Web-based Applications

Those of you in the JPL Learning 2.0 training should already know about these, but I thought I'd share them with everybody.

A web-based application is an application that is accessed via a web browser over a network. Basically, you do not have to physically posses the software or any storage media when using web-apps. This can be especially helpful for those without floppy disks or flash drives.

I had a customer tonight who needed to print a document that she was typing, but she had already used her five free copies today. And having coins only, she was unable to use our value-add machines that were hewn out of solid iron during the Truman Administration (seriously, why can't they take change or debit cards in 2008?). I suggested that she use Zoho.

Zoho is an online office suite with web-based applications such as word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, etc. (Another similar option is Open Office, while I personally prefer Google Docs myself.) Either way, the whole process is very simple.

She was able to create a user name and password very quickly (almost at the speed of light compared to signing up for Yahoo mail by comparison), and opened a new document in Zoho Writer. She simply copied her document from Word and pasted it into Zoho, and then saved it. Though you can save to portable media such as floppies and flash drives, you can also save the documents to Zoho's server, and access them again by logging in on any computer (had she saved her document through Word on the T: drive, she would have to use that specific computer to access it again).

Anyway, the next time you're on the desk and it's slow, try exploring some of these different web-based applications. I think that they are a good option worth recommending to our customers.

From the Reference Desk

Where has the year gone? It's already the week of Turkey Day -- the week when we take stock in things that we are thankful for.


Of course, the obligatory answer is that we're thankful for the fellowship of kith and kin as we partake nature's bounty in the form of cooked fowl, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie, among others. Then Uncle Frank begins to complain about politics, whilst Aunt Edna skeptically wonders why 17 year old second cousin Jolean has dropped out of school with a "stomach ache" she's had for months, bringing the dinner to a crescendo, before the tryptophan kicks in during the second quarter of the Lions' game and everyone passes out in the den.


But mostly just that first part about fellowship -- that's what we're thankful for. Oh, and the leftovers.


Also, as much as we all love being librarians and helping customers & what not, we're also thankful for those brief respites from human contact, such as the one pictured above. Ahh, can you hear that? No, you can't, because you really can't hear silence. You may be hearing a slight ringing in your ears though, which could be tinnitus -- you might want to get that looked at.


Anyway, have a safe trip if you're traveling, and enjoy your time with family and friends! See you in December.

Comings and goings in Ref

There hasn't bee a whole lot of activity in the way of new materials filtering through Reference lately.

However, we did receive a new addition to the True Crime section.

Congress A to Z is published by CQ Press, and "offers accessible information about the inner workings of the legislative branch...," as well as keeping tabs on America's Most Wanted with "biographies of influential members."

From the Department of Redundancy Department

A special shout-out is in order for Keli from TEEN (Props!). On a recent fact-finding mission that brought her to our collection, she noticed that we had two different sets of the Encyclopedia Judaica. The older set was housed in the 296 area, while the latest edition can be found in 909. The previous edition has been donated to the Friends Group's Book Sale.

Well We're Movin' On Up

In other Encyclopedic news, the Encyclopedia Americana has moved from the 031 area to the Ready Reference shelf, right next to the World Book Encyclopedia. Details for the housewarming party will be made available when known; bookmarks are an appropriate gift.

Phil'er Up Please

I've recently finished my action plan for FY 2008-09: To become the Audie Murphy of ILL awards!

Cat Resources

Some cat resources that I'd like to point out--

The Atlas of Cats of the World (638.8 Kelsey).

The Cat Encyclopedia (636.8 Verhoef-Verhallan).

And when you need the most up-to-date cat information, The New Encyclopedia of the Cat (636.8003 Fogle).

Why do we care? Well, you may not. In fact, this is just a library-related ruse to fulfill a request for pictures of Refman's kittens. So, by popular demand I present Bosco and Toyo:

New Reference Items - 11/15/08

Just a short update -- only two new items to tell you about today.

The latest United States Government Manual, 2008-2009 (353 United 2008-2009) is in, and located on the Ready Reference shelf. There is a searchable version online as well. And though not quite the same thing, don't forget about the Official U.S. Government Web Portal.

The Fall 2008 edition of Work, Live & Play is shelved underneath the Reference desk with the other local and regional publications. From JCC:

As the official relocation guide of Northeast Florida, Work, Live & Play provides the latest information on developments in residential real estate, education, health care and quality of life affecting our community.

Older editions are kept in the Florida Collection.

Digital TV Transition

Since this question came up today, I thought it might be a good time to review the digital TV transition that is taking place February 17, 2009.

The transition will only affect customers who view TV "over the air", or those who receive local channels only through the use of an antenna. Those who subscribe to cable or satellite programming, or who have a newer digital TV will not be affected.

Affected customers' options include:

1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $40 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning in February 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.


2. Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.


3. Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.

Something the customers will need to know about the coupons: it seems that many customers have found that the boxes are out of stock and then their coupons have expired. They should probably check to see if any are available before applying for a coupon.

Unshelved Comic of the Day

More of Bill Barnes' Unshelved here.