I posted the following comments on classmates' blogs:
http://skdhuth.blogspot.com/2010/12/week-13-notes.html
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Reading notes
1) No place to hide site: http://www.noplacetohide.net/
2) TIA and data mining http://www.epic.org/privacy/profiling/tia/
3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS8ywG5M_NQ
The No Place To Hide info is seriously creepy. On the one hand, I want to laugh because if any has to watch me that closely, they're likely to be bored to death by my decidedly unspectacular life. On the other hand, it's horrifying to see how easy it is to watch an ordinary citizen's every move. It's like after 9-11, the government turned into a giant paranoid voyeur pervert that watches people just because it can. And that's pretty sad. Surely they have more important things to do. I'm glad that libraries try to respect the privacy of patrons in spite of this type of watchful environment. Libraries aren't perfect, but where I've worked in the past, they really try to protect their patrons in what small ways they can.
2) TIA and data mining http://www.epic.org/privacy/profiling/tia/
3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS8ywG5M_NQ
The No Place To Hide info is seriously creepy. On the one hand, I want to laugh because if any has to watch me that closely, they're likely to be bored to death by my decidedly unspectacular life. On the other hand, it's horrifying to see how easy it is to watch an ordinary citizen's every move. It's like after 9-11, the government turned into a giant paranoid voyeur pervert that watches people just because it can. And that's pretty sad. Surely they have more important things to do. I'm glad that libraries try to respect the privacy of patrons in spite of this type of watchful environment. Libraries aren't perfect, but where I've worked in the past, they really try to protect their patrons in what small ways they can.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Comments on classmates' blogs
I commented on my classmates' blogs here:
http://christyfic.blogspot.com/2010/11/reading-notes-week-12-nov-29-2010.html
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes_25.html
http://christyfic.blogspot.com/2010/11/reading-notes-week-12-nov-29-2010.html
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes_25.html
Monday, November 22, 2010
Reading notes, November 22, 2010
I really like the idea of using wikis in libraries. It seems like a great way to share knowledge both among employees within an organization and between the organization and the public. As younger patrons grow up with wikipedia and are used to finding and using information found online, it makes sense that these patrons would gravitate easily to using a wiki-styled instruction source. I also like the idea of using tagging for library resources. Controlled vocabulary serves a good purpose, but alone it sometimes is lacking. It doesn't match up oftentimes with the terms chosen by the average user, even in systems that account for synonyms. Like wikis, tagging is something young people are familiar with. Libraries need to change with the times and use new practices and new technologies in order to remain relevant. I found all of these articles interesting. Social networking, wikies, tagging, and similar technologies are all changing the way that people and institutions interact. I look forward to being able to be creative in using these things on the job.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Comments on Classmates' Blogs
I commented on the following blogs:
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes.html
http://bds46.blogspot.com/2010/11/reading-notes-week-11-reposted.html
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes.html
http://bds46.blogspot.com/2010/11/reading-notes-week-11-reposted.html
Reading Notes, November 16, 2010
David Hawking , Web Search Engines: Part 1 and Part 2
I was unable to access this article, either through the website or through the ULS Find Articles process.
Shreeves, S. L., Habing, T. O., Hagedorn, K., & Young, J. A. (2005). Current developments and future trends for the OAI protocol for metadata harvesting. Library Trends, 53(4), 576-589.
In other classes, we've been reading about the difficulties of creating a common infrastructure that makes scholarly research easily accessible. If I'm interpreting this article correctly, then OAI appears to be one solution, at least with regards to open access archives. As the article points out, OAI allows metadata harvesting only, but many participants in the initiative have built search and retrieval services around the metadata. Of course, there are still problems with interoperability of multiple repository resources, so it's not a complete solution. But it appears to provide a basis from which to start the process of e-print archive and other archive access and retrieval.
MICHAEL K. BERGMAN, “The Deep Web: Surfacing Hidden Value”
This article points out that much Web content is out of the reach of search engines. Any search of the Web merely scratches the surface of what is actually available. Over 200,000 deep websites are out there on the net. As the Web continues to grow, more and more content becomes out of reach to major search engines like Google. Search engines function by sending out "spiders" to retrieve website data, which is then indexed and ranked according to popularity. But there is a limit to how much of the Web can be indexed using this method. This reveals one of the failings of seach engines like Google. Many people laud Google, while dismissing OPACs as being sadly outdated, with traditional human-created library catalogs and metadata as being overly time-consuming and a waste of money. But it would seem that having humans do the work in some instances can at least result in a more complete ability to account for and access data. Neither system is perfect, but it's worth pointing out that Google, too, has failings, because most people assume that Google gets everything right.
I was unable to access this article, either through the website or through the ULS Find Articles process.
Shreeves, S. L., Habing, T. O., Hagedorn, K., & Young, J. A. (2005). Current developments and future trends for the OAI protocol for metadata harvesting. Library Trends, 53(4), 576-589.
