Comments on: Tune in at the Library http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html shifting libraries at the speed of byte Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:34:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Movies and Film Blog » Tune in at the Library http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2560 Movies and Film Blog » Tune in at the Library Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:58:55 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2560 [...] The Shifted Librarian placed an interesting blog post on Tune in at the LibraryHere’s a brief overview [...] […] The Shifted Librarian placed an interesting blog post on Tune in at the LibraryHere’s a brief overview […]

]]> By: Amanda http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2561 Amanda Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:33:17 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2561 <i>Heading into a possible recession when it’s quite possible that people will be cutting costs by canceling cable subscriptions....hope this country gets its act together and starts installing fiber connections the way it should be.</i> If we go into a recession, where is the country/government going to get the money to install these fiber connections? I can't see that taxpayers are going to vote for higher taxes to do so when they're having to cancel their personal cable subscriptions. Heading into a possible recession when it’s quite possible that people will be cutting costs by canceling cable subscriptions….hope this country gets its act together and starts installing fiber connections the way it should be.

If we go into a recession, where is the country/government going to get the money to install these fiber connections? I can’t see that taxpayers are going to vote for higher taxes to do so when they’re having to cancel their personal cable subscriptions.

]]> By: The Eeyore Librarian http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2562 The Eeyore Librarian Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:35:07 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2562 We don't monitor or restrict what people do or do not do on our public computers (well - unless you're doing something illegal like child porn or are 'disturbing' the people around you with your regular porn). So while you may do anything you want (facebook to your hearts content), we have 30min timeouts (that can extend to sixty with no one waitng - but that's the limit). Which means you can watch a sitcom, but not a whole basketball game or a movie or something. We simply do not have enough space to install enough computers for everybody to have unlimited access all the time and I think this is going to represent more of what the issue is going to be as most libraries don't have enough computers for everybody. Monitoring people's computer use to comply with 'acceptable research use' is a slippery slope to government censorship. Everybody is equal and no gets any extended time. Blog away. We don’t monitor or restrict what people do or do not do on our public computers (well - unless you’re doing something illegal like child porn or are ‘disturbing’ the people around you with your regular porn). So while you may do anything you want (facebook to your hearts content), we have 30min timeouts (that can extend to sixty with no one waitng - but that’s the limit). Which means you can watch a sitcom, but not a whole basketball game or a movie or something. We simply do not have enough space to install enough computers for everybody to have unlimited access all the time and I think this is going to represent more of what the issue is going to be as most libraries don’t have enough computers for everybody. Monitoring people’s computer use to comply with ‘acceptable research use’ is a slippery slope to government censorship. Everybody is equal and no gets any extended time. Blog away.

]]> By: Margaret Ostrander http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2564 Margaret Ostrander Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:54:32 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2564 This post has got my mind cooking -- thanks for being such a great trend spotter. The social nature of television or film viewing is also fodder for libraries debate. In addition to judgements about the format of content consumption, the way in which patrons consume it can be scrutinized by librarians as well. Grouping up at computer terminals, having conversations or in generally patrons getting "too loud" -- and I can see these kinds of behaviors heightened by increasing access to tv/movies online. I believe that instead of being a negative point for librarians to hrumpf about "disruptive patrons," this can offer libraries even more opportunities to explore their role as a social, communal space. How can libraries look at use of their space to encourage community and collaboration in ways that apply to other social media as well? Rather than stifling something that patrons are excited about, let's look at ways to make this happen that also respect the needs of researcher who does need that peace and quiet? Multi-modal space planning is going to become even more important. Thansk for a great post! This post has got my mind cooking — thanks for being such a great trend spotter. The social nature of television or film viewing is also fodder for libraries debate. In addition to judgements about the format of content consumption, the way in which patrons consume it can be scrutinized by librarians as well. Grouping up at computer terminals, having conversations or in generally patrons getting “too loud” — and I can see these kinds of behaviors heightened by increasing access to tv/movies online. I believe that instead of being a negative point for librarians to hrumpf about “disruptive patrons,” this can offer libraries even more opportunities to explore their role as a social, communal space. How can libraries look at use of their space to encourage community and collaboration in ways that apply to other social media as well? Rather than stifling something that patrons are excited about, let’s look at ways to make this happen that also respect the needs of researcher who does need that peace and quiet? Multi-modal space planning is going to become even more important. Thansk for a great post!

