What Cloud Computing Really Means
Eric Knorr, Galen Gruman
- At it's core, cloud computing is still nebulous when the term is thrown around by generalists. Sometimes the term is in reference to "virtual servers," other times it means anything beyond your immediate connection.
- It's a way to extend the reach of internet and information technologies.
- I had no idea about the range of cloud computing services. I thought of things like the gmail suite - everything is available, all the time.
-Types of Cloud Computing services: SaaS, utility computing (virtual servers), web services
- The idea of platform as service...designed by what you want and what you do.
- MSP, Service Commerce Platforms (trading)
- Internet Integration... putting a bunch of different things together.
- This article didn't make the concept of cloud computing any clearer for me. Perhaps more reading will do the trick.
Video: Explaining Cloud Computing
-"purchasing software and hardware as a utility service" and "users accessing data from anywhere"
I think these concepts seem strange to be primarily because of their embedded-ness within my day to day life.
-SaaS = software as a service is something that I use absolutely every day to do a myriad of takes, both personally, scholastically, and professionally.
- This video is great! Cloud computing totally makes sense through this presentation.
The Future of Libraries
- Once again, we are confronted with the notion that what seems best in modern moments may actually do more harm than good.
- The image of books chained to lecterns seems harsh and uninviting - perhaps antithetical to what we consider the mission of libraries. However, libraries still enforce similarly strict measure on the will of patrons through limits in what, where, when, and how they use equipment. Perhaps to many of us this seems like normal library operations, but I would suggest that to some user groups, it is as though the books are still chained to the lectern.
- Interesting trends "communication systems changing the way people access info." love the question about the ultimate form of communication. Will form continue to change with function?
- "All technology ends" seems alarmist. Dystopian, even.
- Search technology - searching for taste, smell, texture. CRAZY! Librarians should start being more worldly. Yay for diversity.
"Time Compression"
- "Transitioning to a verbal society" I think this is hilarious because a verbal society - steeped in oral tradition - is at the core of every aspect of humanity. The idea that by 2050 literacy will be dead is ludicrous - or maybe not.
- Experience based economy - definitely in the library, but maybe not as a whole for the rest of the wrodl.
A lot of what this article says seems sound - but that's also because the article was written in 2006, so much of what Frey suggests has already been adopted by many mainstream and progressive library systems and organizations. On the other hand, a lot of the article seems unnecessarily alarmist.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Week 14 Reading Notes
MyTurn: Protecting Privacy Rights in Libraries
- Patron records should be confidential, like in Vermont. Requiring a warrant means that information that should be confidential IS confidential unless required by law.
- Parental or guardian access to the records of juveniles is tricky. What if that parent is actually going to use the access to patron records to restrict their child's access to materials in the future?
- Freedom of access and freedom of speech is imperative. How do we ensure that all parties can appreciate and respect the rights of libraries to protect their patrons' information?
NO PLACE TO HIDE
- The idea of the "security-industrial complex" is scary. We talked a lot about our "digital dossiers" in a class last fall. That we leave an electronic footprint, an electronic record everywhere we go on the internet is scary, and sometimes makes me want to stop using it.
- Chapter 10 excerpt: Noticing the "little black cubes" of surveillance cameras. All of the different devices that track who, what, and where we are. RFID, just like the strips we put into books. He makes the point that the details about us are not ours to keep or curate...
- WHO'S JOB IS IT TO TRACK AND KEEP THIS iNFORMATION?
Electronic Privacy Information Center
- "Committee Calls for Data Mining Privacy Protections" A plus that all government agencies will be required to have permission before searching for information. This will put a damper on some crime-tv shows, though...how clunky to have to show that process!
- THis information is really interesting, especially because it was all posted after the September 11 attacks. It would be interesting to read more about how the process has changed in the past ten years. I think we have become very used to this kind of privacy invasion...we don't even think about it.
- Patron records should be confidential, like in Vermont. Requiring a warrant means that information that should be confidential IS confidential unless required by law.
- Parental or guardian access to the records of juveniles is tricky. What if that parent is actually going to use the access to patron records to restrict their child's access to materials in the future?
- Freedom of access and freedom of speech is imperative. How do we ensure that all parties can appreciate and respect the rights of libraries to protect their patrons' information?
NO PLACE TO HIDE
- The idea of the "security-industrial complex" is scary. We talked a lot about our "digital dossiers" in a class last fall. That we leave an electronic footprint, an electronic record everywhere we go on the internet is scary, and sometimes makes me want to stop using it.
- Chapter 10 excerpt: Noticing the "little black cubes" of surveillance cameras. All of the different devices that track who, what, and where we are. RFID, just like the strips we put into books. He makes the point that the details about us are not ours to keep or curate...
- WHO'S JOB IS IT TO TRACK AND KEEP THIS iNFORMATION?
Electronic Privacy Information Center
- "Committee Calls for Data Mining Privacy Protections" A plus that all government agencies will be required to have permission before searching for information. This will put a damper on some crime-tv shows, though...how clunky to have to show that process!
- THis information is really interesting, especially because it was all posted after the September 11 attacks. It would be interesting to read more about how the process has changed in the past ten years. I think we have become very used to this kind of privacy invasion...we don't even think about it.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Week 13 Reading Notes
Creating the Academic Library Folksonomy by Xan Arch
- Basically, tags are a way to organize copious amounts of web based content.
- You can organize information through social media tagging sites and have access to that information anytime you have access to the internet.
-Very personalized; make your own vocabulary, understand exactly what you're writing and saying.
- In the library this can be helpful because it brings patrons/customers into the conversation. Patrons have a say in what is happening and how information is organized.
- Instantly sharable.
- Of course, questions arise about control and quality.
