Emerging Tech Expo tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009-10-30:/emergingtexpoblog//11108 2012-12-17T02:36:33Z Learn more about this special event, share your ideas, and connect with others! Movable Type Enterprise 4.31-en Amuse Bouche of Apps tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.380973 2012-12-17T02:28:34Z 2012-12-17T02:36:33Z meye0539 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=10628

Reading
  • Goodreads
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android & iOS. A social networking platform which allows users to catalog, review, and discuss books. Great for finding new reads!  

Gardening
  • Home outside
    • $2.99 - Available on iOS. According to NYTimes.com, "Home Outside allows you to create intricate and varied landscapes. [W]hen you're finished designing your yard or indulging in a little dreamscaping, you can e-mail results to friends."
  • Landscapers companion
    • $5.99 - Available on Android & iOS. Gardener's delight! A handy database of over 20,000 trees, plants, and vegetables. You can also save your favorites and upload your own images.
  • Leafsnap
    • FREE! Available on the web or on iOS. An electronic field guide containing high-res images of leaves, flowers, fruit, petiole, seeds, and bark of the Northeastern United States. Also allows for visual recognition using photographs for field identification.

Foodie
  • How to cook everything & How to cook everything: Vegetarian
    • $9.99 - Available on iOS. A companion to Mark Bittman's printed recipe/reference books, this app is a must have for cooks on-the-go! Menu ideas, note-taking capabilities, and shopping lists make this app stand apart from others like it.
  • spark recipes
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android & iOS. Sparknotes for cooking. Need we say more?

  • kitchen math
    • $.99 - Available on iOS. Kitchen conversions for units, temperature, and servings. Very handy, especially for baking!
  • cooks illustrated
    • FREE! Available on iOS. A companion to the beloved cookbook series, this app kicks it up a notch with videos, reviews of supermarket ingredients, and timer functions.
  • yelp
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android and iOS. Search for and review "places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play." Users have been known to bring many chefs to their knees with bad reviews!
  • opentable
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android and iOS. Very simply, this app will make and confirm reservations at participating restaurants.
  • zagat
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android. Somewhat redundant, this app is now run by Google and requires a Google+ account. Functionally, it serves the same purpose as Google Reviews/Maps, just has the Zagat branding.
  • urbanspoon
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android and iOS. "Can't decide where to eat? Urbanspoon can help. Shake your phone and Urbanspoon suggests restaurants near you. Keep shaking until you find a restaurant you'd like to try."
  • foodspotting
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android and iOS. This app goes one step further! Not only can you rate the restaurant, you can search, review and rate the dishes they serve.
  • epicurious
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android and iOS. The food lovers favorite, this app brings you the best of the epicurious experience. Recipes, shopping lists, and nutritional guides to save and share with friends!
  • all recipes
    • FREE! Available on the web or on Android and iOS. Very easy to navigate, designed with the home cook in mind!






Instruction
  • Screenchomp
    • FREE! Available on iOS. "A simple doodling board, markers, and one-click sharing tools make spreading your ideas and know-how easy and fun!"
  • Air Sketch
    • $9.99 for iPad only. Syncs PowerPoint and iPad for roving.  
  • Moodle EZ
    • easy access to Moodle pages, though I usually don't edit in this app.
  • Nearpod
    • Teacher login and able to control students' ipads to show PowerPoint and quiz, etc.

Chef's Special
  • Rover
    • FREE! Available on iPad only. An alternative browser that lets you view (some) Flash.
  • Evernote
    • FREE! Available on Android or iOS. Everyones favorite note-taking app!
  • PDA Net
    • FREE! Available on Android. Your very own mobile hotspot!
  • G-Whizz
    • $2.99. Available on iOS. Great app for Google suite.

  • Shazam
    • FREE! Available on Android or on iOS. Listen and identify music.

  • CamDictionary
    • $1.99. Available on Android. Nice translator apps.

  • SayHi
    • $0.99. Available on iOS. Verbal translation into 40+ languages.

  • LogMeIn
    • FREE! Available on iOS and PC.  Access your laptop or desktop from your mobile device.  

  • Fast Camera
    • $1.99. Available on iOS.  Do you have kids running around or pets that won't stand still?  Try this app to take up to 800 pictures a minute!

  • Jump Desktop
    • $14.99. Available on Android, iOS and Mac. Remote desktop app that lets you securely connect to any computer in the world.

