A Quantum Leap

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While perusing the Slashdot fora, I saw a comment about an open source GIS package that isn't GRASS. Quantum GIS, or QGIS, is a remarkable clone of ArcView, circa v3.1 or so. I've got my copy fired up, and have already put together a few maps of Travis County, which if all goes well will appear in the map secion soon.

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Banned Books Week 2014

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This post also appears on the Deep Stacks blog at  Round Rock High School Library . It’s not news that comic books, or at least stories and characters that were born in that medium, have become more and more visible over the past several years. Even if you’ve never darkened the door of your local comic book shop (which you should, even if — especially if — you don’t think you’d be interested), you’re doubtlessly at least somewhat familiar with the exploits of Scott Pilgrim, Groot, or Enid & Rebecca. But even with their renewed cultural currency, comics are not without their detractors. In recognition of this, the American Library Association's Banned Books Week 2014 is focusing on comic books and graphic novels which have have been challenged in our school and public libraries. The Guardian published an interview on Friday with acclaimed comic book writer and artist Jeff Smith in which he discusses his views on challenges to library collections and his feelings about his best...
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