Ximena Raquel Alvarez

Week 9, Exercise 23: Is this really the end? Or just the beginning

2008-11-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

HOORAY THE LAST EXERCISE
I'm def giving myself a pat on the back for completing the program. For this exercise, I had to answer the following questions:

1) What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I enjoyed creating and using blogger.
2) How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program helped me learned about new websites, that I had no idea that existed. As far as lifelong learning goals, it just make me realize that technology is constantly changing. I have to keep up with the times!!!
3) Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
There weren't any take aways! Everything was dapper!
4) What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I think it was GREAT! GOOD JOB AND THANK YOU!!!

Week 9, Exercise 22: Facebook

2008-11-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

This week exercise, we had to explore Facebook. I'm very familiar with facebook and have had it for a couple of years already. Originally facebook could only be access by students who were in College or Faculty members. Now a days facebook can be used by anyone. I love facebook it's a great social network, that allows me to keep close contact with my family and friends. Facebook also has great games! The Alvin Sherman Library added a facebook group and I made sure to join!

Week 9, Exercise 21: Podcasts, Smodcasts!

2008-10-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

This week I learned the actual definition of Podcast: A podcast is a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers. =)

I'm all about my Apple I-Tunes, the free downloadable application created by Apple. I always have my I-pod on me and truly is an essential in my life. Music is everything to me. I love being able to download my favorite songs to my I-pod.

Week 9, Exercise 20: You too can YouTube

2008-10-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

I have always been a fan of YouTube, for this exercise we had to search YouTube and embed a video. You are right, you can find anything on YouTube. I decided to post the video of the NSU undergrad commercial and 7 minute DVD, which I was proud to be part of =)

Enjoy,

Week 8, Exercise 19: Discovering Web 2.0 tools

2008-10-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

For this week discovery, we had to explore any site from the "Web 2.0 Award list."
I decided to look under Social Networking Mainstays category. I came across Facebook.
Facebook bring all the features of social networking - messaging, photos, chat, groups, events and games - together into one web service.

I created a profile and was completely amazed, so many of my friends, co-workers, and family members have facebook. It's great, I was able to catch up and view pictures, chat, and even play games with them.

Facebook is such a great social network, the Alvin Sherman Library even has a page, to get closer to the NSU students, Community, etc...

I really enjoyed this activity!!! =)

Week 8, Exercise 18: Web-based Applications

2008-10-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

I wish I would have known about Zoho along time ago. Zoho Writer is the word processor designed to have all your documents online and offline. I can access to them from any computer, at home or at work. This will def help me out. Hooray! I will no longer need my friends to review for spelling errors!

TWO THUMBS UP!

Week 7, Exercise 17: Playing around with PBWiki

2008-10-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

This week we explored with and Nsu PB Wiki. Here's my link!

http://nsulibs.pbwiki.com/Ximena%27s-Favorites

Week 7, Exercise 16: So what’s a Wiki?

2008-10-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

This week, I learn more about Wiki and theres way more to Wikipedia. For those who don't know, Wikicomes from the Hawaiian word wiki wiki which means quick. A wiki is a kind of website that is written collaboratively and that multiple people can edit easily and quickly. In the Book Lovers Wiki you can have your book reviews posted and respond to other people’s reviews.

I found interesting the several types of applications within libraries might work well with... For instance Book Lovers Wiki-developed by the Princeton Public Library; is an interesting site where it allows to Book Lovers Wiki to have a place for the people of Princeton to talk about what they are reading.

I think our library should create our own wiki not only for Librarians but for the public, this way we can all discuss about new materials (books, movies, music, etc...)

Week 6, Exercise 15: Thinking About 2.0

2008-09-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

For this exercise, I read the following exercise:

*Away from Icebergs
*Into a new world of librarianship
*To more powerful ways to cooperate

I thought the articles were very interesting. The thing I like about the 2.0 allows me, to play and learn.

Week 6, Exercise 14: Technorati

2008-09-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

This week we explored Technorati and it happens to be the leading search tool. What I found completely nuts was the fact Technorati is capturing my blog! Because Blogger is one of the most popular blogging tools.

I don't want join the party and have my blog officially listed on Technorati (not my cup of tea).

Week 6, Exercise 13: Tagging, folksomonies & social bookmarking in Del.icio.us

2008-09-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking manager which allows you to bookmark a web page and add tags to categorize your bookmarks.

Can you see the potential of this tool for research assistance?

Answer: I can see the potential of this tool, because it allows you to bookmark a webpage and add tags to categorize my bookmarks! Also, I enjoy how I cab share my bookmarks with other people, and see what other people are bookmarking

I like Del.icio.us because the bookmarks be accessed from anywhere on the web and this is pretty cool. Especially you can keep your good stuff on the web and keep track of it all.

Week 5, Exercise 12: Roll your own search engine

2008-09-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

This week I created an account with http://www.rollyo.com and I created a search roll for News & Media. The link to my search rolls are:

http://rollyo.com/novagirl85/politics_search/

http://rollyo.com/novagirl85/faves/

My search engine provides results from a hand-selected list of sites. I thought this exercise was very Neat-O. I also enjoyed the Rollbar bookmarklet because it allows me to have access to all of my Searchrolls wherever I am. I can search any site I visit from the exact spot of my browswer, without having to go all crazy around for every singlar search page!

