TechBits

Spanish Proofing Language in Word

We had a recent request to make it easier for patrons to switch the proofing language in Microsoft Word to Spanish on public computers.  The easiest way for us to make this happen was to configure a few Group Policy settings.

Patrons can follow these instructions to begin proofing their Spanish text documents.

1. Open Microsoft Word
2. Towards the bottom-left, click English (United States)
   
3. In the Language box, select Spanish (Mexico)
   
4. Click OK

Word will now proof the document against the Spanish language.  Since English is still the default, Word will switch back to English after Word is closed.

Save money printing

I’ve been asked about printing options more lately than in the past. One theme that has come up is “how can I save money printing?” and the easy answer to that is to switch from desktop printers to a copier.

I know what you’re thinking --- a copier is really expensive compared to a printer, and you’re right, it is. That is until you look at the bigger picture. The chances are good that you already have a copier in your library so you could use that, and the only other investment perhaps would be a data connection to the copier so you can print to it over the network. A typical low-end color laser printer’s average cost per page is around 8 to 15 cents per page; compare that to a copier which can achieve costs of about a quarter to half a cent per page and you can see where you would quickly begin to save money.

You may also want to consider having a service agreement for your copier, I know it may seem like a lot of money, but they typically include routine maintenance, toner, repairs, and trip charges. Knowing what you’re going to pay upfront every year for printing makes budgeting easier.

Not only is a copier a money saver it’s also a space saver, because remember, I’m assuming you already have one and by removing your desktop printers you can reclaim that space.

If you have made the change to printing from a copier and would like to share your thoughts, please leave a comment.

You want me to unplug what?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the advances made in certain technologies over the last several years.  It makes my life so much easier (Cut and Paste!!!) and the work lives of library staff much much easier and more efficient.  However, with ease and efficiency also comes the demand for more productivity, right?  

The last time I went camping in Canada I took advantage of the situation and did NOT get international cell phone coverage.  I took along my Kindle for reading (of course) and was able to use the WiFi at the ranger station to check emails (for emergencies) but I was mostly unplugged.

It was hard the first few days ... but then I realized how much I needed a break from the beck and call of technology.  Run to grab the phone, answer the emails asap, read this info bit, schedule this appointment.  By the time my vacation was over I almost dreaded crossing the border and having to reconnect.

Research indicates that we need to unplug/disconnect in order to maintain a healthy balance in our lives.  And as more and more technology becomes readily available, we tend to spend more time than ever on screens: phone, tablet, laptop, PC, television, etc.

There are many articles and websites out there that can provide you with a wealth of information on the benefits of unplugging (and isn't that ironic?) so I'll let you do your own research <grin>.  But this article written for the 2018 Screen-Free Week was one of my favorites.  Here are Five Reasons to take a Break from Screens:

1. Present-moment awareness
2. Improved sleep
3. Deepened connections
4. Productivity and learning
5. Breaking habit

And my own, personal reason is to get in more paddling time!

 

Important information about Firefox updates

When we moved to Koha SCLS developed what are called "profiles" in Firefox in order to make printing quicker and easier for libraries. So, for this reason, we always test Firefox updates because we know that having Firefox work correctly is very important for the libraries.  A few years ago when Mozilla, the developers of Firefox, moved to update Firefox every 6 - 8 weeks our ILS staff started testing the new version, before the libraries got it, to make sure that Koha functionality wasn't broken.  We even recruited a few libraries to also test the new Firefox version because the more testers there are the better.  When a version of Firefox is approved we then send it out to all the libraries, but before this update is sent out we always send out emails to keep libraries in the know.  When we send out these emails we always have an email subject that starts with "ALL STAFF - Firefox Upgrade".  It is in your library's best interest to read these emails carefully and not delete them.  Because if there are problems, that slip past all of our testers, these emails will contain information on how to fix the problem.  In the past, and even with the last update, we had problems with Koha that were caused by the Firefox update.  So these emails will keep you up-to-date on when a Firefox update is happening, if the update caused any problems with Koha and how to fix the problem.  If you do accidentally delete those emails you can also find information about Firefox updates on our SCLS Network PC Updates webpage.

Tech Days 2019

Chris Willey, Director of the Immersive Media Lab at UW Milwaukee, is the keynote speaker for this year's Tech Days East workshops. The title of his presentation is Extending the Third Place. You can read more about Chris and watch a TEDxUWMilwaukee talk with him on the UWM Research page. Here's the description of his presentation:

Join Chris Willey as he shares ideas on these questions, and moderates a lively discussion that includes your perspective on the future of technology. The purpose of this presentation is about "sharing focus" on our future, together. Additionally, Willey will share the mission, methods, and recent outcomes of the Immersive Media Lab at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee so that you may adopt any/all for your own libraries and communities. He will share what it means to be antidisciplinary, the role of creativity in a "3rd Space" learning environment, and why this is important for our shared technological trajectory.

After lunch, you can choose from a wide variety of breakout sessions including coding & drones, digital archiving, virtual reality, cutting the cable cord, tech classes for adults and seniors and more. The breakout sessions vary depending on location and are presented by your colleagues, including several from SCLS. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

Tech Days East will be held at the Franklin Public Library in Franklin on September 10, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton on September 11, and Monona Public Library in Monona on September 12. More information on Tech Days is on our Tech Days Wisconsin website.

Can't make it to the September dates? If you're willing to travel a little, Tech Days West will be held in Rice Lake on November 5, Wausau on November 6, and Sparta on November 7.

ColouriseSG

Want to give your old black and white scanned photos a little bit of a "pop"? Try ColouriseSG!

I saw it mentioned in the "Time Traveling With Timelines: Web Apps for Storytelling in Libraries" article in the July/August 2019 issue of Computers in Libraries and had to take it for a spin. Here are some of the results --- can you tell what the theme of the photos is?

The ColouriseSG project is brought to you by the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Division, GovTech Singapore. From the information about the site:

"While it is impossible to replicate the exact conditions in which the original photo was taken, it is possible to add colour to the photo to help us imagine what the photographer could have seen in that instant. It is incredible — almost magical — how a little bit of colour can bring us that much closer to that specific moment in time."

Although the site is designed for Singaporean historical photos, it is available to anyone and is super-easy to use!

Photos taken from this Library of Congress collection: https://www.loc.gov/free-to-use/ice-cream