I think this is a really cool idea. I heard her talk about it a few months ago and I've been trying to figure out how we could do it. :)
- John: Clockwork Librarian
now another librarian - talking about how (and why) she started a listserv for adult literacy students to correspond with each other (back in the early days of public computer access in libraries) VERY COOL. I <3 library school.
- Marianne
The other librarian was Beverly Choltco-Devlin. She is also awesome! I am a happy person today:)
- Marianne
"Just wait til you get to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class." "Yes! I knew I went to the right school."
- Marianne
"I didn't want to decide what I would be when I grew up, so I became a librarian." (Pauline Shostack, one of our two profs, talking about how many different things she does and has done :) )
- Marianne
A new SU iSchool student introduced herself this evening as a friend of the awesome Steve Lawson. She didn't say that she was a member of the LSW, but she must be! Glad to see that the LSW is helping to ensure that we'll have awesome librarians in the future!
That was me. Jill is graciously eliding that I told her that almost every librarian I know said, "Oh, you're going to Syracuse! Jill Hurst-Wahl teaches there! You could take a course from her! LUCKY YOU." Then she asked who these librarians were :).
- Marianne
jill--nice meeting you this evening, too .. sorry our chat was interrupted by the staff lineup :)
- henry
Henry and Marianne, nice to see you both here! (Henry, have added you to my iSchool Twitter list.)
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
Fair use question. Would it be stretching fair use too far to create a repository of multimedia content (e.g. audio tracks ripped from CDs) from which staff could regularly gather content for programs/classes?
My understanding of Fair Use is that each actual use would need to be evaluated. So I think the repository would give staff a false sense of security. There's nothing about the repository making it fair use.
- Your Neighbor Steve
I think Steve's right on this one, creating a content repository without the licensing sounds risky from a copyright standpoint. And big warning sirens if you'd be circumventing any encryptions or DRM (i.e., ripping DVDs) on the content - fair use or no.
- Elizabeth
Yeah, real dicey. I think it would violate fair use actually. You're copying whole tracks (instead of samples) and doing it without a transformation of the work (viz, you're not being Girl Talk). Without licensing, I don't think this is doable.
- John Fink
yeah agreeing with others its a violation of fair use to copy tracks. you'd be better off linking them open access repositories of of clips/musics that have already navigated the legal challenges, etc.
- Sir Shuping is just sir
As I understand it (IANAL), even if the library owns the material, it's still shady, since multimedia copying is only for archival purposes *and* only if the original material is degraded so as to be nearly unusable. AFAIK, you cant just rip a bunch of DVDs or CDs - even those the library legally bought.
- ωαřмaiden ☆TeamOtto☆
Preservation digital copies are allowed, but can only be used once the original degrades (and only on-site, even then). Waiting to make the copy until after the degradation is pointless. :) Ripping entire DVDs or CDs is pretty much irredeemably shady, but for individual tracks, if you bought the original, it does weigh towards fair use, because there hasn't been negative market impact. I would want it to be staff use only, though, otherwise you're cutting into the anthology market.
- Mark Kille
True about the fair replacement cost. Preservation is getting away from the question of fair use, but I'll say as my non-lawyer self that I've seen too many cases where something gets lost or damaged, and there *isn't* any way to reasonably replace it, for me to worry about making pre-emptive preservation copies of important items.
- Mark Kille
With Fair Use, you need to consider the four factors: nature of the work, nature of the use, amount, and effect on the market. And you need to consider each of those four factors with each use. I could see a real problem with nature of the work and effect on the market. I think the only way around it would be to create a repository of music that carries a Creative Commons license.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
And such repositories exist: ccMixter, Jamendo, and Magnatune come to mind.
- N. Ansi
I'll toss this out before running off to put on sunscreen for the Wednesday hike--from some conference talk somewhere: If you had to give up your TV, your computer, or your smartphone, which would you choose? (Since we don't *have* a smartphone, I guess I'd say "TV.") Well? (I'll check back in 4 hours or so...)
Note: anyone who actually wants to do this and has a recent-model HDTV, I'd be happy to pay the postage to get it to me. Just a thought.
- Your Neighbor Steve
Re: Steve - I'd like to get rid of my cable/over the air television watching - but not necessarily the 49 inch monitor that hooks up to my computer and plays my iTunes videos and, incidentally, could display TV if cable were hooked up to it. In that case, I'll be keeping my recent-model HDTV... (I know this goes against the spirit of the question, but honestly - I'd just end up getting a huge computer monitor to replace my TV, and the TV already has PC hookups in it)
- Webgoddess Needs A Drink
My computer is too small to work as an adequate TV, and I really enjoy TV, so...smartphone.
- rochelle rochelle
TV by a long shot - we don't even have cable. So we basically just use it as a large monitor. Does that even count? No matter how pathetic I pretend to feel about my smartphone dependence, it has rewarded me so well for my loyalty that I can't give it up.