Chapter 2. What Makes Social Media Tick: Seven Secrets of Social Media by John Blossom
- At this point, it seems sort of silly to constantly redefine social media, although I understand that it is broader than just social networking and more specific than "user-generated content"
- The Secrets of Social Media: 1: people just want to decide their level of influence. Passive consumers? Contributors?
- Less about crazy new technologies, although that does matter, and more about offering opportunties for influence. Either other people to influence, or to be influenced by others.
- Law of the "campfire". Deciding who is going to enforce the rules or values.
- social media is valuable because of influence. It's one's best friend or worst enemy.
- The goal of social media is "mass contextualization" rather than mass production. Make the information you're sharing the most important to the most people through context.
- Social media is all about connecting people and information and about providing opportunities for content creation.
Using a Wiki to Manage a Library Instruction Program: Sharing Knowledge to Better Serve Patrons by Charles Allan.
- Wiki's are a free and easy way to facilitate the process of collaboration and knowledge sharing. Lots of free sits.
- Wiki is synonymous with Wikipedia. I LOVE the wiki-media suite and the great offerings from Creative Commons.
- I've used a wiki extensively in my internship and found that some people like it, a few people use it, and most people don' tlike it. From the administrative side, it's really easy to post content and provide options for people to contribute, but much harder to get people to buy in.
- It seems that now we're moving away from wiki's in the direction of other, just as collaborative workspaces, like PinTerest.
How a RagTag Band Created Wikipedia
- "Information wants to be free!"
- It's an amazing product and an even better process.
- I wish there was a way that Wikipedia could be more well respected for some of it's content. As long as you check your sources, it's ll good!
- The built in tools for accountability are admirable. Sometimes with other collaborative tools I worry because there isn't a concrete way to mark what is your contribution and what is from someone else. At some point ownership becomes less important, but it's still important to the process to know who is adding what!
- Basically, tags are a way to organize copious amounts of web based content.
- You can organize information through social media tagging sites and have access to that information anytime you have access to the internet.
-Very personalized; make your own vocabulary, understand exactly what you're writing and saying.
- In the library this can be helpful because it brings patrons/customers into the conversation. Patrons have a say in what is happening and how information is organized.
- Instantly sharable.
- Of course, questions arise about control and quality.
Chapter 2. What Makes Social Media Tick: Seven Secrets of Social Media by John Blossom
- At this point, it seems sort of silly to constantly redefine social media, although I understand that it is broader than just social networking and more specific than "user-generated content"
- The Secrets of Social Media: 1: people just want to decide their level of influence. Passive consumers? Contributors?
- Less about crazy new technologies, although that does matter, and more about offering opportunties for influence. Either other people to influence, or to be influenced by others.
- Law of the "campfire". Deciding who is going to enforce the rules or values.
- social media is valuable because of influence. It's one's best friend or worst enemy.
- The goal of social media is "mass contextualization" rather than mass production. Make the information you're sharing the most important to the most people through context.
- Social media is all about connecting people and information and about providing opportunities for content creation.
Using a Wiki to Manage a Library Instruction Program: Sharing Knowledge to Better Serve Patrons by Charles Allan.
- Wiki's are a free and easy way to facilitate the process of collaboration and knowledge sharing. Lots of free sits.
- Wiki is synonymous with Wikipedia. I LOVE the wiki-media suite and the great offerings from Creative Commons.
- I've used a wiki extensively in my internship and found that some people like it, a few people use it, and most people don' tlike it. From the administrative side, it's really easy to post content and provide options for people to contribute, but much harder to get people to buy in.
- It seems that now we're moving away from wiki's in the direction of other, just as collaborative workspaces, like PinTerest.
How a RagTag Band Created Wikipedia
- "Information wants to be free!"
- It's an amazing product and an even better process.
- I wish there was a way that Wikipedia could be more well respected for some of it's content. As long as you check your sources, it's ll good!
- The built in tools for accountability are admirable. Sometimes with other collaborative tools I worry because there isn't a concrete way to mark what is your contribution and what is from someone else. At some point ownership becomes less important, but it's still important to the process to know who is adding what!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Lab 11
Google:
Screen shot of initial search terms:
http://screencast.com/t/Xl7by6kMy3it
Virtual AND reference; "digital library"; published between 2008 - 2012
This search yielded 8,000+ results. I added "trends" as a search term and narrowed the field to 2,770 results.
Screenshot of results:
http://screencast.com/t/Tz6E5MRvzf
Web of Knowledge:
Final search terms:
"Digital Library" AND "Remote Reference" AND trends OR "virtual reference". Limited to 2008 - 2012. Narrowed to subject area - Information Science Library Science.
Returned 55 results.
Screenshot of results:
http://screencast.com/t/AG8BjbIXkO
Screen shot of initial search terms:
http://screencast.com/t/Xl7by6kMy3it
Virtual AND reference; "digital library"; published between 2008 - 2012
This search yielded 8,000+ results. I added "trends" as a search term and narrowed the field to 2,770 results.
Screenshot of results:
http://screencast.com/t/Tz6E5MRvzf
Web of Knowledge:
Final search terms:
"Digital Library" AND "Remote Reference" AND trends OR "virtual reference". Limited to 2008 - 2012. Narrowed to subject area - Information Science Library Science.
Returned 55 results.
Screenshot of results:
http://screencast.com/t/AG8BjbIXkO
Week 12 Reading Notes
Web Search Engines, Part 1 & 2 [David Hawking]
- The fact that in 15 years the amount of data that must be indexed by search engines has grown by so much is astonishing. The quality of responses to query's that could have so many different meanings is astonishing.
- I don't think that most people understand what happens on the "inside" when they type something into the Google search bar. The algorithm that mines data is so cool! I had no idea what happens in terms of excluded and duplicate content.
