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Stories and comments across the archive that link to bpl.org.

Comments · 20

  1. Re:The better question is: should they? by Lijemo · · Score: 3, Informative · on Can Architects Save Libraries from the Internet?

    Actually, quite a few public libraries do pay subscription fees for proprietary information so that you don't have to. (for instance, Boston Public Library: http://www.bpl.org/electronic/index.htm) You need to either be physically in the library or logged in with your library card to access it (subscribing to the databases doesn't allow the library to make it freely available to anyone anywhere in the world on the web), but it can get you access to a lot of information that would otherwise be quite expensive to obtain.

  2. by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org by donsaklad · · Score: -1, Troll · on Jobs' Invitation To Microsoft a Trap?

    by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org To the Management of the Boston Public Library, Don Saklad forwarded me your message which reports that OverDrive Audio Books use "copyright protection technology" made by Microsoft. The technology in question is an example of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM)--technology designed to restrict the public. Describing it as "copyright protection" puts a favorable spin on a mechanism intended to deny the public the exercise of those rights which copyright law has not yet denied them. The use of that format for distributing books is not a fact of nature; it is a choice. When a choice leads to bad consequences, it ought to be changed, and that is the case here. I respectfully submit that the Boston Public Library has a responsibility to refuse to distribute anything in this format, even if it seems "convenient" to some in the short term. By making the choice to use this format, the Boston Public Library gives additional power to a corporation already twice convicted of unfair competition. This choice excludes more than just Macintosh users. The users of the GNU/Linux system, an operating system made up of free/libre software, are excluded as well. Since these audiobooks are locked up with Digital Restrictions Management (DRM), it is illegal in the US to release free/libre software capable of reading these audiobooks. Apple may make some sort of arrangement to include capable software in MacOS (which is, itself, non-free software for which users cannot get source code). But we in the free software community will never be allowed to provide software to play them, unless laws are changed. There is another, deeper issue at stake here. The tendency of digitalization is to convert public libraries into retail stores for vendors of digital works. The choice to distribute information in a secret format--information designed to evaporate and become unreadable--is the antithesis of the spirit of the public library. Libraries which participate in this have lost their hearts. I therefore urge the Boston Public Library to terminate its association with OverDrive Audio Books, and adopt a policy of refusing to be agents for the propagation of Digital Restrictions Management. Sincerely Richard Stallman President, Free Software Foundation MacArthur Fellow cc: John Sullivan for posting on http://fsf.org General Reference gref@bpl.org This is a follow-up message to our response to your recommendation that the Library's digital audio book collection be accessible to Mac users. OverDrive Audio Books use copyright protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod (and Mac) do not currently support copyright-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. OverDrive, along with hundreds of online music and audio book providers, is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based copyright-protected materials on the iPod/Mac. We are hopeful too - and in the mean time, we will keep looking for a vendor that will serve a broader audience. There is a workaround, however, that allows you to upload OverDrive content to an iPod, provided your computer is a PC, you have a CD recordable drive, and the title may be burned to a CD. If you would like to try this, follow the instructions in the OverDrive Media Console to burn the downloaded files to CD. Then, rip the CD into iTunes for synchronization with your iPod. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 We thank you for your suggestion. We are forwarding your message to the staff members working on the OverDrive Audio Book and OverDrive eMusic program. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 -----Original Message----- Please make http://overdrive.bpl.org available to mac users !

