Dallas News, 04/21/2009
"World's biggest library is launched online"
Washington Post
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/DN-library_21int.ART.State.Edition1.4a6dab9.html
The World Digital Library is being launched today at UNESCO which is headquartered in Paris. The main purpose of this site is to store collections of materials on many different topics from around the world. Many of these documents are going to be extremely rare and extremely old. Two notable items they have added to their collection is what could be the first novel ever written, and "works of ancient Arab scholars". There are around 1,200 documents currently on the site, but that is going to increase dramatically. There is no limit to the amount of information this site can hold. Billington, who started the project four years ago says the main reason for this site is the children. He recognized the success of the U.S National Digital Library Program and wanted to create one for World knowledge. Currently UNESCO is working with the Library of Congress, and twenty six other libraries in nineteen countries. There will be seven languages available on the site for visitors around the world.I think putting a global library on the internet is a great idea. The information available on the site will allow different areas of the world to better learn about each other. Visitors the site around the world are now able to view and read countries most prized documents while sitting in their living room. The amount of information that is being spread around the world is staggering. There truly is no end to this spread of information in sight. With websites like this setting the precedence on the spread of global information, we are truly moving to a more global lifestyle.
Check it out at WWW.WDL.ORG
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
World's Largest Library. All Online
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
INFORMATION LITERACY AND TODAY'S COLLEGE STUDENT; WHAT IS BEING DONE
This article by Andrea Foster talked about “information literacy” and how it has been implemented into many college curriculums. The beginning of the article talked about the remarkable increase in readily obtainable information available to students through use of the web. The number of databases has almost doubled, and there are now “more than 100 million sites” available at your fingertips. The article moves into the history of the term “information literacy” and talks about how it was coined. Foster wrote about how colleges are implementing these information programs, and why they are choosing to do it. She says the main reason to because students do not know how to effectively search for quality information. There is a dire need to educate students on executing effective research before they actually get into the real world because real life situations are not “multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank”. The article speaks about what kinds of tests are being conducted to measure students “information literacy” skills. These tests are being given to freshman and high school seniors to see if they are ready for college level research needed to properly complete assignments.
I believe “information literacy” is extremely important for students as well as faculty. At the same time I can’t help but to agree with Stanley Wilder when he said “It’s kind of a path to irrelevancy because information seeking is going to become simpler…it’s becoming simpler every day”. When I think about this I remember learning to write cursive. I hardly know anyone who does that today. I think about learning to type, and how to correctly place your fingers so you don’t have to hit backspace constantly to correct words. I have had close to ten words automatically corrected for me since I started typing this, as well as a few that have been underlined to show me that I typed them wrong. Eventually everything will be voice driven, and typos will no longer exist. I know that the ability to properly find valuable information on the web will not become obsolete anytime soon, but I do believe that searching for information will become much easier. We have already talked about how these databases are trying to make their searches more similar to Google to make it simpler for students. I’d like to conclude this response by saying tests will be given, results will be measured, and training programs will be implemented. “Information literacy” will be taught to students at younger and younger ages until it is no longer an issue.
I believe “information literacy” is extremely important for students as well as faculty. At the same time I can’t help but to agree with Stanley Wilder when he said “It’s kind of a path to irrelevancy because information seeking is going to become simpler…it’s becoming simpler every day”. When I think about this I remember learning to write cursive. I hardly know anyone who does that today. I think about learning to type, and how to correctly place your fingers so you don’t have to hit backspace constantly to correct words. I have had close to ten words automatically corrected for me since I started typing this, as well as a few that have been underlined to show me that I typed them wrong. Eventually everything will be voice driven, and typos will no longer exist. I know that the ability to properly find valuable information on the web will not become obsolete anytime soon, but I do believe that searching for information will become much easier. We have already talked about how these databases are trying to make their searches more similar to Google to make it simpler for students. I’d like to conclude this response by saying tests will be given, results will be measured, and training programs will be implemented. “Information literacy” will be taught to students at younger and younger ages until it is no longer an issue.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
This article by Steven J. Bell discusses modern research methods used by many college students when trying to locate new information. He discusses the trend of students moving away from the most valuable resource they have....the library. More and more often students are looking to Google to satisfy their research needs. I like how Bell related this to the modern fast food industry versus the classic carving shops. This article talked about what could be done to get students moving back in the right direction when it comes to research. The developers of these database programs need to find ways to make doing research more appealing to students, both for today's students and in the future. I agreed strongly with the end of this article when Bell discussed the role of faculty and administration in requiring students to produce quality research.
