Blu-ray and Netflix Streaming Video - So Easy a Caveman Could Do it (Wait, Is That Copyrighted?)

I've come late to the Blu-ray party. Like most HD junkies I was waiting for the fight between HDDVD and Blu-ray to be won, which it was in convincing fashion in 2008. Now that I've arrived at the party with martini in hand, I'm happy to be here. What I've ended up with is an LG BD300 Blu-ray player with built in Netflix streaming capabilities. If you've dismissed Blu-ray or streaming video you owe it to yourself to investigate this. What's sitting in my entertainment center now is proof positive that we've reached an age where even stupid people can be dangerous with technology.

First, Netflix has always seemed like an alien concept to me. I hate using snail mail. Now don't get me wrong, I think that the US Postal service is the best bargain to be had on the planet. Paying someone a few dozen pennies to hand carry a piece of paper across the country is an incredible deal. However, it's the main reason that I never signed up for a Netflix account. It seems like a tremendous hassle.

However, the built in Netflix streaming capabilities in the Blu-ray player had me intrigued. Since my XBOX is not on my main television, I didn't go that route after it was implemented last month on XBOX live. The surprise was how easy of a set up this entire outfit turned out to be. It's proof positive that even the world's most tech-ignorant goon could be dangerous with technology.

Blu-ray and Netflix Streaming Video - So Easy a Caveman Could Do it (Wait, Is That Copyrighted?)

First, the greatest invention in the history of humankind to this point is HDMI. Had I been the guiding hand in the evolution of man, I would have skipped the wheel and gone straight for HDMI. For every woeful man that has spent a substantial portion of his life moving entertainment centers and spending hours untangling wires, rerouting speakers, and basically contemplating suicide because of it, HDMI is wonderful. One cable. Video. Sound. Perfect. I'm not sure that there's any real quality improvement in the picture over the old DVI format, but the hassle factor is beyond measure.

Lets walk through the steps of setting this monstrosity up.

I removed my progressive scan upconverting standard DVD player, leaving the HDMI cable in place. Replacing it with the Blu-ray was simple. The total time it took was a couple of minutes running the power cable and the LAN cable (to use the streaming Netflix features).

Providing network connectivity was the next step. No LAN interface in my living room and no wireless support on the Blu-ray player meant that I had to get a Netgear Powerline network extender into an outlet near my TV. The Netgear device was simple to install. There's no software required for this, just simply plug the transmitter into a power outlet near the router, hardwiring it with a LAN cable to an open router port, then the receiver into a power outlet near the TV and run a LAN cable into the back of the Blu-ray player. The wireless extender required absolutely no soft set up. They automatically connected to my network and were up and ready to go. In fact, I use the term "transmitter" loosely. Both boxes are identical, whichever one you plug into the router becomes the "transmitter". The initial investment was in the Netgear XE104 that functions using the power circuits in your home.

Once I booted the Blu Ray player it had some trouble finding the network when I went to the Netflix option in the root menu. This was resolved easily enough by going into the network set up and re-affirming it as a "dynamic IP." I'm assuming this just forced the DVD player to renew it's IP address. As soon as I had network connectivity, it instantly informed me that there was an update to the Netflix software and it took less than a minute to download.
I took the plunge and went online and signed up for the Netflix 2-week trial on the .99 plan, the lowest unlimited plan they offer. Even though the first two weeks are free on the trial, it did require credit/debit card info. It also requires you put the Netflix device ID of the Blu-ray player in when you sign up online. Very simple, as soon as the Netflix update downloaded it gave me the ID on screen. Within seconds of entering the ID into the Netflix website the player informed me that it was authorized.

The .99 plan entitles you to put up to 9 films in your Netflix queue, 6 of which can be streaming picks. Only selected titles are available for streaming to your device, and almost none are new releases, however this plan allows you to do mail and/or streaming in any combination. There are still thousands of streaming titles. Once you complete the sign up, you can add any "instant titles" into your queue and they show up immediately in your DVD player Netflix menu. From the player's menu you can also remove the films from your Netflix queue instantly or hope between multiple features on the same title. It's really incredibly cool.

