New digital music system from Indiana University

this sounds kind of interesting....

----------------
Indiana University recently released the Variations digital music library system as free, open source software. http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/variations3/oss-webinar.html

Trial version of the Variations client software is available here (as well as a link to a browser-based streaming audio player:
http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/variations3/tryout.html

For more information about the project:
http://variations.sourceforge.net/

OLE (Open Library Environment) Webinar -- Free, March 31

With support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a multinational group of libraries is developing the design for an Open Library Environment (OLE), an alternative to the current model of an Integrated Library System.

OLE Project webcast
When: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm EST
Topics include an update of OLE activities, community outreach initiatives, reactions to feedback submitted thus far, upcoming software development phase of the project and more.
Materials related to this webinar:

- Scope Document: http://oleproject.org/overview/project-scope
- Project Assumptions: http://oleproject.org/overview/assumptions
- Reference Model: http://oleproject.org/overview/ole-reference-model
- FAQ’s: http://oleproject.org/faqs

For information about viewing this webinar:
http://oleproject.org/2009/03/13/ole-project-update-public-webinar-march-31-2009/

Thoughts on the library of the future

One of my colleagues posted a question to his facebook wondering what the library of the future would look like.

Here is my unedited response which is a little more casual given the nature of fb discussions :

In terms of physical space, it needs to be inviting, and adaptive to a variety of users -- easily configurable furniture (by the user), the same with lighting, and also a mix of quiet and "discussion" areas. Surfaces and items need to be as durable as possible -- preferably using "green" and renewable materials. The customizable library -- my library. Your library. :-)

I think libraries will continue to grow into community hubs both in the physical sense of place and virtually. So, a lot of support for resources -- media, devices, meeting places, etc, and lots of programming. I think many libraries are lagging in the virtual space idea -- I think it's harder to share space virtually than it is to share space physically. How many libraries offer the ability to setup community forums or online book discussion groups? Not nearly as many as offer those programs face to face.

In a followup question about physical space/requirements:
------
Okay, MY dream enviro for a library in no particular order 1) comfy seating which I can move if I want to sit near the window 2) good lighting 3) quiet & discussion areas 4) good resources & collections accessible virtually 5) a reason to go into the physical library beyond resources that are only available if I present myself in person with ID ... Read Morein hand 6) food friendly areas 7) Staff who are welcoming
It needs to be completely adaptive, comfortable, forward thinking and supportive of my devices -- highspeed free wifi; electrical outlets for me.

btw, I do think if a new physical library is being built the web has great potential - podcast the progress -- talks with architects, the staff; videostream of the building process -- get feedback from users on their thoughts for the physical space.

What I'm doing when I'm not working (take 2)

Granted this clocks in a little over 4 minutes (sorry!), but you do realize this is several days of footage? ;-D Working on a mixed media piece called Pandora's Box.

Footage from this past fall, speed up 6x, plus a little music from Revolution Void, licensed under creative commons, of course.

medical illustrations and photos free for use

Interesting that they have chosen flickr... so these could definitely be used for art purposes. These are remixable (collage! digital mashup! video!) and shareable by attribution (if I'm reading the cc correctly).

"An incredible archive of US Army medical photos and illustrations is being made available free under a Creative Commons Attribution license on Flickr by the National Museum of Health and Medicine:

This previously unreported archive at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C., contains 500,000 scans of unique images so far, with another 225,000 set to be digitized this year."


http://www.flickr.com/photos/medicalmuseum/

..and here's the boingboing article about it.

the importance of play (video)

Do you doodle? Do you know why?

Interesting article about doodling:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101727048

I am not sure if because I am a visual learner/artist (or maybe left handed) that I doodle for different reasons, but it is not out of boredom or to help me focus (I use note taking and to-do lists for that -- which are very left brained activities). For me, doodling can spiral out of control and turn into an art project, so I really don't doodle (because then I stop paying attention/participating and then turn into artist focusing on artwork). Doodling can be relaxing for me and I switch into very right brained activity -- timeless, intuitive, and creative -- not necessarily useful to stay on task or stay engaged. Still a very interesting article on doodling.

Virtual Tour of Ugarama

kind of cool local project using google maps.
http://eits.uga.edu/dms/ugarama


Quicktime required
It uses the Google Maps API in most places

9 browsers (a comparison), css your icons, & standard icons for use

A few links to share today:

• Nine Browsers of today and tomorrow compared
• CSS your icons
• Standard icons for use
  

Librarian's hand ( a movie)

So, every year, we do a video. Each year, the library movie has a different theme (2008 -- bmovies). I was part of making this movie, but this isn't my movie (but I have permission to republish it). Ignore my very bad acting...