SimplifyMedia for Vista

Yes, even us folks running Vista can now share our iTunes libraries over the Internet with Simplify Media. This is my laptop's new favorite software and my hotel room's best friend.

More on Simplify Media

As I posted yesterday, Simplify Media allows you to share your iTunes library over the Internet with up to 30 of your closest friends. Now that I have it running on three out of four of my computers, here's a few follow-up notes.

• The software does not yet run on Vista. (Which is of course my personal laptop's OS.) According to the company "a release for Windows Vista will be available shortly."
• One of my friends has reported that the software is "not reading the data from my external HD." My main collection is not on my main drive but on a secondary internal drive so that seems to work. I have not yet tested sharing a folder on an external drive myself. I'll report back if I receive any additional news on this issue.
• Simplify Media only shares the contents of your "Music" category in iTunes. Items listed under "Podcasts" and "Audiobooks" will not be shared.
• I claimed via Twitter that I'd making "a week" worth of Bowie tracks available. For the record, I'm sharing just four days, 1368 tracks, or Bowie. Sorry if that's not enough for some of you ;-)

Just one additional comment: Simplify Media is a good company name but the software itself needs a name of its own. "Simplify Meida" just isn't a great name (maybe it's just me) for this program.)

Listen to your home iTunes library from almost anywhere

I've got gigs and gigs of music on my home desktop. I've got some podcasts and a few choice albums on my office desktop. If only I could listen to the music on my home PC at work. Or, better yet, on my laptop while on the road. What would be totally amazing is the ability to listen to anything from the libraries of up to 30 of my friends. Wait. What? You mean Simplify Media has software that will let you do all these things? No F'in way! I gotta get me some of that!

My username is "travelinlibrarian" for those wanting to share. I'll add anyone right now but when I hit the limit I'll need to start cutting people so you'd better have some interesting music. Me, I've got more than a full week worth of Bowie for your listening pleasure. Also, you can not copy files between accounts so I think that's how they're "legal". I'm still wondering how long it'll be before someone sues them...

When it comes to Vista, updated drivers are very important

I've seen the article Speed Up Windows Vista from ExtremeTech blogged about several other places so I wasn't going to mention it here. I did read it though and agree with the criticism regarding the section of the article dealing with Windows services. But the one thing that I got from the article was the importance of making sure your drivers are up to date; especially if you're upgrading from XP to Vista.

First a little background: In my workshop Tech Support on the Fly I talk about Windows update and the different categories of updates you'll find there. One category in XP is "optional hardware updates" and I stress that you should only install hardware (i.e. driver) updates when you're having trouble with said hardware or if the new driver gives you new features you want. This advice spawns from the times that I've had to rollback video drivers on computers where I can no longer see anything on the screen. That is not fun!

So when I upgraded my laptop to Vista I updated as many drivers as I could but was unable to find the updated driver for my video card. (As blogged earlier.) My laptop was running but it seemed a little more sluggish than I would like. I was poking around in the computer's properties last weekend and found something called the "System Rating".

The one pictured here is from my second office computer with known issues so don't worry too much about the low score. In the case of my laptop the score was 2.8 out of five. Looking for a little more detail I clicked on "Windows Experience Index" and found the detail and explanation I was looking for.

It turns out the the rating is based on the lowest score in five categories: Processor, Memory, Graphics, Gaming Graphics, and Primary Hard Disk. In my laptop's case, the graphics rating was 2.8. This may just have been the reason for the sluggish performance of my machine.

A commenter to this blog had recently pointed out where I could find the driver and a few days ago I download and installed the update. I then went to Windows update and noticed there was an "optional" update to my video driver so I took a chance and installed that next. After all the required reboots I went back to look at my computer's score. The score hadn't changed but it did inform me that it had "found new hardware" and needed to rerun the tests to recompute my score. I clicked OK and waited about five minutes. The score was updated to 3.8 and I was told that I could even comfortably run the Areo interface now.

I switched Aero on and started to play. My laptop is now back to the speed it was running at with XP. (Unfortunately, Second Life still won't run and my iTunes problems still exist but I've ruled out my video driver as the source of the problem.)

So, the bottom line, if you're running Vista, my current advice is to install those driver updates as soon as they become available. Might your system die as a result? Sure, but I'd say the benefits outweigh the very small risks in this situation.

iTunes & Vista

iTunes & Vista
Originally uploaded by Travelin' Librarian.

