And so it begins... again!

Now here's an amazing yet wonderful coincidence. Over the past month I've been re-watching the whole Babylon 5 series once again. (Last night I watched the episode in which we discover who Valen really was.) Not five minutes after finishing that episode I check my feeds and the Amazon.com blog informs me that Babylon 5: The Lost Tales, the first of a new series of direct-to-DVD movies is being released at the end of July. I'm so excited! Now I've got to get through the rest of the series, the movies, and Crusade in the next three months. (And yes, I just pre-ordered my copy.)

CIL2007: Gadgets, Gadgets, Gadgets

Barbara Fullerton, 10-K Wizard, Sabrina Pacifici, LLRX.com, and Aaron Schmidt, North Plains Public Library

• Simplify! But is it going to happen?
• What's coming
  
  
• march of the treos
• improved blackberrys
• smartphones w/ 2 keyboards
• google cell phone
• text messaging
• gaming on all levels
• monitoring energy uses
• storing information in a totally new format
• 680, 700p, 700wx, 750, 755p
• palm & Windows versions
• colors
• shredder scissors
• five pairs in scissors in one
• retro gadget
• TI's projector phone
• DVD quality on the wall
• not available yet
• 5th Gen iPod
• iCharge for iPod
• charge w/ a 9-volt battery
• nano batteries
• flexible & see thru
• one minute to charge
• lasts 1000 cycles
• 200 nanometers thick
• iPhone
• Cube World digital stick people
• ID Pilot
• Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset
• collapsible chopsticks
• jott.com
• voice to text
• phone or email sms
• free
• golan i.tech virtual keyboard
• illuminated waterproof flexible keyboard
• rear view computer mirror
• Sony's DVP-X810 DVD Walkman
• plamsize micro copter
• CRT's are on the way out
• Plantronics CS55 wireless convertible headset
• Targus Wireless Multimedia Presenter
• IBM Optical Transceiver
• USB Missle Launcher
• USB vision & posture reminder
• QR Code
• Google's Dodgeball
• Next generation robotic vacuum
• Cordinator
• Trillian
• Belkin compact surge protector
• Smallest MP3 player ever
• 2gb storage
• weighs less than headphones
• Meebo
• Pelican 760 LED flashlight
• Sony HDR-UX7
• HD Camera for consumers
• USB Toaster (joke)
  
  
• International AC Travel Adapter
• Fireplace iPod dock
• Clocky the alarm clock
• Retro phone handset
• Picknik Photo Editor
• Chocolate gadgets

Dewey Torrents

In today's unshelved. (I still haven't seen 300 yet. Guess I'll need to wait for the DVD at this point.)

Watching Tron is dangerous

tron_1024
Originally uploaded by danakin.

It seems that the Department of Homeland Security has classified the film TRON as "Sensitive". I think I'll watch my 20th Anniversary DVD this weekend. I wonder what a 13- and 17-year-old raised on CGI will think of it.

The Customer-Centered Library: How to stop tweaking and start doing it with new steps for 2007

Karen Hyman, South Jersey Library Cooperative
Columbus Public Library, Columbus, NE

• After today's session you will...
• see from the customer's point of view
• focus on user needs and expectations
• development & implement things that support a customer centered library
• operate the library for the convenience of your customer
• make customer service a way of life
• What makes a library really great?
• money?
• size?
• luck?
• use?
• Really great for whom?
• Customer's have choices
• Google
• Amazon.com
• Barnes & Noble
• Movies on demand
• WiFi @ Starbucks
• Cell phones & PDAs
• The big fear
• libraries (and what they can offer) will be irelevant and invisible to the majority of people
• New opportunities to...
• provide value-added service
• embrace new roles
• be a "third place"
• take the library to new people
• fail to take advantage of new opportunities
• provide poor service in new and irritating wasy
• Value added equals
• current
• relevant
• in tune with customer needs
• beneficial from the customer's point of view
• defined by the quality of the result
• Service can be your competitive edge
• intelligent
• responsive
• personal
• Quote from OCLC Perspectives report
• Customer service basics
• first, do no harm
• everyone here is an expert on customer service because everyone here is a customer
• get a grip
• Of course there are other strategies
• you can change riders
• you can get a committee to study the dead horse
• you can benchmark how other companies rise dead horses
• you can declare that it's cheaper to feed a dead horse
• you car harness several dead horses together
• But after you've tried all of these things, you're still going to have to dismount
• change
• some people love change
• excitement
• anticipation
• curiosity
• some people hate change
• dread
• disorientation
  