  3. by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org by donsaklad · · Score: -1, Troll · on Jobs' Invitation To Microsoft a Trap?

    by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org To the Management of the Boston Public Library, Don Saklad forwarded me your message which reports that OverDrive Audio Books use "copyright protection technology" made by Microsoft. The technology in question is an example of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM)--technology designed to restrict the public. Describing it as "copyright protection" puts a favorable spin on a mechanism intended to deny the public the exercise of those rights which copyright law has not yet denied them. The use of that format for distributing books is not a fact of nature; it is a choice. When a choice leads to bad consequences, it ought to be changed, and that is the case here. I respectfully submit that the Boston Public Library has a responsibility to refuse to distribute anything in this format, even if it seems "convenient" to some in the short term. By making the choice to use this format, the Boston Public Library gives additional power to a corporation already twice convicted of unfair competition. This choice excludes more than just Macintosh users. The users of the GNU/Linux system, an operating system made up of free/libre software, are excluded as well. Since these audiobooks are locked up with Digital Restrictions Management (DRM), it is illegal in the US to release free/libre software capable of reading these audiobooks. Apple may make some sort of arrangement to include capable software in MacOS (which is, itself, non-free software for which users cannot get source code). But we in the free software community will never be allowed to provide software to play them, unless laws are changed. There is another, deeper issue at stake here. The tendency of digitalization is to convert public libraries into retail stores for vendors of digital works. The choice to distribute information in a secret format--information designed to evaporate and become unreadable--is the antithesis of the spirit of the public library. Libraries which participate in this have lost their hearts. I therefore urge the Boston Public Library to terminate its association with OverDrive Audio Books, and adopt a policy of refusing to be agents for the propagation of Digital Restrictions Management. Sincerely Richard Stallman President, Free Software Foundation MacArthur Fellow cc: John Sullivan for posting on http://fsf.org General Reference gref@bpl.org This is a follow-up message to our response to your recommendation that the Library's digital audio book collection be accessible to Mac users. OverDrive Audio Books use copyright protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod (and Mac) do not currently support copyright-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. OverDrive, along with hundreds of online music and audio book providers, is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based copyright-protected materials on the iPod/Mac. We are hopeful too - and in the mean time, we will keep looking for a vendor that will serve a broader audience. There is a workaround, however, that allows you to upload OverDrive content to an iPod, provided your computer is a PC, you have a CD recordable drive, and the title may be burned to a CD. If you would like to try this, follow the instructions in the OverDrive Media Console to burn the downloaded files to CD. Then, rip the CD into iTunes for synchronization with your iPod. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 We thank you for your suggestion. We are forwarding your message to the staff members working on the OverDrive Audio Book and OverDrive eMusic program. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 -----Original Message----- Please make http://overdrive.bpl.org available to mac users !

  4. by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org by donsaklad · · Score: 0 · on Intel Mac Performance Behind Hype

    by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org To the Management of the Boston Public Library, Don Saklad forwarded me your message which reports that OverDrive Audio Books use "copyright protection technology" made by Microsoft. The technology in question is an example of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM)--technology designed to restrict the public. Describing it as "copyright protection" puts a favorable spin on a mechanism intended to deny the public the exercise of those rights which copyright law has not yet denied them. The use of that format for distributing books is not a fact of nature; it is a choice. When a choice leads to bad consequences, it ought to be changed, and that is the case here. I respectfully submit that the Boston Public Library has a responsibility to refuse to distribute anything in this format, even if it seems "convenient" to some in the short term. By making the choice to use this format, the Boston Public Library gives additional power to a corporation already twice convicted of unfair competition. This choice excludes more than just Macintosh users. The users of the GNU/Linux system, an operating system made up of free/libre software, are excluded as well. Since these audiobooks are locked up with Digital Restrictions Management (DRM), it is illegal in the US to release free/libre software capable of reading these audiobooks. Apple may make some sort of arrangement to include capable software in MacOS (which is, itself, non-free software for which users cannot get source code). But we in the free software community will never be allowed to provide software to play them, unless laws are changed. There is another, deeper issue at stake here. The tendency of digitalization is to convert public libraries into retail stores for vendors of digital works. The choice to distribute information in a secret format--information designed to evaporate and become unreadable--is the antithesis of the spirit of the public library. Libraries which participate in this have lost their hearts. I therefore urge the Boston Public Library to terminate its association with OverDrive Audio Books, and adopt a policy of refusing to be agents for the propagation of Digital Restrictions Management. Sincerely Richard Stallman President, Free Software Foundation MacArthur Fellow cc: John Sullivan for posting on http://fsf.org General Reference gref@bpl.org This is a follow-up message to our response to your recommendation that the Library's digital audio book collection be accessible to Mac users. OverDrive Audio Books use copyright protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod (and Mac) do not currently support copyright-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. OverDrive, along with hundreds of online music and audio book providers, is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based copyright-protected materials on the iPod/Mac. We are hopeful too - and in the mean time, we will keep looking for a vendor that will serve a broader audience. There is a workaround, however, that allows you to upload OverDrive content to an iPod, provided your computer is a PC, you have a CD recordable drive, and the title may be burned to a CD. If you would like to try this, follow the instructions in the OverDrive Media Console to burn the downloaded files to CD. Then, rip the CD into iTunes for synchronization with your iPod. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 We thank you for your suggestion. We are forwarding your message to the staff members working on the OverDrive Audio Book and OverDrive eMusic program. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 -----Original Message----- Please make http://overdrive.bpl.org/ available to mac users !

