So the semester is about to close, and I find it rather strange that I haven't really spoken to most of you outside of this blog or the discussion board of LIS2000. Honestly, I'd like to change that, get to know some of my peers and potential colleagues, and who knows, maybe have someone to joke with for the next semester of classes (or celebrate/commiserate with at the end).
So if you are interested, feel free to comment here or get in touch with me via my contact information near the bottom of the page here. From there, we'll see what sort of madness can occur.
In any case, best of luck to you all with the rest of your assignments, and thank you for making this an interesting semester!
--Anthony Lindenmuth
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Week 13 Reading Notes
Alright everyone, we're almost to the finish line!
No Place to Hide
http://www.noplacetohide.net/
I ran into a 404 Error for this site for a while for some strange reason. I learned after reading the other site that the original link has a space at the end of it, causing the aforementioned 404. So if anyone else relied on the link, either delete the empty space at the end or manually type in the site.
Now, I'm not sure what it is I should be reading here, but from the snippets I've skimmed, it is much like the link below. With the digital revolution, the ways we are all being watched and monitored evolved as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Orwell's 1984 and other dystopian works from various authors discuss this in detail before the digital revolution was even a plausible concept?
TIA and Data Mining
Long story short: this is a site with a variety of links and documents with reference as to why the TIA is going through data mining. So the government now has a collection of information on people ("information signature") and is looking for trends to stop crime and terrorist activities. I'm honestly not shocked in the least about the idea, as I've seem similar stories, and with actions such as the Patriot Act, how can you not assume something like this was going on?
Maybe I'm just too familiar with Orwell's 1984 to be shaken by this.
Youtube Link
I ran into an error stating it was taken down due to a copyright claim by Viacom. It also seems I am not the only one who had this error. If there is a new link posted, I will check it. But for now, this is the end result.
No Place to Hide
http://www.noplacetohide.net/
I ran into a 404 Error for this site for a while for some strange reason. I learned after reading the other site that the original link has a space at the end of it, causing the aforementioned 404. So if anyone else relied on the link, either delete the empty space at the end or manually type in the site.
Now, I'm not sure what it is I should be reading here, but from the snippets I've skimmed, it is much like the link below. With the digital revolution, the ways we are all being watched and monitored evolved as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Orwell's 1984 and other dystopian works from various authors discuss this in detail before the digital revolution was even a plausible concept?
TIA and Data Mining
Long story short: this is a site with a variety of links and documents with reference as to why the TIA is going through data mining. So the government now has a collection of information on people ("information signature") and is looking for trends to stop crime and terrorist activities. I'm honestly not shocked in the least about the idea, as I've seem similar stories, and with actions such as the Patriot Act, how can you not assume something like this was going on?
Maybe I'm just too familiar with Orwell's 1984 to be shaken by this.
Youtube Link
I ran into an error stating it was taken down due to a copyright claim by Viacom. It also seems I am not the only one who had this error. If there is a new link posted, I will check it. But for now, this is the end result.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Week 12 Muddiest Point
Nothing out of the ordinary again, so no muddiest point this week.
And my apologies for having this so late in the day. Holiday madness and all that.
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving, everyone!
And my apologies for having this so late in the day. Holiday madness and all that.
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving, everyone!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Assignment 6 - Website
My Website is now live! It isn't anything special to look at, and I was literally toying around with color schemes for a while just to get something else out there.
My Site.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, concludes my horrible attempt at programming.
My Site.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, concludes my horrible attempt at programming.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Week 12 Reading Notes
I almost can't believe the semester is nearly over. Note how I say "almost" and "nearly." It's not over yet, and as I'm not sure if I'm met my "quota" yet, I am going to continue bringing all of you my thoughts on the reading assignments for class. Then again, I'm not even sure if I would stop, as I enjoy seeing the comments and the discussions.
So, with that, I present you with my thoughts on this week's readings. Enjoy!
Weblogs: Their Use and Application in Science and Technology Libraries
So, after all this time of using a blog to share our thoughts and research for the class, we now get to see research showing that we aren't following the trends of the angst-driven teens swarming the blogosphere.
The fact that the article used the term "blogoshere" caused me to chuckle a bit. Perhaps I've read too much xkcd. . .
Interestingly enough, the article starts off with a history of blogging (starting from the first website, at that), which made me think of Lazslo's Linked when it came to linking the sites and the "birth" of the blogosphere.
Overall, the article brings up a few good points regarding the blogging-method as a viable option for group projects (timestamps, little setup, etc), and for reference (usable for finding info on subjects). I do feel as though there are some edges to using blogs over e-mails, but in practice, it doesn't seem to be as effective in some ways. The students I advice have a blog (on blogger, at that), but only a select few use it, while others want the e-mail, facebook, or face-to-face options. Additionally, using the reference-oriented blogs as an outsider may make one wonder the same thing that comes up when one uses the internet for research: "Is this information valid?"
Just tossing that out there for anyone who wants to roll with a discussion.
Using a wiki to manage a library instruction program: Sharing knowledge to better serve patrons
After slugging through the obligatory "What is a wiki?" and "Here is how you start one" sections, the article makes a shift into what the title states it should cover.
Which, sadly, feels like a reiteration of what a wiki is. After reading the article, I felt as though I went through a recursive IF(WHILE()) loop, where I was told one thing (a wiki is a way of sharing information) and saw something very similar later. In my view, the article just showed that a wiki fills in the in-classroom gaps for this field, but honestly, wouldn't that be the case in ANY classroom environment or field of study?
Creating the academic library folksonomy: Put social tagging to work at your institution
Once again, it is nice to see a few things go full circle, as I've found myself having discussions with my colleagues and most of you here regarding folksonomies and even general metadata in the form of subject tags.
Honestly, I don't have much to say about it. There was little here I haven't run into yet (especially with what was discussed in LIS2000), and the most useful section turned out to be the end, as it consisted of suggestions to approaching this idea in an individual library. A few websites were also suggested, but again, nothing that really impacted me in the least.
I can go on a few tangents involving metadata and folksonomies, but I think I've covered those in previous posts.
How a ragtag band created Wikipedia
Video Link
I cannot view this at the moment, as I cannot view videos from this computer. I'll have to find the time to get this done.
So, with that, I present you with my thoughts on this week's readings. Enjoy!
Weblogs: Their Use and Application in Science and Technology Libraries
So, after all this time of using a blog to share our thoughts and research for the class, we now get to see research showing that we aren't following the trends of the angst-driven teens swarming the blogosphere.
The fact that the article used the term "blogoshere" caused me to chuckle a bit. Perhaps I've read too much xkcd. . .
Interestingly enough, the article starts off with a history of blogging (starting from the first website, at that), which made me think of Lazslo's Linked when it came to linking the sites and the "birth" of the blogosphere.
Overall, the article brings up a few good points regarding the blogging-method as a viable option for group projects (timestamps, little setup, etc), and for reference (usable for finding info on subjects). I do feel as though there are some edges to using blogs over e-mails, but in practice, it doesn't seem to be as effective in some ways. The students I advice have a blog (on blogger, at that), but only a select few use it, while others want the e-mail, facebook, or face-to-face options. Additionally, using the reference-oriented blogs as an outsider may make one wonder the same thing that comes up when one uses the internet for research: "Is this information valid?"
Just tossing that out there for anyone who wants to roll with a discussion.
Using a wiki to manage a library instruction program: Sharing knowledge to better serve patrons
After slugging through the obligatory "What is a wiki?" and "Here is how you start one" sections, the article makes a shift into what the title states it should cover.
Which, sadly, feels like a reiteration of what a wiki is. After reading the article, I felt as though I went through a recursive IF(WHILE()) loop, where I was told one thing (a wiki is a way of sharing information) and saw something very similar later. In my view, the article just showed that a wiki fills in the in-classroom gaps for this field, but honestly, wouldn't that be the case in ANY classroom environment or field of study?
Creating the academic library folksonomy: Put social tagging to work at your institution
Once again, it is nice to see a few things go full circle, as I've found myself having discussions with my colleagues and most of you here regarding folksonomies and even general metadata in the form of subject tags.