In other classes, we've been reading about the difficulties of creating a common infrastructure that makes scholarly research easily accessible. If I'm interpreting this article correctly, then OAI appears to be one solution, at least with regards to open access archives. As the article points out, OAI allows metadata harvesting only, but many participants in the initiative have built search and retrieval services around the metadata. Of course, there are still problems with interoperability of multiple repository resources, so it's not a complete solution. But it appears to provide a basis from which to start the process of e-print archive and other archive access and retrieval.
MICHAEL K. BERGMAN, “The Deep Web: Surfacing Hidden Value”
This article points out that much Web content is out of the reach of search engines. Any search of the Web merely scratches the surface of what is actually available. Over 200,000 deep websites are out there on the net. As the Web continues to grow, more and more content becomes out of reach to major search engines like Google. Search engines function by sending out "spiders" to retrieve website data, which is then indexed and ranked according to popularity. But there is a limit to how much of the Web can be indexed using this method. This reveals one of the failings of seach engines like Google. Many people laud Google, while dismissing OPACs as being sadly outdated, with traditional human-created library catalogs and metadata as being overly time-consuming and a waste of money. But it would seem that having humans do the work in some instances can at least result in a more complete ability to account for and access data. Neither system is perfect, but it's worth pointing out that Google, too, has failings, because most people assume that Google gets everything right.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Comments on Classmates' Blogs, Nov. 9, 2010
I've commented on classmates' blogs below:
http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-9-xml.html
http://adamdblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes-11-22-2010.html
http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-9-xml.html
http://adamdblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes-11-22-2010.html
Reading Notes, November 9, 2010
W. Mischo, "Digital Libraries: Challenges and Influential Repositories
The WWW is so vast that finding and retrieving information can be daunting. The huge number of repositories, preprint servers, open archives, abstracting and indexing services, and vendor portals makes retrieving desired scholarly information especially cumbersome. Information providers have been attempting to create coherent "digital libraries" out of this mess to make IR easier. Funding and technology are essential for this task. Some institutions have displayed measures of success in this process.
A. Paepcke, "Dewey Meets Turing: Librarians, Computer Scientists, and the Digital Libraries Initiative"
The National Science Foundation started its Digital Libraries Initiative (DLI) in 1994. This has led to much collaboration between librarians and computer scientists. Their goals have been to create functional digital libraries. However, the World Wide Web has introduced a new twist in their plans by immersing them in an overabundance of information. It has proven difficult to integrate web content into digital libraries. Additionally, the serials pricing crisis has been another blow to creating digital libraries because of the limitations it puts on cash-strapped librarians. Still, it is worth focusing on the fact that regardless of technology changes and the serials crisis, "the core function of librarianship remains."
C. Lynch, "Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age"
Institutional repositories are presenting a new method of promoting scholarly communication. Repositories are now a very affordable option since prices for maintaining the technology infrastructure have come down and are now reasonable. MIT is one institutions that has led the way in developing online repositories. The idea behind such repositories is to allow universities to keep a record of their scholarship and to share it with the wider community.
The WWW is so vast that finding and retrieving information can be daunting. The huge number of repositories, preprint servers, open archives, abstracting and indexing services, and vendor portals makes retrieving desired scholarly information especially cumbersome. Information providers have been attempting to create coherent "digital libraries" out of this mess to make IR easier. Funding and technology are essential for this task. Some institutions have displayed measures of success in this process.
A. Paepcke, "Dewey Meets Turing: Librarians, Computer Scientists, and the Digital Libraries Initiative"
The National Science Foundation started its Digital Libraries Initiative (DLI) in 1994. This has led to much collaboration between librarians and computer scientists. Their goals have been to create functional digital libraries. However, the World Wide Web has introduced a new twist in their plans by immersing them in an overabundance of information. It has proven difficult to integrate web content into digital libraries. Additionally, the serials pricing crisis has been another blow to creating digital libraries because of the limitations it puts on cash-strapped librarians. Still, it is worth focusing on the fact that regardless of technology changes and the serials crisis, "the core function of librarianship remains."
C. Lynch, "Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age"
Institutional repositories are presenting a new method of promoting scholarly communication. Repositories are now a very affordable option since prices for maintaining the technology infrastructure have come down and are now reasonable. MIT is one institutions that has led the way in developing online repositories. The idea behind such repositories is to allow universities to keep a record of their scholarship and to share it with the wider community.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Comments on classmates' blogs, November 4, 2010
Here are my comments on other classmates' blogs:
http://deyslis2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-9-readings-post.html
http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/10/css-tutorial.html
http://deyslis2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-9-readings-post.html
http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/10/css-tutorial.html
Reading Notes, November 4, 2010
Martin Bryan - Introducing XML
Uche Ogbuji - A Survey of XM Standards
Andre Bergholz - Extending Your Markup
XML Schema Tutorial
Out of all of the readings, I found the W3Schools tutorial to be the most helpful. XML still makes my brain hurt, but I feel like I'm at least getting the basic idea behind it. We are also studying XML in LIS2005, so this gives me some more background on it to consider in reference to the topics in that class. I hope they are teaching computer languages in elementary and high school these days because it's hard to learn them at my age! Like learning any language, you have to start young to really grasp it. That or have a mathy computery brain, which tragically I lack. This gives me a lot of respect for technology professionals who make all of this stuff work.
