Hooray, a thing I can get enthusiastic about! Looking through both Research Project Calculator (RPC) and Assignment Calculator they both had what looked like useful features. While AC seemed distinctly more robust than RPC, it seems like either could be used to help get through paper/project assignments. I did like the various links in AC to access both primary sources (ie grammar usage) and finding aids (ie library catalogs).
For a hoot, I tried setting up an email alert on RPC. Am looking forward to receiving them just to see how they look and impact me. Also got me thinking that a potentially useful enhancement would be to provide for multiple email alerts (ie to teachers and/or parents)
Lets hope all students will soon have high speed internet access
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thing 15 Libraries and games
I watched the Second Life video and then tried accessing both Puzzle Pirates and Second Life but to no real success. Puzzle Pirates kept giving me error messages. Second Life, after an abortive attempt that failed when prompted for Pay Pal or cell phone, did let me download something but then that got lost somewhere on my PC (I hope I did not make more work for the Computer Center).
Anyway, I'm sure there is some appeal to gaming on the internet to a lot of people and it might be useful for a library to facilitate that. Since I always had some trouble with Pac Man, I would not include myself in that particular group of patrons.
Skateboarding on sand - how cool!
Anyway, I'm sure there is some appeal to gaming on the internet to a lot of people and it might be useful for a library to facilitate that. Since I always had some trouble with Pac Man, I would not include myself in that particular group of patrons.
Skateboarding on sand - how cool!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thing 14. LibraryThing
Sort of fun. Had a little problem establishing tags, but no doubt that would be easier with a bit more practice. Also liked the "Shared" feature, but found it a little depressing that apparently no one had heard about two of my choices. Who knows, perhaps someone might click in and give them a read. Anyway, as per instructions. you can see the two orphan book titles at:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/JimRentz
Actually was reasonably impressed with this ones capabilities
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/JimRentz
Actually was reasonably impressed with this ones capabilities
Thing 13. Online Productivity Tools
Calendar: Useful if you have a group working together either without calendar funtions in their internal email (ie GroupWise at RPL) or whose calendar functions do not communicate very well, if at all.
To Do Lists: Could be useful if you are all wired in. I always found a PDA quite useful but the synching capability could be a hassle at time. If a site such as Remember the Milk delivers, it could be quite effective since it would be accessible from numerous sources.
Backpack: Actually went to that to look at the calendar function first. See comments above for overall reaction.
Also tried the pdf converter with some success. However, the resulting product was less than inspiring.
Another paper mill bites the pulp
To Do Lists: Could be useful if you are all wired in. I always found a PDA quite useful but the synching capability could be a hassle at time. If a site such as Remember the Milk delivers, it could be quite effective since it would be accessible from numerous sources.
Backpack: Actually went to that to look at the calendar function first. See comments above for overall reaction.
Also tried the pdf converter with some success. However, the resulting product was less than inspiring.
Another paper mill bites the pulp
Thing 12. Do You Digg?
Afraid not. I will confess to only taking the "quick" tour so undoubtably did not get the full effect. Tried a search on Digg and came up with a very eclectic mix of things but did not really feel like going through all 217 pages (ca. 15 entries/page) and then try to read all the comments.
Have never voted on American Idol
Have never voted on American Idol
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thing 11. Tagging and Del.icio.us
Watched the podcast. Did not try any tagging on Delicious. I could see how it might be useful for a specific project if you have the time to do the due diligence regarding the "middle ground" (I think that was the term). There does seem to be a bit of a privacy concern here, but if you are not worried about that I guess that's a non issue.
On a side note: as a cataloger, the idea of free form subject headings rather sends shivers up my spine. However, if it works for the del.icio.us user, that's the main thing.
Not recommended for a dial up user
On a side note: as a cataloger, the idea of free form subject headings rather sends shivers up my spine. However, if it works for the del.icio.us user, that's the main thing.
Not recommended for a dial up user
Thing 10. Wikis
Tried adding something to the 23 Things Wiki. Not sure it is save or not, but will try to remember to check later.
Just in general, I have found the RPL Wiki to be pretty useful. Have used it several times for getting information easily while on the Reference Desk. Am also sure that there is more on it that would be more convenient to find than through other methods.
Woo-hoo, the second useful tool!
Just in general, I have found the RPL Wiki to be pretty useful. Have used it several times for getting information easily while on the Reference Desk. Am also sure that there is more on it that would be more convenient to find than through other methods.
Woo-hoo, the second useful tool!
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