Honestly, I don't have much to say about it. There was little here I haven't run into yet (especially with what was discussed in LIS2000), and the most useful section turned out to be the end, as it consisted of suggestions to approaching this idea in an individual library. A few websites were also suggested, but again, nothing that really impacted me in the least.
I can go on a few tangents involving metadata and folksonomies, but I think I've covered those in previous posts.
How a ragtag band created Wikipedia
Video Link
I cannot view this at the moment, as I cannot view videos from this computer. I'll have to find the time to get this done.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Week 11 Comments
As the title says. Here you go:
http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-11-readings.html?showComment=1290174447960#c7860486180186849785
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/readings_18.html?showComment=1290176492588#c2377372146044605445
http://bookwormsince84.blogspot.com/2010/11/deep-web-surfacing-hidden-value.html?showComment=1290382750988#c7810705713907915852
http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-11-readings.html?showComment=1290174447960#c7860486180186849785
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/readings_18.html?showComment=1290176492588#c2377372146044605445
http://bookwormsince84.blogspot.com/2010/11/deep-web-surfacing-hidden-value.html?showComment=1290382750988#c7810705713907915852
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Week 11 Reading Notes
Web Search Engines
Thanks to Sarah Denzer, I found the article. Apparently, using the full citation of IEEE Computer threw the entire system of citation linker off.
Reading through these articles gives me a different kind of appreciation for the systems used for crawlers. I was familiar with the concept from a book for LIS2000 (Laszlo's Linked), but I didn't know about the degree of equipment involved. Knowing that it would take some of our better net connections 10 days to do a crawl caused me to do a double take, and seeing the numbers made my head swim.
This is a MUCH different idea than what I've seen from the simple "find it" programs I wrote as an undergrad, as this will find the information, index it, and in a way, learn from it. As I said, new appreciation for what is done and how it is done.
Did anyone else have a similar feeling?
Current Development and Future Trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
Once again, we’re referencing back to the Dublin Core and other metadata standards to sift through and organize data. While the article does give a few inspiring notes as to how this could come to be with examples of organizations/consortia trying this, I still have to wonder the same as I did before: can this really be done?
I mean, honestly: even with a “standard” set of metadata, how viable will this be? Will we actually have a comprehensive set of usable search terms to actively search the “deep web” (including databases), or are we just going to add more clutter to the already vast amount of data hidden on the Internet?
The Deep Web
Some parts of this article made me think of Laszlo’s book Linked, especially with the early section regarding how sites would often be connected or a crawler would find the data.
Thankfully, the article covered more than that, by offering statistics (which gives me a new found respect for the amount of digital data on the internet, as it is measured in thousands of terabytes) and a comparison of “surface” and “deep” web searches, which also explains why the general “sweep” done by the standard search engines just doesn’t cut it for finding what you really need.
There isn’t much to say about the article beyond definitions and numbers (and the feeling that it was a plug for certain technologies), but it does make me interested to learn what is really out there hidden away in the depths of the web.
Thanks to Sarah Denzer, I found the article. Apparently, using the full citation of IEEE Computer threw the entire system of citation linker off.
Reading through these articles gives me a different kind of appreciation for the systems used for crawlers. I was familiar with the concept from a book for LIS2000 (Laszlo's Linked), but I didn't know about the degree of equipment involved. Knowing that it would take some of our better net connections 10 days to do a crawl caused me to do a double take, and seeing the numbers made my head swim.
This is a MUCH different idea than what I've seen from the simple "find it" programs I wrote as an undergrad, as this will find the information, index it, and in a way, learn from it. As I said, new appreciation for what is done and how it is done.
Did anyone else have a similar feeling?
Current Development and Future Trends for the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
Once again, we’re referencing back to the Dublin Core and other metadata standards to sift through and organize data. While the article does give a few inspiring notes as to how this could come to be with examples of organizations/consortia trying this, I still have to wonder the same as I did before: can this really be done?
I mean, honestly: even with a “standard” set of metadata, how viable will this be? Will we actually have a comprehensive set of usable search terms to actively search the “deep web” (including databases), or are we just going to add more clutter to the already vast amount of data hidden on the Internet?
The Deep Web
Some parts of this article made me think of Laszlo’s book Linked, especially with the early section regarding how sites would often be connected or a crawler would find the data.
Thankfully, the article covered more than that, by offering statistics (which gives me a new found respect for the amount of digital data on the internet, as it is measured in thousands of terabytes) and a comparison of “surface” and “deep” web searches, which also explains why the general “sweep” done by the standard search engines just doesn’t cut it for finding what you really need.
There isn’t much to say about the article beyond definitions and numbers (and the feeling that it was a plug for certain technologies), but it does make me interested to learn what is really out there hidden away in the depths of the web.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Week 10 Muddiest Point
I don't have a muddiest point this week.
Either I'm understanding enough to get by, or I'm missing something. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough!
Either I'm understanding enough to get by, or I'm missing something. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Week 10 Comments
Alright, getting back into the swing of things again and making comments.
http://christyfic.blogspot.com/2010/11/reading-notes-week-10-nov-15-2010.html?showComment=1289310793567#c6560853996795687494
http://pittlis2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-ten-reading-notes.html?showComment=1289320597422#c9128459000787370108
http://christyfic.blogspot.com/2010/11/reading-notes-week-10-nov-15-2010.html?showComment=1289310793567#c6560853996795687494
http://pittlis2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-ten-reading-notes.html?showComment=1289320597422#c9128459000787370108
Monday, November 8, 2010
Week 10 Reading Assignments
Alright folks, now that the dust is settling after the fiasco of the past few weeks, I should be able to get back on track and get back to my usual writing.
At least, I’m hoping so.
Digital Libraries: challenges and influential work.
The article is basically a history of where we’ve come about for digital library resources, including the DLI projects and which universities/institutions took part to get us where we are today.
Personally, I liked the reference to aggregators and how they are impacting how we do our jobs. Even more interesting is the note on how Google is still the team to beat, as Google Scholar is a product commercial companies are trying to replicate. I still don’t think Google is the end-all-be-all that people make it out to be; there are some great ideas there (such as standard combined with full-text metadata), but with my experiences with Google as a whole, I’m not entirely comfortable with the idea of putting this product on the pedestal.
One thing I will agree with: aggregators are a great idea, especially when coupled with the concept of full-text metadata. Maybe I’m living in a dream world and have been blown away by some of the commercial products I’ve had presented at work, but hey, a guy can hope.
Dewey Meets Turing: Librarians, Computer Scientists, and the Digital Libraries Initiative
To begin, the title gave me a chuckle, and the introduction gave me some hope as to what was to be discussed. Comparing the expectations of Librarians and Computer Scientists, and tossing in Publishers to complete the trifecta? Move over soap operas, library science has you beat!
But now to be serious for a few moments: when you consider library science and computer science merging together to work on something, you’d only assume it could be a match made in heaven. Libraries need ways to sort and sift information, computer scientists need better and more efficient ways to do their own research. Sounds like a good idea in general.
The article explains the complications these two groups faced, especially with the Web connecting machines (and therefore, data) in unexpected ways and improvements to technology and the way computers “think.”
This article does bring up some other food for thought that has come about due to the changes in technology and its integration into library services, the biggest one referencing the acceptance of online-only publications. With all of the debate regarding copyright law and open access publishing, I do have to wonder if this medium will come to be the primary method of doing things, and if so, how long until print materials and other “traditional” library resources and services are phased out for digital materials and “capable” computers?
Thankfully, we get to see some glimmer of hope at the end of the article, showing that we librarians aren’t entirely phased out just yet. . .
Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age
http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/br/br226/br226ir.shtml
And now we have an article on Institutional Repositories. With this article, I was walking in blind, as I haven't exactly heard the term utilized in the workplace before. The author defines an institutional repository as "a set of services that a university offers to the members of its community for the management and dissemination of digital materials created by the institution and its community members." To me, this basically states it is an archive of things created by the members of the institution (in this case, a college), and allows access to this information by members of the set community. Have a missed something in this?
It would seem this is a step toward institution-sponsored open access, in that the creator (in this case, a faulty member) can update a previously written work or continue the work in that same topic without the time consuming steps of scholarly publications. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we need more of this in the academic community, where faculty members who want to write about a topic can do so without the hassle?
