Muddiest Point - 9/27

I am confused with vector images? I think I just need a little bit more of an overview and some more examples of them.

Week 5 Reading Notes

Database – Wikipedia

I think this was a really good introduction and summary of databases. I thought the list of different types of databases was particularly helpful, and it was interesting to be able to finally understand the differences between databases. I think I would like to know more about the different storage structures, because from the article it is difficult to tell which is better; and other than the knowledge that B+ trees and ISAM are the most popular there was not much else to go on in the information on database storage structures.

Introduction to Metadata

I knew next to nothing about metadata before reading this article, so I found it to be particularly helpful. I really began to understand what metadata is when they compared it to tagging pictures and video on YouTube and Flickr. Before that point in the article I was a little lost with the technical jargon that was being thrown around. Metadata means data about data. A universal metadata standard for libraries and archives has been difficult to achieve because it is hard to categorize and describe all types of the collections and materials that exist.  I found table two to be of particular interest for those in the LIS field, the examples of the functions of metadata in particular settings was very useful. I also thought that the descriptions of the primary functions of metadata were also very helpful in helping me to understand how metadata works.

In particular, I found the first half of the article to be a little confusing and would appreciate an overview of some of the different types of data standards that were discussed.

Dublin Core Data Method

I totally did not understand this article, and I can’t really reflect on something that I found very difficult to comprehend.

Assignment 2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54302191@N04/

I'm not sure if I did the thumbnails correctly.

Week 4 Comments

http://saralis2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-readings-927.html?showComment=1285350715477

http://grammarcore.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-readings.html?showComment=1285351571081

Week 4 Reading Notes

-          YouTube and Libraries

I really like the idea of integrating YouTube into the array of services already offered by libraries. I think this could easily be applied to archives and it could be equally as helpful. Many people are visual learners and when they watch the video they would learn and retain more from it than from an instruction sheet. I think another use for YouTube could be to introduce the library staff to new students, new patrons, etc. Once you know who someone is it is far easier to approach them for help. This could help bridge the divide that sometimes exists between librarians and patrons.

I also like the idea behind instructional videos for software that new students may be using, but I feel like the company that makes the software may have an instructional video as well, and this creation may be futile. There could also be many copyright issues the library would have to contend with. 

-          Data Compression – Wikipedia

In my life I have found data compression to be very useful when moving files from one computer to another. I understand why data compression may not be a desirable method to use for archivists and librarians who are trying to keep things in their original born digital or digitized formats, but for a regular person data compression is very helpful. I don’t mind using lossy compression just because what I am moving is not necessarily important to anyone other than myself, where as I can see why a company/library/archive would invest the time and money into a lossless compression system. 

-          Data Compression Basics

Part 1: essentially from this I understand that compression is the breaking down and slight change, of a file into smaller parts that are easier for the computer to store, and that by doing this it makes the file itself smaller to store. I found some of the details, such as prediction and error coding, a little difficult to understand.

Part 2: Decompressing and compressing the same data multiple times will result in a loss of data. Digital data does not degrade due to copying, but it does degrade due to compression and decompression. After reading this entire part of the article, I am still a little confused as to how lossy data compression works. I understand that it removes part of the data but I’m confused as to how it knows what to remove, and I think I will understand lossy data compression when it is reviewed during next week’s lecture. 

Part 3: Video compression is similar to image compression. I think that a review of MPEG’s in class will help me to better understand video compression.

-          Imaging Pittsburgh

This article shows some of the difficulties, and all of the details that have to be put into digitization projects. From copyright issues, website challenges, to the challenge of working with multiple partners, this article shows that digitization is more than just scanning images/documents to a website.

I do have to say that I think online databases, such as the one discussed in the article, are great, and they are a huge advantage over having to travel to multiple sites to see the same images you can see all in one place on the website.

9/20 Muddiest Point

I have no muddiest point for this week.

Week 3 Comments

http://maj66.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-is-mac-os-x.html#comments

Week 3 Muddiest Point

I have no muddiest point for this week.

Week 3 Reading Notes

Machtelt Garrels. “Introduction to Linux: A Hands on Guide” 

Linux is an operating system that was developed by Linus Torvalds. It was designed to be a freely available academic version of UNIX. Linux is a reliable operating system that today is designed to compete with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, the one huge advantage that it has over the competitors...it is completely free.

Linux is ideal for programmers and advanced users as knowledge of the C programming language is required for Linux in its pure form. Today though, Linux has many available user interfaces that have been developed for non-experienced users. These interfaces are similar to Windows and OS X, though it should be stated that Linux is still difficult for a beginner to use, even with these interfaces. 

One huge advantage for Linux is that it is an Open Source software. This allows people all over the world to work on it to improve it, debug it, redistribute it, and it allows Linux to keep pace with fast changing technology.

Mac OS X

Even after reading both articles I am still having trouble understanding OS X, and how it is all that different from Windows, but here is the general idea that I got from the articles.

1. Mac OS X is an operating system specifically for Macintosh computers. 

2. It is a closed source.

3. It is a UNIX based operating system.

4. OS X was first mentioned in 1998. It was released in 1999, and is still the operating system for Mac's today. A specialized version is used as the operating system for iPads, iPhones, and the iPod Touch.

5. Multiple versions have been released, from the Beta version through OS X 10.6, otherwise known as "snow leopard".

Paul Thurott “An Update on the Windows Roadmap” 

This article is a press release from Microsoft's Bill Veghte. It is an update on the support of Windows XP, some of the compatibility issues that occurred with Vista, and on the impending release of Windows 7.

The article states:

1. That Windows 7 will be released around January of 2010.     

2. That Windows XP will continue to be supported by Microsoft through 2014, even though its end date for sale is June 2008.

3. That yes, Vista had/has compatibility issues, but that many have been resolved or are being worked on.

4. Bill recommends that people upgrade to Vista because it is more secure than XP. If staying with XP, upgrade to IE 7 and Service Pack 3.