Thing 15: Twitter

What can I say about Twitter? I set up an account a while back and then I closed it. I do have a friend named Kristen Stewart who now has an insane amount of followers because people think she is the actress and not the reference librarian in Boca. My husband uses it and loves it. I think if I had the capabilities to use it on my phone, I would be more into it. I think the widget on the YA's page is great. So you can have updates or follow it yourself. Users like options and that provides two great ones. It's also a really great way to communicate in "real time" when people may be concerned about your schedule or what's going on rather than having to contact 20 people.

Thing 14: IM

I use Google Talk all the time at home. I have Google Desktop on my home PC so it automatically logs me when I turn it on. I tend to use Google Chat more. It's a service that allows for IMing, but when you're logged into gmail. This has allowed me to get around public computers that are set up to not allow IM (i.e. Dominican Uni's computers). I hadn't done Google Talk until Noel sent out the extra instructions which helped!

Thing 13: LibraryThing

I really like LibraryThing more as a way to keep track of books I've read rather than ones I own since I rarely buy books. I always half-heartedly keep track of books I've read on a spreadsheet so I could see myself using it to replace the spreadsheet. I would definitely have to upgrade since I have read more than 200 books. Overall, I like the interface and I like that I can see authors' pages to see what they have been reading. I have used Shelfari a little bit and what I like better about that one is that it includes media so I could add all of my cds, dvds, blu-ray, etc. and see hwta I own by format rather than being based on books and audiobooks. It is more like one-stop shopping just like Amazon.

Thing 12: Social Bookmarking

I think del.icio.us is a great idea, but I don't use it myself anymore. I used it a lot in grad school and it was very helpful for working on projects with classmates. Bookmarking a website is also a lot easier during class rather than attempting to write down the URL perfectly. I always attempt to use social bookmarking, but never follow through with it. I think the next time I work on a project with coworkers, I will see if it will be useful.

Thing 11: Tagging

I love tagging because basically it is a way for me to be nerdy enough to catalog while I am not at work. I must admit that the lack of structure does bother the cataloger in me, but it is much more practical in many ways. For example, a cookbook has the subject heading "cookery". Have you ever searched by that term or asked someone where the books on cookery were? I would definitely search by cookbook first and this allows patrons to use common language.

Thing 10: Flickr

I really like what LaGrange Park Public Library did with Flickr on their own website. Elmwood Park Public Library also uses photos on their homepage that change every time you to the page. I am not sure which servic ethey use, but it's pretty cool. I also can look at pictures of my baby cousins on Flickr which is nice rather than having lots of pictures sent in my email. I like Flickr, but so far I have been too lazy to put anything of my own up there.

Thing 9: YouTube

I remember when my future husband introduced me to YouTube. It was love at first sight. That was back in 2005 and I cannot believe how the site has grown! I love that it was just a couple of college nerds you developed it and are now billionaires. Good for them. I use YouTube for all kinds of things. Ask a Ninja is a great video series and there are always people stupid enough to make funny videos for me to laugh at while they get hurt. I once saw an awesome one of a guy going down a hill on a couch on wheels. Needless to say, it ended in catastrophe.

Thing 8: Social Networking

I never used to use any social networking sites because I wanted to live off the grid... Jon Connor style. For the past 3 months, I have been an avid user of Facebook. I even discovered that my younger cousins talk like sailors. Overall, I really like it. I am not fond of MySpace because of all the ads. It looks to busy. I think Facebook uses a good amount of white space. I also like LinkedIn and think that as my professional contacts grow, it can be a great way to keep track of people.

Thing 7: To Do Lists

These are super easy to use and are really helpful. Since I don't have a data plan for my phone, I can't check it while I am in the store...but my husband does so I can send him lists. I liked thingamalist the best because it was the most in-depth and you can get coupons. Remember the Milk is OK, but I don't find the interface very attractive and a To Do List needs to be more attractive than a piece of paper. Ta Da Lists was easy to use and I think it works well for the beginner or someone who can organize lists without all the fuss on Don't Forget the Milk. Overall, I enjoyed the exercise!

Thing 6

Podcasts are great. I watch news ones in the morning so I don't have to sit through commercials. It also allows you to see clips from tv shows that you may not have a subscription for like the G4 network. I also like to listen to Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me and I never remember to tune in to it on saturday mornings. I think podcasts are another way of making information more convienent to the user rather than limiting your options by what newtworks want to provide you. It is also a great way to listen to discussion about specific topics that interest you. You can even add them to your RSS feeds so you'll always know when there is a new one available. Ahhhh, all web 2.0 things are coming together.

Thing 5

I love downloadable audiobooks. I found overdrive easy to use and really quick on downloading. I wish all of the books came drm free, but at least it's a start!