Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pot Luck #55: Getting the Most Out of Facebook
I have had a Facebook account for a little while, but had not used it until recently. The reason I had signed up for an account was to get the free iTunes music downloads from Ticketmaster. I started to use it more when both of my sisters migrated to it instead of MySpace. I do like it a little better than myspace, but I still don't really "use" it much. I log in every once in a while to see what my friends have posted, but I don't tend to post much. I do seem to get a lot of notifications, though, from various friends who sign up for different applications. This is how I have been introduced to new applications. I had not really tried looking for them until this iHCPL project. So, the application I added was the Pieces of Flair. I found one that I liked and posted it to my profile. I was also not aware of the Library Gifts app. and think this one might be kind of fun. As for applications that I kind of enjoy, or at least have used most often, Superpoke, because I like sending those funny little characters and messages, and I have a 'Lil Green Patch that I try to maintain.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Books, Readers and Beyond: #54 Social Networking Through Books
1. I have not been a member of a book club. Probably because I've always been too shy to want to share my thoughts of a book or that I might actually show my lack of intelligence. I guess if I were to join one, I'd probably join an online club, just so I wouldn't be seen.
2. I don't really have many ideas for a bookclub, see answer above, but if I needed to put one together, I like the ideas of a mother-daughter club and clubs where the members decide on what they would like to read (like the one we already have). Going back to the first group idea, mothers and daughters would bring in suggestions, each individual, and hopefully mom would not have influenced daughter's list. Just to start the club, perhaps getting everyone to read Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl, since there is a reading guide available for this through the Kidsreads site of ReadingGroupGuides.com. Then, after discussing this book, each person can give a brief reason why the group should consider 2 of the titles on their lists, or however many to get through the year. This may take another meeting before a vote can be made. Also, having snacks during the meetings might be nice. Each member could bring a little something, perhaps made together?
3. I looked up The Stand on Shelfari and Library Thing. Reviews were similar, most people who posted liked the book, thought it to be King's best or one of, and there were a few who didn't like it. I guess I didn't find anything too surprising about that, as I agree with those who like the book.
2. I don't really have many ideas for a bookclub, see answer above, but if I needed to put one together, I like the ideas of a mother-daughter club and clubs where the members decide on what they would like to read (like the one we already have). Going back to the first group idea, mothers and daughters would bring in suggestions, each individual, and hopefully mom would not have influenced daughter's list. Just to start the club, perhaps getting everyone to read Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl, since there is a reading guide available for this through the Kidsreads site of ReadingGroupGuides.com. Then, after discussing this book, each person can give a brief reason why the group should consider 2 of the titles on their lists, or however many to get through the year. This may take another meeting before a vote can be made. Also, having snacks during the meetings might be nice. Each member could bring a little something, perhaps made together?
3. I looked up The Stand on Shelfari and Library Thing. Reviews were similar, most people who posted liked the book, thought it to be King's best or one of, and there were a few who didn't like it. I guess I didn't find anything too surprising about that, as I agree with those who like the book.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Books, Readers and Beyond: #53 Finding Books Online
1. Doing a search on Google for bookstores near 77346, I found a store called Books N Boxes Plus, Barnes & Noble, and Family Christian Stores. The first one doesn't have an online presence, but I have been there because they have a post office in the store (the "Plus"). They're a used book seller, mostly paperbacks from what I remember. Barnes & Noble is in the mall down the road and most everyone has seen their website. The last one I listed, Family Christian Stores, also has an online presence. I've been in the store once, but not the website. Their site lists items similar to their store, they have Christian gift items as well as books and music. The tabs at the top lets you browse for these. The site is kind of a mini Barnes & Noble, but without some of the extra bells and whistles. You can purchase items online or you can search for a store nearby that may have the items in stock, similar to B&N.
2. I searched for The Stand, Stephen King, and found it in mass market paperback, $8.99, and hardcover, $12.98, at Barnes & Noble. I also searched Katy Budget Books and found the paperback for $8.99, but also found a hardcover for $50.00. They also had downloadable e-books for $50.00 each. I did not find CD copies but did find analog cassettes that could be special order, $88 for part 1 and $96 for part 2. Not much of a discount with these. Apparently, a CD version may not be available. I also searched Amazon and only found print versions and a Kindle copy, $8.99.
3. I liked the eBook in that I could make the text bigger, which made it easier to read off the computer screen. This is the part I don't like, because I have a desktop, I have to sit in my office chair to read the "book." If I could carry my computer around, lie down with it, I probably would enjoy reading eBooks. They are easy to manipulate around in, find exactly what you may want to read about by searching. You're arms don't get tired from having to hold up a heavy book. The eyes may get tired quicker, though, depending on your sensitivity to eye strain. For now, though, I think when it comes to reading a book, I would still like to have the traditional print copy. But if someone wants to give me a Kindle, I wouldn't say no.
2. I searched for The Stand, Stephen King, and found it in mass market paperback, $8.99, and hardcover, $12.98, at Barnes & Noble. I also searched Katy Budget Books and found the paperback for $8.99, but also found a hardcover for $50.00. They also had downloadable e-books for $50.00 each. I did not find CD copies but did find analog cassettes that could be special order, $88 for part 1 and $96 for part 2. Not much of a discount with these. Apparently, a CD version may not be available. I also searched Amazon and only found print versions and a Kindle copy, $8.99.
3. I liked the eBook in that I could make the text bigger, which made it easier to read off the computer screen. This is the part I don't like, because I have a desktop, I have to sit in my office chair to read the "book." If I could carry my computer around, lie down with it, I probably would enjoy reading eBooks. They are easy to manipulate around in, find exactly what you may want to read about by searching. You're arms don't get tired from having to hold up a heavy book. The eyes may get tired quicker, though, depending on your sensitivity to eye strain. For now, though, I think when it comes to reading a book, I would still like to have the traditional print copy. But if someone wants to give me a Kindle, I wouldn't say no.
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