Openness and the power over software

Open source at your desktop was very in some 5 years ago with e g the city of Munich declaring that they would exchange their thousands of desktop office software to “open” packages. They may be ready by now (it has taken some years) or they maybe revised it in some way. 
In these days we can see hints of a trend regarding open source library management systems (in US particularly). This can develop in to something bigger or it can remain a niche. It partly is up to the LMS vendors to show alternative ways attractive enough for the customers. I do not want to go in to pros and cons for open source LMS (I ´m working at a LMS company which do no not have an open source LMS to offer though the Arena CMS part is an open source software). I will only here cite “open source representatives” at this summers ALA meeting in Anaheim saying that it is not for the money you want to change. If you have the resources it is for the possibilities you change to open source. Here I would like to stress two other trends.

The open access of data was mentioned (e g by Roy Tennant) at the ALA meeting in Anaheim as one of the most important possible trend for libraries. And for sure more data is open (nb for everyone with a computer and broadband) than ever before but marc records, articles, books online, user input are obvious data that is partly restricted. I have in an earlier text here pointed out how to secure that the user input data should be free. Adding to that is the important aspect of getting hold of the libraries LMS data through API:s. If that is available the library can use this data at their will and they/other partners can also build applications on top of the LMS:s (that was another trend pointed out by Marshall Breeding: the divide of the backend and the frontend of library management software). Through these API:s the data can also be extracted by other parties applications, gadgets, widgets and so on. This is a most important development for LMS vendors, enhancing the openness of the LMS systems for customer flexibility and thereby meeting some of the expectations of open source software. Basically, nothing new here.

As good as this thinking may be it has a caveat. And that is because of this other trend I want to mention, “software as a service”, SaaS. How important is really the software for the customers in the long run? Do they want to manage hardware and software? Not per se, I think. If we try to look to the basics of the libraries needs it could be boiled down to this: 

- Functionality (enhanced over time)
   o Rationality (it saves work)
   o Quality (it rises service levels)

- Stability (24/7)

This, the customer (libraries) want at a decent price level. They know that it is a niche market (Library software) but anyway they expect and demand a high level of service and quality.

This they want to buy with as little hassle as possible so why bother with hardware and software? They should be able to buy what they want as a service delivered via the net. Software as a service. Basically, nothing new here.

These two trends are somewhat contradictory.  From my perspective today the question is: Is it possible to combine the demise of in house software and the power over software services? It will be interesting following this challenge in the near and distant future. We will for sure work on both tracks and look for the best angles in combining them.

			Written by : Boris Ukotic Zetterlund Categories : api open source saas Comments : Read comments (0)  Write a comment

Green IT

Green is the colour of hope - Axiell is doing something about it!

When the conversation turns to the environment and “green” IT, most people probably think of the electricity consumption of servers and PCs first and then they get a bad conscience because they have not yet got around to buying the energy-saving multi-socket that they promised themselves they would buy ages ago. Not only that, they realise that they haven’t been very good at remembering to switch off all of the appliances that are on standby.

But should we not be viewing green IT in a broader context?

Can software solutions make an efficient contribution to the reduction of energy consumption and, thus, help protect the environment?

The answer is yes, and it is an urgent matter. The tremendous increase in energy consumption and the demand for green IT in, e.g., China ought to encourage every Danish software company to think innovatively and consider energy-efficient solutions.

But what has that got to do with libraries?
Virtual servers, mobile services, recycling of materials, fewer printouts, optimised driving schemes etc. are only a few of the keywords which lead us to consider green IT in a library context.

Axiell has strong opinions on green IT and wishes to make an efficient contribution to the green movement - if at all possible, in collaboration with the libraries. So, send us your thoughts on ways to make libraries greener.

			Written by : Lisbeth Balle Categories : environment green it Comments : Read comments (0)  Write a comment

The fashion world enters the libraries

Normally you don’t associate the fashion world with being a librarian, but this is actually the case in the Vice Magazine, which has made an article about Swedish librarians and their fashion. Five different librarians are portrayed in the journal with pictures, description of their clothes and why they find it hype to be a librarian.

Half a year ago you could read about trend scientists from Firstmove in Denmark who examined the libraries’ position on the trend barometer. They found out that it has become trendier to go to the library than to a café. They predicted that the libraries will be a meeting place for young people in the future.

So we can hope that the dusty image of being a librarian is abating.

The url to Vice Magazine is http://www.viceland.com/int/v13n12/htdocs/fashion_uk.php?source=db

			Written by : Lise Soderberg Categories : fashion image Comments : Read comments (0)  Write a comment

Is there such a thing as a lib tech guru?

