October 15, 2007

Dear Sassy: I had a student want to use the Pathology of The Eye cd in the lab. How do I know which computer this cd is loaded onto?
~Eyeless in the Lab

Dear Eyeless: Great question! The Pathology of The Eye cd is one that can be checked out from the Circulation desk but can only be used on certain machines. Sometimes this information is listed in the catalog (and sometimes isn't) but I have also created a website that notes all the oddities for software and hardware in the library. You can also maneuver to the site by going to our home page and clicking on About The Library > Computer Lab and then Productivity Software located in the paragraph. I also updated the Computer Specifications on this page as well. If you notice any software or hardware that needs to be on these lists, please let Sassy know.

September 19, 2007

Dear Sassy: Last night a high school patron had a CD that she wanted to access. We were unsure if it would work but she put the CD in the drive and the files opened right up. I thought patrons couldn't use CDs in the computer lab... Did something change?
~Lost in the Lab

Dear Lost: This is an excellent question. Nowadays most people use thumb drives to transport their files, however, there are still people using floppy disks as well as CDs. Most CDs we see today are to install programs. When this type of CD is put in the machine, an error message will pop up and not allow installation of files. Some CDs have programs on them but don't try to install anything to the computer - these run just fine on our computers. Whew!! That is a lot to digest! I guess what Sassy wants you to know, is to put the CD in the machine and try it (Sassy has learned this the hard way). If it works great! If not,the patron will have to install the CD on their own machine.

April 26, 2007

Dear Sassy: Where did the term "jewel" come from in relation to the jewel cases that house cds?
~Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

Dear Diamonds: Sassy must agree that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but sadly the term "jewel" in jewel cases does not refer to that kind of gemstone. According to Wikipedia, the meaning is derived from a watchmakers' use of "jewel" and generically refers to a polished bearing used in a mechanism. High quality watches and clocks use gemstones as bearings for their low friction proportion. Not that Sassy would know much about watches, as she can't keep a battery working so she doesn't wear a watch. But back on track regarding the jewel cases... If you look at a jewel case you will notice that there are plastic bearings (in its hinges) when you open/close the case, hence the term "jewel" case.