  
• loss
• nobody gets to choose how they feel
• dealing with change is a learned skill
• all predicitions haev equal value
• we can all join each other on the edge of the unknown
• Step one: Care
• Caring
• some people just care
• some people just don't
• most of us fall in the middle
• caring and not caring is contageous
• blaming is the enemy of caring
• everything flows from caring
• the key to quality customer service is creative problem solving
• the key to quality problem solving is having a problem
• most care more when we...
• know and like the other person
• don't feel tired
• don't feel threatened
• aren't having a bad day
• get support and rewards for caring
• take pride in caring, or appearing to care
• try caring
• can improve your day
• uses your skills
• can increase energy
• can be fun
• you're paid to care
• make it a habit, and caring gets easier.
• caring begets attention, attention begets curiosity and curiosity is the fount from which all knowledge flows
• Step two: Think like a customer
• why don't we think like customers?
• we work at the library
• we don't understand the customer
• we're not trying hard enough
• we don't focus on results
• we hear but don't listen
• we think we know better
• we don't see options as options
• when you think like a customer you...
• put yourself in their place
• make it your business to see results for the customer
• make customer service a way of life and a part of every decision
• step three: see the problem(s)
• to define problems from the customer's perspective...
• somebody wants something and they're not getting it
• somebody's getting something they don't want
• step four: change your approach, not the customer
• why not change the customer?
• what do you do with someone who...?
• why can't people...?
• shouldn't people...?
• people used to...?
• children used to...?
• Because you can't!
  
  
• ditch the rules
• have a bonfire for the signs
• root out negatives
• solve problems when they happen
• work as a team
• what are the rules?
• do we really need this rule at all?
• can we say the same thing in a more positive way
• share expectations and look again
• to change your approach
• provide customers the opportunities to do what you want
• skateboard rack
• baskets for books
• try doing what they want
• express checkout
• eating in the library
• when it comes to customer service...
• every choice has a down side
• err on the side of customer services that is positive, welcoming, and empowering for the consumer
• step five: abandon victimhood
• is your library a culture of victimhood?
• we never get any more money
• we never get any respect
• why are we always the last to know?
• nobody understands all the great things we do
• we always have to clean up after these slobs
• Victimhood...
• obscures facts
• is powerless
• is personal
• saps your energy
• takes you nowhere
• Try telling the same story in a different way
  
  
• Step six: Organize your library to support quality service
• to support quality service
• easy to use continuous communication system
• morning briefings
• library blogs
• whiteboard in staff area
• email to customers
• newsletters, recommendations
  
  
• flexible, helpful, friendly signage
• create systems that support consistent great service
• make it fun
• create a supporting culture for risk, flexibility, curiosity, etc.
  
  
• set specific targets & measure results
• Deliver the goods
  
  
• step seven: walk through everything
• walk through every process
• in the building, on the web, phone
• to share the customer's experience
• to see what works and what doesn't
• to get your vendors on the customers' side
• to five vendor responses
• the default is...
• go to another source for support
• help notes explain that in section. 1.A.3(b)7
  
  
• it works here
• nobody else has complained
• in your library
• what makes it easy to find things
• what makes it difficult to find things
• what alerts or obscures possibilities
  
  
• what makes navigation a breeze or a chore
• easy/alerts to possibilities
  
  
• very open, spacious, neat, etc
• shelves well organized and documented
• overhead signs in adult stacks
• natural light, large windows
• large signs on soffits
• difficult, obscures possibilities
• lobby is dark & dull
• "NO" signs in the library
• nothing hits you when you walk in
• no encouragement to ask for help
• etc...
• self service library
• easy and intuitive
  