Uche Ogbuji - A Survey of XM Standards
Andre Bergholz - Extending Your Markup
XML Schema Tutorial
Out of all of the readings, I found the W3Schools tutorial to be the most helpful. XML still makes my brain hurt, but I feel like I'm at least getting the basic idea behind it. We are also studying XML in LIS2005, so this gives me some more background on it to consider in reference to the topics in that class. I hope they are teaching computer languages in elementary and high school these days because it's hard to learn them at my age! Like learning any language, you have to start young to really grasp it. That or have a mathy computery brain, which tragically I lack. This gives me a lot of respect for technology professionals who make all of this stuff work.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Koha List
List Name: H. P. Lovecraft
List URL: http://upitt01-staff.kwc.kohalibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/virtualshelves/shelves.pl?viewshelf=52
Username: KEM126
List URL: http://upitt01-staff.kwc.kohalibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/virtualshelves/shelves.pl?viewshelf=52
Username: KEM126
| Title | Author | Date Added | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tales of H.P. Lovecraft : | Lovecraft, H. P. | 10/28/2010 | Holds | |
| Lord of a visible world : | Lovecraft, H. P. | 10/28/2010 | Holds | |
| Necronomicon : | Lovecraft, H. P. | 10/28/2010 | Holds | |
| The annotated H.P. Lovecraft / | Lovecraft, H. P. | 10/28/2010 | Holds | |
| An H.P. Lovecraft encyclopedia / | Joshi, S. T., | 10/28/2010 | Holds | |
| At the mountains of madness / | Lovecraft, H. P. | 10/28/2010 | Holds | |
| More annotated H.P. Lovecraft / | Lovecraft, H. P. | 10/28/2010 | Holds | |
| Tales of the Cthulhu mythos / | 10/28/2010 | Holds | ||
| Cthulhu 2000 : | 10/28/2010 | Holds | ||
| The 13 best horror stories of all time / | 10/28/2010 | Holds |
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Comments on classmates' blogs
I posted the following comments on classmates' blogs:
http://amybeeslisblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-102510.html
http://annebetz-lis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/few-links.html
http://amybeeslisblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-102510.html
http://annebetz-lis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/few-links.html
Reading Notes, October 26, 2010
W3schools HTML Tutorial:
HTML is a markup language used in the creation of webpages. It's necessary to be careful to get all of the text right so that the page displays properly. Learning HTML appears like learning another language with its own rules.
HTML Cheatsheet:
Yay, I love cheatsheets. This page is very helpful. I like how this page lays out different categories of tags.
W3 School Cascading Style Sheet Tutorial:
I like their very clear definition of CSS, which is this:
"When tags like <font>, and color attributes were added to the HTML 3.2 specification, it started a nightmare for web developers. Development of large web sites, where fonts and color information were added to every single page, became a long and expensive process.
To solve this problem, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) created CSS.
In HTML 4.0, all formatting could be removed from the HTML document, and stored in a separate CSS file."
I found this definition very helpful. We've talked about CSS in other classes, but I didn't quite get the concept until reading this definition. I'm not sure my brain is structured right to learn all the details about how to write HTML, but I feel like I'm at least getting the idea of how it works.
HTML is a markup language used in the creation of webpages. It's necessary to be careful to get all of the text right so that the page displays properly. Learning HTML appears like learning another language with its own rules.
HTML Cheatsheet:
Yay, I love cheatsheets. This page is very helpful. I like how this page lays out different categories of tags.
W3 School Cascading Style Sheet Tutorial:
I like their very clear definition of CSS, which is this:
"When tags like <font>, and color attributes were added to the HTML 3.2 specification, it started a nightmare for web developers. Development of large web sites, where fonts and color information were added to every single page, became a long and expensive process.
To solve this problem, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) created CSS.
In HTML 4.0, all formatting could be removed from the HTML document, and stored in a separate CSS file."
I found this definition very helpful. We've talked about CSS in other classes, but I didn't quite get the concept until reading this definition. I'm not sure my brain is structured right to learn all the details about how to write HTML, but I feel like I'm at least getting the idea of how it works.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Comments on Classmates' Blogs
Here are links to my comments on classmates' blogs:
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/10/assignment-3-working-with-jing.html
http://amybeeslisblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/assignment-2.html
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/10/assignment-3-working-with-jing.html
http://amybeeslisblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/assignment-2.html
Reading Notes, October 14, 2010
Jeff Tyson - Internet article
Andrew K. Pace - "Dismantling Integrated Library Systems"
Sergey Brin & Larry Page - "Inside the Google machine"
The reading I found most interesting was "Dismantling Integrated Library Systems." They really don't seem compatible with a lot of other online services, which puts a strain on the IT department of libraries. It's hard to keep all services up and running and to make sure they work properly when they don't have interoperability. Though the article says that starting from scratch is too expensive, I wonder what options open source software might open up in the future. If open source software can more easily be interworked with ILS and online systems, then there might be a solution in that. The library where I worked this past summer was planning on switching to an open source ILS, the one used by the public libraries in the state of Georgia. Currently they use SirsiDynix, which is ok, but can be a challenge to use easily. I disagree in part with the article when it states that ILS is functional because a lot of the traditional ILS systems are notoriously not user-friendly.
