The time has flown!

It has been quite some time since I've come by this blog. I suppose I just didn't know what to say; but then again, if you look at any of my other posts, my comments have been rather thrown out there.
I have found that the technology we have used in class is somewhat new to me or not at all. I have realized htat in order to learn a new technology, I have to have some sort of purpose. For this class, that new technology has been learned because there is an assignment to do. Would I look for new technology to simple try it out after this class is over? I hope so. I have been so impressed with what is out there and find myself wondering, "how do I stay on top of what is new?" I feel like I am only where I am in a technology sense because of how long I have been in school. So, will my future jobs push me in that direction to learn something new? Or will I have to do it on my own and bring it around to them. It's something to ponder to think you meay be the one introducing the future.

Web Design

I feel a little lost as to the purpose of my Web site. I can't really think of anything I can apply a Web site too. If I was a teacher, I could make a Web site for my students to access homework or classroom resources...but I'm not. So, now what. I first began by creating a "waste of space" Web site just to get the assignment done. But, I am having second thoughts. I want this Web site to apply to at least something. So, then I was brainstorming on what I do--work, read, bike, friends, school, job-hunt, movies, hangout, coffee, soccer, family...I suppose the list could go on and on. Perhaps that should be my theme....me. Just have a link to a page describing different parts of my life. Ahh...that seems a little ego-centric...but, when you think you don't know anything, I suppose you always know yourself.
I'm still not sold on "me" as a Web site theme. What else, what else...If I centered it around work, I would lose interest fast as I am constantly thinking of how to get out of the posistion I am in. Besides, I already made a blog for my work people and add to that weekly. Doing a Web site too would just push me over the edge. I could develop some sort of friends and family Web site and have a few pages for each part of the fam. But, then I would feel obligated to maintain the thing for the family and I know that I would lose interest fast.
I guess then it is decided...it'll be for me. My very own Web site. I'll change the name from Katie's Waste of Space...to Katie? No, that's just not right. Oh...and then the brainstorming continues...

Del.icio.us

I have spent more time creating another blog than putting the time into this one. So, I'll start from there.
On my other bloc, rec ref relief, I have created a sort of community for my employees to gather and discuss or vent specific issues that come across their minds. In this blog, I have listed a collection of web sites that they can use to scour for any answers to questions they may have and also a list of other blogs they can reach out to if ours is too boring or if they want to be even more anonymous than our blog allows.
So, how does this relate to del.icio.us?
Well, my list of sites and blogs stretches on and on almost cluttering the blog. A resource like del.icio.us would shorten that list into one and get rid of the clutter. This may not be the best use of del.icio.us, but for now, it would be a start.
Again, I believe del.icio.us focusses more on a community of users rather than someone simply stumbling upon your del.icio.us page. As I did with my second blog, I created this community rather than spout my thoughts and see if anyone else makes contact. With del.icio.us, a teacher can use her class as that community...and then if and when others connect with that page, a larger community is made.
I have not tried many of the Web 2.0 products...but hope to. For me it is more about having a purpose than finding a purpose for using it.

I wish you could see it!

I finally got a blog set up for my employees...kickass! I have definitely put more time inot it than this one. No offense, but this one just won't really play out much beyond this class. At least that is how I feel now. I felt like I needed to first have an audience so that I would know people are reading what I am saying. I have to admit, having an audience truely does make me self-conscious of what I am writing. Not only that, but there is no aninomity for me there. I should have created a different account so at least no one would know what I was saying. Of course, I can always go back and do it all over again.
Oh well...off to work and I'll write about school in a bit.

Try it again

So, I've branched out. Now I've developed a whole new blog that I am modifying to a specific audience. I hope it is pretty sweet. I think I'll use this blog in place of my emails if I can figure out how to include all the fun stuff.
I've found it's actually fun to play around with this tech. stuff. Oh baby. and easy.

Another empty week...

I have yet to decide how to incorporate this blog into my "life." I feel like it takes too much time to keep up with and modify the layout so that others would keep on coming by just because it's so cool.
I am forgetting my classmates' name, but he did offer some good advice during last week's class...."only write when you have something to say." Well, right now, I don't exactly have anything to really say, I just am keep up with out weekly reflection assignments. So many reflections...so many repeated thoughts (sigh). I do have to admit that I am not super pumped to be taking this class. It being my last, for hopefully a very long time, I just want to get it done. I am excited to learn how to set up a Web site, but again am wondering will I use it and how? I suppose I should brainstorm ideas for the Web site...maybe pull out the Inspiration and get a concept map up and running??? Ahhh...no.
Anyway, back to my classmate...his experience did present the idea that if you keep with it, you will develop an audience at some point..the point you write about something interesting enough, others are looking for it. His suggestion that whatever you put out there, is OUT there forever. I guess that means we should watch what we say? I wonder it there is any way to be completely anonymous. It's not fair that technology, in a way, has taken away our anonymity. Perhaps there is some scandalous conspiracy theory of the government creating new tracking techniques through improved, coveted technology...oh, oh...did I say something that will bite me in the future? Shit.

Week 5 Reflection

After our dicussion last week I have been trying to think of an audience for my blog. To realize that no one will read your blog unless they stumble upon it amoungst the millions...no billions of other blogs out there makes me think that I need to create an 'All Rage Set Aside' community. Oh hum...who could I interest in discussing things that I think are interesting...and hopefully have it take off so that we are discussing things that others enjoy as well.
The direction I turn to is of course work. Perhaps I can get...no force...the people who work for me to read, post, and enjoy a blog....but how?
Since I send out weekly emails, I could incorporate this blog into something they could access weekly. But what? I suppose I could have them discuss events that happened to them on the soccer pitch. People that have yelled obscenities that we would all think is funny...or injuries...or cautions/cards given.
I'm still thinking...
I think I would need to make it something fun and would need to get enough people participating so that others would want to check out what they have to say. After the next two weeks (my busy time) I'll have time to play around and see how to get them involved. It could be fun!
Cheers!