#20, Create a Zotero resource library:

Zotero is a new tool to me.  It's been a few years since I've needed to cite anything.  I'm sure I'd be an avid user already if I cited on a daily basis.  Zotero must be the new sparknotes when it comes to informal undergraduate discourse.

Now that I'm an information professional, I want to have an intimate relationship with Zotero.  I had to come back to this post, because I had trouble sharing my library.  Because of this, I'm posting about Zotero after already experiencing the drag-and-drop citation heaven that has changed my life.   CHANGED MY LIFE!!!

I got some help from my collegiate cohorts, and here is my shared library:
https://www.zotero.org/mistermorrisey/items

#23 Reflections:

Wow, what a journey.  I thought it might be lame when some of the initial tools were so common, tools that I had already toyed with, and pontificated on their potential.

Then come a few newer ones, like google reader, zotero, rollyo and library thing.   I'm not going back and capitalizing those proper nouns, because this here be a blog.  We don't conform to grammar standards round here, because this is my house, my page, my roll.

Isn't that what 2.0 is all about?   With so many users, so many opinions, how am I gonna stand out?  Well, I guess I'd just have to be real, be myself.  Users being themselves, doing their things.  Adds up to a lot of pages, tools, entire universes of users and potential.  Can be overwhelming, if attempted to be done within a few days.  (Yeah, I know) I want to revisit most of the pages and places that this journey has brought me.

I'm gonna sign off here, cause the buffalo home I live in is cold, and sometimes it is good to leave web 2.0 for the real world, and real blankets.

#22, Explore

I first tried Monster.com, but I found one job while searching for high school librarian, and zero jobs when searching for a public librarian position, anywhere in the United States.  However, I think Monster is more of a resume posting site, and not so much a job searching site.  At least, that is my hope...

Then I tried the zango link, and got some "closed user community" page, and wasn't too happy about that...

Threadless...

I had heard of it, but never checked it out.  I'm really geeked about of a few of the t-shirt designs.  How cool that they are designed by the users!  Everybody thinks that they have a cool shirt idea, and thanks to the power of voting, the good ones rise to the top!


Heres my favorite.

#21, Read about library 2.0:

The first article I read:

1. “Chip Nilges.htm [OCLC],” http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/4.htm.

Ha! that citation was from Zotero!  I have citation superpowers, and I will never, hopefully ever, have to worry about comma's and all that other awful stuff that I don't want to do.

So, Back to the article... an article where he really talks about Tim O'Reilly, and how they follow what he said.

I particularly enjoyed the part where he said that Tim said that every noteworthy Internet application had been backed by a specialized database.  When considering that, you really have to elevate the value of being able to store, access or analyze data in a unique way.  Otherwise, you won't have a special enough specialized database.

 "But the avalanche of material available will put a premium on service, on tailoring information to needs, and on developing participatory relationships with customers."

1. “Dr Wendy Schultz.htm [OCLC],” http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/6.htm.

That there smells like a couple of jobs!  I like this lady!

#19, Rollyo

I had never heard of rollyo.  I had never considered a personal websearch, other than letting Google improve their search for you based on past searches.

It wasn't until I was forced to create an account (something I've gotten much faster at, lately,) created a custom search, and performed a search, that I saw the potential.

I had entered a bunch of my favorite newspapers, and I did a search for Hamas.  What I got back was a search result like I had never seen.  No ads at the top, no paid placements.  Just good articles, about a very controversial subject.  A subject that a typical, web-wide search would return vitriol and polemic.

Can I forsee a world where our children will use their own custom search tools, their own bots, and their own, custom interface?

Did you hear someone already hacked Microsoft's Kinect?

Oh yeah, I really did create an account, but couldn't link to it because I kept getting this message, which is what I got when I tried to use some of your links.

Hmm.

The link you came here on appears to be from a 'link spammer' trying to promote their site through Rollyo. These links are a nuisance to the community, a nuisance to our site, and ultimately not very nice. If you think you are getting this page in error, drop us a line and we'll try to get to the bottom of it.
Please note: When this spamming and related searching is deemed to be illegal, Rollyo will not hesitate to disclose information to authorities, including but not limited to the FBI and Interpol, if we have a good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to enforce or apply our policies or to protect the rights, property, or personal safety of Rollyo, our users, our employees, or the public. Please see our privacy policy for more information on the limited circumstances under which we may disclose your personal information.

