Google Maps

I have used Google Maps for driving directions quite a bit, but I've never really played around with it. I did some alternate routes, walking and biking directions, traffic, etc., but my favorite thing that I've never even noticed before is the photos. It is so strange that someone has gone around and taken pictures from all of those highways and intersections! It's pretty weird that you can see a picture of my house on there when you put in the address - I had no idea! so I had to look up all the addresses I know to see if you can see their houses, too. Some you can, and some not, but it was fun to try.

I looked up directions to the Southlake Public Library, where I hope to take a field trip one day to check out their Deweyless shelving system. (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=8201+memorial+ln+plano+tx&daddr=southlake+public+library&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=37.0625,_95.677068&sspn=40.59616.92.724609&ie=UTF8&2=11)

Tiny URL and You Send It

Tiny URL is pretty cool! I looked up a URL from our catalog, which was crazy long (http://192.168.10.21/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/0/0/x/57/5/x?user_id=WEBSERVER&password=&srchfield1=GENERAL%5ESUBJECT%5EGENERAL%5E%5Ewords+or+phrase&searchdata1=newbery%awards&item_2cat=ANY) 184 characters, to be exact. Tiny URL turned it into http://tinyurl.com/y9ry2u5, which is only 26 characters - amazing!

You Send It is also a good site to know. I sent myself a video, and it was a relatively quick process (after creating my account, checking my email to activate, etc!). The downloading was fast and the video made it safe and sound, so it worked, which is always a bit surprising to me. : )

Delicious

I'm sorry, but I didn't really get this one. Please see David's blog on Delicious(http://plutysworld.blogspot.com/) -- I concur.

Honestly, I just don't get this one... I did bookmark a few sites, but I can get to them easily on my own. Maybe if I were on the computer more and always finding sites that I wanted to be sure not to forget about, I would use this, but I just can't see that it would be all that helpful to me.

Facebook

Well, I have had a Facebook account for a while, but I'm not really a fan. It is great for connecting with long-lost friends and all, but I just don't have the time to spend on it. It was fun at first, but now I get so annoyed by people's hour-by-hour update on their lives that I seldom even log on. I just check my Yahoo account for messages and go from there. I did become a fan of the Frisco Public Library, however. :)

LinkedIn

Well, I created an account and requested to join a couple of groups (I hope they accept me!). I did look around at the job searches but didn't find much there. I think this could be a good professional tool for networking, but I am just not likely to use it. I am an antisocial networker, I guess. I am just not going to spend time on the computer with strangers - ever. I know these things are good ideas, and that I should get on board, but it all seems so impersonal and makes me sad.

LibraryThing

This is a site that was really fun! If I had any free time and was the sort of person who spent her free time on the computer, I might actually do something with this. I did add some titles to my library and put a couple on my wish list. I enjoyed reading reviews of recommended books, but I had to make myself stop because I am just reminded of the fact that I have no time to read for pleasure these days. However, this would be a great place for me to list all the books I come across that I must read someday when I'm finished with school and only have one job and a real life again!!