And I'm done!! Between not doing the avatar, not posting my Facebook, and not being able to figure out how to send Pam a tweet, I reckon I've lost more credit than the American banking system.
This week's exercises can be very helpful to people who interested in social networking. I have had Facebook for more than 6 months, and I love it. However, it is my "when I get home, time to connect to family and friends" application, which I choose not to mix with work. Work is work, play is play. I recommend Facebook to anyone who is interested in reconnecting with others. I've gotten into contact with folks I've not seen in more than 20 years, and it's kinda fun. If you ain't done it yet, go for it.
On the other hand, I have always thought that Twitter was a...bad...idea. I could put down my snarky thoughts on that, but why reinforce people's pre-formed opinions about me? :) I'll just leave it at that.
Those of you in for the long haul, good luck. Fewer of us who complete, the better your chance at winning a netbook...whatever that is.
I've at least learned how to blog. Now if only I had something useful to say.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wikis Part 2
Can't say I enjoyed this exercise. From the beginning, where the wiki page crashed my Explorer, through to the end, I found it a bit complicated for something that was supposed to be "simple", and I'm not sure if it's the process or the instructions.
It's helped further putting me off on using wikis.
It's helped further putting me off on using wikis.
Learn about Wikis - Part 1
By and large, I don't have the greatest respect for wikis. I've seen too many "wars" over putting up information, altering information, deleting information on Wikipedia to be entirely impressed with the whole process. There...bias out and up front.
I took a look at the Loudounpedia. It's a nice site, attractive to view. Maneuvering through the pages was a little of a chore from time to time, as some of the pages seem to lack the links needed to get one back to the previous screen. If you don't have a basic idea of what you want to find, you could be left in the cold. I suppose that people who regularly use it do know what they're looking for, though. Still, it was pretty, in a nice grey sort of way.
One thing I found interesting were the pages with source images. Apparently, they're accessible just like anything else. Seems kinda cluttery and...I don't know...tacky, to me.
As far as using one for the job...I suppose there are uses, but I wouldn't be wild about one that was open to public editing. One open to only staff would be convenient, in that any staff member could add to a page, updating information, providing clarifications, what have you.
I can't think of a use for one in my personal life. At all.
Heck, this part's easy. I use Wookiepedia at least weekly. It's very entertaining and easy to access. Sometimes it gets hacked and odd images pop up, but by and large it is active and up to date with the latest movies, books and source material. Not to be missed if you're a fan.
Explore some library wikis, either through Matthew Bejune's links, Libsuccess, or LISwiki, and blog about your experience. What did you find interesting? What are the advantages of using wikis? Can you think of ways a wiki could be used in your job? in your personal life?
I took a look at the Loudounpedia. It's a nice site, attractive to view. Maneuvering through the pages was a little of a chore from time to time, as some of the pages seem to lack the links needed to get one back to the previous screen. If you don't have a basic idea of what you want to find, you could be left in the cold. I suppose that people who regularly use it do know what they're looking for, though. Still, it was pretty, in a nice grey sort of way.
One thing I found interesting were the pages with source images. Apparently, they're accessible just like anything else. Seems kinda cluttery and...I don't know...tacky, to me.
As far as using one for the job...I suppose there are uses, but I wouldn't be wild about one that was open to public editing. One open to only staff would be convenient, in that any staff member could add to a page, updating information, providing clarifications, what have you.
I can't think of a use for one in my personal life. At all.
Explore some non-library wikis. You can perform a google search to find a wiki that is related to your interests. Blog about your experience.
Heck, this part's easy. I use Wookiepedia at least weekly. It's very entertaining and easy to access. Sometimes it gets hacked and odd images pop up, but by and large it is active and up to date with the latest movies, books and source material. Not to be missed if you're a fan.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Styropokalypse
In discussing with a coworker about the dangers of styrofoam, particularly styrofoam cups, it occurred to me that styrofoam could be one of the agents of the Apocalypse. I mean, no one said the Apocalypse had to be fast-acting, did they? Did I miss a memo? It could be a slow Apocalypse.
On the other hand, the Apocalypse could be ushered in by all the styrofoam in the world spontaneously bursting into flame all at the same time and offing us with noxious and deadly fumes. That would be Apocalyptic.
That set me to thinking. I have stored up a lot of styrofoam for hobby applications (don't ask unless you really, really want to know). I mean, a lot. So, does this make me one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse? I mean, if all of my suppositions are correct, aren't I one of the main contributors to the Apocalypse?
