Cosugi 2011 is the most exciting conference for me so far. The topics were more relevant to me as a systems administrator. It was also exciting to meet SirsiDynix staffs. I see their names on listserves and phone conferences all the time but this is the firt time that I had a chance to see how they look like. I am very thankful to Rochester Public Library for this conference. After this conference, I feel much more confident in SirsiDynix and its products as well because it shows me that this company is much more of an innovator than others. It puts money and resources into development and is constantly releasing updates.
While at the conference, I was also surprised to find out that our director, Audrey Betcher was a classmate or colleague of Sirsi's Anne Arthur at St. Louis? What a small world.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Cosugi 2011 Day 3-Session 5-Discover User Search Characteristics with Weblogs
Presenter: Tao You, Vanderbilt University
She analyzed SirsiDynix weblogs and system access logs and developed a tool to help provide reports and statistics about library visitor's search activities. She discussed where Symphony saves search queries, and how to read and transfer search logs to a database, which becomes the source data for future visual display and further statistical analyzis.
I did something similar to what the presenter did a while ago for RPL. I wrote a program to parse thru the Sirsi transaction logs and transfer these statistics to our SQL server and save it there for analysis. An advantage to doing this is that once transfered to SQL, it stays there long term. Staffs can go back to it years after the transaction happened.
She analyzed SirsiDynix weblogs and system access logs and developed a tool to help provide reports and statistics about library visitor's search activities. She discussed where Symphony saves search queries, and how to read and transfer search logs to a database, which becomes the source data for future visual display and further statistical analyzis.
I did something similar to what the presenter did a while ago for RPL. I wrote a program to parse thru the Sirsi transaction logs and transfer these statistics to our SQL server and save it there for analysis. An advantage to doing this is that once transfered to SQL, it stays there long term. Staffs can go back to it years after the transaction happened.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3: Session 4-Web Services : a light of tradition
Product Manager, Nathan Quinn discussed about Web Services: what they are, real life applications, current capabilities and what's up next. More like an advertisement for web services so I didn't pick up much information from this session. Nathan did give me his card just in case I have problems with web services though.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3: Session 3-Mapping your library with web services and google maps
Presenter: John Wohlers, Waubonsee Community College
The presenter uses the new web services API in combination with Google Maps to create an interactive library floor map that displays the locations of items directly in the OPAC
Technology Used:
*SirsiDynix Web Services API
*SirsiDynix E-Library
*PHP
*MySQL
*Google Maps API V3
*Google Earth
*QR Codes
*Adobe Photoshop / Fireworks
I think this is a very nice feature for patrons. Currently, a new patron would have no clue where in the library an item is located based on the call number that we provide. With this program, it would point to the shelf and patrons can just walk there to get it. As a programmer, I would love to implement this at RPL someday.
The presenter uses the new web services API in combination with Google Maps to create an interactive library floor map that displays the locations of items directly in the OPAC
Technology Used:
*SirsiDynix Web Services API
*SirsiDynix E-Library
*PHP
*MySQL
*Google Maps API V3
*Google Earth
*QR Codes
*Adobe Photoshop / Fireworks
I think this is a very nice feature for patrons. Currently, a new patron would have no clue where in the library an item is located based on the call number that we provide. With this program, it would point to the shelf and patrons can just walk there to get it. As a programmer, I would love to implement this at RPL someday.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3:Session 2-Got SaaS? Take Full Advantage of It!
What is SaaS?
It is a software development where an application is hosted as a service and provided to customers across the internet.
Advantages to using SaaS:
1. replace end of life hardware
2. maintain expensive maintenance contracts
3. Staff 24x7 monitoring of system
4. Focus employees on staff and patrons
5. Experience reduced implementation time
Library Still Controls:
1. Policies, gateways, etc
2. Circulation and collection management
3. Cataloging and technical services
4. Reports
5. Scheduling application upgrades with SaaS Solutions
Personally, I think it is an option that we should take into consideration in the future. Of course we would have to look at it's disadvantages too. For example,
* This is over the internet so it may not be as safe or reliable.
* Only 10 Sirsi staffs are currently running about 400+ Saas customers worldwide. If something happens at once there is no way they can help to get back quickly.
* It is costly to do this option. Ask for a quote. You will find out. We did!
* We have limited access to the production server.
It is a software development where an application is hosted as a service and provided to customers across the internet.
