Reading #4
“The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google”
Steven Bell
Since the creation of Google, more and more students are using the search engine to “research” topics to find information for assignments given in their classrooms. Only a short while back, students were often required to cite their sources used and use specific sources such as three books, two journals, one magazine, and so on. Nowadays, students are concerned with finding information the quickest way possible without regard to how credible it is and the lack of knowledge needed to evaluate such sources. With this new trend, libraries have found themselves competing with Google and search engines and are quickly losing the battle. One major problem is that the databases that libraries subscribe to are very complex and take the right “key words” to find articles on relevant topics. This is not only time consuming but frustrating for many students. ‘Infobesity’ is a term coined by James Morris which describes the numerous and low quality Google results which leads to poor quality papers and education. There is a technology that libraries will need to create to simply their databases to Google style but with the same quality results.
I agree completely that Google has begun to take over the research world and poor quality work is more frequent among college students. It is a sad fact, but one I am sure we are all guilty of. We are all busy and love to have everything come easy but we have forgotten what it means to challenge ourselves academically. While searching databases does take time and effort, don’t you want to put in the time to get better grades than others who only search Google? Since being in the library class, I have already discovered how useful and informative the databases can be that the library offers and in the past few weeks have already used them for research projects. I wish I could have known sooner about them…maybe the class should be required for everyone. Wile I do agree that maybe databases are confusing and complex, I think that people in college need to rise to the occasion and do quality work that in the long run, will benefit them later in life. We need to stop rushing things and asking to be spoon fed. Take a little more time to do your research and produce quality work and it will pay off in the end.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
reading #3
Reading #3
“The Future of Libraries- Beginning the Great Transformation”
Thomas Frey
The works of artists such as Leonardo da Vinci have survived through the ages with the protection under libraries. Libraries served as a storage house for manuscripts, art, important documents and books that were often to expensive for the common people to own them. With the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg in 1455, books are able to be reproduced in mass quantities and over 500,000 books were in circulation 50 years later. Andrew Carnegie provided funding for over 2,509 libraries in the US and overseas. Since the beginning of libraries, information was hard to access and was only available to the privileged. Now information is readily available to anyone, anywhere and free of charge. There are 10 key trends that affect the future of libraries.
1.Communication systems are continually changing the way people access information.
2.All technology ends. All technologies commonly used today will be replaced by something new.
3.We haven’t yet reached the ultimate small particle for storage. But soon.
4.Search technology will become increasingly more complicated.
5.Time compression is changing the lifestyle of library patrons.
6.Over time we will be transition to a verbal society.
7.The demand for global information is growing exponentially.
8.The stage is being set for a new era of global systems.
9.We are transitioning from a product-based economy to an experience based economy.
10.Libraries will transition from a center of information to a center of culture.
Libraries will always have a place in cities and in history but they must evolve as everything does in order to “reinvent” themselves. Some of the tactics that libraries can and should utilize in the future are patron surveys, the use of advanced technology, and
creative spaces like blogger stations and art studios.
As a little girl, I can still remember going to the library for story telling time and sitting on big dragon pillows listening to the librarian. The walls were painted as if a castle and we would always search for the little critters that would be hidden in the grass and behind castle walls. To take home with us, we would check out as many as 15 books at a time. Usually my picks were The Berenstain Bears, The Boxcar Children and Goosebumps. Even though technology is changing, libraries will always be a necessary part of community infrastructure and I look forward to taking my children to the library for story time as well.
“The Future of Libraries- Beginning the Great Transformation”
Thomas Frey
The works of artists such as Leonardo da Vinci have survived through the ages with the protection under libraries. Libraries served as a storage house for manuscripts, art, important documents and books that were often to expensive for the common people to own them. With the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg in 1455, books are able to be reproduced in mass quantities and over 500,000 books were in circulation 50 years later. Andrew Carnegie provided funding for over 2,509 libraries in the US and overseas. Since the beginning of libraries, information was hard to access and was only available to the privileged. Now information is readily available to anyone, anywhere and free of charge. There are 10 key trends that affect the future of libraries.
1.Communication systems are continually changing the way people access information.
2.All technology ends. All technologies commonly used today will be replaced by something new.
3.We haven’t yet reached the ultimate small particle for storage. But soon.
4.Search technology will become increasingly more complicated.
5.Time compression is changing the lifestyle of library patrons.
6.Over time we will be transition to a verbal society.
7.The demand for global information is growing exponentially.
8.The stage is being set for a new era of global systems.
9.We are transitioning from a product-based economy to an experience based economy.
10.Libraries will transition from a center of information to a center of culture.
Libraries will always have a place in cities and in history but they must evolve as everything does in order to “reinvent” themselves. Some of the tactics that libraries can and should utilize in the future are patron surveys, the use of advanced technology, and
creative spaces like blogger stations and art studios.
