#47 - Post your video on YouTube

#46 - Movie Maker Basics: You Oughta be in Pictures - or Making Them!

I had so much fun making my video in Movie Maker!! I'm going to upload it to YouTube now and post it to my blog!

#45 - Making a Video: An Overview

I have used Windows Movie Maker before, and I like how simple it is.
Jumpcut has similar features, but I love how you can save your videos to your Jumpcut account and share them from there, rather than having to upload them to YouTube.

I would like to create a video in Animoto when I have more time.

A Consumer's How To #44 - How To & Make

I browsed through the different types of How To sites, and I liked eHow the best. I think it is set up very well, and it is easy to find what you are looking for.

The Instructables site was so bright, it gave me a headache!

I found a How To article on eHow about "How to Decorate for Thanksgiving on a Budget". I love decorating for the holidays, but it seems silly to spend a lot of money on something that you'll only see once a year. I love the idea about using items (like branches and pinecones) from nature to decorate. It's simple, but very festive.

A Consumer's How To #43 - Buying & Selling Online

I have used eBay and Amazon to buy items, but I have never sold anything online. I have also browsed Etsy for some items, but have never bought anything from them.

I enjoy using Amazon to make purchases. The website is very user-friendly.

I have used PayPal many times to make online purchases. I like that it keeps my credit card information private from unknown sellers on sites like eBay.

Wellness #42 - Staying Well

I usually use WebMD's symptom checker, but I like the Mayo Clinic's website as well. I think WebMD has more options as far as specific symptoms go, but it also doesn't narrow down the possible illnesses as well as the Mayo Clinic does.

I looked at the Medline Plus website for resources related to Asthma, a condition I have. I was surprised at the number of resources in Harris County...anything from Acupuncturists to Yoga.

I created a sample medical history tree. I think this is essential information, geneologically speaking. It can be used to track hereditary diseases, and may be helpful in determining your own risk factors for these diseases.

Wellness #41 - Going Green (Pt. 2)

I looked at the city of Houston's website with the 5 easy, low cost changes to make your home more energy efficient...and I'm happy to see I've already done all of those.
Another easy change I could make would be to recycle more than just newspapers, like aluminium and glass. I would also like to try making my own household cleaners, but that would take a little more effort.

Wellness #41 - Going Green (Pt. 1)

Going Green

I calculated my family's carbon footprint using the Yahoo! Green calculator. I was kind of surprised at the result, because it was higher than I thought it would be. I liked how there were tips for reducing carbon at the end of the results page.

Eating Green

I've never been to a farmers market, but I'd like to visit the Houston Farmers Market. It's closer to my home than the others listed, and they seem to have a better variety of produce available.

Wellness #40 - Fitness

I used the Fitness calculators to determine my BMI, calorie requirements and life expectancy. I was not really surprised by the results.

I am trying to eat better (less junk food), and start a workout routine, so I can stay in shape and hopefully prevent any health problems later on.

Wellness #39 - Nutrition

I browsed the Nutrition Data website, and I found some good features like the Daily Needs Calculator. I looked up my favorite fast food item (the Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Wendy's), and I wasn't surprised to learn that it is not very good for you. I do get my sandwich without mayo though...I wonder if that makes it a little bit better.

Here's a recipe and nutrition info for one of my favorite dishes from recipes.sparkpeople.com.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients

1/3 cup white flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 lbs stewing beef
1 med onion
1 garlic clove
3 celery stalks
3 carrots
4 med potatoes
1 beef bouillon cube or 2 tsp liquid beef bouillon
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
3 cups water
1-40g pkg of dry onion soup mix
1 tbsp fresh rosemary (optional)
1 tsp fresh thyme (optional)
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Slow Cooker Beef Stew - Recipe Instructions:

1) Mix 1/3 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large ziploc bag, or plastic bowl with lid.

2) Cut 1-1/2 to 2 lbs stewing beef, or beef sirloin tip steak, into 1" cubes and then toss in flour mixture.

3) Coat bottom of non-stick teflon skillet with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and then add beef and flour mixture (including any excess flour).

4) Brown beef and then add 1 medium diced onion. Cook until onion goes soft.

