October 2, 2007
Web-based file conversion
Many times hospital librarians are expected to also be first tier help desk support yet don’t have the permissions or priviledges needed to really help. From time to time I run across a really neat web-based tool that can help us “techie” librarians help our patrons. Zamzar is one such tool.
Last week a patron had emailed herself a .wps document that she could not open on the hospital computer. We are not allowed to download anything on the pc’s so I did a desperate Google (yes, I used Google. Sue me) and found Zamzar. In 4 easy steps her .wps document was uploaded to Zamzar, converted to a Word document, and emailed to the patron. She was extremely grateful, and I learned something new.
Links
September 13, 2007
Revisiting GTD in the library
A little over a year ago I wrote a post on Getting Things Done in the Library. One of the things I like most about this “system” is that it is geared towards helping you manage tasks and not time. I believe this is a major factor in my success of using GTD as a librarian. Even if one could manage time our jobs are full of too many interruptions. The best we can hope for is to manage what we have to do in such a way that we can get it done between reference questions.
The tool that has worked the best for me in using GTD has been AirSet. This Web 2.0 application offers a calendar, lists, files, contacts and links. You can use it alone or for groups. I use my calendar for my “hard landscape” tasks – meetings, appointments, etc. – that have a definite time. I use the list function for keeping track of my tasks and projects. Between those two functions I am able to keep track of my projects and tasks and that is half the battle.
I would be very interested to know if other librarians are using GTD and if so, how.
Links:
March 20, 2007
“New” technology confounded the human race from the beginning
or, what tech support was like centuries ago…
August 11, 2006
How Geeky am I?
I just added a Meebo widget to my blog. Our library staff has briefly discussed thinking about IM reference but our IT department won’t allow IM software on our PC’s. Even Yahoo or AOL’s web interfaces don’t work. But Meebo’s seems too (Gawd, I hope no one in my IT department reads this). I added the widget to test it on my blog and flesh the details before I bring it up again at another staff meeting. So, for the sake of research, Meebo me if you see me online!
Musings of a Medical Librarian Maven 