Technology

Technology - love it one day, hate it the next.

So it's a holiday weekend. I have MLIS work to do, but my husband and girls want to go to the family cottage. It's in the middle of nowhere - no joke. I know I'm going to need to work while I'm there, since I hadn't finished Kuhn yet, let alone started writing about his blasted book. I think ahead, pack the laptop - I can write there, we have electricity (barely!). I scout out some possibilities for connectivity to do additional research, to be able to check in to the DBs with questions or for an update, but primarily to be able to make my LIS 2600 group response. It's not going to be simple to get on line from there, but it should be do-able.

Not.

My primary site for internet access was the public library. Good thinking, right - you know I'm pursuing a Masters in LIBRARY and Information Science! Anyway, while the local library (and I'm using the term "local" very loosely here - I had to drive 40 miles to get there!) has 3 computers with internet access, I do not count as a patron. I do not have a card. I do not have my residence in the area, nor do I have any of the utility bills that might give me a chance at obtaining a card from this library. Pulling out 3 other library cards, including a Carnegie Library card, doesn't help me. Offering to pay for internet access (a la an internet cafe) doesn't impress the library staff either. I was turned away...

Nobody else in the area seems to want to sell me internet access either. Not that I'm surprised, given our location. No Panera, Starbucks, or university in the area to log on for free. I drive by the local hospital and high school, park in each lot and try to find a wireless network that I can get on to. No luck.

Meanwhile, I've spent over 3 hours roaming around the woods of northern Pennsylvania looking for a place to log onto the web. All for what I expect would be about 20 minutes to type my response to the Greasemonkeys, which I calculate is worth about 2 1/2 points in the class. What a complete waste!

Doesn't much matter if technology is user-centric if you can't use it!

Jaron Lanier

Wow. Listened to the lecture by Jaron Lanier from our LIS 2600 podcast page tonight. Love him! How is it that I had never heard of him? Guess because I'm not a techno-geek. Clearly he is a practiced lecturer, but he is very personable and intruiging. Hearing him made me want to go out and learn more about the various people and topics he discussed. Have since read up on Alan Turing (another person I think I should have come across somewhere along the way!), "The Machine Stops," and more info on Lanier's background. Getting my money's worth out of this course.

Wish I could get so into Kuhn! I am plodding through his book, but have trouble making myself read it. Not sure how I'm going to get it finished in time at this point...

Under the weather

Nothing like starting out behind. Unless you're sick and behind. I have come down with a terrible cold-sort-of-thing. All in my throat. Very uncomforatble. But I'm just waiting for the other shoe to fall. I expect it to become a full-blown cold any moment now.

As I sit here huddled in sweats and a blanket, drinking hot tea just like it's a below zero January night, I am still trying to get my bearings in this MLIS program. It seems like there is a lot of course material that we're responsible for. And great, more for my money, but maybe it's a little TMI. On the other hand, maybe it's about ratcheting back my expectations for how the rest of my life is going to be for the next 2 years! Tidy flower beds and clothes folded in the drawers may not be a reality for the short term.

OK, the writing juices are flowing... Time to get to the assignment for tomorrow!

Week 1

Well, I'm stressing. Maybe it's been too long since I've been in school. Maybe I try to do too many things for other people. Or maybe I'm just so far behind on THE LIST. Whatever it is, I'm having trouble getting my head around when all this reading and writing is going to happen! In the literature, I'm sure "they" said we should plan to spend about 20 hours a week on coursework. Well, I've spent nearly that much this week, and I have very little to show for it! Not much reading done. No tagging yet. But here's the blog. It's a start!

Nevertheless, I'm excited! I'm thrilled to be a part of this program, and I'm glad to get going.

'Til next time...