Final 23 Things Post

Tears are rolling down my eyes. Is it really the end? I have thoroughly enjoyed this extravaganza called 23 Things. Kudos for the library staff who thought this up. I, an honorary geek, was amazed that I wasn't as tech savvy as I thought. I learned a lot. Yippee!
Well, time to go. Keep those cards and letters coming.
Your geek buddy,
librarygeektothestars

Podcast mania

I have enjoyed the following podcasts:
NPR - The Prairie Home Companion
All things considered
Car Talk
Washington Week in Review

You Tube

I want my youtube. I don't want my youtube. Am I confused? Possibly. I have mixed feelings about it. Some youtube videos are funny. Some are interesting. Many are silly. Many are dumb. Sounds like life as usual on Planet Earth.

Slow down Overdrive... and get it right

I tried Overdrive a while back and I had techinical problems with it. I could play the books on Windows Media Player but it wouldn't work on my Sandisk. I'm thinking of trying it again.... maybe the tech issues are resolved. I will update this blog with my new thoughts soon. Stay tuned to this exciting blog entry.

Zoho Writer Excitement

Well. I think the whole concept is very exciting with the advent of online office software. Bill Gates is leaving Microsoft at a good time. People who needed a word processor or a spreadsheet always required Microsoft's cash cow, Office, can now access compatible FREE programs via the web. As usual with Microsoft, they are not the innovators they once were. (Don't get me started with the Vista debacle). With Apple and Linux making inroads into operating systems, and Zoho and Google Docs on the Office software front, they could be in for a few rough years. Like many analysts have been saying for years now, it's time for Bill Gates and company to rethink their strategy and start to get some fresh ideas before they are left in the dust.

PBC library wiki thoughts, ramblings, and a dissertation included

I think the pbc library wiki needs some sprucing up. Or am I missing something? The front page is visually boring. You also can't tell if it is the PBC library wiki. Is it? I'm not sure and very confused. Maybe someone will comment and tell me if it is.

Interesting thoughts about interesting library wikis

Sherlock Holmes could be a good source to root out nasty wiki misinformation!

First of all, I do like the concept of wikis. Why, you might ask? Well, I'll tell you. I like the idea that you can go to Wikipedia and find out information without having to pay for an online encyclopedia. Let's face it, free is good. The problem with wikis would be the very possible mistakes and misinformation that you might get from them. Considering all the information that is on the web, and the fact that seasoned web surfers know how to cast a skeptical eye on anything they see on the web, I am not that concerned. Hopefully, someone learning to be a doctor or a nuclear plant worker won't use Wikipedia as a source for their information. Anyway, let's hope so.

Delicious De.li.c.i.o.us. Oh My!

OK... I admit it. I can't remember how many dots are in the social web site scrumptious. No, that is not a misprint. I'm ready to fire up my new site scrumptious. I just need ideas people. I need help. Won't you send me ideas so I can be rich and famous like the founders of De.li.cio.us. or however you write it. By the way, see how my site has no dots! I am a genius of simplicity (no, not a simpleton). That's one reason people will be falling all over themselves to visit my website. Now, I'll wait patiently for your wonderful ideas. Let's collaborate and get going!

Web 2.0 Thoughts

I just read the Web 2.0 thoughts and it was very informative. I think I will comment on just a small portion of my reading because so much ground was covered. Let me see.... oh I know... let me pontificate on digital media and its future in the library. There have been many discussions about how DVDs and music CDs are heading the way of the dodo birds. Netflix allows you to stream about 10% of their library to your TV. No need to receive or send back those cute red envelopes anymore. As for music CD's, the writing has been on the wall for a while now.
So what is the library's stake in all this? Will we just download movies and music CDs from a future library web site and not need to set foot inside the library for these items? What about the new Kindle from Amazon? Are books going to be obsolete one day? Maybe we'll visit a virtual library on our computer and get everything we need. What do you think?

Technorati

Technorati, the leading search tool and authority for blogs, over 112.8 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media are currently being tracked by the site. There are over 175,000 new blogs (that's just blogs) being created every day.

OK. I get it. This thing might be out of control. I was just getting excited about Blogs, maybe I could make my own blog, sell advertising on Google, retire and live in my choice of two or three homes spread around the globe. Jeesh. I guess it's getting a little too crowded for one person to stand out from the crowd and make his fortune. But this is the land of opportunity and if I work real hard and toil 24/7 on my blog, I too can make a mint and join the other people making oodles of money and build my McMansion too! After all, it's the American dream and I want mine.

library thing

Here is my library thing site:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/librarygeektothestar

Volunteen time is almost here! We can't wait for the help.

RSS Feeds Excitement

I just learned about RSS Feeds and I am so stoked! Now I get to waste, I mean utilize my time in a more efficient manner. Instead of bookmarking all my favorite news sites (i.e. USA Today, NY Times, CNET, and Tulips Today, I get to have them all in one convenient space! Hopefully, I won't be so engrossed in them that my nails and hair won't grow to Howard Hughes length and I'll remember to check the outside world once in a while.

Howard Hughes, before he let himself go.

Videos Videos everywhere...

OK. I'm taking a stand. No youtube videos on librarygeektothestars! Why? Because this world is saturated with videos. Did you see the movie Blade Runner? Harrison Ford is running around a future Los Angeles and everywhere you look you see giant video screens* with ads and information for the pedestrians on the street. You can't escape them. You go to get some Chinese Take-out and what do you see? A big television. Go to any restaurant and instead of having a nice chat with your dinner companion you end up getting drawn into what's up on their 50" plasma. Give us a break. Soon when we're born they'll just implant the virtual screen chip in our brains and we'll be set for life. Sheesh.






* disclaimer - I just bought a 42 inch plasma tv and it rocks!

Sequels - Enough Already!

Ok. I admit it. I'm having a hissy fit. I just picked up a new Warriors sequel.* Let's get real. How can these authors continue to churn out book after book. Can't they come up with some new ideas? If they were filmmakers, they would be on Rocky 15! I just shelved the Saddle Club #66. I am beside myself. I'm going to sit down and take three deep breaths.







*disclaimer- I have not read any of the Warriors books.

Tech questions answered

Dear library geek,
Should I buy a laptop or a desktop? I rarely travel, and when I do I usually like to travel light. Am I better off buying a laptop as my main computer or should I stick with the tried and true desktop I'm used to? Thanks for all your insights in advance.
Sincerely,
Confused in LA

Dear Confused in LA,
There has been much talk lately about the declining price of laptops. Many analysts feel that today with the tech specs of laptops being pretty close to desktops, there's no reason to buy a desktop anymore. Well, I beg to differ. My experience has been that though a laptop is great for toting around, it can't match what I call the comfort level; namely the screen and keyboard is much easier on the eyes and fingers. In other words, you're less likely to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome from constant use. Nuff said.

Why the name Library Geek to the stars?

OK. Stars have tech problems too. They are not gods. They also have Vista issues like the rest of us mortals. Let's get real and not be jealous of their wealth and fame. They need support like the rest of us. So... here at LibraryGeekTotheStars they can confidentially ask any tech questions that plague them while they are cruising on their yachts, jets, limos, whatever mode of transport they are using.... it matters not.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/takanot/1278076792/

This is a beautiful picture of Mt. Fiji. I sometimes mix the name up with Mt. Fuji. That's because I used to be "into" photography "big time" many years ago and Fuji was the name of a film you could buy. This is pre-digital era. I even had my own darkroom.

Library

Some feelings about liftime learning - I am so excited I can't stand myself!