Well, I updated to version 7.1.1 today which said addressed "minor compatibility problems". Despite the fact that I don't view any of the problems I've been having "minor" updates rarely do damage so I had hope. The result: no noticeable change. The display problems have not gone away.

iTunes & Vista

Just when you think the display "problems" can't get any worse, exhibit A:

iTunes & Vista - Part 2

Over the weekend I finally upgraded iTunes to version 7.1, the one that supposedly solves most of the problems in Vista. (Notice the important "supposedly" in that previous sentence. Well, here's my results:

I downloaded the update and ran the installation program. (Side note, why can't iTunes update itself from within the program like most other software today. Why oh why do I have to re-download the program every time there's an update?) The first oddity was the fact that I was required to shutdown Microsoft Outlook in order for the install program to continue. I was also running the Outlook widget in the Vista sidebar and I was required to shut that down too. (Oh wait, I just realized that I had set iTunes to sync my Outlook contacts and calendar so maybe that's why...) Other than that the install worked but seemed to take twice as long as it usually did. (More on speed later.)

Once the install was completed I was given the option to run iTunes automatically. I chose that option and waited a good ten minutes, disk thrashing the whole time, before finally giving up and running iTunes via the desktop icon.

I was asked to accept the license (typical of the first run of iTunes after any update) and was then informed that it was "updating iTunes library..." Twenty minutes later, this was complete. (I don't have the largest iTunes library in the world, just 3712 totaling 16.47GB so this seemed to take much longer than it should have.)

Once I was actually able to use iTunes I started to update my podcasts. Every few minutes I would receive an error that said it couldn't update my library due to not having the correct permissions. I continued to click through the errors and once the podcasts were done downloading I closed and restarted iTunes and this error has not come back since.

As for the display problems, some of them seem to have been solved. For example, the add artwork bug has been fixed. However, all of the other display problems do still occur but after a longer period of time than before. According to Apple, "iTunes may display text or graphics incorrectly on your screen. Resizing the iTunes window should correct this issue." However, I've noticed that once the display problems start, the only solution is to close the program (which does then crash) and restart. Any attempt to resize or minimize locks the program forcing me to go to the Task Manager to kill the process. My theory is that iTunes is incompatible with the Aero interface that I'm running. However, running iTunes in XP Compatibility mode doesn't solve these problems and since compatibility mode turns Aero off, this may not be a logical conclusion.

I eventually noticed that since I chose to make iTunes my default player during the installation process, the default player error has not returned.

Finally, having made sure I followed all of the warnings on the Apple site, I decided to actually connect my iPod to the laptop. The short answer is that it synced as it should. The longer answer is that it seemed to take forever to start the syncing process. Seriously, I plugged it in, Vista made it's horrid "bonk" indicating the presence of a USB device, and my iPod appeared in iTunes within seconds as it should. But, it all just sat there for the better part of ten minutes before any syncing actually started to happen. (I've since synced my iPod a few more times with the same wait each time.) My iPod is in working condition and I lost no data that I've noticed.

So, my conclusions: It's better but serious problems still exist. The known display problems are something that need to be fixed immediately. (I'm assuming that fixing the display problems will solve the crashing issues since it only seems to crash after the display goes wonky.) The other item that must be fixed is performance. I now feel like I'm working under water while in iTunes. Importing works at normal speed but everything else either is or just feels slow, especially the sync function.

iTunes & Vista - Update from Apple

As of yesterday, Apple has released iTunes 7.1 which supposedly addresses a number of compatibility issues with Windows Vista. I'll test it out tonight and report back.

iTunes & Vista

Some of you have been waiting for this post and I've finally got around to writing. So, how's iTunes working with Vista in my case? No so well. Here's the details based on what I've been experiencing.

First, when I run the program I'm told that it's running in compatibility mode. Trouble is, I've not set that option so I have no idea why I'm being told this.

Next, I'm informed that iTunes is no longer my default audio player and offered an option to go to the screen that will change these settings.

However, once I get there I see no way to make iTunes my default.

There may be a way to fix this but I'm not seeing it. Why can't I just tell iTunes to set itself as the default like I can with other programs?

Once iTunes is running it usually works for several minutes. Then, the display problems start. They're inconsistent but these are some of the problems I usually see.

Here I've inserted a CD and the window that you can see through is the one that's asking me if I wish to import the CD:

Here the vertical lines separating the tracks have disappeared and the vertical lines have gone bold.

In this example I've selected a single track. Instead of highlighting the track, the track's information disappears.

Here we have all tracks but one selected. Only the unselected track shows information.

When I try to import album artwork, it doesn't show up in the right place, it appears in the upper-left corner of the window instead.

Sometimes when I try to update track information (this is the result off adding the previously illustrated album artwork) I'm told that the data can't be saved. The data does appear to be saved regardless of this message.

Lastly, on close, the program crashes.

I've not tried to actually sync my iPod yet. I'm using this as an opportunity to get caught up on my podcast backlog. Here's hoping apple releases an upgrade soon.

To Vista or not to Vista?

Ok, so, what's my official advice on upgrading to Vista? I did it, so should you? Well, let's keep in mind a few important items:

• Some would consider me a bit of a geek and willing to futz around with my computer and change all sorts of settings just for fun.
• I specifically bought this laptop with the specifications needed to run Vista Ultimate edition and planned on upgrading it once Vista was released.
• I get paid to do this first and warn everyone else about the potential pitfalls.

