Thing #25 Podcast, Video and the Library

I just finished scanning the webpage of Orange County Library System's podcast directory and I am impressed. I'm not sure about the quality of the content but I love that they are offering a new format to their patrons. Really the potential is too great not to put into a podcast or vodcast library-created material. Not to say that traditional delivery methods should be abandoned, rather we do a little more work to reach the transitional generation that will have an iPod or mp3 player.

Thing # 24 Podcasts

I created a podcast for class last semester and found it easy to blend voice, music and sound effects. Unfortunately I do not have the podcast with me here at work but may add it at a later date. I have recently been attracted to podcasts after being surprised at Christmas with an iPod. Using iTunes I can subscribe to various podcasts and upload them to the iPod for later listening pleasure. I love the directory at NPR and would recommend The Book Tour or Live Concerts if you find yourself with some listening time.

Browsing around iTunes I have alsoound free vodcasts from National Geographic that offer soothing scenery with melodic music. Entertainment on demand may be the next consumer revolution.

Thing # 23 Youtube

On Youtube one can find videos that human beings post covering the gamut of possible expression. The emotions you might feel while watching these displays will also range from disgust to joy. To be expected since you are witnessing the work of both the deranged and the genius. Stay away from the comments section because I've noticed that people can be right nasty. The video I'm sharing clocks in at over 8 minutes-long by youtube standards-but worth the wait. Think of the best Discovery footage you have ever seen and then take it up a notch.

Thing # 22 Trading Card

Flickr sure is fun! I used this site to make the trading card. There are also many other cool things you can do through this site and having a flickr account makes it that much easier. I can seamlessly grab a photo from flickr, change it up using the various tools and then upload it right back into flickr. Done!

Thing # 21 Flickr and Tags

Tags are essential in allowing browsers (humans) to find your creative content. In flickr tags are especially important because images are the content and search engines require words to do their job. A picture without a tag is very difficult to find and with the millions and millions of photos on flickr and the internat your tagless photo will not be found. Which is one of the reasons I do not tag many of my photos. I am not interested in the casual stranger looking at my pictures. They certainly can if they would like but without a tag they will have a hard time even coming across them. I however am not hindered from sharing the photos with family and friends which is the main purpose of my account.

Of course if I was interested in the community aspect of flickr I would tag with abandon, letting any word that came to mind become a searchable word for my photo. On my personal blog I frequently use tags to attract the wandering internet surfer. Not that I get many on the line but at least the hook is baited.

Thing #20 Flickr

I've been using flickr for some time now as a place to display and share my photography. The picture above is the front of the Francis Land House taken this fall. If you click on the image you will be taken to my flickr account.

What more can be said? I find flickr to be very convenient and easy to use. I have often searched for photos with Creative Commons permissions to use in class presentations. Additionally I have put a license on my photos that allows use as long as I am attributed and the photo is not used for commercial purposes. I know this is kind of like the honor system but I'm willing to give folks the benefit of my doubts.

Thing #19 Netvibes

For my Web 2.0 Awards selection I am revisiting Netvibes a service that allows you to have all of your web "stuff" in one place. Right now I use iGoogle because of the convenience of having Google Reader and Gmail all in the same place. Right now I'm investigating whether it is worth it to move all of my activity to Netvibes and if my life will be any easier. So far I can't tell. I can't find out how to integrate Google Reader into Netvibes which would automatically keep me away since all of my RSS Feeds are there. I do not want to even consider moving all of that stuff.

The nice thing about Netvibes or Google Reader is that the web becomes a friendlier place where I can have a homepage that has enough content and features to keep me on the page. Less mouse clicks and keystrokes and the same amount of information makes me happy. And staves off the inevitable wrist pains that come with so much computer time. I look forward to the day when I can get the information I need off of the internet using voice commands. Surely that day cannot be too far away?