12/2 Muddiest Point

Are there any other resources we can use to better understand XML and XML schemas? The w3schools.com website is not really super helpful people who have no understanding of XML and schemas since they use terminology that is too advanced.

11/18 Muddiest Point

What does the #PCDATA in DTD mean?

 i think its parsed data but what does that mean?

Web 2.0, Social Media, and Libraries

Increasingly, social media has played a role in the outreach of libraries and archives. It is an relatively fast and easy way for libraries to interact with their patrons. According to the readings the follow trends in the use of social media have become prominent:

Library 2.0 and Folksonomies: Interactive tagging (also known as folksonomies) might be a nice way for libraries to include their patrons in the cataloging process. User-created tags (such as those created when using Twitter or Flickr) can be added to library materials within an OPAC. User-created tags often times might be more useful for patron since they are not bound by the fancy jargon of controlled vocabulary systems like LCSH where sometimes the subject heading is not something that would appear clear to someone outside of the library profession.

Instagram: Public libraries and museums have been utilizing instagram to share photos of activities or special events. I found that instagram is more often used in museums and archives to promote specialty documents and collections like the Smithsonian and Natural History Museums are currently doing.

Facebook/Twitter: these two social media sites have become a part of our everyday lives, and information institutions have been taking notice. Libraries and archives use Facebook almost as a secondary web page where they list their hours of operation, location, and post upcoming events. Twitter on the other hand is most often used to promote activities or re-tweet interesting and relevant tweets that agree with their missions/purposes or posts that might be of interest to the communities they serve .

Digital Library and Web Search

Digital libraries, although faceted within the field of information technology and some computer science skills, still follow library rules. There has been a common misconception that digital libraries will dissolve the use for librarians and library science professionals and shift the responsibility for managing these digital libraries to computer and information scholars. The digital libraries still need to follow the rules of library science such as cataloging, metadata, and the overall organizational structure.

This ties into information retrieval; library science professionals are arguably responsible for successful information retrieval within these digital libraries. Librarians must provide correct metadata and source points in which users can easily access.

Librarians are also responsible for coordinating with the scholarly community and vendors to provide access and content for their digital libraries.

Additionally, librarians are responsible for having the knowledge and skills set to not only function in the digital age, but they must also have the insight to further the technological capabilities of digital libraries. This stewardship of materials including content within a digital library, involves librarians and information professionals making sure the digital content is accessible. In the digital age, this means knowing how to store, organize, and maintain the information, specifically, be aware of the need for digital migration in the future and using digital standards.

11/11 Muddiest Point

When I am running my files for A5 through the code checkers, specifically my HTML code, it says there are spaces between the end of the tag and the carat (>).

My tags are correct but it is for some reason sensing a space that is not there.

What can I do to remedy this?

11/4 Muddiest Point

For the Assignment do we have to include CSS in out HTML document or do we have to have the CSS in a separate CSS file and have it apply to all of our pages?

XML

XML Compared to HTML

XML is structure oriented while HTML is layout oriented.

XML was created in order to describe information and HTML is used to display information.

So basically, XML is data about data, or metadata for the web document. It describes the type of document and what is included within the page. Obviously this is much different than HTML since HTML allows you to choose how to display and design the layout of this information.

Also, in XML you have the ability to create your own tags, unlike HTML where the tags are based on standards and tag dictionaries.

It is said that because XML and HTML are so different, they do not replace each other, rather, they compliment each other.

XML also helps with data sharing: often times computers communicate thru different types of data. When you are using XML, it is basically plain text that is compatible and readable between any type of computer or operating system.

Cascading Style Sheet

After doing the readings regarding Cascading Style Sheets, I realized that I actually answered my question from last weeks post. Now I realize that HTML is for text and CSS is for design in a web page.

According the readings, CSS contains a selector and a declaration. The selector tells the browser what elements are being affected, and the declaration tells the browser what is being done to the selector.

Within a declaration there is a property and a value. The property can tell the browser exactly what is happening to the selector such as making it a certain color. The value comes after the property and tells the browser the specific color or font, etc.

After doing the readings, I feel like I can more effectively sue the data management systems I work with in the archives. Currently, I am using Archivists Toolkit to process collections and a lot of the fields come from EAD, HTML, and CSS fields. For example, now I better understand what the field for "attributes" means in terms of making a title of a play italicized (which is something I didn't know before).

10/28 Muddiest Point

When using CSS, how do you assign multiple attributes to a single text section? For example if you wanted something BOLD and ITALIC and CENTERED?

