Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thing #23
And I got so excited about blogging that I set up a new blog-Likes and Dislikes, the digital version of my paper zine. Here it is: http://likesanddislikeszine.blogspot.com/
It is all the things I like and dislike.
I am much more excited and knowledgeable about Library 2.0 now. Before it was sort of a hazy idea, but it doesn't really exist until you participate in it. I feel more able to engage in discussions and debates about L2, and it's not as scary or as abstract.
My favorite things were: learning about RSS feeds, discovering and becoming addicted to del.icio.us, and learning to mess with photos. I've been telling everyone I know about these tools, esp. del.icio.us. I didn't really feel like I connected with others. It was nice to have two people comment on my blog, and once in a while I peeked at other people's blogs, but I don't really have time.
I guess I wasn't expecting to love technology this much. I've always kind of seen it as a hassle, or as unnecessary. I live in the 19th century. Seriously. I am a blast from the past. I belong at Hymie's Haberdashery. Getting sundries.
I thought the format worked great-although it was hard for me to figure out what library network I'm a part of, because my library isn't a public one, or one that people even know about that much.
I like that it was set up like a blog so people could see what blogs look like if they're just getting started. I also like the news emails. I would definitely do the 23 more things on a stick. 23 days later. 23 things redux. 23 things part II. 23 Things: The Final Countdown.
Here is your free advertising phrase: I accidentally learned I was having so much fun.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thing #22
That whole list of other resources is boggling or should I say bloggling my mind.
I won't be able to get away from Library 2.0, which is fine with me.
I think my dog is an Aquarius, like me. I got a new book called, "What Sign is Your Pet" and judging from the self-quiz, and reading through the profiles, I think she is. And I like to be surrounded by Aquarians (so few and far between) and Aquarius ideals (working together, community). Which is how I see Library 2.0. What will Library 3.0 be? I hope it involves the Jetsons. Or at least some of the tools featured in the future.
A way to keep up on what? Library tools? I just listen to gossip at Palmers about libraries, talk to other librarians, and see what the talk is on the digests of mailing lists I am on but almost never participate on. Sometimes I want to hide in my cave and not participate in anything, but most of the time I do. That's what I get for being a photographer that grew up in the darkroom.
Enough about that. These 23 things have been quite a ride.
Thing #21
I am a member of GoodReads, but about a week after I signed up for it, I didn't go to the site anymore. I only have so much time.
I get kind of burnt out on social networking. I don't want to be "networking" allll the time. I am a little tired of this whole "everyone is so special" phase the whole world is in right now. Whatever happened to anonymity of the common man/woman?
I also joined Crafter a million years ago but forgot about it. Sometimes I like doing crafts more than reading about them. But lately I've been watching Vincent Price movies on the couch with my dog and bf.The woman that started Craftster is a great Boston craft supporter. She started a store-Magpie. The first store to ever take my zines for consignment.
I am all full up on social networking lately, so probably won't take too much time on these sites. Social networking sites are like food obsessions for me-they're all I can think about for about 2 weeks, then drop them and forget them completely. When someone mentions them, I look back on my time spent on them nostalgically, but don't intend to make them my stomping grounds again.
Do you know what I will always be devoted to? Positively 3rd St. Bakery's cookies and bread. Yum.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Thing #20
I also had a Friendster acct a long time ago but never check my acct anymore. It's kind of hard to find groups to join on Facebook I feel. What is the difference between groups and networks?
I am a member of the Belfry Center group, Red Hot Art Festival, MLIS at St. Kate's: the Best MLIS Program in Minnesota,Sexy Spring Collective,Facebook should have other gender options: Official Petition,BOBCATSSS 2008, Lovers of Letterpress, and Arise!. And while I was making this list I joined Paper Magazine's group. And Zinesters.
I joined these groups because they're places/things/events I'm interested in and keep up to date and talk to other people about the same things.
I can see why Facebook is the most popular social networking site. It feels like there's an application for everything and not only is it a great way to waste time, but you can see how all your friends are wasting their time.
I do like how libraries are using Myspace. I set up an acct for the Bat Annex library a while ago and we've gotten so many donations through the visibility it gave us... A library Myspace makes people think the library is cool and with it. And there is the blogging feature, posts, etc so you can let a lot of people know what's going on at once. Plus there is this non-threatening feel to Myspace, like you can be silly and not so serious and people will think the library is a fun place and not square.