- Laurelaura
TV. Is it considered cheating that I can get much of the content commonly viewed on TV from the computer? For our family that would be mostly Mythbusters and The Daily Show plus an occasional NOVA and Big Bang Theory.
- Peter Murray
Thanks. The only surprise, and it's a small one, is how many don't have smartphones. I would have been astonished if anybody on FF who follows me would drop their computer and keep their TV. And, incidentally, I'm not asking from an Elitist position--we *do* watch actual network TV, currently 6 shows a week/5.5 hours a week, plus old series on DVD and the weekly Blu-ray movie.
- Walt Crawford
TV. The stuff that's important to me on TV is available in other avenues - namely on my computer and probably my smart phone, if I felt like trying to figure it out.
- Laura H.
Quasi smartphone. Laura, you can have my old fashioned cell phone (makes calls and texts) and my iTouch.
- Just Joe
"Isaiah Mustafa, the only Old Spice guy who doesn't need an epic mount in the form of a raven or tiger, has returned in order to announce that he's returning. This short YouTube clip of him in his iconic shower stall promises us a campaign of new advertisements which are not only educational but whose entertainment value is second to none. However, the only preview provided is a deep look into his striking brown eyes as he thinks about the new commercials. Consider me teased."
- Jessie
from Bookmarklet
I sent it to the listserv at the iSchool - U of Maryland/College Park literally moments after I read it. It was timely for many of the students as the school here is definitely "in flux". Thanks again.
- James
James, thank you for sharing it. BTW I am a Maryland graduate (MLS). I have good memories of that program.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
It was insane. She kept saying, "But they just got married!" And then went around showing the staff pictures of them when they were happily married.
- Derrick
Student: ERROR IN GRASP OF REALITY MODULE
- Mo Kargas
Over Eva Longoria? For serious? Well...at least Tony Parker is back on the market. Yeah, yeah, I am about to be married and all, but mama needs a French passport.
- tiffany
from Android
Yes, child. I rolled my eyes and continued to look at shrimp scampi recipes. I don't have time for that foolishness.
- Derrick
How did I miss this inanity earlier in the week? She'll still be on the cover of magazines. Buck up, buckaroo!! (feel free to use that next week, D. I'm sure she'll still be distraught now that she knows he was sexting with another woman).
- Jason Toney
havent joined TLA yet. Was waiting on the fundage, but there's also no sort of Access Services interest group or roundtable, only instruction, tech services, etc. [Yes, I could be the one to start it, but it requires petitioning, and I'm already busy.]
- ωαřмaiden ☆TeamOtto☆
I never joined C(alifornia)LA: When I was working full-time, the graduated dues would have cost me more than ALA, and after attending a CLA conference, I was less than impressed. Now that I'm mostly retired, nothing would convince me to join--and the two conferences I've been to since then certainly didn't convince me. A shame, that: In general, I love state library conferences & associations.
- Walt Crawford
i was. but only because MPOW paid for the memberships for anyone who wanted to join. part of budget cuts was eliminating that, so i'm not anymore. i did the math, and it's cheaper to not be a member, and pay the difference between member and non-member price to attend the annual conf. which was really the only benefit to me.
- Christa
I joined NYLA a couples years back. I had some fun at the confernce this year. Mostly it's a social thing for me, makes me feel like a real librarian.
- Blake
i am not currently a NYLA member because I had a serious disagreement with the leadership of the organization about a political stand they took, and about the letter I was sent as Director of Libraries in response to my protest about their position. That situation has since resolved, but the bad taste it left in my mouth has prevented me from joining.
- Jenica
I think it varies a LOT with the state organization. When I lived in NC, a lot of my colleagues there were in NCLA and seemed to value it (I held off joining until I knew whether I was going to be in NC long-term or not). Here in Indiana, the state association, at least as evidenced by its annual conference, is VERY heavily skewed towards public & school libraries, so I haven't found...
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- Catherine Pellegrino
I am a GLA member - I always tend to join my first year in a state to see who active there were. AZLA seemed to do very little - maybe they were more active for the public librarians, but I'm not sure, and MPLA (mountain plains library association) didn't seem like it hit my interests so much. I was an Academic library association of Ohio - ALAO? Yeah, that acronym looks right - but again, was kind of slow.
- ellbeecee
I've been a member of OkLA since lib school, and it's been great. There's an active academic division, so the annual conference has a good mix of public, school, and academic programming. And yes, it's great for networking--but you have to actually make an effort to be involved. In the past the divisions and round tables weren't always good about contacting people who marked themselves...