			Written by : Boris Ukotic Zetterlund Categories : arena opac public interface Comments : Read comments (2)  Write a comment

No romance and a lot of humour

			Written by : Boris Ukotic Zetterlund Categories : bookdesire Comments : Read comments (1)  Write a comment

Mobile solutions – technology of the future or already “last year”?

Innovation Lab writes:

In the future, we will increasingly use our mobiles for much more than conversations and texts. We will use our mobiles to provide us with information which is of use here and now.

The mobile telephone will be our primary point of access to the information flow which is so important to the modern individual. It will be perfectly normal to check our mails, access the Internet and buy cinema tickets or even conduct our banking transactions over the phone, wherever we happen to be: on the train, in the car or on the street. The opportunities for these types of services are almost limitless and will become more easily accessible, easier to use and, above all, much faster than the services available via mobile phone today.

If we transfer these concepts to the library world, it is not difficult to imagine that:

· you are on holiday and discover that you have forgotten to renew a loan
· you are working on an assignment and have found some “good books” that you would like to locate at the library using your mobile phone - which will, of course, direct you to the items you are looking for
· you would like some inspiration from the library’s new additions
· you would like to explore the mobile library - you find a book and discover that it is available as a film
· you would like some tips on historical novels with high ratings
· you are on the train, reading an article, and would like to see whether the library has more information about the topic
· you would like to reserve an item or delete one that you have already reserved
· you would like to share your opinions, reviews and interests with others via the library’s community service
· you would like to receive updates on other offers that match your profile
· you would like to be informed when the mobile library is in your area


All of this - and probably more - is possible
… so it is up to you to decide how you will use it

How far are libraries prepared to go?
Is it important for borrowers to be online with the library, wherever and whenever they like?

It this concept important for libraries to use in their marketing in a society increasingly sated by information?

Does the mobile phone make a difference and can the mobile attract new target groups? Give us your opinion and participate in the debate.

			Written by : Lisbeth Balle Categories : Comments : Read comments (1)  Write a comment

User content - the competence of the masses

Makeupalley has now 1,042,028 reviews. Amazon.com has for sure millions. The Swedish Discshop has tens of thousands of DVD reviews. When you contribute as a user to these sites they can grant you the Ownership of your content. The sites normally grant themselves the Right to use, in some cases any way they like. The can even make sure of the possibility to alter your user input at will. Normally they promise integrity security. They will then only show your alias connected to your input. In the commercial world of internet the above regulations seems not to bother the contributor, the consumer. Why can we draw that conclusion? Because of the masses of input and as we have seen almost no fuss at all about it (tags and “comments”/reviews that is). As long as we do not count it as a work on an artistic integrity level it seems to be ok.

We do now have discussions in some countries about library authorities wanting to take hold on some user generated content in e g state authority controlled servers for only restricted use. This regards user content which has been generated by commenting on library bought material when visiting library pages. It signals that users who contribute to library pages are of different stock than those contributing on e g Amazon. But the books, the media are the same. How can we manage giving all users, the society the best possible output of this material?

If the content on these sites are restricted they will become content silos and can not be used in conjunction with other services thus restricting the possibility of being a full true part of the information society, and for that matter the idea of web 2.0. Is that in the contributors interest? Does he or she want to repeat their review on different sites?

How would it be if whoever wants to publish a site about books or other media and have user generated content contributed to their service opens up their data for others to use? That would surely be in line of the 2.0 concept. If this scenario is possible then the end-user, the society will benefit the most. Not a specific institution or any commercial company. If this scenario is possible, strong actors on this arena will furthermore have the possibility to on top of this content build intelligent systems with the possibility to enhance the quality of the sites and contribute even more to the end user experience. Actors will even compete in reusing this data in the best possible way to lift their web services. The effect of that? All win. Commercial or non-commercial activity. But most of all, the user.
A benefit is that you as a user do not have to wander around the net to find the reviews.
If we do not have an open approach to this, sites like DVD-Basen.dk, Rottentomatoes.com would not be possible and tens of thousands of movie buffs will have a poorer world to live in. Especially a Jean-Pierre Melville Jacques Tourneur Wong Kar Wai Todd Haynes Guillermo del Toro fan like myself

Maybe some guidelines will help, suggestions:

(The CC licenses Attribution Share Alike or Attribution No Derivatives could eventually be used?)

1. The contributor has Ownership.
2. The service provider has a nonexclusive Right to use.
3. The service provider can not charge for the content.
4. The service provider can not change the input but can choose not to publish the material based on national laws, relevancy etc (including an abuse function).
5. The personal integrity is secured.
6. The service provider accepts an (nationally?) agreed api standard for web service use of the material.

			Written by : Boris Ukotic Zetterlund Categories : user content user rights Comments : Read comments (1)  Write a comment