Delicious is a useful tool if you want to access your bookmarks (favourites) from multiple locations.
For this task I created a Delicious account and added bookmarks of some of my favourite sites- mainly to do with buses. I explored other people's trails and added a couple of their favourites to my account, and tagged each.
Apart from the convenience factor, I am not into social bookmarking, as I don't feel the need to share my bookmarks with others.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
THING #16 : iGoogle
I have created my own iGoogle page, which was a lot of fun to do.
Choosing a theme was a little difficult, as there was such a large variety of these to choose from. The artist themes were my favourite, as they were more creative than some of the general ones. The artist theme pictures also change at various times throughout the day to make your iGoogle page a little more interesting. The theme I chose was Astro Boy, as I use to watch and idolise him when I was little.
Adding gadgets can be really addictive!
I wanted to add all the funny and interesting ones, but had to control myself in the end, wondering how many of them I was really going to use.
Gadgets that I added (amongst others) include: the Herald Sun and Google New Feeds, weather, Google Map Search, You Tube, Facebook and a currency converter, which will come in handy- especially at the moment as the dollar continues to fall during this global credit crisis.
Many of these gadgets I would use on a daily basis, so having page where they are all grouped together is real time saver.
Would I like to work for Google?... Well, I've seen various stories on Today Tonight (Channel 7) and on You Tube about what Google is like to work for... and if the staff have as much fun as they claim they do- ABSOLUTELY!
Choosing a theme was a little difficult, as there was such a large variety of these to choose from. The artist themes were my favourite, as they were more creative than some of the general ones. The artist theme pictures also change at various times throughout the day to make your iGoogle page a little more interesting. The theme I chose was Astro Boy, as I use to watch and idolise him when I was little.
Adding gadgets can be really addictive!
I wanted to add all the funny and interesting ones, but had to control myself in the end, wondering how many of them I was really going to use.
Gadgets that I added (amongst others) include: the Herald Sun and Google New Feeds, weather, Google Map Search, You Tube, Facebook and a currency converter, which will come in handy- especially at the moment as the dollar continues to fall during this global credit crisis.
Many of these gadgets I would use on a daily basis, so having page where they are all grouped together is real time saver.
Would I like to work for Google?... Well, I've seen various stories on Today Tonight (Channel 7) and on You Tube about what Google is like to work for... and if the staff have as much fun as they claim they do- ABSOLUTELY!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
THING #14 : Google Docs
Applications in Google Docs (documents, spreadsheets and presentations) are easy to use and are very similar to Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point. The only main differences I could see were the aesthetics of the page layouts, which looked quite 'simple', as they didn't have the extra toolbars for advanced formatting and design like the said Microsoft products offer. Also, the number of fonts available for use are limited.
On the plus side, Google Docs has a larger range of templates than Microsoft have for creating resumes, cover letters, business plans, labels, photo albums, expense sheets and more. Each includes a sample image of what the templates will look like, a description about it, and it's intended audience.
I had a play around with Google Docs, but because I couldn't think up a document to produce, I have nothing to share or post to my blog... although I did learn how to do both.
The whole idea of being able to access documents from any computer, anywhere is a great idea, and is quite similar to the concept of the Library's Y-Drive. Being able to share documents is also really convenient- especially if a number of people are working on a group assignment / project and can't get together at the one time to contribute thoughts, ideas and suggestions on the issue being researched into.
Initially, I was worried about the sharing process, but learnt that as the author, it's up to you who you allow to view your work, or let collaborate with you.
Though in saying that, as the Google Docs program is stored on a server somewhere in cyberspace, so is your work... and it would be awful if for some reason your work was somehow made available in the public domain-- especially if it is of confidential nature!
As for whether Google Docs poses any competition to desktop office suits like Microsoft Office... I really don't think so! I believe users of products like Microsoft Word / Excel etc. are happy with it's functionality and offerings... and how many people would want their work (documents) stored on a cyberspace server?
I also wonder how many people know that Google Docs exist and what is offers? I had never heard of it myself until I had started the 23 Things program... so maybe Google need to promote this application more to alert computer users of it's existence.
On the plus side, Google Docs has a larger range of templates than Microsoft have for creating resumes, cover letters, business plans, labels, photo albums, expense sheets and more. Each includes a sample image of what the templates will look like, a description about it, and it's intended audience.
I had a play around with Google Docs, but because I couldn't think up a document to produce, I have nothing to share or post to my blog... although I did learn how to do both.
The whole idea of being able to access documents from any computer, anywhere is a great idea, and is quite similar to the concept of the Library's Y-Drive. Being able to share documents is also really convenient- especially if a number of people are working on a group assignment / project and can't get together at the one time to contribute thoughts, ideas and suggestions on the issue being researched into.
Initially, I was worried about the sharing process, but learnt that as the author, it's up to you who you allow to view your work, or let collaborate with you.