  
• helpful & friendly signage
• alerts to possibilities
  
  
• direct online interaction
• self-checkout
• drive-up window
• 24/7/365 access
• step eight: Get the book into the customers' hands
• if books are the brand, what could you be doing with books that you're not doing now?
• reduce processing time
• grab-and-go collection
• buy when it's fast and affordable
• float the collection
• Netflix model
• Weed!
• merchandise the collection
  
  
• Through merchandising you can
• transform the library experience
• find out what sells
• sell what you want to buy
• find out what nobody will read as part of the everyday process
• make it easier for your public to discover materials, "impulse buy"
• make it a little harder for your staff to find specific titles
• [photos of merchandising examples]
• Step nine: Transform the library experience
• find five things that would surprise and delight your customers and put them in the center
• a warm, inviting 21st century environment
• has a greeter
• comfortable
• allows food
• provides public computers & WiFi
• allows cell phones
• avoids too many rules
• the destination library
• enjoyable, friendly, fun environment
• comfortable seating
• extended hours
• hi tech, hi touch
• browsing, book clubs, author events
• drop in story hours
• supports personal use of technology
• community center
• fosters collegiality
• serve kids
• does your children's area have a percentage of floor space that equals their percentage of circulation?
• play fair
• Step ten: Overcome overdues
• reexamining the rules
• pay when $10 threshold is reached
• Fine Free Fridays
  
  
• no overdues -- but we love donations
  
  
• courtesy reminders -- consider Library Elf
• multiple renewals
• new motto: "Late is great!"
• step eleven: take the library to the people
• have an online application process and mail the card with the library info
• provide live online services
• put satellite libraries in the community
• experiment with mobile communication to cellphone & PDA
• [screenshots of examples]
• Step twelve: Make something happen
• did anything happen?
• depends on results for the customer, not the library
• depends on fit with everyday life of the customer
• how many things have to "go right" for this to work?
  
  
• focus on results for the customer will help you to...
• chose among the flawed options
• avoid "compromises" that produce no results
• handle the down side of a great choice
• do the extra work that makes a real difference
• 5 things you can start today
• look at the rules and remove or restate
  
  
• look at what people want & find ways to deliver it. ask them and listen when they answer
  
  
• walk through your building and fix what doesn't work for the customer
• incorporate customer service into every decision and problem solving process
• treat every customer like a person

Breakout groups: Five things your library can do to surprise your customers

• Suggestion box
• free paperback for every $1 in fines paid
• address customer by name
• more color in the library (too much tan)
  
  
• MySpace page
• check out off items: GPS, Projectors, Laptops
• WiFi
• "Check Us Out" sign
• Gaming Night
• AccuCut machine for public use
• No fines
• Allow cell phones
• Automatic reminders
• Recommendations in the OPAC
• Put holds in an ordered queue
• More classes for the public
• Audio book during a knitting circle
• Open 5-midnight one night
• 5-cent fine on unfriendly staff
• Live mystery at the library
• DVD checkout length as book
• group computer space
• public fax machine
• food allowed area
• fine free day
• cake pans
• door greeter / roving staff member
  
  
• allow food
• emphasize the e-resources
• teen hangout
• "We settle bar bets"
• new baby program
• book delivery program
• movie nights
• Director "open door"
• treat drawer
• no rural membership fee
  
  
• background music

• 
  
  

Libraries and Netflix

Can't afford to replace all those DVDs that your patrons seem to chew on? Why not outsource your DVD collection to Netflix? Brooklyn PL is considering doing just that.

"In what would be a first in the United States, the Brooklyn Public Library hopes to team up with Netflix to deliver DVDs and videos to anyone in the borough with a library card, The Post has learned. The price would be unbeatable - free."

Upgrading to Vista

I've backed up and cleaned off. Defrag is running now and I'll give it one last reboot to run scandisk. Then the Vista upgrade DVD goes in and the laptop gets an upgrade. I'll report back when it's done.

