Brandi's Reflections

How Facebook and Myspace are Beneficial

2008-12-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

Individuals and libraries can definitley benefit from using social networking services. Social Networking is a way to keep in touch with friends and relatives. Since I have opened a facebook account, I have been able to locate friends of mine I haven't seen in years. It's also a good way to share pictures with loved ones that you may not get to see very often. I have several friends that I graduated high school with that I haven't seen in a long time, however, I am able to keep up with what they are up to these days and see how they have changed over the years.

Libraries can benefit from social networking, because facebook and myspace are two services that the majority of people use these days, especially college students. I guarantee you that a student is 99% more likely to check their mail on facebook, rather than their student email through the University. If our Library set up our own page, I believe that we would be able to reach students easier, and they would be more apt to visit our page and find out what's going on here rather than look for it in their email accounts.

If you'd like to take a look at my profile pages, click the link below...but wait...there's a catch...be sure to add me to your friend's list first, so I can confirm our friendship and then you can check out my site to learn more about me! =)

www.myspace.com/brandimize

(when you click this link, sign in to your account and then search for my name using facebook's search engine...once you find my profile pic, click on add friend) www.facebook.com

Searching for Libraries on Facebook

2008-12-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

I created a facebook account a few years ago. I found it an exciting and excellent way to keep up with old and new friends. Before Learning 2.0, I had no idea that libraries were utilizing facebook, as well. I searched for libraries using the search engine, and found several. However, all of the sites I found were private, so I would have to add them to my friend list and wait for an approval before I could actually see the site. I understand why personal sites are set to private, however, wasn't quite sure why a library site would set theirs to private...it seems to me that if they kept it unlocked, more people would access their pages.

Podcasts

2008-12-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I've always wondered what the big deal was when it came to podcasts...I guess you could say now I know...
I browsed several podcasts, and I found that there are so many interesting topics to choose from. I came across a podcast called JazzSet that features different Jazz artists. The artist being featured when I checked it out was Johnny Griffin. It gave a brief summary of his life, and told us about many of his accomplishments he has reached during his lifetime...not only did I learn about Johnny Griffin as an artist, I also was able to hear a concert that he did while in New York. His concert lasted nearly an hour, and the entire performance was on podcast. Of course, I wasn't able to listen to the whole thing, but it was very enjoyable to hear what bit I did. I love music...all kinds of music...Jazz is a favorite of mine, so it was exciting to find another way to enjoy a passion of mine.

The library can utilize podcasts in several ways. By creating our own podcasts, we could make it easier for the students to access certain sites. Rather that try to go step by step with each student individually, if we created podcasts to instruct the students "how to", they could listen to our podcast and walk themselves through the process. If they didn't get it the first time, or couldn't remember how to do it again in the future, all they'd have to do is replay it. I believe creating podcasts to help students with various things such as accessing webct, student email, pulling up their library accounts to renew books, ect. is an excellent idea!

Browser Tools and Online Applications

2008-11-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

When I go out to eat, I always go to either Ameca or La Terraza...I love Mexican food. Not only do I go to the same restaurants all of the time, but I also order the same dish EVERY time. You would think I get tired of it, but I don't. It's rather odd, I know. Point being...I do not like change. I have come to the realization that I am set in my ways, and I am quite comfortable with that. Needless to say, I wasn't too impressed with Firefox. I have used Internet Explorer for years, and honestly, I don't think I will switch browsers. It was fun breaking out of my ways and trying something new, but like I usually do, I will resort back to my old routine. I guess it's like buying a new phone...you know...one of those with all of the neat gadgets and such...I've never really had any use for all of the "extras" because I use my phone for one thing (ok, two if you count text), but mainly to make calls. Yes, my phone has a camera on it as well, but I'm talking about those new phones that have mp3 downloads, internet, ect, ect, ect...all of that isn't really necessary for me...same goes for all of the internet browser add-ons...they're nice to have if I decide I want them, yet I don't really need them. It is interesting seeing what all is out there, but I haven't really found anything extra that I thought I HAD to have. The Snap Shots add-on is a neat feature though. It's nice to be able to preview a web page just by placing your cursor over an icon next to the page link...but do I really need it...not really.

