The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google
By: Stephen J. Bell
This article talks about how students refer to the Internet for everything. Very rarely these days will you find students going through databases, because Google is normally their first choice for research. This upsets librarians because they use to be the source for information, and now they are not. Students are not using their resources, because it is just easier to Google it. I personally will use the Internet and Google for information before I spend an hour at the library having to look something up. It is just faster, easier and more convenient to use Google. Most students don’t know how to use databases and so they turn to the Internet. But many people disagree and believe Google has low quality research and it’s a ‘junk-information diet’. They believe that true information and research lies in the books at the library, and access to the information isn’t supposed to be easy. Older librarians, who are caught up in their ways, agree with this. Universities believe using aggregator databases will help solve this problem, and eventually convert students. If these databases are more like Google and are convenient they will get the results they want from students. Students will get quality information from scholarly resources that will make the professor happy, and students are happy because it was easy and convenient. I agree that libraries should make databases easier to access and understand the lingo. If it is more user-friendly and modern with the students in college, it will be used. I can see the professor’s point of view though, we are in college and we should know how to effectively use a database. Some good quality research may only be accessible by sitting down and actually going through a database, or a journal. It will be interesting to see what action professors and libraries take, and how the students respond.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Reading #3
The Future of Libraries, Beginning the Great Transformation
By: Thomas Frey
This article discusses the history of collections of art, and how it started with Leonardo da Vinci. His art was priceless and truly amazing. Libraries helped preserved his art, without them we would not have them today. As time went on, libraries function in society changed. Libraries started out being a warehouse of books and other collections, but the average person was too poor to own a book. When the printing press was invented, this changed. More people could afford books, and could actually write some of their own. Because of the printing press, information is widely available and accessible to the average person. Because our world is constantly changing, and the future of libraries is limitless, possible trends were discussed as to what people think will become of the ‘future library’.
I agree with these trends, and definitely can see them happening in the future. There will soon be a variety of ways to access information. Books and the Internet wont be the main way to retrieve information anymore. Technology is constantly changing. There is really no way to predict what new gadget or device will be coming out next. I think this is interesting and exciting, to know that something new will always be coming out and in a sense make life more easier. When I go to stores, I am amazed at the things you can store information on, and one day this will even change. They have USB drives now that are so tiny, portable and can fit on key chains and not be too bulky. Amazing! When they talked about changing into a verbal society, I was a bit skeptical. I’m not sure that I would want to lose my keyboard and talk on the computer with everything that I do. Chat rooms and other social networks, this would be very helpful in. I do believe libraries are in a way the center of culture. They hold our past, and carry the latest information of our future. It will be incredible what the future of a library consists of. Whatever it is, I am sure it will be for the best and a complete change from today’s library.
By: Thomas Frey
This article discusses the history of collections of art, and how it started with Leonardo da Vinci. His art was priceless and truly amazing. Libraries helped preserved his art, without them we would not have them today. As time went on, libraries function in society changed. Libraries started out being a warehouse of books and other collections, but the average person was too poor to own a book. When the printing press was invented, this changed. More people could afford books, and could actually write some of their own. Because of the printing press, information is widely available and accessible to the average person. Because our world is constantly changing, and the future of libraries is limitless, possible trends were discussed as to what people think will become of the ‘future library’.
I agree with these trends, and definitely can see them happening in the future. There will soon be a variety of ways to access information. Books and the Internet wont be the main way to retrieve information anymore. Technology is constantly changing. There is really no way to predict what new gadget or device will be coming out next. I think this is interesting and exciting, to know that something new will always be coming out and in a sense make life more easier. When I go to stores, I am amazed at the things you can store information on, and one day this will even change. They have USB drives now that are so tiny, portable and can fit on key chains and not be too bulky. Amazing! When they talked about changing into a verbal society, I was a bit skeptical. I’m not sure that I would want to lose my keyboard and talk on the computer with everything that I do. Chat rooms and other social networks, this would be very helpful in. I do believe libraries are in a way the center of culture. They hold our past, and carry the latest information of our future. It will be incredible what the future of a library consists of. Whatever it is, I am sure it will be for the best and a complete change from today’s library.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
News report #3- Facebook
Facebook: Relax, we won't sell you photos
by: Caroline McCarthy
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10165190-36.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1
Facebook has been dealing with a blog that was posted about facebook having ownership over pictures and information on people’s pages. This has created a panic over the Internet. It started because facebook is consolidating the terms and use policy, to put it all on one link. Facebook revised the wording of the conditions of what happens to posting and pictures once an account is deleted. They removed sentences saying that once an account is deleted their ownership is over, instead saying they can do whatever they want with you content, forever. This broke out the hysteria. Some users who are concerned with this deleted accounts almost immediately. Other users who are not alarmed, or businesses that maybe want their information out- did not seem to care. A spokesperson from facebook repeatedly claimed that facebook has never claimed ownership over blogs, pictures or postings. He also stated that in the terms and services it claims this very thing.
