Muddiest Point for December 6th.

I do not have a Muddiest Point for this week.

Assignment #6

Yay! Here is the link to my amazing website for all to see!

http://www.pitt.edu/~cds46/

Comments on other people's blogs for December 6th.

http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/12/week-13-reading-post.html?showComment=1291496971722#c8616490304192872460

http://feliciaboretzkylis2600.blogspot.com/2010/12/week-13-notes.html?showComment=1291497633404#c9059892809082487112

Notes for Unit 13: IT Issues: Security and Privacy (12/6)

No place to hide site


This is very interesting. I suppose I never think of things like this because I really don't have anything to hide. I would feel initially that this whole idea is made up of a bunch of paranoid conspiracy minded people. However, things like this have gotten to be a problem. I know that the Patriot Act is a big part of it and it was the first thing that I learned about along these lines. This is a very interesting site.

TIA and data mining


I remember this sort of thing was a big issue since I worked in a library. I feel that the government being able to look at what you check out is a big no no.
I understand the idea behind it. Of course we all want to be safe and doing something like this will make us safer... maybe. All of this intrusion on privacy seems to do more harm than good. Insurance companies can use information like this to deny overage and companies can use the information they gather from your internet searches to try and advertise to you. It's all very annoying and I don't think idea of TIA and data mining is popular with anyone. It's very Big Brother.

Youtube video


Apparently, this link no longer exists because of a Viacom copyright violation.

Muddiest Point for November 29th.

I do not have a Muddiest Point for this week.

Comments on other people's blogs for November 29th.

http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-12-readings.html?showComment=1290898929349#c5906083568763098496

http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes_25.html?showComment=1290899329073#c6131496869789934771

Notes for Unit 12: Social Software (11/29)

Weblogs: their use and application in science and technology libraries


It was beneficial to get information and links on where a library can get started on things like this. I cn see how things like this would be very beneficial to libraries and its patrons. It is nice to be able to know what is going on in a library at the tip of your fingers whenever you need it.


Using a wiki to manage a library instruction program: Sharing knowledge to better serve patrons


This was an interesting article. I had always thought of wikis and compared them to Wikipedia. I have always had a distrust for Wikipedia but I can see how it can be useful. Although similar, it seems that this could benefit a library very much. I especially like the ability to see if people are also having problems with a certain area and the wiki allowing them to post their concerns and to get help with it. 
This was a basic and helpful article that easily spelled out the benefits of a library wiki.


Creating the academic library folksonomy: Put social tagging to work at your institution


I enjoy the beginning of the article where it talks of the benefits social tagging could give you. I have also had circumstances where I couldn't locate what I needed and didn't know how to get one object from one computer to the other. Sometimes I have to do this at home when I print.
Social tagging seems to be a benefit, however, I do see problems arising when it comes to vocabulary. Maybe in a library, to not run in to this problems, patrons would be able to only label LC or Dewey subject headings?


How a ragtag band created Wikipedia


I have to say, i have never liked the idea of Wikipedia. I know it is very popular, but I have to say, I do not like it as a source for information on things like term papers. I know high school students do this all of the time. Maybe I am just old fashioned, but....
It was interesting to see the build up and the structure as well as the cost of Wikipedia. I also found the discussion about the Bush vs. Kerry articles during the elections and I like to see that there is a neutral policy. 

Muddiest Point for November 22nd.

I do not have a Muddiest Point for this week.

Comments on other people's blogs for November 22nd.

http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-reading-notes.html?showComment=1290288990035#c3881281098778435644

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-11-web-search-and-oai-protocol.html?showComment=1290289354347#c4937992246009434309

Unit 11: Web Search and OAI Protocol (11/22)

Web Search Engines: Part 1 and 2


YAY! I was finally able to locate this article thanks to Aimee and Megan.

My thoughts on this article are mainly about how the web crawlers actually search for this information and why they only search for certain information. I understand that they try to get rid of calenders and other probably remedial information, but what if that is specifically what I am looking for? Otherwise, a very informative article that  touches on information that I really haven't thought about before. I just assumed I was getting back information from EVERYTHING I was searching for out that. Apparently, this is not the case.

Current developments and future trends for the OAI protocol for metadata harvesting


I was also unable to get to this article. I searched on the internet and databases and it would not link to the PDF.


The Deep Web: Surfacing Hidden Value


It is crazy that search engines only scrape the surface of the internet at 16%! I also had no idea that when you conducted a search, that isn't all that shows up. I wonder how many important articles I have missed because the search engine doesn't go in to the deep part of the internet. Too bad.
It is also interesting how the search engines actually search for this information. I found the paragraph on the "what's related" section and it was interesting to see that 71% of the deep web is searched for this. As the article moved on, I got a little lost on the many layers that actually do make up the internet and how absolutely deep they actually are.

