23 Mobile Things - Thing 15 : Infographics

Thing 15 "Infographics are … great for visual people, people who want to see graphics and statistics in more appealing ways than just a paragraph of words."

Not knowing exactly what I'd create an infographic for or why, I searched for some examples of library related infographics and found a few that I could use as inspiration in my library. Here they are and why I liked these:

This one grabbed my attention-- I liked the colors and graphics. The old style "librarian" glasses with what librarians do today make the information interesting. It's kind of comic style so I think this would grab the attention of students especially. 

source: http://yourteacherlibrarian.wikispaces.com/file/view/librarians.jpg 

This was another good example to explain what librarians do-- how we help our patrons/users. I liked the use of the road thinking of it as how to use libraries going down the pathway of life. 

source: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/8e/71/2b/8e712b58c343440de6b3aea25b52e93a.jpg 

This infographic is a cool use showing book stats. Sometimes just giving a number without anything to compare it to doesn't do the trick. People understand the Grand Canyon is deep so for the stack of books to be double that, well that's a lot of books!

source: http://m1.behance.net/rendition/modules/41964527/disp/ae1b603261c61acc360272f05e9da307.gif 

Here's a good example to explain to younger patrons/users how we found library books before the computer age. It has an old-school feel to it so I think it's appropriate for the content. For older users, who grew up using library card catalogs, I think I'd add to it (or create a similar one on) how to conceptualize that same information in online (OPAC) format. 

source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnpYq7CY_DokeLslwq84qw5a7TduMkcHS34ruDJPJ6tNTdtJ6A75ErKjPocW4PvnwcJG6PWO1K2xgNYk2nMK4b5zUgj6gC6odKPUgrRvfVqsXbuDG9uX26w4r8fbzTP02ZJgHhqF7hm-A/s1600/peabody+visual+aids+1.jpg 

This is a simple infographic that shows the stats and circulation story over a few years. Much easier to look at quickly and see changes (either up or down) in the various library items.

source: http://andymorton.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bml-stats-graphic.jpg 

This is a nice example of how to research in an easy to follow format-- although I'd make changes to it by adding our library resources such as our OPAC and databases. I could see where younger kids might like this one since it's kind of board game-like in format. 

source: http://langwitches.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/kvl-300x212.png 

We're just now in the process of surveying our library users so I can see using this format (or similar) for sharing our survey results after they're compiled. 

source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU-SBT6msKRULurKD17Of3rIEfbabd2AlSg2WvkNhjJ6a99Rqe5MGCPrlbZD8UzPPH-r18S5O47M45M4aj99Hp9DfrYmNCk0lhX-OEjXdD3yhM4lSVQAZI_fT16LzbYXfq0WrcALn7sw/s1600/2012+Liberary+Survey+Results.jpg 

Creating infographics--
In creating our own infographics, I think I'd be most apt to check out & try i Visual Info Touch Lite using our iPad. If not mobile, then I might try Piktochart free via PC-- free version since I don't foresee me having numerous ideas or time for creating infographics. 

23 Mobile Things -- Thing 6 : Creating & Editing Documents

For Thing 6: "When it comes to creating and editing documents, most people would probably still say they prefer using a computer over a mobile device. But there are some apps out there that are making creating and editing documents a little bit easier ... use at least one of these apps and create or edit a document." 

CloudOn

I decided to try CloudOn with our library iPad. Since we usually work from PCs with the Office Suite I thought this might be a good app to test. At times I use our library iPad out in the stacks on various projects and often I need an Excel file. In the past I've just put the Excel file in our Google Drive and used it via this. But this hasn't always been the easiest to work with when dealing with a larger spreadsheet. There tends to be a delay in scrolling or you don't always know if you're really in the correct field -- not good if you're entering or updating data.

I created a CloudOn account for our library:

This was very straight-forward and easy.

Light bulb tip: 

Files available from our Library's Google Drive:

File that I selected to work with:

In edit mode:

After saving, I was given the option to add an editor or mail the file:

After saving it displays "edit" information:

Overall this app seemed straightforward and easy to use. I'm going to give this more of a test-run with high hopes. Being able to easily work across platforms and software with ease is definitely a plus. jd+Points

23 Mobile Things -- Thing 5 : Note taking

For Thing 5 we were to consider: "Phones and tablets come with a notetaking app, but it’s usually pretty bare bones, and notetaking is why a lot of people like mobile devices. There are so many other notetaking apps out there, some that let you write with your finger, some that record your voice, and some that can help you make lists. Check out some of these popular apps."

