Digital Information Environment

Identify an information environment of your choice and write an essay to address the following questions: (3000 words)


• What should be your role within this environment?
• How can the principles of information organization and representation help you in performing this role?
• What are the challenges facing you in performing the role? How will you address these challenges?

DIGITAL INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT

Before getting into the topic, I think it is good to define the terms first. When I read the words “information environment”, the first thing that came up in my mind is that information environment means an environment where information exists; as the name suggests but I doubt it and so I look for its deeper meaning.

In computer science, information simply means processed, stored, or transmitted data while environment means the entire set of conditions under which one operates a computer, as it relates to the hardware, operating platform, or operating system. So those are the meanings of the individual terms but when you combine these two terms its meaning would be converted as the aggregate of individuals, organizations, or systems that collect, process, or disseminate information; also included is the information itself.

In the context of information environment, one may be confuse on what specific meaning is implied in this particular topic and I’m of no exception. However, dealing with the topic a little deeper gives me an idea to choose digital information environment as my choice.

I can compare this information environment as a library in itself but in a digital era.
Libraries inform their users of what materials are available in their collections and how to access that information. Before the computer age, this was accomplished by the card catalog — a cabinet containing many drawers filled with index cards that identified books and other materials. In a large library, the card catalog often filled a large room. The emergence of the Internet, however, has led to the adoption of electronic catalog databases (often referred to as "webcats" or as online public access catalogs, OPACs), which allow users to search the library's holdings from any location with Internet access. This style of catalog maintenance is compatible with new types of libraries, such as digital libraries and distributed libraries, as well as older libraries that have been retrofitted. Electronic catalog databases are criticized by some who believe that the old card catalog system was both easier to navigate and allowed retention of information, by writing directly on the cards, that is lost in the electronic systems. This argument is analogous to the debate over paper books and e-books. While libraries have been accused of precipitously throwing out valuable information in card catalogs, most modern ones have nonetheless made the move to electronic catalog databases. Large libraries may be scattered within multiple buildings across a town, each having multiple floors, with multiple rooms housing the resources across a series of shelves. Once a user has located a resource within the catalog, they must then use navigational guidance to retrieve the resource physically; a process that may be assisted through signage, maps, GPS systems or RFID tagging.
A digital library is a library in which collections are stored in digital formats (as opposed to print, microform, or other media) and accessible by computersThe digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks. A digital library is a type of information retrieval system.

The DELOS Digital Library Reference Modeldefines a digital library as:
An organization, which might be virtual, that comprehensively collects, manages and preserves for the long term rich digital content, and offers to its user communities specialized functionality on that content, of measurable quality and according to codified policies.
The first use of the term digital library in print may have been in a 1988 report to the Corporation for National Research Initiatives[3] The term digital libraries was first popularized by the NSF/DARPA/NASA Digital Libraries Initiative in 1994.[4] These draw heavily on As We May Think by Vannevar Bush in 1945, which set out a vision not in terms of technology, but user experience. The term virtual library was initially used interchangeably with digital library, but is now primarily used for libraries that are virtual in other senses (such as libraries which aggregate distributed content).
There is now a critical mass of digital information resources that can be used to support researchers, learners, teachers and administrators in their work and study. The production of information is on the increase and ways to deal with this effectively are required. There is the need to ensure that quality information isn’t lost amongst the masses of digital data created everyday. If we can continue to improve the management, interrogation and serving of ‘quality’ information there is huge potential to enhance knowledge creation across learning and research communities. The aim of the Information Environment is to help provide convenient access to resources for research and learning through the use of resource discovery and resource management tools and the development of better services and practice. The Information Environment aims to allow discovery, access and use of resources for research and learning irrespective of their location.

http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/themes/informationenvironment.aspx

However, with the sets and collection of media and of media other than books for storing information, many libraries are now also repositories and access points for maps, prints, or other documents and various storage media such as microform (microfilm/microfiche), audio tapes, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, and DVDs. Libraries may also provide public facilities to access subscription databases and the Internet.
Thus, modern libraries are increasingly being redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources. They are understood as extending beyond the physical walls of a building, by including material accessible by electronic means, and by providing the assistance of librarians in navigating and analyzing tremendous amounts of knowledge with a variety of digital tools.
Patrons may not know how to fully use the library's resources. This can be due to some individuals' unease in approaching a staff member. Ways in which a library's content is displayed or accessed may have the most impact on use. An antiquated or clumsy search system, or staff unwilling or untrained to engage their patrons, will limit a library's usefulness. In United States public libraries, beginning in the 19th century, these problems drove the emergence of the library instruction movement, which advocated library user education. One of the early leaders was John Cotton Dana. The basic form of library instruction is generally known as information literacy.

