Microsoft Surface Tablet & Overdrive

The new MS tablet.  The Surface.  It can come with two different operating systems.  Weird, right?  A comparison of the hardware & specifications of Pro vs RT.  And what's worse is that they're treated different when it comes to Overdrive. 

The first is tablet based, called "Microsoft Surface RT", so to get Overdrive, you treat it like a tablet.  Get the Overdrive app and all that, from the Appstore, like you would any Android device or smartphone.  Straight from Overdrive:

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

With the OverDrive app for EPUB & MP3 and the Kindle app for Kindle Books.

So, you have to either get the Overdrive app or the Kindle app, much like any Android device.  I've used both, but I prefer the Overdrive app since you don't have to go through the Amazon website everytime you want to get an e-book.  The other great thing is that you can do both audio and e-books from the Overdrive app, so it's one-stop shopping.

Now, back to Overdrive. 

Notice how Overdrive doesn't say anything about the other Surface?  That's because if you don't have the RT, then you have the other OS.  You have the MS 8 based "Microsoft Surface 8 Pro", which is a desktop OS.

To get Overdrive on the Surface 8, you treat it like you would your desktop computer.  To do that, you get the Overdrive Media Console for Windows 8, which according to Overdrive, works on any Windows 8 device.  To get that, just go here.  You just pick your version - which would be the desktop Windows 8.

If you don't want to go through the Overdrive website, you can go right through your Windows Appsore.  Do a search for "Overdrive" or "Overdrive Media Console", both of which give you the only Overdrive app in the Windows Appstore, which is the Overdrive Media Console.  It's a free app, so download and enjoy!

Love helping someone!

Patron (on phone): Do you know what Sparknotes are?

Me: Yes, I do.

Patron: Do you have the Sparknotes for the Hobbit?

Me: Let me check.  *runs quick search*  My computer says we do, but let me check the shelf just to
make sure.

Patron: Please make sure it's  in, because I'm coming from City30MinAway.

Me: *runs to check, then gets back on phone* I have it in my hand.  Can I get your name again?
Patron: *gives name*  Thank you!

Patron (comes in an hour later to get book): *stands around because I'm on phone with another patron while co-worker is helping a different patron away from the desk*

Me: *hangs up with other patron and looks up at Patron*  Here for the Sparknotes?

Patron: *big smile*  You must be the wonderful young lady who I talked to!

Me: *big smile* I am!

*Thanks and You're Welcomes Exchanges*

Computers computers everywhere!

Sorry for the lack of posts!  Work's been keeping me busy!

Today, I tried to help a gentleman search for books on the Apple iOS 5.  Not 4, which we have (or have access to), or any of the "For Dummies" books, but one on the programming and kernals.  He also wanted books on the inside knowledge (kernals again) of Windows 8.

Unfortunately for him, we had none.  I ordered him one book Android that he requested, the one that wasn't "For Dummies" that he was interested in.  No Apple books.  Or Windows 8.  Pretty sure they're both too new, so I told him to check back in a few months and we might have something in.

Homonyms...

Sometimes, words just don't translate from person to person, despite speaking the same language.

Patron: I need books about bowling for class.

Me: Books on bowling?
Patron: Yeah, it's the only thing I could think of that other's weren't doing.

Me: *searches*  Okay, they're over here.

Patron: *scratches head*  Bowling.  With a 'u'.

Me: *bowling with a 'u'?  Bulling?*  *lightbulb*  Bullying!

Patron: Yeah, exactly!

Me: *laughing to myself over my error*  In that case, they're over here.

Patron: *laughing with me*

The difference one word can make

I had a patron come in and look for a movie called "The Speaker".  I couldn't find it.  All I found were books, and she was looking for a movie.

On a whim, I asked her if it was "The King's Speech."  Bingo.  That was the one she was looking for.

One word can make all the difference.

Current Reads

I haven't gotten too many strange questions at work, so not too much to report.

Currently reading Mercedes Lackey's Obsidian Stone trilogy book 2 "To Light a Candle".

Playing Dragon Age 2 and Dishonored on the X-Box.

Last book I skimmed was 'Horse Color Explained' by Jeanette Gower.  It's an older book (1999), so some of the stuff isn't up-to-date, but what is current is interesting and accurate.

I just finished listening to Kim Harrison's 'A Fistful of Charms' and next on the audio list is 'For A Few Demons More'.

Lots of Voting questions

I've had a large bit of questions on voting, mostly about what's going to be on specific ballots.  By now, I can almost walk people through how to find a sample ballot with my eyes closed and no computer at hand.

After the voting is over (today, actually), it'll be back to the 'normal' questions.  Mostly homework questions, but some of those are the most interesting ones, such as the history of the chocolate chip cookie.