Actually using Siri..

Siri is really amazing.Coming into present time and finally getting rid of my 'zoolander' miniscule cricket phone, I am amazed at how much I love technology! Siri is an application available for your phone that trumps any search engine, as it is voice activated and allows you to ask questions as well as direct tasks, (texting, calling etc.)

As you ask Siri any question, or ask it to perform simple tasks, it continues to recognize your voice and adjusts to your dialect and inflection, making each use easier and easier.

It available exclusively on the newest apple phones, but there are other versions, supposedly not as capable as Siri, but will work with non-apple phones.

I like it!

e-REaders and WiFi at ALD

My first experience with my Nook Simple was trying to register it while at CW. This requires connecting to WiFi. I soon learned that e-Readers cannot connect to WiFi at ALD since the security is set so high. I then went to Barnes and Noble where the gentleman was very helpful, actually registering for me in just a few minutes.

Drive safe while dialing your IPhone

It was well worth the 99 cents to download a voice dialer app for my IPhone. The one I choose that work well is VoiceThis. I need only speak the name and my phone will safely dial. Of course, its probably better not to talk on your phone at all while you drive...

Make cool ringtones

There is a free app that I found on my IPhone that enables you to choose any song from your ITunes library and set it up as your ring tone. It is Ringtone Maker and it is easy to use.

Updating Your Nook

Update your nook to make the battery last longer and the pages flip faster.  Go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/NOOK-Support/379003184  , look for your exact device and click on "software update".  The version you want is 1.1.0 today.   Just follow the posted instructions and you're good to go!

credit card receipt reprinting

If you need to, you can reprint a credit card receipt. Use the purple REPRINT button at the top of the keypad on the credit card machine.

Aurora Parcel web address

I found the Aurora Parcel website to locate addresses in Aurora for patrons that should be coded as an Aurora Patron. The website address is auroragov.org/apps/portal/pages/property. I saved this as a favorite on my remote desktop. This is helpful when checking an address and it doesn't appear in Arapahoe County's parcel.

Computer VIRUS

PCMatic.com, is a great website to use for your PC. It will save you money & time of dealing with a PC infected with Malware. PCmatic is Safe, Secure & Simple to use. All you need to do is click on the Free Downloaad & the Software Automates the regularMaintance.

ALD VENDING MACHINES & SMART PHONES

If you want to check out DVD's from the vending machines you must have your library card to do so.  I have had my card for so long and can no longer find it but do not necessarily want to get a new number(I have mine memorized).  I was told that you could put an app on your Smart Phone called Cardstar and enter your library card number.  The scanner on the vending machines is sophisticated enough to scan this from your phone and you can then check out without your library card.  I have installed the app on my phone but have not made it over to SG to try it out.

cameraphone lenses

Do you want improve the photographs you take with your smartphone? Upgrade your cameraphone lens! Wired magazine reviewers, in the January 2012 issue, recommend the Olloclip--three photographic lenses in one device that "attaches in seconds" to your iPhone. Other lenses reviewed were the Schneider Optics iPro Lens System (awkward, but still two lenses in one), the Photojojo Telephoto Lens (inexpensive!), and the Turtleback TurtleJacket SLR Mount (which is bigger and heavier than all the smartphones I've ever seen).

Quick Response tip

Although I know that the QR codes seem to be everywhere, I was still surprised to find the info I was looking for in the Garden area of a local nursery recently. Thinking I would have to look through many gardening books to find the answers to my variety of plant questions, the employee who helped me showed me the QR codes on each of the small plastic cards sticking in each plant container with wonderful information about the individual items. This can be a wonderful time saver.

e-reader review

Probably most of you have already purchased your e-reader by now, but in case you haven't, don't buy an Aluratek Libre Touch color e-reader--so suggests Yardena Arar, who awarded it only two out of five stars in the November 2011 issue of PC World. Wired magazine reviewers, in the January 2012 issue, liked the Kobo Touch best (!), then the Nook Simple Touch, then the Amazon Kindle. The Sony Reader PRS-T1 earned a score of only 4 (presumably out of 10).

Technology Predictions for 2012

http://ncare.com/blog/
This is a link to another blog which has some interesting predictions for technology advancements in 2012. You can also read the predictions they posted at the beginning of 2011 and the outcomes of those predictions. Just for fun. (Nexxtepp Technology Services, Inc.)

