GIMP - new photo editing program

Jeff mentioned that we're going to have the (unfortunately-named) program GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) on our public computers with the forthcoming image. Jeff says it will probably be a while till it is installed, and that Sunset will get it first. I thought we might want to familiarize ourselves with it, because it's certain we'll be getting questions about how to use it as soon as we make it available to the public. It's installed on Lucy and Desi, and there is a shortcut on the desktop to it.
From Wikipedia:

Typical uses include creating graphics and logos, resizing and cropping
photos, altering colours, combining multiple images, removing unwanted image
features, and converting between different image formats.
It is often used as a free software replacement for Adobe Photoshop, the
most widely used bitmap editor in the printing and graphics industries; however,
it is not designed to be a Photoshop clone.

Here's the User Manual for the current release, if you're needing help.

Valley Metro, anyone?

I just have a dickens of a time using the Valley Metro site to find routes. I can never seem to find the right cross streets to put in, and am constantly being given a list of streets and landmarks that have nothing to do with what I put in. Does anyone feel confident in their skills at finding bus routes? Please, if you understand the site, will you help me? I am tired of cringing when people ask me about bus routes, and if things keep going the way they're going (viz. gas prices & the economy), we're probably going to be seeing more and more folks taking the bus. Wonder if we can get someone from Valley Metro to come help us? Or maybe I just need to get my brain to engage. . .

Remote Authentication Troubleshooting

I keep calling Jeff for help about remote authentication problems and finding out that there isn't a problem (sorry, Jeff!). This is for me, more than anyone (thanks, Jeff!):

Patron can't log into databases remotely. . .

• Of course, check their card number and PIN.
• Card or PIN wrong? If the card or PIN have to be fixed, keep in mind that the card will still not work until 15 minutes after (probably) the (next) hour, when the Unicorn Server syncs with the EZProxy database. (If you made the update at 1:10, it should be available after 1:15, but if you made the update at 1:20, it will not be until after 2:15.)
  
• Card number and PIN were Ok to begin with?
  

• Try to duplicate their problem using our PCReservation computer.
• See the instructions taped onto the base of the monitor about using the Remote Desktop to do this.
• Try their card and PIN to access one of the remotely accessible databases (e.g. Masterfile), and if that isn't working, try your own card and PIN or one of the guest cards in the drawer.
  
• If none of the cards works, it could be an issue of the server having problems. Report this to Jeff.
  
• If your card works, but theirs still does not, you might let them try a guest card and PIN (test it first).
  
• If the guest card that worked for you does not work for them, you could try having them clear their cookies and temporary Internet files in the browser settings (in IE 6.0, it's under Tools/Internet Options).
• If that doesn't work, it could mean that it's an issue of the port's being blocked on their end [see following].

If you didn't make any changes to their card or PIN, ask them if they are at work and if there's a possibility that Port 2048 may be blocked. This is a port that most serious firewalls will block (not usually home computer firewalls) and would have to be specifically unblocked. They will need to ask their IT folks about this. It has also happened that someone has had a hardware firewall at home. They will need to disable it or figure out on their own (we cannot do this for them) how to unblock port 2048 to use our databases.

If all else fails, you can contact Jeff. . . :-)

Meebo Tips from their Troubleshooting Guide

I keep getting logged out of my IM account
<snip> Try clearing your cache and refreshing your page. If you don’t know how to clear your cache [see Clearing your cache below]
Once you've cleared your cache, go to http://www.meebo.com/ and hold down the ctrl key and F5 function key simultaneously. This will force the browser to load the most current meebo source with the latest updates.

I can’t sign into meebo
If you're unable to sign in to meebo it can mean a number of different things. Please check the following:
1. Check your network connection. [this probably won't be the case]
2. Make sure your username and password for the particular network you’re accessing are correct and match. [we have it saved, so this probably won't be the case]
3. You may have logged into a network and not been properly logged out…wait about 5-10 minutes and try again. [this might affect us, unfortunately - we probably need to make sure to log out before signing in at the other machine]
4. Try using another browser.[i think this means closing that window and opening a new browser window]
If you've checked the above mentioned possibilities, send an email to comments@meebo.com

I can’t get the meebo web site to load properly
1. You may be behind a firewall that’s interfering with your access to meebo.Try https://www.meebo.com/. [?]

Clearing Your Cache/Cookies
Many issues can be alleviated by clearing your browser's Cache and cookies. Before you clear your cache and cookies for the first time, close all of your browsers, then open up a new one.

For Internet Explorer users:

1. Click on “Tools”
2. Select “Internet Options” from the drop-down menu
3. Click on the “Delete” button in the section for Browsing History
4. Click the buttons to “Delete files…” and “Delete cookies…” or click on the
“Delete all” button
5. Click “Yes” in the confirmation dialog box

[and this is interesting]
You should also every now and then force your browser to load the most current meebo source with the latest updates. To do this, go to www.meebo.com, hold down the ctrl key and f5 function key simultaneously.

BBB Phoenix change

BBB Phoenix is now The Better Business Bureau of Central, Northern & Western Arizona. I'll change the consumer pages to reflect this.

