Thing 12: Rollyo

I have to admit, this seems to be the most useless (to me) thing so far. For me it is much more efficient to Google whatever it is I want, and just choose the sites that I trust or that look promising...However, I did create a few search rolls which you can see here. I did find some interesting sounding search rolls that others had done, like this Tolkien one:)

Peace out.

Thing 11: LibraryThing

Yay, Goodreads!
I discovered this resource recently and LOVE it! It's basically what I would have invented myself if I had the time and skills. Although some of the aspects are ever so slightly tedious, like having to choose not to write a review each time you search for and add a book you've read, it's benefits far outweigh the downsides. I love connecting with other people and seeing what they've read and keeping track of what I've read and want to read. It could easily become an addiction for me, but I have to make time to actually read some of the 5 or 6 books on my "currently reading" shelf or the 30 odd on my "to read" shelf.
As a book lover, there is satifaction in looking at all the books you've read, and as a critical person it's great to be able to rate a book with as much or as little detail as you choose.

I would definitely recommend this site, it's almost the Facebook of book nerds.
Here is the link to my page.

Thing 10: Libraries 2.0

Dr. Wendy Schultz describes the evolution of libraries much like the evolution of selling coffee. Her view is intriguing and intelligent. I can't help but be attracted to the "dream" of Library 4.0 - The Experience. I could see this happening in the near future, especially since it "will not replace Libraries 1.0 through 3.0; it will absorb them."



Rick Anderson highlights three "icebergs" that we must avoid if we are to progress satisfactorily into Library 2.0. The first is an insistence on a comprehensive collection. He argues that because information is so available now, it is foolhardy to buy and keep material "just in case." My concern with this point is that good books are constantly going out of print. Does this mean that they have no value? If they still do, who (if not the libraries) will protect them from extinction? Another consideration is that although there is a large amount of information available on the internet, it is not all reliable by any means. Anyone may edit Wikipedia or write about historic events. Perhaps this is not a deal-breaker, but what can we do to ensure the best quality of materials?

Whew, this topic is just too big to discuss at length with only myself.

Thing 9: Library Blogs

I used some more sites that help you search for RSS feeds, but none of them inspired me too much. The Syndic8.com one was ok, and I found some literature-themed blogs which inspired me to look up the Harry Potter fansite Mugglenet, but it turns out you can't subscribe to it, only to a few off-shoots:( Sad times. So, like I said, I added some literature feeds, but didn't find a whole lot that was interesting. Mostly I'm worried that it will just get too long to even want to bother reading all of it. I wonder if anyone else has that problem.

Thing 8

I was happy to be forced into exploring this new technology, since I knew nothing about it. It's really rather straightforward, except it would be nice if all sites had the handy buttons to click on instead of having to enter the web address. I chose to use Google Reader, since I already have an account with them. I didn't subscribe to any of the other KDL blogs since they all seemed to be either finished or hadn't been updated in years. Here is the link to my RSS feeder:)

Thing 7: Image Generators

First, an homage to our noble mascot.

This, and the one below, were created on letterjames.com

This one I just thought was fun.

Finally, an advertisement for a new Broadway show, starring yours truly:)

This was created using bighugelabs.com/billboard.php

There are so many more out there, go crazy!

Thing 6 - Mashups

After exploring a bit, I found this site Bubblr that lets you create comic strip type stories using Flickr photos. I just searched for key words and put captions on them to write a random story about a woman and her flowers.

So, without further ado, here it is.

The Story of Helen

In case the link doesn't work, here is the web address: www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/?custom=&id=27548

Happy reading:)

Thing #5 - My England Trip

So, after living for four years in Oxford, England I hadn't been back in nine years! So this summer my husband and I took two weeks to tour around my old haunts, and few new ones.

Here are some pictures of where we went:)

This is me at London Bridge, obviously:)

This is me at some ruins in the Cotswolds - good

memories.

And this was because I was naughty at a medieval castle in Warwick!

So, as you can see, England has much to offer a curious wanderer!

P.S. These photos are also available on Flickr here.

Thing 3: 7.5 Habits

It's humbling to say that the hardest habit for me is number 4 - "Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner." On the one hand I tend to be an energetic, enthusiastic and hardworking person, but if I am honest I am often self-depracating, if only in my own mind. As cheesy as they might seem, the words "don't say or think anything about yourself unless you want it to be true" hit me right in the gut.

The one that made me think "oh, I already do that for sure," was number 2 - "Accept responsibility for your own learning." Perhaps it helped that I was homeschooled, but I have always believed and acted on the assumption that you get out of an experience what you put into it. So as much as it might be convenient to blame a poor professor or an unfortunate experience, you are the main (if not sole) being liable for your education.

Ok, I guess I have now completed 1-3. More later:)