tech tuesday: 100 gadgets of the past century

Does it make you feel old to know that Dyson’s dustbag-free vacuum is 20 this year? Or that the much-loved Sony Walkman and the world’s first ever laptop, the Epson HX-30, are both over 30 years old? These are just a few of the gadgets that have made it onto the 100 gadgets of the past century that we can’t live without.  Excerpted from ALA Direct, 10/09/13.

new eresource: learn4life

Learn4Life delivers hundreds of engaging, instructor-led online courses focused on professional development, technology skills, and personal enrichment to transform lives and foster positive changes in your community.  The library recently purchased a 6-month subscription to this service, which is available to patrons and staff now by clicking Online Tools on our home page.  The next sessions begin January 15th, so be sure to check out the catalog and sign up for your free class today!

free resource of the week: healthline body maps

We occasionally get anatomy students in from time to time who ask for a "box of bones".  While we don't have a box of bones on hand, we can offer them free 3D Human Body Maps from Healthline.

tech tuesday: why you really get sick on airplanes

Okay, so this is not a really techy post, but it is still worth mentioning, and I'm betting you will use technology the next time you book a flight to make sure you get in the less-germy-zone.  Until I read this article, I believed that the recirculated air was what made people sick on airplanes.  It turns out there are far worse culprits closer at hand.  Learn more about how to stay well on your next flight here.  Wishing everyone safe and healthy travels this holiday season!

resource of the week: SummarizeThis

SummarizeThis is a free tool that allows you to paste text of long articles, press a "Summarize" button, and access a short summary of the original passage.  According to Richard Byrne, this tool "provides a better summary than simply searching for keywords in an article to decide if the article will help with a student's research".  This resource was originally highlighted on Byrne's blog here.

tech tuesday: best gadgets & apps for travel

Before you take any travel frustrations out on your family, check out Amy Azzarito's 10 favorite gadgets and apps to make your travel experience a little easier.  Whether you're in need of some noise cancelling headphones or a way to track your luggage, her list has something for everyone!  Originally posted in AL Direct, 11/27/13.

resource of the week: MiNDbank

World Health Organization (WHO) MiNDbank is an online platform bringing together country and international resources, covering mental health, substance abuse, disability, general health, human rights and development. It is part of WHO’s QualityRights campaign to end violations against people with mental disabilities. MiNDbank aims to facilitate dialogue, advocacy and research, to promote reform in these areas in line with international human rights and best practice standards.

tech tuesday: charging all those devices

This article from How-To Geek helps to answer the question: Can you use any charger with any device?  Bottom line, those cheap chargers from big box stores may end up costing you big bucks in the end!

resource of the week: Oxford English Dictionary

The December 2013 update of the Oxford English Dictionary is now live!  Along with more than 500 new words, phrases, and senses, more than 1000 entries have been revised.  One of the new words added is emoji, a Japanese loanword referring to small digital images or icons used in texting and other electronic communications to express ideas and emotions.  See the full list of new words.

tech tuesday: top 10 time saving tips

Tech specialist David Pogue shares 10 simple,clever tips (5:45) for computer, web, smartphone, and camera users. Yes, you may know a few of these already, but there may well be at least one that you don’t.  Featured in ALA Direct, 10/30/13.