Maybe I'm living in a dream world, but I would like to see that come to be.
At least, I’m hoping so.
Digital Libraries: challenges and influential work.
The article is basically a history of where we’ve come about for digital library resources, including the DLI projects and which universities/institutions took part to get us where we are today.
Personally, I liked the reference to aggregators and how they are impacting how we do our jobs. Even more interesting is the note on how Google is still the team to beat, as Google Scholar is a product commercial companies are trying to replicate. I still don’t think Google is the end-all-be-all that people make it out to be; there are some great ideas there (such as standard combined with full-text metadata), but with my experiences with Google as a whole, I’m not entirely comfortable with the idea of putting this product on the pedestal.
One thing I will agree with: aggregators are a great idea, especially when coupled with the concept of full-text metadata. Maybe I’m living in a dream world and have been blown away by some of the commercial products I’ve had presented at work, but hey, a guy can hope.
Dewey Meets Turing: Librarians, Computer Scientists, and the Digital Libraries Initiative
To begin, the title gave me a chuckle, and the introduction gave me some hope as to what was to be discussed. Comparing the expectations of Librarians and Computer Scientists, and tossing in Publishers to complete the trifecta? Move over soap operas, library science has you beat!
But now to be serious for a few moments: when you consider library science and computer science merging together to work on something, you’d only assume it could be a match made in heaven. Libraries need ways to sort and sift information, computer scientists need better and more efficient ways to do their own research. Sounds like a good idea in general.
The article explains the complications these two groups faced, especially with the Web connecting machines (and therefore, data) in unexpected ways and improvements to technology and the way computers “think.”
This article does bring up some other food for thought that has come about due to the changes in technology and its integration into library services, the biggest one referencing the acceptance of online-only publications. With all of the debate regarding copyright law and open access publishing, I do have to wonder if this medium will come to be the primary method of doing things, and if so, how long until print materials and other “traditional” library resources and services are phased out for digital materials and “capable” computers?
Thankfully, we get to see some glimmer of hope at the end of the article, showing that we librarians aren’t entirely phased out just yet. . .
Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age
http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/br/br226/br226ir.shtml
And now we have an article on Institutional Repositories. With this article, I was walking in blind, as I haven't exactly heard the term utilized in the workplace before. The author defines an institutional repository as "a set of services that a university offers to the members of its community for the management and dissemination of digital materials created by the institution and its community members." To me, this basically states it is an archive of things created by the members of the institution (in this case, a college), and allows access to this information by members of the set community. Have a missed something in this?
It would seem this is a step toward institution-sponsored open access, in that the creator (in this case, a faulty member) can update a previously written work or continue the work in that same topic without the time consuming steps of scholarly publications. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we need more of this in the academic community, where faculty members who want to write about a topic can do so without the hassle?
Maybe I'm living in a dream world, but I would like to see that come to be.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Week 9 Muddiest Point
A bit late, I know. I do not have a muddiest point this week.
I also do not have any comments this week. I won't go into the details of what has occurred in my life to cause me to trail so far behind. Hopefully I can get back on track without something else happening sooner rather than later.
I also do not have any comments this week. I won't go into the details of what has occurred in my life to cause me to trail so far behind. Hopefully I can get back on track without something else happening sooner rather than later.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Assignment 5 - Koha
The link to my virtual shelf is here: http://upitt01-staff.kwc.kohalibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/virtualshelves/shelves.pl?viewshelf=73
The list is entitled "Books on Paganism."
My username is still APL24 (easier to find that way), and my full name is listed there.
I thought I would do something a bit different from my usual horribly-nerdy lists of books and go with something to expand someone's horizons, especially since religious diversity has suddenly become an issue in current politics and even among the student population. . .
Enjoy!
The list is entitled "Books on Paganism."
My username is still APL24 (easier to find that way), and my full name is listed there.
I thought I would do something a bit different from my usual horribly-nerdy lists of books and go with something to expand someone's horizons, especially since religious diversity has suddenly become an issue in current politics and even among the student population. . .
Enjoy!
Week 9 Reading Assignments: XML
The Brighton University Resource Kit for Students
http://student.brighton.ac.uk/burks_6/
From what is posted here, I must say that I would have loved to have access to this while I was an undergrad, especially while I was programming. Even now, there may be some use to have compilers and programming guides on hand. . .
I'm also a fan of the concept as a whole: open source software to fulfill student needs at the beginning of the year. Who has gone to college and did NOT wish for something like this at the start of the year?
I'll download the ISO after work (if the other assignments don't get in the way) and see how it goes.
A survey of XML standards: Part 1
A basic set of notes on XML standards (which, when you think about it, "standards" in any programming field are loose at best and impossible at worst), including version history, a note on the "flavors of standards," and even external links for training purposes and furthering your knowledge. I liked the way it breaks down individual aspects of XML into chunks for easier degrees of understanding.
My only objection to this is the method of writing. It seems rather drab, much like my old programming books, and some of the information that I should have been picking up seemed to just slide away.
I do wish this actually opened with an explanation of XML. As someone with no applicable experience with this, it would have been nice to know a bit more about it.
Extending Your Markup: An XML Tutorial
By opening up with the comment of XML being simple and can solve "all your problems," this article's writer already caught my attention. Thankfully, this article explains that XML is heavily impacted by HTML and SGML, setting my mind at ease when I start noticing too many similarities in style and questioning if I've started looking at the wrong assignment or somehow accidentally discovered time travel. . .
I also seem a few correlations between XML and C++ regarding the "declarations" (i.e. the prolog) at the beginning of an XML document. Just a note for personal reference, feel free to ignore it.
The rest of the article seems to be a bit more "user friendly" compared to the previous reading assignment. There's still a bit that's over my head (I still feel as though I am not smart enough for programming), but perhaps after I read this a second (or third) time, I will have a better understanding of what is actually being discussed and explained in this and the other articles.
W3 XML Schema Tutorial
http://www.w3schools.com/Schema/default.asp
Once again, we find ourselves back with another tutorial from W3. This time, we get some basic XML notes and explanations, and then we are neck deep in the concepts of a Schema and how to use it.
There is clearly a trend here; explanation, elaboration, hands-on-tutorials, done.
I do like the approach of showing what the "writing" actually looks like, as I personally tend to learn more from having the design in front of me than by just simple reiteration of terms.
Sadly, there really wasn't much I had to say. I am a bit off due to a few things that have occurred, so please bear with me (and my not-to-par writing style) as I move through these things.
http://student.brighton.ac.uk/burks_6/
From what is posted here, I must say that I would have loved to have access to this while I was an undergrad, especially while I was programming. Even now, there may be some use to have compilers and programming guides on hand. . .
I'm also a fan of the concept as a whole: open source software to fulfill student needs at the beginning of the year. Who has gone to college and did NOT wish for something like this at the start of the year?
I'll download the ISO after work (if the other assignments don't get in the way) and see how it goes.
A survey of XML standards: Part 1
A basic set of notes on XML standards (which, when you think about it, "standards" in any programming field are loose at best and impossible at worst), including version history, a note on the "flavors of standards," and even external links for training purposes and furthering your knowledge. I liked the way it breaks down individual aspects of XML into chunks for easier degrees of understanding.
My only objection to this is the method of writing. It seems rather drab, much like my old programming books, and some of the information that I should have been picking up seemed to just slide away.
I do wish this actually opened with an explanation of XML. As someone with no applicable experience with this, it would have been nice to know a bit more about it.
Extending Your Markup: An XML Tutorial
By opening up with the comment of XML being simple and can solve "all your problems," this article's writer already caught my attention. Thankfully, this article explains that XML is heavily impacted by HTML and SGML, setting my mind at ease when I start noticing too many similarities in style and questioning if I've started looking at the wrong assignment or somehow accidentally discovered time travel. . .
I also seem a few correlations between XML and C++ regarding the "declarations" (i.e. the prolog) at the beginning of an XML document. Just a note for personal reference, feel free to ignore it.
