FaceBook Launches “Pages”
A few days ago Facebook launched Facebook Pages, officially allowing groups, businesses, organizations, etc. to host official sites. This is a great addition in a number of ways. Previously users had to form groups if they wanted to support an organization, now there can be an official page and supporters will be displayed as “fans.” The page administrators can also find and add relevant FaceBook applications, further enhancing the page’s usefulness. At our library, we created a group a little over a year ago to help students become more familiar with the library, and it’s always been a little awkward. Now, users can come to our official pages, check the events calendar, follow suggested links, and IM with a librarian directly from the page.
Check us out at: http://richmond.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6009397930 or just search for “boatwright library” (login required). Feedback is always welcome!
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Google Announces Mobile Phone "Open" OS
Today Google announced their long rumored mobile project, "Android," which they’ve been developing in secret. Most, including myself, were expecting an actual device. What was announced is an actual mobile platform that can be run on a wide range of devices. According to Google, Android "…will be composed of a "fully integrated mobile ’software stack’ that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications."
According to Engadget, many of the major players in the telecom industry have signed on and are official partners of Google’s Open Handset Alliance (minus Microsoft, Nokia, AT&T, and Verizon, no big surprises there). In my opinion this really raises the bar in terms of the levels of service that consumers will come to expect: devices that can operate anywhere on any network, share files easily, low-cost data access, etc. Any competition will by welcome in this space, especially in the U.S. market, where the service providers dictate what your phone is allowed to do. Read this post by David Pogue released earlier this year for a further analysis of this specific issue.
Watch this video that discusses what Android is capable of!
New Position/Role!
As of today I am the new Emerging Web Technologies Librarian for Boatwright Memorial Library at the University of Richmond! This is the type of work I’ve been eager to focus on for a longtime now. I’m entering this job after being in the access services world for 11 years, beginning with serving as the Stacks Supervisor at Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University as well as Head of Access Services at Virginia Commonwealth University and here at the University of Richmond. My new priorities focus on serving as the library webmaster as well as exploring service delivery through web 2.0 tools, mobile devices, etc. This means I get to play with and test all of the cool stuff that’s constantly being released on the web! The more beta/open source, the better!
My initial priorities will be preparing to move the library website to the university’s new CMS - Cascade Server from Hannon Hill. I’m also finalizing a wiki that our customer services group will use to organize all of the procedures and policies that desk staff need access to. We’re also going to re-examine our IM service over winter break and see if Meebo might be more suited to our needs.
Anyway, I’m really excited about the new possibilities that exist in this position and I’ve got a long list of people out there to talk with about their experiences with various technologies and platforms, so don’t run if I come calling!
Favorite Old-Time Spooky Cartoons, Pt. 3
Happy Halloween! This is the final installment of the series. I have distinct memories of watching this film in our library during elemtary school. For a young child, the site of the Headless Horseman chasing Ichabod can be quite intimidating! Bing Crosby does a great job of narrating this video. One of my favorite scenes is the clouds shaped like hands closing over the moon at the end of the video…
The Ninja Loves Hanging out in Public Libraries!
Favorite Old-Time Spooky Cartoons, Pt. 2
Today’s entry, “The Flying Sorceress” comes from 1956. After Tom tires of all the chores, so he sets out to find a new home…
Favorite Old-Time Spooky Cartoons - Pt. 1
Thanks to the magic of YouTube, I’ll be posting three favorite spooky/Halloween cartoons starting today and going through Wednesday (Oct. 31). Today’s feature is an old Tom and Jerry cartoon entitled “Fraidy Cat” from 1942. Although I grew up in the 70s and 80s, all of these cartoons were prominently featured during afterschool hours. I even watched some during “movie time” in my elementary school library, so they all bring back fond memories. Regardless, enjoy!
Irish Dancing Monkeys
Monkeys meet Michael Flatley… hilarity ensues!
Concept Photo Demonstrates the Importance of Net Neutrality
When I first saw this I thought it was clever and funny, but it then gave me pause because it’s exactly what the upper levels of the telecommunication industry and “big media” would love to force on consumers. It’s just like the ridiculous bundled packages you have to purchase for televison, no matter if your provider is a traditional cable company or satellite (the ability to offer a la cart channels via analog is technically challenging, but with the eventual transition to entirely digital content, will become much easier). Anyway, take this to heart, especially since the FCC recently decided against enforcing network neutrality!
Library 100 Book Finding Tutorial
Our library recently produced this video to show during our Library 100 freshmen orientation sessions. It’s pretty funny and shows the talents of two previous Access and Delivery student employees! Nick Vogel in our Media Resource Center filmed and edited the video.
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About
Professional and personal ideas, thoughts, and comments from your favorite tech-brarian. Actually, that's probably not a valid term, but hey, I'm not sweating the small stuff!
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