  • Notability
    • $.99. Availabke on iOS. "Powerfully integrates handwriting, PDF annotation, typing, recording, and organizing so you can take notes your way!"

]]> 2012 Tech Expo coming soon! tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.375110 2012-11-08T16:50:29Z 2012-11-08T16:57:35Z 2012 Tech Expo - Thursday, November 29 11:00am-2:00pm - Coffman Union 3rd Floor The Emerging Tech Expo has something for everyone! Featuring a combination of technology presentations and exhibits, the Emerging Tech Expo offers all Libraries staff a fun opportunity... nasims http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=21007

2012 Tech Expo - Thursday, November 29
11:00am-2:00pm - Coffman Union 3rd Floor


The Emerging Tech Expo has something for everyone! Featuring a combination of technology presentations and exhibits, the Emerging Tech Expo offers all Libraries staff a fun opportunity to explore technology in new ways, mingle with colleagues, and enjoy some delicious hors d'oeuvres.

This year, there will be tables on Google applications--forms and scripts, sites, hangouts, and drive; eBooks--using and publishing; ALMA; video; USpacial; and; of course, the ever popular Gadgets Table. You are welcome to come and go as you please so pop in for a few minutes or stay the entire time! And don't forget, to be eligible for prize drawings you must be registered!

Register Now!
]]> 2012 Technology Conference (@ Macalester) Encore Presentations tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.355021 2012-05-04T15:59:57Z 2012-05-07T14:43:00Z Save the Date: Library Technology "Encore" PresentationsMay 29th Tuesday1:00-3:00PM120 Andersen Library At this exciting rapid-fire event, your colleagues who presented at this years' Library Tech Conference (at Macalester) will hold "Encore" summaries of their talk. Each presenter will give an... Scott Spicer http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=10992

Save the Date: Library Technology "Encore" Presentations
May 29th Tuesday
1:00-3:00PM
120 Andersen Library

At this exciting rapid-fire event, your colleagues who presented at this years' Library Tech Conference (at Macalester) will hold "Encore" summaries of their talk. Each presenter will give an abbreviated version of their tech talk with topics ranging from historic maps to e-books.

- Encore planning group (Francine Dupont-Crocker, Lisa Johnston, Scott Spicer)


2012 Presentations Lineup

  1. Archiving research data for access, preservation, and sharing? We can do that. (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Lisa Johnston

  2. Black Hats, Farms, and Bubbles: How Emerging Marketing and Content Production Models are Making Research More Difficult (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Kate Peterson and Paul Zenke

  3. Bringing Historic Maps to Life: Adventures in ArcGIS Server and Spatial Scholarship (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Ryan Mattke

  4. Collaborating in New Learning Spaces to Support Students' Research and Technology Training Needs (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Kristi Jensen

  5. Evolving Workflows at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Digital Library (Digital Commons Presentation)
    •   Greta Bahnemann and (Jennifer L. Claybourne Torkelson - will not be present)

  6. Media Literacy for Libraries 101: What it is, the University of Minnesota Model, and the Criticality of Library Support (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Scott Spicer

  7. Orientation Impossibilities: 780 students in One Day! (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Kate Peterson and Andrew Palahniuk

  8. Short Attention-Span Code: Leveraging Google Apps to Build Custom Solutions (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Janet Fransen and Megan Kocher

  9. Supporting users in their pursuit and use of our e-books: Perspectives from one large academic library (Digital Commons Presentation)
    • Virginia Bach, Laurel Haycock, Lois Hendrickson, Julie Kelly, Charles Spetland





]]> 2011 Tech Expo Coming Soon! tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2011:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.319017 2011-11-02T14:46:29Z 2011-11-02T15:01:05Z 2011 Tech Expo - Wednesday, November 9 11:00am-2:00pm - Coffman Union 3rd Floor Featuring a combination of technology presentations and exhibits, the Emerging Tech Expo offers all Libraries staff a fun opportunity to explore technology in new ways, mingle... nasims http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=21007

2011 Tech Expo - Wednesday, November 9
11:00am-2:00pm - Coffman Union 3rd Floor

Featuring a combination of technology presentations and exhibits, the Emerging Tech Expo offers all Libraries staff a fun opportunity to explore technology in new ways, mingle with colleagues, and enjoy some delicious hors d'oeuvres. You are welcome to come and go as you please so pop in for a few minutes or stay the entire time! And don't forget, to be eligible for prize drawings you must be registered!

