My Citeulike Library
Unfortunately, my third search choice, "graphic novels in libraries," did not return any results on Citeulike. My search found lots of articles about libraries and some articles about graphic novels, but none that really related to each other.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Week 5 Reading Response
Wikipedia: Data Compression
Overall, this article does a pretty good job of explaining data compression, though they did lose me when the author(s) started listing off different methods with technical jargon about how they work. My biggest issue with this article was the first discussion of lossless compression. I understand what statistical redundancy is, and I see why the example of English text is useful, but the author doesn't go anywhere with it. How exactly does lossless compression use statistical redundancy?
Data Compression Basics
Finally, a technical article that is accessible to a layperson! The author really made this topic and the different methods of compression very understandable, and as someone who is not technologically savvy, I really appreciate that. My eyes did glaze over a bit when he was describe arithmetic coding. It was the only section I couldn't figure out what he was talking about, and in fact had to skip over it in order to be able to get to the rest of the article. However, this was just one small blip in an otherwise highly understandable article. I was even able to identify lossless versus lossy methods of compression before he told the reader what type it was by the end of the article!
Overall, this article does a pretty good job of explaining data compression, though they did lose me when the author(s) started listing off different methods with technical jargon about how they work. My biggest issue with this article was the first discussion of lossless compression. I understand what statistical redundancy is, and I see why the example of English text is useful, but the author doesn't go anywhere with it. How exactly does lossless compression use statistical redundancy?
Data Compression Basics
Finally, a technical article that is accessible to a layperson! The author really made this topic and the different methods of compression very understandable, and as someone who is not technologically savvy, I really appreciate that. My eyes did glaze over a bit when he was describe arithmetic coding. It was the only section I couldn't figure out what he was talking about, and in fact had to skip over it in order to be able to get to the rest of the article. However, this was just one small blip in an otherwise highly understandable article. I was even able to identify lossless versus lossy methods of compression before he told the reader what type it was by the end of the article!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Week 4 Readings
Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model
Dublin Core Metadata Initiative: international group to create agreement across disciplines for discovery-oriented descriptions of diverse resources in electronic environment
Dublin Core Element Set: supports cross-discipline resource discovery
DCMI is focused on semantic clarification of DCES and identification of common cross-domain qualifiers for better descriptions.
Basic definition for Dublin Core Data Model is the idea that there are resources, which can be anything with identity, that they want to describe
Some requirements:
It is very important for the language to be as precise as possible for clear understanding, and the unique definitions of the semantics used can be found in a schema. A namespace ties a specific word usage to a specific schema, so as not to create confusion regarding different meanings of the same word. The data model also needs to be able to recognize more refined word associations, like painter vs. contributor.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Unit 4 Readings
Wikipedia article: Database
A database is a structured collection of information store on a computer system. It has several models in which the information is arranged: relational, which is most used, heirarchical, and network.
In the relational model, information is presented in rows and columns, like an Excel spreadsheet. This model has three basic rules: 1. the order of the columns doesn't matter, 2. identical rows aren't allowed, 3. each row has one value for each column.
In the heirarchical model data is organized in an inverted tree, which is useful for establishing logical relationships between elements of multiple files. It is organized in parent child records, and each child has only one parent. It is good for one-to-many relationships, but isn't very flexible.
In the network model, a child can have multiple parents. It is very flexible, but pretty error prone for complex data models, one small change requires changes to many files, and its pretty time consuming. Is this model anything like a computer network, in which many computers are connected?
Databases have several different management systems:
Introduction to Metadata: Pathways to Digital Information
Setting the Stage
Metadata is "data about data" or the "sum total of what can be said regarding any information object at any level of aggregation."
Information objects have:
The structure of metadata increased with the increased use of the internet, so with unmediated access metadata:
Metadata doesn't have to be digital. Information professional have been using it for years and years in cataloguing materials and making them more accessible to the public.
Some new issues (ones that I could particularly identify with/understand)
WEEK 3 MUDDIEST POINT:
Regarding fragmented files: does the computer know where the different fragments of a file are and automatically jump from one piece to the next, or does the user need to know where the fragments are and manually jump to them?
Also, what is the difference between the FAT and NTFS file systems?
A database is a structured collection of information store on a computer system. It has several models in which the information is arranged: relational, which is most used, heirarchical, and network.
