Played around with the Technocrati website today...
I don't typically like spiders, but in this case I'll make an exception.
Pretty interesting to see what the most popular blogs are...but then most people who use this tool are probably very "techy" to begin with.
Hope the spiders don't byte LOL~ #14
Technorati Profile
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tag You're It
Del.icio.us
Now I know why that song by Fergie was so popular...just kidding.
This website is so handy to access home bookmarks at the different workstations and vice-versa.
Tagging is kinda bothersome, but as my list of bookmarks grow I am sure the time I've taken in adding them will pay off when I want to quickly find the link again.
I can see it as another way to look for "popular" websites about a topic (ie ones that people use more often than others).
Check http://del.icio.us/russosa to see what my latest bookmarks are!
Now I know why that song by Fergie was so popular...just kidding.
This website is so handy to access home bookmarks at the different workstations and vice-versa.
Tagging is kinda bothersome, but as my list of bookmarks grow I am sure the time I've taken in adding them will pay off when I want to quickly find the link again.
I can see it as another way to look for "popular" websites about a topic (ie ones that people use more often than others).
Check http://del.icio.us/russosa to see what my latest bookmarks are!
Search Me?
My Rollyo experience was, in general a positive one.
I can definitely see the potential in this tool. Some times it seems the searches run a bit on the slow side, especially when you have lots of websites referenced.
I just created a Maryland School District search where I inputted all of the school district websites, and now I can search all of them at once rather than visiting each individual school district and looking them up. You can check it out here: http://www.rollyo.com/russosa/md_school_districts/
or just use the searchbox below.
I can definitely see the potential in this tool. Some times it seems the searches run a bit on the slow side, especially when you have lots of websites referenced.
I just created a Maryland School District search where I inputted all of the school district websites, and now I can search all of them at once rather than visiting each individual school district and looking them up. You can check it out here: http://www.rollyo.com/russosa/md_school_districts/
or just use the searchbox below.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Library Thing...wow what a cool site. It's kind of an organizational tool and social networking site rolled into one.
I just added my first 5 books, and joined the Librarians group. RSS'ed the discussions as well. Should be fun creating my "dream library" :)
The start of my Librarything collection.
Merlin and More
I added the Merlin RSS to my bloglines account. It seems like a great resource, and I am sure it'll come in handy when I'm looking for training in an unfamiliar technology.
I also subscribed to Unshelved as it seemed like a funny idea (but I really didn't get the triathlon bit - out of the loop I guess!). Also to a couple of other library & book related sites, but seeing as I am new to the library, I am not sure if I'll actually be following these subscriptions that closely.
I liked Bloglines search engine for news feeds, but I think doing a simple Google search still is more useful at this point. (#9)
I also subscribed to Unshelved as it seemed like a funny idea (but I really didn't get the triathlon bit - out of the loop I guess!). Also to a couple of other library & book related sites, but seeing as I am new to the library, I am not sure if I'll actually be following these subscriptions that closely.
I liked Bloglines search engine for news feeds, but I think doing a simple Google search still is more useful at this point. (#9)
RSS-eses
I subscribed to Bloglines. Not sure why the library preferred this one over google's or any of the other RSS readers. I'd be curious to hear an answer.
Prior to this exercise I had been using my firefox live bookmark toolbar, but there is only so much room on a tool bar and I can see where if you're heavily into news & reading blogs how a site like this would help you.
Honestly I am not heavily into news & blogs. I use my "iGoogle" desktop to get my online news, and the few blogs I do read...I am happier with them RSS-ed in my live bookmarks. Rather than be forced to go to a 3rd party website to read the latest, I can have them right in my browser.
You can check out my sample blog roll here...not sure if I'll actually use it in my daily life but it was fun playing around with it:
http://www.bloglines.com/public/fourrussos
Prior to this exercise I had been using my firefox live bookmark toolbar, but there is only so much room on a tool bar and I can see where if you're heavily into news & reading blogs how a site like this would help you.
Honestly I am not heavily into news & blogs. I use my "iGoogle" desktop to get my online news, and the few blogs I do read...I am happier with them RSS-ed in my live bookmarks. Rather than be forced to go to a 3rd party website to read the latest, I can have them right in my browser.
You can check out my sample blog roll here...not sure if I'll actually use it in my daily life but it was fun playing around with it:
http://www.bloglines.com/public/fourrussos
Camera Blues
I MISS MY CAMERA!The last video & pictures I took with my digital all-in-one video/still camera are officially one month old today.
Shortly after this picture of Katie was taken, we made a very enjoyable trip to Rehoboth Beach.
Upon arriving home my husband shook out the beach bag, and ended up shaking out our camera down our brick steps. It never "woke up".
When my husband bought the camera at Christmas, I was skeptical... would I use it? Would I find it too difficult to use all the features.
8 months later, I found myself a regular YouTuber, and shooting more video of my kids than ever before. I carried my camera everywhere, and was constantly coming up with ideas for movies I wanted to make. It became my major creative outlet. I was attached emotionally, and even one month after it's destruction I feel constant urges to go record Julia's latest puppet shows and silly dances, or Katie's new words and latest meal mess.
And here's the kicker - Fuji doesn't even make my camera any longer. So now I am forced once again to upgrade...ah ever the lifelong learner. Until I can afford to buy my next media capture device, my YouTube life is pretty much on hold. My collaborative video that I once had in the works indefinitely posponed, due to the fact that my former video camera is a dinosaur (even though when I bought it in 2002 it seemed okay?), and my computer is not stable enough to edit with that firewire port (I had an XD card in my Fuji).