Register Now!

]]> 2010 Tech Expo a Success! tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.261557 2010-11-24T17:31:46Z 2010-11-24T17:57:59Z Lisa Johnston http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=12710

Thank you to the 140-plus Libraries staff that attended last week's second Annual Emerging Tech Expo sponsored by the IT Council and Libraries Organization Development ( http://blog.lib.umn.edu/emergingtexpoblog/ ).  We hope you enjoyed the event and came away with new awareness of the technologies, tools, and services that were showcased.  The event was the collective effort of our knowledgeable and talented staff and guests, and they are recognized and thanked here.  

First, is the extraordinarily creative and efficient IT Council Tech Expo Planning subgroup led this year by Jennifer Reckner, with members Linda Eells, Eric Forbis, Lara Friedman-Shedlov, Denise Gamble, Lisa Johnston, Jan Roseen, and Scott Spicer.  

The event offered four rich, in-depth presentations by Janet Fransen, Kate Brooks, Colin McFadden (College of Pharmacy), Jason Roy, Scott Spicer, Ryan Mattke, Michael Winters, and Charlie Heinz.  

From Drupal and EthicShare to Skype and When-to-Work (and everything in-between), the Expo featured the work of our creative and engaging exhibits presenters: Sarah Morean, Lisa Johnston, Justin Dale (AHC), Layne Johnson, Kate McCready, Chad Fennel, Stephen Hearn , Janet Arth, Naun Chew, Cody Hanson, Shane Nackerud, Wayne Loftus, Anne Shelley and Arlene Matison (both from the Center for Transportation Studies), Kate Peterson, Jon Jeffreys, Kristen Mastel, Megan Kocher, Erin George, Scott Smith, Andrew Palahniuk, Beth Petsan, Charlie Heinz, Michael Winters, Philip Herold, Jerilyn Veldof, Jackie Gulbranson, Kirsten Clark, Mike Sutliff, John Barneson, Ryan Bean, Lara Friedman-Shedlov, Rod Rasmussen, and Marlo Welshons. 

The Expo was "powered" by our fabulous Computer Support staff: Michael Sutliff, Joe Nanti, Monica Winker-Bergstrom, John Geertz-Larson, and Michael Winters.  

Thanks to our Tech Expo documentarians: multimedia consultant Jenny Veile (videography) and Libraries Administration student employee Heidi Miller (photography).  

Additional preparatory and on-site support was graciously provided by Ryan Mattke and Charlie Heinz.  Thank you one and all for another great technology learning and sharing experience at this year's Expo!

- John Butler, Associate University Librarian for Information Technology and member of the Tech Expo Planning Committee 
 

]]> Google Apps Table FAQs tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.261224 2010-11-22T14:34:05Z 2010-11-22T14:39:22Z petsan http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=20368

Below are answers to some of the most popular questions we had at the Google Apps table during the TechExpo. We compiled questions in real time by using a form created in Google Docs!Forms --> How to View Form Responses
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=139706

How to create a Form:
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=87809

How to access your U of M Gmail from your cell phone --> First, Change/Create your mobile password here:
https://www.umn.edu/dirtools
and
Set or Change Your Google Desktop/Mobile Client Password

To get a Calendar Pop-Up reminder that will show up even if you are not viewing your calendar, try Google Desktop.
Download it here:
http://desktop.google.com/

After you download it and install it, log in with your mobile/desktop password. Then add the Calendar gadget (click on the plus sign to add gadgets). Set your Calendar event reminders to Pop-Up. Google Desktop will give you a Pop-Up that shows on top of all open windows. It will not go away until you physically click on it.


How to create an e-mail list --> create a Contact Group in Contacts. Then, simply type in the Group name in the "To" field.
http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=30970

Thanks everybody for stopping by our table!
Andrew, Beth, Charlie, Scott ]]> Using Google Apps Collaboratively tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.260295 2010-11-15T20:55:33Z 2010-11-15T21:09:25Z Presenters: Charlie Heinz, Ryan Mattke, Jan Roseen, Michael WintersWe'll show you how Docs, Contacts, and Calendar work together to create a digital collaborative work environment, demonstrating tasks such as setting up a contacts group and a shared folder space. Have... Charlie Heinz http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=2534

Presenters: Charlie Heinz, Ryan Mattke, Jan Roseen, Michael Winters

We'll show you how Docs, Contacts, and Calendar work together to create a digital collaborative work environment, demonstrating tasks such as setting up a contacts group and a shared folder space. Have you had a Google Docs chat meeting yet? Did you know that you can set up video chat? We'll also have a Q&A session at the end.

