Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Week 5 Muddiest Point

I do not have a muddiest point after this weeks class. Thanks!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Week 5 Comments

http://brandonlocke.blogspot.com/2009/09/readings-week-five.html

Week 5 Notes

Wikipedia: Data Compression
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_compression

Data compression (source coding)- process of encoding information using fewer bits

- In order to work both the sender & receiver must understand encoding.
- Decreases cost by decreasing disk space
- Must be decompressed again to use, and this can change the material
- Lossless compression is when you exploit statistical redundancy, reversible so to not loss data
- When it can’t find a pattern, it won’t compress, so you can’t always use this.
- Ex: run length encoding (long codes are replaced by simple ones)
- Used for connection bandwidth in a computer network
- Lossy data (perceptual coding) compression is when you ‘round off less important information’ and involves a loss of fidelity. The problem is it is not always reversible and you can lose data. Will make the file smaller, but you will inevitably lose information.
- Used a lot with digital cameras
- Audio and speech compression is also possible

http://dvd-hq.info/data_compression_1.php
Data Compression- focus on video, images, audio

This article is a much more descriptive look at data compression. There are lots of examples and it breaks compression down nicely so that it makes sense even if you are not very familiar with the information. Although, even through repeated attempts I have been unable to access the part two; I am not sure if anyone else had this problem or not.
-Advantages: store more information in a smaller space, takes a shorter amount of time to send/ save that information
- Contains the same amount of information, but it is stored differently
- There are also several different examples and explanations for moving pictures.
- MPEG- Moving Picture Experts Group- several different types that use similar techniques
Since I am not very familiar with how videos work this was more confusing for me than the still images. I thought it was interesting how the author said that the articles are not ‘thorough’, because I thought they were very detailed. Although as a beginner it would make sense that this would be a ton of information.

http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue9_5/galloway/index.html
Imaging Pittsburgh: Creating a shared gateway to digital image collections of the Pittsburgh region. – Edward Galloway
This article is a description of a Pittsburgh photography project which collected between 7,000-10,000 pictures of mid-nineteenth and mid-twentieth century Pittsburgh under a two year grant in 2004. The pictures depict people, places, and events in the Pittsburgh region with the goal of the project for a primary web based access site for users to view the collection. The images came from over 20 different collections, and represent the changing people and times of Pittsburgh. Although there were many challenges with creating the collection, including metadata, the project seems to be quite a success. Being from Pittsburgh, I really enjoyed the article and I can’t wait to check out the website. The collection is a very unique look at Pittsburgh, and the Teeny Harris collection is actually one of the main factors that piqued my interest in Records and Archive Management!

http://www.lita.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/crlnews/2007/jun/youtube.cfm
You Tube and Libraries: It could be a beautiful relationship- Paula Webb

This article begins by describing You Tube, and walks you through the steps of setting up an account as a library. She also reviews the advantages of not only You Tube as an entity, but also ways in which it can benefit your library; including instructional videos and open links to your library to help users with access difficulties and general support. Brief examples of how libraries could use You Tube as a beneficial tool are also included in the article. The article is short, but does a good job of making you think of unique ways to make a library look more ‘hip’ with what students are using.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Week 4 Muddiest Point

What are the differences between a primary key a foreign key and a unique key? This somewhat went over my head during the lecture. Thank you!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Week Four Comment

http://christaruthcoleman2600.blogspot.com/2009/09/readings-for-week-four.html?showComment=1253290873059#c7634893152549118233

Week Four Notes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database
Databases:
Database- collection of related records, or files consolidated into a similar place that provides data for many applications.
This reading covers databases, their organization, strategies, components, characteristics, and functions. The article also reviews the different types of databases- operational, analytical, data warehouse, distributed, end-user, external, web hypermedia, navigational, in-memory, document orientated, and real time. This is intended to be an overview, and does a good job of outlining the information is simple and understandable terms. It is supposed to be a general guide for people unfamiliar, and includes many functions of databases in modern society. Databases are a lot more complex than I had previously realized, but I really like the locking section because it did a good job of connecting databases to the basic functions of my computer so I could understand more clearly.

