The end - summing up . . .

"23 things" has been an interesting journey and an eye-opener in many ways - I hadn't realised just how much "stuff" is out there in the virtual world.

As time goes by I'm sure our TAFE libraries will need to utilise most of the 23 things we have sampled.

Like a lot of my fellow 23-things colleagues, I had had no exposure to 90% of these "things" and felt wilful resistance to the whole programme in the beginning, but by number 15, had settled into my fait accompli.
As time goes by, I'd like to believe that the ICT systems & support @ TAFE SA will improve, because the times were many that I (& others) couldn't use the apps we needed for the 23 exercises and this added an element of frustration that further fuelled our angst.

There is a good example of how a similar mini programme (A taste of web 2.0) is offered by the Yarra Plenty community library. This library not only uses many of these applications in it's own operations & environment, but offers its members a self-paced online discovery program.

Check out their site at http://www.yprl.vic.gov.au/

Our TAFE libraries could perhaps embed a similar feature & service in our library page.

To my work mates who are still to cross the 23-things finish line I cheer you on - head down & keep going - it somehow gets easier with each exercise and believe me, the final victory is sweet!

Web 2.0 tools

Number 22 - ALMOST THERE - and I can taste that finish line . . .

The number one award-winning category in the web 2.0 tool that I chose (Colour Blender) was blocked - "Forbidden"!! (Good on ya TAFE) In the "seomoz.org" site & visual art cat it was listed as a colour chart in which you could view different combinations to help with decorating/fashion ideas etc.

So, in its place I've chosen something quite different - a "Scoville scale for different types of peppers". http://www.swivel.com/data_sets/show/1018985

Web-based applications

Haven't spent much time on this topic.

Opened a google account, chose a document template & saved the link to my favourites.

It is a budget spreadsheet which I'll utilise in my retirement to keep a close eye on the finances.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tvSf197itu4uruoZ1JYm6Qg

Second Life . . .

What a lot of fun this one is - could tinker with it all day . . .

I've joined the community & created "Robyn Xaris".

Can I see Second Life being utilized in our library environment? Possibly by our young or young-at-heart clients who want to add an element of fun in their search for information & knowledge. These users may already be part of the avatar population in Second Life and would visit this virtual world to co-habit on a daily basis, so a trip to the (virtual) library would be second nature.

Stepping aside from the usual ms powerpoint show - this could possibly be utilised for some class/corporate presentations - would rev things up & hold the interest of the audience.

Another one bites the dust . . .

Heyyyyy, inching closer to the end - number 19 bites the dust!!!

Opened a twitter account and am following a couple of minxy felines - figured they'd make more sense than some people I know. My moggie friends are "Sockington" and "MsMaddieCat".

I suppose there is a place for twitter within work parameters, but when you analyze & boil it down, most of the content I've seen appears to be idle time-wasting chit chat. However, s'pose it is kinda cool to touch base & greet workmates at the beginning of the day & ofcourse provides another option for getting messages/info out quickly to your twitter pool & receive (fairly) instant responses.

http://twitter.com/sockington http://twitter.com/MsMaddieCat

Yes, what a lot of silly crap from those two kitty-cats - a prime example of twitter time-wasting NONSENSE !