Da Troll-Blog

Task 10: New Year = new website!

2011-12-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

As near as I can tell, everything is available through the new website and then some. I don't think anything is confusing in the way it's set up (other than that it's Different - more on that in a mo).

I think the new website will be overall easier to use for just about everyone. With the majority of the selections being directly visible, a lot of confusion should be eliminated for the many computer novices we have as patrons. The only confusion I foresee is that it's Different from what we had. It looks Different. It's organized Different. (and so on...) Change being tough for many, I would anticipate a wave of negativity before people settle in and "the new" becomes "the norm". As long as we're patient (and make certain to be up on the differences before-hand), this too shall pass. Congrats to everyone who's worked so hard on getting it ready. I think it will be a much more user-friendly portal into the world of our Library! (Even if we have to drag a few folks kicking & screaming into the 21st century...) Change is life and "Devil take the hindmost"!

The ninth task is Universal & has Class!

2011-11-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Looks like there'd be something in the class list for pretty much anyone who wanted to learn! Whether for practical use, or just for interest's sake.

Some courses that I noticed that might be useful for Library staff to take as a group would include:
-Kinesics 101 - Learning Body Language
-Assertiveness Training
-Listening Skills
-Dealing With Difficult People

Any or all of these could help us to provide better service to patrons. As for personal interests, I think
-CryptoZoology
-Novel Writing
-Self-Hypnosis: Reshaping your reality
-Haunted Places
would all be interesting. Unfortunately, I don't have time for any of them at the moment. Maybe next year...

Turkey Day's a-comin'!

2011-11-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Forget your diets and just enjoy the day and the gathering with those you care about!

#8 LibGuide in Spanish

2011-10-19T11:31:00.000-06:00

First let me congratulate the folks who set this up on their hard work - it looks great (or it would if I read more than a word or two of Spanish)!

I missed only one on the quiz: I couldn't find any reference to Laboratorio de idiomas (Language Laboratory) hours. I found hours that a patron would need to sign up for Rosetta Stone between, but no actual hours of the lab - even when it gave me the answer after I missed the question.

As for Using the LibGuide to help a patron, I would first have to get someone who speaks Spanish to help!

Incidentally, only minimal parts of the page translate into German when you use the page translator. It did look like it translated well to Russian, but I don't read much more of it than I do Spanish.

#7 Dropbox vs Google Docs

2011-10-19T11:06:00.001-06:00

Well, I have to say that I don't really like the idea of trusting ANY kind of sensitive information to the vagaries of someone else's computer security. Our own local law enforcement recently learned that lesson.

That said, if I were to use these services, which one would depend on what I wanted to use it for. Sounds like dropbox would be great for sharing information while on a trip - even a business trip. But Google Docs sounds like it has more flexibility in terms of document types...

I believe I would base any recommendation to patrons on what it was they wanted to do.

I had to use Internet Explorer to do this task, instead of Mozilla, because Webolution right now locks up the latest version of Mozilla. It required me to get completely out of Mozilla and clean the computer's cache before I could get Mozilla working again. I have encountered the same problem for the past month, which is why I am so tardy in completeing this task: I HATE Internet Explorer.

Task 6: Mangling patron minds, err... HELPING PATRONS :D

2011-08-09T15:45:00.001-06:00

Gee, fer a dumb ole Skewity Guy, I did pretty well! (blow across smoking barrel before holstering gun - target shows bull's eye)
Contrary to many patrons' belief, I apparently DO know how to help them find what they need. Now if I could just get them past the window shock of seeing the uniform when I ask if I can help them. Our internet resources are wonderful things, and you don't have to be an expert on each topic in order to locate what's probably more information than most folk are looking for.

As for my create-a-question:

Our patron loves to draw and wants to know where to find images of their topic. Should they:
A) Ask Stanley
B) Google "image of {topic}"
C) Search our catalog for art on the topic
D) Search our catalog for children's books on the topic
E) Some combination of B,C and D, possibly F
F) Ask Security (could be in the lost & found perhaps?)
G) Use the Library website's Research and Learning Center to look up articles which may have images
H) Avoid Stanley, since he might be in a bad mood, and select any, some or all of the other options. You never know what you might find! (HINT: this is the BEST answer! !D)

E.C. #2 Part 2

2011-08-03T10:19:00.000-06:00

LOL! Looks like most people did a lot better than I did on the bicycle question. I initially looked up a tour that said it would take over half a day, and gave mileage. I googled the average bicyclist's speed and got a range that left the time needed for the tour at a bit more than 10 hours (which I thought was ridiculous!). When I submitted that & it came up wrong (no surprise), I just let it tell me. Apparently the tour I found to look at was the REALLY laid-back-and-likes-to-take-all-day person's tour! :)

Extra Cred #the 2nd

2011-08-02T09:43:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I got the bicycle time wrong. I got the 2 previous answers right even though I didn't search the exact way that was suggested!

I love trivia, and treasure hunts, so this was a cool exercise!

I'd like for this entry to go to the $100 gift certificate please!

2011 Task #5: Chilton's!

2011-07-06T11:43:00.000-06:00

Woot! My wife's car has finally appeared in the Chilton's manuals! Saturn's Astra came out just a year before the company went under, and it has taken a long time for some of the information to appear. I originally tried to look up information on the automated tire-pressure system (TPS) about 6 months after we bought the car, but even Chilton's didn't have any info for me. I've thoroughly dog-eared every piece of maintenance-related literature we had looking for info on various systems that the vehicle has, but on which (until now) I hadn't been able to find much public-access info. Huzzah for Chilton's online! {click, click, copy, paste, print...} I have liked their interface since it became available, and even since the early stages it has been pretty easy to use (as long as you know what to call what you're looking for!)

