Live CD assignment, part 2

What's the most striking thing about using Gnoppix in the computer lab? It actually works, yay! (See previous post.)

And my assignment is worded thusly:

Libraries may encounter problems with some live CD software, such as with Ubuntu on G5s, as I discovered in this exercise. In addition, there are not many live CD distributions available for PPC architecture. Most libraries only provide PCs for public access computing, so these issues will not be relevant for them, but for libraries with Macs, especially older ones with PPC processors, running them from live CDs may be difficult. Fortunately, OS X is a more secure operating system than Windows, so the need to use live CDs for the sake of better security is not as pressing an issue. For libraries concerned only with live CDs for Intel or AMD processors, there are many choices available online, so if they encounter serious problems they can simply download a different ISO.

The benefits of using live CDs to run public computers in libraries are significant, as they protect the computers from both online malware and ill-intentioned patrons. However, there are also disadvantages. Computers boot very slowly from live CDs; the Gnoppix distribution I used took over three minutes. Obviously, a library using live CDs would have to be sure to have all the computers booted up before opening hours. Fortunately, while some applications (like the GIMP) also load rather slowly, most of them do load in an acceptable time period, so when people are actually using the computers, they will be reasonably fast.

Some live CD platforms are designed to be very similar to Windows, but even if the differences are small, the library may need to provide more help to patrons than for the Windows environment to which most are already accustomed. Windows-based live CDs exist, but are not sanctioned by Microsoft,⁽¹⁾ and most libraries will probably wish to steer clear of potential legal issues surrounding their use.

A possible strategy for a library considering switching to live CDs is to phase them in gradually, allowing both patrons and staff time to get used to them. It is also true that many people are curious about alternatives to Windows, and perhaps libraries should play a role in offering at least one Linux computer (and perhaps a Mac as well) for patrons to try out, even if the library as a whole continues using Windows. Personally, I quite liked Gnoppix when I tried it; there were several features (such as having two panels, with many customization options, or the desklets function) that I think many people would enjoy. When it comes to customization, of course, nothing is saved when working from a live CD, and patrons must recreate their preferred settings for every session. Still, this is not a disadvantage for public access computers, which are generally not supposed to be modified by the public; the whole point of using live CDs is to prevent any unauthorized changes to the computer, a role they play very well and in which they could be extremely useful to libraries.

⁽¹⁾Wikipedia – Live CD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiveCD#Microsoft_Windows-based (Accessed: June 27, 2006.)

On the live CD assignment for 525

It would appear that getting a live CD of Ubuntu to play nicely with my G5 is easier said than done. Results: Ubuntu 6.06 (for PPC) installation fails to start "pbbuttonsd" every time; I tried the alternate installation CD and that one fails partway through too. OK...Google gives me one or two people with a similar problem, who got advice to try re-burning the CD...tried this, same thing happens. Maybe I wasn't born under a most-recent-version star? Ergo, tried the 5.10 version of Ubuntu, which seemed a bit more hopeful, but alas...a simple boot stops after telling me "release keys to continue," (don't know what that's about - no keyboard response there, so I don't see what I can do) - moving on...I tried boot: live video=ofonly, which takes me a bit farther so I get to type mac-boot, but then a white screen of death and a message about a "decrementer exception."

You know, I do believe I will go do this assignment with a PC in the computer lab after all...

The big city

So I went along with the kid lit class on their field trip to Toronto yesterday, but ditched them for the afternoon, since we were in close enough proximity to the CN Tower that I could actually walk there. For some reason I'd never been there, though I've visited TO twice before, years ago, to do touristy stuff. I believe we skipped the CN tower because the Toronto native we were with argued that it was too pricey and not worthwhile. There's something to that (I paid $27, which is a bit steep), but I've always wanted to go up there, and now I have. And got pictures! The glass floor they have in there is cool, but scary - I could only make myself set one foot on it, not both. You can see the picture of said foot here. :)

Being a forum goddess :)

Set up a phpbb bulletin board for the LIS student body this afternoon, as there was no such thing for us before. I have to say, having admin privileges is funnnn. :) Though of course I vow to use my powers only for good...reserving the right to disemvowel trolls.