Yes, I admit that I've used the plain-jane notes app on my iPhone. It does the job. But just an okay job so I don't use it very much or very often. I have less than a dozen notes most of which have simple information I like to keep with me on the off chance that I see that perfect something for a room or the cabin etc. such as window measurements or room dimensions.

I've tried using the notes for larger lists such for grocery shopping. But I find this not to be the best simply because I can't easily check or mark something off my list as I go. My only options are to leave the item or to take the time to delete the line. No, not happening. 

Earlier on I tried at least one other app but ran into the same problem -- not easy to mark off an item like I would on a paper grocery list or to-to list. So with this activity I am on the hunt to look at some of the suggested apps to see what they offer and how I might integrate them into my life.

Springpad
Right off the bat, Springpad shows promise of maybe being that Holy Grail of multi-function, multi-platform organizing apps. Here is a snip of what a "spring" is:

A Spring is: Alarm, Book, Bookmark/link, Checklist, Contact, Event, File, Movie, Music, Note, Photo, Place, Product, Recipe, Task, TV Show, Video, Wine

I like that Springpad can be used across platforms -- on my iPhone, iPad, and via the web (I'm often on multiple PCs) -- with snycing built-in. jd+Points right there.

I looked over their Support page to get a feel for what else Springpad can do & how I might use it. While I don't think that I'll use its social feature, I might like to use it for collaborating on occasion -- such as working with G on our Annual 4th of July get-together for creating and keeping updated on on food, people, needed supplies etc. I see that for Android (not yet Apple) there is an option to add a PIN to secure access to your notes. That could have its advantages -- top-secret Christmas lists and all.

Another feature that I might try is their Web Clipper tool. I currently do this a variety of ways depending upon if I'm on my iPhone, iPad or PC. This would do away with that plus keep everything in one place. jd+Points.

The test
I created an account via the web and added a few quick notebooks. I then downloaded the app to my iPhone. So far so good. I'll continue to work with this and try some of its other features but on quick review I think I'm going to like and use Springpad. 

Other apps mentioned
Bamboo Paper -- At this time I'm not going to try this app. I don't think I have a need for being able to sketch or draw with my finger -- I already have other apps for this, including a note taking app. I think this one is more for the creativity.
Dragon Dictation -- I have this app already but I've not used it other than an initial try it when I 1st downloaded it. I'll continue to keep the app and possibly in the future I'll find a good use for it. 
Remember the Milk -- I downloaded & tried this when it 1st came out but it wasn't for me. I've since deleted the app. 

23 Mobile Things -- Thing 2 : Mobile Device Tips

For Thing 2, we were asked to explore possible new tips, uses, and apps for our mobile devices. So here's what I checked out and discovered:

iPad -- 1st Gen wi-fi only
Yes, I (still) have a 1st generation iPad. At times I do feel that it is antiquated (can no longer upgrade iOS + browsers that crash often & can't be fixed) and I wonder why I keep it. Suffice to say, I don't use it to the degree I did. Yet I've not convinced myself to upgrade because I also have my iPhone and a PC. My iPad isn't essential to me, but I still want it to be useful.

I read The Best iPad Tips and Tricks [iOS 4 to 6] I knew about &/or have used almost all of the tips/tricks offered. My one big take-away was the emoji keyboard. I know! I've been living a sheltered life without emojis at my fingertips. 

I explored a bit more and I read 7 Uses for Your Outdated iPad. I liked the suggestion to use it as a second monitor so I might check into this further. Another suggestion was to use it in the kitchen loaded with recipes. I had already thought about ways to do this when by coincidence a friend shared via FB that she loves Pepperplate -- a multi-device way to store recipes. The good & the bad -- The bad is it needs minimum iOS 7 for the iPad app. The good is it still works on my iPad via web browser. 

I just recently ordered Chromecast so I will see how this works with my iPad in delivering streaming internet content to my TV. And I've always used my iPad as an ereader since both Nook & Kindle offer free apps. So maybe my 1st Gen iPad won't go to the device graveyard --yet.

iPhone 4s
For being a self-proclaimed tech-lover, again I have a bit of an outdated device: my iPhone 4s. But in comparison to my 1st Gen iPad, my iPhone is still fully functional for me so (at this time) I have no great reason to upgrade. 

I read through iPhone 4s Tips and Tricks. What I learned here had more to do with iOS 7+ upgrades vs. anything new for the 4s itself. I just recently upgraded to iOS 7+ -- I 1st had to remove some (many!) apps and tons of photos to make room for the needed memory -- so I'm still discovering new iOS features and adjusting to the new look. One small feature that I like is the easy way to swipe to the right for the delete option for a single email. Much easier than going into the email to delete or using the multi-edit option to delete one email.