Our Thanks 

This issue of WLN: Not the Bibliographic utility is brought to you  out of the kindness of M&P of RF; CJ of Winchester (not the firearm); SM of bublby; and JM of RC ala RFD.  We keep it going cause good folks everywhere send the inflation fighters.  It would be cheaper if we came third class, but that’s not our style.

Openers

            Certain persons, who shall go unnamed (don’t worry we’ve already dropped them from the mailing list) have complained about the abuse of the English language in WLN: Not the Bibliographic utility.  They have asked searing questions such as “How can you publish so much stuff above grounds when you can’t spell and display (no tinititus from VDT displays please) the ultimate lack of command of grammar and punctuation?  We haven’t figured out a reply yet.  Huh?  Isn’t that what editors are for?

San Mateo Update

            Last issue I reported the sprained wrist from the attack planter full of begonias outside the  British Bankers Club.  Recent investigations by qualified practitioners of the bone trade have confirmed that there are actually two chipped bones in the wrist.  Dr. Perry was good enough to put the cast on in such a way as my thumb remained a viable keying tool.  Unfortunately he failed to realize that the angle of the wrist when casted could also effect speed and accuracy.  If only Larson hadn’t taken back the AVIM board.  Life is a bowl of cherries.

Library Micro News

            BC reports that they are testing the circulation modules for Computer Cat.  No details, but it’s exciting that our oldest useable system is finally going full circle.  I suppose (hope!!!) I’ll see it run in Dallas        

            The second edition of Book Trak News hit the desk last month, and BF of Flb has done another good job.  It was chock full of hints, suggestions and solutions from BT users all over.  The folks at FLB ought to be commended for their continuing support.

ELMS

            RS has spent a lot of time with the folks at Combase developing the Elementary Library Media Skills package.  The four modules; Discovering Available Resources; Organization of Resources; Locating Resources; and Research and Study Skills are the most comprehensive library instruction stuff on the market.  Indeed, it will take a lot to surpass this offering.

            The modules are marvelously programmed, and I especially appreciated the ability for the user to back up through the entire lesson, screen by screen, to the beginning.  Graphics are used effectively, and it was designed  so that the classroom teacher could take it and make it fly.   Tons of away from computer activities.  I think the reviews that will be published will go something like “very good library, very good micro.”

M-SS-NG L-NKS

            A real dynamite series of packages from Sunburst for the language arts is the M-SS-NG L-NKS offerings: Micro encyclopedia, Young People’s Literature, Classics, and Editor (make your own) are enticing.  I played with the Classics for two hours before I got pulled away.  The user has about nine options to fill in the blanks missing from words.  The real heavey version has no clues.

Apple and Amtrak

            I decided t go to San Mateo on the train.  The only way I enjoy flying is if Erica Jung is sitting  on my lap, and that is a little difficult to arrange these days.  Five quick visits with my Uncle Jack before boarding, and a constant supply once on board are always required, and BD knows full well my paper bag tricks.

            I figured that if I took the train I could sit undisturbed for two days with my little piece of fruit in my little compartment and process my brains out.  I didn’t account for the novelty effect:  everyone stopped by the compartment and if I had brought Zaxxon  with me I could have made a fortune at a quarter a throw.  I did borrow a surge protector just in case the engine went bananas and threw too much juice into the outlet marked razor only, but the only time I lost anything was when they split the train up in Salt Lake City.

            My difficulty came on debarking in California.  The Apple was safe in it’s sack, but the monitor and the disk drive were housed in a carry bag that lent itself marvelously as an Olympic tryout for a porter.  I thought upon opening it would be a sea of glass:  only the plastic drive door was broken.

            I worked all throughout the conference with matchbooks and other peripherals stuffed in to make the read/write head come down.  I messed my Friday connection so was forced to take an extra day in San Francisco, and tried to get a computer store to fix my dilemma.  Eighteen phone calls were fruitless, until one of the dealers told me of a private operation that might be able to help me.  I called, pleaded, begged, and offered my first born child (sorry Becky) for the repair.  They consented.  I looked at my map, and saw it was only eight blocks.  I didn’t know about Russian Hill.

