Tag: Corning

Free Digital Literacy Assistance Can Be Found At The Southeast Steuben County Library!

Linda Reimer

Did you know that if you live locally you can obtain free digital literacy assistance at the Southeast Steuben County Library?

 

You can!

 

And if you’re pondering what exactly I mean by digital literacy assistance let me explain!

 

Digital literacy is simply fancy computer-speak that translated into everyday American English means we assist patrons in learning how to use their tablets, e-readers, laptops, smartphones and other tech devices.

 

For example, some of the items we assist patrons in learning how to include learning how to:

 

  • Use the iPad to access the Internet, send & receive email, get apps from the App Store and more!

 

  • Create a free e-mail account, send & receive email

 

  • Use Microsoft Word to type letters, resumes and other documents

 

  • Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create slideshows and presentations

 

  • Use Skype to make video phone calls

 

  • Use the Internet to search for information

 

  • Learn to use the e-reader, laptop or tablet your kids gave you for your birthday

 

  • And more!

 

To learn how to use your new gadget or software simply call the library and make an appointment for a free One-On-One session with a member of the library’s Digital Literacy Services team – Linda (that’s me!) or Jenn.

 

We can be reached by phone at the following number: 607-936-3713 ext. 502

 

Or you can send an email to us at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

 

Have a great Tuesday!

Linda R.

 

P.S. If you don’t live locally you can still access our blog for instructional material regarding computer, tablet and e-reader usage – simply go to our Tech Talk blog located at: https://sscltech.wordpress.com/ and click on the Online Tech Tutorials link. I’ll be adding more documents to that section later today!

 

STARCat Basics

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, as you may know STARCat is the name of our catalog of physical materials — and some digital materials too!

So here is a link to a PDF which offers you some basic tips as to how you can best search for items in STARCat:

StarCat Basics

The basic thing to remember about searching for items in STARCat is that if you’re not searching for a specific title or author but instead are searching for a subject — then you should use one or two broad search terms and not shoot for a really specific search as you would with Google.

For example, if you’re searching with Google you can indeed enter a search for “Sony Bravia TV repair manual” and you’ll get search results; however, if you enter that search into STARCat you won’t get any results — instead you can try searching with fewer search words and basic ones like “TV repair” — and then you’ll get results!

Of course the staff is always here to help at the library!

So if you have questions about how to use STARCat please let us know!

Have a great day!

Linda R.

February Personal Technology Programs @ The Library!

Linda Reimer

Google Searching: Learn how to use the popular search engine to find information on subjects that interest you! We’ll also discuss the differences between going to a website by its address and finding a website via a search engine (Google) search. And we’ll offer some helpful Internet navigation tips. Program Date/Time: Friday, February 7, 2014: 11:00 a.m. to noon.

iPad Workshop: This workshop offers new iPad owners an overview of how to use the iPad; and includes a discussion of useful suggested apps in categories that iPad owners might enjoy. The iPad app categories discussed include: News, Entertainment, Sports, Cooking, Games, Books, Weather and more! Program Date/Time: Monday, February 10, 2014, 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Senior Personal Technology: This is a new monthly program offering an overview of todays’ personal technology, i.e. tablets, e-readers, touch screen computers etc., interspersed with fun bits of information regarding new and upcoming technologies. Refreshments will be provided. Program Date/Time: February 14, 2014, 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Teen Tech Friday: This month we’ll learn how to use and create Word Clouds. To register call (607)936-3713 ext. 503 or email mcconnells@stls.org  Program Date/Time: Friday, February 21, 2014, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

iPhone Basics: You can do much more with an iPhone than to simply make a phone call! This workshop will offer tips on how to get the most out of your iPhone. We’ll discuss how to use the iPhone web browser and pre-installed apps. And we’ll also offer a list of suggested apps that you might like to install on your iPhone. Program Date/Time: Tuesday, February 25, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Dream & Create with Pinterest : Join hostess Jenn for a program based upon recipes and DIY projects found on the fun social networking/personal interest website – Pinterest! Each program offers a delicious recipe which we then use to create the delicious dish of the day and a home decorating craft. Program Date/Time: Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

You can also make a free One-On-One appointment with a member of our

Digital Literacy Services team!

We’ll assist you in learning how to use a new computer, e-reader, tablet or other tech device you own (this includes learning how to use new software and create resumes)!

Just call the Reference & Technology Desk at 607-936-3713 extension 502 to make an appointment.  It is free!

