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Libraries, Reference, Gaming, and pretty much anything else that strikes my fancy…

Archive for the 'Life' Category


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My New Project…

Posted by buckeyebrarian on November 8, 2008

Okay, so I bought Mass Effect for PC the other day. Don’t ask me if it’s any good, because I don’t know (good reviews though). I installed the game and, after finishing the long install process, found that I had to dial everything down so much and had such appalling load times that it was the next best thing to unplayable.

My ol’ Dell has served me well (Yes, I know, I’m a poet! Har har! Focus please!), but it has reached the end of its upgradeable lifespan (No PCIe slots only AGP, old Pentium 4 CPU). I therefore determined that the time had come to get myself a new gaming rig.

By nature, PC gaming equipment is a moving target and staying bleeding edge is both expensive and time consuming. I therefore decided that I want a system that’s solid (not top of the line) and has enough “head room” to upgrade. I looked around at what was out there on the market and I decided on a rig from Gateway (good reviews, apparently they make decent gaming systems). I showed this to dad (my final authority on hardware) and he said (paraphrase) “Looks good, did you price components to see what it would cost to build it yourself?”

“Well, no…”

“Oh, okay. Looks good.”

“D’you think I could do better going that route?”

“Possibly. Take a look at Extreme Tech. They’ll help you figure out what you need.”

So I, with some trepidation,  looked.

I asked, “This is very interesting, would you help with construction?” (Knowing full well he’s been wanting to scratch build a PC for awhile).

“Sure” (Really had to twist his arm didn’t I? He’s a good Dad!)

So I started shopping (always fun, Newegg is essential for this incidentally). The more I looked at stuff, the more possible it seemed. Armed with Extreme Tech and Wikipedia, I knew enough to compare numbers and match up capabilities. I came up with a list of parts, and Dad and I refined it. Then I pulled out the ol’ Visa…

So I’m kind of geeking out now…

Stuff should arrive by Tuesday at the latest. I am psyched. I’m getting a lot of PC for less money than the Gateway I picked out. I don’t need all the fat associated with pre-made systems (keyboards, cheapo speakers and mice), not to mention all the “bonus” software that Gateway would install…

Here’s what I bought:

Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W

  • More than enough. As it happens, a Quad core processor doesn’t actually add much to most Gaming rigs.

ASUS P5Q Pro

  • Feature rich motherboard without being overkill. Crossfire X support means I can add a second GPU down the road (bwa ha ha).

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

  • Sufficiently speedy and commodious for my purposes.

Visiontek 900241 Radeon HD 4850

  • One word. Sweet.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium 70SB088000004

  • I can’t bring myself to use on board sound, so I got this. Nice card. 7.1 stereo support (I like having the option).

Seagate 7200.01 250 GB

  • Games average 5-7 GB these days. I’m not writing papers on this machine or storing my music, so this should be plenty. If not, then I’ll add more (1 TB drives are getting downright cheap these days).

LITE-ON LH20A1S DVD-Burner

  • A solid optical drive. $27 (Matt, remember our first CD-Rom drive. What was that $300+ bucks?)

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP

  • A nice roomy Tower size case. Many expansion bays. Blue LEDs in the front (I glows blue when orcs are close! Sorry, I couldn’t stop myself on the Tolkien reference).

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V

  • Nice Ferrari-Red power supply (Opaque case so no one will ever see it.) More than enough “head room” to do dual GPUs in the future.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English for System Builders

  • Extreme Tech How-to writer actually prefers Vista. Much better for gaming. “System builders” version lower priced (nice).

Overall, it’s a solid machine with room to grow that comes in under $1000 (after mail-in rebates). I’ll try to post updates on how things turn out. I hope to have the build done by the 20th, as my brother will be visiting that week end and I’ll want to show off.

As for Mass Effect? I’ll try to write a review when I get a chance. All I can say now is that its pretty darn expensive!

Posted in Gaming, Hardware, Life, Technology | Tagged: , | No Comments »

MOLDI (My kingdom for a decent movie selection!)