Personally, I do not see the big crisis happening over this. People who sign up for online, public services such as facebook or myspace should know what they’re getting themselves into. If a picture is posted that you dont want anyone to see but 1-2 people, you should probably take it down. Same thing goes for postings and blogs. Facebook does have privacy settings, but it is the Internet. Anything can happen with hackers, they should not its not 100% secure. It is not meant for people to publish deep, dark secrets on, or embarrassing, secret pictures.. it is a social network. Expect people to want to see pictures of you and read your blogs, people like to be nosey online, and catch up with old friends (or even enemies). There should be boundaries that facebook should follow, but I think they have already been used and determined.
by: Caroline McCarthy
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10165190-36.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1
Facebook has been dealing with a blog that was posted about facebook having ownership over pictures and information on people’s pages. This has created a panic over the Internet. It started because facebook is consolidating the terms and use policy, to put it all on one link. Facebook revised the wording of the conditions of what happens to posting and pictures once an account is deleted. They removed sentences saying that once an account is deleted their ownership is over, instead saying they can do whatever they want with you content, forever. This broke out the hysteria. Some users who are concerned with this deleted accounts almost immediately. Other users who are not alarmed, or businesses that maybe want their information out- did not seem to care. A spokesperson from facebook repeatedly claimed that facebook has never claimed ownership over blogs, pictures or postings. He also stated that in the terms and services it claims this very thing.
Personally, I do not see the big crisis happening over this. People who sign up for online, public services such as facebook or myspace should know what they’re getting themselves into. If a picture is posted that you dont want anyone to see but 1-2 people, you should probably take it down. Same thing goes for postings and blogs. Facebook does have privacy settings, but it is the Internet. Anything can happen with hackers, they should not its not 100% secure. It is not meant for people to publish deep, dark secrets on, or embarrassing, secret pictures.. it is a social network. Expect people to want to see pictures of you and read your blogs, people like to be nosey online, and catch up with old friends (or even enemies). There should be boundaries that facebook should follow, but I think they have already been used and determined.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Second Life- Extra Credit
My experiences in Second Life
I created an account on Second Life. My second life name is Violot Aries. It is very interesting how the set up of the program helps users relate to real life, you even see other avatars. It took me a few minutes to learn how to do everything using the avatar. I do not play many computer games, so this is new to me. Learning how to fly was fun, I tried to get Violot to land in the water but couldn’t! I had to learn how to control her flying, and make her fly in the direction I wanted. Teleporting was difficult for me. I did not really know where I was or where I was trying to go, but it was fun figuring it out. I flew to a couple random places on the map, and met other avatars. I stayed in the welcome center and experienced interactions with other avatars, the majority of the time though. It was neat how your avatar could interact with another avatar, and you could also IM each other. I enjoyed looking at the map to see what places were on it and (trying) to teleport there. The majority of the time that I spent on second life I was figuring out the controls, and what my avatar could do. I got to an island where some really nice cars were and sat in them. That was fun! But for the most part, second life was fun for me. It was a little frustrating because I could not figure out where to go to a particular island. I always ended up on some strange island where nobody else was!!
I created an account on Second Life. My second life name is Violot Aries. It is very interesting how the set up of the program helps users relate to real life, you even see other avatars. It took me a few minutes to learn how to do everything using the avatar. I do not play many computer games, so this is new to me. Learning how to fly was fun, I tried to get Violot to land in the water but couldn’t! I had to learn how to control her flying, and make her fly in the direction I wanted. Teleporting was difficult for me. I did not really know where I was or where I was trying to go, but it was fun figuring it out. I flew to a couple random places on the map, and met other avatars. I stayed in the welcome center and experienced interactions with other avatars, the majority of the time though. It was neat how your avatar could interact with another avatar, and you could also IM each other. I enjoyed looking at the map to see what places were on it and (trying) to teleport there. The majority of the time that I spent on second life I was figuring out the controls, and what my avatar could do. I got to an island where some really nice cars were and sat in them. That was fun! But for the most part, second life was fun for me. It was a little frustrating because I could not figure out where to go to a particular island. I always ended up on some strange island where nobody else was!!
News report #2- Gmail VS. Yahoo
"Google Quietly Declares Email War on Yahoo"
Reporting by Jennifer Martinez and David Lawsky
http://www.wired.com/software/webservices/news/2009/02/reuters_us_google_gmail
Posted February 4, 2009 - San Francisco
This article focuses on Google and Yahoo, and the competition they have with each other on email. Last year, Google visitors increased 32% and yahoo 16%. Google makes money when users click on ads, and consequently they are increasing the number of ads on the page. Google came up with a way for users to be able to download email and check it, without even being online. This option is very similar to Microsoft’s Outlook Explorer. The offline mail feature was announced at a conference this week, but other options gmail will be providing are being said more quietly. In the last seven months 34 experimental features have been posted. Engineers are unsure if this features will last, or if they will even work smoothly. Sometimes when we get mad we send emails we later will regret, and Google is suggesting a solution to that with their email services called “Mail Googles”. This feature will make users do a math problem before sending the email. Other features include reminders to attach promised attachments, as well as free short message service messages to friends using Gchat. All of these features can be found under Google Labs. Gmail Labs helps Google engineers take their idea and get it out there. Google is trying to stay ahead of Yahoo on all their Internet features.
