Yes, I was reluctant and scared at first but now I am glad I came to learn how to play
with some of the many internet technologies that are available. As I said early on some
days it is hard to keep up with emails & phone calls and Web 2.0 has shown me even
more ways to connect with others. Yet at the same time Web 2.0 has taught me ways to
manage my time, eliminate clutter and explore new tools (just for fun). This exercise has
enabled me to add skills to my resume and new words to my lexicon. I have come to a new
environment and no longer feel like a complete stranger. My personal experience with
Web 2.0 has opened my mind and created a new willingness to learn. I don't want to be
a dinosaur so I need to come to terms with technology in order to stay current and
relevant. Perhaps an extreme makeover is what I need. Before long I may be saying
look out Arianna you're not the only one with an opinion!

Now that I am finally at Exploration 9 I feel like a giant weight is off my chest.
The first three explorations were actually fun. I love the Flickr exploration, what a
great way to get beautiful photos. Whenever I need to feel rejuvenated I pull up beach
photos and can feel my blood pressure drop & it helps me think of all the fun times I've
had in the Caribbean over the past 15+ years. I can't imagine that anyone but a friend
would want to read my blog. I don't really have anything exciting or earth shattering
to say. However now that I am no longer under the gun I can play around & find the
truly fun & useful ways to enjoy my new knowledge.

Sometimes I wish I were a geek. If that were the case none of the explorations would have caused me angst and I would be so much better connected, more into today's culture.
Some days I am so busy I am lucky to get to email. I try not to get on the computer
at home because it sucks all my time away. One site leads to another & I've lost an hour
& can't check anything off my list. I realize how useful email is because it is so much
quicker than being on the phone w/ one or more people. Answering the phone
all day makes me want to shy away from the phone at home too. I guess I need a Wiki
for friends/associates in my circle & then we could all work on the most recent group
project/plans and resolve activities w/o a single call. When you get to be my age
group plans are like herding cats. There may be collaboration, perhaps even attitude
but not too much flexibility. Time to go, be back soon to close out Exploration 9.

Did you ever know a librarian who did not want to cross reference things. Social bookmarking
tags info, ideas, opinions not just books. It offers one the the whole enchilada in a single package.
As with wikis this application is more like a group project. The benefit is that usually
other contributors may have an interest but a different perspective on your subject
which can broaden one's horizons. With one click so much information will be at hand,
then one can bookmark this info to one's own personal site. That info can be retreived
from anywhere, you don't need to be at the specific pc where it is on your favorites list.

I like the tagging idea for homework. We may be in different locations but the same county
so the same school system peobably the same homework. delicio.us has been adopted
by some saavy users, why not click into their sites for some good ideas.

I am so happy to learn about Wikis. Somewhere in the past 6 months I read that
Wiki stood for what i know is. I thought it made sense since the wiki is usually used
by like minded people in a group. Yes it can be used by anyone & anyone can edit or
delete the content, but tracking tools within make users aware of changes.

Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki really is one stop shopping for all types
of librarians. Why reinvent the wheel when you can use a wiki and share ideas.
A program that has been a success in another library may be perfect instead
of having to come up with an idea from scratch & work on every single aspect.
Given money & time constraints why not rely on collaboration.

I am all for sharing/borrowing ideas. Sounds familiar that is borrowing books!!!

Advantages of Online Office Tools

Online Office Tools can help both patrons & librarians. The tools can create, edit, store & share
documents online so long as there is a computer & internet connection. Also they offer a free
way to get at tools that are not offered by the library system. Don't forget the green aspect
these tools produce paperless info.

Disadvantages, staff must be familiar w/ the tools so they can help patrons when needed.
Not really a disadvantage, but one more thing to learn or be trained in. This could present
a problem moneywise to a library. Could impact our disc sales.

I went back to zoho & had a little better luck this time.
I found some neat things but need more than FAQs. If
only a rep who looked like Hugh Jackman worked for
Zoho & made visits. Itried to add Hugh but lost him.
Maybe tomorrow.

Call me old fashion or unimaginative but I still like Microsoft Office Live Workspace
& Google Docs best. I felt lost in Zoho. I did find a great template forpreparing a
budget & a form that I could use to for a daily to do list. Anyone who knows me
would know that I'm not so good at budgeting or prioritizing. Yet we all have strengths
& weaknesses & collaboration makes so much sense.