Advantages to using SaaS:
1. replace end of life hardware
2. maintain expensive maintenance contracts
3. Staff 24x7 monitoring of system
4. Focus employees on staff and patrons
5. Experience reduced implementation time
Library Still Controls:
1. Policies, gateways, etc
2. Circulation and collection management
3. Cataloging and technical services
4. Reports
5. Scheduling application upgrades with SaaS Solutions
Personally, I think it is an option that we should take into consideration in the future. Of course we would have to look at it's disadvantages too. For example,
* This is over the internet so it may not be as safe or reliable.
* Only 10 Sirsi staffs are currently running about 400+ Saas customers worldwide. If something happens at once there is no way they can help to get back quickly.
* It is costly to do this option. Ask for a quote. You will find out. We did!
* We have limited access to the production server.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3:Session 1-Symphony Now and the Future:3.4, 3.4.1 and Beyond
Symphony 3.4 has been released and libraries already know what features were added already so I am going to jump to 3.4.1 and 3.5
3.4.1 Updates
1. Bug fixes and minor enhancements
2. Usability enhancements for Workflows staff client:Tabbed windows for wizards, expandable boxes,etc.
3. Performance Improvements for Collection Exchange
4. Support for local requirements: danMARC2, Chinese call numbers, multilingual MARC holding records,...
5. Updated language files for Spanish, French, Chinese, and Arabic
6. Other fixes submitted by Client Care
3.5 Updates
1.Updates for RDA
2. Symphony Anywhere: Bookmobile and small library support
3. Enhancements to StaffWeb client: Reserve room support, K12 updates
3.4.1 Updates
1. Bug fixes and minor enhancements
2. Usability enhancements for Workflows staff client:Tabbed windows for wizards, expandable boxes,etc.
3. Performance Improvements for Collection Exchange
4. Support for local requirements: danMARC2, Chinese call numbers, multilingual MARC holding records,...
5. Updated language files for Spanish, French, Chinese, and Arabic
6. Other fixes submitted by Client Care
3.5 Updates
1.Updates for RDA
2. Symphony Anywhere: Bookmobile and small library support
3. Enhancements to StaffWeb client: Reserve room support, K12 updates
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:After the Sessions-Sirsi Organized a Party
After many long sessions on Wednesday, we attended a party organized by Sirsi. It was a buffet style. The steak was good if you are willing to wait for one hour. The drink line was much shorter. Maybe that's their intent? Get people to drink so they would dance? Even Anne Arthur and Berit Nelson danced! Too bad I was too busy dancing with them otherwise I would have taken a picture to post here.
Cosugi 2011:Day 2- After the Sessions-Phoenix Public Library
After the session on Day 2, Steve and I walked to Phoenix Public Library. That was a very long walk for 1.5 miles. I wouldn't want to do that again in a 90 degree desert weather. We were so glad to get into an air conditioned library when we got there. I was shocked to see how big the library was. The picture is at the right. It has 5 stories and the space was huge inside. The building was built as if it were a company instead of the library. Of course I did ask a librarian about that. Her answer was that it was built as an industrial complex because it costs less than it were to build a library. Maybe the builder's expertise was more industrial?
Steve is admiring how big the library is!
These are express internet stations. How many do we have at RPL? One?
Phoenix's DVD Collections
Instead of Walking Back to the Hotel, We Took the Lightrail
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 5-Web Services 3.0
I was hoping to pick up something from this session because I am using web services for our catalog. However, I was kind of disappointed that I didn't pick up much from this session. The session lasted only 30 minutes. The presentor mainly explain how he used web services 3.0 to do display information for for library. I already knew the features so I didn't pick up much. I think Sirsi's web services is such a new thing that most people do not have a chance to do anything yet. In fact, we didn't get the licence until April 20th which is while I attended this session.
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 4-API Sharing Session
The audiences were the ones driving this session. Joel Hahn from Niles Public Library was there to answer any questions that we may have relating to the tradtional API programming.I didn't have any question so I sat there the whole time listening to other people's issues. Didn't pick up much neither as they were not related to our issues. :(
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 3-Introducing:Sirsi Customer Support-It's All About You
The director of ClientCare had a presentation on the new Customer Support(formerly Client Care). Satisfaction has been reportedly up since this new model was rolled out in February. The model is: Once a case is done, an email is sent with a few options. 1. Close, 2. Talk to the person who provide the resolution, 3. Leave the case open, 4. Provide comment on the case.
