tablets come with spyware / was: [WEB4LIB] Low-Cost Prototype OPAC System

Tue Jan 1 17:21:59 EST 2013

How many ILS vendors provide a redundancy option that would have prevented
this downtime?

On Mon, Dec 31, 2012 at 5:14 PM, James Olson <olsonjam at hawaii.edu> wrote:

> Your experience with Sandy shows how important redundancy is, and how it
> tends to get lost in the cloud.  If your system had a mirrors at other
> locations, when the main branch went down, you would still have your
> information services.  Further, if your information only exists at one
> server, and that server suffers a disaster, the information could easily be
> lost.
>
> It also shows how even without the 21st century services that we're so
> worried about in this thread, libraries still serve the community.
>
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 26, 2012 at 5:53 AM, Janet Fine <janetrfine at hotmail.com>wrote:
>
>>  *12.26.12
>>
>> Good morning,
>>
>> This is the first time I have offerred my opinion on this listserv, but I
>> find this discussion interesting.  Institutions, like all living things,
>> must adapt to be relevant and thereby survive. However, it is also true
>> that the key to success in business is to find a product that only they can
>> offer and make it the best darn (fill in the blank) money can buy.*
>> * *
>> *The library profession is constantly self examining and seeking to
>> reinvent itself.  A recent article in Library Journal describes  libraries
>> seeking to create Maker Space so patrons can work on special projects, such
>> as music recordings and woodwork, etc. and thereby make the library more
>> "relevant."*
>>
>>
>> http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/10/public-services/the-makings-of-maker-spaces-part-1-space-for-creation-not-just-consumption/
>>
>> *Other libraries are lending power tools, cooking utensils and the
>> like.  I'm not sure where these trends are leading the profession, but time
>> will tell. *
>> *It is one thing to give instruction in downloading ebooks onto Kindles
>> and Nooks and another thing to lend the Kindle and the Nooks and the
>> responsiblity and expense that this involves.*
>> **
>> *Our experience during storms and calm weather alike have shown that
>> patrons want programs, powerful and reliable wi-fi, lots of public
>> computers , public printers and a warm/cool comfortable place to work with
>> lots of electrical outlets and ample workspace for studying and reading.
>> Small conference areas for tutoring and group projects are constantly in
>> demand. Patrons also expect that staff will remind patrons of the need for
>> coutesy and respect of library policies, such as limiting cell phone usage.
>> During Hurricane Sandy most residents were without power for 14 days
>> and our Main Library also had no power for 14 days as well. As a
>> result, our 3 Branches which had power, had no systems functions--no
>> circulation system, no catalog, no website. However, the 3 Branches had
>> heat and power. Power and heat were rare commodities for 14 days
>> and patrons flooded the 3 Branches.  We extended our Branch hours and could
>> probably have stayed opened 24 hours a day. These were exceptional
>> circumstances, but it was very apparent that libraries as public
>> spaces must adapt and be flexible as patron needs change very quickly.*
>> **
>> *However, it is also important to remember that providing access to
>> reliable, balanced and accurate information is one of our primary
>> functions. Libraries are the great equalizers in our society and access to
>> vetted information is crucial to our mission.  The profession should always
>> be open to experimentation but not at the expense of our "prime
>> directive."  *
>> **
>> *Of course, these opinions are mine (all mine!) alone.*
>> **
>> *I hope everyone's New Year is happy, healthy, safe and warm!*
>> **
>> *Kind regards,*
>> *Janet Fine
>> Department Head, Circulation and Computer Services
>> Great Neck Library
>> 159 Bayview Avenue
>> Great Neck, NY 11023*
>> *janetfine at greatnecklibrary.org *
>> *(516) 466-8055 ext. 205*
>>
>>
>>  > Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2012 21:46:18 -0800
>> > From: listuser at CHILLCO.COM
>>
>> > Subject: Re: [WEB4LIB] tablets come with spyware / was: [WEB4LIB]
>> Low-Cost Prototype OPAC System
>> > To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
>>
>> >
>> > Wow. This started out as an inquiry about coming up with a low-cost
>> > OPAC kiosk, morphed into a discussion of tablet spyware, and, like
>> > Voyager (the spacecraft, not the ILS) it seems to be headed to a new
>> > solar system.
>> >
