After receiving help from one of our staff members, this was alot of fun. I love all of these relaxing sounds. Thank you unknown staff member!!!!!
whale
wolf
dove
Simply the best:
snoring
jungle
river
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Searching #75: Google and Beyond
Exercise # 1
I voted on my 3 queries in Blindsearch. Each search engine got one vote. I usually use Google and will probably continue to use it. I don't care for Yahoo - Bing is interesting.
Exercise # 2
Google was the top search engine with Facebook a close second. As I primarily use Google as my search engine, this stat holds true.
Exercise # 3
I must say I enjoyed the newer options in Bing especially the Travel button. I might have to consider using Bing for awhile and see if I get faster and better results.
I voted on my 3 queries in Blindsearch. Each search engine got one vote. I usually use Google and will probably continue to use it. I don't care for Yahoo - Bing is interesting.
Exercise # 2
Google was the top search engine with Facebook a close second. As I primarily use Google as my search engine, this stat holds true.
Exercise # 3
I must say I enjoyed the newer options in Bing especially the Travel button. I might have to consider using Bing for awhile and see if I get faster and better results.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Money & Finance #59: Credit, Money Management, and Saving
After reading the article How Credit Scores Work, I am more aware of the importance of credit scores. Honestly, I do not even know what my credit score is. The next thing on my list is to go to one of the free sites and get my score. I wasn't aware that your credit score could effect insurance quotes.
I have a very loose spending budget. After looking over the links, I plan on thoroughly reading the University of Florida's info. I hope to be able to look at my finances and see how using this model might help me save money. The first thing I plan to do is to keep better records (on a weekly basis) of my expenditures. I'll try not to be surprised when I see that Starbucks is in there several times!
I am eligible for retirement but my financial situation does not allow me to retire. So hopefully some of the steps mentioned above will get me closer to day! The retirement plan through TCDRS has always been very impressive to me. The fact that you are guaranteed a 7% return on your savings is phenomenal-especially during our current economic situation where some individuals are losing 20-30% of the investments through mutual funds. Also that your savings will be matched @225% upon retiring is unheard of. I haven't taken the time to signup online - I've always just waited for the yearly report we get. I think I'll take the time to signup soon.
I have a very loose spending budget. After looking over the links, I plan on thoroughly reading the University of Florida's info. I hope to be able to look at my finances and see how using this model might help me save money. The first thing I plan to do is to keep better records (on a weekly basis) of my expenditures. I'll try not to be surprised when I see that Starbucks is in there several times!
I am eligible for retirement but my financial situation does not allow me to retire. So hopefully some of the steps mentioned above will get me closer to day! The retirement plan through TCDRS has always been very impressive to me. The fact that you are guaranteed a 7% return on your savings is phenomenal-especially during our current economic situation where some individuals are losing 20-30% of the investments through mutual funds. Also that your savings will be matched @225% upon retiring is unheard of. I haven't taken the time to signup online - I've always just waited for the yearly report we get. I think I'll take the time to signup soon.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Money & Finance #58: Banking, Budgeting, and Spending
My bank does offer online banking and I use it on a regular basis. My account is a free account since I have automatic payroll deposits. There is a fee for too many checks which I try to avoid. I use it to track my checks and debit charges - checking to see if they've cleared and when. I also use it to verify debit amounts when I'm not sure of the correct amount. I bank with a very large bank that takes exceptional security measures. I've banked with them for over 25 years with no complaints. Several years ago, my debit card was not returned to me at a fast food restaurant. I didn't realize it for a couple of hours. By that time, the card had been used at three different local gas stations. My bank took care of everything within two days after I notified them. I've been told that if you have a debit/credit card, it's better to use the credit and sign for the charge rather than use the debit and pin number method. I regularly check my online account to make sure there has not been any fraudulent or unauthorized use.
I looked over all of the budgeting websites listed. I signed up for Mint, but did not enter any of my account info. Still not feeling to secure about that. I want to look into their security a little closer before trusting them with all of my account info.
I've started using coupons again when I can. Someone at our branch came up with the idea of a coupon donation box in the staff breakroom. Everyone can feel free to contribute or take any coupons they need. I think everyone is enjoying it. I have! We've recently joined Costco. I think in order for it to be a savings place for us, we will need to do some significant research on the items we purchase to make sure they are cheaper than our regular grocery stores. We're driving older cars in our family and are just hoping that they continue to get us where we need to be. If we had to purchase a new car, we would like to consider the Prius. It's expensive but the gas savings might offset some of the car note.