The tire pressure monitor receiver receives a radio frequency (RF) transmission from each tire pressure sensor. Each sensor RF transmission contains its own unique identification (ID) code that must be learned into the tire pressure monitor receiver memory. Once all 4 IDs have been learned and vehicle speed is greater than 32 km/h (20 mph), the tire pressure monitor receiver continuously compares IDs in received transmission to its learned IDs to determine if all 4 sensors are present. If the tire pressure monitor receiver detects a low tire pressure condition or a malfunction in the system, it will send a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) requesting tire pressure monitor indicator illumination.

The tire pressure monitor (TPM) system warns the driver when a significant loss, or gain of tire pressure occurs in any of the 4 tires and will illuminate the instrument panel cluster (IPC) tire pressure monitor indicator icon.

The system uses the instrument panel cluster (IPC), tire pressure indicator receiver, a radio frequency (RF) transmitting pressure sensor in each wheel/tire assembly, and the serial data circuit to perform the system functions. Each sensor has an internal power supply with a 10 year service life.

When the vehicle is stationary, the sensors internal accelerometer is inactive, which puts the sensors into a stationary state. In this state the sensors sample tire pressure once every 30 seconds and do not transmit at all if the tire pressure does not change. As vehicle speed increases, centrifugal force activates the sensors internal accelerometer causing the sensors to go into rolling mode. In this mode, the sensors sample tire pressure once every 30 seconds and transmit in rolling mode once every 60 seconds. The tire pressure indicator receiver receives and translates the data contained in each sensors RF transmission into sensor presence, sensor mode, and tire pressure.

The sensors continuously compare their last pressure sample to their current pressure sample and will transmit in re-measure mode if a 8.3 kPa (1.2 psi) change in tire pressure has been detected in either a stationary or rolling state. When the TPM system detects a significant loss, or gain of tire pressure, the tire pressure monitor indicator icon is illuminated on the IPC. The illuminated indicator icon can be cleared by adjusting the tire pressures to the recommended kPa/psi and driving the vehicle above 32 km/h (20 mph) for at least 2 minutes.

The tire pressure indicator receiver has the ability to detect malfunctions within the TPM system. In the event a DTC is set, the tire pressure monitor indicator icon on the IPC will flash for 1 minute and then remain illuminated after the ignition is turned ON and the IPC bulb check has been completed.

New video to post. SW fans - ENJOY! Goes w/Pastrami's Stormtroopers.

2011-06-28T09:56:00.001-06:00

This is an intro vid for the new-and-improved version of Star Wars Online. Dunno if the game'll be any good, but the video looks impressive!

Speaking of technology... A 'propriate song!

2011-06-14T12:58:00.000-06:00

Task #4 my fave EReader

2011-06-14T12:40:00.002-06:00

Based on having looked at most of the EReaders and tried them out, I have judged that I would not purchase an EReader, unless I were doing a lot of traveling. That said, my cell phone is a Blackberry Torch, and a new app has just become available for it that would allow me to use IT as an EReader. Since it's already purchased, and the app would be free, I would likely choose that option - why waste money I don't have, right? For my reading, I prefer a real, honest-to-mergatroid book. Musty paper-smell and all. With my finances being what they are, I even get most of my reading from the Library - just can't get past that free part! :D My only real interest in EReaders in on my son's behalf, as they have been recommended for him as an alternative to things like the hand-held gaming systems.

From what I read about the first three steps to downloading a book for my phone, they would be:
1) Download the app
2) Bring up the application which is supposed to link me directly to a browsing-enabled selection of titles. It's supposed to also be possible to connect to other options, which would lead to other steps. (Since my phone is internet-capable, I would probably be able to even go the Overdrive route in some manner.)
3) Depends on the title - for free ones, immediately download. For not-so-free titles, they have to be purchased prior to downloading. not likely in my case !~)

STATS!

2011-05-25T15:47:00.000-06:00

Just learned how to check how many have hit my blog & where they're from. I was surprised to learn how many had hit it - from other countries, even! Thanks Pastrami! Enjoy Virginia!

Task #3 for 2011 "Best" smartphone article (and extra credit)

2011-05-09T10:37:00.000-06:00

The most recent "best" smartphone articles I located were from volume 76, issue #1 for January of 2011. The first article listed in my search was "Find the Best Fit" p30-38. The second one listed was "Best Phones and Plans" p26-29 of the same issue. In that second article, I discovered that my provider rated worst on almost all of their gradings, and although my phone was pictured they did not mention it specifically. They did mention that they liked very well the OS my phone uses.

The article I found was on someone I didn't think was as cool as many people did, but here's the title, copied & pasted directly: Michael Jackson: The making of `the king of pop.' (cover story)

The article itself ran 6 pages, and began on p32. I chose not to read it, as I'm not a fan.

The Drawing I'd like to tag this entry to is the $100 gift certificate. Enjoy your week, everyone!

Add-justments

2011-04-25T11:37:00.000-06:00

Added a new self portrait in honor of having learned that some loving patrons have composed a song in my honor. Woot!!!
Gotta scroll to the bottom to see it tho!

2011 Task #2: Scavenger Hunt

2011-04-21T16:19:00.000-06:00

I got 100%!! Not too hard when the cheat sheet's right there for the looking! Congratz to all the folks who've been working on updating & improving the website. It's looking better than ever!

Task #1 for 2011

2011-04-21T15:26:00.001-06:00

Cool! I LIKE freebies! As for the prize? I'd very much like the Sony eReader!

As for introduction: I'm what The-Thing-That-Goes-Bump-In-The-Night worries about. Gotta love me!

Now for on my Mark, Get Set, WHOAH!! gotta go see why the Sec phone's ringing...

The Warrior Song

2011-04-02T00:06:00.002-06:00

My favorite kata performed by the Grand Master of my style

2011-03-30T10:41:00.000-06:00

Dismember task:

2010-12-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

Meesa likin' dis task! No strainum brain!