ROLE

The digital information environment has dramatically changed the way that faculty and students access information offered by academic libraries.
My role in the digital information environment is merely on the user side. I am the user of the information in the environment. I am the client who requests certain information from the server who in turn uses it for my helpful purpose. This kind of information technology made me use of the information I wanted by just a click on the mouse or by the press of the keys. The world is really flat in the sense that I don’t have to go anywhere else just to gather the information I needed. As long as there is a connection between me and the server, I have no problem.

In school, I am a student who is a patron in our library but usually I don’t hold books when I have to research certain things. Instead I use computers. Our school library really has a scarcity of books. So, what do you expect me to do? Instead of having high blood pressure of searching the books which is in the database but is nowhere to find in the actual, a very tiring stuff to do, all I have to perform is to go to our so called “virtual library”. But when our virtual library is full of my fellow schoolmates and when the information is badly needed, I just go to internet cafes, searching for the information I really needed.

In an overview of performance measures in higher education and libraries, Kyrillidou ( 1998) identified three issues that should be taken into account when assessing the reliability and validity of academic library data: consistency across institutions and time, ease versus utility in gathering data; and values, meanings, and measurement. The last issue refers to the interpretation of data as guided by local conditions. The methodology for Web surveys demonstrated in this study, given the appropriate networking topology, meets all three of these issues. It can be meaningfully applied with consistency across institutions and time. It is easy to implement and gathers useful data quickly. The data can be interpreted locally, and indeed, local questions can be asked to guide specific service decisions about networked electronic resources.
The vast majority of networked services use occurs on-campus, either in the library or from other locations on-campus, although resources in the electronic information environment are available to authorized faculty and students anywhere they have access to a computer and a network connection. Interestingly the purpose of use (sponsored research, etc.,) varied far more dramatically in both medical and academic libraries when comparing in-library use to remote use, than did the categories of users (graduate student, etc.). The categories of users, to generalize, are similar in the library and outside of the library, but the purpose of use is very different. Use of networked electronic resources for sponsored research occurs outside of the library. Since it is unlikely that faculty would divide their time in such a way, or would come into the library for instructional purposes but not for research, one might speculate that the faculty who come into the library are different people from those who do not, despite the similar percentage distributions.

These data support the conclusion that patrons who log into networked electronic resources from outside the library are different from those who come into the library, a point that came up frequently in discussions with medical librarians. Yet, many libraries make service decisions based upon activity at service points, for example, the reference desk. These service point data are often extended inferentially to represent the library population, for example, in collection development decisions. Although the vendors supply usage statistics for their networked electronic resources, they do not distinguish between usage inside or outside the library. Librarians may incorrectly assume that the usage of networked electronic resources in the library resembles the usage outside of the library.

Further, many libraries are re-inventing their library as a place to attract grant-funded researchers and scientists into the library. It may be felt that the lack of researchers or grant-funded scientists physically present in the library is a result of dissatisfaction with or disinterest in library services. The data presented here support the notion that the library is indeed doing its job, and delivering resources electronically to its patrons, even though they do not come into the library. To reach funded researchers, the library should offer more electronic services in a virtual library, and not worry about their lack of attendance in the physical library.

INFORMATION ORGANIZATION

The concept of information organization lies from the fact that information really needs to be organized. We organize information – in our minds and in information systems – in order to collect and record it, retrieve it, evaluate and select it, understand it, process and analyze it, apply it, and rearrange and reuse it. We also organize things, such as parts, merchandise in a store, or clothes in a closet, using similar principles for similar purposes.
Information organization can be understood from four perspectives: a data perspective, a relationship perspective, an operating system (OS) perspective, an application architecture perspective. But I chose the first perspective as the specific information organization I really needed

