BETTY BLOGGER SUMMARY

At the beginning I gave myself a rating for web 2.0 of 3.  I have certainly advanced and now I am more conscious of how much there is to know.  I also feel a little more confident of how to go forward.  I would give myself a 5 or even a 6.

My expectations were simple.  I expected to learn more than I already did and get a sense of  where I might go forward.  I was disappointed not to get into Facebook or at least to understand it better, but it was explained there were privacy concerns which I can appreciate.

On the whole I am pleased I took the course as I am certainly better off.

A challenge for me was the section on Diigo.  The real problem was that the solution was there, but I just didn't see it.  A session in the drop-in centre was very helpful and not only solved the problem, but made me realize if I just look around and use resources at hand I can tackle lots of things.

As I wrote the drop in session was very important and I also had at least two telephone conversations that helped to clarify things that were confusing me.  Ultimately you have to learn on your own, but that involves using all the available resources.

Yes I would recommend it to someone who knows a little, but would like to learn more.  I guess if anyone rated themselves 9 or 10 there might not be enough new stuff for them to appreciate.  I definitely learned a few things and hope to spread them around a bit.  Thank you.









 

I love the Library Thing

Long before I knew anything about social media I loved books.  I am also a list maker.  Although I used to have a better than average memory (did really well on trivial pursuit), my memory is fading and in truth was never able to recall enough details of what I had read.

I have used written lists and even made notes of mostly non ficton books and have written mini reviews on a blog, newsletter and through the Hamilton Public Library.  The Hamilton Public Library has a feature on individual accounts that records what they call "Recently Returned items" which I referred to while doing this assignment.  It also records DVD, CD, etc. You are encouraged to rate library material and write reviews.

Each book (or other library item) taught me something.   Sometimes they build on one another, other times they clash meaning you have to re-sort your ideas on a topic.  Sometimes you need to understand why people see things differently from yourself or see something you don't see.

Yes, I plan to build on this tool and understand it better.  I don't have time to read all the books that interest me

I interpreted your instructions that you wanted a link to my "catalogue" rather than to my profile and so here it is:  http://www.librarything.com/catalog/johnfdavidson20

LEARNING ABOUT RSS FEEDS

I have seen the term RSS feeds many times and couldn't figure it out.  Yes it is an advantage and can probably save lots of wasted time--guilty.  And it gets right to what you are looking for quickly.

I was surprised one feature not mentioned.  My first subscription was automatic.  In my Betty Blogger  account I had listed another one of my own blogs (and of course I know what is new there, but a reminder is not all bad) and it came up as one of my subscriptions johnfdavidson.com.  I added www.juancole.com as I do read him every morning, but have found he sneaks in new posts at odd times.  I took the example of Globe and Mail as I usually check that at least once a day.  Then I added Huffington Post--this is one of my most common peaks throughout the day and yet I can't always tell what is old and what is new.

I did find it easy to use, although maybe lucky in that my choices all had feeds.  I liked it so much that I bookmarked it to my Diigo account.

My introduction to a wiki

I can see the advantage of setting up a wiki for organizing events or projects.  I guess the wiki format avoids having to set up expensive software.  I will explore it more. 

I decided my contribution for the meal would be my tuna curry as described in previous recipe.

Unfortunately I have to get back to work, but this is something interesting and useful.

USING GOOGLE DOCS

Following Task number 6 as best I can I got into Google Docs.  From what I gathered it is an easy way to use software without having to purchase expensive programs.  I followed instructions to this point making up a story (a true one) that seemed appropriate for the course.  We will see if it worked.

 https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1IiIgKhKL-_-tkouIZ6QTZMgHFW3w2xzuLOKnjorl8Eg


My Recipe

First Impressions of Picasa Web Site

Following instructions it was not hard to find the website and to pick out interesting photos.  I chose the one of a horse's eye (it has a very subtle reflection of the photographer in it) as I work with a horse publication.  Although I do not ride horses I have come to think of them as beautiful creatures.

Tags were:  close-up eye horses panoramia

I am curious about Picasa.  One of the problems I anticipate storing photos on my computer is that I will run out of space or too many photos will slow down my other operations.  I actually take a lot of photos that I use in my newsletter or blog and even have some published in The Rider (for credit only, but really just to  raise interest in the paper that I sell ads for).  I also take a lot of photos like other people for vacations and other occasions.

I do like the idea of sharing photos with friends and strangers.    I will explore the idea more.

Twittering Away

In truth I had just been persuaded to open a Twitter account about three weeks before I learned about the Betty Blogger course.  My original motive was to get more timely information from one of my bosses.  That has only partially worked out, but I have found myself getting addicted.

There are basically two aspects to Twitter.  The first is very easy--getting information (whether interesting or useful is another topic) and the second is definitely harder--giving information.

When you begin you are encouraged to follow people and many of the examples are celebrities, news sources and those within chosen topics.  You can find out which of your friends are involved and follow them.  It seems many people love to fill their time with trivialities and you may find yourself wading through a very time consuming pile of uninteresting and unuseful bits of information before you find something that interests you and even longer to find something that might be useful.

Giving information with the emphasis on something that might benefit you is more difficult.  There does seem to be a rule that if you follow someone they will follow you.  It is not automatic.  Celebrities don't even notice you, nor do news sources (unless you are of unusual interest).  Of course most of your friends will follow you and many twitterers do subscribe to the practice of reciprocity.

