17. LibraryElf

LibraryElf is a service that allows you to keep track of your library materials, mostly to prevent overdues.  While this seems like a great idea, I don't think it would help our patrons all that much.  First, we aren't even a supported Library, so you can't sign up.  Second, although you can get alerts for a single card for free, if you want to be able to track the items on multiple cards (like for your kids, etc.) or receive text message alerts, it costs $20 per year.  Financially, unless you're incurring lots and lots of fines, this doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.  Especially when you consider that you can access your account on our site for free.

15. Web 2.0 Photo Tools

a. I took the tour of Flickr.  It seems like a good place to upload photos.  I liked that there were flexible privacy settings, so that you could set a group of photos as for family only or for friends only.  I'm sure that there are photos that you don't really want your grandma to see.  Although this seems like a good site, I'm not sure I would use it.  Facebook already allows you to upload photos and Flickr requires you to have an account to see photos.  None of my friends are on Flickr, so I'll just stick with Facebook for now.

b. I visited Picasa, but it doesn't look like there's an introduction video.  So I looked at the new features of Picasa 3.9 and then went through the Getting Started guide.  I liked that this isn't just about a site to upload photos.  You can also download the Picasa software to edit your photos, make them into movies, upload them to your blog, etc.