I do wish LibraryThing would work more on its promised widget to be able to search the catalog right on Myspace. I'll continue adding friends, esp. ones in other states or like-minded organizations. It's nice to see how many libraries are using Myspace. The Papercut Zine Library in Cambridge, Mass uses Myspace to let us know their hours, events that are going on, and shows that are happening. And new zines they've got in. They've also got a traditional website, but their Myspace page probably gets a lot more action.
Thing #19
Ok, I got it. I listened to that podcast. It was sooooo good.
Of the directories, I thought the MN Podcast was really disorganized and hard to look at. It's hard to know what podcast to listen to on Podcast.net or .com. It is cool that teachers can create podcasts for their students. With all this new technology people with different learning styles might be getting their day. Lots of people learn visually and audibly, not through reading or writing. And with all these podcasts, Youtube videos, etc. they can learn things another way.
But anyway, back to podcasts.
I probably won't listen to many podcasts. I am too addicted to plain old NPR. It's hard to decide which podcast to listen to. I really only listen to things that aren't cds or records when I'm driving (blechh) or cooking or cleaning. Otherwise I've got the turntable going. But if for some reason I had all this free time, it would be fun to make a podcast. This frog blog is keeping me busy enough.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thing #18
I heard a funny piece on NPR about how UTube, some manufacturer for some piece of something is constantly getting nasty calls and emails from people trying to find YouTube. Their website couldn't handle all the traffic and it was a full time job just deflecting people looking for funny videos of dogs or old Bruce Springsteen videos, like that one where Courtney Cox gets pulled up on stage and dances with the Boss. These are all gems I've discovered on YouTube.
I am thrilled to see the March of the Librarians using the classic Europe tune "The Final Countdown." Fine peice of music, that is. But I don't know why that video got so much circulation. It wasn't that great. And all the librarians were middle aged white women.
Embedding this video of Howlin Wolf was really easy.
I don't have any attention for video, which maybe explains why I haven't become as immersed in the YouTube craze as I could. That goes for video art too. Even if it's the most exciting thing in the world, I can't watch it for very long.
I chose this video obviously because Howlin Wolf was the coolest. I had absolutely no issue at all using this site. It is so easy. It's amazing how much pointless blabber occurs in the comments section of each video. Wow.
I would really love to make a video of our library. A wild dance party in the library would definately get me interested.
Thing #17
I didn't find Gale/Cenage learning at all. Am I blind?
The ProQuest tool was pretty cool, but if I were someone else, I wouldn't want articles mailed to me all the time. It's enough getting the clippings mailed to you by your grandma, isn't it?
NetLibrary's notes tool was pretty cool, but I don't really know why I'd use it.
Sometimes I feel like all these tools are just being invented and promoted because people can,not because they'll really make our lives easier. I think people just want to say,look at this other tool. Tools are great, but if it takes more time to use it than it would to do it the old fashioned way, they're not worth very much.
Thing #16
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thing #15
I like the first life just fine. I think it's weird people are making all this money off selling fake things.
I generally hate gaming. I think it is a waste of time and kind of pathetic.
I was once at my cabin. We ventured into town so I could go to the library to look up someone's phone number or send them an email to tell them to stop by, since we did't have contact with the outside world. I had to spend a long time waiting to use the computer in the library while these kids played some boring online game where you paint someone's fingernails. Wouldn't it have been more fun to paint your own fingernails in the analog world? And since they had signed up for an alotted amount of time, it was really theirs to do with as they pleased.
I guess gaming is no different than looking at porn at the library. I mean, they're both wasting time.
Although, as a kid I really liked "gaming" which we never called it then. I loved Number Munchers (the only way to make math fun) and Oregon Trail and Where in the World Is Carmen Sandeigo? I learned how not to get cholera, where Zimbabwe was, and about multiplying.
Why are pirates so popular these days? Along with zombies and robots and werewolves. Maybe they were always popular. I just got a DVD set featuring a movie from the 80s about a "maggot-spewing zombie doctor" that lives in the basement. See? Zombies were popular then, too.
This Pirate thing sure does take a while to load.
Who talks on the pirate thing? I like all the pirate lingo, but was I talking to a real pirate or just a computer? I didn't like bilging all that much. I wish I could have chose to do what I wanted to do instead of working my way up to it. I also wish I would have somehow earned enough money to buy a dog companion.
