Reading Response # 4

"The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google" by Steven Bell. Chronicle of Higher Education (2/20/2004

Summary

This article wants two sides of the "infobesity" argument to compromise. The "googlizers" want databases and journal articles to be easier to research and find. They simply want the database/catalog experience to be more like Google. This is understandable as in today's world we are used to having information at our fingertips. The Librarian/Scholar side of the argument is research is not supposed to be easy, you are supposed to take time and effort to locate the perfect information to make a good research paper. So to compromise, databases need to use better technology to make the interface faster, and easy enough so you don't have to be a road scholar to use it. Also this does not mean the databases should be dumbed-down, simply made less complex.

Response

I understand where the Scholars and Librarians are coming from, but before this class I definitely did not know how to use the library databases, or the search catalogue in detail. I did what most college kids do and googled it. I agree with the fact that research should not be easy and quick, but like the author suggested, why don't databases resemble Google in the way they operate. Shouldn't that be the number one priority when designing a database search engine? It is just like silent letters in a word. Why do they exist? I do agree that Librarians need to collaborate with school faculty and come up with a system to produce better quality research papers from students.

Reading Report # 3

The Future of Libraries

Summary

Libraries have been more than a place for books for the world. Libraries have been a place to store ideas and drawings of people like Leonardo Da Vinci. They are also a place most people have atleast some fond memories of. Technology is playing a major part in why Libraries are going through and will continue to go through a drastic change. As society becomes more and more global everyday new standards will come about and information will be even more accessible. As all technology has a beginning it also has an finite lifespan. One day all the technology we know today we bill dead and gone as new technology is invented each and every day. As life becomes more about experiences instead of products the Libraries of the world will change to provide different and better ways for us to experience information and technology.

Response

As libraries do become more and more technology based it will be interesting to see if all these claims come true like " literacy will be dead by 2050". As keyboards may give way to a verbal society I don't believe litreacy will ever be dead especially not by 2050. Also I don't believe TV's or cell phones will ever make a complete exit. They will for sure continue to improve but never a complete exit. It is difficult to imagine how many other ways information can be spread. With TV, print, phones, and the main one internet, what else can be done.

News Report # 3

Coursey, David. "Apple and Google Breaking up over iPhone Maps?" Www.pcworld.com. PC World Communications, Inc., 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 1 Oct. 2009. .

Summary

It seems Apple and Google have decided to part ways. Apple purchased an online mapping company named Placebase. This said to have occurred in July has people believing the iphone will soon be Google map free. Apple is dedicated to its secrecy so how the acquisition came about is still no certain. Some think Placebase was not even purchased by Apple, Apple just simply hired their employees when the company failed. This leads us to believe Apple is serious about mapping as there were many iphone apps they could have added to make Google maps better.

Response

Apple should make sure they get there there mapping application running smoothly and make sure it does all the things Google maps does and more. I know I do not even own and iphone but I am loyal to Google maps simply because it is the simplest and most reliable. I am sure iphone owners would be upset as an iphone doubles as an in-car navigation device. As a business major this makes sense for Apple especially if Apple did not purchase Placebase but simply hired their employees after the company failed. Doing the mapping application themselves instead of allowing Google the monopoly I am sure will bring proceeds back to the company.