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Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Week 14 Readings and Muddiest Point
1) Galen Gruman. “What cloud computing really means” InfoWorld, April 2008.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/07/15FE-cloud-computing-reality_1.html
Cloud computing seems like the more economically viable future of internet servers. I definitely see the benefits and think the IT world will continue to progress in such a direction. it particularly seems useful in a library because of problems dealing with a magnitude of interested parties. I never knew how much I already depended on it in daily life (SAAS).
2) Explaining Cloud Computing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hplXnFUlPmg&NR=1
This video is a much better explanation. I understand the different divisions and types much better and see how it is so much more conveneiet for the person managing "gogle maps" for instance. Companies such as the aforementioned need such capabilites or they would require a much larger evaluative/tracking client staff.
3) Thomas Frey. The Future of Libraries: Beginning the Great Transformation
http://www.davinciinstitute.com/page.php?ID=120
This article summarizes the ways in wich libraries are percieved as "no longer useful" or "obsolete". These are the same beliefs I have been trained during the school year to combat. it is apparent that liraries are no longer repositories of informaiton, but filters and qualit inspectors of that information. I feel that libraries are adequately prepared for a shift that is already well underway.
Muddiest Point: Regarding concepts such as ones in the "nowhere to hide" literature and class discussion, what is a souce that provides some "dos and don'ts" for protecting private information. This should have a definitive guide. it would easily be a "most accesed" document if it were tracked.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/07/15FE-cloud-computing-reality_1.html
Cloud computing seems like the more economically viable future of internet servers. I definitely see the benefits and think the IT world will continue to progress in such a direction. it particularly seems useful in a library because of problems dealing with a magnitude of interested parties. I never knew how much I already depended on it in daily life (SAAS).
2) Explaining Cloud Computing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hplXnFUlPmg&NR=1
This video is a much better explanation. I understand the different divisions and types much better and see how it is so much more conveneiet for the person managing "gogle maps" for instance. Companies such as the aforementioned need such capabilites or they would require a much larger evaluative/tracking client staff.
3) Thomas Frey. The Future of Libraries: Beginning the Great Transformation
http://www.davinciinstitute.com/page.php?ID=120
This article summarizes the ways in wich libraries are percieved as "no longer useful" or "obsolete". These are the same beliefs I have been trained during the school year to combat. it is apparent that liraries are no longer repositories of informaiton, but filters and qualit inspectors of that information. I feel that libraries are adequately prepared for a shift that is already well underway.
Muddiest Point: Regarding concepts such as ones in the "nowhere to hide" literature and class discussion, what is a souce that provides some "dos and don'ts" for protecting private information. This should have a definitive guide. it would easily be a "most accesed" document if it were tracked.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Week 13 Readings and Muddiest Point
No Place to Hide: I am pleasantly surprised to see that such a group exists. I often wonder exactly how mch of my personal information is visible to "the powers that be". Due to all the activities I pursue that require personal information, i am sure that there are extensive records of everything I do. It is clear to me that, under conditions such as those instated by the patriot act, my privacy has been weighed against national security interests.
http://www.epic.org/privacy/profiling/tia/: This website furthers the beliefs articulated by "no place to hide". It seems as though everyone feels safer under such restrictions. I have, however, been asking myself how often someone is falsely accused of terrorist or other harmful activities. Is there any way to document an accuracy rate?
Youtube video: Unable to access due to copyright restrictions.
Muddiest Point:
Of late, I have understood the content of our classes completely. Accordingly, I have used my "muddiest point" as an opportunity to ask topical questions. i am wondering if there is an "anti-weblog" movement in the library community. IS there a group of librarians strongly opposed to their use? This is interesting to me because I cannot se any visible "cons".
http://www.epic.org/privacy/profiling/tia/: This website furthers the beliefs articulated by "no place to hide". It seems as though everyone feels safer under such restrictions. I have, however, been asking myself how often someone is falsely accused of terrorist or other harmful activities. Is there any way to document an accuracy rate?
Youtube video: Unable to access due to copyright restrictions.
Muddiest Point:
Of late, I have understood the content of our classes completely. Accordingly, I have used my "muddiest point" as an opportunity to ask topical questions. i am wondering if there is an "anti-weblog" movement in the library community. IS there a group of librarians strongly opposed to their use? This is interesting to me because I cannot se any visible "cons".
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Muddiest Point
Although this post does not pertain to a point of class that was unclear (class was very understandable!! ), I am wondering where I can find more information about resistance to digitization and the apparent downsides of digital libraries. Any ideas?
