Thing 6: Creating & Editing Documents

As part of my work, I travel around to several different libraries every week for work. I enjoy this, but it also means that I try to leave a lot of my documents, email, etc. "in the cloud" so I have access to them no matter which location I may be at for the day. While looking through the three suggestions for Thing 6, I must say that I was surprisingly intrigued by all three. Cloud on intrigued me because it was touted as being just like a desktop version meaning it would be very easy for me to pick-up and use. Quick Office looked interesting because it works with your Google Account which means it syncs with Google Drive. I had decided to explore SignNow, but apparently the app only works for Android devices running version 4.0 and up. I run a 2.3 so wasn't able to check out this app as I would have liked. 

In light of this, I decided to explore Quick Office. I was immediately impressed because upon opening the app, it looked very, very similar to Google Drive. As I dug further I could easily find the documents I already have uploaded to Google Drive, view them on my computer and make new documents. Everything syncs with my Google account which means that I can easily view files that are created, or edited from any computer (personal, work, friends), or from my mobile device. I think this is great because it fits extremely well with my "in the cloud" lifestyle and need for documents to be easily accessible no matter where I am at or what device I am using. 

Especially impressive is the fact that one can do documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Font style, color, highlights, and some special symbols can also be adjusted and there is even spell check!

Holy cowabunga, does Quick Office have it all and earns an A++ in regards to ease of use, flexibility, ability to customize, and extra features. Add the fact that everything syncs to your Google account or your SD card and you really couldn't ask for a better app, especially at just the right price –free. 

5 Badge

Thing 5: Notetaking

Thing 5 is oh so timely. I have been searching for an app that does note taking, but is not just bare bones. While I'm not normally too picky with most things on my phone, I am finding myself being very particular about finding a good note app just because I tend to take quite a few notes and use the note function more than any other app on my phone. 

I tried a free app called "memo" for awhile which wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. After trying "memo" I switched to "Color Note" which hasn't been bad either, but something is just not quite right in Denmark (or shall I say the library?). It has some to do list functions which is nice and a function for text, along with a few other features such as spell check and the ability to send the notes to others, but I'm still not 100% sold on "Color Note."

Bamboo paper looked more what I was looking for, but when I was reading more about the app and reviews it was apparent that it is more stylus friendly than typing. I would like to be able to use the app I select on my mobile phone so I'm seeking more of a typing friendly app as I don't use a stylus.

After looking through the remaining apps I decided to try "Springpad." It is nice because not only does it have the notepad feature, but it also lets you have a place to store info bits and sort them into categories such as recipes, notes, books, etc. which could be kind of handy. My favorite feature is that it is Google friendly meaning I can log into my Google account from my pc and be able to sync items from my pc to phone which is really nice. So far it seems very easy to use and intuitive which are big points for users. While the app has many nice features such as being very user friendly, ad free, a variety of choices for background and accent colors, ability to customize privacy options, add files, etc. I did not like the fact that you had to go into the app and then into a book and sort through the list just to see your notes...it seemed like a lot of extra organizing that wasn't necessary. 

Remember the Milk was nice because it was cloud accessible, however, I found the app to be much more of a to do list, which could be useful for others as it is very easy to navigate, has reminder options, etc., but wasn't exactly what I was looking for unfortunately. 

I ultimately decided to go with a free app called Note Manager that wasn't recommended by 23 Mobile Things, but was recommended at the Google Play Store when I went to download Remember The Milk. Note Manager isn't fancy, but does have the features I'm looking for such as just regular notes, reminder notes, picture notes and the ability to share notes. Thus far, I've been very happy with it. The great part about Thing 5 is that I had the chance to experiment with different note taking providers and explore what I was looking for, especially since I use notes in my personal and professional life quite a bit. 

Happy Noting! 

Thing 4: Keeping Up

Social Media is all the rage these days (and has been for awhile). Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Youtube, etc. RSS feeds can be useful for individuals who want to access all of the social media quickly, easily and in one spot instead of visiting each and every individual website. As you can probably guess, the power that RSS feeds can have in saving time, energy and every annoying password you've ever had to set up is incredible!

