Google Docs & Apps

I've been using google docs for quite some time. I love it because with this tool, you only need an internet connection to have all your work at hand. It's just like using a social bookmark but with documents.

In my opinion, using google docs is just as easy as using the word processing software we're all familiar with using. The features that I like the most are the portability of the docs and applications like the calendar.

The aspects I disliked the most are that some of the formating you get in a word doc, just doesn't translate the same when you try to print a google doc. [Another thing I disliked was that when I published this google doc as my blog entry, it removed all the formating so I had to go in a put back in the paragraphs.]

I read a cool article in Wired about one person's experience with relying on Google docs & apps exclusively for a month. The author summarizes the good and bad aspects of using the google docs much better than I can!

Technorati

I explored Technorati, including running searches for topics of interest, following tags, and I even claimed this blog. But frankly, I just don't see how I would really use it.

I can see how it could be a useful tool, but mostly for those that are either into blogging as a hobby or use it as an aspect of their job (for example, those in the media or larger institution libraries that might write and monitor others' blog entries, or for monitoring our blog participation in Vermont's 23 Things!).

For my own personal and job related purposes, I think I'll stick to my RSS feeds.

Image generators: (Meez are the beez kneez)

I had such fun playing around with image generators! I especially liked creating a Meez avatar. It was easy to pick out which features and clothing I wanted to add.

There's so many directions to in with creating an "avie"; one with fantasy features (clown shoes and makeup with a krumping pose anyone?) or one that resembles you. I chose to make one that actually resembles me and added clothes that I might be caught wearing on the weekend. I then chose the "chillin" pose and put myself in a library background! Too much fun.

It was very easy to add the image to my blog afterward too. One of the selections on the "export" page is an icon for blogger. After I selected the blogger icon, entered my login and blog title, and viola! it populated directly to my blog's sidebar.

Spokeo = spooky?

An article in Newsweek, Friends under the microscope, first brought the site spokeo to my attention. It's one of those web 2.0 apps that are bound to bring fear and loathing to the hearts of privacy lovers everywhere. Being somewhat of a millennial, I don't have the paranoid tendencies of most technophobes, so of course, I wanted to check it out straight away! I have to admit, I can see both the appeal of the site and yet understand why it can be disturbing.

The site is dedicated to allowing users to track this friends online content (which is public information since it's is out there in cyperspace) without having to access each application- much like a RSS aggregator allows one to read various blogs in one central format without going to each blog's site.

Spokeo specifically advertises "Track your friends. Spokeo tracks your friends' new content, so you don't have to visit their websites one by one." And, "Spokeo find your friends' blogs and photos that you never knew about, guaranteed."

And they are right. I uploaded my address books from my various email accounts. I found people's (including my husband's) amazon wish lists and shopping carts. I found pictures uploaded from site like Flickr and Picasa from old co-workers or friends that I'm no longer in contact with (but since I have their email, they are tracked on this site). Which of course, made me feel like some kind of stalker type. Or at least like an uncomfortable voyeur.

It is a little spooky, even for this tech enthusiast. That said, I will continue to use this site because it's the only way I can track updates on everyone's online content without having to visit their various sites, which is so much easier for me (just like RSS). And I can easily delete the people that I am not interested in tracking from my "friends" list on spokeo, so I don't have to feel uncomfortable viewing their online info.

Blogs and the workplace

Although we are currently exploring and using Flickr in fun and creative ways, and posting our experiences in our respective Vermont's 23 Things blogs, blogs and the workplace can also spell trouble.

Came across this reminder in the New York Times today, "CNN Producer says he was fired for blogging", on how sometimes personal views on blogs may be perceived negatively by employers. In this case, resulting in job termination for violation of company policy. I think some good points are made here about where the line is drawn- over comments on social networking sites, or even anything posted in an online forum can be considered by the company. We even get to find out what the NY Times own blog policy is for their employees.

Getting started on My 23 Things

I'm getting started with my initial post as a participant in Vermont's 23 Things.

I am very excited about participating in the 23 Things, which I hope will: let me earn 10 technology credits in continuing education, motivate me to post more in my Burlington or Bust blog, and learn a lot of useful web 2.0 skills.