Browser Addons

If you are not using the Firefox browser, it's time to change, if for no other reason than the addons available for Firefox.

What's an addon? It is a small program that can be added to the browser to extend functionality to provide more features. Firefox has thousands of them, for just about anything you are doing, or can think of doing, on the Web.

As an example, consider RSS feeds. Rather than using Bloglines, or Google Reader, how about a Firefox addon? Currently, searching the Feeds, News, & Blogging category of Firefox addons for "rss" returns 64 addons to choose from.

The summary of an addon in any list of possible addons includes some helpful information, such as a "starred" rating and link to reviews, as well as the number of weekly downloads for that addon. Also be sure to note when the addon was last updated (indicated in the bottom right corner of the summary box). To read more about the addon, click on its name in the summary.

The Firefox addon site also includes a "Recommended" button on some of the addons. Look for it in the upper left corner of the summary box.

But something to watch out for is the browser version that the addon will work with. In this example, the recommended addon has been upgraded to work with the newest Firefox browser which is still in beta testing. The site will recognize which version of the browser you are using (if you are using Firefox), and let you know you will need to upgrade Firefox to use the addon.

Finally, there are the "Experimental" addons, which cannot be downloaded without logging in to the site (accounts are free). But unless you like beta testing, it's a good idea to leave these alone.

Adding the addon is pretty straightforward. Simply click on the "Add to Firefox" button and it will be downloaded. A box will pop up asking if you want to install the addon. Assuming you click the button to install it, the addon will be installed and an alert box will then let you know that you need to restart Firefox for the changes to take effect. Look for a button added to the toolbar or the status bar (at the bottom of the window) for the new addon.

One other nice thing about the Firefox addons is that they let you know when new versions or updates are available (you will typically see a popup alert box when you start Firefox). Convinced yet?

Flickr Trading Cards

Since I have been in this Flickr group for a couple years, but never actually made a trading card, I thought this would be a good toy to play with.


There are some interesting and fun cards there. Some are real people, some historic figures, some are libraries. A couple of my favorites are the Pirate Librarians and the little librarian in training.

Here's how to make a trading card and add it to the pool:

1. You have to have a flickr account, which means getting a Yahoo! account (sorry about that).

2. Join the Librarian Trading Cards Group: click on the little triangle next to the "Groups" menu at the top of the page, and select the "Search for a Group" option.


In the search page that opens type "librarian trading cards" into the search box.

Click on the "Librarian Trading Cards" link on the results page

Click on the "Join this group" link on the right side of the page.

3. Go to bighugelabs.com/flickr/deck.php to make a card.

Click the "Browse" button at the top of the page to select a picture from your computer. Fill in the information you want to display on the card. You might want to browse through some of the Trading Cards already in the pool to see how different people have done this. When you are done, click the "Create" link at the bottom.

4. Check out the result. If you don't like it, go back and try it again. Otherwise, click the link at the bottom to "Upload to Flickr"
This will take you to a page that explains (a little) about the process.


Clicking the "Continue" link then takes you to flickr, where you will be warned about granting access to your account. I decided to go back (click the back button) and click on the link to download the image.

5. Once you download the image, you will have to upload it to your flickr account, of course. Then when you view the image there will be a link at the top to "Send to Group." Click on it and select the group you want to send it to (most likely the Librarian Trading Cards group).

Click the "OK" link that appears when it's been added.

6. Go see your trading card!

Unfortunately, it seems to be only librarians in there (or library students). Perhaps we could create a 23Things trading card group.

Queens Law Library, New York

Queens Law Library, New York
Originally uploaded by clbean

The Queens Law Library is in the Courthouse. When I went through security, they insisted on taking my cell phone because it was a camera phone, but left the digital camera in my purse.

This is on the second floor of the library, which overlooks the main floor through the alcoves (like the one on the right side of the photo).

Needless to say, the library itself is a gem.

Take that! Google!

The next step in the 23things quest is Flickr instead of Picasaweb!

Of course, Picasaweb might make it easier,



but you've made it so hard already! Hello, Yahoo! here we come! (Please be nicer than Google).

Please, oh please let me in, Google!

I have 23 Things I'm supposed to do to win a prize, and you are step one!
Your help files say locked accounts will be unlocked in 24 hours, but it's been 4 days, and now it's disabled!

Honestly, I really don't think they meant to scare you by putting 23things on the end of 500 usernames. We really aren't spammers. We're just trying to learn to use your blogger service!

In the meantime...

YouTube videos!

Need help understanding blogs?

Why, Oh Why, Google?

Why did you lock me out of my account? Didn't they tell you that 500 others from the same IP address would be logging in and changing their passwords today?

Really, I'm sure they are sorry. Please let me back in!