Faffing with Firefox

I've used Firefox frequently before, as I've always had a huge resentment of WindowsExplorer, partly because of its domination of the internet, and the fact its really clunky. As Firefox has developed over the years I definitely think it's a great alternative.

At home, I've a Mac (which is probably why I don't have any loyalty to any Windows product!), so use Safari frequently too - it's really easy to use, but I do find some websites don't load properly in that browser, so have Firefox installed as a back up.

I've also started using GoogleChrome. I couldn't see why I'd need another browser, until a techie friend sent me a link to The Wilderness Downtown. This site was made for Google Chrome, and needs that browser installed to work, but if you like indie music (particularly the Arcade Fire) its definitely worth it! It particularly shows the feature in Chrome (and HTML 5) of active windows, opening and closing due to (I guess) the programming, rather than the user having to click it, also linking in other google features such as googlemaps. Also its a lovely piece of promotional work, and I think is showing where advertising and music videos will be heading in the very near future.


Image credit: Feuerfuchs5tr by Lordcolus

Time Management - Dabbling with Doodle

To start with, being an ex-art student, I will illustrate this post with what I really imagine when I see the word Doodle...

Anyway, back to Things 7 and 8 - I found Doodle simple to set up, and am now waiting for a reply. We regularly use Outlook to schedule meetings in our team, and I have used it in previous jobs, and tools like this can be really useful. I particularly like the fact that Doodle gives you a number of possible options for dates and times, rather than just one that can be accepted or declined.

I think the only problem with Doodle is that if it is not added as a widget it is another site to log into - though this is solved by having it added as a widget, and additionally gives me another reason to stick with iGoogle! I don't really have anything else to say about this, as it is so simple - so I won't!


Image credit: Sketchpad by Inha Leex Hale

RSS feeds - Things 5 and 6

RSS feeds are something (it turns out) I have been using for a while, without paying much attention to. And I think, in fact, that is the beauty of them - they are easy to link to and provide a ever-changing stream of information. If something takes my eye, I can look into it, if not I can ignore it! It may also be one of the things that will encourage me to use iGoogle (or something like it), as I can then have all the feeds in one central place.

A feature I haven't tried before is Google Reader, and initially it looks quite a nice way of avoiding the problem of cluttering up iGoogle with too many RSS feeds. However it could be something I'll never get round to checking on the computer, though I have just found that there is an app for Google Reader for my phone. So maybe this could be the solution for me, as I'm much more likely to check on things like this when I'm killing time (waiting for a bus etc.). It will be interesting to see how it works on my phone compared to the computer version.

iGoogle - Thing 4

I'm already familiar with the idea of iGoogle, as I have used Gmail as my personal email account for a very long time. However, though I have messed with it before, this week has given me a focus to actually see if I can make it useful for my everyday life. The generic start up includes (understandably) a lot of tech and US based gadgets which were of no use (or interest) to me - however after spending a bit longer browsing through possible things to add, I think I have made iGoogle 'MyGoogle'!

I think the biggest test of such a gadget, is of course, whether I'll continue to use it. The most likely way of this is by making iGoogle my homepage - however I'm not sure if I'll find it just too cluttered to get into. I think that one of the most important things with tools like this is that it is continually used and evolves as the users needs change, so if I don't use and update it, it simply isn't the right option for me. Workwise, the Start.Warwick could be a good option for some, though I feel for me it will be a duplication of stuff I already have elsewhere.

So I think, for me, I'll try iGoogle for a while and see if I connect with it - if not, something better may be out there for me!

The Beginning - Blogging

So here it is, the beginning of 23 things, and the first thing - blogging!

Though I am a bit of a technology and web geek, I must admit that though I love reading blogs I have never actually created my own before. Why? Possibly because I've always thought I've never had anything particular to say. However, 23 things is a perfect opportunity to have a reason to give it a go! And as I am typing this, I can already see the opportunities of sharing new technology, practice and ideas with other members of the global library community, whilst at the same time finding an outlet for my own personal reflection to be recorded.

I'm a member of UoW23 things team, and in my week I'll be looking at the wonderful world of Flickr and YouTube. I already use both of these and I'm also a massive fan of Twitter. As a participant in 23 things I think I'm looking forward most to learning about Diigo and Zotero, both of which I've never used before. I'm also looking forward to Endnote Web, as I haven't used this tool for ages and could do with a refresher.

And if anyone is wondering about the title for my blog - it's a homage to one of my favourite blogs 'Lovely Bicycle', which I would recommend to anyone interested in the subject!

Image credit: Two Bloggers, after Norman Rockwell by Mike Licht