Blue Diamond

Maps #32 Current Events

2009-02-24T10:51:00.002-06:00

Activity 1: My query would be "Looking at the clouds". The website you can use is: http://www.daylightmap.com/clouds/

Activity 2: I tried exploring the suggested sites. Unfortunately you can view some of the items but you have to sign up for a subscription. Which I was not going to do. However if I did I would get this one: http://www.terraserver.com/samples.asp. I like the idea that it has the sports venues places to look at.

Optional Bonus Activity: What a cool thing to look at. Interesting to see what the satellites are seeing. I enjoyed this site.

Maps #31 Have Map Will Travel

2009-02-24T10:15:00.002-06:00

View Larger Map

This exercise was interesting in looking at the different map applications that can be used. I have always used Map Quest. It was interesting to look at the aerial shots and the close up views of a persons house. Kind of scary in a way.

Sound: #26 Making (or listening to) Music Together

2008-05-07T16:44:00.001-05:00

I looked at the sites and enjoyed Project Playlist. It took me a little while to get to understand what I was doing. The one that was the most fun was JamStudio. You can have a ball with this one. Although my song sounded like it was skipping. I had to go back and change a few of the beats. This one site that could help me learn my chords maybe that is a big maybe. The another big maybe I can finally play my guitar.

#25 Sound: Am I a music pirate? It's hard to know.

2008-05-07T16:06:00.002-05:00

I have learned the process of burning CD's. It gets a little addicting for me. I have the IPOD that I place music on but don't have the capability to hear the music while I am driving. So in order for me to hear a few of my favorites I burn them to a CD and play them in my car. Recently I burned a few what I call exercise music for fitness instructors to use in class. Now I did not sell them for a profit. I gave them as a gift. I think musicians do benefit from sharing music online and are protected by copyright laws. I think it helps in their popularity. And they still are making profit. It's nice to just buy one song rather than having to buy the artist whole CD just for one song that you like.

#24 The Sound of Music

2008-05-06T16:32:00.002-05:00

I received a IPod for Christmas and have downloaded different songs from different sites. My favorite is Itunes. Mainly because that is the first site that I tried and I find it easy for me to use. It took me a little while to understand it but now I enjoy looking for my music to exercise too. My favorite radio station is 92.1 Praise. I listen to this station when I get a chance to at work. I also listen to 99.1 Sunny.

Spring Cleaning #30 Take a Load Off our Drives

2008-04-29T10:56:00.001-05:00

I do not have access for the S: drive. For some reason if you computer is on the county domain side the drive cannot be viewed. As for the P: drive Support Services uses the H: drive. Files are created there for Support Services staff to use or share. It contains databases that the staff uses every day. As for adding material to the drive I have done that. But it is usually a copy and paste of a folder from the previous fiscal year. As for spring cleaning my supervisor is in charge of the drive and would have to go through it to determine what can be deleted.

As for the Z: drive. I use this one constantly. I did have some personal photos which I have now moved to a USB. Most of my photos consist of coworkers and staff events. I save them in case I need to use them for a future scrapbook or in case we need to look at a past staff member to remember who they were. My Z: drive really needed to be cleaned up. This exercise gave me the opportunity to do that. I guess I really didn’t think about what I was really saving to this drive. But now I will be more cautious of what I save. The USB’s really are helpful and saving material to clear up drives. The oldest file I had was one I created while working in Acquisitions. It was six years old. Truthfully it was not very important why I kept it saved I don’t know. As for being organized I guess I need to do some fine tuning on myself.

Spring Cleaning #29 Email

2008-04-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

I have three personal email accounts through Yahoo, Hotmail and Google. I use one for personal use for instance for friends and family, one email for creditors and one for web sites that ask you to sign up before looking at their web sites. I only use HCPL for work related items or at times for personal use. At times my family will send a quick email to tell me to check my personal email. After I read the email I usually delete it or forward to my personal email. Sometimes I do respond to a personal email but once I’m done with that email I delete it. One thing to always remember is that personal emails are not private and can be viewed and retrieved by Network Services.

I created three folders to move my emails to. I created one for informational emails that I might need to hang on to for a little longer. I created another one to put emails from my supervisor. The other folder I created is for Auditing/Purchasing information that I need to hang onto for a week or two.

I will have to get into a routine of deleting, moving, and forwarding emails more often. Maybe start skimming through emails on Friday’s and clearing out before a new week starts. I have deleted files in my in box. I had 194 emails. My box is now down to 3 emails.

Spring Cleaning #28 Don't Clutter Up Expensive Cyberspace

2008-04-29T09:22:00.006-05:00

I read the GTD article from Wikipedia. I agree with writing or making lists of tasks to be done; whether it is for the current day or the next day. For me personally when I write a task down it’s basically a goal to accomplish for the day. If there is one task I did not complete at the end of the work day then a move that task to the top of the next day’s tasks.