Week 5, Exercise 11: LibraryThing

2008-09-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

I created my accound with LibraryThing (My profile account is Novagirl85) and browsed around the website. I also added at 5 books to my library. The books I added were:
*Twilight-Stephenie Meyer
*New Moon-Stephenie Meyer
*Eclipse-Stephenie Meyer
*Breaking Dawn-Stephenie Meyer
*The Tale of Desperaux- Kate Dicamillo

And yes, I love the twilight sage and am in love with vampire Edward Cullen =) I can't wait to the movie. Using Library thing made me find other groups that also love the Twilight saga!

Week 5, Exercise 10: Image Generators

2008-09-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

This week I had to create fun images like these:

I used FD’s Flickr Toys to create this cute image! I think it came out very cute and I had a lot of fun creating it =)

I love my Fiance!

2008-08-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Week 4, Exercise 9: Finding Feeds

2008-08-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

I created an account with Bloglines and the only blog I subscribe to was:
www.perezhilton.com
I enjoy reading his blogs about celebrity juice! hehe =)
To be honest I found it rather difficult to set up my blogline, but felt so happy once I did. This website is really Neat-o!

Most websites now have a link, where you can subscribe to their RSS.

Week 4, Exercise 8: RSS & Newsreaders

2008-08-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

“I've been looking at the future of information, and part of it is spelled R-S-S.”-journalist Dan Gillmore

What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
Answer: I think they can be useful but geese setting them up was rather challenging!

How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your work or personal life?
Answer: I really only use 2 RSS feeds connected to my Microsoft Outlook, which allows me to get updates on "The Public Library Service Blog and The TLC 2.0
Challenge." Also whether or not to use RSS on your site should no longer be an option. I believe it has become a necessity if you wish to compete with others in your industry.”

I'M JUST HAPPY THIS EXERCISE IS OVER (My least favorite)

Week 3, Exercise 7: Blog about Technology

2008-08-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Question: The applications Flickr might have in your library: is it useful? How? What can we do with Flickr?
Answer: I think Flickr could be useful to PLS internal blog. This feature can allow us to upload pictures from our programs.

Flickr is free to all…but with limitations. For a very nominal fee, you can upgrade to a Pro account and get unlimited storage of your pictures, organize them in as many sets as you want, and more! Is it worth it to you?
Answer:I can see the fee as worth it, because you can get unlimited storage and I love the decorating tool.

Do you know or use other photo sharing sites? How do they compare with Flickr?
After browsing others’ photos in Flickr, did privacy issues cross your mind?
Answer: As I said in my earlier blog, I prefer to use www.photobucket.com and simply because it's more user friendly. Also privacy issues are very important. I made my Flicker account public because of the TLC Challenge but I keep my photobucket accoutn private. There are so many weirdos in this world, you never know...

Week 3, Exercise 6: More Flickr Fun

2008-08-09T08:52:00.001-07:00

Best Friends
Originally uploaded by MissAlvarez

I decided to play with Picnic (a feature from Flickr)!
This picture is also from my 22nd birthday and include my 3 best friends (Heather, Bianca,and Giselle.) I

I have know them since 7th grade and have remained at the hip ever since. They mean the world to me and I simply love them =)

Week 3, Exercise 5: Explore & Learn about Flickr

2008-08-09T08:23:00.001-07:00

My 22nd Birthday
Originally uploaded by MissAlvarez

For this exercise we ask to create a Flickr account and I decided to upload some pictures of my 22nd birthday. I really don't like Flickr, I prefer to use www.photobucket.com it's way more user friendly! However the only cool thing about Flicker is you can "Picnic" your photos. Picnic is a tool that allows you to decorate your picture (change color of picture, add text, crop, etc...)

Here are some of the pictures, I uploaded to Flickr. Enjoy!

Week 3, Exercise 5: Explore & Learn about Flickr

2008-08-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

For this exercise, we were ask to creat an account with Flickr. I decided to upload some pictures of my 22nd birthday. I really don't like Flickr, I prefer to use www.photobucket.com it's way more user friendly! However the only cool thing about Flicker is you can "Picnic" your photos. Picnic is a tool that allows you to decorate your picture (change color of picture, add text, crop, etc...)

Here are some of the pictures, I uploaded to Flickr. Enjoy!

Week 1, Exercise 2: 7 & 1/2 Habits online tutorial

2008-07-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

I found the tutorial in a sense to be inspirational. I like the idea of creating a personal learning plan and what I liked most about the whole tutorial how it expressed "Each person has his or her own unique learning style and preferences."

Some of my lifelong goals are:

*Learn to speak french fluently
*Learn to dance tango!!!
*Learn how to play tennis

=)

Allow me to introduce myself...

2008-07-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

About Me:

Hello, my name is Ximena Raquel and the real me is a silly girl with her pearls on and an open heart. I strongly believe FAMILY is EVERYTHING. My Dad is my hero and inspiration. My sisters are the most amazing girls, you would ever meet and my brothers are beyond wonderful. I also have the best friends any girl could ask for...I go to Nova Southeastern Univeristy and my major is Communications in media studies. I am unwritten, I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand...

Favorite Music:
Essentials:-The Police - Disturb -Tim McGraw - Linkin Park -Kenny Chesney - Bob Marley -Incubus - System of the Down -RHCP -Hendrix - Lil Wayne -Outkast ♥

Favorite Books:
The list is endless, however I would have to say Jane Austen is my all time favorite English novelist. You have to read all her novels:* Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion*♥

Favorite Quotes:
“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality . Wake Up and Live!”-Bob Marley