The Singularity is Near

I am using the book The singularity is near: when humans transcend biology (Kurzweil, 2005) for the purpose of record coding and conversion analysis between the OCLC Connexion system‘s display of MARC and HTML records of the book.

The MARC and HTML records have both similarities and differences. Looking through a very general lens of data organization, cataloging and dissemination, the conceptual differences between the two encoding formats are few. They both organize and define records through various descriptive elements.  Both provide overlapping data about the record and the schemas used are in some cases independent, but are complementary in others. They use different naming conventions to describe the same elements but are representing those elements nonetheless. From the tag styles used to identify fields to naming conventions of tags to number of tags, the MARC and HTML record displays do a very similar job in describing records.

However, as we explore the individual elements that comprise the MARC and HTML general schemas we begin to see differences. The Dublin Core only has 15 different elements for the definition of a record where MARC has just fewer than 50 Additional Material Characteristics for the 006 field alone. When you factor in that MARC has numerous descriptive elements for each Fixed field, 0xx, 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx, 6xx, 7xx, 8xx and 9xx elements, we start to see a greater and decisive separation in the style of data recording between the two conventions. Continued…

So, despite my love for the Cleanr 0.1.2 by Chandra Maharzan, it gave me lots of problems with really long posts. There’s a chance I may go back to it but now I”m giving Clean Home 1.2.1 by Mid Mo Design a shot. This WordPress theme is one with a minimal, clean looking design and has full CSS widgetization. Special thanks to Bryan Helmig of Mid Mo Web Design.

QR Code

For my reference source review paper, I used The Contemporary Thesaurus of Search Terms and Synonyms: A Guide for Natural Language Computer Searching, Second Edition by Sara D. Knapp.

The three brief tips I developed for my reference source review paper are:

How to use it – This is a ready-reference book and used very much like a standard thesaurus. It should be noted that the introductory text is of high value to both users new to search and experienced searchers who are looking for a refresher.

When to use it – Use this book when you need to identify alternate words or phrases for a search term.

How it relates to another resource (hardcopy or digital) in the collection – This edition covers humanities, social sciences, and business. The first edition only covered social sciences. The book is not a part of a collection.

For this assignment’s QR code reference tip, I selected a modern, web based version of the standard paperback or hardcover thesaurus – the Visual Thesaurus by Thinkmap (Thinkmap). The Visual Thesaurus is a 3D interactive reference tool that, using visualization technology, presents users with an animated display of words and meanings — a visual representation of the English language (Thinkmap). It’s a highly engaging experience and delivers a tree or mind map visual of the word or phrase searched that gives users a comprehensive view of words and phrases linked to the users search term.

The QR code I created takes the user directly to the Visual Thesaurus website (http://www.visualthesaurus.com/).

My tip associated with the QR code would be: Try a 3D word map to explore meanings and words and phrases linked to your search  term.

References

Thinkmap. (n.d.). ThinkMap Visual Thesaurus. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Visual Thesaurus: http://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Thinkmap. (n.d.). Visual Thesaurus. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Thinkmap : http://www.thinkmap.com/visualthesaurus.jsp

(This is a project I worked on with several other students as part of the requirements for 511)

The last year has been extremely difficult for school library programs. School districts across the nation are facing budget crises and are resorting to cutting “nonessential” programs. In most states, school libraries and qualified school librarians are not mandated, so they are extremely vulnerable to cuts. In order to survive, school library programs must enter into a new era of librarianship, organization development, social expectations, and infrastructure. Gone are the easy and breezy days of low expectations and decisions based on historical data. This new culture brings a new vocabulary and set of rules — contemporary operations must embrace less resources and fewer options and work within those confines. The mix of positive and negative news about school library funding clearly heralds this new generation of passion, knowledge, structure and service in school librarianship.

Continued…

Epic Sunrise over Angkor Wat

So I started this a couple weeks ago, and sat on it. Got re-inspired (not sure that’s a word) in 511 to finish it, and sat on it. So now instead of pumping out internship or fellowship applications (more will be posted on this later), going deeper into XML or getting intimate with Netflix, I guess now it’s time to get reflective.

One semester down. For obvious reasons, being a career changer after nearly 15 years in the workforce, I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to get things right. There’s not a whole lot of time to fuck around with in general and I really want to be doing what I’m passionate about, and maximizing my future opportunities. I’m fine with the reinvention of self and, for me, it’s in my DNA, so I’m comfortable with it, and will continue to do it in some way, shape or form as the years tick on. However, that time is ticking fast. REALLY fast. It’s comforting knowing you’re in the right place and that’s exactly where I am. Continued…