HTML and Web Authoring Software

After this week's readings I realized that EAD coding (the coding that I have experience in) is not much different than HTML at all. I am seeing similarities in the tag names and the format. This actually makes me feel confident in my future ability to understand and use HTML coding. I know that for EAD coding that there is a book and online thesaurus-like resource for looking up tags names and circumstances in which they are used. I did further research to see if something of a similar resource existed and I was able to find this listing of tags http://www.w3schools.com/tags/

I also was wondering while doing research on HTML how HTML affects the placement of the text on the web page. To me it seems like HTML code is more to get the content onto the web page, but as far as making the title a certain font or font size, would that be something that you can do with HTML or is that another step in the process of building a webpage?

10/21 Muddiest Point

I have a question about HTTP, Why is it that sometimes you need to enter the HTTP section of the URL and other times you can just start with the "www." ?

Internet and WWW Technologies

While reading this week's articles I was most interested in the developing Integrated Library Systems (ILS).

I did additional research on types and the purpose of ILS and found that these systems are used as an automated way to acquire, store, organize, retrieve, and disseminate information...specifically items and patrons connected with the library.

Open Access Catalogs (OPAC) are a type of ILS and they have search capabilities and can be used by multiple users both on and off site.

There are also Circulation based ILS and they basically track check ins/outs, ILL, holds, reserve materials, and can be considered a means in which the library can keep an inventory of the materials it is holding or lending out.

LIS also contains acquisition and cataloging components embedded in the software as well.

In my own experience working in a public library, I am familiar with the Millennium Circulation LIS. Some of the challenges with this system we often encountered was its unreliability and frequent crashes. I am sure that Millennium is not the only LIS that has this problem but it is something libraries need to take into consideration when choosing LIS for their institution.

10/7 Muddiest Point

My question this week is about LAN: how can you share software in a network involving many computers? Take Photoshop for example, how would you be able to access it on all networked computers without paying for and installing the software separately on each computer?

9/30 Muddiest Point

How do library/archival institutions choose which metadata standard to abide by if there are so many standards for so many different data types? Doesn't this just defeat the purpose of having a standard if there are so many options to choose from?

Computer Networks and Wireless Networks

RFID Use in Libraries: The dream may not be all it seems!

First of all, personally I think implementing RFID systems in libraries is something most libraries have on their "wish lists". I say this because getting an RFID system installed into the libraries collection comes with many different problems that were addressed in the article and as useful and futuristic-ally appealing RFID may be, it does come with risk and issues.

1) Costly! Implementing ANY type of new technology in a library or institution is costly and libraries' dwindling budget usually hinders any major changes libraries would like to make. Cost is usually the libraries biggest obstacle and budget is it's worst enemy.

2)Self-service check outs: Aside from the lack of face-to-face time with librarians which the article brings up, these self service check out stations prove to be a technical problem. As we know, technology can always malfunction and librarians (especially in public and academic libraries are not always the most technologically savvy). This is the reason traditional librarians stray away or fight technological advancements, very simply, they don't want to have to learn ANOTHER technology and be expected to TROUBLESHOOT it as well.

Ultimately, I am more interested in how the article brought how libraries can off-set the cost of the implementation of RFID by the idea of return on investment and will probably research this idea more.

Another interesting issue that I did not initially think about when talking about RFID is that fact that these RFID tags can sometimes not be embedded into certain types of obscure materials like newsletters, magazines, CDs, etc.

Metadata and Content Management

Metadata and metadata standards help information professionals increase the value of the information. Metadata usually contains basic bibliographic information and other key details such as provenance. Metadata certifies the content, establishes context, and identifies relationships among the context.

After reading the articles I was surprised to see that I have already had a lot of experience with different types of metadata systems: LCSH and EAD,

Also, I recall writing a paper for my undergraduate library course on "user created metadata". Specifically, I remember that one of the major problems with user created metadata is the lack of uniformity and standards among users. For example, the difference between US and UK spelling of words can cause confusion. I am not sure if user created metadata works well enough to be considered the future of information description, but it is already being used on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook that allows for tagging capabilities.

As far as Mendelay goes, I just started using it this year for graduate school. Prior to this, I had always been used to using EndNote as a data managing system for my research. In response to the Mendelay article, I believe it serves it's purpose as an information organizer but I think it's real value comes from the fact that you can use it a social network of sorts in order to connect to and discover new research from other professionals in your field. Another reason I like Mendelay is because after importing several articles into your library, it suggest similar readings that are usually relevant and extremely helpful when doing any type of research.

