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In this simple, charming story, Rylant explores shyness. Brownie, the little girl, and Pearl, her cat, are going to a birthday party that cats are invited to too. Once they are at the door to the party, Brownie starts to feel shy about knocking. Pearl, though, is not shy at all and enters the house by the cat door, forcing Brownie to have to knock and join the party. By the end of the party, full of cake and ice cream and having played lots of games, Brownie is very happy to have come.
Rylant has created the first in another charming pairing. This book is for even younger readers than Henry and Mudge or Mr. Potter and Tabby. The vocabulary is kept limited and there are at most two short sentences on each page, usually as short as four words. Despite these limitations, Rylant has created a charming protagonist. Biggs’ illustrations are done digitally and have a nice warmth to them. The illustrations are simple and friendly for young readers.
Highly recommended, every library needs a copy of this first in Rylant’s new series. I can’t wait to see what adventures Brownie and Pearl head on next. Appropriate for new readers of any age, approximately ages 3-5.
Life -
Man, This year Halloween really snuck up on us! We'd planned to be totally prepped and ready for the Sixth Annual Brain Eaters party by the thirtieth so that we could take the day of off and just kind of goof off. Watch movies, carve pumpkins, what have you. Instead, we found ourselves scrambling up to the last minute, rushing against the clock to finish before guests arrived, dealing
Sounds like you had a great time. I wish we could have been there. But, we had a pretty good halloween anyway. Lexi loved trick-or-treating and was a super cute mouse. The only down side to the day was that my 92 year old grandma had to go to the hospital. But, I was up to see her today and she is doing a lot better so all is well. I can't wait to see the pictures.
So, no real brains were eaten? I think the gal on the phone might have been right...lame. Ha! Ha! Naw, sounded like a good time...just wish you lived closer.
You'd think living close to me would be enough for anybody. Must be a family thing.<br /><br />I'm glad you had fun. Hopefully you caught up on some sleep by now.
I've actually been sleeping horribly lately, but thanks for the wishes, Randy! Maybe he means he wishes he lived further from you, but was trying to be nice about it!<br /><br />Steve, Perhaps real brains were eaten, I just have a specific method of pickling them in jello! <br /><br />We missed you and Mark, B, but man o man, those pictures on your blog are adorable!
Have you ever thought about the odd behaviors people adopt in different situations? Here’s a short list of things I’ve been thinking about. I am sure you can add others.
How are you? Yes, I know that doesn’t sound like strange behavior but consider what happens in the office. Every time you pass someone in the hall—even if you’re half-running and obviously not about to stop and chat—your co-workers will ask “How are you?” and get surprised if you proceed to tell them. What’s more, the next time they see you, even if it’s five seconds later they will ask the same question. As if anything had changed since you last saw them. Maybe that’s why it’s a bit of a surprise to find out that my co-workers did care how I was….
May I help you? Every time I walk into the shop I get this question and a smile. The first time it’s OK but after three times when you have assured the nice salesperson that really you don’t need any help and are “just looking” it would be nice if they would take the hint and leave you alone. But they don’t. Maybe that’s part of their job description, I don’t know.
Sneezing is not Leprosy. Really. Even with the outbreak of the swine flu, a sneezing or coughing fit can be caused by all sorts of things that have nothing to do with the flu, let alone swine flu. In my case, I often get the sniffles due to air conditioning and even a fan set on the high setting makes my husband’s throat sore. In neither case is this the swine flu. And yet, I have noticed that ever since the swine flu outbreak, people have been backing away from folks who dare sneeze or cough in public. As though they’re lepers.
Swine Flu Parties. Which brings me to the other weird phenomenon associated with the swine flu: swine flu parties. This is the rage in the UK apparently although British and now American health officials think it a rotten idea. People have decided that exposing themselves to what most think is still a mild form of the H1N1 virus will immunize them against the much more lethal form that is expected to hit with the school year. Kind of like getting immunized against chicken pox but without the needles. But American and British health officials warn that we really don’t yet know enough about the swine flu and that deliberately exposing oneself to the virus could thus be a deadly idea.
These are just some of the odd behaviors I have been noticing (and in the case of the swine flu parties) reading about. I am sure you can think of others. The nice thing about these eccentricities is that (in my opinion at least) they make people and thus life much more interesting.
Have you ever thought about the odd behaviors people adopt in different situations? Here’s a short list of things I’ve been thinking about. I am sure you can add others.
How are you? Yes, I know that doesn’t sound like strange behavior but consider what happens in the office. Every time you pass someone in the hall—even if you’re half-running and obviously not about to stop and chat—your co-workers will ask “How are you?” and get surprised if you proceed to tell them. What’s more, the next time they see you, even if it’s five seconds later they will ask the same question. As if anything had changed since you last saw them. Maybe that’s why it’s a bit of a surprise to find out that my co-workers did care how I was….
May I help you? Every time I walk into the shop I get this question and a smile. The first time it’s OK but after three times when you have assured the nice salesperson that really you don’t need any help and are “just looking” it would be nice if they would take the hint and leave you alone. But they don’t. Maybe that’s part of their job description, I don’t know.
Sneezing is not Leprosy. Really. Even with the outbreak of the swine flu, a sneezing or coughing fit can be caused by all sorts of things that have nothing to do with the flu, let alone swine flu. In my case, I often get the sniffles due to air conditioning and even a fan set on the high setting makes my husband’s throat sore. In neither case is this the swine flu. And yet, I have noticed that ever since the swine flu outbreak, people have been backing away from folks who dare sneeze or cough in public. As though they’re lepers.
Swine Flu Parties. Which brings me to the other weird phenomenon associated with the swine flu: swine flu parties. This is the rage in the UK apparently although British and now American health officials think it a rotten idea. People have decided that exposing themselves to what most think is still a mild form of the H1N1 virus will immunize them against the much more lethal form that is expected to hit with the school year. Kind of like getting immunized against chicken pox but without the needles. But American and British health officials warn that we really don’t yet know enough about the swine flu and that deliberately exposing oneself to the virus could thus be a deadly idea.
These are just some of the odd behaviors I have been noticing (and in the case of the swine flu parties) reading about. I am sure you can think of others. The nice thing about these eccentricities is that (in my opinion at least) they make people and thus life much more interesting.
Today's Youth Advisory Post is from Liz Funk who has discovered a connection between Facebook invitations and the high number of no-shows at Gen Y parties. To contact our Youth Advisory Board directly, just email them at youthadvisoryboard at... Read the rest of this post
Zibby used to love parties...back when they were fun. Before special coupons and secret sleepovers. Things seem to be changing now that sixth grade started. Amber (of the Grapilicious lip gloss and boy band love) tells Zibby that she is having a party for all of her "peeps". Zibby and her best-friend Sarah gather around Amber to open their invitations. For some reason, Amber wants all of the girls to open their invites at the same time. Some of the girls get special coupons, and some of the girls don't. Apparently, the coupons are for special prizes at the party. Zibby thinks this reeks of unfairness.
Pile on the fact that the next week, Savannah has a party. It's a super fun roller skating party without special coupons. And Zibby can't wait for the sleepover portion. But when she tells Sarah about it, she figures out that not everybody who invited to rollerskate, is invited to the sleepover. Unfair again.
This is when Zibby decides to have her own party. One where everyone is invited to everything, and nobody is left out. She even invites dorky Franny and Vanessa just to make a point. But when Franny insists on having her party planner mom help out with Elmo and princess paraphenalia, Zibby isn't feeling so generous. She just may end up uninviting them.
Author Alison Bell has written a spot on story of negotiating one's way through the sixth grade. Zibby is ultimately likable and is experiencing those middle school changes that make the ride so rocky. A perfect series for the fans of Amelia's Notebook, and for the girl reluctant readers that are out there. Fast and fun, Zibby Payne is a series sure to please.
