iTunes + new computer + XP updates = Bad!

I was finally blessed with a new computer last week after 5 years at the college. The warm fuzzies associated with my new toy quickly faded as I soon discovered I could no longer backup my iTunes purchases to CD. If it were just my personal purchases I wouldn't worry about it and move on, but I need to keep backups of the audiobooks I purchase as part of the library's new iPod/MP3 service (it finally launched after a year in the making!!! - more about that later).

When I tried to make a backup of my newest purchases on iTunes I was presented with the message: 'the attempt to burn a disc failed. an unknown error occured (4280)'. I called in the big guns (my buddy in IT) to check it out and make sure my drive was functioning properly - it passed with flying colors. Google wasn't much help either. Lots of people have my problem too, but most of them have Sony drives that broke after an XP update and the fix from Apple and Microsoft didn't work for me and my new Dell.

After playing with it for a while I discovered a fix of my own that I thought I'd share...
1. Open iTunes (I'm on version 7.something)
2. Choose 'Edit' then 'Preferences'
3. Click on the Advanced tab
4. Click on the Burning tab
5. Change the prefered speed from 'Maximum Possible' to your drive speed in the drop down box. If you don't know your drive speed, try 4x.
6. Make sure the radio button next to "Data CD" is selected.

Now try Backing up to Disc again.

Books are boring? Incoming freshmen seem to think so.

Noel-Levitz just released their second annual freshmen attitudes report. A total of 97,626 first-year college students were surveyed nationwide during the first two weeks of class in the summer and fall of 2006. Only half of the students surveyed enjoy reading and 48% of male students report that 'books have never gotten me very excited.'




Read the full report: Noel-Levitz Freshman Study 2007

Read!

I started making read posters for the library last year as part of a marketing campaign. The project began with faculty and staff who have published basically anything anywhere. We've been entertaining the idea of student versions for a while now. I finally got off my ass and finished up the first in the series. This is Mike, our ex student worker, member of Dormlife, and patient muse. Check out his band's site on myspace: www.myspace.com/dormlife.

I am a librarian

Don't like the stereotype? Join Vonjobi and change it! You can view his blog at http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/05/i-am-librarian.html.

I got my Wii!!

If you have one too and want to be friends:

Are you ready for the Wiikend?

The Nintendo Wii launches 11.19.06. Online preorders are available from Electronics Boutique this week. Nintendo has partnered with Toys R Us and GameStop stores to host midnight launch events. For more info about the Wii visit the official Wii site.

Make sure everyone you love knows it

A dear friend recently lost his father to cancer after a valiant 7 month fight. It is difficult time as those around him mourn his passing, honor his memory and celebrate his life. Chances are you or someone you love will be touched by this disease in their lifetime. The statistics are frightening. Over one million people get cancer each year. Approximately one out of every two American men and one out of every three American women will have some type of cancer at some point during their lifetime. Please take a moment to find out what you can do to help, learn how to reduce your risk, and as my friend has been urging everyone he knows...if your parents are still around call to say hello.