Sherrard Ewing

Race Report: Eugene Marathon

After crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon last year, my thoughts turned almost immediately to training for my next one. Since Chicago was my first marathon (and the weather was extraordinarily warm) I ran the race conservatively. I sought only to finish, without having a set time goal in mind. I was happy to have finished my first marathon, but I wasn't particularly satisfied with my time of 5:33:25. I wasn't hard on myself about it, but I set out to beat that time with a goal of getting a sub five-hour time.

I told myself that I was going to run a race roughly six months out from the Chicago Marathon. That would mean a race at some point in April. I also wanted a greater chance of cooler weather and a smaller vibe (although virutally any race would be smaller than Chicago). The Eugene Marathon met all these criteria and I started my training in January.

At the end of those four months of training, I woke up the morning of the race at 4:30am. I changed into my race gear, had a quick breakfast of a bagel with cream cheese, a banana, orange juice, and a cup of coffee. I drove from my hotel (10 minutes away from Eugene) to the Eugene Hilton and conference center where there were "shuttles" (school buses) to the starting line at Hayward Field.  The weather was hovering in the 40's and I didn't think to get a gear check tag the night before. It was chilly waiting for an hour in short sleeves; a contingency to be aware of for my next race in chilly weather.

The starting line at Hayward Field.

Once the race started, I was feeling good. Based on my experience in Chicago, I knew I had trained well enough to finish. I ran at an easy pace to start so I could finish strong. I didn't know it at the time, but this is a solid race strategy called a negative split. I ran the first 18 miles easy, taking in the beautiful scenery of Eugene, Oregon and the Willamette river. The people of the town were clearly proud of their marathon, with many residents on their lawns blaring electropop or AC/DC from loudspeakers while cheering us on. This being Eugene, there were also quite a few tabla and bongo drums.

At mile 18, my body was telling me "it's OK, go faster." I started accelerating my pace and felt great. I never hit the wall, but kept going faster and faster as I approached the finish line. Runners I passed were super-supportive saying "good job!" and "you're looking good!" Spectators could see the words "Chicago Marathon" on my shirt, so I got a lot of "Go Chicago!" Encouraged, I upped my pace even more.

Crossing the finish line at Hayward field was honestly one of the best moments of my life. The stands were packed with cheering spectators and the air was electric. I fed off this energy and made a dash. I was so focused on crossing the finish line as quickly as possible that I didn't think to look at the clock. I was only thinking finishing...and the complimentary pancakes awaiting me on the other side.

The true prize awaiting me at the finish.

My experience at this year's Eugene Marathon was overwhelmingly positive. From the organization of the race itself, to the beauty of town of Eugene, to my race time (4:40:06) and easy recovery from the race - I had a great time. I left town inspirted, knowing I will continue running marathons and will run the Eugene Marathon again.

Intellectual Freedom Policies and the Need for Certification

There was an interesting interview on KUOW's The Conversation the other day with Rebecca MacKinnon, author of a new book, Consent of the Networked. The topics discussed were broad and many and I have not yet read her book but listening to it did bring up a question I've had on my mind since I studied the Intellectual Freedom Manual in library school a few years ago.

Rebecca MacKinnon discussed how many companies struggle with ethical frameworks, particularly in dealing the varying censorship laws across countries. As a result, two companies operating in the same sets of countries may have wildly different policies and unless someone bothers to read the policies of each company they may not know what their stance on censorship might be. Recent examples include the furor over Twitter's announced changes to its censorship policies and Google's announcement about its streamlining of policies across its divergent services.

Back in 2008, Google, Yahoo! and what was then Windows Live Search (now Bing) formed a consortium called the Global Network Initiative to establish consistent guidelines for Internet service providers (originally limited to search engines) operating in countries with a wide range of reputations on human rights and intellectual freedom. The last I heard of the GNI was its announcement that it was formed. Looking at the site now, it appears this initiative has been received little attention and five positions remain open on the board (representatives from Internet moguls such as Facebook and Twitter are notably absent).

I think the Global Network Initiative is a great idea that deserves more support. It should take a page from Fairtrade International and develop a certification program, establish a set of requirements that service providers need to adhere to, and provide adhering organizations with a logo they can slap on their website.

