Mobile Thing 4 - Keeping Up

I decided to try Flipboard for my feed.  I don't really follow news, blogs, etc.  While it was cool in how it "flipped", I found it not that easy to use.  I could not seem to find what I wanted very easily.  But like everything else it takes awhile to get used to anything new.  I have been using Bloglovin for quite a while now, but rarely think to look at it.

Mobile Thing 3 - Utilities

I have been using ScanLife for QR codes and liked it.  This thing suggested using RedLaser Barcode & QR Scanner.  First I took a book and scanned the barcode with ScanLife, but it came up with nothing. Next I tried it with RedLaser and that one did scan in.  Came up with places I could purchase and prices.  Next I took a url and created a code.  I do like RedLaser better and have uninstalled ScanLife.

Mobile Thing 2 - Mobile device tips

I have had my android smart phone for three years now so I pretty much have it figured out.  I did check out some videos, but didn't learn anything new.  Did find out for sure that I cannot do screen shots with my phone.  After watching some videos on the new devices I would really like to up grade... May just do that before the end of the 23 Mobile Things.

Mobile Thing 1 - Blogging

Over five years ago, the Minnesota multitype library systems offered 23 Things on a Stick, a self-paced learning program about Web 2.0 tools.  With technology changing and more people using mobile devices they are now offering 23 Mobile Things.


The first thing is registering your blog or if you don't have one to create a blog.  This was easy since I already have this blog, which I created for 23 Things on a Stick in 2008.  At this time I only have an android phone to do this program on, but I will be using a desktop to write up the posts.  So...here goes!

BWCAW - Day five (August 29th, 2013)

Last full day...

It had rained some the night before, but now was partly sunny.  We started our day with polenta and bacon bits, then packed up and were ready to go.  We were leaving later than we had planned on and by the time we rowed out on the lake we could see that rain was soon coming and we still had quite a ways to go across the lake.  The first drops started as we were close to the portage (the 216 rod portage!).  We got to shore and started the portage to the beaver dam which is about a third of the way.  Wasn't long before we were completely drenched, but unfortunately the rain didn't stop the mosquitoes.  When we got to the beaver dam it was very muddy.  We managed to get the canoe loaded and pushed off to the other side. 

BWCAW - Day four (August 28, 2013)

After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes we packed a lunch and headed off to the portage on Heritage Lake.  As we walked the portage seemed to get less well traveled until it just seemed to end, but we kept going, making our own path.  It was hard because it was a marshy area and you never knew what you may step into.  When we reached the lake all we saw were rocks and a few lily pads.  DB decided to try it out anyway.  BH then went in but stayed close to the rocks.  I went in and swam out a ways.  We were quite disappointed and finally headed back blazing our own trail again as we went.  When we got back to Shell Lake we went to the empty campground next to ours and swam there for awhile, ate a lunch of cheese, crackers and jerky then DB and BH went back out in the water again.  Since I didn't have a swim suit I stayed out to dry.  We finally headed back to camp and had chicken, cranberry stuffing, potatoes and gravy.  Still didn't feel like making dessert.  We sat out in the dusk and then dark and watched lightening in the distance.  When it finally got close we went to our tents.  Rained some, but not buckets.

BWCAW - Day Three (August 27, 2013)