The rest of the article seems to be a bit more "user friendly" compared to the previous reading assignment. There's still a bit that's over my head (I still feel as though I am not smart enough for programming), but perhaps after I read this a second (or third) time, I will have a better understanding of what is actually being discussed and explained in this and the other articles.
W3 XML Schema Tutorial
http://www.w3schools.com/Schema/default.asp
Once again, we find ourselves back with another tutorial from W3. This time, we get some basic XML notes and explanations, and then we are neck deep in the concepts of a Schema and how to use it.
There is clearly a trend here; explanation, elaboration, hands-on-tutorials, done.
I do like the approach of showing what the "writing" actually looks like, as I personally tend to learn more from having the design in front of me than by just simple reiteration of terms.
Sadly, there really wasn't much I had to say. I am a bit off due to a few things that have occurred, so please bear with me (and my not-to-par writing style) as I move through these things.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Week 8: Comments
And here are my not-so-snarky comments. I must be losing my touch.
http://kel2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-october-26-2010.html?showComment=1288360333538#c7556786525865943506
I'll see what else I can come up with as time goes on. . .
http://kel2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-october-26-2010.html?showComment=1288360333538#c7556786525865943506
I'll see what else I can come up with as time goes on. . .
Monday, October 25, 2010
Week 8 Reading Assignments: HTML
And now we are hitting a somewhat weak point of mine: HTML encoding. I've never been good at website building or design, so this week's readings/crash course is really appreciated. Now, on with the show!
W3schools HTML Tutorial
I like the approach of this lesson, as it breaks everything down bit by bit. For once, I'm not swimming in a sea of unexplained acronyms or confusing examples, but having the behind-the-scenes of websites displayed before me in a method I can understand.
If anything, it makes the encoding for formats on Blogger and Livejournal that much more understandable, especially with something to compare it to (in my case: comparing the formatting functions to what I would do while using Office Productivity software). I don't think I'll start building websites anytime soon (as I lack that creative spark), but at least I won't be blindsided when I need to do that sort of work.
HTML Cheatsheet
There isn't much to say about this besides being a useful reference while working on anything in HTML.
W3 School Cascading Style Sheet Tutorial
Once again, a lesson written in a way I can understand it. Unless I misread something, CSS allows the user to edit how HTML will appear on the screen. The more I look at it, it seems to be a more elaborate version of what you can do with HTML, or perhaps HTML meets C++.
I would actually like to see the methods working side by side for a better comparison as to where the limitations lie, but that is just my personal opinion and need to view things.
Beyond HTML: Developing and re-imagining library web guides in a content management system
We use a CMS at the library where I work, and while it may be faulty and have some issues, it does allow those without a programming background to design a website by focusing on just the materials and information (which is something this article mentions). In theory, and as presented in the article, there are many benefits of this method compared to working with HTML alone.
While the article states that a CMS allows customization of a site, efficiency through usability, reusable content, and the removal of a "gatekeeper" of sorts to get things done, in practice it doesn't always seem to be the case. I know the librarians who build our website have had numerous issues involving even getting the CMS to function, leading to constant calls to the "Gatekeeper" in charge of things. It can do amazing and complex things, and makes it easy to see what has been done as certain limitations and guidelines are in place, but I have to wonder if the theory behind it will ever come into the world of practice.
W3schools HTML Tutorial
I like the approach of this lesson, as it breaks everything down bit by bit. For once, I'm not swimming in a sea of unexplained acronyms or confusing examples, but having the behind-the-scenes of websites displayed before me in a method I can understand.
If anything, it makes the encoding for formats on Blogger and Livejournal that much more understandable, especially with something to compare it to (in my case: comparing the formatting functions to what I would do while using Office Productivity software). I don't think I'll start building websites anytime soon (as I lack that creative spark), but at least I won't be blindsided when I need to do that sort of work.
HTML Cheatsheet
There isn't much to say about this besides being a useful reference while working on anything in HTML.
W3 School Cascading Style Sheet Tutorial
Once again, a lesson written in a way I can understand it. Unless I misread something, CSS allows the user to edit how HTML will appear on the screen. The more I look at it, it seems to be a more elaborate version of what you can do with HTML, or perhaps HTML meets C++.
I would actually like to see the methods working side by side for a better comparison as to where the limitations lie, but that is just my personal opinion and need to view things.
Beyond HTML: Developing and re-imagining library web guides in a content management system
We use a CMS at the library where I work, and while it may be faulty and have some issues, it does allow those without a programming background to design a website by focusing on just the materials and information (which is something this article mentions). In theory, and as presented in the article, there are many benefits of this method compared to working with HTML alone.
While the article states that a CMS allows customization of a site, efficiency through usability, reusable content, and the removal of a "gatekeeper" of sorts to get things done, in practice it doesn't always seem to be the case. I know the librarians who build our website have had numerous issues involving even getting the CMS to function, leading to constant calls to the "Gatekeeper" in charge of things. It can do amazing and complex things, and makes it easy to see what has been done as certain limitations and guidelines are in place, but I have to wonder if the theory behind it will ever come into the world of practice.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Week 7 Muddiest Points
I haven't run into anything that completely boggled my mind yet from the last class or the readings this week. If anything, this week's readings don't lead to any confusion (thanks to the writing styles involved), and the discussion on campus this week didn't leave me with anything to ask.
I do have an open question for the class: does anyone know much about ILSs, or other providers and their respective services? Sirsi was referenced in the article, and I utilize one of their systems in the workplace, but I cannot help but wonder what else is out there and readily available, especially if Open Source options are coming into play.
I do have an open question for the class: does anyone know much about ILSs, or other providers and their respective services? Sirsi was referenced in the article, and I utilize one of their systems in the workplace, but I cannot help but wonder what else is out there and readily available, especially if Open Source options are coming into play.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Week 7 Comments
Here are my comments for this week. If/when I find the time to post a few more, I will list them here.
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-7.html?showComment=1287514213007#c1334532008612180837
And there is a continuation of that discussion here: http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-7.html?showComment=1287760527313#c2880575713695202074
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/readings_21.html?showComment=1287758672538#c4434320220964359230
http://bookwormsince84.blogspot.com/2010/10/andrew-k-pace-dismantling-integrated.html?showComment=1287917050886#c8808118133639643096
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-7.html?showComment=1287514213007#c1334532008612180837
And there is a continuation of that discussion here: http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-7.html?showComment=1287760527313#c2880575713695202074
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/readings_21.html?showComment=1287758672538#c4434320220964359230
http://bookwormsince84.blogspot.com/2010/10/andrew-k-pace-dismantling-integrated.html?showComment=1287917050886#c8808118133639643096
Week 7 Readings
Contrary to popular believe, I did NOT forget about my blog, and I did survive the trip to and from Pittsburgh for the FastTrack Weekend. That being said, I think it's time I get to why you are here in the first place: the assignments. So, without further ado. . .
How Internet Infrastructure Works
This website has always been at least an interesting, if not educational, stop for me. Seeing this on our weekly reading list set me at ease a bit; at least I know this topic should be interesting, and the opening line reminds me of that: "One of the greatest things about the Internet is that nobody really owns it."
Personally, what I've always loved about this site, and this article included, is the language used to explain everything. While I may be somewhat tech savvy, I do get lost with the abundance of abbreviations and acronyms in the field, and having them presented before me makes this a much easier read.
I think the article does a great job with giving the basic information without going over the heads of the readers nor by making the information so simple as to be boring.
As a final note: I wish I had read this article sooner, as it would have helped relate the lecture on networks from Friday night with something that I work with daily.
Dismantling Integrated Library Systems
This article explains the changes in library systems, the potential ways they can change, and the approaches taken. The article further explains the problems of doing so: costs, interoperability, and even the overall changes in technology, materials, and ways of accessing those materials.
When you look at it, this article does tie in with some previous discussions of Open Access, RFID, automated library services, and the proliferation of personal computers (including supermobile computing devices) and the impact on libraries and research. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Sergey Brin and Larry Page: Inside the Google machine
I sadly can't view this video while I am at work on campus. I'll try to get this viewed and commented on sooner rather than later.
