Thing #17 Google Documents

All I can say is holy crap! I don't care if one day google will own the entire all I can say being able to type a file online and being to work on and transfer to any computer is a godsend. As a college student this is a HUGE asset I've had many papers not works as I go from computer-to-computer to work on and finish a paper,especially since I'm going from PC to Macs constantly. This single program alleviates all of those problems,and for free! I will making google docs to help type and store my papers in the future. My only complaint with google docs? I don;t know where the double spacing feature is for formatting but since I can transfer these documents to word on any computer and then spell check them there, it doesn't matter. This will make typing papers so much easier,thanks Learn&Play for showing me this awesome tool.

Thing#22 Ebooks and MOLDI

I've never really been a big fan of Ebooks only because I don't like the idea of losing printed media as a way to convey information,plus staring at a computer screen hurts my eyes sometimes, especially when reading lots of text. Even though I feel this way I really do like the idea of MOLDI. After searching through it I'm very surprised with the amount of good books they have available. I assume MOLDI is free,since I couldn't log in because my library card number is apparently not found, but if it is a free service I could really see myself using it. I was happy they have a copy of Slaughterhouse Five, a book I've been trying to get around to reading for awhile. When it comes to older more classic books, I tend use Halfprice books for finding them since Barnes and Noble usually sells newer copies at higher prices. And being a college student and all I like to save money. With MOLDI I can find many books I've been trying to track down and read more easily and without having to go purchase it or hope that the library is open or having to reserve the book. As long as MOLDI continues to get more support I could see this service becoming an evemn bigger asset to not only our library but to other library systems as well.

Thing #21 Locating Podcasts

I've never heard of any of the podcast finding websites before. I had no idea so many podcasts existed. I used podfeed.net and podcastalley.com to locaate podcasts. I found podfeed.net to be much easier to use and an overall better resource. Podcastalley felt much more limited in its amount of available podcasts only because it existed of a few top 10 podcasts, unlike podfeed which acted as an entire database of available podcasts.
I could see the library using podcasts to help spread the news of what programs and events are happening. I definately see podcasts as a way the library spread news to its staff quickly and efficiently. This would help keep staff informed and would allow news to spread throughout the library quickly instead of relying on word-of-mouth and a location to location basis.

Thing#20 Youtube

Oh the youtubes, where would I be without you. Thnaks to youtube my personal productivity has dropped severly. Personally I love youtube and love its ability to provide me with everything from entertainment to video reference. My only complaint with youtube is that the use of copyrighted material is often scrutinized and removed. Mnay a times a show I love will get posted on youtube and will be remvoed soon after. This is pretty depressing becasue many of the shows that get posted on youtube aren't available on dvd or on television.
The videos below are two that I find amusing. I can't garuantee they are in good taste, but that's the price we pay when everyone can upload their own videos online.

First off is a burning tickle-me-elmo. I'm Pretty sure many people can agree with me that this little red fiend has brought many a parent and child pain and suffering,and as the video proves fire only serves to fuel Elmo's happy demeanor.



Second is proof why not everyone is cut out for the music business. Below is Electronik Supersonik which is cited by some as the WORST music video of all time. I'll just let the video do the taking.

Thing#19 Library PowerTools

Thanks to the library's powertools I was able to discover BoingBoing and Make.com
BoingBoing is a blog that updates daily on strange,yet amusing news. In my looking over thwe page I found a range of topics such as a video of chickens breaking up a rabbit fight, an indepth discussion about the conciousness of decapitated heads, and other oddball things as steampunk jewelry and always creapy valley of the doll toyline.
Make.com is site dedicated to people hacking,modding,and macking there own stuff. Things such as easy-to-open notebooks, customized speakers, home-made Led lights and phonhe modifications can be found their. I also discovered the site acts more as a community since everything on the site is user submitted and everyone is encouraged to psot their own creations for others to try.

Thing#18 Discovering Web2.0 Tools

Thanks to the Web2.0 awards list I was able to find a site called the one million master piece. (www.millionmasterpiece.com) This site acts like one giant image mashup, where one million different pieces of art (all created on their site) will be pieced together to make an image that contains one million pieces of art. The idea behind the site is that it will produce the world's first truly global artwork in which everyone will have contributed to a piece of it.
As an artist I love the idea of making a piece of art that is composed of other's peoples are to create a unique work of art. Unlike deviantart, an art site where individuals post their own work, one million master piece instead uses everyone's individual work to create an entirely new work. This allows people to post their art as means to make something greater rather than showing your art to receive praise or a blidn following of fans, something deviantart is notorious for. Yopur art can instead be used to make a piece of art where everyone is equally responsible for its creation no matter what their artistic skill or passion may be. And on a final note One Million Masterpiece plans to publish and unveil its million-part work of art in London upon the works completion.

Thing#15 Wikis

Wikis are a great source for information since a wiki exist for almost any subject. A wiki's greatest strength is also its greatest flaw. Since content is user generated it allows for a wiki to have its information constantly updated and checked for facts. Because a wiki is user generated this can lead false facts,information or a wiki containing knowledge this is not factual and is instead a general consensus of its users.
Library wikis are a great way for library systems as well as libraries as a whole to catalogue information or share stats, procedures and knowledge. I was unaware that there was a best practices wiki or the fact that many libraries are already making their own wikis to share their information with others. The beauty of this is that can now share our libraries compare and contrast our stats and information which each other. This allows us to help find what working and what's not working with other libraries. Wikis have become an invaluable resource in helping move libraries forward in today's changing technology driven world.