Google Docs. and Homework Assignments

Young patrons have been coming in to work on their school assignments on Google Docs. Recently they have been having trouble opening their own work and the documents uploaded by teachers and then editing them. Sometimes the documents would come up but in a read only format. Turns out that Google Chrome needs to be installed now for most documents to be edited and resubmitted. Google Chrome is not installed permanently on the teen computers and has to be installed each time if the patron cannot edit their google docs.

N2A (Nook to Android)

For those of you who have purchased the Nook Color, a co-worker told me of a way to change your Nook Color into an Android Tablet.  Android has supplied Micro SD Chips for the price of $34.99 for an 8 g.  All you do is insert the chip into the micro chip slot and once you turn on the Nook it will become android  Os .   and when you remove the chip it once again becomes your Nook Color.  Installing Android OS permanently voids factory warranty. Another cool tip is with android at Marketplace you can download Amazon Bookstore and B&N Bookstore.

Here is youtube video link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLJD9lrrWCM&noredirect=1

Google Goggles

Google goggles  is a free app you can download to your phone and take a picture of a landmark and wait for the search on your phone to tell you what it is. No need to write any text or say anything into you phone.

www.google.com/mobile/goggles

Google Reader

Google Reader is a great way to keep blogs, news, and other information together and organized in one easily accessible spot. It lets users create different categories to organize information in a way that makes sense to them. It also gives the option for users to search for different blogs and news feeds that might suit their interests, and add them to their feed without having to go to each site individually. The service is free and open to all people with a google account. To add a news feed manually, choose the "Add Subscription" option from the upper left corner of the reader page and insert the web address. To browse news feeds that you might be interested in, go to the "Home" option on the left and make sure that you expand all the options, by clicking the plus to the right of the word home. Once you have expanded the Home section, there will be an option to "Browse for Stuff". By clicking that, it will give you tabs to browse, search, or get recommendations from Google. You can unsubscribe to news feeds at any time, just in case you select more than you can read!

Centennial web site

Laurie wrote a StaffBook article about the new on-line look of the city of Centennial (visit http://www.centennialcolorado.com/). Sure, it looks good, but it also looks useful, which is even better. On a quick trip there I found that users can get passport information, peruse a business directory, browse a map gallery, or report a problem, among other things.

Nook's LendMe feature

Did you know you can borrow Nook ebooks from your friends who also own Nooks? Barnes and Noble has a feature called LendMe, with which you can borrow and lend ebooks with people you know. To use this feature, click on "My Nook" at the top of the Barnes and Noble screen, sign in to your B&N account, and under "My Friends" select the LendMe button. To find Nook friends, invite them from your Facebook, Twitter, or Google accounts, or invite them by email. This is another cool way to share books with friends! And this way your books won't come back to you with dog-eared pages or coffee stains. Hehe.

Texting with Whatsapp

Whatsapp is a cross-platform messaging application that you can use on your iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Nokia phones. It uses your internet data plan and allows you to send text messages, pictures, voice notes and video messages for free. It uses the internet instead of sending as a regular text message and using up those precious texts. It costs .99cents for the iPhone and is free on most other devices for the first year, costing 2 dollars (a one time fee as far as I understand) after that initial year is up. I use it for international texting to friends studying abroad or friends from foreign countries and it's instantaneous. Both parties need to have Whatsapp installed on their phone in order for it to work. For more information here's the link to Whatsapp, it's a great way to keep in contact with people domestically or internationally without using all of your texts!

Google "Easter Eggs"

For the holidays, Google has given users the "let it snow" Easter egg to add a little cheer. (Easter eggs are special hidden extras usually found in video games, DVDs, or software). When you Google "let it snow," you will see a soft snow falling on the monitor, and after awhile the screen will frost over. You can use your mouse to scrape the ice away, or hit the defrost button. Some of Google's other Easter eggs include "Hannukah," "askew," and "tilt." Try typing one of these in and see what happens! Note: The Easter eggs only work using Google Chrome, Google's web browser.

DVD Machine Trick

I had a patron who was using an old ALD card (blue and white, with a barcode sticker). She had reserved DVD machine movies using the ALD website, so she had typed her barcode in. When picking up her movies, the machine was not reading her barcode. I tried and tried, but could not get it to work. She did not want to change library card numbers, so a new card was not a choice for her. In a last ditch effort, we photocopied her barcode, it came out nice and clear. It worked!!!! So this is a trick to try when a patrons card is not working, and they do not want a new card.

