Tech Tip #5 - April 30, 2013 (Daniel Lane, Tenafly PL)

Digital Signage on the Cheap! 

[Editor's note: I thought this tip was just awesome! So I'm not fooling around with a cute introduction this time. Do not be afraid to try this. What can you lose? I'm going to dig out that old projector we and blow my signage up on a big white wall!]



Lots of libraries use electronic signage to advertise their programs and services.  They look expensive, and sometimes they are. But you can roll your own really easily for a fraction of the cost. There are lots of ways to do it that won't break the bank or require lots of specialized training.

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Can you make a Powerpoint presentation?

Yes? Have you ever installed an operating system (like Windows or Mac OS)?

Yes? Well then, you have the skills. Do you have as little as $25.00 to throw around?

Yes? Well then, you have the cash.

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How do you start?
Use Powerpoint or OpenOffice Impress to create a slide show of your upcoming programs.
Here is mine to get you started:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByUpVdCNClClYzhSWUtTcUlPemM/edit?usp=sharing
That one is in a verticle orientation, because I have turned the screens 90 degrees so that it looks more like a sheet or paper or a page from a book.
If you would like a horizontal version, that can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByUpVdCNClClMVZpc1ljWTQ0VzA/edit?usp=sharing

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So now that you have something to put on your sign, lets build the sign.

First you will need a screen.
If you want a really big one that could be expensive.
Even though a 55" HDTV will run you less than $1,000, you might want to first consider the monitors you already have. If you are like a lot of libraries you probably have one or two in the closet from the last time you upgraded your staff or public PCs. They may only be 15" but placing it right at a service point makes it big and obvious enough to make a real impact. If you keep them small you can place 3, 4, 5 of them in various places around the library and get a lot more eyes on them.



So great! you have a screen and something to put on it, but we are missing some important hardware in the middle. You have a lot of options here keeping it in the $25 to $50 dollar range:



1. You could pick up an android stick and install your favorite odp (Open Document Presentation) viewer from the Google Play Store.
These dongles are the size and shape of USB Flash Drives, but they are actually tiny embedded systems using Google's Android phone operating system.
I have no experience with this, but it doesn't sound too hard.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-an-android-stick-computer-and-how-can-you-use-it/



2. You could purchase the simple, tiny, cheap (starting at $25), and oh so trendy RASPBERRY PI developer board and install LibraOffice Impress on it.
Again, no experience with this one, but it sounds like a ton-o-fun. But not for the faint of heart if you have any fear of command line interfaces.
http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs



3. Finally, and really the best option because it is super-green, is to recycle a PC you have just decommissioned. If it was working when it was decommissioned we can easily make it work again. If it was on your BCCLS network, BCCLS tech people probably made off with the hard drive, so you will need to replace that.
Buy a used/reconditioned hard drive or a USB flash drive with an 8GB capacity or larger. Speed does matter in flash drives when you are booting from them, so get a good one if you go that way. Either way, don't waste more than say $30 on this. If you do, your buying more than you need.

For further instructions on installing UBUNTU and to download the installer disk image go here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop



LibraOffice Impress is automatically installed on your PC when you install the UBUNTU operating system. This will open and display your PowerPoint or ODP presentation.  Copy the presentation onto your old_PC/new_electronic_sign by "sneaker netting" (copy it from your computer to a USB flash drive and carry the flash drive over and plug it into the electronic sign) onto the sign PC.  You can just drag the presentation file onto the desktop and double click to launch it, eject your flash drive, then click "presentation view" and walk away.  Whenever you add schedule a new event, just update the presentation on the flash drive "sneaker net" it again, drag, drop, click replace, and your sign is updated.

Tenafly has two PCs running a total of four 15" monitors at the circulation and reference desks. They are all showing the same presentation. I update them once or twice a week by adding new events and removing ones that have passed.



I know this sounds like a lot of work, but you would be surprised how easy it is. Feel free to email me for help:  daniel.lane@bccls.org
I have other similar ideas for old PCs if you've got a lot of them on your hands--I will share if you are interested.

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Tip #4 - April 22, 2013 (Jennifer Breuer, Glen Ridge PL)​

Dear BCCLS Technology Committee,

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Our library hosts dozens of book discussions, author talks, lectures, and other fun instructional programs. The demand for these programs is really high but the fire department won't let us exceed our small meeting room capacity of 12 people. We are also hampered by the lack of library parking spaces. The town only let us have two dedicated spots (and the director takes one of them!). We think if we could easily share a video stream of our programs over the internet we could extend our reach. Do you have any suggestions?

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Signed,

A Library in Need of More Heinie Room



Dear Heinie-challenged Library,



One of our committee members happened to find a neat-o application that can be used for streaming live video called U-stream. They also have a Facebook application for inviting your many FB fans to events within the FB world. Give it a try!

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Here is the tip:



"I stumbled upon this neat little free plug in for FB pages.  You can stream live on your Facebook page.  I thought this might be something interesting to let the membership know for an upcoming tech tip.  Thought some applications could be streaming an author talk through Skype on your page or other programming.  Perhaps streaming a computer class or other things.  People can interact by commenting on the page during the broadcast. "  

http://www.ustream.tv/facebook

http://www.ustream.tv

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Tip #3 - April 5, 2013 (Krista Weltz, North Bergen PL)

4 Free Tools for Providing Remote Tech Help

Ever find your friends, relatives, or even employees calling you over the phone trying to explain one of their computer predicaments? “My Microsoft Word Ribbon just disappeared, how do I get it back?” or “How do I configure my computer’s Startup services?” You will often struggle to understand the problem the other person is trying to explain without actually seeing their computer screen. That's when it's handy to have a screen sharing tool readily available. Here are four that are quick, simple and FREE to use.



