Archives
Monday, January 31, 2005
Making Light: Virtual panel participation
One of the new ways that libraries can serve their communities is by hosting online services such as message boards and email lists. The fact they are library-supported gives them a built-in trust factor and boundaries of interest. Someone in Alaska, say, is unlikely to subscribe to the mailing list of a Tennessee library, which gives the list a neighborly feeling.
Some things I know about moderating conversations in virtual space is a list of hints on how to manage such places and keep them going.
Web Tools — laura
43 Folders
43 Folders: RSS of Public Library Check-outs and Requests Available for SF
Just last night, I requested that ELF add San Francisco’s public library to their collection of systems, and, bang, there it is when I wake up this morning: free RSS feeds of (and emails about) checked-out and on-request books with configurable reminders, mobile messaging, and a nice, simple interface. Looks pretty cool to use so far, and how fast was that service?
It can be easy to dismiss the need for library web services as “too new” to be needed by most places. But there are patrons who are looking for these services and many of them can be our best evangelists if we give them what they’re looking for.
Web Tools — laura
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
DVD cartel sued under anti-trust
Boing Boing: DVD licensing cartel sued under anti-trust
The cartel that controls patents on DVD technologies is being sued by Chinese DVD makers, who are ebing forced to pay $20 per player, much higher than US manufacturers pay. The DVD makers have a good anti-trust case that could seriously bust this cartel.
I’d be happier about this if I really believed it would do any good.
Computing News — laura
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
You’ve got to be kidding
LibraryTechtonics: Libraries in Philly managed by library assistants *instead of* librarians
My SO’s response, “It’s like trying to operate a hospital with nothing but nurses.”
Forgive me for forgetting who originated the idea, but it looks like the ALA does indeed need to start certifying libraries for standards of service.
Library Links — laura
Understanding Faculty to Improve Content Recruitment for Institutional Repositories
Understanding Faculty to Improve Content Recruitment for Institutional Repositories
…the findings of our work-practice study suggest that with a faculty-centric approach to the design and marketing of repositories, IRs could become a compelling and useful tool. If properly aligned with the existing practices of faculty, IRs have the potential to fulfill many of their so far unmet expectations.
A good article for those considering or have already set up institutional respositories.
Web Tools — laura
Monday, January 24, 2005
More Games
The Shifted Librarian: Gaming Google Group
Come and chat. Gamers are a loyal, passionate group who appreciate good service.
Gaming — laura
Friday, January 21, 2005
The Risks of Closed Source Computing
The Risks of Closed Source Computing
One large vendor likes to talk about the risks of Open Source software, but the strange thing is, the risk is actually in closed technologies. This article looks at the real risks in following a proprietary software path.
It’s well-written and easy to follow.
Open-Source Software — laura
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Gaming and Libraries
PLA Blog - Saturday, January 15, 2005
When the Santa Monica Public Library held a LAN party (linked 30 computers together so kids playing the game Counterstrike could play against one another), over 60 teens lined up outside the library an hour before the program began, eager to play
That would be so cool. Something most people don’t realize is that it’s also fun to watch other people play games. So that while only a limited number could play at one time, others could enjoy being spectators. You could build up anticipation beforehand by holding a raffle for the chance to play and ensure everyone who entered would be there by not announcing the winners until that night. After that, schedule regular LAN parties and you’ll have them hooked.
MMORGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games) are highly complex, consist of a virtual world that is mapable, and incorporate literacy activities beyond the reading of signs or directions. There is chat within the gameplay, lists of supplies and weapons to content with, map-reading and geography, math and finance, and more. The content of the game itself becomes much more that what the publisher created because the players and fans, as they play that game, are not only developing the unique stories of their characters, but they go on to produce fanfiction, forums, cheat codes, reviews, walk-through stragegy guides and more. All of this is housed at fan sites and forums a a collective intelligence. Research shows that gamers spend 4 times - that’s FOUR TIMES - as much time in forums and study planning how to play the game as they do actually playing it, indicating that these games are NOT just passive entertainment and there is literacy learning taking place, even amid the typos and keyboard shortcuts.
So on the nose. No game today is passive. The gamers wouldn’t buy it. They (or at least the ones I know) expect to be enthralled, to have a purpose and be challenged while they’re having fun, or there are plenty of other boxes on the sale rack.
I particularly like that the presenters included the part about the reviews and forums. Gaming isn’t just a huge business, it’s also a large community made up of overlapping smaller communities for each game. So, while appealing to one game community, you’re appealing to all of them.
I really wish I had been at the session myself but Beth has done a great job describing it. And if anyone reading this wants to try a game, I could reccomend one. 
Gaming — laura
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Copyright Can Kill Culture
The Globe and Mail: How copyright could be killing culture
As Americans commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy today, no television channel will be broadcasting the documentary series Eyes on the Prize. Produced in the 1980s and widely considered the most important encapsulation of the American civil-rights movement on video, the documentary series can no longer be broadcast or sold anywhere.
Why?
The makers of the series no longer have permission for the archival footage they previously used of such key events as the historic protest marches or the confrontations with Southern police. Given Eyes on the Prize’s tight budget, typical of any documentary, its filmmakers could barely afford the minimum five-year rights for use of the clips. That permission has long since expired, and the $250,000 to $500,000 needed to clear the numerous copyrights involved is proving too expensive.
