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.

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/

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

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?

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

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?

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.

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/

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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.