Muddiest Point for November 15th.

A few weeks ago, Jiepu was saying he would post our grades for Assignments 3 and 4 (maybe 5, too). Is this going to happen or should we just wait for the end of the semester to hear about what we got for these assignments?

Comments on other people's blogs for November 15th.

http://emilydavislisblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-10-reading-notes.html?showComment=1289687617838#c220061539650403966

http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-10-reading-notes.html?showComment=1289687952898#c1807855304443827550

Unit 10: Digital Library, Institutional Repositories (11/15)

Digital Libraries: Challenges and Influential Work


This is an interesting article considering all of the scholarly journals I have had to look up lately. I noticed that many of these journals that started becoming available online all seemed to be scientific journals. 
It would be nice to search for these journal articles in an easier manner like a Google search instead of a Boolean type language or having to enter in a specific journal as I don't have a very vast knowledge of scholarly journals available.


Dewey meets Turing: Librarians, Computer Scientists and the Digital Libraries Initiative


It is interesting to see how libraries and science benefited each other in this digital initiative. Neither could do one without the other. It does seem a little one sided that libraries always do get left in the dust. They, unlike their scientific counterparts, aren't funded the money that hey should be. It is interesting that they aren't because the library is for everyone. I should stop before I get too political...


"Institutional Repositories: Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the Digital Age"


This article seems to have some pretty big and nice ideas. I am apprehensive to see how well this really works. I suppose it is because of all of the copyright reading I have done lately. I feel in this instance, this will be a big issue. It would be nice to have such great access and such control over what we want to research and study. It would be great to break down these very rigid and robber baron sort of structures that seem to exist now.

Muddiest Point for November 8th.

I do not have a Muddiest Point for this week.

Assignment #5

KOHA

Here is the URL to my virtual bookshelf titled Revolution Books:

http://upitt01-staff.kwc.kohalibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/virtualshelves/shelves.pl?viewshelf=107

My username is CDS46.

Comments on other people's blogs for November 8th.

http://amybeeslisblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-9-readings.html?showComment=1289000260468#c2075694207154159511

http://emilydavislisblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-9-reading-notes.html?showComment=1289000745530#c1311576805783526436

Notes for Unit 9: XML (11/8)

Introducing the Extensible Markup Language (XML)


Like the rest of this weeks readings, this was over my head a little bit. It seems that XML and HTML are similar, but XML is more complicated. HTML seems a bit more accessible to the average person. I have had to use it before (even though I didn't know what I was doing). I managed to figure it out. I am sure this will end up the same way.


A survey of XML standards: Part 1. 


Wow, I had no idea there were so many parts to XML. It was interesting to see the various types, but I have to say it was a bit over my head. I did find XLink to be pretty interesting and understandable. It was interesting to be introduced to these so that I have a basic idea of these functions. 


Extending your Markup: a XML tutorial


I found this article to be easier to understand. I liked the examples it gave as that helped me see how XML functioned. It was interesting to see the stylesheets and how they can be organized. It is incredible to see what it takes to show a web page and it isn't as simple as it looks.


XML Schema Tutorial


I guess I am slowly getting to this idea of XML. The tutorials help but I am hoping I will get a better idea of it by seeing examples in next weeks class. That really helped me understand HTML when we were showed examples during the November 1st class.

Muddiest Point for November 1st

I do not have a muddiest point for this week.

Muddiest Point for October 25th

I have a question about the amount of "notes" we do for the semester. Do we only have to do 10 out of 16? So far, I have done 6 of these "units" so I would only do 4 more?

Assignment #4

Here is the URL to my CiteULike library.

http://www.citeulike.org/user/cstradinger

Comments on other people's blogs for October 25.

http://lehlis2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-comments-week-7.html?showComment=1287599860116#c5450547009907763415


http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-7-reading-notes.html?showComment=1287600143925#c3125107905599547452

Notes for Unit 7: Internet and WWW Technologies (10/25)

How Internet Infrastructure Works


First of all, I didn't know we had something like the Internet Society. The name seems ominous.
* Note, the second chapter of this article didn't load for me* I also never thought of routers as being able to keep your information from getting to anything else that you don't want it to. Learning about IP addresses is also very interesting. I have often wondered how police are able to locate who is doing what through their computer.

Dismantling Integrated Library Systems


I guess what stands out tot me in this article is the fact that libraries can't afford and their technologies aren't updated enough to use the newer technologies. This id what I have always ran in to from my previous job. It's a shame that people don't have enough access to information as they should. Many people don't have computers or the internet in their homes so they are going to libraries to access this.