Posted by buckeyebrarian on November 6, 2008

In the penultimate exercise for Learn & Play @CML, we were tasked with exploring the world of downloadables on MOLDI. For those among the uninitiated, that stands for the Mid-Ohio Library Digital Initiative a project that provides access to digital media to library patrons (learn more).

I found the system fairly easy to use, though I will say that I am used to purchasing things online and the experience is similar (if not identical). The only potential hiccup I can see for others is the possible need to install the Overdrive software, but that only needs to be done once!

I must say that the quality of the selection is much improved from the last several times I’ve looked at it, especially the eAudiobooks! The audiobook selection in sci-fi and fantasy is excellent and very current (previously a sore point with me)! The eBooks and Music have improved as well (I like classical music).

However, the improvement in the selection does not carry over into the “eFlicks”. There’s a mix of quirky retro stuff like old sci-fi B-flicks and silent films which is very nice. There are also some comedy specials (ex Howie Mandell & Bill Engval) and neat documentaries. What is lacking is anything that could remotely be called mainstream or blockbuster. Now, I understand that there is likely to be trouble getting Hollywood to give up there latest and greatest in this format! Sure! That’s unsurprising! What bothers me is that there are no older blockbusters or true classics (think AFI 100) on the list. It seems that if we’re going to offer such a service that we need to have more of what a general audience would want to see, especially if (as I’ve heard) libraries are expecting downloadable content to replace DVDs and CDs down the road. I’d also like to begin seeing high-definition offerings in the near future. I understand why there haven’t been any to this point and agree with the logic, but the market penetration for HD is growing quickly and price drops this holiday season are expected to increase it even more. For those folks who have their TVs hooked up to their PC (neither difficult or uncommon) or have the new widescreen HD laptops, this would be a great new feature!

Posted in Audio\Visual, Hardware, Learn & Play, Library Technology, Life, Technology | Tagged: , , , , | No Comments »

Web 2.0 Tools and Toys

Posted by buckeyebrarian on October 16, 2008

Thing #18 for CML’s Learn & Play program is to explore different Web 2.0 tools (and toys).

I looked around on the SEOmoz list of Best Web 2.0 sites. There was a lot of cool stuff there to be sure, but what really caught my eye is a site called Pandora Radio. This site is truly astounding! It allows you to create custom “Radio” stations based on the music you like. Everything you can imagine is in here! From Top 10 Hits to Classical to Progressive Metal, nothing seems to be too obscure. Once you’ve started your station you just listen and tell the site when you like something.

The interface is very slick and compact. I quickly figured out where the basics were and how to navigate around effectively. You can query the system about why a song was selected for you after clicking the “more” button under the album art. You can click on your station name and select “add variety” to include other song/artist styles. You can also go deeper and set up a station in more detail by selecting edit. 

It seems that it becomes harder and harder to impress me these days (a source of some concern). Pandora led me to say “wow” about a website for the first time in a long time. Try it, I think you’ll like it (musicphiles especially). Four Stars!!

Posted in Internet, Learn & Play, Life, Technology, Web 2.0 | Tagged: , , , , | No Comments »

The Plight of the Short Story

Posted by buckeyebrarian on September 25, 2008

Last week, I got a question from a mother at my branch. She was looking for books of short stories for her older boys (approximately 5th grade?) and wanted to know where she might find some. I worked my Librarian voodoo and we found her several. She was delighted and left happy, yet I was left with a hollow feeling. On the one hand, I was very happy that I could find so much for her without having to resort to reserves and interlibrary loan. On the other hand, the fact that so much short fiction was available hurt a little. Why was so much available? What’s wrong with short stories?

If you think about it, short stories have so much to recommend them! For early or reluctant readers short stories are a great way to break them in slowly. For that matter they’re great for any kid in this short-attention-span universe in which we now live, as they include a beginning, middle, and end that can be finished in one sitting.