  5. by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org by donsaklad · · Score: 0 · on Intel Mac Performance Behind Hype

    by Richard M. Stallman rms@gnu.org To the Management of the Boston Public Library, Don Saklad forwarded me your message which reports that OverDrive Audio Books use "copyright protection technology" made by Microsoft. The technology in question is an example of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM)--technology designed to restrict the public. Describing it as "copyright protection" puts a favorable spin on a mechanism intended to deny the public the exercise of those rights which copyright law has not yet denied them. The use of that format for distributing books is not a fact of nature; it is a choice. When a choice leads to bad consequences, it ought to be changed, and that is the case here. I respectfully submit that the Boston Public Library has a responsibility to refuse to distribute anything in this format, even if it seems "convenient" to some in the short term. By making the choice to use this format, the Boston Public Library gives additional power to a corporation already twice convicted of unfair competition. This choice excludes more than just Macintosh users. The users of the GNU/Linux system, an operating system made up of free/libre software, are excluded as well. Since these audiobooks are locked up with Digital Restrictions Management (DRM), it is illegal in the US to release free/libre software capable of reading these audiobooks. Apple may make some sort of arrangement to include capable software in MacOS (which is, itself, non-free software for which users cannot get source code). But we in the free software community will never be allowed to provide software to play them, unless laws are changed. There is another, deeper issue at stake here. The tendency of digitalization is to convert public libraries into retail stores for vendors of digital works. The choice to distribute information in a secret format--information designed to evaporate and become unreadable--is the antithesis of the spirit of the public library. Libraries which participate in this have lost their hearts. I therefore urge the Boston Public Library to terminate its association with OverDrive Audio Books, and adopt a policy of refusing to be agents for the propagation of Digital Restrictions Management. Sincerely Richard Stallman President, Free Software Foundation MacArthur Fellow cc: John Sullivan for posting on http://fsf.org General Reference gref@bpl.org This is a follow-up message to our response to your recommendation that the Library's digital audio book collection be accessible to Mac users. OverDrive Audio Books use copyright protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod (and Mac) do not currently support copyright-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. OverDrive, along with hundreds of online music and audio book providers, is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based copyright-protected materials on the iPod/Mac. We are hopeful too - and in the mean time, we will keep looking for a vendor that will serve a broader audience. There is a workaround, however, that allows you to upload OverDrive content to an iPod, provided your computer is a PC, you have a CD recordable drive, and the title may be burned to a CD. If you would like to try this, follow the instructions in the OverDrive Media Console to burn the downloaded files to CD. Then, rip the CD into iTunes for synchronization with your iPod. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 We thank you for your suggestion. We are forwarding your message to the staff members working on the OverDrive Audio Book and OverDrive eMusic program. Thank you very much. Sincerely, General Reference Department Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116 Phone: 617 859-2270 -----Original Message----- Please make http://overdrive.bpl.org/ available to mac users !

