JISC “Library of the Future” Debate Videos Now Online…05.13.09

The UK’s Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) has published the videos from the “Library of the Future” Debate held in April at Oxford’s Bodleian Library on Library of the Future Debate video page. The debate was described by JISC as:

“What is the library of the future? This public question and answer debate discussed what information and library provision mean in these changing times; technology has had a huge effect on the behaviour of both information consumers and service providers. We asked what the library currently is and what do libraries need to do to support knowledge, innovation and society for the future?

These issues were examined from several different perspectives through a range of high profile speakers who presented their vision for the library of the future. Programme for the Debate…”

The New Library in the Google Age…05.13.09

Thanks to Judith A. Siess’ OPL Plus blog post The Library Rebooted–Lessons for Library Leaders for pointing out The Library Rebooted Report by Scott Corwin, Elizabeth Hartley, and Harry Hawkes.  Here is an excerpt from her post in which she gleans:

“…the seven imperatives for library leadership:

1. ‘Rethink the operating model. Many of the old assumptions about running a library—that the measure of a library’s quality is the size of its book collection, that there’s value in keeping even infrequently loaned books on the shelves, that library staffing questions shouldn’t be questioned—are outmoded and need to be set aside.’

2. ‘Understand and respond to user needs…’

3. ‘Embrace the concept of continuous innovation…’

4. ‘Forge a digital identity…’

5. ‘Connect with stakeholders in ways pure Internet companies cannot. …take advantage of [the libraries’] local strength and on the research library side share their service-oriented expertise in new ways and through new channels.’

6. ‘Expand the metrics…online-specific metrics will have to be added.’

7. ‘Be courageous. The library’s underlying promise hasn’t changed…but the environment in which libraries operate has certainly shifted, and the challenge for those running them is to figure out the evolutionary path they should follow. There is no one answer…nothing at all is written in stone.’…”

NEW! “Google Search Options” – Drill Down Search Results By Recency, Content Type, and More …05.13.09

New Journal of Collaborative Librarianship Online…05.13.09

Stephen Abram points out the new Journal of Collaborative Librarianship:

Collaborative Librarianship
Vol 1, No 1 (2009)

Collaborative Librarianship
Vol 1, No 2 (2009)

OCLC Policy Change Proposals Hammered Again By Library Community…05.13.09

Library Journal reported yesterday in its post OICOLC Calls for CLC To Withdraw Proposed Records Policy and Start Anew:

“The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) has joined the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in recommending that the proposed OCLC Policy for Use and Transfer of WorldCat Records, a subject of controversy since its release last November, be withdrawn and a new record use policy be developed. (See LJ coverage at ALA Midwinter Meeting.)

In response to the controversy, OCLC delayed implementation and instead launched a Review Board to address “principles of shared data creation” and possible policy changes. That Review Board of Shared Data Creation and Stewardship is expected to present its findings and recommendations at the Members Council meeting May 17–19, and a final report is scheduled to be submitted to the OCLC Board of Trustees following the May meeting…”

FREE Blended Librarian Webcast – “Becoming An Educational Agent of Change”…05.13.09

From the Library Professional Development blog: Steven Bell and John Shank, co-founders of the Blended Librarians Online Learning Community and their guests, Josh Kim and Barbara Knauff, invite you to join the next webcast, “Becoming an Educational Change Agent” On Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 3 pm. EDT. Event Description: In this session, we’ll explore the changing role of academic teaching and learning ‘support’ staff. How has it evolved over the past decade, and where are our job descriptions going? How much of our work is reactive, and how much of is advocacy for changes in instructional paradigms? How are the roles between instructional designers and librarians demarcated, and where are they beginning to shift or merge? Is learning technology itself an emerging academic discipline? We’ll begin with a brief presentation on these issues by Josh Kim and Barbara Knauff, Senior Learning Technologists at Dartmouth College (see their recent Educause Review column on these issues, “Business Cards for the Future“), but the majority of the session will be given over to a participant discussion of these issues. Please prepare for the session by reading the Educause column, and by thinking about the shifts in teaching and learning support at your own institutions. We look forward to a lively discussion!

