This is kind of cool, but it would be nice to have more fonts available. I'm just used to all of the possibilites of Word. Other than that, I don't see many differences. The "Revisions" option is nice. I like the thought of being able to change the document and then change back if the original copy is better (or at least parts of it).

The coolest part of this is that my daughter, whose computer doesn't have Word Processing on it, now can use this to write papers for college! It saved her money over having to buy a Word Suite and since she is in college, any money saved is a great thing! It is also very handy to be able to work on your document from any computer that you have access to. The portability and compatibility is a definite strength! I can remember when I was in college and you had to make sure that the computer you were using supported the version of Word (or whichever application that you were using) that your report was typed in. Then, half the time you couldn't print because your word processing application wasn't supported by the computer or printer. This is such a huge improvement!

Web 2.0 and Search Engines

In the Next Spacearticle "Away From the 'Icebergs'", Rick Anderson makes the comment regarding Web 2.0

There was a time, not very long ago, when libraries exercised something close to monopoly power in the information marketplace. During the print era, if you wanted access to pricey indexes or a collection of scholarly journals, you had no choice but to make a trip to the library. It wasn’t a good system, but it worked. Sort of. That is to say, it worked moderately well for those privileged with access to a good library. In the post-print era, libraries no longer have the monopoly power that they had in the days before the Internet. We have to be a bit more humble in the current environment, and find new ways to bring our services to patrons rather than insisting that they come to us—whether physically or virtually.

Many of the other articles made strong points, but especially from a reference point of view, that point hit home in regards to current library service!

As far as the search engines go, my biggest problem was that of the search engines listed, several had different search focus, which made it difficult to compare the various engines. I usually end up using Google, with the understanding that their are weaknesses involved in the order of listings. I have used Dogpile and Yahoo in the past, but I usually end up going back to Google if I am in a hurry because I do understand its strengths and weaknesses.

RSS feeds (and Library 2.0 cool site)

I was on my Bloglines account, doing research for Week 6 of my Library 2.0 and came across this on Shifted Librarian. If you have not seen it, please visit the YouTube site and enjoy their interpretation of Library 2.0 at http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2007/02/07/think_library_20_as_you_watch_this.html
I was very impressed at how real they made the description, even for someone as challenged by all of this as I am. I have problems sometimes adjusting my thinking from html to xml to web 2.0, but this is an excellent clarification for the linear development from print through digital text to html and beyond. Please check this out! I think it will be worth your time.

My only problem with Bloglines is that I am not finding the topics listed that I feel are really importnat to me. I was finally able to find YPulse and add it, but it took several additional steps that I wasn't required to do for the other feeds that they connected me with and they have not sent me any additional feed ideas based on my original themes. I have my ten, with YPulse, but I don't know when I will have time to check them, even on a semi-regular basis.

Flickr

Ok, I finally have pictures and a Flickr account. I had computer hardware problems (couldn't get the photo disk out of the computer) and software programs (computer wouldn't read the pictures on the photo disk), but with Robin's help, I am up and running. Or at least, I am back on my way... Only four weeks behind, but Flickr is fun! I uploaded pictures of my kids and of me on horseback, some of my favorite things outside of reading, teens, and great food! If I could live on a ranch with my daughters, a professional chef, and horses, life would be perfect! I have enough books at my house that it would be quite a while before I would need to ride down to a local library. Of course the only problem with that idea is that I would miss out on all the new books that are coming out! It's hard to believe how many books come out each year, just in the Teen area. As I go through trying to order what teens would enjoy, I have to bypass so many other titles.
Now, you are probably wondering what this has to do with Library 2.0 and Flickr. The truthful answer is nothing, but the picture of me on a horse started my thoughts away from my focus. I have discovered lately that I am highly distractable. I basically need to do what I have done with this blog and circle back to the original focus.
I could easily spend hours looking at the pictures and explanations on Flickr. It is a dangerous site for someone who enjoys beautiful photography and is highly distractable. It did make a trading card and set myself up with a Flickr address, which is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/teenlibrz Go see what you think and please comment on my trading card.

LibraryThing!!!

Wow! LibraryThing is too cool! I was playing on there, loading titles, some of which I have read, but many of which I just don't want to forget before I get time to read them. Qhyrrae had mentioned LibraryThing, but I am blown away! This is the greatest tool for a book lover! I know, I need to stop with the exclamation marks, but WOW!!! Unfortunately, the reason that I don't have all of these books read is that I don't have time, so what makes me think that I have time to list all of them on LibraryThing? Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful resource!

Falling...

Ok, when I started working toward my MP3 player, I did my lessons each week and behaved. Unfortunately, that has changed. I have some serious catching up to do and I'm not sure, with me being off for the next three days, that I will be focused on getting lessons done. It is fun to learn all of this new stuff, but I also have to do my desk hours, order books, run teen programs, and delete over 3,000 holding from OCLC. I will try to keep up with all of it!

What I Learned about wikis

I was surprised at the variety of wikis! I had seen some, but most of them were similiar to Wikipedia or the New Library wiki that was set up when we were working on building a new library. I wish that I had thought about using a wiki when I was gathering information for my grant. It would have been a great resource for getting teen input. The downside would be that I would have no way of knowing that they were teens. It would be difficult to assure that the age they put down, would always be their true age. I thought that the ALA wiki was cool! Could you access it from other resources than your computer, ie. your cell phone, your planner, your PSP? Too many people would have limited access otherwise. Plus, who wants more print-outs, if you can carry it with you digitally? There would still be people that are technologically challenged (or too broke to have all the GOOD toys), but since ALA always has had a computer cafe with a printer, that would be a minimal problem. I really liked the Introduction and the Join the Community sections of the Library Success wiki. It was written in a friendly, but informational tone. I liked when they said, "While I am not going to require that people register on the wiki, it would be great if you did. It makes it easier for us to identify spam and it makes the wiki much more like a community if we can get to know each other a little." It clarified without sounding bossy. Like I said, friendly!