I posted on Rachel Nash's blog.
http://rachelnashintroit.blogspot.com/2009/09/week-5-reading-notes.html?showComment=1254187995442#c9075172501263771130
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Week 5 Readings
Data Compression:
We think that the web and digitizing documents solves our space problem, but we often forget that space and organization is an issue in the digital world also. With data compression, it allows us the opportunity to cut the corners when and where we can. The differences between lossy and lossless compression show us that sometimes we can get rid of data and get it back easily. Other times, with certain types of files, we loss a bit of the original digital file. Just like we can lose some of the authenticity when reformatting documents from paper to digital, the same can happen while staying in the digital format.
The "Imaging Pittsburgh" article was interesting because I was referred to the Historic Pittsburgh Image Collection website while at work today. I enjoyed reading about the collaboration required, especially concerning the metadata, to bring together information from all three organizations.
I think the ideas presented in the "YouTube and Libraries" article is obvious and unoriginal. It's as though the author has never used the internet before.
We think that the web and digitizing documents solves our space problem, but we often forget that space and organization is an issue in the digital world also. With data compression, it allows us the opportunity to cut the corners when and where we can. The differences between lossy and lossless compression show us that sometimes we can get rid of data and get it back easily. Other times, with certain types of files, we loss a bit of the original digital file. Just like we can lose some of the authenticity when reformatting documents from paper to digital, the same can happen while staying in the digital format.
The "Imaging Pittsburgh" article was interesting because I was referred to the Historic Pittsburgh Image Collection website while at work today. I enjoyed reading about the collaboration required, especially concerning the metadata, to bring together information from all three organizations.
I think the ideas presented in the "YouTube and Libraries" article is obvious and unoriginal. It's as though the author has never used the internet before.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Blog Responses
Week 3: http://mdelielis2600response.blogspot.com/2009/09/week-3-response-microsoft-vista.html?showComment=1253493587923#c6490556010606426145
Week 4: http://rachelnashintroit.blogspot.com/2009/09/week-4-reading-notes.html?showComment=1253494011297#c4272349486671973793
Week 4: http://rachelnashintroit.blogspot.com/2009/09/week-4-reading-notes.html?showComment=1253494011297#c4272349486671973793
Friday, September 18, 2009
Muddiest Point
Most offices don't use open source or online email. What is the difference with libraries and other institutions using open source applications?
Week 4 Readings
Introduction to Metadata
This article started out very confusing and then cleared itself up with the tables of examples of metadata. Metadata is what librarians and archivists do. We are responsible for setting up these systems of metadata so that others are able to access the materials. The internet and very large collections would not be able to survive without metadata. It keeps us from searching around, hoping to stumble upon what we are looking for. It allows us to see a connection between two related objects. For the most part, the more metadata the better (at least in a digital world). The more information we track about materials and documents, the more we can track trends in use, accessibility, and preferences.
Database - Wikipedia
A database holds information and can access/re-access it via metadata. I find myself very confused about the architecture and components of a database management system. It seems that the entire database is a function of commands (as with all computer systems and applications), but the database is designed to hold onto the information (for however long it is designed).
An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
This article, more than anything, stresses the importance of a common (or easily translatable) language of metadata so that users can find information in different collections or databases. It mentioned ways in which it's system can translate other system's metadata however, I would think that will have to be a human led initiative forever. The system will forever need directions on how to make connections between new words and types of information.
This article started out very confusing and then cleared itself up with the tables of examples of metadata. Metadata is what librarians and archivists do. We are responsible for setting up these systems of metadata so that others are able to access the materials. The internet and very large collections would not be able to survive without metadata. It keeps us from searching around, hoping to stumble upon what we are looking for. It allows us to see a connection between two related objects. For the most part, the more metadata the better (at least in a digital world). The more information we track about materials and documents, the more we can track trends in use, accessibility, and preferences.
Database - Wikipedia
A database holds information and can access/re-access it via metadata. I find myself very confused about the architecture and components of a database management system. It seems that the entire database is a function of commands (as with all computer systems and applications), but the database is designed to hold onto the information (for however long it is designed).
An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
This article, more than anything, stresses the importance of a common (or easily translatable) language of metadata so that users can find information in different collections or databases. It mentioned ways in which it's system can translate other system's metadata however, I would think that will have to be a human led initiative forever. The system will forever need directions on how to make connections between new words and types of information.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Link to comment from Week 1
http://zacharymclaughlin.blogspot.com/2009/09/week-1-readings.html?showComment=1252677610536#c506490783861316337
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Muddiest Point
The muddiest point for me during the September 8 class was when talking about the life of a digitized object. What about the computer hardware wears about any why can these things not be duplicated to last for an infinite amount of time?