Edit: So I finally found the time to sit down and watch this video. It gives a nice, behind-the-scenes view on what Google is, what they were trying to do (and seems to be successful at it, at that), and just an early view of the company. While I do often joke that Google is evil and has more raw information at their fingertips than is healthy, I can't really deny the good they do, from the search engine to the charity work.
How Internet Infrastructure Works
This website has always been at least an interesting, if not educational, stop for me. Seeing this on our weekly reading list set me at ease a bit; at least I know this topic should be interesting, and the opening line reminds me of that: "One of the greatest things about the Internet is that nobody really owns it."
Personally, what I've always loved about this site, and this article included, is the language used to explain everything. While I may be somewhat tech savvy, I do get lost with the abundance of abbreviations and acronyms in the field, and having them presented before me makes this a much easier read.
I think the article does a great job with giving the basic information without going over the heads of the readers nor by making the information so simple as to be boring.
As a final note: I wish I had read this article sooner, as it would have helped relate the lecture on networks from Friday night with something that I work with daily.
Dismantling Integrated Library Systems
This article explains the changes in library systems, the potential ways they can change, and the approaches taken. The article further explains the problems of doing so: costs, interoperability, and even the overall changes in technology, materials, and ways of accessing those materials.
When you look at it, this article does tie in with some previous discussions of Open Access, RFID, automated library services, and the proliferation of personal computers (including supermobile computing devices) and the impact on libraries and research. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Sergey Brin and Larry Page: Inside the Google machine
I sadly can't view this video while I am at work on campus. I'll try to get this viewed and commented on sooner rather than later.
Edit: So I finally found the time to sit down and watch this video. It gives a nice, behind-the-scenes view on what Google is, what they were trying to do (and seems to be successful at it, at that), and just an early view of the company. While I do often joke that Google is evil and has more raw information at their fingertips than is healthy, I can't really deny the good they do, from the search engine to the charity work.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Week 6 Comments
And here are the comments that I have posted for this week:
http://jsslis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-6-notes.html?showComment=1286406306075#c8494163197706463619
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-6.html?showComment=1286406899885#c5430048090739279684
http://jsslis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-6-notes.html?showComment=1286406306075#c8494163197706463619
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-6.html?showComment=1286406899885#c5430048090739279684
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Week 6 Muddiest Point
Once again, nothing really comes to mind as confusing. If something comes up during the week that changes my mind, I'll post it here.
Week 6 Readings: Computer Networks, Wireless Networks
Local Area Networks (LAN)
I’ve been on my fair share of LANs (who hasn’t after being in college?), so having the chance to read up on the history of this technology changes my views of it. I didn’t know that my uses of the LAN were close to what it was originally designed for: sharing peripherals (e.g. printers) and disk space. While I primarily used it for transferring files and the mess of C++ programs/assignments, those uses still seem rather closely related to the original purpose. I also liked the note of the evolution from various protocols until TCP/IP.
Computer Networks
I think this article is a bit more relevant to the case of networks than the previous note on LANs. This article was a bit broader in terms, explaining the computer networks as a whole, the different technologies involved (e.g. forms of wired and wireless networks), the scale of the networks, and even the hardware involved for a network.
Personally, I liked the explanations of the internet being a large computer network, the note between a global network and the internet, and the information on intranets and extranets (as I have to utilize and intranet in the workplace).
Common types of computer networks (video)
A video that, following the trend of the week, explains various kinds of networks, starting from the smaller, more common types, and moved up from there. Started off with a PAN, and moved through larger networks. There really isn’t much else to say about this video beyond the note on scaling.
Management of RFID in Libraries
My experiences with RFID are non-existent, and my knowledge on the topic as a whole is sketchy at best, making this a relatively interesting read. I do have to admit that I feel as though the writer is biased to moving libraries to RFID, primarily when referencing the “speeding up” of tasks in society.
I must admit that the concept is rather sound, yet sound like something out of a science fiction novel; chips to denote where a book is located in the building, an extraordinarily fast way to complete inventory, and even combining security and checkout in one action. While the idea of such efficiency is nice, I don’t believe all of the ideas, such as the self-checkout machines, will be the best for library users. Perhaps I am wrong, but as great as the technology is, I don’t think libraries have the proper setup or mentality for this change, nor do I think the technology is at the level needed for such a use. Any opinions?
I’ve been on my fair share of LANs (who hasn’t after being in college?), so having the chance to read up on the history of this technology changes my views of it. I didn’t know that my uses of the LAN were close to what it was originally designed for: sharing peripherals (e.g. printers) and disk space. While I primarily used it for transferring files and the mess of C++ programs/assignments, those uses still seem rather closely related to the original purpose. I also liked the note of the evolution from various protocols until TCP/IP.
Computer Networks
I think this article is a bit more relevant to the case of networks than the previous note on LANs. This article was a bit broader in terms, explaining the computer networks as a whole, the different technologies involved (e.g. forms of wired and wireless networks), the scale of the networks, and even the hardware involved for a network.
Personally, I liked the explanations of the internet being a large computer network, the note between a global network and the internet, and the information on intranets and extranets (as I have to utilize and intranet in the workplace).
Common types of computer networks (video)
A video that, following the trend of the week, explains various kinds of networks, starting from the smaller, more common types, and moved up from there. Started off with a PAN, and moved through larger networks. There really isn’t much else to say about this video beyond the note on scaling.
Management of RFID in Libraries
My experiences with RFID are non-existent, and my knowledge on the topic as a whole is sketchy at best, making this a relatively interesting read. I do have to admit that I feel as though the writer is biased to moving libraries to RFID, primarily when referencing the “speeding up” of tasks in society.
I must admit that the concept is rather sound, yet sound like something out of a science fiction novel; chips to denote where a book is located in the building, an extraordinarily fast way to complete inventory, and even combining security and checkout in one action. While the idea of such efficiency is nice, I don’t believe all of the ideas, such as the self-checkout machines, will be the best for library users. Perhaps I am wrong, but as great as the technology is, I don’t think libraries have the proper setup or mentality for this change, nor do I think the technology is at the level needed for such a use. Any opinions?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Week 5 Muddiest Point
I don't have a muddiest point this week.
I will admit that I was a bit thrown off when I saw my previous muddiest point presented in class. I do not view this as a bad thing, mind you. I just didn't expect my blog to be followed with such detail. My hat is off to Dr. He and Jiepu for the unexpected surprise.
I will admit that I was a bit thrown off when I saw my previous muddiest point presented in class. I do not view this as a bad thing, mind you. I just didn't expect my blog to be followed with such detail. My hat is off to Dr. He and Jiepu for the unexpected surprise.
Assignment 3: Jing
This is just a placeholder for my assignment links. I am currently having some technical difficulties with my microphones, and hope to have the problem resolved soon.
As a spoiler for those interested: I will be giving an introduction to Portable Apps.
Edit: September 30, 2010.
The problem has been solved (in a way), and the links are below. My apologies if my sound quality is a bit off. Still trying to solve that problem on this machine.
I will warn you that the screen resolution may be odd; I did this on a netbook (less clutter than my main machine), which has a drastically different screen size.
Video: http://www.screencast.com/t/YmYxOWM1NGU
Photos (In "Order"):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5040332996/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5039713063/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5040333626/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5039713713/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5040333340/
As a spoiler for those interested: I will be giving an introduction to Portable Apps.
Edit: September 30, 2010.
The problem has been solved (in a way), and the links are below. My apologies if my sound quality is a bit off. Still trying to solve that problem on this machine.
I will warn you that the screen resolution may be odd; I did this on a netbook (less clutter than my main machine), which has a drastically different screen size.
Video: http://www.screencast.com/t/YmYxOWM1NGU
Photos (In "Order"):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5040332996/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5039713063/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5040333626/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5039713713/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/5040333340/
Week 5 Comments
The following links are the comments I have made on other blogs:
http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-5-databases-and-metadata.html?showComment=1285793325472#c7642784553039345459
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/readings.html?showComment=1285794137039#c4897273030151638065
http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-5-databases-and-metadata.html?showComment=1285793325472#c7642784553039345459
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/readings.html?showComment=1285794137039#c4897273030151638065
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Week 5 Reading Notes
Note: As I've already written this, I'll be changing the date for next week's time so it can be found with the relevant discussion.
