Thursday, February 9, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Week 5 Reading Notes
Networking
The Wikipedia article about computer networks was interesting to read. I might even go so far as to say that I enjoyed reading about computers. This is a first. All of the other articles have helped to take a complex process and system and help to conceptualize how it all works together. It was interesting to note that the Internet was originally built as an overlay on the telephone network. It is helpful to better understand these machines and programs that I use on a daily basis. While I may never be on anyone’s speed dial to fix their computer, I do have a better understanding of the bigger picture and how each part relates to another.
Buy Local
This is a phrase that seems to be popular to help stimulate each individual’s local economy. By working together, one can improve their own community. This is what I thought about when I was reading the article about Local Area Networks. It is human nature to want to be connected and designing computer systems that mimic that need allow students/employees/people to not only work more efficiently but increased access allows for a more collaborative (versus silo) environment.
__? will Kill the Radio Star
“Management of RFID in Libraries” was a fascinating article that took the abstract concepts of computers and computer technology and how libraries can utilize this technology. My library still uses barcodes and also has several self-check- out stations that allow patrons to quickly and easily check out materials. However, I think the concern of reduced human interactions with library staff and patrons is valid. My hope is that libraries look at this as an opportunity to offer a different service to patrons that wasn’t possible before when staff spent a lot of time checking out materials. As with any technology there are limitations of RFID technology that were explained in the article. Perhaps a new technology will evolve by taking the good attributes of RFID and fit them with the practical needs of a library.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Week 4 Lab
Task 1 SQL Query:
SELECT * FROM isi_jcr_report_isls i
WHERE j_abbr = “ANNU REV INFORM SCI”
AND jcr_year = 2007
Task 2 SQL Query
SELECT * FROM isi_jcr_report_isls i
WHERE jcr_year = 2008
AND j_if>1
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Week 4 Reading Notes
Transcript for Charlie Brown’s Teacher
When I was reading the articles for this week, I was struck by how much I don’t know about computer technology, programming, and database management systems. In the first article about databases, I began to recognize how pervasive this type of software system is in my day to day life. However, I have never taken time to even begin to understand how all of the data is organized and retrieved nearly instantaneously. This article helped me begin to at least try and understand the incredibly complex education that is required to work in this field.
Secret Decoder Ring
The article about the “Entity-relationship model,” was easier for me to begin to grasp the concept of a database modeling method. Like having a secret decoder ring, Chen’s analogies of nouns and verbs helped me to understand how entities and relationships and attributes work together. Thinking in terms of semantic information about the real world creates a system that allows users to work efficiently.
Why Be Normal?
Fred Coulson’s tutorial, “The 3 Normal Forms,” took an incredibly complicated and complex topic and attempted to simplify the process. Despite having read the article a couple of times, I still find this to be an incredibly complex subject. Perhaps my brain is just not suited for the thought and discipline that goes into creating a relational database management system. Perhaps I just prefer my role to be the user that these incredibly intelligent computer programmers spend countless hours working to refine a system that helps me store, utilize and search for information.
Disclaimer: Please note that I truly admire those individuals who work in this field and wish that I had the aptitude to do the same.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Week 3 Reading Notes
I could have used you…
What a great thing progress is. Back in the day, when I was in high school and college, programs like EndNote did not exist. One of the worst parts about a research paper was not the research-although the process was vastly different from the process today. For me, the worst part was completing the bibliography. It seemed to take more time than the research itself-making sure each period and comma were in the correct spot and the correct words were in italics. EndNote would have made the process much easier. Again, progress is a wonderful thing and speaks to the value of programmers creating programs that allow users to work more efficiently.
Progress not Perfection
An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model was an interesting perspective on the challenge that is faced when trying to standardize the descriptive practice. At the same time, the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative recognizes that there will “never be one ‘true’ declarative set of semantics.” It is hard to imagine working on a project that can never be recognized in its purest form. However, I admire the ambitious goal to also support interoperability across programs. In this new footing of the digital environment, these types of initiatives will prove successful in advancing a common language to enhance metadata. It is important to recognize the enormity of the undertaking and applaud the progress rather than be soured on its inability to achieve perfection.
Fluid and Organic
After reading Anne Gilliland’s chapter, Setting the Stage, I realize that while metadata is a relatively recent term-it has been around since the beginning to time. Humans have always sought to categorize objects and provide a description so that the same object can be found at a later time. Metadata strikes me as a fluid and organic system, one that continues to grow and morph based on those who are “writing” the metadata. In my mind, one of the most important achievements of metadata is the ability to authenticate and validate information about an object. In a world in which tremendous amounts of information are available with a few clicks of the mouse, it is imperative that metadata provide not only the correct context but knowledge that the information object itself is valid. It’s kind of like reading the National Enquirer or the Wall Street Journal-and being able to readily discern the difference between the information contained within both sources.
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