Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Week 6 Reading Notes
This unit covered a variety of computer networks.
PAN, LAN, WAN, CAN, MAN, WLAN
The Wikipedia definition of LAN-A computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or small group of buildings, such as a school.
Common technologies associated with a LAN include:
Ethernet over unshielded twisted pair cabling
Wi-Fi
The Computer Network reading was interesting because it explained how different types of networks were connected, and it also went into detail about the hardware used to connect the networks.
Library Local Area Networks are complex in that all users are not all granted the same access---Employees are granted different access to the network than patrons--
A patron might have access to the internet and library catalog, while a library employee might have access to the color printer, internet, database, etc.
Devices in a network are connected logically. Their connections are independent of the physical layout of the network.
The YouTube video basically reiterated the different types of networks.
The RFID article covered Radio Frequency Identifiers and their emerging presence in libraries.
This article was disturbing to me because I work in Circ. and basically if RFID was implemented in my library, my job would be eliminated. I do think, though, that patrons would miss the customer service the circulation staff provides. The technology of RFID is incredible and can have many applications. I just wouldn't want to go overboard. Also, there are costs to consider, such as having to purchase durable tags; pretty spendy.
PAN, LAN, WAN, CAN, MAN, WLAN
The Wikipedia definition of LAN-A computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or small group of buildings, such as a school.
Common technologies associated with a LAN include:
Ethernet over unshielded twisted pair cabling
Wi-Fi
The Computer Network reading was interesting because it explained how different types of networks were connected, and it also went into detail about the hardware used to connect the networks.
Library Local Area Networks are complex in that all users are not all granted the same access---Employees are granted different access to the network than patrons--
A patron might have access to the internet and library catalog, while a library employee might have access to the color printer, internet, database, etc.
Devices in a network are connected logically. Their connections are independent of the physical layout of the network.
The YouTube video basically reiterated the different types of networks.
The RFID article covered Radio Frequency Identifiers and their emerging presence in libraries.
This article was disturbing to me because I work in Circ. and basically if RFID was implemented in my library, my job would be eliminated. I do think, though, that patrons would miss the customer service the circulation staff provides. The technology of RFID is incredible and can have many applications. I just wouldn't want to go overboard. Also, there are costs to consider, such as having to purchase durable tags; pretty spendy.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Muddiest Point
I am a little confused about Color Space and RGB, regarding lossy data compression. Can you elaborate on this further?
Week 5 Reading Notes
Wikipedia: Data Compression
Data Compression Basics
Out of the two reading selections, I found the Data Compression Basics the most interesting to read. The information outlined in the article was for the most part easy to conceptualize.
The articles covered lossy and lossless forms of data compression.
Lossless compression-the info is guaranteed to be exactly identical to the original.
Lossy compression- the info is not guaranteed to be exactly identical/ loss of fidelity.
The Data Compression Basics article went on to cover Data, Stills, Audio and video compression.
I was interested to note that the difference between two sets of numbers can be recorded as a compressed version of an image or sound.
Also, knowing which colors/ brightness ranges are most sensitive to the eye allows for lossy data compression in images.
Imaging Pittsburgh...by Edward A. Galloway
This seemed a monster of a digitizing/archiving project taken on by University of Pittsburgh’s Digital Research Library. Assembling a collection of this size faced many challenges.
Selecting photographs to be included in the collection proved to be a challenge. In assembling photographs from split collections, members of different departments had to collaborate in selecting photographs.
On top of that, Metadata had to be created for the entire collection...and these were just a few of the challenges faced. The amount of work involved makes me think twice about the costs vs. benefits aspect of digitization.
YouTube and Libraries...by Paula L. Webb
This was an entertaining and informative article about how libraries can use Youtube as a way to reach out to patrons. I enjoyed watching 'The Library Mystery Tour." It made me want to go out and make a YouTube video about the library where I work. Also, the fact that you can attach a video to a blog, and have an RSS feed, makes this a creative way to market a library.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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