The devolution of the office

Here's how my afternoon's going

See the rest of the story @ mcstrick's blog. (Site contains brief adult language and some cartoon nudity.)

The Apple iBox Gaming Console

Connect the dots... You place the dots

Herre's another time-suck: Full Board 2005 LightForce. I got past level one noo problem. I'm stuck on level two.

How to keep users from subscribing to your feed

In my RSS workshop I explain to my students that there are multiple versions of RSS available for them to use, never mind that fact that there's also ATOM which everyone lumps in with RSS since it accomplishes the same exact thing but with a built in stylesheet. I make the case that you use ATOM if your blog is created with Blogger because that's what Blogger generates. If you're podcasting, use RSS 2.0 since it supports the required <enclosure> element. Beyond that, don't worry about which version the software you're using generates since it doesn't matter to the user as long as it's working. So, why of why, would a site offer multiple links to their feed and specify which language and version each link goes to?

Take the image in this post as a perfect example. I was surfing through the SciFi.com Tech blog and noticed that they offer four versions of their feed. One is ATOM, two are RSS (versions 1.0 and 2.0) and the fourth is "RSD" which, to be honest, I've never heard of before? (According to Wikipedia it's "Really Simple Discovery" which I've now read about and still don't understand. Anyone want to help me on this one?)

I subscribe to over 300 feeds, teach people how to use and create feeds, and wrote a book on the subject and I'm not sure which one I should choose... O.k. I generally default to the highest number available in situation such as these, therefore I'd choose the RSS 2.0 version, but I'll be damned if I could explain exactly why should someone ask me.

As it is there's a move afoot to stop using the terms RSS and ATOM when it comes to presenting this technology to users (look at IE7 and you'll see what I'm talking about, the word RSS doesn't appear anywhere,) and just stick to the term "feed". KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid. Take a look at your blog/site. Are you offering more than one version of the exact same feed? If so, I'd strongly suggest you think about getting rid of all but one of them. Your users will thank you.

Stuck on a glacier with MacGyver

This one is just too funny not to pass along...

Flickr, WiFi and a happy patron

Curtis Rogers posts about the first patron to use the newly installed public WiFi at South Carolina State University Library. What's cool about this is the fact that the patron found the connection without being told it existed [This was an incorrect assumption. See the comments for the correction. M] and that Curtis took a photo of the happy user and posted it to the library's Flickr account.

Screencast #1: BlogThis!

As I promised the folks in my Blogging workshop last week, here's the screencast of how to install and use the BlogThis! bookmarklet. (It's in .swf format so you'll need to be sure you've got the latest Flash Player installed in order to view it.)

On a more technical note, I used CamStudio to create the video and convert to flash. It also wrote an HTML page for me that embedded the video, instead of linking to it like I've done here. That code looks correct and is correct based on every bit of reading I've done on the subject. However, it completely works only in IE. In Firefox I get audio but no video. Take a look at the page if you'd like to help. If anyone has any suggestions or pointers please let me know.

Library Signage Flickr Group

The Library Signage group now has a more memorable URL: www.flickr.com/groups/librarysignage/. Thanks to every who's contributed so far.

Semi-free Wi-Fi Service For Customers

Caribou Coffee is now offering semi-free WiFi for their customers.

"Customers will have access to free Wi-Fi during the first hour, and then will be asked to make a minimum $1.50 store purchase, about the price of a small cup of Caribou coffee, for each additional hour to receive a Wi-Fi access code."

I like this idea. Give a certain level of free service and then make sure the user is supporting such service by requiring them to make a minimal purchase. I'm not saying that this applies to libraries but it's better than charging what most chain coffeeshops and airports charge.

LOST?

LOST?
Originally uploaded by asulibmarketing.

BSU's is funnier, but ASU's is just as wonderful and inviting.

