Thing 32: Google Maps and Mashups

Using the map and directions from Google Maps makes travel easier. For example, along the side of this page is the map I'll use to drive to Sullivan, IL, and later Carmel, IN. I must have deleted the map line from Sullivan to Carmel, however. Making the mashup is a new experience, and getting it embedded right is almost there.!
Google Maps give directions and allow for alternate routes. A different map directs me home through Chicago, for example. Using Google Maps, I can find other helpful information like restaurants and even public bathrooms along the way.

Thing 28: Customized Home Pages

If I were the only one using this computer, I would consider accessing the daily Star Tribune Sudoku directly from my home page, since I go there regularly. Could be problematic since it might slow down other more important tasks.

I made a yellow and green iGoogle home page, with Doplar Radar, Weather, Date & time, and Current Moon Phase widgets. It was very easy to set up. Word-a-day widget didn't function on my home page, so I put it on my blog. I'm amazed by the variety of widgets / gadgets available. I enjoyed browsing through the Widgipedia site, which focuses on all kinds of widgitsand includes a variety of tutorials, like how to create a date-and-time widget.

Pageflakes intrigues me as a way of creating a textbook, and Blidgets, by which you can put your blog on a widget.

Thing 27: Twitter

After much speculation, I started a Twitter account. I watched the Common Craft video for basic info, the How I Made 5000 Twitter Friends in 90 Days for one person's suggestions, and read the WebJunction Beginner's Guides for various Twitter uses and additional ways to jazz up its use.
Katherine Boehret's beginning paragraph mentions that several of her friends in their 20s and 30s were asking her about Twitter. How about her older friends. Are oldsters Tweeting also?
In The Big Juicy Twitter Guide, Caroline Middlebrook's word "Twitetiquette," means "the etiquette of using Twitter." Though she is mainly interested in internet marketing, her points about starting, followers, and favorites are helpful.
See, I'm learning some Twitter jargon.
Reading on, I see that bad Twitter manners occur occasionally.
Will I find Twitter as a useful microblogging tool, or as totally unnecessary?

Thing 26: Ning

This morning I reviewed the 23 Things on a Stick Ning, which I joined last year. Two groups interest me, so I joined them both: "Knitting in the Library" and " Library Trustees."
My photos at that site remind me of summer.
Last year I didn't discover the Ning until I was doing one of the last 23 Things. It should be much more helpful as I move along on this project. Since I'm way behind, maybe members of my new groups will have answers I need.
I look forward to exploring the Ning more. The badge I added provides the link to the Ning, too.

Thing #25: Blogger's Tooklit

After reading about blogs, I have named the general topic of this blog near the title, so visitors will know right away.
I also like the idea of encouraging comments by not requiring commenters to sign in. I'm still looking for a free way to do that. Disqus makes commenting easier; however, I'd like to find a comment feature that allows anyone to comment, even if they're not registered to Disqus. Anti-spam ability is also necessary.

Posting to the blog through email is an interesting new feature.

Robin Good;s videos about widgets led me to add a dictionary "word-a-day" widget along the side of this blog.

For example, Contactify allows others to email you directly, without seeing your email address.
Postreach offers icons so blog readers can mark your post "cool" "fun," "insightful," and more.

Thing #24: A Few Changes

The look of my blog has changed just a little so far, and I've been exploring how to re-customize the layout. Since finishing "23 Things on a Stick," I've posted a few times but continue to read other's blogs regularly. The slideshow about 25 ways / reasons people blog showed some I plan to browse. One new goal is to try to collaborate more as I work through "More 23 Things."

Thing # 24: More Things on a Stick

I've been thinking about adding to this blog, so here goes!
Advice to sockknitters: To get kinks out of Addi Turbo circular knitting needle, soak the needle in warm water. Do not get it close to a hot tea kettle!