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.