Turning Out the LAMP

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

mod_php is a resource hog. php-fcgi improved on mod_php. php-fpm improved php-fcgi.

Process-driven vs. Event-driven

NGINX: web server uses event-driven process.
Faster than Apache
Scaleability
Low-resource application
Fast

Node.js: Server-side JavaScript
Built on Google’s V* JS engine
self-contained
built-in web server
robust
blazing fast

Node.js will replace Apache
JavaScript will replace PHP

NoSQL (Not Only SQL)
Document database. Enter as it.
Example: mongoDB, CouchDB, redis

Hacking 101: Protecting Sites & Visitors

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

Quick Wins

Update everything
If you carry it, put a password in it
Don’t trust anything
Backup
Use second factor of authentication (Example: Google)
Own the email, own the person
Good passphrases

Browser

Use two updated browsers
Know your setting
Plugins/Ad-ons
Limit JavaScript
Block Ads
Block Java, Flash, Acrobat

WordPress

WP Scan
Keep it update
File permission
ModSecurity

Mobile Discovery & Search

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

Don’t wait for prototype. Test as soon as possible.

Mobile Search

  • FreedomPop (Internet access)
  • Quixey (search engine for apps)
  • CloudMagic (one search for emails, tweets, etc.)
  • CORE (An Open Access Repository With a Mobile App)
  • Mobile Security (Consider Buying Access to a Virtual Private Network)
  • Newsblur (RSS Reader for Mobile)
  • Bitcasa Cloud via Mobile Devices

Improving Search & Discoverability of Digital Content

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

  • The rise of ebooks and ereaders.
  • The rise of self-publishing.
  • The rise of independent publishers.

Problems

  • Loss of ownership
  • Loss of discounts
  • Loss on integration
  • No used ebooks

The Douglas County model

  • Adobe Content Server
  • Assigned DRM
  • HTML5-based online eReader
  • VuFind discovery layer
  • Visual displays of eContent
  • Buy Now link
  • Patron-driven acquisition

Learn more: evoke.cvlsites.org

New Web Tech: Upping the Online Game

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

Two speakers talked about make web site visual. Teens love photo, but hate text. Use social media services such as Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest.

Another speaker suggests buying an expansive ($50 to $100) responsive theme to save the development cost later.

The speaker is not quite getting the concept of adaptive design correctly. Adaptive design is not about hiding things in mobile devices.

Another speaker walked through Twitter Bootstrap.

Seven Deadly Sins of Websites

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

75% Incoming students don’t know how to find research articles and resources

100% of the websites we looked at had at least one major usability issue

Guidelines: usability.gov

7 Deadliest Sins of Library Websites

  1. Does Not Comply with Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act: Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that all Web content be equally accessible to people with disabilities.
  2. Uses Unexplained Jargon: Avoid unexplained library jargon that typical users will not understand.
  3. Does Not Format Common Items Consistently: Ensure that the format of common items is consistent from one page to another.
  4. Does Not Maintain Visual Consistency: Elements such as colors, fonts, and content location should be consistent across pages.
  5. Does Not Organize Information Clearly: Organize information at each level of the Web site so that it shows a clear and logical structure to typical users.
  6. Does Not Establish Level of Importance: The page layout should help users find and use the most important information.
  7. Contains Cluttered Displays: On an uncluttered display, all important search targets are clearly visible.

Solution: Take advantage of professional development opportunities to learn more about technology in libraries.

15 Web Trends for 2013

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

  1. Content first: Zeldman “Good design starts with content”. Example: apple.com, happycog.com
  2. Simplicity: nike.com, The City Library
  3. UX Centered Design: Think, draw, build, repeat
  4. App style interfaces: Feedly
  5. Responsive Design
  6. No skeumorphism
  7. Coding languages: HTML/CSS/JavaScript
  8. Fixed header bars: header and social icons
  9. Large photo background
  10. CSS Transparency
  11. Social media badges
  12. Infinite Scroll
  13. Homepage feature tour
  14. Sliding panels
  15. Parallax Design

These aren’t 2013 web trends. They have been around several years.

Top Tips & Tools for Video Tutorials

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

Speaker’s book: Screencasting for Libraries by Greg Notess
Recommended software

Tips:

Keep it short
Show movement right away
Turn long texts into bullets

Screenr
Web based, required browser and Java
Limit to 5 minutes

Screencast-o-matic
Web based, required Java to run and play
Free version: 15 minutes max with watermark when export to YouTube
$15/year

Jing
Software download
Share at Screencast.com, but limited

Camtasia Studio
Software
Webcam
Many editing capabilities
Speech-to-text captions
SCORM

Hardware

Headset

Sound tip

sound interruption
close email sound
turn off phone

Best Practices in Mobile Development: Building jQuery Mobile Apps

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Notes from Computers in Libraries 2013 Workshop

Link to phone number:
<a href="tel:1234567890">123-456-7890</a>

Google Analytics tracking sections of one-page jQuery Mobile
<script type="text/javascript">
$('[data-role=page]').on('pageshow', function (event, ui) {
try {
_gaq.push( ['_trackPageview', event.target.id] );
console.log(event.target.id);
} catch(err) {
}});
</script>