Week 9 Thing 23

Well, here are my comments on the Maryland 23 Things Project:

1. I feel it was definitely worth doing, since it gave me the chance (push) to check out Web applications that I would not have checked out on my own. Even if I do not use some of them again, I at least have a better understanding of them and how they are used. It is nice to now understand what someone is talking about when discussing some of these applications.

2. I got a sense of satisfaction after completing some of the activities. Though they were at times confusing and I still may not have understood everything about certain applications, I was able to do the basics.

3. The program gave me the chance to ask my colleagues for help when I was confused about a Web site. It was nice to work together, and have someone who had already done a Thing, that I was working on, be able to help me understand better.

4. I had fun on a number of the 23 Things.


Yeaaa, I think I have completed the 23 Things.

Week 9 Thing 22

I checked out Overdrive mostly since that is the one we have at BCPL. I tried to look up some old titles, but they were not available. That is a little disappointing, but I realize they can't do every title, so it makes sense to concentrate on the newer and more popular.


I think it is wonderful service. In this time of great technology it is good to see that the computer can be used to obtain books. I wish they could be transferred to an ipod. I was surprised that it does include video now. It would be even more useful. I don't know that I would use the service all that much, but it is great to know it is there if I needed it.

Week 9 Think 21

The search for podcasts was interesting. I was a little confused by what they really were about, and how to figure out how some work. I did search though for one and ended up, with the help of a colleague, getting into one about music called The World Cafe. I have listened on the radio to this program, and I am not so sure if the podcast is different or if it is just a way to listen to the show on the computer.

I added it to my bloglines feed list, so I guess I will find out more about how it works. I think I may be a little confused by podcasts, but now I know how to search for them.

Week 9 Thing 20

I checked out YouTube, and it was just what I thought, I had trouble stopping. I found some old music videos of musicians I like that I thought I would never be able to see again, and found some new ones. I can see why so many people like YouTube, and why so many go to the site everyday.

I also realized, how besides just being fun and entertaining, it could also be used for teaching when a visual would be so helpful. I checked out some home improvement how to videos, and another thing that came to mind, since my son loves to pitch in baseball, would be video instruction on how to throw certain types of pitches. I think the uses could be endless. So, then I checked for some, and there are some on YouTube. The one I watched was how to throw a curve ball. It worked well, and did give a good lesson on how to throw a curve ball and best locations to throwthe ball. There were other videos that I did not watch, but it appears that instructional videos are available and work well, at least for the subjects I checked out. I think this would be one way they could be very helpful for libraries. Even if it is just to let customers know of the possibilities available from videos on the Internet.


This was a really fun activity and I will probably go back to YouTube when I have a chance, but I must not get too addicted, I can see how it could take over all my spare time if I am not careful.

And here is one of the videos I found that I like - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPk11AugG4c

Week 8 Thing 19

I checked out Pandora, since I love to listen to music so much. I entered info on a certain musician I like. It did work, but I was not completely satisfied with their selections. Another librarian told me that you can kind of train it to play more of what you would like by telling it when you do not like something they selected. She said it than works really well.

I am amazed how you can just get music free this way and kind of set up your own radio station. I am not sure how or if I really will use it much, but I feel it is a great program and can broaden your horizons in music without taking it too far away from your likes.

Week 8 Thing 18

Well, I decided to use Google Docs to create a document. I found it very nice, and I went into detail on the document about what I think of this online word processing.

I decided to add a table to get an idea of how that works and imported a graphic from this blog. I had to try a number of times before I got it right and got use to how it works, but I persevered and got it to look the way I wanted it to look. And best of all I learned some things about Google Docs.

This exercise was very practical, and one of my favorites since it showed me something very helpful and useful that I may not have ever found on my own.

Here is the text of what I think about Google Docs:

"This is my test document for the "23 Things Project." I am so excited by this ability to create documents online. It sure solves many problems. I was looking into buying a new computer, but most of the reasonable priced do not come with MS Word etc. But now I will not have to have Word to create documents. And it is so nice that if you have the Internet you can access your documents. I hope I can get used to it so I can maybe use it in place of Word."

Week 7 Thing 17

I set up a Wiki through Sandbox, and I put a link to my Blog on the Favorites page. I got some help from a fellow 23 Thinger, when adding my Blog. Boy, some people can figure this stuff out so much better than me.

And that brings me to my Wiki I set up. I decided that a Wiki page about home improvement (not the show, the real thing) would be helpful. I figure that you could get the knowledge and help from others that have tackled a certain project. There could be a subject, and others could add their thoughts and opinions, or explain how they did something.

I feel a Wiki would be a good method for home improvement, because things change regularly and you want the most up to date information. It is also good to get the experience from others , and this is a way to do that easily. This Wiki would than be helpful to others working on the home.

This Thing was not too hard, but as with others it took some exploring, trying, and getting help. Just like most of the 23 Things. But that is the way we learn, isn't it.