Article linking updates in EBSCO databases

Database interface changes always seem to catch me by surprise, even when I supposedly know they are coming. EBSCO updated it's EBSCOhost interface and one of the changes was pointed out to me in an email from a faculty member. No, she wasn't seeing things, the Permalink really wasn't where it "should" have been.

There is now a Tools menu on the right of the record screen (the screen with the info about the individual article). All the old functions (Add to Folder, Email, Cite, etc.) are over there, including Permalink.

There is also a new one, Bookmark. That gives you an astonishing array of linking services, such as Delicious, Facebook, CiteULike, and Connotea, courtesy of a service called AddThis. They are posting the "proxied" URL, too, so off campus users will be prompted to log in properly. (Of course, non-SCSU users will not be able to use the links, but that's a different issue. If you need to send something to a non-SCSU colleague, you should probably copy the info from the Cite tool, so that they can look it up themselves in their own library's databases.)

Now I really have to get that linking guide updated!

Notices and Updates

Sorry, I haven't been posting much, folks. Here are a few notices and updates:

Campus is closing at 12:30 today, including the library. The library is closed this weekend, but will be open Monday - Wednesday next week. (Library Hours)

There's a MySCSU database update scheduled for Dec 23, 10 am - 5 pm. It will affect the MySCSU portal (email, calendar, etc.), but not Vista. IT suggests using the alternative interface for web email access: https://mail.southernct.edu/.

I'll be on vacation from Jan 5-19. I'll be keeping an occasional eye on my email (mostly to keep the spam from building up), but if you need help, you'll be better off contacting the Reference Desk directly: (203) 392-5732 or eref@southernct.edu.

Warm holiday wishes to everyone!

Firefox 3 released today!

Firefox version 3 is scheduled for release at 1 pm today (Eastern). See the Download Day Kickoff! post on the Mozilla blog. They are trying to set a world record for software downloads in 24 hours. I just want my Firefox!

I've had the test release on my Mac at home (thanks to lots of freezes in 2) and it's been very nice. Definitely faster (though, of course, I've also got fewer extensions installed, since not all the extensions work in 3 yet.) Here's the most comprehensive guide to Firefox 3, though there are also plenty of reports available on the web.

I'll definitely see what I can turn up for research and education related add-ons/extensions for a future post.

Update: After a couple of hours, I finally managed to get to the download site, and downloaded a copy to my work computer. Unfortunately, the Add-Ons site is down (presumably overloaded), so I can't get my updates for things like the del.icio.us add-on. Oh, well, better luck tomorrow.

Another Update: I just checked the Firefox site, and they are still having trouble with the download displaying version 2. You might want to wait until tomorrow!