Cloud Computing: What is it, and why do we need it?
I read the article and watched YouTube. Still didn't quite get what it does. The article said, "IT always needs: a way to increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, training new personnel, or licensing new software."
I guess that's why Microsoft has been promoting their software and hardware so hard the past few years. If we really don't need all the stuff we have been purchasing, some companies will start losing money. How can these other businesses stay in business if they don't charge for their services? Or is it just so much cheaper???
YouTube: There were websites mentioned that I have never heard of.
I did just use Google Docs for an assignment in another class. That was kind of neat seeing everyone's information gathered and stored all in one place.
But Google App Engine, Amazon EC2, and others were all new to me.
It was interesting, but still confusing to read that "in tandem with Web 2.0 Cloud Computing has the potential to change the face of the entire computing industry." The computing industry is huge and I don't feel that I have had enough exposure except the few parts in this class.
#3 The Future of Libraries --
Wow - what a lot of information!
So, we are to change our history as a repository and begin our journey as a Library of the Future!
Trend #1: What is the "ultimate form of communication?" We we ever get there? I love the idea of a video phone. J.D. Robb writes about them in her "in death" series. You can block video if you are 'indisposed'. I guess we have reached Star Trek's 'communication device' with our cell phones. It was stated that "every technology has a limited lifespan". It really makes me wonder what will replace some things we take for granted.
Trend #4: I would love to smell something and have it appear. How will search technology be controlled by smell, taste, texture of volume? Our Library Director told me that I probably know more technology now after only having my first two classes in this degree than she does. Technology has evolved so much in the last 20 years.
Trend #6: I certainly hope that literacy will NOT be dead by the year 2050. I don't care if my computer talks back to me, but I will always want to read a book, and be able to carry it with me wherever I go.
Trend #7: If they want Libraries to be "in charge of archiving and disseminating the foundational pieces of information necessary for the new systems to take root", then librarians had better be taught better. Our last inservice was almost embarrassing. There was one pseudo-technology class that was offered, and that was how to do On-line Reservations. Librarians working today are not given the opportunity to learn new technology, at least where I am. We won't be able to be the new face of the library in this regard unless some serious training starts taking place.
Trend #10: I am totally in favor of tapping into the spirit of the community and providing the resources to support whatever is needed. I would love to get a band together and have jam sessions. We do have the teens in for gaming nights occasionally. We do use our community room for an art studio on Saturdays. Unfortunately, the teacher charges a fee. In order to run these other blogger stations, or other techno services, we would need more training, or know who to contact to help out with these services.
We would also need the community members support because this library is Not quiet. This library sound like it is having too much fun!
Hopefully we will be able to provide these kinds of services to those in need as well as keeping our loyal patrons happy with our current services.
It ought to be a fun ride!
Muddiest Point: Cloud Computing - Not really sure how to use this technology. How is is different than storing information on our browser like Dr. He talked about recently? How will this change the face of the entire computing industry? What is the difference between Web 2.0 and the Deep Web? How do things get in and out of Deep Web, or the Cloud?
Comments:
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Week 13 Readings
Reading #1 -- 'No Place To Hide' - http://www.noplacetohide.net/chapter.html
Wow. Kind of makes you want to stop using your credit cards and patronizing stores. Why are there so many different companies manufacturing these RFID chips and who is gathering all that information, and for what purpose??
Nefarious? Good? Why do they need to know where we shop, what we eat, read, and what brand of dog food we purchase? How will this information help National Security, or our Country?
If I knew what it was that they wanted, and why, it might make a difference on how some people deal with this new technology.
"A couple of organizations, including a federation of research universities, are working on a standard that would enable every manufactured item in the world to be given a unique ID, at least theoretically... Researchers discount as shrill the criticism and focus instead on the enormous potential for improving logistics and customer convenience... The tags, embedded in shoes or luggage or the seams of trousers - officials are contemplating embedding them in airline tickets - might be just the thing for aviation or building security. Or for the intelligence officials who believe that some form of Total Information Awareness will make us safer. Once again, marketers would be leading the way."
So, how do we avoid being "tagged", or "ID'd"? Should we worry that it will not make us safer? Or should we not worry about it, being the good, solid, law abiding citizens, and go about out business?
Reading #2 -- TIA - http://www.epic.org/privacy/profiling/tia/
I consider myself to be a good citizen. I pay my taxes, mortgage, try to stay out of debt, don't carry weapons around, I do need to slow down more while driving, but, I still don't worry that the police need to worry with me, they have other things to do.
Why are there so many lawmakers who are so opposed to these kinds of technology? How many times lately have we seen Congressmen, and other elected representatives in the news for illegal activities? How does this happen? They should be upholding and sustaining the very laws they are breaking.
Who monitors the agencies gathering the information?
Just a thought.
Reading #3 -- No longer there.
Muddies Point: Just wondering what will happen when bad 'hackers' break into our government's computer system, and what will they do with all that information that's been collected? Fraud is a major problem now. If information like this is stored, how will my family be protected?
Comments: I commented on Lori's blog: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=6203203639829771187
Alison's blog: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8349965223663731455&postID=1914246662763828702&page=0
Corrine's blog: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5477147704203276697&postID=566039529536103427
Wow. Kind of makes you want to stop using your credit cards and patronizing stores. Why are there so many different companies manufacturing these RFID chips and who is gathering all that information, and for what purpose??
Nefarious? Good? Why do they need to know where we shop, what we eat, read, and what brand of dog food we purchase? How will this information help National Security, or our Country?
If I knew what it was that they wanted, and why, it might make a difference on how some people deal with this new technology.
"A couple of organizations, including a federation of research universities, are working on a standard that would enable every manufactured item in the world to be given a unique ID, at least theoretically... Researchers discount as shrill the criticism and focus instead on the enormous potential for improving logistics and customer convenience... The tags, embedded in shoes or luggage or the seams of trousers - officials are contemplating embedding them in airline tickets - might be just the thing for aviation or building security. Or for the intelligence officials who believe that some form of Total Information Awareness will make us safer. Once again, marketers would be leading the way."
So, how do we avoid being "tagged", or "ID'd"? Should we worry that it will not make us safer? Or should we not worry about it, being the good, solid, law abiding citizens, and go about out business?
Reading #2 -- TIA - http://www.epic.org/privacy/profiling/tia/
I consider myself to be a good citizen. I pay my taxes, mortgage, try to stay out of debt, don't carry weapons around, I do need to slow down more while driving, but, I still don't worry that the police need to worry with me, they have other things to do.
Why are there so many lawmakers who are so opposed to these kinds of technology? How many times lately have we seen Congressmen, and other elected representatives in the news for illegal activities? How does this happen? They should be upholding and sustaining the very laws they are breaking.
Who monitors the agencies gathering the information?
Just a thought.
Reading #3 -- No longer there.
Muddies Point: Just wondering what will happen when bad 'hackers' break into our government's computer system, and what will they do with all that information that's been collected? Fraud is a major problem now. If information like this is stored, how will my family be protected?
Comments: I commented on Lori's blog: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=6203203639829771187
Alison's blog: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8349965223663731455&postID=1914246662763828702&page=0
Corrine's blog: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5477147704203276697&postID=566039529536103427
Friday, November 14, 2008
Week 11 Readings
Reading 1) D-Lib Magazine July/August 2005
Digital Libraries
So, Digital Libraries. What can one say about them.
They are everywhere. "Federal programmatic support for digital library research was formulated in a series of community-based planning workshops sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1993-1994." I had no idea they were even around until a few years ago.
Luckily, there were several grants given and many larger universities were working on varied digitization projects. "Some of the work led to significant technology transfer and spinoffs (e.g., Google grew out of research performed under the Stanford DLI-1 project). An international collaboration by Cornell and the UK ePrint project, under DLI-2, contributed to the development and adaptation of the Open Archives Initiative for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) specifications and protocols."
We've been talking about these browsers and technological breakthroughs lately. The last few years have seen huge advances being made in this field. Some of those are: Elsevier publications that Dr. He enjoys. They remember his favorite kind of articles and send them to him when published. How cool is that! Just like having your library send you your favorite authors books as soon as they are out, w/out having to fill out a reserve slip.
