Course retrospective.

Before the course started, I have some discrete knowledge about computer hardware and software. But I have never used Linux operating system and Apach. I have very limited knowledge with MySQL and never heard about PHP. That is why the SIRL672 attracted me. After finishing 13 week's class, which consists of step by step instruction, lots of reading, “tons of “hands on assignments and exercises, I did my best to learn as much as I could. I think that I went as far as the course expects.

I have learned how to install LAMP components on my own computer and demo computer using Live CD and understood how LAMP components interact by creating and managing database. I set up local networking which benefits my whole family. I gained some basic knowledge of HTML markup for creating web pages, XML markup language to exchange structured data among computers, and PHP server side scripts to deliver the information to the web browser. I have practiced with both command line and GUI to create, manage and query the database. I have learned fundamental principles of technology planning, project management and networked information environment.

Aside from factual knowledge and technical skills I learned in this course, I changed my perspective on digital information. Before taking this course, I thought that digital information is electronic delivered information, and involved in software and hardware application. Now I understand digital information is far beyond this. to achieve a success in digital information development, technology, technology planning and project management must fit each other.

Project Management

Chapter 1 of PMBOK Guide Structure (e-reserve) outlines main content of each chapter. It describes the project characteristics, makes a good point at projects vs. operational work, and gives definitions to some essential terms before introducing their roles in this book. I like its introduction of this book, which is clear and to the point. This chapter gives the beginner to have some ideas what the project management is. After finishing reading this chapter, “You can get a good sense of how this work” when you review Project Management at Cornell.

Cornell Project Management Methodology and Project Management Scalable Methodology Guide are most helpful to me. Personally I prefer management lifecycle chart in Cornell Project Management Methodology to the text because they are straight forward to display the work flow and the relationships. Inner links (directing to tables) in Project Management Scalable Methodology Guild help me understand the function of each step. Although the explanation to the function is concise, it focuses on the key point.

MySQL

When I was in SIRLS program (3 years ago), I took a course, Data Management/Healthcare System (NURS 634), in which I learned basic knowledge about database, table and ERD with ACCESS. So I do not have items that are conceptually difficult. This week I followed all instructions and tutorials to refresh the knowledge and learned to create and manipulate database and tables with different tools. I am really interested in contents offered these two weeks, but I don't have extra time to explore any advanced or complex knowledge related in this session. So far I have enjoyed to playing the MySQL.

Normalization

I think that the most difficult concept in this unit is normalization. Although through the tutorial and example I understand how to go through 3 normal forms for database, to the real database, it is still difficult to design the tables according to 3 normal forms analysis. Practice is the best way to further my understanding of these topics. Exploring some case studies or examples will help me to better understand of these topics too.

Technology Plan

I enjoyed reading Information Technology Plan by Robert E. Dugan. This article addresses the importance of the technology plan, the structure of technology plan, the writing and key elements in a technology plan. It works as template of information technology plan. Information Technology at ALA: 2000-2005 provides a real example of technology plan. After finishing these two readings, I quickly understand how to write the technology plan.

The research paper, What went wrong? Unsuccessful information technology projects, summarizes the major reasons for the abortion of technology projects. They are:

1. Poor project planning. Specifically, inadequate risk management and a weak project plan. Risk management becomes more important as the organization gets bigger, so larger organizations need to pay more attention to this area.

2. A weak business case. Then need for the system should be justified in ways that relate directly to the organization's business needs.

3. Lack of top management involvement and support.

I think that this reading was most helpful to me. It answers several questions which puzzle me in daily work.

Unit8

I have been using MARC for 3 years. I didn't realize that MARC would become obsolete before I took unit 8. When reading the papers,“MARC must die” and “A bibliographic metadata infrastructure for 21^st century”, I was shocked and scared. I shared the information with my colleagues, and they don't believe that MARC will be substituted by XML soon. This might be a trend, but it won't happen so soon.

I learned XML with W3 school Online tutorial. I like to use this resources to teach myself because it is easy to understand and switch to the different tutorials for reference.

So far I have not had any problem with the installation of my demo system. During setting up the headless mode for my demo computer, I learned how to get rid of user password of my demo computer that I accidentally set up when I installed Ubuntu server on it. I am so excited that I can remotely access and manipulate my demo computer from my primary computer.

HTML learning and installation report

I started to learn HTML from “HTML tutorial, and PowerPoint: How to Create a Web Site”. It was not hard to understand the concepts and structure, but I still needed time to think it over.

HTML tutorial provides handy instructions and practice examples with their editor. It is easy to understand and follow. In addition, the HTML example and template the lecture provided is another useful resource. I used that template to create my web site. It took me some time to figure out how to display images, which were saved on my computer drivers and did not have web address in my Web page. Unfortunately, it is still my problem.

I did have problem with the installation at the beginning because I burned my live CD with DVD creator rather than CD burner. This caused a big trouble for me to install Ubuntu server on my primary computer. It took me a lot time to find out this problem. Otherwise, installation should be going on smoothly. After assigning the fixed address and installing the webmin for my demo system, I tested it with the browser of my host computer with https://192.168.1.3:10000, and it turned out I can access it from the browser of my host system . I am eager to do something on my demo system remotely through my host system's browser or through an ssh connection.