Andrew K. Pace - "Dismantling Integrated Library Systems"
Sergey Brin & Larry Page - "Inside the Google machine"
The reading I found most interesting was "Dismantling Integrated Library Systems." They really don't seem compatible with a lot of other online services, which puts a strain on the IT department of libraries. It's hard to keep all services up and running and to make sure they work properly when they don't have interoperability. Though the article says that starting from scratch is too expensive, I wonder what options open source software might open up in the future. If open source software can more easily be interworked with ILS and online systems, then there might be a solution in that. The library where I worked this past summer was planning on switching to an open source ILS, the one used by the public libraries in the state of Georgia. Currently they use SirsiDynix, which is ok, but can be a challenge to use easily. I disagree in part with the article when it states that ILS is functional because a lot of the traditional ILS systems are notoriously not user-friendly.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Assignment 4: Zotero and CiteULike
Here is the link to my CiteULike library.
http://www.citeulike.org/user/kem126
I have a few extra articles in there, but I acquired the minimum requested in the assignment.
http://www.citeulike.org/user/kem126
I have a few extra articles in there, but I acquired the minimum requested in the assignment.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Reading Notes, October 5, 2010
Wikipedia article on local area network
Wikipedia article on computer network
YouTube video: common types of computer networks
Coyle: "Management of RFID in libraries" Journal of Academic Librarianship
The advent of networks greatly enhances computers' ability to revolutionize society. Computers would be useful, but they wouldn't be nearly as important today if they lacked network capacity. Yet this is something I've rarely thought about and always took for granted. There is a great variety of network technology out there but they all serve similar purposes. They fascilitate communication and allow multiple people to share external devices such as printers. Networks can be very small (home area network) or very large (wide area network). Ethernet seems to be the dominant network technology in use today.
Regarding RFID technology, I found the privacy debate around this topic to be very interesting. Obviously, a library wants to protect the privacy of its patrons, but at the same time RFID technology is often the best anti-theft mechanism a library has. Without it, a library stands to lose a large portion of its inventory to theft. I witnessed this first hand at the library where I worked this past summer. It was a public library, and they didn't have RFID technology on their books -- only on their DVDs. When we did inventory checks, we found that a lot of books were missing -- far too many to be merely misplaced. I think RFID technology is necessary in light of this. Sometimes its the only thing keeping books on the shelves and available for honest patrons.
Wikipedia article on computer network
YouTube video: common types of computer networks
Coyle: "Management of RFID in libraries" Journal of Academic Librarianship
The advent of networks greatly enhances computers' ability to revolutionize society. Computers would be useful, but they wouldn't be nearly as important today if they lacked network capacity. Yet this is something I've rarely thought about and always took for granted. There is a great variety of network technology out there but they all serve similar purposes. They fascilitate communication and allow multiple people to share external devices such as printers. Networks can be very small (home area network) or very large (wide area network). Ethernet seems to be the dominant network technology in use today.
Regarding RFID technology, I found the privacy debate around this topic to be very interesting. Obviously, a library wants to protect the privacy of its patrons, but at the same time RFID technology is often the best anti-theft mechanism a library has. Without it, a library stands to lose a large portion of its inventory to theft. I witnessed this first hand at the library where I worked this past summer. It was a public library, and they didn't have RFID technology on their books -- only on their DVDs. When we did inventory checks, we found that a lot of books were missing -- far too many to be merely misplaced. I think RFID technology is necessary in light of this. Sometimes its the only thing keeping books on the shelves and available for honest patrons.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Link to my video on screencast.com and 5 annotated images
Here is a link to my stunning Oscar-worthy video at screencast.com:
http://www.screencast.com/users/kmorris17701/folders/Jing/media/8e1eb272-6b4f-4a6d-9717-0b75bef3a2df
Here are the links to my 5 annotated images at Flickr.com:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5034787993/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5034788039/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5035408474/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5034788101/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5035408560/
http://www.screencast.com/users/kmorris17701/folders/Jing/media/8e1eb272-6b4f-4a6d-9717-0b75bef3a2df
Here are the links to my 5 annotated images at Flickr.com:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5034787993/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5034788039/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5035408474/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5034788101/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/5035408560/
Reading Notes, September 28, 2010
Wikipedia article on database:
I found this article to be very helpful since we are discussing databases in my other classes. A library database seems to be a fusion of several different types of databases since libraries use integrated systems and often include the holdings of other branches.