CAL2006: Geek Fest 2006: What's Cool and What's a Good Investment

Jo Haight Sarline, Denver Public Library Carson Block, Fort Collins Public Library John Sulshaw, University of Colorado-Boulder Jimmy Thomas & Susan Staples, Weld Library District Jeff Donlan, Salida Regional Library Sharon Morris, Colorado State Library

• Susan
• 1st year w/ library system
• previously in manufacturing and healthcare
• invest in the virtual
• how much can be put online?
• online collaboration
• online training
• online surveys
• translation services
• 170+ lanugages
• dial a number and get an interperter online
• <$100/mo
• Concact center concept
• easy, catchy phone number
• metrics
• Hot
• Copier/Espresso maker
• USB cooler shirt
• ID rings
• DVD vending
• bestseller vending ouside the library
• John
• mobile computing
• new content & content management models
• supporting users in an advanced age of technology
• authentication
• portals
• blogs & wikis
• increased collaboration
• social networking
• blogs
• wikis
• podcasts
• MySpace
• 84 million users
• 2 million new users a month
• 48mil unique visits
• 51% of 13-17 year olds online
• 79% are 18+
• 25mil are over 30
• YouTube
• Google paid $1.65 Billion
• 100 mil videos watched a day
• 65k uploaded a day
• What's going to become of the ILS?
• Disintergaration (Marshal Breeding)
• Institutional repositories
• Libraries need to support all this stuff
• security issues
• open source model moving to libraries
• programming skills
• Jimmy
• (Aquabrowser)
• OCLC Perceptions Report
• Searches done at his member libraries (top queries in OPACs)
• Google, Yahoo
• My Account, Library Hours
• Library Journal Hotline
• The next library building
• "place"
• Jeff
• Maximize use of the OPAC
• Clean up our database
• Having functional PCs for the patrons
• Firefox
• GIMP
• Open Office
• Picassa
• Let patrons plug in their hardware
• E-media market needs to be "better sorted out"
• Skype
• Carson
• Building a staff that represent different parts of my brain but can also built on that
• Deliver information to people without barriers
• Be more involved in the culture
• Second Life Library 2.0
• Balancing abilities and constraints of what staff can do to meet the needs of users
• Technology is not always the solution
• Sharon
• Dutch Aquabrowser guys are "hot"
• Library Elf
• Plinket
• The Engaged Patron
• LibraryThing
• Free online e-books and e-audiobooks
• Second Life Library 2.0
• Searching for information is changing
• Retrevr
• Search fickr by shape & color
• Aquabrowser
• del.icio.us
• wikis
• blogs
• podcasting
• YouTube
• set aside time every week to look at something new
• libraries have a "role to inspire"
• Jo
• Be the enabler for your cusomers
• be there, be in those spaces
• you feel comfortable, they'll feel comfortable
• downloadable media
• convergence of everything
• everyone is a creator
• create a space where your patrons can be a creator
• tagging content
• no geographical boundaries
• look outside the library world for ideas and solutions
• be where your customers are complainaing about you
• thisisbroken.com
• viral marketing
• YouTube
• gaming

Free online file conversion

This morning David Lee King pointed me to Zamzar.com by saying "Zamzar is cool". With a recommendation like that how could I not take a look?

Step one is to go to Zamzar.com. You may want to look at their list of convertible file types before you get to far.

Once you've decided what file you're going to convert, just click the Browse button and select your file. (There is an upload limit of 100MB per file.)

The file you've chosen to convert will appear at the bottom of the page. You can remove that file if you choose the wrong one, or add other files to be converted as a batch. (Be sure to only choose files of the same general type, such as video files, as you'll only be able to have one output file type.)

Step two is to choose which format you want the file converted to from the dropdown list. (This list will populate with only valid conversion formats.)

Step three: enter your e-mail address, (a link to the converted files will be sent to this e-mail address,) then click the Convert button.

You'll then be asked to confirm your choices by clicking OK...

...and your file(s) will be uploaded to the server for conversion. A status bar will keep you up-to-date with the progress and estimated time remaining of the upload process.

Once the upload is complete you will be told as such and reminded that the link to the converted file will be e-mailed to you.

A few minutes later (in my experiences) you will receive and e-mail with a link to the converted file.

However, this is not a link to the file itself, but to a Web page with the file link. So, do not right-click and select Save as on this link. Just click the link and open the Zamzar.com page for your converted file.

On this page, click the Download Now button to initiate your download and then confirm to your browser that you wish to save this file.

