Thing 20

The tools we can access are mind boggling. Who thought we could travel the world and see neighborhoods using Google Earth, or translate any sentence in seconds with Google translate? I enjoy my igoogle page, which includes dates, time of day, daily quotes and cat pictures, news, etc. All this is wonderful in concept, harder to predict in functional terms. Shades of one world government! I always wondered how Matthew 24:14 would happen...

Thing 19

Oh, so embarrassing! I recognized too many of the top 50 YouTube videos!!! There goes my life, bye-bye! Seriously, it's too entertaining to stop, from "Charlie bit my finger" to "The evolution of dance", at least it makes me laugh. Have you seen GodTube? The same format, without the crud, no offense. I'll get to the financial sites soon, since my Jim is retiring from the city on March 31st. Gotta watch that bottom line, too.

Thing 17 and 18

Thing 17 I'm on a few social sites. I like the ones for my photography and music. Online communities are a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. Thing 18 If I had to recommend a social site for child I would go with ScuttlePad. It seems the safest with the preset communication. I don't like giving out credit card information so I wouldn't recommend What's What. But first I would instead tell a parent to research social networking through any and all media. In my search for social sites for children I came across information about what these websites can do to a young child’s mind. So not only does a parent need to worry about the safety issue but also about the emotional & psychological issues. Linkedin would give a company or person great first person connections and business information. One of the con's is their term of third degree connections. "This is to gain an introduction to someone through a mutual trusted contact." Am I being cynical saying everyone can be trusted! Hmmm! In my life I've meet people who can't be trusted. Seeing is believing and I don't believe it. Sorry! I would not say anything about this site unless someone asked. Webjunction seems easy to navigate. I wouldn't purchase any of the online course. Some of the courses you can find tutorials on the internet for free if you just google the course name. I liked some of the discussions. Webjunction seems to have everything from Library Management to a blogging section. The Largo Public Library and staff could use this site for gathering information on how other libraries and staff share information, solve problems and create a productive environment.

Thing 16

Well, I am not quite sure how usefulness applies here....but then again, I got stuck playing several artists at one time and 'bout lost my mind, so who am I to say? I would like to say, however, that I love music and as most people working with me know, anything can trigger a song in my head. I did enjoy visiting these sites and if I ever start wearing plugs in my ears, I might pick Last.fm to join.

Thing 15

I listened/visited each site and I found Podcast and Podbean easiest to use....at least as far as just cruising through. However, I found nothing I liked well enough to share in this blog. I would be surprised if anything done in this mode would get extensive amounts of listening.

Thing 14

I liked this video because it says everything necessary, but with humor. I chose this particular video because you could tell they were really library 'people.' Our main concern being our own library, and our crew being just as full of humor, it would let patrons and other 'normal' humans see us as REAL people and not just someone without a face. Maybe it is time to join with other libraries in the county in our appeal for some support from the populace. I suggested billboards when I first started here, but that was pooh-poohed. I feel this is a form of advertisement that might get some approval by several, if not all, libraries in Pinellas County.

Thing 17 & 18

I'm not a member of any social networks other than Facebook, and I had to limit it to family because it's hard for me to keep up with it and a busy life at the same time! People are looking for $$$, love, friends, etc and think social networks will help them find it. Maybe. Unfortunately, it probably is like life: unpredictable. Children need to know how social networks work, it is the wave of the future. I would only recommend young kid sites that seem safe, like ScuttlePad, which limits the words kids can use to communicate, and requires parental permission. I hesitate with those like GiantHello, which asks for SS# and credit card use...? I don't think so! (I know, I'm old fashioned) I see how kids get around safeguards even in the children's room. I have to tell them to turn off Facebook regularly. LinkedIn seems interesting, could be a help to business people, but they are restrictive/censoring to countries that they disapprove of. Recommend LinkedIn? I think I'd just give info on the site to interested patrons. Webjunction seems interesting, seems easy to navigate. If our library could better our communication with other libraries through a site like this, it might be profitable. Nothing new under the sun: this is just a new avenue to desired destinations, true value to be determined.