Thing #14
I am an old hand at LibraryThing. I've cataloged over 1,000 books and zines for the Bat Annex Free School Library. I am also helping out the Stevens Square Center for the Arts Zine Library by doing some cataloging for them.
Our entire book and zine collection is cataloged in LibraryThing. Well it is not all cataloged, but it will be one day. What I meant by that is that it's our only form of cataloging and keeping track of what we have. It would be nice if the Belfry had a computer so people could search for specific things while they were at the Belfry, but I guess for now people will have to search from home.
Here's our page if you're interested:
www.librarything.com/catalog/batannex
I like that people can send messages, be friends and add to "interesting libraries". It makes me feel good that people are seeing and appreciating my extensive cataloging. I like that you can look up books through a variety of places, including Amazon and LC. I also like that they just added a section in the tags to add more authors. Before you could only add how many would fit. Now it seems you can add into eternity. I also like that you can add your book covers, but for us zine libraries, that's going to mean a lot of scanning.
I just got a message from a woman who was stoked to see her zine listed in our library.
I really like LibraryThing. I like that it's free and whoever writes the directions is funny and fun.
I've tried adding two of those "search our catalog from our blog" functions to our Myspace blog, but they've never worked.
I also have an account on Good Reads, but the novelty wore off quick.
Thing #13
Well, we use the Google calendar for the Belfry. That seems to be going well. I'm encouraging people to use Google Docs for things like the meeting minutes, or for the press contact list for example.
Online calendars are nice because you can get really detailed and it will alert you. My Slingshot doesn't alert me and it gets lost a lot.
I think the lists are really too much work. I just need to write my to do list down on a colored piece of paper, and then I'll be able to find it better. It takes a lot more time to log into the computer, go to the list site, type things in and add tasks, than it does just to write it down with a pen. Not everything has to be virtual.
Backpack looks too complicated. I obviously didn't want to pay, so signed up for the free account. There is too much text on there, but now no one can ever take polkaostrich.backpack.net ever again. Mwahahaahah... Seriously though, too complicated for something that is supposed to make your life easier.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thing #12
I also like that it separates the news into categories, like offbeat (which is the first thing I go to) and sports (which I avoid like the plague).
I also like that there are pictures that count as news items. It's hard to say whether the videos are worth a watch. I don't have the attention span for video. Video news, video art, etc. I can't watch it.
I added a piece of news that was on Ira Glass' (swoon) This American Life about two boys that went missing and when one turned out he was claimed by the wrong family but it was never righted until this family member started researching it and found out the truth which everyone was pissed about.
I see these tools as being either productivity enhancers or distractors. For me, probably enhancer, but I could see that line being crossed without even knowing it.
I have read articles-by read I mean scanned-because of these tools. I also have found websites I wouldn't have known of before to add to my Google reader.
Thing #11
I love the internet and go to the same websites a lot. I don't really use bookmarks, since I don't have a computer at home, so there is no point in putting my favorite websites on a computer that isn't mine. So that means I have to remember the ones I like or just forget them and wish I remembered them...
I love that you can see what other people tagged a website as-it makes me see how other people think of things. I also love that I can see what other people are looking at. I'm sure I will find a whole slew of new websites to frequent.
My library and art space could use it to let people who visit our website know about cool friends. It can be another form of the "links" page.
I like the idea of saving your bookmarks on a site that is available everywhere...
I wish you didn't have to install that button. I do like the cloud tags.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Thing #9
I don't think the founding Fathers would really care what we were doing with their doc because they would still be in charge, being in the 1700s and white men and rich. Oh those Founding Fathers...emphasis on the capitals...
After looking at Zoho's format, I decided I still like Google better. Zoho looks too simple, and like a little kid's program or something.
I've been trying to get everyone I know to use Google Docs lately..at least at the Belfry/Bat Annex Library for things like the press release list, places to flyer list, etc.
I love Google. And I love Google Docs.
Thing #10
I like this idea of anyone being able to work on a document. This is perfect for group projects, the Belfry, or anything that people are working on collaboratively.