Although this event is free, advance registration is required to reserve a virtual seat. If you are already a member of the Blended Librarians Online Learning Community here is a link into the Learning Times Network that will get you to our Community and the registration page: http://home.learningtimes.net/library?go=2198642

FREE Library Webinars at OPAL…05.13.09

OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries) is presenting the following FREE Webinars this week:

Friday, May 15, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 1:00 Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 6:00 p.m. GMT:

ALA Connections Salon: Education and Recruitment, with Special Guests Connie Paul and Julie Brewer

Join us for a lively, informal conversation about educating and recruiting library workers for the 21st century. Connie Paul is the director of the Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, which hosts Become a Librarian. She also serves as co-chair of ALA’s Emerging Leaders Program, and she had been involved in the ALA Recruitment Assembly since its inception.

Julie Brewer is the Coordinator of Personnel and Staff Development at the University of Delaware Library. She also is the current chair of the ALA Scholarships and Study Grants Committee, and the former chair of the ALA Human Resources Development and Recruitment Advisory Committee, and the ALA Recruitment Assembly.

Host: American Library Association

Location: ALA OPAL 100 Room

Friday, June 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 1:00 Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 6: 00 p.m. GMT:

ALA Connections Salon: The Future, with Special Guest Joe Janes, Assoc. Professor in the Information School at the University of Washington

Join us for an informal conversation about the future of ALA, libraries, and librarianship.

Host: American Library Association

Location: ALA OPAL 100 Room

HathiTrust Beta Catalog Online…05.13.09

From the Blog for Library Technology post HathiTrust Announces Temporary Beta Catalog:

“A major milestone for the HathiTrust partners was reached on April 27, 2009 as we released a temporary beta catalog for the digital library, offering bibliographic search (title, author, subject, ISBN, publisher, and year of publication) and faceted browse of all items in HathiTrust. The catalog is built using the open source VuFind software and is temporary, pending the release of permanent catalog to be built by OCLC in conjuction with a HathiTrust partner team. The permanent catalog will be an implementation of WorldCat Local, and is scheduled for release in early 2010…”

“Google Squared” from TechCrunch…05.12.09

Google’s answer to Wolfram Alpha from TechCrunch post What Is Google Squared? It Is How Google Will Crush Wolfram Alpha:

Things To Remember When Using a WiFi Hotspot Or a Public PC…05.12.09

Here is an excerpt from a helpful reminder post on MakeUseOf.com titled Things To Know When Using a WiFi Hotspot Or a Public PC:

“…When Using a Public Computer

Whatever you do absolutely NEVER EVER save your log-on information… Find and click the ‘log out’ button the website before you leave.

Don’t type personal information on the computer… Even encryption won’t help if the machine has a keylogger on it.

Erase your web browsing history and restart the computer (if you can’t log-off).

Watch out for people staring at you or spying on you…

When Using a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot

Use a firewall – There are tons of free firewalls out there like Zone Alarm. But, your Windows XP Post SP2, Vista or Windows 7 machine has one built in. Turn it on!…

Turn off your Wi-Fi when you’re not using it. Do not log into a network you do not know and just leave your machine on. If you are not using it turn it off…

Encrypt sensitive files prior sending them over…

If you HAVE TO use a credit card or enter passwords on a public Wi-Fi connection – make sure the web site is using SSL. It will have a padlock icon on your browsers right hand corner as well as a HTTPS:// in the address.

Disable Wi-Fi Ad-hoc Mode – Disabling this in your Wi-Fi settings will prevent your machine from connecting to someone’s computer that you don’t know. Most normal Wi-Fi connections use Infrastructure mode. Where as Ad-hoc meshes a group of Wi-Fi users into a pseudo network.”

Libraries – “UNLEASH THE USERS!”…05.12.09

Thanks to Helene Blowers for pointing out this great video from the Aarhus Public Library:

Glearch – Global Search Engine…05.12.09

Peter Scott’s Library Blog pointed out today Glearch Global Search:

“Glearch stands for ‘Global + Search’ and is a search tool for global business professionals, researchers, travelers and any one who would like to perform searches by specific countries and languages. Glearch selects the top results from Google, Yahoo and MSN as well as the most popular search engines for the selected country and returns results..“

QR Codes in the Library Stacks…05.12.09

This is an excerpt from Claire Cramer’s post “Meet QR Codes” in which she describes her university library’s working group on QR code use:

