So, I played around on Delicious.com and Technorati.com. I can't say I really understand the sites. I mean, I get that they are classifying all blogs by subjects and that you can search based on keywords, but I really didn't get it. I don't write or search blogs often enough to make either of those websites ones that I would follow regularly.
I guess, like Katherine said, they are good for seeing if anyone is talking about something like the VHS, but I just don't think I would ever use them regularly. I did read through a few of the top blogs on each site - that is a good feature. I guess it is kind of like Digg - the more people who read and recommend the blog/author, the higher rank it gets so the more people see it.
I wish the sites were a little more user friendly - I felt like I was just clicking on random things that caught my eye for no reason.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Week 4 - For Fun
I looked over Letter James, FD's Flickr Toys, LibraryThing, Rollyo.com, Jott.com, rememberthemilk.com, and livemocha.com.
Letter James was taking way too long to download and everything was in English money, so I didn't stay long on the site. But, creating a personalized calendar seemed pretty cool. But, with so many places that are doing that now, I don't see why I would need to go online to do it (unless the site had more options that I just didn't get a chance to see).
Flickr Toys was pretty cool also. I created a puzzle with a picture of Shane and me. I looked pretty good, but I never would actually buy it. It was $40. Maybe for someone who likes puzzles more than us it would be a cool gift. But, again, so many local places can do stuff like this now, why would you do it through an online site where you couldn't see the final product before you paid for it?
LibraryThing was interesting. I don't think I will ever use it because I don't read enough to make it something I would need, but I do see how it can help the VHS. I hope that younger researchers will see that we have books in our library and want to come to visit because of what they saw on LibraryThing. I'm sure it will take forever to get all our books on the site. Keep up the good work library staff!!
Rollyo.com was ok. I don't think I will ever use a program like that.
Jott.com and rememberthemilk.com were pretty cool. I do have a hard time remembering things but I don't think I am "hooked up" enough to have reminders sent to my phone, computer, put on my calendar, sent by IM, etc. But, for people who are, this seems like a great idea. I do often think of things while I am in the car and can't write them down...
And, lastly, livemocha.com. I really liked this site. I think this site shows what social networking should be all about. People helping other people to accomplish something beneficial for everyone. Maybe if I would have known about that site before the honeymoon to Mexico, I would have picked up a few more words to use while I was there.
Letter James was taking way too long to download and everything was in English money, so I didn't stay long on the site. But, creating a personalized calendar seemed pretty cool. But, with so many places that are doing that now, I don't see why I would need to go online to do it (unless the site had more options that I just didn't get a chance to see).
Flickr Toys was pretty cool also. I created a puzzle with a picture of Shane and me. I looked pretty good, but I never would actually buy it. It was $40. Maybe for someone who likes puzzles more than us it would be a cool gift. But, again, so many local places can do stuff like this now, why would you do it through an online site where you couldn't see the final product before you paid for it?
LibraryThing was interesting. I don't think I will ever use it because I don't read enough to make it something I would need, but I do see how it can help the VHS. I hope that younger researchers will see that we have books in our library and want to come to visit because of what they saw on LibraryThing. I'm sure it will take forever to get all our books on the site. Keep up the good work library staff!!
Rollyo.com was ok. I don't think I will ever use a program like that.
Jott.com and rememberthemilk.com were pretty cool. I do have a hard time remembering things but I don't think I am "hooked up" enough to have reminders sent to my phone, computer, put on my calendar, sent by IM, etc. But, for people who are, this seems like a great idea. I do often think of things while I am in the car and can't write them down...
And, lastly, livemocha.com. I really liked this site. I think this site shows what social networking should be all about. People helping other people to accomplish something beneficial for everyone. Maybe if I would have known about that site before the honeymoon to Mexico, I would have picked up a few more words to use while I was there.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
This is why I like LibraryThing....
...this is a message I got when trying to connect to an RSS feed. The last line is GREAT!!!!
Some sort of error just happened. The error was logged and Tim has been alerted.
We have an entire room of trained monkeys working to solve the problem.
Some sort of error just happened. The error was logged and Tim has been alerted.
If problems persist, email timspalding@librarything.com
In most cases, the problem can be fixed by using this link.
The reported error was: Problem with the concurrent query manager in the LibraryThing Bureau of Garbage Collections.
The reported error was: Problem with the concurrent query manager in the LibraryThing Bureau of Garbage Collections.
We have an entire room of trained monkeys working to solve the problem.
RSS Feeds
I finally did my week 3 of the 23 Things. RSS feeds seem pretty cool. I subscribed to a few that are news sites. It seems to work well, but I get a lot of updates throughout the day because they post something every time a new story goes up. I tried to connect to my friends blog on MySpace, but that didn't work. I can see how the RSS feed concept would be really great for someone who does check on things regularly or actually follow blogs, but for me, it really isn't something I see myself using everyday. Usually I only read a blog if it is a friend posting something interesting, or if it is something that really catches my eye when I am on a website for something else. At least I now have an account set up so that if I see something that I want to follow, all I have to do is connect to the RSS feed.
