Article # 1:
First of all, it was great to see a David Pogue video. I used to watch his video blog on NYTimes, but I haven’t had the chance in a while. He’s got such a bizarre way of presenting. That said, I always just assumed it wasn’t safe to shop or bank at wireless hotspots, but I never really realized how easy it would be for someone to run a program like Eavesdrop (is that what he said it was?) and steal information from you. How and why are programs like that legal? Are they meant for closed networks so, say, a parent could monitor a child’s internet usage?
Overall, I’d say this article was the best we’ve read for this class. Short, concise sections coupled with clear definitions…
Dismantling ILS Article:
Can anyone with more experience shed some light on where interoperability in libraries stands in 2010? I'm never if an article from 2004 should be considered entirely outdated in this field...
Sergey Brin and Larry Page Video
Wonderful use of information visualization! I was absolutely blown away by the globe graphic… and now I kind of want to work for Google (like everyone else).
I thought the Google visualization was great, too. Very effective at showing the reach of Google. And I agree -- it would be cool to work for them! It seems they really encourage their employees to go after what they want to do.
ReplyDeleteThe Google video was kind of awesome right?! I agree that visualization makes a great impact on trying to convey messages effectively!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can help you with your concern on interoperability in libraries. The way I see the issue is that because staff members are so accustomed to their older methods of carrying out their duties, the incorporation of the Internet seemed as though it were too much too soon. They have every right to feel this way, since the transition occurred all at once. That is why there was the introduction of interoperability to settle a compromise. The staff can continue to maintain the older models to provide a sense of guidance as they learn how to use the newer models. As they learn to get more used to the newer models, they can gradually break away from the older models until it can finally be fully abandoned without the shock. Because there are still so many libraries and archives that have yet to become more up-to-date in one form or another, I can only assume that for the good of their survival, those institutions would need to go through at some point in time (if they are not doing so already) a similar process as what interoperability tries to achieve. It is through the gradual transition that they can learn how to make good use of advanced technologies for conducting their work. Once again, this is all just based on my assumptions.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing quite so disquieting as watching a video about online security when you're actually sitting in a coffee shop at the time and logged into Pitt's secure CourseWeb, Webmail, and library proxy server websites at the same time... eep!
ReplyDeleteAs for the ILS article - I think it is showing its age a bit. The proprietary systems have certainly adapted to some of the web-related functionality that the article was complaining didn't exist in such systems at the time. Open source ILS systems are making minor inroads, but for the most part it seems like the majority of small-medium sized libraries rely too heavily on what the proprietary ILS systems do right to complain about the things that they don't do or that they do poorly. In most instances, these institutions simply don't have the staff or technical knowledge to design their own ILS and shelling out money for a 70% functional/applicable product is a better-seeming compromise than dealing with the hassle of an entirely new, ground-up system. This is just my opinion from what I can see working in a rural state with numerous smaller libraries (who, as a consortia, have decided it's easier to use a commercial ILS and share resources that way state-wide). It may be completely out of touch with what other medium and larger libraries are experiencing in more urban areas.
I was also blown away by the globe. It really struck me to see such little activity in Africa. Really made me stop and think!
ReplyDeleteJust few observations based on currently used Sirsi WorkFlows. It is a complex structure that accomplishes libraries workflows operations. The workflows operations such as circulation, cataloging, acquisition, serial control, requests, reserves, and selections are operated as software modules (i.e. SirsiDynix Symphony WorkFlows) and being integrated they share a common bibliographic database. Just observing Sirsi, the data redundancy and static environment comes to the picture.
ReplyDeleteRapid development of new technological tools and new ways of information/services acquisition (digital collections, reference chat/ virtual reference, electronic research management, and federated search) involve an implementation of the openURL-based link resolvers, metasearch, electronic resource management applications, and digital library applications. The software modules and adds-ins are not always interconnecting among themselves. This causes problems in the libraries operation and services. I think it is difficult to find a system, which could be successive in all means and keep-up with the table d’hôte. New Summon, which will be implemented in our library soon, advocates an improved search of all libraries resources (print/electronic/) and has API (application programming interface) that could allow an integration with other systems. I am looking forward for Summon. http://www.serialssolutions.com/summon/