Jen's Blog

Information Retrieval on the World Wide Web

2008-09-26T09:58:00.002-07:00

Author: Venkat N. Gudivada, Vijay V. Raghavan, William I Grosky and Rajesh Kasanagoitu

Publisher: University of Southwestern Louisana, Lafayette

URL: www.cacs.louisiana.edu/~raghavan/internet97.pdf

Abstract:

The article discussed the effective search and retrieval are enabling technologies for realizing the full potential of the Web. The authors examine relevant issues, including methods for representing document content. They also compare available search tools and suggest methods for improving retrieval effectiveness.

Three things I learned from my reading assignment:

1.The automatic indexing methods to documents can be based on single or multiple terms.
2.Feedback technique is very important in assessing the retrieval effectiveness of a web-based information retrieval system.
3.Indexing quality has an effect on retrieval effectiveness.

Implications of the things I learned to my work/to me as a person:
Nowadays, there are many search engines available in the web. However, the question is what search engine/s that can retrieve the information I or users need.

To be able to be an effective information specialist, I need to compare and assess search engines that can meet the information needed by the library’s clients.

Information Retrieval on the World Wide Web

2008-09-26T09:58:00.001-07:00

Author: Venkat N. Gudivada, Vijay V. Raghavan, William I Grosky and Rajesh Kasanagoitu

Publisher: University of Southwestern Louisana, Lafayette

URL: www.cacs.louisiana.edu/~raghavan/internet97.pdf

Abstract:

The article discussed the effective search and retrieval are enabling technologies for realizing the full potential of the Web. The authors examine relevant issues, including methods for representing document content. They also compare available search tools and suggest methods for improving retrieval effectiveness.

Three things I learned from my reading assignment:

1. The automatic indexing methods to documents can be based on single or multiple terms.
2. Feedback technique is very important in assessing the retrieval effectiveness of a web-based information retrieval system.
3. Indexing quality has an effect on retrieval effectiveness.

Implications of the things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

Nowadays, there are many search engines available in the web. However, the question is what search engine/s that can retrieve the information I or users need.

To be able to be an effective information specialist, I need to compare and assess search engines that can meet the information needed by the library’s clients.

Screenshot of SQL exercise using XAMPP server

2008-09-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

LIS 260 class at the Laguna (09-13-08)

2008-09-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

A Critique on the Use of Online and Digital Media

2008-07-25T02:16:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, the online and digital media makes information more interesting to the users because of the combination of text, animated graphics, sound and video. They are use by all people in walks of life, from education to the industry and a lot cheaper compared to the printed materials. They also can be used in the following applications:

Education

The most common multimedia tool to students as well as to the teachers is CD-ROM. Almost all of the general reference like encyclopedia, atlas, maps, dictionary are now available in CD-ROM. It can make learning fun and easy for students and it’s less expensive. It can also save space particularly in a library.

Video Conferencing

Through the combination of video, telephone lines and camera and Internet, a group of people located in different places can have a meeting. It is also helpful in distance learning especially to the working students.

In my workplace, we do this kind of application to have a meeting with the Japanese in Japan. They don’t need to go in the Philippines just to have a meeting with us.

Digital Libraries

Now, most of the conventional libraries are now transforming in digital libraries because materials in digital form is less expensive, easy to maintain, quick to find and easy to disseminate. For example, old manuscripts in digital form are easy to maintain than in printed form.

For me, some of the above applications are very helpful especially in studying. I remembered when I was an elementary student and I’m so petite back then. I need to carry a number of big encyclopedias/books from the shelves to the table to do my research. It’s very tiring and not inspiring to study. However, the children today are very lucky because all they need in researching is Internet or CD-ROM. They don’t need to carry big books and they will be more inspired to study because of the animated text and graphics.

Web 2.0 Technologies and Its Applications in the Libraries

2008-07-18T01:21:00.000-07:00

Social Networks

Example: LibraryThing(http://www.librarything.com/home/)

This application could help librarians and users to share, interact and change resources. For example, in librarything.com, librarians can identify the common information needs of the users through the reviews and recommendations of the people posted in the website.

RSS Feeds.

Example: BlogBridge Library (http://www.blogbridge.com)

Librarians can organize Feed Library (FL) according to the interest of the users. They can also make a section per subject (e.g. Marketing, Biology, Technology etc.) and see what subject that interest most with the users.