Establishing an intellectual freedom certification program may do for intellectual freedom what USDA organic certification did for organic food in the United States. All the major internet service companies would see obtaining the logo on their website as a competitive advantage. It would provide a stronger reference for groups inquiring about the policy positions of these companies and it would give the companies a more consistent policy position to draw from.

Given some of the recent debate over USDA organic certification, I can't imagine intellectual freedom certification won't be without issues. However, an attempt should be made to protect users of these platforms to ensure they are able to access information they are legally entitled to and that their information won't be used against them.

 

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Open Source Center

OK, I don't "love" the Open Source Center but I can't help dropping a Stanley Kubrick reference whenever possible.  After speaking with a colleague at the IA/UX Meetup who was unfamiliar with the OSC last week, I felt compelled to finish an article that's been sitting in my drafts folder for a few months.

When my friend and former college, Mike Doane tweeted about Ninja Librarians last November and I subsequently heard a story on NPR about the Open Source Center, initially I felt unnerved by the concept.  I decided to explore my reaction to discover what I thought what exactly was creepy about it and explore the case for and potentially against the surveillance program.

What the Open Source Center actually is

In short, it's a program run by the CIA to monitor and analyze open source (public) social media and gray literature.  Its scope is officially limited publicly available works by non-American nationals.  (more info on the skepticism of the stated scope of the center later.)

The case for

It seems logical that the CIA would monitor openly publicized information on the Internet.  According to the NPR article, OSC was instrumental in alerting the government about growing dissent in the Middle East leading up to the Arab Spring.

One article in Forbes argues that, as creepy as the Open Source Center is, it beats the alternative: which is governments censoring information on the Internet instead of monitoring it.  In the act of enabling the government to better monitor the open source information on the Internet, they were (in a way) protecting free expression on the Internet.

However, there are elements within the government that want to take a new tack.

Where it could lead (if we're not careful)

As I mentioned earlier, the stated scope of the OSC does not include monitoring of domestic feeds.  Of course, there is skepticism that the OSC is not only monitoring publicly available feeds, but all private feeds within Facebook as well (video link).  I do not share those concerns (perhaps naively) and Facebook's official policy is that they do not share private feeds with law enforcement agencies without a subpoena or warrant.  That said, assuming this is true there is still plenty of reason to be concerned if the OSC does chose turn its gaze upon domestic social media.

Early last year, we saw an act proposed by Joe Lieberman that would grant the President an "Internet kill switch." Since then, we now face serious threats to the first amendment on the Internet in the forms of Stop Online Piracy Act and new measures allowing indefinite detention of terror suspects in this year's National Defense Authorization Act.  If the government expands its definitions of "terrorist" beyond Al Qaeda, it is conceivable that they could use information gleaned by the OSC to indefinitely detain American for their tweets and blog posts that previously were protected by the first amendment.

Back to reality

This potential nightmare scenario is not here, yet.  But it could be.  Rather than shirk from this prospect, we should see this as an opportunity. We may also be on the cusp of a new form of American participation in political discourse.

Rather than withholding our opinions for fear they may be used against us, we need to broadcast them more.  We should voice our reactions to the actions of governments and corporations loudly and clearly.  We should lend our support to organizations equipped to fight laws that impede on our civil liberties in court (such as the ACLU and the EFF) just so we can maintain the status quo: the government monitors and analyzes free speech on the Internet to get the cultural and political zeitgeist, rather than to squash dissent.  It's a creepy prospect, but it beats the alternative.

"Race" Report: Last Chance Half Marathon

Let me explain why I put the word "race" in quotations.  The Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon in Bellingham on December 31st (thus the name) is very much a real race - and a very well organized one.  That said, it's also a fairly casual event that feels more like a convention for running nerds than a race.  So casual, that I was graciously allowed to bring my dog, Buckley, along to run the half marathon along with me.

Buckley making friends in the check-in line.

This was my first race since the Chicago Marathon and there were (obviously) some notable differences.  First, the temperature was hovering in the late 30's (whereas Chicago was in the early 70's) so I donned my dorky but comfy running tights.  Second, the size of the race was only about 200 runners (and two dogs) versus the roughly 45,000 of the Chicago Marathon.  Also, this race was mostly trail running, starting in Fairhaven Park and run mostly along the Whatcom County and Bellingham Interurban Trail.  A beautiful run with plenty of chances to get muddy.  Lastly, this didn't feel much like a competitive event.  People seemed to be running easy and were really conversational.  So much so, a bunch of us just chilled out at the mid-way aid station and chewed the fat for a good 15 minutes. Race time be damned!

