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.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Books, Readers and Beyond: #52 What to Read
1. For the read-a-like searches, I used What Should I Read Next? and Library Booklists and Bibliographies. I did two different things in Novelist, and got two very different lists. The first one I tried was the Find Similar Books button, and I chose not to uncheck any of the subjects presented. I only looked at the first page of books and every single book presented had the elements that were most prevalent in the storyline of the book I chose to look up, The Stand by Stephen King. All of the books dealt with some kind of plague or disease spreading througout a community. The second thing I tried was the author read-a-like search and this presented a list of authors to try that might give similar emotions or styles of writing. When I searched What Should I Read Next? the lists presented were predominantly other books by Stephen King with a few titles by other authors. In searching Library Booklists and Bibliographies, I went to booklists: adult fiction first, then searched this list and found If You Like... and clicked on it. From here I clicked on Specific Readalikes and then did a computer search for King, which found him listed in the General Read-Alikes Booklists. I clicked on the one that took me to the site from Christchurch City Libraries, NZ. On this site I clicked on Stephen King under the author listings. This presented a brief article similar to Novelist, but listed more authors to try.
In the past, I usually just used Novelist for this type of search. I probably will continue using Novelist as my first stop only because it's a bit easier to navigate and presents lists I'm typically looking for. The Library Booklists and Bibliographies would be helpful if I'm not finding anything in Novelist or need to find more than what Novelist gives me. I wouldn't try it first only because it takes some time to find the "right list." I wasn't too thrilled with What Should I Read Next? If it usually suggests more titles by the same author it won't be helpful in finding others to try.
2. I used Novelist because the advanced search was excellent for this type of search. Books I found included: Secret of the underground room by John Bellairs and The Ghosts Grave by Peg Kehret for the 13 year old, and Snakes don't miss their mothers: a novel by M.E. Kerr and The Little Gentlemen by Philippa Pearce for the animal lover.
3. Using Novelist I found John Saul and Charles Grant. I then used Library Booklists and Bibliographies and found a Dean Koontz read-a-like list with many authors one of which was Greg Bear.
4. The series is Song of the Lioness. I found a list of the books on Mid-Continent Public Library's juvenile series lists. These are:
1. Alanna: The First Adventure
2. In the Hand of the Goddess
3. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
4. Lioness Rampant
In the past, I usually just used Novelist for this type of search. I probably will continue using Novelist as my first stop only because it's a bit easier to navigate and presents lists I'm typically looking for. The Library Booklists and Bibliographies would be helpful if I'm not finding anything in Novelist or need to find more than what Novelist gives me. I wouldn't try it first only because it takes some time to find the "right list." I wasn't too thrilled with What Should I Read Next? If it usually suggests more titles by the same author it won't be helpful in finding others to try.
2. I used Novelist because the advanced search was excellent for this type of search. Books I found included: Secret of the underground room by John Bellairs and The Ghosts Grave by Peg Kehret for the 13 year old, and Snakes don't miss their mothers: a novel by M.E. Kerr and The Little Gentlemen by Philippa Pearce for the animal lover.
3. Using Novelist I found John Saul and Charles Grant. I then used Library Booklists and Bibliographies and found a Dean Koontz read-a-like list with many authors one of which was Greg Bear.
4. The series is Song of the Lioness. I found a list of the books on Mid-Continent Public Library's juvenile series lists. These are:
1. Alanna: The First Adventure
2. In the Hand of the Goddess
3. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
4. Lioness Rampant
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Games and Gaming #38
I played Centipede on ArcadeRetro.com, or at least I tried to. I tried playing twice; but while I was playing, when I accidentally slid the mouse out of the game window, the game shut off with this warning that I might have been cheating to get a high score, or my firewall settings were too high. I don't think I was doing anything that would be considered cheating. It was fun, though, while I got to play, I used to play this in arcades as a kid.
