I did get a few new pointers from the CR article.
One little boost was the encouragement to stop buying bottled water, a notion which I'd already been considering for other reasons. Another was the info regarding a/c. (I'd always wondered about the temps to use when not at home.) It was also uplifting to discover that I'm already doing much of what they suggest. But I have not been making use of websites for comparison shopping, etc, so am looking forward to doing so. And then there are those suggestions which simply would not be appealing, like doing all wash in cold water or cooking with a microwave.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Money Module Phase II (mint)
I've explored the various options provided on the mint website and can see how it would be useful for those who use credit cards for most purchases. In the past few months I've transformed my financial situation, eliminating almost all debt and returning to a lifestyle of using cash in place of credit. Ive also been reading some financial advice books lately (from the library, no less) and have been budgeting on my own, without the use of internet sites.
Also, even though sites are "secure" I do not feel comfortable typing social security number, bank account numbers, etc, on a Harris County pc. So, I browsed all the options available, but did not go much further.
Also, even though sites are "secure" I do not feel comfortable typing social security number, bank account numbers, etc, on a Harris County pc. So, I browsed all the options available, but did not go much further.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Module
My main bank account is with Chase and I already knew that they had a website. I'd been encouraged by personal bankers to use and we set up my account with bill paying last summer. But, I'd never taken advantage of these tools, not having a pc at home. This module gave me the opportunity to take the time to delve into and very glad that I did. (Nothing like finding unknown charges in one's checking account!) I will now take the extra time and effort to log in much more frequently, thanks to this module. I also looked up another bank to compare websites. Smaller bank (Encore), smaller and simpler website.
As to security, the Chase website offered various ways to verify me as the user, although it bothered me that they used "social security number" as an option online. I may go back into the Encore website (a bank I might be switching to) and compare, now that you've asked.
As to security, the Chase website offered various ways to verify me as the user, although it bothered me that they used "social security number" as an option online. I may go back into the Encore website (a bank I might be switching to) and compare, now that you've asked.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
module #58
Its good to be back after a very long hiatus!
I've browsed though the module's different components and am now ready to return and start the exercises.
(To be cont...)
I've browsed though the module's different components and am now ready to return and start the exercises.
(To be cont...)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Week 10: #23 (!!!)
Finalmente finito!
(finally finished)
My thoughts?
* Many of us have learned much from our "23 Things" tour, even if reluctant or complaining at times; i.e., whether we wanted to learn these "things" or not!
* Like with all learning processes, even if I do not remember all the material covered, I definitely know more than I did before we started. I view the 23 things in three categories.
(Let me use college study as metaphor.)
1) sailed through - " A"
2) kind of grasping but needing review or assistance to really get it - "C"
3) lost, needing to drop the class and take again - "drop" (no "F"s here)
=)
* Most beneficial:
-increased awareness for benefit of patrons. How much better it is to have some inkling of what's being talked about when patrons speak of RSS's, "podcasts", etc. !
-staff morale - mutual support, the "23 Things" became frequent topic of conversation and sharing ("Hey, look at my avatar!", etc), and, even when whining (usually about the time taken away from our jobs), we were doing it together!
* Kudos for:
the coverage, layout & design, explanations (for the most part), links, videos from admin (light hearted approach)
* Room for improvement:
-labs - more of them and more convenient (in terms of location)
-one level (track?) for those already computer savvy (like AP classes); another level for those of us who never have had an affinity for technology (like remedial classes) - unless that is, I'm the only one who needs it!
-learning process which builds on previous info;
i.e., continually repeating, incorporating into, lessons already learned.
(An example of not doing this: when I began the exercises for Week 9, I hadn't made use of an RSS since we did that particular lesson.)
to be continued....
(finally finished)
My thoughts?
* Many of us have learned much from our "23 Things" tour, even if reluctant or complaining at times; i.e., whether we wanted to learn these "things" or not!
* Like with all learning processes, even if I do not remember all the material covered, I definitely know more than I did before we started. I view the 23 things in three categories.
(Let me use college study as metaphor.)
1) sailed through - " A"
2) kind of grasping but needing review or assistance to really get it - "C"
3) lost, needing to drop the class and take again - "drop" (no "F"s here)
=)
* Most beneficial:
-increased awareness for benefit of patrons. How much better it is to have some inkling of what's being talked about when patrons speak of RSS's, "podcasts", etc. !
-staff morale - mutual support, the "23 Things" became frequent topic of conversation and sharing ("Hey, look at my avatar!", etc), and, even when whining (usually about the time taken away from our jobs), we were doing it together!
* Kudos for:
the coverage, layout & design, explanations (for the most part), links, videos from admin (light hearted approach)
* Room for improvement:
-labs - more of them and more convenient (in terms of location)
-one level (track?) for those already computer savvy (like AP classes); another level for those of us who never have had an affinity for technology (like remedial classes) - unless that is, I'm the only one who needs it!
-learning process which builds on previous info;
i.e., continually repeating, incorporating into, lessons already learned.
(An example of not doing this: when I began the exercises for Week 9, I hadn't made use of an RSS since we did that particular lesson.)
to be continued....
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Week 9: #22 Downloadable Media
I can appreciate that for those who enjoy electronics, being mobile and carrying MP3 players with them wherever they go, our digital website would be a useful resource. We seem to have a pretty broad and varied collection of items to choose from. If I were to use this type of resource at all, it would most likely be for the music selections. Also, no offence to anyone at HCPL, but I did notice that the other websites' homepages were more pleasing to the eye (user-friendly).
Week 9 #21 Podcasting
Enlightening. Good to have on-hands experience with yet another term that previously was modern day mumbo-jumbo to me. Not much to tell here except that I did notice differences between the different podcasting websites; was able to find material in one that I could not find in another. Also gave me the incentive to add Bloglines to my favorites, my growing "repertoire", so to speak.
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