Make yourself interesting.  Whatever your interests or hobbies are, there is someone who shares them.  Try to get away from trivialities (unless of course that is part of your motivation).

I have been told and actually believe that the best way to expand your followers list is to engage in conversations.  You can start by asking questions and if interesting enough someone will reply.  Sometimes timing is a problem.  Not everyone is continuously waiting for your message so you might have to repeat yourself to reach your full audience.    At the same time too many messages become annoying and many of your followers will glance over it.  Answer questions will get the attention of those asking.  Make comments agreeing or not agreeing.

Four main methods I have developed to attract followers.  1. Hashtags (#) expand your audience if you pick logical ones such as geographical or special interests.  Hashtags can include something such as follow Fridays where you suggest others to follow and they don't have to be someone who is already following you, but it gets appreciated and noted anyway.  2. Directing comments to specific people even if not followers will reach their attention.  3.  Follow logical people and many will investigate you to see if you are of interest to them. 4. Re-tweeting is another way to get attention.  If you see something interesting from someone you follow pass it onto your network.  Those you follow and find their pearls of wisdom are often flattered and will investigate you

To be successful it takes time. You need to go through the tweets on your feed and watch for opportunities.  My favorite move was to read a guru advocating a book that I had read. I compared it to another book (I had read both) and drew it to her attention.  She checked it out and my book review and was kind enough to tweet that she liked it.  Others have come just from agreeing with a comment that in fact I did agree with.

You also have to have something to say.  It can't always be links to your newsletters and blog (one of my goals) as if they don't know you they really don't care and may be annoyed.  If you have picked logical people for you it will easier to join in conversations.  When you are able to do that more people will be attracted to you.

Or it can be a big drag on your time.

THANKS TO THE LIBRARY LADY

There is a limit to how fast I can grasp something new.  I thought I followed instructions, but at various stages I ran into obstacles.  I was not able to figure out how to add bookmarks to the Diigo account.  I did however, watch some of the videos.  At first I thought the regular bookmarking system I already have works more than adequately, however I recognize that it might be handy to have a separate bookmarking system for those times I am not able to use my own system.  I also appreciate that highlighting selections and using sticky notes would help me remember why I wanted to bookmark a site in the first place.

A visit to the drop in centre and a few words with the Library Lady and I realize the information was there all the time.  I just wasn't looking at the right place.  So I have figured it out and believe I have set it up so that it will be useful in the future.

HOW YouTube CAN HELP MAKE A POINT

The Youtube link below was brought to my attention through Twitter  I had read a book by Daniel Pink called "Drive" which I enjoyed thoroughly.  He contends that there is more to motivating people than carrots and sticks.  Three internal motivators suggested by author are mastery, autonomy, and purpose.  I bookmarked his website and signed up for his newsletter.  In my own newsletter I forced those who wanted to win a prize to visit his website to get an answer to my contest.  When a few weeks back he made a reference to his daughter Sophia Pink  (I believe around 13) and her two friends I checked out their production.

I think they make a good point that not only refers to the part of the world that denies full use of the inter net, but our own world where questions are being asked by those who want to make it more difficult to get free access.

I have seen many YouTube presentations and they run the range from absurd, gimmicky to entertaining, educational and inspirational.

Click here to view the Sophia Pink video I feel is entertaining, educational and inspirational.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ_lDIYlQcI

I have had one problem with YOU tube that I don't understand.  Most often I can hear the sound and adjust it, but occasionally I cannot hear the sound and search all over to find how to turn on the sound and often unsuccessful just give up.

I forgot to answer the quetions on my first effort.  There are a lot of videos and I will need to practice to make appropriate selections.  If by streaming you are referring to the videos I think when words fail videos can pick up the slack.  I will explore YouTube more often.

CHANGING TIMES

As a baby boomer, for at least half of my life I saw an established pattern.  If you needed to know something you would normally ask someone older.  As a reader sometimes that meant reading about it from a book or manual, but always assuming a more experienced older person wrote it.  I could see this pattern stretching right up to and maybe even past retirement.  There was always something that an older person knew because they had experienced it.

Times have changed.  For perhaps the first time in history young people (not the baby boomers) understand some important details better than their elders.  I supposed it snuck up on me, but in hindsight there were all kinds of indications.  My two children, now adults breathe in this new atmosphere and find it difficult to understand that I used to be fairly proficient on a typewriter and even wrote letters.  And that finding out things could be relatively arduous, but I was fairly good at it.  At work I have adapted and can use my computer for all sorts of things like emails, data bases, spread sheets and surfing the web.

Social media has just reached my horizon and I realize that a lot of communications both personal and business is done through it.  If anything my children and younger co-workers think I should get with it.  I agree.  I have always believed everything is inter-connected, but until recently I had only the dimmest idea of how to take advantage of it.

The next two months should open up new worlds to me.  I still believe that us (it is no longer them) older folks do have a few things to tell younger folks (and our fellow older folks), but we need to upgrade our tools.  I look forward to having more access to all the wonderful things "out there" and perhaps making myself more accessible.

On a scale of 1-10 my social media awareness (Web.2) is somewhere (I hope) near 3.