2 Comments on Zibby Payne and the Party Problem, last added: 5/14/2008
Dear Stacy: I am the author of the Zibby Payne books and thanks so much for your review of "Zibby Payne & the Party Problem." I also have another new book out, "Zibby Payne & the Trio Trouble," which I can send to you if you don't already have it. I'm also working on the fifth book in the series, out in the fall. Thanks again, Alison
It's been awhile since I've come across a book that I felt was a suitable replacement for Kat Kong (plus I was out of the country.) But a successor has been found! Scott Beck's Happy Birthday Monster! is a charming book that has already enjoyed repeat readings at our house. The story is straightforward: Ben, a cute little demon-like monster, is throwing a surprise birthday party for his friend Doris (a cute little dragon-like monster.) We see Ben welcoming his guests, the guests hiding, and then the ensuing fun of dancing, snacks, and gift-giving. Beck's clever, cheerful illustrations run as a series of visual jokes: a ghost chagrined when her snacks fall right through her; Ben stuck in the ceiling by his horns after being tossed in the air by his friends; Doris lighting her own candles by breathing fire on them. There are plenty of puns, too. Everyone is so happy to be together. If only all birthday parties were this congenial!
0 Comments on Book of the Week--Happy Birthday Monster! as of 4/1/2008 10:09:00 PM
PLA was a huge success for us. We started things off with a bang on Tuesday, at the Guys Read preconference with the National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature, Jon Sczieska. We sponsored the refreshments at this event and gave away our popular Stone Arch Books bags, filled with Capstone Publishers books and catalogs. Michael and Maryellen were able to attend. They learned a lot (more to come about Guys Read this week!) and even talked to Jon about our books and the Guys Read mission.
On Wednesday, the show and exhibits opened. Special guest Jake Maddox, in his football uniform, was at our booth, signing posters and taking pictures with librarians.
Jake Maddox takes a break with a good book on opening night of PLA.
SAB Editorial Director Michael Dahl gets in on the fun on PLA's opening night.
Thursday was another busy day in the booth. We kicked it off with author signings. Michael Dahl signed copies of the Library of Doom books, and Donnie Lemke signed copies of Gulliver’s Travels (a Junior Library Guild pick). We talked to a ton of great librarians. By that evening, everyone was pretty tired, but we kept it going with a Capstone Publishers open house at our Bloomington offices.
Maryellen Coughlan Gregoire, SAB Director of Product Planning and Public Relations, sets up the snacks at the Capstone Publishers open house.
A magic show, cooking demonstration, another author signing, and more—about 80 attendees enjoyed food and merriment. Stone Arch set up a display giving the attendees a peek at how graphic novels were made. The display was a big hit. Our offices never looked so good, or so clean! It was great fun to give librarians a behind-the-scenes look at the offices of a book publisher.
SAB senior editor and author of Gulliver’s Travels Donnie Lemke, with librarian fans, at the Capstone Publishers open house.
Finally, on Friday Blake Hoena signed copies of Eek and Ack: The Puzzling Pluto Plot. We talked with more librarians from Hawaii to Alaska to Long Island. Later, when we announced that we’d be giving away all the books in our booth at 3 p.m., craziness ensued! The shelves were empty in minutes. We also gave away tons of our Jake Maddox and Library of Doom posters. We tore down the booth and spent the weekend recovering!
The staff at the SAB booth on opening night. From left to right: Carla Zetina-Yglesias, Michaela DeLong, Donnie Lemke, Michael Dahl, Maryellen Gregoire, Jake Maddox, Heather Kindseth, and Joan Berge.
If you were in Minneapolis for PLA, how was your conference?
Next, we’re on to Texas for TLA!
0 Comments on PLA Recap as of 4/1/2008 11:37:00 AM
Some of you may be going to New Year's eve parties tomorrow night. Some of you might be hosting a party of your own. I am doing neither but I am thinking about giving a party in the next month or two - a KidLit social sort of thing to just get together and talk and eat and drink with others who love children's books.
That got me thinking about this great tip I read over at Shrinking Violets the other day. One of them posted about attending a party filled with lots of people and lots of noise - the sort of thing that can be overwhelming for some people (like me.) But the hostess had a great idea and set aside a room as the introverts room with some quiet music and snacks in a room away from the bulk of the crowd. Now my house is a pretty open floor plan so the best I could offer would be to close the french doors to my office and set the office up as a quiet spot, but I thought it was a really good idea.
What are some of your favorite party tips, especially if you have given one for KidLit folks? Do you set a theme? Play games? A book exchange?Just put out food and drink and hope for the best?
Doug Lord from the Connecticut State Library passed along a neat little post from the Conntech listserv from the Cheshire Public Library announcing their new Ubuntu computer. Notice how psyched they sound, how easy the install is, how familiar the applications sound. Got some old hardware? Try it yourself.
My workplace uses Ubunta for its student computer network. Whilst there’s some kinks to be worked out, on the whole it works pretty well as an alternative to Mr. Gates’s software offerings.
Now that I’m somewhat affiliated with the MaintainIT project I am trying to put my crabbiness aside and interact more with WebJunction. I’m thinking about even trying to attend a webinar about Practical Techniques for Supporting Public Computing. I stepped through the instructions for getting their helper applications set up and it went pretty smoothly albeit very slowly. I’m going to see if any of the librarians I work with here are interested in trying this process out, including the set-up which involves disabling pop-up blockers, sending and receiving audio via their application, as well as running a bunch of java applications. I’m interested to see if it was as simple for them as it was for me.
The only part I was dissatisfied with, from a personal perspective, was the overly-cute “door hanger for E-learners“. First of all, learning is learning and calling something E-anything really sounds like you discovered the Internet yesterday. Second, for a two page PDF that basically just says “I’m busy” with the WJ logo [actually it says “I am participating in an online course that is critical to my job performance” among other things, but I am overly sensitive to hyperbole so maybe this sounds normal to other people] why is it a 2.3 MB file? Just because most public libraries now have broadband doesn’t really mean we should be using it up with overly-large files. For the libraries that don’t have broadband, this is a forty minute download.
So, my constructive feedback, up to this point.
- the webinar software works well, I’m pleased it works on my Mac
- I’m glad WebJunction is functional, I’d like to see it look decent on Firefox on my Mac. I sent in a help request about this little problem
- I wish WebJunction had URLs and filenames that gave me some idea what was behind them. Why isn’t the door hanger called webinar_door_hanger.pdf or something so when I dump it on my hard drive I know what is is? Why aren’t we optimizing our web pages for Google?
- If you’re in advocacy work, it’s sometime tough to draw the line between what level of branding is appropriate to keep you able to do your work and get grants and what amount is actively getting in the way of delivering services. I’m really happy that WJ is using more platform independent means of content delivery despite the fact that they’re at least partially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (as is MaintainIT). I hope they continue to support libraries in whatever technology choices they decide to make. A search for Ubuntu on WebJunction only gets no hits in the site itself and nets a few discussion topics, though this one should be required reading for any library thinking about making the big expensive step to Vista.
- No more 2 MB PDFs please. Since we’re working with people who, in many cases, are not that tech savvy, I feel that every choice we make should specifically send the message that technology is manageable, understandable and hopefully fun. There are best practices for usability just like there are best practices for accessibility and we should be working hard to move from “hey it works!” to “wow, this works WELL.”
update: I take back what I said about cross-platform support. What I emailed WebJunction asking why one of their pages didn’t look right on my browser (see photo above) the email I got back said, embarassingly:
Hello!
At this time, WebJunction does not support Macintosh browsers. However, I will make note of the display anomaly you reported for future implementations.
Thanks!
M____ B______
WebJunction Training & Support Specialist [email protected]
800-848-5878 x0000
If it’s 2007 and you can’t design your web pages to be at least readable on a Mac browser, you should rethink your commitment to enabling “relevant, vibrant, sustainable libraries for every community” (emphasis mine) in my opinion. I appreciated the speedy response, though.
