The URL for my website is:
http://www.pitt.edu/~ces76/
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Unit 11: Web Search and OAI Protocol
OAI Protocol
This article, filled with acronyms, gives an overview of OAI-MPH (open archives initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting—specifically what its original purpose for creation was and the different ways it’s being used today. OAI’s original goal was to provide access to “diverse e-print archives through metadata harvesting”, but is now used in a variety of communities. The article highlights three of these communities, which include: Open Language Archives Community, The Sheet Music Consortium, and the National Science Digital Library. The Open Lang. Archives uses OAI to create a “network of repositories” from 27 metadata harvesters. The Sheet Music Consortium utilizes the Dublin Core to describe sheet music, which is a cataloging challenge. OAI provides a means of “virtual collection”. For the Nat’l Science Digital Library, OAI acts as the aggregator of metadata. It’s interesting that OAI’s original purpose has branched out to help a wide range of communities in the information world.
Web Search Engines, Parts 1 & 2
After reading, I’ve realized that I had never given much thought to what goes into a search engine producing the results that it does. I am amazed not only at what a complex process this is, but also how incredibly quickly we are given our search results. Another important aspect of the search engines is their PageRank. This popularity score given to web pages ensures us that if we search for “University of Pittsburgh”, we are almost guaranteed that the school’s website will be the first hit in the list, rather than some random person’s website that says they graduated from the “University of Pittsburgh” in 1989.
The Deep Web
Like most topics in the readings for this class, I didn’t know much about the Deep Web. This article provides quite a bit of information regarding information buried on the web. It makes me wonder what I’m missing out on when researching and just fooling around online. I was amazed to read that, “Public information on the deep Web is currently 400-550 times larger than commonly defined on the WWW”. This number could be even greater now since this article was written in 2001. The article also states that ‘directed query technology’ is the method necessary to bring deep and surface web information together.
This article, filled with acronyms, gives an overview of OAI-MPH (open archives initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting—specifically what its original purpose for creation was and the different ways it’s being used today. OAI’s original goal was to provide access to “diverse e-print archives through metadata harvesting”, but is now used in a variety of communities. The article highlights three of these communities, which include: Open Language Archives Community, The Sheet Music Consortium, and the National Science Digital Library. The Open Lang. Archives uses OAI to create a “network of repositories” from 27 metadata harvesters. The Sheet Music Consortium utilizes the Dublin Core to describe sheet music, which is a cataloging challenge. OAI provides a means of “virtual collection”. For the Nat’l Science Digital Library, OAI acts as the aggregator of metadata. It’s interesting that OAI’s original purpose has branched out to help a wide range of communities in the information world.
Web Search Engines, Parts 1 & 2
After reading, I’ve realized that I had never given much thought to what goes into a search engine producing the results that it does. I am amazed not only at what a complex process this is, but also how incredibly quickly we are given our search results. Another important aspect of the search engines is their PageRank. This popularity score given to web pages ensures us that if we search for “University of Pittsburgh”, we are almost guaranteed that the school’s website will be the first hit in the list, rather than some random person’s website that says they graduated from the “University of Pittsburgh” in 1989.
The Deep Web
Like most topics in the readings for this class, I didn’t know much about the Deep Web. This article provides quite a bit of information regarding information buried on the web. It makes me wonder what I’m missing out on when researching and just fooling around online. I was amazed to read that, “Public information on the deep Web is currently 400-550 times larger than commonly defined on the WWW”. This number could be even greater now since this article was written in 2001. The article also states that ‘directed query technology’ is the method necessary to bring deep and surface web information together.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Unit 10: Digital Libraries
Digital Libraries: Challenges and Influential Work
One of the details that struck me in the article is the fact that there are over 80,000 online journals. My guess is that since this article was published in 2005, there are now an even greater number of online journals. It’s interesting to think just how much digital libraries have changed over the course of the past 10-15 years, especially when you think of how much technology has changed in these years as well.
