Course Requirements

I believe that I have now completed all of the requirements for the course.

Muddiest Points

I have no muddiest points for this week.

Assignment #6

Here is the link to my website:

www.pitt.edu/~elhattab

This week's muddiest point

I have no muddiest points for this week--too busy working on completing Assignment 6!!!

Comments on other student's blogs

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/notes-for-unit-12-social-software-1129.html?

http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-12-reading-notes.html?

http://archivist-amy-in-training.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-12-social-software.html?

Comments on this week's readings

Weblogs: their use and application in science and technology libraries

Though I didn't really learn anything new from this article, I still felt that it was informative and interesting to read.  And I definitely feel that weblogs would be beneficial in libraries, especially in regard to keeping everyone on the same page.

 "Using a wiki to manage a library instruction program: Sharing knowledge to better serve patrons"

I also found this to be a very infomative and interesting article.  I'm not very familiar with wikis (other than Wikipedia), but I can see how these, along with weblogs, could be very beneficial in helping with training sessions, and eliminate or greatly reduce the amount of e-mail generated between people working on the same or similar things.  Everything is on the wiki, so you aren't trying to figure out where a particular piece of information might be.  In fact, I think I'll suggest that this be something that we do at my job--I think that it could be of great benefit.

"Creating the academic library folksonomy: Put social tagging to work at your institution"

As someone who has a huge amount of bookmarks on her computer, this article was very relevant to me, and I thought that social tagging was a great idea.  It would probably be a good idea to come up with a particular format for doing the tagging, so that you can remember it when you go looking for it, but I'm going to start trying it!
“How a ragtag band created Wikipedia”

I thought that this video was excellent.  It was very interesting to me to see how Wikipedia works, and how it has grown and become truly international.  It was surprising to me to see that only 1/3 of the articles are in English, but it's good to know that anyone who wants to access the site won't be hindered by language issues.  I was very impressed.

Muddiest Point for this Week

I have no muddiest point for this week.

Week 9 Readings

Most of these articles were over my head, and just made me more confused.  But I'll read them again, and hope that the second time I'll get a better understanding.

Week 8 Comments on Other Student's Blogs

http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/11/reading-notes-for-week-9.html#comments

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/11/unit-9-xml-118.html#comments

http://magpie-maggiemagpie.blogspot.com/2010/11/week-9-readings.html#comments

Muddiest Points for this Week

I don't have any muddiest points from the readings, but I am somewhat confused about Assignment 6.  I'm not sure how to go about creating the website--can we use any software such as Google, Dreamweaver, SharePro, or are we required to use a specific type of software?

LIS 2600 Assignment 5 Koha Virtual Bookshelf

Here is the link for my virtual bookshelf:

http://upitt01-staff.kwc.kohalibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/virtualshelves/shelves.pl?viewshelf=78

The title of my bookshelf is LIS 2600/Elhattab, and my username is ELHATTAB.

Enjoy!

Mary Pat

Week 7 comments on other student's blogs

http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-7.html?showComment

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/notes-for-unit-7-internet-and-www.html?showComment

http://magpie-maggiemagpie.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-7-readings.html?showComment

Assignment #4: Personal Bibliographic Management Systems

Here is the URL for my CiteULike Library:

http://www.citeulike.org/user/elhattab

This assignment was pretty cool!

Posting to other student's blogs

For some reason this week I'm having trouble adding posts to other student's blogs. When I click on "post a comment", nothing happens and it won't let me type anything.  I'll keep trying, and hopefully I can eventually get it to work.

Readings for this Week

How Internet Infrastructure Works

I found this to be a very interesting and easy to read series of articles.  I now feel as though I have a better understanding of how the internet works, and how things work when I'm using the internet.  Very helpful.

Dismantling Integrated Library Systems

This article was interesting, but more difficult to follow than the previous articles regarding internet infrastructure.  The thing I thought was most important was the fact that there is interoperability between systems, sometimes between the same vendor's systems, and sometimes between the library systems and the vendor's systems.  This makes it difficult for patrons to have complete access to everything that they may need, and this could be problemmatic.

Inside the Google Machine

Wow--this video was fabulous.  I was amazed to see the globe mapping all of the places using Google at any given time.  It was amazing.  Google seems like a great place to work.  They really seem to care about their employees, and try to make their working environment as pleasant as possible.  I really liked the 20 percent idea, where they are able to use 20 percent of their time working on things which are important to them.  Perhaps more employers would benefit from using some of their practices!

Muddiest Point

I have no muddiest point for this week.

