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<p align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">OPLIN 4cast #39 -
January 23, 2007</span></b></p>
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<p>The <em><b>OPLIN 4cast</b></em> is a weekly compilation of
recent headlines, topics, and trends that could impact public
libraries. You can subscribe to it in a variety of ways, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>RSS feed</strong>. You can receive the <em>OPLIN
4cast</em> via RSS feed by subscribing to the following URL: <a
href="http://www.oplin.org/4cast/index.php/?feed=rss2">http://www.oplin.org/4cast/index.php/?feed=rss2</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Live Bookmark</strong>. If you're using the <a
href="http://www.mozilla.com/" target="_blank">Firefox</a> web
browser, you can go to the <em>4cast</em> website (<a
href="http://www.oplin.org/4cast/">http://www.oplin.org/4cast/</a>)
and click on the orange "radio wave" icon on the right side of the
address bar. In <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/"
target="_blank">Internet Explorer 7</a>, click on the same icon to
view or subscribe to the <em>4cast</em> RSS feed. </li>
<li><strong>E-mail</strong>. You can have the <em>OPLIN 4cast</em>
delivered via e-mail (a'la OPLINlist and OPLINtech) by subscribing to
the <em>4cast</em> mailing list at <a
href="http://mail.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/OPLIN4cast">http://mail.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/OPLIN4cast</a>.</li>
</ul>
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<p class="style4">This week’s <em>4cast</em><b>:</b></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1. <strong>Replace Your Old Windows
with Linux?</strong></span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux" target="_blank">Linux</a>
(pronounced <em>LIN-ux</em>) is an open-source operating system often
associated with chilly server rooms and command line-spoutin'
uber-techies. However, in recent years great strides have been made in
the development of Linux-based desktop applications and a friendlier
user interface. Linux enthusiasts are hoping that 2007 is the year that
ordinary computer users (and businesses) leave Windows behind.</p>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Windows_and_Linux"
target="_blank">Comparison of Windows and Linux</a> (Wikipedia)</li>
<li><a
href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/linux-wins-over-new-fans/2006/09/04/1157222061911.html"
target="_blank">Linux wins over new fans</a> (Sydney Morning Herald)</li>
<li> <a
href="http://www.lifehacker.com/software/linux/learn-how-to-make-the-move-to-linux-225642.php"
target="_blank">Learn how to 'Make The Move' to Linux</a> (Lifehacker)
</li>
<li><a
href="http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?newsID=7681"
target="_blank">CIO study finds Linux ready for prime-time</a>
(Techworld) </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2. <strong>Windows Vista: The Vista
is Still Hazy</strong></span></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Some early reports on Microsoft's new <a
href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/" target="_blank">Windows
Vista</a> operating system haven't been glowing. Microsoft is defending
itself against the criticism as it prepares to roll out what could be
its most disruptive upgrade in years.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/23/0052256&from=rss"
target="_blank">Microsoft Admits Vista Has "High Impact Issues"</a>
(Slashdot)</li>
<li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6286245.stm"
target="_blank">Vista copy protection is defended</a> (BBC)</li>
<li><a
href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070122-8673.html"
target="_blank">Microsoft offering free Vista "test drive"</a> (Ars
Technica)</li>
<li><a
href="http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116908385298979668-0KM342sGUp9UKiEikdnpxRiVaZw_20080118.html?mod=blogs"
target="_blank">Vista: Worthy, Largely Unexciting</a> (Wall Street
Journal) </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">3. <strong>So Long, OPAC... Hello,
SOPAC </strong></span> </p>
<blockquote>
<p>John Blyberg has integrated a number of nifty social software
features into the <a href="http://www.aadl.org/" target="_blank">Ann
Arbor District Library</a>'s online catalog, like reviews, comments,
and tags.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.blyberg.net/2007/01/21/aadlorg-goes-social/"
target="_blank">AADL.org Goes Social</a> (blyberg.net)</li>
<li><a
href="http://vielmetti.typepad.com/superpatron/2007/01/ann_arbor_distr.html"
target="_blank">Ann Arbor District Library adds patron tagging, rating
of items</a> (Superpatron)</li>
<li><a
href="http://tametheweb.com/2007/01/john_blyberg_creates_the_sopac.html"
target="_blank">John Blyberg Creates the SOPAC for aadl.org</a> (Tame
the Web: Libraries and Technology)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.walkingpaper.org/369" target="_blank">social
OPAC roundup</a> (walking paper) </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">4.<strong> H0w'5 Y3r P@55w0rd?</strong></span></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The important information you keep at home and at work is often
only as secure as the password that protects it. And according to
security experts, most passwords are not very secure.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://tags.lifehacker.com/software/passwords/"
target="_blank">Passwords</a> (Lifehacker)</li>
<li><a href="http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/13947" target="_blank">How
Do They Crack Your Password?</a> (Yahoo! Tech)</li>
<li><a
href="http://www.boingboing.net/2007/01/11/howto_choose_a_good_.html"
target="_blank">HOWTO choose a good password</a> (Boing Boing)</li>
<li><a
href="http://neomeme.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/generating-the-perfect-password/"
target="_blank">Generating the Perfect Password</a> (Neomeme) </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Joel Husenits
Managing Editor
Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
2323 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 130
Columbus, Ohio 43204
Phone: (614) 728-5252
Fax: (614) 728-5256
E-mail: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:editor@oplin.org">editor@oplin.org</a>
Web: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.oplin.org">www.oplin.org</a></pre>
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