reading notes week3

1) Machtelt Garrels. “Introduction to Linux: A Hands on Guide”
(only need to read section 1, but you are welcome to read the whole document)
http://tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/

To tell the truth, I do not touch Linux before, reading chapter 1 helps me get the whole overview of this operationg system. I think I need practical trainning to look what the real linux is through my eyes.

2. Max Os X
I have never deal with a Mac OS X machine before, it is the first time that I use Mac machines in Hillman library. It sounds great. However, frankly speaking, I am not accustomed to this operation system. Mac OS X and windows has many differences. Except the theory of system, interfaces are different. Perhaps, it is the reason of custom. Mac indeed have merits, the interfaces are beautiful and concise. To write more comments, I need more learning about the structure of Max and more practical training it.

3) Paul Thurott “An Update on the Windows Roadmap”

This maybe the most familiar part to me, since I only use windows operating system in China. And windows is more pupolar in my coutry since many software only run in windows. Now my laptop runs Windows Vista home basic, I do not feel any difference compared with Windows XP except many authoried windows asking me whether to run or not. I am looking forward to Windows 7.

the muddist point in PPT(LIS 2600 week2-computer hardware)

PPT page 10 displays the class goal that" Differentiate between storage devices and storage media". However, after class I still can not differentiate them. I think they refer to the same things at some degree. In the class, the instructor did not mention them according to my memory. What is the difference between "devices" and "media"? I am a little confused.

Reading notes: Discovering computers Chapter1

This book is useful for computers beginners. Because it has lots of tables, illustrations and every chapter includes a summary. The first chapter talks about five main components of a computer, that is input devices, output devices, a system unit, storage media and communication devices. And the book also contains social issues about computers like the history of computers and impact on people's life. I feel that the content of this book is complementary to what we learned in class.

my account at Flickr.com

URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuqihelucky/

reading notes on Unit 2: Computer Hardware (9/8)

Required Readings:

1) Computer Hardware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware
2) Moore’s Law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore's_law
also the video http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-moores-law
3) Computer History Museum. http://www.computerhistory.org/

I got to know multiple physical components of computer software and wiki give us concise definitions of each typical pc hardware. Frankly speaking, I am a little surprised that we use Wiki to read about the basic computer knowledge as a future librarian. However, wiki is indeed a powerful tool for definitions, though I believe we could find many materials better than wiki's definitions.

Moore's Law says that" transistor density in integrated circuits doubles about every two years". Wiki talks many aspects about this law, I am a little confused about other formulations and similar laws, especially per unit cost, why some cost increase and some decrease? In a word. the explanation of Moore's law on wiki is very comprehensive. To know every details about the law, I need to go over it several times.

I feel that the website of ”Computer History Museum" is a precious resource for us to learn every aspects of computer. And Moore's law is also embraced by the website. The picture about changing transistors on microprocessor is a good example to demonstrate the law. This is great to me to understand the law. I saw some videos on youtube played by computer history museum, which is wonderful for us the learn the history of computers. And I will often log on the website from now on.