Tag: digital media content

Digital Impulse Buys & Library Tech Programs Of The Week

Linda Reimer

Digital Impulse Buys: I came across a New York Times article over the weekend that relays a point I know well and that is that the instant access to information e-books, instant videos and instant music titles that you can buy online (from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other e-book and media vendors) and access instantly via your smart phone, fully fledged tablet (i.e. iPad, Galaxy Tab etc.) or reading tablet (Kindle HD, B&N HD etc.) offers two sides of the proverbial coin. On the one side the instant access is great because you no longer have to try and remember a great book, movie or television show that your best friend has just told you about you can instantly buy it on your device and read it or watch it later. And the second side of the coin is that you can spend a bit of money doing just that! The ability to instantly access e-books, movies, television shows and music can add up to thousands of dollars per year. Just ask Nick Bilton the author of the New York Times Bits blog article which is titled Disruptions: Impulse Buys, Straight to a Screen — he spent $2,403 last year on digital content!

Here’s the link to the article:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/20/disruptions-impulse-buys-straight-to-your-screen/?ref=technology

Library Tech Programs of the Week: If you just bought a new laptop, iPad, e-reader or other tech devices and have questions about how to use it you may sign up for a free one-on-one tech session with a member of the library’s tech team. Just call 607-936-3713 ext. 502 to make an appointment.
And in addition to our one-one-one tech sessions we are hosting two tech programs this week the latest in our popular Pinterest series and an iPad workshop.

Here’s a detailed description of both programs:

Dream and Create with Pinterest: Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2013. Time: 5:30 – 7:00 PM. Description: Are you one of the many who are absolutely fascinated with PINTEREST? Join Jenn Gaylor every other Tuesday evening to “Dream & Create with Pinterest!” We’ll do some dreaming while searching for great DIY projects on Pinterest, and we’ll do fun and easy projects that you can take home with you. So come in and Dream & Create with us!

Intro to iPad Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2013. Time: 2:00 -3:00 PMish. Description: This workshop, one of our Wednesday One Hour Tech series offerings, gives new iPad owners an overview of how to use the iPad, how to navigate between screens, search for apps, download apps- and just generally how to get around in the iPad universe. Registration is required. You may register via phone (607)936-3713 ext. 502 or in person at the Reference Desk. And the “ish” in the time simply referrers to the fact that although the program officially runs an hour tech staff will be on hand to answer all questions so staff will be available after 3 PM to answer questions too!

Have a great day!
Linda R.

References
Bilton, Nick. (2013, January 20). Disruptions: Impulse Buys, Straight to a Screen. New York Times. Online.

The Tesla Model S & Used E-Books: A Possibility?

Linda Reimer

The Tesla Model S: Many people don’t realize that a hundred years ago when the automobile industry was in its infancy –both electric and gas powered cars were developed. Gas powered cars won that race and as we all know the human race’s widespread use of those cars has since contributed to global warming – which granted is a whole other conversation! But getting back to the subject of electric cars, fast-forward 100 years from the infancy days of automobiles to today—and electric cars are making a comeback. And the Tesla Motor Company is leading the pack as far as manufacturing high class, quality electric cars. Granted Chevy has its Volt and Nissan has its Leaf but both are economy cars when compared to the Tesla models. And the new Tesla Model S is a luxury sedan that raises the proverbial and literal bar! It is a completely electric car that goes from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds, is a dream to drive, runs very quietly even when accelerating; features a touch screen dash and beautiful streamlined interiors. The Model S is a gorgeous car both inside and out. CNET offers a great review of the car in an article titled Tesla Model S First Drive Quiet Satisfaction, here’s the link:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-57459125-48/tesla-model-s-first-drive-quiet-satisfaction/

And here’s the link to the Model S page on the Tesla Motor Company website:

http://www.teslamotors.com/models

Used E-Books A Possibility: The European Court of Justice, which is the highest court inEurope, ruled yesterday that the software company Oracle cannot block people from re-selling second hand copies of its software; and this decision has ramifications that go far beyond software!

In our high tech era, media companies that produce, e-books, digital videos and music have sought to restrict how that content can be accessed by purchasers, whether or not purchasers can lend the content in the form of e-books, videos, and music to another person or even whether or not they actual own the digital content they have purchased in the form of e-books, digital videos, digital music* and in the case of the Oracle case – software licenses. Thus, this ruling has the potential to allow purchasers of digital content, including e-books, to actually purchase the e-books (and digital music, videos and software) and then later sell those e-books or other digital media content to another person. Granted, this ruling covers Europe and not theUnited States; however, it is a step in the right director for the digital rights of consumers purchasing digital content.

Here’s the link to a Good Reader article, titled Electronic Readers Used E-Books May Be A Reality Soon, on the subject:

http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/used-ebooks-may-be-a-reality-soon/

And another from the Financial Times, tilted EU court decision deals blow to Oracle that offers more information on the subject:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d54ff9e6-c515-11e1-b6fd-00144feabdc0.html#axzz20FMm4Shn

And yet a third link to a

Channel Register article on the subject:

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2012/07/05/usedsoft_vs_oracle_ruling_analysis/

Have a great day!

Linda R.

*The word “digital” in this context simply means that the video or music content has been purchased and accessed via a computer and/or the Internet and thus is saved or streamed to a computer or media player – in other words these are non-physical CDs, DVDs or books!