Thing 11: Shortening a url

After the wonderful experience of almost getting a virus on my work computer from Twitter, the librarian in me decided to search one of our databases for articles on Twitter and viruses. I did find several so I thought I would create my shortened url with one of these articles. Here it is:

http://bit.ly/b0GtE9

Thing 10: Twitter

So I attempted to play around with Twitter.  I am not really interested in using another social networking site and do not want to create my own account.  I do have some friends that do have twitter accounts so I thought I would just search for them and see what comes up.  One of my friends just bought a new car and had a picture of it linked in one of her tweets.  However, when I clicked on the picture, I had a box pop up from Symnatec about a virus it picked up.  Just my luck....I possibly get a virus on my work computer while surfing Twitter.  Like they will believe me when I tell them that I was on a social networking site for work.  Of course, I closed the window and headed to IT.  Apparently, IT knew all about the possibility of getting viruses from surfing Twitter.  They say it is very common.  If you are using Twitter through a mobile device, it won't affect you, but on desktops, viruses are common.  Who knew?!? 

Thing 9.5: Image Generators

I love the image generators....so much fun!  I used the fd Flickr toys generator list.  There are lots of fun options including turning your photo into a jigsaw puzzle, putting it into a canvas setting, changing the colors, making it look like an Andy Warhol picture.  I could be on that site for hours!  I decided to run the color palette using a picture I found while looking for a wedding color scheme.  It will take the colors out of your picture and give you the color number for css.  You can't save the picture of the color swatch but I used Snag-It to capture it.  Here what I came  up with:

Thing 9: photos and images

I am new to Flickr.  I have heard about it but haven't used it at all.  I took a few photos of our library, including the one below of this wonderful whiteboard table tucked in a corner upstairs.  The students love it.  The whiteboard is in the center of the table and spins on a lazy susan so students can work easily together.  I like the idea of Flickr and it is nice to be able to share your photos with the people you decide to share them with and still be able to keep them somewhat private. 

As for the library, I am not sure how much I would use Flickr.  We don't have very many events and it would be hard to keep followers.  My campus has just broken ground on a new building that the library will be moving into.  I am thinking of keeping a photostream of this 2+ year process.  I could post new pics daily or at least weekly.  It is going to be a major change to the look of our campus.

Thing 7: Sharing Slide Presentations

I decided to go ahead and create my own slide presentation.  Creating an account is easy but searching can be a little time consuming.  I cannot search under education with specific search terms.  This would be a nice addition.  I created a quick ppt on how to find a book that analyzes/critiques an author or work.  I used the tags literary criticism and search tips.   Here is my presentation:

http://www.slideshare.net/droggen/lit-criticism-books

I can see how useful this might be once you are able to find a presentation that would help you.  I just think it could be just as time consuming to find one as it would be to create your own.

UPDATE August 6th:  Ok, so I went back to Slideshare today to see if I could find my actual presentation.  I was not able to search and pull up my presentation on the first day but was successful today.  I guess it does take some time to update and become searchable.  I am just glad it was not user error in uploading it :)