DSpace Software Review

For my fourth assignment for 1311 Information Technology, I reviewed the software DSpace.

DSpace is a digital "repository" (fancy word for "archive") that is available as Open Source Software (software made accessible online for anyone to use, modify, and redistribute).

After taking a look at DSpace, and comparing it with EPrints (the first Open Source digital repository software) I decided that I like it. Although still fairly new in terms of its development, DSpace is secure, flexible, and stable.

EPrints (released in 2000 - currently available in version 3.0) did have several advantages over DSpace. For example, EPrints is easier to install, can support any form of metadata (data about data), and its extensive metadata fields can be searched in fine detail.

In contrast DSpace (released in 2001 currently available in version 1.4.2 and also in a test version 1.5), is not as intuitive to install, only supports one metadata format (Dublin Core), and its search results are not as detailed (due to its fewer metadata formats). However, DSpace has several advantages over EPrints. For example, it places emphasis on digital archiving not just on scholarly institutions but also on for community organizations, and individuals. It provides documentation that can be modified to enhance interoperation with organizations’ other systems. And it is specially designed to make multi-disciplinary archiving easy (each community has its own customized portal which allows the user to input its own terminology).

I was also impressed that DSpace's commitment to competitor analysis (checking out the competition in order to improve its own services), and its user's feedback. The new 1.5 test version was released Oct. 26, 2007 - only five months after the official release of its current version. The 1.5 version is a result of an ambitious user survey that DSpace undertook in order to improve its services; the new version encompasses test versions of many of these user requests.

DSpace, even though it is younger than EPrints, has an active community of developers and users. It also provides just as much support (general and technical mailing lists, wikis) as EPrints. DSpace also supports the same number of known institutions all over the world (both software programs support over 200 institutions). DSpace is used by a number of reputable government institutions and universities. For example, the University of Toronto has a digital repository called T-Space.

DSpace provides high level security through two levels of preservation: bit preservation, and functional preservation. Bit preservation ensures that the file remains exactly the same over time. Functional preservation allows the file to change in order to ensure that the file’s content remains accessible in current and future digital formats.

Since no one can predict future digital format, DSpace provides three levels of functional preservation: supported (i.e. PDF and TIFF), known (proprietary formats such as MS Word), or unsupported (including one-of-a-kind software programs) format migration.

I knew very little about DSpace, digital archives, or Open Source Software when I started this assignment. I still am hazy on the technical details but it was interesting to take a stab at reviewing this software.

Was anyone able to find similar commercial software? I didn't and it left me curious how DSpace would compare.

Commuting Difficulties

I have to admit that although I've posted a lot of commuting tips, I sometimes find it hard to take my own advice.

I've been trying to go to bed earlier, and at the same time every night, so that it isn't so painful to wake up at 5am on the days I have to commute. But either I get in late from school, or my partner gets home late from her writing class - and it is important for us to have a daily chat so we wait up for each other. Worse is when I get stressed that I haven't finished enough homework for the day and then...I can't sleep properly all night because I can't stop thinking about/worrying about school.

I'm also finding it hard to get enough time in the library. If all your classes are crammed into 2 days, with an hour off for lunch, and you have to catch the bus right after your 4pm class, when do you do your library research? I've decided to stay at a friend's house tonight so I can get in some library time tomorrow without having to pay for an extra day of commuting. I'm lucky to have a friend to stay with - not all commuters have this option. What do other folks do?

I'm also finding the days that I'm not in class difficult because there is no one in my program to talk about assignments with, or work beside in the library, in my hometown. I've tried contacting students I know from different departments, just so I don't feel so isolated when I'm working on my assignments. Hopefully that will help a little. Is anyone else finding it hard to spend so much time working alone? What do you do that helps? Does anyone want to have a study buddy email group? I know it would help me to know what assignment people are starting when and roughly how long they spend on it.

Good luck with your commutes big and small,

Michele

Miller Says Libraries Do Matter

Hey folks,

Yes, I did email Paul Miller. I was frustrated at my difficulty in finding out how many times Ken Chad and Paul Miller's article "Do Libraries Matter?" is referenced on the Web of Science (3 times, although 14 times on Google Scholar). It occurred to me that I could probably find out by emailing Paul directly - so I sent him an email.

He was kind enough not only to reply, and reply quickly, but to give me a thoughtful response. In case any of you are interested, his email response is copied below (he gave me permission to quote him). You may note that our blog entries about "Do Libraries Matter?" are read by more than just our class - Paul Miller reads them himself!

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Michele -

Hi, and thanks for your interest in the white paper.

I'm afraid I don't know how many times it has been cited, as we tend not to track that sort of engagement. We do keep an eye on ongoing blog coverage from those such as your classmates, but that is about all that we do.

