Metadata and Dublin Core

I liked this definition of metadata:  the sum total of what one can say about any information object, including content, context and structure.  Metadata ensures interoperability, but interoperability requires the objects to "speak the same language."  With the Web open to everyone to post items (no longer only information professionals,) the metadata may no longer be written in language that is understandable by all.  In order for there to be interoperability, there needs to be standards and quality control.  I think this is what Dublin Core is all about, but to be honest, I have not been able to fully comprehend that concept.

One last note about metadata--"it is the Rosetta stone that will make it possible to decode information objects and their transformation into knowledge in the cultural heritage information systems of the future."  That's a great definition and an even greater application if indeed it works that way.

Database

Two points I found most interesting from this article:

1.  The indexing of a database can speed up access to the information but slow down data maintenance.  This is a dual-edged sword--we want the client to have fast access to the information provided in the database, but it costs money to maintain the databases, and if indexing requires more maintenance, then it seems indexing requires more thought than one would think.

2.  Database replication.  It is a simple concept, but one I hadn't really thought about:  mulitple copies of a database could be running on different computers.  Given the fragile state of computers, it certainly makes sense.

Muddiest Point--Week Four

My muddiest point this week concerns compression.  If I have text files on my computer (Word documents, Excel files,) and I want to compress them so I can store many files on a flash drive or some other storage device, how can I do it?  And then, how do I reconstruct (uncompress?  decompress?) the files when I need to use them?

Week Four: Comments

http://pittlis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-four-reading-notes.html?showComment=1285425986995#c6176308435544805626

http://skdhuth.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-notes_21.html?showComment=1285426400173#c5174925773496580330

http://dougappich-informationtechnology.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-readings.html?showComment=1285426779232#c6154969212351786557

http://nrampsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-readings-comments.html?showComment=1285427257456#c5864740971251177195

Youtube and Libraries

This article could not have come at a better time for me.  I am beginning my practicum in a high school library on October 4, and my cooperating teacher librarian asked me if there were any special projects I wanted to work on while I was there.  I told her I was hoping to create a more high profile Web presence for the library--a Facebook page or Twitter account, perhaps.  She was very reluctant to use social networking in the library, so I was trying to find some other way to reach the students that would be relevant.  This may be the way to go.  They have a production class at the library.  Perhaps they could create "commercials" for the library that we could post on Youtube.  I did send the link to this article to my CTL.  I hope she's receptive to the idea.

Imaging Pittsburgh

After reading this article, I wondered what happened after the project was over.  This is what I learned:

• Three more libraries joined the project:  Chatham University Archives, Oakmont Carnegie Library and Point Park University.
• There are over 18,000 images.
• You can access the collection at http://digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh
• The site also contains texts, maps, videos and census records.

I can only imagine the value of this project to a Pittsburgh historian or anyone doing any type of research on Pittsburgh.  The description of the project shows that multiple venues with differing ways to approach a task can collaborate and compromise when necessary to work in the most efficient way possible.

Week Four--Data compression

From the perspective of a non-mathematician, I found the Wikipedia article concerning Data Compression to be nearly incomprehensible.  However, I was able to glean some information from the documents in the other posting.  It is fascinating the complexity of an idea that is really so simple--how can we make what we have fit in a smaller space.  We do it in our own lives--how can we cram more stuff into the space available.  For me, data compression is like a Space Bag--it squeezes the air out of the spaces in between the stuff, so you have space for more stuff.

Muddiest point for week three

The obvious advantage of open source software use in the library is cost.  But what are the other advantages, and what are some of the disadvantages?  Is there appropriate support for open source software?  Does the life of open source software rival that of paid software, or does it disappear faster?

Flickr URL

The URL to view my photos in Flickr is www.flickr.com/photos/mjohnston85/

Week three comment links

http://nrampsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/reading-notes-week-3.html?showComment=1284754325591#c9037330221177740010

http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/09/introduction-to-linux.html?showComment=1284754613715#c1042641337887283517

http://skdhuth.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-notes.html?showComment=1284755563916#c3966344095895615099

http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/09/muddiest-point-2.html?showComment=1284756001222#c4800358367486660869

Introduction to Linux

After reading that article, I'm still not sure if your average person, like me, with little to no programming knowledge, would ever want to try Linux.  If my computer already comes with Windows, what are the advantages to switching to Linux?  And could I do it, knowing relatively nothing about programming?

What is Mac OS X?

