Games and Gaming # 38

Well, I have to say attempting to play Pacman with the arrow keys is not very productive. Using the keys is very limiting. I thought my prior experience in playing the game would give me an advantage over players who have never played before, but I was wrong. I prefer using joysticks in order to have any speed and dexterity while playing the game.

Since acquiring the Wii unit, more of the younger patrons seem to come to the library. Wii is apparently outselling Xbox and PS3, according to internet sales figures. It seems to be the best choice for a library setting not only based on sells, but based on the way it draws the kids into the library.

I do think the younger patrons come to the library just for the games, but in the process, are drawn to other offerings the library has for them. I think we have to look past any initial prejudice we have about gaming and realize this is a way for kids to socialize while playing Wii. It has been said that Wii increases mental agility, relieves stress and gives you a dose of healthy exercise.

One article said even a huge number of baby boomers are turning to video games to help the body and the minds. An occupational therapist said playing with Wii could help build body strength, balance, endurance and coordination.

Maybe we should have Senior Citizen Wii day at the library. I know at our branch, some of the staff would like to have a Staff Wii day.

Game and Gaming #37

I can remember going to my school library in the summer for “game days”; not the same games we are referring to here but it was the same concept. Kids from all over the neighborhood came out once a week to play games, to socialize, to get out of the house and out of the heat. It was always a special time because they had games many of us did not have at home. Then while we were there, we could check out a book to take home to read. There were occasionally other programs available if we were interested in more than just the games.

Game day brought kids out to socialize. It was a time when we could be more relaxed and just enjoy the day. Nobody had expectations of us except to behave appropriately. It created a positive atmosphere us because it was a less structured time.

We have Crafts for the younger children, Sit and Stitch for adults so why not gaming for the older kids. Just because we never imagined having an activity in the library does not mean we should not have it. Many people never imagined having self-check machines and DVD players in the library, but we do.

Just think how much the dance scene was altered years ago by disco dance flooring. Everyone loved the bright lights, the flashing colors, and the loud music. Attendance soared wherever disco was available. I think the library will continue to evolve into an even greater happening place as the years go by.

Regarding the game “Within Range”, the instructions tell the player to hover over the books that are to be moved, but did not say to double click to actually move the books. I guess I was just supposed to know that since double clicking is a commonly used method. The instructions are not very clear. Once I figured out how to move the books, I made a high score and even progressed to the higher levels.

Game and Gaming #36

This game was way out of my comfort zone.

I thought the manual was a great teaching tool to use before starting the game. The rules were clearly stated. However, 15 minutes was not long enough to absorb all the rules. It would take multiple sittings for me to understand how to manipulate my character and perform all the tasks. There is a search engine at the top right hand corner of the screen that I feel is more useful for learning specific action during the game.

My character has a Princess Leia hairstyle, wears a light green top with a bare midriff and dark green pants. She wears boots and has muscular arms.

Gaming is a great way to challenge my mind. Hey, I remember how folks laughed at the way I played Frogger. At least I can play Runescape in private.

Games and Gaming #35

I am a hands-on person; I often find myself thinking let’s do it not just talk about doing it (but that’s just my little secret, so don’t tell anybody). That’s what makes gaming so perfect for me. It lets me delve right in.

I think gaming helps to develop a person’s reasoning abilities and to increase their ability toward logical thought. Having analytical abilities is a positive attribute that is expected in many professions.

That being said, why does learning have to be boring; why can’t it be fun. If the old flashcard technique worked well, why can’t the new gaming techniques work equally as well to teach us facts and data.

I like what Marc Prensky says (http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/games/): There is no reason that a generation that can memorize over 100 Pokémon characters with all their characteristics, history and evolution can't learn the names, populations, capitals and relationships of all the 101 nations in the world.

So let's do it through gaming. There's nothing wrong with the idea.

As to our own assignment, I tried FreeRice and WordSplay. Either of these is very non-violent. FreeRice is a great vocabulary builder and quite a challenge even to someone who considers themselves to be good at guessing word meanings. I thought the rules were very simple.

WordSplay helps a person to become more mentally alert. It is a great way to compete in a positive and unpressured environment. The rules were easy to follow. However, I found WordSplay to be so addictive. It was not easy for me to walk away after 15 to 20 minutes. I WANT MORE!!!!!

Maps #34

I actually was first introduced to the idea of geocaching when a patron wanted a book to read on the subject. He seemed very content as he left the library with his copies of Geocaching for Dummies and the Essential Handbook of Geocaching.

For our discovery exercise, I searched within a 10 mile radius of an area close to work (77375) and found a location at Epps and Pine Street. It was called the "Tomball Museum Center". The coordinates were: N 30° 05.989 W 095° 37.170
UTM: 15R E 247564 N 3332741.

The URL is:
tomball museum center

The only additional clue was that the cache was in the courtyard by the cabin in a tree.

This looks like such a fun place to explore, so I plan to visit this place when I get a chance. It has a lot of historical and educational value about the area.

Maps #33

Activity 1:
I actually used these websites when I was planning to relocate in October of last year. Apartments.com is my favorite. I found the satellite and hybrid views very useful so I could determine how close I would be to shopping, work and restaurants. The virtual view option is a helpful tool to see the grounds and inside the apartment layout before ever visiting a facility. My apartment complex has disability access and allows pets so it appeals to a greater population than some complexes.

I also have used apartmentratings.com to read the evaluations other renters made about the apartments where they lived. I have found and lived in 2 apt complexes using this website. I found the information to be quite accurate.

