Page 26 - DLIS108_INFORMATION_AND_COMMUNICATION_TECHNOLOGY_APPLICATIONS

VED1
e\L-lovely-eng\comm3-1.pmd IInd 16-9-11 IIIrd 27-12-11 IVth 4-1-12

Unit 3: Features of Computer

Notes
Gibbons suggested several uses for e-books. Those with disabilities might like
the ease of use. The e-book’s hyperlink ability might help people learn a language
by linking a translation to a foreign language work. The voice e-book is a new
innovation that will read books aloud. It may help those with learning disabilities
because they could listen to the e-book while reading along with a book.

3.3.2 PDAs
During a segment on wireless libraries, Denise Watkins and Nancy Carroll-Klein from Smithkline
Beecham Pharmaceuticals discussed PDA’s, such as Palms. They commented that the little computers
are more than expensive schedulers. The power of PDA’s is the ability to easily transport literature.
Newer models allow wireless delivery of information. The speakers discussed the possibility that
libraries could deliver current awareness news to a patron’s PDA. They also listed several information
providers that already create content for PDA’s. This includes newspapers, magazines, trade journals,
map makers, and travel publications.
However, there are significant problems with PDA’s. They are expensive to purchase. Wireless
access may be convenient, but it comes with a large monthly bill. Finally, there is very little security.
It is not currently possible to encrypt information on a PDA.

3.3.3 Updating Service

Sandy Schlosser of the Consumer Union (creators of Consumer Reports) discussed how her library
creates e-mail alert services for its Intranet. The librarians continually scan the relevant literature
and create news updates, which are regularly delivered to interested staff members. The information
is archived and searchable on the company’s Intranet. One big advantage is that the librarians have
become subject-matter experts in the organization.

3.3.4 Napster in ILL Land: Docster

Daniel Chudnov wrote an article entitled, “Docster: Instant Document Delivery” (http:/
shylibrarian.com/ebooks/articles/docster.htm), where he discusses the possibility of using Napster-
like technology in libraries. Computers in Libraries hosted two programs based upon this work.
During those sessions, Chudnov explained that Napster is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channel.
IRC protocols allow the server administrator to control who can log on and what they can transfer
over the channel. Napster searches for songs using metadata nametags embedded in each MP3 file.
The artist’s name, the song’s title, and other metadata are easily found in a standardized format at
the beginning of each file.
Chudnov suggests that we use this technology to share electronic documents through a Napster-
like server. Libraries already share documents by scanning them and sending them electronically
with the Ariel system. Docster would take ILL one step further. The main advantage of this system
is the ease of administration. Administrators could limit usage to only authorized users. They could
also block unauthorized file transfers. Additionally, libraries could track usage of each document
and then pay copyright fees accordingly. In order to better find a specific document, libraries would
have to embed identifying metadata in each one, just like MP3 files. With Napster anyone can listen
to all of the commercial recordings in the world. Even the most obscure recordings can be found
there. Docster would allow libraries to go one step further and share all the knowledge of the world.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 21