23 Mobile Things # 3 - Utilities

I liked this thing.  Apps prescreened by librarians are a good thing.  I already had Wi-Fi Finder on my phone because I don't have a data plan, but it was not useful if I couldn't get online to find free wifi.  I didn't know about the database I could download for off-line access.  I downloaded it, and now this app is so much more useful!

I had QRReader on my phone because as we switch our periodicals to online only, we have put a sheet in a plastic magazine cover on our magazine display racks where the print would normally go with a QR code leading to the online version.  I need to test all the QR codes.  For this thing, I tried RedLaser.  I like it a bit better than QRReader because QRReader just automatically looked for a QR code when you started it.  I like that this one has an icon to start reading, so you could conceivably do something else first. 

We also plan to put QR codes with a link to our mobile catalog out on the ends of our stacks, but we have not yet had time for that.  I like the idea of a QR code library tour, too.  Or put a QR code on our study rooms with a link to an online reservation page.

23 Mobile Things #2 - Mobile Device Tips

I share an iPad with my 16 year old son and last summer, I bought an unlocked iPhone 5c.  I have no data plan, just a prepaid phone plan with wireless. 

I found lots of the tips interesting, but the reality is, I can't remember any of them when I need them.  Luckily for me, the user interface on the iPad and iPhone is fairly self-explanatory, but unless you use a feature frequently, you are unlikely to remember it when you need it.  I think the most exciting tip for me was the ability to delete email by swiping, but on my phone, the trash option isn't there, only the ability to archive.  I think that's because I have it connected to my gmail account. 

23 Mobile Things #1 - Blogging & Registering

I did the previous 23 Things programs and found them very useful.  I have co-owned an iPad with my son for two years now.  We find that sharing ownership works well.  I take it to conferences, he uses it to check Reddit, and we both read the Star Tribune on it when we travel. I recently bought an iPhone and am still getting used to it.

Although we have a number of apps loaded, the sheer number of potential apps is overwhelming.  I'm grateful to try some that have been preselected by librarians as potentially useful to me, both personally and professionally.  Also, our library currently circulates Kindles, Nooks, and laptops, but I can see that mobile devices like iPads may be in our future.  I hope to find apps useful for circulating iPads, as well as apps that could help our staff.

Thing 47 - Evaluation

I tend to be doubtful of the use of things in my posts, but I do really appreciate the 23 Things and the More 23 Things programs, because they force me to actually use the things I read about in the professional literature and in discussions. It makes that someday into today. That's very helpful. Even if our library is not going to use something, I know exactly what it is that we're not going to use from personal experience. And if we do find a place to use these things, I have ideas on how to do it best.

Also, some Web 2.0 things like Facebook have their own time and place. A year ago, there weren't enough Century students using Facebook to make it worthwhile to have a library presence. Today, if our library weren't there, we'd look stupid and would miss out on a lot of good reputation.

Personally, I'll use the lunch finder, the music, possibly Lifestream, and many of the other tools.

I appreciate the time and effort it took to put together this round of 23 Things. Kudos!

Thing 46 - WebJunction Minnesota

I'm glad to see WebJunction featured in the Things. It seems to me that WebJunction Minnesota should be THE place for Minnesota librarians of all stripes. But to this point, it hasn't had enough participation by the types of librarians that would make it useful to me. Now that some of my fellow 23 Thingers are joining, it should be more useful.

I found that some of my friends on WebJunction had joined the Library 2.0 Interest Group, so I joined as well.

I've thought for a few years now that I would take a course or two in my copious amounts of free time. :-) Maybe this summer I'll actually do it now that I'm almost done with the More 23 Things.

Thing 45 - Cloud Computing

The cloud concept is interesting. I do wonder about the long term security of data stored on various proprietary services. After all, it's a pain to transfer my data stored on this computer to another computer, but supposed Google goes bankrupt tomorrow. Who gets my GoogleDocs? Where do they go?

At work, we're using Google calendar, which is an example of cloud computing. Calendar functions are normally run by software on the desktop. We can access our calendar anywhere, even from home when calling in sick. We even track room usage with it. It has been a useful way of sharing information, although it's not as customizable or reliable as we would prefer. As an example of the lack of reliability, we had accounts set up for all staff. Then one day, with no notification, Google combined one employee's gmail account with her work account. All her personal appointments now showed up in the work calendar. We didn't ask for them to be combined, there was no way to separate them, and of course, trying to contact Google for help is fairly futile. In the end, we deleted her work account and reinstated it, but it cost me half a day of troubleshooting. I suppose that software on the desktop could have had similar problems, but then I would have had technical support from IT and the software maker.

Incidents like these, which have happened in other cloud computing situations I've used, make me wonder. There's a lot of data, particularly financial information, that I wouldn't feel comfortable using on websites like Mint.

Thing 44 - The Economy

This is a very helpful Thing!

I checked out eRideShare. No carpools for where I need to go, but I will keep and eye on this and recommend it to others. GasBuddy is equally useful, although I wish a zip code search were available.

The pennypinching blogs aren't that interesting. Post after post about similar things. Believe it or not, I'd rather read hints like these in the print media, where at least an editor has had a stab at them.

I will let one of my colleagues know about the garage sale sites. She will be delighted! And I'm going to bookmark the coupon sites for personal use.