Personally, I'm not a huge social networker. Sure, I do my fair share of Facebook, Linked In and the occasional Youtube, but not enough that I'd consider a RSS a huge improvement to my life (because checking Facebook a few times a week doesn’t really warrant an RSS feed).
I can see how RSS feeds would be useful for the professional side of my job. A lot of times libraries exchange ideas across systems and counties to try and learn how to better provide services, save money, new programs, etc. It would be great if all of the different sites I browse for programs, bulletin boards, events, etc.  (such as different facebook pages, Pinterest, and ALA message boards) could be easily compiled in one spot.

Out of the two apps recommended by the 23 Mobile Things Page, I chose to look at Zite. I like the fact that I can tell Zite what interests me and it will pull up articles and suggestions for reading. The more I read, the more intuitive Zite becomes in picking out what I like (I wonder if there is any way I can transfer that skill to other aspects of my life?? Maybe Zite could pick out my next book!).

As I was browsing through Zite I decided to take a look at books and libraries to see what would pop up. Surprisingly, there are a lot of interesting results that were presented to me. Suggestions included articles about e-books, early literacy, free books, etc. Zite even suggested more search queries based on my original query.

On top of all of this, I could also link my Facebook, Twitter or pocket to have everything all in one place.

I find the idea behind RSS feeds and Zite a useful idea and I can see where it would be really convenient to help sort some of my professional pages and compile them all in one spot, especially across three jobs. Bonus points for the fact it is on my phone and/or in the cloud so travels easily with me (you do NOT want to see the back seat of my car).

While I can see this perhaps becoming a useful professional tool, I can't see myself using this in my personal life as I find that I am happy with my current level of social media and get addicted to news articles way too easily (especially when they're customized topics!) so it's a REALLY, REALLY bad to have them just keep popping up with no end in sight. They're kind of like M&M's, you think you can always eat one, but before you know it, half the bag is gone! Drats.

Nonetheless, I think Zite could be an excellent resource for many patrons as well, especially patrons who are interested in articles and magazine types of services on their mobile devices and are seeking something a bit more than the library sponsored Zinio product and it's free to boot!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the image.

Thing 3: Utilities

I like apps, but honestly, I haven’t delved into the world of App’s too terribly far. I don’t really know why except I guess I would rather be reading the latest best seller then looking at apps because I consider most of them to be frilly play thing do-dahs on your phone (Playing digital musical instruments because you’re bored? No thank you…) until I started Thing 3. Now that I see what some of these apps can do, I wonder, why did I not look into this earlier?!? (Ok, honestly, probably because I don’t have a data plan and a number of these that I would use outside of my house require it, but I disgress, a lot of stores have free wi-fi I could hook up to and use if I really needed too, so that’s just another lame excuse of mine).

My utility use so far prior to this exercise had been limited to Google Search (always handy for curiosity look ups, directions, etc.), a memo application for me to make notes about things I need to remember and the alarm clock app (already preinstalled on my phone) ever since my alarm clock decided to bite the dust a few months ago (and I just haven’t replaced it yet). 

The utilities listed under Thing 3 actually look COOL, so I decided to investigate further. The first thing I tried was the Google Goggles (if the name alone doesn’t spark your curiosity you’ve either never heard of Google or are no longer among the living). It is a very cool concept and idea, but honestly? It doesn't work all that well (*ducks and covers*). Now before I’m deleted from Google’s database forever, let me say in my defense that I tried to scan some common household objects, but it didn't recognize any of them. Kind of a buzz kill. 

I regularly use the Google Search App on a regular basis and have no complaints. Same great Google as my PC, just on a smaller scale and on a mobile device. <3 

I also decided to try RedLaser Barcode. This was an app that also sounded very useful. Basically you can scan any barcode into this app and it will search the internet to tell you price, availability at stores, reviews, etc. After downloading I ran around my house scanning the barcodes on random objects --my perfume, my deodorant, movies, etc. and viola! Up popped reviews, places available to purchase, price, etc. Amazing! 

I can't see myself using these apps professionally, although I can see myself using them in my personal life (and I already use Google Search). I especially enjoyed discovering RedLaser Barcode and am excited to use it in the future! On a library salary, who doesn’t like to save a few bucks? J

While loading apps on my phone from Google Play I noticed that I could browse them on my computer, send them to my phone and they would automatically download the next time my phone connected to an internet connection. How cool and easy is that? 

