Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Reading Notes for Week of 11/22/10 M. Farina
Web Search Engines: Parts 1 and 2
I find it so interesting how search engines can scan websites for specific words and phrases to find query results. What's more amazing to me is how quickly they can do so, while filtering out unwanted material all the while considering spam tactics. It's important to consider the search side together with the indexing side of web content. The need for a concise, logical indexing system becomes even more apparent. This is an incredible complex task, taking into consideration acronyms, misspellings, multiple languages, etc.
Current Developments and Future Trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
The Open Archives Initiative has grown from the need for interoperability and efficient content sharing. The article's mention of the Deep Web helped me to understand that not all relevant information may be found by search engines. We can all benefit from learning how to initiate better search queries, in order to retrieve some of this "buried" information.
I find it so interesting how search engines can scan websites for specific words and phrases to find query results. What's more amazing to me is how quickly they can do so, while filtering out unwanted material all the while considering spam tactics. It's important to consider the search side together with the indexing side of web content. The need for a concise, logical indexing system becomes even more apparent. This is an incredible complex task, taking into consideration acronyms, misspellings, multiple languages, etc.
Current Developments and Future Trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
The Open Archives Initiative has grown from the need for interoperability and efficient content sharing. The article's mention of the Deep Web helped me to understand that not all relevant information may be found by search engines. We can all benefit from learning how to initiate better search queries, in order to retrieve some of this "buried" information.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Readings for Unit 10 AND COMMENT LINKS- M. Farina
My Comments on other notes
comment1
comment 2
MY NOTES
Digital Libraries- Challenges & Influential Work
This article points out the complicated processes involved in a search for information, as complicated by the sheer quantity of digital resources available. The background information on DLI-1 especially interesting, as well as the accountability of federal funding into such initiatives.
Dewey Meets Turing
This presents an interesting angle into looking at DLI- the relationships between librarians and computer scientists, and the 'wrench' of the world wide web being thrown into their otherwise-perfect coupling. Yet again we see reference to access, algorithms, Google, copyright restrictions, etc. To make a long story short, change usually isn't easy to deal with, and the DLI's history provides plenty of obstacles met and overcome.
Institutional Repositories
It's hard to imagine that institutional repositories were only born 8 years ago; so much has gone on in such a short time. MIT's DSpace played a crucial role in ...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Muddiest Point- Week 8's Class 11/1/10
Muddiest Point
How likely am I, as a public or school librarian, to need to compose using html or xml? Isn't it more realistic that I'd create web pages in other ways?
How likely am I, as a public or school librarian, to need to compose using html or xml? Isn't it more realistic that I'd create web pages in other ways?
Reading Notes for Week 9- M. Farina
11/2/10 Reading Notes for Week 9
XML Articles
The pages defining various terms and acronyms used to qualify SML standards are especially helpful. Additionally, the tutorials and other resources offer excellent hands-on opportunities and references. However, since the articles are more than 6 years old, I wonder how much of it is still relevant. For example, RELAX NG has probably evolved a lot since this article was written. Or perhaps one of the other schema languages (Schemation, DTD, WXS) has become the industry standard.?
I enjoyed the Bergholz Tutorial article, especially because of its format and clarity. Its clear presentation of facts was easy to understand. Similar to last week’s tutorial, the XML Schema Tutorial pulled together the information in the three articles.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Muddiest Point - Week 7's class
My muddiest point isn't exactly about the lecture, but rather just a question about something mentioned there...BING.
I do not get very helpful results when I use Bing as a search engine, and I really prefer Google.
How do the underlying structures of these two different search engines vary?
I do not get very helpful results when I use Bing as a search engine, and I really prefer Google.
How do the underlying structures of these two different search engines vary?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Week 8 Reading/Viewing Notes - M. Farina
10/25 Reading Notes for Week 8 Readings/Viewings
“Beyond HTML…”
CMS means Content Management System; collecting, managing and publishing content. It’s more than a database or repository. This article details one school’s movements to switch to a CMS.
Content- disconnected from layout and design elements. Librarians / others were then able to create guides in a forms-based environment, rather than needing to know HTML. This saved a lot of time and evened the playing field. Their pages contained resource links, web pages, images and files. It’s reusable.
Control- “gatekeeper” reduced. Created standards in guides - common style navigational consistency.
Customization and Context- Taggin content is crucial; it provides meaningful organization for the user. Customizing the metadata gives objects meaning for the user.
Complexity- CMS is a scalable system that can accommodate a growing body of work. Security and backups are in place. Author of each resource must be noted.