Looking like a total dork, but it's worth it for comfort and a happy dog.  Photo by Takao Suzuki.

Despite the casual feel, it was a real and very well organized race (thanks to the great work race director Terry Sentinella).  A series of arrows and X's prevented any of the race participants from taking the wrong turn at a fork in the trail and times were diligently noted at the finish line so that even Buckley got an official finish time of 2:26:11.  Coincidentally that time is the same as mine.  Not a bad time considering the dog's many stops and the 15 minutes of socializing half-way through.

The final touch was the ample amounts of hot food awaiting the runners at the end of the course including grilled cheese sandwiches and hot tomato soup.  Never has a race fed me so well.  Such a nice departure from the standard Gatorade and bananas sliced in half (although that was also available.)

All-in-all, a great time.  I may make this race an annual tradition, along with the Lake Padden Polar Bear Dip (which I also did this year).  I guess my idea of "fun" might differ from most.

 

Library Lending on the Kindle: Amazon and OverDrive Get it (Mostly) Right

About a month ago, Seattle Public Library (along with many other public libraries across the country) announced they were lending Kindle eBooks.  Given my previous posts, I jumped at the chance.  I decided to document my experience with the lending cycle of a Kindle eBook.

First, it must be noted that the ILS implementation is handled by OverDrive, not Amazon.  Since most public libraries already have an OverDrive portal for their eBooks,Kindle format titles appear in the OverDrive search alongside the previously available EPUB and audiobook formats.  Beyond the search results, Amazon then handles the actual delivery of the Kindle eBook.  I'll show a quick demonstration of how this arrangement works.

I did a search on a given title and saw that the Kindle format was available:

I clicked "Add to cart" and was then given the option to "Get for Kindle."  After clicking this button, OverDrive sends you to the Amazon site for the eBook delivery.

Once you're on Amazon's site, you then select the Kindle device (or app) you want to send the eBook to:

Unfortunately, if you have an older Kindle (like me) that does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, you have to go through an extra step.  For some reason, the eBooks cannot be delivered over the built in 3G connection.  I'm not sure why.  It seems like that would be even more secure.  Luckily, there's a work-around.  First, you download the DRM-protected Amazon MOBI file:

Then you plug your Kindle into your computer and drag said file to the \Documents folder on your Kindle.  Being marginally tech saavy, I'm able to deal with this step.  But I can see how this might present a challenge to a number of library patrons.

Once the eBook is on your Kindle, however, it's a smooth experience.  I enjoyed reading my book within the three-week lending period.  Before the end of that lending period, I was sent a reminder from Amazon (instead of the library) that my borrowing period would come to an end.

I wondered thoughout the three-week period whether my annotations were going to be saved and was glad to see that they would be.  It's nice to know that they are saved even if I were to check out my book again.

All in all, it's a great experience.  As a librarian, I'm happy to see that libraries are able to work with the largest eBook platform out there.  It's not perfect, but Amazon is pretty consistent on upgrading their user experience so it wouldn't surprise me if improvements were to be made in the coming months.  That said, it would be nice to see:

• Whispersync: Currently library eBooks can only be read on one device at a time.  I'd love to pick up where I left of on my iPhone when my Kindle is nowhere around.
• Delivery over 3G: Not sure what the technical hurdle is here, but it would be nice to save a step.
• Present more options than just buying the book: When you get your email notifications, the only option presented is to buy the book (although re-checking out the book from the library is mentioned).  This comes off as a hard sell and puts the library in the awkward position of seemingly being a three-week advertisement for Kindle eBooks.
• Address privacy concerns: Kindle annotations are kept on Amazon's servers.  There is some concern about this.  I don't think their intent is nefarious, but Amazon should include a privacy statement on the library services website and in its email notifcations to patrons.

It's a great service and I will be using it consistently in the years to come.  In addition, I'm finding myself checking out more physical book copies when I see the Kindle version is already checked out.  If that's any indication, then this will increase circulation of physical books, along with eBooks resulting in a rising net circulation: a win-win for all parties.

