On 18/09/2007, marijane white <mkwhite4_at_uiuc.edu> wrote:
> Some libraries, such as the Northwest Library in Columbus, OH, are already
> using Sony's UX line of ultra-mobile PC's -- full Windows machines that
> can fit in a (large) pocket -- for roaming reference services. The
> screens are small (800x480 minimum) but they run the same operating
> systems as PC laptops and desktops do. I expect more libraries to
> consider this option, and I think it's safe to assume that patrons will
> start bringing in their own tiny computers as well.
Yup, this is exactly the sort of thing I had in the back of my mind
:-) My current suspicion is that the PDA and these devices (which are
still not quite established in the wide market) will essentially
converge into the same niche, but that's a little beyond our current
discussion!
I think we can reasonably state that over the next ten years, users
will a) have much more common access to handheld internet-capable
devices; and b) that whilst we can't predict how capable they'll be,
they probably won't have much screen area.
> > (I have yet to get our local catalogue working on my handheld tablet,
> > which was one of the things I had down as a really good probable use
> > for it, but that's the fault of our intranet not the catalogue
> > proper... so give it time)
>
> A tablet PC? Or other sort of handheld tablet device? And the device is
> not at fault? I'm curious about why this hasn't worked for you.
It's a Nokia 770; basically a very stripped down PC with a wireless
connection and an internet browser. (Not running Windows or Windows
CE, though, which makes it an oddity - it's some kind of
Debian-derived OS, package manager and all) Slightly elderly - 2005 -
but there are newer models and they haven't written off the concept
yet.
We have a rather weirdly configured local wireless net (and a rather
weirdly configured intranet), and something's interacting with
something else to prevent access to the catalogue interface. I haven't
quite identified the problem yet, but it ought to be solvable. (As
this is my personal kit, not something the library actually invested
in, it's not a high priority to work on just now)
--
- Andrew Gray
andrew.gray_at_dunelm.org.uk
Received on Wed Sep 19 2007 - 05:25:03 EDT