Moving toward a CMS environment requires: realizing there is a problem, search for solutions (commercial programs such as Dreamweaver, Vignette, Front Page), open source or in-house options. The rest of the article gives very specific details of the university’s development process. Decisions were made as to webpage/template design, for example what to include in the main section and in the side bar menu topics, resources, drop-down menus, etc. Template then was put to use, evaluated and rewritten as necessary. New CMS alone is not enough; training is a critical part of the system. After the system was in use for a while, users were surveyed to identify successes and areas for improvement.
This article spells out the many steps involved in deciding to change to a CMS. It will be useful for any library (or university) system considering or already implementing a similar change. A recurring theme is the need for training during the change phases as well as throughout maintenance and regular use of the CMS.
HTML Cheatsheet
The members of our class are all at varying levels of technology experience and knowledge. Therefore, those of us with little HTML experience have a nice, little cheatsheet as a reference. Those who don’t need it get to save a tree!
W3schools HTML Tutorial
This site taught me more than I’ve ever known about HTML. It is beginning to make sense to me. I liked the “Try it yourself” and editing exercises. Although it was fun, in a puzzle sort of way, I definitely do not want a job in which I will have to create HTML!
W3schools CSS Tutorial
As I hadn’t before even heard of Cascading Style Sheets, this tutorial was very informative. CSS was a logical solution to problems that arose with HTML limits. New to me are its syntax, comments, id and class selectors, etc. As with the previous tutorial, I liked using the “Try it yourself” sections and the quizzes.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
10/23 Notes for readings/viewings Week 7 Michele Farina
10/23 Notes for readings/viewings Week 7
“How Internet Infrastructure Works”
Finally, an article lets me understand how my home computer actually connects to the internet. Every time I moved to a new apartment (and I’ve had over 15 in the last 15 years) I’ve had to go through the challenge of connecting my computer to the internet. I have a Mac and had to choose between Ethernet, Pop, Tcp/ip and such options that made absolutely no sense to me! Sometimes I would need to enter my IP address, which of course I didn’t know. I’d try all the options until I could find one combination that worked. As the years have gone by, it has become increasingly easier to set up my computer- thank goodness. So, perhaps this article is a little too late to help me actually connect to the internet, but I’m glad to have read it and finally know what all that ‘gobbledygook’ means!
“Dismantling Integrated Library Systems”
Understanding exactly what an ILS is, prior to reading this article, would have been very helpful. It seems to me that this is a case of fixing something that wasn’t broken in the first place. In fact, fixing something that had 25 years of experience and improvement put into it, making it a logical and usable product.
I understand the need to continuously upgrade and improve ILS in light of new technology and increased patron dependence on the internet. It must be really difficult and costly to keep up, however, as technology changes so quickly. It sounds like there are many vendors competing to get their products chosen and purchased. It was interesting to read that the MARC record is holding back library automation.
Even on our own university library site, we have a choice between Pitt Cat Classic and Pitt Cat +. One could assume that the + option is better, more modern, yet I often get better search results using the Classic version. We are soon going to another system, I’m told, which shows that our library, too, is in a constant state of change. I’m curious to use the new system, as it will then give me hands-on experience with three systems.
“Inside the Google Machine”
I love the world map of Google usage. It really drives home the enormous scale and scope involved in the entire world using Google- in terms of the traffic load of queries. Really impressive! The graph showing queries into the group Las Ketchup is a great way to show trends. I learned about the Google Foundation.
Some interesting facts I’ve learned about Google as a company include: Brin and Page both attended Montessori school, Google employees are permitted to spend 20% of their time on self-selected projects, Google isn’t afraid to put effort into many new ideas, etc. I’d like to work for Google in some capacity- what an exciting company.
It was also interesting to hear about innovations that were new and exciting at the time of the recording (2004) and have since become obsolete. Their idea of making advertising useful, not simply annoying is great. How interesting that Google is able to serve the entire world, even poorer countries, based on the revenue generated from advertising. Finally, I was glad to hear that it is important to Google to present true information.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Jing Assignment
Links to the 5 captures on Flicker are below.
If you want them all at the same time, click here.
Title Page
Pitt Arts
Opera
Google Transit
Bus Info
Jing Project
Going Out in Pittsburgh- Michele
If you want them all at the same time, click here.
Title Page
Pitt Arts
Opera
Google Transit
Bus Info
Jing Project
Going Out in Pittsburgh- Michele
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Week 5's Muddiest Point- Jing
I've been experimenting with Jing, and I think it's pretty cool. I would like to know if there's a way to compile several separate recordings (both still and video) into one larger file.
I'd like to use parts of a Word document, internet pages, and other material in one single presentation.
I'd appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks
I'd like to use parts of a Word document, internet pages, and other material in one single presentation.