As a little girl, I can still remember going to the library for story telling time and sitting on big dragon pillows listening to the librarian. The walls were painted as if a castle and we would always search for the little critters that would be hidden in the grass and behind castle walls. To take home with us, we would check out as many as 15 books at a time. Usually my picks were The Berenstain Bears, The Boxcar Children and Goosebumps. Even though technology is changing, libraries will always be a necessary part of community infrastructure and I look forward to taking my children to the library for story time as well.
Monday, February 9, 2009
News Report #4
“Whales serve as backdrop for aquarium yoga classes”
Doug Gross, CNN
2/6/09
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/02/06/yoga.whales/index.html?eref=rss_tech
The Georgia Aquarium is considered the largest aquarium with 80,000 animals and 8 million gallons of water. Along with its extensive number of animals to view, visitors can now take yoga classes at the aquarium and they are offered in front of the beluga whale tank. Since opening in 2005, the belugas have been one of the favorite exhibits because of their slow-moving gracefulness. These large elegant animals help inspire the mood that yoga helps inspire. Instructors hope that the energy belugas exhibit helps the yoga participants feel the same way. The spokesman for the aquarium said they are always trying to do something new so that each time you visit there’s a new program, a new animal, or a new exhibit. With the struggling economy, the aquarium has seen the negative effects as well with a decrease in visitors. One of the yoga students stated that the atmosphere in the whale exhibit enhanced her yoga experience. The ocean is known for its sense of peace and calm.
I think this is a great idea and it’s very innovative. Not only is yoga becoming more popular, but this is a great way to attract more funds to the aquarium and it of course enhances the experience that you get from yoga. I know that I would definitely want to go to a few classes. I think the cost is slightly high for $20 per class for members and $35 for non-members, however, that does include a day pass to the rest of the aquarium. I would take advantage of both experiences if I were to attend.
Doug Gross, CNN
2/6/09
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/02/06/yoga.whales/index.html?eref=rss_tech
The Georgia Aquarium is considered the largest aquarium with 80,000 animals and 8 million gallons of water. Along with its extensive number of animals to view, visitors can now take yoga classes at the aquarium and they are offered in front of the beluga whale tank. Since opening in 2005, the belugas have been one of the favorite exhibits because of their slow-moving gracefulness. These large elegant animals help inspire the mood that yoga helps inspire. Instructors hope that the energy belugas exhibit helps the yoga participants feel the same way. The spokesman for the aquarium said they are always trying to do something new so that each time you visit there’s a new program, a new animal, or a new exhibit. With the struggling economy, the aquarium has seen the negative effects as well with a decrease in visitors. One of the yoga students stated that the atmosphere in the whale exhibit enhanced her yoga experience. The ocean is known for its sense of peace and calm.
I think this is a great idea and it’s very innovative. Not only is yoga becoming more popular, but this is a great way to attract more funds to the aquarium and it of course enhances the experience that you get from yoga. I know that I would definitely want to go to a few classes. I think the cost is slightly high for $20 per class for members and $35 for non-members, however, that does include a day pass to the rest of the aquarium. I would take advantage of both experiences if I were to attend.
News Report #3
“Safety council urges ban on cell phone use while driving”
Tom Watkins, CNN
1/12/09
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/12/cell.phone.driving/index.html
Everyone has been waiting for the day for a national law against driving while using your cell phone, yet still we drive freely talking on our cell phones constantly.
The National Safety Council has called for a nationwide ban against talking on your cell phone while driving. Studies have shown that it is an extremely dangerous habit and it increases your risks of a crash four times. Six states have already enacted laws that ban the use of hand held phones while driving but that does not include Bluetooth usage and other hands free devices. Research states that hands free talking still does not make driving while talking any safer. In 2003, a study done by the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimated that crashes involving the use of cell phones accounted for 6% of all crashes with 330,000 injuries, 12,000 of them serious and 2, 600 fatal. This results in an estimated cost of $43 billion in cell phone related crashes. The National safety Council is sending out letters to government agencies to adopt these state bans which of course would not be a very popular decision if passed. The cell phone industry obviously opposes the ban. Representatives from the industry stated that there can be a sensible and responsible usage of cell phones. Inappropriate times would be during bad weather, intense conversations or heavy traffic. They also go on to explain that other studies show that other habits can be just as detrimental, such as reaching for objects, drowsiness, pushing audio buttons, eating and other passengers.
I do agree that talking on cell phones while driving is dangerous, however, I think that text messaging is extremely dangerous as that requires you to have a constant eye off the road and on your phone instead. Talking on my cell phone helps pass the time while driving long distances and very rarely do I find myself not talking while driving. I cannot imagine getting in my car and driving home without scrolling through my contact list and deciding who to call. I think that it would be impossible to enforce such a policy as 90% of Americans own cell phones and 80% admit to using them while driving. The police would be pulling over people every 5 seconds. I do encourage people to use hands free devices like Bluetooth’s are they are more comfortable, convenient and safer to use. Talking on a cell phone is definitely a distraction but changing CD’s, talking to passengers, and eating are just as dangerous and everyone performs those habits. Do we ban eating in your car too? It just seems like such a ridiculous idea to try to implement. I might agree with the “idea” of banning cell phone usage and I wish people could talk while passing closer attention, but the truth is it would just be impossible to ban cell phones while driving.
