The Howstuffworks article on Internet Infrastructure hurt my brain. I prefer to think that there are little gnomes inside my computer connecting me to websites and URLs. I prefer to think this way because then I don't have to think about things like this sentence: "An OC-3 line is capable of transmitting 155 Mbps while an OC-48 can transmit 2,488 Mbps (2.488 Gbps)." I think I have a grasp on the internet (I mean, I know how to snatch 5 Swatches on Ebay for under $10 and even how to use emoticons!!!?) but this technical stuff blows my little mind. Yuck. Admittedly, I DO love that the internet exists without a specific owner, and that regulations on it are kind of minimal and amorphous.
I get incredibly nervous when I read articles like "Dismantling Integrated Library Systems." Yes--I think technology is fantastic, more so when applied successfully and seamlessly to libraries, but I worry that librarians are forgetting about the point of libraries and getting too mired in technology. Patrons want service, and they want it fast. This is true. A faster, better, newer ILS might be the way to go here--I can't dispute that--but if this is coming at the expense of paper collections development and paper subscriptions (undoubtedly what many patrons want--particularly for public patrons in academic libraries, as well as elderly patrons), then I'm simply not interested. This is all just business talk to me--one vendor gives me this, the other vendor gives me that. Blah blah blah.
The Google video is pretty neat. I'm a fan of Google--their incredibly innovative and accessible projects have fascinated me for years, and will probably continue to do so. The fact that their employees seem relatively happy is another plus. Keep it up, Google.
p.s. Google, it's too bad for you that Yahoo snatched up flickr...! Must be the bane of your existence...
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6 comments:
I like to think of the internet as modern day magic. I want something, click a button and get it, don't have to think or do any work of understand how it works, haha. But while the technical stuff can get a bit confusing, i guess it is good to know something about a tool used almost daily.
I also think google is okay with yahoo owning flickr, since i think they own yahoo
Seriously? Google owns Yahoo? WHAT A MONOPOLY. Maybe I'll go back to HOTMAIL!
you do realise that gnomes are evil? Evil....
but on the integrated library system, i still don't get what is so fundamentally different between an ILS and any other inventory management system, that lets people know what you have and where it is. So you have electronic resources and physical stuff. cool beans.
i agree the push to go all digital is a bad one, that disenfranchises lots of patrons. The major concern I keep coming back to is the hidden costs of all digital. If out budget cast cut in half...you can still read the books. If we can't maintain a server because we don't have the money how is anybody going to access out digital collections.
Oh and google does not own Yahoo. they are just proposing to work together to sell adds.
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/digital/e3i2db03fb29d573ec5b7359f4eaf9bdc20
I agree that while I like being able to use the Internet, I don't really care to know all of its interworkings. There's just no motivation there for me. As far as library technologies go, I am all for using computers to inventory books, etc. but in my mind there must be a back up plan. Now I realize that card catalogues can't really help because they are out-of-date and too bulky (although they work great as home organizers and look lovely in a den). But there must be some sort of back-up program, preferable not on a computer. Of course, this is just what I think.
Hi, I liked your notes, especially those about "Dismantling Integrated Library Systems." I've noticed a trend in the blogs I've read this week-a fear that libraries will get too caught up in technology. I agree with your concern for paper collections; often those are what patrons want or need or have access to. I think a good percentage of patrons is happy with online journal articles, but many seem to avoid e-books.
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