Click here to load reader
Upload
becky-yoose
View
463
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Handout for the ALAO 10/30/09 presentation. Presentation description: Overview: What can technical services departments do to tackle automation, training, and communication issues when they have been doing more with less for years? This presentation will cover several free (or inexpensive) and easy to implement tools that Miami University’s Technical Services department has incorporated into daily operations. Specific software, including wikis, macros, and tutorials will be discussed along with quick ways these tools can help technical services address the above issues.
Citation preview
Technical Services Tools Redux ALAO, 10/30/2009
Becky Yoose, [email protected]
General
What to look for when scouting for new tools:
• Cost o How much will it cost to use the software? o “Free” means that the software is free. Installing and
maintaining said software will still cost you money. • Technical specs and maintenance
o Who will be responsible for troubleshooting or upgrades?
o For certain types of software, what are the pros and cons of using a local server vs. hosted server?
• Technical skills needed to operate o Can the majority of staff confidently use the tool? o How much training will the staff need to master the
basics of the tool? • Licensing
o What are the restrictions set by the license? • Does it address the problem?
o Are you implementing this tool because of an existing problem or for other reasons?
Places to look for new tools:
Library-specific • Librarian in Black
o http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/ • Planet Code4Lib
o http://planet.code4lib.org/ • What I Learned Today
o http://www.web2learning.net/ General
• Computerworld o http://www.computerworld.com/
• Google Apps o http://googleapps.blogspot.com/
• Mashable o http://mashable.com/
• O’Reilly Blogs o http://oreilly.com/blogs/
Communication
Problems:
Incorrect information, missing information, and bureaucratic procedures in updating information
Solution: Wiki Intranet
Tool: PBWorks (free, hosted), http://pbworks.com/ Features
• WYSIWYG editor – similar to other rich text editors staff use everyday
• Free hosting – server and software maintenance no longer the responsibility of the department
• Security – offers private, password protected wiki options for sensitive information
• Document manager – folder/file system for macro scripts, excel files, and more
• Plugins – allows for use of widgets and plugins, such as an instant translator and an embedded Google Calendar
Uses • Polices/procedures • Staff information • Staff calendar (Google Calendar) • File sharing • Resource bookmarking • Training • Application/macro documentation and updates
Other tools Wiki matrix, http://www.wikimatrix.org/
• Lists available wiki software • Choice wizard to help you determine which wiki
software is appropriate for your situation
Technical Services Tools Redux ALAO, 10/30/2009
Becky Yoose, [email protected]
Training
Problems:
Un-uniform training materials, gaps between training and doing actual task, lack of training documentation
Solution: Tutorials
Tool: Wink (free, download for Windows/Linux), http://www.debugmode.com/wink/ Features
• Capture screen in two ways o Input driven (keystrokes, mouse clicks) o Timed capture
• Post-capture editing o Insert and edit text boxes, shapes, navigational
guides, images, internal and external links • Capture audio during screen capture or post-capture
editing • Create customized templates to use for multiple
tutorials • Output tutorials in different formats
o PDF, Flash movie, HTML, .exe files, and postscript
Examples of Wink tutorials • Import macros into Macro Express
o http://tinyurl.com/yfpqbnj (Slide Show) o Covers downloading macro files and importing
them into ME • Accessing an item's records
o http://tinyurl.com/yfvannh (PDF) o How to access an item's order, item, and
bibliographic records Other tools
Jing, http://www.jingproject.com/ • Static and video screen capture • Store captures to disc or host them on screencast.com • 5 minute limit on video, limited editing features
Automation
Problems:
Repetitive actions on computer by humans leaves greater chance of error and is more expensive in the long run
Solution: Automation
Tools: Macro Express ($40/cpu), http://www.macroexpress.com/ AutoIt (free), http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/ (both Windows only) General Features
• Automate workflows that involve multiple programs • Replicates repetitive keystrokes • Automate simple decision making logic processes
Macro Express Features • Record actions to create a macro on the fly • Wizard for simple macro building • Two different macro script editors to choose from • User and “non-techie” friendly
AutoIt Features • Very flexible and powerful, capable of more complex
scripts than Macro Express • BASIC-like syntax, also similar to OML • Compile scripts into standalone .exe files • Regular Expressions support • Create own Graphical User Interface
Flash Demos and Example Scripts • Macro Express
o http://www.screencast.com/t/QBzGbsbkp o Demo Scripts (.mex file) at
http://tinyurl.com/yla75rh • AutoIt
o http://www.screencast.com/t/THTw1n9ty o Demo Scripts (.zip file) at
http://tinyurl.com/yff3fta