In this example I converted a Flash Video file (.flv) from YouTube (yes, there are ways to download YouTube videos) into a Windows .avi file. Here are the properties of both the original and converted files.

Yes, in this case I converted a smaller file into a larger file. However, with an .avi file I can burn it to DVD video and/or play it in Windows Media Player which allows me to view it in full-screen mode. (Neither of which I can do with a .flv file.)

As you can see below, the quality of the converted file is not noticeably different from the original.

Original

Converted

With this one experiment I can say that Zamzar does live up it its promises and should be bookmarked by anyone who might ever need to convert files from one format to another. The only two downsides I can fine is the 100MB limit, which should only be an issue for those looking to convert video files, and its current inability to deal with files from Microsoft Works (something that would be very useful to public libraries.)

IL2006: Blogging Update - Applications & Tips

Syndication and Website Content: Suggestions for Blogs, RSS and Internal Syndication Walter Nelson, RAND Library Webmaster

• RSS: The I don't get it factor
• very few peopel understand RSS
• you have to meet your users where they are
• not where you want them to be
• Symplifying RSS
• embed into web pages
• people get web pages
• use RSS w/o downloading anything
• ....
• The Tools
• Blog: Moveable Type
• RSS Parser: Feed2JS
• There are others in the market but I won't be talking about them
• Mooveable Type setup
• installation is the hard part
• insatlled on your server
• use "canned formats" or can be customized
• can be formatted to look like your site
• can be formatted to be your site
• Moveable Type Features
• easy to use
• adminsitrator has controll over authors
• web interface to add content
• generates static HTML pages
• automatically generates RSS feed
• Think outside the blog
• blog is a tech with many features
• database publishing tool which sorts by chronology and category
• you don't have to use a blog for blogging
• corp announcements, event calendar, image database, online newspaper, etc.
• Feed2JS
• second piece of the puzzle
• free from feed2js.org
• use theris site or install on their server
• generates JavScript to republish RSS feed content
• as bulleted list of links on your site
• hosted vs. installed
• no charge without special prep
• really easy to do
• pitfall: slows down load time
• moral: install on your server if at all possible
• "anncouncements" on RAND intranet is an RSS feed
• click headline to get the blog entry
• creates searchable archive
• [data entry screenshot]
• Feed2JS creates RSS driven content
• [Feed2JS interface screenshot]
• Additional uses
• external newsfeeds
• statis links list
• resource list for menus
• customers can subscribe to our links
• [example library news page screenshot]
• Category feeds
• parse feeds by category
• one blog creates multiple feeds
• Uses
• branch specific headings
• all announcements homepage
• Empower your users but not all the users use the power

Using Blogs for Internal Communications Karen Coombs, University of Houston

• why blogs
• existing tech infrastructure was not well not used
• easy for staff to create and maintain content
• space for staff to provide feedback
• good for positioning news-type information
• how it began
• development of library's strategic directions
• web management committee
• many different blogs
• committees
• service points
• Circ
• Reference
• working groups
• instruction team
• science librarians
• blogs for committees
• make announcements
• post minnutes and other docs
• gather on what the committee is doing
• [web management committee blog screenshot]
• service point blogs
• maintained by desk staff
• announcements
• new resources
• problems
• questions
• display on all computers at desk
• [Ref blog screenshot]
• workgroup blogs
• allow people to share info
• post items of note or interest
• reading materials for discussion
• [library instruction blog screenshot]
• unresolved issues
• feed subscription issues
• how does it fit with the current intranet
• integration with existing authentication systems
• keeping up with changes to blog permission
• old version of PHP needed for what we're doing but other software needes current version of PHP

Blogs & Public Libraries Aaron Schmidt, Thomas Ford Memorial Library

• No one cares that you have a blog
• it isn't about the technology for the patrons
• it is about connecting
• Lamson Library WPOPAC
• Thomas Ford Memorial Library - Films on the Ford DVD list
• opac link
• imdb link
• commenting
• WesternSpringsHistory.org
• flickr tools
• flickr uploadr
• Blog this
• flickr badge
• new materials on flickr
• westmont library
• Firefox 2.0
• built in spellcheck
• meebo me
• blog elsewhere
• follow through

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

Planning for Vista

Microsoft has put up the "minimal requirements" for Windows Vista on the Get Ready Web site. Here's what they say:

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:

• A modern processor (at least 800MHz¹).
• 512 MB of system memory.
• A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor¹.
• 1 GB of system memory.
• A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero².
• 128 MB of graphics memory.
• 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
• DVD-ROM Drive³.
• Audio output capability.
• Internet access capability.