I really love the Webjunction webinars. It is a very simple way to get connected. I work in a rural library (that has broadband) and I have never experienced any problems. I usually show up late to most webinars (as is my MO), but they also provide the screencast/powerpoint/presentation file within a few days. I think they are just trying to be cute with the door hanger. Plus, webjunction is only as good as its users. If people don’t contribute stories, talk in the forums, or provide information on the variety of topics, you won’t find them there. I am using them extensively for my library training program.
maire said, on 8/21/2007 10:48:00 AM
Being someone who uses firefox on a mac, I find it interesting that you had some issues. The only problem I’ve had with WebJunction is the webinar applet not letting me type or pm or what not. I can draw on the slides just fine though. I also haven’t had any problems with pages displaying weird.
I do completely agree with the urls being utter crap when it comes to naming conventions. No, I don’t know what 101654.pdf means, and I really wish I did without having to open it.
University Update - Prince Harry - The world of W said, on 8/21/2007 11:23:00 AM
[…] Zac Efron The world of Webinars and WebJunction » This Summary is from an article posted at librarian.net on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 The world of Webinars and WebJunction August 21st, 2007 | Posted in access | No Comments » tags: accessibility, elearning, maintainit, ubuntu, … on Firefox on my Mac. I sent in a help request about this little problem - I wish WebJunction had URLs Summary Provided by Technorati.comView Original Article at librarian.net » 10 Most Recent News Articles About Prince Harry […]
University Update - Macintosh - The world of Webi said, on 8/21/2007 3:43:00 PM
[…] YouTube The world of Webinars and WebJunction » This Summary is from an article posted at librarian.net on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 The world of Webinars and WebJunction August 21st, 2007 | Posted in access | 2 Comments » tags: accessibility, elearning, maintainit, ubuntu, usability, vista, webinar, webjunction Now that I’m somewhat affiliated with the MaintainIT project I am trying to put my crabbiness aside and interact more with WebJunction Summary Provided by Technorati.comView Original Article at librarian.net » 10 Most Recent News Articles About Macintosh […]
School Library Journal this month has a test drive of Edubuntu — the Ubuntu distribution that was created for use in classrooms.
When I installed Edubuntu on three different generations of laptops, each with different wireless cards, I was astounded at how easy it was. In every case, the first thing Edubuntu did was sniff the wireless card, install it, and hop right onto the Net. Plus, every display was configured and sized just right, every touch pad and sound card functioned, hardware just worked.
Jim Mann is the Technology Coordinator at the Greene County Public Library in Xenia Ohio. I met him when I was in Ohio last spring. He has created a series of very professional videos on YouTube on how to use Eudbuntu in libraries to maximize the hardware you have especially with old and outdated computers. These videos are very easy to understand and super clear.
We’re going to show you how to turn a pile of junk into useful inexpensive literally free computers that you can use in your library or that you can use with a public service group or with a school.
Education News from Sterne Library » Edubun said, on 7/6/2007 4:33:00 AM
[…] Jessamyn West tells us about Edubuntu, a version of Ubuntu designed for use in schools. You’ll want to read this, especially if your school has antiquated computers. […]
So it’s been a while since I checked in from the Ubuntu installs at the library. Life intervened in a ton of ways. I went back over to the library today. I spent most of my time helping a Ukranian artist woman wade through the 250 emails in her inbox spanning almost two years. Every time she’d see a lost job opportunity or a note from a friend from eight months ago she’d say "see, this is why I have to know this, I lose work not knowing this…" I had to agree to a point but also mentioned that checking her email — however that needed to happen — more than once every 18 months was probably part of it.
So, I was in prime form when I went downstairs to check on the Ubuntu machines. The handyman had installed the ethernet drop from upstairs and I had limited time. This is what I did in about 20 minutes.
- made basic user accounts on each machine and changed the password on the admin accounts from the one I put on the YouTube video
- Set up the desktop for that account to have Firefox and OpenOffice on it (for now, we’ll move to games and IM once this is established as working)
- Plugged both computers into the switch I got. Hey check that out, they’re on the Internet. That was simple.
- Plugged the printer into one of them (HP 6100 series all on one blah) and went through the install printer routine. Hey look IT JUST WORKS, and prints.
Now one of the machines prints, both of them are on the internet, they’ve got a non-admin account on both of them and a locked down admin account with a new password. Next time I’ll do software updates and get the other printer working via the network, flesh out the desktops some and write some documentation. Woo! (crossposted from Flickr)
My mother-in-law is Ukrainian, so I have to send sympathy regarding your first task. She’s a great person, but I recognize the disconnect you were negotiating. Who says there’s only one digital divide?
p.s. I had to retype this b/c I hadn’t supplied an email address. Would have helped me if it had been marked as a required field. Thanks.
Jason said, on 6/20/2007 8:31:00 AM
Go Ubuntu! I’ve been using it on my laptop for about six months now and mostly love it. I think on a desktop machine, my tiny annoyances would be more likely not to be problems at all.
Moving to Open Source for Workstations? « T said, on 6/29/2007 5:46:00 PM
[…] And here’s Jessamyn’s update on how the new computers are doing. […]
Wow, so that was a crazy 36 hours or so. I posted that video, went to bed and woke up to find I was a minor media sensation. The video has been seen almost 14,000 times. Cory Doctorow called me an “Internet folk-hero” (which cracks me up). I wrote a bit more about that on my personal website. When people ask about social software and what it’s good for, I can now safely say that it’s good for having someone ship you a few boxes of your favorite open source OS on CD (you can get some too!), a few random marriage proposals from guys with hotmail addresses, and leveraging whatever your position is so that more people can know about it. More knowledge is good. The biggest piece of overall feedback I got was that my little video made installing an operating system look “fun” and when was the last time you had fun installing an operating system?
I do need to come clean and say that I haven’t even gone back to the library to see how the desktops are working out yet. I’m there for 90 min or so every week or every other week. I still haven’t tackled stickier issues like Internet and printer drivers. I have to change the root password now that everyone has seen it. I have installed Ubuntu a grand total of four times, once with an awful lot of help. Both my PC and my Mac laptops run Ubuntu but while it’s my OS of choice on the PC, I like the Mac OS better on the MacBook and I apologize for not being a True Believer. Here are some good Ubuntu links that people sent me either over email or in the comments. If you’re Ubuntu-curious, they will help you.
The Open Source Software Institute has a mission to “promote the development and implementation of open-source software solutions within U.S. federal, state and municipal government agencies and academic entities.” Is this you? Look them up. Yes that is me on their blog.
If you’re just never ever going to part with Windows, consider using free and open source software on those machines anyhow. Here are two places to get ready to use CDs chock full of open source goodness: TTCS OSSWIN CD and The Open CD.
Dear Jessamyn:
Let me contribute with some links you might find useful related to your nice video of the other day.
As I told you in a comment to your video post, there is a superb Free Software option to manage libraries called KOHA at http://www.koha.org
Here you have a list of some libraries with public accesible catalogs you can check: http://www.koha.org/showcase/opacs.html
This is a step further in adopting FLOSS for your library and one more complex than installing Ubuntu, but maybe you can propose the software to be adopted as project for improvement for a group of libraries of your environement (maybe at a council level?, were you planning to upgrade from an older system sometime soon, this might save quite a lot of money)
Another area where you can benefit from FLOSS is in the website of your library: you can set up a dynamic site like Drupal, Joomla, Xoops (or even Wordpress), etc so it is much easier to update your website, post news, activities, notices, etc related to your library.
Hosting service for these websites are really cheap nowadays (150$ for two years or so), you can test demos of any of these systems at http://www.opensourcecms.com
Another compilation of Free Software for Windows can be found at: http://gnuwin.epfl.ch/apps/en/index.html
There is an educational variation of Ubuntu, called Edubuntu that you might find of interest if you get young readers to use your library’s computers, it includes part of KDE edutainment suite (although it runs gnome), I think it is worth checking (maybe you could suggest the idea to your local school, so they do the same as you in case the get donated PCs or set up a computer lab): http://www.edubuntu.org/UsingEdubuntu http://edu.kde.org
To end with my coment: I saw a troll or microsoft drone commenting on your video post: expect some of them coming now you have become a popular example to follow: this is whattthey fear and they must figh against, but don´t worry: you have all the support of hundreds of thousands of happy Linux users around the world!!!