Overall, from not having the seals on the boxes broken to set up and ready to go was about 15 minutes. Another noteworthy plus on the LG BD300 is that it that my Toshiba LCD picks up the fact that the Blu-ray player has been turned on and automatically changes the input setting on my television over to it. I found this particularly interesting because the this was not the case with my LG upconverting standard def DVD player, hooked up to the same input and using the same HDMI cable.

The difference between the upconverting 1080P standard DVD and the Blu-ray is considerable. The Hi-Def picture is better than you get through your cable or satellite provider (most networks aren't broadcasting 1080p yet anyway). The first disc we watched in Blu-ray on our 52inch Toshiba LCD was The Dark Knight, and it was stunning. The IMAX sequences, mainly the long cityscapes, were mind-bogglingly sharp. It's really a perfect first choice film to start with.

Pixar's Wall-E was another mindblowingly sharp presentation. It's odd nowadays that when you sit down and watch a film like Wall-E, you're watching a product that in spite of being called a "film" actually had absolutely no film involved. Straight digital transfer to a 1080P picture that is sharper than the 3rd blade of a brand new cartridge in my Gillette Fusion Razor.

With the lessons of XBox Live/Netflix issues expressed in the article referenced above, I did start to become somewhat concerned about the picture quality of the Netfix streaming. And sure enough, the first film into my queue, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, wasn't giving us HD quality.

Here it came as described, the "cheesecloth" quality video, suddenly I was watching YOUTUBE on my big screen TV. It was quite disappointing. Then about 30 minutes into the start of the film, we lost connection completely. I was getting steamed about my stream. I went back the DVD player HOME menu and re-entered my Netflix queue and tried to resume Spotless Mind where we left off. Then, suddenly poof, the signal meter zipped all the way up informing me that I was getting full HD quality. We watched the rest of the film and the picture quality seemed ok.

Subsequently though, every title we picked looked like hell. After doing some research I found the several tech sites like Endgadget pretty much said the Netgear XE104 generally could not handle the bandwidth of an HD signal and in average operating conditions tested by the reviewers usually didn't even manage the bandwidth for standard def quality.

Further investigation led me to the XDH111, Netgear's latest and greatest powerline Ethernet adapter tested to and advertised to handle the bandwidth of an HD signal. The practical advantage of this was that not only did I get to upgrade to a better product, but it was .00 cheaper at Fry's Electronics than the substandard XE104 was at Best Buy, where it was originally purchased. Fry's in store had it for 9.99. The cheapest I could find online was 3.99. Good old Fry's Electronics.

The XDH111 improved the situation immediately. The signal meter shot to it's highest for the first HD title we streamed and to the top level of the standard def level on the non-HD titles. The Hi-Def titles look amazing over the Netflix streaming, but the standard def titles still seem just a tad soft even though the signal meter on the player is showing the best signal. I'm going to experiment by moving the location of the Netgear station to a different location in my house on the same electrical circuit as the player - fortunately, I have some options here because I have hardwired Ethernet jacks at several locations in my home.

Stupidly, when I built the house 5 years ago, I never considered needing an Ethernet jack behind my TV. I mean, after all, game consoles would never offer online play and there's no reason to have a PC in my living room...Ugh, what an idiot I was.

As for Netflix, even though new releases are mostly not available for streaming, there is one huge piece of the Netflix instant queue that I immediately zeroed in on: TV Box Sets galore. I could get classic and new Doctor Who, 30 Rock, The Office (both the UK and US versions), Charles in Charge, Heroes, The Tick (the live action series)....you name it, and there it was instantly watchable on my TV. In my eyes, this calls for installing a bedpan and refrigerator in my living room couch. For .99 per month this is potentially the bargain of the century (next to the US Postal service). In fact, I just enjoyed watching the pilot episode of The Tick, which I hadn't seen since, well...since the damned thing first aired. I also noticed the they had Heroes Season 3 available for streaming even though it's not available on DVD yet and the season's not over. The most recent episode is just about a week or two behind.

