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Friday, September 26, 2008
Muddiest Points for Week 6
If a company offers wireless access to its immediate community or neighbors, (eg. Google in Mountain View, CA) what type of network are they on? Would it be a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?
Please explain the idea behind leasing telecommunication lines.
Please explain the idea behind leasing telecommunication lines.
Reading Notes for Week 6: Sept. 30
A review of RFID technologies in Libraries
RFID stands for radio frequency identifier. Basically it looks like a microchip. But can carry many bytes of information. RFID tags can be embedded in an item. A The good thing about RFID technology is that it increases library circulation by cutting down the checking in and checking out of books, but the article states, this feature depends on the level of automation of the library.
Now, should libraries use RFID? It seems almost clear that barcodes will become obsolete. What I find agitating about these types of questions is its redundancy. The article states that libraries use new technologies because the general environment that led to the development of the technology is the conditions in which the library operates. This type of posturing is problematic but is indicative of a generation gap in the information profession. There will always be positive and negative elements in the use of new technologies.
How will we the new generation of information professionals, relate to new technologies?
RFID stands for radio frequency identifier. Basically it looks like a microchip. But can carry many bytes of information. RFID tags can be embedded in an item. A The good thing about RFID technology is that it increases library circulation by cutting down the checking in and checking out of books, but the article states, this feature depends on the level of automation of the library.
Now, should libraries use RFID? It seems almost clear that barcodes will become obsolete. What I find agitating about these types of questions is its redundancy. The article states that libraries use new technologies because the general environment that led to the development of the technology is the conditions in which the library operates. This type of posturing is problematic but is indicative of a generation gap in the information profession. There will always be positive and negative elements in the use of new technologies.
How will we the new generation of information professionals, relate to new technologies?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Muddiest Point for Week 5
Besides lossy data compression, are there other ways to compress data images, like mpeg?
Reading Notes for Week 5: Sept. 23
Notes on Data Compression
Based on the readings the main advantage for data compression or source coding is that it lets you store more stuff in the same space and it lets you transfer that stuff in less time or with less bandwidth. An example of this is the recent Flicker assignment where we were asked to save pictures as thumbnails and screen size. There are 2 types of data compression. We are most familiar with the lossy method, where recorded information is not guaranteed to be exactly identical, JPEG and MP3 are examples of lossy data compression. Lossless data compression is when the recorded information is guaranteed to be exactly identical to the original compression method. Lossless method is used to optimize disk space in office computers or better bandwidth connection in a computer network.
As librarians it is important to understand the characteristics of data compression when planning to digitize a special collection in a library. First and foremost, a technological infrastructure has to be in place in order to support and access the digital collections. For users or patrons to view compressed data images (jpeg and mpeg) the network or their own computer, must be equipped with large memory storage and optimal bandwidth to download and view files. In order to view a compressed file, it has to be decompressed. This may disrupt applications the user may have open and create an inconvenience, resulting in not accessing the collection. While data compression offers the advantage of storing more stuff in the same space, it is implied that the end-user or a library network has the technological capability and resources to view these files.
Based on the readings the main advantage for data compression or source coding is that it lets you store more stuff in the same space and it lets you transfer that stuff in less time or with less bandwidth. An example of this is the recent Flicker assignment where we were asked to save pictures as thumbnails and screen size. There are 2 types of data compression. We are most familiar with the lossy method, where recorded information is not guaranteed to be exactly identical, JPEG and MP3 are examples of lossy data compression. Lossless data compression is when the recorded information is guaranteed to be exactly identical to the original compression method. Lossless method is used to optimize disk space in office computers or better bandwidth connection in a computer network.
As librarians it is important to understand the characteristics of data compression when planning to digitize a special collection in a library. First and foremost, a technological infrastructure has to be in place in order to support and access the digital collections. For users or patrons to view compressed data images (jpeg and mpeg) the network or their own computer, must be equipped with large memory storage and optimal bandwidth to download and view files. In order to view a compressed file, it has to be decompressed. This may disrupt applications the user may have open and create an inconvenience, resulting in not accessing the collection. While data compression offers the advantage of storing more stuff in the same space, it is implied that the end-user or a library network has the technological capability and resources to view these files.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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