Re: [CODE4LIB] PDF editing options

[Mark Pernotto]

Hello Martin,

You may be happy to hear that Mozilla's Firefox web browser's newer update
allows for simple PDF edits:
https://www.pcworld.com/article/1356707/firefox-106-adds-a-nifty-pdf-editing-feature.html
You'd also be able to add pages to existing PDF files using Dochub:
https://www.dochub.com/en/functionalities/add-pages-into-a-pdf-in-mozilla-firefox
You may be able to identify an OCR solution from choosing from Firefox's
OCR extensions: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search/?q=OCR

Please let me know if I've misunderstood your question.

Thanks,
Mark A. Pernotto



On Wed, Mar 29, 2023 at 9:33 AM Martin, Will 
wrote:

> All,
>
> Our IT department has informed us that they will only support/install the
> most recent version of Acrobat Pro.  Since we do not have admin rights on
> our machines, we cannot continue to move older licensed copies of Acrobat
> Pro to new computers as the staff get them.  And it looks as though Adobe
> plans to terminate their "perpetual" (ha!) licensing scheme for Acrobat Pro
> in 2025.  End result: in the not-too-distant future we'll be forced to pay
> annual subscription fees for Acrobat Pro, to the tune of $110/person/year.
>
> That adds up pretty quick, so I'm looking into alternatives.  A handful of
> staff use the more advanced features of Acrobat Pro, but the vast majority
> of them are doing very basic things: adding a bit of text here or there,
> running OCR on a scanned article, inserting a copyright notice page at the
> front, that sort of thing.
>
> What software are you all using at your libraries for these sort of tasks?
>
> Will Martin
>
> Head of Digital Initiatives, Systems and Services
> Chester Fritz Library
> University of North Dakota
> he/his/him
>
> 701.777.4638
>

Re: [CODE4LIB] Hiring a programmer or coder

[Mark Pernotto]

Hello Charles,

Thanks for this question.

As a professional programmer, I concur with our colleagues' assessment of
hiring contract development work. I have not worked with anyone from Fiverr
before, but I can't tell you how many contract jobs I've taken over,
following a programmer from a Fiverr-like service who has either been
relieved of their duties or stopped contributing to the project. A good
software developer will likely have a host of questions for you about your
project, so it would be best to take the time to identify exactly what it
is you'd like done. You can then work with the developer to structure
development cadence and create milestones.

Finally, depending on what your project entails, it's highly likely that
there's an open source solution in existence you can build on top of. The
benefit here is that you're not reinventing basic functionality, and if the
open source project is popular enough, many developers may already be
familiar working with that codebase, enabling you to extend software
capabilities at your own pace.

Sincerely,
Mark A. Pernotto




On Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 6:08 AM Hammer, Erich F  wrote:

> Charles,
>
> As an academic institution, we have access to grad students and have
> occasionally hired them (with both excellent and terrible results) for this
> kind of work.  I can't make a suggestion as to who where to get programming
> assistance, but I do want to point out a very important fact to consider...
>
> Custom programming is not a "one-and-done" thing like adding a deck to
> your house.  Anything you build (or have built) you have to support.  It
> will have bugs, and they may not show up for a long time.  The hardware,
> operating systems, and web technologies will change beneath it and have
> unexpected effects.  You will want to modify it.  In short, ensure that
> your budget includes a very healthy percentage of funds for ongoing work
> into the future.  The more you will rely on the product, the more you need
> to set aside for maintaining and continuing it.  (Also, good programmers --
> like good contractors -- don't come cheap.  It will be much more expensive
> over the life of the product than you expect.)
>
> Erich
>
>
> On Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 20:46, Charles Meyer eloquently inscribed:
>
> > My esteemed liamtates,
> >
> > I was  curious if you oir your library has ever hired a programmer or
> coder
> > to create(write) a new program or software application?
> >
> > I've heard good things re: hiring graphics designers on
> > https://www.fiverr.com/
> >
> > I'm not sure if you can or  should post on fiverr to hire a programmer?
> >
> > Thank you!
> >
> > Charles.
> >
> > Charles Meyer
> > Charlotte County Public Library
>
>
>

Re: [CODE4LIB] Roku - TV - Over the Air

[Mark Pernotto]

Hello Charles,

This question is also valid in our community. Thank you for sharing your
experiences.

