Thing #15: Library 2.0

Like Chip Nilges (who discussed the subject in his article, "To more powerful ways to cooperate [sic]", I've found that the philosophy of "Library 2.0" has largely served to revolutionize the way that libraries view one another, customers, and the distribution of information. One of the fundamental principles of the whole "Web 2.0" concept is that rather than providing information itself, the goal of the institution (be it a website or a library) is to provide the means and/or infrastructure by which to access it.

Thing #14: Technorati

Check out my Technorati Profile. I've found Technorati to be a great way of advertising my blog, and finding out what else is popular on the internet.

Thing #13: Del.icio.us

I've found Del.icio.us to be rather interesting, as, in addition to serving as a social networking resource, it can also function as a valuable research resource. I imagine that it could have potential in a library environment, especially with regard to the possibility of sharing finds between library systems.

Thing #12: Rollyo

Here is my Rollyo search tool for famous/noteworthy quotations. Custom search tools, such as this, could likely help streamline searches for information (something that library employees often find themselves required to do).

Thing # 11: Librarything

My librarything catalog can be found here.

Thing #10: Image Generators

This game prepared me for my job. Really. I swear.

Thing #9: Merlin and Newsfeeds

Not being a terribly huge fan of blogs, RSS, or RSS-feed-collections, I found that the easiest way to find the RSS feeds that I wanted was to go to the website that I wanted to find the RSS-feed for, hit "ctrl-f" and search for "RSS", which consistently brought me to wherever the RSS-feed link for each site was located. I found the tools provided to be functional, but unsuited to my needs.

Thing #8: RSS Feeds

I find that, for me, personally, RSS feeds are more of a novelty than anything else, as they seem to hold little advantage over actually going to the websites that they supply information from, saving insignificant amounts of time and effort, although I'm aware that more practical applications for this utility exist.

Thing #7: Some Sort of Blog Post About Anything Technology-Related That Interests Me This Week

As far as something technology-related that happens to interest me, at the moment, I've found that instant messenger services (something that I've been using for about 10 years) have managed to help me keep in communication with many people with whom I'd otherwise have relatively little contact over the years. For example, despite my best friend and I having attended different universities (roughly 100 miles apart), we were able to talk (for free, and without the degree of immediacy required by phone or internet-based vocal communication) practically every day.

Here are some instant messenger-related links:

Windows Live Messenger

Yahoo Messenger

AOL Instant Messenger

Trillian

Thing #6: Flickr Mashups and Third Party Sites

lolcat5338756
Originally uploaded by someone who isn't me

As a follow-up to my previous post, I made this using FD Toys' Lolcat Generator, along with a photo of the famous psychologist, Carl Jung.

The original quote was, "As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being." (Memories, 1963)

Thing #5: Flickr

I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?
Originally uploaded by someone who isn't me

This is a relatively old and very common internet meme, commonly referred to as "Happycat".

7 and 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits

Upon viewing the presentation on lifelong learning habits, realized that, of the 7 1/2 habits detailed, the easiest for me is to view problems as challenges from which to learn. In every aspect of my life, I find it hard to view any problems that I encounter as anything other than challenges from which to learn.

Oddly enough, I found it hard to choose a single habit that struck me as something that I would consider "hard" for me. I suppose that, if anything, it would be Habit 7 (Teach/Mentor Others). While I find such a thing to be relatively difficult (in comparison to the other habits), I also find it to be among the most rewarding ways in which to learn.

This isn't *not* a test post.

It's not. I swear.