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 2-Mobilize! On the Go Options in Horizon and Symphony
According to Sirsi, BookMyne and PocketCirc are just the start of the mobile applications. This is an exciting news because according to a new study, by the end of 2011, half our the users will be using smartphones while the other half uses the traditional feature phones. However, there isn't much library related applications available. Which way is Sirsi moving in the mobile area?
1. BookMyne for androids will be released at the end of August 2011
2. Analytics will be on the new web services that they will be releasing soon. Programmer can use this function to extract data.
3.On June 30, an application will come out for facebook. The app resides on the library's Facebook page for patron to use. It is similar to that of the MyAccount feature except that it is on Facebook.
4. Sirsi is moving away from PocketCirc to Ipad and phone devices.
5. Sirsi is developing an application for smart phones so that patrons can just checkout books on their phones instead of using the checkout stations.
1. BookMyne for androids will be released at the end of August 2011
2. Analytics will be on the new web services that they will be releasing soon. Programmer can use this function to extract data.
3.On June 30, an application will come out for facebook. The app resides on the library's Facebook page for patron to use. It is similar to that of the MyAccount feature except that it is on Facebook.
4. Sirsi is moving away from PocketCirc to Ipad and phone devices.
5. Sirsi is developing an application for smart phones so that patrons can just checkout books on their phones instead of using the checkout stations.
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 1-How Far Can You Go?Tools to Extend Your Symphony System
Margaret Pelfrey and Nathan Quinn mainly talked about 3 tools in traditional APIs and Sirsi's web services. This session is mainly for programmers who are looking to see if there is anything new that can help them with developments.
1. SERFTools
2. Apiserver: Batch receive items in transit between libraries, batch edit call numbers, pay bills in batch.
3. Dataloading Tools:Insert a MARC tag into selected bib records, extract user data, and globally remove a MARC tag from bib records
4. Web services: Nathan Quinn talked about the functionalities of web services and costs:
Webservices:
*A web Services class is offered every other month with no cost to their customers.I am excited about this a I have been downloading and learning on my own to write the MyAccount feature for our library. I will for sure want to take this class soon.
*Costs $600 for big libraries or consortium
*Costs $250 for medium libraris
*Costs $199 for small libraries
*No cost to customers who have API Subscription. Yay, RPL falls into this group
*WS 3.1 will be released on June 30th,2011 to include more features.
1. SERFTools
2. Apiserver: Batch receive items in transit between libraries, batch edit call numbers, pay bills in batch.
3. Dataloading Tools:Insert a MARC tag into selected bib records, extract user data, and globally remove a MARC tag from bib records
4. Web services: Nathan Quinn talked about the functionalities of web services and costs:
Webservices:
*A web Services class is offered every other month with no cost to their customers.I am excited about this a I have been downloading and learning on my own to write the MyAccount feature for our library. I will for sure want to take this class soon.
*Costs $600 for big libraries or consortium
*Costs $250 for medium libraris
*Costs $199 for small libraries
*No cost to customers who have API Subscription. Yay, RPL falls into this group
*WS 3.1 will be released on June 30th,2011 to include more features.
Cosugi 2011:Session 3-Integrating Personal Services and Social Media into E-library
Margaret Pelfrey from Sirsi had a nice presentation on using API to email patron's PINs directly from Elibrary, allow patrons to edit their email in real time through an Elibrary interface and how to add Social Media links in elibrary.
We do not use Elibrary but I attended this session anyway mainly because there wasn't any other interesting session for this time slot. LOL. In my opinion, this is too much work. With the emergent of Sirsi's web services things could be done quicker and more efficient.
We do not use Elibrary but I attended this session anyway mainly because there wasn't any other interesting session for this time slot. LOL. In my opinion, this is too much work. With the emergent of Sirsi's web services things could be done quicker and more efficient.
Cosugi 2011 Day 1: A Vendor's booth
There was an interesting booth from Unique Integrated Communncations. Our library could use their services to off-load commom account questions and issues. They can help relieve time-pressured staffs. Incoming calls are rounted from the library to UIC, and their Patron Services Specialists answer as an extension of the library. UIC maintains real-time integration with our ILS.