Dewey Meets Turing
First, I never imagined hearing that Digital Libraries have “sex appeal”. Awesome.
But seriously, before starting the program here at Pitt, I never imagined that the computer science field and library field were so closely related. The two go hand in hand. Digital libraries ultimately do change traditional librarianship. However, as the article writes, “the core function of librarianship remains”. We still are collectors and organizers of information, and we are still serving the needs of patrons. Digital libraries just change the way that this happens and what it looks like.
Institutional Repositories
Repository was a foreign word to me before the beginning of this semester. An institutional repository can be a great resource for faculty and students alike in a university (or other setting). Security is certainly an issue for repositories though, which cannot be overlooked. Repositories should not be formed haphazardly, but given great thought and planning before launched.
One of the details that struck me in the article is the fact that there are over 80,000 online journals. My guess is that since this article was published in 2005, there are now an even greater number of online journals. It’s interesting to think just how much digital libraries have changed over the course of the past 10-15 years, especially when you think of how much technology has changed in these years as well.
Dewey Meets Turing
First, I never imagined hearing that Digital Libraries have “sex appeal”. Awesome.
But seriously, before starting the program here at Pitt, I never imagined that the computer science field and library field were so closely related. The two go hand in hand. Digital libraries ultimately do change traditional librarianship. However, as the article writes, “the core function of librarianship remains”. We still are collectors and organizers of information, and we are still serving the needs of patrons. Digital libraries just change the way that this happens and what it looks like.
Institutional Repositories
Repository was a foreign word to me before the beginning of this semester. An institutional repository can be a great resource for faculty and students alike in a university (or other setting). Security is certainly an issue for repositories though, which cannot be overlooked. Repositories should not be formed haphazardly, but given great thought and planning before launched.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Unit 9: XML
Reading Notes
From my understanding, XML is a more sophisticated markup language than XML. Its tags allow document formatting to be easily transferred between different systems and software. As Bergholz wrote in "Extending Your Markup: An XML Tutorial", "meaningful annotation is, in essence what XML is all about".The tags are more descriptive to the elements of the document and have a start and end just as HTML tags do. XML seems more logical and explicit. Another difference between HTML & XML is that HTML is used mostly for web layout. I found Bergholz's tutorial article to be the most helpful article in understanding XML. The W3 school's XML tutorial is also a great resource.
From my understanding, XML is a more sophisticated markup language than XML. Its tags allow document formatting to be easily transferred between different systems and software. As Bergholz wrote in "Extending Your Markup: An XML Tutorial", "meaningful annotation is, in essence what XML is all about".The tags are more descriptive to the elements of the document and have a start and end just as HTML tags do. XML seems more logical and explicit. Another difference between HTML & XML is that HTML is used mostly for web layout. I found Bergholz's tutorial article to be the most helpful article in understanding XML. The W3 school's XML tutorial is also a great resource.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Unit 9 Muddiest Point
I am a Mac user, and wondering what program to use to write my HTML code for Assignment 6 since I don't have "Notepad" on my computer. Is it the "TextEdit" application?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Assignment 5: Koha
My Koha bookshelf list:
http://upitt01-staff.kwc.kohalibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/virtualshelves/shelves.pl?viewshelf=53
My Koha username is CES76 and list name is "Cooking and Food-C.Stalker".
http://upitt01-staff.kwc.kohalibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/virtualshelves/shelves.pl?viewshelf=53
My Koha username is CES76 and list name is "Cooking and Food-C.Stalker".
Unit 8: HTML & Web Authoring Software
HTML Tutorial & HTML Cheatsheet
I took a basic technology class during undergrad and had to create a website with HTML code, so this site was a useful refresher. It had some useful tips, though I did find the website a little hard to navigate, It was hard to tell at first what the actual content of the site was, and what was advertisements or links to other areas of the web site. The cheatsheet is also a great resource to have all the handy tags in one place.
