Catch 22

Have you lived through a Catch 22 situation?

Most of us have been caught in some bureaucratic circle of unreasonableness. My circle has to do with my internet provider, Comcast.

I have an internet phone service that ties to the Comcast cable modem. Here's where the Catch 22 begins- when the internet doesn't work, the phone doesn't work. My modem chose to not light up. It seemed to have quit. I was able to schedule a service call. The tech never showed up. When I reached a phone that worked and called Comcast, I was told the tech tried to call but because I didn't answer, they cancelled the service call.

Can you see my hair curling?

I had no phone service at home because I had no internet access. Without the phone service, the tech couldn't tell me they were coming. No internet, no phone, no service. What makes it more interesting is the lack of awareness by the Comcast service people to this conundrum. They really don't see the problem.

Who can I write to that might have a modicum of common sense?

Here's where GALILEO fills the bill for company research. We have access to Hoover's Company Capsules and Profiles which "includes information on more than 40,000 companies, 600 industries, and 225,000 key executives". A search for Comcast Cable Communications, LLC provides a full page of names with a corporate address, FAX and phone. Yes, now I have a name to put in the salutation of my concerned customer missive.


When you have something to say to a business, get the name of the person who might care enough to respond to your concern.
GALILEO - your Georgia librarian can give you the password
...Databases A-Z
.....H
.......Hoover's Company Capsules and Profiles

-kss

Aaahhhh, can you smell it?

Some cooks have begun to prepare for the family feast. Pumpkin pies are baking. Cranberries are popping for the sauce. Cinnamon scents the air. If you haven't begun, it's not too late to find just the right recipe to recreate your holiday memory.

I've talked about finding recipes in ProQuest and Ebsco. You can type the ingredient in the search box and limit the search to recipes. Both resources let you print, save and e-mail.

We have a sizable print collection of cooking books to support our Culinary programs. I want a book that could be used right now. With both ebrary and EBSCO books offering the download option, the cookbooks in those electronic collections become incredibly handy. I've talked about how once you've opened a book in either collection, you may search the full text of every book in the collection.

A search for cookbook while limiting the search to the Electronic Books, retrieved 75 titles with cookbook somewhere in the text (title or subject or description). I selected the first EBSCO title and then searched for cranberries. That full text search pulled up 65 titles. Interesting to see the mix of science, bar tending, health, and cooking information from a full text search for cranberries. Now to pick a title and search within that particular book to see what I can find about cooking with cranberries!

Sometimes the searching is just as satisfying as the finding. Happy Thanksgiving. I'll be back on Monday.


-kss

To use ProQuest and Ebsco in GALILEO get the current password from your Georgia librarian.

To use the e-book collections off campus, get the login information from your CTC librarian. Don't forget most campus libraries will be closed after 8pm tonight until Monday morning.

Magic words

Do you remember as a child, hearing the reminder, use the magic words? This is the week to use the magic words with people you see rarely but are connected with through the ties that bind.


I see rude people isn't a manners book in the way that Etiquette & manners is. The reviews on Amazon for
I see rude people clearly point out this is Ms. Alkon's response to what she has encountered in public. It might be helpful as one travels over the holiday weekend to keep her anecdotes in mind. Some of the ways, she helps others polish their manners, are refreshing.

Yet, when faced with what to say, which utensil to use, and do I bring a house gift,Etiquette & manners would be the better selection.

Both are available through our electronic book collection. Both can be downloaded into an e-reader. Check with your CTC librarian for the login to the electronic book collections.

Most campus libraries will have limited hours on Wednesday (some of us will be closed entirely).



-kss

Short week

Public schools in Cherokee County are closed this week for the Thanksgiving holiday. The roads felt a little less congested on the way to work.

CTC is 'open' on Wednesday, no classes will be held but some offices are open. The campus libraries will have limited hours on Wednesday and be closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check with your campus librarian before heading for the library!


-kss

The North Metro campus library will be closed on Wednesday, so you don't need to check with us.