They can handle:
•Account Verification
•Item Renewals
•Hold Placement
•Hold Cancellation
•Fine Payment
•Debt Collection Issues
•Library hours/locations/directions
•Event / Class information & registration
•Conduit for common inventory issues
•Switchboard
The service is invoiced solely on usage and we can choose to turn on this feature when ever we want. I can see our library turn on this feature only when staffs have their hands full at the desk. The cost is $1.25 per minutes. According to the sale representative, the average call is around 2 minutes. UIC's website is www.uniqueic.com
They can handle:
•Account Verification
•Item Renewals
•Hold Placement
•Hold Cancellation
•Fine Payment
•Debt Collection Issues
•Library hours/locations/directions
•Event / Class information & registration
•Conduit for common inventory issues
•Switchboard
The service is invoiced solely on usage and we can choose to turn on this feature when ever we want. I can see our library turn on this feature only when staffs have their hands full at the desk. The cost is $1.25 per minutes. According to the sale representative, the average call is around 2 minutes. UIC's website is www.uniqueic.com
Cosugi 2011 Day 1: Session 2-Executive Forum: Top Technology Trends and SirsiDynix
The road map of SirsiDynix's products will be published on the portal at the end of May 2011 but here is an overview. I am sure I didn't get all of them but a presentation is not posted on the Cosugi 2011 archive.
*Sirsi is working on Web services 4.0 to add functionalities to the existing 3.0 version.
*Web services and BookMyne 2.1 for horizon is now available.
*A new Symphony will be rolled out in the third quarter.
*A new Enterprise version was released and they are working on the next version. It has a lot of features similar to that of the Endeca search engine.
*A BookMyne version for androids is coming out soon.
*Sirsi is developing an application native to that of facebook to allow patrons to place holds, review checkouts, pay fines, ect.. Similar to MyAccount application.
* Sirsi is working on enhancements for Bookmyne, Pocketcirc on tablets, SMS&PDA push notifications
*Sirsi is working on importing ebooks from different vendors into the ILS. This is going to be a nice thing to have as most libraries are struggle with the ebook issue.
*Sirsi is working on Web services 4.0 to add functionalities to the existing 3.0 version.
*Web services and BookMyne 2.1 for horizon is now available.
*A new Symphony will be rolled out in the third quarter.
*A new Enterprise version was released and they are working on the next version. It has a lot of features similar to that of the Endeca search engine.
*A BookMyne version for androids is coming out soon.
*Sirsi is developing an application native to that of facebook to allow patrons to place holds, review checkouts, pay fines, ect.. Similar to MyAccount application.
* Sirsi is working on enhancements for Bookmyne, Pocketcirc on tablets, SMS&PDA push notifications
*Sirsi is working on importing ebooks from different vendors into the ILS. This is going to be a nice thing to have as most libraries are struggle with the ebook issue.
Cosugi 2011 Day 1: Session 1-Making Our Catalogue Usable
University of Manitoba Libraries did an extensive testing with the help of an outside consultant on the usability of their website, including the catalogue. They had Web2 and Unicorn GL 3.1. There wasn't much to learn from this session that could be applied to Rochester Public Library except learning the process for future referencens. Basically their patrons didn't like their catalogue search so they hired a consultant to improve it.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
COSUGI Conference 2011
The conference was held at Phoenix this year. Steve Mosing, my colleague and I attended. A picture of us is above. It was one of the most exciting conference for me so far. The topics were much more relevant to our library and my position than anything I have ever attended. It was also fun to meet the Sirsi staffs. I see their names on listserves or during phone conferences but had not met any of them before this event so it was fun and exciting. Now I can kind of imagine how they look like while talking to them on the phone or seeing their names. LOL. The most important thing about this trip was that I learned a lot and some of the ideas will probably get implemented at Rochester Public Library if approved. The conference lasted 3 days and I had the privilege to attend all. My next posts will be about the sessions that I attended.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Productivity Tools
These are really use productivity tools that I found on Computers In Libraries page s4. I am going to list all of them here. Just scan through the list to if there are any tools you my be interest to you.
1. Microsoft Maps-Live Search
http://maps.live.com
This site can find directions, businesses by category, and maps for areas. Easy to use and an all in one site for the SMB.
2. TinyURL
http://tinyurl.com
Long URLs become managable, tiny ones.
3. Trip Advisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com
Helpful for planning business trips.
4. Seat Selection
http://www.seatguru.com
If you travel a great deal and want to understand seat selection, airline travel rules, and other amenities, start here.
5. Hot Spot Finder
http://www.jiwire.com
Find wireless connects for 150,000 plus hotspots in approximately 135 countries. I know that Dunn Brother's Cafe also provide free wireless.
6. Data Visualization
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/02/data-visualization-modern-approaches
Smashing Magazine shows different ways to present data visually. Some powerful approaches to displaying information as visual images appear on this link.
7. Panimages.com
http://panimages.com
When you want images but don't want to pay for them or at least not much, try this site.
