Google Earth to license new satellite imagery

“Due to launch on September 4th, this new satellite can take detailed imagery for an area the size of New Mexico in one day.”

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Court: U.S. can bar mad-cow testing

Let me try to understand this – a U.S. meatpacker wants to test all of its cows for Mad Cow Disease.  The government is preventing them from doing this, so that other meatpackers aren’t forced to begin the same expensive testing themselves.  Just WHO is our government is protecting?

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Sachref emails

Just a reminder that the desk staff on the first shift of the day should check the sachref email. We have a couple of eager beavers who check it religiously, but since there are times these people aren’t here, it needs to be understood that it is the responsibility of ALL STAFF to check it.

So, I would like EVERYONE who comes on for their desk shift to check the email as they log on.

 

Lynne

Patron Info

There is an issue with patron’s information still being accessible after they Logout of their patron record if they hit the ‘back’ button in the Internet browser.  This will happen on any machine connecting through the Pac2 server – the stand alone catalogs inside the library, and any computer accessing the patron record via our home page.  No changes can be made to the account, but the patron’s account information will be visible (name, address, phone, e-mail, etc.) and whatever list of items they were viewing prior to logging out.  Innovative is aware of the problem, and has a fix in place when we get the next upgrade.  However, they do not have a release date for our first upgrade (although since it is just a minor upgrade, it should not be too long).  In the meantime, while I am working with Rob to find a solution to the problem inside the building, all the patron needs to do to ensure no one will be able to see their account is to close the browser window after they logout.  Our catalog computers are set to automatically open a new window, and that will clear the memory.  Any questions, please see me anytime.    -Denise

Optical Illusions on Trucks

Some compelling visual illusions can be found on truck bodies.  See more here

OPACs fixed?!

Yes, the rumors are true….the OPACs (both staff and patron) should be functioning normally once more.  Patrons should now be able to use the “Freeze holds” function, and limiting should be working on both, as well.  They did not mention anything about patrons being able to cancel their own holds, so there may be that one issue outstanding…..or it’s been so long they simply forgot it was one of the issues and it has been fixed already.  Let me know ASAP if you get any complaints from patrons about any of these issues still not functioning properly, or you encounter any difficulties of your own.  Thanx!

-D.

***UPDATE*** – Limiting still not working, according to my tests. - – jamie

Online Libraries – 25 Places to Read Free Books Online

Think it’s impossible to find free books online? Think again. There are tons of online libraries that provide fiction, nonfiction and reference books at no charge. Here is a list of the best 25 places to read free books online.

Co-author of book ‘100 Things to Do Before You Die’ dies at 47

I hope he took his own advice, while he could.

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Billionaire T. Boone Pickens Wind Project (not really helping enviornment after all)

Texas oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens is about to make a killing by selling water he doesn’t own. As he does it, it will be praised as a planet-friendly wind project. After he pulls it off, the media will deride it as craven capitalism. In truth, it is one the most audacious examples of politics for profit, showing how big government helps the biggest business steal from the rest of us. The plotline behind Pickens’ water-and-wind scheme is almost too rich to believe. If it were a movie script, reviewers would dismiss it as over-the-top.

full story here

Is Your Laser Printer Lying To You?

Some printers like Brother brand, have a sensor that keeps your printer from working until you replace the tonery.  An easy hack of placing black tape over the sensore can give you another thousand pages of print before the toner is really low.  Read about – how your printer tricks you into buying ink and toner when you don’t need it.