NoRemember task: Cloud Computing

2010-11-30T14:50:00.001-07:00

Pretty well-put-together video. We use cloud computing to some extent here at the library with several of the online resources we access. Services that we offer such as Ancestry and Optimal Resume fall in this category. These help both our bottom line and our patrons by making things available that we otherwise couldn't afford to support or maintain. Another minor example of cloud computing that we make use of is the shared server. Although it is housed here on site, it permits access to the files on that computer from any one of our workstations either here or at the branches, meaning that the information does not have to be duplicated for each site or workstation.

ExCeptember Task - Libguide on Election info

2010-10-05T16:38:00.001-06:00

Woot! I managed a 100% on the quiz. Not too tough when all of the cheat-sheet materials are right at your fingertips! I like the fact that we have so much information collected in an organized format, and I think it would make it very easy to help patrons find information that would help them to make an educated choice on the various issues. I will be pointing any patrons that ask about voting issues toward this, and I plan on pointing it out to certain of my family members as well!

August Task - my birthday

2010-09-03T14:59:00.000-06:00

In 1945, my birthday fell during the German surrender at the end of WWII. There are several articles relating to this on the CriticalPast site, including some silent video footage. In 1962, a train collision killed 150 people in Japan. Interesting resource, but most of the info for my birthdate was depressing, in all of the decades that I looked at.

August task - Links

2010-08-26T10:20:00.000-06:00

Despite the minimum temp of 160 mentioned on the website, I prefer to have all of my food in the "well done" category as my minimum. Slightly charred is even good. That way I can be assured that even most "superbugs" are dead before I eat them. I did a report on trichinosis in grade school, and have preferred VERY cooked food ever since. On to the other portion soon...

July Task - New OPAC

2010-07-22T14:57:00.002-06:00

I have been using the new OPAC periodically since they released it, and overall I like the whole setup. The filters for modifying searches are a lot more accessible, and the look/feel of the pages is good also. The only suggestion that I have, beyond things that I know are already in the works, would be a less sterile look to the opening page. A little more "landscaping" might help patrons to feel more comfortable. Looking forward to the fully functional edition!

DONE DONE DONE!!!

2010-07-06T14:33:00.000-06:00

Finally finished with all aspects of the remodel! Now on to my wife's next project for me - "her" project to tile an outdoor table with our son. If it weren't for other people's projects gone wrong, what would I do with all my spare time?

Almost done!

2010-06-30T13:33:00.000-06:00

Finally nearing completion on the remodel! Huzzah! One hour or so at a time makes it take WAY too long! But it's almost done now. Finished the window sill tiling & the trim, got one of the closets' doors installed along with painting the doors for the other one. Modifying the new hidey-door for the electric panel should be completed soon, and I got the furniture put back in last night. The most time-consuming part that's left will be re-shelving all my books. My loving family carted them all into only two widely separated locations with no attention paid to what should be together or not. Whee! Roughly 800 titles to dig out, sort and shelve...

What's that Honey? Another project? Sorry, not done with the last one you gave me no time to do!

June's Task: Newseum

2010-06-25T16:30:00.000-06:00

This is an interesting resource, though I can't see much practical use for it, as most front-page articles are not completed on the front page itself. There's usually just enough there to determine if the article is interesting. I suppose you could use it to take a quick look to see if you then wanted to go get the newspaper?

I don't find much allure in newspapers myself. Or newscasts for that matter. Most "News" is either bad news or isn't news - just gossip. Anything really important will get mentioned to me at some point in my day, either via radio or by word of mouth. At that point, if I'm interested, I can look it up. Information travels so quickly and widely now that you are often able to find some way to "tune in" while it's still happening.

All that aside, it was interesting to look at front pages around the world. According to the pages I looked at from Australia, Pelosi and Palin aren't the only controversial female politicians around!

Getting Close....

2010-06-19T13:21:00.000-06:00

Found the major flaw in my trim plan - the corner trim I planned to cover transitions from wall to window sill/frame with isn't as large as advertised! So, a bit more texturing mud, and a bit more paint and I'm almost back to where I thought I was. Trim is going in as well as can be expected with the odd angles the place was originally constructed with. Bathroom trim is now complete, just need the final caulking to make it as watertight as possible. Once the window sills' edges are repainted I will be able to tile the sills themselves while I finish the rest of the trim. Then just need to rehang doors & all's complete. Now I'm in trouble cuz I plan to work on it on Father's Day! Being able to completely return to my own bedroom wouldn't be a good Father's Day gift?!?

Progress!

2010-06-08T10:37:00.000-06:00

Now have the main painting done in the bedroom, ceiling's painted in the bathroom, & the trim painting for the bedroom is done. Go the mirror & light re-mounted in the vanity & started removing tape & plastic. Trim work & another light to install, and I'll be done. Huzzah!

Delays...

2010-06-04T14:53:00.001-06:00

Planned on finishing up the molding in the bathroom last night, but apparently my batteries were lower than I knew. I laid down to escort my son to dream land and, um, well, I guess I forgot to escort myself back OUT! My wife must've thought I needed the sleep, cuz I awoke this morning still dressed and stretched out next to my son. Ah well, at least he slept well too... That's probably worth more than whatever else I might have accomplished last night! :) Still hoping to get at least the majority of the remodel done before leaving for her family's reunion next week. Gotta hope for a thoroughly productive weekend!

Next step

2010-06-02T19:31:00.001-06:00

Got the ceiling painted. Forgot what a lovely workout for the neck & shoulders that is. I think I must've set up a mental block against that memory. On the other hand, I have been making use of some of the tips & tricks I gleaned out of the Library's DIY tips. Some good info there!

I now have a warm, rust-orange ceiling to look past my book at while I read myself to sleep! I think it will go really well with the sandstone Sou'western color scheme my wife wanted. Too late now if she doesn't like it! :)

Remodel Continues...

2010-06-01T10:17:00.000-06:00

Moving along on things. Over the holiday weekend I managed to get the bathroom completed except for the last few pieces of trim, as well as getting the sheetrock in the bedroom taped & bedded. Also got it textured and primed!

