Thing 25

Is in progress. Busy reading about gadgets and widgets. So far, I have added the Vozme, Clustr maps, and Blogger Buster search widget applications to my blog.

Thing 24

Well, It is good to be back. I have given my blog a new look and changed my avatar. I decided to go with my camping look as I am excited for spring. Unfortunately, Grace will not be accompanying me on my journey thru More Things on a Stick (unless one would consider laying on the warm laptop accompanying...).

Since I started 23 Things, I have been blogging on a regular basis. I currently have four blogs (one private, two team dart blogs, and this one). I also teach Blogger (with a colleague) to eager library patrons. I can't say I read many blogs. If I do, it is usually random when I Google a particular topic and link to one.

Well, let's get on with the show...

Thing 23

Wow. I finally finished! I must say, although it took me a lot longer than I thought it would (probably cause I was having such fun playing with some of the new tools I discovered), I loved every minute of this program.

Much of what I am supposed to blog about in this final Thing, I covered in Thing 22. If it wasn't for 23 Things on a Stick, I would not have the knowledge relating to some of these web 2.0 tools. I thought I knew and understood Web 2.0 and Library 2.0. In reality... I had no idea what was out there! Yeah sure, I had already been blogging, I used Google Docs and shared documents with friends online, had a You Tube account, and played a few online games. But I now have a better understanding of the whole web 2.0 concept and the idea of having the ability to communicate, respond, manipulate and provide content all in regards to sharing information. The web is now a two-way street instead of a one way.

I now have a better understanding of RSS Feeds and Feed readers. I would have never opened a Facebook account and I now have found (or was found) and communicated with old friends and colleagues. I didn't know it was so easy to create my own podcasts and have people actually subscribe to them via their feed readers! I was introduced to cool social networks like Library Thing and Ning. These tools I will no doubt use in my personal life, and I hope to use them in my professional life as well.

I am really looking forward to the next 23 Things. I am anxious to see what else is out there. I am learning so much. I am sure this new knowledge will make me a better Librarian. Thanks.

Oh, and 23 Things provided an opportunity for Library Guy and his cat Grace to bond...

Thing 22

Keeping current with Web 2.0 is gonna be tough, but after working on the Things, I have been given hope. I currently author and keep current four different blogs, connect and communicate with past and current school friends and co-workers using my Facebook account, and subscribe to several feeds and podcasts using my Bloglines aggregator. Using these tools daily will help me keep up as I see and hear about new communication and information gadgets available. As instructed in this Thing, I chose to subscribe to the Feed from the 'Tame the Web' blog. I always learn something new and interesting relating to Web 2.0 sites and applications from this blog. I also am a Google nut, as I am constantly exploring their Google Labs section to see what their latest 'invention' is.

Checking my new tools (blogs, RSS aggregator, social network accounts) is a daily routine for me now - just like checking my email. I am so looking forward to the next 23 Things next year. Programs like these are instrumental in learning these new applications. Sure, one can read about these tools, but to really learn them, you must have hands-on experience.

Grace enjoys when I experiment with web 2.0 sites as well and hopes I keep up with them. It provides her with an opportunity to attempt to lay on the warm keyboard.

Thing 21

I really enjoyed this Thing. I think this social networking business is starting to click with me. It really isn't just for teens and their friends. What a great tool for connecting people who have a shared interest and also providing an avenue for information sharing.

Before working on this Thing, I had heard of Web Junction but never really took the time to explore its contents. This is the first I had heard of Gather and Ning. I really enjoy Ning and like the available customization that can be done. I not only joined the '23 Things on a Stick' group on Ning, but the Ramsey County Librarians working on 23 Things' as well.

I embedded the 23 Things Ning Badge on my blog, but it seems to be 'cut-off' for some reason. I guess I will have to work on fixing that.

I can't wait to create a Ning group for my dart team. They are gonna love it!

Grace would love to create a social network group using Ning relating to Sylvester the cat, but she can't read or type. But if she did create one, I bet John B. would join.

Thing 20

Well, I did it. I can hardly believe I now have a Facebook profile. I was super creeped out when I initially registered as I saw profiles of people I graduated with. I was also kinda worried that I would have no friends..... But thanks to Runner Girl (who put the word out), I now have like 16. It is growing on me a little and I can see how people can get addicted to it. I just think it will be a passing phase for me. I added a few applications (my family and pandora - super cool), and joined the Chuck Norris Jokes group for fun. Didn't he campaign for Mike Huckabee? Was that a joke????

I don't think I'm going to allow Grace to have a profile on facebook. I don't think I could trust the alley cats she might acquire as friends.

Thing 19

I really had not listened to many podcasts in the past, but I certainly can see the appeal. As I compose this Thing, I am still upset about the disappointing Vikings loss to the Packers last night on Monday Night Football. So, I am linking to a podcast I found of a radio interview with Vikings Corner Back Antoine Winfield discussing the heartbreaking loss on KFAN radio. I also subscribed to this feed from The Power Trip morning show so I will now get all the future podcasts of heartbreaking Vikings losses in my Bloglines account. Cool.

Not only did I search for podcasts using a variety of directories, link to a specific podcast, and subscribe to a regular Feed, I created my very first podcast using Gcast as well:

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