You Oughta Be In Pictures #89: Basic Photo Editing

1. Post Edited Photo from Picnik on Blog



2. Editing features I use the most: cropping, framing, captions, resizing, red eye correction. I found Picnik very easy to use and I use Microsoft Office Picture often.

The Web According to Google #88: Wave, Buzz, and Mobile

1) If Google Wave and Buzz catch on, I will probably participate in them at some level. It was very interesting to learn about, especially Google Wave.

The only thing similar to a collaboration tool I use currently is Facebook. It isn't as integrated as Google Wave and that was the main thing that impressed me.

2) I would probably mainly use the same applications with Google Mobile that I normally use when I am online: Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Earth. Those applications would be handy, for example, when I am in Houston and need the phone number for a store or a map to get somewhere. I could also use them when I am stuck in a traffic jam; more than once I've called my sister in Austin to ask her to check online to see how long the line of traffic reaches and if there is hope for it to be cleared soon.

The Web According to Google #87: Google Reader

1) The only feed reader I use is Bloglines, which I used to check regularly, but now only once in awhile. I probably would not switch to Google Reader at this time since I hardly ever use my gmail account. It seems easy to use, however.

2) I subscribed to the feed of a new blog that I found by searching on the word Carmelite. I liked it very much.

The Web According to Google #86: Calendar and Documents

1. I created a calendar of my work schedule. For my own purposes, my paper calendar is fine, but Google calendar would be a good way to share my work schedule with my family, as they are never able to keep up with when I am working. But I don’t foresee that I will be updating the calendar regularly and sending it to them.

Google Calendar would be useful for people with busier schedules than mine who need to share their schedules via emails.

2. I uploaded a file from my desktop to Google Docs. I probably would not use Google Docs at this time since both my home and work computer have adequate software. However, the next time I get a new home computer, I might use Google Docs instead of buying software for home that didn't come loaded on the computer.

The Web According to Google #85: Resistance is Futile

1) I use Google maps on a regular basis. I love the feature that allows you to see the satellite view and the street view. On more than one occasion it has been helpful to have actually seen the area before I arrived at my destination. I also use Google Images a lot and Google News. I don't know that they are superior to other Images and News sites, but they serve my purposes well most of the time.

2) I looked at Google Labs and the only one that grabbed my attention was Google Mars. Those pictures look cool. Now for a street view. ;-)

3) I found some books on Carmelite spirituality on Google books that looked interesting. It could be used in a library to help students with reports and adults as well. The magazines could be useful with some projects on history.

Publishing Evolution #84: Writer Communities & Author Websites

1) I haven’t contacted any favorite authors, but I have gone to authors’ websites, especially when helping customers. I like knowing more about authors. I visited the website for Elizabeth Berg, an author I used to read a lot. Her website is warm and interesting. She does have a blog and a podcast, and you can reach her by email. I didn’t see opportunities to interact with her via the web outside of email and blogs, but she is new to the web; her website gives a 2010 date for creation.

2) The idea of a book being published by popular vote gives me less faith in the material.

Publishing Evolution #83: Paper to Pixels (or e-ink)

1) I prefer paper to pixels in most cases. Getting the material in paper form is worth waiting for in terms of books I want to read; when it comes to things like newspapers, however, I’m just as happy reading it online. The reason I like paper better in books is simply because I like the feel of a book in my hand.

2) Yes, price definitely affects what books I buy. I do not buy many books since I use the library for most of my reading material. I do buy books on topics that we do not have in our system and that I want to keep (i.e., not get on interlibrary loan). I would probably not pay the same price for a digital book as a paper copy unless it were only available in digital format and I really wanted the book.

3) I think the idea of preview and then pay is great for those who are interested. It seems like a good way for a new author to get a following without going through a publisher.