Readings:
Wikipedia Database:
Having spent little time dwelling on anything computer related, I found the Wikipedia definition of a database fairly easy to read. It does often surprise me that computer terms have been around for as long as they have. The idea that the term "database" existed in 1963 blows my mind. I also find it amusing how things we have in physical formats, like indexes, are often made in electronic format to simplify computers. So now indexing actually increases a databases speed.
Intro. to Metadata
Metadata is a term that I was unfamiliar with until reading this article. Personally, I thought this piece was quite interesting. It seems like metadata makes the lives of information professionals quite a bit more easy. I like the idea that it reaffirms how important it is to maintain collections in digital libraries and virtual museums.
Dublin Core Data Model
This brief overlook of the Dublin Core Model was at times overwhelming. I really liked how they broke down what they were trying to say and gave examples. I'm still not sure I understood exactly what I was reading about, but the examples made it seem like I had some idea. Sometimes, especially with this subject matter, an idea is all I can hope for.
Muddiest Point:
For me the muddiest point this week was what an embedded operating system is. I understand that they're usually on PDAs and other small devices and that they're considered a scaled-down version of Windows, so I guess I'm wondering are they just searching devices for PDAs? The same thing that a PC has, but on a much smaller scale, or am I off track completely?
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3 comments:
In response to your Intro to Metadata post:
Does it ever seem to you like a retired librarian is going to come up to your desk one of these days, whack you with her cane, call you an insolent and/or lazy-butt pup, and firmly lecture you that in her day they didn't have all this metadata nonsense? That they didn't rely on some feller named Mac or some d-bag who goes by the initials P.C. to find books and periodicals for their patrons? That they stored all that information mentally and consequently weren't and aren't weak-brained like today's information professionals? Yeah, must just be me.
I agree with you, I found these readings a little difficult as well. Not completely above my head but somewhat challenging. The whole metadata thing was kinda confusing but I think I get the basic concept.
These readings still aren't on my level, I suppose, but I think they're getting easier. For example..."database"...that's a word I recognize, and so I guess I'm not totally surprised it's been around so long. It's one of the few words I "get," and so the wikipedia article on databases was pretty easy to swallow; didn't hurt that it was on wikipedia, though. Did you find the databases article easier to read simply because it's a word you recognize as well?
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