Wilton Library Teens Blog » Technology

Life before texting

Marissa — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:36:28 +0000

Texting is probably the easiest way to get in touch with someone. Have a question about your math homework? Text your friend. Going to stay late at school? Text your parents. There are even “text a librarian” services out there if you have a reference question (we don’t have that yet, but you can always give us a ring when we’re open.) Before texting (or even emailing), people wrote letters to each other. A cool website called Letters of Note has collected about 900 of these letters, both handwritten and typed. You can browse by author or date. It’s sort of like peeking into someone’s diary and is a fascinating way to spend some time. Here’s one that is sort of sad but sweet: Fiona Apple writing about her dog who is very sick.

The letters date from pre-1600 to the 2000s. I don’t recommend looking at the website if you have something urgent to do because the letters are amazing! Enjoy.

We love Google!

slauricella — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 19:56:39 +0000

Duh? But there are a host of other things you can do besides trying to search for Chuck Norris. Instead of listing out all the great things it can do, this instagram from how-to-geek has nicely summed it up for you, in picture form. Google itself has listed its own features, but that isn’t as pretty as the instagram. Just sayin’.

More Time-killers on the internet…

slauricella — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:50:34 +0000

Don’t blame us but here are a few time-killing sites that you may have not seen yet. Screamin’ Beans is exactly what is says. You, the user, make beans scream. It is easier for you to just go there instead of reading an explanation. Ever forget the something you used as a bookmark? So has it seems hundreds of other people, some of the things left behind are documented on Forgotten Bookmarks . And there is a top 15 Best Places to Waste Time on the Internet from PC magazine if you still have not gotten sucked into the others…

Are you in love with your own handwriting?

slauricella — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 18:02:48 +0000

Then, create a font in it (for free!) at the font capture website. Hit the site, then fill out their handwriting template in your handwriting. Scan the template and follow the instructions…and presto, your own font! How cool is that?

What’s up with Wikipedia today?

Marissa — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:13:40 +0000

You may have gone on Wikipedia today, January 18, 2012 and noticed that it’s all blacked out. You can’t search for anything, and it prompts you to enter your zip code. What’s going on? Wikipedia and other websites are protesting two pieces of legislation in the House of Representatives and the Senate that would cut off pirating movies, music, and other web content by limiting search engines like Yahoo and Google, online payment sites such as PayPal, and other sites that allow pirating sites to work. While stealing another’s work is definitely not okay, these online giants– including Wikipedia– claim that the two bills limit open access to information.

The House bill is called the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Senate bill is called the Protecting IP Act, or SOPA and PIPA. This article from the New York Times gives more details on what would actually happen if the bills were passed. Here’s an example: Since that link I just posted goes to the New York Times website, and the article is under copyright, this blog could be blocked even though I credit the newspaper.

What can you do? Head on over to Wikipedia today, enter your ZIP code, and you can get the names and contact info for your local representatives. Whether you support the bills or don’t support them, you can let your voice be heard.

Did you get an e-Reader?

Marissa — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:10:21 +0000

Did you get an e-Reader this holiday season, or a smartphone, tablet, or MP3 player? Then you are in luck, my friends. The Wilton Library now offers OverDrive, a service where you can download e-books and audio books to all sorts of devices. For example, if you have a smartphone with the Amazon Kindle app, you can borrow a Kindle book from the OverDrive service. When the lending period is over, whoosh! it will no longer be accessible unless you check it out again. You can do the same with audio books, too. And here is the icing on the cake– no late fees!

You do need a valid Wilton Library card and PIN number to use the service, so if you lost your card or don’t have a card, come in to the circulation desk and we’ll set you up for free.

Enjoy!