Week 7 Reading Notes

Week 7 Reading Notes

How Internet Infrastructure Works

·      The internet

o   is a global collection of networks

§  i.e. a network of networks

·      every computer that connects to the internet is part of this network

o   Internet service providers connect at network access points so that their networks can communicate with each other

§  Rely on backbones and routers

§  Routers determine where to send information

·      2 jobs

o   ensures information doesn’t go where its not needed

o   ensures that it does make it to the intended destination

·      passes information between networks

§  backbones? I need clarification on what exactly backbones are/do

o   Domain Name System

§  Transmits human-readable domain name into a machine-readable IP address

§  Essential to the internet’s smooth functioning

o   Internet servers

§  Make the internet possible

§  Servers vs. clients

·      Server send clients requested internet pages

Dismantling Integrated Library Systems

It is more common now when doing research for a person to head straight to Internet search engines rather than library catalogs regardless of the fact that all of the information found on the Internet may not be 100% accurate. People would rather wade through information that was easily and quickly delivered to them than struggle through the frustrating process of searching the library catalog, despite the guarantee of accurate information. People generally have trouble with Boolean searching, which most library systems rely on and would much rather search the internet where all they have to do is type in search terms and their results are delivered based on relevance to those terms. The reliance on MARC records is hindering the search process in library catalogs and is holding back library automation. Also, with libraries taking on many more technological responsibilities (like e-books), the automation systems need to be able to accommodate the integration between print and e-resource materials. I know in my job, we use Sierra by Innovative and it is pretty good at integrating both of our collections. It also provides other useful functions like payments and finance, cataloging and receiving materials, and even ordering materials. I think that it is important for libraries to seek innovation when it comes to ILS platforms, because we are becoming increasingly reliant on technology as a society and libraries need to fins a way to stay current and accommodating so that patrons will continue to utilize services.

The Genesis of Google

I always enjoy learning more about Google, specifically how they operate and their goals for the future. It amazes me that one company can dominant search around the world the way that Google has. They took the concept of providing access to the world’s information and made it a reality. As we saw in the live search application, Google searches are being performed around the world (albeit in some countries more than others). I’m not sure if the places that were lacking searches had more to do with them being less populated areas or perhaps some areas simply do not have the resources available to build network infrastructures, but I would definitely be interested in learning more.