Tag: NY

Photos & Computers Workshop – This Wednesday, March 26, 2014!

Linda Reimer

Do have a digital camera and a computer?

Have you ever received digital photos from friend or family that you opened up on your computer and then couldn’t find again?

If so please join us for or Photos & Computers workshop this Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. and we’ll show you the basic transfer-photos-from-your-camera* ropes. We’ll also show you how to organize your photos into folders on your computer so you can keep all your vacation photos from 2013 in one folder and all your family reunion photos from 2012 in another!

So if you have questions about how to transfer photos to your computer and then how to organize them and find them – this workshop is for you.

Join us!

Have a great day!

Linda R.

 * Or smartphone – and you’ll need your smart phone to USB cable for that – call us if you are not sure what that is! Tel: 607-936-3713 ext. 502 and ask for Jenn or Linda.

And as a P.S. if you have your own laptop please bring it with you and we’ll walk you through the process on your own computer. And if you don’t have a laptop – never fear – we’ll have some of the library laptops set up so you can walk through the process without having to bring your own desktop computer with you!

Humorous WSJ Video On The Impending Obsolesces of Windows XP

Linda Reimer

I came across this timely and very humorous WSJ video cast on the impending demise of Windows XP.

The video host, WSJ journalist Joanna Stern, is initially shown standing in front of a Windows XP screen with its bright green grass that, as she says, “never needs to be mowed” and with a bright blue sky above — and then she notes that Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows XP in April and after that the Windows XP universe really won’t be  a safe one to dwell in — and then she’s shown standing with an umbrella over her head on brown grass, with a dark sky above and with hail falling!

So if you’re  a tech fan and in the mood for a humorous video check out this one! 

And if you own a Windows XP PC you might consider one of the very solid options Joanna Stern mentions as an alternative to continuing to use Windows XP; because, indeed, as of April 8 although your XP machine will still run — it won’t be getting any more security updates from Microsoft. 

Have a great day!

Linda R.

Join Us For Our Next Pinterest Program Tomorrow @ 10:30 a.m. @ The Library

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, just a friendly reminder about our Next Dream & Create with PINTEREST program– it is tomorrow!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from 10:30AM-12:00 PM!

Check out the links below to see what we will be creating NEXT week! We will be creating Burlap Table Runners and HomeMade KitKats!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/149885493822840775/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/149885493822821195/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/149885493822710884/

And if you’re coming please let hostess Jenn know! You can give her a call at 936-3713 ext. 216 or send her an email at DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

And we hope to see you tomorrow at Pinterest!

Have a great day!
Linda R.

Digital Literacy Services

Southeast Steuben County Library

Streaming Videos Come To The STLS Digital Catalog!!

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, if you’ve already checked out the Southeast Steuben County Library’s Facebook page — then excuse the duplication!

We’ve got very exciting news on the streaming video front today! Because as of today you can stream videos from the STLS Digital Catalog or through the OverDrive app for your smartphone or tablet — you don’t have to download them to a PC!

You can simply open the OverDrive app, which is available in your app store and the full name of which is OverDrive Media Console and then tap on any of the categories under the Streaming Video title or tap on “View More” which will allow you to browse all the streaming videos available — so all you need is an Internet connection –and you can watch movies, TV shows and documentaries on your tablet or smartphone very cool!

More videos will be added to the Digital Catalog streaming video library in the near future — in the meantime — enjoy!

Have a great day!
Linda R.

http://stls.lib.overdrive.com/00941FE9-8429-406A-9149-5C29B3246CF2/10/50/en/Subjects05.htm

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!

 

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/

 

 

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