My bank does offer online banking and I use it on a regular basis. My account is a free account since I have automatic payroll deposits. There is a fee for too many checks which I try to avoid. I use it to track my checks and debit charges - checking to see if they've cleared and when. I also use it to verify debit amounts when I'm not sure of the correct amount. I bank with a very large bank that takes exceptional security measures. I've banked with them for over 25 years with no complaints. Several years ago, my debit card was not returned to me at a fast food restaurant. I didn't realize it for a couple of hours. By that time, the card had been used at three different local gas stations. My bank took care of everything within two days after I notified them. I've been told that if you have a debit/credit card, it's better to use the credit and sign for the charge rather than use the debit and pin number method. I regularly check my online account to make sure there has not been any fraudulent or unauthorized use.
I looked over all of the budgeting websites listed. I signed up for Mint, but did not enter any of my account info. Still not feeling to secure about that. I want to look into their security a little closer before trusting them with all of my account info.
I've started using coupons again when I can. Someone at our branch came up with the idea of a coupon donation box in the staff breakroom. Everyone can feel free to contribute or take any coupons they need. I think everyone is enjoying it. I have! We've recently joined Costco. I think in order for it to be a savings place for us, we will need to do some significant research on the items we purchase to make sure they are cheaper than our regular grocery stores. We're driving older cars in our family and are just hoping that they continue to get us where we need to be. If we had to purchase a new car, we would like to consider the Prius. It's expensive but the gas savings might offset some of the car note.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Games and Gaming #38: Console Gaming
I visited the "nostalgic" game site and spent a few minutes playing Pacman. I think it's harder to play using the keyboard than it was when I played it on the console game. It could be that reactions have just gotten slower! I'm not sure I've gained any better skills by playing years ago except for the fact that I'm familiar with the game.
I'm pretty familiar with Wii and Sony Playstation 3. The graphics on the Sony Playstation are excellent, but there are not as many games to play on it. Also the games tend to be for the more mature audience. My family plays the Wii all the time. We have several games and they are all fun and challenging. In my opinion, I think the best console game system would be the Wii because there is more of a variety of games. Also the virtual movement concept sets it apart from the other consoles. As long as people don't sit and play video games all the time, I can't really see that console gaming detracts from learning. If anything, I think it probably increases the hand/eye coordination. There's no doubt in my mind that kids would initially come to the library for the gaming. Having said that, I do feel that there would be those kids who discover the other things to do at the library and return for those things as well. It certainly would be up to the library staff to help the kids in this discovery process.
I'm pretty familiar with Wii and Sony Playstation 3. The graphics on the Sony Playstation are excellent, but there are not as many games to play on it. Also the games tend to be for the more mature audience. My family plays the Wii all the time. We have several games and they are all fun and challenging. In my opinion, I think the best console game system would be the Wii because there is more of a variety of games. Also the virtual movement concept sets it apart from the other consoles. As long as people don't sit and play video games all the time, I can't really see that console gaming detracts from learning. If anything, I think it probably increases the hand/eye coordination. There's no doubt in my mind that kids would initially come to the library for the gaming. Having said that, I do feel that there would be those kids who discover the other things to do at the library and return for those things as well. It certainly would be up to the library staff to help the kids in this discovery process.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Games and Gaming #37: Get Your Game On @ The Library
I read the article in THE NEW YORK TIMES about game day at their libraries. I agree that adding games into the library mix is a perfect way to bring the younger generations into the library. Hopefully, while they are at the library, they will discover the adventures just waiting to be read!
I attempted to play both of the games provided through Carnegie Mellon, but was unable to get either one to work.
My question is - when will HCPL add video games to our collection and make them available to check out - talking about raising the circ numbers!!!!!
I attempted to play both of the games provided through Carnegie Mellon, but was unable to get either one to work.
My question is - when will HCPL add video games to our collection and make them available to check out - talking about raising the circ numbers!!!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Games and Gaming #36: The Wide World of Online Role Playing Games
I signed up for Runescape and created a character. My character is a woman with a long dress and huge muscular arms. I attempted to do the tutorial. Honestly I didn't find it very easy to move around. I wasn't even able to make fire even though I did cut the tree down! I'm pretty sure I'm not cut out for playing role games online with a bunch of other people. I prefer the Wii with my family one-on-one!
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