I guess I'm still of the opinion that Netflix by mail is going to be a tremendous pain in the ass, but we'll definitely be giving that a shot with newer releases.
I have to say that now's the time. Blu-ray is a phenomenal thumbs up. Oddly enough though, I would have to say that this whole streaming Netflix feature may be more valuable than the disc player itself. It's nice to have both. If you have FIOS or a Wideband Cable connection (Docsis 3.0) you should be set. I have neither right now, but I'm still able to get HD quality across, but I imagine we're on the cusp of the bandwidth no longer being an issue for HD streaming. Time to sell your children off for scientific experimentation and finance yourself a Blu-ray Home entertainment system.

On a side note, there were some moments where the investment in a PS3 was considered rather than a standalone Blu-ray, but in all honesty, I'm not sure I would want to give up the Netflix option, especially with the small number of PS3 exclusive titles that intrigue right now. Also, it's another check mark on the list of horrific mistakes that Sony continues to make with the marketing of the PS3. Netflix wanted deals with Sony and Microsoft. They didn't give a flying flip how they got their content into the home. Sony's John Koller basically told them to take a flying leap. "Our customers want to own the content," he commented. What the hell?

Well, with the .00 I saved upgrading two products levels higher on the Network Adapter I was able to pick up Evil Dead 2 on Blu-ray on sale for .99. Thank you Fry's Electronics! I'm dining with Bruce Campbell tonight.

For full reviews and opinion, visit www.deviantknowledge.com.

Blu-ray and Netflix Streaming Video - So Easy a Caveman Could Do it (Wait, Is That Copyrighted?)
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Mike "ScuzzBuster" Broda is a film critic and editorial writer for Deviant Knowledge, an entertainment/leisure blog.

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Christmas Gift Ideas For 11 Year Old Girls

Finding the right gifts for your family over the holiday season and for Christmas can be difficult. What does your son or daughter want? Short of asking them it could be hard to figure out what is the hot toy for Christmas 2010. And you don't want to do that as you want the gift to be a genuine surprise. So this article will give you a few ideas. Most of the suggestions would make fine Christmas gifts for 11 year old girl or girls around that age. In fact, these suggestions would be popular with both sexes and even adults would probably like them. So lets get into the first toy.

The first gift that may suit an 11 year old girl is the Scrabble flash game. This is a modern update on the popular Scrabble board game. It is a more social and portable version of the board game. You get 5 cubes that flash up a letter when they are turned on.

There are various games you can play but the general gist of the games is to make as many words as you can by maneuvering the cubes. When you get a word right all the cubes will flash together to indicate that the word is valid. If you play solo it's about how many words you can get in an allotted time. If you have friends over then you play against each other to see who can get the most words.

Christmas Gift Ideas For 11 Year Old Girls

Another game is The Settlers Of Catan. This is a regular board game that can be played by up to 5 people. It is far more involved than say Monopoly or Cleudo. It is about being a settler or colonist on the island of Catan. You have to work your way to the top or gain the most points.

You do this through a bit of luck but more importantly by negotiating and doing deals with other players. The game is extremely addictive and teachers children about negotiating, deal making and basic economics.

Another toy or gift that is sure to appeal to an eleven year old girl is a scooter. You can get all sorts of scooters but Razor seem to put out the most diverse and affordable range. You could get a basic E200 electric scooter. This is a deck or platform on wheels but is great fun to ride around on.

A more deluxe Razor scooter is the pocket mod scooter. This is a replica of a vespa scooter and is very popular with girls from 10 to 14 years of age. You can get various colors including pink, red and lavender.

The final toy that is sure to appeal to girls 11 and up is the much anticipated Move and Kinect motion sensor devices for the various gaming consoles. To be honest, these don't just appeal to 11 year old girls but everyone that likes the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. They will take game play to another dimension and initial reports on these devices has been extremely positive.

