Welcome to TechTips. The goal of this site is to inform and educate the students, staff, and faculty of The Ohio State University Libraries System about various emerging technologies that may impact the services that the Libraries provide.
Posts filed under 'Services'
The folks at Google released 100,000 invites today to preview their new model of Web-based communication and collaboration, called Google Wave.
Since it has been in private beta, one has to rely upon others to explain what Wave is. It has been described “as much of a real-time chat room as a platform for editing documents collaboratively. It can also be used as a Wiki, to replace email and IM within an organization, or just to organize a pub crawl.”
A “wave” is equal parts conversation and document, where people can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. Each Wave consists of a threaded forum combined with a wiki, IM, and email that are then combined into a single interface.
In Google Wave, one can create a Wave and the add others to it. Everyone can insert content or edit in the Wave. Since each Wave is updated in real time, others can see content as it is being created. The service can be used for quick messages and persistent content — it allows for both collaboration and communication.
A playback feature allows one to watch a Wave as it evolved, providing access to edits, who made them, and in what context. A locally hosted Wave server can interact with other Wave servers, but will also have the option of keeping their content private or limited to specific users.
Check out Wave in this 10-min abridged video of this hour presentation:
If you are one of the lucky ones to get an invite early on, please make sure to comment on your experience.
-Eric Schnell
September 30th, 2009
In the movie The Terminator, the viewer is taken frequently to the Terminator’s point-of view.
We know this is Terminator’s POV because there is image digitization and the people he is chasing are more luminous than objects in the foreground and background, which suggests infra-red. In the margins of the view we see columns of characters, including numbers and acronyms. The data changes so rapidly that it leaves no doubt that we are seeing the world as the Terminator sees it.
Science fiction? Well, parts of the Terminator’s POV are no longer scifi.
Augmented reality (AR) is the application of computer-generated imagery embedded into live-video streams as a way to expand information as it relates to the real-world. Through the use of AR technology, information about a user’s surrounding environment, and the objects within it, are stored and then retrieved as an information layer on top of a live real world view.
Since one really need to see it in action to understand it:
As far as using AR technology in libraries, Ken Fujiuchi proposes possible uses:
“When someone finds a book in the library catalog, they can have the option to snap a QR code or unique image of the book, which will first store the information about the book. Then the user can first be directed to a specific section of the library, and once they are in the right section they can use a mobile device to scan the book spines to start being guided towards the book they are looking for.”
Helene Blowers paints this scenario:
“When I shift my thinking about AR apps to the physical library space I see our whole collection opening up before our eyeballs. Imagine the ability to walk down an aisle and see the reviews and popularity of an entire shelf titles just by pointing the camera lens on your phone at the spines (or outfacing covers).”
Here are some other possible uses for AR, with the assumption every information source and service is networked:
- Scan a building to find out if study rooms are available
- Scan a building to identify hours of service, or which librarians are on duty. Touch screen to contact (text, IM, etc.)
- Scan a bank of public terminals to identify which ones are open
- 3-D images of special collection artifacts are viewable from a QR code or bib record.
- Physical exhibits can provide 3-D images of supplemental materials
Do you have any ideas?
Resources:
Educause: 7 things you should know about Augmented Reality
How Stuff Works: Augmented Reality
-Eric Schnell
September 21st, 2009
A growing number of university organizations are now managing an online presence on Twitter. In a complex organization like OSU’s library system, there could be accounts for news and events, accounts for any number of special collections, and accounts for projects and initiatives.
The larger the organization the greater the likelihood that several people will be responsible for managing the content stream. Having multiple accounts being managed by multiple individuals can get quite complicated.
One tool that can help with organizational management of multiple Twitter streams is called CoTweet. I have been using it for about a week and it has already saved me a great deal of time managing my three accounts. I just added a co-worker to one of the accounts so they can help manage the stream as they play with Twitter.
Features of CoTweet include:
- Web-based. CoTweet is browser-based. There’s nothing to install.
- Support for Multiple accounts. Twitter clients like TweetDeck and Seesmic Desktop already offer support for multiple accounts. Such support is essential for larger organizations managing several profiles.
- Support for Multiple users. Allows multiple users to Tweet from an account. Also allows individual @replies to be redirected to a team member for followup, who get an email alert that they have an assignment.
- Delayed Publication of Updates. Specific updates can be set to be published at a predetermined time.
- Conversation threads. Tracks conversations between your team and any individual over time. Allows one to see which Tweets have been @replied to in order to prevent repeating or contradict an earlier @reply.
