BEACON Information Commons::News and Events

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Thousands of IT Resources for JPLers

January 8th, 2013

Looking for tips on Java? LabView, or MATLAB?
Want to learn new features about MS Office applications?
Need to catch up on web development?

Do you know, as a JPLer, you have access to thousands of electronic books and videos on all aspects related to IT (information technology)? JPL Library, Professional Development, and the Engineering and Science Directorate offer several resources, allowing all staff to pursue self-paced learning and development. Here is a quick run-down of the major resources:

JPL Library ebooks portal: This page leads to a search box and an A-Z list of books from IEEE, EngNetBase, ITNetBase, and Springer Computer Science book collections. All materials from here can be downloaded then put on any mobile devices for later reading.
Books 24×7: Through the NASA SATERN training system, search for Books 24×7, and you can access books and short videos on IT topics as well as business management skills. Books 24×7 also serves as the Lab’s outlet for Microsoft training. You need to have a NASA Launch Pad user id and password in order to use this resource.
Training library from lynda.com: Jointly supported by the Engineering and Science Directorate and Professional Development, lynda.com provides videos on programming languages, productivity software, web development applications, and other topics. You need to set up a login and profile with lynda.com in order to watch the videos. Follow the direction below or call 4HELP to set up your profile.

Contact the JPL Library (email library@jpl.nasa.gov or call 4-4200) if you are interested in a customized list of ebooks or videos. For access and technical support for Books 24×7, please contact NASA SATERN sy Help at NASA-satern.support@nasa.gov; access questions related to lynda.com, please contact 4HELP.

———–Instruction on setting up lynda.com profile ——-

From your computer, while on Lab go to iplogin.lynda.com (click on “Yes” if a Security Screen pops up)
Click the “Create a Profile” link
Fill in the short form. (Note: your log-in ID must be your jpl e-mail address)
Once you register and create your profile, you will be able to access lynda.com from any computer, anywhere.
For technical issues concerning lynda.com, you may submit a web request https://jplit.jpl.nasa.gov/4help or contact JPL Service Desk at 4HELP.

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PNAS: More Than a Journal

January 2nd, 2013

PNAS is the abbreviation for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. It is one of the world’s most-cited multidisciplinary scientific journal. Since its establishment in 1914, it continues to publish cutting-edge research reports, reviews, colloquium papers, and actions of the Academy. JPL Library provides electronic access from the very first volume to current.

However, more than the content of the print journal, the online web site has several additional features:

Alerts and Early Edition for the latest articles
Multimedia contents such as Podcasts and Video Library
Topical collections such as astronomy, engineering, mathematics, and physics

For Facebook and Twitter users, you can also follow PNAS on the social media of your choice.

For more comments and questions about PNAS, please contact the JPL Library reference desk either via email library@jpl.nas.gov or call ext 4-4200. You can also leave a comment here.

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Physics Nobel Prize Winners: Biographies and Publications

October 11th, 2012

A French-American duo shared the 2012 Nobel Prize in physics for inventing methods to observe the bizarre properties of the quantum world, research that has led to the construction of extremely precise clocks and helped scientists take the first steps toward building superfast computers. Serge Haroche of France and American David Wineland opened the door to new experiments in quantum physics by showing how to observe individual quantum particles while preserving their quantum properties.

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) and American Physics Society (APS) have compiled biographies and achievements of the two scientists, they have also made papers from their journals available:

Contact the JPL Library Reference Desk (email: library@jpl.nasa.gov or ext. 4-4200) for more information about the scientists, their papers or any other topics.

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New SPIE Digital Library: More Contents, New Features!

September 27th, 2012

The SPIE Digital Library is the world’s largest collection of optics & photonics applied research. JPL Library has recently added its 160+ ebooks to our subscription, and SPIE has moved to a new platform in order to have more functionalities. This is a great time to visit the new SPIE Digital Library.

Highlights of the New SPIE Digital Library:

Electronic books: topics range from guide to binocular, fiber optics, to remote sensing.
Proceeding papers: more than 350,000 papers from 1962 to present.
Journals: all nine journals from the earliest issue to present.
Topical collections: pre-defined subjects clusters cutting across proceeding papers, journal articles, and book chapters.
Video links: selected recent proceeding papers include links to videos or other media that were a part of the conference presentation
Mobile applications: with a one-time set-up, users can access SPIE contents via smartphones or tablets.

