From my previous post you are aware that I love to listen to audio files and podcasts while traveling in the car. So, I was overjoyed to discover Overdrive on the OPL website. My frustration until recently has been that there were no Mac compatible files available. Thanks Judy Anghelescu (and others) for working hard to get Mac titles for us. Hopefully the number of titles and the breadth of coverage will grow over the next few months.
I'm not much of an "ereader" although I have an appplication on my palm pilot and home desktop computer. I tried reading through Shelley's "Frankenstein - or the Modern Prometheus" but didn't like the small screen and constant page turning. I guess, I like books in print better aethetically. However, I do like having the Bible on my palm pilot for quick reference and carrying back and forth to church. It's a lot smaller and lighter than my standard Bible and fits in my pocket.
In regards to downloadable video, I did try to view a streaming movie using my wife's windows laptop. I guess our bandwidth at home isn't fast enough for streaming. I got tired of getting 30 seconds of movie and then a pause while the next segment downloaded.
So, I think it's great to have these ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming movie files available at the library. I think we should do a better job in advertising these services; it's a real plus for many of our patrons.
Showing posts with label 23 Things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 23 Things. Show all posts
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
#19 - Web 2.0 Tools - MyHeritage.Com
For the assignment of playing with a Web 2.0 tool I went to the web awards page and noticed the link to genealogy tools. I've been actively involved in my family's genealogy for many years and have used a variety of software programs to collect over 4,000 names in my database. Since I'm a Mac user it's been difficult to find many quality programs. So, the possibility of a web 2.0 application that promised portability was very welcome.
I selected the number one rated genealogy program MyHeritage to investigate for Thing #19. Setting up an account was very easy as was uploading my pre-existing gedcom file. The gedcom format is the standard file exchange format for genealogy, and when you're working with thousands of names and associated dates it's important not to have to recreate the wheel. MyHeritage displays individuals with birth and death dates and cities, and family information with marriages and children's births. the user can upload photos of family members which will be posted along with their vital information. The site also allows for a variety of family tree print outs.
However, it is impossible to edit any data once uploaded to the site. This is a major flaw of the application, and makes it unusable as a primary genealogy file. It just becomes a way of displaying your information for family and friends. Also, searching for individuals is very slow and cumbersome.
Because of the weaknesses, I could not recommend MyHeritage as a functional genealogy site, and my search for a genealogy program for Mac continues.
I selected the number one rated genealogy program MyHeritage to investigate for Thing #19. Setting up an account was very easy as was uploading my pre-existing gedcom file. The gedcom format is the standard file exchange format for genealogy, and when you're working with thousands of names and associated dates it's important not to have to recreate the wheel. MyHeritage displays individuals with birth and death dates and cities, and family information with marriages and children's births. the user can upload photos of family members which will be posted along with their vital information. The site also allows for a variety of family tree print outs.
However, it is impossible to edit any data once uploaded to the site. This is a major flaw of the application, and makes it unusable as a primary genealogy file. It just becomes a way of displaying your information for family and friends. Also, searching for individuals is very slow and cumbersome.
Because of the weaknesses, I could not recommend MyHeritage as a functional genealogy site, and my search for a genealogy program for Mac continues.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
pbWiki - Thing #17
Wow, I've been away for a month. Not that December' is busy for anyone ;-).
I started working on the wiki things (16 & 17) during November, and soon recognized that it would take some concentration to really understand how they worked and to learn to edit material well. So, I postponed my learning activity until the holiday break. Today (12/30) I'm sitting at my son's computer in Virginia, waiting for them to return from Texas, and taking the time to play with thing #17.
It was easy enough to establish an account on pbWiki, and to find the list of favorite pages. I entered my blog in the favorite blog (general) list. I don't know why my entry looks different from the others. I think I followed the model. Ah, the wonders of html.
I added an entry to the favorite wine page. I love an Italian white wine made from the Cortese grape in the Piedmont region called Gavi. My favorite label is Princepessa Gavi which sells for around $14.00. It's great with seafood and for drinking on those hot summer evenings when its green apple and citrus palette slakes one's thirst.
OK, I think I'm over my slight roadblock and can continue with the remaining things.
Happy new year everyone! May 2009 be prosperous for all!
I started working on the wiki things (16 & 17) during November, and soon recognized that it would take some concentration to really understand how they worked and to learn to edit material well. So, I postponed my learning activity until the holiday break. Today (12/30) I'm sitting at my son's computer in Virginia, waiting for them to return from Texas, and taking the time to play with thing #17.
It was easy enough to establish an account on pbWiki, and to find the list of favorite pages. I entered my blog in the favorite blog (general) list. I don't know why my entry looks different from the others. I think I followed the model. Ah, the wonders of html.
I added an entry to the favorite wine page. I love an Italian white wine made from the Cortese grape in the Piedmont region called Gavi. My favorite label is Princepessa Gavi which sells for around $14.00. It's great with seafood and for drinking on those hot summer evenings when its green apple and citrus palette slakes one's thirst.
OK, I think I'm over my slight roadblock and can continue with the remaining things.
Happy new year everyone! May 2009 be prosperous for all!
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