5) Place beef , garlic clove (chopped) and onion mixture in bottom of slow cooker with the rosemary and thyme and let cook on slow until meat is tender.

Then add:4 medium potatoes (peeled & cubed) 3 large carrots, peeled & diced 3 stalks chopped celery

Mix the following ingredients in a bowl and then pour over the beef and vegetables:

3 cups boiling water mixed with...

1 - 40 g package of Onion Soup Mix

1 Beef bouillon cube

2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Slow Cooker Beef Stew - Cooking Instructions

If you are in a hurry cook on high for 2-1/2 hours, and then turn down to low for 2 more hours. If you have a little more time to spare cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until potatoes and carrots are tender. No extra thickening of the beef stew gravy should be required. It turns out perfectly for me every time. Makes about 8 servings (1.5 cups per serving)

Number of Servings: 8

Nutritional Info

Fat: 4.6g
Carbohydrates: 12.6g
Calories:113.2
Protein: 4.9g

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user NEWMOMOFTWO.

Games and Gaming #38 - Console Gaming

I loved playing Pacman and other arcade games as a kid! I do think I gained some skills over people who never played, such as problem-solving and hand-eye coordination.

In modest amounts, I think video games are a learning experience. There is such a thing as too much gaming, though. In my opinion, for library purposes, it would be best to use an Xbox 360 or a Wii. Each of those systems have a wide selection of games that will appeal to more people. I think the goal should just be getting people into the library, and video games systems do that. I'd like to think that players will come for the game, and stay for the books.

Games and Gaming #37 - Get Your Game On @ The Library

I read the New York Times article, and I have to agree that having video games available for checkout at the library is a positive thing. It's especially hard to get young adults interested in visiting the library. If we promote programs and materials that they can relate to, they'll come in and maybe check-out some books, as well.

I think the availability of video games in libraries will continue to increase. Libraries will always be changing. As technology advances and evolves, libraries have to, as well...not only to keep up, but to stay ahead.

Games and Gaming #36 - The Wide World of Online Role Playing Games

I don't have any interest in playing MMORPG's, but I signed up for an account at Runescape anyway, just to see what all of the fuss is about.

I was very unimpressed.

I went through the tutorial, and it's fairly easy to get from one place to another, but I was constantly having to rotate the camera to make sure my character was going the right direction. The graphics were horrible!! I had a hard time figuring out who I was supposed to talk to, where items were, etc. It was very frustrating.

I'm sure the MMORPG's you have to pay to play are much better, but since I don't really have the interest, the time, or the money, I won't be trying any of them out.

Games and Gaming #35 - Games? In the Library?

I love this new module! I played FreeRice for a little while. It's a great way to brush up on old vocabulary, and learn some new vocabulary, while benefitting a good cause!

There's not much to the game itself. No rules to learn, just get to the website and start playing. Here's a hint for you: Pay attention to the correct answer when you get one wrong, because they do repeat the words you missed occasionally.

My highest score was 35, and I donated 3180 grains of rice!

Maps #34 - Geocoding and Geocaching

Using http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocode, I chose to find the Tomball Library. The coordinates for this location are 30.111089, -95.641402.

I would be interested in finding this geocache.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f183d7e4-2267-4607-8881-b8fc340b0a4e.
The GPS coordinates are N 30° 05.315 W 095° 36.677.

I'm a little confused about geocaching. I suppose it could be fun to explore these places, and you may find something new and exciting. I am concerned about the safety aspect, though. Looking for these locations without knowing the person who posted them could be potentially dangerous.

Maps #33 - Relocating with Online Maps

Activity 1
The My Maps link on Google wouldn't work, so I didn't get very far with that site. Instead, I used HAR to find information. It was very helpful. I searched by zip code, and found a neighborhood near my brother and sister-in-law. The site gave information about the homes in the the subdivision (things like average lot size, and average number of bedrooms and bathrooms.) It also gave the tax rate information for the area.

I looked through the listings of homes for sale in the neighborhood. Each listing gave vital information: the year the property was built, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage of the house, and the size of the lot. If you clicked on the "View Detail" link, there was a map of the house's location, and several pictures of the property. Some of the listings also included a virtual tour.

