Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Web According to Google#85: Resistance is Futile

The Google products that I use on a regular basis is gmail, blogger, maps, and reader. I choose gmail for my email because I like the way it is set up. Whe I go to my inbox and open my mail, it is easy to read. I use blogger because I have several blogs, and i search for blogs on different subjects and I use the maps. Other products maybe good but I think that for me I look for that which is easier.
2. New products I would like to try is the Google reader play, Aardvark and search experiments.
3. I was looking for The Cat who read backwards. Yes they had the book I wanted. Aso, the gems I noticed was the area where they have reviews, favorites, read now, and to read. It would be nice if we could have that on our catalog site.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Publishing Evolution #84: Writer Communities & Author Websites

I have many authors that I like amd most of the one's I use I am able to get to their website. The difference with this one is I know Him personally on a one on one.
His name is Robert Costelloe. He is a local author and have done presentations at our library. I am glad to have met him. I really do not want to know everything about them. I am only interested in the books and what they have to say. I can interact with him on the web. www.rcostelloe.com

2. The idea of a book being published based on popularity does not appeal to me. I think that every author who writes and is able to publish should have that right. Now if the author publishes under this idea then that is by choice. Other people point of view of a book does not decide for me if I want to read it or not. If the subject is what I like, and the preview of it sparks my interest then I consider the book.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Publishing Evolution #83: Paper to Pixels (or e-ink)

What do I perfer. I like to read, and holding a book in my hand and packing them along with me has really become a habit.However, I am open to the new. I want to get the downloadable reader so then I could really have a validated answer to what I like best. So for now I will just say holding a book in by hand is great. Now, If I could compare it to a pdf type or just reading it on a regular pc well that would just bore me and make reading tireing. I just can't stay focused on a computer that long.
2. Price is really not that important to me. If it is something that I really want to read then it is worth it to me. As for as digital is concern I might would take a second look for as price is concern. I think that the digital should be the same price as the paper or even less. Paper copy you get to keep and the download is only there for a period of time and then you have to take it out to make room for other books over time.
3. Preview and then pay is a good idea. You can find out if you want it instead of waisting your money. I suppose it is on the same comcept as the store which allows you to browse the inside of the book before you buy it.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Publishing Evolution #82: Print on Demand

Self Publishing has become the new hot item. I think the reason for this is not only to kick out the middle man but because of the cost. It seems to be a liitle cheaper for self publishing but it has a lot to do with what you are willing to pay. Even in self publsihing some of it can be expensive.

If an individual is concerned with the reader then these options are available. Actually, I think it would be a good idea if one could do it both ways. Maybe for the first time of writing you would do a ebook and then later on publish it on amazon or google book. I looked at some of the published books on iUiverse they were okay but with me it really doesn't matter.

2. As a reader,I rather have a book I could hold in my hand. However, looking at the sony reader and the new reader pad that is out today looks inviting. If I have a book I would like to keep then I rather have a hard book, If it is something that I would read for such a little time then I would do the e-book.
As a reader It does not matter to me how the book got printed I just want to be sure that what I am reading is giving me what the book said it will do.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The Future of Media #81

Get out Your Crystal Ball

1. Internet TV will be my pick for the most influence. I could see myself and the family watching internet YouTube on television in my living room. "on Demand" is a feature on TV to catch up on programs we miss, but I feel it still needs to improve its quantity of shows.

2. I am not an early adopter of gadget, usually I wait for a year or two before I purchase any new gadget.The new gadget now for me is the sony I reader. Being able to down load my books and not have to pack a book around is cool. I have spokem with many other people and they just love the one they are using. Technology is changing and sometimes is seems a little strange. Nevertheless, If everthing stayed the same how dull things would be. Now we are advancing more in this way ane we have to do the thing call get with the program or be left behind.

The Future of Media 80- Video

The Future of Media #80: Movies

1. I watched Star Trek VII:Generations on hulu.com for a few minutes. Mainly to see if I could find it. I will not watch an entire film on computer, because staring at a 15" screen for almost two hours would bore me to a degree. I could not lay down and watch it like I could do on my TV ot DVD. I still prefer to watch DVDs on TV.

2. Yes, I found the current film information on Apple trailers to be very helpful. I would watch the clip and read the review first, before considering selecting a movie to watch.

3. Yes, I would consider useing Redbox service if I didn't want to buy the DVD.To pick up a DVD from Redbox, will take me less than 5 minutes of driving, from my home to around the corner to the drugstore. A DVD costs $1.00 rental fee and $0.08 tax for total of $1.08. I though this is a pretty economic way for a family movie night. I would only do this if I couldn't get it at the library and I just was to impatient to wait or just did not want to purchase it for a life time.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The Future of Media #79

This site on television I found to be quite interesting. I looked at the different tv sites that were recommended. On Hulu I searched for my favorite show which is Boston Legal. It gave me two seasons which was season 1 and 2. Of the seasons it has episodes of 14 for season 2 and 12 episodes for season 1. The one I looked at it was called "Too Much INformation" gave me the whole story for that time. I will use this in case I miss something I really wanted to see. On TV.com it only gave me and overview and listed other programs that were of the same interest.

2. I have never watched a TV show on my cell phone. I think that is a little bit much. I only want my phone for television purpose. And if I was traveling I would take my laptop and watch all I wanted and it would be a whole lot cheaper.

3. I do have a streamline program that I look at.I have an account set up and certain gospel programs that I catch live. I have never posted video on a site.like face book or anyone of them.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Searching #75 Google and Beyond

The importance of searching on the internet is being acquainted with the different search engines. Most of the time the consumer only uses what they have heard the most but to be exposed to many more brings about an enlightened experience.
My typical search engine is Google; and all three of my choices came up Google. I am comfortable with this search engine but I am open to using many others.

Google, is the search engine leader over Yahoo, Bing and all others. I think that the popularity is due to the one that advertize the most. Being first and then others follow makes a difference.
Again choosing Google, I explored other features and found "book review" which I know I will use; and "dictionary define" which I thought might be useful. "Google maps" I have used in the past, as well as a couple other features that Google offers.