“…I work at a major university library, and I’m currently serving on a working group to assess the use of QR codes in our stacks…

QR codes are currently used to store addresses and URLs. When someone takes a picture of the code with their camera phone, the phone’s browser launches and redirects to the encoded URL. That is, if their phone can read QR codes. QR codes can be read by most Japanese phones as purchased, but in the United States, nearly none can read them. However, I’ve found this helpful list of software to download to your phone…

Okay, but how do QR codes fit into libraries? Imagine a graduate student walking into my library, swiping their ID, and entering the stacks. After heading to the other side of the building, five floors in, they select their books and notice another interesting title on the shelf. They hold it in front of them, QR code displayed, and snap a picture. Immediately, a link with relevant information is launched. Perhaps it’s to the catalog record for that book. Or maybe it’s to an in-house research guide which includes that text. It could even be to an outside page relevant to that particular book.

There are two benefits to using a QR code in this situation.

1. You don’t have to stop and write down a call number, title, and author. How long can it take to stop and write down a title? you may ask. If you are asking this, I’m a bit envious of you. Because multiply that act by several dozens and it becomes tedious, and leaves the researcher more likely to misplace important information with each additional title hastily scribbled down.
2. You don’t have to look it up again. You have the QR code saved! You did remember to save the image, right? One click and you have access to contextual information prepared by trained librarians. And I thought EndNote was groundbreaking…

We’re currently trying to figure out whether reception within the stacks will be there, and if it’s too early to promote QR codes as a library service in the United States, when many people will have to have the concept explained to them, and may need to download a reader as well. In the meantime, though, if you want to get your hands dirty, there are many QR code generating sites online!

In other words, check out Lex Rigby’s post on the subject from last month. Try out some generators. Or, if you’re interested in mobile technology, take a look at David Harper’s post from a whopping three years ago!…”

SEE ALSO:

Mobile QR Codes and Library Uses

Using QR Codes in Libraries

QR Codes in the Library – Projects to Watch

QR Tags and Mobile Phones in the Library

QR Codes Intro Presentation for Libraries and Others

QR Codes in 2009

“Extreme” Library Customer Service – Darien Library…05.11.09

Head over to today’s post Extreme Customer Service by David Lee King to watch a video of his visit to the Darien Library. He relates:

“…During my Darien visit, I had the privilege of chatting with Louise Berry, Alan Gray, and John Blyberg over lunch (great lunch, great conversation – thanks guys!). We talked about technology, new library buildings, and how we should be serving our library customers. Louise and Alan told me about their library’s core message – extreme customer service. Basically, they want to demonstrate extreme customer service in everything they do…”

“Overcoming the Top 10 Objections to Social Learning”…05.11.09

Here is a good presentation from Mzinga titled “Top 10 Objections to Social Learning“:

Library Tribes – “Why tribes, not money or factories, will change the world”…05.11.09

This video is new from TED:

“Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so…”

“Facebook Manners and You”…05.08.09

Also from Stephen’s Lighthouse – hilarious but useful video on using Facebook:

Dead Greeks Point the Way for Librarians, Business, etc…05.08.09

[Eratosthenes of Cyrene - Director of Library at Alexandria]

Stephen Abram [Happy 55-join the old man librarian's club!] on Stephen’s Lighthouse today pointed out some great universal truths worth emulating from the ancient Greeks highlighted from Henrik Edberg on the The Positivity Blog:

“Let him that would move the world first move himself.”
Socrates

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Plato

“Nothing endures but change.”
Heraclitus

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
Pericles

…1. If you are going your own way, prepare for reactions.

“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.”
Epictetus

2. To get what you really dream about out of life, you have to wo/man up.

“Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.”
Aristotle

3. What they say might not really be about you.

“People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves.”

“The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.”
Aesop

4. Discard the things that aren’t helping you.

“The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue.”

Antisthenes

5. Your wishes may not be all that they are cracked up to be.

“We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.”
Aesop

6. Focus on building helpful habits.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle

7. Suffering is optional. And so is happiness.

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”

“I must die. Must I then die lamenting? I must be put in chains. Must I then also lament? I must go into exile. Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?”

“It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.”
~ Epictetus

NEW “What is Cloud Computing”…05.08.09

The power of cloud computing explained:

Librarianship Vision…05.08.09

Below is an excerpt from Wayne Bivens-Tatum’s post On The Vision Thing this week on a unified vision for librarianship from his Academic Librarian blog which is insightful.  I would recommend reading the entire post.