May's OTHER task: remodel...

2010-05-26T11:36:00.000-06:00

This year's primary homeowner task (for me) is remodeling my wife's & my bedroom & bathroom. Both have received "lick and a promise" help in the time we've owned the house, but it's finally their turn for a major redo. The entire house was once strictly walled inside with1/8" paneling. Great for quick, throw-it-up-and-get-it-done construction... not so great for hanging things or stopping noise from transmitting throughout the entire place! The bat-room is getting a new layer of paneling with soundboard sandwiched between, along with a new tile floor. The new paneling is sound-deadening in itself, and is moisture-and-mold resistant. Woo-Hoo! With that much noise reduction, our son can hoot and holler all he likes while showering, and we don't have to hear!

The bedroom itself is getting both soundboard and sheetrock, helping both with insulation and noise reduction. Yay! now we don't have to listen to the neighbor behind's dogs banging their metal food bowls all over the yard during the wee hours! (or the other neighbors' multitudinous dogs' vocal disagreements with their environment and each other!) It also gets a new light fixture to replace the sad little POS that was originally installed and apparently nearly beaten to death by the builders. Poor thing is bent and mashed in ways that make it a wonder that it works. If I still have any functioning fingers left to operate the camera with by that time, I may post some after pix.

May's Task >> E-books

2010-05-14T11:26:00.001-06:00

I looked at the Gutenberg site, Google, and ManyBooks. Of the three, I felt that the interface at the Google site was the most user-friendly, and that the layout & display made it feel more like a site I would return to. I wasn't able to find free versions of any of several of my favorite authors' books, but did find several older items that are on my list of have-read-&-would-read-again items. Patrons looking for current popular fiction items would appear to be out of luck in most cases (no real surprise there), but someone looking for the classics - as the task mentions - should have no trouble finding most any of them by looking among these sites. I found several that I remembered from school without much digging at all. I was able to find several current non-fiction titles.
Being somewhat familiar with the math world, I looked through Google's section on it and found several familiar topics, and even a particular title I remembered from engineering courses. Most of the specific items that I looked at were only available on the limited view, but that at least gives a good idea of what an item is about.

WOW!

2010-05-05T12:53:00.000-06:00

I got a comment directly from Optimal Resume and was curious if anyone else did? For one thing, somebody read my post!! :)

New stuff...

2010-04-27T17:45:00.000-06:00

Just had time to try out the ROI calculator on the website. Pretty cool little bit of promo for the library, I must say. Even if the patron only makes use of one of the options, it gives them a good idea of just exactly what they're really getting! And it might compel a few to make more complete use of the resources....

I dunno if we're doing anything to alert patrons that this tool is available, but we probably should!

Optimal Resume Part -the-Last

2010-04-27T17:29:00.000-06:00

Ok, so without actually finishing any of the tasks I did go partway through a few of them, and in particular I thought the resume builder was well done. The many examples and options should help virtually anyone build a resume that will at least look professional, even if they only have something like Burger King Whopper-Flopper to list as prior experience. I will definitely direct anyone looking for help with these types of documents to this site. In fact, my neighbor...

Optimal Resume Part 2

2010-04-24T09:33:00.000-06:00

I did discover that the video How-to for websites is non-existent so far. Makes it a little tough to view! More to come...

Optimal Resume

2010-04-21T16:54:00.000-06:00

After looking through the how-to videos for the site, I think this will be a very good resource for anyone hunting for a job, and even for someone who just needs to brush up on some of their writing skills. I plan to dig into the site a little more and actually go through with some of the tasks in order to get more familiarity before trying to recommend it. I'll write further once I've done that.

Next Project...

2010-04-14T13:21:00.000-06:00

Well, having taken the crossbow about as far as it can go without building a real one, it's time for a new project. I have looked around for some other plans and found a book titled "Fun Projects for Dad and the Kids". In it are some ideas for a spring-powered cannon... Dunno if I can manage the softball-firing size they mention, but I do have some springs and PVC pipe sufficient to probably fire the larger superballs. Cannon came in all sorts of sizes, perhaps this will do...

Print Friendly - Part 2

2010-03-26T09:37:00.000-06:00

Aha!! Apparently the trouble was the particular article I chose the first time. I retried the same article today, with the same results - none. I then tried a different article...
9 pages were collapsed to about 1 & 1/2 without my doing anything besides sending it to Print Friendly. That's pretty good! I will keep this in mind for family, friends & patrons.

Print Friendly

2010-03-25T17:22:00.000-06:00

Hmm, pretty similar to copying & pasting what I want into a word-processor, except that it doesn't take word processors more than ten minutes to process what started out (according to the print preview) as a four page article. It might be that I did this while in Gateway (bad/slow connection?), but it took a long time for Print Friendly to come up with anything. In the meantime, I wrote this, copied, pasted & edited what I wanted in Word and checked back and forth several times to see if Print Friendly had finished yet. I think I'll stick to quick & simple.... The idea seems pretty good, but so far, experience does not hold up to expectations. I'll probably try Print Friendly again when on a different computer to see if it performs more quickly. If so, I might be recommending it to patrons. As it is, I'll keep letting them know about copy & paste.

crossbow continued

2010-03-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

Well, in using the intended Kleenex ammo, the crossbow simply doesn't get to be accurate. The closest thing to getting accuracy achievable is in VERY carefully choosing the spot on the rubber bands which is centered in front of the firing mechanism (say "clothespin") and pulling it back at exactly that point. Otherwise the bands themselves will send the shot off in an unintended direction. Then adding in the lightness of the Kleenex ammo, any current in the air send it some other way. As for OTHER ammo... working on a sort of rail system to help guide the bolt straight out to the end of the bow. And searching for better glue to hold on the "flights" as the guidance fins are called. Barking dogs beware! >:)}

February's Task: Learn-A-Test

2010-02-27T09:59:00.001-07:00

This seems like a really great resource for people needing to prepare for an important test. I wasn't able to finish the EMT test I started (3 hours), but the questions were good and well-targeted, and I thought the whole website was pretty well laid out. Some of the categories are a little too broad to give a real idea of what's in them, but once you open them up it gets pretty self-explanatory.