I'd appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks
Reading Notes for Week 6- M. Farina
Computer Networks- Wikipedia
There are numerous types of networks- government, academic, corporate, public and private. Together, these various networks make up the Internet. Additionally networks are classified according to their scale, scope and purpose. Some examples of this are: LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (wide), MAN (metropolitan), PAN (personal), VPN (Virtual Private), CAN (campus), SAN (storage), HAN (home) and OAN (office). As expected by their names, these various types of networks serve different purposes and have specific intended audiences. To support mobile connections across networks a Global Area Network is used. And of course the Internet is an interconnected global system of networks.
Intranets and extranets are usually part of or extensions of a LAN. Overlay networks can improve internet routing, although I’m not really clear on exactly how they work.
The basic hardware components needed to create a network follow: network internet cards, repeaters, hubs, bridges (local, remote & wireless), switches and routers.
This article helped me learn some new vocabulary (hubs, overlay networks) and clarify other vocabulary and acronyms (routers, PAN, VPN).
Common Types of Networks – YouTube, Frank L. Klein
This short video reinforced the information in the above article, in respect to the types of networks. I enjoy this short video learning format more than reading pages of material that is beyond my grasp.
Local Area Networks - Wikipedia
LANs have two noticeable advantages over WAN: higher data-transfer rates and no need to lease telecommunication lines. I found the history and standards evolution notes interesting; I’m amazed at the growth of computer networks in the last 40 years. It became apparent that shared methods and resources would be needed, even in something like coaxial cables.
Management of RFID in Libraries- Karen Coyle
Since our first assigned reading on RFID technology, I’m been intrigued by and interested in these amazing, tiny radio frequency identifiers. I like that the article gives lots of examples of current RFID use- toll-road payment, keycards, lost dog chips, on dvds to prevent piracy, etc.
Karen Coyle notes that at the time of writing, 2005, libraries were using the low-end price, short read, limited capability RFIDs. I wonder if now , five years later, the situation has changed in libraries. Are libraries moving from bar codes to RFID? Or will they? In a library setting RFOD has several pertinent uses- circulation and security.
Although the use of RFID for security issues is not necessarily any better than security tape or tags hidden in book spines, an RFID device can provide many other services in addition to security i.e. processing items, monitoring circulation and book fines. Using RFID for all of these purposes can end up being cost-efficient. The author continues to explain issues of ROI (Return of Investment), and stresses the importance of considering User Satisfaction. Do patrons want to use self-checkouts? What other uses of RFID may make patrons’ library visits more enjoyable or satisfying?
Potential problems of RFID include where to lace the tags in various items (sheet music, magazines), durability (can they withstand numerous uses), and will they work with ILL (Interlibrary loans)?
Friday, October 1, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Week 5's Reading Notes- M. Farina
9/27 Notes on Reading for Week 5:
Wikipedia’s “Database”
From this reading, I’ve learned that there are many more aspects to databases than I was previously aware of- such as the R/ODBMS components, the three types of databases, storage structures and locking. Although much of the article is over my head, I do now have a greater understanding of databases as a whole.
I’m mostly a user of databases, and rarely a manager of them. I’ve entered and retrieved data, chosen various display methods (lists, graphs, etc.) but I have very limited experience with the management and creation of databases. A realistic goal for me at this point is to continue learning how to use Excel! I’m a beginning-level user who would really like to use this to its fullest capacity, databases included.
Introduction to Metadata, “Setting the Stage” by Ann J. Gillilard
As I began reading this article, it reminded me of the Imagining Pittsburgh project from a previous week’s reading. The participants in that project needed to decide on a common set of descriptive data (metadata) to describe the hundreds of photographs, for cataloging and retrieval needs.
A quote that caught my eye is, “there is no single metadata standard that is adequate for describing all types of collections and materials.” Although this surprised me at first, it became a logical and even obvious idea after I thought about it. ON the same lines, there’s no one ‘best’ method for adults to learn a foreign language, and there’s no set of adjectives that can precisely describe all teenage boys, for example.
The vast array of metadata standards and requirements across the various disciplines, make talking about “metadata” in general somewhat confusing. Adding a specific context, i.e. museum archives, a bank’s customer account information, to the discussion allows for a common ‘metadata language.’
I found the tables of types, attributes, and characteristics of metadata to be very helpful. In the little known fact section, I like this: “Metadata continues to accrue during the life of an information object or system.” Oh, no! Does this mean that we’ll have to continually update metadata fields entered in to cataloging databases, for example?
The Conclusion and Outstanding Questions at the end wrap it all very well….”Carefully crafting metadata” is best! As with many things in life, it’s best to begin with a GOOD PLAN.
Dublin Core Data Model
Eric Miller explains factors that must be considered in the development of universal, multi-disciplined metadata architecture. Can you imagine trying to create one set of controlled vocabulary that covers all disciplines? And that’s only one component of DCMI’s role. I think this metadata initiative is very interesting, and I’d like to hear how it has evolved since 1999, which is when the author wrote this article.