“Somehow today I stumbled upon this commentary by Carl Grant, the president of Ex Libris North America. In it, Grant expresses his disappointment over a lack of leadership or vision for librarianship. ‘As a librarian in the United States, I’m growing more and more upset and outraged about the lack of a national vision for librarianship. Where is our professional leadership in this time of economic crisis? Who is describing a vision that inspires us and that we can support?’ Given the recent ‘Darien Statements‘ and my own occasional ruminations on the subject, there is evidence that some librarians desire a large and meaningful discussion about vision and purpose, and I can certainly understand the frustration Grant feels.

What I’m not so sure about, which I also discussed concerning the ‘Darien Statements,’ is whether there can be such a ‘national vision for librarianship,’because it’s not clear that librarianship is itself a unified field. Grant discusses a Chronicle article calling for a national educational agenda that considers higher education a public good again rather than as a place for states to save money by cutting it to the bone. Grant comments: ‘There are some wonderful messages and ideas in that article that can be applied directly to libraries (frequently, with little more than a word swap).’ I tend to agree, but it’s not clear that ‘librarianship’ as a field is even as coherent as ‘higher education,’ and ‘higher education’ itself verges on incoherence these days if we included Harvard, the University of Phoenix, community college systems, and your local Bible college…

For there to be such a vision, there would have to be some agreement on what it is libraries in theory should do, but what libraries do in practice varies considerably…

The goal of the Library or the vision of Librarianship cannot be separated from larger goals of society, and the larger goals that seem to stir people the most are related to education, politics, and economics. Educational institutions are here to teach people and allow them to fulfill their potential as well as shape them into good citizens and productive workers. If there is to be a grand vision, it seems it would have to have this as the goal.

But would a vision like that guide every library and every librarian?…”

QR Codes in the Library – Projects to Watch…05.08.09

This is an excerpt of a post on the PLA blog today about QR Code projects in libraries:

“…Also great was Bonnie Pierce of the Dover Town Library.  Bonnie is a champion of QR codes and other 2d barcode systems, and she clearly sees the opportunites associated with linking objects and physical spaces with information and virtual spaces.  Check out her site. Expect to keep hearing about this technology- Bonnie has something exciting brewing in Dover, and I’ve got a QR code project in the works down in Greenpoint, Brooklyn…”

TODAY: Library Career Fair & Library Fair in Second Life…05.08.09

This is from Alliance Virtual Library:

“Library Career Fair & Library Fair – May 8th & 9th 2009!Announcing the First Second Life Library Career Fair & Library Fair, Sponsored by Alliance Virtual Library!

If you visited the College Fair or the Tech Fair last year, you will have an idea of the excitement and buzz around an in-world conference like this. It is a chance to meet peers and network, a chance to show off what your library is doing in Second Life, a chance to present, and with the inclusion of the Library Career Fair – it is a chance to make library job openings known and meet with job seekers and LIS students!

The Library Career Fair, May 8th, is being managed by the LIS Student Union under Adra Letov and DaisyBlue Hefferman. The Career Fair events will include: Orientations for new avatars (librarians, students, and staff), an LIS Career Resource Center with links to global job postings, speakers on survival skills for getting a job in a bad economy, resume tune-up, and what employers are looking for in today’s media-rich Web 2.0 information environments. If you are interested in posting positions or working with the Career Fair in some way, please contact Diane Nahl, SL: Adra Letov, at nahl@hawaii.edu.

The Library Fair, May 8th & 9th, will be in full operation during the career fair, speakers for the Library Fair will be scheduled for Saturday, May 9th…”

“50 Useful Twitter Tools for Writers and Researchers”…05.07.09

The Online College Degree website has posted 50 Useful Twitter Tools for Writers and Researchers which may be a helpful resource:

“…Local

If you’re interested in local happenings, these tools will help you find out what’s going on nearby.

