No longer active

I am no longer actively posting to this blog. However, I will keep it open so that the content is maintained.

MaintainIT Cookbook 2 focuses on Wireless

TechSoup's MaintainIT Project is pleased to announce the latest Cookbook, packed with tips, techniques, and stories about supporting public computers from libraries across the country! Find out what libraries and library supporters had to say about wireless, time and print management, and laptop checkout programs. Download this practical, handy and FREE resource worth adding to your collection "Joy of Computing: Recipes for a 5-Star Library" here: http://maintainitproject.org/cookbooks The MaintainIT Project continues to craft guides focused on supporting public computers. Please get in touch and share your challenges and successes so libraries can learn from *your* experiences. Remember, what may be, "that's nothing!" to you, may be an "aha" to someone else! Email them: maintainit@techsoup.org

Missing the boat!!

I got this quote from Bill Austin in a message he sent to LibWireless: "That is a really interesting idea about wireless home networking ... but we have to concentrate on ideas that will actually make money." - Letter to Bill Austin from Motorola Vice President dated April 12, 1992 I think it stands on its own.

LibWireless: This list going offline on Friday

I posted this to LibWireless today. It has been a great time here for me in setting up and running this list, LibWireless. The community that developed and the growth of WiFi installations in all types of libraries has been very gratifying to me. It has gotten to the point that WiFi in libraries is almost a given. This list is no longer needed and given my new job and new duties, it is time to close it down. Thanks to all 750 of you for your support and interest over the last few years. Go out and go wireless. Spread the word about ubiquitous computing. Wilfred (Bill) Drew Interim Library Director Librarian, Systems and Tech Services Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) Library: http://www.tc3.edu/library/ Dryden, N.Y. 13053-0139 E-mail: dreww@tc3.edu Phone: 607-844-8222 ext.4406 AOL Instant Messenger:BillDrew4 StrengthsQuest: Ideation, Input, Learner, Activator, Communication

SUNY-wide Shared Search & Discovery Services Committee named

This was released by SUNY Office of Library and Information Services this afternoon. I am serving on this committee. SUNY-wide Shared Search & Discovery Services Committee named:

A SUNY-wide library committee has been formed to evaluate and recommend to the SUNYConnect Advisory Council approaches for improving the discovery of library resources. As an off-shoot of the Shared Services Task Force, the Shared Search & Discovery Services Committee will be a future-looking group seeking 21st century tools for finding and enhancing the use of library resources.

The committee’s charge is available.

Membership -

From the Shared Services group - Robert Cushman (Brockport), Pamela Flinton (Oneonta)

Kate Bouman (Binghamton)

Bill Drew (Tompkins-Cortland, SUNYLA Information Technology Committee)

Ken Fujiuchi (Buffalo State)

Maggie Horn (OLIS, ex officio)

Mark Ludwig (Buffalo)

Stephan Macaluso (New Paltz)

John Schumacher (OLIS, ex officio, Project Coordinator)

Feel free to get in touch with committee members to express your views on new search tools for SUNY-wide library resources.

John Schumacher Office of Library and Information Services SUNY System Administration SUNY Plaza Albany, NY 12246 518-443-5577 john.schumacher@suny.edu SUNYConnect database trials and offers are listed at http://www.sunyconnect.suny.edu/dbtrials.htm

Open Source Wifi Hotspot Implemntation

The current issue of Information Technology and Libraries (ITAL) published by LITA (Library and information Technology Association) has an excellent article on setting up a wifi hotspot using entirely open source software. I tis a must read for all with any interest in the topic. Feher, Jim and Tyler Sondag. "Open Source Wifi Hotspot Implementation." Information Technology and Libraries (ITAL) (ISSN 0730-9295). v.26, no. 2, June 2007. pages 35 -43.

Case study: N.Y. college plans 11n WLAN rollout

This story is about my current place of work and its new 802.11n networking project. It is a great story. Case study: N.Y. college plans 11n WLAN rollout: "June 22, 2007 (Network World) -- A small New York state college will be the site of the first large-scale wireless LAN based on the draft 802.11n high-throughput standard. Within the next two weeks, Morrisville State College will start initial testing of thin access points from Meru Networks, plus the vendor's existing 802.11abg devices and early models of its recently announced 11n device, the AP300. Even at this stage, the net is posing intriguing new challenges for Morrisville, Meru andPublish IBM Global Technology Services, the systems integrator for the project."