I miss my digital camera.
May it rest in pieces. (Thing #7)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
#6
okay... I guess I'm officially a big geek now...LOL! No really this was a fun web app to play with, and if it had the ability to adjust the pan & zoom on the uploaded picture while in the frame it would be even better!
I also played around with FD Toys' badge maker... it had the same issues. When I use snapfish software, I can pan and zoom to get the best shot in a frame, as small as a standard calendar square.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
23 Things - Item 5 (Flickr) and TuDiabetes
This picture of my daughter is on Flickr - an image sharing site, which I am sure most of you have heard of. I'm still kinda new to that thing. I belong to a Ning community called TuDiabetes.... think myspace on insulin. They had a photo activity to post a picture of you or the diabetic you love with a word that describes what diabetes means to you.Check out the link here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/tudiabetes/pool/
Some are done in photoshop (like mine) and some are done in henna, sharpie, or whatever the artist has handy.
I chose the word "growing" for lots of reasons...from the description:
"We've grown so much this year, in so many ways. Strength, intelligence, understanding, compassion. We're still growing in regards to diabetes, even faster than our insulin requirement. The number of people we know with this disease is growing even faster!"
When I think about all I've had to learn in the last 4 months of her condition, it's scary - and for Julia it will necessitate lifelong learning...until a cure is found that is ;)
23 Things Items 2 &3
I recently was hired as a Library Associate in the Children's Services department at Glenwood Library. As part of my development, my colleagues here have recommended that I start the "23 things" exercises as a fun way to improve my internet savvy. This post should count for thing number 3... wish me luck!
On the 71/2 Habits of Life Long Learners:
Exercise number 2 involves my commentary on life long learning, after going through an online presentation on that subject. It was pretty straightforward...and talked about things you should be doing as a life long learner.
I have always valued my education... so I'd say accepting responsibility for my education has been an easy habit to keep, because it was instilled at an early age that nothing is more important than a quality education.
My most difficult one to keep is habit 3. I have a tendency to stress when things don't go as anticipated. I have a hard time dealing with setbacks, and I should strive to re-evaluate and take in lessons, instead of being hard on myself and the people around me.
On the 71/2 Habits of Life Long Learners:
Exercise number 2 involves my commentary on life long learning, after going through an online presentation on that subject. It was pretty straightforward...and talked about things you should be doing as a life long learner.
Habit 1: Begin with the end in mind
Habit 2: Accept responsibility for your own learning
Habit 3: View problems as challenges
Habit 4: Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner
Habit 5: Create your own learning toolbox
Habit 6: Use technology to your advantage
Habit 7: Teach/mentor others
Habit 7 ½: Play
I have always valued my education... so I'd say accepting responsibility for my education has been an easy habit to keep, because it was instilled at an early age that nothing is more important than a quality education.
My most difficult one to keep is habit 3. I have a tendency to stress when things don't go as anticipated. I have a hard time dealing with setbacks, and I should strive to re-evaluate and take in lessons, instead of being hard on myself and the people around me.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
9/11 and old friends
Where were you on 9/11 five years ago?
I'll never forget - I was teaching music - my first season, and my 5th graders came in stunned asking if I knew that someone blew up the trade center today. I thought they must have been talking about the anniversary of it, though I had no idea when that one actually took place. I remember being glued to the news during planning and lunch.
I remember kids being pulled out of school all day long, and I remember wanting to get home to my husband to be with him. I remember stepping outside of my house and hearing hardly any traffic and no airplanes. Some of the images I try to forget because they are painful. Thoughts of "What would I have done?" enter my head, and I get chills thinking of the answer.
After that I remember practicing emergency drills more frequently with a renewed sense of urgency - even though a small elementary school in rural Lakeland, FL is probably last on the list of potential terror targets.
There's some language in this one, but it's a good rant!
911 & hotdogs
I'll never forget - I was teaching music - my first season, and my 5th graders came in stunned asking if I knew that someone blew up the trade center today. I thought they must have been talking about the anniversary of it, though I had no idea when that one actually took place. I remember being glued to the news during planning and lunch.
I remember kids being pulled out of school all day long, and I remember wanting to get home to my husband to be with him. I remember stepping outside of my house and hearing hardly any traffic and no airplanes. Some of the images I try to forget because they are painful. Thoughts of "What would I have done?" enter my head, and I get chills thinking of the answer.
After that I remember practicing emergency drills more frequently with a renewed sense of urgency - even though a small elementary school in rural Lakeland, FL is probably last on the list of potential terror targets.
There's some language in this one, but it's a good rant!
911 & hotdogs
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Mazel Tov!
My little brother Marty married the woman of his dreams yesterday. Katie and I attended his Arlington, VA wedding. 
Crazy Little girl...
Julia is wonderful...thanks for all of those of you who are asking. Hyper (like any other almost 4 year old), but doing fine. No major signs of jealousy, but sometimes it's hard for her. She does miss playing with me, and doesn't always understand why I can't play as much with her (Katie and house work take a lot of time, not to mention trying to catch a few Z's). She and I are counting days until daddy comes home, and we head to Florida to visit our family and friends.
One month later
One month later... her cheeks are filling out, and she's getting more alert. Occasionally gives me a gummy smile, usually when the boobie is nearby, and the camera's in the other room.
May 26th, 2006
This is a picture of me on Katie's birthday. She's only a few hours old at this point, and I am in mommy heaven. See- no bags under my eyes... It's amazing how fast she grows.
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