Week 12 Readings
Reichardt, R., & Harder, G. (2005). Weblogs: their use and application in science and technology libraries.
Science & Technology Libraries, 25(3), 105-116.
This article has provided me with several instances in which weblogs have been helpful yo my discipline as well as the hard sciences. In fields that emphasize empirical observation, weblogs aggregate information from several sources that have been approved for their quality of observation and field expertise. It also serves as an excellent means of communication between parties.
Charles Allan, "Using a wiki to manage a library instruction program: Sharing knowledge to better serve patrons"
C&RL News, April 2007 Vol. 68, No. 4 http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/crlnews/2007/apr/usingawiki.cfm
I recently engaged in lirbary isntruction as part of my appointment at Point Park University and have reached many of the same conclusions as the author of this piece. Personally, I view instruction as a natural extension of reference and believe that questions can be answered much mroe efficiently using a wiki. In librayr school, I have used several wikis to undertake projects and find that the services they offer are primarily responsible for keeping me educated and informed. I also see that instruction sessions can be very tiresome for many students. This is an excellent alternative medium!!!
Xan Arch, "Creating the academic library folksonomy: Put social tagging to work at your institution" C&RL News,
February 2007 Vol. 68, No. 2 http://www.ftrf.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/crlnews/2007/feb/libraryfolksonomy.cfm
Once again, I am reminded of my duties behind the reference desk. Social tagging could potentially take away a lot of my work, but it would also allow questiosn to be answered much mroe efficiently. In our current age, a librarian primarily functions on the customer service level as a means opf validating the quality of a source. On the other hand, social tagging might also just change the fucntion of my vocation as a manager of such tags in which I would be performing the same task through a different method. Overall, I am in favor of implementing social tagging.
Jimmy Wales: “How a ragtag band created Wikipedia”
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jimmy_wales_on_the_birth_of_wikipedia.html
Wikipedia has always been a subject of great interest for me. I personally believe that it is one of the greatest creations in the past ten years. Although many articles contain profanity and information that is generally unreliable, one can always check the cited sources for comfort and as a means of beginning research. The creation of "The Free Encyclopedia" is definitely the most egalitarian undertaking I've ever encountered.
Science & Technology Libraries, 25(3), 105-116.
This article has provided me with several instances in which weblogs have been helpful yo my discipline as well as the hard sciences. In fields that emphasize empirical observation, weblogs aggregate information from several sources that have been approved for their quality of observation and field expertise. It also serves as an excellent means of communication between parties.
Charles Allan, "Using a wiki to manage a library instruction program: Sharing knowledge to better serve patrons"
C&RL News, April 2007 Vol. 68, No. 4 http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/crlnews/2007/apr/usingawiki.cfm
I recently engaged in lirbary isntruction as part of my appointment at Point Park University and have reached many of the same conclusions as the author of this piece. Personally, I view instruction as a natural extension of reference and believe that questions can be answered much mroe efficiently using a wiki. In librayr school, I have used several wikis to undertake projects and find that the services they offer are primarily responsible for keeping me educated and informed. I also see that instruction sessions can be very tiresome for many students. This is an excellent alternative medium!!!
Xan Arch, "Creating the academic library folksonomy: Put social tagging to work at your institution" C&RL News,
February 2007 Vol. 68, No. 2 http://www.ftrf.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/crlnews/2007/feb/libraryfolksonomy.cfm
Once again, I am reminded of my duties behind the reference desk. Social tagging could potentially take away a lot of my work, but it would also allow questiosn to be answered much mroe efficiently. In our current age, a librarian primarily functions on the customer service level as a means opf validating the quality of a source. On the other hand, social tagging might also just change the fucntion of my vocation as a manager of such tags in which I would be performing the same task through a different method. Overall, I am in favor of implementing social tagging.
Jimmy Wales: “How a ragtag band created Wikipedia”
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jimmy_wales_on_the_birth_of_wikipedia.html
Wikipedia has always been a subject of great interest for me. I personally believe that it is one of the greatest creations in the past ten years. Although many articles contain profanity and information that is generally unreliable, one can always check the cited sources for comfort and as a means of beginning research. The creation of "The Free Encyclopedia" is definitely the most egalitarian undertaking I've ever encountered.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Week 11 Readings and Muddiest Point
1. Mischo, W. (July/August 2005). Digital Libraries: challenges and influential work. D-Lib Magazine. 11(7/8). http://www.dlib.org/dlib/july05/mischo/07mischo.html
I have often found myself extremely frustrated at the prospect of retrieving esoteric information because of how widely distributed I have found scholarly information to be. I do, despite my frustration, also share the belief that "seamless federation across distributed heterogeneous resources remains the holy grail of digital library work". In other words, this article has revealed to me the extent to which I am able to overlook the drawbacks of concepts such as open access and widely available information for everyone because of how much I enjoy the benefits. I also have new-found respect and the desire to adulate the NSF.