My last name has officially changed
I have legally changed my last name. It wasn't too bad - only $10 and about 3 hours of my time on a Friday afternoon. Now comes all the phone calls and letters to credit card companies, banks, magazine subscriptions, bill companies, etc. letting them know about the change. How long will it take to get everything switched over - probably years!! At least that will give me enough time to learn how to sign my new name!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Flickr
I explored Flickr today. It seems like a really interesting website. I can see the appeal both personally and professionally. If I wanted to upload all my wedding pictures, it would be a great way to allow everyone at the wedding to see them. I really liked the slideshow feature, and the "explore interestingness in the last 7 days" feature.
I looked around on the Library of Congress Flickr page (I guess that's what you would call it) and it seems simple enough. They uploaded tons of pictures and I like the fact that they are grouped together by theme. But, when you have over 1,000 per group, it is too much. They should be even more specific about the subject of the image to break it down into smaller, more viewable, groups of images.
The only thing I didn't like, and it might just be that I couldn't do this because I didn't join, but I wanted to be able to purchase a few prints from random people who put images on Flickr. There is no way for me to get copies of any of the images I can look at. And, I guess that is where it would be good for an organization like the VHS because even if you try to save the picture, you can't - it is just a blank screen. That way people aren't copying images from the website and printing them for free or claiming them as their own.
I am glad I played around on the site. I hadn't ever been on Flickr before - now I know what it's all about.
Looking at all the great shots on Flickr does make me want to pull out my old 35mm camera and play around in the back yard. All of those millions of photos couldn't have been taken by professionals!!!
I looked around on the Library of Congress Flickr page (I guess that's what you would call it) and it seems simple enough. They uploaded tons of pictures and I like the fact that they are grouped together by theme. But, when you have over 1,000 per group, it is too much. They should be even more specific about the subject of the image to break it down into smaller, more viewable, groups of images.
The only thing I didn't like, and it might just be that I couldn't do this because I didn't join, but I wanted to be able to purchase a few prints from random people who put images on Flickr. There is no way for me to get copies of any of the images I can look at. And, I guess that is where it would be good for an organization like the VHS because even if you try to save the picture, you can't - it is just a blank screen. That way people aren't copying images from the website and printing them for free or claiming them as their own.
I am glad I played around on the site. I hadn't ever been on Flickr before - now I know what it's all about.
Looking at all the great shots on Flickr does make me want to pull out my old 35mm camera and play around in the back yard. All of those millions of photos couldn't have been taken by professionals!!!
Changed the name of my blog
Looking at the 23 Things site made me realize that my blog name wans't at all exciting (Jennifer's Blog). So, I changed it to Rant. And, just out of curiosity, I looked up rant online to see exactly what it means. After reading over the text below, it seems even more appropriate that my blog now goes by that name.
Rant
For other uses, see Rant (disambiguation).
A rant (also called harangue or declamation) is a monologue that does not present a well-researched and calm argument; rather, it is typically an attack on an idea, a person or an institution, and very often lacks proven claims.
Some rants are used not to attack something, but to defend an individual, idea or organization. Rants of this type generally occur after the subject has been attacked by another individual or group.
Rants are used often in situations requiring monologue. Comedians, such as Lewis Black, Adam Carolla, and Rick Mercer, use rants as a way to get their message or punch-line across to the listening audience.
A rant can be used to flame members of an email group or electronic mailing list that are failing to reach a consensus on an issue.
Historical context of a rant
In Watt's book "Swoosh" (1908), while planning a raid, a single member of a band of pirates uses emotive language, revealing himself to be of higher intelligence than the Cap'n. The angry Cap'n questions his manliness with a monologue with insults and illogic, known as The Cap'n's Rant:
"Do we have a sashaying pirate on board, a fanciful folly of a fiend? Do ye keelhaul scurvy dogs or do ye serenade them from the crow’s nest? Do ye shake ye cutlass and howl at the moon or do ye shake ye head and faint oh so sweetly at the sight of unkempt hairy men?" [2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monologue
Rant
For other uses, see Rant (disambiguation).
A rant (also called harangue or declamation) is a monologue that does not present a well-researched and calm argument; rather, it is typically an attack on an idea, a person or an institution, and very often lacks proven claims.
Some rants are used not to attack something, but to defend an individual, idea or organization. Rants of this type generally occur after the subject has been attacked by another individual or group.
Rants are used often in situations requiring monologue. Comedians, such as Lewis Black, Adam Carolla, and Rick Mercer, use rants as a way to get their message or punch-line across to the listening audience.
A rant can be used to flame members of an email group or electronic mailing list that are failing to reach a consensus on an issue.
Historical context of a rant
In Watt's book "Swoosh" (1908), while planning a raid, a single member of a band of pirates uses emotive language, revealing himself to be of higher intelligence than the Cap'n. The angry Cap'n questions his manliness with a monologue with insults and illogic, known as The Cap'n's Rant:
"Do we have a sashaying pirate on board, a fanciful folly of a fiend? Do ye keelhaul scurvy dogs or do ye serenade them from the crow’s nest? Do ye shake ye cutlass and howl at the moon or do ye shake ye head and faint oh so sweetly at the sight of unkempt hairy men?" [2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monologue
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