Is the purpose to enable patrons to stream local & PBS channels? I've had
little luck with using a digital antenna for my television as well. I've
not used a Roku device (Amazon makes a similar Fire stick) but the free app
Pluto TV provides a very healthy selection of free television programming
on numerous topics, including movies, classic television, reality series,
animation, even *regionally* local news.

Would love to hear more about how the library is utilizing these
technologies to benefit their communities.

Mark

On Thu, Sep 22, 2022 at 7:56 AM Tim McGeary  wrote:

> Hi Charles,
>
> This is a really important issue for our communities, especially public
> libraries that have higher populations of underserved and low-income
> residents. I experimented myself with a hi-def antenna when I "cut the
> cord" from cable, and even with my own technical experience and financial
> privilege, I found it confusing and difficult. And, yes, the changes in
> signals from local stations even makes the effort I made obsolete or less
> functional.
>
> I think you are on the right track with considering how to use devices,
> such as the Roku stick, for your patrons, as streaming access from local
> stations increases. I am encouraged to see various state governments using
> federal and state funding to increase broadband access in rural areas, yet
> I know the monthly cost remains out of reach for many.
>
> I wish I could offer you more substantive feedback, but at least I can
> cheer you on and say that I believe you are on the right track. I hope that
> as you work through potential solutions, you consider giving a lightning
> talk or submit an article to the Code4Lib journal to report on your work.
> It is vitally important that we do all we can to make information as fully
> accessible as possible, especially in this era of misinformation and
> disinformation.
>
> Cheers,
> Tim
>
>
> Tim McGeary
>
> Associate University Librarian for Digital Strategies and Technology
>
> Duke University Libraries
>
> tim.mcge...@duke.edu
>
>
> Request a meeting:
> https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/tim.mcge...@duke.edu/pbp/
>
> 
> From: Code for Libraries  on behalf of ander
> kierig <00c0e12c3a34-dmarc-requ...@lists.clir.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2022 10:22 AM
> To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG 
> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Roku - TV - Over the Air
>
> Dear Charles:
>
> IMHO, this is not an appropriate use of this list. Roku support is
> online at
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://support.roku.com__;!!OToaGQ!sCxKt9jtSQd49-LU545H7H6Rv-3PCticYppiH7za9auqkE8GBaz9ur_OtBxexbC7zbXGE_sjOWy7tv_0h20NbL1a0Zb6SmeZEw$
> . Please don't send questions like
> this to a list with 4000 people on it.
>
> respectfully yours,
>
> ander kierig
>
> --
> ander kierig
> Application Development
> University of Minnesota Libraries
> [lib.umn.edu](
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.lib.umn.edu__;!!OToaGQ!sCxKt9jtSQd49-LU545H7H6Rv-3PCticYppiH7za9auqkE8GBaz9ur_OtBxexbC7zbXGE_sjOWy7tv_0h20NbL1a0ZbRM7us1w$
> )
> they/them
>
> On 2022-09-22 at 09:13 (-0500) charles meyer wrote:
>
> > Hi my esteemed listmates,
> >
> > We seem to generally broach more advanced tech questions than this but
> > we
> > have some patrons visiting with simpler needs.
> >
> > I was trying to help patrons locate any outdoor TV antenna or tower
> > climbers who could help with their outdoor antennas but it seems they
> > have
> > all retired aso trying to receive over the air TV (as programs assert
> > can
> > be done with a TV antenna) is not available for a lot of areas.
> >
> > Just to experiment, I bought the best indoor antenna for my house and
> > placed it on almost every square inch of evereye all in every room ang
> > received about 4-5 TV stations, no local PBS just mostly 1960 TV
> > shows.
> >
> > My thought was tey could buy a Roku ($50 Amazon, Walmart) and with a
> > library hotspot connect that Roku to their digital TV (not analog even
> > with
> > a digital converter box) and then use the Roku device to downloads PBS
> > and
> > local TV stations via their hotspot.
> >
> > Some patrons need hand holding so once you plugin the Roku will it
> > search
> > for the hotspot and then you type  in the hotspot name and password
> > and the
> > Roku connects to the net to download those TV stations?
> >
> > I hear the over the air signal are all going 4K soon so does that mean
> > you
> > need a particular Roku, not just any Roku.
> >
> > Thanks so much,
> >
> > Charles.
> >
> >
> > Charles Meyer
> > Charlotte County Public Library
> > Port Charlotte, FL
>