#18, Library Thing

Wow, earlier on this 23 things journey, I encountered a tool that I hope to use to catalog, share, and document the pile of articles I read on a daily basis.

It appears I now have a way to do this with books! Library Thing! What an interface!  I had an account, and five books added, in about five minutes time.  Soon, I was effortlessly looking into my favorite books, what other people had to say about them, and what they think I may like!  I found out that one of my favorite books, by one of my favorite authors, was part of a series.  I now have something to by myself for Christmas.

#17, Two more Google Tools:

Wow, I checked out the "labs" page, for google, and I found some cool stuff:

"Open Spot for Android works by letting people who are leaving parking spots share their spots with people who are searching for parking. Earn 'karma points' and help others save time, gas and frustration (Requires Android 2.0; only available in US, Canada and the Netherlands)."

wow, karma points, I can't believe I didn't think of that one.

This next one also got me thinking:

"WalkyTalky

Eyes-free accessible navigation aid for Android."

 Just the title of this page gave me an idea.  When I had translation issues in Korea, I occasionally would call a teacher friend.  What if a blind person could call a "seeing-eye person"  Who would then use the blind person's Android camera to ascertain what was going on, and give assistance?

I hate not having a developer friend to run these ideas by.

#16, Google Docs

I knew of Google docs, their potential, their threat to Microsoft, etc.

But I never really used them until earlier  this semester.

They are now my preferred way to create, save, and move my documents about.  My students use GMail, docs, and calendar to collaborate.

My hope is that very soon, I will have audio broadcast synced in, so even if I don't have a classroom, I will be able to have my students around the library, the campus, and at home, listening to my words as well-timed, theatrical Google presentations assist in wrapping their neurons around concepts that would, if not for Google Docs, escape them.

In other words, I don't see much potential for collaborative programs that allow chatting, automatically save my work, and allow me to go back in time.  Please, someone restore Microsoft's hegemony on what I perceive as acceptable.

#15, Library Wiki:

Libraries are the place for wikis.  I was just spending time on the job seekers page of the best practices wiki, and the information was really sharp and easily accessable.  These volunteers are not only creating quality information, they are organizing and refining it.

Where do I think these have the most application?

Routine, specific avenues of query are a great place for wikis.   How to get things done, because of the same troubles we all encounter, can be assisted with wikis.  This is because anyone can throw their two sense in, so all types of problems and concerns can be addressed. Perhaps they can be of assistance in times when you are left bereft after continued Google searches.  Internal use shouldn't be forgotton, as wikis, as mentioned in my 505 class, are a great way to reduce loss of information when individuals retire or leave their posts.

#14, Technorati

I guess I got a little ahead of myself, as I have already visited Technorati, and checked its top one hundred list earlier on this quest.

So, I went back, and found Mashable.com, a site that I remember was extensively quoted for a peice that I read on the times.

These social sites, promoting web 2.0 and user created art and articles, seem to always have the scoop over the papers.

Remember how important getting the scoop used to be?  Is it still promonent?  Do editors still chase scoops, or do the let the net report, guage the response, and then choose to carry it?

I'm really starting to get confused as to what Blogs mean to papers, and I'm considering that perhaps the two compliment each other more than many in either industry (blog or paper) would like to admit.

#13, Del.icio.us

Okay, another thing I've heard mentioned, but really didn't have time or motiviation to chase down.  Del.icio.us, another social bookmarking tool.

Honestly, I'm glad there are so many people interested in throwing their two cents around.  I really can't imagine taking my time to comment, like, and add to most of the media I consume.  I just consume too much, and I don't like putting my name on work that I don't feel adds value.

Even this blog is hard to write, as I know that my posts aren't revolutionary.  I think I'm deeply intrigued and jacked into Web 2.0, I just prefer to do it as a ghost, an observer.

So, I'm not gonna join Del.icio.us, I'm just gonna profit from their promotion of certain pages, and find them via the other popularity tools I use.