1. Nearby Tweets: Check out Nearby Tweets to seek out local Twitter users.
2. Atlas: Use Atlas to see tweets on a map.
3. GeoFollow: Using the GeoFollow directory, you’ll be able to find users in specific areas.
4. CityTweets: See real time Twitter activity for cities on CityTweets.
5. Twittervision: Check out Twittervision for real-time geographic tweets.
6. TwitterLocal: On TwitterLocal, you can find tweets in a designated location.
7. Localtweeps: Check out Localtweeps to find Twitter users near you.

Topical

Using these tools, you can find Twitter users and tweets that directly relate to the topic you’re interested in.

1. Twubble: Twubble highlights Twitter users who have specific interests.
2. Twellow: Twellow’s Twitter directory offers a Twitter yellow pages.
3. TweetChannel: Create Twitter channels to monitor through TweetChannel.
4. Twits Like Me: Twits Like Me will allow you to find related users.
5. WeFollow: Check out WeFollow to find users based on interest.
6. Twitter Packs: Twitter Packs offers an organized listing of Twitter users in a variety of different categories.

Alerts

Set up alerts with any of these services to find out when a Twitter user discusses something you’d like to hear about.

1. TweetScan: TweetScan will help you research on Twitter, getting updates for your selected keywords.
2. Monitter: Keep an eye on keywords, and find out geographic areas as well.
3. TweetBeep: Use TweetBeep to get updated on keywords and phrases.
4. Twilert: Twilert emails you every time someone tweets with your keywords.

Search

These Twitter tools will make it easy to zero in on the information you’re looking for.

1. TweetGrid: TweetGrid is a search dashboard that will make your Twitter searches streamlined.
2. Twendz: Use this real time Twitter search engine with keywords and word clouds.
3. twitority: twitority is a great tool for searching Twitter users that have authority.
4. Flaptor Twitter Search: Mine the Twitter web using this simple search tool.
5. Tweetzi: Check out Tweetzi to use an advanced Twitter search engine.
6. Twups: With this news aggregator, you can follow subjects that are important to you.
7. twAnswers: If you’re seeking out information, you can ask a question and have it answered by Twitter through twAnswers.
8. TwiST: Get super efficient searches through TwiST.
9. JustSignal: Use Just Signal to only get the information you’re looking for, and none of the noise.

Trends

Follow what’s hot and developing on Twitter with the help of these tools.

1. Twitscoop: On Twitscoop, you can learn what’s hot on Twitter, and search to see what’s going on.
2. Twitt(url)y: Sort URLs by how frequently they are mentioned in Tweets using Twitt(url)y.
3. Twazzup: Use Twazzup to get a quick and handy look at what’s popular on Twitter right now.
4. Retweetradar: See the tag clouds and trends on retweets through retweetradar.
5. Hashtags.org: Keep an eye on Twitter hashtags, and even subscribe to a hashtag using RSS.
6. Twitlinks: You’ll see links from the most popular tech Twitter users through this tool.
7. Twitter Search: Through Twitter Search, you’ll be able to learn about trends and search the latest tweets.
8. Twist: Find aggregated data about what’s going on in Twitter from Twist.
9. Twemes: Stay on top of Twitter memes with Twemes.
10. twopopular: Twopopular offers a way to track hashtags and keywords on Twitter.
11. MicroBlogBuzz: Learn about the most popular links on Twitter and similar services.
12. ReTweetist: You’ll learn about the most popular retweets from ReTweetist.
13. TweetVolume: You can find out how often keywords are used on Twitter with TweetVolume.

Distribution

Twitter isn’t just a research tool: it’s a great way to share information as well. You can use these tools to get the word out.

1. TwitPic: TwitPic is a wildly popular way to share photos on Twitter.
2. LiveTwitting: If you’re at an event or conference, you can share your notes through LiveTwitting.
3. Twiggit: Use Twiggit to let your followers know what articles you’re supporting on Digg.
4. TweeTube: With TweeTube, you can share captured videos on Twitter.
5. QuoteURL: Through QuoteURL, you’ll be able to reference multiple tweets at one time.

Organization

Make use of these tools to tame the firehose of information on Twitter.

1. Tweetree: Tweetree makes viewing tweets in conversations convenient.
2. Twtask: Using Twtask, you can make simple Twitter task lists.
3. postica: Use postica to put your own sticky notes all over Twitter.
4. TweetDeck: Make use of TweetDeck, and you can keep different categories of Twitter users separate.
5. Twit2Do: Twit2Do is a great tool for keeping your to do list together on Twitter.
6. TwitterNotes: With TwitterNotes, it’s easy to create private notes on Twitter.”

