iHCPL NextGen not completed - maybe next time

I think it was the Summer Break that did it - too much time between the posts. I did the same thing with the TV strike - stopped watching the reruns & just didn't go back to what few shows I did watch before. I don't think I 'll finish any of the others before deadline. I hope some of the NextGen will be repeated next year for training credit again. I liked the way each module was a separate training credit instead of needing to finish the whole thing to get points. I have my training for the year, but I'll be back.

Games and Gaming #38: Console Gaming

Talk about a blast from the past! I remember playing Pacman & others on those console tables at the pizza place after the game. The tables were great - you could still have your soda & pizza while playing the games. I played on the "nostalgic" game site with Pacman and Missile Command. Figuring out the command keys was easy, even without instructions. I prefer the console controls over the keyboard, but the timing in the game was the same I was used to playing. Since I was familiar with the timing and action of the game, I did OK. I guess that might give me an advantage over someone who has not played the classics.


For Gaming in the Library iHCPLnextgen presented Microsoft Xbox 360 , Sony Playstation 3 , and Nintendo Wii as 3 possibilities. These 3 are nice and currently HOT, but a lot could depend on your funding. Of these 3, I like the Wii because it encourages physical activity. However, cost and availablilty could make it hard to get.

I would like to propose another possible game system, the PS2. While the PS2 may not be as flashy as the PS3, it is still a very widely used system. It has been around long enough to have a good collection of games and a LOT of people are already familiar with it. It is still readily available, and if someone is upgrading to a newer system, available used at a discounted price.

I think that console gaming can be both fun and educational. Depending on the game, you can improve memory, observation skills, and even agility(dancing). And while you may get some who only come to the Library for the games, both console & PC based, they are at least exposed to what else the Library has to offer. You only need to get one or two connected to the books before some word of mouth gets others involved.

Games and Gaming #37: Get Your Game On @ The Library

I have read all the recommended articles on gaming in the library. The one I am most familiar with is The Shifted Librarian because I subscribe to her RSS feeds. I agree with what she has to say. Gaming DOES promote Reading and Library Usage and I have seen it. I like it when the games, even Runescape, are providing educational opportunities. The players may not even realize that they are learning because it is fun.

Some of it is more obvious - the Carnegie Mellon library games, for example, at http://www.library.cmu.edu/Libraries/etc/index.html . I played these and found them easy, but you could say that I've had practice. I like that they teach basic library organization and research skills. I wouldn't mind seeing something like like on my Library's website.

Games serve two purposes - as a lure to get people into the Library and as a tool to teach them. Once in the Library, people notice what else is available. Playing the games, they learn new skills, including social skills, in order to better interact around them. I think that Games in the Library will evolve to both educate and entertain just as Libraries have evolved themselves. At one time the thought of computers or movies in the Library was unknown. Look at us now.

Games and Gaming #36: The Wide World of Online Role Playing Games

I set up a Runescape account & spent more than 15 minutes going through the Runescape tutorial. I found it easy to learn how to get around. The instructions were pretty basic and they give you the option of repeating the instruction if you want. You get all the basic skills you need to start the game. The instructors gave advice about the skill they were teaching and about the game in general.

Once you are done with the tutorial, you are transported out to the world. The first city is a place where you can learn more basic skills. It is set up for new players to gain experience. I did not play any further, as I prefer to watch others or play in face to face role playing games. I am somewhat familiar with Runescape due to family playing it. They have since moved on to other online games.


The Character I created is a basic female human character. Since I did not plan on playing past the tutorial, I really did not put a lot of thought into the charatcter. Here is a screen shot of my character.

Games and Gaming #35: Games? In the Library?

I have played and still play FreeRice and Houston Chronicle Sudoku . WordSplay might be fun, but I don't want to register for it. I've also played on some of the kid's sites suggested.

Keeping to the FreeRice and Sudoku - both have very easy instructions/rules. Both also offer hints. FreeRice will tell you the correct answer for a word you miss and bring it up again later to test your memory. The Sudoku allows you to either place notations or will give you hints if you want. Hints are good for beginners and the notations help you make your own notes to solve the puzzle.

These two games help develop vocabulary and memory (FreeRice) and logic (Sudoku). Sudoku builds logical thinking because you need to be able to look at the number sets in three different 'directions' in order to solve the puzzle. FreeRice starts easy, but builds up to more difficult words as you get more definitions correct. You might be surprised by the number of words you know.

