As in last post, I explained that I was researching e-readers. I had worked on the Sony models and now am working on the Nook.
This particular model has 3g or Internet access anywhere there is an ATT connection. It is a product of Barns & Nobles and has access for easy download of e-books from the Barns & Noble online store. This model is also, as is the Sony, compatible with the Ohio E-book Project a source for free e-books. Where the Sony has buttons, the Nook has a touch pad for accessing the downloaded materials and additional information or materials such as periodicals or audio books.
The Nook can hold more than 1000 books and has additional storage through a memory card. The screen is easy to ready and does not reflect sunlight like a typical computer screen. I consider accessing the Barns & Noble Online Bookstore and downloading from other site to be easy. I just need to remember to keep the e-reader charged. The Nook can be charged using a computer and USB cable or plug into a electrical plug (cords provided) There are many more features that may interest people in the market for an e-reader. I would recommend additional research in local Internet options, computer requirements and providers of free e-books or the local library's participation in e-resources such as e-books.
This blog is maintained by the Technology Training Librarians of the Stark County District Library in Canton, Ohio.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Sony- E-reader 300
I have been working with the Sony E-reader 300. I'm not here to sell a specific product so I've tried the Nook (Barns & Noble), Kindle (Amazon), and additional Sony models. All models operate with the same premise. Some have more bells and whistles than others and are supported by the different companies.
The 300 is Sony's base model in the e-reader series. It is a handheld unit that allows you to read electronic formatted information such as e-books from a 5 inch digital screen. This particular model requires a computer that has Internet access for downloading e-books in the PDF or EPUB format.
At first, the entire process seemed a bit daunting. I had to register the reader, set up my computer which included downloading additional applications, and then had to learn how to use the online store and how to use our local library's e-book site. Just for a book!
Why go to all extra steps to load a book onto a piece of equipment? Why not just pick up the book? I had even more questions. Can I borrow a library book for a reader? What happens when I'm done with them? I had many questions. These are just a few questions I had.
Determined to make this a good experience, I dove into the process. I completed the registration of the reader and the downloading of all additional software (Adobe Digital Edition) that was required. From there I visited the Ohio E-book Project web site and downloaded my first book and then my second. Not that difficult!
From there I traveled around the county with my reader knowing I had the equivalent to two books. Was I impressed when I could sit and read my books without issue, yes.
What I think would make the process easier would be simple step by step instructions from start to finish. So that is what I'm working on as we blog.
Dee
The 300 is Sony's base model in the e-reader series. It is a handheld unit that allows you to read electronic formatted information such as e-books from a 5 inch digital screen. This particular model requires a computer that has Internet access for downloading e-books in the PDF or EPUB format.
At first, the entire process seemed a bit daunting. I had to register the reader, set up my computer which included downloading additional applications, and then had to learn how to use the online store and how to use our local library's e-book site. Just for a book!
Why go to all extra steps to load a book onto a piece of equipment? Why not just pick up the book? I had even more questions. Can I borrow a library book for a reader? What happens when I'm done with them? I had many questions. These are just a few questions I had.
Determined to make this a good experience, I dove into the process. I completed the registration of the reader and the downloading of all additional software (Adobe Digital Edition) that was required. From there I visited the Ohio E-book Project web site and downloaded my first book and then my second. Not that difficult!
From there I traveled around the county with my reader knowing I had the equivalent to two books. Was I impressed when I could sit and read my books without issue, yes.
What I think would make the process easier would be simple step by step instructions from start to finish. So that is what I'm working on as we blog.
Dee
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Photo Editing
Need to edit photos? Check out these free downloads for photo editing.
GIMP
"GIMP features a great fullscreen mode allowing you to not only preview your artwork but also do editing work while using the most of your screen estate." Features include: Photo Enhancement, Barrel Distortion, Digital Retouching, Hardware Support, File Formats, Tutorials, and Supported Platforms.
Paint.NET
"ImageForge provides you with a set of powerful tools for painting and editing images, photos or other graphics. Create and edit images, acquire pictures from your scanner, digital camera or other Twain-compliant device, apply special effect filters, produce your own photo albums and simple slide shows, and much more. Upgrade your ability to edit images with this free paint program.""Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins."
PhotoFiltre
"While Photofiltre is miles away from the professional oriented Adobe Photoshop it’s an excellent free alternative. The program contains all the essential tools and options to edit and optimize pictures. It loads up very quickly and changes can be instantly previewed. Novice photographers or graphic designers can use it to cut their teeth on image editing before going on to more complex applications."
PhotoPlus 6
"With PhotoPlus 6 you can enhance your photos for the best possible results, adjust brightness and color and even remove red-eye - and all for free!. Put your creative abilities on display for all to see and impress your family and friends! Packed full of fantastic features normally reserved for high-end, high-priced applications, PhotoPlus 6 is ideal for complete beginners and professionals alike."
Picasa
"Picasa is free photo editing software from Google that makes your pictures look great. Sharing your best photos with friends and family is as easy as pressing a button!"
GIMP
"GIMP features a great fullscreen mode allowing you to not only preview your artwork but also do editing work while using the most of your screen estate." Features include: Photo Enhancement, Barrel Distortion, Digital Retouching, Hardware Support, File Formats, Tutorials, and Supported Platforms.
Paint.NET
"ImageForge provides you with a set of powerful tools for painting and editing images, photos or other graphics. Create and edit images, acquire pictures from your scanner, digital camera or other Twain-compliant device, apply special effect filters, produce your own photo albums and simple slide shows, and much more. Upgrade your ability to edit images with this free paint program.""Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins."
PhotoFiltre
"While Photofiltre is miles away from the professional oriented Adobe Photoshop it’s an excellent free alternative. The program contains all the essential tools and options to edit and optimize pictures. It loads up very quickly and changes can be instantly previewed. Novice photographers or graphic designers can use it to cut their teeth on image editing before going on to more complex applications."
PhotoPlus 6
"With PhotoPlus 6 you can enhance your photos for the best possible results, adjust brightness and color and even remove red-eye - and all for free!. Put your creative abilities on display for all to see and impress your family and friends! Packed full of fantastic features normally reserved for high-end, high-priced applications, PhotoPlus 6 is ideal for complete beginners and professionals alike."
Picasa
"Picasa is free photo editing software from Google that makes your pictures look great. Sharing your best photos with friends and family is as easy as pressing a button!"
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sorting in Outlook
Color categories user in Microsoft Outlook? Did you know that you can sort by those categories. Click on the Arranged by option on the Inbox. Select Categories.

The categories are grouped by color. You can arrange them from newest to oldest or oldest to newest.
Labels:
Categories,
Microsoft Tip of the Week,
Outlook,
Sorting
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)