Technology product reviews

Posted on September 25th, 2008 by Heather Braum

When many people ask what equipment I’d recommend purchasing, which brand is best, I typically depend on a combination of reviews from CNET Reviews, as well as performing Google searches for the specific product I’m looking at purchasing. CNET Reviews is a great starting place if you simply have no idea where to start when you’re ready to purchase a new laptop, camera, printer, or other devices; software reviews are also available. You can browse the site through many categories, including by product type, by brand, and by price range.

The editor reviews are full of great explanations, videos (sometimes), brand and model comparisons, and price comparisons, including options of where to purchase the product you’re considering. The reviews will also include consumer reviews, so you’re able to see what the experts say and also what ordinary citizens have to say about the product.

The next time you’re ready to purchase a new camera for the library or a patron asks you what you would recommend for a new computer, check out CNET Reviews to find out everything you ever wanted to know (and probably didn’t want to know) about technology products and gadgets.

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

Why you need secure passwords

Posted on September 24th, 2008 by Heather Braum

By now, many of you have probably heard on the news that the email account of one of the VP candidates (Sarah Palin) was hacked last week. A lesson is to be learned from this: why you need to start using secure passwords that don’t include easy-to-find/know personal information about yourself or your family.

Read this Wired blog post, that includes descriptions from the hacker himself/herself of how s/he actually hacked into the account (there is some profanity, but it is germane to the story). 

Casting the Net – NEST 2008

Posted on September 17th, 2008 by smoreland

Heather and Sharon will be presented ‘Casting the Net: Hands-on with the NEKLS Tech Staff.’

We will be covering:

• ‘Gators – Using an Aggregator (Slideshare)
  • Leave with either a Bloglines or Google Reader account, with several RSS feeds saved
• Technology Team Response Priorities
  • With special projects and new staff (Sharon), we sat down and made some decisions about how we can provide the BEST tech support to our libraries
• Other Useful Library Land Web Sites
  • A discussion of useful, beloved, cool and innovated Web sites, including WebJunction Kansas and TechAtlas
• Time to explore, practice, play and learn

WebJunction Kansas, Take Two

Posted on September 8th, 2008 by smoreland

At Tech Day, Michael Porter told us about the exciting changes at WebJunction.
Have you had a chance to take a closer look?

WebJunction Kansas – ks.webjunction.org – Look for the Sunflower!

A few Video Overviews under the Member Center tab feature our favorite Gadget Guru:

• Welcome to the New WebJunction – Getting Started
• My WebJunction – the Social Networking aspects of the new WebJunction
• New WebJunction Features: Courses – Michael and Dale talk about enrolling in courses.
  * Affiliate yourself with KANSAS to make all those $40 course fees magically change to $0!
  ** When you sign up for your very FIRST course, you have to fill in your address.

Where to start?  How about Getting Started!  From here you can get to the Users Guide with step-by-step instructions, with illustrations and helpful tips and hints.

Looking for materials for your Trustees?  Look no further.  Cindi Hickey at the State Library of Kansas compiled these great resources.  Or, visit Trustee Resources on WebJunction for a broader selection.

Final Friday Web Site Work Days

Posted on September 4th, 2008 by smoreland

It’s always more fun and a lot less like ‘work’ to tackle a task with other people around…so, if you feel like you need to spend some quality time with your KLOW Web site please attend one of the upcoming Final Friday Web Site Work Days.  The NEKLS Computer Lab will be open, breakfast will be served and friendly, helpful NEKLS staff will be here to help you add widgets, code HTML or pick a brand new theme for your site.  Liz is working hard to upgrade all of our current NEKLS KLOW sites by our first Work Day on Friday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to Noon.  The hope is that we can learn about the new features and small changes to the Dashboard on that Friday.

For those libraries who have recently requested a new KLOW site, we have introductory training planned for Wednesday, October 8 at 1 p.m.  The next Web Site Work Day is scheduled for Friday, October 31 (costumes are encouraged) and another for Friday, November 28.   I look forward to some stimulating conversation about Web development, site content, maintenance and the overall value of a current, customized Web site to YOUR library and community.  Sign up for one, sign up for all!  We have 10 computers in the lab, but room for more if you bring your own lap top.

It’s always more fun and a lot less like ‘work’ to tackle a task with other people around…so, if you feel like you need to spend some quality time with your KLOW Web site please attend one of the upcoming Final Friday Web Site Work Days.  The NEKLS Computer Lab will be open, breakfast will be served and friendly, helpful NEKLS staff will be here to help you add widgets, code HTML or pick a brand new theme for your site.  Liz is working hard to upgrade all of our current NEKLS KLOW sites by our first Work Day on Friday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to Noon.  The hope is that we can learn about the new features and small changes to the Dashboard on that Friday.

For those libraries who have recently requested a new KLOW site, we have introductory training planned for Wednesday, October 8 at 1 p.m.  The next Web Site Work Day is scheduled for Friday, October 31 (costumes are encouraged) and another for Friday, November 28.   I look forward to some stimulating conversation about Web development, site content, maintenance and the overall value of a current, customized Web site to YOUR library and community.  Sign up for one, sign up for all!  We have 10 computers in the lab, but room for more if you bring your own lap top.