One of the best ways I have found to learn about new technology and apps is to play. I know for many play is a loaded word. For me the play is semi-structured. I have joined two challenges for 2012. 

The first is the 2012 Photo a day Challenge. Last year I participated in Daily Image 2011 and I actually really enjoyed it. I am less afraid of the camera and being the subject of photos after a year of taking self-portraits. I have found that I am still taking self-portraits in 2012 but with the #2012pad challenge I can add photos with any subject matter. 

The second challenge is another photo challenge. It is called Friday Photos 2012 where each week you can post up to three photos on a particular theme. The first theme is beginnings, apt for the new year. 

Recently I joined Path. It is a great social network for me as it really is photo-based. As you can probably tell - I love to take photos. I am an avid Instagramer (IGer) too! I have met some wonderful local people on instawalks.

I don't have many friends in Path yet as I have just joined however I will let you know how it goes. 

My three tips for learning about new technology are: 

1. Learn with friends/peers
2. Set yourself a challenge
3. Learn about technology that has something to do with one of your passions! 

Below is a collection of the images I have taken over the last week. It is not too late to join these challenges if you are interested. 

(download)

Click here to download:

3-tips-for-learning-about-new-technology-gFGEIgHHhoamEjJcmeuk.zip (13.53 MB)

@planningqueen

1. Browser chrome; set up bookmark tabs
2. Picnic and Flickr
3. Use the cloud - google docs
4. Tip: Keep yourself organised - toggl (free time management tool)
5. http://five.sentenc.es/ to manage email 

@bikeexif

1. Adobe photoshop, adobe bridge, camera raw
2. Reeder 
3. Email (apple mail)
4. Notebooks
5. Post-it
6. Uses 3 browsers - chrome, safari and firefox
7. Search engines/keyword search tools

@trevoryoung

1. Evernote
2. Bit.ly - track & shrink URLs
3. Sparrow - brings gmail accounts together
4. Flipboard
5. Reeder - RSS feeds
6. Small vid camera eg flipcam
7. Tweetdeck
8. Dropbox
9. Planner (notebook)

I was there and found it informative.  You can read my post here. Some great advice. Video made by @david_neiger.

Awesome name for a Melbourne Laneway. Last night I went to 24 Moons to listen to 3 power bloggers:

1. @problogger
2. @meetmeatmikes
3. @duncanriley

It was a really informative night for someone like me who is puddling around in blogs. Full of practical advice. The top five tips for me:

1. Buy your domain name.
2. Find your voice and be true to yourself
3. Share the love. Link to other blogs that you like.
4. Use other social media like youtube, twitter and facebook to drive traffic to the blog. It is the centre.
5. It's not all about you build and give back to community.

I related more to Pip Lincoln from meetmeatmikes.com. It's a craft blog (mostly). She also recommended checking out daydreamlily.com (@daydreamlily).

My favourite Pip tip of the night  was when she was asked what do you wish you had known? She said:

I had no idea how big my blog would get. I wish I had tagged and categorised my posts so people could find them. I have so much great stuff that no-one can find. Start off right - tag and categorise (paraphrased)

My little librarian heart went "girl crush". The vid will be available on youtube I will add the link here when it is.