W3C (XML, XSLT), we've been looking at lately.
Also Web search engines such as Google Scholar, Google Print, and Yahoo).
Reading 2) D-Lib Magazine July/August 2005
Dewey Meets Turing Librarians, Computer Scientists, and the Digital Libraries Initiative
Digital Libraries Initiative (DLI), began in 1994. This idea had librarians and computer scientists getting together to discuss digital libraries. With the onset of the internet, things got a little dicey. Publishers wanted to make money from the internet as well. They set deals with Universities to have their works made available to them, for a price, of course.
Luckily for librarians, where there is information wanted, needed, or stored, there must be people to obtain, share, disburse and maintain said information.
"The accomplishments of the Digital Libraries Initiative and many related activities external to its work have broadened opportunities for library science, rather than marginalizing the field." With cooperation many ideas and books can be shared, in person, or digitally.
Reading 3) ARL: A Bimonthly Report, no. 226 (February 2003)
Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age
I'm looking forward to Jongdo's lecture next week to hear him explain this subject hopefully a little clearer. Mr Lynch tells us that "The development of institutional repositories emerged as a new strategy that allows universities to apply serious, systematic leverage to accelerate changes taking place in scholarship and scholarly communication, both moving beyond their historic relatively passive role of supporting established publishers in modernizing scholarly publishing through the licensing of digital content, and also scaling up beyond ad-hoc alliances, partnerships, and support arrangements with a few select faculty pioneers exploring more transformative new uses of the digital medium."
How many repositories are there? I'm not really clear if there are qualifications stated, or just suggestions for repositories. It sounds as if only higher education, or universities can be labeled a repository.
A repository may be used to preserve information; Manage the 'rights for digital materials'; and "facilitate access, reuse, and stewardship of content."
Muddiest Point: Dublin Core has again been mentioned. I thought that is was "a nice idea, or theory" but it didn't exist yet. Now I'm confused again.
(I know, it doesn't take much)
I commented on Evelyn's blog: http://emc2-technologychat.blogspot.com/
Anthony's blog: http://arklibraryscientist.blogspot.com/ and
Adrien's blog: http://www.azucchino.blogspot.com/
Digital Libraries
So, Digital Libraries. What can one say about them.
They are everywhere. "Federal programmatic support for digital library research was formulated in a series of community-based planning workshops sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1993-1994." I had no idea they were even around until a few years ago.
Luckily, there were several grants given and many larger universities were working on varied digitization projects. "Some of the work led to significant technology transfer and spinoffs (e.g., Google grew out of research performed under the Stanford DLI-1 project). An international collaboration by Cornell and the UK ePrint project, under DLI-2, contributed to the development and adaptation of the Open Archives Initiative for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) specifications and protocols."
We've been talking about these browsers and technological breakthroughs lately. The last few years have seen huge advances being made in this field. Some of those are: Elsevier publications that Dr. He enjoys. They remember his favorite kind of articles and send them to him when published. How cool is that! Just like having your library send you your favorite authors books as soon as they are out, w/out having to fill out a reserve slip.
W3C (XML, XSLT), we've been looking at lately.
Also Web search engines such as Google Scholar, Google Print, and Yahoo).
Reading 2) D-Lib Magazine July/August 2005
Dewey Meets Turing Librarians, Computer Scientists, and the Digital Libraries Initiative
Digital Libraries Initiative (DLI), began in 1994. This idea had librarians and computer scientists getting together to discuss digital libraries. With the onset of the internet, things got a little dicey. Publishers wanted to make money from the internet as well. They set deals with Universities to have their works made available to them, for a price, of course.
Luckily for librarians, where there is information wanted, needed, or stored, there must be people to obtain, share, disburse and maintain said information.
"The accomplishments of the Digital Libraries Initiative and many related activities external to its work have broadened opportunities for library science, rather than marginalizing the field." With cooperation many ideas and books can be shared, in person, or digitally.
Reading 3) ARL: A Bimonthly Report, no. 226 (February 2003)
Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age
I'm looking forward to Jongdo's lecture next week to hear him explain this subject hopefully a little clearer. Mr Lynch tells us that "The development of institutional repositories emerged as a new strategy that allows universities to apply serious, systematic leverage to accelerate changes taking place in scholarship and scholarly communication, both moving beyond their historic relatively passive role of supporting established publishers in modernizing scholarly publishing through the licensing of digital content, and also scaling up beyond ad-hoc alliances, partnerships, and support arrangements with a few select faculty pioneers exploring more transformative new uses of the digital medium."
How many repositories are there? I'm not really clear if there are qualifications stated, or just suggestions for repositories. It sounds as if only higher education, or universities can be labeled a repository.
A repository may be used to preserve information; Manage the 'rights for digital materials'; and "facilitate access, reuse, and stewardship of content."
Muddiest Point: Dublin Core has again been mentioned. I thought that is was "a nice idea, or theory" but it didn't exist yet. Now I'm confused again.
(I know, it doesn't take much)
I commented on Evelyn's blog: http://emc2-technologychat.blogspot.com/
Anthony's blog: http://arklibraryscientist.blogspot.com/ and
Adrien's blog: http://www.azucchino.blogspot.com/
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Week 10 Readings
This weeks readings were much easier to assimilate than that of XML and DTP and all that.
Web Search Engines --- Part 1 and Part 2
The major search engines were mentioned. That of Google, Yahoo and Microsoft.
Search engines cannot and should not index every page on the web. One thing that was interesting was "search engines must reject as much low-value automated content as possible."
Who decides what is low-value or not?
I'm guessing that the web crawler machines decide based in how many visitors a website gets.
There are hundreds of distributed web crawler machines going about their business daily, hourly, minute by minute. They communicate with other machines and with millions of different web servers constantly.
There are two phases to indexing algorithms. First phase is scanning. The indexer looks at the text of each input document, giving it a number and assigning it to a temporary file.
The second phase is inversion. The indexer sorts the temporary files and gives it a number as well. "A temporary file might contain 10 trillion entries."
There is some caching of information done as well.
"Current Developments and future trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting"
Well, this was interesting. If you know what they are talking about. OPEN ARCHIVES INITIATIVE = OAI. This basically began in 2001 with a grant from the Mellon foundation. there are several companies and universities that are excited about this topic. Some companies are building a "virtual collection" of sheet music. It can be looked at, copied, and annotated in this digitized manner.
Some shortcomings with OAI is "there is no "there is no search mechanism and fairly limited browsing capabilities. " Also that "few of the registries approach a complete list of all available repositories. "
while reading articles such as this one, I think, "why in the world would I ever have to know this information." then usually, Dr. He will give us an assignment that invariably makes us use some of the information we've recently read about. I'm really hoping that this is just so we know what's out there and we won't have to actually use this at this point.
The Deep Web: Surfacing Hidden Value - Michal K. Bergman
"Searching on the Internet today can be compared to dragging a net across the surface of the ocean. While a great deal may be caught in the net, there is still a wealth of information that is deep, and therefore, missed. The reason is simple: Most of the Web's information is buried far down on dynamically generated sites, and standard search engines never find it."
Apparently the Deep Web is huge and "is the largest growing category of new information on the Internet." I have no idea if anything I have done on the internet is stored in the Deep Web or not. Is so, it is purely unintentional.
Search Engines such as Excite, yahoo and others are only catching the surface web, which is only a tiny portion of the information available. Thusly, "According to a recent survey of search-engine satisfaction by market-researcher NPD, search failure rates have increased steadily since 1997."
Figure 6. Distribution of Deep Web Sites by Content Type
"More than half of all deep Web sites feature topical databases. Topical databases plus large internal site documents and archived publications make up nearly 80% of all deep Web sites. Purchase-transaction sites — including true shopping sites with auctions and classifieds — account for another 10% or so of sites. The other eight categories collectively account for the remaining 10% or so of sites."