Geotagging Flickr

Well, I've just found out that I Michael Porter needs to update my his flickr presentation for IL2006 and I need to update my non-IL2006 flickr presentations... You can now geotag your images! Through flickr's slick "organize" interface, you can now drag your photos onto a map (Yahoo! of course) and link them geographically.

Now you'll see a new "map" link on photo pages (for which the photographer has done this) and you'll be able to pull up a map of the location the photo was taken.

From there, you can explore the photographer's other photos based on their location. (The image shows that I've geotagged 30 photos in the Boise area (all on the BSU campus actually) and two in Aurora, CO (both from when I went grocery shopping this afternoon.)

The only problem I see with the interface at this point is the low level of searchability. I put in the address for the Albertson Library on the BSU campus, and the best result was "Boise, ID". From there I could cross reference with Google Maps to find a more accurate point to places my photos on but I'd have preferred flickr take me to the exact location I needed.

I'm not planning on going back and geotagging 2000+ photos but I'm planning on taking advantage of this feature as I add more photos to my account.

Using LibraryThing in your library

Here's an idea that Karen Burns of SWILSA just pointed me to. Somehow I'd not thought of this myself. I love this idea and will be posting links to her libraries that get it up and running.

"I'm sure this is old hat to you but I've just stumbled onto the idea of using the RSS feed for recently added titles on LibraryThing to put a library's new titles on their website. (I kind of like Feedroll's javascript generator...) Do you know of any libraries that are doing this already? (I've got one here in SW Iowa ready to dive into it, and I'm sure I'll have a second and maybe a third and fourth by the end of the day...)"

UPDATE: Karen would like me to make it clear that she got the idea elsewhere.

Flickr pause

With three trips in August behind me, I've used up my Flickr upload bandwidth for the month. So, I'll be catching up on Friday when my account is reset.

Windows Vista delay?

Yesterday morning I got to share a table with an employee of the Microsoft marketing department. Eventually, I had to ask the obvious question: "Do you think Vista will be delayed yet again." Their response: "Probably."

Silly Questions

Boise State University Library
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

For those of you that don't follow my flickr photos, here's one that I just have to make sure everyone sees. This sign was out in from of the Albertsons Library at Boise State University. Considering this past week was the first week of classes this sign is just perfect. If you appreciate this sign as I do, please click on the photo and leave a comment in flickr. I know that the library's staff are watching.

Microsoft Live Labs Photosynth

Microsoft describes Photosynth as software that "takes a large collection of photos of a place or object, analyzes them for similarities, and displays them in a reconstructed 3-dimensional space." Their ultimate goal is to allow this software to work with all photographs on the Web. Think flickr groups based around a location on the planet (a city or landmark), in 3D, where the computer automatically figures out the physical relationship between the content of one photo and the content of another. There are two videos available for download demonstrating the product. (There are six download links but there are only two different videos. Just download one of each in the resolution you'd like.)

Internet Explorer 7 Release Candidate Now Available

The IEBlog page gives most of the details. The biggest thing I noticed is about the install program. This one will automatically remove previous beta installations. You will not need to go through the add/remove programs-based uninstall this time around. (Assuming you've previously installed beta 3.)

First oddity with my new laptop

The new laptop is wonderful for watching movies with a 1280x768 resolution. It's a bit odd when it comes to a fully maximized browser so I'm getting used to not using programs fully maximized. The real oddity is when I hook it up to a projector for class as I did for the first time today. I'd previously tested the laptop on Friday with BCR's brand new projector and I got the widescreen display projected as I'd expected. Today, with an older projector, it would only display 1024 of the width at a time. So, I started with the middle 1024 and the projection would scroll to one side of the other as my mouse pointer moved off the projected image. Thinking this wasn't the best option I lowered the laptop's resolution to 1024x768. The projected image looked clear and displayed the whole screen. However, it still filled my laptop's screen by streching the image horizontally to fill the whole screen. (The image in this post shows a rectangular PPT slide on my laptop which was displayed properly as a square when projected.) It took a bit getting used to, but the important thing was that the students could see what they needed to see.