CSS Tutorial
I remember discussing Cascading Style Sheets in my previous technology class, but couldn't have told you much about it before reading this web page. HTML defines what is contained within a document, while CSS defines what the document looks like and how it's formatted (or defines the HTML). You can't have CSS without first having HTML.
"Beyond HTML"
This article outlines CMS, or content management systems at the Georgia State University Library. The libraries at GSU implemented a web-based development system. This article outlines the methods used to test the systems and the outcomes. The researchers found that the system allowed the libraries to have a great control over the user interface and also managing the content of the system and the collection as well, especially in using templates. Despite the success they found, these new systems have not been implemented in each library at the university. This kind of change would take a lot of preparation, both technologically, and in preparing both staff and patrons for the change as well.
I took a basic technology class during undergrad and had to create a website with HTML code, so this site was a useful refresher. It had some useful tips, though I did find the website a little hard to navigate, It was hard to tell at first what the actual content of the site was, and what was advertisements or links to other areas of the web site. The cheatsheet is also a great resource to have all the handy tags in one place.
CSS Tutorial
I remember discussing Cascading Style Sheets in my previous technology class, but couldn't have told you much about it before reading this web page. HTML defines what is contained within a document, while CSS defines what the document looks like and how it's formatted (or defines the HTML). You can't have CSS without first having HTML.
"Beyond HTML"
This article outlines CMS, or content management systems at the Georgia State University Library. The libraries at GSU implemented a web-based development system. This article outlines the methods used to test the systems and the outcomes. The researchers found that the system allowed the libraries to have a great control over the user interface and also managing the content of the system and the collection as well, especially in using templates. Despite the success they found, these new systems have not been implemented in each library at the university. This kind of change would take a lot of preparation, both technologically, and in preparing both staff and patrons for the change as well.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Unit 7: Muddiest Point
After class today, I am wondering more of what the difference is between HTTP and HTTPS. I'm a bit confused between the two.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Unit 7: Internet and WWW Technologies
"How Stuff Works" Article
I found this article to be more confusing than clarifying, particularly the "Internet Network Example". I suppose that I understand the basics, but one thing that just baffles me is the speed at which this all happens. Especially when I think back to my family's first laptop, which I believe was on loan from my dad's work. We would hook up that clunker to our phone line and it just took an unbelievable amount of time to accomplish anything. But to think of the changes that have taken place is just incredible!
"Dismantling Integrated Library Systems"
I had never heard of an integrated library system (ILS) before reading this article. It seems that a great deal of research must be done by a library before selecting an ILS, especially because of the interoperability between vendors. It seems there's no easy solution in selecting an ILS or in finding a fixable solution for an already existing ILS.
Google Video
I found this video to be very interesting. I was surprised by how young both the founders are and how down to earth they seem. As a teacher, the fact that they both attended Montessori School struck me. I also found it interesting that they allow their staff to work on these "Googlettes", or the smaller projects within the company. It seems like more companies could learn from how they operate and would benefit from the work environment they've created within the company. From what I've heard, the Pittsburgh office of Google is much the same.
I found this article to be more confusing than clarifying, particularly the "Internet Network Example". I suppose that I understand the basics, but one thing that just baffles me is the speed at which this all happens. Especially when I think back to my family's first laptop, which I believe was on loan from my dad's work. We would hook up that clunker to our phone line and it just took an unbelievable amount of time to accomplish anything. But to think of the changes that have taken place is just incredible!
"Dismantling Integrated Library Systems"
I had never heard of an integrated library system (ILS) before reading this article. It seems that a great deal of research must be done by a library before selecting an ILS, especially because of the interoperability between vendors. It seems there's no easy solution in selecting an ILS or in finding a fixable solution for an already existing ILS.
Google Video
I found this video to be very interesting. I was surprised by how young both the founders are and how down to earth they seem. As a teacher, the fact that they both attended Montessori School struck me. I also found it interesting that they allow their staff to work on these "Googlettes", or the smaller projects within the company. It seems like more companies could learn from how they operate and would benefit from the work environment they've created within the company. From what I've heard, the Pittsburgh office of Google is much the same.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Week 6 Muddiest Point
At this point I think I'm just struggling with keeping the terms and acronyms straight and remembering what's what.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Assignment 4: Personal Bibliographic Management Systems
This project was completed using Google Scholar, Zotero, and CiteULike.
