XHTML & CSS book update

The ms is currently topping 800 pages. (Can't wait until I have to print out two single-sided copies and mail them in to Neal-Schuman.) Just one more read-through edit and the screen shots are left to be done. It looks like I'll be sending it in very close to the new March 15th deadline.

Monday's Test

Warning: I scored 11 out of 11 on the Monday's Test. How'd you do?
Thanks Amy

Driving

This was the view for the better part of my drive from Denver, CO to Dodge City, KS yesterday. Shortly after this picture was taken the driver's side windshield wiper decided to stop working properly...

The rest of my photos from the trip can been seen at ofoto.

Freak-out news of the day

Hunter S. Thompson shoots self in head — "Fear and Loathing" author dead at 67

The Promise

When you need a friend, don't look to a stranger,
You know in the end, I'll always be there.
But when you're in doubt, and when you're in danger,
Take a look all around, and I'll be there.
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say.
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be.
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you I will.
When your day is through, and so is your temper,
You know what to do, I'm gonna always be there.
Sometimes if I shout, it's not what's intended.
These words just come out, with no gripe to bear.
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say.
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be.
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you...
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say.
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be.
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you I will.
I gotta tell you, I gotta tell you, I need to tell you...
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say.
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be.
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you...
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say.
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be.
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you I will. I will. I will.

— When in Rome

Quote

Every Technomage knows the 14 words that will make someone fall in love with you forever, but she only needed one.

What word?

"Hello."

— Crusade: The Well of Forever

New presentation

Last week's presentation at Scottsdale Community College, "Boolean Searching: A Brief Introduction", is now available on my presentations page. This is the first one done in S5 instead of PowerPoint so as long as you have a browser you can view it without the need for additional software.

Tempe, AZ. Michael's next home?

Of all the lazy, half-assed ideas!

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Margaret Atwood's writing (well, most of it anyway) but The Globe and Mail has reprinted a letter from Ms. Atwood regarding a real-life "remote autographing device." The most amazing quote from the letter: "For many.. it won't be a choice between the author-in-the-flesh and the remote signing. It'll be a choice between the remote signing and nothing." Give me a break. This kind of attitude reminds me of the time Nancy Kress told me that she doesn't do book signings in mall stores because "I don't end up selling enough books to make it worth my time."

Hard or soft?

If you understand the punchline in today's UserFriendly you're a true Web-design geek.

HHGTTG Trailer & Web site

Amazon.com has the first trailer for the upcoming Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on its homepage. The official site has the teaser trailer.

Librarians Shush?

Now here's a shirt I'd love to be able to wear at the reference desk.

See what you get for complaining?

I hear someone complaining that they don't understand much of what I post about so therefore I've just got to post something über techie in response...

The eXtensible Past: The Relevance of the XML Data Format for Access to Historical Datasets and a Strategy for Digital Preservation

Abstract:
This article reports on the X-past project carried out by the Netherlands Historical Data Archive (NHDA). The main goal of the project has been to investigate how the XML data format can improve the durability of and access to historical datasets. The X-past project furthermore investigated whether it would be possible to provide access to historical datasets by means of the "Open Archives Initiative—Protocol for Metadata Harvesting" (OAI-PMH). Within the framework of the X-past project a prototype information system has been developed and a number of users have been asked to report on usability issues concerning this system.

Thanks Rosario

What kind of shoes are you?

You scored as Sensible Flats. You are Sensible Flats. Practical and comfort-oriented, you'd rather go through life without the pain of a pulled arch. Still, you might want to walk on the wild side a litte more. Sensible Flats 90% Flip-Flops 63% Quirky Shoes 60% Classic Pumps 53% Sexy Heels 30% What Kind of Shoes Are You? created with QuizFarm.com

Thanks Louise

IE7

Yes, it's coming. Like I really care..

• BetaNews | Gates: IE7 to Debut Before Longhorn
• The Microsoft Press Release
• Microsoft IEBlog post

Dispatches from a Public Librarian

Here's the latest poke at librarians from McSweeney's: Corny pickup lines and how librarians effectively shoot them down.

Librarian fired for 'good deed' that violated confidentiality

Here's an interesting scenario that happened last week. A cop comes into the library claiming to have a lost wallet and asks the clerk at the check-out desk to supply the patron's contact information. What would you do?

Out the door!

I jsut returned from the post office where I shipped out the ms for Blogs & RSS: A Handbook for Librarians. There's one project I can forget about for a month. I also sent out two copies of another book proposal while there.

A one library town

Monowi, NE: Population 1 person and 5,000 books.

RIP Jimmy Smith

Legendary jazz organist Jimmy Smith passes away on Wednesday at the age of 76.

Pulp Politicians

Here's a very funny take on Pulp Fiction titled Pulp Politicians
Thanks L

Microsoft Buys Antivirus Vendor

In classes I did this past Fall on security, during the bit on AntiVirus software I predicted that by the next version of Windows, Microsoft will be including AntiVirus software in the OS. Can I call it or what?
BetaNews | Microsoft Buys Antivirus Vendor

Looking back? Try looking forward instead.