Wikipedia’s “Database”
From this reading, I’ve learned that there are many more aspects to databases than I was previously aware of- such as the R/ODBMS components, the three types of databases, storage structures and locking. Although much of the article is over my head, I do now have a greater understanding of databases as a whole.
I’m mostly a user of databases, and rarely a manager of them. I’ve entered and retrieved data, chosen various display methods (lists, graphs, etc.) but I have very limited experience with the management and creation of databases. A realistic goal for me at this point is to continue learning how to use Excel! I’m a beginning-level user who would really like to use this to its fullest capacity, databases included.
Introduction to Metadata, “Setting the Stage” by Ann J. Gillilard
As I began reading this article, it reminded me of the Imagining Pittsburgh project from a previous week’s reading. The participants in that project needed to decide on a common set of descriptive data (metadata) to describe the hundreds of photographs, for cataloging and retrieval needs.
A quote that caught my eye is, “there is no single metadata standard that is adequate for describing all types of collections and materials.” Although this surprised me at first, it became a logical and even obvious idea after I thought about it. ON the same lines, there’s no one ‘best’ method for adults to learn a foreign language, and there’s no set of adjectives that can precisely describe all teenage boys, for example.
The vast array of metadata standards and requirements across the various disciplines, make talking about “metadata” in general somewhat confusing. Adding a specific context, i.e. museum archives, a bank’s customer account information, to the discussion allows for a common ‘metadata language.’
I found the tables of types, attributes, and characteristics of metadata to be very helpful. In the little known fact section, I like this: “Metadata continues to accrue during the life of an information object or system.” Oh, no! Does this mean that we’ll have to continually update metadata fields entered in to cataloging databases, for example?
The Conclusion and Outstanding Questions at the end wrap it all very well….”Carefully crafting metadata” is best! As with many things in life, it’s best to begin with a GOOD PLAN.
Dublin Core Data Model
Eric Miller explains factors that must be considered in the development of universal, multi-disciplined metadata architecture. Can you imagine trying to create one set of controlled vocabulary that covers all disciplines? And that’s only one component of DCMI’s role. I think this metadata initiative is very interesting, and I’d like to hear how it has evolved since 1999, which is when the author wrote this article.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Flickr- Got it!
I think I have finally got it right. I have created thumbnails and uploaded those, as well as the 'regular' pictures themselves, directly from my iPhoto program.
If you could, please let me know if you see both thumbnails and big pictures.
Thank you,
Michele
Michele's 2600 Flickr
If you could, please let me know if you see both thumbnails and big pictures.
Thank you,
Michele
Michele's 2600 Flickr
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Week 3 Muddiest Point M.Farina
The idea of data compression is not clear to me. I'm not as interested in understanding how it works, as I am in knowing HOW to decompress files sent to me.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Week 4 notes Multimedia Representation and Storage- M. Farin
Week 4 notes 9/21/10 Multimedia Representation and Storage
“Imagining Pittsburgh” was a very interesting article, made even more meaningful by the fact that it’s about the city I now call home. The details about the project, digitizing a collection of images which tell the story of a city over time, demonstrate the enormous amount of work involved in digitally preserving a collection. The three major participants covered a lot of ground in realizing this cultural heritage project.
One thing that jumped out at me is the number of times the author uses the word, “challenge,” as it appears they faced many! The Imaging Pittsburgh project exhibits the massive expenses of money, resources, and time involved in digitization. How realistic is it to do this with an average library’s collection?
The “You Tube and Libraries” article points out the benefits of publishing to the You Tube site. As far as libraries are concerned, I’m not convinced this is the most appropriate venue. Sure I’ve watched videos on You Tube, but nothing that I’ve taken too seriously. So, with my limited exposure to You Tube, I don’t feel it’s professional or serious enough to be The Place to educate university students to use their local library. However, putting my idealistic self aside for a moment, and being more realistic...if You Tube IS a site taken seriously by undergraduate students, then why not give it a try? The whole idea is for them to become proficient library users, right? Whatever it takes…..
The articles on Data Compression left my head spinning! (And I’ve even developed an algorithm to calculate the speed of the spin.) I have a difficult time grasping the very technical ideas of data compression. This really isn’t too much of a surprise to me, because I was never able to figure out how to decompress files that people sent to me! I either had to email back and forth several times until they could send me another file format, or simply give up all hope of ever opening the mysteriously compressed file! Although I do not understand the specifics, I do see the need for data compression. I’m very happy to know that there are programs working in the background, which I am not required to understand or manipulate, that take care of decompressing videos on my computer. I’ve also realized that I do compress data when I save pictures in JPEG, for example.
