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Joe Wikert is General Manager & Publisher at O’Reilly Media, Inc., where he manages the sales and editorial groups. He is also Chair of O’Reilly’s Tools of Change for Publishers conference (TOC). TOC 2012 is February 13-15 in New York City at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. ALA TechSource readers can save 15 percent by registering with coupon code AMLIB, in addition to discounts offered to librarians.

ALA TechSource: Some public libraries are looking at ways they can be developers of content, helping people in their communities publish content of interest to their communities. The “hyper-local” approach. Drawing from your knowledge of start-up publishing platforms, what opportunities do you see for libraries?

Joe Wikert: Just as publishers are being forced to reinvent themselves in the digital age I think it’s important for libraries to do the same. Part of that means being prepared to completely abandon any/all of the services you provided before. I like the thought of libraries helping their patrons learn how to effectively develop content, but it shouldn’t end there. I think they should also serve as a resource to help them distribute that content. This is a big hole that’s missing in the self-publishing space, and libraries have an opportunity to step in and do something about it. Authors who want to self-publish are scratching their heads over which platform to use (e.g., Lulu, AuthorHouse, etc.) Wouldn’t it be great if your local library morphed into a resource that helps authors figure that out? And let’s not forget about the workshop opportunities that could result from this. Local libraries could have regular sessions covering all aspects of content authoring and distribution (e.g., contracts, rights, writing skills, hiring an editor, cover design, etc.) Thanks to the self-publishing phenomenon we’re seeing a lot more people get into the area of content creation and libraries are well-suited to play an important role in it.

ALA TechSource: What is your perspective on the state of social reading? Some libraries are using Goodreads for book clubs, for example. Do you think startup social media platforms might be useful tool for public libraries?

Joe Wikert: I see three issues currently with social reading. First, prospective users need to be convinced there’s a reason for it. There’s a lot of skepticism out there. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “reading is a solitary activity…I don’t want it to be social!” There’s no question that a great deal of anyone’s reading should be out of the social sphere, but what about the rest of their reading activity? There are plenty of times when I’m reading a book about WWII where I’d like to ask someone what they might know about a certain battle or leader. I’d love to be able to ask that question right within the book I’m reading and not be forced to hop out to a browser and search Wikipedia, for example. At other times I’d love to ask someone else who’s reading the same book for clarification on something. Nothing beats being able to ask a classmate for help with a problem and the same applies to reading a book. I’m convinced social has a role in reading but we’re not there yet. Second, there are too many option. Do I go with Goodreads, as you suggest or Librarything, for example? I’ve used both and there are plenty of other ones out there. Finally, one of the biggest obstacles I see with social reading now is that it’s not built into the ereader app. I read a lot on my Kindle and for me to really engage with social activities while reading I’d need it to be built into the app or device.

ALA TechSource: O’Reilly publishes its ebooks without digital rights management (DRM) and offers subscriptions to a collection (including other publishers’ books) in the Safari Books Online. Can you offer a general perspective on this model, its rationale, and results? As a publisher, what’s your view of the library marketplace?

Joe Wikert: First of all, I love the library marketplace. As I noted earlier, I think this is a great opportunity for libraries to reinvent themselves and I truly hope they succeed in doing so. Regarding DRM and the Safari model, I’m obviously a big fan of no DRM and digital content subscriptions.

Publishers who are using DRM are saying they don’t trust their customers. What an awful message to send. And let’s not forget that a DRM model that can’t be cracked has yet to be built. DRM is nothing more than false security. Look around at all the ebooks available on torrent sites. Most of them were originally “protected” with DRM. Many others were never even officially released as ebooks but someone took the time to scan in the print version and create an e-version. So even if an uncrackable DRM could be developed, and it can’t, illegal ebooks would exist thanks to simple scanning technologies. Given all this, why should publishers use DRM? Not only does it say they don’t trust their customers but they have to pay extra for the feature and they limit what the customer can do with that content. What an awful formula. I’m sure you now see why I think DRM needs to completely go away!

Safari is a great model for content subscription. It’s mostly based on technology and business content but I could see the same model being successful for other genres too. Amazon is testing this out with their Kindle Owner’s Lending Library program. It’s a great deal for Amazon and their customers but an awful one for publishers and authors. Why? Amazon has acknowledged in their own press release about the service that they’re paying most publishers a simple flat fee for use of their content. So regardless of how popular a given book is in the program that publisher/author’s income is capped. I’m as opposed to revenue and royalty caps as I am to DRM. Amazon’s model should be like Safari’s, which is a pay-for-performance one. The more use a particular book gets the more income that publisher/author receives. It’s uncapped, like it should be.