Good question!  It is safe to say I do not, nor will I ever, possess the knowledge required to understand that article.  I'm a PC, so I do understand that unless I should decide to become a Mac, I'll never have to worry about the Mac OS X.  That is good, because if I have to understand that article to be a Mac, it'll never happen.

Muddiest Point--Week Two

I can't say I really had a muddiest point this week.  I appreciated the lengthy discussion of what was due when and where it was to be posted, and I found the lecture to be quite fascinating.  There is so much about the technology that we use every day that I just don't understand.  This lecture helped to clear up a lot of questions.

Computer History Museum

I had no idea there was a computer history museum, but I'm now fascinated.  I would love to visit and see the exhibits, especially ones that would concern the early computers and how the technology and equipment have evolved from computers that filled a room to ones you hold in your hand. 

Wikipedia articles

I found the personal computer hardware article to be very helpful.  It's been a while since I've felt like I knew what was going on with my computer, so it's nice to know there's a place I can go to make sure I can at least sound like I know what I'm talking about when I need to call Dell for tech support.  Also, as a future school librarian, there's no telling what I may be called upon to do concerning the technology in my school.  I will need to know what I'm doing.

As for the Moore's Law article, that went over my head.  I would certainly put it in the category of a muddy point.  And I couldn't get the Scientific American video to load, which was disappointing, because I think it would have made things a little clearer.  However, the one thing about this article that stuck with me is the idea of technology obsolescence.  My husband and I purchased our first computer in 1992.  The cost was around $2000 and it had 2 MB of RAM.  Several years later we upgraded the RAM by purchasing an additional 4 MB for $200.  Fastforward 18 years and 5 different computers.  The latest model, purchased a month ago, cost around $1000 and has 8 GB of RAM.  I hate to think of the money we've spent on technology (computers, phones, cameras, iPods,) over the lifetime of our marriage, but I can tell you that the tv we purchased with our wedding money 20 years ago is still working.  The fact that the cost has come down and the speed and storage have gone up doesn't change the fact that it's ridiculous that these items are being replaced every two-five years.  It's fiscally and environmentally irresponsible.  I don't know what it is, but I hope there's a solution.

Muddiest point--week one

Like some others, my muddiest point is where to post everything.  Do I respond to the blogs within the blogs?  Does the muddiest point belong on my blog or on the discussion board?  Do the discussion board questions have a due date as to when we post/respond?

Content, not container

"[M]any of the most disruptive changes are taking place outside of the arena of traditional information management. They are being driven by the manufacture of phones and entertainment devices as well as by consumers of content whose interests and tastes are supported by the technology." 

Also,
"[L]ibrarians will need to pay attention to how content is created, found and used by the increasingly self-sufficient, but also increasingly demanding and discerning information consumer/producer."

And also,
"What seems clear is that libraries should move beyond the role of collector and organizer of content, print and digital, to one that establishes the authenticity and provenance of content and provides the imprimatur of quality in an information-rich but context-poor world. The challenge is how to do this."

Finally,
“We are drowning in information but are starving for knowledge. Information is only useful when it can be located and synthesized into knowledge.”

This article reveals a future that is now, where we have all the information we could ever imagine literally in the palms of our hands.  The job of the librarian will be teaching information consumers how to turn that information into usable information and then ultimately, knowledge. 

Information Literacy and IT Literacy

Clifford Lynch had me from the very beginning when he spoke about the importance of teaching information literacy, and his concluding statements about information literacy were quite prescient in 1998.  Having just spent a semester learning about information literacy skills and the importance of teaching them in schools, I definitely agree with his statements.  However, he lost me with his discussion of the extensiveness of information technology literacy in order for us all to function as informed citizens.  I think an understanding of those areas, such as electrical power distribution, broadcasting and financial infrastructure, would indeed be valuable, but I hardly believe that not having a basic understanding of these and other areas will, as Lynch stated, limit one's ability to function intelligently in society. 

Lied Library

My main take away from this article was the enormous costs of information technology.  When I was teaching (around 1998,) a family donated a large number of computers to our school, enough so each classroom received three.  Unfortunately, there was no money for support, networking, additional training, etc, so the computers were almost useless.  At Lied Libary, in just four years, they had seven new major system installations, 600 PC units replaced, an air conditioning upgrade from a three-ton system to a 10-ton system and additional security cameras and a central security monitoring system installed.  "Extensive documentation is regularly provided to Library Administration to help predict budget costs necessary to maintain the library’s technology."  How important is it to remember that the cost of the system is only the beginning of the costs of maintaining a well-functioning library.