Data perspective of information organization

• the information organization of geographic data must be considered in terms of their descriptive elements and graphical elements because
o these two types of data elements have distinctly different characteristics
o the have different storage requirements
o they have different processing requirements
• for descriptive data, the most basic element of information organization is called a data item
o a data item represents an occurrence or instance of a particular characteristic pertaining to an entity (which can be a person, thing, event or phenomenon)
• a group of related data items form a record
o by related data items, it means that the items are occurrences of different characteristics pertaining to the same person, thing, event or phenomenon (e.g. in a forest resource inventory, a record may contain related data items such as stand identification number, dominant tree species, average height and average breast height diameter)
o a record may contain a combination of data items having different types of values (e.g. in the above example, a record has two character strings representing the stand identification number and dominant tree species; an integer representing the average tree height rounded to the nearest meter; and a floating-point number representing the average breast height diameter in meters)
• a set of related records constitutes a data file
o by related records, it means that the records represent different occurrences of the same type or class of people, things, events and phenomena
o a data file is individually identified by a filename
o a data file may contain records having different types of data values or having a single type of data value
o in data processing literature, collections of data items or records are sometimes referred to by other terms other than "data file" according to their characteristics and functions
• the concept of database is the approach to information organization in computer-based data processing today
o a database is defined as an automated, formally defined and centrally controlled collection of persistent data used and shared by different users in an enterprise (Date, 1995 and Everest, 1986)
? above definition excludes the informal, private and manual collection of data
? "centrally controlled" does not mean "physically centralized" --- databases today tend to be physically distributed in different computer systems, at the same or different locations
? a database is set up to serve the information needs of an organization
? data sharing is key to the concept of database
? data in a database are described as "permanent" in the sense that they are different from "transient" data such as input to and output from an information system
o the use of database does not mean the demise of data files
? data in a database are still organized and stored as data files
? the use of database represents a change in the perception of data, the mode of data processing and the purposes of using the data, rather than physical storage of the data
o databases can be organized in different ways known as database models
? the three conventional database models are: relational, network and hierarchical
? the emerging database model is object-oriented
• data are uniquely identified as individual objects that are classified into object types or classes according to the characteristics (attributes and operations) of the object

CHALLENGES

When we say challenge, what does it really mean in the context of my role in the information environment? Is it about confrontations? Problems? Tests? In some sense, all of these things.
Lack of ICT Training
There is lack of such expertise in working librarians. All participants viewed it as a major challenge. Establishing a digital library without refreshing the information technology and information retrieval skills of library professionals is a difficult task. A breed of experts and continuous training programmes to handle and operate the latest technology in libraries is a dire need.

Lack of Awareness

Many studies have found that a lack of awareness is associated with lower use of electronic collections (Ibrahim 2004; Said, 2006; Warraich, 2007; Bashir, 2008). Hussain (2006) explores the perception of LIS professionals regarding digital libraries. He found the low IT literacy rate in Pakistan to be a barrier to digital libraries (pp. 50-56). Sadique (2005) found that lack of awareness about Information Resource Center (IRC) in PUL and low digital literacy were the main causes of lower use of electronic services. In a similar vein, a low level of understanding and awareness of available sources and services by the science and technology teachers of Punjab University limit the use of information systems (Muzammil, 2008).

User Orientation

Orienting users to modern library services is another challenge. Mahmood, (2003), Ameen, (2006) and Rehman, (2008) warn LIS schools that they must produce graduates who are up to the demands of the changing and challenging information market place. A study by Naz (2007) depicts significantly lower use of OPACs due to lack of orientation by librarians and low level of IT information literacy among students. Bashir (2008) asserts that training needs attention from university authorities and HEC for better service in libraries.

Bandwidth and Infrastructure

Developing countries may have limited bandwidth available. Universities were faced with purchasing dedicated bandwidth, but HEC provides shared bandwidth via Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL). Poor connectivity has been a big challenge for accessing and downloading information especially large files.

Improve the Use of Electronic Resources

HEC databases are great source of electronic access for Pakistani universities, and are very costly. Overall use statistics show relatively more use by public universities users than private. The use statistics compiled for 2005 show that the cost per article is less than $2.30, and the cost is borne by the HEC (Said, 2006, p.20).
Universities whose use of e-resources is low have their subscriptions automatically canceled by the NDL programme. Use statistics justify the subscriptions and their effective use. Increasing the use of the databases is essential for maintaining institutional access and requesting subscriptions to more sources. Increased use of resources is the result of user awareness and orientation. Creating awareness and increased use is important for increased research productivity.