5,400 attend library's grand opening

5,400 attend library's grand opening: "More than 5,400 people -- equivalent to more than half the city's population -- walked through the doors of the Kent District Library's East Grand Rapids branch on its grand opening Aug. 12."

Hello from Boise, ID

Everyone in the room is now writing their first post in the blogging workshop. As usual we're using Blogger to do this.

Continuum

John Mayer's next album, Continuum, won't be released until mid-Spetember but starting today you can listen to the whole thing now online at ClearChannelMusic.com. There's even a version "w/ John Mayer Commentary". I love commentaries on DVDs so I wonder what an album commentary track will turn out.

Name that movie #001

No prizes, just a little fun...

Podcasts I listen to part 1: @ the office

I've been asked, so for those interested, here's a list of podcasts I listen to at the office.)

• 43 Folders
• APM: Future Tense
• Blogging (GigaVox Media)
• commandN
• CTBL News (Colorado Talking Book Library)
• Diggnation
• Inside the Net
• JupiterResearch Conversations
• Law (GigaVox Media)
• OpenStacks
• RSS (GigaVox Media)
• Security (GigaVox Media)
• Security Now!
• SirsiDynix InstituteT
• Talking with Talis
• The Future of Music
• this WEEK in TECH

Anonymity through obscufication

Concened about someone being able to figure out who you are based on your search queries. If you're a Firefox user (you should be by now) you can install the TrackMeNot extension which is "a low-priority background process that periodically issues randomized search-queries to popular search engines, e.g., AOL, Yahoo!, Google, and MSN. It hides users' actual search trails in a cloud of indistinguishable 'ghost' queries, significantly increasing the difficulty of aggregating such data into accurate or identifying user profiles." In other words, it submits random queries on your behalf thus obscuring which ones are your real queries. (I've been saying for years that searches on public access computers have been doing this since every person who sits down at one of those computers is searching for something different.)

Sunnyvale expands free Wi-Fi to library

MercuryNews.com | 08/21/2006 | Sunnyvale expands free Wi-Fi to library: "`The library serves as an important tool in promoting an informed community. MetroFi's expansion of free wireless access to cover the library enhances the community's ability to access knowledge and information,'' Sunnyvale Mayor Ron Swegles said in a statement."

Why you should post your photos to flickr

Huge library sign
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

I just got a request for republication of this photo (shown right) in the September 15th issue (most likely) of Library Journal. Look for it on the "Front Desk page".

Don't Download This Song

Yes, you can download Weird Al's new song "Don't Download This Song" from his MySapce page.

You can make out the words now

Here's a video of Obadiah Parker performing his an acoustic cover of Outkast's "Hey Ya". I'm impressed.

A Day in the Life update

The table of contents for A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library & Information Science is now up. You'll fine me under "consortia".

Free WiFi at BOI

Free WiFi at BOI
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

This made me very happy this morning.

Post Falls Public Library

My visit to the Post Falls Public Library was very enjoyable although I did find some of the things I learned there somewhat confusing...

The library does offer both filtered and unfilterd computers per library board policy. In order to use one of the unfiltered computers you must have a library card, be at least 18, and sign the acceptable use policy. Much to my amazement, anyone can get a library card here. All you need to do is present proof of your current address and the library card of your home library. So, I presented my Aurora library card and my driver's license and was given a Post Falls PL library card. (I'll be scanning it once I get back home.) Had I wished (I was off to the concert at this point) I could have then signed their acceptable use policy and received full access to their unfiltered Internet terminals. After recent experiences, I was surprised and elated by such a policy.

I also discovered that the library offered open WiFi for the public. This however is where I become somewhat confused. The WiFi is filtered and there's no way around it despite your age or patron status. In this case the library board is worried that someone under the age of 18 will come into the library with their own laptop and get unfilterd access to the Internet. In this case I guess I understand the logic, but in "solving" one problem, you create another. It potentially forces those with their own equipment to have to use library equipment when on of the central points of offering WiFi in the library is to relieve some of the demand on the library's computers.

