Data Compression Basics
This was the very first time I have encountered the idea of data compression. I had no previous idea that anyone could compress data into smaller bits in order to have more room for more data. This article was very helpful in explaining some of the basics involved in data compression. It was also helpful that the author did not use technical language that I would not have understood. The author was also very helpful by illustrating his ideas with examples that made a lot of sense to me. The various algorithms (run-length encoding, Lempel-Ziv, entropy, and prediction and error) were somewhat confusing, but the author made sense out of them, for the most part. I think the run-length encoding made the most sense. For example, if you have this set of data: QQQRRSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTUUV, the run-length encoding algorithm would be: 3Q 2R 10S 12T 2U 1V. Therefore, it went from 30 bits of information to 19 bits (including spaces).
Data Compression - Wikipedia
The Wikipedia articla for data compression was also very useful in explaining the various aspects of data compression. The difference between "lossless" and "lossy" was very nicely explained. Basically, if the information that has been decompressed after compression is the exact same as the original information, it is lossless. On the other hand, if the information that has been decompressed after compression is not exactly the same as the original information, it is lossy. I believe this is one of the fundamental aspects of data compression. I would also assume that lossless is a better scenario to have then lossy. I wonder if there is any way possible to get the identical information back if the decompressed information comes out lossy?
Imagining Pittsburgh
I found this article to be extremely enlightening for the sole purpose of having the community of Pittsburgh understand and actually see what their city was like in previous years. I wish that every city would have the opportunity to create a website that has thousands of photographs from the past. The collaboration between the Archives Service Center of the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania produced a useful website filled with meaningful photographs that adds to the cultural heritage of the greater Pittsburgh area. Even though there were many challenges these "partners" had to overcome, including building a working dialogue between the institutions and coming up with meaningful and helpful metadata subject headings, they successfully completed a project that can be enjoyed by many generations down the road.
You Tube and Libraries
This article was eye-opening in respect to libraries using current technology to help further their usefulness to the general public. I never thought about using You Tube videos to help public users, students, and even faculty with various functions of the library. I think there would be a great advantage to libraries across the world by using instruction-based You Tube videos. They could have videos that deal with a number of important ares including: how to use databases, how to find books in the library's online catalog, how to request inter-library loans, etc. There could also be instructional videos that new employees of the library could find useful in learning their new job responsibilities. I think that You Tube videos are a good way to make the library more useful to those who do not know how to use the resources the library offers. Plus, the accounts are free!
I think your idea about using YouTube for new library staff is great! It would definitely make having to train new employees an easier task. It would also allow for them to review videos multiple times, maybe even at home in their spare time, in order to become more familiar with the library operating systems.
ReplyDeleteRyan, I like your comments about the Imaging Pittsburgh article. As you said, the participants did face a lot of challenges, and the project was a great learning experience for all involved. It shows that we should EXPECT "challenges" and obstacles when undertaking such work. I think it would be great to make an archive project of family photos going back to ones of my great-grandparents. Perhaps when I finish the MLIS program and have more spare time.... ;)
ReplyDeleteData compression Wikipedia and Basics.
ReplyDeleteI think that, in very few words, you nailed down the central idea. I also liked that the Basics explained how the compression/decompression methods are related to human visual and audio perception.