Do You Need Help Looking For A Job?

The Durham County Library is proud to announce that you can know access the Job and Career Accelerator from Learning Express http://www.nclive.org/authhome.phtml?rsrc=219. Log in with your library card number and you can write a resume, determine what occupations are right for you and you can even look for jobs. The Accelerator will help you with cover letters and interview questions and it will also give you guidance as to what training you still might need to get that perfect job.

Give this new product a try and good luck! — Jill

Online Computer Learning Now Available

Have you been struggling to learn one of the Microsoft Office products and been unable to find assistance? The Durham County Library is now offering a solution – Learning Express Computer Skills Classes. Head over to NC LIVE and Learning Express, create a login for yourself and then select Computer Skills from the menu on the left. From there you will find classes from beginner to advanced in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word Perfect (from Corel), Windows Vista, Windows XP and the Mac OS. These self-paced classes can help you improve your skills. I tried the Excel Advanced class and learned several new tricks that I will be using.

Even if you feel like you know all there is to know – you may learn something new, so give them a try. — Jill

eAudioBooks available from DCL

I had a comment from one of our customers asking about how to download eAudioBooks from NC LIVE. Unfortunately NC LIVE no longer offers eAudioBooks – only eBooks. However, Durham County Library did purchase a service called Overdrive which replaces (and does a better job) of offering eAudioBooks. All you need is a computer (with administrative access), a DCL library card number, a program called Overdrive Media Console and you can start listening to eAudioBooks today.

First go to our Downloadables page http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/research/ebook.php and select Audiobooks from Overdrive. ***Don’t forget to scroll down the rest of the page to see what other offerings we have there! *** You can start browsing immediately through all of the titles (we currently have over 500). Once you have found a book you are interested in – and if it is available – click on “Add to Checkout List.”  After that you can either continue browsing or go straight to checkout. When you Proceed to Checkout enter your DCL Library Card Number and PIN (if you are not sure what your PIN is, try the last four digits of the telephone number you gave us when you got your card – or call one of our locations for assistance). Once you have logged in select your Lending Period – you can check out items for 7 or 14 days – then click on Confirm check out. Once checked out you will be able to download your title.

The first time you use Overdrive you will need to download the Overdrive Media Player and you can do that by selecting the link from the download page. Once you download the software you will need to do one more thing – get the security upgrade for Windows Media Player. The process of downloading and installing the software and getting the security update is available from the Quick Start Guide.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software, and then downloaded your selection you can begin listening immediately on your computer or you can transfer the files to an MP3 player – please make sure that your MP3 player is compatible. Please note that not all titles will work on an iPod. If you have any questions or issues, select the Support link at the bottom of the page – we will need your library card number and the other info listed on that page to assist. — Jill

Cyber Monday

Online Holiday Shopping Tips

The holiday season is approaching quickly and many of us will be shopping online. comScore estimates that in one day alone last year –Cyber Monday on December 1–$846 million was spent in online shopping, marking a 15% jump from 2007. With the increased volume of online shopping, it’s important that consumers understand the potential security risks and know how to protect themselves and their information.

The following tips are provided to help promote a safe, secure online shopping experience:

• Secure your computer. Make sure your computer has the latest security updates installed. Check that your anti-virus/anti-spyware software is running and receiving automatic updates. If you haven’t already done so, install a firewall before you begin your online shopping.
• Upgrade your browser. Upgrade your Internet browser to the most recent version available. Review the browser’s security settings. Apply the highest level of security available that still gives you the functionality you need.

• Ignore pop-up messages. Set your browser to block pop-up messages. If you do receive one, click on the “X” at the top right corner of the title bar to close the pop-up message.
• Secure your transactions.   Look for the “lock” icon on the browser’s status bar and be sure “https” appears in the website’s address bar before making an online purchase. The “s” stands for “secure” and indicates that the webpage is encrypted. Some browsers can be set to warn the user if they are submitting information that is not encrypted.

• Use strong passwords. Create strong passwords for online accounts. Use at least eight characters, with numbers, special characters, and upper and lower case letters.  Don’t use the same passwords for online shopping websites that you use for logging onto your home or work computer.  Never share your login and/or password.