Overall, I enjoyed meeting all of the Post Falls staff and applaud them of their willingness to give anyone a library card. Photos of the library can be found in my flickr account.

Live Music @ Your Library

Last night I spent the evening at the Post Falls Public Library in Post Falls, Idaho. I was encouraged to stop by by some of the staff that attended my workshop. I was going to stop by anyway to snap some photos (I'll blog about that separately) but what got me to hang around was a live show by the band Calico. They're a bunch of aging hippies (self proclaimed) who did both originals and covers ranging from The Eagles, to Merle Haggard, to Jimmy Buffett. I got lost of photos which can be found my flickr set for this trip, and grabbed some video. In the addition to the video presented below, I also got on of them performing "Feelin' Single Seein' Double" and one of an older couple (who can move better that I can) dancing to "A1 on the Jukebox".

After three of their staff attended my blogging workshop, I'm hoping they'll use an event such as this to start to tell their library's story. (Hint hint Joe ;-)

Blogger Beta

In having my students create their first blogs today using Blogger, one of them managed to create an account in the new "Beta" version of Blogger. It look different and works a bit differently too. (I did notice that "password protected" blogs is one of the new features.) You can use it but not with an existing account. To play with it you'll need to sign up for a new Google Account.

The down side to all this is that my Blogs & RSS book is slated to come out in October. Knowing my luck, this beta version will become the liver version just about the same time thus making all my screenshots and instructions out of date and inaccurate.

JonBenet Ramsey murder solved?

According to CNN.com: "Karr said in Bangkok he was with the child beauty queen when she died and called her death 'an accident.' 'I loved JonBenet,' he said. Asked by a reporter if he was an innocent man, Karr replied, 'No.' "

Hello from Post Falls, ID

We're now writing our first posts in my blogging workshop. We're using Blogger.com.

New laptop update

Wow! 25 hours from Shanghai to Aurora! I'm impressed. Now I have to wait until Saturday to get it since I'm not in Denver.

BTW: For those of you using isnoop package tracking as an example of a mashup, this one would be a fun image to use.

Filters

Most of my long-time readers will be familiar with my opinion of filters. Well, for the past two days I've been teaching workshops in a computer lab for a local school district. Being a school lab, I was subject to the district's filtering system. Luckily, I was given the password to get around it, which worked most of the time, but the level of filtering astounded me. I was teaching blogging and RSS and Blogger was blocked. So was Flickr. (This made showing my blog interesting as the text would appear but the images, hosted on Flickr, would not be loaded.) Even my e-mail was blocked since lishost.org was considered a blockable "forum" which not even my use of the secret password would let me get through the filter. whatsmyipaddress.com was blocked, yet whatismyipaddress.com was not. (Go figure.) As one librarian said at lunch today, "let's teach highway safety buy closing the highways".

That black spot on the planet

In a post yesterday I asked you to try to identify a big black spot that I would be visiting today. The correct answer is Craters of the Moon National Monument just outside of Arco, ID. On the way I also visited a decommissioned nuclear power plant. (I'm not sure I'll need a night light ever again.) Pictures and more text will be available in the next 24 hours.

Thank you

I just wanted to send a very public Thank You to my boss Rosario. She knows why.

New laptop on the way

It's coming from Shanghai.

Feedster is dumb

My search is for "michael sauers" not "michael sauer"! Please stop trying to do me a favor by attempting to think for me.

Middle of Nowhere

Middle of Nowhere
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

I'm planning on going to visit this giant "black spot" on the earth tomorrow evening. Anyone know what it is?

