This thing is FAST! http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/sets/72057594068039580/
Categories Emerging Technology
353 posts
Michael Casey’s latest thoughtful post resonates deeply with me: http://www.librarycrunch.com/2006/02/evolutionary_technology_and_th.html So when my group, the Emerging Technologies Team, sat down to examine the current and future technology landscape, we quickly came to the realization that while there are some wonderful new things that can be put into our plan, few of them are actually new technologies. Most are modifications or improvements on existing technology. All of this leads me to believe that technology, at least right now, is in an evolutionary phase, whereas only two or three years ago we were still in a revolutionary time period where new ideas […]
I wrote this piece, entitled Crystal Visions at TechSource a few weeks ago. Today, we get this news out of Colorado via LISNews: In mid-March, members will be able to start downloading documentaries and IMAX movies, travel and concert films, do-it-yourself remodeling flicks and exercise videos. “It will be very cool, because you could take it on your laptop on a business trip and have your yoga program right there in your hotel room,” Jeske said. Eventually, the library expects to also offer feature films. Like audio books, Jeske said, patrons will be able to keep a video download about […]
This month, Rachel Singer Gordon and I start a Computers in Libraries magazine monthly department that will offer tips and strategies for technology projects in any kind of library for little or no cost! We begin with some background about our library experience. We’ll be switching off between aithors month to month. Next month, I write about the benefits and mechanics of internal blogging for improved communication in libraries. Welcome to Our World! Gordon, Rachel Singer Gordon & Michael Stephens. Computers in Libraries; Jan2006, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p40-41 All of this talk about new Web site techniques–“Web 2.0,” blogs, […]
On January 27th, I spoke at the Panhandle Library Access Network Tech Day. The crowd, facilities and discussion were incredible. We discussed many of these points as well as ways to effectively incorporate and plan for new technologies, such as IM, blogs and wikis. It’s appropriate then to post this list I’ve been working on because I believe these are some things librarians need to be aware of as we move into 2006 and beyond, amid the discussions of Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and the future of library services. Last year’s list is here. These are the things I would […]
So, you may be sitting in a planning meeting and an idea comes up to add or change a service at your library. One of my key points in planning for technology, and one I think applies to all types of services in libraries is to make sure you are being user-centered. For example, use this checklist to tell if you are proceeding down the wrong path: Does it place a barrier between the user and the service? Is it librarian-centered or user-centered in conception, i.e. is it born from complaints from librarians about users? Does it add more rules […]
Karen weighs in on Top Tech trends for 2006 and I must say: read this one and discuss. It’s a doozy for bringing up what we will face this year and what technology trends will impact our services. Thanks Karen! http://freerangelibrarian.com/2006/01/top_technology_trends_2006.php
http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/editors/2006/01/ministore/index.php?lsrc=mwrss In this new version of iTunes, the main window displays the Ministore. When I lick on Fleetwood Mac’s “Goodbye Baby” it displays info about the CD the song is on, links to reviews and more offerings from FM and other similar bands that I might like. This feature can easily be disabled but this irked some folks — their listening habits were being sent without their knowledge to Apple to make the correct info display in the Ministore. How many times have you listened to that same sad song, over and over again, in the deep dark, middle of […]
I’ve spent the last 90 minutes or so exploring iLife ’06 from Apple. It’s new this week and boasts loads of features. iPhoto runs smoother, the apps are even more integrated but the most intriguing pieces are iWeb and the Podcast Studio of Garageband. Here’s a flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/sets/72057594047315870/ I was able to record a podcast in about 25 minutes and mix it down for iWeb to post at my .mac account. You can see the podcast blog and hear the podcast here: http://web.mac.com/mstephens7/iWeb/TTW.Mac/TTWPodcasts/TTWPodcasts.html There is a learning curve for Garageband but it’s not bad at all once you get […]
Via the BBC: 2005 was arguably the year citizens really started to do it for themselves. Raising mobiles aloft, they did not just talk and text, they snapped, shared and reported the world around them. Fascinating little article that touches on braodband in the UK, videoblogging, news, and more. Also reminds me of this fellow that snapped his picture with his Treo while the plane he was on was de-pressurizing, and this piece at USA Today about video sharing Web sites.