As for specific times to recommend it: it looks like there would be several opportunities just among those who are out of work right now. I found tests to improve writing skills - specifically business writing - as well as "tests" to help in the writing of resumes and cover letters. All good for someone on the hunt for work.

it's working!!!

2010-02-20T10:41:00.001-07:00

2:00 and NO guest passes issued so far!! I think our newly re-upheld policy regarding passes is truly settling in now. The PC area is also getting quieter for the most part, and that's definitely good. Interesting to see if the library adopts the idea that public-use headphones are unsanitary, and then won't be used. If so, I wonder how that will affect the number of users in a day...

Success! Sort of?!?

2010-02-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

Got the crossbow built. Managed the "More Power!" (arr, arr!) Now I just need to find a way to make soft ammo with fins so that it'll fly halfway straight. :( Right now, we'd have a hard time hitting the broadside of a barn... from inside! (Don't tell my son, but Dad's secret experiments with something closer resembling a true crossbow bolt have been much more successful - trouble is, he's probably got plans for the same thing running around his lil' noggin!) On to the catapult!! >;~)}

Fun with the kid...

2010-02-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Borrowed a book on making wooden toys... Found the MOST appropriate one! Gonna make a crossbow with my son. But, like Tim the ToolMan, we gotta go for More Power! Plate armor, phooey! Pop a hole in that no problem. Now, if we just weren't using kleenex as ammo....

January Webolution: E-Books

2010-01-29T13:20:00.001-07:00

This looks like a good way to get a chance at some books that I might not otherwise get around to. I like the option of downloading text a whole lot lore than the audio book option. Having someone read to me is something that I guess I mostly outgrew as a kid, because it just doesn't appeal to me now. I have used e-books before, but that was before they were available from libraries and before portable readers were available. I will definitely have to put Adobe Digital Editions on my home computer, and see what titles I can find. Might even have to see about getting one of the portable readers... off to see where they're available! TTFN!!

patrons....

2010-01-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a patron-oddity for you Pastrami - had someone stick their DVD through the slot for the drop box with a dollar sticking out of the case. Was it just in case the DVD was late? Was it a tip because we're so awesome? Who knows - there was no note. So, we decided that they had made a contribution to the copy bin after making sure the DVD was NOT in fact late. Patrons iss de crrraziest peeplzzz!!

One down, unknown # to go...

2010-01-19T15:33:00.001-07:00

Well, it was an unexciting weekend, but productive! I head the design & production team for a chair designed to assist ADHD students in their academic careers. Basically, the chair gives them something kinesthetic to do without leaving their seat - assisting in their focus on whatever their task may be. This weekend saw the completion of what may be the final prototype before large-scale production. Woo-Hoo! 'Course that just means that now there's more to do...

2010 is here!!

2010-01-05T12:51:00.002-07:00

Here's hoping for a great new year! I was also granted the chance to see Avatar in the first few days of 2010, and like Pastrami I also found it predictable. It was still good fun, though! Some of the imagery is truly awe-inspiring, even if it is almost all CGI. Ignoring, for a moment, that it was pretty easy to know what was coming next - it was non-stop fast-moving action almost all the way through. Since I was there primarily for the entertainment of my 8 year old son, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! :)
For 3 hours, my son accomplished what he can normally only manage for a few minutes at a time: undivided attention. His tics (Tourette Syndrome) disappeared for the duration of the movie, and he was even engrossed enough to take off the ear protectors that go with us to every event that's conducted with noise stimulation. Watching him, I was able to forget the fact that "yep, here comes the next expected event" feeling and just enjoy the immersion in sight & sound. I thought it was a pretty good laugh to see Sigourney Weaver comp'ed into a tailed, overstretched smurf!! I also like the way the movie kept most of the "advanced technology" within the realm of the theoretically possible based on extrapolations of what's going on right now - after all, it is supposed to be SCIENCE-fiction!!

Happy 2010 all!

Always Exciting at the Library!!

2009-12-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

Got to help Dean evict another unruly patron this morning. What is it with some people? They didn't learn manners when they were kids? I had mine administered upon pain of...well, pain! This "gentleman" loudly announced that he'd had training in the military - in what, bad attitude? It certainly must have had nothing to do with discipline - or at least if so it didn't take. Eeesh!

Happy New Year anyway!!!

Happy Troll-Mas!!

2009-12-23T13:26:00.002-07:00

Ok - he's an ogre, not a troll. Close enough!!!

Ah-Ha!

2009-12-18T15:25:00.001-07:00

The confusion and folderol has been repaired & we are back to the system which did not seem to be broken!

WOOT!!!!

New Stuff....

2009-12-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

As many of us know, new things or methods can cause stress. Too many things of that variety can cause people to shut down, especially this time of year. New or different simply for their own sake are not necessarily good. If it ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!!!!! Micromanagement has been repeatedly proven detrimental to the functioning of any entity - corporate or not.

There, got that off my chest. Not exactly eloquent, and definitely disjointed, but then who said thoughts & opinions had to be either? Feel better already!!

Post-party blues?

2009-12-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Seems like everyone's in a bad mood today. Did we all use up our holiday spirit at the party on Saturday? Where did all our fun coworkers go?

Ah-Ha! Success at last!

2009-12-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

I tried many ways previously to add these video clips to my blog - including ClipMarks, but finally, here's the second one. It compares Going Home on Friday to Going to Work on Monday from the animal kingdom's point of view. Enjoy!!

another attempt to post vids

2009-12-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, this will embed the video I would like to dedicate to those of us who've had - or had to deal with - printer troubles.

new look

2009-12-02T11:42:00.001-07:00

Well, changed the template, & now it's easier on the eyes - my eyes anyway.

