Google Scholar/Zotero/CiteULike

Here is the link to my project:

http://www.citeulike.org/user/racheldrich

my comments for week 6 readings

Here are the links to my comments for week 6 readings! :)

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3857064325472293927&postID=8456396145283653912&page=1

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=1412464081235085323&page=1

Muddiest Point

My muddiest point for this week has to do with
PANS versus LANS. I understand that both are very small access networks, PANS are personal, LANS are just local...but what is the inherent difference between the two, or is that it? I always considered my PAN to be a LAN (we have several computers at home but they are all connected to 1 network) but maybe I am wrong in this assumption...

youtube!

Most popular networks:
smallest is a PAN (personal access network)
Next popular is LAN, used through ethernet
Also have WAN, several different facilities connected, the way the network is designed
CAN--several buildings at an educational institution
MANS-metropolitan networks that span large areas

wikipedia articles

The first wikipedia article mentions LANS and WANS (local area networks versus wide area networks). It also discusses how changes in computers (specifically the rise of the pc) helped catalyze changes in access, such as the creation of the ethernet cable. The ethernet cable is now most popular, but routers are often used in conjunction with a cable or DSL connection.

The second wikipedia article covers computer networks, which are a series of computers which are interconnected. It covers PANS, LANS, CANS, MANS, WANS, and GANS.
Internetwork: 2or more networks interconnected
Intranet: set of networks under a single administrative identity
extranet: limited in scope to a single organization
Internet: specific internetwork that connects all sorts of areas
hardware: all networks are connected w/ something, (nodes) such as routers, NICs, etc
Remote bridges can be used to create a WAN link between several LANS
Switches: switch!
Routers: connect signal between like and unlike media

Week 5 Comments

Here are the links to my comments for Week 5 Readings:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5418895447708724556&postID=266605975054160271&page=1

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=5962116896905418133&page=1

muddiest point

The muddiest point from lecture 4 is the Primary Key versus the Foreign Key. If a foreign key matches a primary key in value, is that what connects the 2 tables? (or is that what would connect 2 information sources?) I just don't understand what the relevance of the foreign key to the primary key is.

You Tube and Libraries: It could be a beautiful relationship

This article examines the benefits of using YOUtube to involve patrons in library communication. The author suggests using YOUtube to promote the library.
--could be great for instructional videos
--film various library services then post on YOUtube.
--tutorials to teach students

Although I thought this article presented some good ideas, I think libraries will get to this point when they are ready. We are currently dealing with other technology issues at the moment and attempting to adapt to these changes; throwing YOUtube into the mix might just be a little too much.

Imaging Pittsburgh: Creating a shared gateway to digital images collections of the pittsburgh region

I think this digitization project well illustrates how beneficial technology can be. Over 7,000 images being available to users is well worth the efforts and money. The preservation of historical images through this channel is really beneficial for anyone interested in maintaining the history of this area.

Challenges faced within the project:
1. Communication between the various institutions. Despite monthly meetings, communication and lack of dialogue was still an issue.
2. Attached meaning to subjects within the catalog. (example, museum archivists versus academic archivists discussing what the photographs "mean")
3. Image selection (based on size, format, quality, etc.)
4. Metadata
5. Workflow
6. Web site development

Although work continues on the project, the outcomes will be determined based on audience receipt of the image collection. All the participating institutions want the collection to make a meaningful impact on the user.

I thought this article was fantastic! We've been talking so much about digitization, it was great to see an actual project in the process of completion. Some of the challenges faced in this project are some of the questions raised in earlier articles as to whether or not digitization is worth the effort and cost. I still think that ultimately, it is worth the cost. The value of the image as a large collection available to users in this digital format is something that cannot be overlooked.

DVD-HQ:Data Compression Basic: Lossless data compression

Awesome point about info vs. data:
friend sends you 2 emails, so you have 2 emails worth of data, but only 1 email worth of information. Info and data are not the same thing.
Run length encoding:
-using numbers instead of repetition of same characters to save space
-uses markers for specific characters
Lempel-Ziv compressor family:
--> uses markers for "patterns" of characters to encode with a smaller number of bits
Entropy coding:
-assigns codes to BLOCKS of data, works well for codes w/ variable lengths
-uses probability
Predictive compression is better for more "natural" images (i.e. photographs that have gradual shifts in color/value)
compression might not contain ANY of the original data
lossy preserves meaning, not exact data. how does a computer decide what is meaningful? it can't.
quantisation: division of a continuous signal into discrete steps
video compression:
each frame is compressed independently
vector graphics describe images as a set of geometric shapes, textures, and forms

This article opened my eyes to the various types of encoding currently in use. Seeing the difference visually between lossless and lossy encoding really helped me to grasp the concept much better than after just reading the wikipedia article.