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- Kirsten
I haven't joined TLA. Work probably wouldn't pay for dues, and I haven't invested the 10 minutes it would probably take me to figure out if there is anything relevant to academic/medical, or if it's more publib-focused. In short, I'm too cheap and lazy, but am willing to change. :)
- Rachel Walden
I was when I was in TN - am not in PA (yet). Not sure what it would take to get me to join... maybe a little more work support for travel? Also, everything (well... most of what) I'm doing in ALA helps out on PA issues, so I guess I'm saving the membership $ (which is not much) ? Godd question... cogitating more
- awd
I have been a Wyoming LA member for my time here because my employer paid my dues. I've never found it to be particularly helpful, although I suspect state LAs are mostly what you make them, and thus the burden of making them better probably lies on all of us.
- laura x
I'm not a NYLA member for reasons similar to Catherine's above, although I don't know much about how the conference sessions are planned and speakers are selected.
- Elizabeth Brown
I'm not. I let my membership lapse and I'm considering re-joining, mainly so I can help advocate against impending state budget cuts.
- Yvonne M
I'm a member of the New Jersey Library Association. I pay my own membership. The best thing about it is that it is local; that my work goes towards helping libraries in my state.
- Andy
I wasn't in WLA though a number of coworkers have been. I think I'm more likely to join ILA
- Hedgehog
The NYLA conference doesn't seem as focussed on academic libraries as I'd like it to be, which is why I've never bothered to join. Also, they had Pat Schroeder, then head of the AAP, as a keynote speaker in past few years. Of all the people who could inspire librarians, they pick someone who's been on the side of the copyright maximalists.
- Stephen Francoeur
I don't think I know any CLA members. I mean, I know of some, but I don't work with any of then. It seems more focused on public/school libraries, which for an academic/special librarian is not my thing. Also it's really expensive and I am already really involved in SLA.
- Georgie Bestie
I finally joined my state library association this year (NYLA). Although I had presented at several of its conferences in the past, I hadn't thought that it was really for me. However, given the statewide committees that I'm on, etc., I decided that joining would be a good thing. And I'm increasingly amazed at how active NYLA is in advocacy, training, etc.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
"Every fall, meteors bombard our skies in a symphony of light and speed. It's the Leonid meteor shower, and tonight's your last chance to experience it for twelve long months. Here's how to do it. The map above, from stardate.org, shows you the the best place to position yourself for prime meteor peeping: your best shot is facing east, towards Leo. Simple enough! But a compass will only get you so far It's all in the timing, too—prime time for spotting streaking space rocks is the hours between the moon setting and the sun rising, typically from around 3:00 am to 5:15 or so. Check here for the exact time in your area."
- Derrick
from Bookmarklet
And most falls, it is too cloudy in Upstate NY to see jack sh-t.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
Really loving Medium this year. Impatiently waiting for In Treatment to start. Anything else I'm only watching because Shawn turns it on.
- Lix
I've kind of lost interest in Bones (that started during the end of the last season, though) and The Office. I'm getting more into Supernatural, and getting back into House. Community continues to improve for me, too.
- Penguin
from fftogo
I'm still watching House, Castle, and Lie to Me. Bones has been dumped from my viewing schedule. Lie to Me might bite it next. I expected House to be gone this season as well, but I find the return to character development interesting. As has been happening for years most of my television watching comes via torrents of BBC shows.
- Soup in a TARDIS
Loving America's Next Top Model and The Next Iron Chef. Losing interest (but haven't given up yet) in House, Hell's Kitchen, The Biggest Loser, and The Office. I gave up on Lie to Me and The Mentalist.
- Rochelle
Loving Fringe. The jury is still out on Stargate Universe. My wife is hooked on Chopped. I rather like it.
- MoTO Bott
Community, first and foremost. loving fringe season one, which I heard is only so so, but I'm loving it.
- Michael W. May
Whenever I can I will watch House, Lie To Me and Fringe. Newcomers: Boardwalk Empire and Bored To Death (yeah, missed the first season).
- Rene, Pro Button Pusher
Given up on The Event. I guess it might appeal to 24/Lost fans, but I don't like ending every episode of a show with more plot twists than answers. Still digging House, Lie to Me, Criminal Minds, CSI's, and L&O's. Chase is getting interesting. Undercovers could have been good, but meh.
- Rah-PM 2012
The Event, Undercovers, and Law & Order: LA are dead to me. Old favorites still going strong or stronger: Grey's Anatomy, Fringe, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Weeds. New Shows (to me) I like: Boardwalk Empire, No Ordinary Family, Hoarders. Shows I watch but don't love (anymore): Community, Criminal Minds, The Amazing Race
- Jason Toney
Interesting that people love Community. I like it enough, but I don't get what the fuss is about. I find myself watching Fringe, Modern Family, Castle, Just finished Season 4 of Dexter. Really like Breaking Bad which I just started, and I tried to like Undercovers. It didn't take.
- Derrick
I watch Community out of habit, but I don't see it as very funny. I'm still bitter that Parks and Recreation was pushed back to January.
- Georgie Bestie
Nikita has failed to grab me, and I have been disappointed in Glee so far this year.
