Thursday, February 27, 2014

Thing 23

Well I went through all 23 Things and had a good time doing it.  I had some limitations using my Kindle Fire but all my kids have phones or tablets that I could use.  I learned a lot, found some new things, and I'll continue to use some of the apps I found and I'll dump some of the others that didn't perform as well as I hoped.

I think it is important to stay up-to-date on the new technology. I want to know what people are talking about.  I hate sounding like a dummy.  I want to find common ground with our patrons, especially the kids who can't imagine common ground with someone my age.  I think they are sometimes surprised that to find that old people play video games and text and know about the newest YouTube sensations, but then again, we find common ground comparing hand-made rubber band bracelets too.  I think the library has to keep up with technology and use it to serve our patrons but we cannot abandon tradition either.  So I can teach a traditional craft while explaining how to find information and help about said craft on the internet.  In small towns like mine, the library is a community center.  We pass out information, but we also provide opportunities for our patrons to get to know their neighbors, be entertained, and just have a warm and welcoming place to go.  Technology alone can isolate people.  It's fun to have Facebook friends from around the world but it's also good to know the people who live next door.

I think the creators of this program did a good job putting it all together considering how many different devices and formats there are in use today. I can see potential library uses for some of the apps.  I downloaded several free books while doing one of the Things and I will probably read some of them but I still prefer to real an old-fashioned book.  I didn't like using the small screen and while I have a stylus to help me, I don't like typing on the Kindle.  I prefer a regular keyboard.  Touch typing is becoming obsolete.  It will soon be one more thing to teach the neighborhood children, like rotary phone dialing, and line drying laundry.  I want to use technology (I have to use it) but I don't want it to take over my life.  I was semi-serious about being a Luddite.  I did the other two 23 Things on library computers because we didn't have one at home but I have to have some computer skills for my job and for simply dealing with the changing world.

This is the third 23 Things program I have done and I have recommended them to my co-workers.  I would gladly do more.  I like being able to work at my own pace.  It was more play than work.  This was a program even a Luddite would love.  I guess that's the one sentence to describe my 23 Mobile Things experience.  I doubt that will be a good promotional sentence.

Thing 14

I am not able to make videos on my Kindle.  I can transfer them from my computer but I haven't tried that yet. I will try to play with one of my kids' devices to see if I can edit videos.  I have some in my computer of the grandkids.  I have seen some videos that have been posted on YouTube and  almost everyone of them could use some editing, mostly condensing them.  I can imagine using video clips on a library site or Facebook page to highlight programming.  How about a short video tour of the different things the library has to offer?  I had a patron once who got a new card and then began to browse the library.  He was amazed at what we had to offer.  He didn't know we had music, videos, computers, and other items.  He had thought the library just had books.

I have a video that I edited with my daughter.  It's my granddaughter performing a song from her school program. My daughter filmed it for me because I couldn't make it to the school performance.  As it turned out, nobody made it because it was postponed for weather reasons--SNOW!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Thing 21


I think my favorite app right now is Pinterest.  I have been using it to search for library programming ideas.  A friend and I have been doing three-part theme programs consisting of making a card, a craft, and a treat.  I have been using Pinterest to get craft and treat ideas and then I save them.  I look for projects that can be done in about 30 minutes and at a low cost.  I want things that can easily be duplicated by the patrons at home as well as in the program.  These programs have been well attended and the participants seem to have a good time with the crafts and the other participants as they move from one project table to the next  I have checked the library related pins but did not find anything that met our needs.

I also use this app for saving knitting and other craft patterns and ideas for my personal use,  Because I pinned a knitted fox stole, I now have to make three of them for my granddaughters.  One of  their mothers follows my pins and the girls are really into foxes since they discovered the "What Does the Fox Say" video.  I also save recipes and I when I find a pin that I like, I often follow those accounts.

I have discovered another app called Pocket that I can use for saving Web pages that I can read off-line so I can save my knitting patterns and recipes.  I plan to explore that one further.

Thing 22

This was a great Thing.  I researched the suggested apps and found that there were some wonderful apps available only not for my Kindle.  It is a little overwhelming to find out how many apps are out there and it is hard to pick and choose from them all.  I have already downloaded apps that didn't live up to my expectations and have already dumped them.  I googled "best Kindle Fire apps" and found a list on the PC Magazine site of 30 app (so I didn't have to sort through hundreds), many of which I plan to use.  And  many of them were free.  Even better.

