Sunday, September 28, 2008
Week Six Comments
1- https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8599774071021712765&postID=5870066501645722289&page=1
2- I commented on a thread about YouTube on the discussion board. https://courseweb.pitt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_9047_1%26url%3D
2- I commented on a thread about YouTube on the discussion board. https://courseweb.pitt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_9047_1%26url%3D
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Muddiest Point Five
What is the main difference between saving something as a BibTex or RIF format file?
Reading VI
Local Area Connection and Network Computers
These are one of those things that I know I have and have used but I do not know much about. I found the Wikipedia entries a bit lacking compared to other Wikipedia articles that we have read for this class. I found that clicking the many links on the pages was important in fully understanding what was going on.
Common types of computer networks
I thought that this video was a nice little companion to the two Wikipedia entries. It was presented in incredibly easy brief terms. Although I already knew much of the information, I would imagine that for someone very new to the subject, this video would be useful.
RFID
I am not that familiar with RFID, but from what I have read, it would make mass inventories run much smoother and be much easier to complete. This would of course only be if the range of the sensor could be toned down a bit. After having a job where the manual input of barcodes was necessary for an inventory of thousands of CD’s, I would welcome the opportunity for RFID to do it for me. I also though it was kind of interesting that this article noted how to cheat the RFID reader with a gum wrapper. This is something that I might keep in mind for later….
These are one of those things that I know I have and have used but I do not know much about. I found the Wikipedia entries a bit lacking compared to other Wikipedia articles that we have read for this class. I found that clicking the many links on the pages was important in fully understanding what was going on.
Common types of computer networks
I thought that this video was a nice little companion to the two Wikipedia entries. It was presented in incredibly easy brief terms. Although I already knew much of the information, I would imagine that for someone very new to the subject, this video would be useful.
RFID
I am not that familiar with RFID, but from what I have read, it would make mass inventories run much smoother and be much easier to complete. This would of course only be if the range of the sensor could be toned down a bit. After having a job where the manual input of barcodes was necessary for an inventory of thousands of CD’s, I would welcome the opportunity for RFID to do it for me. I also though it was kind of interesting that this article noted how to cheat the RFID reader with a gum wrapper. This is something that I might keep in mind for later….
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Muddiest Point Three
We mentioned in class the topic of data redundancy. How does one eliminate it other than manually going through the information? Does the database management system do it for you? If so how?
Reading V
Data Compression Wikipedia
The first article of data compression was very helpful in terms of giving links and explanations of the buzz words used. There were a lot of random words and concepts that I had never heard before such as "lossless versus lossy compression." It was beneficial to read this entry before reading the very long article, "Data Compression Basics" because it allowed me to have a brief understanding of the terminology used in this field. This was especially important because "Data Compression Basics" was written in a rather casual manner, making some of the concepts confusing for those who are not very familiar with the subject.
Data Compression Basics
"Data Compression Basics" was a nice companion to the Wikipedia entry. I was able to use it as reinforcement of the concepts that I had just read on data compression. I thought that it also gave pretty good descriptions of the difference between data and information, two terms which I see getting mixed up a lot. This is the kind of article that is good to read/scan over once so that in the future you will know where to find detailed information on this subject. I can see it being a valuable resource to know about although I am not sure if I will be needing to know this much information on data compression anytime soon. Note to Self: The best part of this article would the example used regarding the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I must confess that it is by far one of my favorite religions.
Imaging Pittsburgh: Creating a shared gateway to digital image collections of the Pittsburgh region"
I did not really get a lot out of this article. I realized that it mentioned the steps involved in compiling and compressing data onto one site so that several organization's photographs could be placed online, but over all I did not really see the applicability of this article compared to the previous two.