- Alex Scrivener
I should catch up on medium... I was a devoted viewer before I dropped the dish
- Michael W. May
Fringe, Chuck, BBT, HIMYM, Community, 30 Rock are our mainstays. Eureka too, but it's on that dumbass SyFy schedule. None of the new shows really grabbed me this season, so I haven't watched much of them at all. I've watched Mike & Molly a few times, just because it's on after Two and a Half Men. I find myself laughing at it more than I want to/expect to.
- holly #ravingfangirl
Alex - I've been disappointed in Glee, too. I don't have a TV currently so it has to be on Hulu for me to catch it. What's on my radar: Modern Family, Parenthood, Castle, Boardwalk Empire (watch this over at New Beau's place on Sunday nights). Have several episodes of Fringe in my queue to watch - everytime RAP starts his live streaming commentary of Fringe I have to hide the comment & resulting thread.
- Corinne L
I like Glee: I was never a full blown Gleek, but I do know that I can like it and see some gay content on TV handled with respect and not like it's going to be the VERY SPECIAL GAY EPISODE OF SILVER SPOONS. But I've always found it a little dos muchos personally. Like Cecily, I'm waiting on Friday Night Lights.
- Derrick
DVRing Fringe, Stargate Universe, Caprica, Sanctuary (just started back up), and Warehouse 13 (just ended for the season). Fringe is better than I expected. The last finale pissed me off. Having seen the Santuary episodes yet that we've DVR'd, but hope it comes back better than last "season". Loved Warehouse 13! Caprica and Stargate Universe have started well.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
I've ditched Criminal Minds and CSI; still on the fence for Bones and Lie to Me. Liking Fringe, though a bit tired of the current direction. Loving Boardwalk Empire.
- Jennifer Dittrich
from iPhone
Big Bang Theory, Grey's Anatomy, Bones and Glee are pretty much the only shows I watch other than some smattering of TLC.
- Colette
Still checking out Dexter, Fringe, SGU, Nikita and Sanctuary. I haven't really quit any shows because I tend to queue up the ones I care much less about to run in the background while I am doing other stuff, sometimes without sound.
- The Amber
Bravo runs full episodes of many of their shows on bravotv.com EDIT - top chef just desserts and all current series of RH are on it - http://www.bravotv.com/full-ep...
- Jason Toney
Still in: Fringe, Community, 30 Rock, House, Lie To Me, Mentalist, Amazing Race, Burn Notice, Covert Affairs, Modern Family, Cougar Town, The Glades, The Closer, Royal Pains, Eureka and Warehouse 13. New: Raising Hope, The Event and Rubicon (WATCH THIS SHOW!). Dropped: CSI, Survivor and whatever that show was called with Felicity girl and the Bluth family guy.
- AJ Kohn
Community is my only must-see. I've picked up the Office to fill in for Parks and Rec, I still like 30 Rock a lot even though it's not at its peak right now, and I'm still watching Cougar Town, Chuck, Undercovers every now and then. No Ordinary Family started strong. There's only been 3 eps of NOF so far so I don't want to ring the alarm yet, but there's a real two steps forward, one step back sort of feel with it.
- Andrew C (✓)
"Interesting that people love Community. I like it enough, but I don't get what the fuss is about." I'd say the love is because the show is as much of a contender for the fabled "live action Simpsons throne" as any show. (Other contenders: Scrubs, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, My Name is Earl.) Community doesn't use cutaway humour, but in the sense of being packed with jokes, packed with even background jokes, and still generally structured with a genuine humanity about it.
- Andrew C (✓)
Tried to watch Nikita, but after a couple episodes, stopped. Still watching The Event, but mainly because hubby wants to watch it. It feels very 24 to me, but not the good parts, the stupid parts. :-/ Nowhere near the level of Lost. Besides Undercovers, which we're still watching and really like, the rest of the shows we're watching are old favorites. We are behind on TV, though,...
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- Cheryl Jones
Undercovers lost me after the second episode. Chuck has lost me until further notice. I was rather unimpressed with the No Ordinary Family pilot but really appreciate that they're building the characters and have hope for the show. Terriers started out strong, but I'm losing interest in it. Boardwalk Empire has been great so far. Fringe is top notch for me, and I'm loving Community.
- Jonathan Hardesty
Forgot that we're also watching Hawaii Five-0. It's light and entertaining. The problem is it's on Mondays, which is already jam-packed. I have to catch House at another time because it's on against a couple other shows already being TiVoed. Oh yeah, we also watch Outsourced. Pretty funny characters, wacky. :)
- Cheryl Jones
from FFHound!
Continue to love: Bones, Chuck, The Mentalist. Continue to like: Parenthood, How I Met Your Mother, The Good Guys, Grey's Anatomy (but on DVD, a season behind). Continue to watch: Desperate Housewives. Unsure about No Ordinary Family--had dinner out time of 3rd episode and didn't choose to record it, but will try again Tuesday. Maybe.