- Cotags. Short signatures (e.g. ^ES) that allow a content manager to identify themselves as being responsible for publishing a message.
- Keyword search. Can create persistent searches for specific keywords.
-Eric Schnell
August 11th, 2009
Hashtags are used by Twitter users to make it easier to search for tweets about specific topics and events. A hashtag consists of a word or code which is preceded by a “#” which helps denote what the tweet is about. Think of it as tweet-metadata. Hashtags allows specific tweets to be searchable and discoverable along with other tweets that contain the same hashtag.
For example:
#ala2009 : American Library Association 2009 Annual Meeting
#ohiostate : No explanation needed
Hashtags have become popular as a tool to track updates in real time especially during conferences or community events. Hashtags have also come into their own during crises and disasters, such as the #iranelection.
One issue with hashtags is that there is no hashtag registration or authority. Tags are ‘claimed’ by a group simply be using it. However, a single tag could also refer to several topic threads, a common occurrence is with conference hashtags. For example, #mla09 was used for annual meetings of the Maryland Library Association and the Medical Library Association which met within days of each other. A startup called Hashtag Directory is an attempt at a registration service.
A service that tracks tags currently in use is #Hashtags.
Some hashtags can be confusing at times because there’s little context for them. For example, how long would it take to figure out #tdf was the hashtag for the Tour de France? One source than can help identify hashtags is called What The Hashtag, a community-built encyclopedia that provides detailed definitions and context of hashtags and any trending topics. The site also provides stats, real-time stream monitoring, and charts.
Finally, hashtags can also be used by spammers and marketers to artificially boost the use of the tag so that is seen as a tending topic, which then drives more traffic. A recent example of this was an Apple Macbook giveaway based on posts which include the hashtag #moonfruit. (see, now you will go there and create even more interest)
While hashtags aren’t a perfect solution they are getting the job done. That is until a librarian gets involved and creates a hashtag authority file, registration system, and standard naming conventions.
-Eric Schnell
July 8th, 2009
Powerset is a discovery tool that (currently) extracts and organizes information contained in Wikipedia and Freebase. A natural language algorithm allows the searcher to use keywords, phrases, or even simple questions. The results page aggregates information from across multiple articles, in essence creating an enhanced Wikipedia article.For example, here is the search results for Thompson Library.Powerset (purchased by Microsoft in 2008) allows users to highlight passages which persist when the URL is bookmarked or shared the URL. Once the URL is copied and shared, the modified page will automatically scroll to the highlighted section. It’s great for sharing notes on Twitter or posting a specific sentence in context into a blog.For example, let’s say that you wanted to share that information that it has been reported that the size of the Thompson Library is expected to decrease 20% when it re-opens after the current renovation. As opposed to just sending that bit of information, one can send a link that directs others to the highlighted text. Now the the fact can be read in context of the Wikipedia article.The service also creates ‘Factz’ which are representations of information extracted from sentences. They are represented in three parts: the subject, relation and objects. Factz will appear for general topic queries on the search results page. On a topic page, Factz extracted from a given page in the article outline.The following video provides a nice introduction to the service.-Eric Schnell
May 7th, 2009
I mentioned the concept of cloud computing in an earlier TechTip on Netbook computers. 
Many library staff members are already experienced users of cloud computing - without even knowing it. Some are using the cloud in the form of GoogleDocs. Staff users of Facebook take advantage of cloud, as do those that use photo sharing services such as Flickr.
In very basic terms, cloud computing is when data and software applications reside on and are drawn from the network rather than locally on any one workstation or a particular device. The ‘cloud’ is simply a metaphor for the Internet since that is how it is depicted in most computer network diagrams. The important point to know about cloud computing is that represents a paradigm shift in how we think about our data and the role of our computing devices.
Most people rely entirely upon their devices (desktop or mobile) to store information and run applications. How many have panicked over misplacing a presentation disc, accidentally deleting a presentation file, copying the wrong file version onto a USB key, or simply grabbing the wrong USB key? A misplaced mobile device or a PC crash is devastating since all data and applications are lost if not aggressively backed up (and we all back up, don’t we!?).
With cloud computing, the focus shifts away from which devices can effectively store data and able to run applications to which devices provide the easiest access to data and applications - which are stored at various places on the Internet. The iPhone has become very popular since it is in essence a cloud computing oriented device.
How libraries can use the cloud is a current topic of discussion within many library organizations and associations. At this point in the emergence of cloud computing in libraries there are many questions being asked. How can libraries use the cloud to both personalize and localize the user’s information seeking experience? Can the cloud save libraries money and resources by using computing devices more efficiently? How our users interact with the cloud, how our services may need to be modified to fit into emerging user patterns?
