MySQL

I feel confident with the mysql command line. I reviewed the required uacbt tutorials and took notes so I feel that I can perform basic operations. However, I have difficulty with the relational database concepts: including entities, attributes, relationships and database normalization. When I began reading the lecture, readings, and tutorials I felt I was gaining some understanding but as I went on reading through more examples I just got confused and stayed confused. For example, the invoice reading began strong for me, then as more and more tables were compiled, I got lost with the normalization. What might help me understand these topics? Well, I think some stripped down between-the-lines explanations would help me. I hope that the database part 2 (retrieval) will help fill in some of the missing gaps in my understanding. Also, as I go through the hands-on exercises and assignments I hope that things will "normalize" :)

Technology Plans

I found this weeks readings largely useful. I thought many offered valuable tips including: Schuyler's statement that technology plans are political documents and make sure you make them generic and flexible in particular don't spend time researching specific technology because it's very likely that newer technology will be available at the time that funds are at hand. Dugan's suggested IT plan sections serve as a useful template when we have to write our own plan: introduction/executive summary; user needs/rationale; mission; vision; key challenges; priorities; implementation/action plan; public awareness; evaluation/measures/assessment; maintaining the plans currency; and appendices. Whittaker's evaluation of causes for IT project management failures with schedule overruns occurring more frequently than budget overruns was helpful and paralleled similar causes of currently unsuccessful projects. Gerding and Mackellar's practical account that the need is not for the technology itself but to solve a problem that exists in the community.

Learning XML

In order to learn XML, I used the following resources in the order specified: W3Schools XML tutorials, Mark Long's uacbt XML tutorials, and the ten min youtube video "Just Enough XML to Survive". I inadvertently assumed that 'tutorial' was video so when I accessed the first one, I admit I was somewhat disappointed that it was nothing but text. Luckily it was short and to the point so I was able to quickly read all the documentation in the XML Basic grouping. I next accessed Mark's tutorial. I was able to run the main sections (Welcome, XML Basics and XML Documents) and corresponding subsections recommended. Since I had the written context (learning style) from the first tutorial was able to listen (learning style) more intently and reinforce the initial learning. I wasn't fond of the youtube video only because when I accessed the video (late at night) my eyes couldn't focus on the light-colored, small letters (looked like a ppt) sitting on a white background.

My demo system installation is complete and I am following along with the assignments. I also have a working vm installation for fall back.

HTML

Back in library school I took a webpage class so I guess you can say that I already had some basic understanding of HTML. In a way it was only a matter of getting reacquainted with the basic tags. But even so, I struggled for hours getting my image and some of my links to function properly. I consulted the powerpoint from the lecture, I ran some searches in Google to find some quick web pages, accessed the sites provided by Polly, and the validator site shared by Marnie. Only the uacbt tutorials weren't that much help to me.

The installation of my virtual demo went smoothly. I had already installed server (and desktop) so I didn't have that much more work to do. But when I turned my attention to my demo computer, I realized that I didn't have a cable for my monitor. I'll have to get the cable and set up the installation later this week.

Networking readings

The reading material for this unit was extremely technical for my skill level and knowledge. It was completely exhausting trying to read all this documentation. I went over the entire lecture and assignments multiple times and yet I still have trouble keeping all the concepts straight in my head. Quite frankly I thought all the links in the lecture were distracting and confusing. Of the various materials, I found the lecture the easiest to follow and gain a basic understanding. The wikipedia entries were way over my head. I was only able to follow the first or second sentence from these entries then I was lost in the technie talk. I was content with the videos mostly because it was a nice switch from the printed text. The Harvard videos were good because I could see and follow along easily. And although I already had my networking set up I found these useful because they eased my regular panicked mindset.