"Introduction to Metadata" by Anne J. Gilliland
I found this article to be very helpful, too, since metadata is also a topic in my other classes. One thing I found interesting is how the author notes that the creation of metadata used to be reserved to information professionals, but now ordinary people are creating metadata on the Web through tagging. I've worked as a cataloger before and also tagged items on my own websites, so I have a personal view of both the professional and layperson methods used to create metadata. I found the rules of cataloging to be downright strange sometimes -- and not overtly helpful to the end user -- so I am interested in the role that tagging may take on as it becomes a more accepted way of labelling items or websites.
Another thing I found interesting was when the author noted that different communities in academics have different metadata languages and standards. This is an example of how different disciplines in academics have barriers that inhibit them from communicating with each other. As the Internet increases collaboration between different disciplines, it will be interesting to see if a common, shared metadata standard develops to enhance interdisciplinary communication.
"An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model" by Eric J. Miller
I enjoyed reading this because I keep hearing about Dublin Core but I was never really sure what it was. I'm not a tech savy person, but I get the basics of Dublin Core as a means of cataloging electronic resources.
I found this article to be very helpful since we are discussing databases in my other classes. A library database seems to be a fusion of several different types of databases since libraries use integrated systems and often include the holdings of other branches.
"Introduction to Metadata" by Anne J. Gilliland
I found this article to be very helpful, too, since metadata is also a topic in my other classes. One thing I found interesting is how the author notes that the creation of metadata used to be reserved to information professionals, but now ordinary people are creating metadata on the Web through tagging. I've worked as a cataloger before and also tagged items on my own websites, so I have a personal view of both the professional and layperson methods used to create metadata. I found the rules of cataloging to be downright strange sometimes -- and not overtly helpful to the end user -- so I am interested in the role that tagging may take on as it becomes a more accepted way of labelling items or websites.
Another thing I found interesting was when the author noted that different communities in academics have different metadata languages and standards. This is an example of how different disciplines in academics have barriers that inhibit them from communicating with each other. As the Internet increases collaboration between different disciplines, it will be interesting to see if a common, shared metadata standard develops to enhance interdisciplinary communication.
"An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model" by Eric J. Miller
I enjoyed reading this because I keep hearing about Dublin Core but I was never really sure what it was. I'm not a tech savy person, but I get the basics of Dublin Core as a means of cataloging electronic resources.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Comment on classmate's blog
I posted the following comments on classmates' blogs:
http://adamdblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/unit-4-reading-notes.html
http://lostscribe459.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-reading-notes.html
http://adamdblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/unit-4-reading-notes.html
http://lostscribe459.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-reading-notes.html
Reading Notes
Wikipedia article on Data Compression + Data Compression Basics article:
All of this was new to me. I have, of course, heard of compressing data, but I never had it explained to me before. Though I didn't understand everything I read in these articles, I feel like I get the basic idea. On a side note, the more I read about computers in this class, the more they seem like magical things. I used to use computers without thinking much about them, but now I am beginning to appreciate just how amazing they are!
Paula L. Webb on YouTube in libraries:
I love the idea of libraries using YouTube to promote themselves. It seems that if public libraries are to survive, they need to take advantage of new technology instead of feeling threatened by it. Using YouTube is a great way to connect with people through a venue that they appreciate and think is fun. Also, since users are accessing content from home using online library services, I'm now wondering how much libraries can start to put other services, such as programs, online through video services. There are so many possibilities. It will do us well if we keep an open mind.
All of this was new to me. I have, of course, heard of compressing data, but I never had it explained to me before. Though I didn't understand everything I read in these articles, I feel like I get the basic idea. On a side note, the more I read about computers in this class, the more they seem like magical things. I used to use computers without thinking much about them, but now I am beginning to appreciate just how amazing they are!
Paula L. Webb on YouTube in libraries:
I love the idea of libraries using YouTube to promote themselves. It seems that if public libraries are to survive, they need to take advantage of new technology instead of feeling threatened by it. Using YouTube is a great way to connect with people through a venue that they appreciate and think is fun. Also, since users are accessing content from home using online library services, I'm now wondering how much libraries can start to put other services, such as programs, online through video services. There are so many possibilities. It will do us well if we keep an open mind.
Comment on classmate's blog
Here is another comment that I posted on a classmate's blog:
http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/notes-on-unit-3-computer-software-920.html
http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/notes-on-unit-3-computer-software-920.html
Comment on classmate's blog
I posted a comment on a classmate's blog here:
http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/09/introduction-to-linux.html
http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/09/introduction-to-linux.html
Reading Notes
Wikipedia article on database:
I found this article to be very helpful since we are discussing databases in my other classes. A library database seems to be a fusion of several different types of databases since libraries use integrated systems and often include the holdings of other branches.
"Introduction to Metadata" by Anne J. Gilliland
I found this article to be very helpful, too, since metadata is also a topic in my other classes. One thing I found interesting is how the author notes that the creation of metadata used to be reserved to information professionals, but now ordinary people are creating metadata on the Web through tagging. I've worked as a cataloger before and also tagged items on my own websites, so I have a personal view of both the professional and layperson methods used to create metadata. I found the rules of cataloging to be downright strange sometimes -- and not overtly helpful to the end user -- so I am interested in the role that tagging may take on as it becomes a more accepted way of labelling items or websites.