Again, sincere congratulations and best regards.
David B. Spain.
Software Livre no SAPO » Blog Archive &raqu said, on 5/12/2007 2:52:00 PM
[…] Uns dias depois publicou um outro artigo, onde revelou a sua surpresa por inesperadamente se ter tornado numa pequena “estrela” da comunidade. […]
Heimo said, on 5/13/2007 8:43:00 AM
Your video was linked on Ubuntuforums (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/) and now it’s also on Groklaw (http://www.groklaw.net/). Very nice! If you haven’t yet accepted any of those marriage proposals, you’ll find me at Ubuntuforums. ;-)
Vermont’s Librarian | Tiago Boldt Sousa said, on 5/13/2007 8:54:00 AM
[…] After the success she had with that initiative, she’s also written a follow-up, with some tips on how to install Ubuntu. […]
Dee said, on 5/14/2007 6:48:00 AM
Your video is really cute and cool. It’s really made it way over to many internet sites and forums(even ones from Singapore)!
Jonathan said, on 5/14/2007 2:32:00 PM
I appreciate you helping to bring so much attention to the existence of good accordion music.
Paul said, on 5/18/2007 7:46:00 PM
Hi
Enjoyable little video. I am wondering how the clients are enjoying Ubuntu.
Greywulf said, on 5/26/2007 3:27:00 AM
Well deserved praise and fame for a brilliant video :)
Congratulations and thanks for posting the video up in the first place.
Here in the UK we love ya!
Mor e Ubuntus (can Ubuntu be plural? Ubuntii maybe) in libraries we say.
Consider yourself rss’d.
oldvermonthome.info » Supreme Court of Geor said, on 6/3/2007 10:44:00 AM
[…] We’ve started putting up useful or fun YouTube videos, one a day, to demonstrate the significant noninfringing use of the service. Also because we’re having fun. At first, I was putting them in News Picks, but this one is too great not to put right here. It’s a librarian in Vermont, USA, who installs Ubuntu on two rickety old donated computers in less than an hour and then shows Ubuntu off. The computers didn’t come with valid licenses to any operating system, so she tried Ubuntu. As you will see, she is impressed at all the applications that come with it, including OpenOffice, and she shows you how to save an OpenOffice document as Microsoft Word format. Here’s the Ogg version of her video. If you would like to do the same, and she does make it look fun, here are some instructions she posted afterwards, but as you will see in the video, Ubuntu does the ubuntuing without much input from you. You can even ask and they’ll send you a free CD in the mail of Ubuntu, Edubuntu, or Kubuntu, if you don’t want to burn your own. I use Kubuntu myself. Edubuntu is for schools. If you are a business, this page about applications tested to run on Ubuntu and where support is available will interest you. But Ubuntu, as they say, is and always be free of charge: Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing. We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you’ll always have the the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer. […]
Check me out, I made a little video with me in it and I’m putting it here.
I installed Ubuntu on two of the donated PCs at my library yesterday. It took less than an hour. In fact, if I hadn’t been making the little movie at the same time [with my laptop and my little Canon digital Elph; I don’t have a video camera] it would have taken me even less time. Ubuntu comes bundled with a lot of the popular Open Source software titles like OpenOffice, Gimp and Firefox. The Calef Library has two Windows PCs already so if people need specific software that doesn’t run on Ubuntu, they can use those. I’d like to get them a Mac as well and then they can be the only library (to my knowledge) that is triple platform in the entire state of Vermont.
Note: I have not connected these machines to the Internet or the printer yet, so I’m sure there may be pitfalls waiting for me along the way, but I think that would be true no matter what platform I was using. Ubuntu is free. My install process went like this: download and burn the Ubuntu disk image to a CD. Turn on the computer with the Ubuntu CD in the CD drive. The computer boots Ubuntu from the CD. You have the option to run it this way or install it to the hard drive. You have the option to install it on a partition (and keep Windows also) or just erase the drive and install Ubuntu as the only operating system. You restart the machine and it runs Ubuntu and it Just Works. For the Ubuntu curious (I just like saying ubuntu over and over ubuntu ubuntu ubuntu…) you might enjoy this website How to install ANYTHING in Ubuntu. If you’re just Linux curious, you might enjoy this article on how Howard County migrated more than 200 PCs to Linux, and this was in 2004. Hope you like the little movie. Please drop a note in the comments if you’re using Ubuntu at your library.
A typo in the first sentance makes it unclear whether you _installed_ or _uninstalled_ Ubuntu.
I’m guessing _installed_ … but you never know.
: )
jessamyn said, on 5/8/2007 8:33:00 AM
Thanks Silus, fixed it!
Courtney said, on 5/8/2007 8:39:00 AM
Thanks so much. Love it!
joshua m. neff said, on 5/8/2007 10:42:00 AM
I love the video, and I’m in awe of a public library having both Windows and Ubuntu available.
In my own use of Ubuntu, I’ve never had a problem connecting to the internet. Even wifi was easy (although I got my card by asking for help on the Ubuntu forums and buying a recommended card, rather than getting a card first and trying to figure out how to get it to work).
Rafe said, on 5/8/2007 11:24:00 AM
Nice production values! Well done.
acro said, on 5/8/2007 11:28:00 AM
Hiya,
MarkPilgrim’s Ubuntu Essentials post was helpful for a recent install (tips how to get the non-default codecs, flash, etc. done quickly).
Lindsay said, on 5/8/2007 11:30:00 AM
Hey, is that the Michot Brothers playing in the video??
Scot Colford said, on 5/8/2007 11:35:00 AM
Hey that was a fantastic video! I want to install Ubuntu at a tiny library now. And if you want to learn to screencast, I hear there was an excellent program at the Mass Library Assn conference last week. Oh wait, you were there … and you missed it! ;-)
Richard Ahlquist said, on 5/8/2007 11:36:00 AM
I haven’t watched the video yet but let me say it is very refreshing to see someone embrace something different and free, rather than let those machines waste away. Kudos!
Ubuntu @ The Library: Like “Blair Witch,&rd said, on 5/8/2007 11:48:00 AM
[…] do you ubuntu? [Librarian.net] tr { border: 0px } td { cellborder: 10px} table { border: 1px solid black } […]
Internet Brain » Fun Ubuntu install vid said, on 5/8/2007 11:50:00 AM
[…] FYI, Jessamyn is one of the premier library tech people. I just always wondered about UNIX. Tanya, where’s your old pc … […]
Amy said, on 5/8/2007 11:50:00 AM
Nifty. Was that Michael Doucet/Beausoleil on the soundtrack?
jessamyn said, on 5/8/2007 11:56:00 AM
Yeah the song is the Eunice Two-Step by Beausoleil.
Joslin said, on 5/8/2007 12:07:00 PM
I love OpenOffice–very cool! I tell my students about it all the time. Great little video!
Tyler said, on 5/8/2007 12:18:00 PM
Definitely a good idea to check out which sorts of wireless cards are best before trying to connect to wi-fi… I really struggled with this part of the setup.
Lee Schlesinger said, on 5/8/2007 12:21:00 PM
Nice work - thanks for taking the time to make the video.
Andrew said, on 5/8/2007 12:33:00 PM
Did you create the video on a Ubuntu machine? What did you use? Did you like it? I haven’t found a video editor I like for Linux yet….
Justin Watt said, on 5/8/2007 12:36:00 PM
Maybe it’s just me, but I think this video could have effects beyond Washington, VT. Nothing like a dead simple and entertaining demo to demystify “exotic” technology. The zydeco helps too.