Instead of limiting what can be used, we should limit what can be copyrighted.
Copyright — laura
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
How a Computer Game Improved My Life
Weird, I know, but true. I’ve been playing World of Warcraft since just after Thanksgiving. I got it because it looked like fun and because a couple of friends of mine had played in the beta test and were planning on getting it.
All of my friends have left town in the last couple of years except for one who travels extensively for his job (home 1 week out of 4). Because we all have different (busy) schedules, instant messaging doesn’t work and no one ever thinks of sitting down and writing an email.
So I thought I might see my friends who played the beta on sometimes to say “Hi.”
In reality, I see them 3 or 4 times a week and even when we don’t play “together” we still chat in game. That’s where they told me they had gotten married. I’ve been (re)introduced to their friends where they live now and I chat with them some.
I chat with total strangers.
I’m just short of anti-social on the introvert scale so voluntarily interacting with people I don’t know is a huge thing for me. The game is very geared toward collaboration. You can certainly play alone but it’s just easier (and more fun) sometimes with a group. One of the things that has come out of this is “Random Helping.” A Priest or Paladin running by will give random people healing or spells to make them tougher for the heck of it. You in turn might see someone getting creamed and stop to help them. It’s a nice community feeling that carries into the real world. Recently, I stopped to help a lost couple I might have passed by before because that’s the kind of thing I do “in game.”
There are plenty of jerks. But it’s like the ad filters you develop for webpages, you just screen them out or leave the chat channel. You forget all about them the next time someone helps you out.
So gaming has made me more social and nicer. And active. It totally engages my brain and even boosts my heart rate occasionally.
So what does this have to do with libraries? Think about a game demo night hosted at a public library. People from kids to adults can come in and try the game of their choice before buying it themselves. Games are expensive and non-returnable if you just don’t like them. So they come and also see that the library has CDs and wifi. It instantly becomes a possible hangout spot. Or at least a positive memory at voting time.
Another possibility is gaming stations but that would require licensing and 2 hour time slots. It would be cool but resource-intensive.
The next time you hear how bad gaming is for people you can think of me. I may be an exception but I do prove that there is more that goes on that the “experts” haven’t discovered yet. Maybe if they played for a while. BTW- we’ve talked about it so much two more of my friends are getting the game so I’ll “see” them too.
Gaming — laura
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Easy site updates
This was the answer to a problem of mine. I like it because it keeps the website dynamic and interesting while also providing a service to my users by aggregating content of interest to them.
The Problem
I manage the website of a local non-profit group. There is a section of the frontpage set aside for news updates but new information is rarely posted. It isn’t that the group doesn’t do anything, they members simply don’t think to use the website for communication. I wanted to encourage the members to use the website more and to provide updates to the website on a regular basis without having to handle it manually.
(more…)
Tutorials — laura
Friday, January 7, 2005
Maslow
In Information Wants To Be Free » Maslow and library technology, Meredith gives her view of the tech needs pyramid
Library Links — laura
Thursday, January 6, 2005
Google As Walmart
Google As Walmart fromRetrofitted Librarian has a great explanation of why Internet sources aren’t the best way to find scholarly information.
Web Tools — laura
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
tech needs pyramid
walking paper: tech needs pyramid
Below is a diagram illustrating the levels of technology needs for libraries. Just as in Maslow’s scale, those at the base are core, essential needs that must be met for survival. As we look up the pyramid, we see technologies that can be considered higher functions.
It’s an interesting method of sifting through the amount of technical possibilities available to know where to focus your energies.
Of course the priorities change for the different library types. For example, in the medical/academic library I work at remote database access goes on the bottom. Our users absolutely demand it and resources they have to come into the building to use don’t get nearly as much use. They simply don’t have the time or patience to wait.
Something not listed are laptops. We have a set of 4 iBooks patrons are allowed to use in the library and they are in use constantly.
- Our scanners are also popular, both for personal and work-related uses.
- We have one or two PDA databases that are well-liked (Doctors seem to love PDAs).
- It’s not a device but it’s still technology-related, we seem to be the first stop for questions even though we’re in the same building as the campus computing center. Everything from how to insert images in powerpoints and how to burn a cd on the patron’s own laptop to connecting to the campus wireless network come to us. Knowledge of current software should probably also be included.
I’d like to see this list extended into a set of suggested needs for creating individual library models. If you have items to add, send them to me and I’ll add them.
Library Links — laura
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
DRM still sucks
Cory Doctorow has posted a point by point response to the common arguements for digital rights management.
Copyright — laura
Monday, January 3, 2005
Blogging the Tsunami
What’s Your Brand Mantra?: Blogging the Tsunami
“(Blogs) are helping us understand the impact of this event in a way that other media just can’t,” with an intimate voice and an unvarnished perspective, with the richness of local context, Ms. Jardin said.
There has been an incredible sense of community and cooporation to assist the victims. It’s a bit of the good side of humanity to counteract the bad that keeps popping up. There is also an old saying that history is written by the victors.
Not any more.
Years down the road, thanks to archival projects, we’ll be able to look back and see what happened and how it affected the world through first-hand accounts.
Web Tools — laura
