Abstract
Computer use of individuals increases as they grow up. Children using and are exposed to this machine at an early age are likely to acquire various health problems when they grow up. Proper workplaces in schools and houses play a big role in preventing health troubles. Seattle’s nine educational technology centers teach educators how to operate the machinery and then integrate it into the curriculum. But there are no official guidelines to help school districts make judgments about potential risks to kids from using computers or any coordinating approach to disseminate information.
Things I learned from the article
Using computer is inevitable during these days. We use computers in school, work and at home. Everybody is prone to health problems caused by this machine and the likes. Since exposure to technologies imposes harm to human, proper education, especially to the young beginners, should be implemented. This may be the most we can do for we all know that we cannot put up computer stations with proper chairs, tables and other equipments.
Abstract
The article discusses the pros and cons of open source software in classroom and library settings. It aims to give answers to the following questions; (1) who is really accountable for the use of open source in the institution, (2) who is responsible for providing maintenance and support and (3)who is looking at managing the real cost.
Things I learned from the article:
1. I am not really familiar with how open source software works. But as the term suggests, I thought that this is fully free of charge. After reading the article, I learned that there is such a thing as service level agreement (SLA) which is being paid for in using open source software (though I’m not still sure if it applies to all open source software)
2. Though a growing number of libraries have been using open source software for their library operations, only a small percentage of these libraries include or mention using such software in their policy. This implies that the use of these softwares is initiated by enthusiastic techies.
3. Some commercial softwares are venturing into a more complex approach where in universities can develop it in same way as an open source system.
In today’s tough times, institutions, especially the small ones, undeniably benefit from open source software. But as the article argues, “open source is not the key feature; the key feature is value for money”, thus the deciding factor should be its interoperability, nature of support and security issues. Though this may be true, the problem with small institutions is the lack of IT staff who can evaluate and maintain the software, not to mention the budget. Reality wise, more institutions will prefer open source over commercial solutions.
The long road that leads to IRRI Library in Laguna has been so tiring. Hours of sitting can also make you wear out. But the tour to Laguna would not be complete without those. It will also make you appreciate more what the place has to offer.
First stop, IRRI. After taking a nice breakfast, the group went straight to the Library. We were warmly welcomed by Ms. Mila Ramos and the rest of the IRRI staff. They presented and discussed the IRRI Library history, Millennium, they electronic collection of both subscribed and open access journals and how they do their Document Delivery System. Below are the things I learned after the presentation and tour in the library:
1. Marc tag 856- though I used Millennium in cataloging before, I never came across this MARC tag which is used for URL.
2. Techniques in arranging the list of electronic journal in which users will be guided which among the list is open access and/or free.
The trip was very enriching. We were exposed to a premiere example of information retrieval system as well as Web 2.0 application in libraries. Millennium, the library system used in IRRI as well as in DLSU, was deemed as the best in its field. It provides for all the technical and circulation needs of libraries, especially for the big ones. The library’s collection of online journals is very comprehensive that it covers probably all aspects of rice and agricultural research. The Document Delivery Service is very helpful for researchers who don’t have direct access to the library’s resources.
After feeding our minds, we went our way, this time to feed our tummies. We were soooo hungry arriving at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan giving more appeal to the foods served, especially to the liempo. Rabutan and buko pie were bought as pasalubong, then off we go.
IFLA/UNESCO Internet Manifesto Guidelines. 2006. Retrieved August 05, 2009 from http://archive.ifla.org/faife/policy/iflastat/Internet-ManifestoGuidelines.pdf
Abstract:
The Internet Manifesto was conceived from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It aims to provide every citizen, regardless of his race, gender, culture, political affiliation or even gender or sexual orientation, equal practice of freedom of expression and freedom of access to information in all media.