Preservation

Due to financial problems and poor infrastructure, it is a concern that digital libraries may lack their current resources in the future. Ameen (2005) and Haider (2004) anticipate the future of digital collections and state that subscriptions to online resources often provide only access rather than ownership. The library may be emptyhanded after the subscription ends.

Technical Support and Security

Security for digital information is a demanding challenge for librarians. Piracy, virus inversions, and parallel satellite networking stress are some of the problems for which solutions are needed. Information technology skills and applications are changing and developing quickly. To endure, digital libraries need the latest technology and more technical staff or experts for this purpose.

New Field of Research

This is new field of research for library and information professionals and researchers. User satisfaction, perception, use, and usability studies regarding digital library sources will be helpful for improving this programme.

Myths about Digital Collections

It is a challenge to combat the myths about electronic resources and libraries. Library users think that the web is a substitute for the library and that there is no need of librarians in the digital environment. In fact, the librarian is a mediator between the huge sea of information and its users, and the need for a trained mediator is more apparent than ever. Ameen (2005) rightly points out that library patrons have confusion. These confusions include the belief that the web is the equivalent of a library and feelings of fear and anxiety.

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES
Opportunities

It is a common saying that challenges are also opportunities. There are definitely opportunities for librarians at PUL and elsewhere.
Learning and Improvement of ICT Skills
Library professional can now get informal online education regarding about trends in librarianship on their desktops. They may improve their ability to retrieve information and serve users. Self learning regarding the use as well as understanding of new tools, acquisition of e-resources, and efficiency of retrieving information, dissemination, leadership qualities, and better use of human and financial resources can help meet digital library challenges.
Digital library services can play an increasing role in practical and specific tasks in teaching, learning, and research.

Marketing Strategies
Said (2006) points out that HEC allocated 7 percent of the NDL budget to marketing and promotion of e-resources and 12 percent for training researchers. This is great opportunity for LIS professionals to learn about marketing, develop marketing plans for better promotion , develop a marketing strategy to justify subscriptions to more databases or continuing existing sources, and learn about methods for internal and external communication. Marketing research, strategic analysis, and user segmentation can help librarians know their customers and develop a user-centered approach. Customer- centered services could enhance the use of electronic databases using marketing and promotion. Because of the market demand for more orientation, the LIS Department of the University of the Punjab conducted a workshop on this topic for working librarians. Such continuing education activities can help working professionals.

Improve the Image of Library

Punjab University librarians have a positive attitude towards the NDL. They are providing better services because of these digital sources. This programme not only improves the image of library but also the image of library professionals.

Awareness of Use of E-Resources and Researchers' Orientation

Library orientation can take place at the time of new enrollment, which is the practice at PUL. The role of departmental librarian is crucial. Hands-on exercises are helpful in introducing new students to electronic resources and services. Promotional material should also be distributed among all types of users. Said (2006) mentions that 8,850 faculty members and students were trained at the various seminars across the country from 2003-2006. The short courses and workshops conducted by HEC for library professionals can be a great opportunity for librarians to improve their IT literacy.

Design of Library Web Page

The library web page is used to promote library services and especially to provide access to e-resource links through ELIN. The library web page is an effective tool and should also be used to provide tips to researchers on search strategies and effective use of resources. LIS professionals have the opportunity to learn web page design and develop other ICT skills to help users.


REFERENCES:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com
http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub110/introduction.html
http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~cyberia/PIE/
http://www.informationenvironments.org.uk/
http://www.google.com.ph/#hl=en&source=hp&q=information+environments&btnG=Google
+Search&meta=&aq=0&oq=information+environment&fp=cec5a45a8751de0f
http://informationr.net/ir/9-4/paper187.html
http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u051/
http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/wairrach.htm

Bible Study

Bible study in our boarding house is an unforgettable event this year. It is because almost all of my boardmates were gathered again but not to settle certain issues but to enlighten by the words of God.

On September 15, 2009, Rooms 1-5 of our boarding boarding house were meeting at the same place. After some snacks, laughs and chats, we proceeded to the main event of the night, the first bible study in the history of our batch. The facilitator or the organizers have shown some video clips and stories which is all about people who are sinners and would naturally die. And when they die where do they eventually go? It’s between heaven and hell. As soon as the spirit leaves the physical body, they search for their world outside the world.