The white paper was very much intended as a point-in-time view of an emerging trend. It was intended to stimulate discussion (of the trend, not the paper), and it certainly succeeded in that. As such, it was not written in the manner of an academic piece, and it's been interesting/amusing/depressing to see some of the recent critiques assessing it as if it were a formal paper. It wasn't written as one, and it never pretended to be one.

It's been great to see expectations and assumptions change since the paper was written. That it can be criticised by some, now, for not saying anything 'new' is actually great. The world has moved. The paper played a part in that. When it was written, too much of it was not taken for granted... and now maybe too much is. Although expectations and assumptions have moved on, the reality on the ground in most libraries still has a long way [t]o go...

Paul

Do Libraries Matter?

And now for the librarian component of my "The Commuting Librarian" blog:

Chad, Ken. & Miller, Paul. (2005). "Do libraries matter? The rise of library 2.0. (A Talis white paper). " [version 1.0] http://www.talis.com/ November 2005.

Chad and Miller wrote this article as a “white paper” in promotion of Talis, a software company in the United Kingdom. A “white paper” is an article designed to promote a specific company's products in relation to a particular issue. As a white paper, the article is not an example of objective scholarship and should not be taken as such. Miller notes, “The white paper was very much intended as a point-in-time view of an emerging trend. It was intended to stimulate discussion…. As such, it was not written in the manner of an academic piece [and] it never pretended to be”(Miller, email correspondence Oct. 21, 2007).

Chad and Miller strongly argue that libraries do matter, they have “unique value”(Chad and Miller 5), but “libraries do have to change quite dramatically” (Chad and Miller 5) in order to remain relevant. They suggest the model of Library 2.0 as a means for libraries to retain their value to an internet savvy culture. Chad and Miller present a very persuasive argument for the need for Library 2.0 and their suggestions for how to implement Library 2.0 are engaging. However this white paper leaves a number of questions regarding risks, costs and practical implementation. Chad and Miller do not provide concrete examples of the use of Library 2.0, however the paper was written in 2005 when the concept of Library 2.0 was in its infancy. “Do Libraries Matter?” is somewhat successful as a white paper as it does succeed in selling the concept of Library 2.0. However it leaves too many questions unanswered in order to convincingly sell their product. This paper has not been cited frequently in academic literature, however the fact that it is a white paper and has been cited is telling of its value. Rather than selling a specific product, the article is most valuable in its contribution to the discussion and development of the Library 2.0 model.

Commuting Tips Galore!

So I talked to a long-time commuter and she recommended the following tips - especially for bus commuters:

- Get to know the staff/drivers: Once they know you, and that you are a commuter, they are more likely to give you handy information about how to save money, and to do you favours like drive you right to your house at the end of their bus run (this probably only works in smaller cities like Guelph)!

- Attend commuter meetings: Greyhound has commuter meetings and they really want to hear your suggestions for how to improve their services. They also often give away free bus tickets.

- Complain: If you had bad service, tell them (be firm but fair) - sometimes they give you free bus tickets.

- The driver's seat: If you get to know the driver, s/he will sometimes let you sit in the seat behind the driver (where they put their own bags). This seat is never filled by 2 people so you'll have lots of room.

- Alternate stops: Often there are pick up stops besides the main bus station. The bus comes to these stops a couple of minutes later that at the main bus station, so these spots are especially handy to know when you're running a little late. For example, on my bus run from Toronto to Guelph there is a Greyhound pick up stop at King and Wellington. In Guelph there is a stop at Wellington and Gordon (near Kortright).

- Avoid holiday weekends: a 2 hour commute can take 8 hours!

- Watch out for busy times: Buses are usually more packed after lunch/dinner (because no other buses have been running during that time) and before the weekend (the 2pm bus to Guelph gets hit with some weekend traffic so the ride takes longer than it would otherwise).

- Buy tickets ahead of time: I try to buy two tickets at a time so I'm never dashing to both buy a ticket and get the bus. Plus it helps when you need a ticket before/after office hours.

- Buy in bulk: If you can't get the student rate, then try buying in bulk - at Greyhound you get a discount for buying 20 tickets at a time. Plus Greyhound has a monthly pass. (Both of these discounts are about the same as the student discount.)

- Carry $20 emergency money: Have some spare cash handy for times when you forgot to get to the bank, or when you have less $ in your account than you thought.

- Get a phone card: Get a phone card so you can call home when you've missed a bus.

- Carry 50 cents: If you are running late and need to call home, but don't have a phone card, you can ask someone local to make the call for you.

And last, but most important:

- Crash spots: Have a place or two lined up with family, friends, and FIS folks that you can crash at for when you missed your bus, are too tired to go home, want to stay for an event, and when the weather gets nasty.