- For example, the way that I accessed the articles was done through search engine. The links provided on courseweb didn't show the full text of the article, so I entered the author name and title of the article into a search bar to come up with the article text.
The Deep Web: Surfacing Hidden Value [Michael Bergman]
- I love the comparison of the web to the deep ocean. So much information is buried deeply and we don't know it exists. I also wonder if it matters that we don't know? Is it such specialized content that we don't need to know about it, or would all of our society benefit from mining the deep web?
- On the statistics - 550 billion documents in the deep web compared with the 1 billion of the surface web? What will we do with all of that information?
- "95 percent of the deep web is publicly accessible" - what can we do with this information? If, as the article suggests, it is of a higher quality, more niche, more specific, and not subject to restrictions, shouldn't we be using it more?
- Interesting to see what some of the most trafficked deep web sites are in terms of being freely accessible. Some, like JSTOR, i use frequently.
- This article is 10 years old. I wonder how much the statistics have changed since then?
Current Developments and Future Trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
- This article was hard for me to understand because I know very little about the Open Archives Initiative.
- Reading about the different initiatives, like the OLAC and the Sheet Music Consortium was interesting. I actually used the Sheet Music Consortium on a different project.
- Again, I am so impressed and interested in the work that these folks are doing. My brain does not work in a way that easily understands what these folks are doing and what they want to achieve. I am much more people oriented in my pursuit of librarianship. I'm glad that there are people who can pay attention to these parts of the bigger picture!
- The fact that in 15 years the amount of data that must be indexed by search engines has grown by so much is astonishing. The quality of responses to query's that could have so many different meanings is astonishing.
- I don't think that most people understand what happens on the "inside" when they type something into the Google search bar. The algorithm that mines data is so cool! I had no idea what happens in terms of excluded and duplicate content.
- For example, the way that I accessed the articles was done through search engine. The links provided on courseweb didn't show the full text of the article, so I entered the author name and title of the article into a search bar to come up with the article text.
The Deep Web: Surfacing Hidden Value [Michael Bergman]
- I love the comparison of the web to the deep ocean. So much information is buried deeply and we don't know it exists. I also wonder if it matters that we don't know? Is it such specialized content that we don't need to know about it, or would all of our society benefit from mining the deep web?
- On the statistics - 550 billion documents in the deep web compared with the 1 billion of the surface web? What will we do with all of that information?
- "95 percent of the deep web is publicly accessible" - what can we do with this information? If, as the article suggests, it is of a higher quality, more niche, more specific, and not subject to restrictions, shouldn't we be using it more?
- Interesting to see what some of the most trafficked deep web sites are in terms of being freely accessible. Some, like JSTOR, i use frequently.
- This article is 10 years old. I wonder how much the statistics have changed since then?
Current Developments and Future Trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
- This article was hard for me to understand because I know very little about the Open Archives Initiative.
- Reading about the different initiatives, like the OLAC and the Sheet Music Consortium was interesting. I actually used the Sheet Music Consortium on a different project.
- Again, I am so impressed and interested in the work that these folks are doing. My brain does not work in a way that easily understands what these folks are doing and what they want to achieve. I am much more people oriented in my pursuit of librarianship. I'm glad that there are people who can pay attention to these parts of the bigger picture!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Week 10 Reading Notes
Introduction to XML
- The connections between XLM and html are so connected!
- Difference between DISPLAYING information in a way the machine can read versus displaying information in a way the machine can understand.
- Tags, elements, attributes that seem to nest together.
- I had no idea how XML has transformed the way we we search and how websites streamline the process of of searching for information.
-- XML is STRICT! The rules a code writer must follow seem far more strict than html. When I war writing some of our html, I found it very easy to skip an end tag, but still wind up with what I was after. I'm excited to learn more about the code writing for XML.
A Survey of XML Standards: PART 1
- I feel like - as with the css and html modules - I will understand what each of these items are for. Right now, XML Base, XInclude, XPath, etc will make more sense when we come back and begin experimenting with mmaking simple XML pages. This is a great resource page, though, and I have it bookmarked.
W3 XML Scheme Tutorial
-Yay! I love the W3 articles we've used for html and css.
- The "why use XML Schema" was very helpful. It seems like XML is really the most useful for websites with the direct need for input-able data, or websites that need to link and use data from databases.
- I'm looking forward to using this XML language and eventually learning more about
xhtml as a language.
- The connections between XLM and html are so connected!
- Difference between DISPLAYING information in a way the machine can read versus displaying information in a way the machine can understand.
- Tags, elements, attributes that seem to nest together.
- I had no idea how XML has transformed the way we we search and how websites streamline the process of of searching for information.
-- XML is STRICT! The rules a code writer must follow seem far more strict than html. When I war writing some of our html, I found it very easy to skip an end tag, but still wind up with what I was after. I'm excited to learn more about the code writing for XML.
A Survey of XML Standards: PART 1
- I feel like - as with the css and html modules - I will understand what each of these items are for. Right now, XML Base, XInclude, XPath, etc will make more sense when we come back and begin experimenting with mmaking simple XML pages. This is a great resource page, though, and I have it bookmarked.
W3 XML Scheme Tutorial
-Yay! I love the W3 articles we've used for html and css.
- The "why use XML Schema" was very helpful. It seems like XML is really the most useful for websites with the direct need for input-able data, or websites that need to link and use data from databases.
- I'm looking forward to using this XML language and eventually learning more about
xhtml as a language.
Friday, March 9, 2012
LAB 8
Link to revised .css document:
http://screencast.com/t/3oiOvSVB
Link to updated page:
http://www.pitt.edu/~hmd9/index2.html
http://screencast.com/t/3oiOvSVB
Link to updated page:
http://www.pitt.edu/~hmd9/index2.html
Week 9 Reading Notes
HTML5 Tutorial
- Very understandable that advances in technology call for a new language. The new features - like <canvas, <video>, etc, are what make part of web 2.0 possible.