YouTube
I do not really see how using YouTube alongside the library is really that great of an idea. It does not really seem that convenient. Sure you can have a video of someone clicking all over a website in order to show how to use an online catalogue or database, but you could do something just as easily by using a PowerPoint or text and screenshots. PowerPoint is not the best thing to use on the web always, but plain text is actually sometimes easier to follow than videos. At least in text based instructions and power points you can add hyperlinks. To be quite frank, most people at the library I work at cannot even log onto their computer let alone fathom trying to understand directions on a video. YouTube does have its benefits of having some obscure old videos on it that could be beneficial for a library to know about, but I am not sure that it could practically function in all of the ways this article suggest it could better than old fashion text instructions.
The first article of data compression was very helpful in terms of giving links and explanations of the buzz words used. There were a lot of random words and concepts that I had never heard before such as "lossless versus lossy compression." It was beneficial to read this entry before reading the very long article, "Data Compression Basics" because it allowed me to have a brief understanding of the terminology used in this field. This was especially important because "Data Compression Basics" was written in a rather casual manner, making some of the concepts confusing for those who are not very familiar with the subject.
Data Compression Basics
"Data Compression Basics" was a nice companion to the Wikipedia entry. I was able to use it as reinforcement of the concepts that I had just read on data compression. I thought that it also gave pretty good descriptions of the difference between data and information, two terms which I see getting mixed up a lot. This is the kind of article that is good to read/scan over once so that in the future you will know where to find detailed information on this subject. I can see it being a valuable resource to know about although I am not sure if I will be needing to know this much information on data compression anytime soon. Note to Self: The best part of this article would the example used regarding the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I must confess that it is by far one of my favorite religions.
Imaging Pittsburgh: Creating a shared gateway to digital image collections of the Pittsburgh region"
I did not really get a lot out of this article. I realized that it mentioned the steps involved in compiling and compressing data onto one site so that several organization's photographs could be placed online, but over all I did not really see the applicability of this article compared to the previous two.
YouTube
I do not really see how using YouTube alongside the library is really that great of an idea. It does not really seem that convenient. Sure you can have a video of someone clicking all over a website in order to show how to use an online catalogue or database, but you could do something just as easily by using a PowerPoint or text and screenshots. PowerPoint is not the best thing to use on the web always, but plain text is actually sometimes easier to follow than videos. At least in text based instructions and power points you can add hyperlinks. To be quite frank, most people at the library I work at cannot even log onto their computer let alone fathom trying to understand directions on a video. YouTube does have its benefits of having some obscure old videos on it that could be beneficial for a library to know about, but I am not sure that it could practically function in all of the ways this article suggest it could better than old fashion text instructions.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Muddiest Point Three
I do not really have a Muddiest Point this week. I think that what was explained in class on Tuesday was clear and to the point. I would like to note though that I really appreciated how Dr. He repeatedly linked the subjects at hand to libraries very clearly and directly. This really helps link the subjects we are discussing into this class to my other classes. I also really liked our professor's explanation of defragmenting. No one has ever really explained defragging to me in a way that seems logical.
Reading IV
Databases
The entry on Databases had lots of useful information pertaining to the background of databases as well as information on the components included in them. I found this particularly interesting because I use databases at work and for school everyday. After reading about them I realized how much I never knew (I am very sure that sounds completely cliché. I am also very sure that sentences very similar to this will be popping up in peoples blogs when they have nothing of particular interest to say about a subject). Databases, like so many things revolving around computers, are simply just one of those things that I use daily and have never taken the time to learn about. Note to self: towards the end of this entry, the word paradigm appears. I (and probably every single person in LIS 2000) am so tired of reading about paradigms it is not even funny.
Metadata
I really like this idea of Metadata. I am not just referring to the concept of information about information, but rather compilations of stored information. The ability to gather tons of information from different sources by means of one main source really does promote the accessibility and dispersion of information. I am sure that I have used all kinds of things that are considered to be linked with Metadata, but recently, because my job at the Hunt Library I have started to use MetaLib. It is pretty neat, although somewhat confusing at times. It easily allows one to gather all kinds of information from a variety of sources quickly and, when it works, efficiently.
