Reading Notes- Networks an RFID

Networks
I was already somewhat familiar with the terms Campus Area Networks and Local Area Networks. (Mainly when we receive word from the IT dept. that they have failed. But this was the first time I had heard of WAN's, GAN's, MAN's and all the rest of the "AN's". Intranet and Internet were, obviously, familiar, but not Extranet. Some of the hardware components were familiar (routers, hubs), but the only time I hear about the others is when I am on the phone with tech support and they are trying to walk me through a problem fix. I also found it interesting that "Ethernet" is actually a patented name. I simply thought it was a generic term. I also didn't know that basic networks were around as early as 1970. Interesting.

RFID
When my library wanted to introduce a self-check out station, we thought about using RFID tags as a security measure. In our current setup, the patron would be able to use self-checkout but then would still have to come to the service desk to have their material de-sensitized. (We could just imagine how many VHS tapes and books on cassette would be erased if we left it up to the patrons to remember what desensitizer can be used for what item). RFID tags would remove this step. However our current security gates are not compatible with RFID. When we calculated the costs of giving all our items RFID tags and then buying new security gates, the cost was just prohibitive. So, now we have self check-out and are still working on the security situation. I didn't realize until I read the article that RFID has such wide-ranging uses for inventory purposes. The fact that you can track an item around the library is nifty and just a little creepy. For inventory it would be great! For privacy, not so much.

Muddiest Point
I am still a little unclear about the way RFID works. The article touched on the fact that it uses electromagnetic fields. I have not heard the lecture yet, so I apologize if this was answered. Does this field have an effect on items such as VHS tapes and other magnetic-type materials? Will it damage them?