Scene re-edited from the season 1 Mad Men episode "The Wheel." In the original scene Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is making a pitch to Kodak for their new product, The Carousel. This spoof digitally replaces Don's analog slide show pictures with Facebook photos from their new "time-line" platform:
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
QR Codes
Robin Ashford's article, as well as the other related readings this week, on QR codes brings up an interesting idea for adapting libraries and museums to benefit "mobile" users. These articles state that the codes can be used to supplement exhibits, or lead users to where they need to go in the stacks without being troubled to copy down a call number. I think that QR codes are a useful tool that libraries and museums should not be afraid of, but I hardly think that they are a game changer.
Many people have smart phones that have mobile web. But I would think that the majority of users do not and will not until "standard" or "old fashioned" cell phones become completely obsolete. Or when smart phones and their data plans become affordable for the average customer. Cell phones are ubiquitous, but the majority of users do not have QR compliant smart phones that can read the codes, and also access mobile web to take the user to the website, photograph, resource, etc.
If your library is going to embrace all new technologies than by all means utilize QR codes and other similar technology. But it is important to not let your accommodation of the small percentage of your users that have smart phones to interfere with your ability to provide services to others without access to this technology.
Many people who visit the library everyday are doing it for internet and computer access. These users may have cell phones, but if they cannot afford the cost of having a computer and internet access at home they are unlikely to be able to afford keeping up monthly smart phone data plans which are typically higher cost than low speed wired access at home.
QR codes are a great new technology that has many exciting possibilities. But libraries should not get ahead of themselves implementing new technology that the majority of their users do not have access to.
Many people have smart phones that have mobile web. But I would think that the majority of users do not and will not until "standard" or "old fashioned" cell phones become completely obsolete. Or when smart phones and their data plans become affordable for the average customer. Cell phones are ubiquitous, but the majority of users do not have QR compliant smart phones that can read the codes, and also access mobile web to take the user to the website, photograph, resource, etc.
If your library is going to embrace all new technologies than by all means utilize QR codes and other similar technology. But it is important to not let your accommodation of the small percentage of your users that have smart phones to interfere with your ability to provide services to others without access to this technology.
Many people who visit the library everyday are doing it for internet and computer access. These users may have cell phones, but if they cannot afford the cost of having a computer and internet access at home they are unlikely to be able to afford keeping up monthly smart phone data plans which are typically higher cost than low speed wired access at home.
QR codes are a great new technology that has many exciting possibilities. But libraries should not get ahead of themselves implementing new technology that the majority of their users do not have access to.
Monday, September 12, 2011
RSS Feeds
Here are the RSS Feeds that I am subscribing to to keep up with library/tech news:
1. LIS News
2. ALA Job List
3. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science
4. Librarian.net
5. LISjobs.com
6. ALA Press Releases
1. LIS News
2. ALA Job List
3. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science
4. Librarian.net
5. LISjobs.com
6. ALA Press Releases
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