Another thing I found interesting was when the author noted that different communities in academics have different metadata languages and standards. This is an example of how different disciplines in academics have barriers that inhibit them from communicating with each other. As the Internet increases collaboration between different disciplines, it will be interesting to see if a common, shared metadata standard develops to enhance interdisciplinary communication.
"An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model" by Eric J. Miller
I enjoyed reading this because I keep hearing about Dublin Core but I was never really sure what it was. I'm not a tech savy person, but I get the basics of Dublin Core as a means of cataloging electronic resources.
I found this article to be very helpful since we are discussing databases in my other classes. A library database seems to be a fusion of several different types of databases since libraries use integrated systems and often include the holdings of other branches.
"Introduction to Metadata" by Anne J. Gilliland
I found this article to be very helpful, too, since metadata is also a topic in my other classes. One thing I found interesting is how the author notes that the creation of metadata used to be reserved to information professionals, but now ordinary people are creating metadata on the Web through tagging. I've worked as a cataloger before and also tagged items on my own websites, so I have a personal view of both the professional and layperson methods used to create metadata. I found the rules of cataloging to be downright strange sometimes -- and not overtly helpful to the end user -- so I am interested in the role that tagging may take on as it becomes a more accepted way of labelling items or websites.
Another thing I found interesting was when the author noted that different communities in academics have different metadata languages and standards. This is an example of how different disciplines in academics have barriers that inhibit them from communicating with each other. As the Internet increases collaboration between different disciplines, it will be interesting to see if a common, shared metadata standard develops to enhance interdisciplinary communication.
"An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model" by Eric J. Miller
I enjoyed reading this because I keep hearing about Dublin Core but I was never really sure what it was. I'm not a tech savy person, but I get the basics of Dublin Core as a means of cataloging electronic resources.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Blog comments: September 14, 2010
I commented on another student's blog here:
http://sek80.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-2-reading-notes.html
http://sek80.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-2-reading-notes.html
Photos in Flickr: September 14, 2010
For the photo assigment, I took pictures of ten different cafes located in Squirrel Hill. I tagged each photo, indicated which are the display copies and the thumbnail copies, and gave each photo a title.
The URL to those photos is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/sets/72157624955357836/detail/
The URL to those photos is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11333614@N04/sets/72157624955357836/detail/
Monday, September 13, 2010
My comments on another blog
During week one of class, I commented on Amy's blog. The URL is below:
http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/08/week-1-beginning.html#comments
http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/08/week-1-beginning.html#comments
Muddiest Point: September 13, 2010
My muddiest point question after class today is this:
If media life expectancies are short, I assume this means that libraries -- or someone -- must constantly have to migrate data so that it remains accessible. We saw how much it costs for a digitization project, but I'm just wondering if there are projections about the annual cost of a data migration project to ensure that content is always accessible? Is this something that has to be done regularly by the companies that control the master sources of digital information?
If media life expectancies are short, I assume this means that libraries -- or someone -- must constantly have to migrate data so that it remains accessible. We saw how much it costs for a digitization project, but I'm just wondering if there are projections about the annual cost of a data migration project to ensure that content is always accessible? Is this something that has to be done regularly by the companies that control the master sources of digital information?
Reading Notes - September 13, 2010
Reading notes on:
"Introduction to Linux: A Hands on Guide" by Machtelt Garrels
"What is Mac OS X? by Amit Singh
Wikipedia entry on Mac OS X
"An Update on the Windows Roadmap" by Paul Thurott
Regarding the Linux article, it was interesting reading about the free and democratic nature of open source software. At my former workplace, the IT staff were shifting to open source in order to allow them greater freedom in influencing design and performance of company software. They spoke of open source as the future of computer software. It was a big deal to them. As someone who doesn't know much about computers, I enjoyed listening to them talk about it. They were passionate - almost treating it like something sacred! Free open source software seems to support the most democratic ideals that arose with internet culture and which continue today. It will be interesting to see how free open source software competes with the products of companies like Microsoft.
In contrast, the article by Paul Thurott reveals how Microsoft products are very dependent on Microsoft's willingness to support services that people pay for one way or another. Also, some software, upon becoming dated, simply loses support services as Microsoft focuses their time on only their newer products. There are some exceptions, but it still shows that Microsoft is in control. It's pretty much the opposite of what happens with open source software. On the other hand, for someone who is not a programmer, it is much easier to use Microsoft products and to get help troubleshooting problems and securing updates than to try to use open source software. Microsoft products are user-friendly for the average person. I for one would be lost without them. I find Windows easy to use, and when I have a problem I can go to their website for help and usually find a solution or answer fairly quickly.