Geek Squad help

At Best Buy, they haveGeek Squad service where they can help you set up you new e-reader for only $59.97. We offer that service to our patrons for free through Book A Librarian. I offer our service to patrons and tell them what a great service we offer for free compared to Best Buy.

Security on phones and tablets

As more and more patrons come in with their new gadgets we should be reminding them that they should be careful of the security on them. There has been a 22% jump in malware in the first half of 2011 over 2010 with Android having a 76% jump. As the number of devices grows so will infections. Often they are spread through app stores appearing to be a new app or as an app that appears to be a better known one. Try to stick with official app stores rather than getting them from a third party. There are antivirus apps. Lookout Mobile Security, mylookout.com and AVG Mobilation, avgmobilation.com are just two of them. And as always, pay attention to WI-FI security. Use your Web browser to access accounts instead of using apps on your mobile device especially if using it in public.

Timeline

Facebook began rolling out a dramatic new look for its 800 million users Thursday. It's called Timeline and turns your profile page into a digital scrapbook. It's how you can tell the whole story of your life on a single page according to a comment made by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook chief executive, in September. According to a Denver Post article, Facebook places a notification box at the top of profile pages when a user is eligible for Timeline. After accepting the update, users will have seven days to play around with new features before friends will see their new profile. One might note that the opt-in period will be available for a few weeks, after which Facebook will begin moving the people who have not yet opted in over to the new profile. The article suggests double checking your privacy settings because Facebook has a reputation for updating those without warning. Of course 9 news had to show Tim Teboe's page.

Family Health Hstory

Getting together over the holidays is a perfect time to do something we should all do, get a Family Health History. Dr Oz has a Family History form on his website, doctoroz.com. Quiz your family members about their health history and start one of your own health for your loved ones. A very positive use of technology.

For those more "nervous" patrons......

When patrons are nervous about what happens to their personal information when they are done using our public computers, I tell them they can utilize "private browsing". In Internet Explorer the settings are found under Tools and then Inprivate Browsing. When they click on Inprivate Browsing, a new browser window is opened up. They will see a notification at the top of the screen which says "Inprivate". When they close the window after browsing, the setting is removed. In Safari, click on Safari and then Private Browsing. We tell patrons that all information is erased when it goes into the deep reboot, but this may make those who are a little more paranoid feel better when they put private personal or financial information on a public library computer.

Kindle Fire's Must-Have Apps

For those of you who are interested in purchasing a Kindle Fire this holiday season, this is an excellent article on must-have apps for your device. Sometimes the apps available through the Amazon Appstore aren't the best--instead, consider sideloading outside apps (located in the Android Market), which users have found to be much more effective on their new devices. The article lists the top five must-have apps as well as instructions for retrieving them from outside the Amazon Appstore.

Yikes! Watch out for this one!

Earleen, Josh, and I worked with a patron who COULD NOT get his wi-fi to show up on his network connections. All he could select at SG was dial-up. (No such thing as dial-up here.) After checking settings for everything in the world, we learned that this is a problem with newer laptops. There is a toggle button (often F13) on the top row that has an icon of a radio tower. When it is pressed, the wireless is enabled or disabled. Yup, the patron had inadvertantly pressed it. Josh assured me that whenever the library gets new laptops, DS removes this option so patrons can't be switching off the wireless. Phew!

Creating a Link

In order to create a link it is necessary to type the website address with all of its components. That includes making sure that it is begun with the correct URL prefix of "http" or "www" and ends with the correct suffix in the domain name such as; .com (commercial businesses), .edu (educational institutions), .gov (government agencies), .net (network organizations) or (.org (nonprofit organizations). When using the Internet some website addresses are very forgiving, typing in only a portion will frequently take you directly to the website anyway, such as typing only "amazon". However that will not work for creating a link. It is necessary to be complete and accurate with every character in the website address.

Bookbyte.com

Bookbyte.com is a guaranteed buyback program, a textbook-swapping site. Buy a textbook through Bookbyte and sell it back to the company and receive up to 40% off the purchase of new textbooks and a 70% markdown on used books. Return postage is paid by the company. There is free shipping on orders over $50.00. With a new semester approaching this site may be helpful to the students who come into the library looking for textbooks to borrow.