2. Paepcke, A. et al. (July/August 2005). Dewey meets Turing: librarians, computer scientists and the digital libraries initiative. D-Lib Magazine. 11(7/8). http://www.dlib.org/dlib/july05/paepcke/07paepcke.html
I wonder how Melville Dewey would have actually reacted upon encountering a Turing Machine. This article traces an interesting history of the WWW as well as google and other search engines. It does, however, surprise me that library dependency on all things IT is not a more widely understood dependency. The librarians I have known in the past (and read about, my current employment is a huge exception to the following statement) have been at odds with technology people. As a future librarian, I understand that it is my task to utilize the benefits of IT in order to advance my own field.
3. Lynch, Clifford A. "Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age" ARL, no. 226 (February 2003): 1-7. http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/br/br226/br226ir.shtml
I like to think that I currently attend an institutional repository because suich is definitely the place I would like to be. I think that the ideas expressed in this article show how academic institutions have not been utilized to their full potential. It seems as though they are performing tasks that may have been very well suited for libraries. It is the obli9gation of such universitities as the ones mentioned in the article to advance scholarly communication in any way technologically possible.
Muddiest Point
What is still difficult for me to understand regarding the latest "hand on point" is, firstly, how am I to record the outcome of my search for futurte discussion? Secondly (and MKUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY) I am interested to know how I can see the process of adding more terms lessens the number of retrieved documents in a search. I would actually like to see the number of documents decrease as I enter terms. Of course, I am just curious. Is there any way (technologically) that I can see this in action?
I have often found myself extremely frustrated at the prospect of retrieving esoteric information because of how widely distributed I have found scholarly information to be. I do, despite my frustration, also share the belief that "seamless federation across distributed heterogeneous resources remains the holy grail of digital library work". In other words, this article has revealed to me the extent to which I am able to overlook the drawbacks of concepts such as open access and widely available information for everyone because of how much I enjoy the benefits. I also have new-found respect and the desire to adulate the NSF.
2. Paepcke, A. et al. (July/August 2005). Dewey meets Turing: librarians, computer scientists and the digital libraries initiative. D-Lib Magazine. 11(7/8). http://www.dlib.org/dlib/july05/paepcke/07paepcke.html
I wonder how Melville Dewey would have actually reacted upon encountering a Turing Machine. This article traces an interesting history of the WWW as well as google and other search engines. It does, however, surprise me that library dependency on all things IT is not a more widely understood dependency. The librarians I have known in the past (and read about, my current employment is a huge exception to the following statement) have been at odds with technology people. As a future librarian, I understand that it is my task to utilize the benefits of IT in order to advance my own field.
3. Lynch, Clifford A. "Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age" ARL, no. 226 (February 2003): 1-7. http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/br/br226/br226ir.shtml
I like to think that I currently attend an institutional repository because suich is definitely the place I would like to be. I think that the ideas expressed in this article show how academic institutions have not been utilized to their full potential. It seems as though they are performing tasks that may have been very well suited for libraries. It is the obli9gation of such universitities as the ones mentioned in the article to advance scholarly communication in any way technologically possible.
Muddiest Point
What is still difficult for me to understand regarding the latest "hand on point" is, firstly, how am I to record the outcome of my search for futurte discussion? Secondly (and MKUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY) I am interested to know how I can see the process of adding more terms lessens the number of retrieved documents in a search. I would actually like to see the number of documents decrease as I enter terms. Of course, I am just curious. Is there any way (technologically) that I can see this in action?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Week 10 Readings
Web search engines: This p[roved to be an enlightening article. It basically describes the process behind entering a url and the behind-the scenes of summoning up documents based on your search terms. For the most part, I did not realize that much work was dopne on the other end of a search. I( merely thought that the search results were purely generated by the terms I entered and not bu ID numbers. This article has proven to me that the ease of using a search engine actually involves a much greater process at hand. There are methods for imporvement in constant development.
OAI archives: This article proves to me that my taks as a librarian will never be complete and, accordingly, I will always have work to do (good thing). I've hear the argument that search engines have eliminated the need for librarians, but the amount of push for complete archiving of intertnet data has shown me that there will never be a point where thigns become complteely manageable for the common user.