]]> By: BlogBites. Like sound bites. But without the sound. » Blog Archive » If you think the YouTube, social networking, and web-based gaming debate is growing now, just wait until the general public realizes they can watch television online, too. http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2567 BlogBites. Like sound bites. But without the sound. » Blog Archive » If you think the YouTube, social networking, and web-based gaming debate is growing now, just wait until the general public realizes they can watch television online, too. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:09:00 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2567 [...] is growing now, just wait until the general public realizes they can watch television online, too. The Shifted Librarian » Tune in at the Library   « In the ultimate irony, the Italian journalist Carlo Petrini has created a global [...] […] is growing now, just wait until the general public realizes they can watch television online, too. The Shifted Librarian » Tune in at the Library   « In the ultimate irony, the Italian journalist Carlo Petrini has created a global […]

]]> By: Diedre http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2569 Diedre Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:29:41 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2569 Can you explain to me how all of this is different than just going to the television network's site and watching the show? Perhaps it is being able to watch it in real time but I never watch shows in real time. I haven't for years since I have used that ancient technology, the vcr, to record shows and watch them in my time. Yes, I have multiple vcrs. I have watched shows on my computer at the network sites but I have not used any of these tools. Can you explain to me how all of this is different than just going to the television network’s site and watching the show? Perhaps it is being able to watch it in real time but I never watch shows in real time. I haven’t for years since I have used that ancient technology, the vcr, to record shows and watch them in my time. Yes, I have multiple vcrs. I have watched shows on my computer at the network sites but I have not used any of these tools.

]]> By: Tv Game Shows » Blog Archive » Tune in at the Library http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2576 Tv Game Shows » Blog Archive » Tune in at the Library Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:16:51 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2576 [...] Alex Schlotzer [...] […] Alex Schlotzer […]

]]> By: Joe http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2616 Joe Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:02:37 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2616 Great job writing this blog, keep up the good work. Great job writing this blog, keep up the good work.

]]> By: James http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2651 James Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:51:54 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2651 Our central library - very well funded indeed - is sharing one T-1 line among 12 public access computers. Because the OPACs require access to IP addresses to fetch item records for patrons, searching the catalog bogs down when any load is placed on the node. Sadly, stress to the node is due to streaming audio and video. I don't care what people view during their assigned times at their computers (except for the reasons stated earlier). What bothers me is when one or two people sit down and grab all of the bandwidth for themselves to the detriment of everyone else. I know how AT&T works (I think) - the company just UNblocks speed to your location, because the copper pair or fiber currently available can perform at speeds much greater than 1.5 mbps. Our facility doesn't need to double our speed - we need four or ten times the speed in order to meet the needs of our patrons who are losing cable internet as well as those who have laptops and want to take advantage of the WiFi service we are pleased and proud to provide. The problem is in convincing people, and enough people aren't complaining yet. Our central library - very well funded indeed - is sharing one T-1 line among 12 public access computers. Because the OPACs require access to IP addresses to fetch item records for patrons, searching the catalog bogs down when any load is placed on the node.

Sadly, stress to the node is due to streaming audio and video. I don’t care what people view during their assigned times at their computers (except for the reasons stated earlier). What bothers me is when one or two people sit down and grab all of the bandwidth for themselves to the detriment of everyone else.

I know how AT&T works (I think) - the company just UNblocks speed to your location, because the copper pair or fiber currently available can perform at speeds much greater than 1.5 mbps. Our facility doesn’t need to double our speed - we need four or ten times the speed in order to meet the needs of our patrons who are losing cable internet as well as those who have laptops and want to take advantage of the WiFi service we are pleased and proud to provide.

