[CODE4LIB] code4lib nyc mini-con postponed
The one-day mini-conference event planned for October has been POSTPONED to a Spring 2012 date TBD, for lack of time to organize. We will hold a regular meeting on the date announced earlier, Monday Oct. 3, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at: METRO Training Center 57 E 11th Street New York, NY The meeting is free of charge. Come talk about what you're working on, curious about, whatever. Meetings are informal and interactive. Apologies if we've disappointed anyone. Let myself or kevin.re...@gmail.com know if you would like to join us in planning the spring event, or have suggestions of swathes of dates to avoid. We are thinking late April into May to give folks time to recover from the (inter)?national conference. -- Yitzchak Schaffer Systems Manager Touro College Libraries 212.742.8770 ext. 2432 http://www.tourolib.org/
Re: [CODE4LIB] ArchivesSpace Development Grant awarded
Fantastic news Mark! Congrats etc.! Tod Robbins MLIS '12 Information School University of Washington
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
If you're looking to do web programming, C is probably not going to directly benefit you - it's not that it's a bad language to learn, or that it doesn't have uses, but you'd probably be better off trying to improve your PHP or RoR skills. That being said, if you need to get lower-level knowledge of how memory management and other close-to-the-metal concerns work, a decent C course wouldn't be a bad thing at all. If you're an autodidact, there are some good resources available on the web - I can work up a list, and I'm sure other people have suggestions. I also have a fondness for O'Reilly's *Programming PHP*, if you want to pick up a book. I've heard really good things about The Pragmatic Programmer's Ruby book, but Ruby isn't (thus far) something I've worked with, so that's secondhand advice. - Dave On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 2:54 PM, Lepczyk, Timothy tlepc...@wustl.eduwrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Thanks, Tim Lepczyk
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 01:54:36PM -0500, Lepczyk, Timothy wrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Will you share this `time-freezing device` ? How does one get free time for this? :-) I personally think a class is what you make of it. If you are keen on learning C Programming you are likely to be a good student and make the class worth your while. I may be completely missing the timbre of your question however. If the question is `will this be worth your employers while` it is harder to justify a C programmer in most organization (where's that asbestos suit?) I personally find myself writing less and less of it that I added it on my `do more of` list for the year. Unsurprisingly that is the one thing I haven't done. Not to worry still 5 more months. :-) This however isn't about me though. regards, ./fxk Thanks, Tim Lepczyk -- Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, and a dark side, and it holds the universe together. -- Carl Zwanzig
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
It kind of depends on what you want to do. If you're going to stick with web programming, I'm not sure C is very practical, but it will give you exposure to concepts that may give you a better theoretical understanding of programming and computer science concepts overall. If you want to get into say, iOS application development, it's a great idea. marijane white On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 11:54 AM, Lepczyk, Timothy tlepc...@wustl.eduwrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Thanks, Tim Lepczyk
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
Tim- As someone who learned to program by myself, I found taking a similar class very helpful (my circumstances sound the same as yours, except in my case the language was Java). It gave me a good foundation to learn new languages, new technologies, etc. The general approach and concepts will be transferable across languages, though of course the syntax and such will vary quite a bit. -Esme -- Esme Cowles escow...@ucsd.edu Information wants to be anthropomorphized. -- /. sig On 07/26/2011, at 2:54 PM, Lepczyk, Timothy wrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Thanks, Tim Lepczyk
Re: [CODE4LIB] [lita-l] Re: Seeking feedback on database design for an open source software registry
Great questions, Lori. Thanks for prompting these clarifications. We're using Drupal as a foundation and are going to be contracting with a Drupal developer to integrate existing Drupal modules with any custom field design, taxonomy creation, and plug-in development required to meet the goals. One of the conditions we'll put on the development contract is that we can release the code behind the registry as open source itself. My current thinking is that once the core work done we'll put the code up on Google Code or GitHub or a similar code hosting service. Descriptive elements, being factual, wouldn't be subject to licensing. We'll insist that comments and ratings be licensed to the registry under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (same as used by Wikipedia) by their authors. The specifications will say that RSS feeds will be possible based on Drupal taxonomy classes (and iCal entries for the Event entities). I'd like to go so far as to develop an RDF data model and publish entities, attributes and relationships as RDFa, but that may not happen in the first development go-around. Editing data can come from any user logged into the system, and there will be a public stream of changes so malicious edits can be caught and reversed. Two things come to mind in supporting project specific lists of users and providers. We can talk about direct, read-only (or perhaps