As a child I had an Atari, but not Centipede. Then, I had the first Nintendo system, but only had 3 games with this one; then, I pretty much stopped playing video games all together. Every once in while I might spend a few minutes trying to play something, but for some reason I just don't get into them the way I did when I was younger.
As far as game consoles best for the library, I'm not really sure. I don't know what games are available for the different systems or which system is better. I kind of like the Wii only because it allows for some movement while playing some of the games. I think promoting physical activity as well as playing the games was a good move by Nintendo. Whether any brings in kids who will also check out books really depends on the kid. I think some are coming in just to play the games, but a few will hang around and check out books as well. Perhaps time will tell.
As a child I had an Atari, but not Centipede. Then, I had the first Nintendo system, but only had 3 games with this one; then, I pretty much stopped playing video games all together. Every once in while I might spend a few minutes trying to play something, but for some reason I just don't get into them the way I did when I was younger.
As far as game consoles best for the library, I'm not really sure. I don't know what games are available for the different systems or which system is better. I kind of like the Wii only because it allows for some movement while playing some of the games. I think promoting physical activity as well as playing the games was a good move by Nintendo. Whether any brings in kids who will also check out books really depends on the kid. I think some are coming in just to play the games, but a few will hang around and check out books as well. Perhaps time will tell.
Games and Gaming #37
I played the research questions game on the Carnegie Mellon site. I had played the shelving game a couple of months ago when I came across this site before. I don't know if there are instructions for the game that I somehow missed, but it was a little hard to figure out what to do when I started. The hints helped a little, but I got stuck when I couldn't figure out where to click to find out what I was searching for. My first 3 people got frustrated and one of them left. I started over, once I figured it out and then it went a little faster. It also took me a little bit to figure out picking up the books and putting them into the bookdrop. It was kind of fun, though.
I think games in the library are a good thing. It does get the kids that would normally not come into the library to come in. I don't know for sure, though, that they are using other library services. Some might be checking out books, but I do see those that just come in for the free computers. At least the games themselves, require them to be able to read. Depending on what they are playing, they may be using problem solving skills, they socialize in a way with games like Runescape, if they choose to use that function. Some games provide physcial activity, but I think they need to be encourage to only spend so much time on the video games and then go do other things, outside, when it's not too hot.
I think games in the library are a good thing. It does get the kids that would normally not come into the library to come in. I don't know for sure, though, that they are using other library services. Some might be checking out books, but I do see those that just come in for the free computers. At least the games themselves, require them to be able to read. Depending on what they are playing, they may be using problem solving skills, they socialize in a way with games like Runescape, if they choose to use that function. Some games provide physcial activity, but I think they need to be encourage to only spend so much time on the video games and then go do other things, outside, when it's not too hot.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Games and Gaming #35
I don't mind games. I used to play them when I was younger. And I can see how beneficial they can be. They can educate and help develop eye-hand coordination. I do think that children should be given limits, by their parents, though, as to how much time is spent gaming. They need to do more than just play video games all day.
I decided to try Freerice for this post. It was kind of fun, but can become addictive. You just want to keep figuring out the words. I like how this builds vocabulary. Unfortunately, if you're like me though, you may not remember the words. I may be able to figure them out when put in context. But for me to just come up with and use, I'm not sure that the words I didn't know will come to mind. Truthfully, several of the words were not in my vocabulary, but I deduced some of the meanings by looking at the word and remembering what suffixes, prefixes, or root words meant and picked the definition out from the list. And then a few were pure luck.
I decided to try Freerice for this post. It was kind of fun, but can become addictive. You just want to keep figuring out the words. I like how this builds vocabulary. Unfortunately, if you're like me though, you may not remember the words. I may be able to figure them out when put in context. But for me to just come up with and use, I'm not sure that the words I didn't know will come to mind. Truthfully, several of the words were not in my vocabulary, but I deduced some of the meanings by looking at the word and remembering what suffixes, prefixes, or root words meant and picked the definition out from the list. And then a few were pure luck.
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