Week 3 Notes

Intro to Linux
I have never heard of the Linux operating system, although I have certainly benefited by it. After reading this article I see we have Bell Labs and Mr. Linus to thank for much of modern computer technology. Having seen the pictures of the house-sized computers last week at the on-line computer museum, I could understand how the software for these monsters was very individualized. Building UNIX around a kernel revolutionized the business by allowing computers to share. This possibly was the start of information sharing in the digital world.

Mac OS X
This operating system developed, marketed, and sold by Apple, I am familiar with. I remember using my first Apple Computer as a teacher. Compared to having to start every thing with DOS on an IBM Computer, the Apple was amazing. I think that Apple was lucky that Steve Jobs came back.

I have not used an Apple PC in the last 10 years. However, the people I know who do use them are not interested in switching to a Windows Operating System. In fact, one of my students who is an Apple advocate cracked a joke about the "control-alt-delete" that he was sure I was familiar with as a Windows user. He was correct.

Although I have not worked with an Apple PC, I have certainly worked with many Apple products. The specialization of the MAC OS X for the iPhone and the iPod touch has added to the iwhatever revolution. Dr. He talked about the inputting of information in unnatural ways like the keyboard, these touch products take us the other way.

When I think about this article in conjunction with Library and Information Science, I think about people who carry around information on their iPods. My sons carry around music created in Ireland and Finland and delivered to their iPods via the Internet. I carry around books on tape via the same device and the same network. The possibilities are endless.

Update on windows
Okay, I'm a Windows user who has not been happy with Windows Vista. Why? After reading all of the benefits listed in this article, I suppose I should just be patient and learn the new system. That being said, time is money, and in my house time is clean clothes and a nice dinner. I've spent hours learning how to use Microsoft Office Word 2007. Is it a nice program, sure. But after nearly a year, there are still things that I could do on Microsoft's now defunct Picture it Publishing that I have yet to figure out on anything that I have that will run on Vista. Why don't I downgrade back to XP? The Excel program that the volunteer organization I work with runs on Vista, so the answer is compatibility. What is truly nice is a system that you already know and own. I truly have felt bullied by Microsoft to "Upgrade" when in many ways it has not been in my best interest.

How is this relevant to Libraries and archives around the world? Money. It costs money every time that a system has to upgrade. The question is, "Is it worth it?" The answer is, "It depends." This will be a question for institutions all over the world, from small public libraries to major corporations. Will the system ever be good enough that we can just let things rest for a while and concentrate our efforts elsewhere? I somehow doubt it.