I would have to agree with Bell that the quality of research has fallen dramatically since Google has become the norm for doing basic everyday searches. What students do not realize is that the information they are searching on Google is not close to the quality of information available. As we discussed earlier, the iceberg effect shows us how much information is actually out there. In my opinion the main problem with students searching Google is that they are continually satisfied. Until these students are required to use academic search engines and locate quality information, they will continue to be satisfied by the results from Google. Many students are not aware of what quality information actually is. You may ask yourself how they could possibly not be aware. The fact is that it comes down to the actual professors teaching the students. If these professors allow students to continue doing research papers based of the information the retrieve from Google than nothing will change. Bell spoke on this when he talked about low quality research turning into low quality research papers. In my opinion it all starts with teachers not only in colleges or universities, but high school teachers as well. They need to get their students back into libraries for their research as soon as possible. The database programmers are making it easier for students to get information, and students are getting more technologically savvy. Eventually there has got to be neutral ground for students doing research, and high quality information being easily and readily available.
I would have to agree with Bell that the quality of research has fallen dramatically since Google has become the norm for doing basic everyday searches. What students do not realize is that the information they are searching on Google is not close to the quality of information available. As we discussed earlier, the iceberg effect shows us how much information is actually out there. In my opinion the main problem with students searching Google is that they are continually satisfied. Until these students are required to use academic search engines and locate quality information, they will continue to be satisfied by the results from Google. Many students are not aware of what quality information actually is. You may ask yourself how they could possibly not be aware. The fact is that it comes down to the actual professors teaching the students. If these professors allow students to continue doing research papers based of the information the retrieve from Google than nothing will change. Bell spoke on this when he talked about low quality research turning into low quality research papers. In my opinion it all starts with teachers not only in colleges or universities, but high school teachers as well. They need to get their students back into libraries for their research as soon as possible. The database programmers are making it easier for students to get information, and students are getting more technologically savvy. Eventually there has got to be neutral ground for students doing research, and high quality information being easily and readily available.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Libraries; Past and Present
“The Future of Libraries Beginning the Great Transformation” by Thomas Frey is an interesting article. It covers the basic history of how Leonardo da Vinci’s work, both technical and artistic, found its place in libraries today. It spoke of the libraries traditional role of being a place for storing all types of information. Because the information the libraries hold is becoming more and more available, as well as free, libraries are going to see a dramatic transformation over the next few decades. Frey talked about several topics I thought were a bit dramatic. The article cited Dr. William Crossman saying he predicted literacy being dead by 2050. The days of reading and writing are eventually coming to an end. Frey mentioned that books and writing is a technology, and that every technology will eventually die off to a newer and better one. The article finishes up talking about the transition into a more global society with more global standardizations. He mentions several things that are already standardized around the world such as time zones, metric system, GPS, international trade, etc. He predicts we will see many more things becoming standardized. Everything from implementing a “global tax code” to “global ethics standards” will eventually become a reality.