Note: The O’Reilly Radar blog recently posted on web discussions around the mertis of publishers’ DRM srategies and the possible threat of being beholden to Amazon. See also Joe’s post “The problem with Amazon’s Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.” and his Joe Wikert’s Publishing 2020 Blog.

Photographers are artists and hobbyists. Photographers take a simple device just like a camera and make use of it to manipulate light and shadow to turn ordinary life straight into a vibrant memory that will last permanently. Anybody is definitely a photographer using the proper facts. The assistance in this document will assist you be a photographer.

The world wide web will be the most effective and cheapest way to help you strengthen your photographic expertise. There are actually a million and one blogs and photography resource sites that can assist you take far better pictures. You can discover step-by-step tutorials and lessons, technical info plus a ton of inspiration — all free of charge.

Shoot and aim fairly quickly. In the event you are taking a picture of an object that is moving, or could move suddenly (including a perched bird) take the very first photo as easily as doable. This ensures you have at the very least one particular photo of your subject, even when it is not excellent. Once you get the initial shot, if the subject allows for it, you can take a second, much more cautiously aimed picture. It really is better to have numerous images to select from than to spend valuable seconds framing the 1st shot only to enjoy your subject fly off of.

To obtain the ideal photograph, be selective. Choose what you need the most crucial focus of your picture being, and isolate that. Removing distractions and paying close attention to the little information can considerably strengthen a shot. The main matter to remember is: if it does not create to the photo, then it must not be in the photo.

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Experiment with various speeds to your camera’s shutter. Do not be afraid of hurting your gear. Velocity it up and slow it down. See the way the speed effects the final picture. Take many practice shots, and find familiar with how your camera will react at unique shutter speeds.

If you want to take excellent black and white pictures, the most significant matter, will be to have the ability to comprehend the subtlety about how to play with light and shade. A quality place to get started when learning about light and shade, is really a book which is specifically geared at black and white photography. After that, you will just need to practice that which you see about.

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People drink for various reasons. Some drink for fun while others use alcohol to deal with their stressful lives. This form of intoxication is considered harmful if it becomes habitual or an addiction. Addicts are those who are known to be heavy drinkers and will consume any alcoholic substance they come across whether in bars, liquor stores or parties. Such chronic drinkers need to be treated for they can suffer from dangerous adverse effects. They should be admitted into a good alcohol treatment rehab that has been carefully chosen for them.

Research

The best centers are those that rehabilitate the addict with the greatest success in preventing the patient from backsliding and reverting to alcoholism again. This is why the decision maker is supposed to be highly informed just to be certain that he makes the best decision. Discussed below is information that will establish why one facility may be more suitable than another.

Choices

The first thing is to make a list of all possible centers within your area. This can be developed by contacting the State Department of Health as they have access to all certified treatment facilities in your state. Use the list to call each of the rehab centers with questions that will determine the correct facility for your loved one.

Patient Type

Make sure to inquire from a counselor at the facility about its typical patient. You should ask about the average age and gender of a typical patient at the facility and the number of patients who finish the program. This information is very important so you can get a facility that is fit for your loved one. Remember, recovery chances are higher if your patient feels accepted in the facility.

Relapse Rate

Inquire about the relapse rate of those who complete the program. The training of the staff should also be checked. Additionally, ask about the number of violent cases in the facility within the last six months and how the staff members deal with violent patients. This will help you determine the level of control among the staff.

Philosophy

Take some time to obtain an explanation of the various techniques and schools of thoughts applied in the rehabilitation process. Know that these approaches are bound to vary from one center to another. Whether founded under spiritual grounds or secular grounds, the important thing is to make sure the one chosen is the right one for your addict.

Similar Patients

If you feel that a certain sober living in florida center is not ready to disclose the necessary information, it would be for the best if it is avoided. To be precise, you should ask to be briefed on the procedures and methods used based on similar cases. This will reduce any worries or doubts you may have.

There are many jobs that involve employees working outside exposed to the elements. This means that they are exposed to all sorts of weather conditions. This includes rain. There are some jobs that cannot stop just because rain happens; in those situations it’s very important to have proper rain gear. There are many companies out here who offer proper types of commercial safety rain gear. It is very important to wear the proper gear because during heavy rain an individual can become saturated which can lead to sickness. Most jobs that require workers to be outside during rain storms are hourly jobs and do not offer sick time.

