Widgets

I just love the names given to things associated with the net, wikis, wigets, blogs, they just roll off the tongue. Well I've added 2 widgets to my blog and it was eeeeeeasy. I think the hardest bit was choosing which one to add. Widgets are all a bit of fun and can really personalise your page with the things that you like.

There are wikis, then there are BIG WIKIS

I must admit (to my shame) before this course Wikipedia was the only wiki I accessed. Its great for basic info and as a starting place for research. Wikia (http://www.wikia.com/wiki/Wikia) has opened my eyes to all the really cool wikis out there. I particularly liked their big wikis page which lists the top 16 largest wikis (based on number of articles each contains). Here are the stats I found interesting, out of the top 16, 4 of them including the largest are about MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) like World of Warcraft and Runescape, there are 5 about various Movie/TV shows mainly sci fi eg. Star Wars and Star Trek with the Muppets being a bit of a standout, there are 2 about comics one based on Marvel and one on DC Comics, the rest of the top 16 are made up of wikis about recipes, psychology, family history and the weird and wacky Uncyclopedia which bills itself as a content-free encyclopedia. Wikis are fun, informative and interactive (which I think is the bit I like the best).

Social Networking

I already have a Facebook account which is fun to use sometimes but all the apps drive me nuts. It is nice to see what schoolmates are up to and its an easy way make contact. Also whats the etiquette for ignoring friend requests? Especially if they are your sister's partner's mother?

I've had a look at Google Chat looks interesting and useful for those people who have relatives and friends in distance places that they regularly contact but I doubt I'll use it anytime soon. I'm much more of an email gal I think. Speaking of email I had thought Gmail was easier to use than Hotmail but my parents have Gmail accounts and I, a Hotmail account and I struggle at times to find things in Gmail when assisting my parents.

Catching up on Overdrive

I've been looking at the Jones every week but some of the functions I haven't been able to access at my work station so I've had to wait until I get home to access them. Now I'm on hols I'm going to do a big catch up. So where was I up to hmm, oh yes Overdrive. I love Overdrive (great download service available from our library service) particularly now I can get MP3 files for my Ipod. I like the idea of ebooks as well but I'm not a fan of reading for long periods of time from the computer screen so I think I will wait until I get an ebook reader before I take full advantage of that part of the service.

YouTube

I am constantly amazed that no matter what you search under at YouTube some one has uploaded a video relating to it (plus its a great way to see teasers about new TV shows and movies). I have so many favorite clips from YouTube its hard to just pick one to add to my blog. I love the Potter Puppet Pals, Who the hell is Matt, Star Wars Cafeteria and any of the Minuscule animations. I also like the fact you can replay memories from the past as recently in a discussion with one of my workmates I recalled a favorite segment from Sesame Street where they show how a crayon is made and what do you know a couple of days later my workmate had found the clip on YouTube and sent me a link. Well out of all my favorites I chose...... you'll just have to watch and see!

(WARNING: this clip includes explicit language)