Registration is required for library programs (just so we know how many people to set up for!). To register call the library at (607) 936-3713 or send an email to DIGLIT@STLS.ORG.

If you’d like to receive a PDF version of our monthly tech programs flyer send a request email to: diglit@stls.org or simply click on the following link to load the schedule (feel free to print off the schedule and/or share it!)

SSCL Digital Literacy Services Programs February 2014

Have a great day!

Linda R.

On The Internet of Things & New “Next Big Thing” Tech Related Business Opportunities

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, I came across two cool tech articles I thought I’d share!

The first article is titled “The interent of things needs a new security model” and it features an interesting and very timely article on security in the dawning age of the “Internet of Things” — translated into American English — that just means the increasing inter-connectivity of high tech items to the Internet and each other.

The article is found on the Gigaom tech site and here’s the link:

http://gigaom.com/2014/01/22/the-internet-of-things-needs-a-new-security-model-which-one-will-win/

And the second article is from the Recode site and is titled “Big is the Next Big Thing” and it discusses a fascinating subject; that being the fact that the advancing technology is changing how big business do business and offering them greater and broader opportunities to do business by allowing them to expand into other fields.

For example, the article mentions the British grocery store chain “Tesco” which has been selling traditional groceries for 95 years and which has purchased a majority holdings in “Blinkbox” which is the largest streaming video service in the U.K. – so you can buy your groceries and stream your favorite TV shows all courtesy of Tesco; or at least you can if you live in the U.K.!

Another example, which isn’t actually discussed in the article but  it fits the proverbial bill, is the example of the Internet Giant Google branching out from simply being a search engine service found on the web into the area of selling tablets and, in the near future, high tech Nest Thermostats and Nest Smoke Detectors. So you can not only use the Google search engine online – you can also use a Google tablet to access the Internet and you can install a Google owned Nest high tech Thermostat and smoke detector in your home!

Here’s the link to the article:

http://recode.net/2014/01/22/big-is-the-next-big-thing/

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

Daugherty, Paul. (2014, January 22). Big Is the Next Big Thing. Recode. Accessed January 22, 2014, http://recode.net/2014/01/22/big-is-the-next-big-thing/

Higginbotham, Stacey. The interent of things needs a new security model. Which one will win? Gigaom. Online. Accessed january 22, 2014, http://gigaom.com/2014/01/22/the-internet-of-things-needs-a-new-security-model-which-one-will-win/

 

 

New Items In the STLS Digital Catalog Today!

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, we’ve just placed our order for new digital items, e-books, digital audios and digital music titles, for the STLS Digital Catalog this morning; and those items will be available in the Digital Catalog later today for your enjoyment!

Here’s the list of new titles:

Audiobooks:

Chicago Poems  by Carl Sandburg, Alex Wilson

The Course of Human Events by David McCullough, David McCullough

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Simon Prebble

The Killer Angels: The Civil War Trilogy, Book 2 by Michael Shaara, Jeff Shaara, Stephen Hoye

Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Norman Dietz

She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey through Poems by Caroline Kennedy, Hope Davis, Jane

Alexander by John Bedford Lloyd, Campbell Scott

Sketches by Boz: Sketches by Boz Series, Part 1 by Charles Dickens, Peter Joyce

Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett, Nigel Anthony, Sean Barrett et al.

E-Books:

101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions   by Ron Fry

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John Maxwell

Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel

Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know by John Maxwell

Autosuperación 101: Lo que todo líder necesita saber by John Maxwell

The Bloody Country by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Bobby and J. Edgar: The Historic Face-Off Between the Kennedys and J. Edgar Hoover that Transformed America by Burton Hersh

Chasing Clayoquot: A Wilderness Almanac by David Pitt-Brooke, Robert  F. Kennedy Jr.

Chicago Poems  by Carl Sandburg

Chinese Heritage Cooking by Christopher Tan, Amy Van

Coming Out by Danielle Steel

The Cottage by Danielle Steel

The Dead Shall Not Rest: Dr. Thomas Silkstone Mystery Series, Book 2 by Tessa Harris

Drummer Boy at Bull Run by Gilbert L. Morris

Edward Kennedy: An Intimate Biography by Burton Hersh

The Ethics of Diet: An Anthology of Vegetarian Thought    by Howard Williams, Leo Tolstoy

Everything Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Book: A Portrait of An American Icon by Kathleen Tracy

Everything John F. Kennedy Book: Relive the History, Romance, and Tragedy of America’s Camelot by Jessica McElrath

