Air travellers take to self-service

Self-service options, such as online bookings and self check-ins, are being welcomed by airline passengers, a global aviation survey shows, reports SMH.com.

Online booking and self-service check in are now seen as part of the services offered by airlines, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) survey found.

In the Asia-Pacific, 51% of passengers surveyed said they wanted more self-service options.

Sentry Technology says the Calgary Public Library placed an order for an additional eight QuickCheck self-service kiosks, reports CNN Money.

This is the fourth order for QuickCheck systems by Calgary, following a public tender process. When the installation of the latest order is complete, the library will have 22 self-service systems in service.

QuickCheck operates in a similar fashion to a bank ATM. Patrons gain access to the library`s circulation software via a user card and touch-screen video monitor. A bar code or RFID chip on the book is read, security functions performed and a receipt is printed to tell the patron what books have been borrowed and when they are due to be returned.

Practically person-free technology is moving far beyond ATM machines and pay-at-the-pump gas stations, says Post Gazette.

Last year, consumers spent more than $137 billion in self-checkout transactions at retail stores, up 24% over 2005, as a result of new machines installed at super-centres, warehouse clubs and hardware stores, according to IHL Consulting Group.

Growth in self-service has its critics, and for good reason. People need jobs. Machines may be perky, but they offer little in the way of friendliness, compassion or fashion sense. Even an employee in a bad mood rarely offers as little response as an electronic device with an "out of order" sign.