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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Instant Messaging and MP3 Players or: How I Learned to Love Technology

Seriously, when did work get so cool?


I have been instant messaging (using AIM, primarily) for I don't even know how many years. I grew up with it, basically. I love IMing because it's a great way for me to multi-task. I can talk to several people at once while I make dinner, do laundry, and watch my favorite TV show. Many might think that means I don't have quality conversations, and they would be right and wrong at the same time. When I need or want a quality conversation, I can have it, but how many times do you really talk to someone only when it would be a quality conversation? IMs are a way for me to stay connected to people but not have that awkward time on the phone when you're both trying to do multiple things and you can't think of anything to say. Now, I go do what I need to until I think of something worth saying.



I know I'm not going to convince anyone to like IMs if they already hate it, but for me, it's a great invention. Anyway, I created the Windows Live account and talked to Ian for a bit (and learned about a really cool conversation here). Personally, I think this is a great tool for libraries because IMs are so popular - it could be amazing to work with younger generations who IM constantly and need and want information at the touch of a button. Help with homework? IM a librarian! If anyone else is signed up for Windows Live, let me know your screenname so I can complete the rest of the DC's discovery exercises!



As for MP3 players, I'm newer at those. I bought a Creative Zen V Plus a few months ago, and I abosolutely love it. I use it almost every day. I use it at work when I'm zoning out doing reselection, when I'm outside running, or when I want to listen to the 7th Harry Potter book because I don't have time to read it again.

Unfortunately for Learning 2.0, I don't like Apple. I just don't. Call it dumb or stubborn or whatever you want, I refuse to buy or have anything to do with an iPod (or anything that starts with "i" followed by a capitalized word with no space - with the exception of iGoogle, and that's only because it's so cool and it won me over). That's all I can say without getting on a soap box. So, I will not be investigating iTunes, but I do have some knowledge about Windows Media Player and use it almost exclusively when it comes to playing media on my computer or updating my Zen.

Nine 2.0 things down!

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