Rain Gear

Rain gear should incorporate water proof materials and high breathability. No one wants to be caught in a warm rain but still be soaked because they are sweating inside the gear. Some occupations like a firefighter would also require a fire resistant material.In some cases rain gear is required or employees do not have to work in the rain.

Hazardous Conditions

Road crews are often working while it’s raining as well as working dangerously close to vehicle traffic. When it is raining visibility is decreased and road conditions are worse. The work environment becomes even more dangerous than normal and these circumstances require a rain gear that is not only comfortable but is also highly visible. High visibility rain gear that is able to protect an individual from the elements and make them visible, utilizing reflective strips and bright fluorescent colors are the only choice for this type of occupation.

Rain Jackets

A rain jacket is meant to keep the upper part of the body dry when it is raining or the person is expecting to be in continuous contact with water. Rain jackets can be lightweight or lined if the climate is cold. Cold climates are one thing but being stuck in the cold and soaking wet is miserable if not dangerous.

Rain Bibs and Pants

Rain bibs and pants are meant to keep the lower half of the body dry. They come in different styles and can be lined for cold climates as well. Many types of rain pants have elastic to help support the pants and keep them from falling under the rain coat. Rain bibs usually have suspenders attached to the pants and can be ideal to ensure no water comes in from under the rain coat. Rain bibs are ideal for those who may be working in different positions and moving around a lot during the day.

Rain Ponchos

There are bibs, pants, jackets, as well as rain ponchos. The ANSI safety vests are probably the most popular of rain gear. They are very easy to travel with and can be stored easily. They are the ideal choice for professions that to not require a lot of outside time. Delivery personnel and police officers carry ponchos with them, they spend most of the time in vehicles, however, if they do have to get out and it’s rainy they can throw the poncho on. Ponchos are very light weight and are made in many different colors. The ANSI vests can add high visibility to any personnel wearing them if needed in hazardous conditions.

The Xbox kinect is not anything new by far, (in fact it’s actually less recent than the Playstation Move), but still can be enjoyed by almost anyone who likes to game, and is compatible with almost any game, (although it may not be fully functional in most games). This awesome piece of technology records your movements and simulates them in to whatever game you are playing, which is awesome considering that it’s taking us one step closer to virtual reality.

Xbox kinect is generally pretty cheap around Christmas time, so don’t miss your chance to buy one of the hottest electronic gadgets around right now!

For you can just buy the Xbox Kinect Sensor to add to Your Xbox! or

For 9 You can buy the Whole Kbox Kinect Holiday Bundle!

Gifts For Men 2012, Cool Gadgets, Electronics. | Mens Gifts | Gift Ideas for Men

After getting a new iPhone that had test pictures inside the Chinese factory where is was made, Mike Daisey was intrigued to learn more about the individuals who actually make the Apple products (and Dell, and many others). Daisey recently told his story on This American Life radio about his trip to China to see the Foxconn plant in Shenzhen that had about 400,000 workers. He discovered that children, no more than 12 years old work on the assembly lines, slept in Foxconn dorms, and there were many suicides. Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM) have challenged Apple, and other computer companies, for abusing workers for working too many hours and using toxic chemicals among many abuses.

Daisey’s story probably helps explain why so many cell devices and computers are made in China where the laws do not protect children as SACOM claims. So it seems that modern technology is not so clean and has an uglier side that we don’t hear much about.

Vogel Internet, Information Technology and e-Discovery Blog

There is a substance that can make people feel like their life is out of control and they can no longer maintain the quality of life they once had. This substance almost instantly turns the person using it into an addict that continuously wants more. Very quickly, a person will spend money that they really do not have to get more and some even start to sell what little possessions they have to obtain it. For the lucky ones, they find their way to a crack addiction treatment program to regain control and learn how to survive without the substance.

Highly Addictive

This substance that so regularly ruins lives is called crack cocaine. It comes as a hardened form of cocaine that resembles little rocks. Most people smoke it through glass pipes and the effects on the brain are immediate. This form is highly addictive and negatively affects millions of lives.

One Negative

To make matters worse is the effects of the high lasts for only a few minutes. When they stop smoking the rock, a person often suffers deep cravings for more. This sets up a cycle where the cravings are constant and the addict cannot get enough to satisfy the yearnings they are feeling.

Depression

Using this substance also creates severe mental depression as one goes to great measures securing and using the drug. Some people end up compromising many of their core values as a person and have a hard time dealing with the disappointment and contempt they hold for themselves. There are also many physical manifestations such as weight loss, heart problems, and sleep deprivation that can affect a person when under the influence of this form of cocaine.

