SQuirreL (IRLS 672-Unit 10)

I don't know why, but SQL makes me think of the world "squirrel" lol. Anyway, learning SQL wasn't much harder technically that the other stuff we've been doing, but I think it was really challenging conceptually. It's hard to visualize a relational database and what needs to be in there and how to search it. We're all really familiar with the user interface, but the interface is so different that the actual data behind the scenes. It's kinda like using a googledoc to do a survey in that the people taking the survey see a nice pretty form that they just fill in, while I get to see an ugly spreadsheet of everyone's answers. The pretty is nicer, but the ugly is certainly more useful. They say ignorance is bliss, but we're too far down the rabbit hole to stop now!

MySQL, not Yours (IRLS672-Unit 9)

This week was pretty ok. I had used MySQL previously, but needed to look a bunch of stuff up as I was working. I really like the W3 schools tutorials and the UACBT videos were ok (but a bit slow at first). I know that we were supposed to make a real project, but I still feel like the Gender & Sexuality Resource database I made is a bit hypothetical. It would be cool to work on a real-life project, get the actual experience, and get to know some of the advanced functions. Too bad I don't have time to do an internship or something. I think I will go through some of the MySQL community forums and tutorials though because it's people who use this everyday and have insight far beyond my mediocre capabilities.

Planning Ahead (IRLS672-Unit 8)

I thought the Bertot article on funding was very important. One of the main arguments I hear about why library technology isn't better is that they can't afford it. I like the suggestion they made about streamlining the application process because applications themselves can be a huge time commitment that many libraries cannot handle. I also appreciated the importance of sustainability. In any sort of philanthropic program, local people need the tools to maintain, repair, and upgrade any new technologies they may have received from a funder or else the whole project breaks down. This sustainability factor is an important part of technology plans as well. If I'm looking to fund or participate in a project, I want to know that people are in it for the long haul and that the project will go on long after I'm around. This is what I'm currently trying to get my job to look at: what are we trying to accomplish with these new technologies and how will they continue to be sustainable in the future?

XXXML (IRLS672-Unit 7)

This week we learned some XML and I had a pretty similar experience that I had when learning HTML. I relied mostly on the tutorial from W3 Schools. I found that even though it is text-based, it is very step-by-step and interactive because you can try things in the safety of their embedded programs so there's no fear of messing anything up. I also looked at the UACBT videos, but I found that I like the faster pace of being able to read instead of waiting for them to get to the information I need. I watched part of Just Enough XML to Survive, but the monotone voice left me wandering off...