My personal opinion on this article is that there are a lot of predictions within it. While many of these predictions sound plausible, I don’t believe books will ever die off, or that the world will become completely verbal, incidentally leading to the fall of literacy. I would say I could find myself agreeing with six or seven of his predicted trends. I do believe the world is moving to a global economy and there is a need for standardization. I believe libraries will see and adopt new technologies that are unimaginable today. I believe libraries will play a different role than they do today, although they will continue to have the same underlying theme as a place to research information and relax. I would have to agree with all of Frey’s recommendations for libraries. “Evaluate, embrace, preserve, and experiment”.
My personal opinion on this article is that there are a lot of predictions within it. While many of these predictions sound plausible, I don’t believe books will ever die off, or that the world will become completely verbal, incidentally leading to the fall of literacy. I would say I could find myself agreeing with six or seven of his predicted trends. I do believe the world is moving to a global economy and there is a need for standardization. I believe libraries will see and adopt new technologies that are unimaginable today. I believe libraries will play a different role than they do today, although they will continue to have the same underlying theme as a place to research information and relax. I would have to agree with all of Frey’s recommendations for libraries. “Evaluate, embrace, preserve, and experiment”.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Personal Information and the Internet
"Facebook's Users Ask Who Owns Information"
Brian Stelter
02/16/2009; New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/technology/internet/17facebook.html?ref=technology
This article by Brian Stelter talked about personal information on the Internet that has been supplied by individuals for their own interests. It specifically spoke about Facebook and their recent changes in the "terms and conditions". These changes basically allowed Facebook to retain the information that has been supplied by individuals, even after the individuals decide t remove it or close their accounts. After the changes were initiated a blog was started to help let the public know what Facebook was planning to do with their information. This blog had over 300,000 views and stirred up some controversy for the Facebook team and their users.
It turns out that all Facebook wants to do it retain their users information to keep their comments, wall posts, or pictures after they have deleted their account. It is more appealing to the mass public for information to be stored on the website forever instead of having it be deleted every time an account is cancelled. It is becoming more and more common for Internet based "friend spots" to implement these types of terms and conditions on their websites to keep the majority of users happy.
I personally believe that websites like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster... should be able to retain the information you supply them with. Many people are not careful about the personal information they provide to friends, and complete strangers, on the Internet. They are the ones who should be more worried. I have always been told that once you put something on the Internet it is there forever. This is absolutely true, and now it is just becoming more evident. The future of personal information on the privacy behind it will probably see several court cases that could possibly go as high as the Supreme Court. There will be controversy and confusion, but what will come out is a basic understanding for what should and should not be posted by individuals on the Internet.
Brian Stelter
02/16/2009; New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/technology/internet/17facebook.html?ref=technology
This article by Brian Stelter talked about personal information on the Internet that has been supplied by individuals for their own interests. It specifically spoke about Facebook and their recent changes in the "terms and conditions". These changes basically allowed Facebook to retain the information that has been supplied by individuals, even after the individuals decide t remove it or close their accounts. After the changes were initiated a blog was started to help let the public know what Facebook was planning to do with their information. This blog had over 300,000 views and stirred up some controversy for the Facebook team and their users.
It turns out that all Facebook wants to do it retain their users information to keep their comments, wall posts, or pictures after they have deleted their account. It is more appealing to the mass public for information to be stored on the website forever instead of having it be deleted every time an account is cancelled. It is becoming more and more common for Internet based "friend spots" to implement these types of terms and conditions on their websites to keep the majority of users happy.
I personally believe that websites like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster... should be able to retain the information you supply them with. Many people are not careful about the personal information they provide to friends, and complete strangers, on the Internet. They are the ones who should be more worried. I have always been told that once you put something on the Internet it is there forever. This is absolutely true, and now it is just becoming more evident. The future of personal information on the privacy behind it will probably see several court cases that could possibly go as high as the Supreme Court. There will be controversy and confusion, but what will come out is a basic understanding for what should and should not be posted by individuals on the Internet.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Google's Digital Book Revolution
"Some Fear Google's Power in Digital Books"
Cohen, Noam. February 2, 2009
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/technology/internet/02link.html?_r=1&hp
This article talks about Google’s effort to digitize millions of book and make them readily available on the internet. This article explains that if Google is able to this they will control a monopoly over this new emerging market. The author never expressed his personal opinion about Google digitizing books, but it seems as if he was not too fond of it. He explains that if Google continues to pursue their efforts it will lead to countless lawsuits. There is currently a class action law suit, which if passed, will basically give control to Google over digitizing virtually all books covered by copyright protection in the United States.
