Saturday, October 9, 2010
Week 6 Reading Notes
Local Area Network (Wikipedia
A clear and concise explanation of what a LAN (local area network) is from it’s conception, development and it’s application. LAN is used in a smaller setting where the WAN (wide area network) is used in much larger settings like businesses and schools.
I was glad to know and understand this information. When my son was in high school, he and his friends would have an annual LAN Party on the New Years weekend lasting for days. It was obvious what a LAN party was, but I never knew or thought about the technical physicality of it all.
Computer Network (Wikipedia):
The different types of computer networks were explained along with the necessary hardware. I had no knowledge of most of these and had only heard a few of the terms before.
Common Types of Computer Networks (Youtube):
Common Types of Computer Networks (Youtube):
Just what I needed! The basics without all the in-depth techno jargon. It made it easy to understand.
Management of RFID in Libraries:
Management of RFID in Libraries:
Karen Coyle’s article gave a great explanation in everyday basic terms of RIFD’s. I agree that anything that can prevent the loss of materials is great. Stewardship of libraries finances is certainly a primary concern and of course having the ‘bugs’ worked out. I like the idea that library users could have a choice and have contact with the circulation staff or not.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Week 5 nformation Organization by Database, Metadata
Database. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database
Whew! This Wiki article is not the kind I have come to know and love. What did it say? No really, this article really broke down the function of the database and how it recognizes and categorizes bits of information and stores it. I found it more technical than I was comfortable with and I am thankful there is no test. Certainly this was a place to go to reference database structures and models.
Metadata “data about data” This writing, I could understand, although technical and more information than I ever wanted to know, it was broken down succinctly and clearly. All data whether complex or singular have three components “-content context and structure” These three features allow the data to be organized and retrieved because of standard structure of expression. The author used cataloging as an example and one I could relate to. Never having to have made the decisions for cataloging it certainly is necessary for the retrieval process to have order and categories.
Metadata traditionally in museums has been largely by context, but consensus and collaboration using descriptors is rising. There is a wide array of standards and approaches. The Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (DCMES) using a smaller set of generic elements can be used by any group expert or non expert. Everyday users are contributing to the metadata form through various personal and social web content identifiers. Folksonomies and tagging are specialized tools that broaden the retrieval capabilities.
Metadata is important to us as future librarians and archivists in the way we search and use information.
Miller’s article is a work in progress but he has laid out a concise description and breakdown of the DCMI. Essentially this system is based primarily on semantic identifiers and common qualifiers. There can never be one set of identifying descriptors. The DCMI is a continuation of the resource Description Language. I really don’t understand this well enough to discuss. I understand data and the need to categorize and retrieve but I don’t feel able to interpret this paper in a coherent way. To me it is referencing and cross referencing down to a minute format.
Week 5 Muddiest Points
I am confused enough by this weeks readings that I don't think I can make a coherent question. Thank you for posting last weeks question and including it in your class discussion.
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