One thing that is certain, the way in which we think about library computing infrastructures and architectures need to change in order to effectively incorporate cloud computing.
Yes, I know. What happens if an Internet connection goes down or the servers crash? How do we get our spreadsheets on the cloud when offline? After all, the most important files are the ones we need access to at ALL times! The reality is that these issues can be placed in the CON side of every service or solution libraries are talking about implementing today. Without the network most libraries services are shut down.
The cloud is already out there and libraries need to start thinking about how they may need to adjust services in order to effectively adapt to how users are interacting with it.
-Eric Schnell
February 17th, 2009
Chances are if you are into texting on your mobile phone you have sent a message to a five or six digit ‘phone’ number (such as to 32665 to update your Facebook status).
Long popular outside of the US, short codes are being used for a variety of value-added services such as television voting, ordering ring tones, charity donations and mobile device-centric services.
My first experience using a short code was during the Blue Man Group’s first ‘How to be a Megastar’ tour over three years ago. BMG used texting /short code technology to allow audience interaction with the story line / show. More recently, President Obama alerted over 1 million people about his VP selection to those that sent the text ‘VP” to 62262.
I did a little research to get a better understanding how short codes work.
Legacy phone numbers make use of prefix codes since conventional landline technology has no way of indicating the end of the phone number. On mobile phones, however, all the numbers are sent at once. Since the mobile network knows the end of the dialed number, short codes can be used without conflicting with a longer prefixed number. For instance, a landline could not use the short code 12345, since then one could then not dial the phone number 1 234 5XX XXXX, or any other number that shared the 12345 prefix for that matter. There is no such ambiguity with mobile phones.
Short codes can be associated with a specific carrier or they can be registered as a common short code (CSC) that is available on most carriers. A short code directory is available.
Many libraries are using texting services, such as the Carmel Clay (IN) Public Library, Yale, and the Carroll County Public Library, to name a few that came up first on my Google search. There are also other creative ways in which texting could be used to not only provide services, but market the library. All the library texting services I uncovered use ’shared code service’ such as those available from a large number of services which include Kwiry, Tagga, Mozes and Textmarks.
Registering and leasing a specific CSC for a library (non-shared) is costly. Registering the vanity number (e.g. 77467 for the PRIOR library) would costs $1,000 per month; $500 for a random short code number. Paying $12,000 a year for a texting service would seem out of reach for many libraries. The library would then need to negotiate activation and sign an agreement with each wireless carriers before the library can connect to their network and begin sending message traffic. Working with connectivity aggregators that have existing contracts with the wireless service providers may facilitate this process. In the end, it appears using a shared service makes the most economic sense.
-Eric Schnell
January 16th, 2009
Locating and accessing the tables of contents from a variety of journal publishers is time-consuming task, if possible at all.
To make finding and subscribing to table of contents RSS feeds a simple process, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) has formally launched it’s ticTOCS service. The ticTOCs service aggregates the tables of contents (TOCs) from 11,470 scholarly journals from 422 publishers. 
In addition to the use of ticTOCs are a personal discovery tool, libraries will be able to use these feeds to mash-up custom current awareness services, create more up-to-date subject guides (listing of recent articles in a topic’s ‘hot’ journals), or even to augment catalog records.
The ticTOC site can identify journals of interest by topic, by title, or by publisher, and even subscribe to RSS feeds from specific tables of contents (the “TOCs”) to get alerts of articles and abstracts. You can add all journals, or individual titles, that match a search (subject, title word, or publisher) to your profile with a single click.
This is a free service.
-Eric Schnell
December 12th, 2008
Have you ever wanted to mark up Google search results? Well, now you can. Google recently launched SearchWiki, a way for individuals to customize search by re-ranking, deleting, adding, and commenting on search results.
Searchers can now move results that they like to the top of the Google results page, or add in a new site. Searchers can also write notes that can be attached to a particular site or remove results that they do not like. These modifications will be shown every time the searcher performs the same search in the future.
SearchWiki is available to searchers which are signed in to Google. The changes are stored in their Google Account and available from wherever the searcher is signed in. (If you are wondering if you are signed in, check to see if your username appears in the upper right-hand side of the page.) It is important to note that the changes you make only show up on your searches.
You can see how the community has collectively edited the search results by clicking on the “See all notes for this SearchWiki” link.
See a short video on SearchWiki at YouTube.
-Eric Schnell
December 4th, 2008
