Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Bloglines, eh?

I didn't expect to like RSS. For some reason I envisioned stock quotes and other useless news taking over my desktop. But Bloglines, with its web-based interface, wasn't so bad. It was easy to choose some interesting blogs to subscribe to. I immediately found a book to recommend to the good folks in Youth Services, something about a brave pony with an artificial leg. Sadly, YS won't buy the book till I can write a favorable review of it. Since I don't plan to buy the book, this is an obstacle.

I tried a couple other ways to subscribe to blogs and podcasts. Sometimes the Bloglines tool worked well, sometimes not. As it turned out, copying and pasting the URL worked just fine. Internet Explorer 7 also makes it easy to subscribe to feeds. It kind of reminds me of uploading photos from my camera onto my computer. Three or four different software programs compete for the chance to do the uploading for me.

Speaking of anal retention, I'm not sure if I should feel guilty when opening my Bloglines page. If I were to derive personal enjoyment from one of the blogs, would that violate the County's internet access policy?

As far as library applications, I can't think of a way the library as an institution would benefit from RSS feeds. Obviously, individual librarians and paraprofessionals could use something like Bloglines to facilitate keeping abreast of what's happening in the library world.

BTW, is there a way to access my Bloglines page other than going to Bloglines and then logging on? Something instantaneous?

Friday, May 23, 2008

Speaking of Technology

My younger brother emailed me that I should look into magicJack. This device uses your computer's broadband connection to make phone calls over the internet. The price was reasonable, and it has gotten some favorable reviews in magazine articles, so I gave it a try.

I first connected it to my laptop, which connects to the internet through a wireless home network. That didn't work so well. Tech support was friendly and tried to be helpful, but we both got exhausted. I'll do some googling, and try again.

Then I connected it to my desktop pc, which is connected to our DSL via an ethernet connection. (Why does an amorphous word like "ether" end up describing a hardwire connection?)

At any rate, it seems to work okay. The sound quality is a bit better than a typical cell phone (which isn't saying much). I don't necessarily see it replacing our landline, as I'm not sure I want to leave my PC running 24 hours a day. Still, it should be nice to have unlimited nationwide calls for a low flat rate.

Puppy Thoughts


captioner6539930
Originally uploaded by dannyduprey
I added the canine commentary using one of flickr's tools, or "mashups." (What an ugly word....now "mashed potatoes' -- that has a nicer ring to it.)

Molly's puppies were born during a time I was having some nasty health issues. As the puppies came into their own, they really helped me get through the unpleasantness.

Summer of Love



Originally uploaded by ಌ♥Jewellove♥ಌ
Does anyone remember paisley designs, back in the late sixties? Did you know that the paisley motif is based on the mangos of India? This photo by the talented Jewellove at Flickr may help you remember.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Buster at Attention


Buster at Attention
Originally uploaded by dannyduprey
I posted this to my Flickr account in April of 2007. Today Buster is full-grown, but just as cute, gosh darn it.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Libraries? Blogs?

I have to wonder. How might blogs be used in a library environment?

Perhaps a blog done by a library head honcho, e.g. director, could be a good way to share news in a timely manner, and seek contributions from staff. Communication is always a problem in work settings as large as PBCLS. Would blogs for each branch be useful? Do branch managers really have time for yet another responsibility?

Staff members with a strong interest in a particular author or genre might create blogs to share ideas with like-minded patrons.

Should there be PBCLS blogs created by patrons for patrons? I don't know. They might inspire so-called "adult" content that would offend other patrons. Maybe an old fashioned bulletin board (you know, Web 1.0 technology) would work better?

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Read the screen, gosh darn it.

Oooops. I've just been made aware* that my first couple posts could have pertained to the 23 Things of Library 2.0.

Ah, thinking back on the video about lifelong learning, I am reminded of the many self-help books that libraries and bookstores stock. People glance through them, but does anyone ever do exactly what they say? That said, if nothing else, the video did begin to persuade me that old farts actually can learn new things.

Other than habitual procrastination, I see one difficulty in applying myself to doing the 23 Things. That is finding the time, of course. I can give myself permission to use some of my time away from the Reference Desk for this project. Other projects will suffer, inevitably. But that's not the end of the world, is it?

*Thank you Aramis. No, really.

Monday, May 12, 2008

A Poor Year for Mangos

My mango trees have not done well this year. They set a very few fruit from the first bloom last fall. With luck I may even get to eat one or two this year. Sadly the later blooms did not do so well. I think a combination of cold and wet weather at the worst times may be the culprit. I have friends further south, or closer to the ocean, who have fared better.