In case any of you missed the fun yesterday (12/1), we had a belligerent patron whom Carol had run off in the morning for fighting in the parking lot return to the library a bit after noon. When she discovered his return, & asked him to leave again (as he had been told not to return that day) he began to get loud & abusive. He really started to go off as he passed through the main lobby area, and a few of us chose to go back Carol up as he was asked to complete his exit. Carol didn't need us, however, and managed to maintain a far calmer demeanor than I think most of those present felt. I was wound up for a while afterward, that's for sure! I think Carol deserves a standing-O for keeping the situation as under control as it could possibly be.

Yay, Carol!!!

Time to promote....

2009-11-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

your local dojo!! The Academy of Self Defense http://www.gjshinbukan.com/ is a family-oriented dojo teaching traditional Okinawan karate. We have classes for everyone from 3-year-olds and up. No appointment is necessary if you want to come look and see what we're all about. Typically, sense will permit someone wishing to check out our classes to participate in a few sessions for free, so you don't have to sign up without knowing if it's what you want to do. Come check us out & maybe you can find your inner "Dragon Warrior"! If not, maybe you'll just have fun & get some exercise....

S'More fun...

2009-11-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

I liked the story excerpt Pastrami's latest blog & thought if anyone else did, that I'd pass along that similar fun can be found in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. They're not quite on the same level as what Pastrami posted, but they are fun nonetheless...

In other news, Da Troll is now an OFFICIAL part of the library!! (Stop groaning, I heard that!)
Yes, you poor souls will have to continue suffering for the foreseeable future. Bwu-ha-ha!!!

2009-11-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Just for kicks, I am starting to do a little more work on the website I started. It will soon have my own list of recommended reads, some sites I'd like to direct others to and perhaps some tech-help sites to visit. I'll be selfish & make you read the earlier posts to see the link to the site - for now.

2009-11-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Webolution has turned out to be a lot of fun overall, though some of the tasks didn't turn out to be entirely easy. Growth never is, and hopefully everybody was able to do some growing through the experience. I for one, hope Webolution continues - in some form - on into the future!

Until later.....

Tasko the lasto (#23)

2009-11-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed several of our tasks: among my favorites - Soundsnap. I had a lot of fun listening to some really odd sounds. As for useful, I think Zamzar will be a lot of help both to me and our patrons. I also enjoyed the Scavenger Hunts. I like hunting down bits & pieces of information that I need & devouring them! Slurrrrp!!

Task #22!!!!

2009-11-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

I particularly liked Cari's Make Use Of site, and will probably revisit Lifehacker as well. I enjoy tech-sites and tip-sites, and usually find some good stuff there. I don't really keep a list of any, though - as there are often long gaps between hints that I need on any one given site. I usually do a search on whatever problem I've run into and look for the solution that best fits what I'm doing. One site that I do keep handy is Rick Castellini's http://helpmerick.com/
His site is searchable for previous topics - they have an archive of previous tips/articles - and there are often even videos for how-to this or that.
If you have a question that you can't get answered elsewhere, you can submit it and he will typically answer it in his next posting or two. Not necessarily an immediate answer, but most often a thorough one.

2009-11-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Looks like we've got great weather for the Soup & Stuff gathering today. Makes me wish I had planned to bring hot cider instead of ice tea! OOPS!! Oh well, I couldn't have brought as much cider & had it still be hot by the time we got to it. grumble, whine, whimper..........

:)

2009-11-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

Task Da NEXT!! (#21)

Well THAT was quick and painless! I've used plenty of different pix-editing software, and have to say that Picnic was one of the easiest yet. I chose to edit one of their demo shots, and was able to quickly turn it into a smaller, more sharply focused image, and even changed the season. The leaves originally were in fall yellows and oranges, and now look like mid-spring! I also downloaded a photo from the net, and made some adjustments to color, size & sharpness. Supposedly, it is a shot of a "real" - and dead - Montauk Monster.

2009-11-10T14:21:00.001-07:00

Wow!, I went back & edited my last entry & now the text is faded & fuzzy! I tried several options to un-fuzz it, but obviously nothing has worked. Here's a reprint of what was written:

Well, I found my home on the assessor's site. Discovered that they misspelled my wife's last name. It's the same as mine (as traditional) and is listed immediately below mine. Wonderful record keeping. The Mesa County site has many other links that will prove useful to people from the are, including links to Animal Control & Pest Management - NOT considered the same thing amazingly enough!

The State's website questions that I've addressed myself and heard from other people regard Unemployment, and job listings working for the state. Both are easily found under the Employment drop-down, right at the top of the main page.

The useful piece of information I located otherwise was through the Mesa County site, under the Clerk & Recorder's page, and is the link to the online renewal page for license plates. I have had people ask me how to locate this before, and now know an easier way to do so!!

TTFN & it's off to my next station....

2009-11-10T12:42:00.002-07:00

Task THE LAST (for now) #20

Well, I found my home on the assessor's site. Discovered that they misspelled my wife's last name. It's the same as mine (as traditional) and is listed immediately below mine. Wonderful record keeping. The Mesa County site has many other links that will prove useful to people from the are, including links to Animal Control & Pest Management - NOT considered the same thing amazingly enough!

The State's website questions that I've addressed myself and heard from other people regard Unemployment, and job listings working for the state. Both are easily found under the Employment drop-down, right at the top of the main page.

The useful piece of information I located otherwise was through the Mesa County site, under the Clerk & Recorder's page, and is the link to the online renewal page for license plates. I have had people ask me how to locate this before, and now know an easier way to do so!!

TTFN & it's off to my next station....

2009-11-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

#19 Wiki Scavenger

100% correct, woot!! I had already been looking in many places on the wiki for various info, so some of the info & locations were not new to me. However, I would not have guessed that information about the various plantings around the library would be something that easily available!