8. Time Zone
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock
Time zones around the world.
9. Weather
http://weather.com
Heads up on weather conditions hour by hour.
10. Conference Calls
http://www.budgetconferencing.com
Set upa conference call quickly and cost-effectively from this site.
11. Melissa's Lookups
http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/index.htm
This site allows you to look up a variety of information for free as long as you register. In addition, it offers sources for direct mailings and other products for a fee.
12. Widgets/Gadgets
http://widgets.yahoo.com
The tag line of "Save Time, Waste Time, Have Fun!" sums it up. Find some useful gadgets here, but watch out that you don't end up wasting too much time looking for timesavers.
13. Who Called Us
http://whocalled.us
This site logs call from phone numbers that appear to be unknown. Sometimes ou can find a company name.
14. Google Search Tip
http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators_reference.html
Everyone wants to search google more productively.
15. Google Usability
http://More links to make Google searching more productive and profitable.
16. Travel.State.Gov
http://travel.state.gov
This site from the U.S. State Department gives good advice for those traveling internationally, e.g. passport information, danger zones,ect.
17. LookSmart's Furl
http://furl.net/home.jsp
With this site the SMB can save a copy of any webpage with one click, share the webpage or mark it as private, and organize and store the information with tags the SMB creates. Additionally, this site allows the SMB to read and save other information "furled" by other users.
18. Zotero
http://www.zotero.org
This site has some of the same elements as Furl but with more academic feel.
19. Snagit
http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp
This site provides a low cost yet easy way to capture information on a screen.
20. PDF Creator
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator
Download software here that can convert other document formats into PDFs.
21. You Sent It
http://www.yousendit.com
When you have a file larger than your email service can handle, try this site.
22. DropSend
http://www.dropsend.com
Another site that can handle large files up to 1GB and store files too.
23. Format conversions
http://docmorph.nlm.nih.gov/docmorph
Fifty document conversion tools from the National Library of Medicine.
24. File Extensions
http://filetext.com
This site helps identify unknown file extensions.
25. Transfer applications on a USB device or ipod
http://mojopac.com/portal/content/products/index.jsp
mojopac has a free software download (currently 1MB) that allow you to transfer key software applications onto a USB device or ipod and run it on a host PC using Windows XP with the look the SMB owner would have on his or her PC back home. Mojopac "transforms your ipod or USB Hard Drive or flash drive into a portable and private PC."
26. Iron Monuntain
http://www.ironmountain.com/digital/pc/backup.asp
this company uses connected.com to automatically back up files on an SMB's PC for a fee.
27. Carbonite
http://www.carbonite.com
This company will also automatically back up files on a PC for a low annual cost.
28. Copyscape
http://www.copyscape.com
This site lets the UMB owner see if anyone has copied portions of it's company website.
29. Domain Tools
http://whois.domaintools.com
SMBs can use this site to keep updated on their website status and to make sure it does not expire.
30. TrendMicro
http://housecall.trendmicro.com
This site can do analyis of a user's computers to see if it has been infected by viruses, spyware, or other malware. There is information on donating to schools if the user wants to express his or her appreciation.
31. Belarc
http://www.belarc.com
This site does a PC audit of hardware and software.
32. ScanSafe
http://www.scandoo.com
This site rates the safety of websites.
33. Open Office Suite
http://www.openoffice.org
This site offers a downloadable free office suite and includes desktop applications such as a word processor, spreadsheet, presentaion manager, and drawing program.
34. Zamzar
http://zamzar.com
This site helps when you need files converted. It has online conversions for documents, videos, music, and images plus other miscellaneous file extentions for free.
35. Stuffbak
http://www.stuffbak.com/sb/default.aspx
This site has information that can potentially help a business recover lost electronic asset and at a very low cost.
36. Inc Mazagine
http://technology.inc.com/internet/articles/200707/campbell.html
In the technology section, you will find several sources of information for technology related issues. For example, the link discusses 10 tips for choosing a domain name.
37. Copernic Tracker
http://www.copernic.com/en/products/tracker
For a mominal fee, this site provides software to monitor changes of content on webpages that have a business interest.
38. University of Minnesota, Duluth
http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/support/Training/Online/webdesign
This site provides information and resources on web design.
26.
1. Microsoft Maps-Live Search
http://maps.live.com
This site can find directions, businesses by category, and maps for areas. Easy to use and an all in one site for the SMB.