Christmas Gift Ideas For 11 Year Old Girls
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Click Scrabble Flash game for more details on this fun game or take a look at the Razor E200 Electric Scooter which is another popular gift for kids for Christmas 2010

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Ancient Egyptian Pottery and History

The Egyptians created pottery beginning from primordial times. Even before the construction of pyramids, they were engaged in the making of pottery. The study of pottery sheds tremendous light on the pre dynastic era of ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians used pottery in the same manner we use plastic containers today. The studies of pottery material, expertise, and types have been a great supply of information for archaeologists to date sites in the absence of other sources of data. Early Egyptologists like Flinders Petrie used pot shards to discover chronological dates for pre dynastic eras. Pottery is also used to assist the study of trade and regional development in old Egypt.

Egypt in the pre dynastic period produced pottery of very high quality. During the Badarian period the potter's wheel was not used and typically ladies prepared it. The upper segment was adorned in a radiant black color and the lower segment in deep red. The pottery was made by firing in open bone fires or archaic furnaces. From 40000 to 3000 BC. i.e. until the Dynastic era from the Naqada era, pottery was decorated with depictions of animals, humans, boats and various other patterns and symbols. It was during this period, that perhaps some of the greatest pottery was developed.

The potter's wheel was not invented in Egypt until the Old Kingdom. It was only during this era that the potter's wheel made its first appearance and started to be used for commercial purposes. The wheel was very simple, like a turn table in the beginning, but latter it advanced into a true potter's wheel. The wheel was at first turned by hand, and later the kick wheel variety developed during the Ptolemaic epoch. At this time, there was an increase in the quantity of pottery produced. However the introduction of the potter's wheel did not wipe out absolutely all the traditional forms of making pottery. For example, bread moulds were still often handmade

Ancient Egyptian Pottery and History

Egyptian pottery can be classified into two broad divisions depending upon the type of clay used in the manufacturing. It is an international classification system known as The Vienna System.

1. Pottery manufactured from Nile clay. It is also known as Nile silt ware. When it is fired it gets covered up with a red-brown color. Sometimes the pottery was decorated or painted in blue. It was mostly used for common everyday purposes. It was not used for decoration although during the New Kingdom, blue painted pottery appeared.

2. Pottery made from marl clay. It was made from material found in the region of Quena in Upper Egypt. This pottery was superior to the Nile silt ware. It was sometimes polished leaving a lustrous surface. It was used for decorative purposes as well as for other functions. However, the actual glazed pottery appeared only during roman times.

One can further make a classification of Egyptian pottery with the examination of additives in the basic fabric of the pottery, as well as an analysis of the natural impurities present in the clay.

Ancient Egyptian Pottery and History
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Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend only the best online stores for Egyptian pottery, Egyptian antiques Egyptian figurines

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Use of RFID Technology in Libraries: An Automated Metheod of Circulation, Security, Tracking and...

1. Introduction

RFID is an acronym for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a technology that allows an item, for example a library book to be tracked and communicated with by radio waves. This technology is similar in concept to a Cell Phone.

Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a broad term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. There are several methods of identification, but the most common is to store a serial number that identifies a person or object, and perhaps other information, on a microchip that is attached to an antenna (the chip and the antenna together are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag). The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader. The reader converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFID tag into digital information that can then be passed on to computers that can make use of it.

Use of RFID Technology in Libraries: An Automated Metheod of Circulation, Security, Tracking and...

2.Concept of RFID for Libraries

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is the latest technology to be used in library circulation operations and theft detection systems. RFID-based systems move beyond security to become tracking systems that combine security with more efficient tracking of materials throughout the library, including easier and faster charge and discharge, inventorying, and materials handling.

This technology helps librarians reduce valuable staff time spent scanning barcodes while checking out and checking in borrowed items.

