Tag Archives: trending

What’s Trending in Technology: Goodbye Google Reader

by Jessica Posted on April 2, 2013

googlereaderGoogle recently announced that they will be shutting down the Google Reader service on July 1st, 2013 due to lack of usage. They want to ensure that their focus is on products that foster a better user experience.  

Google Reader has been a staple of avid web readers’ for quite some time.  It allows users to subscribe to new posts from any website providing them with the option to organize various “RSS” feeds. 

They have given users a three month transition period to find another product. They suggested readers use Google Takeout to download a copy of their data within the reader. 

Feedly, another “reader” service, has seen an increase in their number of registered users since Google’s announcement. In a blog post, they stated that “Over 3 million new users have joined Feedly since the announcement of the retirement of Google Reader”. (Read the post here)

Let us know what you are doing about the switch. Is there a better service out there? Did you switch to Feedly? 

 

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What’s Trending in Technology: Instagram- what libraries need to know

by Jessica Posted on December 20, 2012

When Instagram came out, the growth was huge. It spread like wildflowers with unique filters and sharing with friends. Then Facebook bought them for a cool 1 billion and the users grew even more. Now they want to sell us out. What did we think?

Instagram dropped the bomb that they were going to sell “our” pictures in their new Privacy Policy & Terms of Service. Then the Instagram universe cried out in disgust. Instagram listened and made some changes, saying they won’t sell our photos to advertisers. Here is what we need to know.

This information was released from Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram in a blog post on their site entitled,  “Thank you and we are listening”

Advertising on Instagram: The initial language made it seem like they were going to sell your photos; this is not their intention. They are rewording and updating the language in the terms of service to make sure this is clearly written. There was also commotion about whether your photos can be part of an advertisement. Kevin reiterates in his statement that Instagram does not have plans for this, and they will remove the language that states as such.

Ownership Rights: Instagram users will own their content and Instagram will not claim any ownership rights over your photos.

Privacy Settings:  In your account settings, if your photos are private, Instagram will only share your photos with the people you have selected and approved on your account.

The current Privacy Policy can be read here.

So many of us enjoy Instagram and have set up library accounts to share all our photos. I will keep an eye on this development and update our blog with the new information.

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What’s Trending in Technology: iPhone/iPad Pocket Projector

by Jessica Posted on November 5, 2012

How many times have you been in a meeting and wanted to quickly share an image or document you have on your phone? But no way to do it? I think we have all been there at one time. Well the time has come for some simplicity. Sharper Image has created an iPhone/iPad pocket projector.

This little gadget fits right into your pocket and projects for up to 1.5 hours on a battery charge on a flat surface. You can share images from as close as eight inches in front of you or as far as ten feet ahead. You can attach this little projector to a small tripod or let it stand alone.

What a great little invention! I have been in situations where I had to pass my phone around to show people how an app works, or images from an upcoming project. This little projector would definitely save time, help you get your point across a little faster, and provide you with the convenience of having everything in your hand!

I think eventually we will be able to project images right from our phone, but this is definitely a step in the right direction! Check out this short video on the pocket projector!

Cost: $299.99

Vendor: Sharper Image

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What’s Trending in Technology: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

by Jessica Posted on October 15, 2012

man-holding-ebookAmazon Kindle Paperwhite

Cost: $119 with ads, $139 without ads

Storage: organize your library with up to 2GB or 1,100 books

Pros: built-in-light, Paperwhite Display, higher resolution and contrast, light-weight: 7.5oz

Cons: additional $20 to remove ads, 3G version costs about the same as the 7″ color tablet, doesn’t incorporate audio (no headphone jack)

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is all the buzz. After the long wait, the 8-week battery life e-reader is finally here. What makes it drastically different? New crisper interface due to higher pixel rate and 25% increase in contrast. The built-in-light allows you to adjust your screen’s brightness, making it easy to read your book in all environments. If you are outside by the pool or inside ready for bed. The battery life has also been improved. Amazon suggests for the best optimization, based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless off and the light setting at 10, you can obtain a charge up to 8 weeks.

