Regional Library Computer Center

Have you ever come across a URL that you dreaded having to type it in the address box? I have many, many times. Sometimes you can remedy this problem by simply bookmarking the page under your bookmarks or favorites on your browser. There are other times in which you don’t want to take the time to go to the bookmarks or favorites to get this link, you just want to be able to type it in. Well, there is a solution to this problem.  The website is http://www.tinyurl.com .  It takes long URLs and converts them into a smaller version, which in the end makes things a whole lot simplier for either yourself or the person you may have sent the link to.

Here is an example I have borrowed from a fellow blogger:

In our catalog system there is link to a James Patterson novel.  The regular URL would be as follows:

http://vulcan.bham.lib.al.us/search?/apatterson%2C+james/apatterson+james/1%2C4%2C334%2CB/exact&FF=apatterson+james&1%2C12%2C/indexsort=-

This can be converted to the following:

http://tinyurl.com/2h68n9

Which would you rather have?

This is a no-brainer for me.

I discovered a gem of a website a few weeks ago after reading one of our organizations blogs. The website is http://www.zamzar.com . Basically it is a free online file conversion website. This is a very handy application to have because many times you may need a specific file, let’s say a Word doc file, to be a PDF file. If you go to this website you are able to convert the Word file to a PDF file in just minutes. Sometimes there is a little wait, but it is free so no complaining on my part. Here are some file formats that Zamzar converts:

• Document formats
• Image formats
• Music formats
• Video formats
• Compressed formats

There is a maximum upload of 100 mb which can be split between up to five different files.  The process of converting a file is simple:

1. Select the file to convert.
2. Choose the format to convert to.
3. Enter your email address.
4. Click on convert.

In a matter of minutes or sometimes longer you will receive an email message containing the link to your new file.

The RLCC, in conjunction with the Birmingham Public Library, will be closed on Thursday, November 22nd in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Both the RLCC and the Birmingham Public Library will reopen on Friday, November 23rd at 9 a.m.

In conjunction with the Birmingham Public Library, the Regional Library Computer Center will be closed on Sunday, November 11th and Monday, November 12th in observance of Veteran’s Day.