- Walt Crawford
Fringe and Community are my two top ones by far. Still enjoying Castle and Stargate Universe. I'm behind on Caprica, Mad Men, and No Ordinary Family, but hope to catch up this week. Undercovers I haven't officially dropped yet, but I probably will soon. Chuck is the only thing I've explicitly dropped, but I'm behind enough on Nikita, Boardwalk Empire (never even started that one, though...
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- Jandy
I can't wait for The Walking Dead. I have a concert that night and my eldest wants to know if I can stir him when I get home to watch it with him :)
- RAPatton
I don't have a tv anymore, so I'll watch whatever I can get online w/o excessive commercial interuptions.
- t. The Lethargic Honeybee
Anyone know if there's a way to watch Medium online? We missed the start and I can't find the episodes on Hulu, Netflix, or CBS. It seems strange that TV stations seem to go out of their way to make sure you can't watch their content.
- Todd Hoff
I watch 30 Rock, the Office, and Parenthood on Hulu. Don't have cable or I would definitely check out The Next Iron Chef. Have been watching ANTM online but it is brutal due to excessive commercials that don't stream well. I will watch Community occasionally but there have only been a few scenes that actually make me LOL - I think it is overrated. I want to start watching Mad Men but don't want to pay for it. And I need to start with Season One!
- Laura Norvig
Tried to watch Nikita, but after a couple episodes gave up. Same goes for Undercovers. Got up to ep. 4 of Hawaii-5-0 and then dumped it. Unless they really come up with something good, I guess I'll wait for Breaking Bad to return and stick with Rubicon and DHs7 for now.
- Guy
tried and did not succeed in watching the Event like most of the new detective shows I love all CSIs and Hawaii 5 0 .LOve most the the TNT TBS shows like Justified,White Collar,Royal Pains etc.
- just ZONED
still watching Stargate Universe and also like Caprica.
- takmaz
I like that people mentioned Medium. I love this show, but unfortunately we didn't keep up with last season, so we haven't watched any of this season yet. I think we have 6 or so episodes to catch up on... Argh. With all the other shows we're watching, I don't know when we'll get caught up. Also, we would've been watching Mad Men, but we never got caught up with season 2! Phooey.
- Cheryl Jones
No, but it was published by Libraries Unlimited, right?
- DJF
Yep, D. In 2000. The print looks like it was done on carbon paper. :(
- Derrick
Some publishers are easily identified by their stereotypical bindings. Somebody needs to whack your instructor.
- DJF
Surely not much has changed about systems analysis (or librarians or information professionals for that matter) in the last decade? *can't keep straight face*
- Your Neighbor Steve
Be glad you're dealing with this now. Next classes will be less hard and in more of your interest.
- Rene, Pro Button Pusher
Don't freak yet. Coding and scripting are as much about how a problem is approached as is is which things get typed where, and BASIC is an acronym - it doesn't imply it's an easy or intuitive language. Also, +1 to whomever said you won't use it after this semester.
- teleken
from BuddyFeed
Depends on your job, I think, but don't worry, it will come. Hang in there--we've got your back.
- laura x
People have different strengths and specializations. Programming is important to the modern library. Reference and instruction is important to the modern library. Metadata and cataloging is important to the modern library. Administration is important to the modern library. Archives and special collections is important to the modern library. Conservation and preservation of materials is...
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- Your Neighbor Steve
I know you don't want to hear this right now, but it is good that they are making you do this. My program did NOT make me learn many tech skills, like Web design or programming. I took one basic Web design class, which was helpful, but not really sufficient. Even though I know this is not the area you want to go into professional, it is good to have the foundation, if for no other reason than that you can talk intelligently to the folks in your library who are doing this work. Hang in there.
- marthalib
Derrick, you have all of these librarians (and at least one librarian's mom) behind you. Something will make it all make sense soon. I believe in you.
- Mama Lawson
It's good to bend your brain in new and uncomfortable ways (which is essentially our job, when it comes down to it). You may or may not use this later, but it's good for you to be thinking about how these things work, since it underlies a lot of our tools. Also: do not feel bad. Programming is not easy. If it was, we'd all be in comp sci instead and making way more money. *fistbump of solidarity*
- ωαřмaiden ☆TeamOtto☆
Derrick, this is how my statistical research class felt to me. You can do it.
- Jason P
To clarify for Dorothea - potential to do more coding? Sure. Potential to use BASIC outside of a classroom? Strongly doubtful.
- teleken
from BuddyFeed
Derrick - remember college? and those stupid required courses that you had to take but knew you would never use again? You got through them and then the fun classes began. Good enough is good enough in a field you hate. If you're not good at it chances are you won't be asked to do it in real life.
