Spring Cleaning #30: Take a Load Off Our Drives

Spring Cleaning of my files on the S & P drives was enlightening. I realized that some files could be deleted, some files needed to be organized better, other files were in the wrong place or needed to be lumped together in a folder. I was able to delete a lot of older files, the oldest was from 2002! This exercise helped me organize existing files and weed unnecessary files. This is a good exercise to repeat regularly!

Spring Cleaning #29: Email

This exercise was very useful. While "spring cleaning" my email, I discovered outdated email folders that needed to be weeded. Folders that had saved emails over two years old! The oldest was from 2002! Needless to say, most anything that was over two years old was deleted. This exercise certainly was not as time consuming as one might think, so it was time well spent!
iHCPL Spring Cleaning exercise made me realize that I am not as diligent as I thought about periodically cleaning up my email files. As a result, I plan to review my email files at least once a month.

Spring Cleaning #28: Don’t Clutter Up Expensive Cyberspace

GTD organization method is somewhate similar to my own techniques for managing files. Periodic review of files keeps me from feeling overwhelmed. Keeping just what is necessary simplifies my work life! GTD has some great techniques that are easy to apply and make sense. I plan to use the suggestion for a tickler file. It makes good sense to me and is easy to implement! The "2 minute rule" works very well, but short range long range projects need to be reviewed often to evaluate progress and for the satisfaction of "seeing the light at the end of the tunnel"!

I did try Google's calendar just to compare it with Outlook's calendar. I do like Outlook better because it offers more flexibility. It is great to know that there are other calendar options available for possible use at a later time.

Week 10: #23 Is this really the end? Or just the beginning...

These exercises really educated me to the variety and scope of what is out on the web for anyone to use. It is really like a growing organism! So I learned a lot about what is available. Personally, I may not utilize a lot of the tools and resources I learned about, but being familiar with the terms will help me if a customer throws out terms like rss, or podcasts, etc. I'll know what they are talking about. I learned a lot and overcame my fear of web functions and tools. I came across some cool things that I might not have experienced without the 23 things! Thanks!

Week 9: #22 Downloadable Media

Downloadable media is a great option for people on the go who only have access library services when the library is closed or they are unable to get to the library in person. I can see lots of uses for students who are in need of a book/books for a school assignment. People who are really into music can download their favorite music. What a great service! The HCPL selection is varied and organized in an attractive manner. I really liked HCPL's better than Livrivox and Wowio. Yes people can download some of the same digital materials from other sources, but the library has so many other services to offer!

Week 9: #21 Podcasts, Smodcasts!

This exercise led me to discover a really neat podcasting site from NASA that features the latest science news like the asteroid shower peak, drought forecasts, sun x ray jets, Mars doubling in brightness, etc. Very cool podcasting site! This will be fun to visit from time to time. Unfortunately, many of the podcasting sites I explored were not quite as interesting as this one and were filled with junk (stuff people podcast just because they could)!

Week 9: #20 Discover YouTube and other video sharing sites

Exploring YouTube was fun. I found a couple of really neat videos that I enjoyed. One posted from the the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin showing butterflies and other insects that have visited. The one I will try to post is of a mama hummingbird raising her babies. Their nest is on top of wind chimes hanging from the videographers patio!