Del.icio.us

This is another site I've heard about and looked at, but never really interacted with before. Both the videos were very helpful in describing it and its usefulness. I can see it's use both in research and for personal/social use. For example, I work with teens, and it's really rather difficult to keep up with all the things they're interested in. I find myself stretched in several directions to try to accommodate. However, with this kind of tool, I can track useful websites for readers advisory and jsut for my own information (especially in areas like Manga, where I am dreadfully behind the times). In reference activities, especially if you have a special interest or a specific clientele, this is clearly a good way of organizing ideas so you can quickly pull whatever your patrons need.

My personal experience this time with delicious led me to a site called The 43 Things, which is a nice social site that allows people to list their goals (large and small) and work in teams with other users for encouragement and inspiration. I set up an account already and it's interesting to see who shares my goals--and a little frustrating when I find that the way I've worded my goal makes me the lone achiever! Tags to the rescue, in that case. :) Now that I've written this, I see that the 43 things is also linked to our 2.0 blog, as a footnote. Hmmm. Maybe someday I'll learn to read ahead a little sooner!

LibraryThing

I like the idea of LibraryThing. I've heard of it before, even gone to the site before, but I just never set up an account. Hopefully, I'll get into the practice of using it as a record and a resource. At the moment, I've listed 5 of my favorite books. Watership Down has been my reigning favorite for at least 10 years, and I don't think that will change anytime soon, but I've got a lot of space available for all those books that come in second. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the accounts I've got going at the moment. Starting to feel like I need an RSS feed just to keep track of my own business, let alone the rest of the world.

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Jodiebug1

if only I was more creative...

This was inspired by my own spoiled kitty who got to share a bit of my lunch today. Also, I ADORE lolcats. I've found they are a prime way to lift me out of a cranky mood.


Made with free image tools @ TXT2PIC.com

Feed Search

Of the four sites, I think I preferred Topix.net. Feedster's site didn't come up, so I guess I can't officially count that in the comparison. Syndic8 was too basic, and technorati was not too bad. I was indifferent to the search result layouts (they didn't sway me one way of the other). What I really liked was the layout of the Topix homepage as opposed to Technorati. I found myself clicking around at the different links before I even started using the search tool.

RSS

I think RSS is a great way to stay on top of things. I don't have a large number of sites that I check daily (that makes me sound lazy and uninformed, I know), but for the few that I do deal with, it's nice to have them centralized. Previously, I have been the queen of multi-tabbed browsing and had my homepage set to all the sites I needed daily. Using RSS feeds is probably a much simpler method for keeping in touch.
I also know quite a few people who don't take advantage of this and should, so I'll be recommending it around my circle.

Tech Advances

I'm in several online classes this summer, and last night in our closing session for Information Needs of Children, we discussed the media available to children aside from books. We covered DVDs and their tendency toward more interactive options, smart boards in the classroom, and computers and the Internet in general.
One of my classmates predicted that in the not-so-distant future college would primarily exist as a collection of online classes. I found this a very depressing thought. Granted, I am working through a fully online program for Library Science, but that is only because it allows me to work full time and live here in Jacksonville. I prefer classroom interaction. I like the dynamic of a teacher in front of me and the other students taking notes and participating live in class. I think I'm becoming part of the minority. I love technology and all the options it affords, but I also like people. I think one of the most important things we need to learn is how to interact with people in all different settings. That can't be taught solely online, and I learned as much about human interaction in college as I did K-12.
I'm not scared of technology because it's confusing or difficult, but I'm a little scared of the amount of personal interaction it removes from life in general. And I think it makes people forget how to treat each other face to face, especially children.