- Good to know that this new language is what supports most video function in browsers rather than a plugin. It's so annoying when plugins crash!
- Not sure that I understand how "drag and drop" really works yet...
- It seems like it's safe to assume, especially given the geolocation function and caches, that HTML5 is behind most "advanced" - read snazzy - websites.
Wikipedia: HTML5
- When reading the first tutorial, I wondered if HTML5 was meant to run on smartphones and tablets. Good to know.
- As an undergraduate student, tenth graders in my practicum class used Flash to illustrate a short story. I remember how cumbersome it was to teach and to use - I can't imagine what it must be like as a web page development tool. And now...it's gone! No longer the standard!
- What happens when Recommendation is released? Will there every be a point when there is no longer interoperation between languages, or that the possibilities of the new language are compromised because of attempts to remain interoperable?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Week 7 Lab
http://www.pitt.edu/~hmd9/index.html
It would have been very helpful to have the instructions about using a file converter to open the initial file.
It would have been very helpful to have the instructions about using a file converter to open the initial file.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Week 8 Reading Notes
CSS - Intro
- I was unaware the cascading style sheets are the reason behind the differences on webpages!
- The format of this tutorial, as with the html tutorial, makes understanding and practicing these elements simple, helpful, and understandable!
- I am really excited to play around with all of this and learn more!
Starting with HTML and CSS
- In the first CSS tutorial, I had fun filling in particular color names at random. In this tutorial I was surprised and pleased to learn more about how one can find and select the various colors.
- The explanation of how to pull the style elements out of the html language and save it as an external file was very helpful and made a lot of sense.
Chapter 2
- "CSS puts the designer in the drivers seat." As a person concerned with the aesthetics of objects, this quote made me feel more excited about the possibilities of using css and html.
- When creating the style of a particular website, do many designers begin by writing out a sketch of how they want a page to look, or do they often follow someone else's designs? I feel like I would have to start by writing out the parts of each declaration before entering the items.
- After reading about how the various properties of webpages are translated through css language, I'm so in awe of how well designed and complicated webpages are put together!!!
- I was unaware the cascading style sheets are the reason behind the differences on webpages!
- The format of this tutorial, as with the html tutorial, makes understanding and practicing these elements simple, helpful, and understandable!
- I am really excited to play around with all of this and learn more!
Starting with HTML and CSS
- In the first CSS tutorial, I had fun filling in particular color names at random. In this tutorial I was surprised and pleased to learn more about how one can find and select the various colors.
- The explanation of how to pull the style elements out of the html language and save it as an external file was very helpful and made a lot of sense.
Chapter 2
- "CSS puts the designer in the drivers seat." As a person concerned with the aesthetics of objects, this quote made me feel more excited about the possibilities of using css and html.
- When creating the style of a particular website, do many designers begin by writing out a sketch of how they want a page to look, or do they often follow someone else's designs? I feel like I would have to start by writing out the parts of each declaration before entering the items.
- After reading about how the various properties of webpages are translated through css language, I'm so in awe of how well designed and complicated webpages are put together!!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Reading Notes - Week 7
Reading Notes
Web Monkey Cheat Sheet
- This sheet will be very helpful when we actually start writing simple things in html language.
As of right now, I don't understand it very much, but that is because I have never used html or any other kind of web language.
Introduction to HTML:
- basic idea that the tag is contained between < and >
- beginning and ending tags are formatted as <item> and </item>. Good to know that there are some simple rules to follow.
- Playing with the Try It Yourself function was really fun and interesting. It looks like writing html will be a process of figuring out and remembering what codes mean what. The cheat sheet I looked at first is going to come in very handy!!
- Did not know that use of headings on a webpage are indexed by search engines.
- I did not know that you could select "view source" on a right click and figure out how the page is formatted in htlm!!
Beyond HTML: Developing and Reimagining Content Webguides
- Reading through the introduction, it seemed that there was a fundamental problem in the way the librarians went about contstructing their website. It should be good practice for constructors of websites to plan out what they are going to do before they do it, especially as an organization's web presence lends such significance to their overall presence and 'brand.'
- I thought this article was an interesting and very thorough introduction into what and how libraries can work with their own content development in a way that is efficient and consistent. Otherwise, I found this article very dense and hard to read through.
- I thought this article was an interesting and very thorough introduction into what and how libraries can work with their own content development in a way that is efficient and consistent. Otherwise, I found this article very dense and hard to read through.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Week 6 Reading Notes
How Internet Infrastructure Works | Jeff Tyson
- Once again struck by the relative newness of the internet and how quickly it has expanded.
- The idea that internet is a set of concentric circles, nested networks connected to larger networks.
- Interoperability and cooperation between different internet companies. If only diplomacy and countries.
- Introduction of the Domain Name System revolutionized the way we all connect to different websites. So much less cumbersome than remembering the digits of an IP address.
- I love 'How Stuff Works' articles. Concise, informative, easy to read!
Dismantling Integrated Library Systems | Andrew K. Pace
- One of the most striking things from the How Stuff Works Article was the interoperability of the networks that make up the internet. It seems very frustrating that ILS systems are cumbersome and won't work with one another.
- "Innovation will have to come with integration with new technology" (Trevor Dykstra). I like this sentiment; it can be applied to many different areas of the library and technology world.
A Few Thoughts on the Google Books Project | Charles Edward Smith
" Pause to imagine the absence of Google's initiative, and it immediately becomes apparent that books and other printed material would quickly reach obsolescence if not easily accessible through digital technology. That is precisely what the Internet has changed in our everyday lives—we expect information of all kinds and from all sources to be only a few keystrokes away. Search engines are the new subject indexes to virtually infinite amounts of information on the Internet."