I’d also like to mention some of my favorite new vocabulary for the week: lossy, lossless, RLE, squeezing algorithm and data deduplication. My favorite phrase of the week from our required reading is, “The Flying Spaghetti Monster is real.”
Michele Farina
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Links to my comments and other postings.... Week 3 (w/o 9/13)
http://gemma2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-readings.html?showComment=1284843539110#c4508446149332249496
http://rjs2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/readings-for-9-20-9-24.html?showComment=1284584927385#c8598011962177651964
http://guybrariantim.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-readings.html?showComment=1284843899213#c2124130825127465537
http://lis2600fall2010priyashenoy.blogspot.com/2010/09/reading-notes-for-92010.html?showComment=1284843184027#c1723532787016488044
http://rjs2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/readings-for-9-20-9-24.html?showComment=1284584927385#c8598011962177651964
http://guybrariantim.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-readings.html?showComment=1284843899213#c2124130825127465537
http://lis2600fall2010priyashenoy.blogspot.com/2010/09/reading-notes-for-92010.html?showComment=1284843184027#c1723532787016488044
9/15 Reading Notes: Linux, Mac OS X, Windows - M. Farina
Reading Notes: Linux, Mac OS X, Windows
Honestly, the majority of the technical discourse in the Linux and Mac writing was way over my head. It was as if I were reading Arabic. Let’s say that my knowledge of Operating Systems in general could have been rated as a 5 out of 100 two hours ago, it’s now at about 10. Not much of a jump, I know, but I’m at least beginning to grasp the topic a bit.
I’ve always owned an Apple computer, and I’ve used Windows at school and work. I’m able to use both operating systems, yet I couldn’t explain the underlying differences very well. Without putting much thought into it, I have continuously chosen to buy Apples, because they seem easier and more ‘logical’ to use. I know that lots of others have a contrasting opinion, so I’m glad there’s a choice! It’s been comforting to me to not have to worry as much as PC users about getting viruses on my computer. It’s been frustrating to me that I haven’t always had as many programs or games available to me, because I have a Mac. So I understand Amit Singh’s point that all operating systems have advantages and disadvantages.
If I ever find myself in a position to completely understand the technical aspects of Linux or Mac OSX, I will be in real trouble!
Michele Farina
Muddiest Point 9/15
My muddiest point this week is about the one part of our weekly assignments - responding to others' blogs......
Are our comments (on others' notes/blogs) that are due on Saturdays, on the PREVIOUS week's notes or the upcoming week's notes?
Because if the comments for the upcoming week's notes are due on the same day as the original notes are due, it seems like we won't have a lot of time to comment.... What if the people I follow post their upcoming week's notes late on Saturday? Then I won't have much time to respond with my comments on their notes.
I apologize for asking about this again, if it has already been addressed somewhere.
Are our comments (on others' notes/blogs) that are due on Saturdays, on the PREVIOUS week's notes or the upcoming week's notes?
Because if the comments for the upcoming week's notes are due on the same day as the original notes are due, it seems like we won't have a lot of time to comment.... What if the people I follow post their upcoming week's notes late on Saturday? Then I won't have much time to respond with my comments on their notes.
I apologize for asking about this again, if it has already been addressed somewhere.
Other comments / postings of mine - Week 2
RFID - posted 9/5/10 on Courseweb
Let me first state that I am only beginning to learn about RFID technology. Form what I’ve discovered so far, it seems like RFID can be very useful in libraries. Libraries need a way to deter theft of library items, identify and inventory material, and track their assets, and RFID can do these tasks. RFID can potentially reduce the amount of time it takes to find items, as well as the number of errors in processing.
As far as privacy is concerned, I believe it always needs to be taken seriously. In this day and age, when we lose a bit more privacy each day, with each new ‘convenience’ and advance in technology, it’s good to know that groups such as NISO (National Information Standards Organization) and PRC (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse) are working to set standards. I like the recommendations on page 10 of this NISO document, http://www.niso.org/publications/rp/RP-6-2008.pdf
Until I learn more about libraries’ needs and RFID capabilities, I can’t add to the debate of how to make RFID better for libraries. However, I do not want to see personal information added to RFID use in libraries. While I am not embarrassed of the library sources I use, I do think such information should be kept private.