The one thing I did like in this article is the Process part and I need to put this into practice. It describes how the workflow is followed. This gave me some different views on handling a few tasks. In dealing with what the task item action requires, if I can do a task in two minutes then I should get that task out of the way. Never put anything back into the “in”. Meaning if it is a task you really don’t want to handle at the moment but you know it needs to be done. If your hands touched the items to read you might as well complete the tasks rather than putting it aside. When you put items aside they can easily get buried with other work piled on top. If the item needs to be filed might as well do the filing when you complete the tasks. Again things can pile up.

I mainly use calendars for appointments and reminders. I never put any of my tasks for the day on the calendar.

I did try the Ta-Da list and Bla-Bla List both about the same. However I don’t know if I would really use the sites since most of the time I tend to write down my tasks on Dry Erase board and it is easily accessible to me. Plus I don’t have to sign into a web site to type in the tasks for the day. It is also accessible for others to view what my tasks are for the day.

2007-11-30T08:39:00.000-06:00

Myspace Hello Comments

2007-11-30T08:34:00.001-06:00

Cool Glitter Graphics

2007-11-30T08:04:00.000-06:00

Week 10: #23 Is this really the end?

2007-11-30T07:55:00.000-06:00

The iHCPL learning experience was a great idea. I learned some things that I probably would never have discovered. It was a lot of fun seeing other blogs. I like learning how to edit pictures and making slide shows. Avatars was the most fun part. Seeing how everyone created themselves was a blast. I wish we could continue with more exercises but I know there probably has to be a limit somewhere. Maybe we can have iHCPL 2. Thanks to those who put the program together.

Week 9 #22 Dounloadable Media

2007-11-30T07:48:00.000-06:00

I have to say I have not really looked at the HCPL's digital site until now. It has some interesting items. I looked at LibriVox and Wowio and I really did not like their sites. Not a big variety of items to choose from. I did see some titles on HCPL's site that I would like to try. I will have to go back and look more at Overdrive.

Week 9: #21 Podcasts

2007-11-15T11:54:00.000-06:00

I looked at the different directories and did a few searches. It was interesting finding different Podcast. I have never done any of the podcast. So this was a challenge for me. Hopefully I did it right. I placed a gospel sermon podcast on my bloglines account. I will be checking on it to make sure I did it right.

Week 9 #20 You Tube/Yahoo Videos

2007-11-13T10:27:00.001-06:00

I like using You Tube and it can be addicting. You can find different types of dance steps. I could not get the You Tube video embedded right so I tried the Yahoo Videos it was much easier. This was not the video I intended to put but since I could not get the Cupid Shuffle I decided to go with Soulja Boy dance steps.

2007-11-07T15:16:00.000-06:00

2007-11-06T08:50:00.001-06:00

2007-11-06T08:29:00.001-06:00

Week 8: #19 Web based Apps

2007-11-02T15:38:00.000-05:00

I played around in ZOHO. I like the idea of the to do list, chatting, and appointments. I tested a few appointments I will see what happens. I will use this site in the future.

Week 8: #18 Social Networking

2007-10-30T14:09:00.000-05:00

I like social networking. By having blogs and myspace it is a way of keeping in touch with others. Especially family. I have family in Kansas, California, and Florida so this helps with keeping the communication lines open. All we do is look at MySpace and we can catch up on what the whole family is doing. Plus make our comments and see pictures. It also helps me out when planning family reunions.

Week 7: #17 New Technology

2007-10-25T15:10:00.000-05:00

I came across this little gadget on a website called crazyaboutgadgets. I might have to really get one of these. You never know when you might lose your phone.

Losing your mobile phone or having it stolen is a nightmare, but losing your contacts numbers from your SIM card will cause a social meltdown! Fear not, the USB SIM Card Reader, one of the most invaluable gadgets has arrived at crazyaboutgadgets! Yes reader by name…reader by nature, the USB SIM Card Reader is a rather cute looking data storage gadget that allows you to backup your phonebook data, text messages and change your network provider all on your PC or laptop. Entering your friends names into your mobile is a painstaking exercise…unless of course you haven’t got any friends! It comes with its own software that allows you to back up all the data from your mobile phone onto your PC. Not only does the USB Sim Card Reader allow you to edit your contacts to keep them up to date, it also allows you to keep that library of text messages you’ve stored, edit your pin number and manage your passwords! The USB Sim Card Reader is a must and guarantees to provide you with complete peace of mind whatever happens to your mobile phone or sim card.

Technical specifications• Includes a PC address book.• Compose SMS messages, edit any contacts on your PC or laptop and send them to the SIM Master. • Free Windows software bundle.• No batteries required.• Hardware requirements: PC only: Windows 98SE, 2000, ME or XP. • Back up numerous SIM cards and store them all onto your PC.

I do look at other blogs and post comments. This week it is interesting in looking at all the new technology that people are finding and letting them know how cool their findings are.

Life

2007-10-24T15:38:00.001-05:00

More Comments at pYzam.com

Week 7 #13 Wiki

2007-10-24T14:28:00.000-05:00

I have seen Wiki's before. I just never have tried adding or changing a Wiki. I tend to use Wikipedia often. It's more helpful to me. I see where you can edit. But never have attempted. However for this exercise I learned that it is possible to change the content of a site. I added my blog name to the ihcpl wiki. It was not hard. I will have to go back and explore some more. I like the idea that many people are adding suggestions for books, movies, and etc.