I found antivirus apps, apps that clean out the cache and unused files automatically, more games apps (like I need more of those), several of the apps that we've already covered in this program, and several that I have already discovered on my own.  Kindle offers a free app of the day and I can't resist a bargain so I've tried a lot of those.  Some have been usable, some not.  Some are for me, some for my grandkids.  I check out the freebie almost every day and I plan to check out PC Mag's lists again and also look for some others.  I have found some other lists and I now have started a family tree on my device and I watch PBS.  And just so you know I am also using my Kindle for its original purpose. I have actually read three books on it.  

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Thing 15

I was unable to to get an app that worked for this thing for my Kindle.  I'll try one of my kids' devices when I get the chance.  I did explore the topic through the links you provided.  I loved the "Librarians in the Digital Age" infograhic.  It gave me a lot of information bits.  I wanted more information and will do some research starting with the data given.  It was eye-catching and informative, nicely done.  The others that I looked were good as well.  I could make a library display out of the "Most Famous Book Set In Every State."  It would be fun to make a similar one with movies for every state.  These are digital bulletin boards, which I love to do.  This app would be useful on a library site to give some interesting facts about the library, encourage people to think about our collections or services in a new light, maybe try something new, like an audio book or a classic instead of a current bestseller, a CD, anything that they haven't tried before.  

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Thing 13

This one looked like fun but on my Kindle I found a similar app and I have been playing with it a bit.  I made a basic slideshow with my photos but a lot of the effects and transitions were not available without an upgrade which, of course, was not free.  I would consider the upgrade if I think of a good use for this.   I can see potential more for advertising than programming.  It would be nice for introducing the library and its services.  It would work at an expo perhaps. When I do programs (I do craft and food programs) it would be useful to advertise upcoming events.  I always push our other programs to my program participants.  Maybe I'll eventually upgrade and send slideshows to my relatives instead of Christmas newsletters.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Thing 20

I have a confession to make.  I love playing games on my Kindle.  I play Scrabble (I actually paid for that app but it was on sale) and Words With Friends and a couple of ant squishing games that my daughters play.  I have a bunch more that were the free app of the day so I tried them out, including a mah jongg themed game.  I do not play Candy Crush any more.  I used to and decided it was wasting too much of my time so I promised myself if I passed the level I was on I would quit and I did. One of my knitting help apps from Thing 19 even has a game included, needlework themed of course.  I prefer the word games however because I can justify the time I spend playing as improving my mind and vocabulary.  Yeah right!

Thing 19

I wanted the bird identification app but I couldn't get the lite version and didn't want to buy the complete version, so I moved on to other interests.  I got the ESPN ScoreCenter app and picked my sports and my teams.  Unfortunately it doesn't offer anything related to track and field, just team sports, but it will be useful.  I already access ESPN on the internet and can watch the programming and some of the games but this will work for a quick check like the night I was working at the library during some kind of open house during a Twins playoff game.  I had to keep everyone up-to-date on the score.  This app would be ideal for that.

I didn't  see another suggested app that I could download or was interested in so I tried knitting apps.  The magazine apps required in-app purchases unless you already had a subscription.  I did find an old Vogue Knitting issue that I could access but I'd already read it and I found a free 30-day trial of another magazine that I had not read.  I got one free issue.  I also found a couple of apps that will be useful for working a project.  They offered yarn calculations, stitch counting, gauge info, and one even had a ruler for measuring swatches.  I doubt I'll use the stitch counter because it seems more awkward than the little devices that you stick on the end of your needle, but the other features may come in handy since I always have to adjust patterns to suit my yarns.  The ones in the patterns are always too expensive.  I plan to check out a couple of other related apps including crochet apps, pattern apps, other craft apps. etc.  Most are cheap.  And this is a good weekend to stay home and knit.


BTW the Wild are winning.  I checked my ESPN app.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Thing 18

I like the reference apps.  I already had a dictionary app.  I play Scrabble a lot and I check my Scrabble dictionary app and then move on to my regular dictionary when I find acceptable words but no definition available.  I also look up words when I'm reading regular books and find new words.  I just wish I could remember them all.   I can't find a crossword puzzle dictionary app that I like although I can find a website if I need help.  My day isn't complete with the New York Times crossword puzzle.  I don't like to use help unless it's absolutely necessary.  I don't do the puzzles in ink.  I do them in pencil with a big eraser.