Week 3
“Introduction to Linux: A Hands on Guide”
The guide, although helpful and fairly comprehensive in its explanation of the system, speaks with the tone of an expert. It’s like someone who has mastered the Pittsburgh public transportation system telling a newcomer that it’s “easy.” It’s slightly condescending but with an air of encouragement and honesty. There must be a reason that the free Linux system has not caught on with the masses. Despite that, the guide provides new or possible users with basic information on how to start out.
http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/osx/ : Mac OS X
This article as much more technical in nature but also much more comprehensive for all users (as long as the beginner doesn’t get lost in the technological information). Most of it was over my head, but being a Mac user, I learned more about how my system operates and about applications I have yet to access. The author did a good job in explaining who should use each of the different systems as well as explaining the pros and cons of all the systems.
“An Update on the Windows Roadmap”
Different from the previous two articles, this one was directed at users and how they can troubleshoot the upgrade to Windows Vista. As noted with the tones of each article, the Linux and Mac systems seem to be generally compatible with most other programs, whereas an upgrade with Microsoft seems to knock out some of the programs compatible with previous versions. Mac, and more so Linux, had to do a lot more convincing about the quality of their systems in the respective articles. I supposed that Microsoft has to do the least convincing to do because they are the most widely used system.
The guide, although helpful and fairly comprehensive in its explanation of the system, speaks with the tone of an expert. It’s like someone who has mastered the Pittsburgh public transportation system telling a newcomer that it’s “easy.” It’s slightly condescending but with an air of encouragement and honesty. There must be a reason that the free Linux system has not caught on with the masses. Despite that, the guide provides new or possible users with basic information on how to start out.
http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/osx/ : Mac OS X
This article as much more technical in nature but also much more comprehensive for all users (as long as the beginner doesn’t get lost in the technological information). Most of it was over my head, but being a Mac user, I learned more about how my system operates and about applications I have yet to access. The author did a good job in explaining who should use each of the different systems as well as explaining the pros and cons of all the systems.
“An Update on the Windows Roadmap”
Different from the previous two articles, this one was directed at users and how they can troubleshoot the upgrade to Windows Vista. As noted with the tones of each article, the Linux and Mac systems seem to be generally compatible with most other programs, whereas an upgrade with Microsoft seems to knock out some of the programs compatible with previous versions. Mac, and more so Linux, had to do a lot more convincing about the quality of their systems in the respective articles. I supposed that Microsoft has to do the least convincing to do because they are the most widely used system.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Week 1
Response to Readings
Information technology is necessary to the sharing of information. As with any medium in which we do things, we have to have an understanding of the devise that allows us to act. To call someone on the telephone you need to know how to use it. To ride the bus you need to be able to read the map. Communicate between people these days requires the knowledge to navigate different arenas on the web. With many of these arenas being created everyday and replacing former modes of communication, it has become necessary for everyone to learn much more than how to type and surf the internet. We now need to know about the technology of information in order to utilize the tools that make possible different forms of societal interaction. Although, just because we take the time to teach ourselves the emerging tools does not mean they are here to stay. This posses problems for established systems like libraries (as discussed in the article about the Lied Library at UNLV) but also has positive points in that it encourages growth and creativity.
Information technology is necessary to the sharing of information. As with any medium in which we do things, we have to have an understanding of the devise that allows us to act. To call someone on the telephone you need to know how to use it. To ride the bus you need to be able to read the map. Communicate between people these days requires the knowledge to navigate different arenas on the web. With many of these arenas being created everyday and replacing former modes of communication, it has become necessary for everyone to learn much more than how to type and surf the internet. We now need to know about the technology of information in order to utilize the tools that make possible different forms of societal interaction. Although, just because we take the time to teach ourselves the emerging tools does not mean they are here to stay. This posses problems for established systems like libraries (as discussed in the article about the Lied Library at UNLV) but also has positive points in that it encourages growth and creativity.
The idea that it is the content that matters more than the container in which it comes to us (2004 Information Trends: Contents, not Containers) is encouraging to me because it suggests a lack of loyalty to the provider (as said in class). This requires that we have an understanding of how the infrastructure works so we can use the new systems that form everyday. It provides us with a greater flexibility to grow as a technical community and be less dependent upon systems created by established providers. However, this makes information harder to locate, which is where libraries have traditionally come into the picture but currently search engines like Google have filled that role. Innovation lies where it lies, which is why Google has done so well, but it seems to me that if libraries had had the capacity and saw the need for a unifying "information getter" then they would have filled that role instead.
"The Muddiest Point"
I understood most of the principles in class and look forward to discussing them further. The only point that I am unclear on is the measurement of digital information (terabytes, etc) and how it translates into physical space, digital space, cost, etc..
"The Muddiest Point"
I understood most of the principles in class and look forward to discussing them further. The only point that I am unclear on is the measurement of digital information (terabytes, etc) and how it translates into physical space, digital space, cost, etc..
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