Week 6: #15 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

2007-10-19T14:15:00.000-05:00

I like the idea that services are updated and reevaluated constantly. I think that change is good. Everything evolves around the patrons. If patrons want or need a certain item. With new technology it is possible to help the patron. I believe that one day there will be set up like Netflix. Now you don't have to go rent a movie it can be sent to you. So if libraries go to this type of system. It could be consider new for libraries. I know we have ILL but this would be different. Most people look on the internet at home rather than go to a library. I think patrons would like the idea that reserves could be mailed to them. I'm not a librarian but I think that the new generation of librarians accept changes and have ideas of their own. Patrons can already put there own reserves then come in and check the items out themselves with the self checkouts. I have seen so many changes with technology, everyday it is something new. I like change. Change is also a challenge to others but with the right training change will make a difference.

Week 6: #14 Technorati

2007-10-18T15:37:00.000-05:00

Okay I claimed my blog. I will see how this works. I kind of understand it. I was able to find other participants with the iHCPL search. This site was some what interesting.

Technorati Profile

Week 6: #13 Tagging

2007-10-18T15:17:00.000-05:00

I took a look at Del.icio.us and found it interesting. I don't know if I would really use it. You know old habits hard to break. I did not make my own account, however I might try at a later date. I looked at some of the bookmarks. Found some new interesting sites. I think this is an esy way to create bookmarks.

Week 5 #12 Library Elf

2007-10-11T12:15:00.000-05:00

Its nice to know that the Library Elf will let me know by mail when I have something overdue or close to being due. This will help me out because I often forget what I take home. Especially when half the stuff I check out is not for me.

Week 5: #11 Library Thing

2007-10-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

I have to admit this was an interesting assignment. At first I thought how can this benefit me. But as I looked more into the site I was able to get recommendations for other books similar to the ones I liked and plus get some feedback on the books. The rating system on the books was helpful. Sometimes it helps when someone else has read the book before you that way you can decide if you want to read an item now or wait and turn to another book first. My blog widget is located on the sidebar, scroll down and you can see it.

Week 5: #10 Image Generators

2007-10-09T10:41:00.000-05:00

I had already played around with the Meez avatars before this exercise. So I decided to look at some of the other generators. The option that was listed "Choose from a variety of image generators" was a bit challenging. I could not figure out how to get my image over. So I tried the comic strip generator. This was much easier to work with.

http://www.comicstripgenerator.com/

Week 4: #9 Finding Feeds

2007-10-04T09:15:00.000-05:00

Okay at first I tried a few of my favorites but some did not have feeds to subscribe to. Then I looked at Feedstar. I found some interesting feeds to look at. I was able to add them to my bloglines account. Feedstar was fairly easy to use. I will have to go back to it to see what else I can find. I might delete some of the existing feeds I have on my bloglines and add some new feeds.

Week 4: #8 RSS

2007-10-02T14:15:00.000-05:00

Creating an account with Bloglines was easy. It was interesting learning about the news feeds that are available. I found some quite interesting ones. I ended up adding 12 feeds. Now the interesting thing will be which one will I use more my favorites tab on the internet or Bloglines.

Week 3: #7 Photo Editing

2007-09-26T12:07:00.001-05:00

Week 3: #7
Originally uploaded by bluediamond4real

This is alot of fun I used Picnik. I understood this site better then the other two listed.

Week 3: #6

2007-09-26T10:07:00.001-05:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by bluediamond4real

This assignment was intersting. Learning more everytime I do a new assignment.

Week 3: #5 Black Eyed Peas

2007-09-26T08:13:00.001-05:00

BEP
Originally uploaded by bluediamond4real

One of my favorite bands!!!!

Lifelong Learning

2007-09-20T09:38:00.000-05:00

Lifelong learning is like life long job goals. My goals are to keep performing my job the best that I can and to continue to enhance my skills that I know and learned in college. I will enhance more skills by taking training classes in areas that will improve my learning and keep me motivated.

Online Safety and Sharing

2007-09-19T10:04:00.000-05:00

My thought on online safety is that you should be aware of what sites you are going to. I would think by now people would know that there are things that you don’t do on the internet, especially if you are using a terminal at work. If you are at home okay maybe you have your own guidelines to follow. Safety should be your number one priority. Privacy is another issue. You may think you are alone in front of your computer. Once you enter any of your information you are not alone anymore. Especially if you go to chat sites and freely share your information about yourself or you put too much info on your profile. I’m comfortable with putting information in up to an extent. If it is going to put me in any type of danger then I think twice before I enter information.

Video Blogger tutorial

2007-09-18T10:04:00.000-05:00

It took me a little while to understand how to start a blog. I understood it a little bit more with the help of the Video Blogger Tutorial. Plus after talking to a few people.

Test

2007-09-18T10:01:00.001-05:00

Testing to see if this works.