Thing #4 is all about the joys of RSS. I am already very much a fan of Google Reader. I used to use Bloglines, but I switched to Google Reader because I liked the look of it more, and I felt it was easier to use. So, this "thing" was a quick one for me since I already had an account set up and tons of feeds that I subscribe to. If it wasn't for the reader, I would never be able to keep up with all the blogs and other RSS feeds that I find interesting. Plus, if I miss checking things for a day or two, its all right there the next time I log into the reader.
RSS in itself is such an amazing piece of technology. When I think of Web 2.0, RSS is one of the first things that come to mind. The fact that we are now able to integrate that into our catalog and some different areas of the website is phenomenal. What a groundbreaking way to bring the information that people want right into their hands (or computer screens, as it may be). RSS has revolutionized the way that people get the information they desire.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
OCL Web Challenge 2009: #3
The SEOmoz Web 2.0 Awards were really neat to look at. I am familiar with several of the "bigger" sites on the list, like Picnik, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, etc., so I stayed away from those and focused on a couple that I'd never heard of before.
The first site I looked into was the travel site Kayak. I have tried other travel booking sites before like Expedia and Priceline, but what is great about Kayak is that you can search those sites all at once. Essentially, you can plan your whole trip (airfare, hotel, car rental, etc) all from one website. Plus there are many different ways to limit your searches to exactly what you need. I would definitely use Kayak in planning upcoming vacations.
Swivel is the second site I explored. I had no idea that putting together a graph could be that much fun! You can input your data from an Excel file or by hand and then Swivel puts all that into the graph or chart of your choice. You can also search graphs that have been posted, which I think would be great for students looking for statistics as part of a report. That's because much of the data is being pulled from credible sources, such as the CDC or Standard & Poors. Very interesting concept!
The first site I looked into was the travel site Kayak. I have tried other travel booking sites before like Expedia and Priceline, but what is great about Kayak is that you can search those sites all at once. Essentially, you can plan your whole trip (airfare, hotel, car rental, etc) all from one website. Plus there are many different ways to limit your searches to exactly what you need. I would definitely use Kayak in planning upcoming vacations.
Swivel is the second site I explored. I had no idea that putting together a graph could be that much fun! You can input your data from an Excel file or by hand and then Swivel puts all that into the graph or chart of your choice. You can also search graphs that have been posted, which I think would be great for students looking for statistics as part of a report. That's because much of the data is being pulled from credible sources, such as the CDC or Standard & Poors. Very interesting concept!
Friday, October 30, 2009
BM Tech Challenge #7: Learning More About Outlook
The Outlook training course that I took was "File or Archive Your Email on Your Own Computer." I knew that those options were there in Outlook, but I never took advantage of them before. I was able to keep up with it when I worked at Brick. However, since becoming a branch manager, the amount of email that I receive is beginning to take on a mind of its own. It is a job in itself to constantly have to keep cleaning out the Inbox so you don't go over the space limit. Taking this Outlook course has opened my eyes to the beauty of auto-archiving and personal folders. The personal folders will probably be more my cup of tea for most items, but I think I am going to try using the auto-archiving for some things as well to see how I like it. I can't wait to put the steps that I learned in the course to good use. It will help me better organize my email, keep track of what I need longterm and get rid of the stuff that I'm hanging onto for no reason. Also, once I initially set up the folders and the archiving settings, keeping up with the emails won't feel like such a chore. I can't wait to start using the steps I learned about in the course.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
OCL Web Challenge 2009: Thing #1 & #2
I'm all set to jump into the 2009 Web Challenge! This was a smooth start for me since (A) I already have a gmail address and (B) I already have a blog. Right now I also use this blog to keep track of my "things" as part of the Branch Managers Tech Challenge. I'm looking forward to the Web Challenge as well and I'm just hoping I won't confuse the two too much along the way.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Challenge #6 - OCR Test Scan
This challenge was super quick and a lot of fun. I have used the OCR software on the PC Plus before, so I was familiar with the steps. The only strange thing that happened was that the page didn't scan once; it kept on scanning. I had walked away from the computer for a couple of minutes, and when I came back I realized that it had done 38 scans of the same page! I got it to stop and I deleted the extra pages, but I'm still unsure as to why that happened.