Please excuse me....the next best seller isn’t due out for a week and Google Play has a large library of apps just waiting to be discovered! 

Thing 2: Mobile Device Tips

Mobile Device Tips: Andorid Smart Phone

To complete the “23 Mobile Things” course I will be using my Andorid Smart Phone LG Optimus S L670. I’m pretty comfortable using my device so skipped over the basic tips and tricks, but there are a few things I could definitely learn such as how to sync my phone with Google Calendar, installing and switching between different keyboards etc. 

Prior to starting the “23 Mobile Things,” Google Calendar was definitely the feature I wanted to use most on my phone, but hadn't quite mastered. I had set up a Google Calendar account and found the app on my phone. I had managed to sync it, but had been having problems lately with my phone not updating after adding something via my computer. I’m not sure if there was a setting I was missing or if I had set-up the app wrong, but I was definitely looking forward to looking into this tip and trick to try and problem solve. I deleted it all, and found a set-up guide online that showed me how to set the sync settings in the “app settings” portion of the phone as well as under the calendar app. So far, it seems to be working! Huzzah!

While texting on my phone I noticed that there was a setting that would let me toggle between keyboards, but I didn't realize that you could download and install keyboards off the internet until I started looking up keyboard tips and tricks. During my research into different Android keyboards I discovered that an app called “SwiftKey” which is one of the best selling Android apps in the world. After watching a view on the Swiftkey website (http://www.swiftkey.net/en/), I can see why. The app does charge a fee so I didn't download it, but it was interesting to learn about nonetheless as well as see the different keyboard options available.

While exploring tips online, I ran across an article that describes how you can retrieve a lost app, even if it is one you paid for! This sounded super useful so I made sure to dig further into the article. Apparently all apps are saved in the “Downloads” section, so you can scroll through the list, click the one you accidentally removed and viola, it will re-download, no charge (even for a paid app!). 

Although I only looked at three tips in-depth, I definitely was able to implement them in my day to day usage as well as learn a few websites that have great information about tips and tricks for my future problems and questions.

I thought this was an excellent exercise in learning some tips and tricks since many library systems use Apps for their mobile library services. Being familiar with how apps work, some basic troubleshooting, and being able to research tips and tricks is useful in being able to assist patrons with their app questions and also improve my personal life. 

Thing 1: Blogging and Registering

I first saw the "23 Mobile Things" flyer while having dinner in the break room at the public library where I work. Trainings and programs about new devices always catch my eye because I am a Generation Y library professional who still really, really, really likes the printed book, but also likes technology too (so long as it doesn’t infringe on my printed books!). No E-Readers for me, thank you very much! There is something about the feel of the book, the new book smell, the haunting familiarity of the pages that an E-Reader cannot match. That said, I do like my laptop and my smart phone and like learning about new websites, apps, etc. even though I don't own a mobile device such as a tablet or Ipad. 

E-Readers and other mobile devices were just starting to become very popular when I first entered the library field in 2007 and have definitely grown since then. With the growth in devices, there has also been an uptick in questions that library patrons have about their device, what apps/programs/services of the library they can connect their device with, etc. And I really, really hate that "deer in the headlight" moment when I have no idea what the patron is talking about because I don't own such a device, so I generally try to attend trainings to stay current so I can at least help them out a bit with something...even if it is just getting them to the "help" section of the website! (We can team navigate from there). 

With that being said, by completing the "23 Mobile Things" I am hoping to gain a better understanding of some of today's top devices and apps as well as learn some basic troubleshooting tips for the devices, so that even though I may not have a lot of experience using mobile devices myself in my day-to-day life( except for my smartphone which is about 2 systems behind) I can at least have enough familiarity and knowledge to assist and guide patrons through their questions and concerns regarding their devices and maybe learn a few tips I want to incorporate into my personal life as well. 

As a library professional I am prepared to undertake learning about "23 Mobile Things" with eager anticipation not only for my own personal growth, but for the growth of my patrons as well.