I also looked into the Google maps which were fun and I'll probably use.  I couldn't get the 3D Brain app but I found Anatomy 3D.  It's not too exciting but it reminds me of the Visible Man kits of my youth where you make a see through model of the human body.  I always wanted one of those.  I also tried the iTranslate app. I have a knitting pattern in Spanish that my basic Spanish reading skills are not good enough to translate and this could help.  Of course, I couldn't find it when I wanted it so I pulled up a program description on cable TV in Spanish so I could try out the app.  Mostly it worked but I got a couple of odd translations.  At least when I find my kntting pattern I'll have a pretty good idea if the translation is correct.

Thing 17

This was a fun Thing.  I checked out the St.Cloud State app and the Think Hopkins app as well.  It's a great thing to have if you're going to visit someplace new.  It's probably very useful even if you think you know an area-you can always discover something new has been added or you missed something old.  I wish I had had an app like this when I visited the U of M for the first time, although getting lost can be a fun challenge too.  I know this from personal experiences.  Along with the directions, the other information was a nice addition, kind of like a guided tour.  Maybe I'll check out some more similar apps although I don't have many opportunities to use them.  

Thing 16

I decided to skip around a little on the "Things" so I went to the audio thing.  I'm not really into music, at least not since the sixties.  I have one cassette tape in my car and have listened to that Johnny Cash album over and over again for months now.  It sounds boring but I now know ALL the words.  I got the SoundCloud app and I did check out some of the music and found a couple of people to follow, at least for a while.  I also added some tracks by the "Chiefs of the North" to my personal play list.  Check them out (one of the band members is my son-in-law and this is a plug for his band.)

I checked out the U of Washington's playlist.  It was interesting and I was glad to find some storytelling among the music tracks.  I can see a library use of music, storytelling, historical recordings which would be great for reference, etc.  I know it would be great to update followers on library events and book reviews would be okay, but I think it would be great to have a catalog of music that would supplement a student's research of different periods in history as well as music from other countries or peoples.  This is another way libraries could remain relevant to their communities.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Thing 12

I downloaded the app for FreeBooks and then downloaded several of the available books.  Among the books I chose were some children's books for my grandbabies to read and a couple for myself.  Of course, I could have gotten lots of free books to read at the library.  I don't know if I'll ever embrace books on a device.  There are some advantages, of course.  I can store a lot of books in one small device so portability is a plus.  I simply like to read regular, old-fashioned books.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Thing 11

It's good to know I can access the ELM database on a mobile device.  I looked through the databases a bit but I am already working my way through them as part of another program so I didn't spend too much time on them.  I use them on a regular basis at work so they are not unfamiliar but it's nice to know I can access them anywhere.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Thing 10

I am using a Kindle for this program and I have a model without a camera.  I do have a photo collection that I made from screenshots and I love to edit them and e-mail them to friends.  My favorite thing to do right now is to send pix of Scrabble games to my favorite opponent with messages across the pix.  I like to gloat but I send pix of games I've lost as well.  I have played with my son's phone, sending and editing photos. Photography in general is not something I've ever pursued.  I don't know why, I'm just not interested so this is new to me.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Thing 9

I don't have a camera in my Kindle but I pulled photos from album to play with.  I made my son look like his brother.  While the two don't look alike, they were often mistaken for twins when they were in high school, perhaps because they were about the same size and carried  themselves in a similar way.  I tweaked his photo, widening his forehead and shortening his face and voila! I got his brother's twin.  He's not going to like it.  His brother won't either.  I used  PicsArt.  I'm also checking out some of the other photo apps.  This is fun.  I also want to try some other apps on daughter's phone or, better yet, I'll try this out on my oldest son's phone.  He loves to adorn his brother's photos.

Thing 8

I didn't realize that there were so many different social sites available.  I joined Facebook several years ago while doing 23 Things and I still check it every day.  I use it mainly to follow friends and family (and to play games) and I've reconnected with some people I haven't seen in years.  I also use it for messaging my kids.  I used to text through my e-mail but now that they all have smart phones, this is much better for all of us.  I watched a video of my Facebook activity highlights and my posts were mostly along the lines of "The Vikings suck."  I also have a Twitter account which I set up at the same time and get a few tweets from news and sports sites that I follow.  I don't care to tweet myself and I have a grand total of two followers, one of which is family.  I don't know who the other one is.