In a stunning example of synchronicity (no, I had no idea they were going to do this), the student council unveiled its new site, which includes a few message boards, precisely one hour after I sent out the email announcing my forum. (Ha, beat you to it! :) ) It's nice that they incorporated boards, but I do like the phpbb setup a lot better for discussions than whatever software the student council is using (bears an amazing resemblance to our departmental intranet, coincidentally enough). Of course, this is just my opinion...but I'm right. :)

It's good the student council has a site now, though. (Did they have one before, and I forgot or never knew?)

IE issues

OK, site is looking very sad in Mac version of Internet Explorer, no parchment-background for the text showing up at all. Not sure why. But IE for the Mac is officially obsolete as of five months ago and no one uses it anyway, so perhaps I don't care. :)

UPDATE: Seems to be only the Mac version of IE. Not that any of this will matter to thee anyway, O fellow LIS 525 student, for I have great faith that thou hast seen the light and dost not use products created by the fount of all evil Microsoft.

Inaugural Post, or, "What do you mean, secret rulers of the world?"

So in a moment of honesty truth madness inspiration I wrote the following article for our class wiki...I suspect the wiki is not truly meant to be Uncycloped-ish, though, so I shall have to come up with something more prosaic than this for that assignment. Oh, well. :)

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Contents:
1 - Librarianship
     1.1 - Reference Librarians
     1.2 - Children's Librarians
     1.3 - Cataloguers
     1.4 - Systems Librarians
2 - See Also
3 - Further Reading
4 - External Links

1 - Librarianship

Librarianship's inherent power and central importance to the fabric of reality has been observed by many shrewd and perceptive individuals throughout history. In recent years, Spider Robinson has remarked upon it, briefly but succinctly ("Librarians are the secret masters of the universe. They control information. Never piss one off.") and of course Erica Olsen has written her now-famous landmark tract revealing the true nature of the profession as seen from within ("Why You Should Fall to Your Knees and Worship a Librarian.")

1.1 - Reference Librarians

Reference librarians embody the most feared aspect of librarians on the face of this planet. Despite the heroic efforts of cataloguers, systems librarians, and other behind-the-scenes types to wrest away the coveted SLOE title (Scariest Librarians On Earth) for themselves, the prize continues to go to reference librarians each year without fail. Some librarians not working in reference have noted - quietly - that reference librarians remain the undisputed champions only because children's librarians perform their subversive roles with such cunning stealth. However, most prefer to maintain a discreet silence on that subject; those unwise enough to speak such words aloud are generally never seen again.

Reference librarians often have recourse in their work to such venerable tomes as the Uncyclopedia, traditionally used by librarians to spread true enlightenment throughout the multiverse. The penalty for use by reference librarians of so-called reference tools promoting propaganda, such as the elaborate web of lies found in the much-reviled (and properly catalogued under Fiction) Encyclopedia Britannica, is revocation of one's licence to practice librarianship.

1.2 - Children's Librarians

Children's librarians are, of course, charged with the vital task of molding the minds of the young to worship librarians in the properly orthodox manner. Storytimes featuring such insidious books as "Library Lil" are followed with group sessions practicing the correct way to fall to one's knees, among other indoctrinating strategies that may not be revealed here.

1.3 - Cataloguers

The people who put you in your place. No, really. Feel misplaced? Go see a cataloguer for counselling. They'll take one look at you, seeing through to your soul - a special cataloguer power - and immediately know where you truly belong in the world. (And if you're lucky, they'll even put you there, but most likely they'll choose a place for you that advances their Secret Plots. Still, you'll no longer be misplaced.)

1.4 - Systems Librarians

[this section censored in order to maintain the deep secrecy in which this type of librarianship must be shrouded for the sake of the universe]

2 - See Also

[[stubs]]
Library School
Sith Lords

3 - Further Reading

Rex Libris
Unshelved
Revolting Librarians Redux
Library Lil

4 - External Links

Spider Robinson
Erica Olsen
Uncyclopedia
Wikipedia on Uncyclopedia