Adults could likewise get into the action. All the folks that say “I don’t have time to read” almost always really mean “I don’t have time to get involved in a book right now”. Well who said you did!! Read a short story!! The longest ones probably won’t likely take longer than an hour, and there’s a lot of short fiction that’s just as powerful as the latest New York Times bestseller!! In the fast and busy pace of modern life, I’d think people would be jumping at the chance to read something that will fit in a smaller unit of time.

So why exactly can’t the cause of short fiction gain any traction? I think there are three main reasons.

  1. Value Judgments - I think some have a perception that reading short fiction isn’t real reading. I have nothing to say to this other than it’s just dumb. The very idea that a child that has read a 3,000 page Harry Potter book (okay so I exaggerate on occasion) has accomplished more than another that’s read a couple short story collections is preposterous.
  2. Quality - Some people have the idea that short fiction is shallower because the short length limits how well the author can develop characters. Tell that to Edgar Allan Poe, O Henry, or Mark Twain and get back to me on their reaction to that will ya’? Short fiction can be just as developed and high quality as its longer cousin in the hands of a good writer, just as a bad author can make a miserable novel! Length has nothing to do with quality, get over it!!
  3. Personal Taste - There are some folks who just prefer the longer forms. This is totally a matter of preference and the only reason for which I have any respect. I myself prefer longer works, by and large. I like investing in a book and getting cozy with the characters. Nevertheless, I do like to branch out on occasion. Short fiction is a great way to try new genres, styles, and authors. Sometimes after reading an especially epic tome I like to kick back with a short story collection to “clear the palate” as it were. Try it, it works!

Of course Novels have had better PR for quite some time. In so many literacy campaigns and reading clubs, there are frequent exhortations to “read a book”. That’s fine and all. I support that totally. Everyone should read more really. I guess it’s that “book” thing that concerns me. Couldn’t we say “read a story (of any length)” or (even better) just “read” like long running ALA campaign. I think it’s important to encourage people to read regardless of what appeals to them.

If you’ve never read short fiction, give it a shot!! If you have, give it another try! After all, why visit one world when you can visit twenty in the same amount of time?!

Posted in Libraries & Prof., Life, Reader's Advisory | Tagged: , , | No Comments »

Oi! Twitter…

Posted by buckeyebrarian on September 14, 2008

Twitter and I have history. So, some of this Learn & Play exercize was repetitive. I must admit that I did learn a lot about some of the special features from the SLJ article (I didn’t know you could send “directional” tweets).

However it mostly consisted of me dusting off my Twitter account and giving it another go. I have to say that I found it better this time. Its amazing, but in the few months since I last gave it a go, the number of organizations (LJ and gaming sites like Gamespot) with twitter accounts has grown tremendously. \

Still I have to wonder sometimes about the whole concept. What purpose does it really serve? I mean, if you can say it in fewer that 140 characters, is it worth sharing with the whole world? Do we need yet another separate tool to do so?

Don’t get me wrong, I see the utility in some respects. For professtionals at conferences its a great way to share with others whats going on and note one’s initial impressions. For organizations trying to disseminate information its a very efficient means of doing so. However, on an individual level I just don’t know. Do I care that you’re watching Project Runway. Nope, sorry… Do you care that I’m doing housework? Not unless your my mother!

I stand by what I’ve said in the past. Twitter is great for the compulsively in touch. Otherwise…well…(shrugs).

Posted in Internet, Learn & Play, Libraries & Prof., Life, Technology, Web 2.0 | Tagged: , | No Comments »

Bloglines…

Posted by buckeyebrarian on September 4, 2008

My latest “Learn & Play” assignment was to play around with Bloglines and RSS feeds. I tried Bloglines a long time ago and was pleased to see its better than I remember. I still prefer using the aggregator in Outlook 07. I can’t “take it with me”, but it’s more intuitive for me to check my feeds at the same time (and in the same interface) that I check my email.