- m9m, Crone of FriendFeed
who is teach basic programming ?? or its it basic's about Programming techniques ?? Remember GWBasic on DoS mode ?? :)-
- Peter Dawson
I might remember some BASIC, though I first learned it in the 80s. But if you want to pass anything by me, I'll take a look. But I agree with all of the folks who say you probably won't use this IRL. But, you'll still want to kick its ass, so...
- Lynne d Johnson
he doesn't mean BASIC the language, he means "basic" as in "introductory programming."
- tiffany
LOL - Thanks Tiff!!! I was wondering why he'd be learning BASIC in 2010. But then I read the comments, and people had me thinking he really meant BASIC. Whew.
- Lynne d Johnson
oh then its simple main( ) { printf("hello, world"); }".. and thats your introduction.. Lesson over !!
- Peter Dawson
If somebody else can learn something considered hard, then you can, too!
- Jemm
If the code doesn't work, 1) count open and closed brackets (when dealing with lots of nesting I keep track on my fingers) and 2) check for semi-colons. This has got to deal with about 90% of my bugs. But also, code is a new way of thinking, and it takes time to learn a new way of thinking, so really don't feel bad.
- Deborah Fitchett
bet not quit. WHO IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ME IN MY OLD AGE???
- MoTO Bott
You'll get it AND will use it. For now...don't panic. I think you've been away from the classroom for a while, so your mind is still adjusting to everything.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
Programming should be cowering in fear. It will not beat you.
- Vicarbott
from FFHound!
++1 frank's brother jim - you will survive if we have to send Louis and Momo for a pep talk - I see good cop bad cop skit, too
- Liza + = ?
Derrick, you've been thrown into programming, that it doesn't 'click' right away is understandable. You may learn to like it, you may not. Do what you have to do because you WILL over come. You need the library and the library needs you.
- Micah
(sidebar: BASIC vs 'basic' [in caps for emphasis], and the confusion that ensued. Oh man, that's kind of priceless :).
- Micah
Derrick, programming is a lot like writing recipes (or crochet patterns), and I know how much you love to cook. All you need to do is be able to see how this relates to what you already know and it should start clicking into place. Maybe this could help...it teaches the basics without really getting into any particular language. This is usually where I recommend people that are having troubles, start: http://www.scribd.com/doc...
- April
not kind of micah. it's priceless ... lol
- tiffany
Derrick, BTW, not a week goes by that I don't edit HTML. And I know that every year, I get into a situation where understanding computer programming (other stuff than HTML) comes in handy. I have better conversations with IT support staff and with library vendors. I have an understanding of how software works (including library software) that I know if different than the understanding...
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- Jill Hurst-Wahl
Thanks everyone. I'm much better now. I still don't really understand javascript, but I can't cast a blind eye towards its role (or the role of HTML, CSS, etc.) in my future. It'll get easier especially when you have good and patience people willing to help.
- Derrick
BASIC doesn't mean easy, it's still programming and that's hard.
- Todd Hoff
Well, learn is subjective. I'm a library student, not a comp sci Ph.D. candidate. I should be familiar with it to some extent, but it's not like I plan to work at Google after I graduate.
- Derrick
That's the spirit, Derrick. I've tried to learn javascript on and off and never really gotten the hang of writing it from scratch, but I can often hack stuff together from other existing code pieces. It'd be a lot easier if I had more of a foundation, which is what you're getting. But it's like learning any other language, it takes practice. Ultimately, though, like you say, you're not...
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- Jandy
I was a tech reviewer for Head First JavaScript, which is pretty good, but my preference is DOM Scripting...I've been making web stuff for over a decade (!!!!) and that's the first book that actually made any of it click.
- Elaine is trying to write
Derrick, not sure if you are into IRC chat, but if you ever find yourself in a jam with Javascript, you can come visit us on efnet in #donationcoder and pick our brains. One of the regulars in our chat is a crazy JS guru that is very patient and loves to help people. Just ask for Krishean.
- April
In case the news has not made it here, a Library Society of the World member was voted onto the SLA Board of Directors for a three-year term starting in January. I'm not sure if I'll be the only LSW member on the Board (I'll need to investigate that).
Irritated, stabbity, and annoyed. My mind is finding database design incomprehensible. I wish I was logical and rational, but alas, I'm not. Did you want fries that?
If I had a sense of humor right now, I still wouldn't find that funny.
- Derrick
Derrick, I know what you mean. I can't fathom database design either. If you design it, I will happily enter the data for you all day long, though. Good luck!
- LB so u no it's real
Three hours I've been working on this and I don't even know where to begin.
- Derrick
The number of the meal is the primary key. It's likely an auto-number field that is created with each new record.
- Geoff Schultz {TF}
It's not even the assignment, it is the theory and concepts about the databases. I can't connect them AND I APPRECIATE EVERYONE TRYING TO BE FUNNY BUT I'M REALLY NOT IN THE MOOD FOR IT RIGHT NOW.
