We recently put up four PDA flash tutorials on the library site.(http://library.osfsaintfrancis.org/pda.htm)
There is one which is an introduction to PDAs; an overview of our grant project on PDAs; an introduction
to medical content for PDAs; and one on pediatric resources. Take a look and let me know if you have
any suggestions. Thanks.
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
Friday, July 26, 2002
Mobile Computing Weblogs
I recently discovered a couple of technical weblogs dedicated to mobile computing that might be of interest to others here. The weblogs are The Bluetooth Weblog and Mobilog.
Monday, July 22, 2002
CyberRead: Electronic Books for the PDA!
CyberRead: Electronic
Books for the PDA has over 2500 ebooks in Mobipocket format (Palm, etc.), Microsoft Reader
format, and Adobe ebook reader format. This means their books can be read on most PDA platforms,
laptops, and desktops. Check their site out! It is exciting to see an e-book vendor providing titles
in multiple formats!
Books for the PDA has over 2500 ebooks in Mobipocket format (Palm, etc.), Microsoft Reader
format, and Adobe ebook reader format. This means their books can be read on most PDA platforms,
laptops, and desktops. Check their site out! It is exciting to see an e-book vendor providing titles
in multiple formats!
Monday, July 15, 2002
PDAs - The Next Big Thing!
I was excited to read this post in The Shifted Librarian. Although most of you who read this probably read that also, I wanted to just emphasize this exciting happening. Before I begin the quote, I wanted to let you know that our PDA project will be highlighted in the October issue of Computers in Libraries!
This from Jenny:
"In the June issue of Computers in Libraries, Michael Schuyler writes about "The Next Big Thing: Super-PDAs Do It All." I like his description of where we're headed and I very much agree with it.
"The first issue is that cellphones and PDAs and wireless are mergining into a single digital appliance. At a certain point you will not be carrying around a PDA and a cellphone and a camera and an MP3 player, all with wireless Internet access. It will be one piece of equipment, very small, without even a keyboard. It won't need even a stylus because you will talk to it, and it will talk back. If you want to see what the first generation of one of these looks like, albeit still with a keyboard and without language skills, go to http://www.danger.com and look at the 'Hiptop.'
Hold that thought. Now walk into your local public library, wired for wireless with a hub in the ceiling. You'll have an instant online catalog on your PDA and instant high-speed Internet access. It will be like walking into a bubble of Internet and catalog access. Within the bubble you are automatically connected. No more waiting for a PC or scheduling your personal time slot. You just have to be within the 100-foot radius of the hub (indoors) or within 300 feet (outdoors), meaning the parking lot of the library will be an Internet hub 24 hours a day. This is the Starbucks approach. People in libraries keep saying we absolutely must become community centers. This is how to do it....
The Big Thing comes about as your PDA gains intelligence, going from a mere conduit to smart searching engines and advancing to being an assistant in every sense of the word. It will be your first line of defense in the world. It will have hooks to your bank account, your stock broker, your bookie, and your medical history. It will know your blood pressure, your heart rate, and whether or not you've taken your pill. It will make your dinner reservations or your airline reservations, and schedule any meetings in between. It will be capable of translating any of the world's major languages in real time. Its GPS (Global Positioning System) module will know where you are. It will call the cops if you need them, or tell you what to do if the cops stop you. Your lawyer, if it's not the PDA itself, could be there by the time the car stops rolling. It will nag you to get places on time, and you'll probably argue with it."
The article isn't online, but you can get a copy from your local public library. Volume 22, Number 6, pages 28-29."
This from Jenny:
"In the June issue of Computers in Libraries, Michael Schuyler writes about "The Next Big Thing: Super-PDAs Do It All." I like his description of where we're headed and I very much agree with it.
"The first issue is that cellphones and PDAs and wireless are mergining into a single digital appliance. At a certain point you will not be carrying around a PDA and a cellphone and a camera and an MP3 player, all with wireless Internet access. It will be one piece of equipment, very small, without even a keyboard. It won't need even a stylus because you will talk to it, and it will talk back. If you want to see what the first generation of one of these looks like, albeit still with a keyboard and without language skills, go to http://www.danger.com and look at the 'Hiptop.'
Hold that thought. Now walk into your local public library, wired for wireless with a hub in the ceiling. You'll have an instant online catalog on your PDA and instant high-speed Internet access. It will be like walking into a bubble of Internet and catalog access. Within the bubble you are automatically connected. No more waiting for a PC or scheduling your personal time slot. You just have to be within the 100-foot radius of the hub (indoors) or within 300 feet (outdoors), meaning the parking lot of the library will be an Internet hub 24 hours a day. This is the Starbucks approach. People in libraries keep saying we absolutely must become community centers. This is how to do it....
