Kent District Library - Information. Ideas. Excitement!

Interested in genealogy?

Geni is a web-based application with a simple interface that allows you to build your family tree and invite others to contribute. Relatives who are added to your tree can sign up for an account and add more family members. The basic tools are free, although you have the option of paying for a pro plan with advanced features. Geni keeps your information private so only the people in your family can log in and see your tree.

Geni was highlighted on Time magazine’s list of the 50 Best Websites of 2008 and on PC magazine’s list of the Best Free Software of 2009.

If you’d like to dig a little deeper into your ancestry, check out these genealogy resources offered by KDL:

• Reference Databases for Genealogy
• Recommended Genealogy Websites
• Genealogy & Local History Resource Guide

Here’s a tip to help you be sustainable and save some money.  Use less paper by printing out only the sections of documents or emails that you truly need.

For Windows Operating System

1. Highlight the area of text or pictures that you wish to print.
2. Click the print command to bring up the print dialog box.
3. Look for the area that says “Selection” and click the button in front of it.
4. Click OK. Only the section you selected should print.

For Mac Operating System

It’s a little more tricky for a Mac.

For printing a selection of something off the internet….

1. Highlight the area of text or pictures that you wish to print.
2. Click the print command in your browser (ie Firefox, Safari, etc.) to bring up the print dialog box.
3. Click the “Copies & Pages” drop down area, select the name of your browser near the bottom of the list.
4. In new box, click the check box under Options section - “Print selection only.”

5. Click Print. Only the section you selected should print.

           

    

To print selections from anything other than the internet using Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard, you need to download a Print Selection Service freeware program.  I use the one from this website… http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/51675

Do you download eBooks, eAudiobooks or video from KDL’s eLibrary? Are you on Facebook and Twitter?

Well now you can use these social networking sites to share your download activity with your friends!

When you use OverDrive on KDL’s eLibrary, you can let all your friends know what you’re reading, listening to or watching on Facebook and Twitter.

After selecting your item for download, simply look for the new “Share” section below the item listing, select the social networking site you’d like to use, and follow the directions.

When you’re done, your update should look something like this on Facebook:

Or like this on Twitter:

If you answered yes (and even if you didn’t), check out the blog called 1000 Awesome Things.  This is a fun blog to browse when you could use a little bit of awesome in your life.  It is also a good reminder to appreciate the simple joys in life.  And if you are curious about the image to the right, check out #860: When the vending machine gives you two things instead of one.

When I first saw this blog, it reminded me of the book called 14,000 Things to Be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer.  This book was introduced to me many years ago by a very positive-thinking co-worker.  One of my favorites from Kipfer’s book was “the little red string in (old) band aids.”   Since I could use a little boost now & then, I started my own personal list, which included little things from my kids’ lives as well as favorite books & authors.

Post a comment with an item from your own personal list!

Are you thinking about buying a new computer? There are so many choices! How do you know which advice is the most reliable? Here are some of the best sources of information:

Consumer Reports‘ reviews are unbiased, and are based on both research and repair histories. You can access Consumer Reports free if you have a KDL library card or if you are using a KDL computer! Go to www.kdl.org, click on Reference Resources > Research Databases > Magazines > Consumer Reports. Enter your KDL library card number and begin your search by using keywords such as “Computers” or “Laptop Computer.”

Kim Komando, who writes online columns about technology and has a weekly radio show, is also a very good source of advice about what to consider when looking for a computer.

PCWorld magazine can be found in many KDL branches, and PCWorld.com has some good articles about what to look for when buying a laptop or a desktop computer.  The monthly magazine is also a good source of information about new software.

And be sure to check out KDL’s excellent selection of books about how to buy, set up, and use your new computer!

How are you feeling today?  Hopefully more like and not like :(. 

If you don’t understand that, you need to tilt the top of your head to the left, and look at these “Emoticons” (emotional icons, in the form of punctuation) sideways:

:)   Smiley Face

:(   Frown Face

;)   Wink and a smile

:-o  Surprised

In human conversation, it is fairly easy to tell when someone is joking by their tone and body language.  In email, you don’t have that luxury, and it is easy to mis-interpret something as negative or mean-spirited.  Emoticons can help clarify your statements in an informal setting.  This website is a good introduction to emoticons.

Ever wonder why some people use Internet Explorer and others only use Firefox… or what’s this Google Chrome all about?  If you choose to use Safari will you suddenly find yourself in the middle of Africa? Or what about Opera – will using this land you in the front row of a viewing of The Pirates of Penzance?

Choosing which web browser to use can be confusing, but the people at pcmag.com have just made that job a whole lot easier!  They’ve put together a simple guide to help you sort out the differences between the different web browsers and choose which one best fits your needs!

Take some time to explore their guide and see if a different web browser might be right for you!

Now you can wirelessly download audiobooks, music and video to your Windows Mobile phone from KDL’s eLibrary and play the titles with the same superior navigation features as OverDrive’s desktop software.

The free OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile application works with dozens of Windows Mobile phones. You can find a list of compatible devices on the Windows Mobile website.

Download the OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile today!

Last week I learned about Jing, a free online software you can use to add images to blogs, narrate vacation photos, or take a 5-minute video of what you are doing on screen.  To quote the website, “it’s the fastest way to show what’s on your screen to others.”  For instance, one of the success stories on the website is about a librarian using Jing to teach students how to use the catalog. She created a short video as she moused around the screen showing students where to click and what to type where on the catalog.  This way she could walk around the room and help students use the catalog while they were watching the video. 

If you would like to use Jing to create videos with a webcam, Jing Pro can be purchased for $14.95 a year. 

If you use a Sony digital Reader, you can now access KDL’s eBook collection seamlessly! Sony has announced a partnership with public libraries across the nation that will make it easier than ever to locate free downloadable eBook content. For KDL cardholders, that means accessing our large collection of eBooks through OverDrive.

The Sony eBook store also features an online directory to help locate other libraries that offer compatible eBook downloads.

The Sony digital Reader is just one of many devices that is compatible with KDL’s eBook collection. Learn about others by visiting OverDrive.

eBooks are a fun and easy alternative to the printed version because they are portable and offer a wide selection for any interest. Be sure to check out KDL’s extensive eLibrary!