We wanted to get an early start so we just had energy bars and fruit sticks for breakfast, which meant no dishes to wash.  We tore down camp, repacked out packs (food pack was lighter) and loaded the canoe.  For some reason we were unable to get the three big ones side by side like before when we started so we put them two by two.  We rowed across the lake, found the portage and unloaded the canoe.  Now for our big 216 rod portage.  About two-thirds of the way we came to the beaver dam.  we needed to load up the canoe again and row across a small section of water.  Getting the canoe out deep enough to load was quite the challenge as the mud was quite thick.  Getting out at the other side was a challenge too.  Since I was in the front is was me who has to get out first and pull the canoe in some.  There was a small rock that I stepped on and started to pull the canoe forward.  It was there that I started losing my balance and not wanting to land in the thick mud I propelled myself backwards and fell on my back on a drier portion of grassy, reedy area.  Now the trick was to get everything and everyone out of the canoe.  DB and BH got out on the other side of the canoe which was also quite muddy.  Somehow DB ended up in mud up to her ankles which was very hard to get out of.  We then portaged the last third of the way to Shell Lake.  We checked out what were considered the prime camp sites first, but they were taken.  Found one that looked pretty good, but someone wanted to go on and see if there was a better one.  It was decided to leave some of our stuff there incase something better was not found, but since nothing was we headed back to the first site and unloaded.  It was early afternoon and we had not eaten lunch yet.  By the time DB started the camp stove the fire pit was bathed in full sun and very hot.  We decided that this may be a good time to put up the tarp.  It was very hard as all the trees were quite far apart.  We barely made it with the 50 feet of rope we had.  Lunch of scrambled eggs (using the rest of the fresh eggs) and Spam was made and the dishes washed.  Then we had the afternoon to enjoy.  We all went out for a swim...or more like a bob.  Whenever anyone came by we would ask where they had come from and they all said Little Indian Sioux!  We had originally planned to do that much too, but we got too worn out.  It was harder than we had expected.  We then went out to get water and went by a camp with two guys.  They told us about a wonderful sandy beach on Heritage Lake, all we had to do was leave our canoe and walk the portage and we would come out on the sandy beach.  We decided to stay at that camp site an extra day so we could go to the sandy beach and swim.  After a supper of Salmon and spinach linguini we started a fire hoping that would keep the mosquitoes down and have some hot cocoa (no, it hadn't suddenly gotten cold) but it didn't keep them down so we quickly cleaned up and went into our tents.

BWCAW - Day Two (August 26, 2013)

Awoke early after sleeping quite well.  We started the day with French toast using apple fritter bread dipped in farm fresh eggs (they will last a couple of days without refrigeration) and milk. Yummy!  We washed up the dishes, which is not an easy feat as we had to heat water and wash in a pot that really isn't too big.  We then discussed taking the 216 rod portage to Shell Lake (we were all dreading the portage with that heavy food pack.  Decided instead to just take a lunch of spinach wraps, tuna and fruit sticks over to Devil's Cascade.  We left the canoe at the entrance to the portage and just carried our light pack in.  Not sure how far we walked, but it wasn't too far.  DB and BH had their swim suits on and went into the water right below a falls.  I had forgotten to bring mine so I sat on shore until they talked me into joining them.  They said to just zip off the bottom of my pants and wear my sports bra (very similar to a swim top).  I had to walk back and get my life vest, even though it wasn't very deep we thought it best to wear them.  Had a great time in the water, we went behind the falls too.  Then we ate our lunches.  The other two went back in, but since I had nothing to change back into I sat on the rocks and dried off.  We walked down further and they got into the water in another spot, but it wasn't as nice so we went back up to the former spot.  After spending part of the morning and all afternoon there we headed back.  We canoed back to camp, getting our water while still on the lake to filter.  We were once again too full after a supper of gnocchi and cheese to make dessert.  Once it got dusk the mosquitoes came out in force.  So after cleaning up we headed for our tents.  That's when I realized that there was a rock under my back that I had not noticed the night before.  I did not sleep as well this night.

BWCAW - Pre and Day One (August 25th and before)

Last spring a coworker (DB) came in and ask the other two of us if we (me and BH) would like to go to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota.  Without thinking I said sure.  That's when the journey began and I realized this was not going to be a cheap trip.  I had to get hiking boots, nice water sandals, fast drying shirt and pants where the legs zipped off, rain jacket and pants, sleeping bag that was good for colder weather and that did not weigh much, canteen, bug spray along with other sundry items. 

DB and BH studied all the routes and decided on a few they felt were good.  I looked at them and said that I didn't want it to be too easy (don't know what I was thinking).  We finally decided on Entry point 14 Little Indian Sioux River North.  We booked our dates and got a permit.  Next we found an outfitter where we could rent a canoe and a few other things.  The first one we called was really rude, but the next, Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely, MN was very nice and helpful.

The three of us also shopped for food to bring along.  DB was going to put it all together.  She showed us the meal plan and I couldn't believe it!  Gourmet meals! I don't come close to eating like that at home.  DB purchased a small camping stove and BH purchased a water filter system.

The day finally arrived.  We planned to meet at work at 6:00am on 24 August.  We finally got on the road at about 7:45am after loading all of our gear and filling up with gas.  We arrived in Ely, MN early afternoon going to the outfitter first to rent whatever gear we needed.  As we were finishing up I saw some vinyl buckets that folded flat and asked if we needed one.  Good thing we bought it as I have no item how we would have gotten water to drink and cook with.  We rented 3 packs, the largest was for food and the other two for all of our other gear.  I had brought a larger backpack.  We also rented a saw (which we never used), a four person tent and therm-a-rests for BH and me, BH rented a sleeping bag and pillow.