RFID is a combination of radio -frequency-based technology and microchip technology. The information contained on microchips in the tags affixed to library materials is read using radio frequency technology regardless of item orientation or alignment (i.e., the technology does not require line-of-sight or a fixed plane to read tags as do traditional theft detection systems). The RFID gates at the library exit(s) can be as wide as four feet because the tags can be read at a distance of up to two feet by each of two parallel exit gate sensors.

2.1 Components of an RFID System

A comprehensive RFID system has four components:

(1) RFID tags that are electronically programmed with unique information;

(2) Readers or sensors to query the tags;

(3) Antenna; and

(4) Server on which the software that interfaces with the integrated library software is loaded.

2.1.1Tags

The heart of the system is the RFID tag, which can be fixed inside a book's back cover or directly onto CDs and videos. This tag is equipped with a programmeable chip and an antenna. Each paper-thin tag contains an engraved antenna and a microchip with a capacity of at least 64 bits. There are three types of tags: "read only", "WORM," and "read/write.

"Tags are "read only" if the identification is encoded at the time of manufacture and not rewritable.

"WORM" (Write-Once-Read-Many)" tags are programmed by the using organization, but without the ability of rewriting them later.

"Read/write tags," which are chosen by most libraries, can have information changed or added. In RFID library, it is common to have part of the read/write tag secured against rewriting, e.g., the identification number of the item.

2.1.2 Readers

The reader powers an antenna to generate an RF field. When a tag passes through the field, the information stored on the chip in the tag is interpreted by the reader and sent to the server, which, in turn, communicates with the Integrated library system when the RFID system is interfaced with it.

RFID exit gate sensors (readers) at exits are basically two types. One type reads the information on the tag(s) going by and communicates that information to a server. The server, after checking against the circulation database, turn on an alarm if the material is not properly checked-out. Another type relies on a "theft" byte in the tag that is turned on or off to show that the item has been charged or not. It is then not necessary to communicate with the circulation database.

Readers in RFID library are used in the following ways:

Conversion station-where library data is written to the tag;

Staff workstation at circulation- used to charge and discharge library materials;

Self check-out station-used to check-out library materials without staff assistance;

Self check-in station-used to check in books etc. without staff assistance;

Exit sensors- to verify that all the books etc. leaving the library have been checked-out;

Book-drop reader- used to automatically discharge library materials and reactivate security.

Sorter and conveyor-automated system for returning books etc. to proper area of library;

Hand-held reader-used for inventorying and verifying that books etc. are shelved correctly.

2.1.3 Antenna

The antenna produces radio signals to activate the tag and read and write data to it. Antennas are the channels between the tag and the reader, which controls the system’s data acquisitons and communication. The electromagnetic field produced by an antenna can be constantly present when multiple tags are expected continually. Antennas can be built into a doorframe to receive tag data from person’s things passing through the door.

2.1.4 Server

The server is the heart of some comprehensive RFID systems. It is the communications gateway among the various components. It receives the information from one or more of the readers and exchanges information with the circulation database. Its software includes the SIP/SIP2 (Session Initiation Protocol), APIs (Applications Programming Interface) NCIP or SLNP necessary to interface it with the integrated library software. The server typically includes a transaction database so that reports can be produced.

2.2 Optional Components

Optional RFID system includes the following three components:

1. RFID Label Printer

2. Handheld Reader

3. External Book Return

1. RFID label Printer

An RFID-printer is used to print the labels with an individual barcode, library logo etc. When the print is applied, it simultaneously programmed the data in to the chip. After this process, the RFID label is taken from the printer and self-adhered to the book. It also checks each RFID label for function.

2. Handheld Reader/Inventory Wand

The portable Handheld Reader or inventory wand can be moved along the items on the shelves without touching them. The data goes to a storage unit, which can be downloaded at a server later on, or it can go to a unit, which will transmit it to the server using wireless technology. The inventory wand will cover three requirements:

· Screen the complete book collection on the shelves for inventory control.