When it comes to my personal opinion on this topic I strongly believe in supporting Google. The goal of all libraries is to have information be readily available to people when they need it. Digitizing books will help supply massive amounts of information, taking up virtually no space. Everyone from researchers to your neighbors will be able to get information they need, when they need it. It will be easier to find the information you are looking for in the books as well. Many people around the nation have no library in close proximity to them, and having this information readily available on the internet could prove to be priceless, possibly life saving in some situations.
Google would not have sole control over this market either. Project Gutenberg has been digitizing books for years along with others. There is no reason to believe Google would control a monopoly, they are just the most well known company doing it now. Google is doing something that needs to be done to help protect the collection of books around the United States and I believe people should support their efforts.
Cohen, Noam. February 2, 2009
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/technology/internet/02link.html?_r=1&hp
This article talks about Google’s effort to digitize millions of book and make them readily available on the internet. This article explains that if Google is able to this they will control a monopoly over this new emerging market. The author never expressed his personal opinion about Google digitizing books, but it seems as if he was not too fond of it. He explains that if Google continues to pursue their efforts it will lead to countless lawsuits. There is currently a class action law suit, which if passed, will basically give control to Google over digitizing virtually all books covered by copyright protection in the United States.
When it comes to my personal opinion on this topic I strongly believe in supporting Google. The goal of all libraries is to have information be readily available to people when they need it. Digitizing books will help supply massive amounts of information, taking up virtually no space. Everyone from researchers to your neighbors will be able to get information they need, when they need it. It will be easier to find the information you are looking for in the books as well. Many people around the nation have no library in close proximity to them, and having this information readily available on the internet could prove to be priceless, possibly life saving in some situations.
Google would not have sole control over this market either. Project Gutenberg has been digitizing books for years along with others. There is no reason to believe Google would control a monopoly, they are just the most well known company doing it now. Google is doing something that needs to be done to help protect the collection of books around the United States and I believe people should support their efforts.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Wikipedia Can Make The Grade
“Can Wikipedia Ever Make the Grade” by Brock Read deals with many of the advantages and disadvantages of Wikipedia. Wikipedia definitely has both pros and cons. I believe that the pros outweigh the cons. And that Wikipedia is a valuable resource to almost all of the people who use it. There are a few things that were discussed in the article that I would like to touch on. The first is the credibility of the persons posting/editing the entries. The article said there were some 40,000 contributors, 1,100 were graduate students, and far less were professors. Although there may not be a significant amount of reputable titles for the persons contributing the information does not mean they do not know there information. The simple experiment Mr. Halavais conducted helped to show the reliability of the editors. Another thing I believe the users of Wikipedia have got to consider is the fact that this encyclopedia can be edited by anyone. This is the obvious risk that comes from using an encyclopedia that has been created from contributors. The article stated that Wikipedia excelled in articles of greater relevance like science. In my opinion it is more important for Wikipedia to get their information correct in fields such as medical research rather than less important subjects. When the article talked about Wikipedia leaving out valuable information on certain subjects I was not surprised at all. It seems obvious someone would want to research more than one source of information. Especially when the information they are getting from Wikipedia is not necessarily creditable. I would agree with Elijah Meeks at Wikipedia when he stated "The university needs Wikipedia more than Wikipedia needs the university”. I have used Wikipedia in the past and will continue to in the future. I do believe you should be careful when retrieving information from Wikipedia, but overall it is a very valuable resource.
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