Gambler’s Woman by Jayne Ann Krentz

The Gay Science by Friedrich Nietzsche

Getting Things Done When You Are Not in Charge by Geoffrey Bellman

Ghost Moon by Karen Robards

Golden Eyes: Eyes Series, Book 2 by Maya Banks

Gorky Park: A Novel by Martin Cruz Smith

Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery

The Jazz Kid by James Lincoln Collier

Joanne Fluke Christmas Bundle: Sugar Cookie Murder, Candy Cane Murder, Plum Pudding Murder, & Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine, Leslie Meier

Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Kennedy and the Berlin Wall: “”A Hell of a Lot Better than a War”” by W. R. Smyser

The Kennedy Assassination – 24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson’s Pivotal First Day as President bySteven M. Gillon

Las 21 Leyes Irrefutables del liderazgo: Siga estas leyes, y la gente lo seguirá a usted by John C. Maxwell

The Midnight Hour by Karen Robards

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier, Christopher Collier

My Country Roots: The Ultimate MP3 Guide to America’s Original Outsider Music by Alice Randall

Night Calls by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel

Passport to Peril by Robert B. Parker

Pilgrim’s Wilderness: A True Story of Faith and Madness on the Alaska Frontier by Tom Kizzia

Poltergeist: A Classic Study in Destructive Hauntings by Colin Wilson

The Power of Citizenship: Why John F. Kennedy Matters to a New Generation by Scott D. Reich

The Right to Privacy by Caroline Kennedy, Ellen Alderman

Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary by Ray E. Boomhower

Silent Thunder: A Civil War Story by Andrea Pinkney

Stormy Challenge by Jayne Ann Krentz

The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem Van Loon

The Supernatural: Your Guide through the Unexplained, the Unearthly and the Unknown by Colin Wilson

Unchained Voices: An Anthology of Black Authors in the English-Speaking World of the Eighteenth Century by Vincent Carretta

Unfinished Odyssey of Robert Kennedy by David Halberstam

The Winter Hero by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Albums:

All Things Must Pass by George Harrison

The Beach Boys Today! (1965; 2001–Remastered) by The Beach Boys

Bluegrass Beatles: Bluegrass Instrumental Makeovers of Classic Hits by the Beatles by Craig Duncan

Lady Antebellum by Lady Antebellum

So Rare: A Selection by Barry Humphries of His Favourite Gramaphone Records  by Various Artists,

Warren, E.R.: Good Morning, America! / Suite for Orchestra / the Crystal Lake / Along the Western Shore by Elinor Remick Warren, Carl Sandburg, Szymon Kawalla, Polish Radio and Television Orchestra, Efrem Zimbalist, Polish Radio and Television Symphony Chorus

And for your convenience here’s a direct link to the STLS Digital Catalog:

http://stls.lib.overdrive.com/1C1E72FD-D767-49C4-B91C-2A1B6475E90F/10/50/en/Default.htm

Supreme Court To Hear Aereo Case!

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, just a quick posting at 9:30 on a Friday evening.

I just read the news that the Supreme Court is going to hear the Aereo case! That is the case that has the potential to transform the way we watch TV. I’ve mentioned Aereo before in blog postings but just in case you’re wondering who they are; they are the company that receives those free over the air signals that TV broadcasters send out – and they charge their customers $8,000 a month for a tiny antenna and DVR that allows them to record and watch live TV shows broadcast by the major networks, i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS etc., on any Wi-Fi connecting device you own. Perhaps needless to say the traditional cable companies and networks aren’t thrilled with what they see as this upstart service! However, the company’s service has been determined to be legal in several lower court decisions and now the Supreme Court will have the final say – if the highest court in the land agrees with the majority of the lower state court decisions and deems the Aereo service legal it will almost assuredly transform the way we watch TV.

Here’s a link to a New York Times article on the subject:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/11/business/media/supreme-court-to-hear-case-on-retransmission-of-tv-signals-by-aereo.html?_r=0

And a link to the Aereo website where you can find out more about their service:

https://aereo.com/

Have a great weekend!

Linda R.

 

OverDrive To Offer Streaming Videos & Music To Library Patrons

Linda Reimer

OverDrive is the name of the STLS Digital Catalog platform vendor. To translate that into common every day American English OverDrive is the name of the company that provides the software that allows library patrons to check out e-books, downloadable audio books, downloadable videos and music. And right now you can check out e-books and downloadable audio books to your smartphone, tablet or computer but video and music titles must be downloaded to a Windows computer which is a bit awkward to do. And of course, most people would rather be able to stream music and video titles to their smartphones, tablets and occasionally to their computers so they can watch or listen to library videos or albums whenever they want to without having to wait forthe title they are checking out to download.