FT Library-related journals in Masterfile

American Libraries 01/01/1975 to present
Book Links 01/01/2002 to present .5 mo. embargo
Booklist 01/01/2002 to present .5 mo. embargo
Computers in Libraries 07/01/1993 to present
Feliciter (Canadian Library Association) 06/01/2001 to present
Library Journal 01/01/1975 to present
Library Media Connection 01/01/2003 to present
Library Technology Reports 05/01/2002 to present
Library Trends 01/01/1997 to present
School Library Journal 01/01/1975 to present
South African Journal of Library and Information Science 01/01/1995 to present

Sync your Lotus notes contacts

Do you find that you have two different address books in Lotus Notes and Domino Web Access (the web version of Lotus Notes)? Try this to sync them. You may find that you have duplicate contacts initially, so you might need to clean them up.
1. (**When you're logged into Lotus Notes at your desk**) From the Inbox, click Actions
2. Click Synchronize Address Book

AZ Rep articles - try (this) before you buy!

I've noticed that oftentimes there are Arizona Republic articles out there for free, where if you do an archive search on AZ Rep and it says that you will need to buy the article.
E.g. Did an archive search for it. Then did a Google search for the exact title: New law brings curfew, limits for teen drivers and found this article:
http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special12/articles/0604teendriver0604.html

I have a feeling this is the case for articles that are more recent and/or more popular or "important."

Consumer Reports in Masterfile - no embargo!

Ted discovered that Consumer Reports no longer has a 3-month embargo in Masterfile Premier! Happy day! See for yourself (June). They're also doing something new with graphics on the search results page, as you'll see. It looks like they don't have February or March of this year just yet.

Scanner documentation

See the instructions for our new scanner here. You'll need to click on CanoScan LiDE25/60 Scanning Guide (WIndows) LiDE2560scanningguide-e.exe (under Guides and Manuals) and then download the manual. I'm going to ask Joseph to condense it to one sheet for us.

Finding a Tutor

We sometimes get parents asking for recommendations of tutors for their children, and this article is a good one for them about where to look for tutors and what questions to ask:
4 Steps to Finding an Excellent Tutor for Your Child

Photos from newly remodeled Saguaro Library

I went to the Phoenix Public Library's Saguaro Library for a Reforma meeting on Wednesday 6/11. See my photos Some things to take inspiration from. . .

Greater Phoenix Digital Library - lag time

Myron has to download records of new items the GPDL acquires, so it's possible there could be something we own in that collection that's not in our catalog. You might doublecheck there for an item - Anbolyn and I have both found items there recently that weren't in the catalog.

AZ Rep microfilm has local sections

I rediscovered today that the Arizona Republic microfilm has all of the Valley sections (e.g. Chandler Republic, of course, but also Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Scottsdale, NW and NE). Had someone needing an article from the Gilbert Tribune that neither he nor I could find online, and he'd tried the Southeast Regional library, who'd looked in their database with no luck. BTW, it IS possible to use the Internet on the fiche/film reader computer. Just try going to MS help and then going to help online. I was able to send him an email with the article attached from that computer.

Updated Adult Ed info

Donna gave me the fall English class registration info, as well as summer Learning Lab hours and summer Basic Writing Workshop dates/times, so they're posted now.

When will I get my stimulus payment check?

Had a question tonight about when a patron would be getting his check. This is pretty easy to find out (it's prominent on the IRS homepage), but FYI:
http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html
And it's a reminder to always do direct deposit (so much quicker)! Current as of 5-6-08:
DIRECT DEPOSIT
Last two SSN digits: / Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20 - May 2
21 through 75 - May 9
76 through 99 - May 16

Paper checks will also go out based on Social Security number. For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks will be mailed starting May 9 and will continue through May 16. A similar process will be repeated in the following weeks.
PAPER CHECK
Last two SSN digits: / Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09 - May 16
10 through 18 - May 23
19 through 25 - May 30
26 through 38 - June 6
39 through 51 - June 13
52 through 63 - June 20
64 through 75 - June 27
76 through 87 - July 4
88 through 99 - July 11

Phoenix Mag Top Doctors issue

From Anbolyn:
"The April 2008 edition of Phoenix Magazine, the Top Docs issue, is now behind the ref-desk. I put it next to the Book of Lists. It is now a non-circulating item."

Travel books spine labels - from Myron

Email from Myron: "All travel books will use the publisher/guide name as its cutter -- not the author or location name. These have been somewhat inconsistent, but I'm confident that putting FODORS books together and LONELY Planet books together will be most effective for patrons and staff..."

DVD burner on laptop

Not sure if we'll need it, but FYI: Ron installed a DVD burner on the laptop (it's the one in the cloth bag, NOT the Thinkpad we use in the Quiet Lab). This means we can view DVDs and burn to a DVD (as well as a CD).

Solution to demand to install at ref desk

You know when you're surfing at the ref desk, and suddenly your browser is demanding that you install something from a Microsoft Office disk?: "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable." You try to cancel the install and you get an error message and get caught in an annoying loop for a few seconds?
Ron and Jeff have given us a solution. Paste this in the dialog box: p:\apps\microsoft\office\2000SP3\disk1
Jeff says we may have to do this again periodically.