Re: [CODE4LIB] Creating Custom Maps

[Mark Pernotto]

Hello Charles,

It sounds like you're trying to use an existing map to identify the library
on a map, but are having trouble singling out the library that you're
trying to feature, is that correct?

If you just wanted to create an icon indicating the library, you can
specify an icon and lat/long coordinates by creating a marker using Google
Maps JS API:
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/custom-markers.
You could then remove all of the other destination points necessary.

Using Google Maps APIs usually requires a credit-card authenticated Google
account, by the way.

Hope this helps!
Mark




On Thu, Mar 17, 2022 at 9:04 AM Coral Sheldon-Hess 
wrote:

> Charles,
>
> Hopefully someone else on the list has something easier and more web-based,
> because GIS software can be an awful lot, your first time using it. But in
> case nobody does, I'll chime in: if you don't mind the project going even
> deeper than it already has, I really like QGIS (qgis.org), which is an
> open-source GIS tool. It uses OpenStreetMaps (openstreetmap.org) and
> allows
> the addition of only the specific points on a map that you want to include,
> and then you can zoom the map to exactly where you want before exporting
> it.
>
> If you do end up going that way, feel free to reach out, and I can send you
> the tutorials I made for students, when I was teaching it. They'll at least
> get you to the point where you can make a basic map, with locations
> (points) added from a CSV file, and show how to create a map image with
> labels for export, as well. (The tutorials don't get into how to create
> interactive web maps, but it doesn't sound like that's what you're after,
> here, anyway.)
>
> Good luck! :)
>
> --
> *Coral Sheldon-Hess* (they/them)
> Meetings: calendly.com/csheldonhess
> More info: coral.sheldon-hess.org 
>
> On Thu, Mar 17, 2022 at 10:27 AM charles meyer 
> wrote:
>
> > My esteemed listmates,
> >
> >
> >
> > You know how a project seems like it will quick and easy and then you
> > discover not so much land?
> >
> >
> >
> > I want to make a map of a small area with the names of the streets on the
> > North, South, West and East with just the library designated in that
> area.
> >
> >
> >
> > In Google Maps, I learned how to remove those blue dots appearing when
> you
> > create a custom area map. But, when I remove destination points withing
> > that, it also removes the library name.
> >
> >
> >
> > I’ve toggled through Options, Car, bike, walk and transit icons but none
> > produce the custom map I’d lie without leaving the word Restaurant or
> Sign
> > In prominently on the map.
> >
> >
> >
> > Mapquest seems even more bizarre.
> >
> >
> >
> > Has anyone found an online application or free downloadable program which
> > will create custom maps for basically a square area where you can include
> > just one destination?
> >
> >
> >
> > Thank you!
> >
> >
> >
> > Charles.
> >
> >
> >
> > Charles Meyer
> >
> > Charlotte County Public Library
> >
> > Port Charlotte, Fl 33952
> >
>

Re: [CODE4LIB] recommendations for/advice re: Wordpress managed hosting

[Mark Pernotto]

++DigitalOcean

On Wed, Jul 3, 2019 at 7:07 AM Chris Davis  wrote:

> In answer to your question about which hosting company to move your
> WordPress site to, do not move to Bluehost. DigitalOcean is looking pretty
> fair and square right now.
>
> FWIW,
>
> Christopher Davis
> Systems & E-services Librarian
> Uintah County Library
>
> On Wed, 3 Jul 2019 13:58:57 +, Goben, Abigail H wrote:
> > I've been with LISHost (https://lishost.org/) for years.  (I'm
> > pretty sure Blake's on here-- hi Blake, good to see you in DC!)
> > It's always been very excellent support and they are used to
> > working with library associations.  Much recommended.
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
>

Re: [CODE4LIB] edit jobs posting

[Mark Pernotto]

I remember an iteration of the job posting board that was posted on GitHub,
to freely download, fork and contribute to. I'd tried this then, but could
never get some of the questions I had about it answered, so I gave up. Is
this a project seeking contributors? Is it still built in Python/Django?

.m

On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 7:44 AM, Eric Lease Morgan  wrote:

> On Jan 30, 2018, at 8:51 AM, Daniel Lovins  wrote:
>
> >>> Quick question - how can I edit a job posting I submitted yesterday?
> Or
> >>> possibly delete and re-add?  I found that the description I posted was
> >>> missing some important information.
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Tim McGeary
> >>> timmcge...@gmail.com
> >>> GTalk/Yahoo/Skype/Twitter: timmcgeary
> >>> 484-294-7660 (Google Voice)
> >>
> >> Tim, alas, there is no real way to edit nor delete a posting. I suggest
> >> you simply re-post the description. —Eric M.
> >
> > Hi Eric, all.
> >
> > I'm reviving this thread because I'm having a similar issue with the jobs
> > site. This time, though, after giving up on trying to edit an older
> > posting, I tried to create a new posting and still receive the message:
> >
> >   We're sorry, but something went wrong.
> >
> > If you are the application owner check the logs for more information.
> > ​Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!
> >
> > --
> > Daniel Lovins
> > New York University
>
>
> I know very little, if not next to nothing, about the functionality of our
> jobs@code4lib service. Can somebody here please elaborate on how content
> gets fed into the system and how to possibly edit postings? Inquiring minds
> would increasingly like to know.  ;-)  —Eric Morgan
>

Re: [CODE4LIB] javascript help (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Mark Pernotto]

Without any more information, you could do something along these lines:

var string  = '9-0123';
var newstring = string.slice(0,-5);

But that won't take into account if the first 5 numbers are, in fact,
numeric.  Should the numeric check occur prior to the string slicing?

Mark


On Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 8:47 AM, Zhu, Kaile NAF USARMY IMCOM HQ (US) <
kaile.zhu@mail.mil> wrote:

> CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
>
> Anybody can help me with such JavaScript code that can chop the ending
> portion of the string - last 5 characters - verifying if it is all numbers
> (zip code)?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Kelly Zhu
>
> CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
>

Re: [CODE4LIB] Coral Resources -- PHP

[Mark Pernotto]

Hi Rebecca,

Is this part of a larger CMS? Normally, the script to populate a MySQL
database is within a file with a .php extension. Is that what you were
looking for?

I possibly am confused as to context - but would be willing to help if I
could.

Thanks!
Mark

On Thu, Aug 18, 2016 at 8:02 AM, Ciota, Rebecca 
wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I was wondering if anyone could help.
>
> I am looking for the .php file where the users' input  for a resourceURL
> (in our case, we also seem to have a resourceAltURL) is written to the
> MySQL database. Our online user interface doesn't seem to be writing the
> input to the database. Has anyone had a similar experience? Which .php
> writes the URL information to the database?
>
> Regards,
>
> Rebecca Ciota
> Assistant Professor
> Discovery and Integrated Services Librarian
>
> Grinnell College Libraries
> Grinnell, IA 50112 USA
> Phone: 641.269.4775
>