Task 10: New Year = new website!

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!

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'!

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

#8 LibGuide in Spanish

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

Speaking of technology... A 'propriate song!

Task #4 my fave EReader

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!

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!