Things I Learned:
It is indeed very nice to know if everyone can practice thier freedom of expression and freedom of access to information. That may be a dream not only for some but for everyone. But in my opinion, the manifesto's goal is hard to achieve, if not impossible. The public libraries will be the main access points of most individual for information access, but can these public facilities be able provide access to information if even their print collection is lacking. There is no doubt that this can be done in rich countries, but in order to fully implement this, a more serious and enormous help and assistance should come from well-to-do countries. For academic libraries which are not open to the public, the most that they can do is to provide links and access to open access sources which were discussed in the prevoius RA. Another effort to achieve the goal of the manifesto is the "Ask A Librarian" service of most libraries. This service is not limited to the institution's clients only but to the global nation as well. Through this service, freedom to expression can be practiced. We, as librarians should also realize the role we are playing in this manifesto. We are the mediator between the user and the information. In a world where all kinds of information can be accessed by anyone, like what the manifesto proposed, we are the ones responsible for promoting responsible access and use of information to our users.
Things I learned from the article:
Right after reading the article, I quickly tried the three search tools the author mentioned. True enough to her descriptions, these search tools really offer a different information retrieval experience. They are not visually attractive, in fact, their home pages are almost bare (just like Google), but I won’t be surprised if they will be the new trends in web searching. I was practically amazed by how they work. Each has a distinct feature which facilitates better information retrieval. SortFix gives a different touch to the Boolean’s NOT and provides definition to possible keywords for your search. SearchCloud, on the other hand, allows researchers to weigh how much importance they would want to place on a certain keyword on their search string by font sizes. In addition and in contrary to my report, which states that the display of results in Web IR are not ranked by degree of relevance, this particular tool does. Finally, Searchme, the one I liked the most, displays images of the retrieved websites providing the researchers with an overview of what the websites contain and look like.
Imagine if all these features will be available to the traditional information retrieval systems, researching will be more exciting and interesting. Seeing how the matched books of your query look like would be nice and motivating. Interfaces which provide ease in use and straightforwardness may be the reason why students or even faculty members choose to use the web over the library database. Providing visual and interactive interfaces in information retrieval systems, particularly those of the libraries, would mean discovering and learning other than retrieval.
Change is inevitable to organizations which aim to serve their users better. The library for one, undergoes changes that will meet the needs and demands of its users which are also constantly changing. Using Web 2.0 technologies creates a virtual community for the users where in they can interact with the other users and the librarian. This will facilitate faster and better recognition of the clients’ needs. Aside from accessing, sharing of library collection is also being emphasized by these technologies. These new approaches have numerous ways of improving library services and as time goes by, the list will also continue to grow. But we must always bear in mind that not all libraries can afford to implement such technologies due to budget constraints. The availability of online library services does not really matter to the users of these libraries. I guess the real measurement of the effectiveness of services, in whatever form it may be (online or offline), is how satisfied the users feel using your library.
Abstract
The article reviews studies conducted in relation to the growth of internet, its users and tools for web-based information retrieval and ranking. Specifically, the paper presented studies on how search engines are evaluated. It also details the different tools/technologies in information retrieval, which will expectedly make searching for specific information easier. Based on the studies cited, it was revealed that most internet users find the speed of information retrieval as the primary problem in searching the Web, broken links and inability to find the relevant information came in close. In lieu with the mentioned problems, development of new strategies in web-based information retrieval was also discussed.
Three Things I learned from the article
The researches cited in the article, though conducted for quite a long time now, still stand true in today’s scenario. Most, if not all library clients, rely on the free information available in the internet. This makes them prone to information overload, resulting to low percentage of obtaining the most relevant information. I was once assigned at the Graduate School of Business Library which caters professional clients. The fact that these clients are all involved in their careers, other than in their academics resulted to rare times of library visit, either to read or to borrow books. They depend on web-based information retrieval which makes their searching more complicated compared to information retrieval on the designed database and the materials that they will eventually locate.
The index is the most important tool in information retrieval [Manber 1999]. Human or manual indexing is considered better than automatic although the latter is done by machines/robots. But human indexing is not that perfect either, several fall backs were mentioned in the article which includes inconsistency of indexers. Moreover, in the absence of standards, an indexer has a tendency to assign/create a new subject term for a subject which already existed. In DLSU library, editing of the existing article indexes is a major project. Subjects assigned to the past articles have been inconsistent. Though the difference is not that weighty, it still creates confusion to the users.
Serious comments on web documents aid in information retrieval and also in evaluating documents. Thus, a good comment on a web document will possibly interest the searcher to read the whole document. Aside from providing reviews and links to information retrieval, comments can also help the author in improving his/her work. Just like what we can do if and when our classmates critique our RAs. :-)
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