23 Mobile Things - #1

I'm looking forward to learning more about using my iPad (and other mobile devices) to make life a bit easier.  Okay, maybe not easier, but at least I can organize on the go.

We will be using mobile devices more at work, too.  This can be challenging in a hospital setting, but we are going to start with our first app, BrowZine.  We are excited to roll this out to everyone.  It will allow people to access our online journals on their iPads.  Very exciting.

LibTechConf 2011

I'm at the Library Technology Conference at Macalester College.  Great day!

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Thing 29 - Google Tools

The news has been so depressing lately, I didn't want to create a newsy Google Alert. I looked at a site that was new to me - alerts.com. I signed up for a Craigslist alert for anyone selling the Mary Poppins dvd. My 3 year old loves that movie! I'm anxiously awaiting news of a slightly used movie classic to make it's way to my email.

The problem I have with alerts is the fact that it comes to my already very crowded email. I really need to erase several (hundred) messages from my email account. I need to clean my online life as much as I need to clean my house. Uh. Another depressing thought.

Thing 28 - Customized Home Pages

I have tried iGoogle in the past. It somehow annoyed me. Although in theory I thought it would be extremely useful, I was bothered at seeing everything I look at on the Web staring at me all of the time. Well, that was last year, so maybe it will be different this time.

After reading the articles on this Thing, I decided to try Netvibes. Very cool. Again, I'm drawn to all of the cool gadgets and widgets and what nots. I'm hoping this doesn't annoy me like iGoogle. I have my Facebook, Twitter, news, Craigslist, RSS feeds and the weather on there. I'll see how it goes...

Thing 27 - Twitter

Ahh, Twitter. I'm finally cool. Okay, not really. I only have three people on my Twitter page and I have no idea what to Tweet about. I'm still barely getting into Facebook, so it may take me awhile with Twitter.

I can see some advantages to Twitter for libraries. Another way to reach people. A "Follow me on Twitter" section on a library blog would be a nice addition. We are considering switching our newsletter to a blog, so we should really consider having a Twitter account for our library.

Thing 26 - Ning

I feel like I know Ning a little better this time around. I can see it's usefulness for bringing people together. I updated my profile and added a question to the discussion (which unfortunately nobody has replied to yet).

A patron asked me if I knew any Web 2.0 applications that would help organize a focus group. He wanted something that had calendars and schedules/tasks, so I sent him a few links to project management sites (Basecamp and Zoho). I really should send him to Ning as well. This is a great way to facilitate comments from a focus group.

On to Thing 27...