- Derrick
D. You will get it, at least enough to get through the class. There are a lot of people around here who have some understanding/expertise, so when you get to the point of being able to articulate what you don't understand, post it here, and I bet they can give you other approaches to help you figure it out.
- Your Neighbor Steve
*hugs* if I was home, I`d say you need some facetime. :) but I`m not. sorry I`m absolutely no help.
- Nathalie
Maybe a little surprisingly, I found this book to be *extremely* helpful in helping me understand the concepts of database design: http://www.amazon.com/Manga-G...
- Katie
Thanks all. I didn't mean to snap. I just wanna do well, y'know? I just want to be a good librarian and right now, this obstacle is preventing me from making that happen. :(
- Derrick
And yes, I know it's in manga format, but seriously, it presented the ideas in the way that my brain finally got it. It has review sections after the "comic" portions that reinforce what they were presenting in the comic.
- Katie
Katie, I wish I had that book right now. I fear that we'll do this ONE assignment and DB design will never come up again.
- Derrick
That is why I left my computer programming major.
- Jenny R
If I were in NOLA, I would come over and make you a pie. Keep being awesome, D. This too shall pass. Or perhaps I should say YOU will pass (this class)!
- Lisa L. Seifert | FHG™
from Android
Oh, I know that feeling :( Well, let us know what concepts we can help with. Frankly, it wasn't until my third semester of grad school that I finally was clued into how relational databases work. But my introductory class is a whole other rant. Seriously, let us know how we can help you get through this.
- Katie
Reminds me of taking "information storage and retrieval" AKA a combined version of cataloguing and reference. 25+ years later, it all makes sense to me, but not so much at the time. And I recognize it's importance. Just be patient and try to be methodical. It'll come together for you.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
I was just commenting to someone the other day that while I still wish I understood relational databases, I've never had a work-related moment when I needed to have that expertise. Which will only help you feel better later. But clearly you are not alone in this.
- RudĩϐЯaЯïan
Thanks for putting up with my rant today, people. For someone who doesn't think about these things...ever, really, it can be extremely frustrating.
- Derrick
#namefacts Among my father's 9 siblings, some were given one name in the hospital and a different name at home. I had to learn early that I really did have an uncle named "Allen" although everyone in the family called him "Bruce".
As for me, no one in my parents' families is/was named "Jill" and I never got a good explanation of where in heck the name came from! But do trust that my knees and elbows demonstrate that Jill does instead fall down!
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
O.O ... though kudos on them for protesting.
- tiffany
"Protesting for a free culture and a free society." Worthy causes...
- Mr. Gunn
The 11am news just reported a student was maced by the cops which triggered an asthma attack bad enough to take him to the hospital by ambulance.
- Derrick
It's really nice but damn. After utilities it'll be more than I wanted to spend but not ruling it out. At least I'd be able to walk to places nearby. Very good neighborhood and close to the streetcar.
- Derrick
from iPhone
Can you calculate how many miles of driving you might save with the walkable apt? Gas and maintenance add up.
- Bruce Lewis
from fftogo
Bruce, I wouldn't be walking THAT much. School is a few miles away but it's the neighborhood I like. Sparky, safe = not murdered or held up. Have you been to New Orleans? On my way to apartment number two!
- Derrick
from iPhone
Yeah. There are parts of NOLA where the cops refuse to venture.
- iTad
I'm with RAPatton, safety pays off (and btw, I've traveled to NOLA many times (pre- & post-Katrina). Go with the gut feeling...
- CarlC
Grabbed applications for both. We'll see.
- Derrick
from iPhone
In the eleventh hour babe, I'm convinced.
- Cheryl
Don't get murdered. I'd never forgive you.
- Sparky, lurking
It's much different here in New Orleans. You really have to look block by block as opposed to neighborhoods. Things can change so quickly in terms of safety and diceyness. It's a hustle for sure.
- Derrick
from iPhone
Closings. Read alikes. streaming real world news when appropriate. Short presentations by staff.
- ♫410 I Coach 'em Up♫
Popular titles, library tweets, blog excerpts, local and world news, departure time for my flight :p
- Kevin L
from Android
Events are for calendars and flyers; same thing goes for hours. Put something that up there that people won't tune out. You want people to look at it like the first glance of menu; everyone knows that you have drinks and desserts, they want to see if there is anything pops out of the menu and makes them think, "well, that would be interesting to eat."
- Andy
This is also what happens when I post to FF while hungry.
- Andy
Lists of books related to current events as well as "If you liked...try..."
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
Use at least 2 of them for highly graphic "ad" displays, and only one for text-y "information" display. We all know no one reads informational signage anyway! :)
- N. Ansi
Pictures and phone numbers of the hot librarians!
- Katy S
(I don't mean that no one will read the LCDs, just that the majority of them should be used for eye-catching stuff that convey a really simple message ("Hey, we have this cool new book!" "Hey, come take this awesome class!" "Hey, meet this incredible(/hot) staff member!") at a glance.)
