Thing #2

Before I purchased my iPhone, I spent a lot of time on Apple's website reading about its features. I'm a reader of manuals...I just can't help myself. I also read about operating system updates before I install them. I like knowing what changes and improvements have been made. There's always more to learn though.

I watched the iOS 7 Hidden Features video. It basically affirmed how ready I am to move up a couple of iPhone models! I don't have the wonders of Siri on my phone. I look forward to using the hidden tips when I buy a new phone. For now, the main change I made was in the accessibility mode under settings. I turned on the reduce motion toggle to conserve energy. I also think it makes my phone function more quickly as it moves more directly from task to task.

I read through the 15 iPhone tips post. Deleting the last digit in the Calendar app will come in handy. I knew I could shake my phone to do various things, but I didn't know it would erase a message so I could start over. The text-to-speech function was fun to play around with though I doubt I'll use it very often. I hardly ever do any special formatting in my email messages so this was a reminder of how it's done.

Thing #1 continued

I should give some background information about myself and the device I'm using for this project. I am an avid Apple user. I have an iMac (on life support), a MacBook Pro, an iPod, and an iPhone, which I'll be using for this project. I'm looking to upgrade my phone either this spring or next fall if I can wait that long. I currently have an iPhone 4 and while it still works beautifully, it's begun to slow down a bit. I try to keep it streamlined in terms of what apps I use on it. That means I'm interested in finding apps that are truly useful in my personal life, apps that don't add clutter and take up space, and apps that I can recommend to other users and patrons at the library.

I'm also really interested in learning about blogging. This is my first foray into the world of blogging. I am an avid reader of blogs and have always wanted to learn how to do it myself. I'm excited to learn in the context of a professional project. I can tell from looking around at other participants' blogs that there's a wide range of experience. I didn't live in Minnesota when the first 23 Things on a Stick and 23 More Things on a Stick were introduced, but I've gone back and taken a look at those websites and may try to fit them in if I have the time.

I work for Hennepin County Library as a substitute librarian. A year and a half ago, I moved to Minnesota from California where I worked as an academic librarian at Deep Springs College. I still do development and publication work for them. Prior to that, I worked as a Branch Manager for St. Louis County Library in St. Louis, Missouri for four and a half years.

Thing #1

Well, here it is and here I am: my blog. Welcome to "the substitute librarian." I've created the blog and registered. Thing #1 is done.