I look forward to reading the comments of those of you who have experience with RFID technology in any capacity, not only libraries.Digitization - posted 9/5/10 on CourseWeb
I found Stuart D. Lee’s article interesting, specifically the chart outlining sample costs for digitization. Preserving a few pages or photos this way is one thing, but preserving lots of complete books…? That gets into some serious money issues. It would be easy to say, “Oh, let’s just digitize the important items,” but how would we ever agree on what is important? It seems like it will simply come down to whoever has the most funding available to digitally preserve material, gets to choose which material to “save.” Unfortunately this will mean that much information also risks being “unsaved,” or lost. Another relevant point is made in Jean-Noel Jeanneney’s concern of the “risk of a crushing domination of America…”
Monday, September 13, 2010
Links to my comments and other postings.... Weeks 1
http://gemma2600.blogspot.com/2010/08/week-1-readings.html?showComment=1283430607680#c3520432094857305600
http://guybrariantim.blogspot.com/2010/09/thoughts-on-week-1-readings.html?showComment=1283609694088#c8649535886813890906
http://nrampsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/reading-notes-week-1.html?showComment=1283438438590#c2303692749319258369
http://guybrariantim.blogspot.com/2010/09/thoughts-on-week-1-readings.html?showComment=1283609694088#c8649535886813890906
http://nrampsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/reading-notes-week-1.html?showComment=1283438438590#c2303692749319258369
Saturday, September 11, 2010
More Week 2 Reading Notes M. Farina
Week 2 more Reading notes:
Computer History Museum
The online computer museum kept me entertained for about two hours! I had the most fun at the Timeline of Computer History exhibit. If you would like a good laugh, click on 1972 and scroll down to the Pong game. I had that! I won it as a prize at school, around 1979! The next trip down memory lane comes in the year 1978, the Speak and Spell. There was another Texas Instruments handheld educational game called Little Professor, which my brother and I played endlessly and learned all of our math facts! Since we aren’t supposed to write a summary of the reading (site) I will just end by saying that the online exhibits of The Computer History Museum are all very informative and entertaining. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the archives of advertising brochures for personal computers, do it ~ you’ll get some good laughs!
Personal Computer Hardware
I’ll give myself a grade of C for my knowledge of these terms. Although I knew many of them, I’ve got a ways to go. BIOS, north ridge, PCI, SATA and some others are parts of the motherboard that are new to me. I’m also lacking in my knowledge of secondary storage ideas and vocabulary. The information on this site, along with my Discovering Computers book, are a big help to me though (and a way to even out the playing field in our class.)
Moore’s Law
Wow! I think I had heard the term, “Moore’s Law” before but hadn’t grasped its concept. Now, I seem to have an idea of it, but I can’t necessarily explain it clearly to someone. Let me just make sure I have this right: The number of transistors that can fit on a chip(?) doubles each year. This trend has been going on for the past forty years and is expected to end around 2015 or so. The video did a great job of explaining in layman’s terms along with visual aides – my kind of teaching!
There was mention of the law unfolding as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Well, I’m not so sure I buy into that idea. Working toward the goal of exactly doubling the number of transistors, would mean that scientists ‘stopped’ themselves from advancing further at times just to fulfill the prophecy. Hmmmm?
Michele Farina
Computer History Museum
The online computer museum kept me entertained for about two hours! I had the most fun at the Timeline of Computer History exhibit. If you would like a good laugh, click on 1972 and scroll down to the Pong game. I had that! I won it as a prize at school, around 1979! The next trip down memory lane comes in the year 1978, the Speak and Spell. There was another Texas Instruments handheld educational game called Little Professor, which my brother and I played endlessly and learned all of our math facts! Since we aren’t supposed to write a summary of the reading (site) I will just end by saying that the online exhibits of The Computer History Museum are all very informative and entertaining. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the archives of advertising brochures for personal computers, do it ~ you’ll get some good laughs!
Personal Computer Hardware
I’ll give myself a grade of C for my knowledge of these terms. Although I knew many of them, I’ve got a ways to go. BIOS, north ridge, PCI, SATA and some others are parts of the motherboard that are new to me. I’m also lacking in my knowledge of secondary storage ideas and vocabulary. The information on this site, along with my Discovering Computers book, are a big help to me though (and a way to even out the playing field in our class.)
Moore’s Law
Wow! I think I had heard the term, “Moore’s Law” before but hadn’t grasped its concept. Now, I seem to have an idea of it, but I can’t necessarily explain it clearly to someone. Let me just make sure I have this right: The number of transistors that can fit on a chip(?) doubles each year. This trend has been going on for the past forty years and is expected to end around 2015 or so. The video did a great job of explaining in layman’s terms along with visual aides – my kind of teaching!
There was mention of the law unfolding as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Well, I’m not so sure I buy into that idea. Working toward the goal of exactly doubling the number of transistors, would mean that scientists ‘stopped’ themselves from advancing further at times just to fulfill the prophecy. Hmmmm?
Michele Farina
Friday, September 10, 2010
Week 2 Notes: Digitization & RFID (previously posted on Course Web) M. Farina
RFID
Discussion Questions
– Is RFID really useful in libraries?
– Is privacy concerns about RFID in library a real concern?
– How to make RFID a better technology for libraries?