There’s a story that tells about two best friends. They share almost everything except the knowledge about GOD. In an unexpected moment, Josh met an accident and died. In his death, he wrote Zach a letter. He told him his every ways. Every single moment he experienced after his death. His agony..torment and such things. At first, he said he followed the crowd to the heaven but before entering the said kingdom, the angel spoke to him, only to hose whose names are written iin the book of life are allowed to enter. Unfortunately, he’s not one of them. So, he was destined to hell. He was in the lake of fire. He blamed his friend for what had happened to him. In result, Josh wished to Zach, “I wish you were here..”

From the video clip of the Passion of the Christ, Jesus was in front of the Hebrew council and suffered from the hands of the Romans. He greatly suffered but he sacrifices because of us sinners.

In that night alone, I’ve learned so many things and develop my curiosity even more. Upon watching the film, I also stared at the fellow board mates. Some have tears falling from their very own eyes. But I never cried, it’s unusual though, I am naturally sook. They said that the Spirit wasn’t on my kind. I just let their judgment. Instead, I hold my views by myself thinking that I wouldn’t have to pretend.

When an organizer let us raise our questions, I never did even though I have so many questions and uncertainties.
First, Why did Christ is in the Hebrew council but he’s being punished by the Romans?
Note that Rome is far from the Hebrew place.

Second, isn’t it astonishing that Romans who put Jesus into great sufferings are the ones who founded the Christianism which is evolved into Roman Catholicism?

If people die and must go between heaven and hell, In the day of judgment, where do they go? Of course heaven and hell. But what really is the difference between the heaven and hell when people die and the heaven and hell mentioned in the Day of Judgment?

Also, if the heaven and hell mentioned after the judgment, where do dead people really go? I mean if they rise from the dead, ewhere did they rise from?
Of course, you can’t answer me hell.

Those are only some my questions that sought to be answered.

Am I sure that I’ll gonna be in heaven? Of course, all of us do not want to be in hell. Honestly, I was really iuncertain whether I’d be surely in heaven but of course I’m trying toi to qualify myself.

I was really happy to hear no religion nor could good deeds ever make you go to heaven. It’s faith. I felt that way because I have no specific religion. You see my father belongs to “Dating Daan” whilr my mother is an inactive RC. I was really doubtfuyl to answer whenever I’m asked about religion. It is because of those who judged my family. I neve hate them but I hate the thought. It makes me emotionela. I remember once, someone said that I must be RC because I was christened to that religion. But in my heart, I really go with the doctrines of my fathers excluding some exceptions. It is just that I don’t want to be in the company his religion. I don’t know why. I really had chandged.

The rest is history. It’s okay for me to have no relgion because I know I have a strong faith in GOD. What am I after to is th sense of belongingnesss. Really, it seemed that I really don’t belong on the two religion or sect.

You know what, everytime I heard the chatterings of my friends abut their visit to church.
It made me miss thos days when our family go to church very siunday. I really miss those days. But in contrary, I also remembered my parents quarreled about my father’s vices such as by standing in the billiard halls, cock derby and liquor drinking. That’s the time hwen he was still in that religion (RC).

In the yaer 2000, he completely change. He completely was born again from his old way of life., full of vices, insufficiencies and religion.. Since then, our family grew happier. Also everthing my fatherasked was given to him. These blessings may be in terms of physical prospersity, menatal, social, etc.

Honestly, when asked about the thoughts when I heard the word/words born again, I will always remember my father having changed entirely. I guess It is just hius nature to search for belongningness in religion or sect. When he was still a child, he belonged to RC. In teenage, he was in the born again “church”. When he got married, he was in the RC again. In the new millennium, he belonged to the church of GOD.

It s really amazing to think of those things nmy father had done in his life. They said that, I am really similar to my father in almost all ways. Being intelligent, ehem../ Being philosophical, ,moody, pinkish skinned amongst others. But I guess, there’s only one thing I can’t have from him, the activeness in church organization.

In my college life, there’s so many persuasions such as in the bible study then after which join their church. I was once in the organization of my boardmate. Every Friday, I join their night of worshipping GOD. After few moments, I would realize that Idon’t belong to them. They would invite me from time to time. Of course, would give them so many alibis and would keep myself busy.