The Big Thing comes about as your PDA gains intelligence, going from a mere conduit to smart searching engines and advancing to being an assistant in every sense of the word. It will be your first line of defense in the world. It will have hooks to your bank account, your stock broker, your bookie, and your medical history. It will know your blood pressure, your heart rate, and whether or not you've taken your pill. It will make your dinner reservations or your airline reservations, and schedule any meetings in between. It will be capable of translating any of the world's major languages in real time. Its GPS (Global Positioning System) module will know where you are. It will call the cops if you need them, or tell you what to do if the cops stop you. Your lawyer, if it's not the PDA itself, could be there by the time the car stops rolling. It will nag you to get places on time, and you'll probably argue with it."
The article isn't online, but you can get a copy from your local public library. Volume 22, Number 6, pages 28-29."
Sunday, July 14, 2002
Comments to Web4lib by Bill Drew on Wireless Future of Library Computing
I asked Bill Drew if I could post some of his comments on the Wireless Future of Library Computing to this blog as I think he makes some excellent points. Thanks, Bill!
"I have seen the interest in wireless computing in libraries increase
greatly
in the last year. Since August 2001 I have done 5 workshops on
Wireless
LANs for libraries. My most recent one was for the Nassau Library
System
out on Long Island.
I am amazed at how many librarians "just don't get it." I was at a
meeting
yesterday where someone made a comment I wasn't supposed to hear saying
she/he just couldn't understand why anyone uses a PDA. This was after
I
looked up some dates and other information on my Palm Pilot during the
meeting. This librarian is 25 years younger than I am.
That aside, Karl's comment about the laptop as a final destination as
being
NO is entirely correct. I actually believe there will not be a clear
final
destination for handheld or mobile computing for at least another
decade.
Karl's observations about laptops not being replaced by handheld
computers
is also entirely true. The laptop will replace the desktop for high
end
computing needs. It is already doing that on my campus and in our
library.
The section on how libraries can cope is excellent and should serve as
a
wakeup call. We do not have a policy in the SUNY Morrisville Library
about
the use of cell phones. We have policies about noise and ask laptop
users
or others listening to music to use headsets.
Libraries also need to lobby with our systems vendors to make the OPAC
web
interface more user friendly for hand helds . We need to push OCLC
into
getting netLibrary books working on such portable devices. Currently
the
books can only be read through the web interface.
Many librarians have played down the value of wireless computing in the
library. To do so is very short sighted.
Andrew Mutch makes some good points about jumping on the bandwagon
early.
There is a whole literature out there that talks about early adopters
and
the hazards and pitfalls of being one. But, that same literature also
talks
about the rewards.
Given that, WLAN technologies and other wireless technologies are
actually
more mature than most people realize. The costs can be lower than
running
wire to every station. The benefits are tremendous as well. Here are
benefits I put forth in my workshops. Note that these are benefits (for
the
most part) from just the staff using wireless:
Flexible configuration of rooms using laptops.
Allow users to bring in their own wireless devices.
Can be cheaper than wired.
Fast installation.
Greater productivity and service.
U.S. - twice as many wireless devices as PCs (Forrester Research).
Access networked resources at meetings.
Extend virtual reference desk to all users .
Allow myLibrary service users to keep their myLibrary on their own
device.
Enhance experience of users in study groups.
Provide printing from anywhere in the library.
Place computers where needed not just where there is wire.
Web based camera to send video back over network for security.
Wireless devices for OPAC queries and other access.
Bar coding and other scanning (shelf reading, inventory).
Allow reference staff to roam with access to network and library
resources.
Circulate laptops / PDAs with wireless.
These benefits are from actual experiences in many different libraries."
"I have seen the interest in wireless computing in libraries increase
greatly
in the last year. Since August 2001 I have done 5 workshops on
Wireless
LANs for libraries. My most recent one was for the Nassau Library
System
out on Long Island.
I am amazed at how many librarians "just don't get it." I was at a
meeting
yesterday where someone made a comment I wasn't supposed to hear saying
she/he just couldn't understand why anyone uses a PDA. This was after
I
looked up some dates and other information on my Palm Pilot during the
meeting. This librarian is 25 years younger than I am.
That aside, Karl's comment about the laptop as a final destination as
being
NO is entirely correct. I actually believe there will not be a clear
final
destination for handheld or mobile computing for at least another
decade.
Karl's observations about laptops not being replaced by handheld
computers
is also entirely true. The laptop will replace the desktop for high
end
computing needs. It is already doing that on my campus and in our
library.