· Search for books, which are mis-shelved.

· Search for individual book requested.

Other applications can be written for the inventory wand, since the system utilizes a personal data terminal (PDT).

3. External Book Return

Libraries can offer a distinct service, which is very useful for users like ability to return books during off hours. External book return is a machine with a slot with a chip RFID reader integrated into the wall. It works the same way as the Self Check –Out Station. The user identifies himself/herself (if required by the library), and then puts the book(s) in to the slot. Upon completing his/her return, the user will receive a receipt showing how many and which books were returned. Since they have already been checked-in, they can go directly back onto the shelves. These units can also be used with sorter and conveyor systems.

3. Key Features of RFID in library

The reliability of the system, its ease of operation, and the flexibility of tagging all kinds of media easily, is important criteria in choosing an RFID system. The main aim for today's libraries to adopt RFID is the need to increase efficiency and reduce cost. Automation and self-service can help libraries of all sizes toward achieving these aims, and RFID has the added advantage that it can also provide security for the range of different media on offer in libraries. The technology can also improve circulation and inventory control, which helps to optimise the allocation of labour and financial resources. This means that libraries can relieve their professional employees of routine work and operational tasks.

All of the tags used in RFID technology for libraries are "passive." The power to read the tags comes from the reader or exit sensor (reader), rather than from a battery within the tag.

A few libraries use "smart" card, which is an RFID card with additional encryption, is an alternative to merely adding an RFID tag on staff and user identification cards. Not only does that identify users for issue and return of library materials, but also for access to restricted areas or services. This would make it possible to make it into a "debit" card, with value added upon pre-payment to the library and value subtracted when a user used a photocopier, printer, or other fee-based device, or wished to pay fines or fees.

3.1 Speedy and Easy User self-charging/discharging

The use of RFID reduces the amount of time required to perform circulation operations. This technology helps librarians eliminate valuable staff time spent scanning barcodes while checking out and checking in borrowed items. For the users, RFID speeds up the borrowing and returns procedures. The Library professionals, instead of scanning bar codes all day long in front of a queue of users, are released for more productive and interesting duties. Staff is relieved further when readers are installed in book drops.

3.2 Reliability

The readers are highly reliable. Several vendors of RFID library systems claim an almost 100 percent detection rate using RFID tags.

Some RFID systems have an interface between the exit sensors and the circulation software to identify the items moving out of the library. Were a library user to run out of the library and not be catched, the library would at least know what had been stolen. If the user card also has an RFID tag, the library will also be able to determine who removed the items without properly charging them.

Other RFID systems encode the circulation status on the RFID tag. This is done by designating a bit as the "theft" bit and turning it off at time of charge and on at time of discharge. If the material that has not been properly charged is taken past the exit gate sensors, an immediate alarm is triggered. Another option is to use both the "theft" bit and the online interface to an integrated library system, the first to signal an immediate alarm and the second to identify what has been taken out.

3.3 High-speed inventorying

A unique advantage of RFID systems is their ability to scan books on the shelves without tipping them out or removing them. A hand-held inventory reader can be moved rapidly across a shelf of books to read all of the unique identification information. Using wireless technology, it is possible not only to update the inventory, but also to identify items, which are out of proper order.

3.4 Automated materials handling

Another application of RFID technology is automated materials handling. This includes conveyor and sorting systems that can move library materials and sort them by category into separate bins or onto separate carts. This significantly reduces the amount of staff time required to ready materials for re-shelving.

3.5 Tag life

RFID tags last longer than barcodes because, the technology does not require line-of-sight. Most RFID vendors claim a minimum of 100,000 transactions before a tag may need to be replaced.

4. Demerits of RFID Systems

4.1 High cost

The major disadvantage of RFID technology is its cost. While the readers and gate sensors used to read the information typically cost around ,500 to ,500 each; and the tags cost $.40 to $.75 each.