“Cloud Computing Libraries and OCLC”…05.07.09

Here is an excerpt from a Library 2.0 Gang post today Cloud Computing Libraries and OCLC:

“New Gang member Frances Haugen from Google, joined Marshall Breeding and myself for a discussion about one of the recent trends in computing and the Internet, Cloud Computing, and how it will influence libraries, especially in the light of recent announcements by OCLC.

… Dr Paul Miller can now be found at Cloudofdata.com, working at the interface between the worlds of Cloud Computing and the Semantic Web, providing the insights that enable you to exploit the next wave as we approach the World Wide Database.

Paul provided us with an overview of what is meant by Cloud Computing, before the conversation moved on to the OCLC strategy to move library management services to Web scale. Interpreting the OCLC announcement, it is clear that it is a approach to deliver hosted library management services from the  cloud in direct competition to the traditional ILS vendors such as SirsiDynix, Ex Libris, Innovative, Talis, and even those that OCLC have consumed over recent years.

Marshall shared with us the insight that in specifying the architecture for this initiative they had been working on a transaction rate sufficient to cope with the transactions of all libraries on the planet – an average of 5,000 per second.

…How comfortable libraries will be adding back-office and patron’s personal data to the bibliographic data many already share with OCLC, being another one…”

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:

Library 2.0 Gang 05/09: Cloud Computing Libraries and OCLC [00:40:59m]:

Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

QR Code (Quick Response Code) News…05.06.09

For regularly updated news and more about the world of QR Codes and their use, visit QR Code News, Videos and Forum. QR Code tracking service from QRme.

Libraries – “Harvesting The Web With Cloud Computing”…05.06.09

“High-level overview of cloud computing. Originally presented during Faculty Technology Days at the University of Calgary“:

Kindle DX Specs…05.06.09

As I have mentioned in the past, I would really like and use a Kindle.  The new Kindle DX looks great but it is more costly.  Here are the specs directly from the Amazon Kindle DX site:

“…Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

Carry Your Library: Holds up to 3,500 books, periodicals, and documents

Beautiful Large Display: 9.7″ diagonal e-ink screen reads like real paper; boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and sharp images

Auto-Rotating Screen: Display auto-rotates from portrait to landscape as you turn the device so you can view full-width maps, graphs, tables, and Web pages

Built-In PDF Reader: Native PDF support allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go

Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle DX, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, no annual contracts, and no hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots

Books In Under 60 Seconds: You get free wireless delivery of books in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

Long Battery Life: Read for days without recharging

Read-to-Me: With the text-to-speech feature, Kindle DX can read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book’s rights holder made the feature unavailable

Big Selection, Low Prices: Over 275,000 books; New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases are only $9.99, unless marked otherwise

More Than Books: U.S. and international newspapers including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, magazines including The New Yorker and Time, plus popular blogs, all auto-delivered wirelessly…”

NEW Kindle – The Big Reveal…05.06.09

Amazon taking orders now for the Kindle DX

TechCrunch reports today:

“…Bezos introduces the Kindle DX, built in PDF reader. No zooming, no panning, just read. shows off cookbooks, a picture of Sushi doesn’t look too appetizing in gray-scale, however, atlases, and textbooks.

announcing partnership with three top textbook publishers which account for 60% of textbook sales (Pearson, Wiley and Cengage Learning)…

Kindle has a 9.7 inch display with autorotation. 3G wireless access to 275K books

Native PDF support

3.3 GB of memory

$9.99 or less for NYT

$489 for Kindle DX versus $359 for 6 inch display…”

 

 

 

FREE Convert Scanned Images and PDFs to Editable and Text Searchable Documents with OCR Terminal…05.06.09

“OCR Terminal is a free online Optical Character Recognition service that allows you to convert scanned images and PDFs into editable and text searchable documents. It accurately preserves formatting and layout of documents…”

FREE and EASY Twitter File Sharing with FileSocial…05.06.09

                                                

“FileSocial allows you to share any file through your Twitter account.”

“All you have to do is enter your Twitter login and password, write some text, and attach the document you want to share. So easy! Automatically, your Twitter will display a “tweet” with your message and a link to the file…”