Reflections in the Pond

Dear Pond Creatures, I've just completed a long technological, virtual journey. Many thanks to all who made this interesting educational trip possible. In some ways, I feel like someone who purchased a cell phone that makes it possible to do what was formerly done by a dozen other machines, including cleaning your teeth and polishing mother's linoleum, but uses it only for receiving and sending messages. Technology makes it possible to put them all together on one little chip, but is it necessary? I was glad to learn something in every phase of my journey, and more about Pandora, Flickr and gaming which I had superficially explored before. I enjoyed being a blogger once I remembered my account name and password. Google Earth is great for someone who has always loved maps. It was easy to understand the communication value of several paths the web allows. Now I know a little of what many of our library patrons know, and in some areas, perhaps even more. In all, a good decision to send all of us down this path in this way. Thanks again. Slicey

Google Earth Has Got Me Goggle -eyed

Dear Pond Creatures, Enjoyed playing with this program so much I installed it on my home computer. I've been fascinated with maps for a long time. This is mapping in spades: high speed, 3-D, viewed in different angles, able to be rotated, and highly enlarged. Of course I went looking for my nest first and found it ( and the monstrosity being built nearby). Been planning a camping trip with some old friends, a place I've never camped. It took me right there. Had a visit from an old friend whose house had been recently renovated. I and was able to see the new additions. COOL! Later, Slicey

I've Got Game!

Dear Pond Creatures, I can't believe I just spent a long, long time playing games with a machine. I was addicted! Tried all kind of stuff, and I have to admit it was engaging and fun even though I didn't always score too high. Especially liked educational games and wondered if some of this material had been around when I was holed up in a classroom in Swamp Middle School I might have been able to hook a heck of a lot more tadpoles into the infinite joys of geography and history. Been talking to the librarians at Swamp Pond Public Library and they say we all better get used to the swarms of youngsters glued to computers playing Runescape and the like. Been some complaints from a few grownups about their "enthusiasm."Seem they couldn't concentrate on their Solitaire games or E-Bay searches. Hmmm! Well, back to the machine. Slicey

Podcasting from the Lillypad

Dear P.C. This will be my third attempt to post this blog, so I'm cutting it short.
Amazed at the enormous amount and variety of pocasts. Especially impressed with what I'd call the learn/teach material. Special library projects and programs being podcast -very valuable. Slicey

It's Really Not Me

It's Really Not Me
Posted by slicey at 3:39 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Fellow Pond Creatures, I've been exploring the desire and need to have a second life, virtually speaking. Frankly, I've been doing that for as long as I can remember; just closing my eyes and drifting away to special places created in the recesses of my mind. I don't need a Secondlife, though I explored some interesting imaginations. Being one of the ancients, I feel the need to scramble around exploring more of this one. Creating a possible avatar was interesting and challenging. Had a problem finding parts for "Cranky Old Dude." ( Maybe I just couldn't face it. ) More later, Slicey
Posted by slicey at 12:10 PM 0 comments

Fellow Pond Creatures, I've been exploring the desire and need to have a second life, virtually speaking. Frankly, I've been doing that for as long as I can remember; just closing my eyes and drifting away to special places created in the recesses of my mind. I don't need a Secondlife, though I explored some interesting imaginations. Being one of the ancients, I feel the need to scramble around exploring more of this one. Creating a possible avatar was interesting and challenging. Had a problem finding parts for "Cranky Old Dude." ( Maybe I just couldn't face it. ) More later, Slicey

Apps! Appsolutely Amazing( and useful)

Dear Pond Creatures, I have been exploring the possibilities of web apps using Google Docs which has many useful apps, is easy to get started and use. Zoho has many more task specific apps especially oriented to business. The next time I'm require to be the secretary( of anything ) I'll remember this place. Slicey

Search Engines Running Hard

Dear Pond Creatures, Since I have recently completed Slick Swamp School for Chefs. I decided to create a sensational souffle. I decided to search alternative internet paths (not Google ) for good cuilinary advice and special recipes.I liked all of them ,but Dogpile flashed me just what I was looking for and without a second click. Yummmm. Slicey

General Gecko Generates Greatness

Attention Creatures: Today I created a new and even greater profile of my greatness. My image, enhanced by impressive visual accoutrement flashed across the screen. An addicting place to play. Slicey

Overdrive Overload

Dear Pond Creatures, Tried like crazy to download an audio book but all I got was an error message.( digital management number ??? ) Very discouraging! I was, however, able to put one on hold. Scant comfort! It's not one I really want. Slicey

Folded andFloundering in Folksonomy

Dear Pond Folk, Notice the new greeting. I am now DEL.ICIO.US and have experienced another good way of making stronger communities of like-minded,similiar interests folks. Instructions for this togetherness venture make some assumptions about the depth of user immersion in infomatics( infomania? ), but I prevailed. Folks, more from the depths later. Slicey

Wiki Works Well

Fellow Pond Creatures, I've heard it said around the pond more than once,"we(you) need to get our (your) act together."The next time we start to organize our annual Summer Slither and Splash Symposium we'll create a Wiki. What a wonderful way to create a closer collaborative community of closed-minded creatures. We really need stronger communities. You heard it here. Slicey

Video, Video, Everywhere

It's been awhile pond creatures, but I'm back in the soup again. Listened to some great music videos on You Tube. Also looked at some library stuff(assignment), but it's a good way to learn what other libraries and systems are doing. Don't watch much mainstream TV. Hulu and Fancast are good ways to sample what is out there, keep up with pop culture, and to direct media mad patrons. Slicey

My Face Is In The Book

Dear Fellow Creatures, I'ts been some time since we've visited. I wanted some space on My Space so I created an account. I liked the FAQs. I had so much difficulty trying to get back to the space I abandoned it and put my avatar in Facebook. On to the next task. Slicey

Gekko

Gekko
Originally uploaded by Bill Brown

Pond creatures: How about this? What a magnificent creature! We need lots of these in our environment. Keep your eyes open. Slicey

Pandora

Dear friends of the pond, Ahhh! The wonder of it all! I sat basking on the bank in what little sun we've had recently and I heard the most wonderful sounds. It was Pandora, the Angel of the Lake. An enchantress from my past, I was thrilled to hear her again and as always, I was enraptured( Is that a word?). Stay tuned, Slicey

RSS

Dear Creatures, RSS-What a mess! I am now being"fed" from the cyber-world, political news and opinion, sports, and the weather, We'll see how it goes. Under, Slicey

I AM AN IMer

Finally got another pond creature to go on line with me and chat.Slipping off the lilly pad for now. Slicey

Diving in to #3

Dear pond folks, My second posting today. Hoping to regain a little of my self-esteem. I've read quite a few postings from other pond dwellers.Doesn't seem to be any problem linking up. Of course, I'm so far behind in this endeavor any problems others noted have probably been corrected by now. Friendly Neighbors posted a month ago the advent of Spring because frogs were heard "singing" in a nearby pond. Yesterday I scraped several inches of heavy wet snow off my hide. Imagine!! Spring? I'm headed for the bottom. Slicey

Follow the instructions, Slicey!

Pond Dwellers: Created a blog but forgot to tell anyone about it. Hope that weak splash is not noticed. Submerging! Slicey

BIG Splash!

To all the other pond dwellers: The latest splash(really the first splash)---I'm a blogger. I can't believe it. All for now. Slicey