Ellie, Park. 2003. Computers responsible for many health concerns. Retrieved on September 24, 2009 at http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/workplace-health-safety-employment /641313-1.html
ABSTRACT:
This article discusses the Cumulative Trauma Disorders or CTDs which is caused by working too much – or not smart enough on computers. It is also called repetitive stress disorders. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which occurs when repetitive motion inflames the wrist, causing compression of blood vessels and nerves in a tunnel formed by the carpal bones is also mentioned. Aside from Ergonomics, this article suggests to maintain / keep good general health and posture, stay the right weight and not to smoke and use drugs to avoid development of such computer related casualties / illness.
MY THOUGHTS / REFLECTION:
In our generation where computers play important roles in our everyday lives – work, entertainment, education, etc. It is not surprising to know that different illnesses are being developed. Ergonomics used to be a jargon to me, but since I started my career as a librarian I discovered what and how important it is.
Three things learned:
> It is important to take breaks (from sitting in front of computer) to keep moving. One should always take time to stretch and be gracious to his body.
> To avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it is advisable to use wrist pad because it provides support and takes the stress off wrists.
> Never ignore any signs of pain experienced. Prevention is always better than cure.
I used to experience headache after a day of work. I’m a bit sure that it’s because of my day’s exposure to the computer monitor. I also cannot deny that my computer use doesn’t stop when I’m off from work. Most of the time, I still work with computers at home. To relieve this frequent headache, I was advised to use eyeglasses every time I have to be exposed to the computer’s monitor. It took me quite a hard time to adjust with using eyeglasses but after weeks of practice, it becomes customary and at least the headache I often experience is gone….
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
FORENSIC FILES: Times are changing: Electronic evidence is different
Sammons, John. 2009. FORENSIC FILES: Times are changing: Electronic evidence is different. Retrived on September 17, 2009 at. http://www.wvrecord.com/news/221039-forensic-files-times-are-changing-electronic-evidence-is-different
ABSTRACT:
Technology has shrunk the world we live in. Rules are being changed to help legal systems adapt to the exploding digital society. The article discusses major differences between electronically stored information and paper evidence. The author emphasizes that these two should be treated differently when used as evidence for they will cause confusion and may mislead if their differences are not addressed properly.
MY THOUGHTS / REFLECTION:
From a traditional paper-based evidences, electronically stored information are introduced in the courtrooms. Because of this introduction, legislators are tasked to amend and/or change rules to adapt to changing environment. For example, here in the Philippines, we have A.M. NO. 01-7-01-SC.- RULES ON ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE which describes, defines and identifies accuracy and credibility of electronically stored information when presented to court as evidence.
THREE THINGS LEARNED:
> Metadata is simply "data about data." As valuable as metadata can be, it's important to note that metadata is not full-poof and can be removed all together.
> An issue in electronically stored information is its duplicability. It is easier to have multiple copies of a particular document through the digital technology. This is somehow related with issues on privacy. In this aspect, I would like to emphasize that librarians should be very careful in sending information.
> A witness presenting an electronically stored information need to prove that what he’s presenting is genuine and unedited / not modified. The question on his integrity can also be raised.
It is somehow hard to prove the authenticity of an electronic document especially if it’s being used to discuss sensitive issues or if it’s used as court evidence. In the Company I’m working for, every time an important request is made, I make sure that there are 3 signed copies of the document stored in different locations. Storing these requests electronically is not an essential part of my duties. My immediate supervisor keeps on reminding me not to damage the printed and signed requests because these are the ones which will be considered reliable and no more questions will be asked when used to defend a particular argument.
ABSTRACT:
Technology has shrunk the world we live in. Rules are being changed to help legal systems adapt to the exploding digital society. The article discusses major differences between electronically stored information and paper evidence. The author emphasizes that these two should be treated differently when used as evidence for they will cause confusion and may mislead if their differences are not addressed properly.
MY THOUGHTS / REFLECTION:
From a traditional paper-based evidences, electronically stored information are introduced in the courtrooms. Because of this introduction, legislators are tasked to amend and/or change rules to adapt to changing environment. For example, here in the Philippines, we have A.M. NO. 01-7-01-SC.- RULES ON ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE which describes, defines and identifies accuracy and credibility of electronically stored information when presented to court as evidence.
THREE THINGS LEARNED:
> Metadata is simply "data about data." As valuable as metadata can be, it's important to note that metadata is not full-poof and can be removed all together.
> An issue in electronically stored information is its duplicability. It is easier to have multiple copies of a particular document through the digital technology. This is somehow related with issues on privacy. In this aspect, I would like to emphasize that librarians should be very careful in sending information.
> A witness presenting an electronically stored information need to prove that what he’s presenting is genuine and unedited / not modified. The question on his integrity can also be raised.
It is somehow hard to prove the authenticity of an electronic document especially if it’s being used to discuss sensitive issues or if it’s used as court evidence. In the Company I’m working for, every time an important request is made, I make sure that there are 3 signed copies of the document stored in different locations. Storing these requests electronically is not an essential part of my duties. My immediate supervisor keeps on reminding me not to damage the printed and signed requests because these are the ones which will be considered reliable and no more questions will be asked when used to defend a particular argument.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Open-Source: Now is the Time!