Database Wiki Article
I never had much experience with databases outside of utilizing them for schoolwork, so I’m grateful for seeing how they work, what sorts are available, etc. The article covered a variety of details, but the sections that seem relevant to me consisted of the various kinds of databases, storage structures and indexing notes. Oddly enough, I never did think of the internet as a database per se, primarily due to the problems of sorting and indexing the data, but according to this article, it can be considered as such. I wonder if there is going to be a better way of indexing such a database, especially since there are so many other databases within this database.
One thought the crosses my mind while reading this: what sort of approach will libraries take when it comes to sorting and organizing digital libraries? Clearly libraries will become a database with the increased number of digital resources, so I can’t help but wonder what will happen here.
Introduction to Metadata
Ah, yes, an article that speaks about “data about data.” When you really consider it, most of what we (and by “we,” I mean everyone who is searching for something, and not just librarians) work with is metadata. Our searches for data consist of metadata, looking for other similar metadata, in order to find the data we seek. We essentially work with tags associated with what it is we seek, and on words and phrases written about this information. The metadata I personally work with the most is something the article already referenced: the Library of Congress Subject Headings.
I do like how the article brings the subject of metadata outside of the libraries and into other fields. The idea of archiving information, including museums, is heavily reliant upon metadata, and now with the increased access and new approaches provided by the internet, metadata becomes even more important.
There was one note that stands out to me as I read this article: “there is no single metadata standard that is adequate for describing all types of collections and materials.” This leaves me wondering if it is too lofty of a goal to find a way to categorize and sort data as a whole, especially since the requirements and opinions of metadata vary depending on the topic at hand.
An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
I think this is the first article I’ve run into that I didn’t have at least some semblance of background knowledge of the subject. That being said. . .
At the beginning of this article, I started to believe that I spoke too soon regarding my thoughts on metadata standards across disciplines. The Dublin Core Data Initiative is essentially an attempt to break down the barriers between disciplines when it pertains to metadata.
The article proceeds to explain the requirements of the project, which boiled down to being capable of working on an international scale, identifying various sorts of information, refining data from broad terms, and remain modular enough to be used all around.
There is one flaw in this approach, which is why I consider this a lofty goal: the designers of this program will face against the same problem that has plagued librarians and other researchers over the years: how do we classify data? With that in mind, is this approach the correct approach, or is this another dead end in the system?
Database Wiki Article
I never had much experience with databases outside of utilizing them for schoolwork, so I’m grateful for seeing how they work, what sorts are available, etc. The article covered a variety of details, but the sections that seem relevant to me consisted of the various kinds of databases, storage structures and indexing notes. Oddly enough, I never did think of the internet as a database per se, primarily due to the problems of sorting and indexing the data, but according to this article, it can be considered as such. I wonder if there is going to be a better way of indexing such a database, especially since there are so many other databases within this database.
One thought the crosses my mind while reading this: what sort of approach will libraries take when it comes to sorting and organizing digital libraries? Clearly libraries will become a database with the increased number of digital resources, so I can’t help but wonder what will happen here.
Introduction to Metadata
Ah, yes, an article that speaks about “data about data.” When you really consider it, most of what we (and by “we,” I mean everyone who is searching for something, and not just librarians) work with is metadata. Our searches for data consist of metadata, looking for other similar metadata, in order to find the data we seek. We essentially work with tags associated with what it is we seek, and on words and phrases written about this information. The metadata I personally work with the most is something the article already referenced: the Library of Congress Subject Headings.
I do like how the article brings the subject of metadata outside of the libraries and into other fields. The idea of archiving information, including museums, is heavily reliant upon metadata, and now with the increased access and new approaches provided by the internet, metadata becomes even more important.
There was one note that stands out to me as I read this article: “there is no single metadata standard that is adequate for describing all types of collections and materials.” This leaves me wondering if it is too lofty of a goal to find a way to categorize and sort data as a whole, especially since the requirements and opinions of metadata vary depending on the topic at hand.
An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
I think this is the first article I’ve run into that I didn’t have at least some semblance of background knowledge of the subject. That being said. . .
At the beginning of this article, I started to believe that I spoke too soon regarding my thoughts on metadata standards across disciplines. The Dublin Core Data Initiative is essentially an attempt to break down the barriers between disciplines when it pertains to metadata.
The article proceeds to explain the requirements of the project, which boiled down to being capable of working on an international scale, identifying various sorts of information, refining data from broad terms, and remain modular enough to be used all around.
There is one flaw in this approach, which is why I consider this a lofty goal: the designers of this program will face against the same problem that has plagued librarians and other researchers over the years: how do we classify data? With that in mind, is this approach the correct approach, or is this another dead end in the system?
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week 4 Comments
Here are my comments for Week 4.
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/unit-4-readin.html?showComment=1285252917120#c869052036179934659
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-reading-notes.html?showComment=1285255010388#c7200632698770690119
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/unit-4-readin.html?showComment=1285252917120#c869052036179934659
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-reading-notes.html?showComment=1285255010388#c7200632698770690119
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Week 4 Readings - Corrected
After that mix-up with assignments, here is my redone posting on the CORRECT subject material. . .
As a disclaimer: this post may be smaller than my usual posts, as I'm on a tighter deadline due to work and other class responsibilities. My apologies to my peers if this doesn't help as much as usual.
Data Compression Wiki
I've seen my fair share of file types, but I never understood what most of them stand for, or the major differences between them. This article clears that up a bit by explaining the process of compressing data, denoting various file extensions and where they originally came from and what their purposes are.
I did like the explanation that the encoder and the receiver need to understand each other in order to decompress the files; I just lumped it with it being a necessary program function instead of a "language problem" of sorts. Beyond that, nothing else in this article really stood out.
Data Compression Basics
This is a beast of a reading assignment, covers a variety of compression methods/algorithms, starting with losless before moving into the lossy methods, and makes a valid point about lossy data compression providing accurate although minutely different data. One of the most valid points made (to me, anyway) was the concept of generational loss, which was often seen as making a copy of a copy in older media. Instead, we have to worry about how many times data was compressed and decompressed (and with which methods) to determine loss. Additionally, the third section had some useful information on the concept of streaming video, and video encoding. I'll need to look into that last part in a bit more detail when I start using various camcorders again.
Imaging Pittsburgh
This article covered an idea that I am not unfamiliar with, as my colleagues at work have been preparing to do something similar with old photos from Berks County. The purpose is not very new, either, as it shows not only the history of the location, the people and shifts in style, but the changes in the environment as a whole.
One thing I can relate to is the concept of the challenges. Website design is always a challenge, especially when one must consider metadata restrictions. Metadata can make searches easier, but as anyone who's ever used a tag-based search would know, it can be horribly unreliable as everyone prefers different terms.
YouTube and Libraries
I found this to be a dead link. Did anyone else have the same problem?
As a disclaimer: this post may be smaller than my usual posts, as I'm on a tighter deadline due to work and other class responsibilities. My apologies to my peers if this doesn't help as much as usual.
Data Compression Wiki
I've seen my fair share of file types, but I never understood what most of them stand for, or the major differences between them. This article clears that up a bit by explaining the process of compressing data, denoting various file extensions and where they originally came from and what their purposes are.
I did like the explanation that the encoder and the receiver need to understand each other in order to decompress the files; I just lumped it with it being a necessary program function instead of a "language problem" of sorts. Beyond that, nothing else in this article really stood out.
Data Compression Basics
This is a beast of a reading assignment, covers a variety of compression methods/algorithms, starting with losless before moving into the lossy methods, and makes a valid point about lossy data compression providing accurate although minutely different data. One of the most valid points made (to me, anyway) was the concept of generational loss, which was often seen as making a copy of a copy in older media. Instead, we have to worry about how many times data was compressed and decompressed (and with which methods) to determine loss. Additionally, the third section had some useful information on the concept of streaming video, and video encoding. I'll need to look into that last part in a bit more detail when I start using various camcorders again.
Imaging Pittsburgh
This article covered an idea that I am not unfamiliar with, as my colleagues at work have been preparing to do something similar with old photos from Berks County. The purpose is not very new, either, as it shows not only the history of the location, the people and shifts in style, but the changes in the environment as a whole.