The bottom line, even if you're thinking that you'll get the basic version of Windows Vista, get as close as you can to the higher-level specs if not more than that if you can.

Ever need to print (or copy) a Windows directory listing?

I found myself with a downloaded directory of video files this past week that I wanted to burn on to DVD. The total collection was going to take five discs by the time it was all done. So, with so many files to burn on to so many discs, there was no way I was going to be able to write all the filenames to the DVDs themselves. In these situtations, I just print a paper insert with all the filenames. Trouble was, that was 50+ filenames I was going to have to re-type into Word onto my insert templates. There had to be a way to cpoy & paste all those filenames. Off to Google I went.

I was able to fine a Microsoft Knowledge Base document that exmplained how to add the Print Directory feature for folders in Windows XP. The simple directions has you create a five-line batch file (remember those) and then add a right-click option to folders. When finished, all I had to do was right click on a file, select "Print Directory", wait for my printer to spit out the results. As useful as this was, it's not exactly what I wanted. What I wanted was a file containing the information that I could copy from and paste into another program.

What the batch file does is to perform a detailed directory listing, dump the results to a temporary file, open the temp file into notepad, issue a print command, close notepad, adn delete the temporary file. What I determined I needed to do was to interrupt this process before it issued the print command. I took the original batch file, removed the print and delete commands resulting in:

@echo off
dir %1 /-p /o:gn > "%temp%\Listing"
start /w notepad "%temp%\Listing"
exit

I saved this file as %windir%\notepaddir.bat and continued with the directions naming my new command "Directory to Notepad" and using the new filename as the command. The results allowed me to receive a full director listing in notepad which I could then save and/or copy from as I needed.

Then, the unthinkable happened: every time I clicked on a directory to open it my notpad commenad was issued, instead of showing me the contents of the folder as expected. I quickly went back into the folder options to change the default command but foudn the "Set as default" button greyed out. This was a problem!

Well, scream a big RTFM to me. Looking further down the Microsoft page, it seems they're aware of this little problem and give instructions for a simple registry edit to solve the problem. Phew.

(As with anything that involves the registry be sue your stsyem restore is turned on and don't blame me if it screws up your system.)

DRM, a poor explanation

The Denver Public Library has started to offer downloadable video content on their Web site. I plan on testing it out shortly and writing a full review of the system. However, in looking through some of the documentation I found this little gem on the help page:

"The Windows Media Security Upgrade is a one-time process that must be performed before Microsoft Windows Media Player will allow any copyright-protected files to be played."
[emphasis added]

This sentence is misleading at best and a lie at worst. Windows Media Player will play copyright protected files just fine without this "security upgrade". I can stick the recently released DVD of King Kong, clearly protected by copyright, into my computer and play it with Windows Media Player just fine without this "security upgrade". What it won't play without the upgrade is files that include the DRM restrictions that the content creator is using to enforce their copyright. Yes, it's semantics, but this is an important issue when attempting to explain to people why they need this software just to watch a video. Copyright protection is a concept, DRM is software.

Update 04/14: I have contacted DPL regarding this issue and here's their reply —

"Thank you for calling our attention to this. We are working with the vendor to revise the wording."

Skull Island does exist!

Skull Island
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

It must, because you can actually find it using Google Earth.

(Well, not really. It's part of an online promotion for the release of the DVD. You can play by going to the Find Skull Island Web site. You can only get so far however unless you buy the DVD from sendit.com and receive the special code to unlock the additional locations.)