Deep Web: The existence of the deep web has been a subject of great interest to mke. When you enter a term into google, you are bound to come up with resaults that several peiople have come up with before. In other words, retreigving a rare and desired piece of information seems more and more like an art. The amount of content and "bots" in the deep web shoiws how such information is much harder and potentiaslly more dangerous to retreive.
OAI archives: This article proves to me that my taks as a librarian will never be complete and, accordingly, I will always have work to do (good thing). I've hear the argument that search engines have eliminated the need for librarians, but the amount of push for complete archiving of intertnet data has shown me that there will never be a point where thigns become complteely manageable for the common user.
Deep Web: The existence of the deep web has been a subject of great interest to mke. When you enter a term into google, you are bound to come up with resaults that several peiople have come up with before. In other words, retreigving a rare and desired piece of information seems more and more like an art. The amount of content and "bots" in the deep web shoiws how such information is much harder and potentiaslly more dangerous to retreive.
Week 10 Muddiest Point
HTML and XML
Although we have covered this material extensively, I still have trouble understanding the level at which XML oversees HTML. In other words, when i am creating my own website and using code, how do I know when it is time to employ html (in the visual sense). I know thatr it serves the purpose of managing html, but I do not see why a person would need it unless they are managing a very large website will lots of html content. In other words (for our last assignment), do you think ti would be worthwhile to learn xml just to manage a small personal webpage?
Although we have covered this material extensively, I still have trouble understanding the level at which XML oversees HTML. In other words, when i am creating my own website and using code, how do I know when it is time to employ html (in the visual sense). I know thatr it serves the purpose of managing html, but I do not see why a person would need it unless they are managing a very large website will lots of html content. In other words (for our last assignment), do you think ti would be worthwhile to learn xml just to manage a small personal webpage?
Monday, November 3, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Muddiest Point about Internet History
The most confusing bit of information for me was the fact that the idea for a network sch as the WWW existed as early as the 1950s as a means for communication between major cities. If such an idea has been in development since that early on, why did Bill Gates originally think that the public would not strive towards the internet? Unfortunately, I do not have the citation for his claim. It seems as though our social emphasis on the WWW was visible even from an early point. (The next sentence is my muddiest point condensed) To summarize it all, why didn't everyone see the rise of internet usage coming from a long way away?
Week 8 Readings
1.W3schools HTML Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/HTML/:
I have often toyed with the idea of learning HTML. Based on this tutorial, it seems t me that HTML serves as the basis for many or (possibly) all web design programs. In other words, it seems like the ancestor of all the languages used to make websites today. This tutorial also makes me wonder abut the extent to which it is used today. Having many computer-savy friends, I have heard several people namedrop with web languages. These conversations make me worry that HTML has become obsolete and seems like "kindergarten" to professional website designers. Overall, I look forward to the opportunity to create my own basic webpage.
2.HTML Cheatsheet http://www.webmonkey.com/reference/HTML_Cheatsheet/:
I am very grateful for the existence of this website. I now have an easy reference source for all the basic commands of HTML and now feel confident about creating a site. I will, however, have to keep the cheatsheet constantly open in order for me to effectivly manage the space the way I want. This cheatsheet proves my point that HTML has become such basic knowledge that it might very well be obsolete for people in the profession. The main functin that this website serves is to allow non-professional people to communicate in a way that naturally follows technological advancement while still keeping more advanced web languages esoteric.
3.W3 School Cascading Style Sheet Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/css/
This tutorial once again confirms my suspicions that tml has become a languageconsidered very basic by many. This CSS program seems to primarily serve the function of managing lots of HTML creations at once. On the other hand, should I be made to think that CSS is actually just the appearance of html? I hav read the explanations on the tutorial, but I dont quite understand the relationship between the two. I can, however, understand that CSS makes HTML much easier to manage on a larger level.
4.Beyond HTML: Developing and re-imagining library web guides in a content management system.
This article addresses an issue about which I am particularly passionate. I currently work in a library through the Pitt Partner's Program and constantly encounter patrons who cannot access the information they need on our website. It is clear to me that such is a problem of content management. Web designers and patrons seem to have becme more sophisticated in even proportion to each other. I definiely agree that drastic measures have to be taken to make library web guides more user-friendly and outreaching. Otherwise, the new capabilities of web designers and web pages come as no surprise to me.
I have often toyed with the idea of learning HTML. Based on this tutorial, it seems t me that HTML serves as the basis for many or (possibly) all web design programs. In other words, it seems like the ancestor of all the languages used to make websites today. This tutorial also makes me wonder abut the extent to which it is used today. Having many computer-savy friends, I have heard several people namedrop with web languages. These conversations make me worry that HTML has become obsolete and seems like "kindergarten" to professional website designers. Overall, I look forward to the opportunity to create my own basic webpage.