Blogs

Example: Blogspot(http:\\www.blogspot.com)

This website can help librarians to promote their libraries by posting the new list of books as well as upcoming events. In addition, the users can also post a comment on a particular book they borrow as well as the library services and they can also post a suggestion on the books they want to add in the library

Reaction on Strategies in Effective Searching of Information

2008-07-18T01:13:00.000-07:00

My first reaction when I learned that our class is going to attend the seminar is excitement. I’m excited to know of the new strategies that can be use in searching information. However, the level of my excitement goes down during the presentation because the forum didn’t meet my expectations.

What I don’t like in the forum was how the presenter conducted the lecture. I wasn’t able to get new ideas in terms of searching information. The techniques that were presented were already used by most of the librarians. Also, the questions raised by the participants were not answered properly. I think the presenter needs more familiarization in the topic so that the participants can understand well the forum. I think the amount (P 200) is expensive for that forum. However, what I like best in the presentation is the list of the different websites that can be use as a research tools in searching information.

On the other hand, the whole forum is good especially for the librarians who don’t have any basic ideas on the tools that can be used in a library. But it needs improvement in familiarizing in the topic.

Well, I’ll take this event as a learning experience. The first lesson I learned is a person should be familiar with that she/he is presenting. The other is we need to understand well the question that an audience is asking. If the speaker doesn’t know the answer, he/she needs to be humble to admit that he/she doesn’t know the answer and assure the audience that she/ he will do some research to find the answer.

The Library in the Future

2008-07-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

These pictures are the "Work of Arts"of LIS 260 students during the Web 2.0 lecture conducted by Mr. Richard Romero. Through the used of a clay, we presented the future libraries.

Creative pala kami... hahahaha...

Library 2.0 and Librarian 2.0

2008-07-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

Title : Web 2.0: Building the New Library

Author: Paul Miller

Publisher: Ariadne

URL: http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue45/miller/

Abstract of the article:

Paul Miller discussed his principles in Web 2.0 and how people benefit from it. He also discussed the importance of Web 2.0 technologies in libraries especially in giving service to its clients.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

1. Web 2.0 has a lot of benefits that can offer to people.

2. Through Web 2.0, libraries can have opportunities to serve their clients better.

3. Libraries should be active in thinking how the emerging technologies (e.g. Web 2.0 ) can support their clients.

Title : Web 2.0: Building the New Library

Author: Paul Miller

Publisher: Ariadne

URL: http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue45/miller/

Abstract of the article:

Paul Miller discussed his principles in Web 2.0 and how people benefit from it. He also discussed the importance of Web 2.0 technologies in libraries especially in giving service to its clients.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

1. Web 2.0 has a lot of benefits that can offer to people.

2. Through Web 2.0, libraries can have opportunities to serve their clients better.

3. Libraries should be active in thinking how the emerging technologies (e.g. Web 2.0 ) can support their clients.

Implications of the things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

A library is a house for information and Web 2.0 is a tool to be able to be aware of information. I think that librarians should also be aware of the different Web 2.0 technologies and how these can be more useful to their users as well as to the library itself.

Nowadays, society is in a fast-phase environment and as much as possible people want to make the information readily available to them and this is the challenge for the librarians. I think with the available technologies especially the Web 2.0, librarians can help people to retrieve information they wanted.

A library is a house for information and Web 2.0 is a tool to be able to be aware of information. I think that librarians should also be aware of the different Web 2.0 technologies and how these can be more useful to their users as well as to the library itself.

Nowadays, society is in a fast-phase environment and as much as possible people want to make the information readily available to them and this is the challenge for the librarians. I think with the available technologies especially the Web 2.0, librarians can help people to retrieve information they wanted.

What is Web 2.0?

2008-07-11T01:22:00.000-07:00

Title: What Is Web 2.0 Anyway: Indispensable tools your nonprofit should know about

Author: Alexandra Krasne

Publisher: TechSoup's Emerging Technologies

URL: http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/archives/page9344.cfm

Abstract of the article:

The author discussed the emergence of Web 2.0 in today’s society. Web 2.0 is the start of the new technology that helps many people especially the nonprofits operate more effectively, generate more funding and affect more lives. Blogging, RSS, AJAX and social bookmarking are the tools that describe Web 2.0 technology.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

Web 2.0 promotes social networking to people in all walks of life.
Web 2.0 technologies can interlink any web applications.