So, with those things in mind, my official advice and this time is the following:

1. If you're going to be buying a new computer, get Vista. (Really, you won't have a choice but if you did I'd still say go with Vista.)
2. If you have a recently-purchased machine with one of those free upgrade coupons, go for it. I'm assuming you haven't had the computer long enough to customize it too much and you're probably not running any highly-specialized programs. (Check with vendors if you are. Hell, OCLC software had some problems with IE7. Who knows how they're reacting to Vista.)
3. You've got an older computer and the Windows Upgrade Advisor says the hardware can handle it, don't unless you're a masochist like me.
4. The Upgrade Advisor says you can't run at least Home Premium, don't even consider it. If you can at least run Home Premium, see #3.

To be honest, I love it despite the problems I'm having. (Second Life won't run, iTunes is fracked, I'm having some issues sharing files between the Vista computer and my XP computer, (let's not even consider the NT4.0 box,) and there's still an outstanding issue with upgrading my BIOS.) The bottom line, is that if everything's running fine on XP and you're considering upgrading everything in the library to Vista "because I can" or "because it looks cool" don't bother. Wait for the next round of computer purchasing and bring it into your system then. You'll be much better off in the long run.

Jobs on DRM

Steve Jobs has written a 2000+ word essay, posted on the Apple, Inc. site regarding his feelings about DRM (digital rights management) on the iPod platform and in general. After a history explaining how we got to where we are today, this is the paragraph that makes the article worth it's weight in gold:

"The third alternative is to abolish DRMs entirely. Imagine a world where every online store sells DRM-free music encoded in open licensable formats. In such a world, any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players. This is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat. If the big four music companies would license Apple their music without the requirement that it be protected with a DRM, we would switch to selling only DRM-free music on our iTunes store. Every iPod ever made will play this DRM-free music."

His thoughts only get more interesting from this point as he clearly states why it makes total sense for the mucis corporations to ditch DRM. Read it and give copies to all your friends.

iTunes and Windows Vista

According to Apple, Inc. the current version of iTunes is bascially incompatible with Windows Vista. The document describing the problems offers several "solutions" for those that insist on upgrading to Vista before an updated "Vista compatible" version of iTunes is released. Worst case scenario: "Ejecting an iPod from the Windows System Tray using the "Safely Remove Hardware" feature may corrupt your iPod. To always safely eject an iPod, choose Eject iPod from the Controls menu within iTunes." Apple is also offering an iTunes Repair Tool for Vista 1.0 that will also supposedly solve some problems.

IMHO this is totally unacceptable. Vista has been gold since something like early December yet Apple has yet to solve the problem. I'm glad I ran across this before upgrading as I run my iPod off the same laptop I'll be upgrading. Hopefully, Apple will release the updated version in the next two weeks before I get the time to install Vista.

Podcasts: Part 2

I remembered earlier today that I previously posted a list of the "professional" podcasts I listened to and promised a list of "personal" podcasts. Well here it is.

• Big Head Todd Cast
• Chrysler Music Legends
• Coverville
• Doctor Who (TV Series Commentaries)
• Doctor Who: Podshock
• dotBoom (video)
• The Legacy Podcast (find in iTunes)
• Starbucks Cofee Conversations
• Starship Sofa
• The Show with ze frank (video)

CAL2006: Keeping Current with Technology: How Popular Trends in Technology Can (and Should) be Put to Use in Your Library