2.HTML Cheatsheet http://www.webmonkey.com/reference/HTML_Cheatsheet/:
I am very grateful for the existence of this website. I now have an easy reference source for all the basic commands of HTML and now feel confident about creating a site. I will, however, have to keep the cheatsheet constantly open in order for me to effectivly manage the space the way I want. This cheatsheet proves my point that HTML has become such basic knowledge that it might very well be obsolete for people in the profession. The main functin that this website serves is to allow non-professional people to communicate in a way that naturally follows technological advancement while still keeping more advanced web languages esoteric.
3.W3 School Cascading Style Sheet Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/css/
This tutorial once again confirms my suspicions that tml has become a languageconsidered very basic by many. This CSS program seems to primarily serve the function of managing lots of HTML creations at once. On the other hand, should I be made to think that CSS is actually just the appearance of html? I hav read the explanations on the tutorial, but I dont quite understand the relationship between the two. I can, however, understand that CSS makes HTML much easier to manage on a larger level.
4.Beyond HTML: Developing and re-imagining library web guides in a content management system.
This article addresses an issue about which I am particularly passionate. I currently work in a library through the Pitt Partner's Program and constantly encounter patrons who cannot access the information they need on our website. It is clear to me that such is a problem of content management. Web designers and patrons seem to have becme more sophisticated in even proportion to each other. I definiely agree that drastic measures have to be taken to make library web guides more user-friendly and outreaching. Otherwise, the new capabilities of web designers and web pages come as no surprise to me.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
my citeulike reposted
Due to a previous posting and assignment error, here is the url for my citeulike library:
http://www.citeulike.org/user/ojb6/library
http://www.citeulike.org/user/ojb6/library
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Week 7 Reading Responses and Muddiest Point
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet-infrastructure.htm/printable
This document offers a pretty clear explanation of some material recently covered in class. What interests me the most is how inevitably connected an internet user is and the process of routing information sent from one computer to another. it would be especially interesting to find out how many different computers information travels through when I click on a link from ne of my most frequently visited websites (my favorite placs to go online). I would like a tool to cont how many places throgh which the information is directed before it reaches me. Overall, it seems as though there is no way to use the internet "off the gird" or without being tracked.
Dismantling Integrated Library Systems
Much like any system of information, it naturally follows that library resources tend to follow undr the same operational guidelines. ILS does, however, seem like a very controlling network. I agree with the article of this paper because I openly recognize the need for different informaton repositories to operate under their own organizational guidelines and not be confined by a seemingly oppresive model. In a way, a library sstem sems like a microcosm of the World Wide Web. "Dismantling" ILS, based on the evidence presented by the author, appears to be the most sensible form of constructing a new system unique to an institution.
Inside the Google Machine
I was first introduced to Google early in my career as an undergraduate. This video in particular holds my interests because I am now able to understand many of the processes behind the simple act of using a search term. It is no wnder to me that Google has become so valuable. Google has become the first place to turn to when seeking information. I can also see how the search engine itself, while requiring an enormous staff, also operats by itself in some ways. For this reason, to paraphrase Buckminster Fuller, I view seach engines as processes rather than as corporal objects and companies.
Muddiest Point
The most unclear aspect of class this week for me was the relationship between server and client. Although it is obvious to me what the role of each entails, I began to wonder about the extent of the role of each one. Not to sound like a luddite or, more appropriately, a "technological airhead", but I wonder if a server computer can become a client of the computer that was once its client. Can computers form a symbiotic relationship as users and clients of each other? I suppose server computers must not be frequently used for personal purposes. Overall, this idea was one that kept occurring to me after class.
This document offers a pretty clear explanation of some material recently covered in class. What interests me the most is how inevitably connected an internet user is and the process of routing information sent from one computer to another. it would be especially interesting to find out how many different computers information travels through when I click on a link from ne of my most frequently visited websites (my favorite placs to go online). I would like a tool to cont how many places throgh which the information is directed before it reaches me. Overall, it seems as though there is no way to use the internet "off the gird" or without being tracked.
Dismantling Integrated Library Systems
Much like any system of information, it naturally follows that library resources tend to follow undr the same operational guidelines. ILS does, however, seem like a very controlling network. I agree with the article of this paper because I openly recognize the need for different informaton repositories to operate under their own organizational guidelines and not be confined by a seemingly oppresive model. In a way, a library sstem sems like a microcosm of the World Wide Web. "Dismantling" ILS, based on the evidence presented by the author, appears to be the most sensible form of constructing a new system unique to an institution.