And the good news is that streaming is coming to all libraries that use the OverDrive service to offer their patrons digital content – and that will include our library system in the near future – hurray!

The first library to get this new option for their patrons to be able to stream albums, movies and TV shows via OverDrive is the Los Angeles Public Library. OverDrive is expected to roll out streaming options for all libraries that it serves in the U.S. in the very near future.

And in the meantime – here’s a link to a No Shelf Required article by Wright State Universities Libraries Librarian Sue Polanka that offers more info on the OverDrive streaming service currently being offered to patrons of the Los Angeles Public Library:

http://www.libraries.wright.edu/noshelfrequired/2013/11/20/overdrives-streaming-video-lending-service-launches-at-lapl/

And a second related article from Library Journal’s Digital Shift blog on the same subject:

http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2013/11/digitization/overdrive-rolls-streaming-video-service-pilot-los-angeles-public-library/

And we will alert all our library patrons about the streaming option of titles they can check out from the STLS Digital Catalog – just as soon as that option becomes available.

Have a great weekend!

Linda R.

ZDNET’s List of 11 Amazing Technologies, Aereo Ask Supreme Court To Determine Its Fate & Walmart To Put iPhones 5 On Sale!

Linda Reimer

ZDNET’s List of 11 Amazing Technologies: The tech site ZDNet offers a cool article that discusses 11 technologies that either are already transforming how we live or are expected to in the near future. The article discusses the following eleven tech categories: Fiber Optics, Graphene, Cell Phone technology, Personal Computing Devices (desktops, laptops, tablets etc.), Nano Robots, Satellite Communications, Solar Cells, The Internet of Things, Transistors, The Internet and one of my favorites – 3 D Printing technology!

Here’s the link to the article:

http://www.zdnet.com/11-amazing-technologies-that-have-totally-changed-our-world-for-the-better-7000024091/

Aereo Ask Supreme Court To Determine Its Fate: As you may recall Aereo is a tech company that assigns a small antenna and DVR to each of its customers. And this tech set up allows its customers to receive over the air broadcasts of network television shows and to stream those shows to their smartphones, tablets and computers and watch them whenever they want to!

Needless to say the traditional television networks and cable companies are not thrilled with Aereo and its business model which they believe hurts their financial bottom line. Aereo has so far been triumphant in the court cases brought against it by several traditional cable companies – the courts have ruled that the service is legal and Aereo can continue; however, the company has decided to appeal to the Supreme Court to answer the question once and for all of whether or not the Aereo service is legal within the United States. No doubt Aereo has decided to make this move because it takes money to continually counter court cases brought against the company by networks and cable companies in each new market Aereo is expands into.  And if the Supreme Court takes the case and rules in Aereo’s favor than that will settle the legality matter within the United States and allow Aereo to continue expanding its service without having to fund and fight a continuing series of court cases.

If the Supreme Court takes that case – it will be an interesting ruling to watch for because if Aereo wins it will change how we can access TV shows.

Here’s a link to a Gigaom article on this subject titled “Aereo asks Supreme Court to take copyright case, stop broadcasters “war of attrition”

http://gigaom.com/2013/12/12/aereo-asks-supreme-court-to-take-copyright-case-stop-broadcasters-war-of-attrition/

Walmart To Put iPhones 5 On Sale! According to a Los Angeles Times report Walmart will begin selling the iPhone 5C for $27 and the iPhone 5S for $127 on December 13; of course you have to sign up for the standard two year contract to use the phones. However, if you’ve been waiting to pick up a new iPhone now might be the time as you’re unlikely to find lower prices on the new iPhone 5 models than those!

