What about Bob??

I am your average sort of person who loves books, history, geography, science, cats, aquariums, airplanes, etc. I am interested in almost everything from astronomy to Zeppelins, but I enjoy history, science and current events the most.

Just mention any of these topics and I’m sure we can find something to talk about.

I am interested in organizing and presenting information clearly and consistently to make it easier for people to find the information they need (i.e., information architecture and information literacy in technical jargon).

As a graduate student in Kent State’s SLIS program I compiled a grab-bag bibliography covering the areas of library science that I am interested in:

• scholarly uses of the Internet
• evaluating Internet sources
• web design
• search engines
• library history, rare & unique books, history of the written word

I wrote my final research paper on disability issues in an attempt to address the lack of awareness among librarians about the social impact of having a disability. Though I am no longer actively working in that area, my bibliography Disability, Culture and Service Issues is available for those interested in these issues.

I spend most of my time reading. Though I enjoy a variety of subjects, history is my favorite. Pick any place and any time and I will probably be interested in it.

Much of my time is devoted to my cats, Jacob Marley, Clio, Jo and Cassie, and my aquariums.

I have been a devoted to Apple’s Macintosh since a friend introduced me to an original 1984 Macintosh in the late 1980’s.

A good program is like a good book. You have to share it with someone. In that spirit I compiled a list of my favorite Macintosh software and links.

Unfortunately I latch onto talented teams who always manage to shoot themselves in the foot (Columbus Crew, Chelsea FC, and FC Barcelona).

“Football teams are extraordinarily inventive in the ways they find to cause their supporters sorrow.” — Nick Hornby, Fever Pitch (New York: Riverhead, 1992)

Essential reading materials:

• Paul Gardner, The Simplest Game: The Intelligent Fan’s Guide to the World of Soccer (New York: Macmillan, 1996).
• Phil Ball, Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football (London: WSC, 2001).
• David Winner, Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer (New York: Overlook, 2002).

Naturally I also latch onto the independent teams who can manage to achieve brilliant results but usually disappoint, such as Jordan and Sauber. Unfortunately after the sale of Jordan to Midland, Sauber to BMW and Minardi to Red Bull, the era of F1 privateers came to an end in 2005.

I am also addicted to the World Rally Championship, American Le Mans Series, Speed World Challenge, British Touring Car Championship, DTM and Australian Super V8s.

Essential reading materials:

• Peter Revson and Leon Mandel, Speed with Style: The Autobiography of Peter Revson (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1974).
• Steve Matchett, The Mechanic’s Tale: Life in the Pit-Lanes of Formula One (London, UK: Orion, 1999).
• Steve Matchett, The Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car (London, UK: Orion, 2004).
• David Hodges, A-Z of Formula Racing Cars: 1945–1990 (Bideford, UK: Bay View Books, 1990).
• Joseph Katz, Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed (Cambridge, MA: Robert Bentley, 1995).
• Michael Keyser, The Speed Merchants: The Drivers—The Cars—The Tracks: A Journey Through the World of Motor Racing: 1969–1972 (Bentley Publishers, 1999).

Essential viewing:

• The Speed Merchants (Directed by Michael Keyser, 1973)
• Champions Forever: The Quick and the Dead (Directed by Claude Du Boc, 1977 USA reissue) [I recommend Speed Channel’s version with commentary by David Hobbs.]