Race Report: Chicago Marathon

It was my intention to post updates as my training progressed but that never materialized.  I won't beat myself up over that oversight since I did manage to focus on sticking to my 16 week training schedule and ultimately succeed (effusive language, potentially NSFW) in reaching my goal.  Here's a race-report from last week's Chicago Marathon.

The 2011 Chicago Marathon is not the first marathon I've trained for (it's actually the third), but it is the first I've finished.  Running (and training, specifically) has taught me how to recover from failure.  Indeed, it's taught me the value of failure; how it can make you stronger and more better prepared when you try again.

In the five years I've been running seriously, I've become increasingly aware that there is a metaphysical/philosophical (if not a spiritual) element to running, but I've never been too sure until I stumbled on this article on Active.com (by way of CoolRunning).  That article deviates from most about the fundamentals of training.  Instead of focusing on the 10% rule or nutrition, it focuses on fundamentals such as: realistic goals, patience, gratitude, mindfulness and, faith.  I can vouch for myself when I say that these are things came together for me to finish my first marathon.

Enough philosophy.  The race started at 7:30am.  Since I did not have a qualifying time and was not running with a charity, I was in the open corral.  The open corral started after the wheelchair athletes, the elite men, then the elite women, then corrals A,B,C, and D.  I got up nice and early at 5:30 and set out to walk the mile from my hotel room at the Magnificent Mile down the starting line at Grant Park.  As soon as I stepped out into the hallway (not even getting to the elevator) I was accompanied by other open corral runners.  When I we walked out onto Michigan Avenue we joined a giant exodus of runners heading to the starting corral.

I waited in the corral (with tens of thousands of other people) for about an hour.  The gun went off at 7:30.  We started moving about ten minutes later, slowly shuffling forward.  As we approached the starting line, the shuffle turned into a walk and then a run before I crossed the starting line about 18 minutes into the race.  I've never been part of such an enormous race.

The next five-and-a-half hours weren't a blur, exactly, but I don't remember all the details of the race.  It was such a long and enormous spectacle and I was focused on listening to my body.  The course is a beautiful tour through the city and the kindness of the spectators was a huge testament to the people of Chicago.  A lot of people went out of their way to acknowledge the hard work of training and to push us to keep going.  Also, the race was so well organized I kept forgetting that there were 40,000+ people running.

As for my personal experience, I didn't know what to expect for my first marathon so I ran as slowly as possible.  My biggest fear was hitting the wall and I'm happy to report that I don't think I did.  I know I could have run faster, but my goal was simply to finish.  I've learned from experience that goals have been dashed for want of exceeding them.  So I finished with a time of 5:33:25.

My training apparently worked since I wasn't hurting too badly the afternoon of or the day after the race.  After that, I felt pretty much normal.  Honestly, I felt about the same as I did when I finished my first half marathon.  It felt good to see something through I was planning on since January.  Given how good I fellt, I think I can plan on doing another marathon in the future and perhaps even train for a sub-five hour time. 

 

My Harrowing Attempt (and Subsequent Failure) to Check out an AudioBook from my Local Public Library

I've recently learned that I like to listen to audiobooks while running.  This is usually in addition to my reading, which has reasserted itself in my life since the conclusion of grad school.  For a while I was using Audible and was happy with both the selection and ease of use.

But then, I thought "Hey, why don't I see what my library has available?"  I had some disasterous encounters with their OverDrive implmentation about five years ago.  But surely, I thought, things had improved since then.  Unfortunately, I learned that they have not.  I tweeted about it and Seattle Public Library gracefully tweeted back asking for details (while OverDrive remained eerily silent).  I tweeted back that I would, so I've decided to detail my experience in the form of an open blog post.

First, I went to the Seattle Public Library's website and clicked the Digital Books & Media link.  At the top of the page was a link to their OverDrive implementation.  I went there and proceeded to search for the title I wanted to listen to.  Surely enough when I searched for it, I found it:

Awesome.  But, wait, apparently it's only available on PC.  I was on a Mac, so I was out of luck.  Was this because OverDrive doesn't have Mac software?  They do, but the file is in WMA and they don't have a way to play DRM-enabled WMA files on a Mac.  I know for a fact that Macs are capable of playing WMA files, but whatever.  This is despite the fact that the Windows software evidently can transfer these files to an iPod or burn it to a CD after which I could do whatever I wanted with the eBook.  So, the technical capabilities are there, but the licesnse for this book is so poorly negotiated, that I was being penalized for accessing the site on a Mac.  Well that just sucks.  And who's used a Windows Media file since 2004 anyway?

