Computers & Internet
Social Networking
Databases
Computer Use
Internet Subject Directories
eBooks
Social Networking
What is social networking? It is people connecting with each other for almost any reason. It is groups of people sharing common interests and common concerns: sharing knowledge, ideas, support, contacts. This is done using Web based resources such as social networks (virtual; communities) microblogs, blogs, discussion groups and Web based publishing. Find a job. Obtain health care information. Make new friends, or locate and reconnect with old friends. Communicate with family members. Discuss the social, political economic issues of the day. Express your opinions using a medium that may reach millions. This can be done 24 hours a day. The Web never sleeps.
Who can benefit from social networking? Social networking is not just for the young. It is for the young at heart. It is for all of us. It is for the young and healthy. It is for the old and tired. It is for the chronically ill. It is for the adventurous. It is for the timid. Everyone can benefit from it.
Some Additional Information About Social Networks
Terms and Definitions A quick guide to social media by the Plano Library Webmaster
The Who and the What of Social Networking Several reports containing statistics about who is doing social networking and what they are doing. It turns out it is almost everyone to some degree. From the Pew Internet & Public Life Project.
LearningExpress Library Database that offers online tutorials of Microsoft office products including Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, and Outlook. Also features tutorials in Windows and Mac operating systems, and Corel Word Perfect.
The Library Network Starts out with simple mouse training and goes on to include using the scroll features, the various types of fill in box menus and opening & closing applications/files.
Blog Basics Tutorial on how to set up and use a weblog.
Mousercise Fun website that helps user practice mouse using skills.
NetLingo Online dictionary of Internet terms including common abbreviations and acronyms.
Plano Public Library System Please visit the Plano Library website and click on Computer Use/Classes to find current listings of free computer classes offered at all five Plano Library locations.
American Library Association: Great Websites for Kids A directory of reliable Internet resources for children. Great for homework help!
American Library Association: Website Evaluation Guide Excellent guide to evaluating and choosing reliable and appropriate online information for children.
Digital Librarian Easy to use directory of reliable Internet resources created by librarians.
IPL2 Features a wealth of online resources, online reference librarian assistance, and a directory of reliable Internet resources created by librarians.
What is an eBook?
Does the Plano Library System have plans to offer eBooks that are downloadable to an e-reader or other mobile device?
Does the Plano Library System offer downloadable audio books?
Where do I find eBooks or audio books on your Website?
What is an e-reader?
Is it necessary to have an e-reader to access eBooks?
What e-reader should I purchase?
Why can’t I access all eBooks?
More Information about eBooks and e-readers
What is an eBook? An eBook (also e-book, electronic book, digital book) is a text and image-based publication in digital form readable on computers or other digital devices. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines the e-book as “an electronic version of a printed book.” But some eBooks are published only as eBooks and never appear in print. Some print books may never appear as eBooks. Do not confuse eBooks with audio books. eBooks are to be read and audio books are to be listened to.
Does the Plano Library System have plans to offer eBooks that are downloadable to an e-reader or other mobile device? Yes, we do have plans to add downloadable eBooks to our collection through the same service that provides our downloadable audio books, Ingram. It will probably happen in the spring of 2012.
Does the Plano Library System offer downloadable audio books?Yes, we do offer downloadable audio books. These are accessible from our Website through OneClickdigital Audio Books. There is no registration requirement for this service. It is accessed using the number on your Plano library card. These audio books can be downloaded and listened to on a computer. Once downloaded to a computer they can be downloaded to a mobile device like an IPod or Windows based media player such as a Sony Walkman. There are almost 900 titles in this collection now mostly fiction and popular nonfiction.
Where do I find eBooks or audio books on your Website? To access both netLibrary eBooks and OneClickdigital Audio Books, patrons must come to our Webpage find “Research” in the gray bar to the left. From there, they need to select “Databases.” This will take them to a list of databases that contains both services. Using the link through our Webpage takes them through our proxy server and provides authentication. If they simply go to the vendors Website and attempt to login, they will not be allowed to log in. This is a common error.
What is an e-reader? An e-reader is a piece of hardware similar to a laptop or notebook computer. Its primary purpose is to display eBooks. In most cases that is all it will do. They are smaller and less expensive than laptops and notebooks because they are designed to do one thing. They are designed to provide a reading experience similar to reading an actual book. Some of them display color.
Is it necessary to have an e-reader to access eBooks? No, eBooks can be viewed on a pc, laptop, notebook, iPad and some smart phones. All that is required is the correct software. The term applied to this software is app. App is short for application. For example Apple is now offering a Kindle app from their app store that works on the iPad, iPod and iPhone.
What e-reader should I purchase? We cannot make recommendations? The e-reader market is growing rapidly and new and improved e-readers are being developed all the time. It is important to keep in mind that not all e-readers will display all eBooks. No matter how carefully you shop, the e-reader that you purchase will not be capable of accessing all eBooks.
Why can’t I access all eBooks? Publishers and vendors use digital rights management (DRM) schemes to prevent piracy. There is no standard scheme and one DRM scheme will work with your reader while another may not. Formats also play a roll. There are two common formats and many less common. If your reader is not equipped to read the correct format, you will be unable to display the book on your e-reader. The Kindle sold by Amazon.com uses a unique format. This format is used only by the Amazon Kindle. If you purchase another e-reader, you will be unable to download books from Amazon. If you do own a Kindle, it will be difficult to download eBooks from your library.
More information about eBooks and e-readers
E-reader reviews Reviews of many e-readers from CNET.com.
eBook Reader Blog Lots of up-to-date information on eBooks and ereaders.
ereadernewsnow.com Updated often with the newest information on eBooks and ereaders.
Ebookanoid Find reviews of e-books, e-readers and websites devoted to them.
Free ebooks online
InkMesh A search engine that searches more than thirty online sources for free ebooks.
Free eBooks offered by Project Gutenberg You can download over 33,000 free ebooks to read on your PC, iPad, Kindle, Sony Reader, IPhone, Android or other portable devices.
FreeBookSpot Free but registration required.
Free eBooks.net Free but registration required.
The Online Books Page An index of hundreds of thousands of books freely readable on the Internet from the University of Pennsylvania Libraries.
eBookFling Swap ebooks for free with other readers while still retaining ownership.