- N. Ansi
thank you, everyone! Andy, I really, really like your philosophy there, and I am taking that back to our committee meeting. Steven, thanks for those links. keep the ideas coming!
- holly #ravingfangirl
hours, event info, special procedures, i.e., check bags, IDs, etc.
- Anne Graham
In the interest of spirited discussion, would people mind explaining the rationales for their suggestions?
- Andy
Most folks walking in the library do not have basic info such as when you close today, where are the computers or restrooms on a piece of paper in their hand., A quick visual could save time. Also "impulse buying/attending of programs' could be cultivated with a good ad or sign on a digital display. Short 30 sec tutorials done well could also appear on the screen. How to get a book we don't have? How to get a computer? How to find a book...
- ♫410 I Coach 'em Up♫
We have slides running; currently it's "welcome to yadda yadda"; "book our discussion rooms with LCD screens!"; "press these buttons to make the mobile shelves work"; and the weather forecast. During the World Cup we had games being played and results. We also put up, as appropriate, apologies for construction, and reminders of food policy, Facebook fanpage, and so forth.
- Deborah Fitchett
No-one commented when we put up joke notices on April Fools' Day. OTOH Facebook fanning does go up when the notice is up there, so they do get noticed.
- Deborah Fitchett
If I wanted to commit career suicide, what would be some great ways to go out with a bang? (Please keep in mind that My Palace of Work doesn't have a PA system, emergency escape slide, or a beverage cart.)
I dunno, but I think your library needs, at the very least, an emergency escape slide and a beverage cart. The PA system is optional.
- Catherine Pellegrino
Give a free beer to any student that can stump you at the reference desk.
- John Dupuis
i think an emergency escape slide could be viewed as a legit budget request...
- Marie
You could always acquire a Margarator, and blame it on patron demand :)
- ωαřмaiden ☆TeamOtto☆
At your library specifically or on FF or both? Coming out at Gerry McK might do it online.
- Hedgehog
Come clean as the Annoyed Librarian?
- Rachel Walden
Yell to all patrons during a night shift -- "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!"
- Just Joe
from iPod
Something really insidious, like vague and threating notes left in random books. Or LibPunk. Take it to the next level.
- Georgie Bestie
It depends, I suppose, on whether you just want to go out with a bang or if you want to go out with a bang while making a point. The latter would be harder but more satisfying.
- laura x
Make sure you have beer to grab on your way out.
- rochelle rochelle
Do what William Wallace did to that fort after killin the lord what kilt his wife... "Burn It."
- awd
everything I'm thinking of involves orgies with undergrads and a video record.
- W!cKeD Eye in the Sky
Use the bathroom sink for a complete sponge bath, then walk around the library in your gaping bathrobe.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
This blog post not only sparked several comments, but a few emails too. And someone forwarded it to the Archives & Archivists discussion list where it received more comments. I'm proud of the conversations that it has started.
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
I've been here in NOLA since Thursday night and I haven't really gone out for a good meal yet. Thinking tonight's the night to get down on some good old fashioned good eating soul food.
It always depresses me to see people in McDonalds in NOLA.
- Trish R
I have had Captain D's since returning to the south. It's nowhere near as good as I remember. Losing my taste for fried food is probably good for me.
- ellbeecee
You know what you need, D? You need some Tex-Mex. How about El Chico? I mean, Louisiana is right next to Texas and all.
- ha3rvey (Hugs 50% off!)
I am excited to announce that ITI has offered the Colleen & Mary Carmen Roadshow a contract to write "The Accidental Access Services Librarian." We promise it will be delicious *and* nutritious.
Not really a nap. I've been up since six. I've gone to the dump three times. I no longer own a bed, all the stuff is out to load up into the car, and I just had a very good cheeseburger and a beer. I think I can get a little nap now, right?
- Derrick
mmm...I thought you had already moved. (I'm not keeping up on my Derrick news the way I should be.) Come on! Get to New Orleans so we can live in NOLA vicariously through you!
- Jill Hurst-Wahl
I should be on the road tomorrow, Jill. :)
- Derrick
It makes for a nice story arc...from bitchlips to that smile.
- Scoble, Alex Scoble
That's impressive packaging for socks. Oh no! They might break!! :P
- Katy S
Blame the UPS store for the ludicrous shipping vessel.
- Bren
from iPhone
Actually, didn't Derrick mention that he needs boxes today? Good planning!
- Katy S
That's what I meant to type: "I requested a ridiculously large box to help Derrick with his packaging needs." Damn iPhone autocorrect.
- Bren
from iPhone
That box is being reallocated to other things as we speak!
- Derrick
Glad to hear that you have gotten there safely! Expect to hear wonderful stories about your NOLA/LSU adventure as well as pictures of food!
- Jill Hurst-Wahl