Firefox Updates

Firefox 12 has been out since April.  Their new update process has become nearly silent.  Firefox for Windows achieves updating by removing the user control dialogue pop-up that in the past required explicit user permission for each update.  Mozilla claims there is no adverse effect on system security and the benefit is fewer interruptions to the user.

To turn off or not to turn off

What do you do with your PC when it's time for nighty-night?  Some think that using the startup and shutdown processes creates wear and tear so they leave it on.  Others don't want to waste energy. How about sleep mode?  According to Ioto Labs, as reported by Rick Broida at PCWorld they found putting your PC to sleep instead of letting it run saves about $24.00 a year and 25 minutes a month in time for startup and shutdown.  They didn't study hibernate mode. Saving money and avoiding slow boot times is a good thing.

PBS Kids' history of producing strong & purposeful learning content for children has continued into mobile space according to PBS Kids Interactive vice president Sara DeWitt. With a series of quality apps aligned to PBS Kids programs like Arthur & Dinosaur Train, Curious George, etc. it's setting up a platform that demonstrates how to convert existing content & characters into digital content that both respects the mobile space, but also the children who will be engaging with it. The design of each app reflects the nature of the characters and program to which it is aligned. The learning process of children is considered and designed into apps that have appropriate prompts, audio & visual for the different age groups for which they are developed. The PBS digital team has presented its apps in a portal that makes it easy for parents to establish which apps are targeted at the children's age, interest & their own device.
Sara DeWitt says that they look for learning opportunities in every new technology, therefore developing true, immersive character engagement that's exciting in their apps.   The tools can be found on pbskids.org/lab.

Video games in the library

I came across an article about university libraries across the country installing video game labs in order to allow students to do research and experience retro games.  They seem to be primarily targeting computer science and programming majors but I wouldn't be surprised to see sociology or communication majors (heck, I wrote a research paper on early online text based games) doing some research in the labs as well.  The goal is to provide education and opportunities to try out games on a variety of platforms that have developed over the last 40 odd years.  The really interesting part was the discussion that was spawned in the wake of the article about whether or not this was a good use of the university's funds.  People got pretty fired up about the whole thing.  Here's the link if you're interested:

http://chronicle.com/article/Video-Game-Rooms-Become-the/127229/

Neighborhood Libraries Pinterest

I used to love reading the NL Tech Blog. But they have now changed their focus from tech to general conversation. According to Jenny Pissara, "It (NL Tech Blog) started diminishing so we started something new at least for our summer reading for staff... They are kind of like mini book reviews and also with music, movies, etc." So cruise on over to Pinterest, and start following their Boards. You can establish your own accout or find Jenniferpisarra and start pinning.

Cussler Museum

I know this is not "tech" but I had to share something a patron shared with me.  Did you know about the Cussler Museum?  It is in Arvada and owned by author Clive Cussler.  It is his collection of rare and vintage automobiles.  If there is a car on one of his bookcovers, that car is in the museum.  Sounds neat.  Want to learn more? 
Here is the website:cussler museum .

Ebook Crowdfunding PlatformUnglue.it

According to Library Journal, Unglue.it, the crowdfunding platform designed to encourage authors and publishers to make their ebooks available under a Creative Commons license, was officialy launched on May 17, 2012.  Unglue.it works by allowing the rights holders of an already-published book to set a funding threshold, generally between $5,000 to $25,000, and a deadline for a funding.   If supporters pledge sufficient funding prior to the campaign deadline, the book will be released as an "unglued" ebook edition, free of digital rights management (DRM) software and free to copy and share under a Creative Commons license.

Gluejar Inc., the company that developed Unglue.it, explained the motivation behind the concept, noting that "proprietary formats and DRM technology lock ebooks to specific devices and make it hard for people to keep reading their books as technology changes.  Many ebooks cannot even be lent by libraries and Unglued ebooks solve these problems."  http://unglue.it/

The New iPhone 5 and its Cords

Whispers of the new iPhone 5 have started and are creating a stir with a newly changed power cord. The new cord will most likely be smaller and only work on the iPhone 5 and the iProducts of the future, while the cords of iPhones/iPads/iPods past will no longer work or will need an adapter. This change in the iProducts designs will effect all of the accessories that surround Apple products. It's just something to think about as we try to keep up with the ever changing technology advancements. Here's a link to an article on Wired.com with more information about the effects of changing the iPhone power cord size.