4.2 Accessibility to compromise

It is possible to compromise an RFID system by wrapping the protected material in two to three layers of ordinary household foil to block the radio signal. It is also possible to compromise an RFID system by placing two items against one another so that one tag overlays another. That may cancel out the signals. This requires knowledge of the technology and careful alignment.

4.3 Removal of exposed tags

RFID tags are typically affixed to the inside back cover and are exposed for removal. This means that there would be problems when users become more familiar with the role of the tags. In Indian libraries this is a major challenge to keep the tags intact.

4.4 Exit gate sensor (Reader) problems

While the short-range readers used for circulation charge and discharge and inventorying appear to read the tags 100 percent of the time, the performance of the exit gate sensors is more problematic. They always don’t read tags at up to twice the distance of the other readers. There is no library that has done a before and after inventory to determine the loss rate when RFID is used for security.

4.5 Invasion of User Privacy

Privacy concerns associated with item-level tagging is another significant barrier to library use of RFID tags. The problem with today’s library RFID system is that the tags contain static information that can be relatively easily read by unauthorized tag readers. This allows for privacy issues described as “tracking” and “hotlisting”.

Tracking refers to the ability to track the movements of a book (or person carrying the book) by “correlating multiple observations of the book’s bar code” or RFID tag. Hotlisting refers to the process of building a database of books and their associated tag numbers (the hotlist) and then using an unauthorized reader to determine who is checking out items in the hotlist.

4.6 Reader collision

One problem meet with RFID is the signal from one reader can interfere with the signal from another where coverage overlaps. This is called reader collision. One way to avoid the problem is to use a technique called time division multiple access, or TDMA. In simple terms, the readers are instructed to read at different times, rather than both trying to read at the same time. This ensures that they don't interfere with each other. But it means any RFID tag in an area where two readers overlap will be read twice.

4.7 Tag collision

Another problem readers have is reading a lot of chips in the same field. Tag clash occurs when more than one chip reflects back a signal at the same time, confusing the reader. Different vendors have developed different systems for having the tags respond to the reader one at a time. Since they can be read in milliseconds, it appears that all the tags are being read simultaneously.

4.8 Lack of Standard

The tags used by library RFID vendors are not compatible even when they conform to the same standards because the current standards only seek electronic compatibility between tags and readers. The pattern of encoding information and the software that processes the information differs from vendor to vendor, therefore, a change from one vendor’s system to the other would require retagging all items or modifying the software.

5. Best Practices guidelines for Libraries

As libraries are implementing RFID systems, it is important to develop best practices guidelines to utilize the technology in best way and to keep the privacy concern away. The following may be the best practices guidelines for library RFID use:

· The Library should be open about its use of RFID technology including providing publicly available documents stating the rational for using RFID, objectives of its use and associated policies and procedure and who to contact with questions.

· Signs should be pasted at all facilities using RFID. The signs should inform the public that RFID technology is in use, the types of usage and a statement of protection of privacy and how this technology differs from other information collection methods.

· Only authorized personnel should have access to the RFID system.

· No personal information should be stored on the RFID tag.

· Information describing the tagged item should be encrypted on the tag even if the data is limited to a serial number

· No static information should be contained on the tag (bar code, manufacturer number) that can be read by unauthorised readers.

· All communication between tag and reader should be encrypted via a unique encryption key.

· All RFID readers in the library should be clearly marked.

· ISO 18000 mode-2 tags should be used rather than ISO 15693.

6. Installations

While there are over 500,000 RFID systems installed in warehouses and retail establishments worldwide, RFID systems are still relatively new in libraries. Fewer than 150 had been installed as of the 2004.

Most installations are small, primarily in branch libraries. The University of Connecticut Library; University of Nevada/Las Vegas Library, the Vienna Public Library in Austria, the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, and the National University of Singapore Library are the only sites that appear to have tagged more than 500,000 items each.
So far in India only two University libraries have Installed the RFID system. First among them is Jayakar Library of Pune University and second is Dhanvantri Library of Jammu University. The use of RFID throughout Indian libraries will take at least four to five years.