  6. overdrive.bpl.org Public Libraries' Mac users by donsaklad · · Score: -1, Offtopic · on Microsoft Teams Up With Japanese VoIP Carrier

    What can be done to fix http://overdrive.bpl.org/
    for our Boston Public Libraries' Mac users?...

    Here's the article by Hiawatha Bray http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/12 /30/library_audiobooks_now_just_a_few_mouse_clicks _away/?page=full

  7. Re:BPL??? by jam244 · · Score: 1 · on Texas to Get Broadband Over Power Lines

    typical New Yorker =) http://www.bpl.org/

  8. HTTP only != Internet only by MooseGuy529 · · Score: 2, Interesting · on Municipal Wi-Fi Networks in London, Alexandria
    It is internet only, so email needs to be via a web-based provider.

    No. You mean that it has a crappy, overrestrictive firewall that allows access only to the few ports required for HTTP access to web sites. Internet-only would simply suggest that it doesn't allow access to other networks, such as LAN's. Don't get the two mixed up.

    I really wish people would stop putting in neutered, free "Internet" access. I use the BPL, and their system allows full access to anything on their LAN, but allows only ports 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), and 53 (SMB!) to the outside world. I asked, and they said the reason they restricted it was that a lot of people liked to come in and screw around with it. The answer to that would seem to be restricting access to the *local* network, and allowing full Internet access, not the other way around! It's a pain in the ass to be able to browse the web but not use IMAP, SSH, or anything other than what the dumb 90% of the population thinks is "teh intarweb".

  9. Re:Great News!! by Rei · · Score: 0, Offtopic · on New Lucas Headquarters To Open in San Francisco

    Yeah, I'm sure Lucas would really love that.

  10. Re:Quick Q by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on BPL: The Internet's Fool's Gold

    Sure. The controvery over BPL is focused around its huge wall murals portraying the evolution of religion, from primative "polythesitic" religions through Judaism to Christianity, which is portrayed as the summit of religious evolution. More controversially, restoration has begun on a mural called "Synagogue", in which an old woman wearing a blindfold and a crown stumbles as the walls fall around her, portraying the demise of the Jewish faith.

  11. BPL by JeffDaMan · · Score: -1 · on BPL: The Internet's Fool's Gold

    Sucky library system as well. http://bpl.org/

  12. Re:The best librarians do not join ALA. by donsaklad · · Score: 0 · on ALA President Not Fond of Bloggers

    Many librarians are underutilized by their very same institutions. Take for example, Boston Public Library's Matt Callaway. Oxford educated in Russian studies yet Matt is assigned to BPL departments that have not made the best use of their own departmental personnal.

    What our Boston Public Library needs is a philanthropic program like the faculty chairs at universities. Curators and librarians would hold a chair they are awarded in an area of specialty in addition to their routine departmental activities. Curators and librarians would be encouraged to publish blogs and books about their areas of expertise. Imagine what BPL President Berne Margolis might write or edit if there were a better publishing program at our library as there is at New York Public Library http://bpl.org/search/

  13. Some Text lifted from Boston Public Library by bsdparasite · · Score: 1 · on Project Gutenberg 2 Raises Some Hackles
    The "World Library" seems to have stolen some of the images and text from Boston Public Library

    Check out www.bpl.org (Text below the select box) and World Library

  14. Player software. Sound archives. by donsaklad · · Score: 1 · on DRM Technology To Be Added To MP3 Format

    Why would the player not work for the sound archives?... of Boston Public Library at http://www.bpl.org/soundarchives BPL personnel are adamant about any difficulties being at the users' end rather than difficulties of the player software. It does not represent good customer services practices to put the burden on users! It's always a good idea to offer an alternate player just in case users would have difficulties with one of the choices.

  15. Sound Archives. Boston Public Library. by donsaklad · · Score: 1 · on Review of Dell's Digital Jukebox

    A Boston broadcasting history resource is being developed for the web...

