Muddiest Point--Week Six

I have no muddiest point this week.

Week Six comments

http://dougappich-informationtechnology.blogspot.com/2010/10/rifd-rifds-are-very-complicated-but.html?showComment=1286853166996#c6782299607513936726

http://kcc18-lis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-6-reading-notes.html?showComment=1286853415059#c2425171084087719846

http://skdhuth.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-6-notes.html?showComment=1286853790571#c7258702598308385044

http://nrampsblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-unit-6-computer.html?showComment=1286854029548#c4050223905170247073

Assignment #3: Working with Jing

http://www.screencast.com/t/YZx2apPUhcl

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjohnston85/5067649749/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjohnston85/5067669727/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjohnston85/5068287962/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjohnston85/5068344008/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjohnston85/5067765417/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjohnston85/5067770585/

RFID

For the sake of time, I have not yet had a chance to read and view the other items that have been posted on RFID, so I will save the questions I have concerning RFID until after I have.  But I did want to comment on two items that I found interesting in the Coyle article.  Number one concerns library security.  She remarks, "The reason to use RFID for security is not because it is especially good for it, but because it is no worse than other security technologies."  She also mentions that there is only a "modicum of security" in the library to begin with.  This begs the question, why spend so much time and money on theft protection if those who really want to steal from the library are able to do so with very little effort?  The second comment I would like to make concerns return on investment.  I imagine this discussion is held everytime the library looks to encorporate new technology, including the soon to be obsolete bar codes and scanners.  I'm not sure if a library could ever justify any purchase if ROI is the driving force.  What I think will happen with RFID is that it will become the standard, bar codes and scanners will go the way of the typewriter, and libraries will be forced to make the change, whether it is fiscally sound or not.

Computer Networks

I found this week's readings on networks to be enlightening.  I've seen the term LAN used, but I'll admit that I didn't know what it meant.  I also learned a lot concerning the connection of the networks.  There are many types of connections that I didn't know about, including the ITU-TG.hn technology that uses a home's existing wiring to connect at high speeds.  Connectivity is always an issue, and the more we can do with the wiring that already exists in a home, school or office will ultimately save money.  I visited a school library yesterday with all glass walls.  The connectivity problems in that space are daunting, and there are cables running everywhere.  It would be interesting to see if ITU-TG.hn technology could solve some of the problems they have there.

Muddiest Point--Week Five

I think Jiepu's lecture was great, but I'll be honest--it went way over my head.  What do I really need to know about databases in order to survive in my school library?

Week Five--comments

http://nrampsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/unit-5-reading-notes.html?showComment=1285946258147#c279937476600702667

http://pittlis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-five-reading-notes.html?showComment=1285946552407#c3577954086063117748

http://marclis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/readings.html?showComment=1285947047011#c8595533152222577877