Wadell, Penny. February 6, 2009. Open-Source: Now is the Time!. Retrieved September 9, 2009 at http://www.scribd.com/doc/12991861/Open-Source-The-time-is-now
ABSTRACT:
It cannot be denied that the life we have right now is more convenient because of computers. But, computers cannot function without a language. This persuasion speech delivered by Dr. Penny Wadell compare and contrast the benefits and disadvantages of proprietary (paid) and open-source (free) software. The speaker generally proposes that users utilize different open-source software available.
MY THOUGHTS / REFLECTION:
> The problem with proprietary software is that it is rarely updated making the program less secure.
> Proprietary software often leads to piracy because of its high maintaining cost.
> There is no sense of “lifetime” commitment in using open-source software.
With the type of economy we currently have, it is important that we still get the best at a price convenient and affordable to us. Majority of the computers in the Company I am working for use Linux operating system due to its free access. Staff training was one of the problems that the Management faced upon Linux’ implementation.
I am privileged to have the Microsoft Operating System license retained, but I also sometimes use computers with Linux Operating System and I would say that its features are very similar to Microsoft, of course, there are modifications, but I would rather refer to these modifications as “innovations.” Innovations which lead to better discovery and utilization of computers.
ABSTRACT:
It cannot be denied that the life we have right now is more convenient because of computers. But, computers cannot function without a language. This persuasion speech delivered by Dr. Penny Wadell compare and contrast the benefits and disadvantages of proprietary (paid) and open-source (free) software. The speaker generally proposes that users utilize different open-source software available.
MY THOUGHTS / REFLECTION:
> The problem with proprietary software is that it is rarely updated making the program less secure.
> Proprietary software often leads to piracy because of its high maintaining cost.
> There is no sense of “lifetime” commitment in using open-source software.
With the type of economy we currently have, it is important that we still get the best at a price convenient and affordable to us. Majority of the computers in the Company I am working for use Linux operating system due to its free access. Staff training was one of the problems that the Management faced upon Linux’ implementation.
I am privileged to have the Microsoft Operating System license retained, but I also sometimes use computers with Linux Operating System and I would say that its features are very similar to Microsoft, of course, there are modifications, but I would rather refer to these modifications as “innovations.” Innovations which lead to better discovery and utilization of computers.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
IRRI Library Tour: Learnings outside the Fours Corners of the Classroom
ABSTRACT
The IRRI Library has the world's largest collection of rice literature. Filipino scientists and students are the largest group of user of the library. With the Rice Bibliography, which contains more than 170,000 references on rice, in at least 80 languages, now available in the Internet, scientists in far-off countries can now avail of the library's information and references easily. (http://www.irri.org/about/faq3.asp)
The IRRI Library tour that we had introduced us to the different resources and services emphasizing on document delivery of the said library. It also introduced us to the different modules of the Millennium Integrated Library System.
THOUGHTS / REFLECTION:
The Millennium Integrated Library System is not actually new to me. I was privileged enough to have experienced using and entering data to the Cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials and Circulation modules of the said system. I have also been using the OPAC module since college. And with my experiences using the system, I would say that it is one of the best and very user-friendly.
Three things I’ve learned with the library tour that the class had:
> Budget is the most important thing to consider in subscribing and maintaining a system. Though the Library is persistent in having the best system, it will still be the budget which will determine if that will be approved or not.
> I learned about the “Document Delivery” services more.
> Web 2.0 plays a very important role in improving the services of the library. The use of “Skype” in providing reference services to IRRI Library’s clients is a proof of how the new technology develops library services into a better and efficient one.
The Library is a dynamic entity which needs to regularly update and improve its services. The clients will always be given the primary consideration in these developments. As Ranganathan had proposed, “Save the time of the user”, we, as librarians need to stay abreast with the current trend and technology. We need to introduce services that will be very beneficial and of convenience to our clients.
The IRRI Library has the world's largest collection of rice literature. Filipino scientists and students are the largest group of user of the library. With the Rice Bibliography, which contains more than 170,000 references on rice, in at least 80 languages, now available in the Internet, scientists in far-off countries can now avail of the library's information and references easily. (http://www.irri.org/about/faq3.asp)
The IRRI Library tour that we had introduced us to the different resources and services emphasizing on document delivery of the said library. It also introduced us to the different modules of the Millennium Integrated Library System.
THOUGHTS / REFLECTION:
The Millennium Integrated Library System is not actually new to me. I was privileged enough to have experienced using and entering data to the Cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials and Circulation modules of the said system. I have also been using the OPAC module since college. And with my experiences using the system, I would say that it is one of the best and very user-friendly.
Three things I’ve learned with the library tour that the class had:
> Budget is the most important thing to consider in subscribing and maintaining a system. Though the Library is persistent in having the best system, it will still be the budget which will determine if that will be approved or not.
> I learned about the “Document Delivery” services more.
> Web 2.0 plays a very important role in improving the services of the library. The use of “Skype” in providing reference services to IRRI Library’s clients is a proof of how the new technology develops library services into a better and efficient one.
The Library is a dynamic entity which needs to regularly update and improve its services. The clients will always be given the primary consideration in these developments. As Ranganathan had proposed, “Save the time of the user”, we, as librarians need to stay abreast with the current trend and technology. We need to introduce services that will be very beneficial and of convenience to our clients.
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