One thing I can relate to is the concept of the challenges. Website design is always a challenge, especially when one must consider metadata restrictions. Metadata can make searches easier, but as anyone who's ever used a tag-based search would know, it can be horribly unreliable as everyone prefers different terms.
YouTube and Libraries
I found this to be a dead link. Did anyone else have the same problem?
Week 4 Muddiest Point
The muddiest point this week is about the assignments. I'm seeing notes for assignments being given out, but I see nothing of them posted online. Added to that is the confusion with the blogs; the change in assignments there threw me off, and I'm certain other classmates must be feeling the same, especially those of us who are not in the classroom.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Assignment 2: Flickr Photos
The set of photos taken for this class can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/sets/72157625000297188/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11089894@N08/sets/72157625000297188/
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Muddiest Point: Week 3
Honestly, I do not have a point to question about this week. Most of the previously confusing parts of the syllabus were covered in detail early on in the class. The readings were also relatively simple (in my opinion at least), and the next assignment doesn't look as though it will be too difficult to complete.
Week 3 Blog Comments
Here are my current blog comments. If I make others, I'll try to remember to post them here.
Other Blogs:
http://adamdblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284567319288#c4869634069202136281
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284569691385#c6421197099366439823
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284675593614#c1473238207929249901
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284729885091#c466662730422871528
My Blog:
http://lostscribe459.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes-software.html?showComment=1284582943011#c2552091401497230718
http://lostscribe459.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes-software.html?showComment=1284676450499#c5688710323653874181
Other Blogs:
http://adamdblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284567319288#c4869634069202136281
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284569691385#c6421197099366439823
http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284675593614#c1473238207929249901
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284729885091#c466662730422871528
My Blog:
http://lostscribe459.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes-software.html?showComment=1284582943011#c2552091401497230718
http://lostscribe459.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-reading-notes-software.html?showComment=1284676450499#c5688710323653874181
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Week 3 Reading Notes (Software)
An Introduction to Linux
As with last week’s readings on computer hardware, this week’s readings are very familiar to me, especially the topic of Linux. Learning the history of Linux/Unix was new to me, as my experience with this operating system was hands-on only as I learned the basics of programming in C++.
Personally, I do find the operating system something to be worth looking into: it is open source (so anyone can use this system as a base for their programming needs) , it is free, it is getting more user friendly with each version, is rather secure, and it has slowly been moving into the mainstream. As a sample, this article mentioned Open Office, which I have personally used in lieu of Microsoft Office for the better part of my undergraduate and professional career.
As a personal note to further something I previously mentioned: Linux is become a bit more mainstream. The Mac OS is a UNIX system, and the success of Apple is quite apparent with their products. To move things even further, the Android platform, which is seeing use on a variety of smartphones and tablet machines, is based off of Linux and has a variety of free user-created apps due to it being open source. How is this such a bad thing?
Mac OS X Articles
Okay, I’m biased, so hold onto your hats. I am not a fan of Apple. Yes, I agree with the articles that the Mac OS is secure, reliable, easy to use (if you are not adapting from another OS), and rather pretty to look at. Personally, it just isn’t my thing. It has enough of what makes UNIX interesting to at least be considered, but so much of it shies away from the spirit of the system. Compatibility is an issue with other “mainstream” systems, and let’s face it: nearly everything with the Apple name is extraordinarily expensive, while the other Unix-powered alternatives of free.
My apologies if this seems like a bash against the system; it’s not a horrid system, and it has it’s places (arts and education, primarily), but it is not something I cannot see myself using in the future.
An Update on the Windows Roadmap
Once again, not really surprised here. A shameless plug of praise for Windows Vista (which, in my opinion, was an OS that needed much more work than it was given), a warning that Windows XP would no longer be supported as of 2014, and a nudge for users to switch to this new operating system while waiting for Windows 7 to be released in 2010.
As it is 2010 now, most of this article consists of old news, and I think the original poster said it best: “there's really not much new here if you've been paying attention.” If you want a Microsoft Representative speaking about how *wonderful* the Windows Operating System is, then take a look at the article. If you have been a long-time user of Windows and been following the changes, then this feels rather redundant.
As with last week’s readings on computer hardware, this week’s readings are very familiar to me, especially the topic of Linux. Learning the history of Linux/Unix was new to me, as my experience with this operating system was hands-on only as I learned the basics of programming in C++.
Personally, I do find the operating system something to be worth looking into: it is open source (so anyone can use this system as a base for their programming needs) , it is free, it is getting more user friendly with each version, is rather secure, and it has slowly been moving into the mainstream. As a sample, this article mentioned Open Office, which I have personally used in lieu of Microsoft Office for the better part of my undergraduate and professional career.
As a personal note to further something I previously mentioned: Linux is become a bit more mainstream. The Mac OS is a UNIX system, and the success of Apple is quite apparent with their products. To move things even further, the Android platform, which is seeing use on a variety of smartphones and tablet machines, is based off of Linux and has a variety of free user-created apps due to it being open source. How is this such a bad thing?
Mac OS X Articles
Okay, I’m biased, so hold onto your hats. I am not a fan of Apple. Yes, I agree with the articles that the Mac OS is secure, reliable, easy to use (if you are not adapting from another OS), and rather pretty to look at. Personally, it just isn’t my thing. It has enough of what makes UNIX interesting to at least be considered, but so much of it shies away from the spirit of the system. Compatibility is an issue with other “mainstream” systems, and let’s face it: nearly everything with the Apple name is extraordinarily expensive, while the other Unix-powered alternatives of free.
My apologies if this seems like a bash against the system; it’s not a horrid system, and it has it’s places (arts and education, primarily), but it is not something I cannot see myself using in the future.
An Update on the Windows Roadmap
Once again, not really surprised here. A shameless plug of praise for Windows Vista (which, in my opinion, was an OS that needed much more work than it was given), a warning that Windows XP would no longer be supported as of 2014, and a nudge for users to switch to this new operating system while waiting for Windows 7 to be released in 2010.
As it is 2010 now, most of this article consists of old news, and I think the original poster said it best: “there's really not much new here if you've been paying attention.” If you want a Microsoft Representative speaking about how *wonderful* the Windows Operating System is, then take a look at the article. If you have been a long-time user of Windows and been following the changes, then this feels rather redundant.
Comments from Week 1
Now that I've had the chance to see parts of the class video, I thought I'd take care of these links from week 1:
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-1-reading-notes.html?showComment=1283426498153#c4701641032094666876
http://nearlyalibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/09/assignment-1.html?showComment=1283427578175#c4098542265443047385
http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-1-reading-notes.html?showComment=1283426498153#c4701641032094666876
http://nearlyalibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/09/assignment-1.html?showComment=1283427578175#c4098542265443047385
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Readings: Week 2
I'm not entirely certain if we are to blog about these readings, but to be on the safe side, I shall at least speak a few words about the topic.
My apologies to everyone who is reading this; I am a bit sarcastic and condescending at the moment, and the content of these articles is not alien to me due to past experiences with programming and computer information science courses.
Personal Computer Hardware (Wikipedia)
The article just covers all of the basic parts of a computer and what they do. I honestly can't find anything else to say on the article. Yes, it is important to know what is in your machine, but beyond the basic facts, there is not much else I need to say.
Moore's Law (Wikipedia)
This article was a bit more interesting to me, although a bit redundant. Moore's Law explains the trend of technology upgrading at the rate it has been every two years, as that is the time it takes for "the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit" to double, allowing the capabilities of computers to rise at an exponential rate. The most interesting point here was the note on how companies set the rate of long term research and development upon the law. This does raise a question: is it possible to advance faster than Moore's Law predicts?
Computer History Museum
As interesting as this site is, I am not certain what to say about it. While it would be interesting to physically see these relics of computing, it is difficult to appreciate them when you only can see the pictures and read what is posted on the blurb next to them.
My apologies to everyone who is reading this; I am a bit sarcastic and condescending at the moment, and the content of these articles is not alien to me due to past experiences with programming and computer information science courses.
