Reading Notes for Unit 6 : Computer Networks, Wireless Networks

Local Area Network:

The development of networks/networking has impacted the field of computing and the use of computer accessories by allowing systems to share these resources - printers, scanners and storage space as well as software. This is, of course, a very cost effective occurrence. The advancements from twisted pair wire connection to coaxial and fiber optic cables have certainly reduced the frustration level for those of us who were weaned on the earlier products. I have only recently experienced the advantages of fiber optics and DSL and it is vastly different to what I usually have to work with. The article also clarified some points related to classification of networks and the determination of its topology type. I had erroneously thought that the physical arrangement determined the nomenclature however; I see that it depends on the logical relationships between the units that rule the respective network.

Computer network :

The fact that networks are labeled according to its size, function and purpose is not new to me however, the fact that my system at home has its own classification (PAN) was. It is interesting to note that scalability moves from the one unit utility to the intranet and then onto the mighty internet with all sorts of permutations included within.

Common types of computer networks (youtube):

Basically a repetition of the computer network article but interesting still, the one entitled ‘How a computer works’ was informative in that the simulations of what takes place to move data or information from one place to the other were really appropriate. The robotics helped in explaining the process in a very literal way.

RFID in Libraries:

The possibilities of RFID in libraries is clearly enumerated, some areas will be heavily impacted whilst others will remain virtually unaffected.  Security concerns aside, it sounds great and will take away some of the monotonous and time consuming tasks that librarians have to perform. ‘Check out’ and ‘inventory’ are the two prime targets here and very few will argue with the possibilities in those areas.  Of course there is also the cost effectiveness of its inclusion to consider as well as its viability for low traffic libraries; still, it is a possibility worth exploring. The less time spent on routine tasks means more that can be channeled into the non-routine ones.