#9 Instant Messaging

This I was actually familiar with because we use instant messaging in our department. In the beginning we had a pidgen account and shared monitoring duties with adult services. Now we've grown and we use our own. It comes in handy when trying to privately communicate with each other, no fear of being overheard. I think that has its advantages. Maybe unfortunately for me, but I just don't see myself using this for personal communication. I probably should though because I don't always like answering the phone (and yes I still do have a landline). So if I used instant messaging, I could see what someone wanted to tell me but I wouldn't have to answer immediately if I didn't want to.

#8 Podcasts

OK onward and upward. Just took a listen to podcasts. So that's what it's all about. I listened to the Denver one. It was really nice for little ones but noticed most of the books were from 2006 and none were newer then 2009. Perhaps the individual that handled this for them left but I would think if you take the time to do something like this and with all the technology, you need or maybe should keep this as current as you can. Are there copyright issues with recordings like this? Anyway I appreciated learning about this and if I ever get an ipod or mp3 player, I will be right there listening.

#7 Google Docs

I actually completed this tune up last week but could never find the time to post to the blog so here goes, let's just hope I remember what I learned. I thought the idea of google doc was an interesting one. I could see applications for its use here at the library, no more working on the q drive, saving to q drive then saving to p drive then trying to remember what drive was this thing on.May be helpful for interdepartmental documents-like when we are working on committees. I created a calendar on google docs. Seemed fairly easy. I'll have to use it on a more regular basis to see how it compares to 30 boxes and outlook.

Wiki #6

OK so I've read about wikis and learned quite a number of things. Who knew anyone can be an expert about anything and then put what you know about out for anyone to read. The staff library wikis I looked at were very involved. And to think, everyone and anyone can contribute. It would be a big help but nice to know that a monitoring system seems to be built right in so that while everyone contributes, there will still be those who can oversee.

I did not create my own wiki. Believe me I don't know enough about anything to create something like that with any degree of expertise. I did look at a few. I like to do stained glass and found a stained glass wiki. Very interesting way to learn the history. Then I went to a card making wiki. Again very interesting. Do you know cards have been made since the ancient Chinese did it?

The one thing I'm learning about all this technology is that while it is trying to make our lives easier, you just need a whole lot of time to read all this stuff.

Social Networking #5

Well this one was much easier to do. I had some idea of what facebook was but do not have an account. I checked out a few libraries' facebook pages and discovered it was a nice way to see what other libraries are doing. Much like our facebook page, you can just read the latest news but also are able to access their websites and calendars if you want to learn more about something or register for programs. I like that -one-stop-shopping ability. Still not sure I want my own page but I like being able to look in on others.

Flickr # Not Sure

I guess this would have to be my least favorite tuneup, thus far. Maybe it was because I had to stop and start again. I didn't want to have to repeat all the steps but maybe I should have. I can see the benefits especialy if your blog was being used as a tutorial or a way to show followers what is going on. Could I repeat this on my own-don't think so. At least not without the steps or a lot of practice.

Newt Escaping

Newt Escaping
Originally uploaded by TP Tuneup

This is try #2 to get this posted to my blog. If I succeed, I will not know how I did it.