Thing 31 - More Twitter

More Twitter is right! I spent a lot of time on twitter, not in twittering but reading and exploring extras. I tried to join the Librarians Directory, but it took forever to log on, but it is worth the effort. I think its popularity is bogging down the system. I am trying to twitter more often, but I would rather read than enter. I do though enjoy following some of the other tweets (CNN, Mr. Twitter, School Library Journal, and most importantly, my daughter). I enjoyed some of the extras ( I am a question mark and get along well with commas). So far I am not using it as a communication tool, it is just is another way to find out about books. At this point I have a "presence" I am a baby tweet.

Thing 30

I use RSS, in fact it is very helpful in many cases. I found that if I didn't attend to it I could become overwhelmed. I had to learn to ignore a lot. I think that filtering is the answer. I reduced and organized the feeds and so far the information is more pertinent and I am not wasting time on articles not related to my needs.
I also had used Delicious, but after upgrading my computer I lost the site off my tool bar. I intended to add it again but never did. I finally added it back to my browser and I love it because I work from different computers. I also had resorted back to printing articles that I wanted, what a waste of paper. I love saving to delicious and then just rereading the information when I need it.

Thing 29 Google Tools

Back to Google. How do they think of all of it? I set up Google alert. I choose it because it seemed easy and I have a semi-rapport with Google. At first, I was certain that I did not want to be alerted to anything. I already am overwhelmed with information. But it was very easy and I have found the alert is helpful. I set the alert to report software update issues daily to my email. The first time I looked at the alert I found a very timely warning. I rarely find time to search for the information on the internet, so I am pleased with the results.
With a more positive mind set, I set up Google calendar. I need a calendar to keep track of my grandmother babysitting duties. The schedule changes often and it is easy to forget the details. It will be convenient to share the calendar with my family so we all can keep track of our schedules. I embeded the calendar on my igoogle home page. I am not sure how to use the calendar for library events

Thing 28 Custom Home Pages

I had created a google home page previously, but only visited it when I wanted to read my RSS ( google reader). I am determined to make it my home page on my work computer this time and really utilize the widgets. Please do not tell my principal because it has a time absorbing game on it. Which was one of the reasons I avoided igoogle before. I like igoogle, I looked at Netvibes and Pageflakes (my favorite name), but I stayed with igoogle because better the devil you know. It is very easy to add widgets and easy to move them around. I added google maps because I often use it and I added a widget that shows all the places in the world I need to visit. I would have added a few more but I was busy playing my game. I recommend colorjunction if you have nothing but time.

Thing 27 Twitter

I had heard about Twitter before this, but I had no idea of the number and variety of people who tweet. I watched all of the videos and read the materials, but what struck me was the man who said he spent three hours a day on Twitter. WHAT? I prefer to twitter probably to blogging. I like that it is short, you just need to get the message across and do not need to say anything all that profound. Having stated that, I find do enjoy reading blogs especially on literature. So in tweet language - like to write tweet and read blog. I would love to twitter for my students "maimek - great new mystery London Eye Mystery, but must return over due book if you want to check it out:)" I am afraid if I twittered my children they would end up blocking me. This was a great learning experience.

Thing 26 - Ning

I joined Ning in round 1 and frankly, never revisited or even really remembered much about it:(
After looking at it again, I thought it was another "facebook" time consumer. But I visited another librarian's place and realized what good connections for a librarian. I am a private elementary school librarian and there are not too many of us left. A group would be useful. I also enjoyed reading the Anokaberry group postings. I am always interested in book reviews of children's books.

Thing 25

I have started this blog at least three times and had to quit before I was finished. I love some of the widgets especially the children's picture book art gadget. But, I had to delete it because it did not not work. I took Mick's advice and tried Odiogo and she was right! It was easy. I was not that interested in adding voice to my blog because I do not think that many people read it. If I had a well-known blog, a voice component would be helpful. I also did the quick poll - Glowday. It was very simple, perhaps my poll was not judicious but I am interested in the results. I also added my favorite blog on Jane Austen to my sidebar. Very easy, and I am sure that many people are also interested Jane Austen. There were too many options in Thing 25. I wanted to check out all of the gadgets before I decided, but I just did not have the time. Again, I plan to revisit and play with the tools some day.