Thing 15--Online games

I did watch the video's concerning second life and briefly visited the pirate game. I didn't actually play the games though because my computer has been so slow I was afraid it would be even slower if I downloaded the software. But I can understand how gaming can be fun and a good way to get kids in the library. In fact, I know of several kids who come in regularly to use the internet and all I have ever see them do is play some type of game. I seriously wonder if some of these kids have developed an addiction. They would probably be first in line if the library sponsered a gaming program which our library is going to do shortly.

Visit 23 Things on a Stick

Thing 21--Other social networks

I had fun looking through other social networks. I already belong to Good reads and plan on using that social network frequently. I am not using it to make friends though, it is more just a way to keep track of what I am reading and what I want to read in the future. I do look at people who have similar reading tastes though. I have also joined a social network called Cafe Moms. That is a site I go to everyday and I actually have interacted with other members. I find if you are interested enough or motivated enough social networks can be very beneficial to one's life. I also joined Ning, added a comment and tried to add the badge to my blog--that I am having trouble with though.

Thing 20--Facebook and Myspace

Well, I just checked my Facebook account. I had created one awhile back but never look at it. I found I actually had someone ask to be my friend about a month ago who probably thinks I dissed him because I never answered--oh well, I wasn't into wizarding games anyhow! Anyhow, I can see how kids would love these sites--it's so cool how you can meet people around the world nowdays with just a click of the mouse. Libraries could probably really connect with their teen users if they had a myspace page--it would give the library a bit of a cool factor. I did join a NewLib group in Facebook. I'll try to check back a little more frequently to see what's going on.

Thing 19--Podcasts

I spent about an hour searching for listening to various podcasts. I thought all of the podcast directories were fairly easy to use and I found several podcasts that were of interest to me. Once again, I found there was a lot of information and too little time to access it. I probably won't subscribe to a podcast at this time but I may use them if I am interested in a certain topic or if I missed a program on NPR and want to listen to it later. Podcasts could be very interesting to people who are doing research projects or who just have some spare time to listen to programs that interest them.

Thing 18--U-tube

I spent about an hour looking through the various videos on U-tube. To be honest what I have used it for in the past it to look up the American Idol's performances that I have missed the week before. Personally, I don't think I will use it much more than that except for watching various news items I may have missed. I can see how it could be useful for libraries to post tours or promotional info but there is so much extra stuff that one has be aware of or try to steer clear of. I thought the following college library tour was well done.

Thing 17--ELM productivity tools

I found that this tool had a lot of interesting information. It could be very helpful for anyone who is doing research. Like a lot of other people I was not able to set up the RSS feed for the Student InfoTrac. I did search a lot of the newspaper and information sites and signed up for an account in NET library. I know they offer NET library at our library but I have never looked into it. It was nice to learn a bit more about it so I can help patrons more if they have questions.