One thing that I guess I did not think about was that Metadata does not need to be digital. For some reason while I was reading the document I was only thinking in terms of digital sources. Once thinking in broader terms, it is quite clear that of course it does not have to be digital. Unfortunately, because this is an IT class when ever I begin to read things all I think about is computers instead of other outlets of information organization. Note to self- IT does not always really mean computers. Duh….
DCDM
The idea of standardizations that DCMI presents is rather important. With the expansion of specializations, it becomes essential to create logical ways of recording information as well as presenting it. In terms of Metadata, if the idea of it is to be a searching tools that is cross disciplinary, without a clear set of standards it would be difficult to find what one is looking for efficiently.
The entry on Databases had lots of useful information pertaining to the background of databases as well as information on the components included in them. I found this particularly interesting because I use databases at work and for school everyday. After reading about them I realized how much I never knew (I am very sure that sounds completely cliché. I am also very sure that sentences very similar to this will be popping up in peoples blogs when they have nothing of particular interest to say about a subject). Databases, like so many things revolving around computers, are simply just one of those things that I use daily and have never taken the time to learn about. Note to self: towards the end of this entry, the word paradigm appears. I (and probably every single person in LIS 2000) am so tired of reading about paradigms it is not even funny.
Metadata
I really like this idea of Metadata. I am not just referring to the concept of information about information, but rather compilations of stored information. The ability to gather tons of information from different sources by means of one main source really does promote the accessibility and dispersion of information. I am sure that I have used all kinds of things that are considered to be linked with Metadata, but recently, because my job at the Hunt Library I have started to use MetaLib. It is pretty neat, although somewhat confusing at times. It easily allows one to gather all kinds of information from a variety of sources quickly and, when it works, efficiently.
One thing that I guess I did not think about was that Metadata does not need to be digital. For some reason while I was reading the document I was only thinking in terms of digital sources. Once thinking in broader terms, it is quite clear that of course it does not have to be digital. Unfortunately, because this is an IT class when ever I begin to read things all I think about is computers instead of other outlets of information organization. Note to self- IT does not always really mean computers. Duh….
DCDM
The idea of standardizations that DCMI presents is rather important. With the expansion of specializations, it becomes essential to create logical ways of recording information as well as presenting it. In terms of Metadata, if the idea of it is to be a searching tools that is cross disciplinary, without a clear set of standards it would be difficult to find what one is looking for efficiently.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Week III
Linux-
I have never used Linux before, or rather, I do not think that I have ever used Linux before, but after reading about it, I am rather intrigued. I guess I am always secretly drawn to things that are free. When I was debating about buying my new computer, and whether I should bother buying Vista, I had several people note that I should just use Linux. When I mentioned this to those who suggested that I spend the cash and go for Vista, they all noted how crappy and unsafe Linux is. Based on this article, although I am sure the author is rather biased, it does not sound like that bad of an idea. It did say that there was a bit of a learning curve involved. At this point in my life I really do not want to take the time to learn about a new operating system, so I guess in the end, Linux is not really for me. In the end, Vista magically appeared on my computer at no expense to me, so it did not really matter what anyone suggested. Note to self: I thought it was rather funny that the author noted that people that are exceptionally proficient in Linux have a feeling of superiority over those who are not as well versed. I always found this concept of nerddom extremely amusing. It just never really clicked with me that being a Linux superstar was something to feel exceptional about, but than again I have never been one, and maybe it offers something that I will just never understand. Also, the article mentioned Gimp. It should be known that Gimp is the coolest program ever!
Mac OS X-
I have also never used Mac OS X and found the article, although confusing at some points, very interesting and informative. There were, however, an incredibly large amount of buzz words included in that article. For this reason, I was glad that the link to Wikipedia was included. Even though I have seen in other peoples blogs lots of complaining about the use of Wikipedia, I (and I will freely admit that Wikipedia and I have a very open and public relationship) feel that it can be very useful because of the links that it provides (even though not everything is always accurate). Although the author makes Mac OS X sound like an okay system, this system is not something that I think I want to change to anytime soon. Note to self: I thought it was really funny that he called the debate over which operating system to use a religious riot. Like feeling superior because you are really good at using computers, fighting about operating systems just does not seem like a worth while use of ones time. I guess I should not really make fun because I know, deep down inside, that I act this way about makeup, hair dye, and shoes.