1. Screen Leap – www.screenleap.com ​

Screen Leap allows you to share your desktop with as many people as you choose, without signing up for an account, downloading and installing anything (the only software you'll need on your system to use Screen Leap is the Java Runtime Environment, which most people already have. If you don’t have Java installed, you can install it at http://java.com/en/download/help/download_options.xml). To share your screen using Screen Leap just visit the site, click the green "share your screen" button, enable the Java applet, and send the sharing code to the person you want to view your screen. The person receiving your invitation code will be able to see your screen when you have Screen Leap activated.



2. If the Google Chrome browser is the browser of your choice, the Chrome Remote Desktop App is a great screen sharing tool. Using the Chrome Remote Desktop App (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gbchcmhmhahfdphkhkmpfmihenigjmpp) you can grant access to your computer to another person who also has the Chrome Remote Desktop App installed. If you want to share your desktop just click "share now" and Chrome Remote Desktop will generate an access code to give to the person who will access your computer. To access and control another person's computer you just need to enter the access code that they provide to you.



3. Quick Screen Share - http://quickscreenshare.com

To use Quick Screen Share just go to their website, select “share your screen”, and enter your username. Quick Screen Share will then provide you with a URL to share with the person with whom you are screen sharing. When that person opens the link you he or she will be able to see your screen. (You need Java installed on your computer for Quick Screen Share to work.) The current version creates a direct peer-to-peer connection, so if you're on a high- secure company network it may or may not be able to connect. I tried connecting on some BCCLS computers, sometimes it worked – sometimes it didn’t. When I connected on my home network, it worked great.



4. Screenhero - http://screenhero.com

Offers the option of collaborative screen sharing. For example, I can share my screen with you and allow you to move things on my screen. Likewise, I can move things around on your screen. Great for working on documents together! You must download the Screenhero program from their website and create a free account with them first. I tried connecting to Screenhero on a few BCCLS computers, sometimes it worked – sometimes it didn’t. When I connected on my home network, it worked great.

Great, simple, free tools to help in remote tech help and collaborative screen sharing. Keep in mind that there will be connection/communication errors and delays/lags. However, have patience and enjoy!



Source: 5 Free Tools for Providing Remote Tech Help http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/03/5-free-tools-for-providing-remote-tech.html#.UUfN2Iy9KK1

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Tip # 2 - March 15, 2013 (Alison Moonitz, Mahwah PL)

Fixing a Scratched DVD
Those of you with highly active A/V collections have no doubt heard many complaints from library patrons about dirty or scratched DVD or CDs that will not play. Though most current discs include error-correction information that allows players to recover information lost in a scratch, this will only work so long as the damage isn't too severe. While there are several disc cleaning machines that are available for purchase, they can be somewhat costly and time consuming.  If you have a disc cleaner in-house, consider yourself lucky.  For those libraries that don’t, here are some tips to try the next time a patron reports that your copy of Downton Abbey season 1 skips and jumps in their DVD player:
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The cheapest solution is to use a soft cloth to clean away any offending dirt or smudges. A jewelry-polishing cloth might prove to be a little more helpful than a plain terry cloth tower since one has a side specifically for cleaning and another side for polishing.​
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Clean the DVD from the inner rim to the outside rim in a fluid motion, not a circular one. Repeat from the inside in a straight line to the outside. The buffing
along a radius -not by circumference - is important because the laser can skip over small scratches perpendicular to its tracking but not a groove that is on its path. After you've cleaned the entire disk this way, try playing it again. If the cloth tip doesn’t work, it’s time to try something a little stronger.
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Various tech websites report that liquid automobile wax or a can of wax furniture polish like Pledge will work.  Apply a bit to the crack. Buff the entire DVD
(radius, not circumference) with the jewelry cloth and rinse the disc under clean, cold water. Dry the DVD the same way you buffed it. Let it sit overnight while the wax fills in the scratch.  You might want to do a test on a less than popular DVD before attempting this on your copies of Homeland or Breaking Bad.​
There is also a commercial product by Digital Innovations called SkipDr. It can be found online through the usual sources (Amazon, etc). It works by removing an extremely thin layer of the plastic coating found on CDs/DVDs, taking most scratches with it.  This product can remove minor scratches from both movie and game CDs/DVDs, although it should not be used with Blu-Ray discs.
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Source: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Fix_a_Scratched_DVD​

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Tip #1 - March 1, 2013 (Dave Franz, Hillsdale PL)

1. Check your pockets before washing your clothing. Our electronic devices are slender and may not be noticed. Yes, the chairman of the tech committee put his iPhone through the laundry. How sad is that? Not to fear. I followed those instructions I found using Google.... don't turn it on. place it in a bag of dried rice. wait 48 hours. You know what? Every function, other than the touchscreen, worked fine! I could use Siri (the speech recognition thing) to send and receive (hear) text messages and I could place phone calls. But no screen. Apple will replace a wet phone for $200. Better to check your pockets!​

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2. FaceBook really works. It does connect you to the larger world. Our library, like yours, recently had the swimsuit issue "borrowed." So we put it on our lawn sign. Today, we received 32 copies of the most current issue of Sports Illustrated from the publicity department of Sports Illustrated. They even used our sign on their news blog! (yes this is a little bragging... but real fun) See the link: http://extramustard.si.com/2013/02/28/elvis-andrus-misses-game-with-tattoo-sensitivity/​