Difficult To Stop

A person trying to stop using often does so with great difficulty. Perhaps they live in an area where the cocaine is easily found and many of their friends and associates are regular users. Other times they may turn to other intoxicants that actually increase their desire to have more crack and the cycle is simply repeated.

Paths To Recovery

This form of cocaine has been affecting communities for several decades now and many of these areas have developed drug addiction detoxification centers where an addict can go and seek help. Usually a person has fallen into a deep depression that can lead to suicidal thoughts before they start to seek out help. However, when they do look, they can find a haven where they can develop ways to escape the grasp of the drug.

Triggers

These counselors can help addicts become aware of what triggers their usage. The counselors can also help them develop skills and methods to avoid using this drug in the future. This can all be accomplished in a safe setting where a person can learn how to live a day without the temptation to use staring them in the face.

Are you wondering how to find the love of your life with the help of the Korean Mail order brides? Well, today the World Wide Web has brought about a revolution to every sphere of life. Now, you can even find love while sitting at home in front of your PC with a few strokes on the mouse. Korean girls are very popular in the eastern parts of Asia and also in many other parts of the world. The Korean male population living in foreign countries also utilizes the service to find their future wife.

In case you are on the lookout for a pleasant Korean woman hailing from a good household, you may go for the Korean mail order brides’ service. The Korean girls are well-known for their mystical Asian magnificence and even men from the west are sure to be attracted in direction of them. Their engaging persona, exceptionally pleasant beauty, intelligence and nicely acquaintance with the western culture makes them a perfect choice as your future wife. If you reside exterior Korea, you still can go for a Korean girl as they know English fairly well. That is the primary purpose for the growing demand for ladies from Korea.

You need to consider a few issues while going for the Korean mail order brides. The agency you select ought to have an honest document of previous marriages. Next, there is a large distinction between mail bridal websites and the normal relationship sites. If you are serious about finding your final life accomplice, then go for the service. It’s a must to be recurrently online and test your mails and different social networking accounts. Will probably be at first a long distance relationship and so it’s essential to act sensibly. You could make more often than not you get to talk with the girl so that you could work out if she is the one for you.

Discovering a bride or the precise web site for Korean mail order brides is not at all difficult. There are lots of web sites and businesses who gladly offer you each sort of assistance in meeting your soul mate. You need to register your self at any of the nice websites or businesses and they’re going to start the job. You may specify what sort of spouse you want and provides an perception about your choice. It will help them to ship you information about the women who suit your specifications. This can simplify your job and you’ll have to browse the profiles of women whom you are certain to like.

The brides who’ve their profiles up as Korean mail order brides even have sure expectations and are on the lookout for some qualities in their future life partner. So, you have to attempt to go by their expectations as well so to find your lady love soon. After you have chosen a couple of ladies who’ve the qualities to be your wife, it’s essential to meet them up one by one. It’s best to meet with her family also to know about her background. Hold this stuff in thoughts when you are going to choose your spouse among the many Korean mail order brides.

Learn more about Russian Mail Order Brides. Stop by Birgit Hammon’s site where you can find out all about Mail Order Bride.

FunPics: Biggest Photo Community in Europe

This article appears in the January 2012 issue of Smart Libraries Newsletter. To read more from Marshall Breeding on mobile library technology and other facets of the library automation industry, you can purchase this issue or subscribe to Smart Libraries Newsletter at our metapress site.

As we enter a new year, I’d like to pause and consider some of the trends and events that I anticipate playing out in 2012.  The predictions I made for 2011 largely held (see Smart Libraries Newsletter, February 2011).  Given the momentum of developments and the issues currently in play, 2012 may turn out to be a very interesting year in the realm of library technologies.

The year will mark the beginning of a new cycle of transitions in automation platforms that will run to completion over the next decade.   2012 will be a watershed year in the roll out of a new generation of library automation platforms, especially in the academic library arena.  Several major new automation systems will see their debut, including Ex Libris’ Alma, Sierra from Innovative Interfaces, and Serials Solutions’ Web-scale Management Solution. 

2012 should be a big year for Ex Libris’ Alma.  In 2011, libraries that were engaged with Ex Libris as development partners received a series of incremental releases of the software, leading up to a final version, which is expected at the year’s end.  With general release anticipated in early 2012, implementation by the libraries already signed on as early adopters should begin. 

