Tuesday, September 25, 2007

iHCPL and photos


I can hardly wait for the online photo editing tools.

Flickr has been the most challenging exercise for me. First I had a member of the digital natives generation show me how to use the digital camera and transfer the file to the PC. (This is my default learning style for any technology developed after Ronald Reagan left the White House.)

Then I went to Flickr, set up an account and then tried uploading photos several times before I finally got the hang of it. It helped to read iStar’s blog and the blogs to which it directed me. I did not at first find the Flickr site intuitive. This is because I am both chronologically gifted and a very linear thinker. I learn by compulsive reading followed by mutterings and grumblings rising in pitch to expletives as my attempts to operate the machinery do not produce the desired results. After giving myself a helpful time-out for therapeutic sulking, I returned to the task and the software performed exactly as anticipated.

For the mashups I tried to match HCPL Blue and Orange with Colorpicker, but I was unsuccessful. I had better luck with the FDToys trading card maker. I create my own library trading card, and then tried to put it on the map with Flickr. I should mention that I once again went through the ritual mutterings and grumblings (RM&G) followed by a break after which the software again performed exactly as anticipated.

Navigating the Flickr map led me to more RM&G, but this time when I took a break I followed the advice on the Help / FAQ / The Map page and watched the movie.

As they suggested, “A good first step might be to watch our Exploring the Map screencast.”

I then knew that I could move my cursor to where I was attempting to go, double click it, and the map would then be centered at the X I’d marked on the spot. Who knew what marvelous things I could learn departing from my usual learning style? I got to locate my trading card right on the District of Columbia’s main library, as illustrated above.

1 comment:

Libhelper said...

I love your Flickr posting. It made my day.