Who will feed the fish?

I've learned a lot about what "things" are out there through the program and was also inspired to do further exploring.  My favorite (and unforseen) part was getting to know a few more staff members not only through their blogs but also in having a common topic to discuss when we passed in the halls. 

I was only using a few of the things before we started and I am using a few new things because of this program.  There are also a handful of things that I will likely go back to when I have need.  And of course there is a group of things I will likely never use again. 

How long will my poor fish make it without being fed once every two or three weeks....

Looking forward to the Wrap-up party! 

Fun Stuff

Wordle definately is fun.  Librarything is also cool, but I can't even remember the last time I had time to read anything more than a few pages let alone what it was, so not really a 'thing' for me.  Smilebox was a bit disappointing because the only thing you can do for free with your scrapbook is email it or post it to facebook.  You can't save it to your computer or even print it at home without paying for a membership.

Online Mapping and GIS

Online maps are one of the best tools ever.  I have been using Google Maps for several years to plan routes and get a look at places I haven't been to before, including what the roads are like on the way there.  Having a look at the street view of a destination before you leave home can prove to be the saving of your last bit of sanity after two days of driving with cranky kids in the back seat and fading hope that you will finally get there.  Last summer we drove to Vancouver via Jasper and I printed a few key Google maps to find the homes of friends and family and we were on our way. 

Social Bookmarking and Widgets

I came back to the social bookmarking "thing" a few times.  Mostly due to a shortage of time, and each time thinking "maybe I'll be able to see how this is useful if I look a bit further".  I really don't see how it would be useful to me, at home or at work. It strikes me as a complicated demonstration of what's possible without a lot of "useful".

Widgets are a good idea as far as customizing but there are also an abundance of them that are more time wasters that effeciency makers.  My favorite widget at home is the current weather on my desktop.

Social Networking & Twitter

I checked out Facebook's privacy info and learned a couple of things.  1. You can adjust the settings on each and every status update / photo / thing you post by clinking on the image of a lock when you create the post.  2. I hadn't really thought about it, but I assumed "everyone" meant everyone with a facebook account when it actually means everyone with internet access whether they are logged in to facebook or not.

I've had a facebook account for 5 or 6 years now and I've been on and off about it throughout.  I like it for keeping in touch with people who I wish were a lot closer geographically but on the other hand I get annoyed by people who live close by and consider it equal to visiting in person.  For awhile I stopped posting any pictures at all in protest of the idea that people could "see how my family is doing" without actually contacting me.  Clearly, I do not consider it a "personal" form of communication.

On the other hand, social networking sites can be an incredible resource for businesses or organizations to reach customers and clients in a much more directed and interactive ("personal"?) way that traditional advertising methods would allow.  I love receiving notification of sales at my favorite stores!

I have not joined any other networking sites on my own so far but I have been recently considering Twitter (I heard a rumor that Saskatoon Transit uses it to notify about delays).

Having now checked out Twitter it seems alright but I think it's real value for me will be when I figure out which streams I like and how to follow them without having to log in.

Photosharing

Flickr seems to have a ton of features that you could spend quite a bit of time exploring.  I've added the Flickr RSS feed to my Google Reader, we'll see if it proves informative, interesting or annoying.  Interesting that they have partnered with Picnik for editing and Snapfish for specialty printing. 

There seems to be a ton of photosharing options that I have become aware of lately and I haven't become loyal any of them yet.  I was sharing the very few photos that I do post solely on Facebook, but it has proven a hurdle for a couple of family members who refuse to join.  Windows Live has a much simpler option that creates a temporary (90 days) album online accessable by a link in an email that is more likely to be the less intimidating option for my relatives.  My home laptop keeps trying to promote Snapfish to me as well but I haven't explored it yet. 

I'm not really interested in posting any photos to the general public so Flickr is not likely something I'll pursue but it could be a very valuable tool for anyone wanting to be found by the public.

This is a photo from the far end of Western Brook Pond, NFLD (in Winter) which is on my list of places to re-visit (but in summer).   I did have a bit of trouble posting it, ended up copying the HTML because Blogger didn't like the links.


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Wikis & Wikipedia

I've used Wikipedia quite a bit.  It's often amusing the range of things that are included on there.  I've never contributed to a wiki but suspect I will have opportunity through LLDP soon enough.  I can't see using one in my day to day work tasks.

And now I am officially caught up before the end of catch up week!  (Although keeping up with everyone's blogs is a different matter!  So many videos to watch!)