This was the most interesting sentiment from this article. I haven't decided how I feel about this yet, but I don't believe that books and newspapers, etc, would be obsolete without digital technology. We do have higher expectations of access and technology, but obsolescence?
TED talks: Sergey Brin and Larry Page on Google
Dr. Tomer spoke a lot about Google during LIS 2000 last fall. It's very interesting how Brin and Page have created a entity that has fingers in almost every part of the online world. I am very curious about the changes to the Google Privacy Policy. Will it be harmful or beneficial?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Reading Notes, Week 5
Management of RFID in Libraries, by Karen Coyle
Coyle has done an excellent job at making a case for future forward librarianship. I appreciate her questions "what is the motivation for libraries to embrace new technologies?" This is an essential question being asked across libraries and by the spectrum of library staff. However, I felt that Coyle's article could have used a brief description of what an RFID device is and does. She references two great articles, but left the reader in the dark. I had a vague notion that was eventually proven correct about three quarters of the way through the article. If Coyle is truly making a case for techno-progressive librarianship, then she could at least illuminate the less tech-savvy readers.
As mentioned in the article, there are several implications to attaching an RFID tag to library materials. What Coyle seems to suggest is that library efficiency will increase as a result of adopting this tracking -slash- security device, partially because of decreased human time spent checking books in and out. She asserts that this could be a positive and beneficial side effect for human staff and judges that checking materials in and out and be "mind numbingly dull."
Now, more than ever, libraries need to be community spaces where people are connected to the information they seek by other people. If an RFID tag and barcode combination are going to be the the end user's interaction with the library, why not stay in the comfort of their home and buy the book online? People need library clerks, pages, and librarians. Human interaction is an essential part of what the library has to offer. I worry that as we adopt more and more technologies, the fundamental human element will be lost in translation.
Computer Network - Wikipedia
Sometimes I get lost in imagining the different kinds of overlapping circles that connect different points, places, and people. This article was helpful at refreshing some basic ideas related to computer networks. While I don't think I will ever become an expert at how different computers are linked and the way that the processes truly operate, I recognize it's importance, especially at a fundamental troubleshooting level. I anticipate working in a public library and it will be highly advantageous to understand how our computers are connected and protected without constantly relying on tech support.
My favourite part of this article was about IP over Avian Carriers. It's interesting that once again, our bird friends capable of performing communicative functions between humans!
Local Area Network - Wikipedia
Building upon my comments from reading the Computer Network article, I believe that understanding the functions of my organizations LAN will be essential for helping patrons and fellow staff. I'm also curious to know how the concept of local area networks are going to change, evolve, and grow with the continued proliferation of smart phone and tablet technologies, as well as other devices which rely heavily on wireless internet for their use. Will books - or other printed media - begin to be equipped with tiny chips to connect them to different networks, thus becoming interactive?
Coyle has done an excellent job at making a case for future forward librarianship. I appreciate her questions "what is the motivation for libraries to embrace new technologies?" This is an essential question being asked across libraries and by the spectrum of library staff. However, I felt that Coyle's article could have used a brief description of what an RFID device is and does. She references two great articles, but left the reader in the dark. I had a vague notion that was eventually proven correct about three quarters of the way through the article. If Coyle is truly making a case for techno-progressive librarianship, then she could at least illuminate the less tech-savvy readers.
As mentioned in the article, there are several implications to attaching an RFID tag to library materials. What Coyle seems to suggest is that library efficiency will increase as a result of adopting this tracking -slash- security device, partially because of decreased human time spent checking books in and out. She asserts that this could be a positive and beneficial side effect for human staff and judges that checking materials in and out and be "mind numbingly dull."
Now, more than ever, libraries need to be community spaces where people are connected to the information they seek by other people. If an RFID tag and barcode combination are going to be the the end user's interaction with the library, why not stay in the comfort of their home and buy the book online? People need library clerks, pages, and librarians. Human interaction is an essential part of what the library has to offer. I worry that as we adopt more and more technologies, the fundamental human element will be lost in translation.
Computer Network - Wikipedia
Sometimes I get lost in imagining the different kinds of overlapping circles that connect different points, places, and people. This article was helpful at refreshing some basic ideas related to computer networks. While I don't think I will ever become an expert at how different computers are linked and the way that the processes truly operate, I recognize it's importance, especially at a fundamental troubleshooting level. I anticipate working in a public library and it will be highly advantageous to understand how our computers are connected and protected without constantly relying on tech support.
My favourite part of this article was about IP over Avian Carriers. It's interesting that once again, our bird friends capable of performing communicative functions between humans!
Local Area Network - Wikipedia
Building upon my comments from reading the Computer Network article, I believe that understanding the functions of my organizations LAN will be essential for helping patrons and fellow staff. I'm also curious to know how the concept of local area networks are going to change, evolve, and grow with the continued proliferation of smart phone and tablet technologies, as well as other devices which rely heavily on wireless internet for their use. Will books - or other printed media - begin to be equipped with tiny chips to connect them to different networks, thus becoming interactive?
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Week 4 Reading Notes
Entity Relationship Model (wikipedia)
We covered entity relationship models last semester in LIS 2005, Understanding Information. This article was a good refresher about conceptual databases and conceptual modelling. I remember the different pieces (or shapes, if you will) with the ideas also suggested in the reading. Specifically, that "entities" mimic "nouns," "relationships" mimic "verbs," and finally, that "attributes" are "descriptors."
