Author Archive

GoodReads.com: Social Media for Book Lovers

February 4, 2011

With social media being all the rage these days, it was only a matter of time before someone created a social media site for us literary types.

While it is easy to share reviews of books and keep up with your reading on Amazon.com, that site can give you a case of information overload. Sure, you can review your book, but do you want to see advertisements for a toaster or a new camcorder while you’re at it?

GoodReads.com has created a social networking site aimed at readers.

Before I get into this, let me state right up front that yes, there is an e-commerce component to Goodreads.com. You can buy books through them. So I’m not advocating that you buy your books here. I’d suggest that you get your books through Plano Public Library (or your local library — give ‘em your support and love!).

OK — GoodReads.com is kind of a Facebook for book lovers. It allows you to create find books, put them on your reading list, mark them “reading now”,  or mark them as “read”. You can also post reviews.

Like other social media, Goodreads.com allows you to “friend” other readers, and includes the ability to search your own email contact lists for folks already on the site.

To give you a quick idea, here’s my profile.

The site can connect to your Facebook account, so your Goodreads updates show up there.

It also includes Groups, for readers with similar interests, and lots of other cool functions.

Check it out.

Twitter Tips

January 11, 2011

Over the last few years the micro-blogging service Twitter.com has continued to increase in popularity. TV News shows, politicians, celebrities, corporations, your friends, and yes, public libraries are all using Twitter to communicate with the public.

If you aren’t familiar with Twitter, here is a short blurb from their “About” page:

Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow the conversations.

At the heart of Twitter are small bursts of information called Tweets. Each Tweet is 140 characters in length, but don’t let the small size fool you—you can share a lot with a little space.

For such a simple format, however, there is a lot to know about proper use of Twitter. Various features of the system allow you to tag concepts within your tweets and search for similar tweets, officially “mention” specific Twitter users within a post, respond to other users, block users from your account, etc.

One of the best articles I’ve come across on using Twitter is this one from Red Sweater Blog, Elements of Twitter Style.  The author of this blog, Daniel Jalkut, is a Mac developer, and he’s really provided a nice resource for new Twitter users.

If you are more of a visual learner, I’d recommend this excellent video “How to Use Twitter” (see video below). With the limitation on message length, Twitter is particularly suited to use with mobile devices. This video addresses the use of mobile devices, privacy settings, and other operational details. If you think Twitter isn’t that useful, check out this story about this American journalism student who was wrongly arrested in Egypt, and quickly used Twitter to let friends know what had happened.

Happy Tweeting!


Advice for beginning a blog!

January 3, 2011

Welcome to the first post in the our new Tech Tips blog.

What better way to start the new year than to start your own blog?!

For those who are new to the subject, the word “blog” is short for “web log”.  A blog is a personal website here you can post pictures, writes articles, opinions, share video clips, or post other information. It can be as personal as a diary, or it can be very subject-specific (like this one).

Blogging is a lot of fun. There are many systems for getting started in blogging, and this video from Fast Company contains some really great advice.

Click the image to watch the video, from Fast Company.

Some of the blogging sytems mentioned in the video are tumblr, posterous,  WordPress, squarespace, and typepad.

The Plano Public Library has these helpful books on blogging too, but the best way to start is to sign up on one of the websites above and give it a try. Most of the systems are fairly easy to use, and since they are free there is very little risk!

OK — start blogging!

Thanks for reading! Remember, you can subscribe to this blog and get automatic updates using the RSS Feed link drop down menu, at the top of the right-hand column, which allows you to subscribe via Google Reader and other services. You can also subscribe via email, using the Email Subscription “Sign me up” button, also in the right-hand column.

2010 Holiday Links

December 8, 2010

Here’s a list of fun things to do during the 2010 holiday season!

Thanks to Jayne Gulbrand for the snowman picture! Click to see the full sized image!

Lights of Interlochen, Arlington, TX
Dec. 17 – 25

Dallas Symphony – Christmas Celebration
Dec. 9 – 19
Manheim Steamroller
Dec. 26 – 27

Plano Symphony’s  “ Home for the Holidays – Family Traditions”

Texas Ballet Theater – The Nutcracker
November 27 – December 5, 2010 at the Winspear Opera House
December 10 – 24, 2010 at Bass Performance Hall

Tuna Christmas – Eiseman Center
Dec. 28 – Jan. 2

Holiday Trail of Lights
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary (in McKinney)
Friday, Dec 17; Saturday, Dec 18; Sunday, Dec 19
6:30-9:00PM

Holiday at the Arboretum
Dallas Arboretum
admission charged

Holiday Sing Along
University of Texas at Dallas
December 11, 8pm.

Merry Christmas with Love
Prestonwood Baptist Church
Friday, Dec 17
5:30pm to 8:00pm

Six Flags Holiday in the Park
Holiday themed events at Six Flags.  Runs through December.

Grapevine Texas North Pole Express
Children can wear their pajamas and experience holiday fun on the 30 minute train ride.

Winter SolstiCelebration

City of Richardson’s Santa’s Village

Prairie Lights – City of Grand Prairie
Thanksgiving – December 31

Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village
“Bring the family and experience Dallas holidays from 1840 to 1910.”
Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, 3 pm-9 pm
Tickets:Adults $8.00Children 4-12 $4.00Seniors $6.00

Thanksgiving Links !

November 17, 2010

Here are a few links about everyone’s favorite holiday for eating…Thanksgiving!

Do you have a great Thanksgiving link to share? If you do, please use the “Reply” area below to let Plano know about it!

History of Thanksgiving — on wikipedia.

American as Pumpking Pie: a History of Thanksgiving — a podcast to listen to from BackStory.

Thanksgiving Recipes – from allrecipes.com

 

Thanksgiving books in our library!

Thanksgiving Square — in Dallas.

Thanksgiving – from History.com

Dallas Morning News story on Thanksgiving dinner charities - where to help or donate.

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot – Race and Run that benefits YMCA programs that help the YMCA to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving : from about.com

Thanksgiving Host/Hostess Gift Ideas: from kitchendaily.com

Let’s Talk Turkey—A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey

Butterball.com: Tips on cooking and carving.


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