We ate our (late) lunch at Rockwood-Bar-and-Grill. I had tomato basil soup that was very good.  We then went to the grocery store to pick up a few odds and ends.  Now time to pack.  We laid everything out on a picnic table and decided what would go in each bag.  This is when we realized how heavy our food pack was (took two of us to lift using the handles, probably about 65-70 pounds) and how much we brought.  DB assured us that this is how much we needed.  We asked Mark from the outfitter about bringing our hiking shoes in the hot weather.  He said our sandals would do (wonder when I'll ever use my hiking shoes).   We then did a little tourist shopping in town and then went to Ely Steak House for dinner.  Had a wonderful dinner and splurged on dessert.  We had rented a room at the outfitter which consisted of two bunk beds.  None of us slept well that night, but we got up when the alarm rang at 5:30am.  After getting dressed we had the canoe put on top of DB's new vehicle and away we went.  It was a long drive to our starting destination.

When we arrived we took everything out and locked the vehicle.  We put the 49 pound Kevlar canoe on BH and she took off down the trail.  DB and I helped each get the medium packs and we took off. We got about a third of the way down the 40 rod portage (1 rod = 16 feet) and there was BH with the canoe on the edge of a large, wet slippery rock that slanted down a steep cliff that had to be crossed. We helped get the canoe back up and DB helped her while I went ahead to find out what the trail was like.  Ah, first load down.  We all went back up and DB and I helped BH get the food pack on and then each took another pack.  We loaded the canoe and took off on the Little Indian Sioux River with me in front, BH in the middle and DB in the back.  This day was turning out to be a sunny,  hot humid day.  After paddling about 1.5 miles we came to our next portage.  We now decided that it would be better to take packs first so that we could check out the trail.  I got the food pack this time for the 65 rod portage.  Wow, that was heavy, but somehow I made it.  We set our packs down and then went back for the other pack and the canoe.   We then canoed about 2 miles to Upper Pauness Lake and crossed the lake to the next 40 rod portage.  This time BH got the food pack (DB has bad knees so we didn't want her to carry it.  The other three packs were probably about 45-50 pounds each.  When we reached Lower Pauness Lake  we decided that there was no way we could portage 216 rods to Shell Lake with our heavy food pack like we had planned.  We found a camp site and set everything up.  Mosquitos were terrible and BH and DB had been bothered all day with biting black flies.  I wore long pants and anklets with my sandals along with a floppy brim hat and of course a shirt.  It was so hot and steamy that my glasses were fogged up.  We said that we needed to eat a lot of the heavy food so the pack wouldn't be so bad.  DB and I canoed out to the middle of the lake to get some water with our new bucket.  When we returned DB and BH set up the Platypus water filter (Platty).  We ate, Spam, potatoes, fresh green beans and fresh squash for dinner, but were too full and hot for any dessert other than bars that DB's mom had made.  Since the mosquitos were so bad we went into our tents, told a few stories and were soon fast asleep.

I must also tell about the latrines...  The one at this camp site was located almost a block back from our site through woods and brush.  The below picture was not from any of our camp sites, but it is better to see than try to describe.  All except for one of ours had a lid.  Because of the mosquitoes I kept moving.

 

 

A to Z About Me

AGE = 54

BED SIZE = Double bed.  Same mattress we got 31 years ago.

CHORE YOU HATE = Cleaning other people's messes at home (don't mind going to someone else's house and cleaning).

DOGS = No way.  They would tie me down.

ESSENTIAL START TO YOUR DAY =  Devotions and drink a cup of a hot beverage.

FAVORITE COLOR = Pink. I have loved this color ever since I can remember (might have been that I wanted to be just like my mom).

GOLD OR SILVER = I'm always changing.

HEIGHT = 5' 6 1/2"

INSTRUMENTS YOU PLAY = I play the flute, guitar, upright and electric bass, and mandolin.

JOB TITLE = Library Director

KIDS = Five all grown (and 9 grandchildren)

LIVE = In a very small town in southeastern Minnesota. We have to drive 45 minutes to buy anything other than the basic groceries we can buy in town here.

MARRIED = Married for 31 years

NICKNAMES =   Betsy Wetsy (when I was very litte), Sissy

OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAYS = Other than the time I spend in the hospital when I was two weeks, which they never could figure out what was wrong with me, I've only been in the hospital for the birth of four of my five babies (one was born in a birthing center). 