As for online applications go, I had already played around with Picnik and really enjoy this application. I love taking pictures, so this was a fun site to play around with. It's a place where I can get creative and personalize my pics. Now that I think about it, I guess I wouldn't really need this site either, but I do enjoy it...maybe I should be more open minded and see what all else is out there...it's so funny how writing makes you discover things about yourself and see things that you wouldn't ordinarily see...hmmmm.... =)

Twitter

2008-10-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

I had no idea that Twitter even existed. Once again, I am truly amazed at what all I'm learning. I believe that Twitter is fascinating simply because of the fact that it enables us to see what others are doing throughout the day...something we once thought would be an interesting concept yet never thought it could happen...and here we are...making those "interesting concepts" reality. I had already gotten used to the idea of making posts throughout the day that let others know what I am doing through facebook and myspace. These two applications enable me to update my status whenever I'd like to let the world know (or atleast my friends) what I'm up to. Myspace even has "mood" updates to inform people of my current mood-ha! It is interesting to be able to login to your computer and look at these updates and know what someone is up to that day...know their mood...what their plans are for later that day...ect...without even talking to them...
While it seems interesting and neat to be able to do these things, I also feel that modern day technology is taking away our ability to communicate on a personal level. Writing a letter and mailing it to someone today is almost absurd to most people. Email is much more efficient...who needs a handwritten letter...typing is so much faster...
Think that's bad? Now we're all about "instant messaging"...it has gotten to where email has almost gotten outdated...why send an email and wait for the recipient to check it when you can instant message them and get a response quicker...
Not to mention phone calls...I'd say 99% of college students today would much rather TEXT someone than pick up the phone and have a one on one conversation with someone...
WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE ON ONE INTERACTION PEOPLE?!
Slowly but surely we are losing our communication skills...
So, to answer the questions for this week's lesson...
Yes...I find Twitter fascinating...however, I don't think that I would use it very frequently...
Implementing Twitter for library services...not so sure this would be extremely beneficial...could possibly use it within our staff to inform eachother of the projects we are currently working on...let eachother know when we are out to lunch, running an errand, ect....but once again...i'd much rather pick up the phone and talk to someone...less miscommunication that way...
All in all, yes it is an interesting concept...
Want to visit my Twitter site? Click on the link below and see what I'm up to...
http://www.twitter.com/bmize

Using Wikis

2008-10-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

I actually really enjoyed learning about Wikis. It is an interesting way to communicate with others, and can be a good tool to organize events and such. It is definitely a good way to make sure things are taken care of...much less of a hassle trying to remember who was bringing what...if something was forgotten...much more convenient...
Librarians do not recommend using Wikipedia as a research resource because it isn't reliable when it comes to reliable information...Wiki is a fun site to play around with, but not such a great site to rely on when it comes to needing facts...
I was excited that our site involves posting our favorite recipes. This may come as a surprise to many of you that know I don't cook...however...it is encouraging me to start. I most definitely love food, so I might as well learn how to cook. I've found some good recipes that I'm going to have to try for sure! They all look good to me!
You all can thank Allrecipes.com and Southern Living for my recipe postings! haha I did look up two of my favorites though, so hey...that counts for something right? =) Who knows...maybe I'll be so inspired I may be the one to bring one of these delicious dishes to work for us all to try...I'd like to ask you not to hold your breathe though... ;)

Lake Ouachita

2008-10-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

The pictures I have uploaded to my Flickr account are from my trip to Lake Ouachita a couple of months ago. My fiance and I went with his family to the lake for a weekend. It was so nice to get away for a couple of days and enjoy spending time with eachother. The last day we were on the lake, I snapped a picture as the sun began to set. It was absolutely beautiful! I was so glad I brought my camera to capture that moment.

The other picture I downloaded is a picture of Lily...or shall I say my "niece". Justin's sister considers her as her child...she actually calls me Lily's Aunt Boo haha...She is spoiled rotten, but as cute as can be...as you will see in the picture. =)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30981446@N05/

Love Music

2008-10-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

I started browsing pictures through Flickr, and when I happened to click on March 29, 2008 (which just so happens to be my birthday), I found it rather interesting that one of the photos was a picture of a heart and tape. When clicking on that one particular picture, it brings up the subtitle underneath the picture-love music. I had to post this link, because I thought it couldn't describe me any better...and the fact that not only the picture was posted in March, but on the exact date of my birthday was so neat.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/size-queen/2370799455/

Social Bookmarking

2008-10-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

I am impressed with the whole "social bookmarking" concept. I really never used a "favorites" tab before, however, I think that this social bookmarking can be very useful, and I do plan on using it in the future.

I can incorporate this tool into my personal life because the tags that I created all link to sites that are of interest to me. For instance, three of my favorite things in life are music, theatre, and photography. Through my site, you will be able to go to Deezer Music and listen to just about any music you'd like, add it to your playlist...and all being free without downloading! I am very excited about that! Music, like I've said before, is my passion. Another site I've tagged is the Arkansas Rep Theatre's site.

