Podcasts (20 of 23 Things)

I checked out a good number of library podcasts. Some good, some not so good. I liked the podcasts of author talks and musician performances; for kids, I liked the book talks and the teen endeavors. By podcasting these special programs with authors and performances, patrons unable to attend the physical gathering can benefit. On the negative side, it also gives patrons a reason to not attend - they can always catch it online later - library stats go down and fewer people wall through the doors.

One library had a whole slew of nursery rhyme podcasts. There were no pictures, just a very short recording of a librarian reciting a single nursery rhyme. Also several of the libraries I looked at podcasted the reading of picture books. Again, no pictures and even most had no graphic while you listened - no page "dings' either. These can't be intended for children - the whole idea, or at least half the idea, of a picture book are the pictures!!! Having a disembodied voice from a computer reading a picture book leaves me cold! Where's the cozy lap, or energetic story time atmosphere? And of course, the pictures!! I'm not sure who these are suppose to serve. Perhaps adults in a ESL community, so they can hear the language and pronounce it better for their children?

I loved the book talks for readers. Short and sweet and to the point. I think using pod and video casts for the teens is a winning combination. Technology and teens and their ultra-tech existence makes sense and hopefully draws them into the library.

TV Shows & Movies -HULU (19 of 23 Things)

Okay, so I can watch classic TV or movies (even Lifetime ones) through a tiny window -is it more than 4" x 5"? It's not more than that! If there's a way to make it bigger I haven't figured it out yet? I found it! Didn't come up very fast the first time. I watched an episode of the Donna Reed Show-vintage 60's - stuff. It was great. I liked the way it remembered where you were, so if you stopped it would pick up where you left off.

How does it get or decide what to offer? I understand that commercials pay for what it has, but how do they get there? On my second video selection it asked me which commercial I wanted to see. Can you image that? Like I have a preference!!

I guess the social part of this site has to do with viewers rating the material and other people actually caring about their opinions. Seems like a stretch to me.

It's good to know that this exists, although I can't think of when I might be alone, bored, have no reading material, but will have Internet access and my laptop handy and will truly benefit from Hulu. Maybe on a plane some day, oh but then although HULU is free, the Internet wouldn't be!

Videos - YouTube (18 of 23 Things)

Okay, YouTube - I understand the concept and how to upload videos and establish your own channel. Not sure I get how to find or view other people's channels or fool with the myriad of presentation options. As with any of these Web 2.0 Things, it takes practice and practical applications to get proficient in the technology.

As I was perusing the YouTube website, it occurred to me that I have no idea what a video camera looks like these days. I know phones can take short videos, as can digital cameras. Do modern day video cameras have the same configuration as they did , say in the 90's, or are they much smaller - do they look like an iPad or more like a movie camera?

I watched quite a number of animal videos - funny but as I watched the sidebar options kept changing and making new suggestions - is this some sort of Pandora-like what video might she like Thing? Interesting!

I noticed that embedding a YouTube video in anything is quite popular, I have never done that before, but think I would like to try. I'll report back momentarily to tell you how I fared. On second thought I'm going to embed one right here:

Okay, so the whole screen didn't make it, but not bad for a first try!!!

It's easy to see how one can get lost fooling around with these videos - time seems to fly as you mindlessly click and watch other people's silly and entertaining amateur efforts. I know there is serious material as well, but from my afternoon's efforts, most of what I saw was fun, but frivolous.

Teen efforts in public libraries could easily take advantage of this technology; ie making book trailers or book talks. However, as a story time presenter, I am much more comfortable with real time performances. I take energy from the participating audience and would feel self-conscious if I knew a video camera were on me or on a puppet show performance. Any glitches would be forever recorded rather than forgiven and forgotten. I'm sure I could adjust, but it does add the additional pressure of the absent and judgemental viewer.

I learned a lot about the ever-present You-Tube!

Music Streaming - Pandora (17 of 23 Things)

Another winner! I'd already heard of this Thing, but had never played with it, mainly because I hate headphones, so at work was out, and had never bothered with any other computer music at home besides my Itunes. I had a lot of fun playing with all the C&W artists I like and creating my "Radio Station." This is a great site to learn about what other artists are out there that you might like. I was pleasantly surprised how close Pandora's choices came to matching my taste.

A downside is the limited number of "skips" you get daily/monthly, even if you pay. The free forty hour listening limit may be a little light for some heavy computer users. I can't imagine any of the limits being too low for me. Serious music lovers will probably still buy or borrow their music; Pandora does not give you unlimited access to the singular songs you love, just like the old fashion radio you get whatever they decide to play, but its more closely geared to your taste.

Fun! Fun! Fun Thing!!!

Cloud Computing - Google Docs (Thing 16 of 23 thing)

Wow-what a revelation. I love this thing! I can start a document on one computer, save it and then work on it later on any other Internet -accessed computer without a flashdrive or even a web-based email attachment. I'm sure the collaborative element could come in handy at times too. I've shared a few documents, one in Word and one PowerPoint. I've uploaded and downloaded both and worked on them on different computers. Really a pretty cool device. It's amazing to think of how much "stuff" is stored in cyberspace always at the ready.

I can see myself using Thing 16 mainly to work on documents on different computers, like between home and work, and not utilize the social aspect. At work we have the network for storing common work - but who knows, Google Docs could come in handy at some point. Enjoyed this one!

Google Maps (Thing 15 of 23 Things) - Part Deux

Okay, so I forgot to link the map, I've never done that before and without TinyURL it would have been very cumbersome. The link address would have been too long. Here's my attempt: http://tinyurl.com/yceve6t . Let's see how it flies!

YAY! It actually worked, except the font for the address was HUGE! Go figure.

Google Maps (Thing 15 of 23 Things)

I am very familiar with online maps, driving directions and satellite photos. In my experience, 8 out of 10 times they are correct, but beware of the other two out of ten, when you will be led on a wild goose chase! Placing confidence and security in these sites and depending solely on them to get you there on time and in a good frame of mind is a mistake. I hope with time I will see ample cause to change my view. But not yet, my latest mishap was a mere two weeks ago. Admittedly, these mapping sites are a huge undertaking and as a society, we have so easily gotten used to information on demand, that the friction between seeker and provider becomes pronounced, almost palatable, especially in traffic.

I love Google Maps as much as I hate it. Rural and semi-rural areas are their weak points. I double check each site with other sites and even then still give myself extra travel time, especially when I am totally unfamiliar with the area, because when they're wrong, they are REALLY wrong! Surely, in time, the information holes will be filled and Google Maps as well as the other mapping sites will rise to the occassion.