Here’s a link to that LA times article:

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-walmart-iphone-5c-27-20131211,0,5607180.story#axzz2nIkXVh8s

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

Brown, Eileen. (2013, December 9). 11 amazing technologies that have totally changed our world for the better. ZDNet.  Online. Accessed December 12, 2013, http://www.zdnet.com/11-amazing-technologies-that-have-totally-changed-our-world-for-the-better-7000024091/

Roberts, Jeff John. (2013, December 12). Aereo asks Supreme Court to take copyright case, stop broadcasters “war of attrition”. Gigaom. Online. Accessed December 12,2 013, http://gigaom.com/2013/12/12/aereo-asks-supreme-court-to-take-copyright-case-stop-broadcasters-war-of-attrition/

Rodriquez, Salvador. (2013, December 11). Wal-Mart to sell iPhone 5c for $27 with contract on Friday. Angeles Times. Online. Accessed December 12, 2013, http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-walmart-iphone-5c-27-20131211,0,5607180.story#axzz2nIkXVh8s

Boston Globe Article on MakerBot 3 D Printer

Linda Reimer

Here’s a link to a cool article from the Boston Globe that relays the fact that the 3 D Printer company Makerbot is opening store to sell its 3 D Printers in Boston so people will be able to buy the printers both online and in an actual store. 

This is cool because A.  3 D Printing technology is going mainstream and will change the way we live and B. because the library owns a MakerBot 3 D Printer! We’ll be doing some programming in the new year with the printer; however, if you’d like to know how it works and see some of the items it has “printed” off — ask the staff for details!

And I say “printed” off because the objects don’t actually get printed but instead are created by the laying down of layers of materials.

Have a great weekend!

Linda R.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/11/22/makerbot-opens-boston-store/VXp6uGAVq7QL2uTcLkm83L/story.html

Netflix Streaming Interface Upgrade Coming, iPhone Book Covers, Making Videos Look Better On Your TV & New Gaming Consoles Coming But Is Gaming Changing?

Linda Reimer

It has been another super busy week in library land! So here is a short series of personal technology related topics and related articles for your weekend perusal!

Netflix Streaming Interface Upgrade Coming: Netflix is going to shortly upgrade its streaming video interface and make it much more modern looking and add more search options – it should be a cool upgrade.

The tech site The Verge offers and article on this subject titled “Netflix introduces one unified TV interface to rule them all: The streaming-video giant turns into a TV channel programmed just for you” and here’s the link to the article:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/13/5098224/netflix-introduces-one-unified-tv-interface-to-rule-them-all

iPhone Book Covers: The New York Times offers a neat article, titled “An iPhone Case Hemingway Would Love” on new “Pocket Book” cases for the iPhone 5 that make your iPhone truly look like you just took it off the shelf of your own high class library-bound-volumes included library.

Here’s the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/14/technology/personaltech/review-pad-and-quills-little-pocket-book-iphone-case.html?ref=personaltech&_r=0

Making Videos Look Better On Your TV: The New York Times also offered an article this week that includes helpful hints on how you can improve the quality of the picture on your TV – simply by adjusting your TV settings as you sit on your couch.

The article is titled “Enriching Your TV Picture, From the Couch” – here’s the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/technology/personaltech/enriching-your-tv-picture-from-the-couch.html?ref=personaltech

New Gaming Consoles Coming But Is Gaming Changing? And the New York Times also offered an article this week on the upcoming gaming consoles from Sony and Microsoft that will shortly go on sale; the article also speculates on the state of gaming and ponders the fact that with the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets and the corresponding great variety of inexpensive games that can be played on smartphones or tablets – will we still be buying gaming consoles in another year or two or will the soon be going the way of the 8 track tape?

The article is titled “New Gaming Consoles Coming But Is Gaming Changing?” and here is the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/12/technology/sony-and-microsoft-ready-with-new-game-consoles.html?src=me&_r=0

Have a great weekend!

Linda R.

References

Bishop, Bryan. (2013, November 12). Netflix introduces one unified TV interface to rule them all

The streaming-video giant turns into a TV channel programmed just for you. The Verge. Online. Accessed November 15, 2013, http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/13/5098224/netflix-introduces-one-unified-tv-interface-to-rule-them-all

Furchgott, Roy. (2013, November 6). Enriching Your TV Picture, From the Couch. New York Times. Onlne. Accessed November 15, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/technology/personaltech/enriching-your-tv-picture-from-the-couch.html?ref=personaltech

Schmidt, Gregory. (2013, November 12). An iPhone Case Hemingway Would Love Review: Pad and Quill’s Little Pocket Book iPhone Case. Online. Accessed November 15, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/14/technology/personaltech/review-pad-and-quills-little-pocket-book-iphone-case.html?ref=personaltech&_r=1&

Wingfield, Nick. (2013, November 11). New Consoles on the Way, but Gaming Isn’t the Same. New York Times. Online. Accessed November 15, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/12/technology/sony-and-microsoft-ready-with-new-game-consoles.html?src=me&_r=