BEERORKID - A bunch of useless crap Lincoln Ne &r said, on 5/8/2007 12:43:00 PM
[…] Ubuntu @ the Library By beerorkid her blog […]
Kates Journal » Blog Archive » Librar said, on 5/8/2007 2:27:00 PM
[…] Linky (bizarrely, you have to click read more to get the link) […]
weapons of massdistraction said, on 5/8/2007 3:20:00 PM
[…] Bonus: This morning a co-worker pointed out GreenDimes. It’s a service that will do the work for you to get your name off junk mail lists, to reduce the amount that makes it to your mailbox, and then they also have a tree planted for you monthly. Neat. Plus: I’ve been a long-time fan of Jessamyn but must admit, I haven’t gotten over to libarian.net lately. But she was boing-boinged today for making a video about how to install Ubuntu - on some machines that were donated to her library. So awesome. And yes, I do Ubuntu too. And: Poor Galadriel is looking more like a zombie queen than an elf queen. I don’t think all shall love her, but we might just despair. […]
James said, on 5/8/2007 4:15:00 PM
ugh, ubuntu linux. congratulations on your awesome trend following.
Andrew said, on 5/8/2007 4:34:00 PM
Hey Jessamyn! CitrusFreak12 here. Loved the video! You are my favorite internet folk-hero!
Kendra said, on 5/8/2007 5:08:00 PM
Hi weapons of massdistration- Thanks for mentioning GreenDimes in your comment! We really appreciate your taking the time to tell others about the service.
Kendra
Sam Chupp said, on 5/8/2007 5:32:00 PM
What a very cool video! Maybe if I play it for some of the more wrongheaded of folks in my office, they will change their minds a bit more about Linux.
Thank you for making it!
Ken Buck said, on 5/8/2007 5:42:00 PM
While I am no fan of Ubuntu/Kubuntu, all I can say is “great job”!. Not only have you helped out your library, but you have also helped out the Linux community. Ubuntu does have good community
support, with their user forum and wiki.
james m said, on 5/8/2007 5:56:00 PM
Great idea, and the vid was put together nicely, too.
Unfortunately the pic they used on boing boing makes it look like someone is goosing you. :P
jm
Cameron said, on 5/8/2007 7:26:00 PM
Great video! You should burn about 10 extra cds and give em out if anyone shows an interest.
My View » More Ubuntu Love said, on 5/8/2007 8:15:00 PM
[…] A Librarian installs Ubuntu in the basement on two donated PC’s. She made a video of her adventure. Thanks to author Corey Doctorow for that link. […]
Kurt von Finck said, on 5/8/2007 8:16:00 PM
Cameron,
Too late. We at Canonical have found Jessamyn’s video, and we’re sending a few hundred officially pressed CDs to our friends in Vermont’s libraries. :)
And if anyone wants officially pressed CDs, just hit https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ and we’ll send you some for free.
The video is quite popular at the Ubuntu Developer’s Summit this week, and we wanted to say “thanks” for making us smile.
Rock on, Jessamyn! Ubuntu loves you!
Ubuntu @ The Library: Like “Blair Witch,” But said, on 5/8/2007 8:20:00 PM
[…] do you ubuntu? [Librarian.net] […]
me said, on 5/8/2007 10:42:00 PM
Writing as a software engineer who recently married a librarian, I’ve believed for years that geeks and librarians are just different clans in the same tribe. Rock On.
Tech Explorer Using Ubuntu in Libraries « said, on 5/8/2007 11:02:00 PM
[…] Using Ubuntu in Libraries May 9th, 2007 — techxplorer I saw this post on the blog of Jessamyn West and thought it very funny, as well as inspirational. In a short amount of time she takes two donated PC’s and turns them into Ubuntu workstations in a way only Jessamyn could. […]
Librarian Shares Ubuntu Love in Home Video at Tec said, on 5/8/2007 11:09:00 PM
[…] Watch the video, and follow the discussion around it on her blog and notice the amount of fun these people, who are very non-technical it would seem, are having with the Ubuntu OS. […]
NickFera said, on 5/9/2007 12:25:00 AM
Mrs. West, do you use Ubuntu in your laptop? If not, why?
paolo said, on 5/9/2007 1:16:00 AM
Great video!!! ;-)
LinuxUser said, on 5/9/2007 2:22:00 AM
Congratulations for choosing freedom by using Linux.
You will discover that is is much less messy (no virus, no spyware, more robust and secure) than windows, so it wont be any problem to connect these machines to the internet.
There is also have free (as in freedom, although it is also costless) software you can use to manage your library: http://www.koha.org
Regards from a spaniard Linux user
marlene said, on 5/9/2007 2:31:00 AM
Hey, it seems to be much easier than downloading an audio book from Overdrive ;-)
weirdwilly said, on 5/9/2007 3:27:00 AM
will you marry me? you probably won’t but i thought i’d ask anyway. thanks for a cool video. yes, i do the ubuntu and a few others as well. love ‘em.
note to self: visit the library more often.
Too many topics, too little time. » librari said, on 5/9/2007 4:16:00 AM
[…] librarian.net » do you ubuntu?: do you ubuntu? […]
SubSónica :: Una bibliotecaria que NO acepta la said, on 5/9/2007 4:41:00 AM
Are you Still have troubles with internet conection?
Regards
RedOscar said, on 5/9/2007 7:48:00 AM
Jessamyn, great job on the video. It should be an inspiration to a lot of future Ubuntu users. I started using Linux in 2003 and haven’t looked back. I use Ubuntu on my Acer laptop, and it works great. Just remember, there are lots of other great Linux distributions.
As a librarian, you will want to read Glyn Moody’s “Rebel Code” which gives a good account of the birth of the open source movement. Plus check out the documentary film “Revolution OS” by J.T.S. Moore available on DVD. Keep up the good work.
Red
Mr Everybody said, on 5/9/2007 8:24:00 AM
Nice O.S., unless happens that some piece of your hardware is non-linuxfriendly,especially modems
Joey Stanford :: Ubuntu in the Library said, on 5/9/2007 8:37:00 AM
[…] This video by Jessamyn at the Washington, Vermont, USA library just makes me smile. Proof that some people “Just Get It”! […]
TomHung said, on 5/9/2007 8:59:00 AM
Great video. Ubuntu / Linux is also great on Kiosks. ISLUG (out LUG) has installed kiosks in a coffee shop and local bar.. umm beer!
Keep up the good work.
Tom
PlasticBoy » Blog Archive » Jessamin said, on 5/9/2007 9:36:00 AM
[…] Jessamyn West installed Ubuntu on some library computers and made this cute video of it. […]
NiKo said, on 5/9/2007 9:41:00 AM
You simply kick asses, I’m in love :)
WildBill said, on 5/9/2007 10:50:00 AM
Great job Jessamyn! Love seeing stories like this - it warms the cockles of my heart (whatever cockles are).
FYI, I’m one of the authors of O’Reilly’s _Ubuntu Hacks_ book - if you’ve got Ubuntu questions you should pull it off your shelf there at the library (it *is* on your shelf, right?) and flip thru it. :)
Bittersweet said, on 5/9/2007 10:59:00 AM
Ubuntu is pretty good isn’t it.
However, you may want to check that any things you would want to attach will work.
I found out the hard way that the printer I have at my parent’s house doesn’t work with *any* linux.
Ah well, que sera sera.
jc said, on 5/9/2007 1:18:00 PM
So is there a way to lock down these ubuntu boxes without using a kiosk load? Specifically can you auto purge the browser history, clear OO files, and prevent unwanted activities (e.g DL .exe, install software, etc).
Last time I played with linux for public PCs there was no tool similar to policy editor/shared toolkit for locking and purging the machines after ever patron use, something I find essential for privacy.
Excellent video. Congrats on giving Ubuntu a try. It gets even better. Wait until you discover all of the software, including a growing number of educational titles you can put on those PC’s.
