OpenOffice.org

Do you use a laptop or a desk top that does NOT have Microsoft Office installed?

If yes,
then go to http://www.openoffice.org/
else
go to end.

OpenOffice.org is a free productivity suite offered by Sun Microsystems. As open source software, it is available in multiple languages for download and, let me repeat, is free! Open Office offers word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and database creation similar to Microsoft Office. It is also MS-Office compatible, meaning you can save files in the format used by Microsoft. However, OpenOffice.org version 3 does not offer the ability to store files in the new Microsoft 2007 formats yet.

Not sure what option to use once you've downloaded the software? OpenOffice Writer is the equivalent of Word, OpenOffice Calc equates to Excel, OpenOffice Impress can be used to create presentations like Powerpoint does, OpenOffice Base allows you to build databases like Access, and OpenOffice Math lets you create and edit scientific formulas.

Enjoy!

It's easy to be Green!!

The Ritz Library has added Green File to its collection of research sources. This database contains scholarly & general interest material originally published in magazines, journals and government reports. All aspects of environmental sciences are covered, from global warming to recycling.

Green File contains about 5,000 full text documents and indexes over 200,000. To use this source most effectively, un-check the "full text" box before searching, If a document looks promising and is not available full text, click on the "Article Linker" button to search for that document in all other DCC databases.

Interested? Go directly to Green File if you're on campus. From off campus, connect through MyDCC.

Copyright, cont.

About a week ago I posted an entry on copyright, what it is, why you should be concerned, and where you could go to get more information on the topic. One of the issues of copyright concern to educators is fair use of media resources in publications and education. American University's Center for Social Media has come up with a document entitled "The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education" defining media literacy education. The website clearly states what the intended pdf covers and does not cover. You can access the document and a video on the subject from here.

Doing a report about a country?

A new "Quick Link" has been added to the Ritz's resources page, Doing A Report about a country?, which gathers together electronic resources to help you write a paper on a world nation.

A major souce at the link is the "Country Reports" section of the Business Source Premier database. These yearly reports focus on the economic, political and cultural aspects of countries and cover a range of years from 1998 until the present. Another source to look at is "Virtual Reference Library," a collection of 20 electronic encyclopedias with information on countries.

To directly get to this link on campus go to http://libraryreference.sunydutchess.edu/er/countries.htm.

Access from home should be made through the Ritz's MyDCC "Off campus database access" link.

Problem with ProQuest "Cite this" function

Be careful using the "Cite this" function in the Proquest Databases (ABI Inform, Health Management, Research Library, New York Times & Wall Street Journal). We've found that the system has problems formatting the authors when generating citations. Often the citation will begin with the author's first name. Here's an example:

John M Dunn. "Growing Stronger and Greener. " Florida Trend : 2009: BusinessFlorida 1 Jan. 2009: 33. ProQuest Newsstand. ProQuest. 7 Nov. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/>

Since all documentation styles state that authors are listed last name first in citations, this is a major error. So be sure to look at ProQuest citations carefully and adjust the author entry if necessary.

Questions? Call 845.431.8634 or email refdesk@sunydutchess.edu

Brundibar

See the Brundibar exhibit at the Ritz Library, Hudson Hall, 3rd Floor

Do you know Brundibar?

It is one of the most important (I think the most important) children’s musicals of the 20th Century. It had its first production in 1943 in the concentration camp at Terezin. After the final performance most of the young performers in that original cast and the composer, Hans Krasa, were murdered! The paragraph below tells more of the story but even more has developed over the last couple of days. Two years ago, while doing my research for the production, I visited Terezin outside of Prague in the Czech Republic. Recently I have been e-mailing with people there. They sent me some material for a small exhibit I have created in the DCC library. In one of the e-mails I found out that one of the children, Ela Weissberger, lives in Tappan Hill! I spoke with her a couple of days ago. What an amazing woman! She is the author of a book about her experiences, “The Cat with the Yellow Star, Coming of Age in Terezin.” We are trying to arrange her coming to one of our performances! And yesterday I spoke with Maurice Sendak’s secretary – Mr. Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are, etc.) is the co-author with Tony Kushner of the new and special translation I am using. Brundibar is one of the most unique of all theatre stories. DCC is one of the first theatres in America to get the rights to produce it. Google reveals over 100,000 sites about Brundibar! Even Wikipedia tells the story. You Tube has pictures from around the world.

Brundibar is one of the most joyous, charming & funny children’s musicals ever written! Is it just for children? No! Definitely no! It is for the happy “forever-after” child in all of us! It is for any child/adult from 5 to 105. In the 1940s Brundibar’s happy story and delightful music tried to illuminate a world of terrible darkness – one of the darkest moments in world history. Google Brundibar for its history but come to the James & Betty Hall Theatre at Dutchess Community College on November 14 at 7:00 pm, November 15 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm and Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 pm. Come for its joy & laughter but never forget its history. This production uses the new translation by famed children’s book author Maurice Sendak and noted playwright Tony Kushner. It is directed by Steve Press who held the Greenspan Trust Handel Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Dutchess Community College. The musical director is Dr. Christopher Brellochs. The choreographers are two former DCC students, Susie Riefenhauser & Samantha Dahowski. The production is produced by the college Department of Performing Arts & the Masquers Guild. As a free bonus the college will present a brief curtain raiser before Brundibar: In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Steve Press’s delightful comedy, The Spider and the Bee, five talented actors directed by Will Szigethy will perform the story of The Spider and the Bee. Go to the college’s web site for directions to the Theatre and telephone 845 431-8696 for additional information. Children and seniors $5.00. DCC students and staff are free. General admissions is $10.00. No advance reservations – all tickets sold at the door at the time of the performance.

I’m proud that DCC is producing Brundibar for our community. I hope you will inform others about this important college project.

Steve Press

Copyright copy-right!

Confused about copyright laws? Concerned that you may be infringing on someone else's intellectual property rights? Columbia University has produced a website titled "Columbia University Libraries/Information Services Copyright Advisory Office" to help individuals and organizations understand what current copyright laws are and how to apply them. Included on the website are case studies and a Copyright Quick Guide link to help people understand how the law applies in their situation. Besides written works, copyright applies to creative works including choreography, images, computer programs, websites, art and music, among others. While fair use allows for use of much materials in an educational setting, it is important to understand what constitutes fair use, and what might be ruled an infringement of copyright law.