This article is from the September 2003 issue of Update.
Avengers
For a change this month I'm going to let the readers take control, while I take a back seat. Firstly, I'd like to thank all 14 readers who emailed me to tell me that the Librarian Avengers site has now moved to www.librarianavengers.org/ I did discover this myself a day after Update went to press, but many thanks all the same. Incidentally, while you're there, why not join and participate in Erica's bulletin board? It's only just started, but it's got the potential to be a fun, enjoyable and informative board.
SMS and WAP
In the May issue of Update I answered a question about the use of SMS to send alerts about reservations at public libraries. I had a very interesting reply from Paivi Jokitalo, State Provincial Office of Western Finland, Department for Education and Culture, which I've been given permission to reproduce below. 'At least the two leading Finnish library systems have had this feature for a few years now and more and more libraries -and patrons Ð are using it. You will find some information on the PallasPro IntroActive system in English (www.tietoenator.com/4th_lvl.asp?path=1;475;1083;854;1394;12296). ATP (Academic Information Services) have less information in English at www.atp.fi/ but it has added new features to its ATP Origo System recently. It was the first system to offer SMS messaging about reservations but now the users can also renew their own loans via SMS. Those who have a WAP phone can also browse and search the catalogue using their mobile. Some of the public libraries which offer these services (and which have at least some information in English on the web) are Hameenlinna City Library (www.htk.fi/kirjasto/english.htm) (Origo), Tampere City Library (www.tampere.fi/kirjasto/english.htm) (IntroActive), Seinajoki City Library (www.seinajoki.fi/Kirjasto/english.htm) (IntroActive).' Many thanks for that Paivi!
eBay
Further to my brief comments regarding eBay recently I've heard from Rosie Ilett who says: 'On US eBay, the word 'librarian' is often used to denote geeky clothes etc, and there is a interesting paper about this, presented at a recent Medical LA conference this spring in San Diego. This is available at http://development.hsl.wisc.edu/bumpy/
I've received an email telling me that someone has submitted a report about me and my website at www.word-of-mouth.org I tried to see it, but was told that I needed to register with the site first. Is this legit, or some sort of scam?
I've also had the same email, and was as curious as you, so did a little bit of research and found a reference to the site at Urban Legends reference page (www.snopes.com/computer/internet/wordofmouth.asp) which explains all you need to know! Needless to say, I didn't spend $19.97, and I hope that you don't either!
Site of the month
My site of the month is Palimpsest (www.palimpsest.org.uk), which describes itself as 'entirely designed for people across the internet to talk to other people who share their passion, whether for reading, listening or viewing. You can browse forums containing conversations, reviews, Top Tens or advice for writers'. It's a fairly new site, but if you enjoy talking about books and films, it's worth dropping in now and then.
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Phil Bradley is an internet consultant, trainer, web designer and author. Visit www.philb.com for free information on internet introductions, search engine articles, web design tips and a host of other free information. Recently published: Getting and Staying Noticed on the Web. New: visit Phil's Weblog (www.philb.com/blog/blogger.html)! If you have any questions about the internet send an email to philb@philb.com with the subject header 'column query'.