• Do not e-mail sensitive data. Never e-mail credit card or other financial/sensitive information. E-mail is like sending a postcard and other people have the potential to read it.

• Do not use public computers or public wireless to conduct transactions. Don’t use public computers or public wireless for your online shopping. Public computers may contain malicious software that steals your credit card information when you place your order. Criminals may be monitoring public wireless for credit card numbers and other confidential information.
• Review privacy policies. Review the privacy policy for the website/merchant you are visiting. Know what information the merchant is collecting about you, how it will be used, and if it will be shared or sold to others.

• Make payments securely. Pay by credit card rather than debit card. Credit/charge card transactions are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Cardholders are typically only liable for the first $50 in unauthorized charges. If online criminals obtain your debit card information they have the potential to empty your bank account.

• Use temporary account authorizations. Some credit card companies offer virtual or temporary credit card numbers.  This service gives you a temporary account number for online transactions.  These numbers are issued for a short period of time and cannot be used after that period. 

• Select merchants carefully. Limit your online shopping to merchants you know and trust. Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems. If you have questions about a merchant check with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.

• Keep a record.  Keep a record of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of every e-mail you send or receive from the seller. Review your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized charges.

What to do if you encounter problems with an online shopping site:

If you have problems shopping online contact the seller or site operator directly. If those attempts are not successful, you may wish to contact the following entities:

• the Attorney General’s office in your state (North Carolina):  www.ncdoj.gov
• your county or state consumer protection agency  (North Carolina):  www.ncdoj.gov/Consumer.aspx
• the Better Business Bureau at:  www.bbb.org
• the Federal Trade Commission at: www.ftc.gov/

For additional information about safe online shopping, please visit the following sites:

• US-CERT: www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST07-001.html
• National Cyber Security Alliance: www.staysafeonline.org/content/online-shopping
• OnGuard Online: www.onguardonline.gov/topics/online-shopping.aspx
• Online Cyber Safety: www.bsacybersafety.com/video/
• Microsoft: www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/finances/shopping_us.aspx

Thanks to the Durham County IT Department for these helpful tips. — Jill

Windows 7

Last week I began testing Windows 7 here at the library and at the same time took ownership of a new home computer that is also running Windows 7.  First I must admit, I skipped right over Microsoft Vista. I played with it a little bit, but never went full on board with it, so Windows 7 is a whole new experience.

So far I like it. As with most upgrades to operating systems there is the “making it easier” factor. Needless to say, making it easier isn’t always easier when you are used to things a certain way — you tend to want to keep things that way.

This latest version does make many tasks easier and setting up both my work and home computers has been relatively easy. I have run into a few issues with some older software I like to use that caused a few issues and there are not yet printer drivers for one of the work printers I use. But overall the switchover has been good.

Many of the new and improved functions of Windows 7 mirror functions that have been available on Macs for years, and it is nice to see Microsoft moving towards more user friendly – less tech friendly options. However, you can still get under the hood of Windows 7 and as a techie I really like that.

So if you are considering purchasing a new computer this holiday season – don’t be afraid. If you’ve used Vista it will feel familiar, if not you will likely be pleasantly surprised by some of the new features. And if Windows 7 isn’t your cup of tea at all, my installation came with previous versions of Windows that I can roll back to, so you might want to check that option when you purchase. — Jill

How mobile are you?

The Pew Internet and American Life Project conducted a survey in April of this year and asked if respondents had ever accessed the internet using a wireless device.  Their findings which can be found here: http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/12-Wireless-Internet-Use.aspx?r=1 state that 56% of Americans have accessed the internet via some kind of device other than a computer.

So my question is, are you one of the 56% of Americans who access the internet from your cell phone or some other device? Then my next question is do you use a “Smartphone?” I recently bit the bullet and got an iPhone and am now completely addicted to accessing the internet with this handy little device. In the past I had tried to access the internet on my former phone (a Motorola Razr) but found it cumbersome, difficult and frustrating.

I just recently added a version of our online catalog to our website that is text-based and ADA compatible. If you’ve had trouble viewing the catalog from your mobile device, please consider selecting the ADA version that is now available, and feel free to send comments. — Jill

What Browser are you using?