"Introduction to Linux: A Hands on Guide" by Machtelt Garrels
"What is Mac OS X? by Amit Singh
Wikipedia entry on Mac OS X
"An Update on the Windows Roadmap" by Paul Thurott
Regarding the Linux article, it was interesting reading about the free and democratic nature of open source software. At my former workplace, the IT staff were shifting to open source in order to allow them greater freedom in influencing design and performance of company software. They spoke of open source as the future of computer software. It was a big deal to them. As someone who doesn't know much about computers, I enjoyed listening to them talk about it. They were passionate - almost treating it like something sacred! Free open source software seems to support the most democratic ideals that arose with internet culture and which continue today. It will be interesting to see how free open source software competes with the products of companies like Microsoft.
In contrast, the article by Paul Thurott reveals how Microsoft products are very dependent on Microsoft's willingness to support services that people pay for one way or another. Also, some software, upon becoming dated, simply loses support services as Microsoft focuses their time on only their newer products. There are some exceptions, but it still shows that Microsoft is in control. It's pretty much the opposite of what happens with open source software. On the other hand, for someone who is not a programmer, it is much easier to use Microsoft products and to get help troubleshooting problems and securing updates than to try to use open source software. Microsoft products are user-friendly for the average person. I for one would be lost without them. I find Windows easy to use, and when I have a problem I can go to their website for help and usually find a solution or answer fairly quickly.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
8-31-10 Additional Reading Notes
Personal computer hardware (Wikipedia entry)
It's helpful to read about the components of computers. I've never had formal training in the use of computers; everything I know is self-taught. I can get by, but I welcome the opportunity to learn more about computers in a formal setting.
Moore's Law (Wikipedia entry)
This entry explains the concepts of Moore's Law, which relates to the speed of technological advancement. Given the current limitations of technology, it's nice to contemplate the idea that things can only get better. This can only benefit the library science field, which has come to depend so thoroughly on technology.
It's helpful to read about the components of computers. I've never had formal training in the use of computers; everything I know is self-taught. I can get by, but I welcome the opportunity to learn more about computers in a formal setting.
Moore's Law (Wikipedia entry)
This entry explains the concepts of Moore's Law, which relates to the speed of technological advancement. Given the current limitations of technology, it's nice to contemplate the idea that things can only get better. This can only benefit the library science field, which has come to depend so thoroughly on technology.
8-31-10 Reading Notes
Digitization: Is It Worth It? - by Stuart D. Lee
The author has spent years digitizing documents, yet still feels compelled to ask if it is a worthwhile task. Considering the high cost of digitization, it's a question worth asking. The obvious benefits of digitizing materials is that it makes them more accessible and easy to distribute. But since digitization is so expensive, it means that less funding is available for traditional acquisition of new monographs and journals, as the author points out. In an ideal world, a library would have enough funding for both digitization and purchase of new content. As someone who uses both online materials and print books and journals, I can't say that I support one over the other. I find them both equally valuable. It really comes down to each individual library's mission statement -- what will they choose to fund? Digitization or new content? Libraries are finding it harder and harder to commit to both. Libraries have long collaborated on collection development. It would make sense to collaborate with regard to digital content as well.
European Libraries Face Problems In Digitizing - by Doreen Carvajal
This article also refers to the massive cost of digitizing materials. The author points out that there simply isn't enough funding for large digitization projects to accomplish their goals. I wonder to what extent we are collectively too attached to the notion of preserving everything from the past. Is a culture that spends vast resources preserving past artifacts at risk of ignoring the relevant issues of the present? Since libraries fail to purchase new content in order to make copies of existing content, this is a valid question. Other questions that come to mind: Is it possible to save everything? Is it necessary? We have the capacity to save for posterity more information than ever before, but should we save it all? In psychology, excessive hoarding is a sign of mental illness. I'm not suggesting that history be discarded. I'm merely contemplating the difference between what is wanted by the keepers of culture versus what is realistically possible.
A Few Thoughts on Google Books Library Project - by Charles Edward Smith
The author supports making the past accessible online. He suggests that the less effort it takes to access history, the more likely people will be to conduct research. Presumably, this can only lead to a more intelligent and information-rich society, which is a good thing. The author also points out that many books will "reach obsolesence" if not digitized and that society's methods of accessing the past have changed. I agree that we risk losing a lot if we don't digitize materials. However, once again, I think the sheer amount of information makes mass-digitization difficult. I dislike the idea of an archivist filtering information for others, given that it results in inevitable bias, but I don't see any other way.
The author has spent years digitizing documents, yet still feels compelled to ask if it is a worthwhile task. Considering the high cost of digitization, it's a question worth asking. The obvious benefits of digitizing materials is that it makes them more accessible and easy to distribute. But since digitization is so expensive, it means that less funding is available for traditional acquisition of new monographs and journals, as the author points out. In an ideal world, a library would have enough funding for both digitization and purchase of new content. As someone who uses both online materials and print books and journals, I can't say that I support one over the other. I find them both equally valuable. It really comes down to each individual library's mission statement -- what will they choose to fund? Digitization or new content? Libraries are finding it harder and harder to commit to both. Libraries have long collaborated on collection development. It would make sense to collaborate with regard to digital content as well.
