Handout for the ALAO 10/30/09 presentation. Presentation description: Overview: What can technical services departments do to tackle automation, training, and communication issues when they have been doing more with less for years? This presentation will cover several free (or inexpensive) and easy to implement tools that Miami University’s Technical Services department has incorporated into daily operations. Specific software, including wikis, macros, and tutorials will be discussed along with quick ways these tools can help technical services address the above issues.

1. Technical Services Tools Redux
ALAO, 10/30/2009
• Mashable
General o http://mashable.com/
• O’Reilly Blogs
o http://oreilly.com/blogs/
What to look for when scouting for new tools:
• Cost
o How much will it cost to use the software?
o “Free” means that the software is free.
Installing and maintaining said software will still Communication
cost you money.
• Technical specs and maintenance
Problems:
o Who will be responsible for troubleshooting or
Incorrect information, missing information, and
upgrades?
bureaucratic procedures in updating information
o For certain types of software, what are the
Solution:
pros and cons of using a local server vs.
Wiki Intranet
hosted server?
Tool:
• Technical skills needed to operate PBWorks (free, hosted), http://pbworks.com/
o Can the majority of staff confidently use the Features
tool?
• WYSIWYG editor – similar to other rich text editors
o How much training will the staff need to master
staff use everyday
the basics of the tool?
• Free hosting – server and software maintenance
• Licensing no longer the responsibility of the department
o What are the restrictions set by the license?
• Security – offers private, password protected wiki
• Does it address the problem? options for sensitive information
o Are you implementing this tool because of an • Document manager – folder/file system for macro
existing problem or for other reasons? scripts, excel files, and more
• Plugins – allows for use of widgets and plugins,
Places to look for new tools: such as an instant translator and an embedded
Library-specific Google Calendar
• Librarian in Black Uses
o http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/ • Polices/procedures
• Planet Code4Lib • Staff information
o http://planet.code4lib.org/ • Staff calendar (Google Calendar)
• What I Learned Today • File sharing
o http://www.web2learning.net/ • Resource bookmarking
General • Training
• Computerworld • Application/macro documentation and updates
o http://www.computerworld.com/
• Google Apps Other tools
o http://googleapps.blogspot.com/ Wiki matrix, http://www.wikimatrix.org/
Becky Yoose, yoosebj@muohio.edu

2. Technical Services Tools Redux
ALAO, 10/30/2009
• Lists available wiki software o http://tinyurl.com/yfpqbnj (Slide Show)
• Choice wizard to help you determine which wiki o Covers downloading macro files and
software is appropriate for your situation importing them into ME
• Accessing an item's records
o http://tinyurl.com/yfvannh (PDF)
o How to access an item's order, item, and
bibliographic records
Other tools
Jing, http://www.jingproject.com/
• Static and video screen capture
• Store captures to disc or host them on
screencast.com
Training
• 5 minute limit on video, limited editing features
Problems:
Un-uniform training materials, gaps between training and
doing actual task, lack of training documentation Automation
Solution:
Tutorials
Tool: Problems:
Wink (free, download for Windows/Linux), Repetitive actions on computer by humans leaves
http://www.debugmode.com/wink/ greater chance of error and is more expensive in the
Features long run
• Capture screen in two ways Solution:
o Input driven (keystrokes, mouse clicks) Automation
o Timed capture Tools:
• Post-capture editing Macro Express ($40/cpu),
o Insert and edit text boxes, shapes, http://www.macroexpress.com/
navigational guides, images, internal and AutoIt (free), http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/
external links (both Windows only)
• Capture audio during screen capture or post- General Features
capture editing • Automate workflows that involve multiple
• Create customized templates to use for multiple programs
tutorials • Replicates repetitive keystrokes
• Output tutorials in different formats • Automate simple decision making logic
o PDF, Flash movie, HTML, .exe files, and processes
postscript Macro Express Features
Examples of Wink tutorials • Record actions to create a macro on the fly
• Import macros into Macro Express • Wizard for simple macro building
Becky Yoose, yoosebj@muohio.edu

3. Technical Services Tools Redux
ALAO, 10/30/2009
• Two different macro script editors to choose
from
• User and “non-techie” friendly
AutoIt Features
• Very flexible and powerful, capable of more
complex scripts than Macro Express
• BASIC-like syntax, also similar to OML
• Compile scripts into standalone .exe files
• Regular Expressions support
• Create own Graphical User Interface
Flash Demos and Example Scripts
• Macro Express
o http://www.screencast.com/t/QBzGbsbk
p
o Demo Scripts (.mex file) at
http://tinyurl.com/yla75rh
• AutoIt
o http://www.screencast.com/t/THTw1n9ty
o Demo Scripts (.zip file) at
http://tinyurl.com/yff3fta
Becky Yoose, yoosebj@muohio.edu