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...

Thing 25 - polls

I deleted my poll from ask500people.com. It was freaking me out a bit. I got responses from all over the world! Who are these people that sit around and answer internet polls on good camping spots in the midwest? I was amazed that 6 people voted for Teddy Roosevelt National Park (and only 1 person was from North Dakota)! We may take a camping vacation there this year - if you have been there let me know how you liked it. Anyway, I think I'll stick with Vizu for polling. Your poll isn't out there for everyone to see on their website, unless you want it out there. I better move on to Thing 26 pretty soon...probably Friday...

Thing 25 #2

I'm trying out a few widgets and what-nots. Of course, my little poll does not show up in my sidebar for some unknown reason. I added it using the html/java widget, but I just can't get it to show up. I used Ask 500 people - a new site for me. Vote for your favorite camping spot in the previous post!

I added a few other widgets to the sidebar, including a subscribe to function and a birdwatching widget. The formatting of the bird pictures isn't great, but I don't think you can tweak that. Well, you probably can if you know html (I don't). I read through the links and looked through many of the other widgets/features for Thing 25. I'll come back to these links as I continue to work on my blog. Better add them to Delicious...

More Things! Thing 24

I'm back. I really enjoyed 23 Things on a Stick and learned so much. Unfortunately, I didn't keep up with blogging. I posted once after the class was over. This time I will try to keep it going.

We have started a similar program in our library, called 8 Things. The librarians are even going to submit their own blogs to the participant list and hopefully exchange comments with the people in our class. Should be fun.

I updated my blog and avatar a bit. I changed the template to green - Pollywog in a Blog sounds "green" to me. I also changed my avatar to a camping/birdwatching person. I love birdwatching, but have never been much of a camper. My husband is determined to mold our young daughter into a naturalist. I better get on board. I'm hoping my avatar will inspire me.