Maps #34: Geocoding and Geocaching

Geocoding- Exercise 1

The location I chose to find and list the GPS coordinates for is the Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library at 16616 Diana Lane, Houston, TX 77062. I found the coordinates using the recommended GPS Visualizer Quick Geocoder with Google as the primary source.
The coordinates returned are 29.559044, -95.120043.

When I map it, the coordinates shown are off by half a block. See the map:

View Larger Map

Using Yahoo as the primary source, I get a more accurate reading of 29.558611, -95.119551.

Use the coordinates above in Yahoo to take a look yourself.


Geocaching - Excercises 2&3

This is a geocache that I would be interested in finding. Ithink I knew the general location right off. This was the case with several of the local geocaches listed.
The the url of the geocache is: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=ae0dbd31-6456-49d7-814d-f07e2db90e2e

The GPS Coordinates are N 29° 31.891 W 095° 07.794

My thoughts on geocaching: I think is something I would like to do for fun, but at this time do not own a GPS unit. I would not want to do it alone. I would rather have at least one partner long for both fun and safety's sake. After all, two pairs of eyes are better than one.

Maps #33: Relocating with Online Maps

ACTIVITY 1:

I choose the Apartment part of this activity because I already know about the House part. I still occasionally check out my neighborhood to keep track of values.

I searched for apartments in the 77062 area, the same zip as the Library. I found that using the radius search gives me more seletion that just seaching with in a zip code area. But the zip area nicely limits the selection if you don't have a vehicle. Most of the apartments I found listed handicap accessiblity. It was only a search criteria for one search service, the others needed a little digging.

I found 3 possible properties that I would consider. They were all listed on 2 of the 3 search services. I like that floor plans and pictures are available for viewing before you contact the management about availability. One service even connects you to the properties website ro more details.

I found that the hybrid map view was the most useful to me, especially when additional seaching(banks,stores,libraries)were an option. The plain street map was too sterile and the satellite view without street names was too busy. The combination gave a more realistic view.

This leads to ACTIVITY 2:

I like both Apartments.com and Apartment Guide with a leaning towards Apartment Guide. Apartment Guide has bigger maps. The maps also give more detail and more search options on what is nearby. That gives you a better idea on what is in the neighborhood.

The public library was only .31 miles from the property I choose . There were 3 pharmacies within half a mile, one inside of a grocery just across an intersection. There is an elementary school only 3 blocks away and a couple of daycares even closer. An auto repair center is .21 miles away. Several restaurants are within .5 miles, both fast food and sit down. A Metro Park & Ride is within a mile, easy walking distance to catch a bus downtown.

I like Apartment Guide, but might also check the other search services to compare total info. Not that I'm moving anytime soon, I too attached to what I currently have.

Maps #32: Current Events

ACTIVITY 1:

I looked through the list of "100 Things To Do With Google Maps" .

One hypothetical question that I could best answer through visualization is "What is my elevation above sea level?". Along the Texas gulf coast, this is a relevant question.

I used the Freeman Library again as a subject. I went to http://www.earthtools.org/ and found that if you were standing on the sidewalk in front of the library, you would be 10m above sea level. The latitude and longitude is 29.558°N 95.1196°W . Since the site also gives latitude and longitude, you know the height above sea level at that point. And since you can have a satellite view, you can make sure that the data is from the exact point you want. Pretty cool.


ACTIVITY 2:

Explore Global Incident Map , Terra Server, or National Atlas .

I looked at all three to see what they were about. Terra Server is pretty, but is a commercial enterprise. The Global Incident Map is flashy, but most of the "incidents" I looked at turned out to be nothing. Of course, I could have just looked at the wrong incidents.

National Atlas is intriguing and for the most part FREE. They provide printable PDF maps, but you can also order printed maps, if you want. I've been having fun with the Boundaries of the United States . I'll need to remember the Reference and Outline Maps of the United States the next time I get a reference question regarding U.S. maps. Yous can print either the entire U.S. or individual states. There are several printing options to choose from and you can always preview to make sure it is what you need. It was neat to see just the rivers & lakes of Texas without other map features.


Optional Bonus Activity: EarthNow Landsat Image Viewer

This is the coolest thing. The EarthNow Landsat Image Viewer lets you view footage from Landsat satellites, sometimes in REAL TIME. The site tells you what the day & time of the currently running pass. It also let's you know the time of the next live pass. Leave this running on your desktop & you are likely to return to someone staring at the satellite image passing by.

