Well, here it is, Monday morning, and I'm doing my homework. Feels a bit like high school, except I'm home at my computer instead of on the school bus. Some of the writing used to get pretty shaky as we rode over those back roads!
I tried during the last week to use the search tools for news feeds, but didn't seem to have a lot of luck. Maybe it was cos I wasn't really sure what I was trying to do! But I made an attempt. Maybe sometime, when I have more time and want to just "play" with it, I will spend some time with it and figure more things out.
This whole process is quite a learning experience. I'm enjoying learning all these things. Some I may never use again, but it is good to know that they're out there.
Have a good day!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
RSS
This is what week 4 tells us!
RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication” and is a file format for delivering regularly updated information over the web. Just think about the websites and news information sources you visit every day. It takes time to visit those sites and scour the ad-filled and image-heavy pages for just the text you want to read, doesn’t it? Now imagine if you could visit all those information sources and web pages in just one place and all at the same time … without being bombarded with advertising… without having to search for new information on the page you’d already seen or read before… and without having to consume a lot of time visiting each site individually. Would that be valuable to you? Well, it’s available now through a newsreader and RSS.
I've spent the last hour or so setting this up on my computer. I didn't find it that difficult to do (if I've done it correctly). However, this is a tool that I don't think I will use on my home computer. I don't visit that many sites in a day, especially news sites, and the ones I do visit I have listed under favourites, so it's just a click and I'm there. I don't think I'll find a need for RSS.
I can see how it will be helpful at the reference desk at the library as the staff can have all the sites they visit in one location on the computer.
RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication” and is a file format for delivering regularly updated information over the web. Just think about the websites and news information sources you visit every day. It takes time to visit those sites and scour the ad-filled and image-heavy pages for just the text you want to read, doesn’t it? Now imagine if you could visit all those information sources and web pages in just one place and all at the same time … without being bombarded with advertising… without having to search for new information on the page you’d already seen or read before… and without having to consume a lot of time visiting each site individually. Would that be valuable to you? Well, it’s available now through a newsreader and RSS.
I've spent the last hour or so setting this up on my computer. I didn't find it that difficult to do (if I've done it correctly). However, this is a tool that I don't think I will use on my home computer. I don't visit that many sites in a day, especially news sites, and the ones I do visit I have listed under favourites, so it's just a click and I'm there. I don't think I'll find a need for RSS.
I can see how it will be helpful at the reference desk at the library as the staff can have all the sites they visit in one location on the computer.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Flickr
Here it is, Monday morning, and after re-reading the instructions for week 3, I realize I'm supposed to put something in my blog about Flickr.
I find it a bit confusing at the moment, but I figure with more practice and reading more about it, I will get better. I think it's great to have a website to share photos instead of sending each one individually by e-mail, but I am a bit concerned about privacy issues. To upload a photo to my blog from Flickr, I had to make the photo public. (Of course, I guess my blog is public too, but I think a lot more people are going to visit Flickr than are going to visit my blog!) I'd prefer to upload a photo from my computer if I want to use it in my blog. Currently I use a website called Webshots to share photos. You invite those you wish to see your albums there.
But, as I said, I've got a lot more to learn...
I find it a bit confusing at the moment, but I figure with more practice and reading more about it, I will get better. I think it's great to have a website to share photos instead of sending each one individually by e-mail, but I am a bit concerned about privacy issues. To upload a photo to my blog from Flickr, I had to make the photo public. (Of course, I guess my blog is public too, but I think a lot more people are going to visit Flickr than are going to visit my blog!) I'd prefer to upload a photo from my computer if I want to use it in my blog. Currently I use a website called Webshots to share photos. You invite those you wish to see your albums there.
But, as I said, I've got a lot more to learn...
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Technology
The Merriam-Webster dictionary's definition of tech·nol·o·gy is as follows:
1 a: the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : engineering 2b: a capability given by the practical application of knowledge 2: a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge 3: the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor — tech·nol·o·gist \-jist\ noun
1 a: the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : engineering 2
Dare I admit the definition alone boggles my mind? Technology. I know it's out there! I know it's important. But need I understand it? I mean, as long as something works, do I really care how it works? Can't I leave that to the "techinical" minds! We all have our areas of specialty. I know technology is not one of my specialties. But that's what makes life interesting. If we all shared all the same abilities, what fun would that be?
So, I'll continue to reap the benefits of all the latest technologies, and will try to keep up where I can, when the lessons are straightforward and geared to those of us who need a bit of guidance. But I won't be trying to learn the technicalities of how something works. As long as it works, that works for me!
Friday, July 6, 2007
Summertime and the livin' is easy...
What a great Gershwin tune! Every parent should learn that one, to sing their babies to sleep.
I love summertime. Give me a nice summer's day, not too hot, no humidity, a bit of breeze, and I'm happy! What can be better than a good book, a cold drink and a nice summer's day!
We are so fortunate to be living in Canada, where we have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the world around us. We see so much fighting in the world. The people in those countries, unfortunately, are missing out on many of the joys of life. And life is so fleeting. We have to try to enjoy every minute we have. Good health, loved ones...and a peaceful world in which to enjoy them. What more could one ask for?
I saw a house decorated with many yellow ribbons the other day. It turns out the husband from that family has just returned from a 6-month assignment in Afghanistan. He has four weeks to spend at home with his wife and young children, then it's back to Afghanistan.
We were told in this assignment that "you can write about your thoughts so far on the Library 2.0 project... or about blogging in general... or about your own thoughts about lifelong learning (week one)."
As you can see, I didn't do that. I will say that I think that life itself is a learning experience. As long as we're living, we're learning.
Enjoy this beautiful summer's day!
I love summertime. Give me a nice summer's day, not too hot, no humidity, a bit of breeze, and I'm happy! What can be better than a good book, a cold drink and a nice summer's day!
We are so fortunate to be living in Canada, where we have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the world around us. We see so much fighting in the world. The people in those countries, unfortunately, are missing out on many of the joys of life. And life is so fleeting. We have to try to enjoy every minute we have. Good health, loved ones...and a peaceful world in which to enjoy them. What more could one ask for?
I saw a house decorated with many yellow ribbons the other day. It turns out the husband from that family has just returned from a 6-month assignment in Afghanistan. He has four weeks to spend at home with his wife and young children, then it's back to Afghanistan.
We were told in this assignment that "you can write about your thoughts so far on the Library 2.0 project... or about blogging in general... or about your own thoughts about lifelong learning (week one)."
As you can see, I didn't do that. I will say that I think that life itself is a learning experience. As long as we're living, we're learning.
Enjoy this beautiful summer's day!
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