Steve Lawson, Colorado College & Emilee Satterwhite, Mesa County Public Library

• http://keepingcurrent.pbwiki.com/
• Blogs
• Website that displays postings in reverse chroological order...
• How are blogs useful for librarians
• professional development
• keep current
• get ideas for the library
• generate discussion
• How do you find the time to read them all?
• use and aggregator such as Bloglines
• How are blogs useful for libraries
• Blogging Libraries Wiki
• communicate between libraries and users
• internal communication
• readers' advisory
• don't let the possible problems keep you from doing it
• How do Emilie and Steve use blogs?
• Blogger
• mcpldteens.blogspot.com
• librarianslove.blogspot.com
• bookleggerlibrarian.blogspot.com
• Moveable Type
• library.coloradocollege.edu/bookends
• /colospgslibs
• /program
• /steve
• /news
• Wikis
• What is a wiki?
• Web page any one can edit
• new pages and links created automatically
• HTML knowledge not necessary
• collaborative
• revision history
• Wikipedia
• the site librarians love to hate
• or is it hate to love
• an encyclopedia can edit
• Wikis for keeping current
• Library Success
• LISWiki
• IRead Wiki
• Library Instruction Wiki
• futurelib
• Blogging Libraries Wiki
• A wiki at your Library
• Michael Sauers on "blogorwiki"
• Intranets
• Conference planning
• Subject guides
• Colloborative space
• Committee space
• Community Wikis
• Setting up your Wiki
• Choose software
• wiki farms
• wiki software
• WikiMatrix
• give it some structure
• set people loose
• Feeds
• What is the point
• keep up with blogs, news, weather, etc.
• need a feed reader
• RSS or Atom
• different flavors of the same thing
• Consume Feeds
• Online readers
• bloglines
• google reader
• stand-along readers
• NetNewsWire Lite
• Sharp Reader
• Find Feeds
• Look for the icon
• Other
• Library Elf
• Package Tracking
• Photos
• wiki changes
• legislation
• weather
• Convey Feeds
• Publish info via feeds
• Examples on presentation wiki
• Create Feeds
• Run blog through FeedBurner
• Generate out fo your courseware
• Out of your ILS
• Podcasting
• What is podcasting
• audio blogging via feeds
• why should we be podcasting
• outreach
• patrons may already be confortable with listening to them
• how are libraries currently podcasting
• book reviews
• poetry
• storytime
• adult news & reviews
• video podcasts
• events
• how to find or listen
• iTunes
• Juice
• podcast search engines
• what equipment/software is needed
• recording software
• microphone
• odeo studio (online hosting)
• basic procedure
• igure out what you're going to say
• say/record
• publish

IL2006: Podacsting & Videocasting

Greg Schwartz, Louisville Free Public Library
Sean Cordes, Iowa State University
Jeff Humphrey, INCOLSA
David Free, Georgia Perimeter College
David King, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
10:30am-12:15pm

Greg: Podcasting & Videocasting

• distribute audio content via RSS
• allows users to subscribe and automaticall get your content
• about regularly updated content
• why?
• to understand the technology and explore the possibilities
• to fit in the organizational goals
• if it's the right things for your patrons
• if you're already creating audio content
• NOT because I tell you to
• Warning
• not a one time deal
• takes time
• plan
• record
• edit
• publish
• promote
• recognize time commentment before doing it
• what to podcast?
• programming (get permission)
• upcoming events & library news
• bib instruction
• services for the visually impaired
• staf training & communication
• whatever you imagine
• 9 easy steps to podcasting
• determine content and format
• assemble equipment and people
• record
• edit and export to mp3
• listen!
• upload file to the server
• generate your RSS feed
• publish feed URL
• promote, respond and repeat

Jeff: Video Podcasting @ INCOLSA

• has a 10 year archive of stock video footage
• why, what, had in place, need to do, production tips
• Why
• because we can
• natural progression of existing services
• started with videotape and satellite dish
• died due to hail this year
• looking for a different delivery solution
• current streaming conract ending
• most videos too long for flash
• What have we done?
• old school solution
• converting existing content
• stored on out Web server
• write RSS feed from scratch [!!!]
• put up a web page
• partneres with IUPUI SLIS Class
• Obtained administrative support
• What we had in place
• experience
• video end
• IT end
• Workshp end
• equipment
• space
• physical
• virtual
• content
• What we need to do
• find a better space for videos
• convert to a blog format
• continue production on a regular basis
• foster more partnerships
• more content pipelines
• showcase what libraries are doing
• Production Tips
• have a reason to include video
• invest in a good microphone
• frame shots properly
• enhance production with graphics
• have fun

David Free: Listen Up: Podcasting @ GPC Decatur Library

• Podcasting 1.0
• Library News
• gpcdecaturlrc.blogspot.com/2005/02/audio-news-2.html
• every few weeks, 10-12min
• database news, events, acquistions
• audio format of blog
• 8 things I learned about podcasting
• make sure it feeds (right mime type)
• promote, then promote some more
• keep it short
• use music sparringly
• multiple voices rock
• podcast events
• consider your web presence
• listen to your listeners
• Podcast 2.0
• Listen Up!
• gpcdecaturlrc.blogspot.com/2005/06/listen-up-4.html
• more of an online radio show
• abt once a month
• 20-30min
• lib news & connection of lib to campus
• Under the hood
• UB mic
• audacity
• 96/kbps MP3
• liberated syndication (external hosting service)
• feedburner
• Podcast 3.0
• www.gpc.edu/~declib/podcasts.htm
• podcast directory
• subscription instructions
• asks for suggestions
• The future
• ROI is good
• more direct downloads, less subscriptions
• thinking of screencasting and videocasting

Sean Cordes: [missed the title & first 2 minutes]

• Generally Speaking
• engagement
• interaction
• reflection
• Some points to consider
• build a point of information
• point to something some else has built
• Build, boradcast and bolster
• build community on student experiences
• promote the library through podcasts
• podcasts as a professional development tool
• Using student experiences to share learning
• HigherEd BlogCon
• other examples & links
• Student government
• student-led tours
• podcasts and library promotion
• Omnibus - Downling College Library
• Longshots - North Suburban LIbrary System, Illinois
• Podcasting for Professional Development
• Syndication for HigherEd podcasting
• ALA library 2.0 podcasts
• search for "lecture" on itunes & get more than 40 education podcasts