Walk Score is an interesting website and accurate as to the location and distance of all that is available from my apartment. However, since I am on a highway and it is under construction right now, it is somewhat unrealistic to think I would actually be able to walk to all the sites that were mentioned.

Activity 2:

I found a new apartment on Apartment.com. I liked Apartment.com better than Apartment finder. Apartment Guide shows a more limited number of apts specific to my area than the other 2 sites.

Our Town does not have my specific location listed; it has only Houston in general. It is not as helpful as Walk Score. Walk Score has: 8 grocery stores, 8 restaurants and coffee shops, 8 movie theatres, 1 daycare, 1 junior high, 1 high school, 1 elementary, l Christian school, 1 private school, 4 parks, 6 branch libraries and 8 bookstores. Most important of all, it showed me 8 clothing and shoe stores. Can't live without those!!!

Maps #32

Activity #1: I loved the "100 things to do with Google Maps".
My search was in answer to the question: I need to know where all the libraries are close to my home. How do I find them? From the list, I chose Find a US or Canadian Library and searched by zip code. I found 20 libraries within a 50 mile radius from my home. I could really feed my reading habit with no challenge at all.


Activity #2: I have just finished reading a mystery that was about Buckingham Palace. I got really excited about the Terra Server website that allows aerial views of historic sights. I wanted to see Buckingham Palace via an aerial site, but either the site was down or not working well. It seems like a good idea, but was somewhat disappointing. For anyone interested, here is the website
Terra Server

Map #31

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I live in 3 places right now. I divide my time between the city, the country and out of state. When I look at this map, I see how diverse my life is. It satisfies my restless nature.

One of the suggestions in the exercise was to show places where our ancestors have lived. Although I did not use the map in this way,I thought it was an excellent idea. I am a genealogy buff so any tools to organize my ancestry search and display their migration patterns are very useful.

I would be lost(no pun intended) without Mapquest and Google Maps. I assist patrons daily in navigating around the city using mapping programs.

Spring Cleaning #30

DON'T GO THERE!!!!!

I have been with HCPL for less than one year, so I started right away to set up folders as I created documents. I have since taken the time to clean up my Z: drive a bit, but there really was not any file that was very old anyway. I must admit this training has also helped my organizational skills tremendously.

I think the P: drive and the S: drive are two of the greatest tool we have. They allow us the opportunity to share documents with each other, but also keep the original in our private Z: drive to protect it. The S: drive is one I use a lot since it is the method for having documents printed by administration.

Now if I can just find my grocery list...no, I promise it is not on my P: drive.

Spring Cleaning #29 - Email

I already have a personal email account. I agree that it is a great idea to not mix work with personal email. I keep it separated easily because I do not give my personal email address to work associates and I do not give my work email to friends.

I am going to start using the four action steps regarding my HCPL email, which are to reply immediately, delete the message, forward - when appropriate, or file in the appropriate folder. What a simple process if I keep up with it as I go.

For now in my email account, I have my folders set up, my address book in order and all the old emails either deleted or filed appropriately. It's like having all the laundry done, the house vacuumed and supper is on the table.

Whew!! what a good feeling. But now,I think I need a Starbucks and some chocolate, of course.

Spring Cleaning # 28

GTD sounds interesting and new ideas are always great. I think I will just keep writing my lists, creating my folders, taking notes in minutes and maybe someday I will try something new. It seems to work for me.

It’s all about being organized in my life, whether I am at home or at work. I appreciate the ability to “grab and run” so to speak. Grab the appropriate folder, notes, information, lists and run to the meeting. Click on the appropriate folder online and print out one or two items pertinent to the meeting I am attending or the project I am working on.

I make lots of to-do lists and love throwing them away when those tasks are complete. I have my grocery list in an Excel program with every possible item available just to be checked off as needed. I got the idea from my adult daughters who lead very hectic, busy lives.

I did branch out a bit and open a “Remember the milk” account. Now that’s progress, isn’t it?

Sound #26

I enjoyed surfing all the new music networking websites online. Jam Studio looks like a cool site and I like the free trial. This will be a site I want to play around with a lot more. I have a friend who plays guitar with a group so I shared the website for Jam Studio with him.

I did not find my favorite artists on playlist, but I did on Imeem and Mog. I wasn't impressed with Ebo because I only seemed to pull up ads on their site. Phling makes you join before even being able to use their search engine.

I created a Mog account. There are so many features on the site that my page on Mog is going to be a work-in-progress.

Sound #25

I found it very easy to burn a CD. I have a new computer at home that has more capacity than I thought I needed at the time I purchased it. I am so glad I included all that was available at the time I got it.

I still use CD's but I understand DVD's have much more capacity than CD's.

I like the idea of buying single songs online and downloading them to MP3’s or CD’s. I don’t buy a particular artist entire CD. We used to be able to buy 45 rpm records with single selections. I like the choices and convenience we now have.

Musicians may earn more with stricter copyrights and with the sales of albums/CD's but not from me. The songs don’t have to be free, but 0.99 is a great deal.

Sound #24

I was unable to search for selections at Napster without joining. iTunes and Rhapsody, however, allowed searches for my favs. I found my favorite artists on both of those sites. I did not find my favs on music.download.com or Yahoo. iTunes seems to allow music downloads for a per song fee without a membership fee. That is a great advantage over the other sites.

KSBJ radio is my favorite station and they have online capacity. They also have podcast and video clips. Their website shows the current song playing and who the artist is. I can select “listen live now” button to listen to the current song that is playing