Week #1 Readings

I think that this is actually "late" (see Muddiest Point") but I did do the assigned work and hope that "better late than never" is true here.
I must admit that I truly got a lot out of the OCLC article. While dry and longwinded, it seemed to describe what is the current situation where I work. Our small college library is a well-used information center. We strive to be the place on campus that students can come to for just about any kind of information they need. We struggle with container issues, though. I find that the students we see are so accustomed to "instant gratification" that the thought of not being able to use a few keystrokes to find the answer to a question or to do research is almost more than they can fathom. I mean no disrespect, just a comment on how modern technology has affected patience levels. Faster is not always better. Although digital storage has forever changed libraries for the better, in terms of what they can offer and how much, we need to be careful not to replace the "container" without replacing or at least modifying the instruction for their use.


I read with glee (not really, but I was excited) the Lied Library article. As I mentioned before, I work in a small college (2000 students) library. I am happy to say that although we are no UNLV library, we have just about all of the tech that they have. I realize that the Lied Library was completed in 2001 but it has been continually updated, as ours has been. Having the tech without the support and training is pointless, though. The Lied Library impressed me greatly with the resources (not just $) that they put toward their improvement and how to stay current. Having regular schedules for computer replacement is simple idea but shows an obvious commitment to all things current.

I have commented on:
Caitlin Beery's blog: http://lis2600chb.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Cari Shepard's blog:
http://bookslingers.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Oliver Batchelor's blog: http://oliverlis2600.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Elisabeth Griswold's blog: http://egriswoldlis2600.blogspot.com/

Computer History Museum

I really enjoyed this site. I viewed the background video and was impressed with the concept of capturing history as it is happening. I like the museum's effort to recognize and honor people who make contributions to the computer industry. Not everyone can be Paris Hilton. My my favorite exhibit was "visible storage". After reading Moore's Law, I could directly apply that trend to the obvious "shrinkage" of personal computers, etc.

Moore's Law

At first glance, I have to admit, I did a mental eye roll. Scientific reading is not usually on my list but I was pleasantly surprised at the simplicity of the law. Simple but impressive and true. I look back at the cell phones and computers of the 80's and 90's and think they seem huge and bumbling. I appreciate the fact that Moore's law (trend) actually is happening. The video was a great piece and I thought it was well done. Good to know...

By far, the muddiest point...

For me, the muddiest point was the actual duedate of readings/assignments. I understand that they mean different things for grading purposes but am not sure as to the schedule for week 1. I thought that, just for this week, everything was due on Tuesday (Sept. 2) and thereafter, readings/comments posted by Fridays and assignments done/posted by Tuesdays (3:00). Did anyone else get that?

Computer Hardware

I found the computer hardware article/entry very informative. How many of us sit at a computer to work or play everyday, without really understanding how it operates. Having graduated undergrad in 1990, I was still using a typewriter to write papers! I have always needed to use a computer in my work (library), but, honestly, know enough to do my job and not much more. It has always seemed rather mysterious to me and this entry explained the actual components and how they work together in order to make computers operate.