Maps #31: Have Map, Will Travel

I had trouble viewing the Google "Create a Map" tutorial at work, but was able to do so at home. I figured out how to create a map before viewing the tutorial and had fun. I decided to make a make of the places to eat around the library titled "Dining near Freeman Library". I figure this is an easy way for visitors to look at the food options nearby when they go to the Library for programs or training. Just do a Google map search for Freeman Library dining. Here it is embedded below:



View Larger Map


I'm not sure why the plaza is labeled Dickenson Shopping Center. I'll have too investigate and notify Google.

I think this is a good way to direct people to your house, though town from the airport, or just get info about places for yourself. I also made a note about the James Coney Isand being closed when I did the seach for restaurants near Freeman. I like how people are allowed to make comments or corrections(pending verification)to keep the maps current. Think about it - you were in the mood for coneys & search Google only to find the closed note. No wasted trip.

I have found Google & Yahoo to be simillar in looks for maps, but I'm still looking at all the features. I tend to use Yahoo over Mapquest because it seems to be better with keping current.

Spring Cleaning #30: Take a Load Off Our Drives

Keeping drives cleaned up and organized is a good thing. You always know where stuff is and that it is most current. I've started putting what I consider archive files on CD. The Archived files are ones that I don't need except as historical references. The files can be data from old programs as one example. You want to keep the numbers as reference, but it doesn't need to be on the shared drive. I think the oldest was more than 5 yrs old, but I did refer to it in 2008.

S: drive I've used this before when submitting files to be printed at Admin. I like that it is supposed to be self cleaning if you forget to delete your file when done.

P: drive This is nice because you can access it even while logged on to a branch or generic profile. You can have files that are shared for informational or cooperative reasons. e.g. The computer class schedule is in this folder but that flyer we are working on is in this one. Organization using folders is a great way to put like documents together - supplies, periodicals, second floor stuff. Folders help when you are searching for particular documents - it is in the 'Friends' folder in the subfolder 'price tags'- instead of searching through many documents. Be careful of duplication and do you really need a copy of that form when it is on Harriet?

I'm looking at what I've made to be sure it is current and and not extraneous. I might make suggestions to a coworker if some reorganization would help everyone see the folders/files more clearly.

Z: drive This is accessed only under my profile. I keep track of expense documents, time sheets and my training hours here. Timesheets are current and two past. Once I check the County records, I delete mine. Training is current & last years to be sure I don't repeat something. I think I keep this one pretty clean since it is just myself.

Spring Cleaning #29: Email

Email Accounts: I currently have 4 personal accounts, but don't use them all.

I have one with my ISP, but don't use that except with the ISP because ISPs can change.

I have an account I actually pay to use. It started out free, but I stuck with it because Yahoo was still new at the time. I use it for personal business dealings.

I have a Yahoo account that I use mainly for personal correspondence. I started it as a "throw away" account in case I had spam problems, but I have been lucky/diligent.

I recently set up a Gmail account in order to IM with my child. I'm currently looking at the Google Calendar as a possible family scheduling tool. I'll need to compare it to the Yahoo calendar, but so far G has better features.


Work email: I have 14 folders that I sort things I want to keep and be able to access via webmail. Some stuff just gets read & deleted, others get replies or some other action. One example: supply requests for my dept. are emailed to me and moved to the "supplies needed" folder. As I read them, I add to the supply order. I keep the requests untill the order comes in then delete them.

I keep my email display at 17 items per page and try to keep no more than 2 pages for Inbox. I like pages I can glance at to find a message for quicker action. I try to review the folders, all of them, each week to keep up on work stuff and clean out anything I missed before. Sometimes it is longer, but that feeling of organized Webmail is nice. My address book is updated regularly, when staff changes. The webmail is good about telling you when a message did not go through.

I occasionally get an email that is more to the personal side. It gets forwarded to my personal account, then deleted from inbox and sent mail immediately. I'm trying to keep the personal side organized too, but Yahoo touts that "umlimited storage". I wonder how far people have gone....?

Spring Cleaning #28: Don’t Clutter Up Expensive Cyberspace

Getting Things Done. I've actually read the book. I understand how things can be easier following the process: Collect, Process, Organize, Review and Do. I'm working on the first four, but sometimes it can be difficult due to number 5: Do. There are times it seem all I am is Doing and the the other 4 fall the wayside. You now the saying "a messy desk is the sign of a busy mind(person)"? Some times I feel that is the case, but I keep trying and even succeeding in getting it done and organized.

Mostly I try to prioritize what is needed most or soonest, then act on it. If an item is not an immediate concern, I make sure to still keep it available for review or action if time becomes available. In this job, I have learned to be flexible, because you never know when the next "crisis" may pop up. It may look like I carry the same pile of papers around, but what is in the pile always changes. (my do this next stuff)

I've looked at the Google Calendar and like the feature of multiple calendars and allowing others to modify only certain calendars but not others. It could be handy at home if I could get others to post their appointments also.

