Final thoughts

If offered a similar opportunity, I would opt in. I've enjoyed learning new things, from blogging to avatars to wikis. And it was all surpringly easy!

Gaming

Gaming online is fun. I like the crossword puzzles and scrabble games.

Maps and Geotagging

I love maps! Everything about Google Earth is fun and useful.

Avatars and Second Life

My virtual self makes her debut. I imagine I would have enjoyed playing in virtual reality as a child. Real life seems much more interesting to me at this point.

Online Applications

Google Docs and Zoho were easy to use and convenient.

Search Engine

Rollyo, Mamma, and Dogpile are great alternatives to Google, but after a search on all four search engines, I still prefer Google for the sheer scope of that engine.

Podcasting

So much is available at our fingertips! I listened to a lecture on art history and heard great American speakers.

Online Image Generators

This software would come in handy for printing quick awards and thank you cards.

Overdrive

Overdrive is a wonderful option. The news that this summer we'll see titles that support ipod is fantastic.

del.icio.us

The social networking on del.icio.us, Reddit, and Stumble Upon could be useful for gathering and sharing children's programming ideas. I did set up an account with del.icio.us; however, the necessary confirmation email never came through to my sno-isle email.

Wikis

The Princeton Public Library Wiki is a terrific idea for Summer Reading. Kids are able to enter a review online and perhaps inspire others to read the same book.

Costa Rican Surf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMXFsbMeIQI

Social Networking

Facebook, My Space, etc. are great social networking sites if that's your thing. I find all that personal information to be just way too much personal information.

San Miguel, Mexico 07

San Miguel, Mexico 07,
originally uploaded by m2008z.

Tiled staircase leads to my light-filled casita. The courtyard remains a cool oasis throughout the day.

Flickr seems like a great way to back up photos and share them with the world.

I'm now addicted to my RSS feeds.

Streaming Music

Setting up streaming music was easy and enjoyable. I went with Pandora. All the sign-up instructions were clear and simple.

After subscribing to three RSS feeds, a dialog box popped up and informed me that the "database" wasn't working and I should try again later.

I've used AOL for IM, but it was long ago...probably 10 years ago. This IM surprised me. I like how easily I was able to send a video and other links. I like it.

Perhaps it's because I've had a vacation but, I'm finding that learning to blog is surprising easy! I remember learning HTML in the old days. Trying to create a website back then seemed a lot tougher.

Sea of Cortez

Just returned from Loreto, Mexico, a small fishing town on the Sea of Cortez.