Inside the Google Machine
I was first introduced to Google early in my career as an undergraduate. This video in particular holds my interests because I am now able to understand many of the processes behind the simple act of using a search term. It is no wnder to me that Google has become so valuable. Google has become the first place to turn to when seeking information. I can also see how the search engine itself, while requiring an enormous staff, also operats by itself in some ways. For this reason, to paraphrase Buckminster Fuller, I view seach engines as processes rather than as corporal objects and companies.
Muddiest Point
The most unclear aspect of class this week for me was the relationship between server and client. Although it is obvious to me what the role of each entails, I began to wonder about the extent of the role of each one. Not to sound like a luddite or, more appropriately, a "technological airhead", but I wonder if a server computer can become a client of the computer that was once its client. Can computers form a symbiotic relationship as users and clients of each other? I suppose server computers must not be frequently used for personal purposes. Overall, this idea was one that kept occurring to me after class.
Assignment 4- Working with Jing
Here is my instructional video:
http://www.screencast.com/users/batcheloro/folders/Jing/media/a4097c9f-a5ed-4f70-b3ac-24bd4925838f
Here are the five screen captures with annotations (in order):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2907635611/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908478842/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908479676/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908479086/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908479290/
http://www.screencast.com/users/batcheloro/folders/Jing/media/a4097c9f-a5ed-4f70-b3ac-24bd4925838f
Here are the five screen captures with annotations (in order):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2907635611/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908478842/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908479676/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908479086/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/2908479290/
Monday, September 15, 2008
My flickr account
Here is the link to my flickr account. You will see a total of 20 photos due to the recent price restriction. The Thumbnails are clearly labeled although there is not much difference in a few instances from the original size of the photograph. It should be clear to everyone that i am very new to photo editing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555199@N06/
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Week 3 Readings and Murkiest Point
Linux Article: To be perfectly honest, I had never seen a picture of a Linux application before. The examples of "how it runs" proved to be very helpful. The questions and thoughts I have are primarily concerning the use of Linux for programming purposes. Throughout the article, it was clear to me that the author wanted to give the impression that Linux is the most "pure" operating system n terms of its basis in UNIX. Is this the reason why it is often hailed as ideal for programmers and other experienced users. this article made me consider how OS and Windows are marketed towards people with very basic computer needs. As I imagine it, these needs include office work, gaming and family media organization. I'm very attracted to Linux, but I don't feel comfortable enough with the "design your own" aspect of it mentioned by the author of the guide. It certainly doesn't seem to be a major source of revenue for anyone like Gates or Jobs.
Mac OS X Article: As a recent mac convert, I certainly agree with the author of this explanation. The main point of the article seems to be that different operating systems fulfill different needs. In other words, the author didn't seem overly zealous about his recent mac purchase. The most interesting section for me was the one describing the anatomy of OS. Although it was over my head, it was interesting to speculate how it must be vastly different from Windows anatomy which led me to believe is the reason there are so few viruses for OS. Overall, Steve Jobs and the other folks at mac have definitely capitalized on a very user friendly operating system. Not to mention the success they have had with music and film editors as well as graphic designers.
Windows Vista Article: This article was probably my favorite to read because of the controversy surrounding Vista and the vast amount of negative press that surrounds it. The positive thing, however, is that Windows seems to be in a constant sate of development. Microsoft appears to be very quick to release any new product and even to provide specific times for when the next system will emerge on the market. In theory, I like Vista very much. I understand the idea behind it to be a universally accommodating system for Microsoft windows products. in other words, customers don't need to run out and buy the latest software as soon as they've installed the new operating system.
Muddiest Point: By a long shot, the muddiest point of class this week for me has been our discussion of cooling fans and the general maintenance of CPUs. As I previously mentioned, I recently purchased a MacBook and have deliberated to learn the anatomy of it. A relative of mine recently destryed his mac by exposing it to dust for an extended period of time. The fan turned out to be on the bottom of the machine thus blocking the source of cooling. What I don't understand is why no one has developed adequately heat resistant technology to maintain these machines?
Mac OS X Article: As a recent mac convert, I certainly agree with the author of this explanation. The main point of the article seems to be that different operating systems fulfill different needs. In other words, the author didn't seem overly zealous about his recent mac purchase. The most interesting section for me was the one describing the anatomy of OS. Although it was over my head, it was interesting to speculate how it must be vastly different from Windows anatomy which led me to believe is the reason there are so few viruses for OS. Overall, Steve Jobs and the other folks at mac have definitely capitalized on a very user friendly operating system. Not to mention the success they have had with music and film editors as well as graphic designers.
