Verticordia

Thing 9 Google docs

2008-12-10T02:26:00.000-08:00

I just don't see how any of these things can be done in one hour - a ridiculous under-estimation. I finally have sent a Google doc to Rosita but have yet to receive a reply - it is after all 7.30pm! Loading image was ok but inadvertently sent her the images twice. Google docs could be useful as a communication tool within a restricted group, but it could all get a bit hectic when more than one person was modifying the document at the same time. No doubt there is a way around this which I'll discover in due course.
Finally set up an iGoogle page but I have now lost it. I could scream at time I waste with all of this! Can't someone who enjoys all this "STUFF" just recommend half a dozen of these 23 things which would be truly useful which I can then explore - it would be so much more productive!

Things 7 & 8

2008-12-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

I was able to change the Firefox theme only with the help of Margaret S, since the Tools/AddOns/Themes didn't have an option to browse etc as indicated in Aaron's example - very frustrating. My frustration was further compounded because I was unable to see the help option since I am red-green colourblind - I simply didn't realise that help was a link - it looked the same as all the other text to me. When I finally moved the mouse across the text I realised there was a link available. Having sorted that out I have changed the browser look to GrayModern2, which looks ok. Also added the rather hectic 23 things toolbar. Zotero is a useful tool which I have recommended to a few academics now. The LibX extension is also a very useful tool which I had already included in the recently updated BIO103 library exercise for next semester.

Thing 6 RSS Feeds

2008-11-11T00:54:00.000-08:00

I have already set up an RSS feed in Outlook, so found Step 1. of the instructions for Thing 6 very frustrating - the drop down menu offered was for Outlook not Gmail!

Step 2.allowed me to add the ABC News feed to my Google reader. However I find it much more convenient to read feeds in Outlook which I use routinely as part of my work, rather than having to logon to Gmail, so will add an additional feed for Murdoch University News to Outlook.

Murdoch News is very useful as a means of keeping up to date with what's going on within Murdoch University, particularly within the science schools. Altho I spend time in the schools each week it's amazing how often I learn about science-related happenings thru the News. It's also valuable for finding out about what's happening on the other campuses.

Thing 2

2008-11-04T00:39:00.000-08:00

Like some others I find the LifeLong learning habits a bit like stating the obvious. However I am required to pick two of them:

The easiest is certainly the 7.5th, Playing, which apparently includes Reading, one of the truly great pleasures in life!

The hardest is viewing problems as challenges - it is so much quicker to get an expert to solve it for you, tho there is a certain satisfaction in solving it for yourself when there aren't any experts around!

As for Goals I just want to finish it - 23Things...

...and the Toolbox - I already have the computer - I just want some more time.

23 Things Launch

2008-11-04T00:14:00.000-08:00

I was interested in finding out the value of Web 2.0 for researchers, but was disappointed. Various tools were mentioned, but apart from blogging as a communication tool for researchers, not in a context which seemed relevant to me. The enthusiasm for all things Web 2.0 is bewildering - using Facebook (?) to arrange a gathering at a central location for a pillow fight for example - tho I can see that would be very useful should a tsunami be approaching the Perth coast!