I think I'm pretty comfortable with that.
On the other hand, the Apocalypse could be ushered in by all the styrofoam in the world spontaneously bursting into flame all at the same time and offing us with noxious and deadly fumes. That would be Apocalyptic.
That set me to thinking. I have stored up a lot of styrofoam for hobby applications (don't ask unless you really, really want to know). I mean, a lot. So, does this make me one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse? I mean, if all of my suppositions are correct, aren't I one of the main contributors to the Apocalypse?
I think I'm pretty comfortable with that.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Piracy
On the surface of it, piracy would seem to be a bad thing. However, I think under certain circumstances, it should be permissible.
If you can meet the following checklist, I believe you should be able to engage in a life of piracy:
Eyepatch
Cutlass
Suave English Accent (Atrocious French Accent also acceptable)
Fluyt or race-built Galleon
Suitable supply of international scallywags
Chest of gold doubloons (aboard ship or hidden on some sandy island - either is acceptable)
Supply of iron manacles for restraining male prisoners
Supply of silk dresses for offering to female prisoners, for their comfort
If someone can meet all of these requirements, I have no problem with them engaging in a life of piracy. As for the rest of those "pirates"...have at them, I say!!
If you can meet the following checklist, I believe you should be able to engage in a life of piracy:
Eyepatch
Cutlass
Suave English Accent (Atrocious French Accent also acceptable)
Fluyt or race-built Galleon
Suitable supply of international scallywags
Chest of gold doubloons (aboard ship or hidden on some sandy island - either is acceptable)
Supply of iron manacles for restraining male prisoners
Supply of silk dresses for offering to female prisoners, for their comfort
If someone can meet all of these requirements, I have no problem with them engaging in a life of piracy. As for the rest of those "pirates"...have at them, I say!!
Privacy
In general, I will say that I am concerned about privacy, having kids and all (15 of 'em), but after doing a Google search on myself, I'm not overly concerned. Apparently, the Interweb doesn't care much for me, as I could find very little. Using my parent-given user name, I didn't get a hit til most of the way down the first result page. Using my full name gave a result 2 or 3 from the top, but it was even more obscure and uninteresting. What I did learn was that there are a lot of people out there with my name. And they should give it back.
I was actually surprised by how little I found that was relevant to me. The real me. You know, that one. I would have expected the Google results pages to be just full of me...instead they were full of erzatz me. Boo hoo. I'll get over it, eventually.
As far as blog security goes, I do have plans both sinister and absurd for the blog, so I'm not sure that needs to be hidden from the world. And as long as I keep the names of my 6 kids out of it, and any other personal information that will lead people to my home in Darkness Falls, Virginia, I should be ok.
I was actually surprised by how little I found that was relevant to me. The real me. You know, that one. I would have expected the Google results pages to be just full of me...instead they were full of erzatz me. Boo hoo. I'll get over it, eventually.
As far as blog security goes, I do have plans both sinister and absurd for the blog, so I'm not sure that needs to be hidden from the world. And as long as I keep the names of my 6 kids out of it, and any other personal information that will lead people to my home in Darkness Falls, Virginia, I should be ok.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Creativity
It occurs to me that for this to really be a blog, I have to fill it with my nonsensical thoughts. After all, isn't that what a blog does?
Although, some of my favorite blogs are hobby blogs, where people show off their hobbies, getting good information and images out there for the world to enjoy.
Hmmm. I'm sure I could do something like that with a little thought and study.
That's it...this shall become the blog of all time!!
or some such
Although, some of my favorite blogs are hobby blogs, where people show off their hobbies, getting good information and images out there for the world to enjoy.
Hmmm. I'm sure I could do something like that with a little thought and study.
That's it...this shall become the blog of all time!!
or some such
What kind of technology user
You are an Media Mover
If you are a Media Mover, you have a wide range of online and mobile habits, and you are bound to find or create an information nugget, such as a digital photo, and pass it on. These social exchanges are central to your use of information and communication technology. Cyberspace, as a path to personal productivity or an outlet for creativity, is less important to you.
If you are a Media Mover, you have a wide range of online and mobile habits, and you are bound to find or create an information nugget, such as a digital photo, and pass it on. These social exchanges are central to your use of information and communication technology. Cyberspace, as a path to personal productivity or an outlet for creativity, is less important to you.
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