"Adoption seekers using YouTube, Facebook to find moms"
By Stephanie Chen, CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/10/adoption.internet.advertise/index.html#cnnSTCText
In this article it talks about how people that are currently looking to have their child adopted are starting to resort to things like YouTube and Facebook to find couples that are looking to adopt. Also it discusses how couples looking to adopt are posting videos online so that they might be found by someone giving their child up for adoption. These videos are allowing for parents to see how the people they could potential give their child to live and interact with each other. The article talks about how these videos are allowing people to see what these couples homes look like, interviews with people that are close to them that can discuss how they feel about their parenting skills, how the couple interacts with each other, and things along those lines.
I think that this is a very creative way to potentially speed up the adoption process. In today’s culture people have come to depend on and really learn to utilize the internet. I do not think that I personally would have thought to do this or go looking to adopt YouTube but with the increased use in things like these, I think it is a very intelligent idea. I do agree with the article when it says that you can better get to know a couple through watching their videos and interviews from their friends and families. I think that you can truly see the love that they have for each other and the commitment they have to finding a child. Overall I think that this is a very positive thing and I would not be surprised if this became extremely popular and they new way of adoption.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
News Report #4
“Stimulus Package Funds Libraries as Economy Boosters”
American Libraries Association
2/18/2009
http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/February2009/libsinstimulus.cfm?persistent=&expy_dt=
In this article is discusses exactly what the stimulus package is can do to help libraries. The package will allow for 7.2 billion dollars for broadband access and usage, 200 million dollars in grants for computers at public facilities, 90 million dollars for outreach and education to low class people and families. The package will also offer 5 billion dollars in bonus grants to states that meet education performance requirements. The package will offer an additional 130 million dollars for rural area public facility upgrades and 120 million dollars for community service job openings for senior citizens at places such as libraries. The final option libraries have at trying to obtain money from the stimulus package is from the 8.8 billion dollars for states that need drastic improvements, upgrades and renovations. In this article it states the President Obama feels that education and the ability to access information is necessary to the counties future. Obama says, “America can’t out-compete the world tomorrow if our children are being out-educated today.”
I think that it is very important for libraries to have these opportunities. Libraries are very important to our society and the education it receives. Also libraries are used more in times of economic crisis and therefore their resources are in high demand so libraries should be offered assistance. They should be able to access money that will allow them to buy computers, upgraded technologies, books and so on. Overall I think that the stimulus package will be able to help libraries and I think that it is a good thing that they are included in the package. Libraries truly are a key resource to our countries future and they should be treated as such.
American Libraries Association
2/18/2009
http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/February2009/libsinstimulus.cfm?persistent=&expy_dt=
In this article is discusses exactly what the stimulus package is can do to help libraries. The package will allow for 7.2 billion dollars for broadband access and usage, 200 million dollars in grants for computers at public facilities, 90 million dollars for outreach and education to low class people and families. The package will also offer 5 billion dollars in bonus grants to states that meet education performance requirements. The package will offer an additional 130 million dollars for rural area public facility upgrades and 120 million dollars for community service job openings for senior citizens at places such as libraries. The final option libraries have at trying to obtain money from the stimulus package is from the 8.8 billion dollars for states that need drastic improvements, upgrades and renovations. In this article it states the President Obama feels that education and the ability to access information is necessary to the counties future. Obama says, “America can’t out-compete the world tomorrow if our children are being out-educated today.”
I think that it is very important for libraries to have these opportunities. Libraries are very important to our society and the education it receives. Also libraries are used more in times of economic crisis and therefore their resources are in high demand so libraries should be offered assistance. They should be able to access money that will allow them to buy computers, upgraded technologies, books and so on. Overall I think that the stimulus package will be able to help libraries and I think that it is a good thing that they are included in the package. Libraries truly are a key resource to our countries future and they should be treated as such.