Inntheir time, I was also considered as born again. This time, from different invitation, the ones who showed us a film clip said that wether we believe it or not, we’re already born again. How was it> Everytime I agree and joined after their invitation of having bible study, I always have to be born again and again? What?

Of course, I believe and has faith in Jesus Christ. It is just that I am curios on what are they saying “Born again” in the group and “born again” in the other. Whatever they say “Born again,again….100 times. I would be born again if I completely change my life entirely.

By this second group, they invited us to join “ENCOUNTER”. Honestly, I really want to joj them but again, my parent have also a slot for decisions. Whatever it takes, the final decision depends upon me. Right?

Accept
Believe
Confess
Receive

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, tha whoever believed in Him shal not perish but have a everlasting life.

Personnel Mgt and Human Resource Mgt

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Definition 1. In all organizations, there should be someone concerned with the welfare and performance of persons who are a part of the operation. When an individual or a team of individuals takes on this task of seeing to programs and setting policies that impact everyone associated with the company, they are engaged in the process of personnel management, sometimes referred to as human resources (HR).

Source. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-personnel-management.htm

Critique. In this definition, the term personnel management is synonymous to human resource management. It implies that both have the same meaning, the management of the persons involved in the operations of all the organizations. They are the ones who are concern with the programs and activities for their company's persons.

Definition 2. Administrative discipline of hiring and developing employees so that they become more valuable to the organization. It includes (1) conducting job analyses, (2) planning personnel needs, and recruitment, (3) selecting the right people for the job, (4) orienting and training, (5) determining and managing wages and salaries, (6) providing benefits and incentives, (7) appraising performance, (8) resolving disputes, (9) communicating with all employees at all levels.

Source. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/personnel-management.html

Critique.It is stated that the term means an administrative discipline in the company which provides the specific needs of the people ware so as their benefits and incentives and other programs. Additionally, this discipline is merely concerned on the processes with regards to the "EMPLOYEES" in the company.

Definition 3. Personnel Management is responsible for the provision of specialist personnel and human resource management advisory services to departments, and the development and implementation of a relevant, coherent and modern framework of employment policies and practices throughout the University.

Each member of Personnel Management is responsible for the provision of these services to a number of departments. This distribution is known as the Personnel Management Portfolio.

Personnel Management is also responsible for the delivery of the Human Resource Strategy and associated programmes of work.

Source. Staffordshire University
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/uniservices/personnel/management/index.php

Critique. This term is specifically meant in the university, particularly, the Staffordshire University. But the relevance of the meaning is just the same with the other definitions, only it is specific. Personnel Management is responsible for the implementation and distribution of the human resource management services throughout the university and its individual departments.

Definition 4. Personnel management is concerned with the effective use of the skills of people. They may be salespeople in a store, clerks in an office, operators in a factory, or technicians in a research laboratory. In a business, personnel management starts with the recruiting and hiring of qualified people and continues with directing and encouraging their growth as they encounter problems and tensions that arise in working toward established goals.

Source. http://www.zeromillion.com/business/personnel/personnel-mangement.html#ixzz0QfaMPmTf


Critique. This definition is generally meant for all the people, their skills, and its development in their respective organizations. Personnel management is the discipline which manages all of the processes concerned in the people of the organization. These processes start in the hiring of the employees to their development or growth and also to the level of managing tensions that arises among the employees.

Definition 5. the part of management that is concerned with people and their relationships at work. Personnel management is the responsibility of all those who manage people, as well as a description of the work of specialists. Personnel managers advise on, formulate, and implement personnel policies such as recruitment, conditions of employment, performance appraisal, training, industrial relations, and health and safety. There are various models of personnel management, of which human resource management is the most recent.

Source. http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/personnel+management.html

Critique.5. In this definition, the personnel management is distinguished to human resource management. The former means a part of management that is concerned with the people and their relationships at work. The latter is the most recent model of the personnel management. To sum it up, the personnel management is part of the general management which has various models in which human resource management is the most recent.


HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Definition 1. Human resource management (HRM) is the strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organization's most valued assets - the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the business.[1] The terms "human resource management" and "human resources" (HR) have largely replaced the term "personnel management" as a description of the processes involved in managing people in organizations.[1] In simple sense, HRM means employing people, developing their resources, utilizing, maintaining and compensating their services in tune with the job and organizational requirement.