Activity 2
I selected a home in the neighborhood I found. It turns out that even though the house is in the same city as my brother and sister-in-law, it's actually part of the school district that I currently live in! I thought that was very interesting, but it's ok with me, because the school district was the main reason I moved into my current home.

I used Walk Score to find nearby restaurants and stores. It was a very neat site. There is a neighborhood pool and park, and the local elementary school is in the neighborhood, as well. I also found some fast food restaurants and a coffee shop nearby.

Maps #32 - Current Events

Activity 1
After looking through the list of "100 Things To Do With Google Maps", I thought of this hypothetical question and answer.

Question: I'd like to get in shape, but I'm not sure how to calculate the number of calories I've burned based on the miles I've jogged.

Answer: Go to http://www.gmap-pedometer.com. Turn on the mile marker and calorie counter using the links provided, then plan out your route on the map.

Activity 2
I found an aerial image of The University of Texas.
Aerial image of The University of Texas

I think aerial photography is great, and I'm glad Google Maps has incorporated this technology into their system.

Maps #31 - Have Map, Will Travel

I created this map with Google maps. I had a lot of fun with this exercise, and I'm sure I'll using Google maps even more now!


View Larger Map

Spring Cleaning #30 - Take a Load Off Our Drives

I have never used the S, P, or Z drives to save anything. Instead, I save my data on a floppy disk.

I was unsure of what I could and could not save on the S, P, and Z drives, and I didn't want to take up space. I'm glad I have more information on their usage now.

Spring Cleaning #29 - Email

I don't like having a ton of email just sitting in my inbox, so I'm pretty good about sorting through it on regular basis.

In both my work and personal email accounts, I have set up additional folders to store emails that I will need access to in the future. Everything else gets deleted after I read it (and reply to it, if necessary.)

Also, I always make sure to empty the deleted items folder.

Spring Cleaning #28 - Don’t Clutter Up Expensive Cyberspace

I read through the information on GTD. The work flow process was the easiest method for me to understand, because it had a very common sense approach to it.

I use an online calendar and task manager at Yahoo, and I think it's very helpful. While I like the functionality of an online calendar, I still have a day planner and write my weekly to-do lists on paper, because it's easier to add to it or make adjustments when I'm on the go and don't have computer access.

Sound #26 - Making (or listening to) Music Together

I browsed mog.com, and I think it is a great concept. It was very easy to find blogs of people who have the same taste in music as I do. I also like that Mog has recommendations from bloggers about other artists, and you have the ability to listen to samples and upload music.

Imeem has some nice features, too. I liked that you could create a playlist and share it with others.

I played around a little with JamStudio, but it looked kind of complicated, so I haven't created a song yet. I'll have to try that again when I have more time.

Sound #25 - Am I a music pirate? It's hard to know...

I don't listen to CDs anymore. However, I have burned CDs in the past, and it's a very easy process.

As far as sharing music online, each side of this controversy has a very compelling argument. The music industry IS losing money because so many people are illegally downloading, but I don't think the punishment should be so harsh for the people who do.

In my opinion, the online sites that require a small fee for music are a great compromise. The industry is still making a profit, while the consumer gets the music they want at a much better price. Not only is an entire downloaded album cheaper than a CD, you have the added convenience of not having to leave your house.

Sound #24 - The Sound of Music

Here is my first post for iHCPL: The Next Generation. I'm looking forward to all of the new learning opportunities this program has to offer!

I use iTunes exclusively, because I have an iPod. Individual songs are 99 cents each, or you can buy an entire album, but the prices vary on those. (I'm sure it has something to do with how popular they are, or if they are new releases.)

I looked at Napster, also. I like their feature of paying one price for a entire month of service with unlimited downloads. If I downloaded a lot of music, that would probably be a better deal than paying for each individual song on iTunes.

At my previous job, I did listen to Sunny 99.1 radio through their website when I was at my desk. It's nice to have that option if you don't have access to a radio. My only gripe about that is that the sound isn't as clear, and the music tends to cut in and out, but it's much better than sitting in silence!