Commuting Tid Bits

Here's some info I found on commuting to U of T that might be of interest:

Bike commuting around U of T's Mississauga campus: www.utm.utoronto.ca/3322.0.html

UT Bike Share: www.utm.utoronto.ca/bikeshare/
(It's great that U of T/UTM has a Bike Share, but why did Toronto's main Bike Share program stop running?)

Commuting to Campus

(adapted from: www.uoftengineering.com/good_to_know/commuting-to-campus)

Commuting By Car

Here’s the skinny on the money involved in commuting to campus—whether you’re parking on campus or taking public transit.

PARKING ON ST. GEORGE CAMPUS

Where can I purchase a parking permit? The Parking Services Office at 1 Spadina Crescent, Room 105. They are open 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (except holidays).

How do I purchase a parking permit? Students may purchase parking permits either online or from the Parking Office. Student permits are sold in limited numbers on a first-come, first-served basis. Please remember to bring valid student identification as well as the license plate numbers of the vehicle(s) that you wish to register. This license information will be listed on the face on the parking permit issued. For more information, please visit: www.fs.utoronto.ca/services/movers/parking/permit.htm

What are parking rates on campus? Please view the rates at the Parking Services website: www.fs.utoronto.ca/services/movers/parking/rates.htm

Where can I park on campus? Please view the Parking Map here.

How can I get more information about parking services? Please visit the Parking Services website at: www.fs.utoronto.ca/services/movers/parking.htm Alternatively, you can call them at (416) 978-PARK [7275]. The Parking Services has a handy FAQ section at: www.fs.utoronto.ca/services/movers/parking/faq.htm

Taking the TTC

University of Toronto students are eligible for reduced, adult rates for a TTC Metropass (monthly transit pass). Currently, where you would normally pay $99.75* for an adult monthly Metropass (or $91.50 using the Metropass Discount Plan), U of T students can purchase their Metropasses from designated locations on St. George campus for only pay $87.75*!

(Note: TTC monthly rates are about to go up about $9)

Where do I purchase a discounted adult Metropass?*

• Faculty of Information Studies 140 St. George St.
  
• University of Toronto Students’ Union at 12 Hart House Circle
• New College Residence – “New” Building at 45 Willcocks at Spadina (Lobby)
• VUSAC – Wymilwood Building
• 89 Chestnut Street Residence

What do I need to bring with me? You will need your Tcard (U of T student card).

How can I pay for the discounted adult Metropass? Some locations only accept Debit, whereas others accept cash only. For more information please see the University of Toronto Students’ Union website.

When can I purchase a Metropass on-campus?
Metropasses are available on-campus (for the following month) in the last 5 business days of each month.

Taking the GO

University of Toronto full-time students are eligible for a GO Transit Student Identification Card. This card, when presented at the time of purchasing GO transit tickets, will allow you to receive a reduced student fare. Currently, where a normal adult monthly pass from Meadowvale GO station (in Mississauga) to Union Station (in Toronto) would cost $205, it costs students with the GO Transit Student Identification Card only $153!

How do I obtain a GO Transit Student Identification Card? Pick up the application for Student Identification Card from the Faculty of Information Studies Registrar's Office. Once your form is complete, a staff member from the Registrar’s Office will sign your form. You will then take your completed form to the GO Transit Customer Service office in Union Station, which will produce the Student Identification Card. For more information please visit: www.gotransit.ca

What do I need to bring with me to the Registrar’s Office? Your TCard (U of T student card).

How can I purchase GO Transit passes or tickets? Show your Student Identification Card at to the ticket vendor at your starting station when purchasing your GO ticket/pass. Please note that GO fares are dependent on the specific route being traveled. Please check www.gotransit.ca for transit fares. You can pay with Debit, credit card or cash.

When can I purchase GO Transit passes or tickets? Monthly passes (for the following month) are available in the last 10 days of each month. Please check www.gotransit.ca for ticket vendor hours of operation.

Commuting Tip #3

Thanks everyone for all your posts and suggestions. It really is interesting how many GTA commuters, and totally out of town commuters (like me, Maryjane, and Lilly) there are at FIS.

Commuting Tip #3:

Get a locker. I took the advice to get a locker on campus (with the amount of stuff I carry around for school/occasionally sleeping over I can't wait until January when FIS gets lockers again). The lockers at Innis (the building right next to FIS) are cheap ($10 for the year). You can bring your own lock or buy one for $5. Awesome!

There is also a new commuter centre that just opened up on campus last Tuesday. It has lockers available too for $5 a semester. I can't remember exactly where they are located so I'll post that info when I find out.