While reading this article, I was struck with the idea that most of these conceptual models, like the entity relationship model, are used at the beginning of a process, before a database even exists. The idea is that it's a sketch, to see how things could possibly relate. I'm curious about the way that bottom up design would work in an entity relationship model, particularly in something like social tagging or a folksonomy. There, the relationshp are somewhat arbitrary, or at least harder to pin down because they are derivative of what many individuals thought about the "entities" in question. I wonder if there have been any parallels between user created systems and established database systems of organizations? I think it could be a fascinating project to make organizational sense out of the "system" of others, especially if that system was able to grow and expand.
The limits of creating a bottom up conceptual model, I guess, are that it would be outdated the moment someone added a new entity, attribute, or relationship to the organizational scheme on which the conceptual model was based.
Still, it's worth a thought!
Database Normalization
Normal forms of database information and the relationship created between entities looks like a precise art. Looking at the first tables of invoices, I could make sense of what the information was and what it was trying to convey. Each normal form made it a little clearer while also more confusing. At the end of the reading, when the parts were broken into clearly delineated entities and relationships, it seemed so clear that the representation of different parts was the way that the invoice information should be organized. I don't think I would have gotten to that stage on my own. As it was, I had to read and re-read the information several times to make sense of it.
I think the concatenated primary forms are the most difficult to make sure that there is no overlap, and that they are not violating the second normal form. It was also interesting to look at the differences between how the normalizing process stripped away a recognizable system of organizing information, like an invoice, into very distinct parts. I think it will take some practice to be able to think with the normal forms.
Database (wikipedia)
I feel like databases are as ubiquitous in our lives as the air we breathe. The gist that I'm getting from our readings and classwork is that databases, management, and creation are the underpinnings of 21st century western civilization. There are so many parts and pieces that compose a database, however, that sometimes it's challenging to really wrap my head around what's what. I think it's also sometimes challenging for me to understand the nuances of different parts because my brain has yet to fully absorb the information and create new manners of thinking and understanding. I traditionally have been very people oriented, working more with groups and individuals in real time, and less with abstract concepts and data. Once I make the connections and proper correlations, I am sure that I will have a better grasp, but I don't think I transcend my role as an end user. I will have a better appreciation for the developers, administrators, and for the often unnoticed presence of databases in every day life.
We covered entity relationship models last semester in LIS 2005, Understanding Information. This article was a good refresher about conceptual databases and conceptual modelling. I remember the different pieces (or shapes, if you will) with the ideas also suggested in the reading. Specifically, that "entities" mimic "nouns," "relationships" mimic "verbs," and finally, that "attributes" are "descriptors."
While reading this article, I was struck with the idea that most of these conceptual models, like the entity relationship model, are used at the beginning of a process, before a database even exists. The idea is that it's a sketch, to see how things could possibly relate. I'm curious about the way that bottom up design would work in an entity relationship model, particularly in something like social tagging or a folksonomy. There, the relationshp are somewhat arbitrary, or at least harder to pin down because they are derivative of what many individuals thought about the "entities" in question. I wonder if there have been any parallels between user created systems and established database systems of organizations? I think it could be a fascinating project to make organizational sense out of the "system" of others, especially if that system was able to grow and expand.
The limits of creating a bottom up conceptual model, I guess, are that it would be outdated the moment someone added a new entity, attribute, or relationship to the organizational scheme on which the conceptual model was based.
Still, it's worth a thought!
Database Normalization
Normal forms of database information and the relationship created between entities looks like a precise art. Looking at the first tables of invoices, I could make sense of what the information was and what it was trying to convey. Each normal form made it a little clearer while also more confusing. At the end of the reading, when the parts were broken into clearly delineated entities and relationships, it seemed so clear that the representation of different parts was the way that the invoice information should be organized. I don't think I would have gotten to that stage on my own. As it was, I had to read and re-read the information several times to make sense of it.
I think the concatenated primary forms are the most difficult to make sure that there is no overlap, and that they are not violating the second normal form. It was also interesting to look at the differences between how the normalizing process stripped away a recognizable system of organizing information, like an invoice, into very distinct parts. I think it will take some practice to be able to think with the normal forms.
Database (wikipedia)
I feel like databases are as ubiquitous in our lives as the air we breathe. The gist that I'm getting from our readings and classwork is that databases, management, and creation are the underpinnings of 21st century western civilization. There are so many parts and pieces that compose a database, however, that sometimes it's challenging to really wrap my head around what's what. I think it's also sometimes challenging for me to understand the nuances of different parts because my brain has yet to fully absorb the information and create new manners of thinking and understanding. I traditionally have been very people oriented, working more with groups and individuals in real time, and less with abstract concepts and data. Once I make the connections and proper correlations, I am sure that I will have a better grasp, but I don't think I transcend my role as an end user. I will have a better appreciation for the developers, administrators, and for the often unnoticed presence of databases in every day life.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Reading Notes: Week 3
Introduction to Metadata: Setting the Stage, by Anne J. Gilliland
I appreciate the thoroughness of this chapter. I am a relative novice to metadata as a formal concept, having been introduced to it briefly last semester. In reality, however, metadata is all around us and is something that I use on a regular basis, both knowingly and unconsciously.
A line from the end of the article: "metadata is like interest: it accrues over time" was significant because it stresses the duality of metadata. It is both dynamic and static at the same time. Part of the importance of metadata is the notion that it can change over time as elements are added and expanded, but also remains a constant set of descriptors about an information object.
The list of primary functions of metadata was very helpful in clarifying my understanding of what metadata really IS, beyond the pat definition that metadata is "information about information." The expanded list of functions emphasized the essential nature of metadata, and why it is important for me to understand and be familiar with metadata. Sometimes I feel like I live a life that is a few steps away from the things I use on an daily basis. For example, I drive my car without working knowledge of how exactly it works. Understanding metadata on a conceptual basis - and a practical one - is like getting under the hood of information science and beginning to understand the way the parts and pieces really fit together.
