I was having trouble getting the link to post, but I left a comment on Susan Geiss' RFID-related blog posting. I will try to update the link if possible.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
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?
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?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Provided Help on Blog Discussion Page
Answered Evelyn McCarthy's call for help on Flickr Assignment that was posted on Sept. 19th on the "Blogs" Discussion Board.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Reading Notes for Database Management Unit
Data Compression-Wikipedia and DVD-HQ
I thought these were both pretty straightforward explanations of topics I knew really nothing about before. I knew what compression was but the "hows" were pretty much a mystery.
Historic Pittsburgh
What a great project! I thought this was a great real-life example of digitization and the use of metadata. It certainly made it easier to understand than a standard technical explanation. Our library is currently seeking a grant to fund a large digitization project. We want to encourage access to our large collection of Civil War and Episcopal Church history. The seeming success of this project would could certainly be an impetus for what we are trying to do. On a personal note, for someone who loves pictures of old bridges, this is a great find!!
YouTube and the Library
This is a project that is close to my heart. We would love to incorporate videos as part of our library instruction. We hope to work with our Film Studies students to create engaging videos to illustrate the answers to some of our most asked questions at the reference desk. Such as, "How do I look up a reserve item?". We would then use the videos in instruction classes as well as linking our website to YouTube.
Muddiest Point
Will our technology advance enough that compression will be unnecessary for the average computer user?
I thought these were both pretty straightforward explanations of topics I knew really nothing about before. I knew what compression was but the "hows" were pretty much a mystery.
Historic Pittsburgh
What a great project! I thought this was a great real-life example of digitization and the use of metadata. It certainly made it easier to understand than a standard technical explanation. Our library is currently seeking a grant to fund a large digitization project. We want to encourage access to our large collection of Civil War and Episcopal Church history. The seeming success of this project would could certainly be an impetus for what we are trying to do. On a personal note, for someone who loves pictures of old bridges, this is a great find!!
YouTube and the Library
This is a project that is close to my heart. We would love to incorporate videos as part of our library instruction. We hope to work with our Film Studies students to create engaging videos to illustrate the answers to some of our most asked questions at the reference desk. Such as, "How do I look up a reserve item?". We would then use the videos in instruction classes as well as linking our website to YouTube.
Muddiest Point
Will our technology advance enough that compression will be unnecessary for the average computer user?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Comments Left on Discussion Boards
Left comment on General Discussions Board under "2 Questions" thread-09/09/08
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