Reading Report 5
“Information Navigation 101”
By Andrea Foster
Chronicle of Higher Education
http://chronicle.com/free/v53/i27/27a03801.htm
The article begins by saying that students today can so some many things whether it is texting, using MySpace and so on but they are not able to find academic research as easily. The article says that the student populations today is not used to using things like databases and resort to things like Google for their research needs. The article also discusses how schools are trying to solve this problems by having librarians teach this information to students whether it is offered as a class or as a requirement in a core class. Learning how to find this information and access it is now being referred to as “information literacy.” The article then goes on to discuss the history of how this problem came about. The article finally talks about how few people question that information literacy is a problem and how some schools are requiring students to take standardized tests that have been made in order to graduate.
This article really makes you think about students today. It does not really surprise me that students do not know how to find this information. I personally did not know about all of the things the library had to offer until this class. I knew there were databases and scholarly information but how to use them and the different information that they offer was not something I knew about. I do think that schools should be making it a requirement for students. I also think that classes should be required early in the college curriculum because students will get more use out of the information if they know about it earlier.
By Andrea Foster
Chronicle of Higher Education
http://chronicle.com/free/v53/i27/27a03801.htm
The article begins by saying that students today can so some many things whether it is texting, using MySpace and so on but they are not able to find academic research as easily. The article says that the student populations today is not used to using things like databases and resort to things like Google for their research needs. The article also discusses how schools are trying to solve this problems by having librarians teach this information to students whether it is offered as a class or as a requirement in a core class. Learning how to find this information and access it is now being referred to as “information literacy.” The article then goes on to discuss the history of how this problem came about. The article finally talks about how few people question that information literacy is a problem and how some schools are requiring students to take standardized tests that have been made in order to graduate.
This article really makes you think about students today. It does not really surprise me that students do not know how to find this information. I personally did not know about all of the things the library had to offer until this class. I knew there were databases and scholarly information but how to use them and the different information that they offer was not something I knew about. I do think that schools should be making it a requirement for students. I also think that classes should be required early in the college curriculum because students will get more use out of the information if they know about it earlier.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Reading Report # 4
"The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google"
By: Steven J Bell
The article begins by discussing how students today are becoming more and more dependent on search engines such as Google and are not taking advantage of the resources libraries have such as databases. The article then talks about how more and more students are not able to understand the scholarly information in things like databases and are not willing to search and dig for the information they need. The article says that students want fast, easy and most of the time junk information. The term coined for this type of information in infobesity. Then it goes on to talk about how some believe that search engines should be easier for students to use because some current interfaces are extremely difficult to understand. For example their interfaces should appear like search engines such as Google. Finally the article discusses some experiments that have been done and wrap up by saying that the experiments show that databases should be more like search engines but need to get more sophisticated software so that it produces better and more relevant results.
I think that this article discusses many relevant issues. I believe that it is a serious problem that students today don’t know how to use and access information in libraries. It is even more absurd that students don’t even know that a library is available on their campus. However I do agree that it can be extremely difficult to navigate databases and sifting through it all is very time consuming. I truly believe that if database publishers made it easier to use than more would take advantage of them. I know that some people think that research shouldn’t be easy and that things shouldn’t be changed to make it more convent and less difficult but times change and databases need to adapt to those changes.
By: Steven J Bell
The article begins by discussing how students today are becoming more and more dependent on search engines such as Google and are not taking advantage of the resources libraries have such as databases. The article then talks about how more and more students are not able to understand the scholarly information in things like databases and are not willing to search and dig for the information they need. The article says that students want fast, easy and most of the time junk information. The term coined for this type of information in infobesity. Then it goes on to talk about how some believe that search engines should be easier for students to use because some current interfaces are extremely difficult to understand. For example their interfaces should appear like search engines such as Google. Finally the article discusses some experiments that have been done and wrap up by saying that the experiments show that databases should be more like search engines but need to get more sophisticated software so that it produces better and more relevant results.
I think that this article discusses many relevant issues. I believe that it is a serious problem that students today don’t know how to use and access information in libraries. It is even more absurd that students don’t even know that a library is available on their campus. However I do agree that it can be extremely difficult to navigate databases and sifting through it all is very time consuming. I truly believe that if database publishers made it easier to use than more would take advantage of them. I know that some people think that research shouldn’t be easy and that things shouldn’t be changed to make it more convent and less difficult but times change and databases need to adapt to those changes.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Reading Report #3
"The Future of LibrariesBeginning the Great Transformation"
By Thomas Frey, Executive Director of the DaVinci Institute
This article begins by talking about the historical roles of libraries. Libraries where used in the beginning to preserves artwork, important documents and things of that nature. Books in the past were very expensive and where only able to be bought by the wealthy that was until Gutenberg invented the printing press. The article then discusses ten trends that are affecting libraries in the future. The article discusses how ways of creating information are changing. People used to use phonographs and are now using things like podcasts. Next they discuss that technologies come to and end for example the 8 track was replaced by the tape and the tape by the CD and so on. Search technology is becoming more complex and human needs are growing and that is causing libraries to adapt to those changes. Basically it the article it is saying that we as consumers are changing our demands and new technology and waves of communications and surfacing. Finally the article gives advice for libraries for adjusting to he changes.
I personally think that this article is expressing things that are very true. Society as we know it is changing demands and wants are different now from that they where years ago. I think that libraries really need reevaluate how they can and will make these changes. I also think the evolution of libraries is amazing. It is astonishing how a library can go from something that solely achieves materials, and is for the wealthy to beginning something so freely available to everyone.
By Thomas Frey, Executive Director of the DaVinci Institute
This article begins by talking about the historical roles of libraries. Libraries where used in the beginning to preserves artwork, important documents and things of that nature. Books in the past were very expensive and where only able to be bought by the wealthy that was until Gutenberg invented the printing press. The article then discusses ten trends that are affecting libraries in the future. The article discusses how ways of creating information are changing. People used to use phonographs and are now using things like podcasts. Next they discuss that technologies come to and end for example the 8 track was replaced by the tape and the tape by the CD and so on. Search technology is becoming more complex and human needs are growing and that is causing libraries to adapt to those changes. Basically it the article it is saying that we as consumers are changing our demands and new technology and waves of communications and surfacing. Finally the article gives advice for libraries for adjusting to he changes.
I personally think that this article is expressing things that are very true. Society as we know it is changing demands and wants are different now from that they where years ago. I think that libraries really need reevaluate how they can and will make these changes. I also think the evolution of libraries is amazing. It is astonishing how a library can go from something that solely achieves materials, and is for the wealthy to beginning something so freely available to everyone.
Monday, February 16, 2009
News Report #3
“For Many Chinese, Literary Dreams Go Online”
By Lara Farrar, CNN Online, Feb 15, 2009
"http://search.cnn.com/search?query=information&type=news&sortBy=date&intl=false"
This article is discussing the new wave in Chinese writing. Due to things like censorship by the government the Chinese authors have been very limited on what they can write and if they can get published their works usually get altered to conform to the censorship. In China today the new wave for authors is to publish online. Authors post novels, stories, and blogs etc which are not monitored to the extent of offline publishing. The ability to publish online is giving thousands of Chinese authors hope and the chance to have millions read their work. Bookstores are now devoting a section to literary works online. The online literary publishers are trying to make their money by charging for popular works and so on.
I think that this is an amazing opportunity for Chinese authors. The development of the internet and the drastic increase and use and reliance on it has changed society as we know it. People are becoming so much more dependent on it and the internet is allowing for people to do things they would otherwise not be able to do. I personally feel that censoring authors is a great wrong doing but that is probably because I live in America and have never full had the problem with censorship that many other countries have. I think that it is amazing that Chinese authors can now express themselves without having to worry about things like censorship. I also think it is amazing that their works can reach anyone, anywhere. This can allow for them to gain exposure but it can also allow people of other countries to experience, appreciate, and learn from other cultures.
By Lara Farrar, CNN Online, Feb 15, 2009
"http://search.cnn.com/search?query=information&type=news&sortBy=date&intl=false"
This article is discussing the new wave in Chinese writing. Due to things like censorship by the government the Chinese authors have been very limited on what they can write and if they can get published their works usually get altered to conform to the censorship. In China today the new wave for authors is to publish online. Authors post novels, stories, and blogs etc which are not monitored to the extent of offline publishing. The ability to publish online is giving thousands of Chinese authors hope and the chance to have millions read their work. Bookstores are now devoting a section to literary works online. The online literary publishers are trying to make their money by charging for popular works and so on.
I think that this is an amazing opportunity for Chinese authors. The development of the internet and the drastic increase and use and reliance on it has changed society as we know it. People are becoming so much more dependent on it and the internet is allowing for people to do things they would otherwise not be able to do. I personally feel that censoring authors is a great wrong doing but that is probably because I live in America and have never full had the problem with censorship that many other countries have. I think that it is amazing that Chinese authors can now express themselves without having to worry about things like censorship. I also think it is amazing that their works can reach anyone, anywhere. This can allow for them to gain exposure but it can also allow people of other countries to experience, appreciate, and learn from other cultures.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
News Report #2
Economic woes boost library use for job resources
By Lisa Cornwell, The Associated Press, Friday, January 30, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013000562.html
In this article it discusses the overwhelming increase in the use of public libraries due to the country’s economic status. The article states that libraries have seen a drastic increase in usage of the library for computer use. Today many jobs require online applications and things of that nature and as stated in the article unemployment have jumped 7.2 percent so more and more people are looking for employment. Not only are people using the computer in libraries to search for employment and resume information; they are also using them to research was to manage finances and so on. Also the article states that librarians have seen an increase in DVD, CD and book check out because in the recession people are unable to afford to buy or rent these things. Lastly the article discusses the issue libraries are facing due to this increasing demand for their services. Libraries are having to face budget cuts and their demand is higher than ever so they are having to let go of employees and are having to use old computers and things like that.
I personally do not find this article to be very surprising. In a recession people lose jobs and have to find ways to better manage the money they have. I know if I was in a situation that had me really financially unstable I would do the same thing. I do, however, think it is ridiculous that libraries are having their funds cut when historically in times like these they thrive. This should be the last place funds are cut because the facility is helping people potential find jobs and manage their money when there isn’t much going around.
By Lisa Cornwell, The Associated Press, Friday, January 30, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013000562.html
In this article it discusses the overwhelming increase in the use of public libraries due to the country’s economic status. The article states that libraries have seen a drastic increase in usage of the library for computer use. Today many jobs require online applications and things of that nature and as stated in the article unemployment have jumped 7.2 percent so more and more people are looking for employment. Not only are people using the computer in libraries to search for employment and resume information; they are also using them to research was to manage finances and so on. Also the article states that librarians have seen an increase in DVD, CD and book check out because in the recession people are unable to afford to buy or rent these things. Lastly the article discusses the issue libraries are facing due to this increasing demand for their services. Libraries are having to face budget cuts and their demand is higher than ever so they are having to let go of employees and are having to use old computers and things like that.
I personally do not find this article to be very surprising. In a recession people lose jobs and have to find ways to better manage the money they have. I know if I was in a situation that had me really financially unstable I would do the same thing. I do, however, think it is ridiculous that libraries are having their funds cut when historically in times like these they thrive. This should be the last place funds are cut because the facility is helping people potential find jobs and manage their money when there isn’t much going around.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Reading Report 2
“Can Wikipedia Ever Make the Grade?"
by Brock Read
Chronicle of Higher Education
This article discusses the validity of the information on Wikipedia. The beginning of the article discusses Mr. Halavais, an assistant professor who tried to plant thirteen errors on Wikipedia. He did this as a test and found that within 3 hours all of the errors had been corrected. The article then talks about how accurate Wikipedia is. A study was done to compare the content on Wikipedia to the content in the Encyclopedia Britannia. The study found that on average Wikipedia had on one more error than the Encyclopedia Britannia. The article then goes on to discuss the issues scholars have with Wikipedia. They believe that Wikipedia is not getting expertise and that any average Joe with no intellect could post or edit a topic. Then in an interview with the co founder of Wikipedia he said that they have been doing a lot to prevent misleading information. They have editors who regularly check the validity of the information post and they are now requiring that in order to create a topic or post you must be a registered member of Wikipedia.
I personally think Wikipedia is a good resource. I think that the study done showing that on average Wikipedia has only one more error than a written encyclopedia proves that it is a valid resource. I use Wikipedia and have never had a problem with it. It is definitely reassuring to know that there are editors that check for false information and delete it if necessary. This article has shown me however that there are errors in the information Wikipedia provides and that I need to be care and somewhat skeptical if it is on a subject I am unfamiliar with. They best way over all I believe to make sure the information you are getting off of Wikipedia is to find more sources. If you put in the work and keep finding sources that say the same thing than the odds are that the information on Wikipedia is correct.
by Brock Read
Chronicle of Higher Education
This article discusses the validity of the information on Wikipedia. The beginning of the article discusses Mr. Halavais, an assistant professor who tried to plant thirteen errors on Wikipedia. He did this as a test and found that within 3 hours all of the errors had been corrected. The article then talks about how accurate Wikipedia is. A study was done to compare the content on Wikipedia to the content in the Encyclopedia Britannia. The study found that on average Wikipedia had on one more error than the Encyclopedia Britannia. The article then goes on to discuss the issues scholars have with Wikipedia. They believe that Wikipedia is not getting expertise and that any average Joe with no intellect could post or edit a topic. Then in an interview with the co founder of Wikipedia he said that they have been doing a lot to prevent misleading information. They have editors who regularly check the validity of the information post and they are now requiring that in order to create a topic or post you must be a registered member of Wikipedia.
I personally think Wikipedia is a good resource. I think that the study done showing that on average Wikipedia has only one more error than a written encyclopedia proves that it is a valid resource. I use Wikipedia and have never had a problem with it. It is definitely reassuring to know that there are editors that check for false information and delete it if necessary. This article has shown me however that there are errors in the information Wikipedia provides and that I need to be care and somewhat skeptical if it is on a subject I am unfamiliar with. They best way over all I believe to make sure the information you are getting off of Wikipedia is to find more sources. If you put in the work and keep finding sources that say the same thing than the odds are that the information on Wikipedia is correct.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Reading Report #1
“Web Hoaxes, Counterfeit Sites, and Other Spurious Information on the Internet”
By Paul S. Piper
This article starts out talking about misleading websites and information. It also talks about how though the information is misleading it is not always false some sites are matters of opinion. The article discusses many types of ways the internet can be misleading. A counterfeit site is a site that poses as a legitimate site that gives out misleading information. The author identifies some specific counterfeit sites about Dr. Martin Luther King, the World Trade Organization and the Makah tribe. A suspicious website is a website that gives misleading information about academic discourse, for example saying certain events were proven not to have happened and so on. The author discusses the meaning of disinformation as deliberately giving false information. The author then goes on to talk about September 11th and how internet site were collecting money for victims and how some of these sites were false. Fictitious sites which are not primarily humorous and are not parodies but also misleading. Parodies and spoofs counterfeit an actual company or organizations website. The article ends by providing readers with websites used track false and misleading internet sites.
Overall I found this article to be very interesting. It provided me with a lot of information about misleading information on the internet. I always knew that some websites were false but I never knew that there were so many different types and that some were so easy to miss. It is good to know this information especially being in college because when someone is writing papers and so on you really need to make sure that the information that you are using is correct. Also I feel like people really need to find something better to do with their lives. It take a lot of effort to create website that could be thought of a legitimate and I just feel like all that effort these people are putting in could really just go to a much better place. It actually is annoying that some people find pleasure and accomplishment lying to and misleading people.