My CiteULike Library:
http://www.citeulike.org/user/caitlinstalker
My CiteULike Library:
http://www.citeulike.org/user/caitlinstalker
Assignment 3: Jing
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Unit 6: Computer Networks and Wireless Networks
Management of RFID in Libraries
I had an "ah ha!" light bulb moment while reading this article, as I realized how it is that my library books are all checked out as a group when I place them on what I now understand to be an RFID reader. Suddenly, it makes sense! This article was enlightening. I really had little to no knowledge about RFID before reading this article. Basically RFID is identification that is much more sophisticated than a typical bar code. Because of the technology embedded into RFID tags, libraries can adopt a more automated sorting of returned materials. However, the author points out that because materials are sorted quickly and efficiently, it's more costly to reshelve them. One of the pros of RFID is that it makes finding lost materials so much easier. But I believe one of the cons of RFID could be privacy issues that can arise.
Computer Networks: Wikipedia & YouTube
I found the supplemental YouTube video to be so helpful. It's much easier to grasp the article after watching/listening to the video. From what I understand, my roommates and I have a Home Area Network with our three computers and my printer. Also, it seems logical that a computer network is an overlay network. There are so many intricate layers. The Wikipedia article also states that "the Internet was initially built as an over on the telephone network". I'm assuming this is because to originally connect to the Internet from home we needed a telephone connection to dial up. Overall I feel I have a better understanding of the different types of networks that exist now.
I had an "ah ha!" light bulb moment while reading this article, as I realized how it is that my library books are all checked out as a group when I place them on what I now understand to be an RFID reader. Suddenly, it makes sense! This article was enlightening. I really had little to no knowledge about RFID before reading this article. Basically RFID is identification that is much more sophisticated than a typical bar code. Because of the technology embedded into RFID tags, libraries can adopt a more automated sorting of returned materials. However, the author points out that because materials are sorted quickly and efficiently, it's more costly to reshelve them. One of the pros of RFID is that it makes finding lost materials so much easier. But I believe one of the cons of RFID could be privacy issues that can arise.
Computer Networks: Wikipedia & YouTube
I found the supplemental YouTube video to be so helpful. It's much easier to grasp the article after watching/listening to the video. From what I understand, my roommates and I have a Home Area Network with our three computers and my printer. Also, it seems logical that a computer network is an overlay network. There are so many intricate layers. The Wikipedia article also states that "the Internet was initially built as an over on the telephone network". I'm assuming this is because to originally connect to the Internet from home we needed a telephone connection to dial up. Overall I feel I have a better understanding of the different types of networks that exist now.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Unit 5: Information Organization by Database, Metadata
Metadata:
My basic understanding of metadata is that it is “information about information”. But after reading Anne J. Gilliland’s article, it’s clear that there is a whole lot to it than my original thought. It seems that each organization, group, or institution creates their own definition of metadata, or at least the metadata that they are utilizing. We can also create our own metadata by creating tags, which we also read about in “Everything is Miscellaneous” by David Weinberger. User-created metadata allows us to personalize web pages and sites and as Gilliland writes, “the sense of ownership shared among more parties than just those who create information repositories” (p. 5). There are also various categories and characteristics of metadata. Overall I’d say that metadata is much more complex than I had thought.
Databases:
This article was like reading a foreign language! Basically, a database “consists of an organized collection of data for one or more uses, typically in the digital form”. There are a wide range of structures and types of databases, and also methods of organization. Security is also an important component, who can access and who cannot. From this article I’ve learned it takes quite a bit of knowledge to create, manage and run databases. There are many different aspects within databases to ensure that database users have the correct access to the database and to the materials within the database.
