Pictures from my adventures in Europe while I was studying abroad in Rome, Italy.
URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54303753@N04/
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Week 4 Notes
Data Compression (Wikipedia & DVD-HQ website)
I never really knew much about data compression. Yes, I could probably conclude what the overall goal was, but I did not know the different applications or methods. From the Wikipedia website I learned that there were two different methods, lossless and lossy compressions. Lossless seems like the best option because the data is exactly the same after decompression, where with lossy you lose some data indefinitely. Also, I learned that lossy is used more for audio, video and digital images compressions, while lossless is used more for text, spreadsheets, and programs. The DVD-HQ website was more helpful in diving deeper into the explanations of data compression. It explained the basics in more details and helped me to understand all the acronyms better such as RLE and LZ. In addition, the examples and images on the DVD-HQ website made it easier to follow the explanations, especially with quantisation and motion compensation. I feel that data compression is a great way to save space and valuable resources, but I think that the time and extra processing needed for decompression is a major difficulty.
Imaging Pittsburgh: Creating a Shared Gateway to Digital Image Collections of the Pittsburgh Region by Edward A. Galloway
This article was the most interesting to me this week. As a Pittsburgh native I was excited to hear that there was a digital collection of photographs of my hometown's past. I actually visited the website (http://digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/) and explored through the images. I really enjoyed that you could search by region, which allowed me to view the specific area, through images, of where my family lived, dating back to when my grandparents settled in Pittsburgh. My favorite aspect that website provides is the ability to order reproductions. It would allow visitors to have a copy of the images for their personal collection. The article was also helpful in showcasing all the challenges that arise in forming a digital collection with numerous institutions. It really made me think of all aspects that have to be considered such as selection process, website development, and communication among the different establishments.
YouTube and Libraries: It Could be a Beautiful Relationship by Paula L. Webb
After reading the article, I think that using one of the most popular and visited websites would be extremely beneficial in helping library patrons. I believe that students would highly enjoy these videos and learning visually about the library services, I know I would. Also, the examples given of the different YouTube videos provided by universities, such as tutorials, tours through the library, and introductions to resources, highlight just the beginning of what could be accomplished through this partnership.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Week 3 Muddiest Point
In concerns about Unix and Linux, what exactly is high level program language? What makes it high level? Is it the information being computed? What jobs or professionals would use high level computing?
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Week 3 Notes
If you would of asked me to provide the definition of Linux, Mac OS X, or Windows Vista was before this required reading all I would have been able to tell you was that they had something to do with computers. Now I can at least tell you that each are operating systems that set up processes that except, manipulate, store, and retrieve data. They provide security, firewalls, and make systems compatible to other operating systems. In comparing all three, it seems that Mac OS X is the best for graphical display and presentation and has the most features like Aqua GUI and drop shadows. With Windows Vista it seems that there have been major advancements in graphical display to compete with Macs. I'm excited to experience Windows Vista first hand, since my new laptop, that's in the mail, has Windows 7. I still feel a little lost in the full understanding of each, but hopefully through in class presentation and discussion I'll have a better understanding.
I know our posts are due by Saturday evening, but I did not know by what time. If my post is too late I would like it to not count as one of my ten required posts.
I know our posts are due by Saturday evening, but I did not know by what time. If my post is too late I would like it to not count as one of my ten required posts.
Comment for Week 3
Here is the link for my comment on Aimee's Week 2 Notes:
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-2-computer-history-museum.html?showComment=1284853901104#c2883999028794833531
http://acovel.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-2-computer-history-museum.html?showComment=1284853901104#c2883999028794833531
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Week 2 Notes
Personal Computer Hardware (Wikipedia): This website was extremely helpful in my understanding of computer hardware terminology. When it comes to computers I'm pretty naive in hardware set up and usually take it to a store to get fixed, but at least now when they tell me the problems I'll understand them. I enjoyed learning about the storage capacity of the removable media devices. I never knew a Blu-Ray disc held seventy times as much as a CD. Also, the mention of the floppy disc brought me back to high school and really made me think of how technology has advanced so rapidly.
Moore's Law (Wikipedia & Video): Moore's Law has truly shown how technology has grown. His prediction, made forty five years ago, that the number of transistors would double about every two years has been spot on. It makes me wonder how technological gadgets will be like in 2015? Also, I found it interesting how companies have spent a mass amount of effort and money to keep up with Moore's Law and how it became an overall goal to the industry.