2. TinyURL
http://tinyurl.com
Long URLs become managable, tiny ones.
3. Trip Advisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com
Helpful for planning business trips.
4. Seat Selection
http://www.seatguru.com
If you travel a great deal and want to understand seat selection, airline travel rules, and other amenities, start here.
5. Hot Spot Finder
http://www.jiwire.com
Find wireless connects for 150,000 plus hotspots in approximately 135 countries. I know that Dunn Brother's Cafe also provide free wireless.
6. Data Visualization
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/02/data-visualization-modern-approaches
Smashing Magazine shows different ways to present data visually. Some powerful approaches to displaying information as visual images appear on this link.
7. Panimages.com
http://panimages.com
When you want images but don't want to pay for them or at least not much, try this site.
8. Time Zone
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock
Time zones around the world.
9. Weather
http://weather.com
Heads up on weather conditions hour by hour.
10. Conference Calls
http://www.budgetconferencing.com
Set upa conference call quickly and cost-effectively from this site.
11. Melissa's Lookups
http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/index.htm
This site allows you to look up a variety of information for free as long as you register. In addition, it offers sources for direct mailings and other products for a fee.
12. Widgets/Gadgets
http://widgets.yahoo.com
The tag line of "Save Time, Waste Time, Have Fun!" sums it up. Find some useful gadgets here, but watch out that you don't end up wasting too much time looking for timesavers.
13. Who Called Us
http://whocalled.us
This site logs call from phone numbers that appear to be unknown. Sometimes ou can find a company name.
14. Google Search Tip
http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators_reference.html
Everyone wants to search google more productively.
15. Google Usability
http://More links to make Google searching more productive and profitable.
16. Travel.State.Gov
http://travel.state.gov
This site from the U.S. State Department gives good advice for those traveling internationally, e.g. passport information, danger zones,ect.
17. LookSmart's Furl
http://furl.net/home.jsp
With this site the SMB can save a copy of any webpage with one click, share the webpage or mark it as private, and organize and store the information with tags the SMB creates. Additionally, this site allows the SMB to read and save other information "furled" by other users.
18. Zotero
http://www.zotero.org
This site has some of the same elements as Furl but with more academic feel.
19. Snagit
http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp
This site provides a low cost yet easy way to capture information on a screen.
20. PDF Creator
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator
Download software here that can convert other document formats into PDFs.
21. You Sent It
http://www.yousendit.com
When you have a file larger than your email service can handle, try this site.
22. DropSend
http://www.dropsend.com
Another site that can handle large files up to 1GB and store files too.
23. Format conversions
http://docmorph.nlm.nih.gov/docmorph
Fifty document conversion tools from the National Library of Medicine.
24. File Extensions
http://filetext.com
This site helps identify unknown file extensions.
25. Transfer applications on a USB device or ipod
http://mojopac.com/portal/content/products/index.jsp
mojopac has a free software download (currently 1MB) that allow you to transfer key software applications onto a USB device or ipod and run it on a host PC using Windows XP with the look the SMB owner would have on his or her PC back home. Mojopac "transforms your ipod or USB Hard Drive or flash drive into a portable and private PC."
26. Iron Monuntain
http://www.ironmountain.com/digital/pc/backup.asp
this company uses connected.com to automatically back up files on an SMB's PC for a fee.
27. Carbonite
http://www.carbonite.com
This company will also automatically back up files on a PC for a low annual cost.
28. Copyscape
http://www.copyscape.com
This site lets the UMB owner see if anyone has copied portions of it's company website.
29. Domain Tools
http://whois.domaintools.com
SMBs can use this site to keep updated on their website status and to make sure it does not expire.
30. TrendMicro
http://housecall.trendmicro.com
This site can do analyis of a user's computers to see if it has been infected by viruses, spyware, or other malware. There is information on donating to schools if the user wants to express his or her appreciation.
31. Belarc
http://www.belarc.com
This site does a PC audit of hardware and software.
32. ScanSafe
http://www.scandoo.com
This site rates the safety of websites.
33. Open Office Suite
http://www.openoffice.org
This site offers a downloadable free office suite and includes desktop applications such as a word processor, spreadsheet, presentaion manager, and drawing program.
34. Zamzar
http://zamzar.com
This site helps when you need files converted. It has online conversions for documents, videos, music, and images plus other miscellaneous file extentions for free.
35. Stuffbak
http://www.stuffbak.com/sb/default.aspx
This site has information that can potentially help a business recover lost electronic asset and at a very low cost.
