12 posts and columns on Libraries

Check Out What You Can Check Out at a Wisconsin Library: An Apple iPad

in Mobile on September 22, 2011 at 5:00 am PT

While many libraries are now checking out e-books and digital audiobooks in addition to physical media, the Eau Claire library is taking things a step further by lending out iPads.
iPad Due Date

Got Broadband? Not Sure? There's a Map for That.

in Enterprise on February 17, 2011 at 2:30 pm PT

It took two years and $350 million, but America now has a detailed map showing where all its broadband Internet connections are and where they are not.

Voices

Delicious Red Sea Parted, Users Wander to Other Bookmarking Services

in News on January 4, 2011 at 8:35 pm PT

We might have assumed that users would flee Delicious after Yahoo announced it was shuttering the popular bookmarking service. What we didn’t know was how fast the lifeboats were filling. Until now.

Voices

New Library Technologies Dispense With Librarians

in News on October 25, 2010 at 6:45 am PT

Hugo MN–In this suburb of St. Paul, the new library branch has no librarians, no card catalog and no comfortable chairs in which to curl up and read. Instead, the Library Express is a stack of metal lockers outside city hall. When patrons want a book or DVD, they order it online and pick it up from a digitally locked, glove-compartment- sized cubby a few days later. It’s a library as conceived by the Amazon.com generation.

Windows Phone 7 Series Even More Impressive Than Previously Thought

in News on March 15, 2010 at 10:55 am PT

Microsoft added a bit more to its Windows Phone 7 Series story at its MIX10 event this morning, revealing some of the mobile operating system’s features and detailing how developers can write software for it. While it’s obviously far too early to make any big declarations about it, the OS certainly seems competitive–and compelling.

A Windows to Help You Forget

in Personal Technology on October 7, 2009 at 6:02 pm PT

Walter S. Mossberg calls Windows 7 a boost to productivity and a pleasure to use — Microsoft’s best operating system yet.
windows

Nov. 9 Deadline Set for Amended Google Book Deal

in News on October 7, 2009 at 10:00 am PT

November 9. That’s the day on which Google, the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers are to submit an amended version of their book settlement, one that addresses concerns that it might give them unfair advantage over other digital libraries or violate copyright laws abroad.
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Open Book Alliance Throws Book at Google

in News on August 26, 2009 at 1:07 pm PT

The Open Book Alliance–or “Sour Grapes Alliance,” as Google likes to call it–formally launched Wednesday afternoon, debuting a new Web site, as well as the manifesto with which it is challenging Google’s settlement with authors and publishers.
openbookalliance-logo

What We Really Need Is a "Stopping Congress From Exploiting For-the-Children Politics" Bill

in News on February 20, 2009 at 3:02 pm PT

Funny isn’t it? Congress spent most of last year calling for Internet companies to limit user data retention and here it is pushing legislation that would require Internet service providers and the operators of Wi-Fi access points to retain Internet user data for up to two years. Why? To protect children from predators, of course
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