Shopping for an eReader?

We have a narrow window of time to take advantage of ALD's very generous offer to reimburse us toward the purchase of an eReader. (THANK YOU Eloise!) There are several internet sites which compare and evaluate all the devices. The link below is a good You Tube video comparing the Amazon Touch and the Barnes and Noble Simple Touch, both priced at $99.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKXPyGuz-hw

Mark Mullis posted a link to a more extensive article from C-Net which compares many eReaders and tablets, including the iPad:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20009738-1/kindle-vs-nook-vs-ipad-which-e-book-reader-should-you-buy/

Happy shopping!

MY KEY RING THINGY

Do you have a key ring with loads of merchant cards (and our little library card) hanging on it? Now you can consolidate all those into into scannable barcodes on your mobile device. Or if you have a dumb phone like me, you can put them all on one card for your wallet. Here's what Oli has to say about this:
"I know that there are apps that create barcodes. The one that I am aware of is called Card Star. ALD did register with them which means that we are an option on their drop down list when selecting a library. This essentially insures that they are using the correct template for our barcodes Otherwise they can use a generic template which will work as well.Here is a link to it: http://mycardstar.com/"
However, here is the caution statement. When a patron with an Android Blackberry downloaded his barcode, our barcode scanners could not read it. Again, here is Oli's comment:
"I also had the problem with our barcode readers not working with my iPhone. That said, I am not sure about the scanner on the DVD vending machine itself. I think our developer used a smartphone on the vending machine scanner and it did indeed work."
As patrons increasingly use their smartphones to scan boarding passes, etc. they will expect to be able to use their "virtual" library card in their smartphones. And patrons will not be able to check out DVD's from the vending machines without a physical library card, or a "virtual" library card.

Smart Phones Get Viruses, Too

There have been reports recently about viruses infecting smart phones. Apparently, they invade when infected apps are downloaded; the games "Droid Dream" and "Plankton" have carried viruses lately. Several vendors offer antivirus software for cell phones, including AVG, McAfee and Symantec - may be worth looking into!

UltraViolet Digital Copy

New movies can now be purchased in sets with an UltraViolet Digital Copy. This purchase gives you the rights to stream your movie anytime, anywhere, via broadband. It is being promoted as "buy once, play anywhere" technology. Movies can be watched on any compatible device (smart phones, game consoles,Blu-ray, etc..). Flixster is one of the services that offers this new cloud-based technology. Many major studios are putting movies out using this format. Disney is not available on UltraViolet. Also, Apple does not support this format, so these movies can not be downloaded to itunes or Apple devices. There are many pros and cons to this new technology. More movies are being offered in this format, so it is something worth reading about.

"How are you question-mark smiley-face"

According to this NYTimes article, voice-activated technology has been around in smartphones for years. People could easily dictate their text messages or appointments aloud. Now with the Apple’s Siri (introduced fall 2011) the voice technology is much more sophisticated and owners are eager to put it to use.

Siri owners can dictate e-mails, including stating which punctuation and emoticons they want, and when they ask their phone "for the meaning of life," it responds with an, "'I find it odd you would ask this of an inanimate object.'"

Technology executives say that voice technology is here to stay because they help people become "more productive"--which means that we can expect to see more people talking to their iPhones rather than on their iPhones. Ah, the good old days when people just texted in silence.

Sites for Free eBooks

I know we all have been getting lots of questions about eReaders, and interest will only increase through this gift giving season. I came across a video on You Tube which identifies all sorts of sites which provide access to free ebooks, although as the narrator says, a Google search will turn up many more sites. One of his favorite sites is free-eBooks.net

Use this QR code to take a look at the video, or follow this link.

Good Sites to Know

I learned about these two sites today:
- http://www.iconfinder.com/ free icons for presentations
- http://www.grovo.com/ "Grovo is an online education and training platform that helps people find and use sites, and helps sites reach and educate users." You do have to create an account, which is essentially a log in. Grovo offers video-based lessons. The Basic (free) version offers education on consumer products including eBay, Flickr, Skype, and more.

Jane Martel

INKLING

Sometimes it is convenient to keep paper notes of your ideas for a Blog or for your Performance report. This little Inkling pen lets a person scribble ideas when they hit, then save them on a Mac in digital form. The Inkling works on any paper so there is no need to buy special paper.