3. Tracking of important issues in an organization is easy.

Implications of the things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

I think Web 2.0 improves the Information Technology a lot especially in the area of marketing. Since, UP Information Technology Training Center (UP ITTC) is still young as an organization, we have to make a lot of marketing efforts so that people will be aware what our center can offer to them. One of our successful marketing efforts is posting the latest happenings in UP ITTC to the different Web 2.0 technologies (multiply, flicker, tweeter, live journal etc.).

On my personal life, Web 2.0 technologies help me to communicate with my friends and social partners even though they are in the other country. Multiply is one of my favorite Web 2.0 tools because I can have a chance to post also what is happening in my life (my online diary) and view also my friends. Also, through it, I can be aware of the different issues in the society by reading the posted articles.

Evaluation of Information Retrieval System

2008-07-09T00:55:00.000-07:00

Title: Evaluation of IR User interface – Implications for User Interface Design

Author: Preben Hansen

Publisher: Human IT (Swedish Institute of Computer Science)

URL: http://etjanst.hb.se/bhs/ith/2-98/ph.htm

Abstract of the article:

The paper discussed the methodological framework used in an experimental evaluation study and present the implications drawn from the analysis of the information retrieval (IR) interaction for a user interface redesign of an on-line WWW-based IR system. The goal was to investigate if the current user interface to an on-line WWW-based IR system with real users with real information needs provided sufficient support in order to conduct an information-seeking task. The researchers used a set of data collection and analysis methods from the area of information science and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). They collected and analysed cognitive and statistical data using a combination of both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods such as questionnaires, open-ended questions and system log statistics. Variables and correlation between the variables were measured and requirement lists were elicited. Finally, the framework used, identified and recognised several important factors that need to be supported in the design of an user interface design. The framework also proves that an on-line based evaluation setting with real users and with real information seeking tasks is feasible.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

Evaluation is important to be able to have a successful Information Retrieval System.
The users expectations in IR System need to take consideration in evaluation.
When the users are given more instructions and control in searching, they are more satisfied in an IR System.
In evaluating IR System the main focus should not only be the effectiveness using precision and recall but also the interactive and cognitive aspects.

Implications of the new things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

If there will be an opportunity to design an IR System, one of my major concerns will be the users wants in the system because they are the one who will use it. The satisfaction of the users will be the measurement of the effectiveness of the IR System. It’s important to get feedbacks from the users regarding the effectiveness of the IR System’s functions and usability to be able to see the parts in the system that needs improvement.

Boolean Search and Retrieval

2008-07-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

Title of the Article: Online Catalog Design Models: Are We Moving in the Right Direction?

Author: Charles R. Hildreth

Publisher:cwpost

URL:http://myweb.cwpost.liu.edu/childret/clrthree.html

Abstract of the article:

Dr. Charles R. Hildreth explored the effectiveness of Boolean search in today's society for the users. The paper discussed if there is a need to develop other system for users who don't know Boolean operations.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

1. In developing a system, the designer should take consideration the needs of the users.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of a system using Boolean operations.

3. One of the biggest challenges of an Information Specialist/Librarian is to provide a an effective tool that will cater the needs of the users.

Implications of the things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

To be able to provide an effective retrieval system, I need to evaluate first the users needs and compare also the different kind of retrieval system. The retrieval system should not only be effective in its functionality but also it must be user-friendly.

How Computer Works

2008-07-09T00:46:00.000-07:00

Title of the Article: The Journey Inside

Author: Intel

Publisher: Intel Education

URL: http://www97.intel.com/en/TheJourneyInside/ExploreTheCurriculum/EC_IntroductionToComputers/ICLesson2/

Abstract of the article:

The paper discussed the different components of the computer and how the information processed inside.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

A computer has four components namely input, storage, processing and output.
The microprocessor works most of the tasks in a computer.
Each part in a computer is vital to be able to process information.

Implications of the new things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

The invention of computers helped much to make people life easy. It’s amazing how information is processed inside it and in just a second, information is available to the user.

I think computers are now a necessity especially in work because without it, I will still struggling in writing correspondents, reports etc. Through it, communicating to different clients is now easy. Just one click of the mouse, I could already send information to another person even though he/she is in another country.

However, people should use computers for the welfare of people and not in their own interest.