Disappointed

Today I unofficially visited the Marshall Public Library in Pocatello, ID just to take a look around and snap some photos. (All of the photos I took are in my recent Idaho flickr set.) While walking back toward the front door one sign (shown right) caught my eye. I started reading it and noticed that the library required a library card in order to use the Internet computers. This is standard procedure for most libraries so I continued reading wondering to myself what happens if you don't have a library card, as I don't. Here's the relevant passages:

A fee of six dollars ($6.00) per hour or fraction of an hour will be charged everyone who does not meet these criteria.

Why? Because the routers, connections, computers and other things involved with providing Internet services cost money. The citizens of Pocatello pay for this, and the Marshall Public Library receives no other money to cover these costs. The Marshall Public Library extends Internet and other services to patrons of those libraries which reciprocate service to Marshall Public Library patrons. It is only fair that all others pay a share of the costs involved.

As Michael Stephens blogged "...if I came in on vacation to use the internet I'd turn and flee for sure!" Michael also says he "understands the thinking" but I can say that I don't

First, yes, equipment costs money. Yes, the connection costs money. But the costs are the same no matter who is using the equipment and the connection. In fact, the cost is exactly the same if nobody is using the equipment or connection. (I'm assuming that they're not paying based on connect time or actual bandwidth usage.) If the cost is the same for a local, a visitor, and for nobody, why should the visitor be penalized.

Second, a visitor is not charged to use a book while in the library. If the library wants to charge a visitor for borrowing privileges I can understand that a little (though I still don't like it) since there is an increased chance of a non-resident walking off with materials (even inadvertently) than with someone who has a permanent residence in said community. However, a visitor is not (hopefully) taking your computer out of the library, just as they're not taking a book out of your library so why should they be changed to use a computer on the premises and not be charged to use a book on the premises. (Books cost money too.)

Third, a visitor may not be paying taxes directly to the library, but they are contributing to the economy, usually in the form of sales-tax. More visitors, more extra income for the community. Alienating those visitors with such a policy doesn't help.

Fourth, I have a problem with the "services just for our tax payers" logic whenever it comes up. Just imagine a fire truck arriving on the scene of a car accident involving a resident and a visitor. Upon finding that one of the people needing assistance is from out of state, the firemen decide not to help since they visitor doesn't pay taxes. I don't see that information needs should be treaded any differently.

Additionally, I do pay taxes to a library, just not yours. However, when I am in your town, I'm not using the services of my library. At the same time one of your tax-paying patrons may be in my home town wanting to use the services of my library. I'd say that's a wash in the end.

Hey, what about locals that aren't paying taxes that support the library. If you're a library district, you get property taxes. Do you then deny services to those residents that live in apartments?

Lastly, on the taxing issue, imagine what would happen if every single one of your tax-paying citizens suddenly demanded services from your library. My guess is that you wouldn't be able to help all of them. Admit it, not all of your tax-paying citizens use your services. So, how about spreading some good will, and letting a visitor use the services that one of the locals isn't?

(Click on this post's image to read the discussion going on in Flickr.)

...

On a related note, I've started a Library signage group on flickr. Feel free to join and submit your favorite (for good reasons or for bad) library signs.

CNN.com - Pluto on the chopping block - Aug 14, 2006

It looks like Pluto may not be a planet much longer "'So far it looks like a stalemate,' Suchan said. 'One half wants Pluto to remain a planet, the other half says Pluto is not worth being called a planet.'"

Hello from Blackfoot, ID

I'm currently having my students write their first blog post using Blogger. I'm getting a few blank stares.

Technology "upgrade"

According to the person from National Car Rental who rented me my car today, the company no longer has cars with cassette players in them. They've all been "upgraded" to CD players. So much for getting through the 13-cassette Chapterhouse: Dune on this trip.

Airport report

As promised, here's my first report on air travel under the new regs.

People seems to be getting the hang of the "no liquids or gels" policy @ security. A few people brought coffee or water into the security line but large trash cans were at the ID check for easy disposal. These cans were mostly empty and I did not see security removing any such items from carry-on baggage. Total time getting thru security at 6:00am: nine minutes.

