Slide Shark Presentation App

SlideShark

Hi Everyone,
This week's iPad challenge was to find an App for presenting a PowerPoint slide show.  While I tested many, the one that stood out due to easy of use, cost, and storage was Slide Shark by Brainshark, Inc.  Some of the key features include: works with PowerPoint files; preserves animations, fonts, graphics and colors; Tap or Swipe technology; no internet connection required when presenting, presentations are downloaded to the device; share presentation via email or social media.

1.  Locate and download Slide Shark from the Apple App store
2.  The first time you open Slide Shark you will need to create an account
3.  Upload your presentation from your computer using your free online account at www.slideshark.com
4.  Or email the PowerPoint presentation to your iPad or iPhone
5.  If you do not see your presentation in the preview pane, tap the Syncronize button at the top of the screen
NOTE: For an iPad or iPhone you will need a special adaptor for projector viewing

NOTE: Before starting, I recommend taking the short tutorial by Slide Shark.  It will really show you Slide Shark's special features.

Ohio eBook Project and Kindles

It is that time of year when people are anxiously awaiting their new readers and other electronic devices which can be used for digital reading materials. Many go directly to the digital store that support their new reader. But give your Stark County District Library's Ohio eBook Project, our digital collection, a try. There are digital materials such as books, audio files, and/or videos ready for downloading. Need a little help getting started? On the SCDL Computer Training Website, you will find materials, website, tutorials, as well as video tutorials on how to use the Ohio eBook Project.

Where to find those free e-books

Many times I'm asked "Where to find free e-books outside of the library catalog?"  What follows directly is "Are these safe sites?"  While I have my favorites that I have provided in the past, Public Libraries published in its July/August 2011 issue a list of free sites that are great additions to the list:
Baen Books: There are about 120 titles available in the science fiction and fantasy genre for PC or Kindle.
Book Lending: Registration is required.  Supports Kindles and you may lend or borrow a book between other users.
Digital Book Index: This site supports iPad, Kindle, and Nook readers.  You may search by title, author, title and author, or title keyword among its 165,000 digital collection.
E-Discover the Classics: Looking for a great classic but don't want to search hours to find them?  Kindles, iPads, Nooks and many other readers are supported. 
Inkmesh: Free and easy to use, Inkmesh has sort by device, free or for cost e-books.  It hosts about 3,500 e-books in fiction and nonfiction.
Open Library: Need children's books?  Open Library includes title from popular Golden Books.   Formats include but not limited to PDF and EPUB.  Membership required.

Don't forget to check out your local library for their digital collection.

Stark County District Library: 

Hi Everyone,
I've been testing out the Kindle on the Ohio eBook Project. The Ohio eBook Project is Stark County District Library's catalog for e-resources such as audio books, music, videos, and more. Prior to September 21st, we could not download those e-resources to a Kindle eReader.
I must admit the ease of use is encouraging. Required: a Kindle eReader with WiFi, a computer with Internet connection, and a SCDL (including Massillon and Louisville Public Libraries) library card. Simple use the SCDL catalog or go directly to the Ohio eBook Project website search for your e-resource, follow the prompts, and let the WiFi do the rest. The next time you enter a WiFi zone, your e-resource will download to your Kindle eReader. Or you may also use a USB connection to download immediately.
Very Exciting!
If you would like a Kindle/Ohio eBook Project training/demonstration, look for our training classes in the Stark Scene Newsletter or on our website calendar.

Electronic Books Where to Find Them

As the eletronic readers gain popularity, finding bargin priced e-books or better yet free e-books to download on your reader is a great find. A few that I have found include: Free-ebooks.net, Google Books, Kobo.com, Manybooks.net and specifically for Ohio, the Ohio e-Book Project. All require some type of registration while others require special downloads. But all sites have a fair amount of free titles.

E Readers

I've been asked how many types of electronic readers or e readers are out there. I have found an interesting site that features quite a few types and styles. While the terminology is a bit technical in nature, the articles that are linked to each unit gives additional information that can be very helpful. http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix