Reading Notes- Week 7, Oct 25, 2010

Jeff Tyson-- How Stuff Works "How Internet Infrastructure Works"

The internet began in 1969. Each computer with internet access is connected to a network which is connected to another network and so on. The internet is a network of networks. Large networks connect to each other through NAPs, network access points. This allows employees of large companies to connect to their companies' networks in any city where the company has a POP, point of presence. Routers are used to send information where it needs to be and keeps information from being sent where it doesn't belong. In this way routers connect networks by passing information back and forth between them. Every machine on the internet has a unique identifying number called and IP address. The IP stands for Internet Protocol, which is the language computers use to communicate over the internet. With the growth of the internet, no one was going to be able to remember all the different IP addresses out there, so domain names were created. Howstuffworks.com is an example of a domain name.

Andrew Pace, "Dismantling Integrated Library Systems"

Basically what I took away from this article was that by getting rid of old systems which lacked flexibility, libraries are able to create custom programs for their institution's specific needs. One downside the article pointed out seemed to be cost. Adding on different modules or whatever you want to call them is more expensive than just having a standard ILS according to the article. I think though that this could be an interesting way for libraries to go though. Maybe there were parts of the old software system they weren't using or didn't really need. This way they can pick and choose modules that they like and that work for their institution. The only thing I might worry about would be interoperability. Would all these modules work together? If they were all being produced by the same company that wouldn't be a problem, but if there are competitors, it might be an issue.

Sergey Brin and Larry Page, "Inside the Google Machine"

I thought it was really cool how in the beginning of this video they had a virtual model of how many people were using Google at one time and what languages they were searching in. It was also really neat how they tracked the number of searches they got, and how they worked on getting people to perform more searches. They mentioned that one of their engineers created a social network. I have never heard about this before. Does it still exist? Is it only for Google employees? I was also surprised to learn that the US only accounts for 30% of Google search traffic. I thought it would be more. I liked how they encourage their employees to spend some of their work day being creative and working on projects they think will improve Google. I think this is awesome because it gives people a break from what they have to do and lets them work on what they want to do. It probably makes employees feel like they're having a real impact on the company. But probably the best part of Google...they have washing machines at work, so you can do your laundry AT WORK. And you can also bring your dog. Can you bring cats? If you can bring cats, this sounds like the perfect place of employment. I kind of really want to work for Google now...It sounds like the coolest place ever.