I don't know how I feel about limiting the source of information by format. I'm not sure if it's the format so much, just that Wikipedia leads to laziness. I see the reason for banning Wikipedia from citing in research is because it is a dynamic source of information. What is here today won't be there tomorrow. And it can be sabotauged and the researcher might not know there's bias in there. I'm sure if more students tried to use blog comments or livejournals for their research those would be banned too. It's generally a good idea to stick with peer-reviewed journals, and to check the background of an author. Maybe they are pathological liars. Maybe they are Stephen Glass or that woman that just faked her hard gang life.
I think it's good to teach students and researchers about the quality of trustworthy information and being discriminating.
I edited www.belfrycenter.wetpaint.com.
A while ago I edited the Bla Bla Blacksheep entry on Minnewiki, and added a few more bands. I found that website very hard to manuever today.
I've also edited Zinewiki in the past, but couldn't get to it today. That's my favorite.
I've edited and used The Infoshop Open Wiki for information on infoshops-http://www.infoshop.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Thing #8
It seems you are pretty jealous of my tech skills.
I'm glad these slideshow options exist. They would be nice for a library or personal webpage or blog to brighten things up. But they always sort of end up looking cheesy, so I hope it's not that serious of a site.
I tried Lazybase but it seemed boring. The Flicks were pretty fun. I don't want to think about getting a new job right now, so the eportfolio was not at the top of my list.
These applications wouldn't be the first thing I recommended to others. They weren't that fun or useful, but not the biggest waste of time, either.
I like that some sites post to Blogger for you.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thing #7
Our library uses email for almost all of our communication. Since the space is collectively run with no paid staff most of the communications are done outside of the Belfry. We have a phone, but unless someone is there to answer it, we don't really use that as a form of communication. Also, our computer is crappy and we have to steal internet connection, so we never use that either.
We use email to communicate between the collective members (on a Google group), or by sending individual emails to each other either through email or Myspace.
We call each other too, but some people don't have cell phones or phones at all, so it's easier to send emails internally. That way people can know what other people's responses were, too.
We also use our email contacts list as a way of letting people know what events are going on at the library. Along with Myspace postings, listserv postings, and all the other ways of promoting an event.
I love the idea of online reference. People seem to be a lot more comfortable IMing a librarian than interrupting them at their desk, or calling and talking. I really hate anything having to do with text messaging. Maybe it's because I get them on my phone and those buttons are too small to press and it takes wayyyy too long, then I end up just calling the person anyway.
I do use text messaging, and IM once in a while when my Gmail account is open. Only a handful of people I know actually will text (or tex-mex as my bf calls it) or IM me. Not very many people.
That article says tex mexes are sent when a voice call would not be appropriate...classrooms, movie theaters, libraries...
Why would someone tex mex a librarian if they were in the library and could walk up to them? What kind of urgent reference questions need to be answered while watching a movie?
I generally don't like tex mexing.
Maybe I'll attend an Opal webinar in the future. There aren't any until Monday.
Thing #6
Chicks on Speed has been in my life a lot lately. Here is a trading card of myself, but I have to say I've made much better trading cards in the darkroom.
Here is the drumset for my new band. We tell everyone we are a polka band but in fact know no polka songs.
Here is a picture of someone's shaved head. Do you know how much more satisfying it would be to actually shave this into someone's head?
That was actually the original "Don't Look Back" take, but they thought it was too specific, and would make other fans jealous, so they changed it to illustrate a song.
I think I am obsessed with this generating thing.
Thing #5
Oh my god, it worked! I love Spell with Flickr! I think it's the most exciting feature of these posted. Now I can make everything I write look fabulous.
I guess I don't have a whole lot to say about this feature, except that it's cool and I'm really glad all those people set their pictures of letters to "public".
Thing #4
Here is my first transfer from Flickr to a blog. I have a Flickr
account, but forgot about it. Now I think I might be addicted to it. It's hard because I don't have a computer (well I do, but it doesn't get the internet, or save, or print anything, or burn CDs) so I have to use my sister's computer which means I have to deal with my crazy mom and her cats always sitting in front of the screen and she tries to talk to me and peers over my shoulder when I'm doing things and then sits next to me and talks on the phone really loud. That's the main reason I haven't really gotten into Flickr. Maybe when I win the lottery I will buy myself a computer to upload all my photos onto.
I have BFA in photography and am not in the digital camp at alll...
But, I think I will start a Flickr account for the Belfry/Bat Annex Library. Then we can all upload our pics onto the site so everyone can see how much fun a radical lending library can be and they'll all want to visit and check zines out and have dance parties in the library. We drink beer in our library.
