Facebook and Twitter

Although I don't agree with social networking online, on a personal level, I can see that there is a place for it. Certainly for ease of communication of people in different countries or towns, it is technically free to use and can be private if one wishes it.
It is increasing in its popularity in the commercial world with most online websites advising you to "like them" on Facebook to receive discounts etc.
I personally don't like it as I believe it can cause young and innocent (vulnerable) people to expose themselves in some way.

In regards to twitter, this too has its place. I like it for say, notifying you of train disruptions, road blocks, sales and so on. I can see for some it may be contagious and a form of entertainment but it also is a time waster and could distract one from leading a real life. ( I did find it fun though !)

Online Video

You just can' go past the humour in this video. it is an oldie though ,in fact I think this was the first you tube clip I was shown therefore it was the first one I thought of to demonsrate that I could upload a video clip into my blog. Th instruction for this was clear and easy to follow.

Wrap up

At this stage I am writing my wrap up but although I have read all the provided information about Facebook and Twitter, and also Online video I haven't done the activities.This is because the content is blocked while I am in the training room at the library. I will try to do those two excercises at another time and add the blogs after. Sorry I realise this is a bit out of whack but I thought it better to complete what I could time permitting.

Overall I think the course had some interesting features. I  have attempted to learn a lot of things I had not much clue on, but whether or not I will use the majority of these features I am not sure. I liked Library Thingy and Podcasting and I am sure the online video will be great. I already am a fan of You Tube. A lot of the other skills are good to know  but I am not sure if I will get to use many on a regular basis.
Generally it has been an interesting excercise and has definitely pushed me to my limits.
As a side note I have had great fun thinking up false names and passwords as I am not a big fan of social networking in a public forum.

Geocaching

Interesting topic to finish up on.
Do I think it has a place in libtraries?
At first I thought "are you serious? ", but then, after giving it a bit of thought I totally reversed my original thoughts and realised it is a great idea.
I would think it greatest use would be in University libraries where the mental challenges would suit that group of people, both students and staff. What a great club to form and meet like minded humans.
I also felt, on a modified scale, geocaching would be a fun activity for either children's activities or what about for the older generation in Adult learners week.
The more one thinks about it as long as you are able to acquire the correct equipment at a reasonable cost, why not !

Podcasting

I love podcasting. It is an excellent way for an idea, a thought, information of any sort to be transmitted in an easy to comprehend manner.  It is already used extensively worldwide and what an easy, quick internationally viable means of communicating information.
The use of podcast in libraries  has such huge potential unless of course it is superseeded, which in this day and age is quite likely.

Library Thingy

So far Library Thingy has been my favourite. I can see a need for this application in both the library and as a personal function. I also felt the instructions for this excercise were a lot easier to understand and follow than some of the other topics. I  felt achievement to see my Library Thingy gadget fully installed on my blog.

Delicious

Moving on to the ability to tag our points of interest. Delicious gives us that capability to group all like minded information in one easily accesible spot . I have created my Delicious account and this is the link to it. http://www.delicious.com/sarawattsy

Wikis

Previous to this weekly exercise in wikis I was familiar with wikipeadia but that was the full extent of my knowledge. Now I realise that wikis can have a multitude of uses, appeal to many types of personalities and people. Although I can not see a use for wikis for me personally I do use wikipeadia regularly.

I did join wetpaint to practise the exercise but I would never use it personally. In regards to work there may be a niche for it but I feel that would be in the future as it comes more popular.

RSS Aggregators/ feeds

I've always wondered what the rss feeds icon meant. Well now I have a good idea. I do think that we would find it hard to find enough time in our busy lives time to look at these feeds daily even if the news was coming to us instead of us having to look for it.

I chose to include a couple of newspapers, a blog or two and a financial feed. And of course the suggested library link and the training Learning 2.0 feed. No doubt as I get more familiar with all of these new techniques and am able to employ them on a daily basis it should become second nature. Hopefully anyway!

Flickr

Today we have the new challenge of Flickr. I have decided to search for a photo on hot air ballooning. 

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and amazingly I will get my wish in a month or so. As a special treat for my upcoming 50th birthday my husband is treating my family and me to hot air ballooning in the Avon Valley. I can't wait. This is a photo of what is to come. For me anyhow!!

Hopefully this will be me and my family in May