Week 7 Reading Notes

1) Tyson, Jeff. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet-infrastructure.htm/printable
internet- interconnected networks
-has grown from four host computers in the 1960s to tens of millions
-Internet Society, started in 1992, oversees formation of protocol and policies defining how we use and interact with the internet
-every computer connected to the internet is part of a network
-POP: Point of Presence
-NAP: Network Access Point
-networks rely on NAPs, backbones and routers to talk to each other
-routers determine where to send information from one computer to another (makes sure it doesn't go where it's not needed, and does make it to its intended destination)
-backbone: massive connections that have huge amounts of bandwith that link smaller networks
-IP Address: unique identifying number for every machine on the internet
-Domain Name System (DNS) maps text names to IP addresses automatically
-URL: Uniform Resource Locator
-servers: provide services to other machines; clients: machines connected to those services
This article provides a basic overview of several essential aspects of Internet technology. I appreciated that it was written in fairly simple language, and could be easily understood by the average reader. I thought it was really interesting that the article explains things I see and use every day (urls, etc.) but don't really give much thought to on any other level than, say, typing a url into the address bar to get where I want to go.

2) Andrew K. Pace (2004). Dismantling Integrated Library Systems. Library Journal, 129(2), p.34-36. Full Text
-issues concerning library automation in the U.S.
-explores what influences and factors have contributed to changes within ILSThese seeemed to be the primary focuses of Pace's article, but the author also provides examples of some of the
more prominent products and services in the area of library automation, as well as exploring the effects of past solutions devised to deal with interoperability within library systems. As I read this article, I found myself thinking that the topic was interesting (even if the writing was incredibly dry). I do think this is something all information professionals should make a serious effort to understand, because it affects all of us. Also the article gives the indication that there is really no simple, black and white answer to any of the questions raised, so it will become even more important to try to understand all sides in the event that we are ever making decisions
about this that will affect our libraries and communities.

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
It's hard to describe Google in simple terms because as we all know, it has completely changed the way we organize and access information, and communicate and interact with the world around us. Seeing the founders of Google talk about how it is utilized all over the world, and how they are working to improve worldwide access, was definitely fascinating. I think the charitable arm of Google could even have a greater impact than the commercial aspect. I also think that, since access to technology is definitely not universal at this point, and yet free and equitable access to information is one of the goals of librarianship, their philanthropic goals could help change the world even more than they already have.