CPL 2.0 re Twitter May 24

Twitter is being used effectively by CPL to post quick updates on programs and events as well as links to other web pages or areas of the CPL website. It's good to be able to see the "tweets" even without having a Twitter account.
After just a quick tour of the Twitter home page it seems apparent that it's frequently used by those with access to mobile devices and is designed for that purpose. (I notice this on Facebook as well, that updates often come through Twitter via Blackberry or cell phone).

May 20 CPL2.0 re Librarything

I was able to go into Librarything and sign up for an account. So far I've added books but haven't gone online to chat or look at tags.
It has been easy so far to get into my Librarything account and modify it as I wish. Hope to do more as time permits. It seems to be quite user friendly with potential for lots of interesting links.

CPL2.0 May 12 re online docs and calendars

I was able to create a Yahoo calendar very easily since I already use my Yahoo e-mail more than Google (though not as much as my Shaw webmail from home). Also took a tour of Google docs and saw lots of handy templates that could be useful.
I will stick to my traditional paper day-timer rather than an online calendar, however. It's always accessible, easy to update, private, and in no danger of being hacked, ever.

CPL 2.0 re Flickr and Youtube

I find Youtube both user-friendly and fun to use, both for uploading my own videos and for browsing and looking at music or comedy videos. What's great about Youtube (as opposed to Flickr) is that anyone can go on the site and look at or listen to the videos. One only has to open a Youtube account in order to upload videos, but not to view them.
Flickr, on the other hand, has the disadvantage of limiting access right off the bat. I did set up a Flickr account just now but deleted it once I discovered the need to "invite" my contacts to a list, in order for them to look at my photos. That, and the long list of options that required selecting or de-selecting in the privacy settings put me off fairly quickly.
I think if a person wanted a way to organize hundreds or thousands of photos then Flickr might be a useful tool. For myself, regular e-mail or Facebook are the best options for photo sharing at the moment.

CPL 2.0 April 27 re: RSS feeds

I was successful in setting up an account in Bloglines, and in adding feeds to my account in a couple of different ways (both by clicking on the "add" tab on the left side of the page, and by doing a search for feeds over on the right side, locating a web-site and subscribing to the feeds I wanted e.g. the Globe and Mail movie feeds.
What I found difficult at first was that it didn't seem clear to me from the instructions that you must ALWAYS first log in to your Bloglines account in order to add feeds. In other words, you cannot first go to a web site (like CBC or Globe and Mail), click to add feeds, and then expect to be linked to Bloglines. So it was a bit frustrating to try that. But, thanks to Janna! - I finally figured it out.
Forgot to mention that Bloglines is an effective way to have all your favorite links listed in one place, and that it's easy to keep updated this way.

CPL 2.0 April 21 Google stuff

I just found a great Google product which might be helpful for library staff. If you go to Google and click on More, then on the link "Translate", you get something like Alta Vista Babel Fish, that is, a translation program. I tried it out with English to Spanish and was pleased with the results. Even if the customer doesn't speak English, you can type in a question such as "Would you like to get a library card today?" and you can see the Spanish translation pop up on the screen. It would be possible, in a pinch, to communicate with a non-English speaking customer just by showing them the screen. Google's translate feature lists over 40 languages. I like this product so far and would recommend it to staff and friends as a useful communication tool.
Another Google product that's easy to access and to use is Gmail. I timed myself and had a new Gmail account set up in under 5 minutes. It's quicker and less cumbersome than Yahoo email, in my opinon.

CPL 2.0 April 12 re Facebook

Signing up as a fan of CPL on Facebook was easy and fun since I already have a Facebook account (and posted a note on the CPL wall just now).
I would say Facebook is both useful AND a time-waster, like a phone only better. What's great about Facebook is that not only can I "live" chat with friends who are online when I am, but I can send out a message or photo album to friends all over the world - much easier and quicker, even, than writing an e-mail and cc-ing it. Plus, the privacy settings make it fairly easy to decide which of your Facebook friends can read your messages at any given time.
I don't wish to collect a zillion Facebook friends, but am pleased to be able to keep in touch with the ones I have, especially since many of them would never phone or e-mail otherwise. And even when I don't have a lot to say, I can lurk on Facebook and see what the kids are up to and look at the baby photos etc.
Bead project: Switchback bracelet
I found this design in the book "Zulu Inspired Beadwork", page 81 (call number 745.58209684 FIT), available at Calgary Public Library. This is a great way to use up mixed beads of various sizes.