Hopefully there will be search engines that will have the capability to retrieve information from Deep Web so there will more information available to choose from for the student sitting at their computer, the mom helping her child with homework, or the librarian trying to help a patron with a question.
Muddiest Point: How do you get information stored in the "Deep Web" and how do you get it out again?
www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=404487879365965148"
Comments: I responded to Rebekah's question on the disc. board - https://courseweb.pitt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_9047_1%26url%3D
I commented on Lori's blog : https://https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=404487879365965148
Also commented on Allison's blog: http://ab2600.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Web Search Engines --- Part 1 and Part 2
The major search engines were mentioned. That of Google, Yahoo and Microsoft.
Search engines cannot and should not index every page on the web. One thing that was interesting was "search engines must reject as much low-value automated content as possible."
Who decides what is low-value or not?
I'm guessing that the web crawler machines decide based in how many visitors a website gets.
There are hundreds of distributed web crawler machines going about their business daily, hourly, minute by minute. They communicate with other machines and with millions of different web servers constantly.
There are two phases to indexing algorithms. First phase is scanning. The indexer looks at the text of each input document, giving it a number and assigning it to a temporary file.
The second phase is inversion. The indexer sorts the temporary files and gives it a number as well. "A temporary file might contain 10 trillion entries."
There is some caching of information done as well.
"Current Developments and future trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting"
Well, this was interesting. If you know what they are talking about. OPEN ARCHIVES INITIATIVE = OAI. This basically began in 2001 with a grant from the Mellon foundation. there are several companies and universities that are excited about this topic. Some companies are building a "virtual collection" of sheet music. It can be looked at, copied, and annotated in this digitized manner.
Some shortcomings with OAI is "there is no "there is no search mechanism and fairly limited browsing capabilities. " Also that "few of the registries approach a complete list of all available repositories. "
while reading articles such as this one, I think, "why in the world would I ever have to know this information." then usually, Dr. He will give us an assignment that invariably makes us use some of the information we've recently read about. I'm really hoping that this is just so we know what's out there and we won't have to actually use this at this point.
The Deep Web: Surfacing Hidden Value - Michal K. Bergman
"Searching on the Internet today can be compared to dragging a net across the surface of the ocean. While a great deal may be caught in the net, there is still a wealth of information that is deep, and therefore, missed. The reason is simple: Most of the Web's information is buried far down on dynamically generated sites, and standard search engines never find it."
Apparently the Deep Web is huge and "is the largest growing category of new information on the Internet." I have no idea if anything I have done on the internet is stored in the Deep Web or not. Is so, it is purely unintentional.
Search Engines such as Excite, yahoo and others are only catching the surface web, which is only a tiny portion of the information available. Thusly, "According to a recent survey of search-engine satisfaction by market-researcher NPD, search failure rates have increased steadily since 1997."
Figure 6. Distribution of Deep Web Sites by Content Type
"More than half of all deep Web sites feature topical databases. Topical databases plus large internal site documents and archived publications make up nearly 80% of all deep Web sites. Purchase-transaction sites — including true shopping sites with auctions and classifieds — account for another 10% or so of sites. The other eight categories collectively account for the remaining 10% or so of sites."
Hopefully there will be search engines that will have the capability to retrieve information from Deep Web so there will more information available to choose from for the student sitting at their computer, the mom helping her child with homework, or the librarian trying to help a patron with a question.
Muddiest Point: How do you get information stored in the "Deep Web" and how do you get it out again?
www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=404487879365965148"
Comments: I responded to Rebekah's question on the disc. board - https://courseweb.pitt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_9047_1%26url%3D
I commented on Lori's blog : https://https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=404487879365965148
Also commented on Allison's blog: http://ab2600.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Week 9 Readings
What is XML? -
Subset of the Standard Generalized Mark-Up Language.
XML files clearly mark where the start and end of logical parts (elements) of a document.
< title>My Web Page < /title>
Reading #2 -"A Survey of XML Standards:"
Part 1 - "XML may be intimidating one, when one considers all the moving parts". Ya think!
It took awhile before I could even figure out the the heading, title, body, and then ending them with the < />. The recommended tutorials and other useful resources may be helpful. Too bad that there is no time to actually study them. Just look at the cheat sheets and do what you need to do to finish the assignment is the plan. SGML - Doug Tidwell says, "Sounds Great, Maybe Later".
Reading #3
The XML already discusses seems much easier to do than the DTD Elements in reading #3.
DTD seems way too confusing with all the different symbols - +, !, ?, *, #, and ((( ))).
Namespace, URI and xlink are some terms that I think are a little advanced for me, and will I ever, truly, really, ever, never, need to know how to do them?
Reading 4: WWW.W3 tutorial : First of all, it says you need a basic understanding of all the language types we have discussed the last couple of weeks....
Somehow, these languages seems more difficult than just doing an Excel Spreadsheet. If I really wanted my music CD collection organized, I would do it on Excel. It couldn't be easier. You just type in all the information w/out all the symbols, ()< > & * ? ! etc.
Muddiest Point: How do we connect our pages together for Assignment #6?
Comments: Susan - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9004604055760573247&postID=6651811685127344075
Joyce - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6411265268178233609&postID=7298793957690486717
April - http://mintschenko2600.blogspot.com/2008/10/week-9-reading-notes.html?showComment=1225768800000#c6057704051906849717
Subset of the Standard Generalized Mark-Up Language.
XML files clearly mark where the start and end of logical parts (elements) of a document.
< title>My Web Page < /title>
Reading #2 -"A Survey of XML Standards:"
Part 1 - "XML may be intimidating one, when one considers all the moving parts". Ya think!
It took awhile before I could even figure out the the heading, title, body, and then ending them with the < />. The recommended tutorials and other useful resources may be helpful. Too bad that there is no time to actually study them. Just look at the cheat sheets and do what you need to do to finish the assignment is the plan. SGML - Doug Tidwell says, "Sounds Great, Maybe Later".
Reading #3
The XML already discusses seems much easier to do than the DTD Elements in reading #3.
DTD seems way too confusing with all the different symbols - +, !, ?, *, #, and ((( ))).
Namespace, URI and xlink are some terms that I think are a little advanced for me, and will I ever, truly, really, ever, never, need to know how to do them?
Reading 4: WWW.W3 tutorial : First of all, it says you need a basic understanding of all the language types we have discussed the last couple of weeks....
Somehow, these languages seems more difficult than just doing an Excel Spreadsheet. If I really wanted my music CD collection organized, I would do it on Excel. It couldn't be easier. You just type in all the information w/out all the symbols, ()< > & * ? ! etc.
Muddiest Point: How do we connect our pages together for Assignment #6?
Comments: Susan - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9004604055760573247&postID=6651811685127344075
Joyce - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6411265268178233609&postID=7298793957690486717
April - http://mintschenko2600.blogspot.com/2008/10/week-9-reading-notes.html?showComment=1225768800000#c6057704051906849717
Friday, October 17, 2008
Assignment 5 - Koha
Virtual Library URL: http://pitt5.kohawc.liblime.com/cgi-bin/koha/bookshelves/shelves.pl
Reference Books I would like to have; is the title of my shelf.
Reference Books I would like to have; is the title of my shelf.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Week 8 Readings
Well, this was interesting reading.
I had just taken a web building class offered by another employee at work.
We just went through a couple of steps, as it was only an hour class.
So I actually knew steps 1 thru about 4.
As web pages go, I can leave them alone.
Once I am done with this school and have some time to find my way around this type of technology, I might be able to actually use and learn it.
Thank goodness for the cheat sheet! I was hoping that there was something written down so you would know what to do w/out having to go back to a specific website and keep looking up the various commands.
I didn't know anything about the Cascading Style Sheets that article 3 discussed.
Beyond HTML: Developing and re-imagining library web guides.
While reading this article, I was wondering if I would actually have to design a web page, or if I would just have to download the information collected like some of the Georgia State University Librarians. It was reassuring to read that you didn't have to have HTML skills to be involved in this project. You just had to have your content together and get it changed over to the new Content Management System. This system sounded like a good fit for this school. They needed help managing, organizing and cleaning up all their information.
