoshop CS2. I have to say I'm really impressed. I chose photos to upload that I knew needed tweaking and got some good results. I've had a go at turning a regular photo into black and white, with a vignette, with good results. The site is really intuitive, and for basic image editing I would consider using this again.

Thing 7. Create a Flickr account

This week is about something I know a little about, so that's great. I've never used Flickr before (being a photobox gal), but have been into digital photography since I was given a DSLR nearly 6 years ago. Flickr was really easy to use and I managed to upload a few images, plus a movie. I'm looking forward to trying the Piknik editing next...

Thing 6. Find more feeds

After subscribing to two colleagues feeds, to get myself going, I started off with choosing the BBC news feed, as I vaguely remembered seeing the image on there somewhere, and thought the beeb might ease me in gently. After that, I was stuck. I must be interested in something, so I remembered that occasionally i dusted off my DSLR and went mad taking photos of everything that moved or in fact didn't move, so I found a Camera review feed to make me sound knowledgeable. Next, I thought about the last CD I bought- yes, I still prefer to have a physical item in my hand, not a download, although I'm not sure I should admit that it was Lady Gaga's Fame monster (it is in fact brilliant). So I'm subscribing to her too. Quality.

Thing 5 Google reader

This task took me a little bit longer, as I discovered that I had unwittingly already signed up for the feed. So, to check I had done it properly, I unsubscribed and resubscribed using the instructions. Today I can appreciate how my parents feel where new technology is concerned and it's not good!

Thing 4

Blog registered. Looking at other peoples blogs has been really interesting. There are some detailed and amusing ones out there. For the moment I'm amazed I'm getting my posts up here at all! I have discovered that Firefox is the way to do this as Explorer is being obstructive. One day I'll post something mindblowing...

Thing 1 and Thing 2 igoogle pages

Making an iGoogle page was a bit of fun; it was difficult to know when to stop adding gadgets. I settled on just the penguins in the end, and not an entire zoo.

23 aims...

My aim for the challenge is to do all the 23 things within the time specified! It would also be nice if all this technology business looked a bit less scary by the end!