Though in saying that, as the Google Docs program is stored on a server somewhere in cyberspace, so is your work... and it would be awful if for some reason your work was somehow made available in the public domain-- especially if it is of confidential nature!
As for whether Google Docs poses any competition to desktop office suits like Microsoft Office... I really don't think so! I believe users of products like Microsoft Word / Excel etc. are happy with it's functionality and offerings... and how many people would want their work (documents) stored on a cyberspace server?
I also wonder how many people know that Google Docs exist and what is offers? I had never heard of it myself until I had started the 23 Things program... so maybe Google need to promote this application more to alert computer users of it's existence.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
THING #22 : Communication
I have signed up for Google Talk and have called myself "Mr.Have.A.Chat", which I thought was such an apt name! Add me as a contact if you wish.
I am no stranger to online instant messaging, as I have used MSN Messenger for many years. The beauty of tools like MSN is that they allow you to "talk" (chat) to one, or a multiple number of your friends at the same time, as well as uploading / downloading documents, photos or music etc. that you wish to file-share amongst yourselves.
Not that I have participated often, but group discussions can be really useful- especially if you are trying to organise a get-together, or do a group assignment, and can't all be at the one place at the same time to do it.
Though in saying all of the above, the amount of time I have spent chatting on MSN in recent months has declined sharply- mainly due to the amount of time it can involve. Some conversations can last anywhere between 5 minutes to an hour or two- or more, which in some cases, I find it easier to have a conversation over the phone, as you can cover a lot more ground in a lot less time.
I believe tools like Google Talk / MSN (and equivalent) do have a place in libraries, providing the services they are being used for are marketed properly. For example, an online "Ask the Librarian" reference service could be offered between library's and their patrons (though users of this service may have to register, so as it would be somewhat controlled).
For staff, Google Talk and MSN could replace traditional face-to-face meetings, for example, Lending Services and Section Heads, where staff need to travel from various campus / branch libraries to attend. However, if technology permitted, video conferencing, using Skype would be ideal tool to use.
I am no stranger to online instant messaging, as I have used MSN Messenger for many years. The beauty of tools like MSN is that they allow you to "talk" (chat) to one, or a multiple number of your friends at the same time, as well as uploading / downloading documents, photos or music etc. that you wish to file-share amongst yourselves.
Not that I have participated often, but group discussions can be really useful- especially if you are trying to organise a get-together, or do a group assignment, and can't all be at the one place at the same time to do it.
Though in saying all of the above, the amount of time I have spent chatting on MSN in recent months has declined sharply- mainly due to the amount of time it can involve. Some conversations can last anywhere between 5 minutes to an hour or two- or more, which in some cases, I find it easier to have a conversation over the phone, as you can cover a lot more ground in a lot less time.
I believe tools like Google Talk / MSN (and equivalent) do have a place in libraries, providing the services they are being used for are marketed properly. For example, an online "Ask the Librarian" reference service could be offered between library's and their patrons (though users of this service may have to register, so as it would be somewhat controlled).
For staff, Google Talk and MSN could replace traditional face-to-face meetings, for example, Lending Services and Section Heads, where staff need to travel from various campus / branch libraries to attend. However, if technology permitted, video conferencing, using Skype would be ideal tool to use.
THING #5 and #6 : Flickr and More Flickr!
Those of you who know me, know that I love public transport- especially buses. So for these exercises, I have decided to create a slideshow (see side bar) of some of the bus photos I have taken.
These shots centre on the Kefford Corporation, who operate such companies as Eastrans and Westrans- one of the main bus providers in the western suburbs.
Most of the photos are of "high floor" buses, as these are slowly being phased out- especially on route service, to allow for the new low floor variety to make bus travel more accessible.
Nothing beats a B10M!
These shots centre on the Kefford Corporation, who operate such companies as Eastrans and Westrans- one of the main bus providers in the western suburbs.
Most of the photos are of "high floor" buses, as these are slowly being phased out- especially on route service, to allow for the new low floor variety to make bus travel more accessible.
Nothing beats a B10M!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
THING #8 : Library Thing
For this exercise, I chose to use "Shelfari", as I liked the look of the bookshelves- they actually looked real!
I added some books to my shelf, which was easy, though books that weren't in the database, came up with black covers-- which to be honest, didn't look nice on a new set of shelves. Not really a good look!
Shelfari does have an option to upload your own covers, but this option wasn't working properly. I contacted Shelfari Technical Support, who fixed my problem.
I added some books to my shelf, which was easy, though books that weren't in the database, came up with black covers-- which to be honest, didn't look nice on a new set of shelves. Not really a good look!
Shelfari does have an option to upload your own covers, but this option wasn't working properly. I contacted Shelfari Technical Support, who fixed my problem.
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