Windows-
This article did not really offer me too much new information regarding Windows other than the fact that I did not know the exact date that XP was going to stop being sold. I do feel that this, as with most articles advocating a particular operating system is a bit biased. Of course being that Bill is the Senior Vice President an extremely optimistic tone in regards to Vista’s future is going to be offered. I can not say that I really completely believe him that everything is going to work smoothly when it comes to Vista. I am lucky enough to have several friends that are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to computers and computer systems, and from what I have been told by those who know what they are talking about, Vista sucks, and will continue to suck for a very long time.
I have never used Linux before, or rather, I do not think that I have ever used Linux before, but after reading about it, I am rather intrigued. I guess I am always secretly drawn to things that are free. When I was debating about buying my new computer, and whether I should bother buying Vista, I had several people note that I should just use Linux. When I mentioned this to those who suggested that I spend the cash and go for Vista, they all noted how crappy and unsafe Linux is. Based on this article, although I am sure the author is rather biased, it does not sound like that bad of an idea. It did say that there was a bit of a learning curve involved. At this point in my life I really do not want to take the time to learn about a new operating system, so I guess in the end, Linux is not really for me. In the end, Vista magically appeared on my computer at no expense to me, so it did not really matter what anyone suggested. Note to self: I thought it was rather funny that the author noted that people that are exceptionally proficient in Linux have a feeling of superiority over those who are not as well versed. I always found this concept of nerddom extremely amusing. It just never really clicked with me that being a Linux superstar was something to feel exceptional about, but than again I have never been one, and maybe it offers something that I will just never understand. Also, the article mentioned Gimp. It should be known that Gimp is the coolest program ever!
Mac OS X-
I have also never used Mac OS X and found the article, although confusing at some points, very interesting and informative. There were, however, an incredibly large amount of buzz words included in that article. For this reason, I was glad that the link to Wikipedia was included. Even though I have seen in other peoples blogs lots of complaining about the use of Wikipedia, I (and I will freely admit that Wikipedia and I have a very open and public relationship) feel that it can be very useful because of the links that it provides (even though not everything is always accurate). Although the author makes Mac OS X sound like an okay system, this system is not something that I think I want to change to anytime soon. Note to self: I thought it was really funny that he called the debate over which operating system to use a religious riot. Like feeling superior because you are really good at using computers, fighting about operating systems just does not seem like a worth while use of ones time. I guess I should not really make fun because I know, deep down inside, that I act this way about makeup, hair dye, and shoes.
Windows-
This article did not really offer me too much new information regarding Windows other than the fact that I did not know the exact date that XP was going to stop being sold. I do feel that this, as with most articles advocating a particular operating system is a bit biased. Of course being that Bill is the Senior Vice President an extremely optimistic tone in regards to Vista’s future is going to be offered. I can not say that I really completely believe him that everything is going to work smoothly when it comes to Vista. I am lucky enough to have several friends that are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to computers and computer systems, and from what I have been told by those who know what they are talking about, Vista sucks, and will continue to suck for a very long time.
Muddiest Point Two
The thing that I really wanted to know more about during this class was digitization. I think out of everything that we learned on Tuesday, digitization was the most important subject for future librarians/archivists. To be quite frank, I really was not very interested in the first half of the class, it simply just is not my thing. I really would have preferred to have taken the time used to explain basic computer usage/parts and focused instead more on digitization. I know that we are encouraged to discuss this topic on the discussion board, but I would have liked to have heard it in class rather than from several students who might not actually know what they are talking about. The discussion would have been more focused in class, and information could have been provided that would be important for our future careers. Maybe I am asking for too much, and maybe we will talk about this more later on in the semester, or in another class.
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