10/20 Notes

"How Internet Infrastructure Works"
The article discussed computer network hierarchy and how the different levels of the hierarchy enabled accessed to the web.

"When you use the Web or send an e-mail message, you use a domain name to do it. For example, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) "http://www.howstuffworks.com" contains the domain name howstuffworks.com. So does this e-mail address: example@howstuffworks.com. Every time you use a domain name, you use the Internet's DNS servers to translate the human-readable domain name into the machine-readable IP address."

"Dismantling Integrated Library Systems"
The article highlights problems vendors and libraries have over adapting existing Integrated Library Systems to reflect the growing use of internet resources by patrons. The author that interoperabilty-vendors and librarians joining forces to provide products that maximize access for users-is the only way to go. Difficulty integrating (and possibly prohibitive cost) standalone models is discussed. Also makes the argument that working Open Source System wouldn't decrease cost, just move the money to maintaining the software and system.
See: XML, OHI-PMH

"Sergey Brin and Larry Page: Inside the Google machine"
Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page discuss how Google works. What was interesting about the lecture was the map that showed which countries used Google for queries the most. The lack of usage in Africa highlights the need to provide access and resources to enable communications and networking on the continent.