Useful Links:

  1. Library help: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/Google/Tips
  2. Google help: http://www.google.com/support/?hl=en
  3. Firefox add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3179/
  4. Chrome extension: http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=27542&topic=27543&answer=173356  [in Options enter " a/umn.edu "]
  5. List of Keyboard Shortcuts http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=6594

]]> Connecting at at Distance with UMConnect tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.260289 2010-11-15T20:48:59Z 2010-11-15T20:59:07Z Kirsten Clark http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=11104

UMConnect allows for people to connect over large distances and participate in group discussions from mulitple locations.  Come learn about ways this software can be used for a variety of meeting and conferencing venues.

Handout:

Additional Resources:

]]> UMN Profiles - Research Networking Software for Collaboration and Expertise Identification tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.259827 2010-11-12T18:24:33Z 2010-11-12T18:27:22Z Lisa Johnston http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=12710

Presenter: Justin Dale and Layne Johnson: 

Profiles is a research networking and expertise mining software tool. It not only shows traditional directory information, but also illustrates how each person is connected to others in the broad research community. 

Links:
Handouts:

]]> Cool Apps/Mobile Sites for Libraries and Librarians tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.259366 2010-11-12T16:20:06Z 2010-11-12T16:27:43Z Presenters: John Barneson, Ryan Bean, Lara Friedman-Shedlov, Rod Rasmussen, Marlo Welshons Resources Here is a list (incomplete and under development) of recommended mobile sites and cool apps that University of Minnesota Libraries staff can explore for personal or professional use.... Marlo Welshons http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=15982

Presenters: John Barneson, Ryan Bean, Lara Friedman-Shedlov, Rod Rasmussen, Marlo Welshons

Resources

Here is a list (incomplete and under development) of recommended mobile sites and cool apps that University of Minnesota Libraries staff can explore for personal or professional use.

Mobile Sites

Use the browser on any mobile device to access these sites.

University of Minnesota Libraries

www.lib.umn.edu/mobile

The Libraries' own mobile site lets on-the-go users:

  • Search for books, videos, maps, and music, and more using the library catalog.
  • Find magazine and journal articles using library databases.
  • E-mail citations of the resources you find.
  • Browse for article databases that have mobile interfaces.
  • Check library building and collection hours.
  • Contact librarians by e-mail or phone.
  • Look up when your checked out items are due.
Instapaper

www.instapaper.com

Install a button on your web browser and with one click you can save any web page or online article you want to read later. Then using the mobile-friendly Instapaper web site, you can easily access all the pages you've saved via your mobile device. You can also transfer files to read on Kindle and ebook readers that support the ePub format. Instapaper is also available as an iPhone app (see below).

Wapedia

wapedia.mobi

Crazy fast wiki encyclopedia; works well in 2g

WorldCat

www.worldcat.org/m

Uses the geo-location feature to identify which libraries in your vicinity hold the materials you're searching for.

Apps
AccessMyLibraryCollege

www.gale.cengage.com/apps/

Using your college e-mail address, AccessMyLibraryCollege gives you unlimited, 24/7 access to your college library's Gale online resources.

Free; compatible with Android | iPhone | iTouch | iPad

Barcode Scanner

code.google.com/p/zxing

Similar to RedLaser (see below) but also tied to Google Books so you can purchase the book, find it in a library, or search the contents of the book. 

Free; compatible with Android

Chrome to Phone

code.google.com/p/chrometophone/

A chrome extension that allows you to send webpages and google maps to your phone from your browser.

Free; compatible with Android

Documents to Go

www.dataviz.com/products/documentstogo/android/

Allows you to view (free) and edit (paid) office and google docs. Also can be linked to a google account so that all of your google docs are assessable via the cloud.

Free/$14.99; compatible with Android

Evernote

www.evernote.com

Capture, organize, find.

Free; compatible with Android | iPhone | iTouch | iPad

Fotopedia

www.fotopedia.com

Collaborative photo encyclopedia.