I did set up a LinkedIn account and was surprised to find out which of my friends already have accounts.  I read a little about some of the other apps available and maybe I'll try them later.  I guess I'm not a social person.  I'd rather read a book than surf the web or follow tweets although I can see how these can be useful. And for old times' sake.  I think I'll look up my old MySpace account if I can remember my sign-in information.  It's been a long time since I've been on that site.

I also use Google+.  I am really enjoying doing this program and I am discovering so many apps I didn't even know existed but I am a little overwhelmed by all this information that's coming at me.  Eventually I will cull the stuff I don't need and learn more about the stuff I save.  My Kindle is full of new apps, photos, files.  I only have one book on the device which is the reason I got it in the first place.  Oh, I do have a few knitting patterns, which is sort of like having books, right?

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Thing 7

I have been using Pinterest for some time.  I use it to search for craft ideas that I can use for library programming, recipes for both programming and personal use, and knitting and other fiber art ideas.  It has its drawbacks as my daughter and I follow each other's pins. I have recently received an order for her for four knitted fox stoles for her kids AND their friends.  I like that I can pin a photo and easily go to its original site.  I have often found sites I like and then can't find them again when I want them.  No more! 

Thing 6

I loved Thing 6.  I downloaded the app for SignNow.  I could have used this a few weeks ago when we were filing documents concerning my mother-in-law's estate.  I printed and copied and scanned and mailed documents when I could have been using this app. I pulled several documents out of my files and practiced signing and adding things to them just for fun.  I must say that using a stylus to sign anything always looks like a child's scrawl.  I am working on that without much success.  I also found an office app where I can sort and file my documents which is something I have been intending to do but never quite got around to it.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Thing 4

I wasn't able to access Fllipboard without signing in although I'd never had an opportunity to create an account.  I'm still working on that one, but I did try out Site and also LinkedIn.  Illike the idea of getting a quick look at what's going on in the world but I enjoy reading more in-depth stories.  A couple of sentences about Woody Allen is all I need but I want to know more about the drought in California which directly affects my life.  Because I choose the topics of interest to me I miss the serendipity of reading a newspaper and finding stories I might not otherwise read.  I learn in spite of myself when I get subjects that I haven't preselected.  I like the LinkedIn app the best of the two I tried.  I' still working on Flipboard.

Thing 5

So today I tried out note taking.  I will explore Spring Pad some more but I didn't like it.  I wanted something simpler.  I tried  out Remember the Milk and it was more basic so it was something I would use to keep track of appointments, chores, events, etc.  It would be practical for me because I write things down to remember them and then forget to to read the notes.  My shopping lists are usually left on the table while I go to the store.  I also tried Evernote. This one shows the most promise to me although I cannot fully use it on my device. I can keep notes and lists and photo albums and it seems easy to organize.  I think I like this one the best but I will continue to play with them.

Thing 3

I have been exploring more apps.  I have don't use an alarm but now I have a clock app with alarm capability.  I can choose my search engine and I have a calendar, a weather app (2 actually), a calculator, and enough other apps to keep me busy all day.  I am having fun exploring all the apps available and if it weren't for this program I might only used the Kindle for books and games.

Thing 2

I got a Kindle for Christmas.  I didn't really think I needed one but my laptop had been out of commission for months and I was missing my regular Scrabble and Words With Friends games so I was given one for Christmas.  I quickly figured out how to play the games with my friends, even finding some benefits to using the mobile apps.  I read an e-book from the library and checked the weather but I hadn't really explored what I could do.  Now I can not only add apps but delete them, I know how to find help when I need it, I can send screen shots of my winning Scrabble games to my opponent and shots of my losing games with messages scrawled across the screen.  I am having fun exploring the available apps and I can do many of the same things on the Kindle as I can on my computer.  I don't think I'll ever give up my laptop, which is now working, but I appreciate the Kindle more and I have found that trying out the various apps is like eating peanuts--I can't stop at just one.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

23 Mobile Things


I am ready to start 23 Mobile Things.  I just have to register my blog.  So far I liked blogging on a pc better but I'll give this try.

Thing 1

I registered my blog and I'm ready to go on to Thing 2