tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post1213625342600110778..comments2023-06-18T23:28:28.840+10:00Comments on ShelterIt - My digital think-tank: ResignationAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613480150660825848noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-68696862005294806072022-12-14T07:11:52.127+11:002022-12-14T07:11:52.127+11:00Lovely blog yyou have hereLovely blog yyou have hereConcrete Contractors Patersonhttps://www.concrete-professionals.com/us/new-jersey-concrete/concrete-contractors-paterson.shtmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-51975185215277376172007-08-30T00:16:00.000+10:002007-08-30T00:16:00.000+10:00I like your marriage analogy. Every marriage carr...I like your marriage analogy. Every marriage carries its moments when we realize we still love our partner, but there is a huge gap between what we would want them to be and who they really are. But in the end a firmer sense of reality in this matter can make a relationship stronger. Remember that part of love is respect, and respect is seeing things as they really are not as how we think we need them to be.<BR/><BR/>It will be sad for the other sparks out there when yours goes out.<BR/><BR/>Remember Kuhn's analysis of scientific revolutions: new paradigms don't replace old ones by changing peoples' minds; younger minds are raised in the new paradigm.Chris Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14304085732442296330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-27405629628602091662007-08-29T09:18:00.000+10:002007-08-29T09:18:00.000+10:00Alex, I didn't know if your "farewell" from NGC4LI...Alex, I didn't know if your "farewell" from NGC4LIB meant that you had unsubscribed or not, so I'm writing here to be sure my message gets through.<BR/><BR/>I hope that you DON'T unsubscribe and that you continue posting. To help cope a bit with situations like the one that recently escalated rather negatively, you might consider (at least for a while) limiting yourself to original posts and responses only to people who seem openminded and/or on the same page as you. Just because someone responds to a post of yours does NOT mean that you must automatically respond to them. (I've had some experiences along these lines in a whole different context, and it can tear you apart inside.) You can just let things be and go on from there.<BR/><BR/>I, for one, do NOT want to see you leave NGC4LIB or remain silent. I have learned so much from your posts! You are one of about 4 or 5 people on NGC4LIB whose ideas and opinions I respect very highly.<BR/><BR/>As a librarian for 30 years, MARC is my lingua franca, but that doesn't mean I'm necessarily "stuck" there. I'm trying to learn of new ways of looking at things, particularly using current technological means (such as what you describe). I'm relatively savvy with computers, especially programming. (I first started in 1975 by soldering together a kit for the MITS Altair 8800 and knew of Bill Gates, the principal author of Microsoft BASIC, when he was only a teenager.) But nowadays, hardly a day goes by that someone hasn't invented a new programming language or a new data structure or whatever. It's very hard to keep up. That's why I enjoy your posts so much, especially your passionate post about XML this past Monday. I want to learn more about how to apply the newer technologies to libraries and to my library's data in particular (most XML, etc., books don't touch the topic). *I* need to hear you. *We* need to hear you. Please reconsider your decision!<BR/><BR/>HarveyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-68806759411671470832007-08-29T01:25:00.000+10:002007-08-29T01:25:00.000+10:00Dear Alex, I disagree. Maybe we're loosing the tec...Dear Alex, I disagree. <BR/><BR/>Maybe we're loosing the technology battle, maybe we're moving away to be an archive of a time of humankind.<BR/><BR/>But books are not only data. Reading is not only about rational knowledge. It's also about connecting to one feelings. We don't read only to get "information" in the sense of a rational worldview, we interpret the data in a new way every time we read. And we speak with other people about our readings, and we share different kinds of knowledge.<BR/><BR/>It's nothing bad about driving with the technology train and connect paper with the net. But libraries are also a place where people met, where they talk to each other and where they interchange social knowledge.<BR/>Maybe we're fighting to retain users that don't want to go to the library anymore. Maybe we should get other users, other uses of our books.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from Argentina<BR/>patora<BR/>(academic librarian building a science fiction library)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-53484010294064437672007-08-28T16:06:00.000+10:002007-08-28T16:06:00.000+10:00Yes, I agree that libraries are dead. I wrote on t...Yes, I agree that libraries are dead. I <A HREF="http://magia3e.wordpress.com/2007/05/14/missy-higgins-and-the-slow-death-of-libraries/" REL="nofollow">wrote on this</A> a while ago. ...pity that the NLA doesn't realise the Grim is just over the hill.<BR/><BR/>Only one more step then -- take the plunge and quit!<BR/><BR/>MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-14385815540269966392007-08-22T17:34:00.000+10:002007-08-22T17:34:00.000+10:00Wow, to think I left you my football boots and gua...Wow, to think I left you my football boots and guards to such a quitter-er :o<BR/><BR/>I jest, naturally. But I don't agree that books dilute, or lose their significance over time. People say that the most interesting part of wikipedia is the revision history; the ability to look back in time. I think that Libraries really do try to make their collection more accessible but struggle, for all the reasons you make.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and your Thylacine analogy could be closer than you think, but not in the way you meant. The Thylacine became extinct due to human (specifically European) settlement - nobody cared enough about the Thylacine to ensure its survival in the new environment. By the time enough people cared, it was too late. Ignorance, apathy and inaction were its downfall... <BR/><BR/>Regardless, the Library will be a sadder place without you - hopefully I'll be back before you fly the coop. If not, so long, and thanks for all the salted liquorice!<BR/><BR/>SteveStevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05428077846560631468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-16858181069590630432007-08-22T15:16:00.000+10:002007-08-22T15:16:00.000+10:00Hi Alex,You've been doing great work, one of the f...Hi Alex,<BR/><BR/>You've been doing great work, one of the few to make sense (and actually use!) the whole "topic map thing".<BR/><BR/>It's sad that's it's got to this point, and I agree that there are some fundamental challenges facing libraries (I've said as much in some of my conference talks).<BR/><BR/>At the end of the day, if you can't get what you want (and need) where you are, the right decision is to move on to greener pastures.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with it all!<BR/><BR/>Cheers, JamesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-59727981298570038472007-08-22T13:33:00.000+10:002007-08-22T13:33:00.000+10:00Alas. Your resignation is a blow to a community st...Alas. Your resignation is a blow to a community striving to create a relevant place for libraries in the future. It was refreshing to see someone in the world of libraries working seriously with topic maps and the like.<BR/><BR/>I selfishly hope that you'll take some time to hang out with Samuel and mom, reconsider, and come back renewed. I can hope, anyways. But if not - best of luck in your future endeavours!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249867.post-27195665475777940022007-08-22T13:13:00.000+10:002007-08-22T13:13:00.000+10:00Congratulations and good luck!Congratulations and good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com