I feel wonderful about having my photos public. I'm not really doing anything illegal, and I like the idea that I don't have to invite everyone over for a slide show, make a cheez ball, etc. for them to see my pictures. And I like the idea of people I don't know finding my pictures and hopefully laughing at them or wondering what could be going on there.
I don't know how other people who are in the pictures feel about it though. How many people actually ask if it's ok with their subjects, if its just their friends, if they're up on Flickr? Does anyone ever do anything sinister with Flickr images?
I remember when Flickr just came out and all the photographers were so excited.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Thing #3
How are we all supposed to work with all of the RSS feed reading? I could spend all day just reading these.
So I signed up for Bloglines because that's what Steven Abrams likes. And he's cool. But then I also signed up for Google reader because I like the idea of Google dominating my life. And my blog is through there, and my email, so why not? Is that so wrong? I think I like Google's better.
I love that I don't have to remember that I like a website and go to it all the time. I don't like that I expect to feel overwhelmed by all this information.
I would think that librarians really like this. Especially if there is a special interest.
When will people learn to clone ourselves so one of us can be just us, and the other one do errands and be personal assistants to the real one? I feel like I'll need a clone to read all my blogs. And I've only subscribed to 5. I get distracted very easily. I am an Aquarius. But we've talked about this before.
I thought Google Reader was a lot easier to use than Bloglines. I like the setup, that you can star things, that after you've scrolled down, it marks the blog as "read", and it was friendlier to help me find blogs. The video explained what I had to figure out on my own, because I set up a Bloglines account before I watched the video. That's just my style.
Isn't a little egomanaical of everyone when they say "subscribe to my blog", Now I'm starting to get what all the blog jokes are about. I mean, are we all so important that we expect people to subscribe to our blogs and find out our every move? Can't we just go home and watch Princess Bride without telling everyone about it?
PS Subscribe to my blog! Frog bog.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thing #2
I love Library 2.0. I love the idea that everyone can contribute information. See what happens when we enter the age of Aquarius? Which is, among other things, the sign of genius and humanity? And some would argue democracy. Let me describe my view of librarianship astrologically.
Aquarius is all about groups, and the individual's contributions to the greater good. Aquarians are often anarchists, and rebellious. They love working collectively and realize there is more value when everyone contributes, instead of having one boss. Aquarians don't like authority.
Library 2.0 embodies a lot of these traits. I like that everyone's input is just as valued as everyone else's.
As for 23 things on a stick, I don't know where I'm finding the time. I am shaving off the time I usually use for Googling random things I guess. Where do we find the time for anything we want to learn? I don't watch TV and I don't really do drugs, so I've got plenty of time.
I am participating in 23 Things so that I'm caught up to speed. I'm only 27 (!) but I still don't know my way around any of these applications very well. Because I was late to the party, am living in the 19th century, and went to art school where I made photos on watercolor paper for a few years. Not very technological. I don't have a computer or any gadgets. I still use the typewriter a lot. Not even the electric kind. The I-could-bring-this-into-the-woods kind.
I do agree with what Jessamyn says though, that "Let's do it" maybe being pushed aside by "Let's form a committee". Committees get little done in a lot of time. Hopefully it's catered at least. That goes with the package, I guess- the more people involved in something, the slower it will be to change direction.
Who will be the police in Library 2.0? What is decided to be out of line, and what is free speech? Who controls a library's site? The IT people? Are they qualified to be doing that? The librarian? It's hard when the lines between public and private blur.
It's hard to keep the line between the past and the present as Little Edie says.
I love that libraries have presences on Facebook and Myspace. Bringing the library to where the users are. If I see a library while wasting time on one of these sites, I think, hmm, they aren't so square after all. And I'm not even a high school junior, or someone more apt to think these things.
I'm a little confused by the name Library 2.0. Can't we call it Operation: something? I don't know, something that makes a little more sense.
I run the Bat Annex Free School Library in the Belfry Center for Social and Cultural Activities in Mpls. We are a very unconventional library. I set up a Myspace page for the library, and our catalog is on LibraryThing, so people can see what we've got when they're at home. I want to learn more about what sort of tools I can use in this 23 things program.
My final question is, why were they turning on dishwashers during Steven Abram's video? That would have driven me nuts as the videographer.
Ok bye!