Week 6 Comments on other student's blogs

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/notes-for-unit-6-computer-networks.html#comments

http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/10/reading-notes-for-week-6.html#comments

http://magpie-maggiemagpie.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-6-readings.html#comments

Week 6 Readings

Local area network (Wikipedia)

Though I think I understood the basic premise of the article, which was to describe what a LAN is and its technical aspects, as usual the technical language went over my head.  Basically I understand that a LAN is a small computer network, such as the one within the department where I work at Pitt, that connects those computers together.  For example, in my department my office mate and I are connected to the same printer, but we are also connected to color printers on the same floor in case we need color copies.  This differs from the larger University network in size and scope.

Computer Network (Wikipedia)

I found this article easier to understand.  There was still some technical language that went over my head, but not so much as in the first article about LANs.  I was interested to learn some things that I did not know, such as how the internet got its name (a shortened form of internetwork), and just how types of network there are out there.  I didn't realize that there were so many.  One thing I wasn't clear about was with the Virtual private network (VPN) graphic on page 6.  In the top graphic, the main office is able to connect with the regional offices and the remote/roaming users, and they are able to communicate with the main office, but the regional offices are not able to connect to each other, or to the remote/roaming users.  Also, in the second graphic the regional offices are able to communicate with each other and the main office, but not with the remote/roaming users.  I'm not sure why that is the case.

Managing Technology:  Management of RFID in Libraries

I found this article to be interesting and informative.  I was interested to learn more about RFID and how it works, but it brings up questions about how RFID tags should be used.  Personally, I think that they are a good idea for keeping track of books and deterring theft, but as with all things there is the potential for misuse.

Assignment 3 Video Demonstration

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/1f176833-142a-4d63-9b9f-99e6c9d58b9a

Screen captures for Assignment 3

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/da1426c3-acd0-44c2-bfed-90ad8bef3798

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/a5502b05-aa14-4baa-a4c5-2fcb36e96584

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/24e0bbdd-9433-44cf-b7ab-989ede759b32

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/8c31f997-974f-4220-955a-65bae798f926

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/f7b1630a-a808-4ea4-afa4-b50011e7176f

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/e4da1e7b-f1ec-4180-b678-a077bab34de1

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/309f6f65-e8c7-4580-9e01-4e63cb03e9ec

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/00e3ca74-148e-4d79-85b3-00fefdcdd28d

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/ba604c90-0a1c-4714-abeb-46fb6ad87d8c

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/b9f26085-792f-4aa3-8685-9688c4a88ddf

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/3b771c7c-ff2d-41e7-a7b1-f0a4b092e84c

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/e7db6685-c60d-464b-9bb6-528c8566d02c

http://www.screencast.com/users/Elhattab1/folders/Jing/media/2fd2b8a2-30d9-4b48-a9a6-e819ea766411

Comments on other student's blogs for Oct. 4

Here are my responses to other student's blogs for this week:

http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/10/notes-for-unit-5-information.html#comments

http://magpie-maggiemagpie.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-5-readings.html#comments

Week 5 Readings

Database (Wikipedia)

I found this article somewhat difficult to understand, but there were some interesting points.  I never realized how complex a database is, so it was interesting to learn about DBMSs.  I also didn't know that there were different types of databases (internal, external, and conceptual).  As I understood it, a conceptual database is the go-between or bridge between the internal and external databases.  Also, I never thought about IMDB being a database, though I guess I should have!

Introduction to Metadata:  Setting the Stage (Gilliland)

I found this article to be interesting, and easier to understand than both the Wikipedia article and the Dublin Core Model article.  I hadn't thought about the fact that metadata has been around since people began cataloguing objects, so that was interesting to me.  One of the main things I took away from the article is that the people entering and embedding the metadata need to carefully craft a good core, and make sure that the metadata stays with the object wherever it goes, and updated as new technologies take over.

An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model (Miller)

This article was difficult to understand, especially since there were many typos and grammar mistakes, but as I understood it, the goal is to get everyone on the same page so that to the extent possible metadata can be used across disciplines.  I especially had difficulty understanding all of the programming stuff, but it definitely made me more grateful to those who understand and do it for a living!

Week 4 Muddiest Point

I'm still somewhat confused about Assignment 3, and what the video should be about.  I've never made a video before, so I'm not sure what I'm doing.  But I guess the only way to learn is to go ahead and try it! 

My posting for this week

http://jonas4444.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-4-reading-notes.html?showComment=1285454192523#c7491221487951601165

http://akulp2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/927-reading-notes.html#comments

Reading Notes

Data Compression (Wikipedia article)

Usually I am able to understand articles on Wikipedia, and this was no exception.  The basic point, as I understood it, is Lossless vs. Lossy compression.  I'll have to read it a couple more times to make sure that I understand it fully.