Their customizing and tagging content seemed to work well for them. CMS is easier to use than Front Page of Dreamweaver, whatever they are. Haven't heard of those programs.
They did mention that more training would be needed to keep all the librarians, web developers, and web programmers on the same page. It is Always a good idea to Train people on any new program; as we've been discussing in LIS 2000.
Hopefully I won't have to delve into this programming anytime soon, but it is good to know that I can do it if I have to.
Comments: Susan: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9004604055760573247&postID=9161388889469735651
Technical question for Alesha Terry I answered: https://courseweb.pitt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_9047_1%26url%3D
Muddiest Point: I know it was a long time ago, but MySQL??? What is it and why is it important? Can it only be used with Open Source?
I had just taken a web building class offered by another employee at work.
We just went through a couple of steps, as it was only an hour class.
So I actually knew steps 1 thru about 4.
As web pages go, I can leave them alone.
Once I am done with this school and have some time to find my way around this type of technology, I might be able to actually use and learn it.
Thank goodness for the cheat sheet! I was hoping that there was something written down so you would know what to do w/out having to go back to a specific website and keep looking up the various commands.
I didn't know anything about the Cascading Style Sheets that article 3 discussed.
Beyond HTML: Developing and re-imagining library web guides.
While reading this article, I was wondering if I would actually have to design a web page, or if I would just have to download the information collected like some of the Georgia State University Librarians. It was reassuring to read that you didn't have to have HTML skills to be involved in this project. You just had to have your content together and get it changed over to the new Content Management System. This system sounded like a good fit for this school. They needed help managing, organizing and cleaning up all their information.
Their customizing and tagging content seemed to work well for them. CMS is easier to use than Front Page of Dreamweaver, whatever they are. Haven't heard of those programs.
They did mention that more training would be needed to keep all the librarians, web developers, and web programmers on the same page. It is Always a good idea to Train people on any new program; as we've been discussing in LIS 2000.
Hopefully I won't have to delve into this programming anytime soon, but it is good to know that I can do it if I have to.
Comments: Susan: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9004604055760573247&postID=9161388889469735651
Technical question for Alesha Terry I answered: https://courseweb.pitt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_9047_1%26url%3D
Muddiest Point: I know it was a long time ago, but MySQL??? What is it and why is it important? Can it only be used with Open Source?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Assignment 4 - Joan's Jing
Screencast URL: http://www.screencast.com/users/joanpeiffer/folders/Jing/media/f838943b-66f1-40c0-8a9a-7d7a17d081c8
Flickr: #1: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2910384890/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #2: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2912398379/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #3: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2909536859/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #4: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2909536879/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #5: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2912895829/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #6: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2913741876/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #1: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2910384890/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #2: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2912398379/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #3: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2909536859/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #4: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2909536879/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #5: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2912895829/in/set-72157607698948384/
Flickr: #6: http://flickr.com/photos/julie2008/2913741876/in/set-72157607698948384/
Week 7 Readings
How Internet Infrastructure Works: This article was so much easier to understand after listening to Dr. He's lecture this week. The second time around helped things to sink in a little deeper.
It is really amazing to think that No one "owns" the internet. In this day and age where people think they can buy whatever they want, it's kind of reassuring to think that Americans thought up this whole process. In 1969 there were 4 computers systems. No there are "tens of millions" computer systems hooked up Globally. It really makes the world a smaller place when you think that you can talk, email, webcam, or speak with someone across the world instantly.
Dismantling Integrated Library Systems: This article was a little confusing. There is all the talk of 'dismantling library systems'. How was the system dismantled? What is a 'standalone product'? He kept talking about purchasing one, but never said what it was, did, or why it is necessary.
During my tenure of library clerk, I have worked with Gaylord, then Follet and now we have an AMLIB system. The differences between them really aren't all that great. The screen may be layed out somewhat differently, how you move from screen to screen may also be different, but all in all, they are the same.
I am all in favor for the different companies to get together and find a system that will work for All libraries. They say that tight-wad librarians are to blame for the technology slowdown in this field. I beg to differ saying it is the upper echelons in these companies that know libraries have to have a system and make us pay handsomely for those services.
Mr. Pace also says that "new products and services now drive vendor development and wow librarians at trade shows. Portals, metasearch tools, reference linking software, radio frequency identification tags (RFIDs), and digital asset management systems now dominate the world of library automation." Knowing what we work with daily, any improvement would probably 'wow' me. Recently while reading an article about RFID I was 'wowed' at what that could do to help our library with regards to security, quicker customer service and the help with overdues, shelving, and locating books quickly. Maybe someday....
Inside the Google machine: This was very interesting seeing all the points of light registering active Google searches. I know that when a patron asks us a question we don't know the answer to, we frequently go to Google for an answer.
It is great that Google is 'giving back' to charities and starting a Foundation. I also thought it was interesting to hear them say that only about 30% of searches come from the United States. I would have thought it would be higher. I wasn't aware of the Googlette out there, such as news, Google answers, or Froggle. I also didn't realize that Blogger was Google originated.
Hopefully Google will continue to be a viable source for information as it seems to be still going in that direction. The 20% work time devoted to personal hobbies and interests was also a great idea.
Muddiest Point: Don't really have one this week. But wouldn't mind some clarification about the different networks. Bus-Star-Ring. From the lecture I'm guessing that Star would be the best one to have if we have an option????
Comments: Jeremy: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3413864360557025238&postID=5905534326427760081
April: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8747228788318880740&postID=1932302019534974834
Lauren A: http://lma32.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
It is really amazing to think that No one "owns" the internet. In this day and age where people think they can buy whatever they want, it's kind of reassuring to think that Americans thought up this whole process. In 1969 there were 4 computers systems. No there are "tens of millions" computer systems hooked up Globally. It really makes the world a smaller place when you think that you can talk, email, webcam, or speak with someone across the world instantly.
Dismantling Integrated Library Systems: This article was a little confusing. There is all the talk of 'dismantling library systems'. How was the system dismantled? What is a 'standalone product'? He kept talking about purchasing one, but never said what it was, did, or why it is necessary.
During my tenure of library clerk, I have worked with Gaylord, then Follet and now we have an AMLIB system. The differences between them really aren't all that great. The screen may be layed out somewhat differently, how you move from screen to screen may also be different, but all in all, they are the same.
I am all in favor for the different companies to get together and find a system that will work for All libraries. They say that tight-wad librarians are to blame for the technology slowdown in this field. I beg to differ saying it is the upper echelons in these companies that know libraries have to have a system and make us pay handsomely for those services.
Mr. Pace also says that "new products and services now drive vendor development and wow librarians at trade shows. Portals, metasearch tools, reference linking software, radio frequency identification tags (RFIDs), and digital asset management systems now dominate the world of library automation." Knowing what we work with daily, any improvement would probably 'wow' me. Recently while reading an article about RFID I was 'wowed' at what that could do to help our library with regards to security, quicker customer service and the help with overdues, shelving, and locating books quickly. Maybe someday....
Inside the Google machine: This was very interesting seeing all the points of light registering active Google searches. I know that when a patron asks us a question we don't know the answer to, we frequently go to Google for an answer.
It is great that Google is 'giving back' to charities and starting a Foundation. I also thought it was interesting to hear them say that only about 30% of searches come from the United States. I would have thought it would be higher. I wasn't aware of the Googlette out there, such as news, Google answers, or Froggle. I also didn't realize that Blogger was Google originated.
Hopefully Google will continue to be a viable source for information as it seems to be still going in that direction. The 20% work time devoted to personal hobbies and interests was also a great idea.
Muddiest Point: Don't really have one this week. But wouldn't mind some clarification about the different networks. Bus-Star-Ring. From the lecture I'm guessing that Star would be the best one to have if we have an option????
Comments: Jeremy: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3413864360557025238&postID=5905534326427760081
April: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8747228788318880740&postID=1932302019534974834
Lauren A: http://lma32.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Assignment 3 - Personal Bibliographic
Here is my cite-u-like url: http://www.citeulike.org/user/joanpeiffer
Somehow 31 articles came over on zotero, so I should have 40 articles, instead of 39.