David King: Introduction to Videoblogging

• davidleeking.com/etc
• Rocketboom
• what to call it
• vlogs
• videoblog
• video podcast
• vodcast
• v-log
• videocart
• what is it?
• video on a blog
• stevegarfiled.com
• drumming lessons
• Orlando Public Library
• why is it getting big?
• storage, bandwidth, fast web
• cheap easy mobile video
• video ipods
• 2005 it really took off
• people discovering great uses that are "just right" for video
• how do you watch them
• just click...
• computer w/ broadband
• video player
• WMV
• quicktime
• flash
• video aggregator would be nice
• fireant
• iTunes
• medfeedia
• coolest way to watch
• iPod
• or a clone
• or a PSP
• watch at your convienence
• how do you create them?
• needs
• computer
• video camera
• video editing software
• a blog
• formats
• you also need an idea
• storage
• store yourself
• server
• bandwidth
• store elsewhere
• ourmedia
• blip.tv
• Internet Archive
• YouTube
• YouTube
• very popular right now
• they store the video
• they keep stats
• allows for comments
• don't allow downloading
• is that a problem for you?
• what can libraries do with them
• traditional
• book talk
• bib instruction & tutorials
• film your events
• more interesting ideas
• cultural memory
• collaborative
• environments
• behind the scenes
• wacked ideas
• travel / local attractions
• political
• hobbies / lifestyles
• For more info
• books via amazon
• groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging
• vloggercon

Lyrics Plugin

If you use Windows Media Player or WinAmp to play your tunes, install the Lyrics Plugin and the lyrics of the song being played will be automatically displayed for you. Now, if they'd only make an iTunes version.

A scant 16 days later...

Absolute Genius!

There's nothing like coming into work after a few days off to recharge (more about that later) and finding these two gems to make me love this profession.

The first is about John Blyberg and the Cherry Hill Public Library in new Jersey ripping every CD in the collection and making more then 49,000 songs available for patrons to listen to in the library. Yes, even those with laptops over the WiFi network! (John's Technical post and Michael Stephens' post with photos.)

The other item courtsey of Michael Stephens is the video from SJCPL's 2003 staff day. (Be sure to stay through the credits.)

iTunes 7

iTunes 7 is now available for download from the Apple site. The "check for updates" feature in iTunes 6 keeps reporting that the update server is unresponsive so if you want it, a direct download may be our only option for the near future.

Live from the Steve Jobs Keynote

Engadget covered the "It's Showtime" keynote that finished within the past 1/2 hour. If you're wondering what's up with the iPod, iTunes, and the iTunes Store, this is the post you need to read. (My favorite part, iTunes 7 will give you album art for your music as long as you have an account. This includes music you imported yourself!)

Podcast icons

I once surfed for RSS icons and found more than 20 different ones regularaly used. Noticing that iTunes started using a new icon to represent podcasts I decided to take a look for those this time around. Here's seven. There were others but they were mostly variations on the ones reprinted here. So, what do you think? Which do you feel should be the standard?

The iTunes Store is being updated.

I've moved my iTunes folder off the network to my now-larger hard drive (more about that later) so I had to resubscribe to some of my podcasts. Unfortunately, the iTunes store seems to be down. My guess is that they're prepping the system for the soon-to-be-released movie downloads.

Dylan on iTunes

You may have heard that you can get the new Bob Dylan album via iTunes. But did you know you can get Bob Dylan: The Collection from iTunes. Every (52) live and studio album, 773 tracks including 42 "rare" tracks, and a 100-page booklet for $199.99. If you have iTunes installed here's a link to the store.

Doctor Who Series 2 Podcast

Doctor Who Series 2 Podcast Image
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

Unless you've been living under a rock (or just don't care,) series two of Doctor Who started this past Saturday in the UK. (Yes, you can find it on BitTorrent.) The news of additional coolness is that Mr. Davies is producing a podcast of episode commentaries. You can find it via iTunes (just search on "Doctor Who") of, for those of you that are iTunes-less, the URL for the feed is http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/rss/2006_commentaries.xml.