Data Compression Basics (Parts 1-3)

At first I thought that I wouldn't have trouble understanding the content of these files, especially when the author states at the beginning that "I have tried to use language accessible to anyone without sacrificing....correctness and thoroughness of the information provided."  I was OK until he got into the really technical stuff, and then it was over my head.  As with the Wikipedia article, I understood the basics.  Originally I printed the article, but the printout cut off some of the words, so I ended up reading it online, which gave me a huge headache!!!

Imaging Pittsburgh:  Creating a Shared Gateway to Digital Image Collections of the Pittsburgh Region

This article was really interesting.  I went to the website, and it is awesome!  There are thousands of pictures, and a lot more contributors than there were when the article was written.  I was very impressed, not only with the website itself, but with all of the work that Galloway details in his article.  There are definitely good things as well as challenging things in the process of collaboration.

YouTube and Libraries

This is a really great idea.  I never thought about the power of YouTube to help libraries, but it sounds as though there could be many options for a library to utilize this powerful media outlet, from letting people know what's going on at the local library to giving guided online tours.  The possibilities are many.

Week 3 Muddiest Points

I just listened to the lecture, and thought that things were very clear.  I also had no problems with the readings for this week.  So I don't have any muddiest points for this week.

Assignment 2

Here is the link for my Flickr.com pictures for Assignment 2:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mary_pat/?saved=1 

My postings to other student's blogs

http://guybrariantim.blogspot.com/2010/09/week-3-readings.html#comments


http://cheyenneof2600.blogspot.com/2010/09/notes-on-unit-3-computer-software-920.html#comments

Weekly Readings

Intro to Linux

I thought that this was an interesting article, though a bit hard to comprehend at times.  Linux sounds like a good system, and it's somewhat surprising to learn that a lot of people don't use it.  Perhaps this is because Microsoft Windows has a monopoly on the market, or because very few people have heard of it, or perhaps people are concerned about the fact that it is Open Source software, which could potentially be infected.  I also read a little bit more about it in the Discovering Computers 2011 textbook, and learned that Mozilla uses Linux.  So perhaps more of us use it for certain programs than we realize.

What is Mac OS X

Huh?  This article went right over my head.  I read it twice to try to get at least a small grasp of what the article was saying, but that didn't help much, either.

What is Mac OS X (Wikipedia)

I did find the Wikipedia article on the Mac OS X operating system to be a little easier to comprehend, a little bit more reader friendly. So that helped.  For me, it would be easier to see the system demonstrated so that I could gett a better understanding of it.  I am a visual learner.  I think that's one reason why I like the textbook--there are lots of pictures so that I can see what they are talking about.

An Update on the Windows Roadmap

I liked this article, and thought that the history it covered was interesting.  I also enjoyed the comments (and sometimes intense discussions) of the bloggers.  They definitely have some strong opinions, and are not afraid to state them.

Week 2 Muddiest Point

So far I think I'm understanding everything, and don't really have a muddiest point this week.  I will say that reading the book has been a great help.  I'm glad I purchased it!

Week 2 Notes

Computer Hardware

Since I have no background in computers, I found this article difficult to understand.  Certainly I've heard of many of the components, and thought that I had some idea of what they do, but looking at the definitions I realized that I know a lot less than I thought I did.  This is something that I'll have to explore further to make sure I understand.  Perhaps the optional textbook will give me further information.

Moore's Law

I thought that this article was very interesting.  It's amazing to me how people are able to predict the future far in advance, and even more interesting to see that it is coming true.

Computer History Museum

Wow--this place is amazing!  I didn't have a long time to look at everything, but I will definitely be going back to view things more in-depth.

Week 1 Muddiest Point

I don't really have a muddiest point for this week.  I think that I understood everything pretty well!

Week 1 Notes

OCLC Report

I found this report very interesting, especially the point about consumers being "format agnostic". The content is what they want, regardless of how they get the content (web, book, etc.). As someone who grew up in a time long before computers were in use by the general population, I love nothing more than sitting down to read a book. But I also love being able to do research on the web, in part because it is easily accessible and less time consuming than going to the library.
 
Clifford Lynch article
 
I hadn't ever really thought about information technology and information technology literacy, but this easy to read article really gave me something to think about.  It is certainlly good to have the basic information literacy skills, but taking it up a level is even better.
 
Lied Library @ Four Years
 
This article was extremely interesting to me.  As someone who has never worked in a library, I wasn't aware of all the time, planning, and especially money that goes into all of the technology, not only at the beginning but as time goes on and new technology becomes available.  I was amazed to see how many times in only 4 years their system had been upgraded.  Wow!
 
Brandt article
 
This article was similar to the Lynch article, and also posed some interesting points.  New worlds are opening up for me!