PET PEEVE = Inconsiderate, rude people.

QUOTE = "Too many books too little time"

RIGHTY OR LEFTY = Basically right handed, but I can use my left.

SIBLINGS = I had one older brother (died when I was 12), two younger sisters and a younger step brother.

TIME YOU WAKE UP =  Usually around 6:30.

UNIVERSITY ATTENDED = I spend two years a Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD

VEGGIES YOU DISLIKE = I pretty much like all vegetables.

WHAT MAKES YOU RUN LATE = My husband.

X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD = I had my first x-ray (that I know of) within the last year on my ankle that ended up only being sprained.

YUMM FOOD =  Enchilades

ZOO FAVORITE ANIMAL = Giraffes.

Thing #46 - Evaluation

Just realized that I never wrote anything about the evaluation. I really enjoyed the second set of 23 Things, but not quite as much as the first. Some Things had too much material to cover and since I tend to be very thorough, I spent days on some of them. It was fun to amaze my children with some of the things that I learned.

Thing #45 Webjunction Minnesota

I set up a WJMN account. Years ago I used it to find some information, but haven't looked at it since.

I had never taken the time to really look into the courses before, there are some really good ones that I hope to register for in the future. May ask that staff members take one or two a year also.

Thing #45 Cloud Computing

I have been using cloud computing for both myself and the library for awhile now. I did look into G.ho.st (http://g.ho.st/)and set up an account, but it seems to be a lot like iGoogle and I found it rather hard to use. I really don't like to provide info for some of my accounts like Facebook. The wrong person may get hold of it. So for now I'll just stick to what I have. Another site: http://www.glidedigital.com/

Thing #44 The Economy

In Banking 2.0 I first signed up to Mint.com, but stopped when it asked for bank number. I will not put my bank info on any site. So then I tried ClearCheckbook (https://www.clearcheckbook.com/) which didn't ask for any info. This is alot like a program that I was using on a computer that crashed and I lost everything! I may just use this one.

Feed the Pig (http://www.feedthepig.org/) was fun to try out. Driving and Cell phones sections could be useful when needed.

Years ago I had signed up for Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/), but lost interest. Just signed up again since they now have one in my county.

Not much interested in Shopping, coupon or self sustainability sections.

Best tip for saving money? Don't go to stores to 'browse'.

Thing #43 Online TV & Video

Looked at both Hulu (http://www.hulu.com/) and Joost (http://www.joost.com/). Hulu seems to have more available so I signed up for this one. I watch very little and don't have internet at home so probably won't really use this. I really didn't find much that interests me.

Right now I don't see that it will have much inpact on tv as there is just not that much available at this time.

This is a very bad movie, but one that just has to be watched!

Thing #42 Music 2.0

Since I don't have internet at home I don't get much chance to listen to music. I have a few favorite internet bluegrass stations I listen to when I'm on the internet.

I opened a Pandora (http://www.pandora.com/#/account/sign-in/) account quite a few months ago, but wasn't really impressed. Today I am trying out Grooveshark, which I like better. It will take awhile to set it up and I don't know if I'll ever finish.

I opened an account with Reciva (https://www.reciva.com/index.php) today and added a few bluegrass stations along with German Bible Broadcasting Network.

As long as not everyone has internet it will not replace radio. I really do like the internet radio.

Thing #41 Mash Up Your Life

I signed up for both Lifestream (http://lifestream.fm/) and friendfeed (http://friendfeed.com/) a few days ago to compare them. I don't feel they are very useful as they duplicate what I see on Facebook and Twitter. To test them out I wrote a Tweet and checked both, but it hasn't shown up on Lifestream yet. Also, can't figure out how to search for people on Lifestream. Like Friendfeed much better. I don't know if I'll continue using this (but things change).

I really can't see that they will make my life easier - only would add. They duplicate what I already have, but maybe if I had started with these it would be different.

Thing #40 Mashup the Web

Picture of my daughters Morris Minor.

Some thoughts on this thing:

• Already had a Pandora account, but I rarely use it.


• Wasn't interested in anything under 'Books'.


• Signed up for ping.fm and tried it out, but probably will never use is again. Lunchbox would be better if there were more restraurants listed. Wheel of Food was fun, but doesn't list everything.


• Flickr memari was fun once I figured it out. Entered SELCO and Preston Public Library. If I remember about this I will probably do again.


• Time Tube seemed to be stuck - never did get anything.
  

Nothing here really caught my interest at this time for either home or Library, but might use something in the future.