Dublin Core Data Model:
Personally, the most important part of this article is that the DCDI has attempted to establish standards that go across the disciplines, but also recognized that each group “may choose richer semantic definitions” than the DCDI. With this, they also tried to create a relation between the Dublin definition and a richer definition.
My basic understanding of metadata is that it is “information about information”. But after reading Anne J. Gilliland’s article, it’s clear that there is a whole lot to it than my original thought. It seems that each organization, group, or institution creates their own definition of metadata, or at least the metadata that they are utilizing. We can also create our own metadata by creating tags, which we also read about in “Everything is Miscellaneous” by David Weinberger. User-created metadata allows us to personalize web pages and sites and as Gilliland writes, “the sense of ownership shared among more parties than just those who create information repositories” (p. 5). There are also various categories and characteristics of metadata. Overall I’d say that metadata is much more complex than I had thought.
Databases:
This article was like reading a foreign language! Basically, a database “consists of an organized collection of data for one or more uses, typically in the digital form”. There are a wide range of structures and types of databases, and also methods of organization. Security is also an important component, who can access and who cannot. From this article I’ve learned it takes quite a bit of knowledge to create, manage and run databases. There are many different aspects within databases to ensure that database users have the correct access to the database and to the materials within the database.
Dublin Core Data Model:
Personally, the most important part of this article is that the DCDI has attempted to establish standards that go across the disciplines, but also recognized that each group “may choose richer semantic definitions” than the DCDI. With this, they also tried to create a relation between the Dublin definition and a richer definition.
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 27 Muddiest Point (Week 4)
Which file type (JPEG, GIF, etc...) is best to use when posting photos to an online sharing site (like Flickr or Shutterfly). Does it matter?
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Unit 4: Multimedia Representation & Storage
I'd have to say that I really appreciated the approach taken by the DVD-HQ article. It presented the topic in a way that I could more easily internalize and process, granted a lot of it still is quite technical for me.
I really appreciated the “Imaging Pittsburgh” article by Edward Galloway. It is so beneficial to read about a specific case of digitization and collaboration among organizations, than to just read about it generically. I’ve spent some time before reading this article on the ‘Historic Pittsburgh’ site and I feel much more enlightened as to how this project came to be. I also love that it’s an example of something local, too.
I love the idea of creating Youtube videos to showcase library services and to demonstrate how to use the library. As a future school librarian though, I know that nearly almost every school district blocks Youtube, so in this case it wouldn’t be a took that I could use, which is disappointing. But in the public library, this can be such a great tool to reach patrons.
I really appreciated the “Imaging Pittsburgh” article by Edward Galloway. It is so beneficial to read about a specific case of digitization and collaboration among organizations, than to just read about it generically. I’ve spent some time before reading this article on the ‘Historic Pittsburgh’ site and I feel much more enlightened as to how this project came to be. I also love that it’s an example of something local, too.
I love the idea of creating Youtube videos to showcase library services and to demonstrate how to use the library. As a future school librarian though, I know that nearly almost every school district blocks Youtube, so in this case it wouldn’t be a took that I could use, which is disappointing. But in the public library, this can be such a great tool to reach patrons.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
September 20 Muddiest Point
After this week's class, I'm wondering more about the open source programs/software. What happens if you have technical issues with the programs? Is there a way to get technical support?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Unit 3: Computer Software Reading Notes
My main response to these readings is that they went way over my head. The vast majority of it was much too technical for me to understand. I've been a Windows user up until this summer, when I purchased my first Mac. I'm still learning the ins and outs of my Mac, so reading both the Mac OS X articles was helpful (at least the parts that I could understand!). I'm pretty comfortable using it now and have a feeling I won't go back to Windows anytime soon, though I still use it in the workplace and in the schools where I substitute teach.
I do feel like I have a better understanding of the Linux system now. I knew virtually nothing about it before reading the article, other than the fact that it was something I didn't have the skills to use, and still feel that way now, actually.
