[WEB4LIB] Distantly related to live reference software

[Robin Boulton]

I'm wondering if an interactive whiteboard would be of use to your project.
You can find out more information at  http://www.smarttech.com/ . Hope this
helps.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]
> On Behalf Of Zimoski, Tom
> Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 11:14 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: [WEB4LIB] Distantly related to live reference software
> 
> Greetings:
> 
> I have a library patron in the tutoring business who is looking for a
> software/hardware combo that will allow him and a student
> 
> 1) to talk to each other (different from type to each other)
> 2) draw with a stylus on a tablet of some sort, such drawing appearing
> on both of their screens
> 
> Here's some back and forth that may make his objective clearer:
> _________________________________________________________________
> Am I right in thinking that you want what you write or draw to
> appear on your computer monitor and your student's monitor? Or would the
> writing apparatus have it's own display?  Should the student be able to
> draw on your drawing?
> 
> Tom Zimoski
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> 
> Tom,
> 
> Yes, to the first question and maybe yes to the third.  The student and
> me will be at two different locations and we'll both be logged on to the
> Internet and we will each have writing pads with a stylus and a
> microphone.  Whatever either of us "writes" on the writing pad will
> appear on the screen and we can write on top of each other or beside
> each other's writing, just like sharing the same piece of paper.  (There
> might be some set up out there that provides for two separate writing
> spaces.)
> 
> As to the second question, the writing pad is just a surface with no
> display.  It's just something to press on that has sensors to know where
> you are pressing with the stylus.  It's hooked up to the computer via a
> USB port.  All the images appear on the regular computer monitor.
> 
> I was surprised to learn that a writing pad can function exactly like a
> mouse, and the computer that it's plugged in to won't know the
> difference!  So if I can find a program that has a "whiteboard" for
> scribbling notes or whatever it calls that window on the screen, then
> even if that program was intended to enable a mouse to trace out images,
> then I could also use the writing pad and stylus.
> 
> There has to be some program or applet out there to enable this sort of
> thing besides the Yahoo messenger "Doodles" IMvironment, which has too
> small of a window.  It seems so basic, but who has the product for sale?
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> 
> Any suggestions you might give me will be appreciated, including
> suggestions about who else I should be asking for help.  Thanks for your
> attention.
> 
> Tom Zimoski
> Reference Dept/Fresno County Library
> 2420 Mariposa St.
> Fresno, CA  93721
> Phone: 559-488-2976
>