I have been using Ubuntu for about a week and think this may the first Linux distribution I leave on the family PC.
Enjoy.
Phil
Shawn Romine said, on 5/9/2007 4:53:00 PM
awesome video! More! More!
Shawn Romine
Library Computer Support Tech
Douglas County Library System
1409 NE Diamond Lake Blvd.
Roseburg, OR 97470
541-440-4228 phone
541-957-7798 fax
zagboodle said, on 5/9/2007 5:33:00 PM
That was awesome! Long live open-source, libraries, and librarians!
holotone.net said, on 5/9/2007 5:36:00 PM
[…] librarian.net » do you ubuntu? - I installed Ubuntu on two of the donated PCs at my library yesterday. It took less than an hour. In fact, if I hadnât been making the little movie at the same time it would have taken me even less time. 9. May 2007, 17:32 o’clock […]
j's scratchpad » Blog Archive » said, on 5/9/2007 8:50:00 PM
[…] BoingBoing links to a video Jessamyn West made about installing Ubuntu Linux on some of her library’s computers. If the library gets a Mac, she thinks it will be the first library in Vermont to offer three operating systems. Her post has more information about Ubuntu and using it in libraries. […]
Shane said, on 5/9/2007 10:33:00 PM
Yay!
More power to you! Thank you for the great video and for showing all the nay-sayers how its done.
Shane.
How Difficult is Ubuntu? « J Random Aspie said, on 5/10/2007 3:35:00 AM
[…] For the inquisitive, the link is here - […]
Librarian installs Ubuntu « … in a t said, on 5/10/2007 4:45:00 AM
[…] This librarian uses the much less newbie-hostile ubuntu default desktop, and shows how easy to install and easy to use it is, and how much great software is installed by default. Now that is how one promotes GNU/Linux! […]
How are the patrons liking using Ubuntu stations? We’re contemplating looking into suggesting it for our system libraries and we’re curious what the feedback has been from the patrons in this library. Thanks!
Carol Mulliganing o said, on 5/10/2007 7:07:00 AM
After reading your post about installing the PCs in the library I went and downloaded Ubuntu on a spare laptop. I did a clean install. I love it! It’s on the Internet now. I haven’t messed much with the printing yet.
Tavis said, on 5/10/2007 8:42:00 AM
Congratulations for entering the wonderful world of free and open source software.
I have Kubuntu installed on all of my school library PCs (and an old iMac).
Just wonderful things » Librarian’s v said, on 5/10/2007 11:53:00 AM
[…] Link […]
SarcasticSmarmyGuy said, on 5/10/2007 2:44:00 PM
Wow! It only took you ten seconds to start up Open Office!? :-)
Listen, you get what you pay for. I tried using Ubuntu Linux for about two months and found it to be clunky and slow: Firefox was a dog and OpenOffice was unusable; Gnome was unresponsive. Reinstalling Windows was a breath of fresh air. My current setup is: a Windows machine for everyday browsing, email, and Office applications and a Linux machine for the occasional Linux-only application. I also use a Mac laptop because it makes me look cool in public, and believe me I need all the help I can get :-)
Another point I’d like to make. People often make a big deal about how easy it is to install Linux and how much software it comes with. The fact is that the vast majority of computer users will never install an OS in their lives; their computers come with an OS installed. And much of the time their computers come with all the other stuff you need installed as well (Office, etc.). And, I positively garantee that you’ll never use close to half of the stuff that came installed on your Ubuntu install. These facts make the mere hour you spent installing look kind-of wasteful. Think of the things you could have done with that hour! :-)
This is not to say that I don’t understand or sympathize with all the cool counter-culture reasons to run Linux and stick it to Microsoft. But, just like the Mac commercials that imply Mac’s are somehow immune to Viruses and incompatibility problems, a public disservice is done when you tout advantages that really aren’t there.
Thanks for giving me the forum to get this stuff off my chest. :-)
Roy Schestowitz said, on 5/10/2007 6:17:00 PM
Well done! Thanks for the video.
Alan Pope said, on 5/11/2007 9:07:00 AM
Great video!
Mark Shuttleworth played this video to the developers at the end of the Ubuntu Developer Summit in Sevilla, Spain today. It was received very well.
Congratulations.
A Librarian Install Ubuntu « Glass::Brian-& said, on 5/11/2007 9:11:00 AM
[…] A Librarian Install Ubuntu Posted May 11, 2007 In this video a librarian for a small library in Vermont installs Ubuntu on two donated PC’s without an operating system. This is a really entertaining video. Read about it and watch it: […]
Mike Cretella said, on 5/11/2007 9:59:00 AM
You are Heroic.
Bring this idea to other local librarians! The library is all about freedom of information, and that’s what Linux and Ubuntu are about!
Bruce said, on 5/11/2007 5:27:00 PM
Great video!
Now use “System > Administration > Synapic” to install “ubuntu-restricted-extras” flash player, java, more fonts and some multimedia stuff.
Best of luck with Ubuntu!
Joel Carter said, on 5/11/2007 5:46:00 PM
Also try other live distributions, PCLinuxOS, Mepis etc. Love the video!
dfowensby said, on 5/11/2007 7:14:00 PM
prepare to get Slashdotted. i thot you worthy!
<CONTENT /> v.4 » links for 2007-05-1 said, on 5/11/2007 7:21:00 PM
[…] librarian.net » do you ubuntu? a librarian installs Ubuntu (tags: DIY library ubuntu friday_fun) […]
Helene Blowers said, on 5/11/2007 7:48:00 PM
J - Finally got around to watching the video. You seriously rock!!!
Kent West said, on 5/11/2007 9:51:00 PM
Greetings to Mrs. West from Mr. West :-) (no relation)
This video is great; wonderful viral advertising for Ubuntu.
Another way to install GNU/Linux, albeit Debian rather than Ubuntu (although Ubuntu is Debian-based), is to point your Windows web browser to http://goodbye-microsoft.com and click on the Debian icon. The process sets up a dual-boot, walks you through the partitioning of your drive, and downloads what’s needed from the ‘net and installs it, all without having to burn and boot from a CD.
Again, thanks for the video! Lotta fun!
ubuntu open space said, on 5/11/2007 10:46:00 PM
Thanks, Jessamyn!
great -nice-happy video!
links for 2007-05-12 « The Wayward Word Pre said, on 5/11/2007 11:22:00 PM
[…] librarian.net » do you ubuntu? “I installed Ubuntu on two of the donated PCs at my library yesterday. It took less than an hour.” Good news indeed, as libraries with their scarce resources need all the help they can get with their IT infrastructure. (tags: via:BobSutor open-source education Linux ubuntu libraries) […]
The Invisible Library » Blog Archive » said, on 5/12/2007 12:12:00 PM
[…] For those who haven’t seen it yet, Jessamyn at Librarian.net has a video of her installing Ubuntu Linux onto three computers at a small library. This comes fast on the news from last week that Dell will be offering Ubuntu as an alternative Operating System to Windows Vista. After years of quietly percolating in the background, Linux is finally catching on in the popular imagination as an alternative to the ham fisted monopoly of Microsoft and I couldn’t be happier. That it’s Ubuntu that is making the noise is even better. It makes me almost want to buy a PC just to help the cause. Maybe I can convince my parents to switch? That might be a nifty little series, following the procedures, from talking my parent sinto the switch all the way through the install process… hmm, yes… […]
sam said, on 5/12/2007 1:46:00 PM
Just connect them up to the Internet with nework cards which are usaly always supported, I bet the windows machines are connected to a rooter some ware and ae on the net because of that, I recon you shoud network up the printer too so all machines can use the printer.
sam said, on 5/12/2007 1:49:00 PM
Don’t for get to Find the Ubuntu fourms too get help that you may need, have alook around the net.