Free; compatible with iPhone | iPad

Google Apps

www.google.com/mobile/

Overview of apps for both iPhone and Android phones. More Google Mobile applications are available for phones that run the Android operating system; many Android-powered phones come with Google applications pre-installed.

Free; compatible with Android | iPhone

GoodReader

www.goodreader.net/goodreader.html

PDF reader with advanced reading, annotating, markup and highlighting capabilities, excellent file manager, TXT file reader and editor, audio/video player, Safari-like viewer for MS Office and iWorks files.

Free; compatible with iPhone | iTouch | iPad

iBooks

itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8

Easy to use, easy to download books, etc., and it now reads pdf files (better on the iPad).

Free; compatible with iPhone | iTouch | iPad

iCardSort

www.e-string.com/icardsort

Brainstorming tool that helps you to visually organize ideas quickly and easily.

Free; compatible with iPad

iNet Pro

itunes.apple.com/us/app/inet-pro-network-scanner/id305242949?mt=8

Network utility that provides information about the network you are connected to. Used primarily for troubleshooting network connectivity issues.

$4.99; compatible with iPhone | iPad | iTouch

Instapaper

www.instapaper.com

Install a button on your web browser and with one click you can save any web page or online article you want to read later. Then using the app on your phone, you can easily access all the pages you've saved. You can also transfer files to read on Kindle and ebook readers that support the ePub format. (See also above under mobile web sites)

Free; compatible with iPhone | iTouch | iPad

Kindle Reading Apps

Amazon's Kindle Store

Read Kindle books on any mobile device, not just a Kindle!

Free; compatible with Android | iPhone | iTouch | iPad

NewsRob

newsrob.blogspot.com

An RSS viewer linked to your google account, pulls your RSS feeds and syncs them with the cloud.

Free; compatible with Android

Notes Plus

notesplusapp.com

Allows mixing handwriting and typed text easily for note taking.

$4.99; compatible with iPad

RedLaser

redlaser.com

This app uses your iPhone's camera to scan a barcode or QR code and give you results from Google, theFind, eBay, and also local libraries via WorldCat. You can use it to comparison shop or find a book in your local library. You can also scan barcodes on food and get allergen information.

Free; compatible with iPhone | iTouch

RDP (Remote Desktop)

www.mochasoft.dk/iphone_rdp.htm (Apple devices)
www.mochasoft.dk/rd.htm (Windows Mobile version)
ww.mochasoft.dk/rdp.htm (Palm)

RDP's remote desktop connection allows users to log in their Windows computer or server and control it as though they are sitting there. Works best on the iPad, as smart phone screens are a bit small to be useful.

Free; compatible with iPhone | iTouch | iPad | Windows Mobile | Palm

Scany

itunes.apple.com/us/app/scany-networks-ports-scanner/id328077901?mt=8

Another network utility used for gathering information about the network, troubleshooting connectivity, etc.

$3.99; compatible with iPhone | iTouch | iPad

Stanza

www.lexcycle.com

Another good reading app. The "night view" option is a nice feature that allows users to easily dim the screen, make reading in the dark easier on the eyes.

Free; compatible with iPhone | iTouch

WolframAlpha

products.wolframalpha.com/android/ (Android version)
products.wolframalpha.com/iphone/ (iPhone version)
products.wolframalpha.com/ipad/ (iPad version)

A computational knowledge engine.

Free; compatible with Android | iPhone | iPad

VNC

www.mochasoft.dk/products.htm(See various links to info on this app based on device type)

Similar to RDP above, but a different kind of connection in that allows connecting to a computer that is in use without disconnecting the current user. You can see what they're doing and take control to help them as needed. Works best on the iPad, as smart phone screens are a bit small to be useful.

Free; compatible with Android | Blackberry | iPhone | iTouch | iPad | Palm | Windows Mobile

WorldCat Mobile

www.worldcat.org/mobile

An app version of WorldCat, powered by Boopsie.

Free; compatible with all web-enabled phones.

YPMobile

www.yellowpages.com/products/ypmobile

Cool app for finding restaurants, stores, etc., that are near you. Also shows events that are going on in the vicinity.

Free; App versions for Android | Blackberry | iPhone | iPad | iTouch | Palm;
compatible with all web-enabled phones via m.yp.com .