Innovative Interfaces planned beta versions of Sierra by the end of 2011.  While it’s not clear when the software will be ready for production use, Innovative has announced a significant number of libraries that have committed to migrate to Sierra as early adopters.

While some libraries implemented OCLC’s WorldShare Management System in 2011, we can anticipate a new surge of adoption of this new platform following OCLC’s recent rebranding of the product and as libraries gain confidence in the product following the experiences of the pioneering institutions. 

In the open source realm, the Kuali OLE project should continue to roll out new preliminary releases, though it’s not likely that the development partner libraries will transition to full production from their legacy ILS products this year.  We can expect continued adoption of both Koha and Evergreen.  A number of consortia that have been in the planning stages of implementation for the last year or so will likely come into production in 2012.  Koha will continue to see new implementations by libraries in all parts of the globe. 

Despite interest in open source automation products, proprietary solutions should do reasonably well, especially among larger libraries with more complex needs. 

On the mergers and acquisitions front we can expect some activity in 2012.  As I predicted for 2011, we saw some changes in ownership among the library automation vendors: SydneyPLUS acquired Inmagic (Oct 2011); in the RFID and self-service a new giant emerged with the acquisition of Bibliotheca AG, Bibliotheca ITG, and Intellident by One Equity Partners (May 2011); OCLC made business acquisitions of BOND (Apr 2011); and Talis sold its library-specific automation business to Capita Group (Mar 4).  I expect additional companies to change ownership in 2012.  Some transitions may result in additional consolidation; others may simply involve existing investors taking an opportunity to exit and hand off companies out of their portfolios to new owners.  As was the case last year, I anticipate no business failures in 2012.  Despite a harsh economy, library automation vendors have strong resilience and dependable cash flow through annualized support and hosting fees. 

It seems reasonable to expect a resolution of the lawsuit between SkyRiver and OCLC in 2012.  The case has sat mostly inactive since April 2011, pending a judicial ruling.  I have no insight whatsoever regarding what party—if either—might prevail as a result of the suit.  But resolution should bring some clarity and settle some of the uncertainty that has been looming around this issue, with at least a low-level stifling effect on this corner of the industry.

Mobile technology will continue to attract strong interest, but it will not necessarily drive significant innovation.  Despite the ever-increasing use of mobile devices to access library services, strategic library-oriented mobile products continue to develop and see implementation at a relatively slow pace.  While I do anticipate some progress in bringing better support for mobile devices to library services, I worry that progress will lag behind that of the non-library world. 

I anticipate some experimental use of Near Field Communications (NFC), especially in the area of patron self-service, though not necessarily new production-level implementations.  While QR codes continue to spark interest, I do not anticipate that they will enter the mainstream of library automation in any way that will challenge existing identification technologies such as barcodes or RFID tags.  I do anticipate steady movement in the implementation of RFID-based technologies in libraries, though not necessarily any new breakthrough products. 

Cloud computing will see continued growth, with a high proportion of new library automation projects deployed through software as a service rather than on servers housed in the library.  In addition to libraries that implement the new-generation products intrinsically designed for implementation as cloud-based services, many libraries running traditional products will contract for hosting services from the vendor.  The library automation economy will continue to evolve away being from one driven by up-front license fees and will become one based more on annual subscriptions. 

New technologies, products, or business models related to library involvement with e-books will emerge in 2012.  We’re at a critical point in the realm of library e-book lending.  Last year, some of the major developments in the library e-book realm included the announcement of the 3M Cloud Library and the launch of Library Renewal (libraryrenewal.org) as a new non-profit initiative to explore issues related to e-books and electronic content.  As this issue continues to build to critical importance, especially for public libraries, I anticipate some new approaches by new and existing players.

If you ask pretty much any gamer if he misses all of the old retro games which were made back in the 80′s and 90′s, the answer will of course be yes. The problem is that now if you want to buy an old gaming system, you’re going to have to pay hundreds of dollars, and even then it’s not going to be in a good condition. All of that is completely out the window now though, thanks to a brand new product that has been released this year.

The Retro Game Emulator allows you to play almost any older game, by simply loading over the roms to the device. It comes with an absolutely phenomenal quality screen, audio system, and you don’t even need an emulator! This is a perfect gift for anyone you want to start on games, or any gamer at all for that matter. It also eliminates the need to continuously by games, because you can get them all for free! Order your Retro Game Emulator now!

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Gifts For Men 2012, Cool Gadgets, Electronics. | Mens Gifts | Gift Ideas for Men