Sept. 23 - Muddiest Point

I just had a random question: is there a mid-term or Final project of any type for this class?

Database Technologies and Applications

The readings for this week, aside from the Wikipedia entry on Databases contained too much technical jargon for me to really be able to write a comprehensive report or reflection on the material. Instead here is my attempt at explaining some terms the readings mentioned:


Entity Relationship Model : A model which shows relationships between items in a database, usually displayed in a graphical manner connection words such as nouns and verbs


Database Normalization*: Making sure there is no overlap in data within a database, the need to assign unique identifiers for each piece of information in order to make that information easier to search.
*The link we were given did not work at the time I was working on the assignment so I researched the topic and here is a helpful link I found -
http://www.miswebdesign.com/resources/articles/wrox-beginning-php-4-chapter-3-2.html

Sept. 16 Muddiest Point

Do we have to submit our lab on blackboard?

Multimedia Representation and Storage

To reflect on last week's post - digitization projects have become popular in many libraries. Libraries are either the process of a digital project or strive to put one in progress. The projects are usually separated by the material type the institution would like to digitized, i.e. film, photographs, letters, books. As it was made clear in the Historic Pittsburgh article, libraries are faced with two major questions: 1) How to create digital material in the most efficient manner and 2) Where to store/house the digital information to make it accessible to its users.

How Efficiently Create Digital Materials:

Birthing digital material from analog material can create a plethora of data sets such as metadata files, JPEG files, original files, and enhanced files. Libraries need to understand at least the basics of data compression in order to successfully manage a digitization project since digital storage is always a barrier. Compressing files into smaller files allows libraries to effectively use the (sometimes very little) digital storage they own. Loss-less data compression seems to be the best way to do this because it allows for a reversible process that can be undone without losing any part of the original data.

Where to Effectively Store/Provide Digital Information:

After items have been digitized from a library's collection, the second most important steps takes place - placing/uploading the files. Since a library's mission is to make information available and convenient to find, libraries must place their files in areas that people are used to browsing - like Youtube, Flickr, and other multimedia social media accounts. Not only using these websites as a storage facility for this newly digital information, but taking advantage of "social" aspects that these sites offer. Through social media libraries can show off their collections as well as make known other information such as : services provided by the library or even advertising for events.

Sept. 9 - Muddiest Point

I was unclear about OCR software - the only program that I know of that runs OCR is Adobe Acrobat, but I believe you need to pay for that. What are other options to run OCR software that are Open Source/free?

http://blogs.adobe.com/acrobat/acrobat_ocr_make_your_scanned/

Also, for the assignment where we have to choose a system for a library setting, can we opt to choose hardware/software that the library might need or does it just have to be a desktop/laptop/workstation?

Computer Basics: Digitization

To Digitize or Not To Digitize - That is the Question

Financing Technology and Digital Projects in the Library

Libraries, more now than ever before, are continuously trying to progress in the technological world. Digitization projects have been one of the main ways libraries can use the internet to their advantage. These digital projects often are easier said than done - which is why many people question if the digitization of books and information is really the answer information professionals are looking for. 

As it was mentioned in the "Lied Library" article, simply getting libraries up-to-date with the correct and relevant technologies can be extremely laborious and financially impossible for smaller local libraries. Often, with these technology projects, there is not only the up front cost of owning multiple CPU's in the library, but the cost to maintain the machine and its software is usually something that takes an annual budget to cover. Once libraries have the machines, they need to upkeep them by getting the proper internet plans to run all these computers on the same network and do regular maintenance on them. 

Aside from the cost just to own technology in the library, digitization projects often need their own budget within the library. The cost to own scanners, digital software, and staff to run these projects is something many libraries have trouble affording. 

Outsourcing Digitization Projects

An option that many libraries find appealing is outsourcing digitization projects to third party companies who already own the resources and staff needed to complete a large scale digital project. A notorious example of this concept of out-sourcing is the Google Books project. Google offered their services to well-known large libraries in an attempt to digitize every book ever published. Of course, libraries allowed Google to digitize parts of their collections because they didn't have to manage or fund any part of the project. At face value the Google Books project seemed like a godsend - it was the perfect way to launch libraries and their invaluable collections into the web. Eventually, problems with this project began to surface. Not only did Google start digitizing books without the consent of libraries or publishers, but the quality of some of the scans of the rarer books were poor and illegible. The Google Books project should make every library take a second look before outsourcing their digitization projects.