Windows Vista Article: This article was probably my favorite to read because of the controversy surrounding Vista and the vast amount of negative press that surrounds it. The positive thing, however, is that Windows seems to be in a constant sate of development. Microsoft appears to be very quick to release any new product and even to provide specific times for when the next system will emerge on the market. In theory, I like Vista very much. I understand the idea behind it to be a universally accommodating system for Microsoft windows products. in other words, customers don't need to run out and buy the latest software as soon as they've installed the new operating system.
Muddiest Point: By a long shot, the muddiest point of class this week for me has been our discussion of cooling fans and the general maintenance of CPUs. As I previously mentioned, I recently purchased a MacBook and have deliberated to learn the anatomy of it. A relative of mine recently destryed his mac by exposing it to dust for an extended period of time. The fan turned out to be on the bottom of the machine thus blocking the source of cooling. What I don't understand is why no one has developed adequately heat resistant technology to maintain these machines?
Monday, September 1, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Week 2 Readings
From this point onward, I will begin clearly outlining the sections of my responses and the articles I am talking about.
Wikipedia Article on Computer Hardware: This is a very interesting Wikipedia entry. I have never been too familiar with the anatomy of a computer. One section in particular that raises questions for me is the point of the article where the CPU of the Motherboard is described as the "brain" of the "body" (2) . The comparison to human and animal anatomy, in conjunction with our discussion in class about MIT offering its students the opportunity to "build your own laptop", made me think about the compatibility of certain parts with each other. When patients have to undergo transplants for donating an organ or receiving one, the doctors have to be absolutely sure that both bodies have compatible traits such as blood type and (I would assume) health of the organ. How can one determine if a specific output device (for instance) is compatible with a particular motherboard? Are computers more or less particular than human bodies? Overall, this metaphor of the body was the most thought provoking aspect to me (having little computer anatomy exposure).
Wikipedia Article on Moore's Law: This article took me a few tries to completely absorb its content. When accompanied with the Scientific American video, I feel that I completely grasp it. For me, the most interesting aspects of Moore's Law are it's economic component and existence as a "self-fulfilling prophecy". Since the amount of transistors that can be "inexpensively placed" increases to twice the amount every two years (1), it is clear that Gordon Moore has made an economic prophecy as well as a technological one. I found it difficult to believe that our ability to put transistors on an integrated circuit would never divert from its economic course. In other words, I wonder why the rate will never increase and sticks to Moore's precisely predicted course. Perhaps there is something I have misunderstood in the article. I look forward to reading responses.
Computer History Museum Website: I spent some time browsing the museum website and am very interested in a visit. As one can read in the literature, the Computer History Museum provides many examples and ways of illustrating the progress towars our current computers and operating systems. In such a place, one can clearly observe the inner-workings of a computer and its different sections such as the "motherboard" mentioned in the previous article. I'm particularly excited at the prospect of seeing Moore's Law in practice. In other words, I would like to see the changes in size of integrated circuits and numbers of transistors in a museum. Overall, this collection should prove to be interesting.
Wikipedia Article on Computer Hardware: This is a very interesting Wikipedia entry. I have never been too familiar with the anatomy of a computer. One section in particular that raises questions for me is the point of the article where the CPU of the Motherboard is described as the "brain" of the "body" (2) . The comparison to human and animal anatomy, in conjunction with our discussion in class about MIT offering its students the opportunity to "build your own laptop", made me think about the compatibility of certain parts with each other. When patients have to undergo transplants for donating an organ or receiving one, the doctors have to be absolutely sure that both bodies have compatible traits such as blood type and (I would assume) health of the organ. How can one determine if a specific output device (for instance) is compatible with a particular motherboard? Are computers more or less particular than human bodies? Overall, this metaphor of the body was the most thought provoking aspect to me (having little computer anatomy exposure).
Wikipedia Article on Moore's Law: This article took me a few tries to completely absorb its content. When accompanied with the Scientific American video, I feel that I completely grasp it. For me, the most interesting aspects of Moore's Law are it's economic component and existence as a "self-fulfilling prophecy". Since the amount of transistors that can be "inexpensively placed" increases to twice the amount every two years (1), it is clear that Gordon Moore has made an economic prophecy as well as a technological one. I found it difficult to believe that our ability to put transistors on an integrated circuit would never divert from its economic course. In other words, I wonder why the rate will never increase and sticks to Moore's precisely predicted course. Perhaps there is something I have misunderstood in the article. I look forward to reading responses.