Let me first state that I am only beginning to learn about RFID technology. Form what I’ve discovered so far, it seems like RFID can be very useful in libraries. Libraries need a way to deter theft of library items, identify and inventory material, and track their assets, and RFID can do these tasks. RFID can potentially reduce the amount of time it takes to find items, as well as the number of errors in processing.
As far as privacy is concerned, I believe it always needs to be taken seriously. In this day and age, when we lose a bit more privacy each day, with each new ‘convenience’ and advance in technology, it’s good to know that groups such as NISO (National Information Standards Organization) and PRC (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse) are working to set standards. I like the recommendations on page 10 of this NISO document, http://www.niso.org/publications/rp/RP-6-2008.pdf
Until I learn more about libraries’ needs and RFID capabilities, I can’t add to the debate of how to make RFID better for libraries. However, I do not want to see personal information added to RFID use in libraries. While I am not embarrassed of the library sources I use, I do think such information should be kept private.
I look forward to reading the comments of those of you who have experience with RFID technology in any capacity, not only libraries.
Digitization
I found Stuart D. Lee’s article interesting, specifically the chart outlining sample costs for digitization. Preserving a few pages or photos this way is one thing, but preserving lots of complete books…? That gets into some serious money issues. It would be easy to say, “Oh, let’s just digitize the important items,” but how would we ever agree on what is important? It seems like it will simply come down to whoever has the most funding available to digitally preserve material, gets to choose which material to “save.” Unfortunately this will mean that much information also risks being “unsaved,” or lost. Another relevant point is made in Jean-Noel Jeanneney’s concern of the “risk of a crushing domination of America…”
I think it is a legitimate worry, and I imagine that many other countries and cultures would feel the same way.
I’m not fully buying into the idea that digitization is the ONLY way to guarantee print’s survival. We have some historically important books today whose words and ideas date back thousands of years (Epic of Gilgamesh, Symposium, etc.) Granted, we can’t always see what the original pieces of work looked like, but we still have these works available to us. So, somehow it has been possible to preserve ideas, books, works, and information over the millennium. While there is always the tragic example of loss from the ancient library in Alexandria, the risk of losing an entire library today wouldn’t have the same impact.
Smith’s article uses the word guarantee to tell how digitization will impact the survival of books. Is there really such a guarantee? How long is digitized material expected to last? What will be the next step to preservation when digitization’s life has run its course?
Discussion Questions
– Is RFID really useful in libraries?
– Is privacy concerns about RFID in library a real concern?
– How to make RFID a better technology for libraries?
Let me first state that I am only beginning to learn about RFID technology. Form what I’ve discovered so far, it seems like RFID can be very useful in libraries. Libraries need a way to deter theft of library items, identify and inventory material, and track their assets, and RFID can do these tasks. RFID can potentially reduce the amount of time it takes to find items, as well as the number of errors in processing.
As far as privacy is concerned, I believe it always needs to be taken seriously. In this day and age, when we lose a bit more privacy each day, with each new ‘convenience’ and advance in technology, it’s good to know that groups such as NISO (National Information Standards Organization) and PRC (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse) are working to set standards. I like the recommendations on page 10 of this NISO document, http://www.niso.org/publications/rp/RP-6-2008.pdf
Until I learn more about libraries’ needs and RFID capabilities, I can’t add to the debate of how to make RFID better for libraries. However, I do not want to see personal information added to RFID use in libraries. While I am not embarrassed of the library sources I use, I do think such information should be kept private.
I look forward to reading the comments of those of you who have experience with RFID technology in any capacity, not only libraries.
Digitization
I found Stuart D. Lee’s article interesting, specifically the chart outlining sample costs for digitization. Preserving a few pages or photos this way is one thing, but preserving lots of complete books…? That gets into some serious money issues. It would be easy to say, “Oh, let’s just digitize the important items,” but how would we ever agree on what is important? It seems like it will simply come down to whoever has the most funding available to digitally preserve material, gets to choose which material to “save.” Unfortunately this will mean that much information also risks being “unsaved,” or lost. Another relevant point is made in Jean-Noel Jeanneney’s concern of the “risk of a crushing domination of America…”
I think it is a legitimate worry, and I imagine that many other countries and cultures would feel the same way.
I’m not fully buying into the idea that digitization is the ONLY way to guarantee print’s survival. We have some historically important books today whose words and ideas date back thousands of years (Epic of Gilgamesh, Symposium, etc.) Granted, we can’t always see what the original pieces of work looked like, but we still have these works available to us. So, somehow it has been possible to preserve ideas, books, works, and information over the millennium. While there is always the tragic example of loss from the ancient library in Alexandria, the risk of losing an entire library today wouldn’t have the same impact.