I stumbled across a recent article in the NY times that discusses the impact of pornography and other mature content being accessed in public places. The article specifically talks about how the main public library in San Francisco has handled patron complaints- by installing 18 computer monitors with plastic hoods so that only the person using the computer can see what is on the screen. Its seems as if their approach is not to prevent patrons from accessing pornography, but to prevent other patrons from seeing it or being offended by it. The article goes on to discuss the implications of public wifi and the abundance of TV screens, tablets, and other devices with displays in our society. It's really worth reading!

NY Times: He’s Watching That, in Public? Pornography Takes Next Seat

Online File Storage: Dropbox

I recently went on a trip and took lots of pictures and want to share them with my friends from the trip, but without having to transfer from my computer to a cd or flashdrive and then to their computer. They told me to get Dropbox, it's online file sharing and storage website that allows you to upload pictures and documents for free (up to 2G) and others can view and collaborate with you. Once you have installed it on your computer, you simply drag files and 'drop' them into the Dropbox folder. If you think you're going to need more than 2G you can buy space or send requests for friends to join, download the mobile app and other simple tasks for 500mg more of free storage. The great thing about Dropbox is that you don't have to be at your computer, you can look things up on your smartphone (with the app) or from any computer with internet access.

Occasional trouble with ALD Hotspot

I've had several patrons this month who have had issues getting access to the internet through our hotspot.  So far it's been two people on their own laptops, a boy with his Nintendo DS and another patron with a new cell phone.  It tells them that they are connected to our network but not allowed internet access.  With each patron I was able to help them gain access by closing out any windows that were currently open, reopening their browser and either choosing the home page or one of their favorites.  This caused their browser to find our hotspot splash page and they were able to proceed from there.  Not sure if there is a better solution to this but it's been a pretty quick fix for me.

i>clicker

There is a group response system out there called i>clicker.  It is remote controls that are used in presentation settings for anonymous, instant responses.  Depending on the version, they come with buttons for True/False, or A,B,C,D, & E buttons for multiple choice.  This technology enables members to vote or answer questions during a live presentation.  Schools have been the main user of i>clicker, but it is now being used in corporate environments.  My husband was attending a meeting at his workplace where the i>clicker was being used to poll staff members.  Someday we may see someone use these in the library. 

Tech Support from a USB Stick

For just $35 two former Hewlett-Packard geeks have created a USB stick that works as automated technical support (with a version of Linux and disk-clean-up tools).  Users boot their computer to the flash drive which launches the customize version of Linux while it scans the computer's hard drive for viruses and signs of misconfiguration. 

The amazing thing about this USB stick is that it scans your computer without actually launching Windows.  This means that viruses and rootkits will have a very difficult time hiding in the stick.  You can skip the USB as well and just download Jumpshot from the internet.

Click the link below to watch the computer nerds Kickstarter video:

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/07/jumpshot/

Apple's First Malicious App

Apple has been known as the best in terms of evaluating apps before they reach the app store.  This strict policy has allowed Apple's App store to remain untouched by malicious software for five years...until now.

Apple just removed an app known as "Find and Call" that asked users for their email address, cell number, then uploaded their phones contacts to a remote server that would send spam text messages.

Read more from the Huffington Post here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/find-and-call-apple_n_1654076.html?ref=topbar

WHAT A TOOL!

I don't know when, but a new program was installed on the patron computers called, Snipping Tool. When a patron wants a screen shot of some page from the internet to paste into a word doc or email, here is a much simplified way to do it: Start - Programs - Accessories - Snipping Tool. After you open Snipping Tool, follow the directions which are really simple to select what screen you want to capture. This beats the heck out of the process with Gadwin print screen.