Wikipedia, "Data Compression"

data compression--encoding ino using fewer bits, to save space on hard drive or bandwith space.
example: ZIP file, which is a smaller file and also archives information as well
Lossless vs. Lossy
Lossless --represents data more concisely, but without error. Example 25.888888888 encoded as 25. (9) 8
Lossy-- would be 26, which is a smaller size but not the correct data (25.888888888 doesn't equal 26, but this saves much more space)
Lossy image compression is used in digital cameras, DVDs use some forms of lossy
3-way tradeoff with quality loss, compressed data size, and compression speed

I found this to be quite an interesting article. I was not previously acquainted with the theory behind the use of compressed files, but it definitely makes sense.

links to comments on week 4

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2401688410692832555&postID=4332635910721172580&page=1

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5762270205496001556&postID=2948494116332853399&page=1

muddiest point

I'm still confused as to how you can end up with "fragmented disk space" that requires software to make the hard drive work optimally. I am surprised that an operating system would have that kind of control over the effective operation of your pc.

An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model

DCES intended for cross-discipline resource discovery.
Issue: cannot be that detailed for individual needs, so attempting to create a modular/extensible metadata architecture to handle these singular/specific needs.
DCMI focuses on creating DCES based on these requirements:
Internalization
Modularization/Extensability
Element Identity
Semantic Refinement
ID encoding schemes
specification of controlled vocabularies
ID of structured compound values

At first, I was completely lost after reading this article! But it's starting to make sense to me that there has to be this sort of meta-framework (this is probably not even a word!) to help with how we access resources, or information. The DCMI idea seems to encompass most of what is necessary to build an effective metadata architecture, but again... I am rather new at this sort of thing. Does anyone have any "expertish" opinions as to whether or not this model is effective?

Introduction to Metadata: Pathways to Digital Information

Metadata: data about data.
--Becoming increasingly important for a variety of professional communities.
Information objects have 3 features:
-content
-context
-structure

Structure is becoming increasingly important as cpus grow in power/sophistication
--"metadata" consists of complex constructs to create and maintain (which can get costly), so why is it important?
--makes information more easily accessible
--helps maintain the context
--digitally, information can be expanded with metadata
--multi-versioning: can create multiple and/or variant versions of information objects
--legal issues- easier to track rights, etc
--preservation--metadata helps to preserve information objects so that they can be utilized as the digital world changes
--system improvement: metadata helps to track performance so that cpus can become more efficient both technologically and economically.
the BEST metadata = the BEST information management

"In this sense, metadata provides us with the Rosetta Stone that will make it possible to decode information objects and their transformation into knowledge in the cultural heritage information systems of the twenty-first century. "

I never realized that metadata existed. I knew that information management was vital in protecting and improving information accessibility and performance for the future, but I never realized there was this sort of superstructure in charge of maintaining the data and its context. I do think that metadata (now that I know it exists) will make a big difference in how we provide digital information objects to our patrons.

Wikipedia's Database Article

This article covers the basics of databases.
database: structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. Databases are created/run through software.
The article also covers several types of database models, including:
relational model
hierarchical model
network model.

I felt as though this article was very informative--although I've utilized databases, I've never really considered how they are created or maintained.

links to comments on Week 3 Readings

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2401688410692832555&postID=3655281253186159462

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6958200230416907745&postID=4945616249182311821&page=1

Update on the Windows Road Map

This article covered an email sent by Bill Veghte concerning the Windows Vista release.
He wanted to let customers know that XP will be supported until 2014, that it will still be available (through businesses and downgrade options), and that Vista has introduced many great new changes. He also mentioned that Vista is offering updates that allow games to run effectively. Veghte also mentioned the new version of Vista, Windows 7, which is currently in progress.

An interesting formula commented on at the end of the page was
is cost > value, or is value > cost? The commenter stated that for the most part, the cost > value will keep people from upgrading to Vista. I definitely agree with this--my experiences with Vista have been, for the most part, nothing more than mediocre. XP has been much better suited to my needs and takes up a lot less space. I do have a new pc right now running on Vista, however, and it seems to be doing pretty well, so we'll see...