Computer History Museum Website: I spent some time browsing the museum website and am very interested in a visit. As one can read in the literature, the Computer History Museum provides many examples and ways of illustrating the progress towars our current computers and operating systems. In such a place, one can clearly observe the inner-workings of a computer and its different sections such as the "motherboard" mentioned in the previous article. I'm particularly excited at the prospect of seeing Moore's Law in practice. In other words, I would like to see the changes in size of integrated circuits and numbers of transistors in a museum. Overall, this collection should prove to be interesting.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Week 1 Murky Point
In general, the expectations and assignments of this course seem reasonable. I have, however, had difficulty figuring out when I am expected to post certain things in this weekly blog. I have already begun the second week's reading because I originally thought that those were the ones we are supposed to respond to by this Friday. Although this does not count as the muddiest point of the subject mater, I still feel it is important to bring up.
Conceptually, the muddiest point for me has been the attempts to illustrate technological processes (can be seen in the slides). The picture of the internet, for instance, would have served me better if labels accompanied it (i.e. "This is Google", etc.). Of course, cannot expect such small details to be so easy to come across, but more detail would have given me a better mental map.
Conceptually, the muddiest point for me has been the attempts to illustrate technological processes (can be seen in the slides). The picture of the internet, for instance, would have served me better if labels accompanied it (i.e. "This is Google", etc.). Of course, cannot expect such small details to be so easy to come across, but more detail would have given me a better mental map.
Week 1 Readings
In my opinion, the most interesting aspect of the assigned readings for week 1 is the relationship between the subject matter of each article. The OCLC article "Content, Not Containers" provided me with written confirmation of the library and it's increasingly important role as the place that "establishes the authenticity and provenance of content" . I certainly agree that the methods by which we receive information (books, films, newspapers, etc.) has become consolidated due to the wealth of information that digital sources provide. I wholeheartedly believe that the internet and many of the "term" items in the article have kept text and the act of gathering information by reading alive. The section that discusses the rising sales of e-books was the one tht most convinced me. The OCLC article also demonstrates to me that the act of acquiring information via technologies such and the internet and blogging have not excluded other mediums. In fact, I think that this article completely validates the importance of new information technologies. The internet and it's features keep many different ways of receiving information alive by incorporating them together. Overall, this article made me feel secure about my career choice.
The article by Clifford Lynch seems to provide an explanation of why, in such an environment and time when information doubles at an incredible rate, that being educated in both the "how to" (practical) and "why" (theoretical) aspects of information technology is mre important than ever. This article made me think extensively about my own technological education. For the longest time, I have known about t basic applications of a computer, but have never had the faintest clue about how it works. I have always known how to save a file, but I never knew why clicking on the corner of a picture on my computer screen and selecting the word that describes the action I want can accomplish the "save" action. This article, when read accompanying "Content, Not Containers", informed me of the dangers I face as a consumer of information. In short, I need to increase my "Information Technology Literacy".
The article "Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still" is equally interesting because it shows me an example of how the content of the previous two articles will directly impact my career in everyday situations. I've always realized that there is not "finish line" for technological development, but I was never so daunted about how often these changes take place. I can clearly see how all the aspects of running a library fac direct impact from new technology. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to see an example of how an academic library must constantly adapt in order to maintain it's important role. Overall these three articles serve as a perfectly valid intoduction to the problems I wil have to solve in the not-too-distant future.
The article by Clifford Lynch seems to provide an explanation of why, in such an environment and time when information doubles at an incredible rate, that being educated in both the "how to" (practical) and "why" (theoretical) aspects of information technology is mre important than ever. This article made me think extensively about my own technological education. For the longest time, I have known about t basic applications of a computer, but have never had the faintest clue about how it works. I have always known how to save a file, but I never knew why clicking on the corner of a picture on my computer screen and selecting the word that describes the action I want can accomplish the "save" action. This article, when read accompanying "Content, Not Containers", informed me of the dangers I face as a consumer of information. In short, I need to increase my "Information Technology Literacy".
The article "Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still" is equally interesting because it shows me an example of how the content of the previous two articles will directly impact my career in everyday situations. I've always realized that there is not "finish line" for technological development, but I was never so daunted about how often these changes take place. I can clearly see how all the aspects of running a library fac direct impact from new technology. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to see an example of how an academic library must constantly adapt in order to maintain it's important role. Overall these three articles serve as a perfectly valid intoduction to the problems I wil have to solve in the not-too-distant future.
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