    Sound Archives. Boston Public Library.
    http://www.bpl.org/soundarchives

    If you would, a survey form is available for your impressions at
    http://www.bpl.org/soundarchives/electronic.htm

    Contact
    jlatchford at bpl.org

    _______________________________
    Collaborative WebLog
    A Guide to Problematical Library Use
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.WebLogs.com/ faq
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.WebLogs.us
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.blog-city.co m

  16. Sound Archives. Boston Public Library. by donsaklad · · Score: 1 · on Review of Dell's Digital Jukebox

    A Boston broadcasting history resource is being developed for the web...

    Sound Archives. Boston Public Library.
    http://www.bpl.org/soundarchives

    If you would, a survey form is available for your impressions at
    http://www.bpl.org/soundarchives/electronic.htm

    Contact
    jlatchford at bpl.org

    _______________________________
    Collaborative WebLog
    A Guide to Problematical Library Use
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.WebLogs.com/ faq
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.WebLogs.us
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.blog-city.co m

  17. ADHD resources. Boston Public Library. by donsaklad · · Score: 1 · on Neural Feedback Training as Therapy for ADHD?

    Boston Public Library Access Center resources include
    a number of machines and services of interest to people
    concerned about add attention deficit disorder, adhd attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia
    http://www.bpl.org/central/access.htm

    More and more of our North American cities' public libraries
    are providing staff development programming, training and supervision
    for libraries public services desks' personnel.

  18. Anonymous? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative · on San Francisco's Got Free Wi-Fi

    Can you connect to this anonymously? Here in Boston the Boston Public Library runs a free-as-in-beer public wireless network, but I'd hardly call it free-as-in-speech (filtering content, for the children! of course, and you need to log in with information tied to your library card).

    [Speaking of which, does anyone know of anyone providing free and anonymous WiFi access in Boston?]

  19. Boston Public Library by donsaklad · · Score: 1 · on FBI Bugging Public Libraries

    At Boston Public Library, Carolyn Coulter is a good person
    for a discussion about how to improve the set up there...
    [ http://www.bpl.org/general/management.htm ]
    Carolyn Coulter
    Applications Manager
    Systems Office
    617-859-2233
    ccoulter@bpl.org

    Frank Altieri
    Assistant Systems Officer
    Systems Office
    617-859-2023
    faltieri@bpl.org

    James Frazier
    Network and Server Manager
    Systems Office
    617-859-2022
    jfrazier@bpl.org

    John Pelose
    Coordinator Special Services and Locations
    Systems Office
    617-859-2021
    jpelose@bpl.org

    Michael Tsigelman
    Assistant Supervisor of Computer Services
    Systems Office
    617-859-2399
    mtsigelman@bpl.org

    Cynthia Phillips
    Technology Implementation and Training Officer
    Community Library Services Office
    617-859-2377
    [ http://www.bpl.org/general/management.htm ]

    Weblog guide to problematical library use
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.WebLogs.com/ stories

  20. Boston Public Library by donsaklad · · Score: 1 · on FBI Bugging Public Libraries

    At Boston Public Library, Carolyn Coulter is a good person
    for a discussion about how to improve the set up there...
    [ http://www.bpl.org/general/management.htm ]
    Carolyn Coulter
    Applications Manager
    Systems Office
    617-859-2233
    ccoulter@bpl.org

    Frank Altieri
    Assistant Systems Officer
    Systems Office
    617-859-2023
    faltieri@bpl.org

    James Frazier
    Network and Server Manager
    Systems Office
    617-859-2022
    jfrazier@bpl.org

    John Pelose
    Coordinator Special Services and Locations
    Systems Office
    617-859-2021
    jpelose@bpl.org

    Michael Tsigelman
    Assistant Supervisor of Computer Services
    Systems Office
    617-859-2399
    mtsigelman@bpl.org

    Cynthia Phillips
    Technology Implementation and Training Officer
    Community Library Services Office
    617-859-2377
    [ http://www.bpl.org/general/management.htm ]

    Weblog guide to problematical library use
    http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.WebLogs.com/ stories