Source. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_resource_management

Critique. Here, it is clearly stated that the term human resource management replaces the term personnel management because of their significant distinction from each other. One means the strategic and coherent approach to the management of the organization's most prized assets- people. The other merely means the description of the processes involved in managing the people of the organization.

Definition 2. The Human Resources Management (HRM) function includes a variety of activities, and key among them is deciding what staffing needs you have and whether to use independent contractors or hire employees to fill these needs, recruiting and training the best employees, ensuring they are high performers, dealing with performance issues, and ensuring your personnel and management practices conform to various regulations. Activities also include managing your approach to employee benefits and compensation, employee records and personnel policies.

Source. Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD
http://managementhelp.org/hr_mgmnt/hr_mgmnt.htm

Critique. In this definition, the term HRM has the functions which is concerned in the staffing of the company., the processes involved in it and the various decisions and activities which conform to the regulations.

Definition 3. Administrative activities associated with human resources planning, recruitment, selection, orientation, training, appraisal, motivation, remuneration, etc. HRM aims at developing people through work.

Source.http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/human-resource-management-HRM.html

Critique. At this point, the term HRM implies the administrative activities associate within the human resources of the company. HRM aims at developing the people of the organization through work.

Definition 4. Human Resource Management (HRM) is the function within an organization that focuses on recruitment of, management of, and providing direction for the people who work in the organization. Human Resource Management can also be performed by line managers.

Source. Susan M. Heathfield
http://humanresources.about.com/od/glossaryh/f/hr_management.htm

Critique. in this definition, the term implies the function in the organization that is focused on the management of the people of the organization.

Definition 5. Term that is replacing personnel management and implying that personnel managers should not merely handle recruitment, pay, and discharging, but should maximize the use of an organization's human resources.

Source. http://www.answers.com/topic/human-resource-management

Critique. Here, the term HRM replaces personnel management. It implies that personnel management should not be concerned with the processes including recruitment, pay, discharging, etc... but should maximize the use of human resources. Then, it only means that the human resource management is the one who is concerned in the aspects which is beyond the scope of the personnel management.

Improving Internet Connectivity

For me, there are so many ways to resolve the issue in terms of technology, infrastructures, innovations, steps, processes, amongst others. But before you think of the solutions, you have to consider the university’s budget first. Every organization and/ or institutions always have to consider the cost before planning the implement the changes or improvements in line with the pros and cons. And the university like the University of Southeastern Philippines is no exception. Aside form this fact, we have also to emphasize that USeP is a state university which means that its budget also depends from the budget allotted to them by the government and therefore, limited.

This means that as an IT consultant, I have to find ways to improve the university’s internet connection without spending so much money. So what are we focusing on is the cost and the speed of the internet connection.

But before we discuss about some solutions on the issue, let me introduce my job first, IT consultant.

What is IT consultant?

As the name suggests, Information Technology consultants work to improve the structure and efficiency of an organization’s IT systems. IT consultant works in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in order to meet their objectives or overcome their problems.

IT consultants may be involved in many activities, including marketing, project management, client relationship management and systems development.

They may also be responsible for training and feedback. In many organizations, these tasks will be carried out by an IT project team. IT consultants are increasingly involved in sales and development, as well as technical duties. The following are some of the typical work activities of an IT consultant.

• meeting with clients to determine requirements;
• working with clients to define the scope of a project;
• planning timescales and the resources needed;
• clarifying a client's system specifications, understanding their work practices and the nature of their business;
• traveling to customer sites;
• liaising with staff at all levels of a client organization;
• defining software, hardware and network requirements;
• analyzing IT requirements within companies and giving independent and objective advice on the use of IT;
• developing agreed solutions and implementing new systems;
• presenting solutions in written or oral reports;
• helping clients with change-management activities;
• project managing the design and implementation of preferred solutions;
• purchasing systems where appropriate;
• designing, testing, installing and monitoring new systems;
• preparing documentation and presenting progress reports to customers;
• organizing training for users and other consultants;
• being involved in sales and support and, where appropriate, maintaining contact with client organizations;
• Identifying potential clients and building and maintaining contacts.