For more information about SPIE Digital Library, contact the Library Reference Desk at library@jpl.nasa.gov, or call the Reference Desk at ext 4-4200.

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March 5 and 6, 9 am - 4 pm, Desk Copy Exchange

February 13th, 2013

The next Desk Copy Exchange will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 5 and 6, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on each day. Extra copies of NASA SPs (Special Publication) from the NASA History Office are also available.

The JPL Library receives returned “desk copies” and occasional book donations from employees. After adding the appropriate ones to the library’s collection, there are duplicate copies and slightly out-of-scope books remaining. The “Desk Copy Exchange” is for all JPLers; come take a look and provide a new home to the books so that they are useful again!

There are books on programming languages, MS Office applications, sciences, engineering,and business management. The Exchange will be held on March 5 and 6, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, or until all these books find new homes, whichever first.

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March 13th, JPL Story: Parachutes on Mars

February 11th, 2013

Anita Sengupta, Supersonic Parachutes on Mars Project Manager, will speak Wednesday, March 13th at 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Hub, 111-104.

Due to the large size of Curiosity and precise landing requirements of the mission, the MSL EDL system required a single 70 ft diameter parachute, deployed at up to two times the speed of sound on Mars. For decades it was a mystery why supersonic parachutes experienced violent oscillations above a certain speed. It was critical to the mission that the super-sized parachute would survive and perform as designed, necessitating an answer to this mystery once and for all. Come learn how supersonic parachutes behave on Mars and the story behind the supersonic parachute qualification for MSL.

For information on the JPL Stories series, contact Teresa Bailey at 4-9233.

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February 12, 1:00-2:00 pm IEEE Training Webinar at the Hub

February 4th, 2013

“Strategies for Using IEEE Xplore”, a live session conducted by an IEEE training specialist, will be broadcasted at the Hub (111-104). This session is specifically designed with JPL users in mind, all examples will feature resources relevant to the Lab. There will be opportunities to ask questions, too. Everyone is welcome to attend the session, light refreshment will be provided.

If you cannot leave your office or lab, you can also attend the webinar from your office.

Online meeting details

Topic: IEEE Xplore Briefing for JPL Researchers

Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Time: 1:00 pm, Pacific Standard Time

Meeting Number: 636 767 329

Meeting Password: JPLFeb12

To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!)

1. Go to https://ieee.webex.com/ieee/j.php?ED=163394832&UID=0&PW=NYWJhZjNmNGVj&RT=MiM0

2. If requested, enter your name and email address.

3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: JPLFeb12

4. Click “Join”.

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link:

https://ieee.webex.com/ieee/j.php?ED=163394832&UID=0&PW=NYWJhZjNmNGVj&ORT=MiM0

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To join the audio conference only

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To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the meeting, or call the number below and enter the access code.

Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-650-429-3300

Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-866-469-3239

Having trouble dialing in? Try these backup numbers:

Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-866-469-3239

Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-650-429-3300

Global call-in numbers: https://ieee.webex.com/ieee/globalcallin.php?serviceType=MC&ED=163394832&tollFree=1

Toll-free dialing restrictions: https://www.webex.com/pdf/tollfree_restrictions.pdf

Access code:636 767 329

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Audiovisual tips

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The Webinar will be conducted using Cisco WebEx. This tool supports either telephone or VOIP connectivity for the audio. When you logon using the above link, the audio conference dialogue box will appear. You can enter a phone number, and WebEx will call you back. Or, you can connect via VOIP. Generally audio quality is better using the phone connection. In either case, it is recommended that you use a headset to avoid disturbing your neighbors. Generally VOIP headsets will also include a microphone, so you can ask questions and participate more fully.

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Library and Hub Orientation, Wednesdays at 11:30am.

January 28th, 2013

Come for a 30-minute tour of the Hub at BEACON Information Commons and the BEACON web site. See the physical space, learn about the electronic journals/books/repositories available to you 24×7, and figure out how you can take advantages of all these resources. No need to sign up, just come and meet at 111-104, near the Reference Desk.

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