Friday, November 28, 2008

the Springbok

Native South African antilope... I love how the look down when they jump.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

#23... the final thing

So I made it through. I really enjoyed it, actually. It gave me reasons to explore things I wanted to know, but didn't have the time or energy to figure out myself.

I would say my favorite was the web 2.0 toolbox where I discovered Pandora. I use that more outside the library than anything else I learned.

I don't know if I will be continuing this blog, though..... maybe for the random "Finds" or thoughts. I never saw myself as much of a blogger. We'll see.

ta ta!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

MOLDI is moldy

We were suppose to search around the MOLDI digital services for books and stuff... i looked up ten books and they didn't have any of them.... some were pretty popular ones too. So, I don't think i will be using MOLDI, which is sad because I would love to listen to books on my iPod.

Lame.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sunday, November 2, 2008

stumble

I love stumbling... this is a great website http://www.stumbleupon.com/
shown to me by the great Laura Johnson!
here are some of the ones I love....

Friday, October 24, 2008

More lovely finds... i can't get enough





" The Tore N' Wear"







Podcasting

I am a recent convert to podcasting, and I do use it regularly for NPR programs that I miss.... like one of my favorite shows "Wait wait, don't tell me". Hilarious, informative, and just the best for news related quiz shows.

I'm not quite sure how a library system in general would use podcasts, but I do think it would be helpful for library staff to get current events and opinions to stay relevant.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Youtube, I tube

So, this is one of my favorite you tube finds... a wonderful Indian music video! Just makes you wanna dance!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

#19 Toolbox

I tried the website "BoingBoing" which is just a forum for random information and discussions, which I often enjoy. I am a ranom person myself. It didn't really throw me off my chair, but I did enjoy this one article (the title says it all): Woman who has spent her life smelling like a rotten fish is diagnosed with genetic condition

yes, I am weird.

Thing #18: Discovering Web 2.0 tools

Uh... so I did Pandora the personalized music station... amazing. I had some friends talk about it, but never really investigated. It is perfect for me because I am always looking for new music and open to new sounds. This is going to change my life (melodramatic, I know).

Monday, October 6, 2008

Google Docs and other online Apps

Wow! This whole "online apps" thing is new to me and it is wonderful! I never seem to have the right program on my home computer to share with the work computer, or a friend's computer, but this takes care of everything.

I signed up with Google Docs, which seems to be streamline and simple. I did a word document and it is pretty much the same as Microstoft Word, but I also took a tour of the spreadsheet application and it is so much easier than Microsoft Excel. Everything is common sense... and the best part is, they do the formulas for you! I'm happy.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Learn & Play @CML wiki




I joined the http://learnandplaycml.pbwiki.com/FrontPage -- actually a fun place to see what co-workers are thinking or doing! I added my "favorite vacation spot" to the list... which is currently Stone Town, Zanzabar Island, Africa. We had so much fun there! The city is small, but has millions of small streets zigzagging in a maze-like pattern throughout, which made it mystical and tricky to navigate. Tha markets were amazing, the food unbelievable, and it is as ancient as it feels. They are known for their doors, which sounds boring, but they are huge and elaborate, and beautiful... I've never taken so many pictures of doors as I did then. If anyone is near the east coast of Africa, I highly recommend Zanzabar!


wiki wonders

my "feelings" about wikis:

I think wikis are a pretty good idea in general. I love wikipedia in that it is easy to search for things, get "to-the point" answers, and is very current-- also it links you to other subjects within the article. I use that frequently.

As far as Library wikis... the Book Lovers one was good, as a sort of book recommend er, which I always like. The actual library's page, not so interesting.... seems like it has good information, but all of it could be displayed on their website instead of creating another place people have to go to keep up with stuff.

Library 2.0

Well, it is the never-ending discussion among libraries... where is the library going and what are going to be the roles of the library in the future. To me it seems like Library 2.0 is a step in the right direction to try and keep libraries relevant in the technology age. I can see there being potential problems, but I think for the most part it is a good thing....

Friday, September 26, 2008

Delicious

So this new bookmarking site... interesting idea. I think I might use it, for real...

I LOVE Found.com!


Twitter

Joining yet another online thing... I think Twitter is a good and fine idea, but I get most of this kind of thing from my Facebook account... and that lets me see what people are doing or not, because most of the time it's not important information. Sometimes I feel like it is narcissistic to write down every fart in life, assuming people actually want to know. Funny thing is, I'm an extremely nosey person and usually jump at the chance to find out personal things about people. But, once again, usually these updates are more pointless than personal.
Oh, and here is my new Twitter user name... in case anyone cares: "Kirsta" (yes, I'm that creative!)

Library Thing

So I already have a Goodreads account, which is essentially the same thing as Library Thing... cataloging the books you've read. I do think this is a wonderful idea, both for my bad memory, and to connect to other books that I would want to read. (i only listed a few books on Library Thing because I've already gone through and added the majority of books on Goodreads).
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/kirstabenedetti

Thing #10 Image Generators


Saturday, September 6, 2008

technology, oh my!

So I've never been a fan of video games, and I doubt I ever will be, but the new Spore game has perked my interest. The excerpt below is from LA Times giving a brief introduction to the new game:

"Will Wright, creator of The Sims, talks about his latest game, Spore
4:25 PM, September 5, 2008
On Sunday, Electronic Arts will release Spore, one of the industry's most anticipated game in years. The title lets players design creatures, develop tribes and civilizations and, eventually, take over the universe."

So.... sounds different, and more creative, which has always been one of my main criticisms of video games (along with the mindless, addiction it often ends up becoming). Though there have been complaints that the game is boring, I do think it will change the face of video games. People create their own planets, and you can play on other people's planets that they've created (at least I think that is what you do). This development could be the beginning of a more brain-building type game. And, yes I know there are those kind of "good for your mind" type games out already, but I think this might have a huge impact... even if this game in itself isn't the greatest.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008







Here are some photos from my new flickr account:






I'm celebrating the


Festival of Light, Duwali


in India














7 1/2 lifelong learning habbits

I've always loved learning. My parents both being educators, it was always part of our lives to explore and learn new things no matter where we were. I am naturally someone who is seeking out information simply for knowledge sake, and usually willing to learn new things.

So, looking over the "Habits of a lifelong learner" I feel pretty comfortable with most of them. Although, the one habit that has never been a strong element in my learning was "Begin with an End in mind". Because I enjoy learning and seem to be doing it all the time, I tend to be slightly scattered. I flow in and out of topics or ideas, especially when they are random (like, the history of hamsters or something). We'll see how this ensues!

Some of the habits that I feel are easy for me are accepting responsibility as my own learner. I have worked well as an independent learner through most of my education. Attending art school was a good builder of this habit because assignments were done very independently and things build up easily near the end of a semester if not well managed.

The other habit that I found easy is the seeing problems as challenges. My artwork is conceptually driven, which tends to require certain skills and knowledge that I don't already know. I wanted to do a piece and I felt it needed to be done in metal, so I learned how to use a blow torch. Or I wanted to do a video installation piece, so I learned how to shoot a video, edit it, and project it in a gallery space.
At CML I feel there are always opportunities to learn new things and be developing new skills. I love the opportunities through LearnerWeb, it's amazing that learning is always encouraged.