Computer and Print Management

Posted on December 21st, 2009 by smoreland

We were recently researching PC and Print Management systems in hopes of finding that one, great low-cost, open-source solution.  We didn’t find it, but remain optimistic that someone, somewhere is working on this for librarians everywhere!

Until then, I thought I would share what we did discover and what some of the other libraries in NEKLS are using for PC and print management.

We have libraries in our system who use the following proprietary solutions for print and pc management:

• Vendprint
• Envisionware
• Cybrarian

Ottawa uses the lower-cost version of Envisonware, Bonner Springs uses Vendprint and Tonganoxie uses Cybrarian.  If asked, they will tell you how much each solution is costing their library.

Mickey shared another lead from a company he spoke with at ALA  -  ALPS.

I also stumbled upon a pertinent TechSoup article, Recipes for a 5-Star Library – Meal Plan 5: ‘We’re Booked Through January’ PC Reservation/Time Management Software (.pdf). Our very own Brenda hosted the online discussion in July 2008.

PC and print management is an underdeveloped area in the Open Source world, as far as we can tell. Userful has apparently released an open source product for PC reservations called Pre-Book, that you can read more about in this article from networkworld.com. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include print management.

Amy Begg De Groff told us about Groovix in Howard County, but this solution would be a radical shift from Microsoft to Linux.

Additional Open source solutions for libraries (everything from pc management to koha) can be found at this libsuccess.org wiki.

So, what solution have you found?  Share!

-Sharon

I used to (blank) but now I (blank) on the internet for free

Posted on April 9th, 2009 by Liz

Interesting thread over at Lifehacker about the things that we used to pay for or do in an analog fashion, but that we now do on the ‘net (or with Open Source software) for free.

Examples:
“I used to go to the library to get books… Now I just log into the library’s website and load them on my portable reader! -ditto for audiobooks”

“I used to pay for long-distance calls, but now I use Skype.”

“I used to buy stamps to mail my bills, but now I’ve discovered online bill pay at my bank’s web site. I still can’t believe that they mail out the check for me, to anyone in the US!”

“I once thought of paying for satellite radio (Sirius, XM), but now just listen to Pandora.”

“I used to buy blank CD’s to back up my data, but now I use the 2GB free storage/backup system at Mozy.”

“I used to haul around files on thumbdrives, but now I use Dropbox.”

See the full list

Do you have library related examples of things you used to do in an analog fashion but now do better/easier/faster/cheaper online? Let’s hear it!

Security Experts recommend avoiding Internet Explorer (for now)

Posted on December 16th, 2008 by Heather Braum

From Lifehacker:

A serious scripting hack that can grab passwords (or, potentially, do worse) from any version of Internet Explorer is leading security and malware experts to suggest switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or any other browser, if only for the time being. Microsoft itself is, of course, asking users to just be cautious while it works on a fix. The BBC article thumbnails security tips, including switching IE’s security settings to “High,” if you won’t be migrating (or can’t switch at work)…

If you’re not using Firefox, Chrome, or Opera already, we highly recommend you download, install, and use one of those three browsers. The staff at NEKLS uses Firefox as our main Internet browser and we highly recommend it for a much safer and more secure browsing experience.

Here’s more info from Yahoo! Tech. Please consider encouraging your patrons to use Firefox, Chrome, or Opera on library computers for the time being. Please contact the NEKLS Tech staff if you have any questions or concerns.

Need to create a PDF?

Posted on September 25th, 2008 by Heather Braum

For those of you who would like to be able to create PDFs, but do not want to purchase Adobe Acrobat Professional/Standard, there is a free tool available to you. It’s especially helpful when you’ve created something in Publisher and can’t share it with someone because that person doesn’t have Publisher.

All you need to do is download and install PrimoPDF…. See the rest of the post over at the NEKLS Tech Knowledgebase.

Tags: primopdf pdfs

XP availablity after June 30

Posted on June 25th, 2008 by Heather Braum

As you may have heard, you will no longer be able to purchase a computer with Windows XP as the Operating System after June 30. Don’t panic! Due to the relative unpopularity of Vista, Microsoft has decided to allow users to choose to “downgrade” computers to Windows XP when buying certain versions of Vista. In particular, Dell has a “downgrade” option you can choose as you are building a computer. When selecting your operating system, choose the “Genuine Windows Vista Business Bonus-Windows XP Professional loaded” option. The computer will come with XP pre-installed and give you the option to upgrade to Vista at a later time (if you ever want to).

See the following website for more information: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/sitelets/solutions/software/business/xp_smb?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~tab=2

Also, if you only need a copy of Windows XP Professional after June 30, contact the NEKLS office. We can help.

As always, contact Liz, Heather, or Sharon if you have questions. If you ever would like assistance in purchasing new computers, contact Liz or Heather and we’d be happy to sit down with you to figure out your purchasing options.

Imagination Cubed – Collaborative Free Whiteboard

Posted on July 14th, 2006 by Liz

Have you ever been in a situation where drawing a picture would have really gotten your point across to someone who’s on the phone and an hour away? I know I have. I can think of many times when just “drawing a picture” would have helped get my point across so much more easily. Now, with this tool, I can do just that over the internet.

Check it out!

Imagination Cubed