May 19, 2011, 1:11 pm

25 More Tech Tips and Tricks

In my Times column Thursday, I mentioned that there’s no core curriculum for technology. Nobody teaches you the basics. You just pick stuff up as you go along.

The Times’s technology columnist, David Pogue, keeps you on top of the industry in his free, weekly e-mail newsletter.

Screenshots

E-mail

Editing Text

iPhone

Other Cellphones

Web

Computers

Mac Specials

Do you use any of the above?  Check out Pogue’s column on technology and it’s use.

It seems that EBSCO is now redirecting traffic from Netlibrary to
EBSCOhost.  Unfortunately, they didn’t allow any configuration in advance,
so when you get redirected you just end up at your regular EBSCO screen.

To find the eAudiobooks, click on the link to EBSCOhost Web.  The
eAudiobooks database appears at the bottom of the list.  When you connect
to that, it looks just like an EBSCO magazine article database.  Click on
the blue link at the top to EAUDIOBOOKS and you’ll get a much better
visual browse of the content.

I hope to have some answers from EBSCO by the end of the day on how to
configure things for everyone so that the above steps aren’t necessary.
In the meantime, you can try this URL to at least get to the audiobooks
directly:

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=nlabk

Don’t fall in love with that link though – it will definitely change.

Thanks for your patience today!

We have been having the “cell phone” conversation at work and at home.  There seems to be a consensus amongst the people I speak with that cell phones have become one of the rudest distractions going.  I witnessed a young woman who had called the police (whom she referred to as “the cop”) for a domestic dispute with a boyfriend and during the time that after  police officer arrived, she interrupted him repeatedly to text and to take calls, -  after all she called him, was asking for his help and was then making him wait.  If she would have been in court, would she have interrupted the judge to take a phone call?

I know that at my dinner table our children have had to be asked to put the phone down.  It seems that some cell phone users panic if their friends can not be in constant contact with them at any time of the day or night. They consider it rude if they do not immediately answer or reply to a call or a text.  I have witnessed my son sleeping with a cell phone in his hand or on his pillow;  cause for concern with the study of cell phone usage and the related  brain cancer. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones).  At the library reference desk we have had people who asked for assistance but were then too busy answering or texting to listen to the answer. This does not even begin to cover the issue of driving while texting or calling.

I always considered it an option to answer my home phone, if I was engaged in something important or it was inconvenient to get to the phone, I didn’t answer, after all I had an answering machine and if I chose I could return the call.  Where did the idea of never failing to answer become the most important part of our lives?

The Cell Phone Organization has put out Rules for cell phone usage:

1.  Lower your voice when taking calls in public.

2. Avoid taking calls when already engaged in Face-to-Face conversation.

If you do take a call, ask permission of the people around you.

3.  Avoid taking calls when having a face-to-face conversation.

4. Avoid texting when engaged in face-to-face conversation.

5. Put your ringer mode on silent in restaurants and theaters.  (I would add when in meetings or other group functions.)

6. Don’t light up your cell phone screen in dark theaters.

7. Hang up and drive.  (At any time at least 3% of drivers are talking on their cell phones.)

8. Acknowledge the delay.

9. Don’t use Google Voice call screening with family or close friends.

10. Don’t blame the other person for a dropped call.

11. Avoid looking things up during a conversation.

12. Avoid inappropriate profile pictures.

13. Be mindful about Facebook Tagging.

14. Be mindful of the ten foot proximity rule.

(Keep a distance of at least ten feet from the nearest person when talking on a call phone.)

The Huffington Post has some additional tips for children using cell phones also.

July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month.

It has always been a mystifying venture; applying for a job, writing a resume, a cover letter and trying to figure out exactly what the employer is looking for. I can’t claim to be an expert, but after seeing a few applicants and their resumes, I have a few suggestions.

Understand that this is an employer’s market, the number of applicants seen has increased dramatically and many have outstanding experience or degrees – so don’t fake it. It isn’t always the most advanced degree or the person with experience in everything under the sun that is sought, so be honest and represent yourself well. Spell check, have a friend read your documents for their impression, re-read and get rid of any mistakes or areas that were missed.  Many employers throw out applications that contain mistakes: if you are that careless when trying to make your best impression, will you be the best candidate for their organization?

Take a good look at the job description; is this the job you are interested in? Do you have the qualifications listed? Take some time and think about why you would be great for this kind of business, atmosphere or endeavor.  Do your research; what is this organization about?  Could you visit the building and take a look around, perhaps asking some non-obtrusive questions? If possible this may give you a feel for the morale or what you could offer before you get an interview or write a letter. Check out their website; this is their window into the organization. What is their mission, what do they want the public to know, what is it that they do? This may help you to decide if this is somewhere you want to be.  It may also give you some ideas for questions to ask them during an interview or points to emphasize in your letter. Demonstrating knowledge about the organization shows interest and may put you in the forefront of the process.

Everything the hiring entity sees gives them an impression about you. Pay attention to their requirements and fill out the appropriate paperwork.  Do they require an application or just a resume?  Try using a pdf filler internet service instead of hand writing an online application; it will present a neat appearance. Always include a cover letter tailored to that specific job opening.  If it is simple transfer within your organization, include your resume and cover letter, not just the transfer request.  Remember the people reading your information need to see you, what you offer, who you are, and how you might fit into their culture. Present a positive, energetic, willing attitude with your paperwork.

Consider placing an objective on your resume, it will look more complete. Spend some time on this also: write a statement that explains specifically how your skills and experience will help the company you’re applying to, not the other way around. Applying for a job isn’t about you, it is about the interviewers visualizing you in their open position and how that helps them.  Do everything to help them see you there. It is not necessary to thank someone for the opportunity to apply, make it short and simple: state what you are applying for, where you saw the ad and move into your information. Use your cover letter to tell the employer what you can do for them, look at the job posting and match their description with your abilities. Do not tell every aspect of your life in your resume, highlight the information that pertains to this specific job. Remember the employer is not looking to increase your skill; they are looking for someone that will benefit them. Be specific about your accomplishments. The word ‘proven’ rings empty without supporting information, so explain the detailed skill or ability and provide examples. It isn’t always necessary or appropriate but if you have examples of your work, or a portfolio, bring it to the interview; the opportunity to show off your skill and enthusiasm might come up. Spend some time on format as well as branding yourself with something creative. Computer skills top out the list for almost any job.

If you are emailing your resume, send a pdf, placing your cover letter and resume in the same file, unless otherwise specified. Give your file a meaningful name, possibly with your name on it for easy identification. “Cover letter” has meaning for you; however the other 50 applicants may have named their file the same. If you are sending a hard copy and an electronic copy, state this in your cover to avoid confusion. Remember, this letter is their only exposure to you, make it clear, concise, professional and free from mistakes.

They have just had clarification this afternoon from EBSCO tech support that
the Netlibrary migration is now slated for mid-week next week at the
earliest.
They have just created a quick guide on creating a MyEBSCOhost account.  It
is at http://will.state.wy.us/wyld/econtent/myebsco.html and is linked
from the general user announcement about the migration of Netlibrary to
EBSCOhost (http://will.state.wy.us/wyld/econtent/migration2011.html)

While eAudiobooks are not on EBSCO yet, a user can certainly go ahead and
create a MyEBSCOhost account now.  If they already have one, then the
eAudio options will appear in their ‘My Folder’ the next time they log in
after the service is made available.

an interesting collection of pictures depicting Literary tattoos.   A new obsession combined with an old one?

Maybe you could talk your book club into participating in their favorite author??

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.

George Bernard Shaw