The Computer History Museum: As a museum addict, exploring an unfamiliar museum website was an absolute pleasure. The exhibitions were all fascinating and nicely laid out. I spent most of the time exploring the Visible Storage Exhibition, which provided highlights from the collection. It was fun to see the photographs of the different machines and computers from the past. It really shows how far we have come. Additionally, I enjoyed the history timeline and learning about the major companies, devices, and people that effected our culture.
Moore's Law (Wikipedia & Video): Moore's Law has truly shown how technology has grown. His prediction, made forty five years ago, that the number of transistors would double about every two years has been spot on. It makes me wonder how technological gadgets will be like in 2015? Also, I found it interesting how companies have spent a mass amount of effort and money to keep up with Moore's Law and how it became an overall goal to the industry.
The Computer History Museum: As a museum addict, exploring an unfamiliar museum website was an absolute pleasure. The exhibitions were all fascinating and nicely laid out. I spent most of the time exploring the Visible Storage Exhibition, which provided highlights from the collection. It was fun to see the photographs of the different machines and computers from the past. It really shows how far we have come. Additionally, I enjoyed the history timeline and learning about the major companies, devices, and people that effected our culture.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Week 1 Muddiest Point
I am still confused in when all our postings are due. So the notes are due the Saturday before class and the muddiest points are due the Friday after class? When are we suppose to comment on other student's blogs? Do we comment directly onto their blog?
Week 1 Notes
OCLC Report: 2004 Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers
Society is changing in how content/information is being created, used, or delivered. The invention of smartphones and other devices have changed how people internationally gain their information. The report emphasizes that libraries must pay attention to this change. They also must get involved in blogs or wikis to connect more to the community. In addition, the report displays the decrease in new print book sales from 2002 to 2003, which is just one of the reasons why libraries must acknowledge the change to a more digitized form of information. The primary argument I took from this article was that libraries must find a way to supply content to mobile devices to stay connected to the technological self-sufficient generation.
Lied Library @ Four Years: Technology Never Stands Still by Jason Vaughan
In the case study Vaughan highlights the challenges that arise with constantly changing technology in an academic library setting. The most useful information from the study was the details in how Lied Library reacted to the challenge/problem and in the end how it was fixed or handled. He showcased that one must deal with all technological changes including space management and security rather than just be concerned with new system updates. Vaughan's examples illustrated how a library must be continuously evolving technologically to provide a smooth and pleasing experience for their students. Also, I found interesting was how wireless networking was just being implemented in 2004, when it is such a norm on universities nowadays.
Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture by Clifford Lynch
To be literate in information, one must be literate in information technology. Lynch presents the connection and emphasizes how IT influences and molds how information is accessed and delivered. He also explains why having this IT knowledge is useful for "everyday" civilians. The knowledge will not only help one in career opportunities, but shape one into an informed citizen in society. In relation to information, Lynch stresses that to be literate you must understand all multimedia genres in the communication world rather than just thinking information is simply in text.
Society is changing in how content/information is being created, used, or delivered. The invention of smartphones and other devices have changed how people internationally gain their information. The report emphasizes that libraries must pay attention to this change. They also must get involved in blogs or wikis to connect more to the community. In addition, the report displays the decrease in new print book sales from 2002 to 2003, which is just one of the reasons why libraries must acknowledge the change to a more digitized form of information. The primary argument I took from this article was that libraries must find a way to supply content to mobile devices to stay connected to the technological self-sufficient generation.
Lied Library @ Four Years: Technology Never Stands Still by Jason Vaughan
In the case study Vaughan highlights the challenges that arise with constantly changing technology in an academic library setting. The most useful information from the study was the details in how Lied Library reacted to the challenge/problem and in the end how it was fixed or handled. He showcased that one must deal with all technological changes including space management and security rather than just be concerned with new system updates. Vaughan's examples illustrated how a library must be continuously evolving technologically to provide a smooth and pleasing experience for their students. Also, I found interesting was how wireless networking was just being implemented in 2004, when it is such a norm on universities nowadays.
Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture by Clifford Lynch
To be literate in information, one must be literate in information technology. Lynch presents the connection and emphasizes how IT influences and molds how information is accessed and delivered. He also explains why having this IT knowledge is useful for "everyday" civilians. The knowledge will not only help one in career opportunities, but shape one into an informed citizen in society. In relation to information, Lynch stresses that to be literate you must understand all multimedia genres in the communication world rather than just thinking information is simply in text.
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