Denver new stations on Friday were reporting (and showing) a new DIA policy that all liquids (a.k.a. bottled water) purchased in the airport (post security check) needed to be poured into cups. Those cups, and those received when purchasing coffee, were not allowed to have lids on them. It seems that this totally insane policy (it implied that items purchased inside the security zone were to be considered suspect) has been reversed. The coffee I just purchased does have a lid on it and many passengers are walking around with bottles of water.

As a result of people needing to check or just not bring liquids or gels, the is a noticable lack of full-size carry-on luggage in the waiting areas. So far I've seen just a single woman business traveler with a carry-on, and just a handful of men. This will make the overhead bin space much more usable for us regular folks.

New/odd Google feature I just noticed

I writing my previous post I Googled regis university to find the correct URl to link to thier site. When I got the results I noticed that it had sub-results including a link directly to the University library. Way cool!

I decided to test with some other schools and got similar results. However, with a search for suny albany I got the expected sub-results but under a link to The New York Journal of Mathematics Home Page. Anyone care to venture an explaination?

Mountain & Plains Parapros

I spent today with the folks of the Mountains & Plains Parapros at their conference held on the campus of Regis University in Denver. After lunch I gave my Tech Terms presentation to a wonderful group of library staff. My favority question is whether I could equate the MCP (Master Control Program) from the movie Tron with a Firewall. I answered that he was more of an OS but had a built in firewall. Photos of the campus and the conference can be found in Flickr.

Possible Travel Trauma

I'm sure you know by now about the increased level of security at airports in both the US and the UK. Right now they're telling people at Denver International Airport (DEN) that they should arive three hours before their flight to get through security. I'm flying to Idaho on Sunday at 8:40am. I'm planning on getting to the airport by 5:40ish. I'll post about the exeprience as soon after as I can.

I need your help

I've been asked to do a six-hour version of my three-hour "Tech Support on the Fly" workshop for libraians (mostly rural) in Utah. The current version covers the following topics: (not in this order)

• Dealing with temp files
• Defrag
• Scandisk
• File associations
• Computer's frozen, now what
• Registry basics
• Finding your computer's IP address
• Paperclips
• Ping
• Traceroute
• Whois
• Windows/Microsoft Update
• New storage media (Jumpdrives, memory sticks, etc.)

The last 45-min of the current class is me taking apart a computer, describing it all, passing the pieces around, then reassembling it. I'm attempting to get several computers to have the students work in a small group. This however, will not take up an additional three hours, and I can't count on it happening.

So, I need topics. What else should I cover? (Sorry, but security-related issues such as anti-virus and spyware are covered in a different workshop.)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Got this bit of news this morning...

Dear Michael,

I am pleased to inform you that your article, "Firefox Search Plugins: Searching your library in the browser," has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Web Librarianship. It will appear in Volume 1, Issue 1. I expect this issue to appear in print in late March of 2007, but since it is a first issue, there may be some flexibility about the date.

Thanks for submitting this article to JWL; I'm pleased to be able to include it in our first issue!

Sincerely,
Jody Condit Fagan
Editor, Journal of Web Librarianship

Airport Parking Info Resource

AboutAirportParking.com gives you the scoop on cost, location (via Google Maps for you mashup fans), and distance from the airport. Here's the page for my home airport Denver International (DEN) Airport. The information provided is accurate but in this case incomplete. There's also the DIA Garage for $18/day and the "out in south nowhere" lots for only $5/day. I can't find a way to add/edit information. I sense the need to make this site a wiki...

Simply Plugo Spanish Keyboard

I know many of the public libraries with Gates computers have one of them set up for Spanish speaking patrons. Well, have you considered hooking up a Spanish Keyboard?