Wikipedia's Mac OS X article

The article was a sort of bare bones version of the one Singh presented, but what was most useful about it was the timeline. The visual timeline and then the list of various release dates gave me the visual needed to understand the changes Mac OS X has undergone over the past 10 years.

What Is Mac OS X?

I must admit, I was definitely a "Mac sucks, except for creative software" person, just as the author mentioned at the outset. The way the author describes Mac OS X--everything from booting it to the layers upon layers, all the way to the top software layers--made it much easier to understand, especially for someone who has never been exposed to extensive programming.
The step by step process of booting Mac OS X was particularly helpful. Going through the process, from turning the machine on and noting where the user becomes involved in the process, has helped me visualize the way the process works.

Other points:
Mac OS X boots up with open firmware installed in ROM
Mac OS X supports MS DOS
excellent at supporting Firewire devices
iphoto/itunes
Available software:
open office
all kinds of graphics/publishing software
im programs
email programs
media players
info management programs
all sorts of web browsers
--author notes that he's heard that Macs are worse than pcs for gaming
Why Mac OS X?
Windows can make you feel claustraphobic/limited
Linux--excellent system but may have TOO MANY options for some users
similar to *nix programs--you get the same feel but it's easier to use

Singh didn't completely win me over to the side of the Mac OS X, but that wasn't his goal, anyway. I think he was just trying to open our eyes to the various operating options computer users have, and to really look until we see what will work best for our needs.

Intro to Linux

I thought this article was great because I have never really been exposed to Linux, even though I know people who use it on a regular basis. What I found to be most interesting is that Linux is becoming more and more user friendly and is beginning to emulate Windows based programs to make it easier for people who don't have a programming background (such as myself) to use it. I have been considering installing it on my laptop, so reading this article has given me enough confidence that this could be a good option for me.

muddiest point

I am still confused about the use of a "system clock." What happens if a system clock stops ticking at the regular intervals (that I'm assuming are required) for adequate and successful processing of information? Does a system clock that ticks faster create a more effective processing speed?

my Comments from week 1

I'm not sure where I'm supposed to post these, so I guess I will post them everywhere. :0)

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5418895447708724556&postID=4680827847227097250

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=1306183455487090817&postID=4323509044503807600&page=1

Computer History Museum

Wow! I had no idea there was a computer history museum...
A quote on the web site: "Like no industry before, technology thrives on a torrent of revolutionary thinking. The incredible improvements in human living and changes in social thought are born from groundbreaking ideas." This really epitomizes the capabilities of technology to influence our lives in a positive way. This really goes hand-in-hand with Kuhn's book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Technology has the ability to affect so many other sciences. As technology advances, our ability to understand every other aspect of science as well.
A museum covering the history of technology really contributes to our appreciation of what it has done for us as a society and what it can, and hopefully will do, in the future.

Moore's Law

Moore's law: the # of transistors that can be placed on an integrated circuit is increasing exponentially.
--More transistors can be placed on a chip, but as the # of them on the chip increases, the chance of defects ALSO increases.
--rate of increase in hard drive is similar to that of transistors
--this trend is expected to continue for the next few years (as of 2001)
--Moore stated that this law cannot be sustained indefinitely
--Wirth's law: "Software gets slower faster than hardware gets faster".
--exponential processor transistor growth does NOT equal exponential processing speed growth

I definitely agree with Moore's statement that this kind of growth cannot continue forever. The article mentioned that with this kind of growth, the size of transistors will approach that of atoms. There's only so far we can go at that point. Depending on how fast we get there, in my opinion, will affect how long this pattern occurs.

wikipedia--computer hardware

This was a good review of basic hardware information. I had no idea that firmware existed! Does anyone know of any examples of firmware? I was also unaware of the fact that personal computers are such a small portion of the market-- .2 % (as of 2003).

Muddiest Point

Here's the muddiest point I found in the lecture for week 1:

It was mentioned that many people are against IT because it seems to affect whether or not people utilize the resources in the library. I'm not sure whether or not this a valid point. It seems to me that, like most other publicly offered institutions, IT is becoming increasingly important. I see this more as an opportunity for libraries to step up to the challenges associated with retaining patron usage, rather than as a threat.