After redoing several articles a couple of times, I did not try to delete one in case something else happened. So there is an extra article to enjoy.
Somehow 31 articles came over on zotero, so I should have 40 articles, instead of 39.
After redoing several articles a couple of times, I did not try to delete one in case something else happened. So there is an extra article to enjoy.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Week 6 Readings
1) Local Area Network: I finally learned what LAN and WAN stands for. They have been in previous readings, and I always wondered, but now know about Local and Wide Area Networks. I also know that Ethernet has nothing to do with a clear odorless liquid; but still don't know exactly how it works. But I love having Wi-Fi at work and now in our home. I'll talk more about that later.
While at college, my husband and I went to Novell and participated in a computer study; and we even got paid for it. One could get dizzy clicking on all the blue hyperlinks on these articles, or just more confused with all the terminology.
2)Computer Network: A computer network is a group of interconnected computers. There are several Types of Networks. Those initials are easy to understand and remember. (especially after watching the YouTube video.) It was helpful for them to go in order of size: Personal, Local, Campus, Metropolitan, Wide, and Global Network. A question arises as to who pays for all this networking? When transmitted by telephone, or wireless to reach the Global sphere, how is it determined who is accessing it and who pays? Who is monitoring all those nets? How about laptops accessing Wi-Fi from wherever?
3)Common Types of Networks; YouTube: I guess anyone can star in a movie.
4)Management of RFID in Libraries: This was actually for first time I'd ever read anything about RFID. I somehow saw something on YouTube in another language so I'm guessing that this is what it was about. After reading the article about scanning a whole shelf of books so quickly, I was astonished! The security factor is something I would love to implement in our library. There are so many books that mysteriously "walk" out of the building. I can see only advantages to using a Radio Wave IDentifier on all materials at our library. a) Check out and check in would be so much faster. b) When other libraries call us and ask us to send them a book, we go to the shelves and look. If it is a row down, or up, or at the wrong end of the shelf, the scanner could catch it and c) it would save wear and tear on my knees every week checking the shelves for overdues. If equipped with this feature; d) The 'pages' (usually teenagers who put the books back on the shelves after being returned) could almost check themselves to see if the books were reshelved correctly.
How do I sign up? I would love to see this utilized in my library!
Muddiest Point: In this week's readings the Internet and the WWW were mentioned together. Are they the same thing? What is the difference between them?
Comments: Jean: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4527425204800506090&postID=9024962617698144764;
Mel: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2377332459864294084&postID=6612901659740560543
Tee: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7114620464717775258&postID=7160455777339498066
While at college, my husband and I went to Novell and participated in a computer study; and we even got paid for it. One could get dizzy clicking on all the blue hyperlinks on these articles, or just more confused with all the terminology.
2)Computer Network: A computer network is a group of interconnected computers. There are several Types of Networks. Those initials are easy to understand and remember. (especially after watching the YouTube video.) It was helpful for them to go in order of size: Personal, Local, Campus, Metropolitan, Wide, and Global Network. A question arises as to who pays for all this networking? When transmitted by telephone, or wireless to reach the Global sphere, how is it determined who is accessing it and who pays? Who is monitoring all those nets? How about laptops accessing Wi-Fi from wherever?
3)Common Types of Networks; YouTube: I guess anyone can star in a movie.
4)Management of RFID in Libraries: This was actually for first time I'd ever read anything about RFID. I somehow saw something on YouTube in another language so I'm guessing that this is what it was about. After reading the article about scanning a whole shelf of books so quickly, I was astonished! The security factor is something I would love to implement in our library. There are so many books that mysteriously "walk" out of the building. I can see only advantages to using a Radio Wave IDentifier on all materials at our library. a) Check out and check in would be so much faster. b) When other libraries call us and ask us to send them a book, we go to the shelves and look. If it is a row down, or up, or at the wrong end of the shelf, the scanner could catch it and c) it would save wear and tear on my knees every week checking the shelves for overdues. If equipped with this feature; d) The 'pages' (usually teenagers who put the books back on the shelves after being returned) could almost check themselves to see if the books were reshelved correctly.
How do I sign up? I would love to see this utilized in my library!
Muddiest Point: In this week's readings the Internet and the WWW were mentioned together. Are they the same thing? What is the difference between them?
Comments: Jean: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4527425204800506090&postID=9024962617698144764;
Mel: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2377332459864294084&postID=6612901659740560543
Tee: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7114620464717775258&postID=7160455777339498066
Friday, September 19, 2008
Week 5 Readings
Data Compression- wikipdeia
Data compression or source coding is “the process of encoding information using fewer bits than an unencoded representation would use through use of specific encoding schemes.”
But Lossless, I believe means that most of the original picture, music, or whatever data is being compressed, will be seen, heard, or whatever upon decompression. Files should be original upon viewing.
Lossy may lose some data to achieve a higher compression. A digital camera is an example of lossy. When you compress and send, you may lose some data, (picture border), to obtain the best picture.
Data Compression Basics:
The author said, "this article isn't going to be too technical". His idea of technical and mine are Not all all similar. His concluding remarks summarize the article into terms even I could understand though. He states that Lossless is compressed into "exactly" the same as the original, and Lossy is "not guaranteed to be exactly" the same as the original.
He talks about LZ algorithms and how they can compress with a ratio to about 3:1. They can do this by reducing redundancy.
Imaging Pittsburgh: What a neat concept! I love how you could click on a neighborhood and the pictures taken there would show up. You can see the progression of the city and how things have changed. The fact that the University of Pittsburgh from the beginning wanted to make sure that everyone could access the information was admirable. Several people collaborated to achieve the 7,000-10,000 photo exhibit. Mr. Galloway said they had their problems, but they were able to work them out and have a common dialogue between the groups who submitted their subjects.
The YouTube article was very informative. I didn’t know that, “YouTube is the most popular internet television or video distribution site on the Internet and currently ranks number 16 on Alexa for most visited websites.” We have been on YouTube more recently since we finally went wireless. It is so fast to load almost anything you want for your viewing pleasure. The idea of having a ‘library tour’ of your services and facility online somewhere to be available for anyone to see is fantastic. I’d like to do that for our library. Much information can be made available such as instructional videos, or tutorials, for those visual learners. Or you could film part of a story time with the children for other parents to see what they are missing.
Muddiest Point: The LZ algorithms in the second article completely overwhelmed me. The talk about the different color pixels and everything mentioned went right over my head. what do we need to know about all that???
Blog Responses: Alison - http://ab2600.blogspot.com/ ; Lori - http://lhmorrow.blogspot.com/ and Cari - http://bookslingers.blogspot.com
Data compression or source coding is “the process of encoding information using fewer bits than an unencoded representation would use through use of specific encoding schemes.”
But Lossless, I believe means that most of the original picture, music, or whatever data is being compressed, will be seen, heard, or whatever upon decompression. Files should be original upon viewing.
Lossy may lose some data to achieve a higher compression. A digital camera is an example of lossy. When you compress and send, you may lose some data, (picture border), to obtain the best picture.
Data Compression Basics:
The author said, "this article isn't going to be too technical". His idea of technical and mine are Not all all similar. His concluding remarks summarize the article into terms even I could understand though. He states that Lossless is compressed into "exactly" the same as the original, and Lossy is "not guaranteed to be exactly" the same as the original.
He talks about LZ algorithms and how they can compress with a ratio to about 3:1. They can do this by reducing redundancy.
Imaging Pittsburgh: What a neat concept! I love how you could click on a neighborhood and the pictures taken there would show up. You can see the progression of the city and how things have changed. The fact that the University of Pittsburgh from the beginning wanted to make sure that everyone could access the information was admirable. Several people collaborated to achieve the 7,000-10,000 photo exhibit. Mr. Galloway said they had their problems, but they were able to work them out and have a common dialogue between the groups who submitted their subjects.