Tired of searching your word processing program for Spanish characters? You'll love this new Simply Plugo keyboard in Spanish by The Key Connection. All the Spanish characters you need are right in front of you on this responsive, easy-to-see keyboard. Looking for an á é í ó ú? Or maybe a ü ñ or ¿ No worries -- the symbol you need is front and center! No matter what Spanish word you need to type, the Simply Plugo keyboard has it right in front of your eyes in bold, easy to read print. The Simply Plugo keyboard in Spanish also features a convenient USB interface for Plug and Play, 3 ACPI function keys (power, sleep and wake up) and highly reliable membrane contact technology. And your typing will be smooth and quiet thanks to the keyboard's soft-touch, silent and tactile feedback. The Simply Plugo keyboard in Spanish is perfect for the bilingual office! Stop hunting for those elusive Spanish characters - you won't find them on the typical keyboard.

New TabletPC on the way

My TabletPC is starting to show it's age so I just ordered a new one from Gateway. (Yes, overall, I'm still happy with the company.) It's scheduled to arive late next week. The specs are:

• System Name: Gateway CX210X
• Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition
• Operating System Software Backup Media: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet (SP2) Backup CD
• Application Software: Microsoft® Office Small Business Edition 2003 (Basic + PowerPoint & Publisher) w/ Microsoft® Home Collection
• Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2500 (2.00 GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache)
• Memory: 2048MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2-1024MB modules)
• Video: ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1400 64MB Graphics featuring Avivo™ display technology
• Hard Drive: 100GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
• Optical Drive: Modular 8x Multi-Format Double Layer DVD Writer (DVD±R/±RW/CD-RW)
• Extended Service Plan Including Limited Warranty: Notebook Value Plus Service Plan -- 3 year parts/labor/on-site/3 year technical support
• Battery: Primary 8-cell lithium-ion battery with AC pack and 1 yr. limited battery warranty
• Digitizer Pens: Gateway executive stylus pen w/ Continuous Sensing Technology™
• Integrated Wireless Networking Adapter: Integrated Intel® 802.11a/b/g wireless networking card
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth® Wireless Networking Module
• Floppy Drive: 7-in-1 media card reader (Memory Stick®, Memory Stick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, xD Picture Card, Mini Secure Digital™, RS-MultiMediaCard™)
• Expansion Slots: (1) Type II PC card slot
• External Ports: (3) USB 2.0, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), VGA
• Screen: 14.0" WXGA TFT Active Matrix (1280 x 768 max. resolution) with rotating hinge for tablet functionality
• Keyboard and Mouse: Full-size keyboard and EZ Pad® pointing device
• Multimedia Package: Integrated sound and stereo speakers, headphone/speaker jack, and mic jacks
• Modem: Integrated V.92 56K modem
• Network Adapter: Integrated Intel® 10/100/1000 Ethernet Adapter
• Additional Software: Adobe® Acrobat Reader® 7.0 and Google Toolbar
• Personal Productivity: Microsoft® One Note, Microsoft® Experience Pack and Microsoft® Education Pack

The most interesting part of the ordering process was this bit of fine print: "You received free shipping! $20 Handlind Charge Applies." Go figure. Also, Gateway has a trade-in program for old equipment. I ran a quick estimate on the old TabletPC and according to them the "Estimated Trade-in Value (includes a Prepaid shipping label) : $176.12

Bosses jump on the blogging bandwagon

The Denver Post has figured out that corporate suits are blogging. Hardly news, but it's a good basic article for those looking for some info on this area of blogging.
Thanks Rosario

Yes David, I'm blogging this!

Utter genius! (Lyrics are avialable on David's blog.)
Via Lorcan Dempsey

OCLC Software Contest

OCLC is giving away $2500. "The contest challenge is to use an OCLC resource to create a Web service that does something interesting, innovative, and useful to libraries."
Thanks Rosario

Open WorldCat

Open WorldCat is up and running as of today at www.worldcat.org. I've created a Firefox Search Plugin for your convienence. I've submitted it to OCLC with the hope that they'll find it worthy of adding to their WorldCat Tools page.