I've been mulling this one over for a few days and since Jenny Levine has gone and cited me in a discussion of this topic I guess the time for mulling is over and it's time to start writing.

I've participated in exchanges on lists in the past week regarding some Web authors wanting to be able to send "e-mail notification of new blog posts" and wondering which blogging software offered this "feature." Both of my responses (here's the longer one) tried to make the point that that is exactly what RSS is for, notification of updates, and I asked why anyone would bother to also add e-mail notification. Luckily I wasn't the only one who's of this opinion.

Now, I can't speak for Karen but the point I was trying to make was not that RSS should replace e-mail. If you've already got an e-mail based service and want to add RSS on top of that, fine. But, when starting something new, why look back and force an old(er) technology on top of it? Why not use the new service in your library as an opportunity to introduce your patrons to a new technology? If this isn't a "teaching moment" I don't know what is.

Bill's response to all this (after claiming that this was a "dead topic",) was to say that his job "is not to always drag people into using they don't want to use. [sic]" Bill, where are you getting this idea? I've met many people who don't know what RSS is or how it works, but upon demonstration I've yet to meet anyone who's told me that they "don't want to use it." Granted, you prefer e-mail, but now you're just placing your biases on your patrons. Is patron ignorance the reason to either a) not do something at all, or b) take the extra time and effort needed to back-pedal the technology? I don't think so.

Podcast #1

Well folks, with inspiration from Greg Schwartz I've decided to try a podcast. This first one contains four tracks, one each from Norah Jones, Miles Davis, John Wesley Harding, and John Hiatt. Please bear with me as I work on the technology. Due to the lack of some significant software for ballancing tracks from different sources, you may have to watch the volume on your player. Enjoy!

Download or subscribe

Soft Sushi

The Original Sushi Pillow is currently available in three flavors. One Ebi Nigiri for moi please.
Thanks L

Security problem found in all browsers but IE. Go figure.

This report from Habanero Networks explains the problem. For the non-techies in the audience it means that the borwser can say you're on one site while you're actually on a completely different site. There is a fix a the end of the article for those using Mozilla or Firefox. If that's you, do this now.

Geeking out the mini

Here's someone who's taken four 1Pod minis and turned them into a RAID array.

Welcome to podcasting

Well, I finally broke down last night and installed iPodder so I could listen to Greg's first two podcasts. I listened to them today and damn it Greg, I've not got to write 5+ new pages in my Blogs & RSS for libraries book because of you.

Sleeping in Airports

To be honest, I've never had to spend a night in an airport. There was this one time where I though I'd be sleeping in Miami's airport but it ended up not happening. Well, thanks to the folks at The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports I'm prepared. I've got this one bookmarked on my Treo just in case.
via ResearchBuzz

Another Gig

BCR has graciously given all the trainers 1GB jump drives. I've already got one and the new one is "the company's". ANyone have any ideas what I can do with it?

Salinas, CA update

Accordng to thecalifornian.com there is a plan in the works to save the public libraris from being closed.

"Sponsorship" not "Censorship"

I don't blog most of the book-banning related stories I read since they're well documented on other blogs. However, this story happened here in Colorado and the things said in the article are just amazing. It seems that the superintendent of Norwood High School gave a all of the copies of Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima to a parent to destroy without, of course, reading the whole book. The good thing is that at least one of the school's juniors only heard of the book because of the controversy and specifically read it in response.
via LISNews

For that special someone

It's a bit on the pricey side for a mini but if you know of someone looking for a sky-blue iPod (and I do) check out the Doraemon Limited Edition iPod mini Set.
via Gizmodo

Pumps, with pumps

O.k. they're actually shocks, but... Strutz
via Gizmodo

Alternative funding

Aurora Public Library (of which I'm a board member) has been looking for alternative funding methods. Here's an idea, get someone to sponsor urinals in the men's room.

Dean Koontz updates

I took a look at my Amazon.com WIsh List this morning and found the following scary bit:

After a quick search it seems that maybe Amazon.com had the wrong ISBN, or Bantam changed it for some reason. The ISBN 0-553-84069-X has been discontinued. However, the paperback edition of The Taking is now listed under 0-553-58450-2.

According to IBBN.nu Berkley will be releasing a new printing/edition of Hideaway with a $7.99 cover price on July 5th. No further details are avialable at this time. If you know anything please send the information my way.

What's Your High School Stereotype?

You scored as Loner. Loner 81% Punk/Rebel 50% Goth 50% Geek 50% Drama nerd 38% Ghetto gangsta 31% Stoner 19% Prep/Jock/Cheerleader 6% What's Your High School Stereotype? created with QuizFarm.com

Thanks Louise

DualDisc

I've actually wondered in the past why this hasn't been done aleady. (If it has I missed it.) G's favorite band, Good Charlotte, has put out The Young and The Hopeless as a "DualDisc", a CD on one side and a DVD on the other.

Later: It seems that this is more of a Sony thing than a Good Charlotte thing since Five For Fighting and John Mayer also have DualDiscs available.