Not enough plugs

Denon AVR-5805 back
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

Yesterday I received my region-free DVD player from Japan. (I can now play DVDs created anywhere in the world.) The problem is, with the combination of the age of my receiver and the number of pieces of equipment now connected to it I'm running out of outlets. (In order to watch either my VCR or the new DVD player (I'm keeping the five-disc player hooked up since it also plays CDs) I have to turn on the DVD-R too, since it's what's accepting the input from the VCR and the new DVD player.) I think I've found a solution however. The Denon AVR-5805 (shown right) seems to have enough inputs to keep me covered for a while. The $6000 price tag is the only problem.

Borders Coupons good through 02/05

• 20% Off the Regular Price of One Book
• 20% Off the Regular Price of One Kids Book
• 20% Off the Regular Price of One DVD

Firefly Season 2 !?

Would you be willing to see a second season of Firefly via the Net? On-demand cable? On DVD via subscription? If so, let you're opinion be known.

Doctor Who to be broadcast in the US!

According to this BBC report the SciFi channel will be broadcasting the 2005 series of Doctor Who starting in March. This is the explaination for the previously unspecified delay of the DVD release, originally scheduled for Valentine's Day. The new release date is now July 4th. (What is it with the holiday-based release dates?)

Tiny yet expensive

Here's a New York TimeFlybook which is "a full-blown Windows XP computer, complete with touch screen and stylus, that's not much bigger than a DVD case (9.3 by 6.1 inches, 2.7 pounds)." Unfortunately it doesn't come with a CD or DVD drive (without paying extra) and still costs $2,490.
Thanks Louise

New Doctor Who on DVD

Sci Fi Wire reports that the 9th Doctor DVDs will be released as a boxed set on 14 February 2006.

CAL2005: Tools to Help Train Trustees – Colorado State Library's Board and Trustees Handbook and Douglas County Libraries' Trustee Training Manual

Patricia Froehlich (Colorado State Library)

• Handout: Colorado Public Libraries by Size of Population
• Handout: Addresses of Colorado Public Libraries, 2005, including director name and contact information
• New Colorado Public Library Standards released in 2005
• also completely available on the Web
• Last time training handbook was updated: 1997
• State library has been revising it
• It's being put up on the Web as the information is updated
• Print version won't be complete and out until next spring
• Handout: Colorado Public Library Board & Trustees Pocket Handbook
• This on is just a prototype
• Has been reviewed by directors, advisory boards and trustees
• All done via e-mail and phone, no live meetings
• Looks to cover a variety of situations and types of library boards
• suggestion: “develop the mission of the library” be added to the section on duties of trustees
• Developed based on an example from the North Carolina State Library

James LaRue (Douglas County)

• Handout: Douglas County Libraries Trustee Orientation Manual
• Suggests this be used as a template for your library
• Structures, non-jargon, straight-forward
• Based on Massachusetts version
• Mainly developed by the board president and Jamie's assistant who was new to the organization. (She saw it as a learning experience for herself too)
• Library By-laws were developed in 1990 and hadn't changed in 15 years
• They were out of date
• went from 30-something to 360 employees in that period
• Mission Statement first
• contest for staff to see who could memorize it
• made it short, made staff learn it
• put onto pocket cards for the board
• Vision statement, time line, long range plan
• Sticky stuff in the main manual, fast changing stuff in appendices so they can be easily updated
• Org chart, board info, director, district information, stats, budget, Web site, OPAC
• Physical layout, branches
• Personnel
• The board only has one employee, the director
• everyone else works for the director, they're his/her responsibility
• Expect board members have reviews this in advance of the first meeting
• Expect members to view meeting info in advance and for the meetings to start on time
• Library environment
• ALA, PLA, State Library, CAL, ACLIN, Friends
• Library Law
• Sunshine & open meeting, investment, Tabor, Internet issues
• The purpose of policy is to make you look good
• To give you time to research
• to give you time to de-escalate the situation
• not to be publicly humiliated
• PR issues
• Douglas County has had 27 book challenges this year
• Confidentially issues
• especially with children
• Calls for being allowed access to child's records
• “Have you considered talking with your child?”
• Don't ignore young people trying for the board as their first opportunity
• strongly recommends becoming a district
• Know your legislators
• Board job descriptions
• Term limits
• Wrong question
• “Who effective are the board members”
• rotate people out before they can come back in
• Boards over seven start to get unwieldy, smaller than five can't do enough
• Vice President: “Somebody's got to be in charge of vice”
• The president is only one member & does not have the power to follow their own agenda
• Committees
• Douglas uses committees because “it works for us”
• Like the smaller groups to discuss and make recommendations
• Each board member expected to be on two committees
• appointed by the new board president each January
• Typically three people per committee
• Have invited people from outside the board to participate in committee meetings
• Arapahoe LD has not committees, they use “study sessions”
• Decorum
• If people coming into the library are treated well and smiling, you've already failed
• Services: Have you moved from VHS to DVD yet? Why are you still buying VHS if you still are?
• Is the board fulfilling the mission?
• Board evaluation and accountability
• very important!
• Rare
• Is the board only accountable to themselves?
• need to be above suspicion
• We have a good record
• Set goals for the board and follow through
• Ethics
• Don't do anything you want on the front page of the paper
• listen to your “inner mother”
• Make sure the library is well managed, not manage the library well
• Annual contracts with directors still rare in Colorado
• New patron packet also given to board
• No longer mailing board packets
• [M: Aurora has folders that can be picked up]
• They use a Web site
• Jargon & acronym glossary
• “If you're doing it in secret you shouldn't be doing it at all”

