Library Technology in Texas

Getting Ready for Facebook’s Timeline

Christine Peterson — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:05:31 +0000

I have not yet moved to Facebook’s Timeline, but I know my time is coming. For me, it’s just been timing — I haven’t had any lately. So, I was happy to find this article by Kim Komando that laid out what I should do when Facebook tells me they will be switching my profile. Hope it helps you, too!

In the meantime, I’ll be looking for a cover photo to use.

Filed under: Security, Social Networks

Common Craft Video on Social Networking

Christine Peterson — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:01:36 +0000

Another very well-thought-out video from Common Craft – this one on social networking with Facebook. Excellent for beginners.

But don’t forget their original video on social network – not specific to Facebook, but similar in some respects:

Common Craft Video on Social Network

Filed under: Social Networks

WebGL Bookcase – Another Google Experiment

Christine Peterson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:36:02 +0000

Have you noticed that companies are playing with new interfaces for presenting library collections? Here’s another that uses the Google Books API and is based on 3D – the WebGL Bookcase. It only works in Google Chrome for me, but if you don’t have it, this video shows you how it works.

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Filed under: Browsers, Digital Libraries, Fun, Searching, Web Design/HTML

Plagiarism

Christine Peterson — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:36:56 +0000

Common Craft has done it again — a great video on plagiarism. It has a very positive focus, which should make it even more helpful.

Filed under: Legal Issues, Research

Eye-Tracking Software

Christine Peterson — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:11:12 +0000

If you work with website design, then you have heard of eye-tracking software. It provides you with, among other things, heat maps:

Software that allows you to really identify where people are looking on your website is relatively expensive. However, Texas Tech University now has a product at a much more reasonable price.

Called Grinbath’s EyeGuide, it was invented at Texas Tech and currently sells for $1,500.

“We needed eye tracking in our lab because of client demand,” said Dr. Brian Still, CEO of Grinbath and the current director of Tech’s Usability Research Lab. “Many of the current eye tracking devices, although very good, are far too expensive for many out there. I just couldn’t choose buying one of those over paying a graduate assistant.

“So we made EyeGuide™. Initially it served as a solution just for us, but as we worked with it and improved it, we realized that it offered a viable solution for others like us who research users or build products, design advertising, or engage in other activities that could benefit from eye tracking research.”

Filed under: Accessibility, Browsers, Web Design/HTML

Full URLs in Firefox

Christine Peterson — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:19:26 +0000

If you keep up with Firefox updates, then you may have noticed that the full URL is no longer shown. For most people, this may not be a problem, but for those of us that are more technically inclined, we like to see it all.

The change is the removal of the protocol section of the URL. So, instead of seeing:

https://libtechtexas.wordpress.com

we see:

libtechtexas.wordpress.com

To change it back, you can use “about:config.” CNET has directions — it’s quick and easy!

Filed under: Browsers, Security

Google a Day

Christine Peterson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:42:08 +0000

Want to test your Google searching skills? A Google a Day does just that. Provides a daily question to answer, using their search techniques. How did I miss this?

[from Wired]

Filed under: Fun, Searching

Digital Literacy Training

Christine Peterson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:06:44 +0000

Much more information has been posted about this:

Overview of the 3 major points from FCC Commission Genachowski
More information on the digital literacy corps (and how libraries fit in)

——————————–

Part of the National Broadband Plan was not only the increase in broadband adoption rates, but the creation of the Digital Literacy Corps. Libraries – in particular, public libraries – have been serving in this role for over a decade. The Federal Communications Commission, however, has now formalized it as part of the “Connect to Compete” project.

This is a non-profit initiative that includes both the public and private sectors. Companies like Best Buy and Microsoft are partners, as are libraries.

Chairman Genachowski’s proposal would enable thousands of more libraries to host in-person,
basic digital literacy training programs.

At least some of the resources to help libraries fulfill this vision will be from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, so keep watch!

[FCC Overview of Announcement]
[FCC Video of Announcement]

Filed under: Continuing Education, Internet, Telecommunications

EPUB 3 Is Here

Christine Peterson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:19:38 +0000

The EPUB format is an open standard for ebooks. The third revision has just been voted in.

Based on HTML5, EPUB 3 adds support for rich media (audio, video), interactivity (JavaScript), global language support (including vertical writing), styling and layout enhancements, SVG, embedded fonts, expanded metadata facilities, MathML, and synchronization of audio with text and other enhancements for accessibility.

Stakeholders that have expressed interest in EPUB 3 include Adobe, Google, Ingram, Kobo, OverDrive, Random House, and Sony. Others are listed in this article.

So, we may be seeing ebooks that include more functionality than just text or reading the text. This could change the definition of “book.”

Filed under: Handhelds, Standards

What Is There To Say?

Christine Peterson — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:31:12 +0000

Filed under: Handhelds, Hardware, Trends