In the relational model, information is presented in rows and columns, like an Excel spreadsheet. This model has three basic rules: 1. the order of the columns doesn't matter, 2. identical rows aren't allowed, 3. each row has one value for each column.
In the heirarchical model data is organized in an inverted tree, which is useful for establishing logical relationships between elements of multiple files. It is organized in parent child records, and each child has only one parent. It is good for one-to-many relationships, but isn't very flexible.
In the network model, a child can have multiple parents. It is very flexible, but pretty error prone for complex data models, one small change requires changes to many files, and its pretty time consuming. Is this model anything like a computer network, in which many computers are connected?
Databases have several different management systems:
- relational: information is represented in only one way. It follows the Information Principle
- post-relational: uses relations, but is not limited by the Information Principle
- object: tries to bring databases and applications together by making sure they use the same type of system
Introduction to Metadata: Pathways to Digital Information
Setting the Stage
Metadata is "data about data" or the "sum total of what can be said regarding any information object at any level of aggregation."
Information objects have:
- content-what the contains or is about
- context-indicates the who, what, why, where, how of an information object
- structure-formal set of associations within and among individual information objects.
The structure of metadata increased with the increased use of the internet, so with unmediated access metadata:
- certifies authenticity and degree of completeness
- establishes and documents context of content
- identifies and exploits relationships between and with information objects
- provides range of access points for lots of users
- provides information a professional could have traditionally provided.
Metadata doesn't have to be digital. Information professional have been using it for years and years in cataloguing materials and making them more accessible to the public.
Some new issues (ones that I could particularly identify with/understand)
- Increased accessibility
- Retention of context: it is part of metadata's job to ensure that an information object doesn't get lost off all by itself
- Preservation: how do we adapt metadata to exist independently of the places it is currently stored so we don't lose it?
WEEK 3 MUDDIEST POINT:
Regarding fragmented files: does the computer know where the different fragments of a file are and automatically jump from one piece to the next, or does the user need to know where the fragments are and manually jump to them?
Also, what is the difference between the FAT and NTFS file systems?
Monday, September 1, 2008
Lied Library @ Four Years: Technology Never Stands Still
This article discusses the opening and maintenance of a top of the line academic library. It really opened my eyes to the challenges of keeping an entire library designed for the use of thousands of people up to date and relevant. The difficulties facing those in charge of finding funding for the equipment, the licensing, and the support are enormous. Then a library could always use more computers, especially when anyone who walks into the library, whether or not they are associated with the university, can use them. One thing I thought was a nice idea was the usage of a login system for the computers, which allows librarians to track who is using the computers and how long they've been logged in. This helps to ensure that computers can be made available for the priority users, students and also direct them to any open computers within the library.
The author really illustrates the way in which technology never stops. A library that was built with the latest and best technology has had to update that technology every day since they first opened their doors.
The author really illustrates the way in which technology never stops. A library that was built with the latest and best technology has had to update that technology every day since they first opened their doors.
Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture
This article discusses the differences between information literacy and information technology literacy and how the two need to work together for success in the information field.
The author focuses specifically on the technological aspect and describes two ideas on learning it. One could learn the skills necessary to use technology or learn how the technology works. The author claims that the best way to approach information technology literacy is to understand how technology works, so then one could predict and prepare for new technological advances, rather than just learning new skills every time something new is released.
Many people are content to learn just the skills they need, and often claim ignorance or inability to understand technological workings. I, myself, am not technologically savvy, and I believe that I would not be capable or interested in learning how technology works. This article gives me a new perspective on technology and the importance of understanding how it works and its trends, especially if I am going to be working in a library. It would be better for librarians to be ahead of the trends and knowledgeable for their patrons who will need help utilizing new technology and creating a context for the information that will be available.
The author focuses specifically on the technological aspect and describes two ideas on learning it. One could learn the skills necessary to use technology or learn how the technology works. The author claims that the best way to approach information technology literacy is to understand how technology works, so then one could predict and prepare for new technological advances, rather than just learning new skills every time something new is released.
Many people are content to learn just the skills they need, and often claim ignorance or inability to understand technological workings. I, myself, am not technologically savvy, and I believe that I would not be capable or interested in learning how technology works. This article gives me a new perspective on technology and the importance of understanding how it works and its trends, especially if I am going to be working in a library. It would be better for librarians to be ahead of the trends and knowledgeable for their patrons who will need help utilizing new technology and creating a context for the information that will be available.
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