My comments for the week:
Comment 1
Comment 2
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!
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