CIL2006: Supporting the Digital World with Gadgets

Hope Tillman, Director of Libraries, Babson College
10:30-11:15am

• Definition of Gadgets
• small electronic or mechanical device which a practical used often thought of as a novelty
• Consumer electronics
• Gadgets are all arounds us
• productivty vs. distraction
• useful or time-consuming toys
• time shifting
• blurring of work and personal time
• overload vs. the more the better
• makes time to do more
• makes more to do
• Today's students
• Class of 2009
• voice mail always available
• may have slept w. game boys in their crib
• always digital cameras
• may not distinguished between news entertainment
• libraries have always been comp access centers
• Why single out gadgets
• what consumers are willing to buy
• refelect customization and personalization trends
• continue to change, show evolution and shift
• qustions to consider
• what features lend themselves to info magt knowlege sharing
• how to identify gadgets to adopt/support
• what do patrons use now
• who are you listening to?
• what makes your life easier
• what are other libraries doing
• what's the tipping point
• how do you look at the issue of interoperability and upgrades
• Tends
• convergence
• personalization and customixation
• miniaturization / portability
• ZDNet top 10 gadget must haves list
  
• changes every 2-3 weeks
• Creative Zen
• Sony PSP
• XBox 360
• Mobile DVR
• Slingbox
• Treo 700w
  
• Soundmatters MainstageHD
• A few of the gadgets
• PDAs
• tablets
• cell phones
• MP3 players
• video players
• digital cameras
• pocket scanners
• Morphing the name of the PDA
• Personal Digital Assistant
• Palm or PocketPC
• Handheld
• Portable Media Player
• Movile Media Companion
• PocketPC phone
• Ruggedized handhled
• Ultra personal computer
• PDA/Handhelds/Tablets
• Convergence
• thickness weight vs. functionality
• PDAs still part of the mix
• Smart watches
• Embedded GPS for kids
• wireless or synched
• limited by recption area
• content
• IM cell phone features
• Smart phones
• single device for all data and voice nees
• e-mail access
• SMS
• browser
• organizer
• phone
• MP3 players
• iPods
• Nomad Jukebox
• Walkman Bean
• iRiver
• Rio Carbon
• Creative Zen
• Flash/HD/FM
• Digital voice recordres
• smartphone/pds
• iPod addon
• olympus DM-20 w/ USB interface
• Video Players/recorders
• Creative Zen vision
• iPod w/ video
• Archos Gmini 402
• Smasung YEPP YH-999 PMC
• Digital still video cameras
• Standalones
• Embedded/addons to other devices
• one-time use
• webcams
• Pocket scanners (reader pen)
• scan, store send
• reads notes aloud
• beams data
• get immediate translations definitions
• reading aids
• Wizcom technologies
• Docupen RC800
• Digital Pen (drawing pen)
• Logitech io2 Digital Writing System
• TabletPC w/o the tablet
• Security everywhere
• fingerprint
• Keyboards
• jump drives
  
• biometrics
• RFID
• Pros cons
• inventory vs. privacy
• Special purpose chips
• USB drive
• flash memory
• fitkeys
• dexit
• sanDisk flashCP Cruzer
• DRM dongle
• IBM Soulpad
• Wireless devices
• mice
• keyboards
• presentation remotes
• Remote control
• Logitech Harmony
• MyNevo
• Game machines
• Sony PSP was the gadget of 2005
• "Video Games and the Future of Learning"
• "Everything Bad is Good for You"
• Games and Libraries
• Gaming in Libraries blog
• Game Primer
• Parallel Worlds: Online Games and Digital Information Services
• GPS
• Stand alones
• smart phone
• pc-based
• geocaching
• What toys do your toys have?
• memory chips
• keyboards
• speakers
• skins
• caps
• cases
• solar backpacks
• ringtones
• subscription content
• library applications
• marketing
• Geocaching
• podacsts
• blogging
• MySpace
  
• operations
• Inventory control / RFID
• remote control
• circulation of devices
• bibliographic file management
  
• communication/collaborations
• IM
• blogs
• videoconferencing
• wikis
  
• learning/entertainment
• delivery of files data
• role of games in learning
• search engines
• ebooks/ejournals
• current awareness
• iPod use
• catalog pages
• pubmed for handhelds
• What's next?
• e-ink
• e-paper
• flexible displays
• soft-hardware
• ElekTex keyboard
  
• wearable computing
• itunes jacket
• movie glasses
• MP3 sunglasses
• Head-word display
  
• more games w/in libraries
• additional tool to help librarians provide realistic simulations
• reference librarian avatars
• "Active Worlds" site
• Convergence of information and connectivity
• "Ambient Findability" by Peter Morville
• Trends
• convergence
• personalization
• customization
• portability
• "Save the time of the reader"
• any time, any where, and way
• Where to go
• Engadget
• Gizmodo
• ZDNet must have list
  

Burn your own CD @ Starbucks

The CD
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

I'm spending the night in Everett, WA on my way to teach in Marysville tomorrow. After dinner I spotted a starbucks down the street and decided to get a caramel machiato to help me relax. (Decaf.) Outside was a sign for Starbucks' new Hear Music Media Bar. I'd heard about this before and now I was definitely making a stop.

After getting my drink I sat down at the system and started to browse. It turns out that these systems have thousands of CDs completely available for selection and on site burning. Additionally you can select the tracks of your choice (nothing was "album only" as some iTunes tracks are) to burn onto a custom CD.