Personal Computer Hardware (Wikipedia)
The article just covers all of the basic parts of a computer and what they do. I honestly can't find anything else to say on the article. Yes, it is important to know what is in your machine, but beyond the basic facts, there is not much else I need to say.
Moore's Law (Wikipedia)
This article was a bit more interesting to me, although a bit redundant. Moore's Law explains the trend of technology upgrading at the rate it has been every two years, as that is the time it takes for "the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit" to double, allowing the capabilities of computers to rise at an exponential rate. The most interesting point here was the note on how companies set the rate of long term research and development upon the law. This does raise a question: is it possible to advance faster than Moore's Law predicts?
Computer History Museum
As interesting as this site is, I am not certain what to say about it. While it would be interesting to physically see these relics of computing, it is difficult to appreciate them when you only can see the pictures and read what is posted on the blurb next to them.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Muddiest Point #1
To be entirely honest, I believe the muddiest point this week was the assignment of the muddiest point. I am uncertain if the topic was discussed in class (due to not viewing the video due to technical problems this week), but, in my opinion, the definition provided by the powerpoint presentation didn’t clearly present the idea of the assignment. I was uncertain if it meant only the topics discussed in class, or something that was unclear in the readings, or even a question that we should pose to the class via our blogs.
Of course, after seeing some of the muddiest points of my peers, I do have to wonder if my reading of the concept and assignment was correct, or if I am honestly missing something at the moment.
And with that, I should get back to my other assignments.
Of course, after seeing some of the muddiest points of my peers, I do have to wonder if my reading of the concept and assignment was correct, or if I am honestly missing something at the moment.
And with that, I should get back to my other assignments.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Readings: Week 1
As I have previously mentioned, my posts may seem strange as they blend elements of formal writing with informal blog posts merged with scattered questions throughout. I do not expect all of the questions to be answered, as some of them may be impossible to answer at this time, but I would like to see some form of comments sparked by the train of thought below.
Note: The "order" of the articles is in the order that I completed the assignments.
Note: The "order" of the articles is in the order that I completed the assignments.
Article 1: Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture
Agree with the definitions of information technology literacy and information literacy; understanding of the tools and technology, and the types of information and skills needed to utilize it. Both forms of literacy are needed, but the approaches mentioned (i.e. in schools throughout the years) are inherently flawed due to the speed of the upgrades and the much slower rate of schools/businesses performing the upgrades.
Also noted was the need of this understanding. In an academic environment, this can be viewed as the need to confirm sources and create your own content. In a “real-world” setting, this can be seen simply as being able to acquire a digital form of a newspaper. Knowing what kinds of information is available, and the means to get to it, appears to be the twofold path alluded to in the article.
One more vital thought referenced by the author that I believe is worth noting: the importance of these skills combined together in applications of life as we know it. The technology and understanding of information is impacting the methods of communication (through faster and more convenient forms of contact), legal matters (use of technology for evidence and believability of evidence e.g. doctoring photos; technology as a means of violating the law), businesses (new forms of record creation and keeping), education/academia (access to resources and the “ease” of cheating, especially “accidentally”) and general social mores and taboos (in the form of rules of asking others for information, “proper” methods of contact, language used, etc).
On a more personal note, I feel as though the author left the article hanging by the end. We have a list of things to be addressed, ideas as to the meanings and significance of these terms, but we are left with more questions than answers. What methods can we utilize beyond emphasis of information technology and information literacy in the classroom through the lives of the next generation? What methods can be utilized to educate the global society on topics such as the issues of ownership and intellectual property? Is it even possible to remain anonymous with technology being used in today’s world? Finally, is it even possible to educate others of these issues of and within information literacy without the lessons becoming obsolete by the end of the term, as information technology itself changes faster than we can understand it?
Article 2: Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still
The article seems to start off with your typical explanation that technology is ever-changing, and explains the task and challenge of a library keeping up with these aforementioned changes. The number of systems added, updated, and upgraded boggles the mind, and many seem innovative for the time; a new ereserve program, the Internet 2 grid, and even something as “simple” as a new procedure for printing.
A useful thing to note for reference: there is an explanation of a bigger overhaul of the computers in the library without losing regular hours of operation. I’ve personally witnessed a similar operation done with better-than-expected success. The approach of training in advance, being equipped with the proper equipment and having the knowledge of what was to come proved to be the edge in such an endeavor. On another note: why do various branches and offices feel the need to keep others in the dark of such projects?
One of the biggest flaws of such a lofty ideal, which has been stated in the paper, is cost. With such high costs relating to replacement, upgrades, updates, support, and licensing cost, is such an idea even cost-effective for any library?
On a similar note: upgrading information technology as soon as possible may cause a rather intimidating learning curve for users. What methods can be utilized in order to assist patrons to “keep up with the times?” (This is also related to the Information Technology Literacy article, which mentioned a similar theme.)
After these points, very little else resonated the need to question what was written. In my experience, many of these other ideas, from the security to moving more resources online for access at any time, have already been implemented by many other institutions by this time, and the ideas actually do seem to work. . .to a point, of course.
Article 3: 2004 Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers
This article doesn’t really have anything that I would consider “alien,” but I would blame that on my rate of adopting technology. As someone who has left the idea of a “container” being the only medium for set information, the notes within the article are not very shocking.
Yes, with an increase in mobile computing, cellular internet access, and multi-purpose tools (i.e. smartphones), it is impossible to even conceive the thought that all information must remain within the confines of physical materials. Websites such as Hulu.com and Youtube.com remove the frequent use of DVDs and VHS cassettes; mp3 players negate the need of carrying a bulky walkman or portable CD player; e-book readers and tablet PCs begin to free up space in backpacks and bookshelves; smartphones allow for portable data searching no matter where you are.
The one thought present in this article that is not new, but still interesting, is the idea of having a method of finding that meaningful content scattered amongst the flow of information. I have previously posed a similar question relating to the previous articles; how can this be done, knowing that information is always growing, technology is always changing, and the needs of users are nigh impossible to meet when the users are not even certain of what it is they seek? Additionally, how can we convert miscellaneous information into practical, and useful knowledge?
An Introduction
Good afternoon! For those of you stumbling upon this, or reading this for an assignment, allow me to give you a few brief notes as to who I am, what I am doing here, and why I am doing this while trying to remain serious to some extent.
Let's start from the beginning. My name is Anthony, and I am an aspiring librarian taking courses at the University of Pittsburgh. In fact, one of those courses is the reason why this blog is even in existence. I am a graduate of Lock Haven University with a Bachelor's Degree in English: Writing, and I am currently employed at the library of Penn State University's Berks Campus.
As for what I am doing here: as previously mentioned, this blog exists as as per an assignment for LIS2600. The posts to follow shall be my notes and thoughts on the weekly readings for the course. These posts will be rather informal, as they will be written as a cross between the kind of notes you'd write in the margins of a document (including questions) and a more "standard" method of writing coherent ideas.
The why is related to the above; I am creating this blog to keep track of my thoughts and questions relating to these articles, and I do hope that some of the random questions do create conversations.
If you are a part of the LIS2600 course, please feel free to comment as you see fit and spark up conversations and even debates! If you've stumbled upon this through some other means, enjoy the stay and feel free to offer your own insights as you see fit.
Let's start from the beginning. My name is Anthony, and I am an aspiring librarian taking courses at the University of Pittsburgh. In fact, one of those courses is the reason why this blog is even in existence. I am a graduate of Lock Haven University with a Bachelor's Degree in English: Writing, and I am currently employed at the library of Penn State University's Berks Campus.
As for what I am doing here: as previously mentioned, this blog exists as as per an assignment for LIS2600. The posts to follow shall be my notes and thoughts on the weekly readings for the course. These posts will be rather informal, as they will be written as a cross between the kind of notes you'd write in the margins of a document (including questions) and a more "standard" method of writing coherent ideas.
The why is related to the above; I am creating this blog to keep track of my thoughts and questions relating to these articles, and I do hope that some of the random questions do create conversations.
If you are a part of the LIS2600 course, please feel free to comment as you see fit and spark up conversations and even debates! If you've stumbled upon this through some other means, enjoy the stay and feel free to offer your own insights as you see fit.
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