UPDATE 08 Aug 2006: OCLC has responded by telling me that they've created their own search plugin and will be releasing it "within the next 24 to 48 hours".

New errata

Two weeks ago I used my book XHTML & CSS Essentials for Library Web Design as a workshop text for the first time. As a result a few new typos were found. (Mostly as a result of copy/paste.) Corrections can be found in the errata section of the book's Web page.

New article available

My latest article "A User's View of eFlicks from the Denver Public Library" has been published in the July/August 2006 issue of Public Libraries. Thanks to Stephen Cohen for this opportunity.

Prediction comes true closer to being true

Back in April I predicted that by the end of the year 1TB drives would be "commercially available to the public at a reasonable price" ($500 or less) by the end of the year. Well, here it is just four months later and I've found the Beyond Micro DriveZilla 1TB Terabyte USB 2.0 External Storage Center (Drives included) BMDZ1TU2 at TigerDirect.com for just $499.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate). It's not a 1TB drive but a collection of four 250GB drives. It's not exactly what I predicted but it is 1TB of storage for less than $500. My birthday is coming up for those that want to see me happy. ;-)

Net Neutrality, one Senator's view (or not)

Here's a response I received this mornign from one of my senators regarding Net Neutrality.

August 7, 2006

Mr. Michael Sauers
1185 Florence St
Aurora, Colorado 80010-3226

Dear Michael:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns in regards to government regulation of the Internet. I appreciate you taking the time to write on such an important issue.

The Internet has been one of the leading technological advances of this generation. The network created between computers has reached into every part of our culture and changed the way we live, work, travel, shop, and socialize. The Internet is also one of the greatest examples of the ingenuity that has made the United States a perennial leader in technological advancement that is improving the quality of our lives and those around the world.

On May 1, 2006, Senator Stevens introduced the Communications, Consumer's Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006 that was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for further consideration. The major provisions of the measure deal with a wide range of topics, including universal service reform; streamlining of the video franchising process; requiring the FCC to report annually to Congress on the net neutrality issue; interoperability of public safety communications systems; interconnection; and municipal broadband ownership. The bill also contains a number of provisions relating to broadcast issues such as the digital television transition and provisions relating to protecting children from child pornography.

Additionally, Representative Joe Barton introduced the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 (H.R.5252) that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 8, 2006. Among other things, H.R.5252 contains provisions that establish a national cable franchising process; clarify the FCC's authority to enforce its network neutrality principles; address voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) 911 interconnection and E911 requirements; and bar states from prohibiting municipalities from providing their own broadband networks.

As a United States Senator, I believe I should help ensure that policies are in place to foster timely deployment of broadband to all sectors and geographical locations of American society. The current debate in the U.S. Congress and across the nation is concentrated on whether additional laws and regulations are needed to ensure the development of competition and its subsequent consumer benefits (often referred to as "net neutrality"), or conversely, whether more laws and regulations would be overly burdensome and discourage investment and deployment of such services. Congress should be careful in approving legislation without first examining its ramifications on economic growth, innovation, and market competition.

Please be assured that I will continue to work with my colleagues to help solve many of the challenges facing the American society in the age of continuing technological advances. I look forward to further debate should this legislation reach the Senate floor.

Thank you for writing to share your concerns. I look forward to hearing from you again. If you would like more information on issues important to Colorado and the nation, please log on to my website at http://allard.senate.gov.

Sincerely,
A
Wayne Allard
United States Senator

WA:SK

After reading this I'm still not sure what his stance is...

Systems/Network Administrator Position

BCR (MPOW) is looking for a Systems/Network Administrator. The pay is good and no travel required that I'm aware of.

He's baaaack

I'm back and trying to get caught up on a full week's worth of e-mail. So, if you're expecting a response from me, you should receive it later today. The set of 429 photos from my vacation are available on flickr for your viewing pleasure. (They're tagged but not captioned yet.)

In the mean time, you can also check out yesterday's Get Fuzzyfor some blog-related humor.