even read-write) APIs into the database itself. Or, as we'll probably do for DSpace, embed a special case that redirects requests for users and providers to the DuraSpace listings. And if there is special information that the Evergreen group would like to capture, we can talk about modifying the data model to include it; now is definitely the best time to be doing that before a database gets instantiated. In short, I'm definitely open to the conversation. Peter On Jul 26, 2011, at 10:15 AM, Lori Bowen Ayre wrote: Hi Peter, I'm working with the Evergreen community and we had discussed setting up an Evergreen community directory that would contain a lot of the information you are after in this application. We are evaluating whether we'd rather throw our energy into what you are doing here so would like to hear more about ownership, access, licensing and availability of the application and the data that you are collecting. I know you say the registry will be free for viewing and editing (all libraries, not just LYRASIS members, and any provider offering services for open source software in libraries) but could you tell us who will have access to what, and who can edit what, and what kind of license you will have on the application itself? For example, what if we wanted to use the information collected in your database about Evergreen users and service providers...could we export that subset of data? On a regular basis (e.g. RSS feed?) Could we copy your Drupal installation (and retheme it for our use on the Evergreen site?) What if we wanted to capture some additional information about our Evergreen community that others weren't interested in...would there be some flexibility there? Just trying to get a handle on the possibilities you are open to considering or have already considered. Lori Ayre Evergreen Oversight Board On Fri, Jul 15, 2011 at 11:42 AM, Peter Murray peter.mur...@lyrasis.org wrote: Colleagues -- As part of the Mellon Foundation grant funding the start-up of LYRASIS Technology Services, LTS is establishing a registry to provide in-depth comparative, evaluative, and version information about open source products. This registry will be free for viewing and editing (all libraries, not just LYRASIS members, and any provider offering services for open source software in libraries). Drupal will be the underlying content system, and it will be hosted by LYRASIS. I'm seeking input on a data model that is intended to answer these questions: • What open source options exist to meet a particular need of my library? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of an open source package? • My library has developers with skills in specific technologies. What open source packages mesh well with the skills my library has in-house? • Where can my library go to get training, documentation, hosting, and/or contract software development for a specific open source package? • Are any peers using this open source software? • Where is there more information about this open source software package? The E-R diagram and narrative surrounding it are on the Code4Lib wiki: http://wiki.code4lib.org/index.php/Registry_E-R_Diagram Comments on the data model can be made as changes to the wiki document, replies posted here, or e-mail sent directly to me. In addition to comments on the data model, I'm particularly interested in answers to these questions (also
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
Thanks everyone. The reasons I thought of taking the C course is a) it's free, b) concepts might be transferrable to other languages. I may continue to focus on Ruby on Rails. Tim Lepczyk -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Genny Engel Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 2:19 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class When I was in library school, the programming classes there were in C (this was quite a while ago!). I've found it actually quite useful to have that background when learning things like JavaScript, PHP, and even VB. They all build on the concepts I originally learned from C. [Note: this does not work at all as a basis for learning Perl. Nothing does.] C++ might be a better choice if you want to start off with a grounding in object-oriented programming. Or maybe Java. I'm about to start the C++ course at the local junior college. Which reminds me to mention, it probably doesn't matter which programming course you take right now -- if you then go through life taking more programming classes like I do! Genny Engel Sonoma County Library gen...@sonoma.lib.ca.us 707 545-0831 x581 www.sonomalibrary.org -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of David Mayo Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 12:12 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class If you're looking to do web programming, C is probably not going to directly benefit you - it's not that it's a bad language to learn, or that it doesn't have uses, but you'd probably be better off trying to improve your PHP or RoR skills. That being said, if you need to get lower-level knowledge of how memory management and other close-to-the-metal concerns work, a decent C course wouldn't be a bad thing at all. If you're an autodidact, there are some good resources available on the web - I can work up a list, and I'm sure other people have suggestions. I also have a fondness for O'Reilly's *Programming PHP*, if you want to pick up a book. I've heard really good things about The Pragmatic Programmer's Ruby book, but Ruby isn't (thus far) something I've worked with, so that's secondhand advice. - Dave On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 2:54 PM, Lepczyk, Timothy tlepc...@wustl.eduwrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Thanks, Tim Lepczyk
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