Thing #39 Digital Storytelling

This was a lot of fun, but it took quite awhile. I choose Smilebox.

It could be useful in the library, using it for special programs and with a paid subscribtion it could be printed off or made into a DVD. Great way to capture special moments.

Great for at home!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Thing #38 Screencasting

I can really see the usefulness of screencasting for new employees or substitutes. I don't have a microphone so that is not an option. I don't like to download to the library computer so I tried ScreenToaster (http://www.screentoaster.com/). ScreenToaster was not really easy to use and I wasn't able to edit afterwards other then putting in captions (at least I couldn't find it). Also I was not able to save it to the computer.

I then tried Screencast-o-matic (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com./) instead. First I had to download Java. This worked much better and I was able to save it to the computer. Below is the screencast I made. I would get a mic if I used it seriously.

Thing #37 Photo Tales

With the orginal 23 things I started a Flickr account for the library and myself and then right after that I got a Picasa account. I found Picasa much easier to use so I stuck with Picasa. It doesn't offer all that Flickr does, but for what I was doing it did not matter. I tried Photobucket, making a slideshow, but I wasn't too thrilled. I've also tried Picnik, but found it very hard to use. I just now tried One True Media (http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/public_home) doing both a slide show and a video. This was easy and has many options that are free. Below is a video I took at a Bluegrass Festival.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It would be nice to make a DVD each year of all pictures and videos that were taken. It costs $24.95 to have a DVD made at One True Media. I tried burning a cd of all library pictures from last year, but it would not play on all computers.

Thing #36 Comic relief - generate some fun

Lots of interesting things, but I didn't find much of use.

• Citations could be very helpful for students since we have an older version of word that does not do citations.
• I probably could find a use of graphs. I have always loved statistics and graphs.
• I wish I would have known about the timeline last year when planning the Library's 100th aniversary.
• Tag Cloud could also be useful. LibraryThing does that with the 'tags' (subjects) that are put in for your books.

I see some use for some of the generators at the library.

I tried out the comic strip maker, but ToonDoo got stuck. I found the comics about library's pretty stupid and if I tried to make my own it would be just as stupid since I'm not very creative.

Thing #35 Books 2.0 continued

Over the last ten years I have seen a big decline in reading for the chapter book age group. Though just in the last year there have been a few high schoolers that have found that reading is fun. The only thing is, they do not come into the Library and browse the shelves but order everything on the online catalog, getting their ideas from lists on the internet. There are quite a few adults who do this also. My big question is, "how do you get people to come in?" I guess we have become kind of a fast food service. Some of them actually go to book stores, browse the shelves, write down titles and then go home, get on the computer and order them (many we have). Seems like it would be just as easy (or easier) to come into the library. This is a little ranting...it is my pet peeve.

Many of the books 2.0 could enhance a persons reading, but be quite time consuming.

I did look into many of the sites or tools, but not too interested in many for myself.

Thing #35 Books 2.0

I don't use any of the personal book organizers since I don't have the internet at home, but I have been using LibraryThing for the Preston Library for about a year now ( http://www.librarything.com/home/prestonlibrary ). I don't think that it is used much and it is rather time consuming, but we plan to keep it up. I did look at quite a few of these, but I like the look of LibraryThing best. I may set up an account with lib.rario.us (http://lib.rario.us/) to list the Library's DVDs.

Don't have a cell phone that does anything special so I couldn't look into that part.

I looked at a few of the Reader's Advisory sites, Online Book Communities and Book Group Resources. Some really neat things! I liked the BookGlutton (http://www.bookglutton.com/) and wish I had internet at home to read some of the books. It is nice to know about these things to let partons and book groups know what is available.

Checked out a few in Book Swaps. Could be useful in finding books. Not sure about BookCrossing...

Not all the links worked. International Children's Digital Library might be nice for someone learning a new language or for someone unable to find books in their language, but I just can't see reading a book to a child from a computer screen.

Why rent a book when you can go to the Library! The college textbooks may be nice though.

I have been doing the visual bookshelf on Facebook for quite awhile, but it isn't real easy to use and I forget to keep it up to date.

I'm not much into Audio Books, but it might be fun to find one in German...

Thing #34 Is this our Competition?

Being a small library, we have never had a reference desk. Online answer sites are nice because of the anonymity especially when you live in a small town. It is also convenient. But unfortunately too many people trust everything they find on the internet. I think that the Slam the Board events is great, but I didn't join and try to answer anything.