It’s too bad that GroupWise at CML doesn’t have a RSS aggregator module installed. I’m pretty sure it’s available. I’d be all over that!

Here’s a look at my Bloglines account. I’ll try to add additional feeds later…as a public service if not for me!

Posted in Internet, Learn & Play, Library 2.0, Library Technology, Life, Technology, Web 2.0 | Tagged: , | No Comments »

Library of Congress Trading Card

Posted by buckeyebrarian on September 2, 2008


Library of Congress Trading Card

Originally uploaded by osumike

Wow! I remember when Magic: The Gathering first came out (and my brief flirtation with the same). So when I saw the card maker I really got a kick out of it. I’m still a little shy about pictures, so I used one of my D.C. trip photos to create a “facility” card.

I was impressed by the sheer variety of mashup utilities, though I must admit that I don’t always understand the utility of them at times.

One utility I had higher hopes for was Montagr. Its a really cool idea, but I’d think the execution could be better. It really didn’t make recognizable pictures. To create really effective photomosaics one needs to use a lot of pictures. Perhaps they need to use more photos.

Posted in Internet, Learn & Play, Libraries & Prof., Life, TLoaSSE, Technology, Web 2.0 | Tagged: , | No Comments »

Look out world, I have letters after my name now!

Posted by buckeyebrarian on August 22, 2008

Those letters happen to be MLIS! For the uninformed, that stands for Master of Library and Information Science. So now I am a Librarian (capital “L”, as in a professional) rather than a “mere” librarian (dude that works at the library).

This hopefully explains the recent gap between posts. Specifically, it was my practicum that really turned my life into a eat, sleep, school, and work cycle that left me little time for things like a blog, physical activity, or a personal life (little stuff like that). Now all that is over and I am done. This is the culmination of 19 contunuous years of formal education (K-Grad School) that I am happy to say is over. I don’t imagine you that you will find me in a classroom setting again for quite some time. Of course learning itself never ends…

I’d like to end with the following:

Wanted:

Professional (MLS) Public library position in non-Youth Services Role. (Right Mike, Good Luck finding one of those!)

Minimum Qualifications:

A position that:

  • Allows me to explore my own projects/ideas as well as library’s.
  • Pays well enough for a single male to live (comfortably) relative to the community’s cost of living.
  • Does not lock me in a room away from public view 24/7.

Library or Library System with:

  • A record of strong financial support (I don’t do the “will I have a job tomorrow” thing).
  • A solid customer service reputation (I’m spoiled, I currently work somewhere where people really do care about helping).
  • A minimum of technophobia (or at least no fear of my technophilia).

Highly Preferred Qualifications and Competencies:

Library or Library System with:

  • Interest in new ways in pushing information to folks that need it.
  • An interest in preserving local history collections digitally.
  • A place where my input is valid (again, very spoiled).
  • The patience to put up with me.
  • Interest in my career.
  • Opportunities for growth and advancement.
  • Somewhere in the State of Ohio (I live in Library Eden, why would I want to leave?).

(Is all that really so much to ask? ;-) )

If you are interested in requesting my resume, contact me @ OSUMike@gmail.com. I will respond promptly.

Posted in Life, TLoaSSE | 3 Comments »

Web 2.0 in 1934?!?!?!?

Posted by buckeyebrarian on June 18, 2008

Check out this article in the NYTimes. As a matter of fact, read it and then save it in some way so you can always get to it. Use it as reminder should you ever have the hubris to feel that you’re the first to do something. This will bring you down a peg in no time.

Posted in Internet, Life, Technology | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Oh Good Gawd!

Posted by buckeyebrarian on April 30, 2008

This has nothing to do with libraries or gaming so I guess I’m cashing in on the “whatever strikes my fancy” thing in the subtitle.

Its just that I’m a geek and this is so cool! Check out the links (the first is a video, the second is a product page).

http://www.nikkoamerica.com/nhe/dvd_projector_video.html

http://shop.starwars.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=1218818

Posted in Life, Technology | Tagged: , | No Comments »

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