a sometimes blog about mostly libraries
Post-midterm in one of my instructional technology classes this morning we had a Skype conference call with distance students at the University of Education in Winneba, Ghana. My instructor, Sandra Turner, was awarded a Fullbright to guest lecture and conduct research at this university during 2003-04 and has helped establish a distance program that allows... Continue Reading →
A recent post on Library Web Chic hits the restrictive-tech-policies-in-libraries-must-go nail on the head. Here is Karen's list of arguments against library systems that don't allow their employees to download and install software freely: To work effectively in a Library 2.0 world, library staff need the ability to experiment and try things. In fact they... Continue Reading →
There has been some discussion lately about tectonic movement in the ebook world - the New York Times recently reported that Google and Amazon are getting into the act of making it easier to read and own books electronically. Easier - maybe, but less expensive? Recent reading devices range from $300-400, not including the price... Continue Reading →
Okay, this takes gadgetry to another level - an iPod accessory from Professor Bocelli that supposedly whitens teeth. Ars Technica confirms that I'm not making this up. Image courtesy of Ubergizmo.
Thanks to Lia for recently tipping me off to steampunk, which I literally cannot believe I've been ignorant of until now. This movement induces people to (among other things) anachronize new technology in some incredible ways. Take, for example, this working steam cooled pc tower: Check out BoingBoing's steampunk posts for more examples, or a... Continue Reading →
I recently ran across this post by writer/blogger Bruno Giussani via the TED: ideas worth spreading site - it links two PDF versions (6-page or 3 page) of "Tips for Conference Bloggers," a Creative-Commons licensed booklet produced by Giussani and Ethan Zuckerman that offers simple insights into "the Sport of Live Conference Blogging". It's a... Continue Reading →
Sarah at Librarian in Black had some good things to say about yesterday's event, which I also felt was rather awesome all around. Much appreciated, Sarah!
I just finished my first experiment in virtual conference presentation using Skype/Yugma, and it went marvelously well - I did a 20 minute voice and video over IP/M reference talk for a panel session at the Future of Libraries, Part III conference in San Fransisco, which I unfortunately attended from a study room at Alden... Continue Reading →
Miro is a rad new open-source, non-proprietary desktop media player with tons of functionality - it plays any video file format, allows video feed subscriptions, features 1,500 free channels, and has a built-in BitTorrent feature. I've been messing with it for about five minutes and am completely sold. The best part? Miro is nonprofit-run and... Continue Reading →
My colleague Chad Boeninger over at Library Voice recently wrote an excellent how-to post on Pidgin, an open-source multiprotocol IM client that has the useful feature of allowing Meebo widget monitoring in addition to IM logins, something most multiprotocol apps aren't able to do: The ostensible promise of Pidgin is that it could reduce virtual... Continue Reading →
info-mational 