OK, forget that.  After looking at some of the documentation on the SPL eBooks website, I saw that for the iPhone, I should be accessing the site through the OverDrive app instead.  OK, I thought, maybe that's my problem.  I'll try it that way.  I downloaded the OverDrive Media Console app from the iTunes App Store.  Clicked the "Get Books" button, where I searched for library websites.  I found the Seattle Public Library pretty easily (strangely enough among each indvidual branches) and added it as a resource.

To check out a book, you click the library website in the app and are taken to the mobile version of the Seattle Public Library's OverDrive implementation.

OK, it's kind of like buying Kindle apps on the iPhone, where you have to go to Amazon's site on Safari to buy the books. I get it.  I went there and searched for my book again.

Then I got this ambiguous message:

That's weird, I just saw the book on the non-mobile site.  So I guess it must be option #2.  The book is only available in WMA so I can't listen to it on my iPhone. Really?  Lame. It's 2011.  I completely understand the need to use DRM, in that regard I am practical.  I am, however, offended by DRM when it's implemented badly.  It penalizes me, the user, for not using a specific platform and that's unfair.  It makes me think these guys have a very important point.

But Amazon, Audible and other vendors have realized that DRM doesn't have to be platform-dependent.  In order for DRM to work it has to, you know, work.  What's the point of developing an app or DRM software if it can't open the files supplied by the majority of your service?

To be fair, I don't blame Seattle Public Library in this case.  They are the library having to make do with the few eBook vendors in this space.  OverDrive is squarely at fault here.  And I take their silence on Twitter as a confession to that effect (or at least an admission of their indifference).

What should they have done differently?  Any number of things.  They should have converted their files to a single format that all their DRM-software and Apps could handle, or they should have programed their software to be able to handle all the files their service provides.  Or they should have negotiated their licenses better with publishers to do any of these things.  Instead they decided to settle on providing an unusable service that libraries pay for but deliver no benefit to their users.

So what did I end up doing?  I went back to paying for Audible.  Despite the fact there are plenty of other audiobooks that my library is paying for that I'd love to listen to on my iPhone, but can't because they are in WMA format.  Silly me.

A Quick Note on the Amazon Kindle for Libraries Announcement

A while ago, I wrote about Amazon's seemingly hostile stance towards libraries' ability to lend ebooks on the Kindle.  At the time, I suggested that they enable the Kindle to work with the EPUB standard to so libraries can allow their existing eBook services to be loaded on the Kindle.  I also acknowledged why this wouldn't happen (primarily it would impact their ability to profit from all content loaded on Kindle devices and apps).  In lieu of EPUB, I suggested that they get in on licensing eBook content to libraries directly.  Last week, this is just what they announced will happen later this year.

This isn't a perfect solution (I would still like some level of "ownership" like they have with the Amazon Cloud Drive service), but it's enough for me. Now that my Kindle can check out library books, I no longer feel weird about using it.  And I will definitely be reading more books purchased on the device as a result.  Lastly, I'm also glad I will no longer be dependent on Lendle as my only source for borrowed books on the Kindle.

My Mom's 45's

I've been spending this rainy Sunday morning cleaning out the house.  Generally this involves throwing stuff in a box bound for Goodwill, but some stuff merits a little more attention.  Yes, I'd like to still get rid of this, but maybe I'll it to a vintage store or give to a collector friend who would appreciate it.  One item I have is a box of old 45's that belonged to my mother.  I don't have a record player anymore and have not collected records for years.  Before I go ahead and sell them or give them away, I thought I'd share a small sampling of this amazing time capsule.

A great example about how language can change over time... This is just a cool illustration and great design: How dreamy.... This last one seems to be a somewhat later addition. There are about 50 records in this box, most of them without covers but in numbered folders with an index.  If you'd be interested in this, let me know.  Otherwise, enjoy some of the covers below.

Happy Runner Dog

I'm experimenting with the Posterous posting options.  I thought I'd share this picture of Buckley after a 5 mile run.  He always looks so happy after burning so much energy.  Forgive the image quality of the camera on my 5 year old Mac.