I do feel like I have a better understanding of the Linux system now. I knew virtually nothing about it before reading the article, other than the fact that it was something I didn't have the skills to use, and still feel that way now, actually.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
September 13 Muddiest Point
This week seemed to be a bit technical for me. I certainly understand the basics of navigating my computer and doing the tasks that I need to do, but the technical aspects of it tend to just be too much for me.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Week 2: Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware
I think what struck me most about this article is how little I actually think of the technical aspects of my computer; as long as it is working the way I expect it to. When things go awry, it’s good to know that I can find some basic technical info if needed.
Moore’s Law
I feel like I have the basic understanding of this, but the article was too technical for my basic computer knowledge. It makes sense to think that hardware capacity increases each year as new technological advances are made. Part 2 of Moore’s Law also seems fairly logical, that as our cost of technology as a consumer decreases, the cost to produce it and for R & D increases. The short video also helped to make sense of what exactly Moore’s Law is about. And also a good reminder that transistors will eventually reach the point where they just are not able to get any smaller.
The Computer History Museum seems like quite an interesting place. Their website seems quite comprehensive and I enjoy that so much of the museum’s contents are available online. As a future school librarian, this could be a great resource to have on hand!
I think what struck me most about this article is how little I actually think of the technical aspects of my computer; as long as it is working the way I expect it to. When things go awry, it’s good to know that I can find some basic technical info if needed.
Moore’s Law
I feel like I have the basic understanding of this, but the article was too technical for my basic computer knowledge. It makes sense to think that hardware capacity increases each year as new technological advances are made. Part 2 of Moore’s Law also seems fairly logical, that as our cost of technology as a consumer decreases, the cost to produce it and for R & D increases. The short video also helped to make sense of what exactly Moore’s Law is about. And also a good reminder that transistors will eventually reach the point where they just are not able to get any smaller.
The Computer History Museum seems like quite an interesting place. Their website seems quite comprehensive and I enjoy that so much of the museum’s contents are available online. As a future school librarian, this could be a great resource to have on hand!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Week 1: Muddiest Point & Reading Response
Week 1
Muddiest Point
As a Mac user, I am unsure about what to do about this week’s assignment to download Ad-aware. Is it enough to read about it and understand what it is, or do I specifically need to find a way to install it?
Response to Readings
These first readings really demonstrate how technology has completely revolutionized the ways we can access information. The traditional ways are still in place, but now there are just so many more ways. I had never much considered how overwhelming this could be in the information field.
As I embark on this program, it seems that one of the biggest obstacles I’ll face as a future school librarian is to figure out the best ways to guide students (and other teachers at times) through technology and finding quality information that is both valid and relevant to them. What will be the most useful and how will I know?
On a different note, after reading the “Lied Library” article, it became quite obvious that I’ve never really given much thought to the vast expense (in both time and money) that is required for the technological “upkeep” of a library, particularly the one discussed in this article. Patrons expect libraries to be online, functional and up to date. To provide the services they need, libraries have to constantly be focused on the future technologies and the best ways to implement the most crucial technological advances into their systems.
Muddiest Point
As a Mac user, I am unsure about what to do about this week’s assignment to download Ad-aware. Is it enough to read about it and understand what it is, or do I specifically need to find a way to install it?
Response to Readings
These first readings really demonstrate how technology has completely revolutionized the ways we can access information. The traditional ways are still in place, but now there are just so many more ways. I had never much considered how overwhelming this could be in the information field.
As I embark on this program, it seems that one of the biggest obstacles I’ll face as a future school librarian is to figure out the best ways to guide students (and other teachers at times) through technology and finding quality information that is both valid and relevant to them. What will be the most useful and how will I know?
On a different note, after reading the “Lied Library” article, it became quite obvious that I’ve never really given much thought to the vast expense (in both time and money) that is required for the technological “upkeep” of a library, particularly the one discussed in this article. Patrons expect libraries to be online, functional and up to date. To provide the services they need, libraries have to constantly be focused on the future technologies and the best ways to implement the most crucial technological advances into their systems.
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