Notes from the Summer 2009 Meeting

NCCPL Tech Group@St. Mary’s in Moraga
Theme: Geek Nirvana
Meeting Notes
6/18/2009

These are brief notes. Please feel free to blog or comment about any of the topics. Thanks again to all attendees. It was an energizing meeting.

Google Desktop
--Great tool for searching Outlook email on site
--Looks like it doesn’t search all drives*
--wish it would search web-based email

GetDropbox.com - large file delivery services
-- full text dissertations
-- some patrons have dial-up, security concerns
--syncing –use files at home
--won’t slow down connection
--Collaboration –share a folder of files

Etherpad – multiple people can edit at the same time
--Like dropbox
--Looks ancient

Google Wave –New web-based software
Interactive files - beta

Also for File upload
--fugu.com – for working with files
--Lycos—link to file/zipped

Ebsco
--copyright/good for e-reserves – shared folders in Ebsco; invited to folder rather than send out file; hard to train faculty?
--requiring faculty take crash course on copyright / have to prove they passed course
--Docutek for Reserves – has the necessary features / solves problem of non-Ebsco

IM/Chat/Text
--texting-student staff are using more and more; for staff ; for IT
--Survey of what tech students use is helpful

Reference demos
VC – virtual computer; having to install
Co-browsing - dimdim or twidla – shared whiteboarding

E-BOOKS
--often use in pieces
--some read cover to cover/not all the time
--quick reference
--some materials won’t be published in e-books
--Deliver ebooks through netlibrary/ebrary
--Kindle
--Sony reader
--iPhone reader apps
--Embargo to psycbooks – now have 2008 titles
--e-ink – flexible dynamic electronic reading surface is coming
--“database” constantly updated may be better
--loaded computer
--circing kindles—controversial
--This area of tech needs work
--APA Publication Manual – differences? Wouldn’t it be better to have e-book or electronic format?

Lockss – mostly John Hopkins
--Archived journals can then be harvested for another library
--Must know location for any file
--Safeguarding your data/backup what is okay to backup
--Mirror servers get data back/catastrophic event
--Clockss – Publisher-created solution

iPhone apps
--worldcat – worldcat.org/m
--snaptell – picture / compares consumer site
-- Google – voice search
-- GPS
--test logging in
--twitter
--via facebook

Wolfram Alpha – Janus
-- Can search deep web – hasn’t been realized yet

Google sites
--collaboration
--support

Also mentioned:
Meebo
Panic button
Refworks – Refshare – others can look at URL

Pacifica's Facebook Policy

Hi everyone -- based on our discussion regarding libraries and Facebook at the most recent tech meeting, I've been asked to post our FB policy for staff/students. Here you go!

Facebook Policy

Safety Button for iPhone

A few of the attendees of the June 18, 2009 NCCPL Tech Group meeting were interested in an iPhone app I mentioned -- Safety Button.

The reviews in the App Store are not overwhelming -- not boo nor yay nor meh. Interestingly, one reviewer tested it, and found that it worked.

It is $2.99, which is not as good as free, but might be worth it to you. I have yet to decide whether I want to invest in it.

I noticed that there is another app called Panic Alarm that works slightly differently, but is $.99. The app has no reviews for the current version.

EdITLib Database

Education & Information Technology Digital Library (EdITLib) is an interesting professional development resource for librarians and educators with a focus on educational technology. Searching the journal, book, and proceedings collection and viewing abstracts is free; full text content is available for an annual fee with individual and institutional options.