On to the last one!!

2009-11-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

Task 18:

http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/census/results/hitlist?surname=Brumbaugh&givenname=David&series=13&state=37&countyid=1979&hitcount=1
is the link I chose to shrink. It has 155 characters. it became:
http://tinyurl.com/yhvzmsv
which has only 26. Pretty cool reduction, even though it turned out not to be who I intended to search for.

Using Zamzar, I converted a copy of my Troll image from .jpg to .gif format. Definitely a nice tool! I will probably wind up using this myself, as well as suggesting it to both patrons and friends & family. This should prove useful to anyone who has file-compatibility troubles!

2009-11-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

#17!!!!

Went to several of the links, and of that set I liked :Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki the best in terms of useful information. Information Wants to Be Free was probably the most entertaining of the ones that I looked at. Of the 2, I will probably go back to Best Practices to see if there's more to learn from it, but probably none of the others I visited.

On to the nextest one!!!!

2009-11-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Task 16:
I already have Open Office on one of my computers at home, and have used several of its component programs. I was introduced to it through work in a previous setting, and have found it to be very useful since it is compatible with Microsoft's programs. Its compatibility and being free make it an excellent source for work-related programs that you can be sure will be usable by most of the working world, when Office or its components aren't available.

Open-source products like Open Office do somewhat fit into the library's lending philosophy in that they get the product out where people can use it in the way that suits them best, without committing to financially supporting someone else by purchasing anything. It is essentially based on the honor system, just as the library is - it is hoped that users of open-source software will not abuse the software, just as we hope that our patrons will not abuse the items they check out.

2009-11-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Task 15:

Have to say, not terribly impressed with Clipmarks. Although the text clippings mostly worked ok, none of the images I tried clipping worked at all. Most images are easier to simply save to the computer & then place where you want them. With the lack of success on static images, I didn't even try any video clips. The instructions & video suggest that this is an easy 1-2-3 way to clip things but I didn't find it to be any easier than simply copying & pasting what I want. Ah well, nothing's perfect!!

2009-11-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

Task 14:

Don't have time to download right now, but after having looked at the two, I will probably go with Overdrive. It looks like the more preferable method for my tastes, and I've already looked up Phantoms by another of my favorite authors, Dean Koontz. Once I get time to try out the download, I will finish this....

ok, a few days later I have managed to get time to do the download. As I expected, the download took plenty of time - managed to finish the book I was reading while waiting for the download. I ended up downloading Watchers in order not to have to wait for a hold to come in. I have read it several times, as it's one of my favorite of Koontz's novels. What I didn't expect was for the narration to completely kill the writing! Perhaps it was simply the particular person doing this reading, or maybe my internal "voice" is overly augmented by my imagination - either way, I will not complete listening to this download, and am unlikely to do another. I enjoy reading far too much to have stories killed for me in this manner. I can see how useful audio books are for some situations, but in my case I will simply wait until I can literally pick the book up and digest it m'self! Watchers awaits me on my shelves at home when I wish to lay mine hands upon it and wring entertainment from it! ;P

2009-11-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

Task13 (parts 2&3):

Ok, I tried out both Jamendo & Last FM. In the limited time I had to try out new artists, I didn't find any that I liked - but was basically going hit & miss anyway. Of the 2 sites, I think I prefer Last FM's organization, and will probably make it back there sometime soon when I have a little more time to listen. For now, on to whatever comes next...........(some appropriate closing sound effect)

2009-11-04T09:25:00.000-07:00

Task 13:
Part1:
The sound I found is a deep snarl - I thought it might be useful attached to the message for a computer patron who has been caught going outside the permitted boundaries: message "YOUR SESSION HAS BEEN TERMINATED" (snarl)
Perhaps a little bit of audible discouragement might help prevent repeats. Probably not, but it's been theorized that messages that impact more than one sense make a larger impression. I tried to add the sound here, but there was apparently some error and it wouldn't work. It's under animals/dinosaurs/Monster or dinosaur growl. Deep snarl with heavy breath

I've already used sounds downloaded from other sources to enhance the theme we went with when we re-did my son's room. The eventual plan is to even include one when you switch the light on & another when it switches off. With regard to how sounds might enhance the Library's website - perhaps looking into particular genres might generate some standard, associated sound. For example, perhaps a Dracula-type laugh as you entered the search results in Horror, or an R2-D2-like set of beeps and whistles while entering Sci-Fi results. Obviously, users without sound would get nothing out of it, but it might help draw in those who do have it available - once they've experienced it. Some sort of printed key to the sounds could be placed on the early pages or opening page of a search - to tell people what they're hearing. Maybe useful, maybe not.

Part 2 next time...

2009-11-03T19:08:00.001-07:00

HI Pastrami!! LOL!

did you figure out who i is yet? other monikers I've worn include Tank, and Ogre, though not in this forum. I share some characteristics with a few of my fave superheroes as a kid: the Thing, the Hulk, and Wolverine. In fact, one of those characteristics links all 3 of those!

more later!!

2009-11-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

Task 12:
I think there's a lot to like about Novelist, and had already used it several times both for myself and for patrons. I plan to continue, too! The fact that it will list out the whole series, in order has really been useful

As to Cinephile Femme's previous comment about waiting for the enjoyable content - if that's who I believe it to be - umm... been to busy doing tasks! ;) Here's some attempt at something at least (maybe) useful:

If anyone who chances to read this likes horror novels, a couple of authors to try out in that realm are Piers Anthony (yep, he does more than one genre) and Robert E. Howard. Piers' writing will always have something to add in terms of for-real edutainment, and Howard is the original author of Conan (among other stories). He got his start writing short horror stories for magazines like Wierd Tales. I'm currently reading a compilation of them which also includes a few that he left unfinished, as well as some of his horror-oriented poetry. Good stuff, if you don't mind creepy!!! Also, any fans of Stephen King who don't know his alter-ego Richard Bachman should check those out. He did some writing under that name early in his career, and has had them published anew with his more recent modifications. Just read one called "Blaze" which he says was the final Bachman book written during that period. Like he says in his intro, it's horror - sort of - but with a serious tear-jerker aspect as well. Let the reader beware!!