On Jul 26, 2011, at 3:31 PM, Lepczyk, Timothy wrote: Thanks everyone. The reasons I thought of taking the C course is a) it's free, b) concepts might be transferrable to other languages. I may continue to focus on Ruby on Rails. Before everyone manages to scare you away from learning C, if you're going to be doing a lot of programming, it's useful to learn other languages so you can see how they handle different tasks. C is particularly useful as a lot of other language's implementations were primarily written in C. In college, I took a 68k assembly course ... I've never done *any* assembly since then, but it makes you appreciate the issues in optimization, and just how low-level you need to get when talking to processors. With C, pointers and pointer arithmetic are a bit of a pain, and strongly-typed languages aren't the greatest for all tasks ... and don't get me started on C-strings ... but you'll learn a lot ... even just where to look for people screwing up their assumptions creating security problems because of off-by-one issues or screwing up the length of their strings or neglecting their garbage collection. ... and, understanding C will also help you when it comes time to install stuff, especially if you're trying to port someone's linux-centric code to Solaris or MacOS. As for the stuff that translates: searching for the missing semi-colon error messages that make no sense finding the 'smart quote' that your lab partner pasted in because they do their editing in MS Word. um ... I'm not selling this very well, am I? Anyway ... C is a useful language ... almost all higher languages have some way of binding to C code, and if nothing else, learning it means you'll be able to port over someone's 1k line C program into 20 to 40 lines of whatever other modern language you prefer. -Joe
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
I think that by taking the C class, it will start you on a long road towards programming - some of the topics you may encounter may not be immediately applicable to your RoR or PHP learning experiences, but it should provide you a nice foundation in problem solving (from a programming perspective) and possibly a starting base in object-oriented programming. The ability of working and learning with others in a classroom setting could potentially provide insight and feedback as a collective learning environment. I suppose the only thing I would worry about in a classroom setting would be the pace. Sometimes if I'm really gearing up to learn something new, I'd prefer doing my own research through StackOverflow and a Wrox intro book rather than a classroom. That way, it lets me move along at my own pace, skipping the rudimentary lessons and focusing more intently on what it is I'm there to learn. Mark A. Pernotto On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 1:02 PM, Joe Hourcle onei...@grace.nascom.nasa.gov wrote: On Jul 26, 2011, at 3:31 PM, Lepczyk, Timothy wrote: Thanks everyone. The reasons I thought of taking the C course is a) it's free, b) concepts might be transferrable to other languages. I may continue to focus on Ruby on Rails. Before everyone manages to scare you away from learning C, if you're going to be doing a lot of programming, it's useful to learn other languages so you can see how they handle different tasks. C is particularly useful as a lot of other language's implementations were primarily written in C. In college, I took a 68k assembly course ... I've never done *any* assembly since then, but it makes you appreciate the issues in optimization, and just how low-level you need to get when talking to processors. With C, pointers and pointer arithmetic are a bit of a pain, and strongly-typed languages aren't the greatest for all tasks ... and don't get me started on C-strings ... but you'll learn a lot ... even just where to look for people screwing up their assumptions creating security problems because of off-by-one issues or screwing up the length of their strings or neglecting their garbage collection. ... and, understanding C will also help you when it comes time to install stuff, especially if you're trying to port someone's linux-centric code to Solaris or MacOS. As for the stuff that translates: searching for the missing semi-colon error messages that make no sense finding the 'smart quote' that your lab partner pasted in because they do their editing in MS Word. um ... I'm not selling this very well, am I? Anyway ... C is a useful language ... almost all higher languages have some way of binding to C code, and if nothing else, learning it means you'll be able to port over someone's 1k line C program into 20 to 40 lines of whatever other modern language you prefer. -Joe
[CODE4LIB] Open and linked (meta) data in the LAM domain RE: [CODE4LIB] Linked Data and Libraries 2011 - London 2011 - July 14th
The Talis day was useful and helpfully blogged by Owen Stephens http://ow.ly/5FlQe I'm pulling together a list (for the ukdiscovery initiative http://www.discovery.ac.uk/ ) of non UK open AND linked *META* data initiatives in the Libraries Museums and Archives (LAM) domain, Is there a list out there already? Suggestions for key projects welcomed. The related JISC open bibliographic data guide http://obd.jisc.ac.uk/examples has some examples--others? Thanks Ken CEO, Ken Chad Consulting Ltd Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: k...@kenchadconsulting.com www.kenchadconsulting.com Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Ross Singer Sent: 07 June 2011 00:25 To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] Linked Data and Libraries 2011 - London 2011 - July 14th Apologies for cross posting Linked Data and Libraries 2011 to be held at the British Library in London on July 14th is to be opened with a Keynote from Dame Lynne Brindley, British Library Chief Executive. With reports from the LOD-LAM Summit, W3C Libraries Linked Data Working Group, plus an insight in to bibliographic linked data modelling intriguingly called 'The Record is Dead', this is looking like a not to miss event. For full agenda and to register early to guarantee your place, check out the event site: http://consulting.talis.com/event/linked-data-in-libraries/ Lightening Talk slots available: I am still taking submissions for the available lightening talks. Drop Richard Wallis a line before June 17th if you would like to propose a talk. Here are the various ways to get in touch with Richard: Tel: +44 (0)7767 886 005 Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardwallis Skype: richard.wallis1 Twitter: @rjw IM: rjw3...@hotmail.com
