Recently in web stuff Category

The OWLS online calendars have moved from WebEvent to Google as of today. This includes the OWLS Meetings & Workshops Calendar and System Scene. If you like checking System Scene to see where the OWLS staff members are at any given time, you will need to login to Google calendars with a new username and password. Here's how:

1. Go to the Calendars page on OWLSweb (http://www.owlsweb.info/cals/).
2. Click on the lock icon next to the "Login to Google calendars" link and login with your InfoSoup library card info. This will provide you the username and password you will need to access System Scene.
   
3. Click on the "Login to Google calendars" link and login with the username and password.

We will be terminating our contract with WebEvent when it expires in May of 2009, so we will be recommending that all libraries currently using WebEvent move their calendars to Google by April of next year. We will be contacting each of you over the coming months to lend a hand with this process.

If you have any questions or any problems accessing the new calendars, please contact me.

> contributed by Beth

Many of you may have heard that OverDrive will soon begin offering iPod compatible audiobooks in MP3 format (see http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6542329.html). Current OverDrive AudioBooks are in Windows Media Audio (WMA) format and cannot be played on iPods.  While OverDrive will begin offering some books in MP3 format, the truth, as is often the case, is not so simple. The over 3000 audio books currently in the OverDrive collection will remain in WMA format and will remain incompatible with iPods. In September OverDrive will begin selling a separate collection of audio book titles in MP3 format. As of now, only a few publishers have signed on to allow MP3 downloads through OverDrive. Since MP3 files will not have any digital rights management (DRM) attached, publishers remain concerned about the ease of copying and distributing audio books in MP3 format. It will be interesting to see how this all sorts out. What this means in the short term is that if/when MP3 files are added to our OverDrive collection, the selection likely will be missing titles from many of the major audiobook publishers.  To see some of the titles currently available in MP3 format, you can look at the District of Columbia Public Library which is the first OverDrive MP3 test site.

Another thing to note is that OverDrive has somewhat jumped the gun and has already posted iPhones and iPods as compatible digital devices.  There is a small disclaimer and and small icons denoting that iPods are not WMA compatible, but this is likely to be lost amid the colorful pictures of Apple products and the big recently added starburst icon. I hope OverDrive will do a better job of clarifying the iPod compatibility issue and modify this page. Until then just remember that we do not currently have any OverDrive MP3 titles, they likely will not be available until the fall, and when available will probably be limited in scope. Besides that, it's great news :)

> contributed by Evan

Check out the OWLS summer library program web sites (Catch the Reading Bug & Metamorphosis @ Your Library)  to see what librarians and patrons are recommending this summer. And please encourage your patrons to participate on the sites by adding their comments and reviews. There are forms available on the sites for people to use to contribute. It's fun and easy! And any time your patrons (or library staff) add a review a link is provided to your library's web site, so it's free PR for you, too! :)

> contributed by Beth

Check out Merriam-Webster's Visual Dictionary Online! It's great fun to poke around in and very useful, too. Many of the words I searched for didn't produce any results, but I found exploring by theme more effective. Take a look and see what you think!

>> contributed by Beth (thanks to Maggie at KAU for sharing!)

Well, the web site has at least... I am happy to report that OWLSnet information that formerly resided on OWLSweb has been moved to its own domain at www.owlsnet.info. The site mirrors the look and feel of OWLSweb, but now has its own navigational elements specific to OWLSnet information.

Tip: Whenever you see a lock icon like this it indicates that the link you'll be clicking on goes to secure information. If you can't remember the username and password, click on the lock to find out! You'll be asked for your InfoSoup card number and PIN, then once you're authenticated as an InfoSoup staff member you'll receive the login info. (This change will be made on OWLSweb, too, but isn't ready quite yet.)

We're hoping the new OWLSnet site will be much more friendly to use and easier to find all those important bits related to AAC, cataloging, circ, and more. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

>> contributed by Beth

Employers are now using free sites like Google, MySpace and state public records databases to uncover background information about potential employees. Simply searching a person’s name or email address can provide important details about them. Web sources can be used for verifying information on education histories and association memberships. People who post content on social software sites often share details about their hobbies and interests, possibly revealing more than they would like to potential employers.

>> contributed by Leslie

The user community of Webware.com recently voted for its favorite Web applications. This site lists the top 100 Web applications, 10 per category. Categories include reference, media, entertainment, communications, and browsing. Haven’t heard of these sites (well, you’ll definitely have heard of one—Google)? If you place your cursor over the icon, you’ll learn more about the application.

>> contributed by Leslie