Toodles!

2009-10-30T13:37:00.001-06:00

Task 11: (part 1)
Looks Like Bookreporter.com will be a favorite, right on the opening page I noticed a new Clive Cussler novel I hadn't known about. Although this is a new series for him (not Dirk Pitt >( ) I will have to make some time to read it, as I have for all of his that I've found. I will probably look further into the Kidsreads.com site further, however, as it looks as though I may find good info about books for my son!
(part 2)
I once again looked up Piers Anthony, this time through the biography resource center, to see if it brought up anything different than the previous search. No joy - it's the same 8 articles I already found. Interestingly, one of the biographers notes that Piers aims his work at "a younger audience" while ignoring novels like Steppe or the Battle Circle trilogy which are both listed among his work by this biographer. Guess you don't have to truly read all of an author's work to write about them....

As before, nothing really new to learn through this set of articles. I liked Piers' Bio of an Ogre a great deal as an exposition on his career and life, and although he's produced a great deal since then, the description still fits

2009-10-29T11:40:00.000-06:00

Task 10 (part2):

I searched on the Ford Explorer & limited it to January through December of 1996 - the year mine was produced. Among other things I found articles concerning the Firestone faulty tires that were put on at the factories that year, which were partly responsible for the vehicle's poor safety evaluations at the time.

(part 3):

I searched on Piers Anthony (yay Xanth!), and found 8 articles concerning him. Didn't find too much that I didn't already know, though.

On to the next task>>>

2009-10-28T18:52:00.000-06:00

Task #9: The Webpage -- too much fun. Never expected to do a page for myself. I chose to go with Weebly. site is:

http://datroll.weebly.com

there's not much there yet, but perhaps later...
TTFN (Ta Ta For Now)

2009-10-28T18:09:00.000-06:00

Task 8!!

Creative Commons - very interesting idea! I looked up an image of the Hadron Particle Collider using the Google Image engine:

I prefer Google as I have always had goth good and fast results when using it. I would use the Creative Commons website pretty much the same as any other site for research, and make sure to cite the source as usual.

As for other artists - none of the ones I searched 4 are CC listed. Methinks my tastes a bit too archaic? Hmmph. Knew I was getting too old for this stuff!!!

On to the next one....

2009-10-28T15:46:00.000-06:00

Task 7:
I chose Allreaders, as it looked to be closest to the way I tend to choose books. As it turns out, the format is a little unwieldy for my preference, and I will probably not use it again.

With regard to the Goodreads page from Boulder: I think it would be good to have the capability on our page to do reviews by individuals similarly to the way GoodReads does. I don't think ours would need to be replaced by this, but just to have the added capability, and then making the reviews searchable would be nice.

On to the next task!!

2009-10-23T09:52:00.000-06:00

Task 6:

Tried to look at both of the sites, as requested - but the "Customer Service 123" link is now dead. So although I'm sure it was a useful page - I have no opinion otherwise.

As for the "New Staff Orientation", it looks to have a lot of similar information to what I have been getting during my training here at the Central Branch. Their site has many links similar to the MCPLD site, but is designed to answer a lot of what I would guess are frequent questions for new library employees. Looks like 2 or 3 approaches to the same set of good ideas were combined.

2009-10-17T11:52:00.000-06:00

Task 5:

I've decided that I like the "add to book bag" option the best. Keeps you from having to re-enter everything and from having to back your way through the reservation pages to get back to the search results. I'm definitely going to start using this method, both for patron holds AND my own! I would also be recommend that method to patrons, as it seems that most of the times that I've been asked to place a hold, the patron wants to do more than one within a series, or by the same author. Good Stuff!

2009-10-17T11:25:00.000-06:00

Task 4 Continued...

Went ahead & created a facebook entry. Immediately found one of my classmates from high school. (there are only a few that I would actually look for, so it was neat to get a hit!)
NOW, on to #5...

2009-10-17T09:24:00.000-06:00

Task 4
Dunno if it's just me, but it appears that Facebook is just a more graphically-oriented type of blog. Also seem to be a lot of links compared to the few blogs I've seen so far. Looks like links are pretty easy to add here www.my.yahoo.com
So, not sure if my experience is just too limited to provide a true representation.

Not sure if creating my own Facebook page is something I want to do, but I'll think about it. Next!!

2009-10-17T09:01:00.000-06:00

Ok, task 3 was the scavenger hunt. Answers are below:
1) All 3
2) Fruita
3) Laurie Cahill
4) Cell use is not prohibited, though it is discouraged
5) 9-3
6) Looks like 6 ways
7) By the time I got started, September's calender was in the past and so removed from the events pages. Through peer research, I gather that Muriel Rukseyer was the featured poet.
8) MAS Ultra
9) 1994
10) 730 Minster Ave
11) Dist. 54
12) no password needed
13) Nov. 19
14) all 4 items are required
15) Gail Yerbic presented a Manager's Report

Much of the information was new to me, as might be expected. The most practical item I learned was about the Events Calendar entries being eliminated as each month goes by. Now I know that I can't go back in time!! !) As for navigating the website, I think the scavenger hunt was a great way to get some familiarization! On to the next task...

2009-10-11T14:45:00.000-06:00

Hmm; Second webolution task is Pandora.

Already knew about Pandora & have an account. Plenty of different stuff to find even just entering one title or artist's name. LastFM looks like it would be very similar, so I'll just sick with the Box Lady.

Intro

2009-10-08T15:41:00.000-06:00

As you'll no doubt be able to tell, this is my 1st experience with blogging. Hopefully there will eventually be some content that you'll enjoy.