A similar ebook reader app that's been available for Blackberries and other handhelds may soon be out for iPhones and iTouch before the end of the year. What effect will this have on the Amazon Kindle or other such devices? Probably not much for early adopters or people that spare no expense for new toys, but for someone like myself - good news.
I'd rather listen to an audiobook than read an ebook but some things just have to be in print and for that reason - bring it on - Mobipocket! I always have my iPod with me and would more likely reference an ebook whenever I have a spare minute or two than haul around a Kindle or other such reader. For more thoughts on this topic, see the Kindleville blog.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mobipocket app soon to be available for iPhone/iTouch
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Group calls for libraries to boycott DRM
Here at the Twinsburg library, we've had great success with our "download station," which is really just a library computer set up to use the CLEVNET consortium's collection of digital media. It usually works well, and gives patrons access to a huge collection of titles.
But then, there are times it doesn't work at all. This is usually due to some kind of compatibility issue caused on one of a range of levels by Digital Rights Management (DRM). For example, a downloaded file needs an mp3 player to decode its DRM using a specific flavor of mp3, but a patron's player only plays other specific types of mp3. It can be very discouraging for the patron, and nearly impossible to explain to someone not familiar with the many headaches caused by DRM.
Well, now a group -- defectivebydesign.org -- has written an open letter to libraries urging them to boycott services that use DRM. It looks like this letter was originally sparked by experiences at the Boston library system, though the open letter is gathering signatures nationwide and is geared toward all U.S. libraries. It specifically mentions OverDrive, the company that runs our consortium's digital collection. Click here for the letter.
It's a tradeoff, there's no denying. The DRM can be oppressive. On the other hand, though, try finding a vendor that doesn't use it. So do we deny our patrons this service because of the vendor's practices? These are questions that are becoming more and more important to libraries across the country.
But then, there are times it doesn't work at all. This is usually due to some kind of compatibility issue caused on one of a range of levels by Digital Rights Management (DRM). For example, a downloaded file needs an mp3 player to decode its DRM using a specific flavor of mp3, but a patron's player only plays other specific types of mp3. It can be very discouraging for the patron, and nearly impossible to explain to someone not familiar with the many headaches caused by DRM.
Well, now a group -- defectivebydesign.org -- has written an open letter to libraries urging them to boycott services that use DRM. It looks like this letter was originally sparked by experiences at the Boston library system, though the open letter is gathering signatures nationwide and is geared toward all U.S. libraries. It specifically mentions OverDrive, the company that runs our consortium's digital collection. Click here for the letter.
It's a tradeoff, there's no denying. The DRM can be oppressive. On the other hand, though, try finding a vendor that doesn't use it. So do we deny our patrons this service because of the vendor's practices? These are questions that are becoming more and more important to libraries across the country.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Yet another Linux release
Not to be outdone by the good folks over at Ubuntu and their recent release, the Fedora project has just gone live today with its latest update, Fedora 9.
Fedora makes a special effort to promote open source software, only including in its Linux distribution applications that meet that standard of openness and freedom. They're idealists, in other words. It so happens that they also have a pretty nice Linux distro.
According to the release notes, the bootloader, the small application that fires Linux up, has undergone some updates. This is one thing that has been holding some people (well, me, anyway) back from Linuxy goodness, as older distros don't play nice with some computer hardware. Here's hoping some of these updates continue to make Linux more friendly to the masses.
Click here for the Fedora Project Web page.
Fedora makes a special effort to promote open source software, only including in its Linux distribution applications that meet that standard of openness and freedom. They're idealists, in other words. It so happens that they also have a pretty nice Linux distro.
According to the release notes, the bootloader, the small application that fires Linux up, has undergone some updates. This is one thing that has been holding some people (well, me, anyway) back from Linuxy goodness, as older distros don't play nice with some computer hardware. Here's hoping some of these updates continue to make Linux more friendly to the masses.
Click here for the Fedora Project Web page.
Monday, May 12, 2008
What's 2.0?
Confused about all this 'Web 2.0' stuff? You're not the only one. Pundits all over the place, and especially in the library world, have taken "2.0" as a malleable term that can define nearly anything they like or dislike.
Here's a good explanation, though, ferreted out by the computer-news site [H]ard|OCP.
It cuts the marketing hype out of the debate, defining Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 by the technologies that drive them and the services they offer. Of course, it focuses on Web 2.0, but it offers great insight into what people in the information world mean (or should mean, anyway) when they talk about Library 2.0.
Here's a good explanation, though, ferreted out by the computer-news site [H]ard|OCP.
It cuts the marketing hype out of the debate, defining Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 by the technologies that drive them and the services they offer. Of course, it focuses on Web 2.0, but it offers great insight into what people in the information world mean (or should mean, anyway) when they talk about Library 2.0.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Is an open-source Flash creator coming soon?
PC World is reporting that Adobe is loosening its licensing restrictions on Flash, the media format that makes possible online, animated videos embedded in Web pages. This includes the little sparklies and snazzy intros that so many Web sites use (for good or ill) these days. The full text of the story is at http://tinyurl.com/5ey7ab.
This could be good news for the open source community. To date there are no good free apps for creating these videos, keeping this part of the Web development game in the hands of those willing to shell out a couple hundred bucks to Adobe (or, previously, Macromedia). This move won't on its own make that possible, but it could be the beginning of that process.
There is some speculation that the move could be a corporate attempt to head off an upcoming, similar technology from Microsoft. In any case, the next few months could see some great moves to keep Web development a level playing field that allows those with creative vision and the willingness to learn some new skills the ability to design pages on par with the largest businesses.
This could be good news for the open source community. To date there are no good free apps for creating these videos, keeping this part of the Web development game in the hands of those willing to shell out a couple hundred bucks to Adobe (or, previously, Macromedia). This move won't on its own make that possible, but it could be the beginning of that process.
There is some speculation that the move could be a corporate attempt to head off an upcoming, similar technology from Microsoft. In any case, the next few months could see some great moves to keep Web development a level playing field that allows those with creative vision and the willingness to learn some new skills the ability to design pages on par with the largest businesses.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Turn Your iPod into a Travel Guide
Travel season is almost upon us and there are many nifty podcasts (video or audio) available to download and take with you on trips or, for the armchair traveler, to enjoy at home. Some are done by well-known purveyors of travel books, such as Frommer, the Travel Channel, Lonely Planet, and Rick Steves or even by very enthusiastic amateurs, who want to share their experiences with others. Check out these Links.
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