36. Inc Mazagine
http://technology.inc.com/internet/articles/200707/campbell.html
In the technology section, you will find several sources of information for technology related issues. For example, the link discusses 10 tips for choosing a domain name.
37. Copernic Tracker
http://www.copernic.com/en/products/tracker
For a mominal fee, this site provides software to monitor changes of content on webpages that have a business interest.
38. University of Minnesota, Duluth
http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/support/Training/Online/webdesign
This site provides information and resources on web design.
26.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tips to help you with the next set of more things on a stick
While attending a Webjunction session at an MLA conference in Bloomington,MN this month, I learned that there are more things on a stick to come January 20, 2008. From the reaction that I noticed, not all of them are excited (-_-) about the new Things. From observation as an IT person from the Rochester Public Library and the conversations I got from the people at MLA, the main reason some people are not excited about these "Things" is because they are time consuming. As a systems administrator I can tell you that you can save a lot of time on these "Things" and save a lot of time at work if your computer skills are a little bit up to date. While reading Computers In Libraries October 2008 I found this article on page 54 that may help you with the next set of Library on a Stick Things.
Thing 1 Reboot, Reboot, Reboot.
Just so you know it is perfection ok to reboot the computer when it gets sick. We IT people expect you to do that when first. Instead of taking Tylenol when we get sick, rebooting the computer can cure the computer's sickness 95% of the times.
Thing 2 Minor reboot troubleshoot
Both patrons and staff are prone to leaving floppy disks in drives and flash drives in USB ports, leading to the dreaded "non-system disk" error on boot. Before rebooting the machine, please take your floppy disk out first.
Thing 3 Copy /Paste
Copy and Paste is a very useful tool that everybody should know how to do and use as often as posible. To copy, just highlight the text or URL then "CTRL +C". To paste, position your mouse at the place you want to paste then "CTRL + V" . Right click on the mouse to Copy, Paste, and Delete can do the same trick. I like this better because it is faster. You can copy folders, URL, Text,ect. I recently showed a staff how to use the right mouse click and he loved it.
Thing 4 Save, Move, and Copy files
Make sure you know how to save, move and copy files. If you don't know how to save a file to a location that you like and don't know how to find a file where you saved, that is going to be very difficult on everything that you do. Get these basic skills down quickly. Make sure you save the files on one of the network drives so that they are backed up regularly if you have a network.
Thing 5 Ask questions
If you are confused or don't khow how to use some functionalities, ask your IT personnels or co-workers. We IT people won't laugh at you for asking basic computer questions so call. You shouldn't wait until one of us walk by your desk then ask.
Thing 6 Deal with Printer Pressure.
You know how to load paper into the library's printers, change cartridges, and clear paper jams? Where does each printer open up? Where is most likely for paper to jam? Do you know that you have to remove the protective plastic covering before installing a cartrigde? Don't waste patron's or staff's time by waiting for an IT staff to come to clear a paper jam or other small things.
Thing 7 Decide among printer options
Make sure you know how to change paper from portrait to lanscape, change from color to black-and-white, and how to print multiple copies. You should know how to select printers if you have multiple printers installed.
Thing 8 How do you print frames, how do you print selected text?
Do you know how to print a given frame or selected text off any page? Can you show patrons how to do it? Some times you don't want to print the whole website just to get a selected few text.
Thing 9 Master basic word processing functions
What do the buttons on top of the page do? How do you make text bold or italic? Change font? text color? insert and image? Your blogging skills can improve significanly if you know these basic word processing functions.
Thing 10 Is everything plugged in?
Monitor cables, power cables, they all have an annoying habit of getting loose especially in the public in Children's area and Young Adult area. If a particular mahcine or peripheral doesn't turn on, which cable to check? These are level one technical support questions that we IT staff always look for first before anything else.
Thing 11 Are you on the network? Is that website really down?
Am I the only one having this problem or is it just me? If a patron complain that that his/her favorite website is down, make sure everyone is having the same problem. The cute little icon in the bottom of the computer can tell you something too. An X means bad, no connection. You can try to reconnect to the network or fall back to reboot, reboot, and reboot. One more thing, if you can't find the network drives that you usually find under the "My Computer" icon, make sure you are logged onto the network but just the computer itself. It doesn't hurt to try and log in again.
Thing 12 What's the good password
Please try not to leave password on sticky notes in plain view or next to the computer. Store it in a place that you or your staff have access to easily. Does all staffs know what the new password is? A safe network will ask you to change your password once in a few months. Make sure you change it when it asks you to, write them down somewhere and memorize them quickly.