Inside the Google machine


Wow! Super interesting to see people's internet use around the world. The projection made it easier for me to understand how many people use it rather then reading, 1 billion people blah, blah...... It is also interesting to hear them talk about education. My husband was just telling me about Orkut last night so it's funny to hear about it the next day. This was a very interesting and insightful talk.

Muddiest Point for October 15th and 16th

I do not have a muddiest point for the Fast Track Weekend.

Muddiest Point for October 12th

I do not have a muddiest point for this week.

Comments on other people's blogs for October 12.

http://emilydavislisblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-6-computer-networks-wireless.html?showComment=1286645269142#c5315200148346180422

http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/10/computer-networks.html?showComment=1286645640133#c3014398522955132890

Notes for Unit 6: Computer Networks, Wireless Networks (10/12)

Local Area Network


I was happy to read about something that I am already familiar with. It was interesting to learn the history of LAN. I guess I had never thought about the history of it before. It was also interesting to learn about LAN and WAN. I am just happy that we don't have to listen to the noise the computer made with a "dial up" system anymore. This article was a nice refresher.

Computer Network


This is also a refresher article for me. I have gotten to know about networks while working at a high school. We seemed to always have problems with the network. This article did allow me to learn more about how exactly a network actually works. I didn't know what bridges or switches were and I was able to know the details of what exactly a router and other things did. I just knew the basics.

Common types of computer networks video


This makes it a little bit more interesting and easier for me to learn. It was nicely boiled down and easy to understand.


Management of RFID in libraries


Wow, this article was very interesting! I didn't know what RFID's were. I knew that there were some weird codes on things like DVD's and other products but I didn't know exactly what they did. I guess I assumed they were JUST a security tag.
I would, however, prefer to have a librarian checkout and checkin my material. When I worked in a library, my favorite thing to do was do this. I don't know why, it was just fun. I have also had many problems using the self check out machines. I would just prefer to know that the process was done correctly. also, if it boils down to it, librarians are an important source and I would prefer them not to be replaced by machines.

Muddiest Point for October 4th

I do not have a muddiest point.

Assignment #3

Here is my Jing video on how to get to the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation:

In the video, I am looking for directions on how to get the Pittsburgh history and Landmarks Foundation from the Cathedral of Learning. I go to a couple of websites to get he address and then find it on Google maps. I use the direction from Google maps including street view to show me what the building looks like.

http://screencast.com/t/YaGemIRFR

Links to Flickr for Jing captures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54255962@N08/5060201723/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54255962@N08/5060208723/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54255962@N08/5060222037/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54255962@N08/5060230387/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54255962@N08/5060238675/

Comments on other people's blogs for October 4.

http://emilydavislisblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-5-information-organization-by.html?showComment=1285965081897#c1751427184577369252


http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/09/metadata-and-dublin-core.html?showComment=1285965357948#c5794541805174574651

Notes for Unit 5: Information Organization by Database, Metadata (10/4)

Database, wikipedia article

I had no idea how detailed databases are. There are so many types and I didn't realize all of the types of "locks" that were required as well. Databases are much more involved than I thought. Of course, I have been using databases for my research for papers this semester, but I never thought much else of it besides that. Good to know.

Introduction to Metadata, pathways to Digital Information: 1: Setting the Stage 


I had no idea that metadata could be so involved either. The content, context and structure idea helped to explain it better to me as well as the examples on the graph. Graphs and examples are always a huge help. I have worked with the MARC catalog before and entering data in the descriptors is not the easiest thing. I am interested to see the differences (if at all) of the general MARC records and the programs used for archives. Another thing that I didn't know, metadata doesn't have to be digital! The name sounds so digital I never thought to separate the two.


An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model 


I always wondered what all of the letters in a URL and everything else meant and how they got me to where I wanted to go. This model was needed in order fr people to be able to find things either on the internet or an OCLC. Very interesting.

Muddiest Point for September, 27th.

I do not have a muddiest point for this week.

Comments on other people's blogs so far...I think...

http://emilydavislisblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-2-computer-hardware.html?showComment=1284143570467#c5937170593400896867

http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/09/lied-library.html?showComment=1283458195323#c3417074329199117763

http://kel2600.blogspot.com/2010/08/8-31-10-reading-notes.html?showComment=1284143296301#c780988076522089013

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/notes-for-unit-2-computer-hardware-913.html?showComment=1284830331683#c2961276596247862870

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-on-information-literacy-and.html?showComment=1283786311026#c8748466233204188637

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-on-information-literacy-and.html?showComment=1283302882933#c8937911481376023420

Muddiest Point for September, 20th.

I do not have a muddiest point for this week.