The YouTube article was very informative. I didn’t know that, “YouTube is the most popular internet television or video distribution site on the Internet and currently ranks number 16 on Alexa for most visited websites.” We have been on YouTube more recently since we finally went wireless. It is so fast to load almost anything you want for your viewing pleasure. The idea of having a ‘library tour’ of your services and facility online somewhere to be available for anyone to see is fantastic. I’d like to do that for our library. Much information can be made available such as instructional videos, or tutorials, for those visual learners. Or you could film part of a story time with the children for other parents to see what they are missing.
Muddiest Point: The LZ algorithms in the second article completely overwhelmed me. The talk about the different color pixels and everything mentioned went right over my head. what do we need to know about all that???
Blog Responses: Alison - http://ab2600.blogspot.com/ ; Lori - http://lhmorrow.blogspot.com/ and Cari - http://bookslingers.blogspot.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
Flickr Assignment
My oldest daughter just graduated from High School in June.
I used her for my picture subject.
Tried a long time to get the photos regular size and thumbnail.
They are all on the same page (today). Thumbnail, then regular size.
http://www.flickr.com/gp/30224184@N02/006184
My oldest daughter just graduated from High School in June.
I used her for my picture subject.
Tried a long time to get the photos regular size and thumbnail.
They are all on the same page (today). Thumbnail, then regular size.
http://www.flickr.com/gp/30224184@N02/006184
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Week 4 Readings
1) Database. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database
There was so much information contained in this first reading, I hardly know where to start.
But now I know that, "A Computer Database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system."
When they were talking about the earlier data being punch cards and magnetic tape, I remember having punch cards walking around the high school cafeteria to get registered for my classes.
Then in the 90's there was much progress made with the help of Open Source, which I took to be like Open Access we've already talked about, and My SQL which could handle more complex databases.
With the Hierarchal, Network and Relational models, I thought I was in a soap opera with all the parents, and marriages, and children and relationships going on between them all.
The ACID rules actually made sense to me, which was a relief.
2) Anne J. Gilliland. Introduction to Metadata, pathways to Digital Information: 1: Setting the Stage
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/standards/intrometadata/setting.html
Data about data. Or, "Perhaps a more useful "big picture" way of thinking about metadata is as "the sum total of what one can say about any information object1 at any level of aggregation."
I have to admit to being curious about the virtual museums, and digitized libraries she was writing about. With all this Metadata and the accessibility to virtual collections, we should be able to stay in our homes and go to our 'holographic' room and visit anyplace, or any collection we want.
3) Eric J. Miller. An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
http://dublincore.org/1999/06/06-overview/
I have to admit that this whole dublin core was like reading another language. I totally did not get it. But under Compound Values he talks about the "weather". "These characteristics are independent of (weather) this person is the 'creator', 'publisher' or 'subject' associated with some other resource.
So in conclusion, the DCMI is like a large card catalog. We can be listed under many different headings, subjects, and titles and still all be connected and found by those looking for us.
Muddiest Point:
What is the difference between Embedded Operating systems, and LINUX, Windows, and
UNIX Operating systems?? Aren't they used for the same thing?
Responses to Week 4 readings
I responded to Author: Tamoul Quakhaan's question today about no scores being recorded. Also responded to her blog at:http://tee-quakhaan.blogspot.com/; http://melhohman.blogspot.com/; and http://emc2-technologychat.blogspot.com
There was so much information contained in this first reading, I hardly know where to start.
But now I know that, "A Computer Database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system."
When they were talking about the earlier data being punch cards and magnetic tape, I remember having punch cards walking around the high school cafeteria to get registered for my classes.
Then in the 90's there was much progress made with the help of Open Source, which I took to be like Open Access we've already talked about, and My SQL which could handle more complex databases.
With the Hierarchal, Network and Relational models, I thought I was in a soap opera with all the parents, and marriages, and children and relationships going on between them all.
The ACID rules actually made sense to me, which was a relief.
2) Anne J. Gilliland. Introduction to Metadata, pathways to Digital Information: 1: Setting the Stage
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/standards/intrometadata/setting.html
Data about data. Or, "Perhaps a more useful "big picture" way of thinking about metadata is as "the sum total of what one can say about any information object1 at any level of aggregation."
I have to admit to being curious about the virtual museums, and digitized libraries she was writing about. With all this Metadata and the accessibility to virtual collections, we should be able to stay in our homes and go to our 'holographic' room and visit anyplace, or any collection we want.
3) Eric J. Miller. An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
http://dublincore.org/1999/06/06-overview/
I have to admit that this whole dublin core was like reading another language. I totally did not get it. But under Compound Values he talks about the "weather". "These characteristics are independent of (weather) this person is the 'creator', 'publisher' or 'subject' associated with some other resource.
So in conclusion, the DCMI is like a large card catalog. We can be listed under many different headings, subjects, and titles and still all be connected and found by those looking for us.
Muddiest Point:
What is the difference between Embedded Operating systems, and LINUX, Windows, and
UNIX Operating systems?? Aren't they used for the same thing?
Responses to Week 4 readings
I responded to Author: Tamoul Quakhaan's question today about no scores being recorded. Also responded to her blog at:http://tee-quakhaan.blogspot.com/; http://melhohman.blogspot.com/; and http://emc2-technologychat.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Week 3 Readings
"Introduction to Linux: A Hands on Guide".
Well, if it's all the same to you, I will stay with Microsoft.
It was a good thing that Linus Torvalds wrote to someone and decided that he could make Unix better. I've never heard of Linux, or Linus, and the only reference to Unix I've heard of was in the movie "Jurassic Park".
How does Linux stay in business and get their software out there to people if it's free?
"Paid employees and volunteers alike are working diligently so that Linux can maintain a position in the market." There are employees working for Linux. Where does their paycheck come from?
If it's been around for almost 40 years, then it has to be a good product. Mr. Garrels kept on saying that it is a very secure and stable system, with "short, de-bug times".
If you like that sort of thing, it would be good for people who like to play with their toys. Anyone with this system can go and try to fix parts, and change things. You'd think that it would have deteriorated, but then he says that sometimes when problems are found, within a couple of hours, they have been solved. "Now users can influence their systems and share their remarks with the community, so the system gets better and better every day. "
Any knowledge, like programming in C, so all computers can communicate with each other, is a good thing. That one step seems to have bumped the programming people in the technology field to be able to come up with bigger and better ideas.
I just like my computers to do what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do them. I don't believe I'd like to have to program my computer and influence how it works, because then it would surely not work.
Kernelthread: Mac_OS_X:
At least I now know that "OS" means "Operating Systems". (Please correct me if I'm wrong)
Some students in the class have a Mac, Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Whenever an article starts out with the verbiage, " some parts are fairly technical, and the implicit assumption is that you are familiar with fundamental concepts of one or more of BSD, Mach, UNIX, or operating systems in general. In many cases I have made no attempt to provide background details of the concepts referred to in the discussion. ", it makes me want to cringe.
Many of the patrons that come to a library don't have those kinds of fundamental concepts, or want to have that kind of knowledge. There are specialized employees who work in computer stores, or with computers who can be found to help patrons understand what is out there before they purchase a new computer, or decide they want to learn more about them.
I myself have no idea of what an operating system is; how it works; or how it gets me information when I ask for it. I'm just glad that it does.
The layered type scheme used to show all the layers of a computer was helpful. It helps to have a visual picture in my head while something is being discussed.
So, the kernel is the "most fundamental" layer of Mac OS X.
(I still don't know what BSD is? Can someone tell me.) (Well, Wikipedia just informed me that is stands for: Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)
Programming is like learning another language. Programmers have my utmost sympathy. I remember how hard it was for me to learn German, and programming seems much more difficult. There are thousands of new terms: DFM, C, elf, bundle, framework, BSD?, Cocoa, and several more that would take to long to list.
In conclusion, the author likes his Mac. He states, "Still, Mac is currently the most worthy client platform in my opinion: the only operating system currently in production that, within reason, lets you have your cake and eat it too."
He rates Mac as his first choice, Linux as his second choice and Windows as his third choice.