Thing 13 What's Open on my computer?
What programs are currently open? how do you switch between them? How do you maximize, minimize, and close windows? If your computer have many programs open, then tend to overload and crash often. They slow down your computer as well. Make sure the window is already open before launching again.
These are just the basic skills that can help you significantly if you have a good handle on them. They will prepare you for the next set of 23 things on a stick. As an IT staff, I have so many other things that I would like to add to these basic 13 things but I will save it for other time. Have to go.
Thing 1 Reboot, Reboot, Reboot.
Just so you know it is perfection ok to reboot the computer when it gets sick. We IT people expect you to do that when first. Instead of taking Tylenol when we get sick, rebooting the computer can cure the computer's sickness 95% of the times.
Thing 2 Minor reboot troubleshoot
Both patrons and staff are prone to leaving floppy disks in drives and flash drives in USB ports, leading to the dreaded "non-system disk" error on boot. Before rebooting the machine, please take your floppy disk out first.
Thing 3 Copy /Paste
Copy and Paste is a very useful tool that everybody should know how to do and use as often as posible. To copy, just highlight the text or URL then "CTRL +C". To paste, position your mouse at the place you want to paste then "CTRL + V" . Right click on the mouse to Copy, Paste, and Delete can do the same trick. I like this better because it is faster. You can copy folders, URL, Text,ect. I recently showed a staff how to use the right mouse click and he loved it.
Thing 4 Save, Move, and Copy files
Make sure you know how to save, move and copy files. If you don't know how to save a file to a location that you like and don't know how to find a file where you saved, that is going to be very difficult on everything that you do. Get these basic skills down quickly. Make sure you save the files on one of the network drives so that they are backed up regularly if you have a network.
Thing 5 Ask questions
If you are confused or don't khow how to use some functionalities, ask your IT personnels or co-workers. We IT people won't laugh at you for asking basic computer questions so call. You shouldn't wait until one of us walk by your desk then ask.
Thing 6 Deal with Printer Pressure.
You know how to load paper into the library's printers, change cartridges, and clear paper jams? Where does each printer open up? Where is most likely for paper to jam? Do you know that you have to remove the protective plastic covering before installing a cartrigde? Don't waste patron's or staff's time by waiting for an IT staff to come to clear a paper jam or other small things.
Thing 7 Decide among printer options
Make sure you know how to change paper from portrait to lanscape, change from color to black-and-white, and how to print multiple copies. You should know how to select printers if you have multiple printers installed.
Thing 8 How do you print frames, how do you print selected text?
Do you know how to print a given frame or selected text off any page? Can you show patrons how to do it? Some times you don't want to print the whole website just to get a selected few text.
Thing 9 Master basic word processing functions
What do the buttons on top of the page do? How do you make text bold or italic? Change font? text color? insert and image? Your blogging skills can improve significanly if you know these basic word processing functions.
Thing 10 Is everything plugged in?
Monitor cables, power cables, they all have an annoying habit of getting loose especially in the public in Children's area and Young Adult area. If a particular mahcine or peripheral doesn't turn on, which cable to check? These are level one technical support questions that we IT staff always look for first before anything else.
Thing 11 Are you on the network? Is that website really down?
Am I the only one having this problem or is it just me? If a patron complain that that his/her favorite website is down, make sure everyone is having the same problem. The cute little icon in the bottom of the computer can tell you something too. An X means bad, no connection. You can try to reconnect to the network or fall back to reboot, reboot, and reboot. One more thing, if you can't find the network drives that you usually find under the "My Computer" icon, make sure you are logged onto the network but just the computer itself. It doesn't hurt to try and log in again.
Thing 12 What's the good password
Please try not to leave password on sticky notes in plain view or next to the computer. Store it in a place that you or your staff have access to easily. Does all staffs know what the new password is? A safe network will ask you to change your password once in a few months. Make sure you change it when it asks you to, write them down somewhere and memorize them quickly.
Thing 13 What's Open on my computer?
What programs are currently open? how do you switch between them? How do you maximize, minimize, and close windows? If your computer have many programs open, then tend to overload and crash often. They slow down your computer as well. Make sure the window is already open before launching again.
These are just the basic skills that can help you significantly if you have a good handle on them. They will prepare you for the next set of 23 things on a stick. As an IT staff, I have so many other things that I would like to add to these basic 13 things but I will save it for other time. Have to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