Setting the Stage -Anne J. Gilliland

Metadata- data about data
- Another way to say it- “information object at any level of aggregation”

Gilliland’s article reviews metadata and its characteristics. Metadata, like other things, has shifted from physical working the numbers to electronically formulating them. It is no longer just for information professionals, this data is now available for everyone to analyze in different ways. For example, many people can now use web-site data to classify if it is a reliable source or not. Humans are able to manipulate the information object, and these objects can be either singular or a whole database of objects. The text describes the 3 features- content, context and structure and what they mean. Different charts and graphs are also used to help understanding of the subject matter. It relates back to Information Science because if you work in this field you need to use the metadata to help users work and research more comfortably and effectively. Metadata is a key component to digitalization and helping users and professionals use the information available in effective ways.


Eric J. Miller. An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
http://dublincore.org/1999/06/06-overview/

The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) is an international effort designed to foster consensus across disciplines for the discovery-oriented description of diverse resources in an electronic environment.
This is a review of the work of Miller on the Dublin Core Data Model, and gives an example of a database. The focus of the project is stated, and with that the functions and requirements of the model. This is very detailed, and honestly somewhat confusing for me, as I am no where near an expert in databases or how to understand them. I do like the articles tone, and the author makes a point to be direct in his statements, which is helpful.

Week Three Muddiest Point

I did not have a muddiest point for week three. Thanks!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Flickr Assignment

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaime_filipek/

Week Two Muddiest Point

I did not have a muddiest point for week two.

Week Three Notes

Introduction to Linux:
What is Linux?

Originally computers were expensive, enormous, and all operated on different systems. Then in 1969 Bell Laps created a simple program that used C programming language- called UNIX. This program used recycling kernels for the first time, allowing the software to run on different types of Hardware. UNIX helped computers and people communicate more effectively. Originally only worked on big operating systems, but later Linux (an implement of UNIX) was adopted to home computers. Linux has gained a lot of popularity, but still falls short of Mircosoft. But, Linux covers more hardware than any other operating system in the world. Originally hard to use, but now is much more user-friendly.
- Now supported by entire infrastructure
- Open source initiative
- Uses GNU tools
Benefits
- Free to download from the internet, free to adapt and distribute, secure, portable, made without necessity to reboot, short debug times, trustworthy
- A Linux to suit everyone is available
Cons
- Confusing to use, way too many distributions
If you like to build, then this would be the right program for you and it is easier to install software. Beginners are urged to use default software and programs.

What is Mac OS X?
http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/osx/
- Many misperceptions about Macs
- History of Macs include evolution of programs, and not new beginnings
- Mac OS X is a ‘descendent’ of NEXTSTEP
- Darwin Operating System
o Takes from a lot of sources
- Layers of Mac OS X
- Firmware (new version)- stored in ROM, 1st start-up program
- Includes commands and advice
- Bootware (BootX)- loads kernels
- kernel (XNU)- includes Mach, BSD, I/O Kit, Platform Expert, libkern and libsa
- Different software layers ‘above the kernel’ – core and application services
- Explanation of system start-up
- Description of Filesystems , programming, and different features
The author describes Macs in great detail, and is a clear supporter of using them. I like that he includes Mac’s flaws and openly admits that it is not the system for everyone. However, he does believe that it is currently the best system offered. In his conclusion he also goes over the positives and negatives briefly of Microsoft and Linux products- which I like because although he is a clear supporter of the Macs he is not a basher of other systems. I also think its very funny that he calls Mac’s “lust worthy” not only because of their stylish exterior, but because of the beautiful engineering that goes into making them.


From Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X
General article on the operating system, Mac OS X. The description includes some of the same information as above; particularly history and what makes a Mac. The article includes compatibility for hardware and software, and features of the Mac OS X program. There is also a review of the different versions offered, chronically.

An Update of the Window’s Roadmap:
http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2008/06/27/an-update-on-the-windows-roadmap.aspx
The Future of Window’s XP
- Continued support for users
- Customers can still purchase if that’s what they want
Vista’s Progress
- Includes many changes and updates
- Designed for easier use
- Increase in security
Window’s 7 View
- will release 3 years after Vista
- building off the same core architecture as Vista
Letter from Bill Veghte, Senior Vice President of Microsoft includes an overview of concerns that are on the minds of Microsoft users. I liked the ‘laid back’ nature of the letter, it was informative, but also in Lehman’s terms- which I think is the appropriate audience to be setting for the letter.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Week One Muddiest Point

I thought all of the information was really clear for the first week's lecture, so I don't really have a muddiest point. Although, I can say that there was one thing that I really liked that we went over in class. On one of the power points, Dr. Daqung showed the building blocks to wisdom.
Data- Information- Knowledge- Wisdom.
I think this was a really useful topic to go over, as it has also come up in two of my other classes. This was definatly useful review for the first class.

