Friday, February 27, 2009

Thing 28: Customizing My Home Page

I use iGoogle as my home page. I chose that one because I use gmail for my email.

On the first page I have links to my gmail, bloglines, weather, date and time, Google calendar, Quotes of the Day, my Google bookmarks, and Mapquest driving directions.

I also have a news page with news from a variety of sources. I have a humor page with some jokes and games. I have an entertainment page with gossip, movie times, and tv listings. And I have a sports page that follows my favorite teams.

It was easy to set up when I did it as a part of the first 23 things. I don't remember how to do it but I bet there are directions. I can't think of another page that I want to add.

I really like my Bloglines widget. It is good to see if I have any new blog messages whenever I open my home page.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Thing 26 -- The NING

I revisited the NING today. I did join the NING during the first round and hadn't visited it since I completed the first 23 Things. I had already added the NING badge to my blog. Luckily, I remembered my log in and password.

Today, I edited my profile and uploaded a new picture of myself. I also added a picture of one of my favorite authors that I took when we went out to dinner last Spring. I didn't have my camera with me when we went out to dinner last weekend. I had gone up to the Cities with a friend for Lois's book signing and a group of 6 of us went out to dinner afterwards.

I also checked on the discussions and contributed to a couple of them.

I don't feel that I will really be spending much time on the NING. It is just one more thing to keep up with in a day that is already overcrowded with things to do.

I have spoken with others who use the NING for meetings and share information there. That could be a potential work use for NINGs. However, I don't have a group that needs or wants to do that.

Thing 25: Blogger's Toolkit

I took a look at at lot of the widgets and marvelled at the possibilities and wondered who in the world had time to think them up (and why they would bother.) I didn't see any that I thought really added value to my blog.

I did add a Cluster Map for curiosity sake. I already had a link to the NING and a link to my LibraryThing.

I ran Typealyzer and learned that I write ISTP.

ISTP - The Mechanics

The independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to the demands of the moment are masters of responding to challenges that arise spontaneously. They generally prefer to think things out for themselves and often avoid inter-personal conflicts. The Mechanics enjoy working together with other independent and highly skilled people and often like seek fun and action both in their work and personal life. They enjoy adventure and risk such as in driving race cars or working as policemen and firefighters.


I was OK with the definition until I got to the last couple of sentences. "enjoy adventure and risk"? No way, Jose. I like things safe and predictable. No adventures for this girl, thanks!

I have spent about an hour exploring, etc. Luckily, this is Sunday afternoon and I don't have anything more pressing to do than read my current book. However, Charlaine Harris's A Fool and His Honey is starting to call my name.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The New Things

I have been spending some time looking over the list of new things. I am really conflicted. I enjoyed the first 23 Things very much and learned things that have been useful. I'm not getting the same feeling with this next group.

I have been stuck on the second new thing. I had previously added some of the blog enhancements that are discussed. However, I don't see how very many of them add value to my blog. A lot of them look like clutter to me. I might do something with the cluster map but, since my blog gets very little traffic, I certainly don't think it is necessary.

I am feeling very busy and stressed just keeping up the day to day things I'm doing now. I don't want to get any more involved in the Ning. I see no need to Twitter. I already follow about 100 blogs, am active in the Nutrisystem discussion boards, and don't have any more time to devote to being online.

I read Doug Johnson's post yesterday about participation in my professional organization and felt a little bit of guilt. I am one of the 90% who just pays my dues and calls it good. I have never been even a little bit active in MEMO. I seldom even attend that annual meetings and gatherings. Next year might be the exception because the big convention is happening in Rochester. It would be hard to justify not taking part when it is only 11 miles from my home.

I don't think that I am going to complete (or even start) most of the things. This time I'm going to be a dabbler.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Journey of Reading

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2009/02/10/the-journey-of-reading/

This entry really describes my relationship with reading only in much more fluent and lyrical language than I could ever use. Check it out.

I have heard Lois McMaster Bujold talk about, and read her thoughts about, the author/reader relationship too and thought her ideas were also very insightful. I just wish I could remember where I read it!

I agree with both.

Successful readers must have active participation in what they are reading. The author puts the words on the paper and they mean something to them. The reader reads the words and they mean something to them. The somethings aren't always the same or even similar. It is part of the wonder of reading for me.