Week 7 notes

1) Tyson, Jeff. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet-infrastructure.htm/printable
It is strange that we think of the Internet as a single thing, but it really is a lot of small connections.  I never thought about how every computer online connects to every other.  


I liked reading about routers because obviously I own one but I never really thought about its purpose.  I knew it send the information where it needs to go, but I didn't know it made sure that information didn't go where it's not needed.  I guess that is really important when there is such a large amount of information (as we saw illustrated in the Google video below).


I did know what an IP address and URL were (which was a relief, because a lot of the acronyms we read about for this class are new to me!).  But this was a good review.  I am continually, happily surprised at how concise and helpful the readings are for this class.

2) Andrew K. Pace (2004). Dismantling Integrated Library Systems. Library Journal, 129(2), p.34-36.
This article was a little bit technical for me, but I thought the CEO made an interesting comment: When building a new system, you should use the "same intellectual logic" from the original.  I think that's a good rule of thumb; you can constantly tweak systems to meet the current technological needs, but the purpose and logic still have to be there.


I thought the "better costs more" part was interesting, too.  Libraries do need to realize that these systems cost a ton if they expect them to do all these things.  You get what you pay for!  Unfortunately, libraries are dealing with a crunch on their budgets just as these technologies become more important.



3) Sergey Brin and Larry Page: Inside the Google machine.
    http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sergey_brin_and_larry_page_on_google.html
The world graphic at the beginning of the video was awesome.  It also showed the awesome reach of Google.  Only Africa was mostly dark.  He said that even the international space station would have a dot if it were in the map.  Then the map showed the links of where in the world information was traveling -- all over.  And the flash of one second of Google traffic showed the amount and variety of searches.


I think it's awesome that when one of their developers wants to do something, Google "pretty much lets them do it."  You never know what the next big thing will be, and Google is making a smart move in letting its workers explore.  It also keeps them happy.  They "try things out for fun and see where it goes."  Larry Page said something like many useful things come out of hobbies.  I didn't know Google News came about that way.  (I use it almost daily.)


Also, as an aside -- Brin and Page are funny!  I guess I should have expected that from the guys behind Google, which is such an innovative company.