That's one "fun" thing about organizing - you are not alone at home or work and it helps if everyone tries to consistent in some manner.

Sound: #27: Creating Your Own Podcast

This was not required, but I took up the challenge. I wonder how many others did the same. Gabcast makes it real easy. You don't need to have a recording device for he PC, just phone it in!

Take a listen to mine here

Gabcast! Sound: #27: Creating Your Own Podcast #1

Sound: #26: Making (or listening to) Music Together

Sharing Musical Tastes

I'm not really interested in joining any music networking sites, so it is hard to really look at the sites to see what they offer. Part of it could be that music is not a BIG part of my life. My tastes are rather eclectic, also, so it could be hard to really nail my tastes down.

Project Playlist - social music experiment (from site)
This site lets you search for music without joining. It looks like you can create lists for various social sites too, probably with free membership.

Imeem
This not only has music, but video and photo, too. It gives you categories for the music and video right on the front page. It deems itself as a Community.

MOG - because the web mostly sucks (from the site)
This one does require a download if you want to use the Mogomatic to match you with others. This one does require a download if you want to use the Mogomatic to match you with others.

Phling! is a service that allows you to access audio from your PC on your mobile phone and share it with friends. I don't have a cell phone.

Qloud allows you to add a "my music" component to your existing social network account in Facebook or Friendster and I don't have accounts with these.


Creating Music Together

I tried the site JamStudio . It is fun, but a little limiting right now. I'm still trying it out. You can listen to what I've done by joining and opening the Public file and going to jl1.

I may try Splice or ccMixter next.

Sound #25: Am I a Music Pirate? It's Hard to Know...

CD Burning:

I find that burning a CD is easy. It helps to have good software. I don't have an MP3 player of my own yet, so I borrow the branch player. Maybe one of these days. I still use CDs. I like to have portable storage without having to worry about a PC crash and losing any tunes.

Sharing Music

One on the advantages of having legal music CD is the ability to loan the CD to a friend to listen. You can't use it while they have it and vice versa. It takes the legal question out.

Musicians can benefit by sharing, but I think it should be limited. They sould be able to make the decision on how their work is used. After all, musicians need to eat too.

Radiohead took a big step in releasing their new album online before coming out with a hard copy. They still had good sales when the CD came out. It was their decision.

Creative Commons License is a nice step in the middle. It allows some uses of of works, but askes for credit/recognition.

Sound #24: The Sound of Music

This blog will be about online music. Whether it be downloads (paid or free), podscasts or streaming radio, there is a lot of music out on the Web. Here are my thoughts on some of these:


Pay to Play sites:

Napster advertises "Unlimited Music On Demand". It has available software, which may or may not be required. You do need to have an active membership to play tracks downloaded from Napster. This keeps you reeled in to play the music. I guess if you don't mind that commitment...

iTunes is restricted to one computer,or one ipod, one library or computer. I think this format is too limiting. I'm not an Ipod person and this is one of the reasons. The other being no access to the battery(s).

Yahoo! Here again, you need to be subscribed to access played songs. Cost seems lower than Napster and no propietary software. You can use Media Player.

Rhapsody is like Napster with its own software, but nothing immediately about needing to stay current to play the music (Icould be wrong). Rhapsody also offers a limited free account that doesn't appear to be a limited time or trial offer. It also has an editors's choice rating from CNET.

Amazon sells MP3 files by song and album. Supposed to be compaticble with both iTunes andMedia Player. If you aren't interested in unlimited play or tunes and don't want to worry about maintaining a membership to play your downloads, this could be for you.


Free and Legal:

HCPL Digital Media is one source for free downloads. It does have a time limit for the "checkout". This is a good way to sample music to see what you like before buying it or to have a "library" available without useing a lot of your own storage.


Downloading:

Ease will depend on the site you use. I have found it to be easy myself. In some cases, it is simply click and drag to your PC, then click and drag to your MP3. A number of MP3s are treated as data devices by the PC, making it real simple.


Online Radio:

One of my favorite stations, KACC, has streaming radion online. They also offer occasional live band webcasts from the studio. Most cool. KUHF also offers online steaming. They both may be operated by colleges, but I get classical, news and rock covered. Take a look at your favorite station. It may be available online

iHCPL:the Next Generation

Here we go again! Time to learn more new or not so new things. The link is http://www.ihcplnextgen.blogspot.com/ . Watch for my posts!