The problem is in convincing people, and enough people aren’t complaining yet.

]]> By: lee http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2657 lee Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:49:30 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2657 We've run into this a lot in our public library. Patrons want to catch up on a show or watch a live online feed of an event and they can't. It makes it really difficult knowing that the staff computers could easily handle it. A lot of the networks require plug-in's for their shows and we don't allow people to download the software. To me, it seems like the best way to promote the service to our patrons is to provide them with service that brings them back. If it's a disappointment, why would they ever return to use our computers. We’ve run into this a lot in our public library. Patrons want to catch up on a show or watch a live online feed of an event and they can’t. It makes it really difficult knowing that the staff computers could easily handle it. A lot of the networks require plug-in’s for their shows and we don’t allow people to download the software. To me, it seems like the best way to promote the service to our patrons is to provide them with service that brings them back. If it’s a disappointment, why would they ever return to use our computers.

]]> By: James http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2658 James Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:25:11 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-2658 In defense of the library overall policy about plug-ins - IT people generally have a very strong interest in keeping public access computers as trouble-free as possible. Ours do a disk restore on every on-off-on cycle (I think), taking a disk image and replacing any damage people may have done to the desktop or the proxy server or other hacks they might have achieved. IT has well over 40 Wintel computers in several locations, all with the same hardware, to maintain. If one disk image is changed, it has to be for a Very Good Reason and they need significant persuasion. Patron complaints are one avenue, of course. Sometimes they're the best avenue because they usually are more heeded by management and trustees than when staff members point out the obvious. Still, I can see IT's point. It might be a good idea to schedule one major disk image rebuild per year, booking the hours of an employee so that the employee can go out, wipe and recreate a drive, and move on to the next one. Patrons are happy because they can pick and choose plug-ins, staff become happy because they see more smiles and hear fewer complaints, and overall satisfaction and service increase. In defense of the library overall policy about plug-ins - IT people generally have a very strong interest in keeping public access computers as trouble-free as possible. Ours do a disk restore on every on-off-on cycle (I think), taking a disk image and replacing any damage people may have done to the desktop or the proxy server or other hacks they might have achieved.

IT has well over 40 Wintel computers in several locations, all with the same hardware, to maintain. If one disk image is changed, it has to be for a Very Good Reason and they need significant persuasion. Patron complaints are one avenue, of course. Sometimes they’re the best avenue because they usually are more heeded by management and trustees than when staff members point out the obvious.

Still, I can see IT’s point. It might be a good idea to schedule one major disk image rebuild per year, booking the hours of an employee so that the employee can go out, wipe and recreate a drive, and move on to the next one. Patrons are happy because they can pick and choose plug-ins, staff become happy because they see more smiles and hear fewer complaints, and overall satisfaction and service increase.

]]> By: fancastfan http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-6048 fancastfan Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:06:21 +0000 http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/28/tune-in-at-the-library.html#comment-6048 It really is interesting to see the different perspectives people discuss online video. This is the first time I've read it from the librarians' viewpoint. But just to be clear on the comment about fancast.com - not just a hulu clone. Fancast certainly has plenty of NBC and Fox TV content - but a LOT more, such as full-length feature films (I just watched "Sideways" which I never saw in the theater) as well as classic sitcoms that your readers may enjoy accessing - "MARY TYLER MOORE"! (What a great show that was.) All of it totally free - and the majority of it (except for the feature films, I suppose) within that one-hour limit many may have on your computers. It really is interesting to see the different perspectives people discuss online video. This is the first time I’ve read it from the librarians’ viewpoint. But just to be clear on the comment about fancast.com - not just a hulu clone. Fancast certainly has plenty of NBC and Fox TV content - but a LOT more, such as full-length feature films (I just watched “Sideways” which I never saw in the theater) as well as classic sitcoms that your readers may enjoy accessing - “MARY TYLER MOORE”! (What a great show that was.) All of it totally free - and the majority of it (except for the feature films, I suppose) within that one-hour limit many may have on your computers.

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