Notes from Week 2 Readings

Notes From: (Wikipedia) Personal Computer Hardware

- Computer is made of hardware, various software programs, and operating system
~ Case
~ Monitor
~ Motherboard “brain”
~ CPU- Central Processing Board (performs calculations of function)
~ Chipset- Makes Communication between CPU and rest of Computer
~ RAM- stores running processes
~ BIOS (basic input output system)- tasks handled by operating system drivers
~ Internal buses- connect CPU to internal parts (current or obsolete)
~ External Bus Controllers (external support, USB, etc.)
~ Power Supply- cord, switch, cooling fan
~ Video Display Controller- produces output to monitor
~ Removable Media Drives- CD, DVD, floppy, etc.
~ Internal Storage- keeps data even without power (hard disk)
~ Input devices- mouse, keyboard

Notes From: (Wikipedia) Moore’s Law

Moore’s Law- Long term trend in the history of computer hardware
- Advancement in some chips occurs at a fixed rate (ex. Processors)
- Trend of doubling every two years in transistors on integrated circuit
- Observed by Gordon Moore (Intel)
- Connected to processing speed, memory, camera, pixels
- Increased electronics’ usefulness
- Moore’s theory changed slightly over time
- First was an observation, then became more of a goal
- Will eventually reach it’s limits
- Futurist believe it will lead to technology advances instantly
Other laws, etc.
- Size, cost, density and speed are also changing exponentially
- Moore’s 2nd law- cost of a semiconstructor increases exponentially over time
- Future trends will continue
- Not all aspects of computing technology advance at these rates (ex. RAM)


Notes From: Computer History Museum:
- Website

Notes from Week One Readings

Notes from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2004format.htm
Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers

- Big change since previous report
- ‘unbundling’ of information
- Change from traditional containers (books, CDs, journals)
- Big impact on search process
- Content being provided by sources outside of the library
- Format matters less
- Format agnostic- people don’t care what containers their content comes from
- Lots of experimental forms are being tried
- Major trends are social and technological
- Emergence of Smart Phones- how can libraries find a way to give into them
- Social publishing is widely accessed via the internet (emergence of blogs/ wikis)
Useful for news and opinion, more honest
- Print isn’t disappearing but everything now seems digital
EBooks- Fastest growing publishing industry
Increased digital audio books
-Libraries are not the only collectors of content- all over new media
-Libraries are still gold standard of information, but people are still finding info other places, and so libraries have to compete.
Need to work on providing authenticity of internet media
Increase quality of information available

Notes From: “Information Literacy and Information Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture”
(1998) Opinion position paper
- Information Technology- understanding technology infrastructure, understanding technology tools, understanding legal, social, economic and public policy issues that affect the use of the technologies themselves
- Information Literacy- content and communication, authoring, info finding, organization, research process, information analysis, assessment and evaluation. Can take many forms and serve many purposes and goes beyond traditional literacy

- Both forms are essential to function and succeed now
- Inter-related but distinctly their own

- Information technology literacy
- Two perspectives
1. Skill in using tools, such as computers and basic functions
- Fluency in your skills, and confidence (learning new ones as well as basic skills)
- Communication
2. Understanding how different infrastructures work
- Broad view of those infrastructures that support our society
- Technological issues as well as history, economics, social and public policy
-This information is now critical to success as an informed citizen

Information Literacy
- “the body of knowledge related to text”
- Full understanding and use of visual and multi-media communication devices
- Legal, social, economic issues and ethical, privacy, etc. (wide range of issues)


Notes from: Lied Library @ 4 Years: Technology Never Stands Still

- Challenges of a library to keep up with technology
- Maintaining old systems and creating new (constantly adding and updating software and programs)
- Single systems grow and expand, and Lied Library is constantly trying to maintain and keep up.
- Many of the new technological innovations help reduce physical work in the library and give librarians more control over printing, etc.
- Outlines Lied Library and what it’s been through to technologically keep up.
- Financial burdens of technology
- Computing resource management, virus and spy-ware issues, space limitations, security, general software and hardware problems, temperature control
- Staff must embrace technology- for themselves and to help patrons
- Could mean an increase in staffing
- Goals for big campus projects
- Replacement cycles- hopeful every 3 years
- Extending office hours
- Creativity