Facebook Interview w/ Heather McEntee, BPL Assistant Director

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Do you Facebook ...?

Facebook is a social networking site that started out strictly for college students and was available by invitation only. Now, it is a cultural phenomenon stretching across the globe. Facebook has taken hold as the undisputable leader amongst social networking sites. With that title come great demands from users. Some of those demands are for great features, and Facebook offers that. Some examples of Facebook features are, posting pictures, videos, starting discussions, commenting on others pictures, and writing on your friend’s wall. Facebook is free to us for anyone over the age of 13; all you need is an email address to get started.

Facebook can be accessed on your laptop, netbook, desktop or cell phone. Speaking of cell phones, most phones, especially smart phones, have an app you can download to enable Facebook on your phone. You may ask, “Why do I need Facebook on my phone?” I say why not? Having Facebook on your phone allows you to keep in contact with your friends and family 24/7. Besides, most people post what’s going on in life on Facebook before their best friends know.

So, I guess the big question is, “Why should I choose Facebook over the other numerous social networks available to me?” In my opinion, Facebook is more modern and safer than other social networking sites. All Facebook profiles come with a standard white and blue skin (the background of your profile) that is not customizable. This allows pages to load faster, fewer distractions when trying to read my friend’s profile and it gives profiles a more sophisticated look. Also, some Facebook doesn’t carry as many viruses as the other social sites. Facebook was also one of the first social networking sites to have instant messaging, which allows for instant conversation with friends and family. Facebook is the most popular social networking site (http://www.ebizmba.com/). Did you know that Facebook has 400 milion active users and Facebook.com claims 50% of FB users log on daily? What does this mean? Chances are someone you know is on Facebook and keeping in contact with them couldn’t be much easier. With so many friends and family on Facebook, the Christmas card as we know it could eventually fade. Why; (if I may borrow a line from AT&T) “there’s an app for that.” So the big question is; Are you on Facebook?

Don't forget, tomorrow on "Tech Tuesday" we will interview Heather McEntee, Assistant Director of the Bossier Parish Library System on her experiences on Facebook. Until next time, happy teching!

iPad Product Review

The Apple iPad made its debut last week (April 3, 2010). With it came questions and debates over whether or not to buy it or to look elsewhere for a similar product such as a tablet (PC). Well today we are going to compare the iPad against its top competitors. If you are still in the market for an iPad and you are asking the ever important question, “Do I really want an iPad?” please feel free to use this as a guide.

*Click on the table below to enlarge it!*

Interview with Jason Jordan/Best Buy GM, Shreveport, LA

Interview with Jason Jordan/Best Buy GM - Shreveport, LA

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So what can you take away from the iPad interview with Jason?
We learned that the different versions of the iPad cost anywhere from $499-$699 and all models are WiFi. In late April, Apple will release 3 more iPads that have 3G capabilities via the AT&T mobile network. The 3 that will be released in late April will cost more and require a monthly contract with AT&T. We also learned that most iPhone/iPod Touch apps are compatible with the iPad. As far as running multiple apps, you are only able to run one at a time. In saying that, Apple apps, such as the iPod feature and surfing the web via Safari, can run at the same time. Another thing Jason talked about was flash in the iPad. He said, “Steve Jobs has a certain opinion about flash.” And as far as the iPad replacing your personal computer, that’s not going to happen.

NOW OFFERING! Mango Languages at Your Library

Bossier Parish Libraries has added Mango Languages to its growing list of patron resources. Mango is free of charge to all (Library name) members and is the easiest and most effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Mango is available in two versions:

Mango Basic:
Perfect for a foreign language beginner, Mango Basic teaches everyday greetings, gratitudes, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time. The courses, which require only two to five hours of time to complete, are currently available in 22 foreign languages and 14 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

You can view all the supported Mango Basic languages and ESL courses here: http://mangolanguages.com/mangobasic/languages/

Mango Complete:
Mango Complete offers a 100-lesson course that digs much deeper and is designed to provide a more complete understanding of the entire language and culture. It is available in nine foreign language and three ESL courses. Foreign language courses include Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. ESL courses include Polish, Spanish and Portuguese.

To learn more about Mango and get a short preview of what the program has to offer, you can visit the company's website at www.mangolanguages.com. Even better, you can visit the library and get started on the courses themselves!

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The iPad has Arrived ...

The iPad is Apple’s newest release of high tech portable devices. If you are familiar with Apple products, you might mistake the picture above left to be an iPhone, but you can’t make phone calls with it. If we were going by looks, we could say it looks a lot like an iPod Touch (right). Although there are some similarities, the iPad offers much more. Just like the iPod Touch, the iPad will also allow you to connect to WiFi and browse the web, watch YouTube videos, and download your favorite songs and TV shows from iTunes. The major difference between the two is battery life (up to 10 hours), the ability to download electronic books (iBooks), the dimensions are about 5 inches more in height and width and the ability to buy a smaller flash drive capacity (16GB).

In addition, the iPad was custom designed by Apple with an A4 1GHZ processor. The first release of the iPad due out April 3rd will be WiFi-enabled and will not require any type of contract with AT&T to fully use this device (i.e., wireless data plan). However, by later this month (late April 2010) you will be able to buy a 3G version of the iPad (appleinsider.com).

Unfortunately, the iPad falls short in that it does not have a camera or any video capabilities. According to InfoWorld.com, there are a few questions that Apple refuses to answer, such as its ability to transfer documents, can you use other media services other than iTunes like Netflix, can it be upgraded, can multiple apps be used at the same time, and will Flash work.

Here is a complete list of the preinstalled apps on the iPad. Join me tomorrow for Tech Tuesday as I travel to the Apple Store located within the Best buy store in Shreveport. There I will interview a Geek Squad agent about the success of the iPad since its release along with the other unanswered questions. Feel free this week to ask your own iPad questions using the Ask-A-Tech form in the right hand column. Until next time happy teching!

· Safari - web browsing
· Mail – email
· Photos – viewing photos
· YouTube – watching videos online
· iPod – listen to music
· iTunes – download songs, movies, TV shows, and more
· App Store – download apps such as games or health tips
· Maps – similar to Google Map
· Notes – jot down quick notes and information
· Calendar – manage your schedule
· Contacts – manage personal or business contacts

Discontinuation of NetLibrary...

NOTE: The following message was emailed to a patron inquiring about NetLibrary. The following was emailed to them and I felt it would be appropriate for me to share it here as well.
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March 3, 2010

The library no longer subscribes to NetLibrary. We are in the process of switching from NetLibrary eaudiobooks to a similar service called OverDrive. Unfortunately, Overdrive will not be available until early June, 2010. A delay in setting up Overdrive has occurred because of their large back log of their new contracts. By moving to Overdrive the library will be able to offer not only eaudiobooks but also ebooks for downloading. OverDrive is supposed to be easier to download and work on more types of devices. If you would like to see a sample of their services check out the Shreve Memorial Library’s page at http://www.shreve-lib.org/ and click on the OverDrive icon.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you and other patrons. I believe you will like OverDrive and their larger selection of eaudiotbook titles and other material. In the meantime, if you have any titles we can get for you by purchasing them for the library or through InterLibrary Loan please let us know. Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. Thank you, Tedy

Tedy Pesnell
Technical Services, Chief
Bossier Parish Library
2206 Beckett St.
Bossier City, LA 71111
(318) 746-1903 (M-F, 7:30 a – 4:30 p)
(318) 746-7768 (fax)