Week 2 Reading Notes

Wikipedia: Computer Hardware and Computer Software

• Based on the Wikipedia readings, it sounds like the main difference between computer hardware and software is that hardware makes up the physical aspects of the computer, whereas software are more like conceptual programs that allow computers to, for lack of better terms, do things for us. Does this sound right?
• I’d be curious to know more about problems in regards to the need for standards in computer software.
• What about some of the connections between hardware and software? This comparison is purely based on brand names, but Apple is known for creating software that is only compatible on Apple devices.

Digitization (Lee, Stuart)

• One important aspect to consider in regards to digitization is the sacrifice in quality. For example, while digital music files are highly convenient, the quality in sound has highly decreased since the days of vinyl albums. This same compromise is also seen when preserving books (whether through digitization or using microfilm/microfiche).
• With the high cost of digitization and preservation in general, it will be up to archivists and preservationists to decide which items should be digitized/preserved at any given point in history. Is there a set of guidelines archivists and preservationists generally use?

NY Times: European Libraries Face Problems in Digitalizing

• Libraries partnering with for-profit corporations poses the problem of having to work with and/or around for-profit goals. However, libraries are often sponsored by for-profit entities in order to make large-scale events available to the public. As long as libraries collaborate with corporations and organizations that also have a vested interest in a particular project and create contracts that both parties must abide by, it’s a way for the government to stretch out their funds.

A Few Thoughts on the Google Books Library Project (Smith, Charles Edward)

• I have a number of complaints about some of the arguments in this article.
• One, Smith talks about the Internet and the digital form as if it will last forever. Just as humans have furthered technology so that other forms may become obsolete, the same may become true about the Internet and digital objects. While we see it as impossible to imagine a world without Internet access, it could very well become the truth.
• Two, how can one argue that there is only one way to truly learn how to use a research library?! Everyone learns differently, and there is no one way to learn anything.