Unit 9 Readings, part 2

After reading the Martin Bryan article, I still believe that the tutorial helped me understand it better but it was good to read.  This article did explain it better than the original one posted on CourseWeb.

Unit 9 Readings

Introducing the Extensible Markup Language (XML)

            This program sounds like a good idea.  Sadly, I agree that with the cost of CDs and DVDs going down and Internet access going up this program lost steam.

A survey of XML standards: Part 1

            It seems like the creators of XML are creating different tools to expand the markup language.  Some seem to be working, others need more improvement before more people will use the product again or support it.

Extending your Markup: a XML tutorial by Andre Bergholz           

            This article explained XML and the various additions to it much better than the IBM article. I still have some confusion about it, but I think that smoothing out the confusion will only go away after using the markup language. 

XML Schema Tutorial

            This tutorial helped me gain a better understanding of what XML is and how it is used.  I will need to go through this tutorial a few more times before I am fully comfortable with the language, but it is a good start

My overall question for this is how would this be incorporated into libraries?  Would we use in OPAC systems or something else?  I find it easier to learn things when they are put into prospective. 

Unit 7 Muddiest Point(s)

I do not have any questions about class this week.

Unit 7 Readings

How Stuff Works: Internet Infrastructure

            I am glad that we no longer us IP addresses to go to various web pages.  Remembering all of those addresses would be impossible.  The invention of Domain Names was a great thing.  It is easier to remember lots of DN’s than it to remember lots of IP addresses.  Either way people still bookmark their favorite sites so they do not have to remember the addresses.

Dismantling Integrated Library Systems

            The end of this article rings true, “In the end, it may be necessary for librarians and vendors to dismantle the ILS in order to rebuild it.” The current systems only go so far and can only be modified so much.  To fully make everyone happy and enable them to modify their systems to their needs, a new system will have to be built from scratch, erasing the old one.  Hopefully these new systems will be easier to use from the end-user end as well as from the programmers end.

Inside the Google machine

            It was interesting to learn how Google operates and how they keep their employees happy.  It seems like they learn from their mistakes and how they plan for the future.  If something does not work, then they take it off.  The try to make their employees happy by letting them work on their own things during 20% of their time and by taking them on vacation once a year.  By keeping people happy and by allowing them to make outside work friendships, work relationships and work will be done quicker and better.  

Assignment 4

Assignment 4

Unit 8 Comment

Comment

Unit 8 Muddiest Points

I do not have any muddy points about the readings.