The breakdown of data structure standards into data value standards to data content standards into data format/technical interchange standards shed some light on the Dublin Core Article. I was finally able to put Dublin Core into an understandable context within a metadata framework. Likening data structure to a big container into which items go - following specific rules - made Dublin Core make a little more sense.
An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model, by Eric J. Miller
As the Setting the Stage article pointed out, a complete metadata picture of an information object is essential to it's proper use, storage, and longevity. Understanding that DCMI has created the DCES to be a simple, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary set of metadata elements as a way to make information more readily accessible is fantastic! These generic standards - combined with subject or institution specific standards - will go a long way in creating a universally accessible world of information.
While I have some grasp on the theory of what Dublin Core is trying to do and what it offers, I don't yet understand how it actually works in practice. I found the article to be confusing as it broke down different parts. However, I am hopeful that with more reading and next week's lecture I will understand it better.
EndNote X5: An Introduction
Last semester I attempted to use RefWorks as an "easier" option while writing a paper for LIS 2000: Understanding Information. I found myself spending an inordinate amount of time trying to add information and produce correct in-text citations and a works cited page. It was actually far easier to to manually add citations and type the works cited page. Part of this is because I kept a detailed record as I worked of the bibliographic information that I needed.
My fear with EndNote and other online bibliographic services that it has a large possibility for user error by way of neglect. I meticulously check - as I type - the bibliographic information that goes into my work. However, I am willing to give this service a chance because of the implications for the way I could use it in the future as a teaching tool.
SOPA and other conversations happening in the United States could be a bellwether for changes in the internet and ways that we use and access information. If web-based resources like EndNote and RefWorks offer an easier and potential more intuitive way to cite copyrighted materials, perhaps digital natives and other users inclined to piracy - intentional or not -will be more likely to properly attribute content in their created works. I know that this dream is a long shot, but it is a cultural shift that needs to happen, not a legislative one in order to stop online piracy.
I appreciate the thoroughness of this chapter. I am a relative novice to metadata as a formal concept, having been introduced to it briefly last semester. In reality, however, metadata is all around us and is something that I use on a regular basis, both knowingly and unconsciously.
A line from the end of the article: "metadata is like interest: it accrues over time" was significant because it stresses the duality of metadata. It is both dynamic and static at the same time. Part of the importance of metadata is the notion that it can change over time as elements are added and expanded, but also remains a constant set of descriptors about an information object.
The list of primary functions of metadata was very helpful in clarifying my understanding of what metadata really IS, beyond the pat definition that metadata is "information about information." The expanded list of functions emphasized the essential nature of metadata, and why it is important for me to understand and be familiar with metadata. Sometimes I feel like I live a life that is a few steps away from the things I use on an daily basis. For example, I drive my car without working knowledge of how exactly it works. Understanding metadata on a conceptual basis - and a practical one - is like getting under the hood of information science and beginning to understand the way the parts and pieces really fit together.
The breakdown of data structure standards into data value standards to data content standards into data format/technical interchange standards shed some light on the Dublin Core Article. I was finally able to put Dublin Core into an understandable context within a metadata framework. Likening data structure to a big container into which items go - following specific rules - made Dublin Core make a little more sense.
An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model, by Eric J. Miller
As the Setting the Stage article pointed out, a complete metadata picture of an information object is essential to it's proper use, storage, and longevity. Understanding that DCMI has created the DCES to be a simple, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary set of metadata elements as a way to make information more readily accessible is fantastic! These generic standards - combined with subject or institution specific standards - will go a long way in creating a universally accessible world of information.
While I have some grasp on the theory of what Dublin Core is trying to do and what it offers, I don't yet understand how it actually works in practice. I found the article to be confusing as it broke down different parts. However, I am hopeful that with more reading and next week's lecture I will understand it better.
EndNote X5: An Introduction
Last semester I attempted to use RefWorks as an "easier" option while writing a paper for LIS 2000: Understanding Information. I found myself spending an inordinate amount of time trying to add information and produce correct in-text citations and a works cited page. It was actually far easier to to manually add citations and type the works cited page. Part of this is because I kept a detailed record as I worked of the bibliographic information that I needed.
My fear with EndNote and other online bibliographic services that it has a large possibility for user error by way of neglect. I meticulously check - as I type - the bibliographic information that goes into my work. However, I am willing to give this service a chance because of the implications for the way I could use it in the future as a teaching tool.
SOPA and other conversations happening in the United States could be a bellwether for changes in the internet and ways that we use and access information. If web-based resources like EndNote and RefWorks offer an easier and potential more intuitive way to cite copyrighted materials, perhaps digital natives and other users inclined to piracy - intentional or not -will be more likely to properly attribute content in their created works. I know that this dream is a long shot, but it is a cultural shift that needs to happen, not a legislative one in order to stop online piracy.
Friday, January 20, 2012
LAB 2
Annotated Screen Capture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hdickerson/6728369733/in/photostream/
How to use Supercook.com Tutorial:
http://screencast.com/t/SffrfdZ8
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hdickerson/6728369733/in/photostream/
How to use Supercook.com Tutorial:
http://screencast.com/t/SffrfdZ8
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Week 2 Reading Notes
I appreciated the mix of informational computer hardware and processes content and a more sociological approach to the topics of digital content.
Computer Hardware (Wikipedia article)
Reading this article was a refresher into the different parts of a computer. While I am not a computer expert, I have grown up constantly learning new things about computers. I was familiar with most of the terms and their functions. Also thought back to the computer connection to many of the things that we are learning about information science and libraries. We are inextricably linked to Babbage and Shannon!
The article also reminded me that what I think of as a "computer," my mental image if you will, is really only a small fragment or portion of the types of computers available and used worldwide. I have yet to see a mainframe computer, but would love to! Computers exists on a spectrum all around us.
