Learning 2.0: learn about tagging and discover del.icio.us

I had previously participated in Rebecca Brown's "Social Bookmarking" webinar a few month ago, so I was already a little familiar with del.icio.us from that session. However, before that time, the only social bookmarking site I had used was Backflip (and that site doesn't appear to be as functional as it once was). I had heard of other people using del.icio.us, but for quite some time I didn't have the spare time to really investigate it. Now, I'm very glad I've made that time.

I have both a "personal" and "professional" account on del.icio.us, basically so I don't get my work links and my non-work links confused. If any of you are interested in looking at my "professional" links, my username is hughest. I've definitely found value in using del.icio.us personally and professionally. One of the eventual goals for me at work is to develop a LibGuide for our dental library, and I'm strongly considering using links and tags created through my professional username to help populate that LibGuide. On the personal side, I've been discovering lots of interesting blogs and web pages related to some of the issues that move me the most. In either case, here are a few things that I like:

• I LOVE the portability of the sites you bookmark. As long as you have access to a computer, you have access to the sites you save.
• The "recommended" and "popular" tag options are great for helping me discover new keywords that I can use for tagging the sites...especially helpful when I get stumped on finding the right word.
• The cloud and Top 10 tag options are quick ways to see which keywords are the most popular for me individually, or for any other user.
  

Easiest & hardest habits...

Let me start with the hardest one first. By far, the hardest of the 7.5 habits for me would be #4, having confidence in myself and my ability to be a lifelong learner. This is something I've struggled with for years, and even with the success I've achieved, there's always a bit of a nagging voice that nit-picks about what I could have or should have done, as well as casting doubt on whether anyone else will see any value in what I do. I know that this spends too much time getting wrapped up in what other people think, but I haven't quite figured out how to counter that automatic response yet.

For the easiest habit, it would have to be play. That one hasn't always been easy, but as I've gotten older I've realized that I *MUST* be able to express some form of humor throughout the day, or else I really get weighed down! Fortunately I have a job that gives me the freedom to have a little play time during the day. There's something about sharing my office with a bunch of dental puppets that puts a little extra zing in my day. :-)

third time's the charm, eh?

Okay...so I've had this blog for a couple of years, but I never did anything with it because i just didn't have the time to do so. Now that I'm taking the "13 Things" course, here's a perfect opportunity to get the hang of blogging, and maybe to get some ideas of how to incorporate a blog into my work and personal realms. I won't know unless I try!