Week 6 Notes

How Stuff Works: Computer Infrastructure by Jeff Tyson

It's nice to know how a resource I use every day, like the Internet, works. The Internet has always been this big, abstract thing that does what I tell it to do. Routers were the same way for me. When a page wouldn't load, I knew I had to check my Internet connection and/or restart my router. I didn't really know what I was doing except that the Internet would then start to work. It's nice to know what exactly I was doing and how it connects to the rest of the world.


Dismantling Integrated Library Systems by Andrew K. Pace

 I didn't really understand this article from the very beginning. I don't know what an Integrated Library System is, but thanks to some Googling, that was resolved. I also don't have much experience working with ILS, so I didn't understand some of the terms or even potential problems that the author identified.


Inside the Google Machine

Larry Page and Sergey Brin talk a lot about the importance of innovation and how it can revolutionize a company. While that's not directly related to this week's lesson, it's an important point. You can't be afraid to take risks and try new things. If you don't, you become stagnant, and frankly, somewhat boring. Google's success is partly based on their innovations.

Their algorithm is also being constantly updated in order to get the most relevant results. Page and Brin also have worldwide appeal in Google, as people all over the world are connected to the Internet via Google. 


A Few Thoughts on the Google Books Library Project


I like that the author believes the project will not make books obsolete, just more accessible. I've found with my own experiences that I can view snippets of relevant books and use them for a project. Local libraries (even Pitt) don't always have the books I'm looking for, but-voila-Google does.


However, I also agree with his assertion that people are relying on the Internet way too much. If it's not online, it might as well not exist. This way of thinking causes a problem for librarians. What happens when you provide too much access? Does such a thing exist? Can librarians make themselves obsolete?