Software Livre no SAPO » Blog Archive &raqu said, on 5/12/2007 2:50:00 PM
[…] Aproveitou para filmar a sua “Install Party” privada, num vídeo intitulado Jessamyn installs Ubuntu @ the Library, disponível no formato livre Ogg e no formato proprietário Flash Vídeo, embebido na sua página. […]
Ubuntu na biblioteca at Bibliotecários Sem Front said, on 5/12/2007 4:04:00 PM
[…] Jessamyn, do librarian.net, filmou a experiência de instalar Ubuntu em 3 computadores que foram doados sem sistema operacional. Cai muito bem no Brasil. […]
al said, on 5/12/2007 6:13:00 PM
Great video! I’m looking to try ubuntu on Dell starts selling hardware with ubuntu preinstalled.
Elwyn Jenkins said, on 5/13/2007 12:09:00 AM
Great little video. What about making a video of people learning the new system.
Shaun Holt said, on 5/13/2007 7:44:00 AM
Well Done - Kudos - Check out the koha project.
Shaun
Vermont’s Librarian | Tiago Boldt Sousa said, on 5/13/2007 8:55:00 AM
[…] Jessamyn West, a librarian from Vermont has made an awesome video on installing Ubuntu. […]
SilverWave said, on 5/13/2007 10:42:00 AM
Great - looks like you had a lot of fun.
I wonder if this kind of thing will force MS into letting non-profits install a MS OS (for free)…
Not holding my breath ;) …although it would be the smart thing to do.
James said, on 5/13/2007 11:16:00 AM
SarcasticSmarmyGuy: If Ubuntu was slow and unresponsive for you, you’ve got an older machine. Xubuntu works great on those. ;-)
Ubuntu does have higher system requirements than Windows XP. It’s also newer. It’s also a ton lighter than Vista.
I’m not entirely sure what advantages she talked about which weren’t there. Ubuntu is free, it comes with a lotta software, and installing it took less time than it would to have gotten an equivalent Windows XP system with all the fixings up and running. (Yeah, the boxes already had 2000 on them, but they may have been donated on the condition that the computer be wiped; a fairly common and not unreasonable request, actually.)
—
All in all, this was a pretty great video. Good job, Jessamyn.
copy this blog » Jessamyn + Ubuntu makes Gr said, on 5/13/2007 11:20:00 AM
[…] was written by Carlos and posted on 5/13/2007 at 12:20 pm and filed under Open Source. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback:Trackback URL. « EFF’s a bit off about one thing. ^_- […]
NeilG said, on 5/13/2007 11:49:00 AM
Jessamyn,
Love your little video :^)
Love your little dance at the end even more… Joy.
SarcasticSmarmyGuy: You have no idea what it’s like having to use donated equipment. “You get what you pay for”. Quite.
Go girl.
Working with VT Library too said, on 5/13/2007 12:56:00 PM
[…] I read a great blog from a Librarian who installed Feisty Fawn on some donated workstations and videotaped it. See it here. This is definitely inspiring and made me wonder about donating some old PCs to local schools. […]
Linux at School « Megan Golding said, on 5/13/2007 6:07:00 PM
[…] 13th, 2007 · No Comments As I prepare to install Ubuntu on some older computers at school, I am inspired by thislibrarian’s Ubuntu story. […]
Why Now? » Blog Archive » More Ubuntu said, on 5/13/2007 7:16:00 PM
[…] Via Keith at Invisible Library, a video that Jessamyn at Librarian.net made while installing Ubuntu Linux on some computers donated to her library. […]
Rebecca said, on 5/13/2007 7:24:00 PM
You might also be interested in this site - http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php - which gives a quiz to help choose which distro may be the best fit for you. It returns 2-4 possibilities, and is fairly accurate!
I hope lots and lots of people see your video. This is great!
Open Souce is the way to go... said, on 5/14/2007 5:36:00 AM
See this link: http://www.meadvillelibrary.org/os/
Has interesting information about using open source filtering tools.
Of course by using proxy servers over the internet, and remote management tools, then access and filtering, and system administration for small public libraries can be centrally managed in one location for the benefit of many small libraries that don’t have the budget to go it alone. The Open Source Software model makes this flexible and leaves room in budgets for smaller libraries and larger libraries to team up to solve common problems (without hurting the budgets of either large or small, if the philosophy and tech understanding at all levels is “dialed-in” to a proper course of action that is long term). Note that many “local” historical clubs are trying to digitally document local history and are using proprietary tools to do this (and some local libraries are being used as sites to store the data). If they choose a software product that locks them into where for the next 200 years they MUST use this choice of products, then they might find that this is not the best solution. The Open Document Format model (ODF) is one that these groups should be using (as then their choice of vendor is not important, because they can move their data between software products seemlessly and quickly). The mistake is choosing the “lock-in” software solution, as then you are no longer independent. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument
Adam said, on 5/14/2007 6:24:00 AM
In the video, you showed the username was “library” and the pass was “library.” Although you probably don’t get many people wanting to take down library computers, what do you intend to do about people doing “sudo” commands in the Ubuntu terminal?
sudo rm -r /*
wouldn’t turn out too well.
Larry Keyes said, on 5/14/2007 7:24:00 AM
Hi….quick suggestion, you may also want to check out the education version of Ubuntu, (if you haven’t already), called Edubuntu. It is modified to include extra math and science software. It usually is issued very shortly after the “base” Ubuntu is released.
jessamyn said, on 5/14/2007 8:08:00 AM
Thanks adam and others. I’ll be changing the password before we put the machine on the live internet.
Adam said, on 5/14/2007 9:18:00 AM
If you know the password of the user to login, you’ll be able to use sudo to get root-level power over the computer. If you use sudo before a command, it’ll ask for the password of that user, so I would consider a solution that involves having the users not know what the password is at all, that way you completely block the ability to delete protected files and directories :)
By the way, I totally loved the video!
Ubuntu in biblioteca « fraseggio e folleggi said, on 5/14/2007 11:04:00 AM
[…] Ubuntu in biblioteca Il divertente resoconto, con video, dell’installazione di Ubuntu in una biblioteca del Vermont. […]
jankkhvej » Blog Archive » Библи said, on 5/14/2007 3:06:00 PM
[…] Нашёл тут. […]
Antônio said, on 5/14/2007 6:04:00 PM
To much fun! :P
Keep it up, you are setting standards in how public services must have initiative!
Here in Brazil we say: “knowledge makes the time, does not wait to happen”
PS. Marry me?!?!!?
I promise I’ll learn english! :P
taylor2nd said, on 5/15/2007 2:26:00 AM
haha. Way too go *thumbs up*
FreeSoftNews » Blog Archive » Ubuntu said, on 5/15/2007 11:36:00 AM
[…] * Jessamyn Charity West, a librarian at Calef Library, in Washington, Vermont, created a video of installing Ubuntu on donated computers. Three computers came with no legal licenses for Windows, so Jessamyn burned an ISO of Ubuntu and proceeded to overwrite Windows. She comments how Ubuntu is instantly useful since it comes with Open“Office and Gaim pre-installed. See the video at http://www.librarian.net/stax/2042/do-you-ubuntu/ […]
auch1 » Blog Archive » do you? said, on 5/16/2007 9:02:00 AM
[…] ein grund weswegen linuk gewinnt: weil einfach keiner so viel spass hat wenn er windoof installiert. […]
Chris Turner said, on 5/18/2007 11:17:00 AM
Jessamyn, Quite a watershed event for libraries and linux, and well documented as well, the music was an especially nice touch, and the editing was great.
Chris
Blog de Alejo » Blog Archive » Code M said, on 5/18/2007 6:48:00 PM
[…] Una señorita instaló Ubuntu en la biblioteca de su ciudad. […]
Punctuation said, on 5/19/2007 2:32:00 AM
Very nicely done video. Not sure whether or not you realise this but your You Tube video is fast becoming a popular “this is why you should use Ubuntu” meme. Well done.
