Chicago Library System: PDAs

Sneak peak at the Treo 600

Mon, 14 Jul 2003 14:54:13 GMT

Sneak peak at the Treo 600:

PC magazine has a sneak peak at the new Treo 600, a combination phone and Palm powered PDA. Handspring has made some changes to its version of the QWERTY keyboard for this version of the Treo.

Congrats to Nancy John of UIC

Thu, 27 Feb 2003 17:06:15 GMT

Congrats to Nancy John of UIC:

Nancy R. John, interim university librarian at the University of Illinois Chicago, has written an article with Dennis C. Tucker of Northwestern State University entitled "10 Myths About PDAs --Debunked!" for the March 2003 issue of Computers in Libraries.

PDAs play in Peoria thanks to LSTA grant

Tue, 01 Oct 2002 16:50:55 GMT

PDAs play in Peoria thanks to LSTA grant:

Carol Galganski, Tom Peters, and Lori Bell report on the OSF St. Francis Medical Center's PDA project in the October 2002 issue of Computers in Libraries. OSF St. Francis partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago's Peoria campus on an LSTA grant that made this a reality. (Congrats to Lori, Carol, and Tom!)

The Museum and Library Services Act, which provides funds for LSTA grants, is currently up for reauthorization. It's great to have successful projects, like OSF ST. Francis', to use as examples when talking with legislators about the difference that LSTA grants can make in the work that libraries can do for their patrons.

On Palm OS development

Thu, 26 Sep 2002 20:22:30 GMT

On Palm OS development:

"PalmSource, Good Technology ink joint development deal. Good to port corporate e-mail solution to Palm OS..."[InfoWorld: Top News]

Good news! Maybe Palm isn't out of the race yet.

What do wireless technologies and push technology have in common?

Fri, 20 Sep 2002 15:42:33 GMT

What do wireless technologies and push technology have in common?

Cnet's news.com has an article entitled "Wireless Web embraces 'Push'" by Ben Charny. The article details how cell phones have embraced push technologies as part of their wireless services.

One way libraries could take advantage of this is if we could figure out a way to offer local community information and book reviews via partnerships with the wireless service providers. The advantage to the wireless service providers would be added value to their customers and possibly the ability to write off part of the cost of helping libraries implement the service as a charitable contribution. Patrons could sign up for the service either through their local library website or when they purchase their wireless services.

Palms to the masses

Fri, 20 Sep 2002 15:27:42 GMT

Palms to the masses:

"Palm readies for enterprise, consumer push. New products on the way from Palm" [InfoWorld: Top News]

One of the nicest things about this news is Palm's promise of cheaper PDAs. Most everyday consumers are using to getting their cell phones for free when they subscribe to a service contract and for paying about a hundred or less for personal gadgets. By lowering the price of PDAs and adding new features to the top of their line, Palm hopes to see growth in their marketplace. As librarians, we should be prepared to see more of these devices being used by our patrons and entering our institutions.

In November, CLS will be hosting a workshop on PDAs. Here's the information on the workshop:

InfoSync: Hand-held Computing and Libraries

Who is Epocrates? Is he related to Print Boy? Does Print Boy have a bluetooth? For the answer to these and other questions on the "hot" topic of handheld computing in libraries come to InfoSync! More and more, health sciences and academic libraries are providing support and content for handheld computing. This day-long workshop will include an introduction to PDAs, expansion devices, and other handheld goodies and an overview of current applications available to the medical and academic communities. Hear how other libraries are coping with innovative solutions and exciting projects; what works and what doesn't; what the future may hold and more!

Instructor: Lori Bell, Peg Burnette, and Tom Peters

Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2002

Fee: $65.00.

To register, complete this web form.

You do not need to be a CLS member to attend this workshop. However, staff from CLS member libraries are given first preference during registration.

One Step Closer to Wireless Nirvana

Tue, 17 Sep 2002 14:26:55 GMT

One Step Closer to Wireless Nirvana:

"PalmSource ships Web browser. The subsidiary of Palm begins shipping a Web browser to licensees of its operating system, as it tries to distinguish itself from Palm's mostly hardware history." [CNET News.com]

It is probably going to be another 3 to 10 years before the world goes totally wireless. But browsers for handhelds and other Internet devices are helping to speed up that timeline.

A Futuristic Library

Wed, 11 Sep 2002 16:39:18 GMT

A Futuristic Library:

The Millennium Library in Cerritos, CA is the focus of this article which appeared in the September 2, 2002 issue of eWeek. The print version entitled "A Futuristic Library" can be found on p.23 of the September 2 issue.

Tablet PCs

Wed, 04 Sep 2002 17:27:52 GMT

Tablet PCs:

MS Pushes New Tablet on Students. Tablet PCs are just around the corner for some schools. The wealthier schools, that is. Regardless, Microsoft believes they'll replace the laptop in no time. By Elisa Batista. [Wired News]

This article reflects a development that may push the envelope for mobile computing. Just another development for libraries to watch.

protecting a wireless network

Wed, 28 Aug 2002 14:27:32 GMT

Protecting a wireless network:

If you have a wireless network or are considering getting one, this article entitled "War Walking:Detecting Wireless Networks" from PocketPC Magazine will help you detect if your wireless network is vulnerable to an attack from hackers. It also includes some tips on how to make it more secure. Thanks, Lori, for the link.

Also, you may want to visit the official Warchalking site. Warchalking is the symbolic language used to let people know that wireless access is available for use. Thanks, Jenny, for the link.

Pocket Classroom

Tue, 27 Aug 2002 16:43:46 GMT

PDAs in the classroom:

Wired has this article on a project called PocketClassroom, from Wake Forest University. Software developers there have written software that turns Compaq iPaqs into a mobile wireless web server.

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 17:05:36 GMT

Chicago Sun-Times: has a Mobile Edition for PDAs that they have started to advertise. They are offering a free trial. But after the 30 day trial, it's a subscription service. The subscription runs $4.99 a month or $49.99 for a year.

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 16:37:49 GMT

Be Happy! Found a new Palm site today: HappyPalm.com. Their moto is "everything you need to keep your PDA happy."

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 16:13:24 GMT

Computer friendly clothing: ScotteVest is taking pre-orders for their newest additions to their PDA compatible clothing line.

Mon, 19 Aug 2002 15:55:41 GMT

Hush-Hush Hooray, Says NYC. The cell-phone industry is laughing at a bill by a New York City councilman that would prohibit the use of cell phones in most public places. But it's gaining momentum. By Elisa Batista. [Wired News]

This is an interesting bill to watch as it would mean that libraries, who are supporting or plan on supporting cell--phones with text messaging and other handhelds that ring, would have to change their plans. Libraries are one of the public places covered by this proposed prohibition.

Wed, 14 Aug 2002 19:12:17 GMT

PDA Wristwatch?

I've heard about the PDA vendors working on a combination PDA --wrist watch. Fossil has them now for both the Palm OS and Pocket PC devices.

posted by Teri Embrey | 8:45 AM [The Handheld Librarian]

Tue, 13 Aug 2002 19:06:03 GMT

SALT Forum:

SALT Forum submits multimodal spec to W3C. Submission should help put to rest danger of competing standards [InfoWorld: Top News]

We are one step closer to convergence. See this article in Technology Review, entitled "Talk to the Hand(held)," which explains how these tags enable voice activated handheld devices.