I selected seven songs for the base price of $8.98+tax. Each additional song is $0.99 but I held my ground. I was ablt to reorder my list since I hadn't selected my songs in the order I wanted them on the CD. I was also able to pick a graphic from a selection of about 40 images. (I didn't count so that number is just an estimation.) I was also asked to choose a title for my CD.

I finalized my list and swipped my credit card. It did not ask me for a signature and promptly processed the charge. While the CD was burning a printout was made which I folded along the perforations as instructed and inserted into the flaps of a paperboard and plastic jewelcase. About three minutes later my CD, lebeled with my title popped out, ready to be placed in the newly customized jewelcase.

Overall the system worked as advertised however it isn't perfect. First, the on-screen keyboard has keys in alphabetical order. As someone used to a QWERTY keyboard, this made my searching and title entry a bit dificult. Secondly, the price. The track peices are in line with iTunes but since you're getting a physical item, the starting price seems a bit high for seven songs but I guess it's justifiable.

I documented the process with my camera. The 12 photos can be found in a set in my Flickr account.

iTunes free download of the week

diana krall - iTunes free download
Originally uploaded by travelinlibrarian.

This week it's Jingle Bells by Diana Krall. (iTunes required)

Stanford iTunes

Just in case you don't have enough on your iPod to listen to, your subscribed podcasts are just boring, or you want to actualy learn something, Stanford has made lectures and other material available through iTunes.

iTunes Art Importer 0.9.2

I've got a 40GB iPod with hundreds of albums of music on it. There was no way I was ever going to get all that album cover art into iTunes also. Well, the iTunes Art Importer 0.9.2 actually does a very good job of it with minimal input. (It did come up with a completely off-the-wall for Queen's Jazz album but otherwise the results were impressive.)

Social Software & Sites for PLs

Jenny Levine, The Shifted Librarian Jessamyn West, Librarian.net Flickr, Tagging, and the F-Word (Jessamyn)

• Features
• Easy upload
• [M: Jessamyn just said "groks"]
• easy find
• easy share
• Tagging
• Metadata by me
• ...by my family & friends
• ...by anyone
• Tagging vs Classification
• Can co-exist
• Must regognise the differences
• it's not a fight
• Folksonomy
• user created metadata
• grassroots community classification of digital assets
• flat namespace
• not mutually exclusive with other systems
• helps with scalability problems
• involves the users in the problems
• does have the "synonym problem"

del.icio.us (Jenny)

• social bookmarking
• the bookmarking version of flickr
• tagged boomkarks
• RSS feeds of tags and users
• You can search your bookmarks but others can't search your bookmarks
• Use to research new topics
• These are the sites are reading and are important enough to bookmark
• Hacks
• ToRead
• ToRent
• ForName (private = for:username)
• Download media in iTunes
• del.icio.us for your library
• LaGrangeParkLibrary (for the ref desk)
• Thomas Ford Memorial Library (aaron schmidt, displaying the feed back onto the Web site)
• Floksonomies sites
• CiteULike (accademic)
• last fm (music)
• 43 things (what do you want to do, meet others who want to do the same thing)
• 43 places (where do you want to visit)
• Technorati (blogs)
• MetaFilter
• Yahoo! Search
• Yummy! (hosts PDFs)
• Amazon.com search inside the book concordanance
• bookswelike.net
• LibraryThing

Digital Content (eAudio Books)

Ken Weil & Joe Latini, South Huntington Beach Public Library

• First public library to circulate iPod shuffles!
• Started with a collection of 29 titles
• Starting to do music on the iPods (marketing to younger patrons)
• Why?
• Downloading cheaper than purchasing cassettes and CDs
• $1616 on cassette vs. $695 from iTunes for the first 29 titles
• Savings used to buy the iPods
• No replacement costs for tapes & CDs
• Titles available sooner
• Conserve shelf space
• More portable
• Licencing varies from company to company (iTunes, OverDrive, Recorded Books)
• There is no single good solution
• Why iPods?
• iTunes = library now ownes the item, others you need to repurchase on a schedule
• Downloading items via dialup is not viable, therefore circing the iPods
• Can import from existing Books on CD
• iPods popular
• Work with both Mac & Windows
• Universal access (no patron computer needed)
• (iTunes gets their titles from Audible.com)
• Copyright issues
• SHPL limits circ to the number of copies that the library ownes
• Apple knows what they're doing
• Purchasing
• iTunes ccount (CC or debit account)
• software
• search
• download
• store files on server (central location for downloader & desk where iPods are checked out)
• backup each title
• Cataloging
• Equipment: iPod Shuffles (They now have 20)
• Titles: eAudio books (original cataloging)
• Order Record (title, iTunes listed as publisher)
• Bib record (replaces order record)
• Material type
• Pushed on the front page of the Web site
• Catalog says "Required iPod Shuffle or other MP3 player" on these titles
• Processing
• title card w/ barcode
• contents card with iPod barcode
• CArying case
• iPod
• power adaptor
• radio transmitter
• audiocassette adapter
• user's guide
• aux input connector
• [M: Way sweet! Don't make them use headphones]
• Circulation
• check out titles and equipment
• loan rules
• 2 weeks
• no ILL or DA
• restricted to district residents
• $1/day overdue (they've been circing laptops for the past five years without any problems)
• borrowing terms & conditions
• Waiver form
• Will also load titles on to borrower's iPods, form indicates that loading library titles will erase all items on the iPod.
• Newer software and iPods are reducing this problem
• User Survey Results
• 46% borrow 2-3 times/month, 26% once/week
• 48% listen in car, 19% in portable player w/ headphones
• 35% prefer fiction, 29% new or bestsellers
• ever borrowed? 81% no
• 73% male
• age 30% 55-64, 21% 45-54
• What's new?
• Circing music on iPods
• Developing YA collection
• audio books & music
• selected by young adults
• Art exhibits audio tour
• Podcasting library programs & events