]]> The Wild World of Digital Media... tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.259766 2010-11-11T23:54:40Z 2011-01-03T21:09:53Z Presented by Colin McFadden, Jason Roy, and Scott SpicerIn this panel presentation we will discuss the emergence of digital media content and collections in higher education, by providing background on local media streaming solutions (i.e., Media Mill), examples of user-generated... Scott Spicer http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=10992


In this panel presentation we will discuss the emergence of digital media content and collections in higher education, by providing background on local media streaming solutions (i.e., Media Mill), examples of user-generated and commercial media content, as well as local digital media archives (i.e., UMedia Archive).







Student Media Project Examples
Minnesota Food Systems - Google Map with video interviews (Sustainability Course)
Eurasian Milfoil digital story (PSTL 1906 Water Sustainability Class)
Student Public Service Announcement (PSTL 1525)

Digital Media Collections
UMedia Archive
ARTstor
Naxos Music Library
FMG Films OnDemand
Digital Content Library (CLA/CDES)
Minnesota Digital Library
Alexander Street Press Counseling and Therapy in Video
Alexander Street Press Opera in Video
Alexander Street Press Theater in Video

]]> The Drupal Platform and Community tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.259764 2010-11-11T23:24:09Z 2010-11-16T04:29:29Z Chad Fennell http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=532

Drupal as a Platform

You may know Drupal as the platform behind our web presence.  But Drupal is much more than simply a CMS, it's a software development framework.  I'll have a number of Drupal implementations on-hand for you to play with, ones that show just how far Drupal can be taken.  I'll also be available to answer questions about its capabilities and field your ideas for services that it can support within the U Libraries.

The two Drupal "Distributions" that I'll be demoing are as follows:

I'll also have a Drupal Gardens site demo available for you to poke at.  Drupal Gardens is a hosted Drupal service provided by the commercial Drupal provider, Acquia. Drupal Gardens is probably about the easiest way to get started with learning the application side of Drupal.

Drupal, It's Made of People

The University of Minnesota Libraries has been using Drupal Content Management System since the relatively early days of Drupal itself.  And we've helped to make Drupal better along the way by hosting usability testing, hosting "code sprints" and through individual contributions of our employees.  Come on by the booth to learn more about our involvement, to learn what a "code sprint" is, or find out how you too can help to make Drupal better.

I also created the obligatory short (prezi) slideshow for this piece.


]]> Linked Data/Semantic Web tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.259763 2010-11-11T23:20:41Z 2010-11-12T04:03:57Z The term "linked data" refers to a particular model of encoding relationships between entities, concepts, and things. The model consists of a simple "triple" syntax. Linked data statements contain a subject, a relationship, and an object. These three terms are... Stephen Hearn http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=1528


Thomas Pynchon [subject] is author of [relationship] Gravity's Rainbow [object]

What really makes linked data work, though, is the substitution of URIs for each of the three terms. The URIs function as consistent controlled identifiers for the entity, concept, or relationship they represent, eliminating the variability that pervades natural language expressions and enabling data statements to be confidently and specifically linked.

Linked data can be used both within a data environment and across data environments. Within an environment it makes possible the automatic generation of pages displaying relationships among entities and concepts. When one data environment makes use of URIs from another environment, additional kinds of functionality and integration can be achieved. In this way, URIs can expand in use beyond their home environments to many other data sets, and become the basis of data assembly across larger and larger pools of data. Therefore, linked data becomes part of the Semantic Web.

Links:
Examples of sites built on linked data:
DBpedia is a compilation of linked data statements derived from Wikipedia. It's designed primarily for machine-to-machine interactions, but knowing the basic URI structure lets you call up sets of data harvested around a given topic, e.g., the University of Minnesota above. Not as pretty as the first two sites, but a clearer representation of the underlying linked data.]]> Web-scale Discovery Tools tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.259762 2010-11-11T22:45:15Z 2010-11-11T22:48:47Z Cody Hanson http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=10244


  • Primo Central
  • EBSCO Discovery Service
  • Serials Solutions Summon
  • WorldCat Local

Presented by Cody Hanson and Chew Chiat Naun
]]> Gadgets Table tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/emergingtexpoblog//11108.259733 2010-11-11T19:48:58Z 2010-11-11T19:49:40Z Lisa Johnston http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=11108&id=12710

Presented by Mike Sutliff and Eric Forbis

A cool table displaying some of the latest techno gadgets.  Readers by Kindle and Sony, iPod Touch, iPads, Dell Netbooks, etc.  
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