Anyway, once I had my one page, the editing was a breeze. No strange typos for me. The best part was editing it in Word. I think my creative writing background came in handy for this challenge! Good to be reminded that we have this software available for people want to scan something other than a picture. Though I do know from experience that it gets cranky with pages that are heavily formatted, like a resume. But mostly it is a useful software to have around.
Anyway, once I had my one page, the editing was a breeze. No strange typos for me. The best part was editing it in Word. I think my creative writing background came in handy for this challenge! Good to be reminded that we have this software available for people want to scan something other than a picture. Though I do know from experience that it gets cranky with pages that are heavily formatted, like a resume. But mostly it is a useful software to have around.
Challenge #5 - Newspaper Search
Searching for newspaper articles comes up a lot when helping customers. The majority of the time, for me anyway, it seems to revolve around finding obituaries. This can be a scavenger hunt in itself depending on how much information the customer can provide you (and whether or not it is accurate). I enjoy fishing around for info, though; the hunt is what makes it fun.
I recently used America's Newspapers to do a search on my old high school, just to see if anything new and exciting was happening there. I graduated from a small private high school in Binghamton, NY and now that my parents have moved away from there as well, I've been out of the loop. Most of the articles that I found were sports-related. However, I did find out that the school is planning on doing rennovations, which I would definitely say are a good thing. I'll have to keep digging for some better gossip!
I recently used America's Newspapers to do a search on my old high school, just to see if anything new and exciting was happening there. I graduated from a small private high school in Binghamton, NY and now that my parents have moved away from there as well, I've been out of the loop. Most of the articles that I found were sports-related. However, I did find out that the school is planning on doing rennovations, which I would definitely say are a good thing. I'll have to keep digging for some better gossip!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Challenge #4 - 2nd post
This part of the Challenge has really opened up my eyes and reminded me there is so much more to Google than a search engine. I use several of the extra Google features on a regular basis: Gmail, Google Maps (sooo in love with Maps!), Google Calendar, Google Reader, Google Docs, etc. But there is so much more in the Lab than even all that! I was greatful for the reminder of all the different advanced searching techniques. The Google Cheatsheet link was added to my favorites almost immediately after I took a glance over the page. I'm going to make it a point to try to practice with those searches so they begin to feel second nature to me.
Google Books is probably the one of the most amazing things I've recently began learning about and using. Its actually helped me quite a bit at work. I have used it to search for exerpts from books on storytime tips and craft ideas, and I've found a lot of information that way! Its a great help if you need the info right then and there. Of course, I've looked up the titles in our Power PAC and if we own a copy, I'll request it so I can take a look at the full version. That's been very helpful.
I think my favorite will always be Maps, though. Before I moved here after accepting the job with OCL, I used Maps to take a look at the area and get a lay of the land so to speak. I was moving from out of state and had no idea how to get anywhere. But a little research ahead of time did the trick and I didn't feel quite so lost when I finally got here. The satellite view is great because that really gives you a feel for where something is located - is it in a residential neighborhood or is it across the street from a shopping center? If they had only had the street view feature then; I would have definitely been using that too! Google has really added new components to Maps over the past few years, and that has continued to make it a competive product.
Google Books is probably the one of the most amazing things I've recently began learning about and using. Its actually helped me quite a bit at work. I have used it to search for exerpts from books on storytime tips and craft ideas, and I've found a lot of information that way! Its a great help if you need the info right then and there. Of course, I've looked up the titles in our Power PAC and if we own a copy, I'll request it so I can take a look at the full version. That's been very helpful.
I think my favorite will always be Maps, though. Before I moved here after accepting the job with OCL, I used Maps to take a look at the area and get a lay of the land so to speak. I was moving from out of state and had no idea how to get anywhere. But a little research ahead of time did the trick and I didn't feel quite so lost when I finally got here. The satellite view is great because that really gives you a feel for where something is located - is it in a residential neighborhood or is it across the street from a shopping center? If they had only had the street view feature then; I would have definitely been using that too! Google has really added new components to Maps over the past few years, and that has continued to make it a competive product.