By Paul S. Piper
This article starts out talking about misleading websites and information. It also talks about how though the information is misleading it is not always false some sites are matters of opinion. The article discusses many types of ways the internet can be misleading. A counterfeit site is a site that poses as a legitimate site that gives out misleading information. The author identifies some specific counterfeit sites about Dr. Martin Luther King, the World Trade Organization and the Makah tribe. A suspicious website is a website that gives misleading information about academic discourse, for example saying certain events were proven not to have happened and so on. The author discusses the meaning of disinformation as deliberately giving false information. The author then goes on to talk about September 11th and how internet site were collecting money for victims and how some of these sites were false. Fictitious sites which are not primarily humorous and are not parodies but also misleading. Parodies and spoofs counterfeit an actual company or organizations website. The article ends by providing readers with websites used track false and misleading internet sites.
Overall I found this article to be very interesting. It provided me with a lot of information about misleading information on the internet. I always knew that some websites were false but I never knew that there were so many different types and that some were so easy to miss. It is good to know this information especially being in college because when someone is writing papers and so on you really need to make sure that the information that you are using is correct. Also I feel like people really need to find something better to do with their lives. It take a lot of effort to create website that could be thought of a legitimate and I just feel like all that effort these people are putting in could really just go to a much better place. It actually is annoying that some people find pleasure and accomplishment lying to and misleading people.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
News Report #1
CES: The earphones That Stay out of Your Ears”
Andrew LaVallee, Wall Street Journal
1/08/2009
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/01/08/ces-the-earphones-that-stay-out-of-your-ears/“
This article is discussing a new product of headphones. The difference with this set of headphones is that they are considered a “neck set” which means that they will rest on your shoulders and carry the sound up to you ears. These headphones have been created due to the concerns that regular ear buds can cause hearing problems and also because headphones are uncomfortable when worn for a long period of time. This specific set of headphones is being produced my NxSet. The price will start at $79.95. The company is considering the product to be a social project because it will allow for others to hear the music with the listener.
I personally think that these new headphones are pointless. The whole idea of headphone is to be able to listen to the much you want without distracting others. Not everyone wants to listen to the music you are playing. Also these can be very distracting depending on how loud the user has the volume set. These new headphones seem to be no different than a boom bow sitting on you shoulders or on the floor. The only difference they have is that the headphones would lighter to carry around. As for the hearing problem issue, I feel that if someone wants to listen to loud music they should be able to. Odds are that these people know the affects of listening to music that close to you eardrums with regular headphones and they are responsible for any damage they cause to themselves. It is similar to smoking; people know the affects but do it anyway. Overall I think this new technology it a waste of resources and money. Plus they are priced a little high for what they are.
Andrew LaVallee, Wall Street Journal
1/08/2009
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/01/08/ces-the-earphones-that-stay-out-of-your-ears/“
This article is discussing a new product of headphones. The difference with this set of headphones is that they are considered a “neck set” which means that they will rest on your shoulders and carry the sound up to you ears. These headphones have been created due to the concerns that regular ear buds can cause hearing problems and also because headphones are uncomfortable when worn for a long period of time. This specific set of headphones is being produced my NxSet. The price will start at $79.95. The company is considering the product to be a social project because it will allow for others to hear the music with the listener.
I personally think that these new headphones are pointless. The whole idea of headphone is to be able to listen to the much you want without distracting others. Not everyone wants to listen to the music you are playing. Also these can be very distracting depending on how loud the user has the volume set. These new headphones seem to be no different than a boom bow sitting on you shoulders or on the floor. The only difference they have is that the headphones would lighter to carry around. As for the hearing problem issue, I feel that if someone wants to listen to loud music they should be able to. Odds are that these people know the affects of listening to music that close to you eardrums with regular headphones and they are responsible for any damage they cause to themselves. It is similar to smoking; people know the affects but do it anyway. Overall I think this new technology it a waste of resources and money. Plus they are priced a little high for what they are.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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