Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Eee PC Killer?
The blogosphere is awash with links to the latest Dell sub $500 mini-laptop. If small and ultra-portable is what you've been waiting for, this is a definite contender. It is supposed to come with a "choice of both Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux, 8-in-1 card reader, integrated webcam, direct media playback buttons, and a 'host of wireless access options'." The official release may occur at Computex Taipei next week. I wonder why Michael Dell is leaking this all over the place? See links on engadget and gizmodo.
Compare also with HP's mini-notebook: The HP 2133 Mini-Note PC starts at $499 and is expected be available later this month.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Hackers pervert San Fran storytimes
Here's a link to an unfortunate story out of San Francisco: http://tinyurl.com/67up7d
Apparently a public library there runs an automated kids' storyline. Like a recorded answering machine message, where kids can call and choose from a list of recorded stories. Someone allegedly hacked into the system behind it and added a pornographic story about the sexual relationship between a dog and a pig.
The thing is, we're likely going to hear about this on various blogs in the library community, magazines like Library Journal, and maybe even the local news. Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I'm guessing most of what we hear is going to be how dangerous this technology is and how we have to protect our children.
Now, this is a terrible thing. But it should be kept in perspective. Libraries have always suffered from vandalism; naughty bits drawn in books, obscenities scrawled on walls and so on. The only thing that really makes this much different is that it was allegedly done by a computer hacker. Had the same story simply been written in the margins of a kids book, the media probably wouldn't have picked it up.
Technology certainly leaves open some security holes. What's new is that it takes a high level of technical skill to break these systems. The flip-side is that it also takes a high level of technical skill to understand what's gone wrong and fix the problem, which leaves many people scared of the situation. It's unfortunate all around.
Apparently a public library there runs an automated kids' storyline. Like a recorded answering machine message, where kids can call and choose from a list of recorded stories. Someone allegedly hacked into the system behind it and added a pornographic story about the sexual relationship between a dog and a pig.
The thing is, we're likely going to hear about this on various blogs in the library community, magazines like Library Journal, and maybe even the local news. Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I'm guessing most of what we hear is going to be how dangerous this technology is and how we have to protect our children.
Now, this is a terrible thing. But it should be kept in perspective. Libraries have always suffered from vandalism; naughty bits drawn in books, obscenities scrawled on walls and so on. The only thing that really makes this much different is that it was allegedly done by a computer hacker. Had the same story simply been written in the margins of a kids book, the media probably wouldn't have picked it up.
Technology certainly leaves open some security holes. What's new is that it takes a high level of technical skill to break these systems. The flip-side is that it also takes a high level of technical skill to understand what's gone wrong and fix the problem, which leaves many people scared of the situation. It's unfortunate all around.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Cool! Free webcam! Now what?
A friend of mine gave me a webcam he came across for free this weekend. My first reaction was pretty much like any time someone dangles a new tech toy in front of me. After I settled down and stopped dancing around, I started thinking of what I could use it for. And I'm still thinking.
Most people seem to be using their webcams in a search for Internet fame, if Yahoo Live is a true indication (given what I saw there the other day, I really hope it's not). It could also make a great security camera, assuming anyone breaking in points his face directly into the camera (and also doesn't think to steal the computer).
Skype allows for a webcam video feed, and I started thinking that might make a really cool reference tool. People could chat with librarians and, combined with Skype's ability to let users "push" Web pages to one another, the whole setup could almost approximate an in-person reference transaction.
My wife may have had a better idea with her thoughts about a "gerbil-cam," though...
It seems like so much in the tech world is analogous to my free webcam. There are some great tools out there, but making them actually useful will require some creativity. The things the creators of technology envision are only one part - and probably just a small part - of what any product truly has to offer. These are great times to be a tinkerer.
Most people seem to be using their webcams in a search for Internet fame, if Yahoo Live is a true indication (given what I saw there the other day, I really hope it's not). It could also make a great security camera, assuming anyone breaking in points his face directly into the camera (and also doesn't think to steal the computer).
Skype allows for a webcam video feed, and I started thinking that might make a really cool reference tool. People could chat with librarians and, combined with Skype's ability to let users "push" Web pages to one another, the whole setup could almost approximate an in-person reference transaction.
My wife may have had a better idea with her thoughts about a "gerbil-cam," though...
It seems like so much in the tech world is analogous to my free webcam. There are some great tools out there, but making them actually useful will require some creativity. The things the creators of technology envision are only one part - and probably just a small part - of what any product truly has to offer. These are great times to be a tinkerer.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mobipocket app soon to be available for iPhone/iTouch
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.
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.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
So much for that idea...
It doesn't take a computer guru these days to tell you that the recording industry has a, um, mixed view of opportunities opened by technology. We've all heard about the heavy-handed lawsuits lobbed at college students and, on occasion, schoolgirls. And then there's the restrictive digital-rights management (DRM) that limits how you can listen to mp3 files you've paid good money for.
So when the band Radiohead announced last year it was offering up its latest album for download, and asking listeners to pay whatever they felt it was worth, the move was heralded by many in the anti-DRM camp as a visionary move that embraced new technology and ways of thinking.
Well, it turns out the record companies may just have a better grasp of human nature. The Radiohead album was widely pirated and not often paid for. Now the band is saying it probably won't do that again. Here's the story, from the Web site bit-tech.net.
What does this mean for libraries? Well, probably whatever someone making an argument wants it to mean, just like our current state of confusion. As companies race to get content online for library patrons, they often stumble over their own feet trying to manage DRM and content-protection schemes. It's a situation no one enjoys, but, if Radiohead's experience is typical of that of a content creator, is perhaps a necessary evil.
So when the band Radiohead announced last year it was offering up its latest album for download, and asking listeners to pay whatever they felt it was worth, the move was heralded by many in the anti-DRM camp as a visionary move that embraced new technology and ways of thinking.
Well, it turns out the record companies may just have a better grasp of human nature. The Radiohead album was widely pirated and not often paid for. Now the band is saying it probably won't do that again. Here's the story, from the Web site bit-tech.net.
What does this mean for libraries? Well, probably whatever someone making an argument wants it to mean, just like our current state of confusion. As companies race to get content online for library patrons, they often stumble over their own feet trying to manage DRM and content-protection schemes. It's a situation no one enjoys, but, if Radiohead's experience is typical of that of a content creator, is perhaps a necessary evil.
Refine your Web searches with Boolify
Here's another great tool I picked up from the blog Lifehacker.
This one's called Boolify, and is at the Web site http://boolify.org.
Essentially, Boolify is a tutorial on Boolean operators (like using connectors such as "and" and "or" to refine search results). It lets users build a visual search with those operators, then runs it through Google. The results can be much more relevant than the typical "throw terms in and see what works" approach.
Of course, you can always use Boolean operators without this tool, but the visual format helps users form these searches and makes the whole process more accessible.
This one's called Boolify, and is at the Web site http://boolify.org.
Essentially, Boolify is a tutorial on Boolean operators (like using connectors such as "and" and "or" to refine search results). It lets users build a visual search with those operators, then runs it through Google. The results can be much more relevant than the typical "throw terms in and see what works" approach.
Of course, you can always use Boolean operators without this tool, but the visual format helps users form these searches and makes the whole process more accessible.
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