I think the Gmail labs option is very competitive and a good idea. Yahoo does not have any options like these, so there is no real advantage to choosing Yahoo over Gmail. However, I can see in the future Yahoo coming up with similar applications to stay in the competitive game. I know I personally I have sent emails spontaneously when I was upset. The new “Mail Googles” option will help prevent users from sending irrational emails. But on the other hand, I am not sure I would want to do a math problem every time I sat down to write an email. It will be very interesting what the two companies come up with in the future, and which one will be on top!
Reporting by Jennifer Martinez and David Lawsky
http://www.wired.com/software/webservices/news/2009/02/reuters_us_google_gmail
Posted February 4, 2009 - San Francisco
This article focuses on Google and Yahoo, and the competition they have with each other on email. Last year, Google visitors increased 32% and yahoo 16%. Google makes money when users click on ads, and consequently they are increasing the number of ads on the page. Google came up with a way for users to be able to download email and check it, without even being online. This option is very similar to Microsoft’s Outlook Explorer. The offline mail feature was announced at a conference this week, but other options gmail will be providing are being said more quietly. In the last seven months 34 experimental features have been posted. Engineers are unsure if this features will last, or if they will even work smoothly. Sometimes when we get mad we send emails we later will regret, and Google is suggesting a solution to that with their email services called “Mail Googles”. This feature will make users do a math problem before sending the email. Other features include reminders to attach promised attachments, as well as free short message service messages to friends using Gchat. All of these features can be found under Google Labs. Gmail Labs helps Google engineers take their idea and get it out there. Google is trying to stay ahead of Yahoo on all their Internet features.
I think the Gmail labs option is very competitive and a good idea. Yahoo does not have any options like these, so there is no real advantage to choosing Yahoo over Gmail. However, I can see in the future Yahoo coming up with similar applications to stay in the competitive game. I know I personally I have sent emails spontaneously when I was upset. The new “Mail Googles” option will help prevent users from sending irrational emails. But on the other hand, I am not sure I would want to do a math problem every time I sat down to write an email. It will be very interesting what the two companies come up with in the future, and which one will be on top!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Reading #2
Can Wikipedia Ever Make the Grade?
By: Brock Read
Wikipedia has become a very popular site on the Internet. Mr. Halavais has even contributed to the site of Wikipedia himself, and spends time on the website browsing through articles. Because Wikipedia is a site where anyone may edit it, Mr. Halavais edited the site and added 13 errors. This is also why the website is criticized. He was very skeptical about the website himself, but 3 hours later his errors were fixed. He was even asked not to post nonsense on the site. Impressive! Since that incident, several scholars agreed that Wikipedia does a good job at making sure information on the site is factual. Some teachers are asking scholars to add articles to the site, to increase the amount of factual information available. Wikipedia was graded on the quality by the journal Nature. They were surprised to find that Wikipedia was in the same league as Britannica, averaging 4 mistakes. This is showing signs of success and improvement. I think that Wikipedia is a very good website to go to for information, and you can learn a lot on it. It’s neat how anyone can publish an article, or edit a posting. This gives the scholars the chance to pass down their knowledge, without going through the expenses and trouble of writing a whole book. I do think that Wikipedia has its place when it comes to research, and quoting for scholarly or even college papers. Even though Mr. Halavais’ mistakes were fixed right away, there is no guarantee that all mistakes will be fixed. My answer to “will Wikipedia ever make the grade”, is yes as long as the information is not used for research or scholarly papers.
By: Brock Read
Wikipedia has become a very popular site on the Internet. Mr. Halavais has even contributed to the site of Wikipedia himself, and spends time on the website browsing through articles. Because Wikipedia is a site where anyone may edit it, Mr. Halavais edited the site and added 13 errors. This is also why the website is criticized. He was very skeptical about the website himself, but 3 hours later his errors were fixed. He was even asked not to post nonsense on the site. Impressive! Since that incident, several scholars agreed that Wikipedia does a good job at making sure information on the site is factual. Some teachers are asking scholars to add articles to the site, to increase the amount of factual information available. Wikipedia was graded on the quality by the journal Nature. They were surprised to find that Wikipedia was in the same league as Britannica, averaging 4 mistakes. This is showing signs of success and improvement. I think that Wikipedia is a very good website to go to for information, and you can learn a lot on it. It’s neat how anyone can publish an article, or edit a posting. This gives the scholars the chance to pass down their knowledge, without going through the expenses and trouble of writing a whole book. I do think that Wikipedia has its place when it comes to research, and quoting for scholarly or even college papers. Even though Mr. Halavais’ mistakes were fixed right away, there is no guarantee that all mistakes will be fixed. My answer to “will Wikipedia ever make the grade”, is yes as long as the information is not used for research or scholarly papers.
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