Assignment #2: Flickr link

Here is the link to my Flickr page for Assignment #2:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54255962@N08/

Notes on Unit 3: Computer Software (9/20)

Introduction to Linux: A Hands on Guide

I have constantly heard references to LINUX systems and have never known what that meant. It seemed that many computer savvy people liked this system and so it was interesting to finally learn why. I had no idea that LINUX was also used in major businesses like USPS, Amazon and even the German Army. Obviously, this is because it is such a reliable system. I feel that with LINUX being so adaptable or Open Source, it can be more easily used for these organization and can be formatted to fit their needs.

What is Mac OS X?

To start off with, I have ALWAYS heard that Mac's are the best and they have amazing design programs. My father, who is a graphic designer, has told me this since I can remember. Anyway, that little mention in the article reminded me of that.

I am ashamed to say that I have never known what OS meant. I guess it means operating system. 

This article was very informative. I never knew what all of this meant. I just always turned on my computer and things were working. Now I know why and how.

Mac OS X Wikipedia

I own a Mac, and this article made it much easier to understand. In this article, I found that the X meant 10. I suppose by my not even knowing what the OS or the X meant in my computer shows you that I need to be taking this class. It was also interesting to have the "Tiger" and "Snow Leopard" systems explained to me as these are the two that I have worked with. I know changing from Tiger to Snow Leopard did enable me faster web browsing and that was a nice benefit to the new system.

An Update on the Windows Roadmap

Last night I had a conversation with someone who said that Windows Vista was the worst thing ever. I have always heard this and it is interesting that this article states at the beginning that people will still have access to support for this program. It seemed that this entire article was just a apology for this system. 

Muddiest Point for September, 13th

I am confused about how we let you know we have made comments to other posts. How do we do this? Do we need to make sure we give you all of the links? Where do we post these links, again?

Notes for Unit 2: Computer Hardware (9/13) & Discussion Topic:Digitization

Personal Computer Hardware

This was a very basic article but a very beneficial one. I had no idea what some of the components to the computer are. I never knew what exactly a motherboard was. It is interesting that there is where the CPU and RAM are located. I know of people who call the "tower" a CPU. There are still many people who don't understand the parts of the computer but are still very computer savvy.  I also found out that the terms zip drive and flash drive are separate things. I always thought them to be interchangeable.

Moore's Law

I found what Moore thought was very accurate. It seems that many digital devices are changing and updating information very rapidly. It seems that, since I have been alive, it is crazy how fast things have progressed electronically. I would use the example for Apple products. Since 2006 (when I first learned of an iPod) they have changed so much. They start off as clunky as a CD player and since then thy are so tiny. This changed to an iPod Touch so that you could access internet along with the iPhone. Now we have the iPad. This is all in just 4 years with so much change!
The video explanation helped very much in allowing me to understand this "law".

Computer History Museum


It is so interesting that such a thing even exists now. That computers are history is such a weird idea. The location of this museum is appropriate as it is in Silicon Valley. I feel that a museum like this would benefit a number of us in this program because of the subject matter as well as the archival and preservation aspect of it.

Digitization: Is it worth it?

I feel that digitization is very worth it. I still don't completely understand how expensive digitization is but, it allows many to access a numerous amount of things that they probably would not have been able to see before. It benefits people like us (graduate students in a history or library field as well as many others) as well as the amateur researcher.

European libraries face problems in digitizing


I feel that I explained how I felt on this subject in the previous entry. I understand some countries in their view that too many people will have access and (if I understand the article correctly) can change the information to their benefit. Jean-Noel Jeanneney stated, "...that a Google version of a universal library would place the interpretation of French and European literature, history and politics in American hands." I understand their concern and side with Claudia Dillmann in that everyone in this project may decide how far the access will allow each participant.

A Few Thoughts on the Google Books Library Project


I think this article is sort of an answer to the previous article. The fact that it will make information in these sources more available is great. I vastly appreciate the knowledge I have at my fingertips. It isn't that hard anymore to know that what I am searching for exists and I can have access to.

Notes on Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture

The points that stood out to me most in this reading are:

"...knowledge of an early 1980s word processing system offers only a modest start at understanding current authoring technologies and how to use them."

and

"Most of this material seems to be poorly covered in present curricula at all levels: elementary school, high school , and college."

As for the first quote, this is why I am taking this class. I know how to type and have a basic knowledge of most new technology, but I have never had to use them. I still don't know quite how to make a Power Point presentation. I just missed this when I graduated college and have never needed to use this up until now. This leads me to the next point. It is now expected that you know how to use Power Point (for example) because it's been around and we are now in this technology age. In working in a high school library, students have no idea how to research and aren't necessarily taught how to research correctly in this Wikipedia age.

MUDDIEST POINT

I am confused over the "downloads" part of this class. I have a Mac and, from what I understood, I don't need to download the Ad-Aware?

Also, do we need to write notes on every reading for the week or is it whatever reading we'd like to talk about throughout the semester as long as there are at least 10 separate readings?