Well I've done a bit of work on my library technology plan.
I am thinking we need to do a lot of things, including:
* Review the library's loan parameters
* Research how we can make the LMS interact with our subscription databases (via the catalogue records, web links & discovery services, for example)
* Research an OPAC that will "discover" all of these resources.
* Decide how we want the search results displayed (local holdings first? or mixed in with the other results?)
* Investigate these "discovery" solutions with the vendors (Insight, Ebsco, Gale etc)
* Match the design of the website to our users' needs. (If they can't FIND IT or USE IT, we are wasting our effort)
* Digitise more of our collection
* Maximise the use of the software - turn on all useful features & promote to customers.
* Develop website to include more interactive resources
* Seek partnerships with local schools/TAFE/University to maximise IT investment.
* Investigate Ebook options. Research alternative vendors, talk to other libraries
* Integrate Web 2.0 apps into our services
* Develop Mobile services via SMS & Twitter, etc
* Hardware upgrade plan - Microform readers & alternative technologies
* Hardware upgrade plan - Barcode scanners
* Hardware upgrade plan - slip printers
* Photo database development
* Research IT trends for collection of resources (CDs, DVDs or MP3 etc?)
* Research Wireless uptake & need for hardwired public PCs
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Blogging
Well 4 posts later & I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of Blogger. So far I've only got one follower, but I'm continuing to write about topics that I hope will get people interested.
For me, the most interesting thing so far is how unfindable this blog is. I've tried via google, I've tried via my browsing history - but for some reason it does not seem to jump out at me - even though I am the author!
Oh well, I will just continue to write, & see what happens. Maybe some of my pals will look at it & lift the profile a bit in google searches?
Any ideas?
For me, the most interesting thing so far is how unfindable this blog is. I've tried via google, I've tried via my browsing history - but for some reason it does not seem to jump out at me - even though I am the author!
Oh well, I will just continue to write, & see what happens. Maybe some of my pals will look at it & lift the profile a bit in google searches?
Any ideas?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Dick Smith Bluetooth car kit
Well, I've been looking for ways of getting the family mobiles to work in the car - seems I can never contact them when I need to - so I finally gave in and bought a Dick Smith bluetooth kit when I saw they had reduced the price by $20.
Turns out it works well - IF you are prepared to spend a lot of time setting it up.
I was able to pair it to my phone - no problem - auto voice dialling worked, and I was very pleased. However, pairing it to my wife's phone proved somewhat more complex.
If you want it to be paired to more than one phone, you have to follow the instructions exactly - and don't do what I did & misplace those instructions!
So I ended up doing a global reset on the thing, and paired Chris's phone in first - it seemed to be better that way. (But I still can't get voice dialling to work on her phone (Samsung), whereas my Nokia has no problem). But at least she can answer calls - hey that's gotta be a win!
Turns out it works well - IF you are prepared to spend a lot of time setting it up.
I was able to pair it to my phone - no problem - auto voice dialling worked, and I was very pleased. However, pairing it to my wife's phone proved somewhat more complex.
If you want it to be paired to more than one phone, you have to follow the instructions exactly - and don't do what I did & misplace those instructions!
So I ended up doing a global reset on the thing, and paired Chris's phone in first - it seemed to be better that way. (But I still can't get voice dialling to work on her phone (Samsung), whereas my Nokia has no problem). But at least she can answer calls - hey that's gotta be a win!
Autumnal activities
Looking forward to lighting a fire to keep the house warm this winter, although this is mostly unnecessary given our reverse cycle air cond. But we like to have a fire sometimes just for the cosy feel, and it really does heat up the house beautifully.
(and we still have a fair bit of old firewood down the back yard).
Leaves are still on the trees at our place, but starting to turn orange. It's weird, some of them are still fully green, yet others are already fully red. First year I can remember actually slowing down enough to notice.
(and we still have a fair bit of old firewood down the back yard).
Leaves are still on the trees at our place, but starting to turn orange. It's weird, some of them are still fully green, yet others are already fully red. First year I can remember actually slowing down enough to notice.
Andrew's world
Been having some fun getting the Chrysler improved. A typical bloke with a tool kit in the garage, and always looking for ways to play with the car.
Good news is I finally changed the automatic transmission fluid last weekend. Came out a bit brown (should be red) but not smelly, and no sign of broken bits in the fluid or filter.
Put a new filter in, cleaned everything & resealed the pan back on with the original gasket (so I didn't need to use RTV). Filled up with 4 litres of new ATF4. The car is running very smoothly, no leaks, and I plan to do this little exercise again every 50,000km.
My main concern was that the transmission actually holds about 9 litres of fluid - mostly in the torque converter & some in the cooler, and I thought about pumping that out too, but the procedure seemed a bit risky & complex. (You have to disconnect a hose from the cooler & then run the engine - which pumps the old fluid out of the system - while at the same time pouring fresh fluid into the trans filler tube.) I decided to just drain the pan, and am pretty happy with this, as the trans was so clean, and I figure doing it again in another 50 will improve it even more.
Good news is I finally changed the automatic transmission fluid last weekend. Came out a bit brown (should be red) but not smelly, and no sign of broken bits in the fluid or filter.
Put a new filter in, cleaned everything & resealed the pan back on with the original gasket (so I didn't need to use RTV). Filled up with 4 litres of new ATF4. The car is running very smoothly, no leaks, and I plan to do this little exercise again every 50,000km.
My main concern was that the transmission actually holds about 9 litres of fluid - mostly in the torque converter & some in the cooler, and I thought about pumping that out too, but the procedure seemed a bit risky & complex. (You have to disconnect a hose from the cooler & then run the engine - which pumps the old fluid out of the system - while at the same time pouring fresh fluid into the trans filler tube.) I decided to just drain the pan, and am pretty happy with this, as the trans was so clean, and I figure doing it again in another 50 will improve it even more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)