PodCast

I've listened to podcasts of some of the talk radio that I used to listen to, but not for a while. I've given that up for music (again). I've found that throwing on a few of my faves in pandora can keep me occupied and productive for hours (as I look up and notice I should have gone home hours ago). I trolled through some podcast search sites looking for a quality cast on accounting (dork, I know). I think I found one that I will listen to as topics are appropriate: Dorky, I know
Although my history with podcasts has fizzled, I am hoping that my podcast future works out better.

YouTube

One video, just one? I've run into YouTube mostly from email links for ranges from religious, politics, professional presentations, and (of course) humor on all these topics and more. I lived on YouTube pre-election, mostly as a humor break, I have taken a time-out now that it's all settled. I still do check in on a comedian I picked up doing a SP impression, very funny, then moved to 236 and tamed up :( I still am enjoying her humor though. I will continue to check YouTube as it strikes as things interest me or come my way. As for embedding, I gotta go with my mean-self in:


That's some fine acting

Web 2.0 Tools

OMG How many tools are out there? I actually realized that I am fairly up on some of the more popular (award winning) sites. Mainly through others' invites, not because I am up on things myself... I have however payed it forward and gotten people to join things like Facebook, set up iGoogle, join Twitter (yeah I took a little pushing...), set up stations on Pandora (and share stations). I guess I am not as far behind as I thought. Unfortunately, I have chosen a profession that has not fully embraced web-based applications (that I've come in contact with). Many cannot see beyond the risk factors. I really think an opportunity for greater real time collaboration is being overlooked, but who knows maybe I am a leader in the trend...

CML Tools

I love the CML Power Tools page. The toolbar is sitting on all the computers that I work on regularly (4 or so) and I love the fact that IE opens my account in a new window and Firefox opens in a new tab. Power tools actually encouraged me to update my browser (on all computers) to Firefox (THANK YOU!!!) The only downfall of CML's Power Tools is how hidden they are on the main CML page. I want to see a PowerTools button across the top...

Web-Based Apps

So I played a little with Google docs. I added the app to my iGoogle account, and decided to play around. I was looking forward to some outstanding functionality as I LOVE my gmail account. Sticking to my comfort zone (MS Excel), I went to the spreadsheet functionality. I am so used to the keystrokes and formulas playing with data in Excel, that I decided to see how the functionality translates. Many formulas work the same, which I was happy with. I was unable to find filters, which is a function I cannot live without, but will continue to play with until I find it. Since I've updated to include Google docs, I will continue to play with some of the non-confidential information I come in contact with and Google docs to see how it works for me. Google docs (or some other platform) would have been really beneficial with my previous employer where information needed to be shared across the globe; would have loved that for some of the docs that I worked on across language barriers. I did love to see the import export feature. Will continue to play; look for blog posts created with Google docs.

L&P Wiki

So I spent some time looking through the Learn & Play wiki, learning about fellow staffers favorite things (raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittena...) has been fun. I was unable to add content as easily as the vids/instruction said. As a matter of fact, nothing populated when I went to the edit tab. I will wait for the admin, and hope my attempt (this blog) will count (as I don't have a tremendous amount of time to complete)...

Wikis

I love the idea of wikis. I know that most of my knowledge comes not from having the knowledge in my head, but in knowing where to find an answer. Usually this comes from checking with others. I get partial answers from multiple sources and pull bits of information together to fit it all into THE answer for which I was looking.
Wikis can offer one stop for all the sources of information to get my answer. My trouble with wikis is finding a site that I trust. The few times I land on a wiki in my frantic search for answers, I make sure to verify information. I have not yet ventured into adding/editing content onto a wiki, but hopefully L&P will help me get over that fear (much like my former twitterphobia). We'll see what happens. In the meantime, I will continue to skim information that others post.