#12, Finding Feeds

I first used Techcrunch to locate some feeds.  I tried using their search box, using the phrase "Microsoft Kinect" and "Project Natal"  However, the results were hard to sift through, so instead, I clicked on the "top one-hundred." button.

Located TechCrunch,  and have found it to be a great business-oriented tech blog.  Now, for Gadgets I'll go to Gizmodo, for Money-related tech matters, I now have TechCruch!

Good thing I have an extra hour today!

#11, Discover RSS

I have been embarassed about my lack of use of RSS.   I am glad this assignment pushed me into it.  I have, much like everyone else, a few select sites that I get my news from.  I'm gonna lay my cards on the table.  Here is where 90% of my news comes from:

-NY Times
-Gizmodo
-The Buffalo News
-Digg

I have them all bookmarked, on my toolbar, with no description, so they are convenient little buttons.  I find getting to each of them to be painless.  However, I've been searching for the easiest way to share news with my friends and family, and to document what I have read, so I can find it years from now.

Is this the tool I've been looking for?  Is there an android app for it?  Lemme check....

I have downloaded Newsrob, look forward to checking its features later today!

#10, check out Librivox

Okay, so I know Librivox is a free service, but I'm surprised at how basic its search functions, were.  I was also upset that when trying to listen to one of Karl Marx's works, the different parts were labelled by the whatever points the reader or uploader chose, not based on chapter.   The fourth file was the first one to actually be the book, but it wasn't labled as such.   I also quickly found out that a work like Marx's, with its complicated phraseology and numerous footnotes (which are read in the order they are encountered in the reading), is for me, impossible to follow via audiobook format.  I also found that the reader's voice can add or detract from the original work.

I was, however, excited that I got to clean my room as a work by Alduous Huxley was read to me in an Irish accent.  Definitely not possible with a book.

Step #9, Locate Podcasts

So, I've only had a few exposures to podcasts up to this point.  For this project, I quickly found some podcasts that I was into.  I found that "Ted" talks are usually in podcast format.  So, I loaded a couple up, and listened on the way to work.  This tech is pretty cool, but I do think some of the preloaded and saved media will be replaced by streaming when bandwidth and improves.

I located most of my podcasts with Google searches about specific data sources or topics of interest to me.

Thank God I wasn't forced to use Itunes.

Youtube: 1.6 billion dollars and still unprofitable

Before I began this post, I had to re-check the above claim.  I did that here

 Yet it was still a fantastically intelligent move for Google to snatch it up at that price.  Why?  Lemme go find some more data for you...

"Youtube.com is ranked #3 in the world according to the three-month Alexa traffic rankings. Roughly 22% of visitors to the site come from the US. It has a bounce rate of about 24% (i.e., 24% of visits consist of only one pageview), and Youtube.com has been online since 2005. The site belongs to the “Video Sharing” category."

From Alexa

Man I wish I had 1.6 bill and a half decade to prove an idea right.

  (Don't forget site #1, also Google)

Edit:
Oh yeah, I was supposed to actually check out videos and Youtube and such.  Nah man, I'm on to Vimeo now, best in quality and load speeds, to my knowledge.

Step #7, Have some Flickr Fun

Okay, I'm gonna be honest.  I thought this was gonna be a boring post that I just got out of the way.  My initial exposure to Flickr machups was non-thrilling, just some colloges and pointless spirals.

Everything has now changed.

I did a Google search for useful Flickr mashups, which led me to a top ten list of fun and useful Flickr mashups, and discovered something called: Islands of Conciousness

http://incubator.quasimondo.com/flash/islands_of_consciousness.php

Random music affecting digital transitions of random Flickr photos.

I didn't get something useful, but I got something big.

Gimme a couple days, and I'll re-post why it's a big idea....

Step 6, Explore flickr:

Here are some facts about Flickr:
   Wow, it turns out Flicr itself was mashed together from tools created for a massively multiplayer game.

Even more wow, Flickr has a patent pending for something they call "Interestingness."  Interestingness is a combination of click-through data, favorites, comments, linking-to and more.  They use this meta-data mashup allow users to peruse what is inspiring all this activity in other users.  I see MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR potential for a tool of this nature.