Starting last month, I began volunteering for the theatre in Little Rock once a month. The site has this season's calendar postings and reveals information about the upcoming plays. This has been a very exciting experience for me, and I am looking forward to the future performances.

The other site I've tagged is Matt Terry's photography page. Matt is an excellent photographer. I love going to his site on a regular basis to see what new work of his he has posted. Social Blogging allows me to have access to all of these sites in one location, and allows easier access to them. Also, if any of you are interested in the same...you can search for my page by going to the delicious site, click on People, then enter in my username which is bdm2008. Now you can find information on plays coming to the Rep, search and listen to music, or look at Matt's beautiful photography...ENJOY! =)

RSS Feeds

2008-10-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

I've seen the "little orange icon with squiggly lines" before, however, I had no idea what it was used for before reading about it through our lesson. I thought I was pretty computer literate, yet the more I read in this course, the more I realize I do not know as much as I thought I did. I'm very excited to be learning so many new things, and the best thing is that it is all so very useful.

There are several ways I can utilize RSS feeds. First of all, it could prove to be extremely useful if the library had a blog of its own for students to access and within that blog could be RSS feeds that would be benefical to students.

Implementing RSS feeds on my personal site can improve communication with my readers in that my readers will be more familiar with my personal interests. They may also be interested in the same things I am, and that always brings people closer together.

The RSS feeds I chose to add to my site are the link to learning 2.0, the monticello live site, and a link on health and fitness. I've just recently started working out and TRYING to eat right, so I thought it would be helpful to have a feed on this topic specifically.

I like the fact that I can simply login to my blog and have the most up-to-date news links available on my site without having to log in and out from different websites. I love simplicity.

Staying in Touch

2008-09-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Anne, first got me interested in this whole blogging idea. Anne has always been an inspiration to me. She is musically talented, not afraid to speak her mind, has published books, is an ordained pastor with the PCUSA, and is such an awesome person. I look up to her so much. She, along with her husband (Skip) and daughter (Maddie), used to live in Little Rock, Arkansas but a few years ago, the company Skip works for transferred them to Germany. They've been gone two years now, and have since been relocated to London, England. Anne started a blog when they first moved to Germany, and since they've relocated once more, she has made a sequel to her blog.

There are many people in our lives that we may not get to communicate with on a regular basis. Blogging is an excellent way to share what is going on in our lives with others that may not get to see or talk to us as often as we would like. Anne's page is a wonderful example of how someone can be so far away, yet so close. I love to look at her blog and see what's new in her life...what new adventures she has taken...see pictures of Maddie growing up...Through Anne's blog, I get to enjoy her experiences along with her and her family...it takes me out of my norm, and takes me over seas into a new world...sometimes...it's nice to get away...

Want to get away for a moment? Click on the link below...

http://londonizing.blogspot.com

Unwritten

2008-09-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

Who would have ever thought that I would EVER have a blog...WOW! I must say, I'm quite excited. I've always thought it would be interesting to enter the wonderful world of blogging, yet never stopped long enough to delve into it. I'm pleased to finally get the chance to get out of the doldrums and learn something new. Boy...have I had a reality check these past few months. My life has been changing in just about every aspect. I have finally awaken to face reality. With my college graduation behind me and a new "real" job, I have found that some how I grew up along the way. Not quite sure when it hit me, but it happened pretty fast. It's still hard for me to fathom the idea of being out of school and having all of these responsibilities...however, I am enjoying it very much. I've closed a chapter in my life and started a new one. As I reflect on my past, I am so thankful for all that God has blessed my life with...a wonderful childhood with two loving grandparents, a great church family, caring friends and teachers, taking pictures with my grandparents by my side after receiving my high school diploma, smiling in the stands at the University of Arkansas at Monticello graduation as my grandmother looks down at me walking across the stage...graduating from COLLEGE, holding that diploma in my hands...holding it up proudly...knowing that even though my grandfather is no longer with us...he is looking down on me saying "Kid, I'm so very proud." There is truly so much I have to be thankful for. Many memories have been made...many more to make. Perhaps one of my favorite singers, Natasha Bedingfield, describes how I feel best with the words in her song, Unwritten.

"I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined. I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned. Staring at the blank page before you, open up the dirty window. Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find. Reaching for something in the distance. So close you can almost taste it. Release your inhibitions. Feel the rain on your skin. No one else can feel it for you. Only you can let it in. No one else, no one else can speak the words on your lips. Drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten." -Natasha Bedingfield

I guess it's time to pick up that pen and start writing...