iTunes 6!?

Uh, didn't iTunes 5 just coem out something like a month ago? Well, it looks like version 6 is now available.

It's been what? Two weeks?

Apple has released their first iTunes update since 5.0 was released exactly two weeks ago. I'm sure version 5.0.1.4 fixes "stuff" but I couldn't find any specific details on Apple's site. Best way to get it, select Help|Check for iTunes Updates in your copy of iTunes.

More Firefox Search Plugins

Have you checked out my list of Firefox Search Plugins recently? I added several more including TVGuide, Bloglines, NPR and the iTunes Music Store.

iTunes 5

I'm sorry, but I just don't like the look of iTunes 5... (If I figure out exactly what I don't like I'll be sure to let you know.)

iTunes upgrade follow-up

It seems that just minutes later the Apple - iTunes - Download iTunes page is now working.

Apple Announcements

Today Steve Jobs announced that iTunes 5 is available. According to iTunes 4.9, it's not so you can only get it by going to the Apple - iTunes - Download iTunes page.

However, I couldn't download it using Firefox.

Switching over to IE, it seems the page is busted.

Jobs also announced the new iPod phone.

Posdcasting makes or breaks today

Why? Because the new version of iTunes (4.9), released today, natively supports podcasting.

Movin' right along

Well, with only 35% of my laptop battery and 80% of my cell battery left, I decided to move to somewhere with open outlets. I'm now down the road at the Borders' Cafe. I feel a little bad about taking up both of the open outlets (laptop & cell (the cell's providing my Net connection as the WiFi in Borders required a paid subscription and I just refuse to pay for WiFi)) but I've got to get some work done. (The other benefit to having an outlet is now I can use iTunes and my headphones without killing the laptop's battery even faster.) As for the actual work completed, I've written another 10+ pages. I'm mostly focusing on writing about creating RSS feeds using ListGarden at this point.

Open access

Right now I'm sitting on a large, decorative rock just outside the front door of the central branch of the Jackson County Library System in Medford, OR. Check out their hours then look at the date and time on this post. This place has been closed for hours and I'm sitting out on the sidewalk using their open linksys Wi-Fi connection. Not only am I writing this post I'm listening to KUVO in Denver via iTunes while writing this...

So, what's the big deal? Well, after Akma's recent experience being harassed by the local cops in Nantucket for doing exactly what I'm doing at this moment I'm trying to make a point; tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll be teaching my policy workshop at Rogue Community College next door. One of the issues I'll be discussing is exactly this one. This should be fun especially since a few librarians from the Medford branch will be in attendance.

Updated media player

Microsoft released Media Player 10 today. Links takes you to info & download. Looks like it has some nice features include the ability to download files fom several different services. (Though not iTunes of course.)

iNorah

Well, I've gone and done it. I've paid for an downloaded a song online via Apple's iTunes. $0.99 for Norah Jones' new single "Sunrise" was worth every penny. The system itself worked pretty well once I figured out where my shopping card was located within the software. (It's hiding under the Music Store menu item on the left.) Ultimately, the song downloads in Apple's AAC format which is both secure and only playable through the iTunes software or on a iPod (which I don't have.) In order to get the song into an MP3 format so I could play it on my MP3 player, I needed to first burn it to a CD. You can do this as an MP3 file or an CD Audio file (then convert it back to an MP3.) What I would like to be able to do it just convert it straight to an MP3 on my hard drive, bypassing the need to burn a CD as part of the process. (Conversion from MP3 to AAC is built in, just not the other direction.) The security feature worked o.k. for me. I was able to send the file to another computer with iTunes and play it once I logged into my account. This doesn't ultimately prevent sharing as once you've got it on a CD the file is no longer secured but it does slow it down a bit.

iTunes

Apple's legit music download service is now available for Windows!