Smith’s article uses the word guarantee to tell how digitization will impact the survival of books. Is there really such a guarantee? How long is digitized material expected to last? What will be the next step to preservation when digitization’s life has run its course?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Michele Farina's Muddiest Point - Week #1
Week 1
Michele Farina
9/2 Muddiest Points
There are primarily two points which I still need to understand:
1. The days that the various assignments are due:
a. Reading notes
b. Responses to other students’ reading notes
c. Muddiest point(s)
2. Blog vs. Discussion Board- What goes where?
a. I assume we are to post our comments directly to the other students’ blogs, right?
b. Do we post our muddiest points on the discussion board or in our own blogs?
Michele Farina
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
2600 - Response to Week 1 Readings
I. Information Literacy and Information Technology: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture
While reading this article, I kept thinking of the fact that it was written twelve years ago. In my opinion, the author had great foresight, and many of his points are relevant still today.
The (seventh) paragraph which begins, "In my view, the other key component...." struck me as being very idealistic, yet not realistic in an elementary school setting. He proposes teaching students a broader understanding of technological principles, history, public policy issues, etc. I think these ideas certainly have value, yet the typical elementary school classroom teacher is already overburdened with an ever-growing number of material to cover. Such information may be better suited for middle and high school classes.
(I am a former elementary teacher.)
II. Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still
This article has got me thinking about the tremendous amount of work that goes into planning, organizing, maintaining, and upgrading a state of the art library. There are many aspects of a modern research library which I hadn't thought much about, for example the storage space required for spare computer parts and the possibility of the central computer room overheating. The Lied Library has overcome many challenges, apparently with many successful outcomes. I think it takes a great deal of commitment to continuously face the challenges that naturally come along with advances in technology. I would like to sit in on some of their meetings to see how they've come to agree on solutions to these obstacles, especially in what seem to be rather short time frames.
Continuosly-changing technology dictates that we must continue to learn, a lot and quickly, in order to keep up within our field. This article has shown me that my newly chosen profession, LIS, provides many exciting opportunities, coupled with a lot of responsibility. This fast-paced, continuously evolving field requires us students to be well-rounded learners, excellent communicators and good problem-solvers.
Just out of curiosity, have any of you ever been to the Lied Library? Is there a nearby library that could compare?
III. Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers
Again, another article from a few years back stating instances of The Book's changing destiny. The parts of the article which prompted the most 'reaction' from me are:
-the statistics on the average blog readers (I expected bloggers to be younger)
-the number of books printed in 2003 versus 2002 (23 million less!)
-the teenagers who think it's 'nerdy' to have a book in one's hand
For someone like me, who has no experience working in a library, or prior coursework in LIS, this article serves the purpose of reminding me that libraries aren't exactly what they were when I was growing up. It's good to know what I am getting myself into!
While reading this article, I kept thinking of the fact that it was written twelve years ago. In my opinion, the author had great foresight, and many of his points are relevant still today.
The (seventh) paragraph which begins, "In my view, the other key component...." struck me as being very idealistic, yet not realistic in an elementary school setting. He proposes teaching students a broader understanding of technological principles, history, public policy issues, etc. I think these ideas certainly have value, yet the typical elementary school classroom teacher is already overburdened with an ever-growing number of material to cover. Such information may be better suited for middle and high school classes.
(I am a former elementary teacher.)
II. Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still
This article has got me thinking about the tremendous amount of work that goes into planning, organizing, maintaining, and upgrading a state of the art library. There are many aspects of a modern research library which I hadn't thought much about, for example the storage space required for spare computer parts and the possibility of the central computer room overheating. The Lied Library has overcome many challenges, apparently with many successful outcomes. I think it takes a great deal of commitment to continuously face the challenges that naturally come along with advances in technology. I would like to sit in on some of their meetings to see how they've come to agree on solutions to these obstacles, especially in what seem to be rather short time frames.
Continuosly-changing technology dictates that we must continue to learn, a lot and quickly, in order to keep up within our field. This article has shown me that my newly chosen profession, LIS, provides many exciting opportunities, coupled with a lot of responsibility. This fast-paced, continuously evolving field requires us students to be well-rounded learners, excellent communicators and good problem-solvers.
Just out of curiosity, have any of you ever been to the Lied Library? Is there a nearby library that could compare?
III. Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers
Again, another article from a few years back stating instances of The Book's changing destiny. The parts of the article which prompted the most 'reaction' from me are:
-the statistics on the average blog readers (I expected bloggers to be younger)
-the number of books printed in 2003 versus 2002 (23 million less!)
-the teenagers who think it's 'nerdy' to have a book in one's hand
For someone like me, who has no experience working in a library, or prior coursework in LIS, this article serves the purpose of reminding me that libraries aren't exactly what they were when I was growing up. It's good to know what I am getting myself into!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)