Tom Watkins, CNN
1/12/09
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/12/cell.phone.driving/index.html
Everyone has been waiting for the day for a national law against driving while using your cell phone, yet still we drive freely talking on our cell phones constantly.
The National Safety Council has called for a nationwide ban against talking on your cell phone while driving. Studies have shown that it is an extremely dangerous habit and it increases your risks of a crash four times. Six states have already enacted laws that ban the use of hand held phones while driving but that does not include Bluetooth usage and other hands free devices. Research states that hands free talking still does not make driving while talking any safer. In 2003, a study done by the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimated that crashes involving the use of cell phones accounted for 6% of all crashes with 330,000 injuries, 12,000 of them serious and 2, 600 fatal. This results in an estimated cost of $43 billion in cell phone related crashes. The National safety Council is sending out letters to government agencies to adopt these state bans which of course would not be a very popular decision if passed. The cell phone industry obviously opposes the ban. Representatives from the industry stated that there can be a sensible and responsible usage of cell phones. Inappropriate times would be during bad weather, intense conversations or heavy traffic. They also go on to explain that other studies show that other habits can be just as detrimental, such as reaching for objects, drowsiness, pushing audio buttons, eating and other passengers.
I do agree that talking on cell phones while driving is dangerous, however, I think that text messaging is extremely dangerous as that requires you to have a constant eye off the road and on your phone instead. Talking on my cell phone helps pass the time while driving long distances and very rarely do I find myself not talking while driving. I cannot imagine getting in my car and driving home without scrolling through my contact list and deciding who to call. I think that it would be impossible to enforce such a policy as 90% of Americans own cell phones and 80% admit to using them while driving. The police would be pulling over people every 5 seconds. I do encourage people to use hands free devices like Bluetooth’s are they are more comfortable, convenient and safer to use. Talking on a cell phone is definitely a distraction but changing CD’s, talking to passengers, and eating are just as dangerous and everyone performs those habits. Do we ban eating in your car too? It just seems like such a ridiculous idea to try to implement. I might agree with the “idea” of banning cell phone usage and I wish people could talk while passing closer attention, but the truth is it would just be impossible to ban cell phones while driving.
Friday, February 6, 2009
second life
So today I joined the millions of people who have already experience the world of “Second life”. Second Life is a virtual world in which people can chat, create “avatars” or characters to their liking, travel, or just enjoy a cup of coffee. This idea is somewhat strange to me and I have to say I am skeptical. While I have only given it one shot, I don’t really understand the purpose of creating a “fake” person who walks around in a “fake” world talking to other “fake” people. It is fascinating that so many people use this service and enjoy it. I have yet to discover the purpose and what attracts people to “Second Life” but I have only experimented for a little while so far.
My avatar’s name is Cameron Pixelmaid. She is a tall, thin, blonde professional female who enjoys fashion. Cameron tried to go to Paris to sit on the Eiffel Tower lawn but couldn’t figure out how to navigate the virtual world. I did fly, which was cool and I chatted with another person. We both just joined in the past few days. She gave me some advice on traveling. I think that this is a really neat idea and could definitely be interesting if I could figure it all out. Although, I don’t really have the patience. I have never liked video games because I can never see what I want to see and navigating the areas are somewhat difficult. Also, after downloading the program, my computer was running a little slower so it took longer and the images were broken. Travel was not smooth for Cameron so I decided to log out and try again later. I can’t say that I will continue using “Second Life”, but I do want to find the Eiffel tower at least once before I give up completely. I haven’t given it fair chance yet and I’m sure I will be able to figure it out eventually.
My avatar’s name is Cameron Pixelmaid. She is a tall, thin, blonde professional female who enjoys fashion. Cameron tried to go to Paris to sit on the Eiffel Tower lawn but couldn’t figure out how to navigate the virtual world. I did fly, which was cool and I chatted with another person. We both just joined in the past few days. She gave me some advice on traveling. I think that this is a really neat idea and could definitely be interesting if I could figure it all out. Although, I don’t really have the patience. I have never liked video games because I can never see what I want to see and navigating the areas are somewhat difficult. Also, after downloading the program, my computer was running a little slower so it took longer and the images were broken. Travel was not smooth for Cameron so I decided to log out and try again later. I can’t say that I will continue using “Second Life”, but I do want to find the Eiffel tower at least once before I give up completely. I haven’t given it fair chance yet and I’m sure I will be able to figure it out eventually.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)