The section on how libraries can cope is excellent and should serve as
a
wakeup call. We do not have a policy in the SUNY Morrisville Library
about
the use of cell phones. We have policies about noise and ask laptop
users
or others listening to music to use headsets.
Libraries also need to lobby with our systems vendors to make the OPAC
web
interface more user friendly for hand helds . We need to push OCLC
into
getting netLibrary books working on such portable devices. Currently
the
books can only be read through the web interface.
Many librarians have played down the value of wireless computing in the
library. To do so is very short sighted.
Andrew Mutch makes some good points about jumping on the bandwagon
early.
There is a whole literature out there that talks about early adopters
and
the hazards and pitfalls of being one. But, that same literature also
talks
about the rewards.
Given that, WLAN technologies and other wireless technologies are
actually
more mature than most people realize. The costs can be lower than
running
wire to every station. The benefits are tremendous as well. Here are
benefits I put forth in my workshops. Note that these are benefits (for
the
most part) from just the staff using wireless:
Flexible configuration of rooms using laptops.
Allow users to bring in their own wireless devices.
Can be cheaper than wired.
Fast installation.
Greater productivity and service.
U.S. - twice as many wireless devices as PCs (Forrester Research).
Access networked resources at meetings.
Extend virtual reference desk to all users .
Allow myLibrary service users to keep their myLibrary on their own
device.
Enhance experience of users in study groups.
Provide printing from anywhere in the library.
Place computers where needed not just where there is wire.
Web based camera to send video back over network for security.
Wireless devices for OPAC queries and other access.
Bar coding and other scanning (shelf reading, inventory).
Allow reference staff to roam with access to network and library
resources.
Circulate laptops / PDAs with wireless.
These benefits are from actual experiences in many different libraries."
Friday, July 12, 2002
Handheld Computing and Libraries
For one of the best articles I have ever read on handheld computing and libraries,
and the future of the two together, read
The Wireless Future of Library Computing by Karl Bridges. You can post comments to this article
on LIS News and there is also an interesting discussion on this article on Web4Lib list. Let me
know what you think, but it does an excellent job!
and the future of the two together, read
The Wireless Future of Library Computing by Karl Bridges. You can post comments to this article
on LIS News and there is also an interesting discussion on this article on Web4Lib list. Let me
know what you think, but it does an excellent job!
Wednesday, July 03, 2002
Bluetooth, Blue Communications, blue this, blue that
For a great introduction and overview of bluetooth wireless technology, handheld devices, personal area networks, wireless area networks, etc., go to Bluetooth Wireless Technology in the Medical Market by Bill Saltzstein. This presentation is as recent as May 2002 and also gives an overview of some medical applications which can be used with Bluetooth. If you are into handhelds, you hear bluetooth this, bluetooth that, blue this, blue that, and may wonder what all the blue blah is about. This is a great presentation!
Palm Media's Ten Best Selling E-Books
Palm Media's Ten Best Selling E-Books
Tuesday, July 02, 2002
Working with Documents on a Handheld
Working with Documents on a Handheld
http://www.llrx.com/columns/mobiletech2.htm
The author states "If there is a raison d’etre for libraries it is to collect and make available the written word. The library represents more noble aspects of human knowledge, but none of that matters when you or your charges are out and about needing immediate access to those written words. Going mobile with these written words can be an adventure, but it does not have to. In this edition of Mobile Tech you will learn about documents and the idea of mobility"
The library can provide and enhance access to those written words! Going mobile can be an
adventure in terms of a library providing or enhancing access to words and works, and providing
training in using mobile access! In academic and special, and some public libraries, library users
are looking to librarians as content experts, mobilizing content from the web to the handheld, and
to provide training on the handheld, and providing access to traditionally print-based to web-based
to handheld based products.
After the first paragraph, the writer goes on to discuss various word processing packages for the
pocket pc and the palm. My vote is for Documents to Go. What about yours?
http://www.llrx.com/columns/mobiletech2.htm
The author states "If there is a raison d’etre for libraries it is to collect and make available the written word. The library represents more noble aspects of human knowledge, but none of that matters when you or your charges are out and about needing immediate access to those written words. Going mobile with these written words can be an adventure, but it does not have to. In this edition of Mobile Tech you will learn about documents and the idea of mobility"
The library can provide and enhance access to those written words! Going mobile can be an
adventure in terms of a library providing or enhancing access to words and works, and providing
training in using mobile access! In academic and special, and some public libraries, library users
are looking to librarians as content experts, mobilizing content from the web to the handheld, and
to provide training on the handheld, and providing access to traditionally print-based to web-based
to handheld based products.
After the first paragraph, the writer goes on to discuss various word processing packages for the
pocket pc and the palm. My vote is for Documents to Go. What about yours?
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