My Own Adventure!

I used the Web 2.0 Awards link and browsed around. I found a few that I'd like to share.

Under the category Visual Arts, I tried Color Blender. I'm always looking at colors as I need to paint at home. This was pretty cool! I liked the way I could select a color and this app would automatically select a family of colors to go with the color I selected.

Next was the Organize category. I looked at Backpack. If you're a list-maker, like I (sometimes) am, this would be an ideal way to take your list with you wherever you go. I could see using this site in a million different ways!

That category led me to the next one down, Philanthropy. Here I chose Be Green. Use this site to calculate how large your 'carbon footprint' is and discover ways to offset it. Love it!

I don't think any of these sites would necessarily be of any use to KCLS, but they sure could be of use to me (and my co-workers, too).

Google Labs

Well, this was fun. I tried a bunch of applications, some still in beta and some that are grads. These are pretty nifty. I did like Google Trends - not sure how I would use it, but very intriguing to see. Google Voice Local Search looks very interesting. I can see using this from my cell phone - looks like it could save me money, too. Google music trends was fun to look at. I tried out Google transit to see what my options were for commuting to work via public transit. According to Google, my best option is to leave the house at 7:30 in order to get to work by 9:00. I think I'll stick with the 10 minute drive.

Online Software

I feel like I'm just ooh-ing and aah-ing over everything, but I think I'll definitely use one of these or something similar. My laptop is languishing because I've been reluctant to spend hundreds of dollars on basic software for it. Solution! I'll use online applications to create documents, spreadsheets, and more! Love it!

Library 2.0

I'm gettin' it, I'm gettin' it. I read through the series of articles and I can see how Library 2.0 intersects with this program and some of the directions KCLS is taking. As a former formal student of technology I'm familiar with how rapidly change occurs in the online world. This holds true for the library as well as we are drawn toward Web 2.0 and beyond. No more resting on our laurels or other assets. Full speed ahead! The future calls ...

Custom Search Engines

I've tried out the custom search engines. Rollyo has a nice look, but I didn't like the way the ads were interspersed with the results. I'm a fan of Google, so I set up my own custom search engine in Google. Here it is:



I set up this search engine to search recipes on several of my favorite sites. It works great! Now, if I'm looking for a recipe, I can search several websites at once and limit to my favorites. Cool!

Wikis

I knew about wikis, but I never spent much time thinking about other applications for them. I went to 3 of the examples and I thought they were all great ways to use this tool. What's better than having the actual users of your site telling you what they want to see in it. The SJCPL Subject Guides wiki is a great example of this. I also thought Library Success and Book Lovers Wiki were more great examples of opportunities to share information and create community.

Library Thing

OMG, I am in heaven! Actually, I'm a little concerned. Library Thing is totally addictive, and I think I may have a problem.

I truly had a blast entering part of my cookbook collection into Library Thing. I joined a group of cookbook collectors and had fun looking at other people's libraries. Now I get the connection ... the social connection, that is. What fun! Now, if I only had more time ...