Ubuntu in 10 Minutes « Random Mind said, on 5/20/2007 11:57:00 AM
[…] Ubuntu in 10 Minutes May 20th, 2007 Here’s a beautiful little video done by Vermont librarian Jessamyn West to show people how easy it is to install Ubuntu on a couple of old, donated computers. Ubuntu is a free open source linux-based operating system, and it’s great for schools & non-profits. […]
Heavy Metal Librarian » Blog Archive » said, on 5/21/2007 10:08:00 PM
[…] These are witchy times for Microsoft. Windows Vista, which was years in development, is an underwhelming, ridiculously expensive, resource-hogging, bug-ridden, crash-prone lump of crap. Internet Explorer is still losing market share to Mozilla. Ubuntu, the current star of the Linux universe, is getting rave reviews, and will soon be available pre-installed on new Dell PC’s. Hell, even A-List library bloggers are making videos to guide laymen through Ubuntu installs and conversions. […]
Northern Grep - The blog of Shaun Holt » Do said, on 5/23/2007 11:40:00 PM
[…] Here is a charming little clip of a pro-active librarian, Jessamyn West. Every library should have a Jessamyn and I have added her site librarian.net to my blogroll. Ubuntu is an excellent linux distro suitable for all levels of computer knowledge. Recycled PCs may be made useful again at almost zero cost. Ubuntu has been around for over three years now but there are still many people unaware of it. When you use or see Linux every day it is easy to forget that other people still haven’t heard of it. This video shows how straightforward linux is to install (compared to the old days) and the amount of free (open source) software that is included in a standard setup. I liked the deep south, American folk music too! […]
Oleg K. said, on 5/24/2007 8:40:00 AM
Just wanted to chime in…
Your video is AWESOME!
I’m still smiling.
Thank you!
Chris mankey said, on 5/24/2007 4:20:00 PM
“ugh, ubuntu linux. congratulations on your awesome trend following. ”
Congratulations on being a cynical and moronic curmudgeon!:-)
Chris mankey said, on 5/24/2007 4:32:00 PM
“Firefox was a dog and OpenOffice was unusable”
Did you get the reaction you were fishing for? Firefox is a dog? Only if you’re a moron!
oldvermonthome.info » The Good Life. said, on 5/24/2007 4:41:00 PM
[…] librarian.net do you ubuntu? […]
Eric Klemm said, on 5/25/2007 12:50:00 PM
This is outstanding! I installed Ubuntu in fall of 2006 on an old machine and then on two more in the spring of ‘07. I have been extremely impressed. The potential of this OS becoming the standard for libraries and schools is fantastic.
Patrick Hall said, on 5/28/2007 9:54:00 PM
This is a great video!
(Whence didst thou hooketh up yon Cajun soundtrack?)
Matt Austin said, on 6/1/2007 6:48:00 AM
Re: preventing “sudo” commands…
Maybe you could enable automatic login, and then you would not have to provide a username / password to people… and therefore they would not be able to run “sudo” commands which would harm the system?
You can enable automatic login by going to System -> Administration -> Login Window
Select the Security tab, and tick “Enable Timed Login”, and select a user.
I’m not an expert - so maybe someone else could confirm that this would be a good alternative to providing the username / password to people?
oldvermonthome.info » Supreme Court of Geor said, on 6/3/2007 10:43:00 AM
[…] We’ve started putting up useful or fun YouTube videos, one a day, to demonstrate the significant noninfringing use of the service. Also because we’re having fun. At first, I was putting them in News Picks, but this one is too great not to put right here. It’s a librarian in Vermont, USA, who installs Ubuntu on two rickety old donated computers in less than an hour and then shows Ubuntu off. The computers didn’t come with valid licenses to any operating system, so she tried Ubuntu. As you will see, she is impressed at all the applications that come with it, including OpenOffice, and she shows you how to save an OpenOffice document as Microsoft Word format. Here’s the Ogg version of her video. If you would like to do the same, and she does make it look fun, here are some instructions she posted afterwards, but as you will see in the video, Ubuntu does the ubuntuing without much input from you. You can even ask and they’ll send you a free CD in the mail of Ubuntu, Edubuntu, or Kubuntu, if you don’t want to burn your own. I use Kubuntu myself. Edubuntu is for schools. If you are a business, this page about applications tested to run on Ubuntu and where support is available will interest you. But Ubuntu, as they say, is and always be free of charge: Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing. We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you’ll always have the the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer. […]
Darius Australia said, on 6/9/2007 9:13:00 PM
This is a very creative video! I think I will install Ubuntu on my computer now :-)
bambit said, on 6/11/2007 2:08:00 AM
Hello Jessamyn! Fantastic video there, will be linking it on my blog in a few minutes. I’m camped out by my 3-year-old daughter’s pc installing Ubuntu, as she has no trouble finding her way around my laptop which is also on Ubuntu. Now if I can just convince my husband to switch to Ubuntu on his PC as well …
» Blog Archive » It’s easy to i said, on 6/11/2007 6:09:00 AM
[…] The usual suspects of course: Jessamyn West. Learn how to Pimp your Firefox. Watch a video on installing Ubuntu. Make friends with Wikipedia. […]
LITA Blog » Blog Archive » Meredith F said, on 6/15/2007 8:51:00 AM
[…] But it’s clear to me that many people still think open source is something for serious techies, given the awe-struck media frenzy that followed Jessamyn West’s video showing her installing Ubuntu on some computers in a rural library. Many of these operating systems are getting easier to install and hardware manufacturers are getting much more cooperative in designing hardware that will work with many open source operating systems. But even if you’re not installing Ubuntu or Mandriva, there are many free or open source applications that have the same functionality as the desktop applications your library paid a small fortune to license. I use PDF Creator instead of Adobe Acrobat. I use Audacity to record sound http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. I use GimpShop instead of PhotoShop (which is not nearly as fully-featured, but good for small jobs). I typed these trends in Open Office, and I find that, for the basic tasks most people do, it’s just as easy to use as the Microsoft Office tools. In some cases, open source applications are far better than the commercial ones. Especially for cash-strapped libraries, it’s crazy to keep spending money on expensive licenses for commercial desktop software without at least considering the open source alternatives. None of these take a “techie” to install or learn how to use. […]
argh said, on 6/18/2007 3:18:00 AM
CAn you get that Ubuntu version to work of the CD. as in live-CD?
Don Ray said, on 6/19/2007 9:09:00 AM
Did you use software on Linux to produce the video?
jessamyn said, on 6/19/2007 12:30:00 PM
Did you use software on Linux to produce the video?
@argh: yes
@ Don Ray: nope, baby steps here.
Brouehaha » Blog Archive » Ubuntu@Lib said, on 6/29/2007 7:45:00 AM
[…] Jessamyn est une bibliothécaire qui vient de recevoir en don, 3 ordinateurs mais ceux-ci sont sans système d’exploitation. Elle a donc installé Ubuntu, un système d’exploitation libre de droit et gratuit afin de faire fonctionner son matériel. De plus, elle a concocté un beau petit vidéo pour illustrer le tout. C’est en anglais. […]
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Sounds like you had a great time. I wish we could have been there. But, we had a pretty good halloween anyway. Lexi loved trick-or-treating and was a super cute mouse. The only down side to the day was that my 92 year old grandma had to go to the hospital. But, I was up to see her today and she is doing a lot better so all is well. I can't wait to see the pictures.
So, no real brains were eaten? I think the gal on the phone might have been right...lame. Ha! Ha! Naw, sounded like a good time...just wish you lived closer.
You'd think living close to me would be enough for anybody. Must be a family thing.<br /><br />I'm glad you had fun. Hopefully you caught up on some sleep by now.
I've actually been sleeping horribly lately, but thanks for the wishes, Randy! Maybe he means he wishes he lived further from you, but was trying to be nice about it!<br /><br />Steve, Perhaps real brains were eaten, I just have a specific method of pickling them in jello! <br /><br />We missed you and Mark, B, but man o man, those pictures on your blog are adorable!