BIGsig is a technology special interest group that meets montly at LCLS.  Here’s what we discussed at the last meeting: Lime Survey The System has been testing an open-source survey solution that creates online surveys.  For those familiar with Survey Monkey, the interfaces are very similar.  First, you create a new survey, then add question [...]

Using Google Voice for free SMS reference Google is starting to hand out invitations to use their newest service, Google Voice.  I received an invitation a couple of weeks ago, and after using for a bit, I’ve decided it’s the perfect thing for libraries.  Here’s the setup: to create a Google Voice account, you need [...]

At the last BIGsig meeting, we went through all the necessary steps to set up a Google Apps account for a library.  Google also has very thorough instructions to get you through this process, which can be found here: Google Instructions If you’re feeling brave, you can also get started by yourself. So once you’ve [...]

From: Jamie Doil, O’Fallon Public Library Is your library experiencing long lines at the circulation desk? Especially at closing time? Here is a possible solution that we have implemented at the O’Fallon Public Library. We recently purchased two self-checkout stations to give patrons an alternative to waiting in line at the circulation desk. Of almost [...]

The last BIGsig meeting was the swimsuit edition of open-source software- why it exists, who makes it, and how it can work in the library.  I repeatedly pointed out that Free, Open Source Software (FOSS) exists because there is a need for it.  For example, let’s look at the project of the month from SourceForge, [...]

I’ve been working with Bruce to put together some info on understanding bandwidth and/or bandwidth problems.  Here is the first draft; please let me know if there’s anything that needs clarification (or if I’ve left something important out). The Need for Speed

There are alot of free utilities out there for keeping your computer safe- some are good, others are not.  Here’s a short list of programs I’m familiar with: Anti-Virus ClamWin – http://www.clamwin.com/ AVG Free (free for personal use) – http://free.avg.com/ Norton Security Scan – http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp Anti-Spyware Windows Defender – http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx Spybot Search & Destroy – [...]

A perennnial problem for libraries that offer online public access computers (OPACs) for access to online databases or catalogs is that those same OPACs are used for neither.  Instead, OPACs are used for browsing Amazon or Facebook or whatever patrons feel like looking at.  Of course, you have computers for general internet browsing, but they [...]