Challenge #4 - Google Blog
I'm catching back up with the Challenge now, starting with taking a look at Google Blog. Very interesting! Doing this challenge has reminded me of just how many things Google can do. And the great thing is that it applies to both my work and personal life. As I read through the Google Blog posts, I realized that this is probably the best way to keep myself up to speed on the new stuff Google comes up with. I enjoy reading the more "techie" posts, but I think the one that struck me the most was the post on 6/30/2009 about their involvements in Gay Pride Month celebrations around the country. It was refreshing to see such a dominant enterprise not only support this important diversity initiative, but also not shy away from publicizing their support. The post was a wonderful show of inclusion and made me respect Google in a different way. I'm very much looking forward to reading Google Blog on a regular basis; I've even added it to my Google Reader!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
And finally....Challenge #1: ListenNJ
I figured today was the perfect opportunity to jump on the PC PLUS, tackle this challenge, and get myself caught up with everyone. In the end, it wasn't too bad. Downloading the OverDrive software was easy, and I was glad I knew about that step in the beginning. Oh, and I downloaded iTunes. I wanted to experiment and see if I could get my title transfered to my iPod. Luckily for me I have a back-up, "regular" mp3 player as well. We'll talk about that in a minute.
I browsed the OverDrive audiobooks because I knew they would be iPod compatible. It was a little trying finding a title that was both available for check out and that sounded interesting. In the end, I went with Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery. Check out procedure is amazingly smooth and once everything downloaded it played great on the computer.
The iPod transfer was a different story. I had doubts that this would run smoothly on a computer other than the one in my home, but I figured I'd try anyway. The hitch comes with iTunes, I think, though maybe I just wasn't doing something right. Because my iPod is already synched with my iTunes at home, I was a bit uneasy synching it with a "new" iTunes and undoing the 8GB of files already stored on my happy little portable device. I tried several times to transfer the audiobook to the iPod, but I always got an error message. And that is why I brought my backup mp3player, which worked just fine. I'll have to try Listen NJ at home to see if my iPod will cooperate from there. All-in-all, it wasn't a bad experience, but I can see it being tricky for the user who isn't keen on reading directions.
I browsed the OverDrive audiobooks because I knew they would be iPod compatible. It was a little trying finding a title that was both available for check out and that sounded interesting. In the end, I went with Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery. Check out procedure is amazingly smooth and once everything downloaded it played great on the computer.
The iPod transfer was a different story. I had doubts that this would run smoothly on a computer other than the one in my home, but I figured I'd try anyway. The hitch comes with iTunes, I think, though maybe I just wasn't doing something right. Because my iPod is already synched with my iTunes at home, I was a bit uneasy synching it with a "new" iTunes and undoing the 8GB of files already stored on my happy little portable device. I tried several times to transfer the audiobook to the iPod, but I always got an error message. And that is why I brought my backup mp3player, which worked just fine. I'll have to try Listen NJ at home to see if my iPod will cooperate from there. All-in-all, it wasn't a bad experience, but I can see it being tricky for the user who isn't keen on reading directions.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Another Challenge - #3: GVRL
I have always enjoyed using GVRL because it is fast and simple. And I think I'm rediscovering it even more now that I'm in a smaller branch. Having access to this and all the other electronic databases helps me to be able to provide information to customers even if the physical book isn't on our shelves. And the tip for comparing both the print and the online version of VideoHound was great! I'm definitely going to use that as an example to show customers that the articles they find in GVRL really do come from actual print materials. It is that visual affirmation that completely drives the point home.
The article that I focused on was "The Genre Film" from the History of the American Cinema. I think I still have Oscar buzz on the brain.
The article that I focused on was "The Genre Film" from the History of the American Cinema. I think I still have Oscar buzz on the brain.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Starting the Branch Managers Tech Challenge
Well, I am starting my journey on the Branch Managers Tech Challenge. The first challenge I decided to tackle was #2: Digital Projector & Laptop Presentation. I knew this one would be the easiest for me to complete. Plus, I still think I'm bracing myself for the joy that will be ListenNJ. But I digress. The presentation I did was a program at Brick on Feb. 18 that dealt with how to go about buying a PC. I used the laptop/projector to show the audience various websites and to show them how to check the settings & configurations on a computer. This was not the first time I had to set-up the laptop/projector so I felt very confident going into this challenge. Everything ran smoothly from the beginning to the end of the process. Susan Gardiner was nice enough to sit in on the program to vouch for me.
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