European Libraries Face Problems In Digitizing - by Doreen Carvajal
This article also refers to the massive cost of digitizing materials. The author points out that there simply isn't enough funding for large digitization projects to accomplish their goals. I wonder to what extent we are collectively too attached to the notion of preserving everything from the past. Is a culture that spends vast resources preserving past artifacts at risk of ignoring the relevant issues of the present? Since libraries fail to purchase new content in order to make copies of existing content, this is a valid question. Other questions that come to mind: Is it possible to save everything? Is it necessary? We have the capacity to save for posterity more information than ever before, but should we save it all? In psychology, excessive hoarding is a sign of mental illness. I'm not suggesting that history be discarded. I'm merely contemplating the difference between what is wanted by the keepers of culture versus what is realistically possible.
A Few Thoughts on Google Books Library Project - by Charles Edward Smith
The author supports making the past accessible online. He suggests that the less effort it takes to access history, the more likely people will be to conduct research. Presumably, this can only lead to a more intelligent and information-rich society, which is a good thing. The author also points out that many books will "reach obsolesence" if not digitized and that society's methods of accessing the past have changed. I agree that we risk losing a lot if we don't digitize materials. However, once again, I think the sheer amount of information makes mass-digitization difficult. I dislike the idea of an archivist filtering information for others, given that it results in inevitable bias, but I don't see any other way.
Monday, August 30, 2010
8-30-10 Muddiest Point Questions
Considering the fallibility of technology, what can libraries do to ensure content access and services during a system crash? Books don't disappear or self-destruct. They are still accessible when the power goes out. But computers can fail. It seems that an overdependence on technology leaves content vulnerable, especially for public libraries that lack the funding for adequate IT support.
This raises two questions:
1. What is the IT field doing to address this problem?
2. Is it reasonable to expect libraries to continue to supply print materials (which have functioned well for hundreds of years) in addition to online content access?
This raises two questions:
1. What is the IT field doing to address this problem?
2. Is it reasonable to expect libraries to continue to supply print materials (which have functioned well for hundreds of years) in addition to online content access?
8-30-2010 Reading Notes
OCLC Report: Content, Not Containers
Libraries must adapt to changes in content formats. It used to be that libraries acquired content for "just-in-case" use by patrons. However, now libraries must provide content on an "as-needed" basis. This includes content in multiple formats, and the various formats are accessed through a variety of technologies. Since technology is always changing, libraries must be constantly changing as well. The most important skill for librarians, therefore, will be adaptability.
Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy, by Clifford Lynch
It's interesting to note the importance of information literacy and information technology literacy as interrelated skills. The two forms of literacy are often portrayed in the news as being at odds. For example, I've occasionally seen reports in the nightly news that suggest the increase in texting by young people is inhibiting their ability to write well and to read and comprehend anything not shortened and abbreviated in the extreme. It's refreshing in contrast to be presented with a view that counters those reports. Lynch notes that these two forms of literacy are vital in the information age, and librarians must be prepared to embrace literacy as necessary components of their profession.
Lied Library, by Jason Vaughan
This article reveals how challenging it is for libraries to keep pace with constantly changing technology. Librarians must have both information literacy and information technology literacy, to borrow from Lynch's article. Librarians in essence must become lifelong learners since their profession constantly changes. Library budgets are also significantly affected by changes in technology. The purchase, installation, and maintenance of up-to-date technology is very expensive and time-consuming. Libraries used to guard books and card catalogs; now, libaries must maintain a vast number of resources, both in book and online form.
Libraries must adapt to changes in content formats. It used to be that libraries acquired content for "just-in-case" use by patrons. However, now libraries must provide content on an "as-needed" basis. This includes content in multiple formats, and the various formats are accessed through a variety of technologies. Since technology is always changing, libraries must be constantly changing as well. The most important skill for librarians, therefore, will be adaptability.
Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy, by Clifford Lynch
It's interesting to note the importance of information literacy and information technology literacy as interrelated skills. The two forms of literacy are often portrayed in the news as being at odds. For example, I've occasionally seen reports in the nightly news that suggest the increase in texting by young people is inhibiting their ability to write well and to read and comprehend anything not shortened and abbreviated in the extreme. It's refreshing in contrast to be presented with a view that counters those reports. Lynch notes that these two forms of literacy are vital in the information age, and librarians must be prepared to embrace literacy as necessary components of their profession.
Lied Library, by Jason Vaughan
This article reveals how challenging it is for libraries to keep pace with constantly changing technology. Librarians must have both information literacy and information technology literacy, to borrow from Lynch's article. Librarians in essence must become lifelong learners since their profession constantly changes. Library budgets are also significantly affected by changes in technology. The purchase, installation, and maintenance of up-to-date technology is very expensive and time-consuming. Libraries used to guard books and card catalogs; now, libaries must maintain a vast number of resources, both in book and online form.
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