Jason Toff, Associate Product Marketing Manager for Google just posted an interesting little site about web browsers.  http://www.whatbrowser.org/.

If you are not sure how you are accessing the internet and even what a browser is, check out this site.

When it comes up on the left side of the screen will tell you what browser you are using.

Watch the video, look at the useful tweaks and try a new browser if you are feeling brave. The information Under The Hood is technical stuff you can ignore – although the timeline for web browsers is interesting. — Jill

Slacking Off on Blogging

Okay I admit it, I’ve been slacking off – only when it comes to blogging though! As the Durham County Library webmaster I have been busy the last two months adding all kinds of new things to our website.  Some highlights:

Whatcha Reading – this fun site has videos of folks all around Durham telling us “What they are reading!”

Online Storytime – Miss Tanika from our East Regional Branch is now performing stories that can be viewed from the comfort of your home computer!

Durham Reads Together - Starting October 3 and running to November 1st the DCL is asking the community in joining us to read the book Something for the Pain by local author and doctor Paul Austin.

Invest Your Best: College and Beyond – This two-year grant funded project is designed for parents to learn how to start investing for their children’s college education. The workshops are for everyone, but the focus is on college savings.

Durham County Library YouTube Channel – Since we started adding all this new great video – it only seems right that we now have our own YouTube Channel.

Facebook - You can also find us on Facebook and become a fan.

I will be continuing to add tips and tricks for your computer now that there seems to be a lull in the new content for  our web pages, please stay posted. — Jill

Keyboard Shortcuts

I love a good keyboard shortcut. Here is a list of keyboard shortcuts for highlighting text from the Lifehacker Website

Universal Key Combinations

These key combinations should work in most every application:

• Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right arrow: Select text by whole words. (Swap Alt/Option with Ctrl for Mac users.)
• Shift+Up/Down arrow: Select text by entire lines
• Shift+Page Up/Page Down: Select one screen’s height of text
• Shift+Home/End: Select all the text from the current caret position to the beginning or end of the current line. (Mac users, try Cmd+Shift+Left/Right arrow.)
• Ctrl+Shift+Home/End: Select all the text from the current caret position to the beginning or end of the document. (Mac users, Cmd+Shift+Up/Down arrow should do the trick.)
• Ctrl+A: Select the entire document (Swap Cmd with Ctrl if you’re on a Mac.)

Microsoft Word Specific

Once again, Word shines when it comes to text selection, offering more than just the standard key combinations:

• Ctrl+Shift+Up/Down arrow: Select text by paragraphs. (Cmd+Shift+Up/Down arrow on Mac.)
• Ctlr+Shift+F8: Begin selecting a rectangular block of text—use the arrow keys to size the rectangle; cut, copy, or press Esc to exit this selection mode. (Does not seem to work on Mac.)
• F8: Press repeatedly to expand the selection from the current word to the current sentence, then the current paragraph, and finally the whole document (Shift+F8 will shrink the selection); cut, copy, or press Esc to exit this selection mode. (Does not work on Mac.)

Give them a try — Jill

Google News Timeline

Do you love a good timeline? I know I do, I am a visual learner and I love to see my information in a graphically organized manner.  This said, I have a great site for other folks like me – Google News Timeline.   This is Google’s blurb about the timeline:  Google News Timeline is a web application that organizes search results chronologically. It allows users to view news and other data sources on a browsable, graphical timeline. Available data sources include recent and historical news, scanned newspapers and magazines, blog posts, sports scores, and information about various types of media, like music albums and movies.

This is so fascinating! Once you get to the site go in and “Add More Queries.” You can select what sources you want to look at, such as every Time Magazine cover since 1924. I ran on search on Soap Operas in the TV Show category  after I saw an entry for All My Children. I had no idea there were so many soaps that had come and gone from TV.  Just clicking on the Artworks category took me to 1507 and Mona Lisa.

This is a whole lot of fun, but I do recommend double-checking the sources to make sure they can be used as a primary source if you plan on using this to help write a paper. — Jill