CAL2005: Making Complex and Ethical Decisions You and Your Library Can Live With

Mary Elizabeth Harper, Highlands Ranch Branch Manager, Douglas County Public Library District (trustee workshop)

• ALA Code of Ethics
• Highest level of service to all users
• Qualified staff
• Collection
• Hours of service
• Appropriate
• Defined at the local level
• Usefully organized
• Accessible
• Resources
• Books
• Tape/cd
• Video/dvd
• databases
• Equitable service policies
• Non-discriminatory
• Reasonable circ policies
• Equitable access
• Physical access to the building and materials
• Hours
• Accurate, unbiased responses
• Ref librarian shouldn’t give their opinion
• From a reliable source
• & courteous responses to all request
• obvious
• Code was written as a guide
• Five things decision ought to be
• Variety of options
• People are not the problem
• Problem, not opinions
• Objective criteria, not emotions
• Criteria to determine effectiveness
• What makes a decision effective?
• Evaluating Effectiveness
• From PLA
• Effectiveness can be measures by three elements, each of which has a five level scale
• Target Audience
• Result produced
• Audience response
• SWOT analysis
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Threats
• Sacred Cow
• In use by PLA since 2000
• Look at what’s “always been done this way” & see what could be changed
• Things for which you don’t know why its done that way
• Ingrained habits
• Good to do with a group of people that are working together
• Used to resolve issues
• Circulation staff (good area to use this method)
• Needs Decision Tree
• Her new favorite
• Good tool for many types of decisions
• 1^st question: how well suited is the library to meeting this need
• Go through the flowchart answering yes/no, well/not
• Helps people identify things they cannot do
• An attendee suggested maybe libraries should consider offering Internet access to homes. (Becoming an ISP in essence.) This was not well accepted by the others in the room, including myself.
• At this point the discussion seriously degenerated into discussion on what services the library should or should not be offering, not a discussion on how to make decisions.
• Start with the mission/vision statement of the library.
• What is the library’s goal?
• Does what you’re trying to decide, match that mission/vision?
• Public librarians tend to live in the past
• Patterns work, then the patterns change
• i.e. computers & the Internet
• Limited resources, how do you divvy up the resources?
• Public libraries tend to just keep adding resources without taking others away as other public entities do
• Determine what it is the community wants
• What does the staff/facility/budget have the capacity to provide
• Gather data, set priorities
• Reallocate resources as needed
• Your responsibility as a trustee is to make the best decision you can for the library/public you serve
• Handout: quotations (relevant & humorous) regarding ethical decisions

Serenity DVD

DVD Times is reporting a December 20th release of Serenity on DVD. Cover image and menu images included in article.

DeCSS creator acquitted

DVD Jon is free – official | The Register

"The court rejected these arguments, ruling that Johansen did nothing wrong in bypassing DVD scrambling codes that stopped him using his Linux PC to play back DVDs he'd bought."