7. Recent Developments

Recent developments in hardware and software for RFID systems have increased the potential of this technology in library automation and security. 'Today, the one important result for libraries is the ability to use non-proprietary systems, now that the new generation of RFID-chips with standard ISO 15693 (to be integrated into ISO 18000-3) is available,' explains Dr Christian Kern, system development manager of Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems, a Swiss company specialising in such systems for libraries. 'With this technology, libraries do not have to depend on one single supplier for tags. As libraries make a long-term investment, which mainly consists of the quantity of tags needed, this is a very important requirement.'

8. Vendors

The products of six manufacturers of library RFID systems are available in India through their business associates: Bibliotheca, Checkpoint, ID Systems, 3M, X-ident technology GmbH represented by Infotek software and systems in India and TAGSYS— the last represented by Tech Logic, Vernon, Libsys in India and VTLS .

There are several other companies that provide products that work with RFID, including user self-charging stations and materials handling equipment.

Conclusion

It is quite clear from the above discussion that an RFID system may be a comprehensive system that addresses both the security and materials tracking needs of a library. RFID in the library is not a threat if best practices guidelines followed religiously, that it speeds up book borrowing and inventories and frees staff to do more user-service tasks. The technology saves money too and quickly gives a return on investment.

As far as privacy issue is concerned it is important to educate library staff and library users about the RFID technology used in libraries before implementing a program.

It may be good for librarians to wait and watch the developments in RFID for some time before the cost of tags comes down to $.20 or less, the figure which librarians has determined is the key to their serious consideration for the use of technology.

While library RFID systems have a great deal in common with one another, including the use of high frequency (13.56 MHz), passive, read-write tags. Lack of Standard and Compatibility of tags produced by different vendors is a major problem in implementation of RFID in Libraries. Current standards (ISO 15693) apply to container level tagging used in supply chain applications and do not address problems of tracking and hot listing. Next generation tags (ISO 18000) are designed for item level tagging. The newer tags are capable of resolving many of the privacy problems of today’s tags. However, no library RFID products are currently available using the new standard. Apart from that cost of the RFID Tags and equipments is also a major problem for libraries to implement the same in a developing country like India.

References:

Ayre, Lori Bowen, The Galecia Group (August 2004) Position paper: RFID and libraries. Retrived from [http://www.galecia.com/weblog/mt/archives/cat_rfidandwireless.php]

Berkeley Public Library (n.d.) Berkeley Public Library: Best Practices for RFID technology. Retrieved from [http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/BESTPRAC.pdf].

BIBLIOTHECA RFID Library Systems AG (2003) RFID Technology Overview
Retrieved from http://www.bibliotheca-rfid.com

Boss. R. W. (2003). RFID technology for libraries [Monograph]. Library Technology Reports. November-December 2003.

Boss. R. W. PLA Tech Notes (May 14, 2004) RFID Technology for libraries. Retrieved from [http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/technotes/rfidtechnology.htm]

FAQ RFID Journal (OnlineVersion) Retrieved from http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/207

Koppel, T. (March 2004). Standards in Libraries: What’s Ahead: a guide for Library Professional about the Library Standards of Today and the Future. The Library Corporation. Retrieved from http://www.tlcdelivers.com/tlc/pdf/standardswp.pdf.

Molnar, D., Wagner, D. A. (June 2004). Privacy and security in library RFID: Issues, practices and architectures. Retrieved from [http://www.cs.berkeley.edu~dmolnar/library].

Sarma, E. S. Weis, S. A., Engels, D.W. (November 2002). White paper: RFID systems, security & privacy implications. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AUTO-ID Center.

Use of RFID Technology in Libraries: An Automated Metheod of Circulation, Security, Tracking and...
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Author is presently working as Assistant Librarian, University of Jammu, Jammu-180006, India

Syed Md. Shahid
Assistant Librarian, University of Jammu, Jammu-180006
smshahid20032yahoo.co.in

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