Assignment # 8

A PSA from 'Second Life' encouraging people to visit their local library.


'Muddy York'
Known for many years as "Muddy York", Toronto suffered with streets that turned to rivers of mud and water in the spring. Taken in the early years of the 20th century, these vintage photographs illustrate the difficulties the population had to endure. All images courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives.

I was unable to enbed the videos at work. I would follow the instructions but get nothing. I tried again at home last night and it appeared to work, but when I went to add comments at work in the morning, all I had was a title. So here I am again, at home, ready to try again, and I click 'edit posts', and it's back...go figure.

I think these online videos could have potential for both staff and patron tutorials. Videos could be used to demonstrate changes to procedures, highlight improvements after software upgrades or demonstrate how to search the databases.

Assignment # 7 - Podcasts

I signed up for 3 podcasts using my bloglines account.

Coffee Break French - a podcast of 20+ minute french lessons (they have longer coffee breaks than we do). I really liked this. I gave up on french classes after grade ten; now my daughter switches to french on the phone when I walk in the room. I think I will download it to my ipod and listen on my way to work.

Get-It-Done Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More - a podcast of pithy advice on how to get things done. Actually seeing this title on my feed list will be more helpful to prod me along than his actual advice.(Get through my reading backlog by reading 3 pages a day ? Sure !)

Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast - a podcast featuring interviews with scientists and innovators. It is both funny and current. I'll listen to this one while I straighten up the sock drawer.

I find subscribing to podcasts like creating my own radio on demand. I still need to spend more time looking for podcasts that interest me.

Assignment # 6 - Google Docs

I really enjoyed playing with Google Docs. This is really handy. In addition to inviting Jonathan to edit my document on the Red Bull Air Race and adding to the website document, I uploaded a couple of recipes from my home computer and created a quick skeleton of a presentation on Ancient Greece (and invited my daughter to work on her project). I also discovered the templates. This is great ! For home I love the Math Quizz template. For work I can see the Project Management Schedule being really helpful for keeping everyone on track with our 'ships passing in the night' schedules.

My brother and I are working on a geneology project. I think this could be very helpful as he lives in another city and we are drowning in emailed documents.
My highschool girlfriends and I will be celebrating a BIG birthday next year and were hoping to plan a trip. This could definitely make that collaborative effort easier.

Assignment # 5

Well that's Del.icio.us !
At first I couldn't imagine why I would bother with a social bookmarking site. However, after fooling around for awhile, I was discovering content that hadn't turned up in my more traditional searches. Fellow crafters had links to interesting relevant pages.
I think I'll keep exploring !

Assignment #4 - Generators

I've been spending some time browsing through the generators.

This one is fun:

The Alanis Morissette Random Lyric

This is my first try !
"I Think"

I Think smudges are really a huge problem
I Think smears are too much on my mind
I Think blobs have got a lot to do with why the world sucks
But what can you do?
Like a black rain, beating down on me
Like a Piet Hein line, which won't let go of my brain
Like Sean's ass, it is in my head
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
I Think gaps are gonna drive us all crazy
And dots make me feel like a child
I Think dark circles will eventually be the downfall of civilization
But what can you do? I said what can you do?
Like a black rain, beating down on me
Like a Piet Hein line, which won't let go of my brain
Like Sean's ass, it is in my head
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
Like a black rain, beating down on me
Like Sean's smile, cruel and cold
Like Piet Hein's ass, it is in my head
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil
Blame it on Broken eyeliner pencil

What do you think? ...a new career?

Assignment #4

Our cat Cooper as a billboard.

My daughter Tess 'warholized'.