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
Quick side note -- there are still job opportunities for C developers as C seems to still be the language of choice in the microprocessor/microdevice world (think gas pumps, vending machines, coffee pots, etc). So, while job opportunities in the library world for C programmers may be limited, C is far from being an antiquated language. David K. Uspal Technology Development Specialist Falvey Memorial Library Phone: 610-519-8954 Email: david.us...@villanova.edu -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Lepczyk, Timothy Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 3:31 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class Thanks everyone. The reasons I thought of taking the C course is a) it's free, b) concepts might be transferrable to other languages. I may continue to focus on Ruby on Rails. Tim Lepczyk -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Genny Engel Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 2:19 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class When I was in library school, the programming classes there were in C (this was quite a while ago!). I've found it actually quite useful to have that background when learning things like JavaScript, PHP, and even VB. They all build on the concepts I originally learned from C. [Note: this does not work at all as a basis for learning Perl. Nothing does.] C++ might be a better choice if you want to start off with a grounding in object-oriented programming. Or maybe Java. I'm about to start the C++ course at the local junior college. Which reminds me to mention, it probably doesn't matter which programming course you take right now -- if you then go through life taking more programming classes like I do! Genny Engel Sonoma County Library gen...@sonoma.lib.ca.us 707 545-0831 x581 www.sonomalibrary.org -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of David Mayo Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 12:12 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class If you're looking to do web programming, C is probably not going to directly benefit you - it's not that it's a bad language to learn, or that it doesn't have uses, but you'd probably be better off trying to improve your PHP or RoR skills. That being said, if you need to get lower-level knowledge of how memory management and other close-to-the-metal concerns work, a decent C course wouldn't be a bad thing at all. If you're an autodidact, there are some good resources available on the web - I can work up a list, and I'm sure other people have suggestions. I also have a fondness for O'Reilly's *Programming PHP*, if you want to pick up a book. I've heard really good things about The Pragmatic Programmer's Ruby book, but Ruby isn't (thus far) something I've worked with, so that's secondhand advice. - Dave On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 2:54 PM, Lepczyk, Timothy tlepc...@wustl.eduwrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Thanks, Tim Lepczyk
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 20:40, Gabriel Farrell gsf...@gmail.com wrote: If the textbook is KR, take the class. And if the professor is GR, bang your head.
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
There are still plenty of opportunities for Cobol coders, but I wouldn't recommend that either. I would recommend that you take a course that concentrates on the fundamentals of modern programming and uses a modern language. I like writing in languages that let you write clean code and be as object oriented as you want to be. Dynamic languages such as Python and Ruby are really great for that and are fun to work with. PHP, which I work with daily is a big tent, and while it does a lot of things, it does not provide much structure. If PHP had been my first language, I might have gone into a different business. PHP now has some OO features, but like C++ and Java, it is, at its core, procedural. Procedural is not a bad thing… unless you want to be OO. Thanks, Cary On Tue, Jul 26, 2011 at 11:54 AM, Lepczyk, Timothy tlepc...@wustl.edu wrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Thanks, Tim Lepczyk -- Cary Gordon The Cherry Hill Company http://chillco.com
Re: [CODE4LIB] Advice on a class
On 27/07/11 06:54, Lepczyk, Timothy wrote: Hi All, I work in a digital library and am transitioning to something more like a programmer and less like a librarian. My strengths are in xslt and unix, but I've been working some with php and ruby on rails. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and am considering enrolling in an intro to C programming class (free through my university's night school). Is this worthwhile, or should I focus my attention elsewhere? Lots of people have recommendations for this or that technology. If you want to learn computer science, rather than this or that technology, I recommend that you start at http://csunplugged.org/ cheers stuart -- Stuart Yeates Library Technology Services http://www.victoria.ac.nz/library/
