The end of my web experience... or just the beginning?

I have now completed the modules in the Web 2.0 online learning program. I have learnt quite a lot along the way and have enjoyed the experience. It has been a challenge at times though. I have been very busy over the past couple of months and I've really had to apply myself to spend time exploring each module. Exploring can be quite time consuming!!

There are some modules that I have enjoyed more than others but my favourites would definitely be blogging and Flickr. I can definitely see myself using these in the future. It was great learning about podcasts and Library Thing too.

There is definitely a whole wide world out there on the internet and this journey has opened my eyes to just a small portion of what is available. I will definitely use this experience as a learning curve and when I settle into my new home and get a little more time on my hands I will look forward to exploring some of the features I have learned about in more detail.

This course was a great idea and I would certainly recommend others to participate if it is ever available again in the future!

Skype

Skype is a great idea! I haven't used it yet but I do have a friend in the UK who uses Skype. She is always telling me to download it so we can have video chats. I did download the program but it seemed to slow my computer down and I experienced more problems than usual with my Facebook account. I deleted Skype and my computer has gone back to normal! I will however add it again because I'm really keen to see my friend (whom I met online) and hear her English accent!

This is a great way to keep in touch with family and friends and adds a more 'personal' touch than phone calls or instant messaging!

Second Life

Wow, what can I say about Second Life? I'm still trying to really understand the concept. I have used a virtual application in Facebook where you create your own cartoon character, earn money, purchase clothes and furniture for your apartment and interact with other characters from around the world. I guess Second Life is along the same lines but a lot more complex and in-depth! To be honest I have enough trouble keeping up with everyday 'real' life so Second Life is not something I have an interest in joining but I am glad I have an understanding of what it is about. I had heard about this 'virtual' world but wasn't aware of the name or how to find out about it.

Dare I say however, that these virtual worlds will no doubt play more of a role in 'real' life in the future...

MySpace vs Facebook

I already have a Facebook profile and although I was initially reluctant to join I'm now totally addicted! It's a great way to keep in touch with family and friends interstate and overseas. I have to admit it can be a bit of a time waster but it's all in fun. I am familiar with MySpace but do not have a profile. My choice to join Facebook rather than MySpace was purely because most of my family and friends were already on Facebook.

I think there is more creative flair with MySpace; you can jazz up your profile and even have music playing when people log on to your page. Unfortunately Facebook is very limited in this way. Both have their advantages and disadvantages but both are great social networking tools.

Although social networking via the internet is a great tool, it is something that needs to be used in moderation. If someone is always interacting with people behind a computer, they could develop poor people and social skills.

Google maps

Google maps is a fantastic web resource! It's so easy to find directions, all you need to do is enter the address, street or suburb you are leaving from and then your destination and it will give you step-by-step instructions including the distance between each street and turn. So much easier than trying to navigate a Melway while driving!

During the process of looking for a new place to live recently, I used Google maps to look up the address of properties I was interested in so I could see arial views of the street, neighbouring houses and the area in general. It was great! I have also used it to see images of where my overseas friends live. I would definitely recommend this site; check it out for yourself.

iGoogle

I had a lot of fun with this! iGoogle is now my home page. There are so many things you can access easily and the ability to create additional tabs is fantastic. You can arrange gadgets according to categories. For example: home, entertainment, fun, etc.

As for working at Google, who wouldn't want to work there! It's a shame more organisations don't have the money or resources to provide employees with a better working environment, considering so many of us spend so much time at work. I posted the YouTube video to my Facebook account (the first time I've attempted this); it was as easy as 1,2,3!!

Ebooks and Audiobooks

Ebooks and audiobooks are a great resource for those with vision impairment, poor literacy skills or for those who just don't like to read! I found Project Gutenburg to be a good site although it helps to know what you are looking for. I particularly liked the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Overdrive Downloadable Media site. The instructional videos are great and the opportunity to view excerpts is a bonus. Some books can also be burnt to CD; great idea!

The BookCrossing website is a fabulous idea; people all over the world leave their books in a public place for someone else to find and read and can be tracked via the website to see where they have travelled. Not unlike the garden gnomes who travel the world!