Data Compression (Wikipedia article)
This idea is a semi-new topic for me. Obviously I interact with different types of compressed data on a constant basis; I just never think about how it gets from one place (or form) to another. I think perhaps more people would benefit from increased awareness about exactly HOW their Hulu video streams, or what the trade offs are between buying an mp3 on iTunes versus spending slightly more for an audio CD.
Lossy audio compression made me think about what the process of stripping away inconsequential or minute parts of data that may or may not be heard could mean for culture. Is there a potential to begin stripping away other seemingly unnecessary parts or portions of created materials? If so, is this good or bad? We tend toward excess, so could this have implications for being beneficial, or could it eventually cause us to loose very important content because we are not aware that the little things matter?
Digitization: Is it Worth it? (Stuart D. Lee)
Lee mentioned in his article that one of the reasons for digitization is the ability to offer increased access of materials. In the LIS program, we constantly talk about access, so I wonder what it really means to offer increased access to particular materials? Who actually benefits from the digitization of rare books and manuscripts, or of increased e-content? Will it increase the possibilities of serendipitous discoveries? I hope so, but I also wonder if the increased access causes a decrease in other essential services.
I strongly agree with Lee's statement that all cases of digitization should be treated differently. There is not a universal answer to whether or not something should be digitized; rather, the process of digitizing materials is an ongoing one and should reflect changes and updates in technologies. My sincere hope is that converted materials will be protected and converted with as much care for their content and for the experience of a physical artifact is possible. Baker's book Double Fold cautions against the destruction of materials once they have been digitized, and I also hope that when possible, room can be kept/made/saved for precious printed materials.
European Libraries Face Problems in Digitalizing (Doreen Carvajal)
Upon finishing this article, I immediately went to the European Libraries website and explored. I did have some of the serendipitous moments of discovery that I love about libraries. I looked at some very interesting old manuscripts and maps, and explored the 1930's car trip!
As discussed in the Lee article, there are always tradeoffs between digitizing and analog materials. I wonder what the trade-off's are between having corporate sponsorship of a national program? What are the implications of the public and private alliances in their digitization project? In similar projects, what will corporate sponsors expect in return, especially one like Google? There was a quote at the end of the article stating "I would never think about not talking with Google." I think we must really examine the Googlification of our lives; at what point is it possible for Google to become an Orwellian Big Brother? I'm not such a Debbie Downer most of the time, but when I think about the power that Google has - power that WE have given them - sometimes I get frightened!
On a more uplifting note, I did notice on the European Libraries website that UNESCO has endorsed the IFLA Manifesto for digital libraries as a way to bridge the digital divide!
Computer Hardware (Wikipedia article)
Reading this article was a refresher into the different parts of a computer. While I am not a computer expert, I have grown up constantly learning new things about computers. I was familiar with most of the terms and their functions. Also thought back to the computer connection to many of the things that we are learning about information science and libraries. We are inextricably linked to Babbage and Shannon!
The article also reminded me that what I think of as a "computer," my mental image if you will, is really only a small fragment or portion of the types of computers available and used worldwide. I have yet to see a mainframe computer, but would love to! Computers exists on a spectrum all around us.
Data Compression (Wikipedia article)
This idea is a semi-new topic for me. Obviously I interact with different types of compressed data on a constant basis; I just never think about how it gets from one place (or form) to another. I think perhaps more people would benefit from increased awareness about exactly HOW their Hulu video streams, or what the trade offs are between buying an mp3 on iTunes versus spending slightly more for an audio CD.
Lossy audio compression made me think about what the process of stripping away inconsequential or minute parts of data that may or may not be heard could mean for culture. Is there a potential to begin stripping away other seemingly unnecessary parts or portions of created materials? If so, is this good or bad? We tend toward excess, so could this have implications for being beneficial, or could it eventually cause us to loose very important content because we are not aware that the little things matter?
Digitization: Is it Worth it? (Stuart D. Lee)
Lee mentioned in his article that one of the reasons for digitization is the ability to offer increased access of materials. In the LIS program, we constantly talk about access, so I wonder what it really means to offer increased access to particular materials? Who actually benefits from the digitization of rare books and manuscripts, or of increased e-content? Will it increase the possibilities of serendipitous discoveries? I hope so, but I also wonder if the increased access causes a decrease in other essential services.
I strongly agree with Lee's statement that all cases of digitization should be treated differently. There is not a universal answer to whether or not something should be digitized; rather, the process of digitizing materials is an ongoing one and should reflect changes and updates in technologies. My sincere hope is that converted materials will be protected and converted with as much care for their content and for the experience of a physical artifact is possible. Baker's book Double Fold cautions against the destruction of materials once they have been digitized, and I also hope that when possible, room can be kept/made/saved for precious printed materials.
European Libraries Face Problems in Digitalizing (Doreen Carvajal)
Upon finishing this article, I immediately went to the European Libraries website and explored. I did have some of the serendipitous moments of discovery that I love about libraries. I looked at some very interesting old manuscripts and maps, and explored the 1930's car trip!
As discussed in the Lee article, there are always tradeoffs between digitizing and analog materials. I wonder what the trade-off's are between having corporate sponsorship of a national program? What are the implications of the public and private alliances in their digitization project? In similar projects, what will corporate sponsors expect in return, especially one like Google? There was a quote at the end of the article stating "I would never think about not talking with Google." I think we must really examine the Googlification of our lives; at what point is it possible for Google to become an Orwellian Big Brother? I'm not such a Debbie Downer most of the time, but when I think about the power that Google has - power that WE have given them - sometimes I get frightened!
On a more uplifting note, I did notice on the European Libraries website that UNESCO has endorsed the IFLA Manifesto for digital libraries as a way to bridge the digital divide!
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