            Forty dollars and a half hour later the fruit was ready.  Say Hallelujah.  I would like to go on notice to say that this is the first time my three year old Apple has been in the shop.  My IBM friends are jealous.

Template Clearinghouse

            Things are still hopping down at the clearinghouse, but  it’s still running very heavy with those who want and a little light on those with.  If you, your loved ones, or personal acquaintances have templates that work in your library and would be willing to share them, please contact us.

Becky’s Corner

            My charming daughter (well most of the time anyway,) from time to time contributes her computer thoughts to WLN: Not the Bibliographic utility.  Last month she had a real trip with the president’s, and found out daddy had given up on his girlfriend LISA and changed his heartthrobs to MACINTOSH.  Money talks, b…..

How George and Abe

Tried to get a MACINTOSH

            A long time ago there were two presidents:  Abe Lincoln and George Washington.  Abe was the 16th president and George was the first president.

            Well, Abe had a great idea.  “We could use a  MACINTOSH.”  You know a great person like you could use a MAC.  “I never thought you would think like that.”  “Georege, you're a great person too.”

Online and alive

Recently our library system installed a turnkey CLSI system, and I have been working to play with this new electronic friend thirty miles away.  It needs a lot of help, the only data loaded so far is some old short form records, but the Apple seems to talk quite well to it’s larger friend.  It really was quite a joke:  I started with any system commands, just random CTRL commands and patient waiting.

            Micros to big data bases have a real future.  We only need to talk to the system to do interlibrary loan and film bookings.  Many smaller libraries (probably 80% of our 100 member system) are in the same boat.  We can use the power of the micro to do our own inhouse management and then turn around and use it as a very intelligent port top the larger world.  Our outside cost (the phone bill could kill a small library at $150/month) stays low yet we will be able to use the most important functions (ILL) as we need.  More on this as we make more progress.

            My school has also been named to participate in a state grant to test the feasibility of doing micro based interlibrary loan.  We are working  with Highland Jr. College on this, and we will report more, later.

Track 12: Next Issue

            Big birthday special, one year and counting.  First list of  template clearinghouse offerings.  Our annual April fools special (and it  won’t be on sale at your local newsstand: only you Ronnie Reagan inflation fighters will keep it coming.)

65535

            A physicist, a chemist, and a librarian were stranded on a desert island.  The are starving, and have not eaten for twenty days.  A can of beans washes up on shore.  Their only problem; they don’t have a can opener.

            The physicist offered the first solution.  “Using native materials we could construct a slingshot.  Aiming the can at a molecularly solid object, such as that tree, we could split the can and have the beans.”

            The chemist  waited until early evening.  “Using native materials, we could construct fire, heating the can until it burst.  The beans would be heated as well.”

                                    Two days later the librarian provided his solution.

            Assume we have a can opener….”

Late Breaking Library News

Highsmith drops Circa

            The Highsmith Co., Inc.  has dropped the Circa Programs (I and II) from their offerings.  They have picked up the Library Software Company’s CIRCULATION PLUS.  Expect the details next month.

Big Blue gets smart

            The latest issue of INFOWORLD reports that IBM is using the Motorola 68000 as the basis for it’s new 9002 desktop computer (still unaffordable fot WLN at $6,495+.)  Some might

Track 11                                                                                                           March 84

say the big blue is just covering all bases;  others might intone they are finally getting smart.  Seems interesting to me that it comes a month after MAC (and quite awhile after some other fine 68000 systems.)  Hope you  sent a check to AIMBGO.

            Finally, a big thanks to Cathy and Frank and the whole crew at Alpine Computer in Rockford.  Once again they let me play with my old girl, LISA.  Hopefully she will soon be replaced with MAC.

Dedicated to Robert Elliot Purser

An Index to the Online Issues

1983 - When there were four microcomputers at the ALA show

December 1984

1985 - wow we've got hard drives !!!