Overall, the new e-reader is impressive, but still has a few flaws. But if you are looking for something light, this might be the option for you!

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What’s Trending in Technology: Outlook.com

by Jessica Posted on August 14, 2012

If you can remember what your first free email service was, it might have been Hotmail. Hotmail was originally launched back in 1996 and now has over 3 million users. Microsoft is getting ready to completely change the interface of Hotmail.com. The new look will be revamped and moved to Outlook.com.

Over the next few months current Hotmail users will have the ability to check out the new Outlook.com interface and give it a test drive. Microsoft has not set a date, but eventually all hotmail users will  be migrated over to the new Outlook.com. One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is a clean interface. Microsoft wanted something that would be easy to use and reduce clutter on the screen.

New Features 

It’s been real Hotmail, but now it’s time for something new and fresh!

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What’s Trending in Technology: Infographics

by Jessica Posted on June 26, 2012

Infographics, they are everywhere lately! You will find them streaming on Pinterest, popping up in articles and magazines, and even Dunkin’ Donuts! So what are they? Infographics are visual creations that display information or data graphically. The design portrays conceptual information easily. These graphics help you communicate complex or statistical data by using symbols, colors and images to describe a process or specific information. They can be great for libraries to represent an increase in users, programs and services available to the community and even advocacy!

Getting Started: gather your information, you want to outline your facts and statistics before hand. Pick several colors and images that you want to represent in your graphic. Remember, you want it to flow and be consistent.

Formats to include: percentages, maps, charts, graphs, timelines, shape comparisons, word clouds and diagrams. Here are some free sites to help you with formats:

  • Wordle grenerating word clouds
  • iCharts creating great looking charts in minutes
  • OpenClipArt clipart images for collaborative use

Design: there are different ways to get started with the design. If you are familiar with Adobe Indesign you can create your Infographic from scratch. You can also use Microsoft Publisher and add text, images and graphs as you go.  There are some really great free websites out there too to help you create Infographics. Here are a few:

  • Visual.ly a place to share and make data become visualizations
  • Creat.ly online diagramming and creation
  • Picktochart creating WOW Infographics for your audience
  • Infogr.am create interactive Infographics

Looking for more?

10 Awesome Free Tools to Make Infographics

Over 100 Incredible Infographic Tools and Resources

Librarian Lifestyle: How to Create Your Own Infographics

Infographic from ALA

Here is an Infographic from ALA on Libraries and Communities – Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, 2011-2012 (Conducted by the American Library Association and the Information Policy & Access Center, University of Maryland).

Weathering the Storm

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What’s Trending in Technology: SlideShark

by Jessica Posted on June 11, 2012

Are you looking for a way to display a PowerPoint presentation on an iPad? Well look no further, SlideShark can meet your needs! SlideShark is a great way to take your presentation on the go with your tablet. Wither it’s to present at a conference, in the library, or to a patron, SlideShark is a mobile application you can take with you on the go! It allows you to view and present effectively with animations, fonts, colors and images or graphics maintained from your original presentation.

There are three different options available for individual accounts and one option for a team account. With a free account you have access to 100MB of storage, the ability to upload a file, view and present a PowerPoint, and share PowerPoint slides online. You can upgrade to 500MB for $49.00 annually or 1GB for $98.00 annually. A team account can be set up for large groups. This allows your team to have access to presentations where they can upload, convert, and view their own presentations as well.

Set Up an Account: Once you decide on what type of account you will need, create a SlideShark account with an email address and password - https://www.slideshark.com/register.aspx

Upload:Next you will want to upload a PowerPoint presentation. You can upload either a .ppt or .pptx file. 

Share: Once the file is uploaded you can share the presentation through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or email. 

View: Make sure you have downloaded the SlideShark app from iTunes. Once you have signed in, your welcome screen will include your presentations, dashboard activity, and your settings. Click “download” on the presentation you are ready to view.  Once it completes, your presentation is ready for viewing. 

Presentation Options: With SlideShark presentation options you can have your PowerPoint auto-play, select a slide delay, and loop your presentation. 

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