"If you look at current Apple computers carefully, you'll see that a lot of engineering goes into making them. They are not just "pretty" and stylish (though that might be subjective) - they are functional
well designed. Some people even call them lust worthy. "
The Wikipedia explanation of Mac was much more clear, concise, and so much easier to understand, even with my limited knowledge of computer speak.
Paul Thurrott's Windows:
This article was somewhat confusing, with all the different Windows, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Professional, Ultimate, Home and Starter programs to mention a few.
I had no idea that there were so many different versions of windows being used.
Technology is changing so quickly that it's no wonder there are so many versions and updates happening on an almost daily basis. "Today Windows Vista supports about 77,000 components and devices, which is more than twice as many as we supported at launch."
Interestingly it was mentioned that there were significant security advances made and less security risks with the latest version that was marketed. With all the newsclips and warnings about the different "worms", "viruses", and "bugs" that are headed our way almost everytime we watch the news, it is good that they are trying to avert those before they attack our machines.
So now that I know everything there is to know about Linux, Mac and Windows, (haha), what do I think I will buy in the future?
Whatever's on sale.
Muddiest Question? What exactly is "digitization"?
Is it just taking a picture so that it can be copied electronically?
(Well, I just saw the other digitization articles we are supposed to read. When is that due? Guess if I did my homework, I could answer my own question!)
A P.S. to my question: Does digitization last as long as microfilm and other reproducible imaging? If digitization dosen't last as long, would it hurt the original whatever- picture, artifact, or whater to keep getting "re"digitized??? just wondering.
Well, if it's all the same to you, I will stay with Microsoft.
It was a good thing that Linus Torvalds wrote to someone and decided that he could make Unix better. I've never heard of Linux, or Linus, and the only reference to Unix I've heard of was in the movie "Jurassic Park".
How does Linux stay in business and get their software out there to people if it's free?
"Paid employees and volunteers alike are working diligently so that Linux can maintain a position in the market." There are employees working for Linux. Where does their paycheck come from?
If it's been around for almost 40 years, then it has to be a good product. Mr. Garrels kept on saying that it is a very secure and stable system, with "short, de-bug times".
If you like that sort of thing, it would be good for people who like to play with their toys. Anyone with this system can go and try to fix parts, and change things. You'd think that it would have deteriorated, but then he says that sometimes when problems are found, within a couple of hours, they have been solved. "Now users can influence their systems and share their remarks with the community, so the system gets better and better every day. "
Any knowledge, like programming in C, so all computers can communicate with each other, is a good thing. That one step seems to have bumped the programming people in the technology field to be able to come up with bigger and better ideas.
I just like my computers to do what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do them. I don't believe I'd like to have to program my computer and influence how it works, because then it would surely not work.
Kernelthread: Mac_OS_X:
At least I now know that "OS" means "Operating Systems". (Please correct me if I'm wrong)
Some students in the class have a Mac, Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Whenever an article starts out with the verbiage, " some parts are fairly technical, and the implicit assumption is that you are familiar with fundamental concepts of one or more of BSD, Mach, UNIX, or operating systems in general. In many cases I have made no attempt to provide background details of the concepts referred to in the discussion. ", it makes me want to cringe.
Many of the patrons that come to a library don't have those kinds of fundamental concepts, or want to have that kind of knowledge. There are specialized employees who work in computer stores, or with computers who can be found to help patrons understand what is out there before they purchase a new computer, or decide they want to learn more about them.
I myself have no idea of what an operating system is; how it works; or how it gets me information when I ask for it. I'm just glad that it does.
The layered type scheme used to show all the layers of a computer was helpful. It helps to have a visual picture in my head while something is being discussed.
So, the kernel is the "most fundamental" layer of Mac OS X.
(I still don't know what BSD is? Can someone tell me.) (Well, Wikipedia just informed me that is stands for: Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)
Programming is like learning another language. Programmers have my utmost sympathy. I remember how hard it was for me to learn German, and programming seems much more difficult. There are thousands of new terms: DFM, C, elf, bundle, framework, BSD?, Cocoa, and several more that would take to long to list.
In conclusion, the author likes his Mac. He states, "Still, Mac is currently the most worthy client platform in my opinion: the only operating system currently in production that, within reason, lets you have your cake and eat it too."
He rates Mac as his first choice, Linux as his second choice and Windows as his third choice.
"If you look at current Apple computers carefully, you'll see that a lot of engineering goes into making them. They are not just "pretty" and stylish (though that might be subjective) - they are functional
well designed. Some people even call them lust worthy. "
The Wikipedia explanation of Mac was much more clear, concise, and so much easier to understand, even with my limited knowledge of computer speak.
Paul Thurrott's Windows:
This article was somewhat confusing, with all the different Windows, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Professional, Ultimate, Home and Starter programs to mention a few.
I had no idea that there were so many different versions of windows being used.
Technology is changing so quickly that it's no wonder there are so many versions and updates happening on an almost daily basis. "Today Windows Vista supports about 77,000 components and devices, which is more than twice as many as we supported at launch."
Interestingly it was mentioned that there were significant security advances made and less security risks with the latest version that was marketed. With all the newsclips and warnings about the different "worms", "viruses", and "bugs" that are headed our way almost everytime we watch the news, it is good that they are trying to avert those before they attack our machines.
So now that I know everything there is to know about Linux, Mac and Windows, (haha), what do I think I will buy in the future?
Whatever's on sale.
Muddiest Question? What exactly is "digitization"?
Is it just taking a picture so that it can be copied electronically?
(Well, I just saw the other digitization articles we are supposed to read. When is that due? Guess if I did my homework, I could answer my own question!)
A P.S. to my question: Does digitization last as long as microfilm and other reproducible imaging? If digitization dosen't last as long, would it hurt the original whatever- picture, artifact, or whater to keep getting "re"digitized??? just wondering.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Week 1 Readings
After about 1 1/2 hours of trying to view the whole article by Jason Vaughn, and finally getting to it, thanks to another student's help, I thought I'd talk about it first.
I enjoyed reading this article, mostly because I understood most of it. I work in a public library and we enjoy some of the same problems.
We will be buying more laptops next month. I've wanted to implement something like a laptop check out for about two years. We only have 6 computers for our patrons to use at this time. They are busy all day long. Some days we get as many as 80 - 100 people using our computers daily. I will definitely mention this again.
Our library has wireless capabilities. We built a new building and opened February 2006. This is good because like was mentioned, the price of laptops are coming down and people are buying more and they are using our beautiful building to get connected.
There is a test library in our System which automatically shuts down the computers after 30 minutes. If UNLV wanted to do something like that and have a community area, they wouldn't have to worry about users being on their computers all day long.
Part of it was boring when he was talking about the offices not being next to each other. TMI.
But overall, it was interesting to hear that large academic libraries work the same as smaller local libraries and we have the same needs, system failures, updates, wants, and money problems!
"Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture":
If I am understanding My Lynch correctly, he wants us all to be Renaissance men and woman, understanding all things, being able to perform all things, and have skills in all area of development.
Of course, I fit into the beginning of the Information Literacy, because sometimes I can type, and do some spreadsheets, and have some basic computer skills. I can find my way to courseweb, print off the syllabus and get to my blog to respond to these articles! (My blog could also use some assistance to help it look better).
His views on the Information Technology being most important are valid. If you could only have a few employees working for you, you would probably want the most well-rounded and skilled person you could have, instead of a few specialized people. I just don't think that there are many of those type of people around.
He wrote this article in 1998. The statement he used, "a recognition of the fluid
nature of many digital forms, plus an understanding of the computer’s growing ability to edit or even fabricate what have traditionally been viewed as factual records of events (such as images).", made me think what computers have done for the Movie Industry regarding the use of special effects. There are so many computer animated and/or generated graphics out there now, it really astounds me what computers have been able to do.
In conclusion, I don't think I will grow up to be a Renaissance women. There may be hope for me to improve my skills and learn some more about Information Technology.
OCLC report: Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers(2004):
One statement that was made in this article, "Libraries need to find ways to deliver quality content to mobile devices." is one of the reasons that I am in this program.