>> > I am not commenting on the content of the last post. This is just a
>> > note to myself to wear a helmet when trying to follow these threads.
>> >
>> > Cary
>> >
>> > On Mon, Dec 24, 2012 at 9:28 PM, Richard Wiggins
>> > <richard.wiggins at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > > I've watched this discussion with interest. It seems that libraries
>> are
>> > > searching for a role in this age of laptops and tablets and such.
>> > >
>> > > In my opinion, the role of a public library is to provide access to
>> > > information. It is not to be cool or current. Therefore IMHO it is
>> great
>> > > to provide Wi-Fi. It is foolish to seek to provide the latest devices
>> for
>> > > checkout. Let the patrons bring their own devices, and provide them
>> USB
>> > > power and a comfortable place to sit. Offer an old-fashioned PC with
>> > > Internet access for those who lack fancy hand-held devices. Leave
>> them, as
>> > > it were, to their own devices.
>> > >
>> > > As to content, I think that is a different discussion, but once
>> again, the
>> > > role is basic access, not trying to be Best Buy on the fly.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 8:04 AM, Christian Pietsch
>> > > <chr.pietsch+web4lib at googlemail.com> wrote:
>> > >>
>> > >> Hi Cary,
>> > >>
>> > >> interesting point! Unfortunately, using an Android or iOS tablet as a
>> > >> public
>> > >> terminal is probably illegal in many countries, including all EU
>> countries
>> > >> --
>> > >> for valid reasons. The problem is that Google/Apple as well as many
>> app
>> > >> creators collect personal information from users.
>> > >>
>> > >> In return for getting tablets at a subsidized price (the regular
>> price),
>> > >> libraries offering such tablets to their users would automatically
>> hand
>> > >> over
>> > >> detailed information about their users without their consent.
>> Installing
>> > >> spyware-free operating systems and software may be a way out.
>> Firefox OS
>> > >> (formerly Boot2Gecko) comes to mind. Are there other alternatives
>> that run
>> > >> on
>> > >> current tablets?
>> > >>
>> > >> Don't get me started on e-book readers. Libraries lending them to
>> patrons
>> > >> may
>> > >> already aid and abet data crime/spying:
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304870304577490950051438304.html
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/jul/05/e-reader-spying-big-deal
>> > >>
>> > >> Cheers,
>> > >> Christian
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> On Tue, Dec 18, 2012 at 03:52:34PM -0800, Cary Gordon wrote:
>> > >> > That said, I think that taking this approach to building a kiosk,
>> > >> > while it might be fun, is not all that efficient. My first choice
>> > >> > would be an android tablet. You can buy a name brand 10" android
>> > >> > tablet for about $200 and an off-brand for about $150 (thinking
>> > >> > WalMart).
>> > >> >
>> > >> > I can't imagine putting together a package like that using an SBC
>> for
>> > >> > that price. Just the monitor would be more than that.
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> --
>> > >> Christian Pietsch <http://purl.org/net/pietsch>
>> > >> LibTec (Library Technology and Knowledge Management),
>> > >> Bielefeld University Library, Bielefeld, Germany
>> > >>
>> > >> ============================
>> > >>
>> > >> To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib
>> > >>
>> > >> Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/
>> > >>
>> > >> 2012-12-19
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > ============================
>> > >
>> > > To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib
>> > >
>> > > Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/
>> > >
>> > > 2012-12-25
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Cary Gordon
>> > The Cherry Hill Company
>> > http://chillco.com
>> >
>> > ============================
>> >
>> > To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib
>> >
>> > Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/
>> >
>> > 2012-12-26
>>  ============================
>>
>> To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib
>>
>> Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/
>>
>> 2012-12-26
>>
>
> ============================
>
> To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib
>
> Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/
>
> 2012-12-31
>

============================

To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib

Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/

2013-01-01
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.nd.edu/pipermail/web4lib/attachments/20130101/24202d44/attachment.htm>