Thing 15. Play with Google Book Search and Google Scholar

I have to admit, give me a hard copy book any day to the online electronic version. An electronic book just doesn't do it for me! I searched Google book search, advanced search, Full view only and typed in Agatha Christie. I got everything but. My hits included book with content stating 'Sort of like Agatha Christie'; 'In the tradition of Agatha Christie'; 'In the Agatha Christie Style', etc. However, if I did the advanced search and selected All books, I got exactly what I was looking for but with no preview or snippet views. mmmm In the basic search typed in Lord of the Rings, got the right hits but due to copyright no views. Portions that allow views don't display every page, what good is that, may suit some'. I'd have to be looking for something I specifically wanted to get any benefit from Google Book Search.

Google Scholar, didn't have a problem, this is great for researchers and students alike looking for scholarly articles

Thing 14 - Play with Google Docs

I found Google Docs to be similar to Mirosoft Word but not as enhanced. Straight forward and easy to use.

I created a new document, re-titled the document and saved. The only issue I had with Google Docs is when I saved the document I had no idea where in Google Docs it saved to! Clicking on the items in the side menu I found the document. I then tried to publish to my blog, however, when I clicked on edit info in blog settings there was an error on the page and wouldn't allow me to.

Could it overtake the Microsoft Office suite in future? Who knows, the internet is the place to be and work with the ever changing enhancements. Web 2.0 today, Web 3.0 tomorrow. Is Google Docs as advanced as Microsoft Word? Does it offer all the same qualities? I don't believe so, with advances happening within online technology is may just do so in future.

Thing 13 - Play with Google maps

Believe it or not, I have used google maps at home. Exploring the suburb of Sunshine and checking out the Sunshine campus layout. It was fun zooming in and out and trying to locate landmarks.

I had not used the street view and found it up close and personal. Although, pic is outdated as I trimmed my trees months ago! mmm

Thing 12 - Explore MySpace and Facebook

Wow, I created a facebook account before starting 23 things without realising. My manager sent me a request to become her friend and when I did, I set up my account without knowing. How easy was that??

I have searched and added 2 new friends. Facebook is straight forward and easy to use. Not a tool I would use outside of work, maybe, because I can't get near the ruddy computer at home aaahhhh 4 boys! Prefer to speak to the people I know in person, that ain't many, eeeeeek. Probably a great networking tool my children who would use rather than myself. If I had overseas rellies/friends I wanted to keep in touch with, Facebook would be perfect. Just as happy to use email, msn, etc.

I added Jstor to my profile, I'm getting better. As facebook has been updated the instructions on the 23 things page aren't quite right, but guess what, I did it without them, that's a first!!!!!

Thing 11

Wow, I flew threw thing 11, YES! It does help when you are aware of what you are doing in thing 10. Why is it the simplest things I have difficulty with and the hardest I manage without a problem?

Anyway, I have added my library blogs and even added the Library blog list to my Blog. Getting clever!

Subscribing to RSS feed is quite simple and I find the blogs clear and well laid out. Plenty of white space to read. News feeds, not quite sure what I think of them, from perusing Digg I found it cumbersome to follow and read, wasn't sure if I was reading the latest news or as stated in Thing 10, comments on past news items.

Thing 10 - Add subscriptions

Added some subscriptions in Thing 9 without realising - just went straight into it, no hesitation. Things seem to get easier as I go along. Don't jinx myself. Off to do thing 11 - Here I go......

I spoke too soon!!! More to Thing 10 than meets the eye. grrr Thing 11 will have to wait until I conquer Thing 10. Got too excited too early. Gone into my feed reader and trying to add http://digg.com but it won't let me, I had no trouble adding other subscriptions like world news, chat forums, etc.... off to try again Here I go....

I'm back. Had I read the next paragraph beneath the task would have made life a whole lot easier. haha. Okay, I went to the digg site and looked for the feed reader and subscribed. Only one thing, did not add to my subscribe list in google reader. I'm missing something here, off to seek advise, will return. Here I go....

I'm back.....YES YES YES. Finally figured out I had to copy the URL once I subscribed to the RSS feeder of Digg.com (Dah - hopeless here, nah I figured it out in the end). I have finally conquered DIGG!!!!!!! What do I think of digg. Crowded to say the least. Is it the latest news or just people commenting on topics that have been in the news? Your guess is as good as mine.

Thing 9 - Setup Google Reader

Seemed too easy! Watched the online video within the 23things instructions, went straight into the Google reader and toured the sight. Watched another online video about the product. Just came naturally, started adding subscriptions not realising that was Thing 10? Ooooohhhh, not as hard as flickr, getting easier as I go along. Fingers crossed. Yahoooo!!!

Great way to keep up with the daily news headlines, which could be used for library patrons by adding an RSS feed to the web site. So many options.

Thing 8 - Play with Library Thing

I'm on a roll. Too easy!! I had better not jinx myself. Yahooo!!!!!

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Sally.Hand

I'm back after having completed my blog. I came across I Believe in Fairytales blog (top blog), I copied the Shelfari bookshelf, so easy and added also. Thank you to whom ever own's this blog.

Thing 7 - Play with a funny image generator

How easy was that!! I'm excited.