Don't get me wrong. I Love My Books! I like to hold them and look at the cover. I like to take them in the car with me and read them wherever I am. The patrons who visit us also like their books, CD's, magazines, books on tape and books on CD. But there a lot of people who have never been to a library, and aren't familiar with the services that are provided.
According to this report, those services need to be updated and changed for the "new generation" of technology.
I did not agree with the statement that blogs are "more honest". Who is there to check and make sure that what is written is what is right?
I also felt terrible while reading that "Fleshmet" will become more prevelent and that 70% will get together with "eworld" people instead of "real" people. That is what is wrong with society now. There are too many children and people left alone who spend all day in front of a television or computer. There should be more interaction with talking, playing and speaking to others.
My husband just took the texting ability off my, his, and our daughter's phones. He said, "if someone wants to call and talk they can, and I will answer if I want. I will not pay for someone to text us something."
So, there is change everywhere and hopefully for libraries, they will be able to discover ways to keep up with the give me everything, wherever I am concept that is being heard now.
I enjoyed reading this article, mostly because I understood most of it. I work in a public library and we enjoy some of the same problems.
We will be buying more laptops next month. I've wanted to implement something like a laptop check out for about two years. We only have 6 computers for our patrons to use at this time. They are busy all day long. Some days we get as many as 80 - 100 people using our computers daily. I will definitely mention this again.
Our library has wireless capabilities. We built a new building and opened February 2006. This is good because like was mentioned, the price of laptops are coming down and people are buying more and they are using our beautiful building to get connected.
There is a test library in our System which automatically shuts down the computers after 30 minutes. If UNLV wanted to do something like that and have a community area, they wouldn't have to worry about users being on their computers all day long.
Part of it was boring when he was talking about the offices not being next to each other. TMI.
But overall, it was interesting to hear that large academic libraries work the same as smaller local libraries and we have the same needs, system failures, updates, wants, and money problems!
"Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture":
If I am understanding My Lynch correctly, he wants us all to be Renaissance men and woman, understanding all things, being able to perform all things, and have skills in all area of development.
Of course, I fit into the beginning of the Information Literacy, because sometimes I can type, and do some spreadsheets, and have some basic computer skills. I can find my way to courseweb, print off the syllabus and get to my blog to respond to these articles! (My blog could also use some assistance to help it look better).
His views on the Information Technology being most important are valid. If you could only have a few employees working for you, you would probably want the most well-rounded and skilled person you could have, instead of a few specialized people. I just don't think that there are many of those type of people around.
He wrote this article in 1998. The statement he used, "a recognition of the fluid
nature of many digital forms, plus an understanding of the computer’s growing ability to edit or even fabricate what have traditionally been viewed as factual records of events (such as images).", made me think what computers have done for the Movie Industry regarding the use of special effects. There are so many computer animated and/or generated graphics out there now, it really astounds me what computers have been able to do.
In conclusion, I don't think I will grow up to be a Renaissance women. There may be hope for me to improve my skills and learn some more about Information Technology.
OCLC report: Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers(2004):
One statement that was made in this article, "Libraries need to find ways to deliver quality content to mobile devices." is one of the reasons that I am in this program.
Don't get me wrong. I Love My Books! I like to hold them and look at the cover. I like to take them in the car with me and read them wherever I am. The patrons who visit us also like their books, CD's, magazines, books on tape and books on CD. But there a lot of people who have never been to a library, and aren't familiar with the services that are provided.
According to this report, those services need to be updated and changed for the "new generation" of technology.
I did not agree with the statement that blogs are "more honest". Who is there to check and make sure that what is written is what is right?
I also felt terrible while reading that "Fleshmet" will become more prevelent and that 70% will get together with "eworld" people instead of "real" people. That is what is wrong with society now. There are too many children and people left alone who spend all day in front of a television or computer. There should be more interaction with talking, playing and speaking to others.
My husband just took the texting ability off my, his, and our daughter's phones. He said, "if someone wants to call and talk they can, and I will answer if I want. I will not pay for someone to text us something."
So, there is change everywhere and hopefully for libraries, they will be able to discover ways to keep up with the give me everything, wherever I am concept that is being heard now.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Muddiest Point
Sorry, I don't know why it's underlining now.
The muddiest point was knowing what was due, when.
Trying to watch the lecture and get clear, concise dates was very confusing.
Blog Responses - Week 1 - 3
Week 1
I responded to Andrea Black's blog, http://alb206.blogspot.com/
and Eileen's: http://tophatsandflappers.blogspot.com/
Week 2
I responded to Jeremy Muldoon's blog: http://pittmlis.blogspot.com/
Alesha's blog: and Susasn Geiss: http://susangeiss.blogspot.com/
Week 3
I responded to Melissa's blog: http://suburbanbarnyard.blogspot.com/
and Sandra's blog: http://sandasilaghi.blogspot.com/and Brandon's http://analogfailure.blogspot.com/
I also put a response in the Disc. Board on digitization.
I responded to Andrea Black's blog, http://alb206.blogspot.com/
and Eileen's: http://tophatsandflappers.blogspot.com/
Week 2
I responded to Jeremy Muldoon's blog: http://pittmlis.blogspot.com/
Alesha's blog: and Susasn Geiss: http://susangeiss.blogspot.com/
Week 3
I responded to Melissa's blog: http://suburbanbarnyard.blogspot.com/
and Sandra's blog: http://sandasilaghi.blogspot.com/and Brandon's http://analogfailure.blogspot.com/
I also put a response in the Disc. Board on digitization.
Okay,
Week 2's assigned readings:
Computer Hardware:
There were several terms in that article that I didn't know, so it was good to learn some new terminology. RAM, ROM, BIOS and I even learned what DVD stands for: Digital Versatile Disc.
There was still some terminology that wasn't explained: LAN, and WLAN.
Hopefully I will learn what they stand for during the course of this class.
Moore's Law:
This article was slightly confusing with all the specifics of the computer and much talk about transistors and costs and nanocomputers. But there was something in there about IBM researchers developing new methods to achieve even smaller circuits which are expected to be substantially more expensive.
I can remember being in computer rooms where the computer took up the whole room, and they cost thousands of dollars. The current size of the computers we us at work and at home seem just the right size to me and thankfully they don't cost so much that they are unaffordable to the middle class.
It would be unfortunate if research develops in such a way to have very small, but more expensive computers.
Computer History Museum:
The next time I am in Mountain View, CA, I would like to visit this museum.
It was interesting to note the Old Internet Maps they were showing from the 70's and 80's, especially after seeing your lecture and the very first picture was a map of the internet. It is now so large that you can no longer see any individual connection points, like on the first ARPANET maps.
Week 2's assigned readings:
Computer Hardware:
There were several terms in that article that I didn't know, so it was good to learn some new terminology. RAM, ROM, BIOS and I even learned what DVD stands for: Digital Versatile Disc.
There was still some terminology that wasn't explained: LAN, and WLAN.
Hopefully I will learn what they stand for during the course of this class.
Moore's Law:
This article was slightly confusing with all the specifics of the computer and much talk about transistors and costs and nanocomputers. But there was something in there about IBM researchers developing new methods to achieve even smaller circuits which are expected to be substantially more expensive.
I can remember being in computer rooms where the computer took up the whole room, and they cost thousands of dollars. The current size of the computers we us at work and at home seem just the right size to me and thankfully they don't cost so much that they are unaffordable to the middle class.
It would be unfortunate if research develops in such a way to have very small, but more expensive computers.
Computer History Museum:
The next time I am in Mountain View, CA, I would like to visit this museum.
It was interesting to note the Old Internet Maps they were showing from the 70's and 80's, especially after seeing your lecture and the very first picture was a map of the internet. It is now so large that you can no longer see any individual connection points, like on the first ARPANET maps.
Hello?
HI,
If anyone knows anything about a site feed and is willing to share, it would be greatly appreciated.
Lost in PA
If anyone knows anything about a site feed and is willing to share, it would be greatly appreciated.
Lost in PA
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