In order to register my blog I have to confess about the bits that I missed.
I'm afraid after the debacle of Netvibes followed quickly by the pointlessness of Doodle I became very downhearted about the whole 23things. I was also by this point extremely far behind schedule, due to only being a part timer plus a heavy work load. At the time my WSA colleagues had leaped onto Delicious so I took a flying leap over 'Browsers'. I have since had a look at Google Chrome and Firefox so I have now experienced both. I think I will continue to use Internet Explorer just because I am more familiar with it. I appreciate that Google Drive works better on Chrome.
Strangely enough when Catherine the Great first suggested I joined in with 23things I was open minded about everything else on the list except Twitter. I couldn't imagine why I would want to receive regular cynical tweets from Stephen Fry. But surprise, surprise I actually think it was my favourite Thing. I am still slightly confused as to how it works but I now follow several people and I love the links that Tweeters add to their tweets.
I have been on Facebook for a long time initially because seeing my son tagged in other people's photos reassured me that he was still alive and really was just ignoring all other means of communication. However, Facebook is fine for keeping up with friends but Twitter takes you into a whole new stratosphere.
Bad habits die hard so I then bounded over LinkedIn - I am more likely to retire than try and find a new job. Just not interested in being LinkedIn.
I did sign up for Delicious and Sarah Lund took time out of her busy schedule again to talk me through the site. I thought I was following - there was a lot of nodding and appreciation of its capabilities. Unfortunately when I came to replicate the experience home alone I failed miserably. By this point everyone had rushed on to the next exciting instalment so I haven't either asked for help or gone back to have another go myself. However, I am a serial web-browser and have so many favourites put into my own categories' and folders in Explorer that I can't imagine starting again with a new system unless there is a way of magically transferring them over.
Sarah again took me through Mendeley and I should have looked at it in more detail because referencing is one thing students do ask about so it would be useful to have a more thorough knowledge.
Again I was shown Library Thing - but I'm sorry I'd rather go and play tennis!
After that my attitude did pick-up. Things had quietened down at work so I could spare time to work on 23things at work rather than at home and I have completed all the other things before time ran out.
So finally I am allowed to post my REFLECTIONS.
I have enjoyed being introduced to 23things. I did have to have my arm twisted to start but that was mainly concern that I wouldn't cope, and I haven't understood everything, but I have at least experienced a lot of what the 'young things' take for granted so don't look quite so confused when a smart phone is thrust under my nose.
I have enjoyed blogging - but feel that except for my 3 loyal followers I am really talking to myself! My daughter has been in Australia whilst I have been learning 23things so I could have blogged to keep her in touch with what was happening at home but Skype makes that idea redundant. So will I carry on - I doubt it.
The best Thing as I explained above was Twitter. The worst was Netvibes - I nearly gave up at that point.
I appreciate that the intention of having a weekly task was to keep everyone working on the same thing but as I explained above that put an awful lot of pressure on a part time worker. I would have been happier just working through the tasks at my own pace. I feel that I would have spent more time on each item which would have meant a deeper appreciation rather than understanding just enough for me to complete the task and blog about it.