Imagine a world so completely saturated with information that users need develop new techniques of finding anything in info-fog.  They will come to rely on net stats, seeing what other sentient individuals are perusing.  Yet this form of information chasing has its downsides.  The most immediate weakness that comes to mind is user attention doesn't necessary indicate quality, although Flickr's use of favoriting could counter the pure click through data.

I also spent a ton of time on Flick, loving the:
      -Ability to find groups dedicated to specific subjects
      -Worldwide Community
      -Geotagging of Photo's
     -Ability to contact / comment / become friends with users
      -Ability to see other users' favorites (If they are ok with it)
      -FREENESS: Well, you gotta pay for pro accounts, but you get a lot for free

Step #4, Create a post about 7 and 1/2 lifetime learning habits and something technology related

Oh boy I've been waiting for a post like this.  One of the seven and a half lifetime learning habits is to play.  I've never had trouble with this one.  I think the way I refuse to use directions is what Krug would describe as "muddling through."  

I've got a new toy to play with, to "muddle through"

It's my new Android hand computer.  I've got a sensational set of apps that really hook me into the information superhighway.  Some of the best include:
   -Mint, which links to my bank accounts, alerts me of any activity I deem alert-worthy, and has already saved me tons of money, including helping me catch an instance where a hotel double-billed me for a room that I had already payed Priceline for
   -Barcode Scanner, which scans barcodes of products and gives me local and web prices, allowing the whole world to compete with whatever brick and mortar store I happen to be in.

The Android experience is not something I would recommend for most cell phone users.  The interface is glitchy, and the user is left to assist themselves, there is no cusotmer service solution for when your dozens of apps start to not play nice, and your os is bogged down with code.

But I keep playing, and the result can be truly fantastic.

Step #5, register blog for the flash drive

I initially thought there was a mistake, because we can't post to the original website, but now I know I need to register for the class log.  I"m going to go do that.  I really don't know what else to say about this.

Step #3, Create Blog and Make a post

Okay, there seems to be some kinda flux in our temporal experience, but I assure you, this is my first post on my first blog and wow, the experience is cool!  Can anyone read this?  How honest should I be?  Does anyone care?  Is my teacher really gonna read all these posts?  Can I fake some?   Will she read mine, 'cause I'm so amazing?  Do I need to follow grammar conventions?  Has this post reached appropriate length?  Does appropriate length take into account how concisely one writes?

Step # 2, Lifelong Learning

Okay, so I've tried multiple times to find out what the 7 and 1/2 habits are.  The interactive video thing has frozen my computer multiple times.  Up I go to use my friends computer.  Wait here... Okay, found and learned the 7-1/2 things.

The final step, "Play" has got me thinking.

There are people in this program who still feel the need to be spoon fed information.  These are people who have made the choice to be the gatekeepers of information in what we call the "information age."   Yet some of these people seem to fear and deride the amazing tools we have available, tossing around terms like "information overload" and "Luddite."   People who ask the teacher questions better asked online.  Things like prices of books.

I know technology has its limitations, but I don't think they are as significant as the limitations individuals place on themselves.

I've always hated directions.  I "muddle through."  I play, and probe new environments to learn.  I learn more with the following keystrokes than any class could ever teach me.   Control-C, Control-T, Control-V.  This is how I learn.  Before I question those around me, I check to see what the rest of the world has to say.

I definitely have a problem with keeping the end in mind.  I have trouble thinking about the "end," and even more trouble working towards it.  I think I should break life goals into manageable steps, and take each step in turn, rather than getting discouraged.

Step One: Learn about 23 Web 2.0 Things

Well, step one was to create a blog.  I logged on to Blogger, to find I already had one up and running!  Well, I guess it wasn't really up, as I hadn't done a single post, but I'm sure Google uses my initial signing up as one of the millions of bloggers it likes to tout.

I've been tempted to use a flashy template, but I like the simple blue.   I'm wondering how I can make my blog stand out from others, and I think I'll have to start over after this class is over, or start another one to be my "reading list" so I can provide my friends a way to keep up with me at dinner parties.

I'm gonna post this now, so I can see how it looks published.

This Weeks' News

Top Stories:

1.  Top aide to "President"  Karzai is found to be on C.I.A. payroll
2.  Government confirms largest hacking of U.S. military started with a thumb drive in 2008
3.  "Governer" Patterson may face charges