And now, we have to discuss the internet connectivity and its improvement in the university. As what I’ve said our focus will be on the speed of the internet.

But what is Internet?

Internet is a shortened term for Internetwork. Internetwork is simply defined as network of networks based on many underlying hardware technologies, but unified by an internetworking standard, the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). It is resulting from the connection of two or more computer networks via gateways using a common routing technology. Gateways are the original term for routers but were deprecated in this context because it brings confusion with the functionally different devices using at the same time.

The interconnection of networks with bridges (link layer devices) is sometimes incorrectly termed “internetworking”, but the resulting system is simply a larger, single subnetwork and no internetworking protocol (IP) is required to traverse it. However, a single computer network may be converted into an internetwork by dividing the network into segments and then adding routers between the segments.


At last, we are done with the definition of terms and now, we can start enumerating the helpful ways to improve the internet connection.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology can be most broadly defined as the entities, both material and immaterial, created by the application of mental and physical effort in order to achieve some value. In this usage, technology refers to tools and machines that may be used to solve real-world problems.
Speed is the most important thing in Internet. Most speeds are advertised in their bit speed, i.e. 1 mbps/256kbps, all with small bs. What’s the significance of this thought? It differentiates the capital B and the lower case b. B means byte while b is foe bits, the difference is that 1 byte equals 8 bits.
There are common methods of internet access which includes dial-up, landline (over coaxial cables, fiber optics or copper wires), T-lines, Wi-Fi, satellitre and cell phones.
Here is the table which summarizes the technologies and their characteristics in terms of typical and maximum speed.
Speed Table

Technology Typical Speed Maximum Speed
56K Modem 48kbps 56kbps
ISDN Single Channel: 64kbps
Dual Channel: 128kbps Same as Typical
ADSL 1-2mbps 8mbps
ADSL2+ not in use 25mbps
SDSL 1-2mbps 3mbps
Cable 2mbps 8mbps
Wireless 1mbps 12mbps

Dial-up connections

The most common type of the internet connection available from ISPsn and the slowest and yet the least expensive. In this case, if the university really needs to have an improved internet connection then, this is not the answer.

56K Modem

This is the original method most of us used to connect to the internet. It's limited to below 56kbps because of what the line can handle. This technology works by converting digital signals from your computer into a signal for the phone line, using a modem, at the other end, it's converted back again.

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network

This was the faster option available to many dialup users, with a guaranteed connection of 64 or 128, depending on the number of channels used. A line was typically split into 2 channels, and you would either use both for data, or one for data and the other for simultaneous voice.

DSL - Digital Subscriber Line

DSL or xDSL is a family of technologies that provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital subscriber loop, but as of 2009 the term digital subscriber line has been widely adopted as a more marketing-friendly term for ADSL, the most popular version of consumer-ready DSL. DSL can be used at the same time and on the same telephone line with regular telephone, as it uses high frequency bands, while regular telephone uses low frequency.

This category of technologies is currently the fastest available right now. DSL is the superset of many technologies, where data is transmitted down your normal copper line as digital signals, because voice uses a different frequency, you can do both at once, splitters at either end split the voice and the data into separate streams.

DSL technologies have a limit on the distance between the premises and your local telephone exchange, which is usually between 3KM and 5KM depending on the speed of the service you are applying for. The download speed of consumer DSL services typically ranges from 256 kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 24,000 kbit/s, depending on DSL technology, line conditions and service-level implementation. Typically, upload speed is lower than download speed for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and equal to download speed for the rarer Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL).

ADSL - Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line

Often simply referred to as DSL in America, this method has a different upload and download speed, the download speed is usually much faster than upload, and is therefore ideal for the home user. It usually starts at about 256kbps rising all the way upto 8mbps in some areas, which in theory is the maximum.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL)
have become a widely available broadband internet connection, providing a variety of data rates. The connections work by splitting the function of a phone line into separate channels for voice telephone calls and for data (intenet). Thus, a user can talk on the phone and be connected to the internet at the same time. ADSL connection services are sold with different speed specifications, below are some common configurations:

• 512 kbits/s/128 bit/s
• 1Mbit/s/256kbit/s
• 3 Mbit/s768kbit/s

ADSL2+

Probably able to carry upto 25mbps downstream, this is a new technology being trialled in some areas.

SDSL - Symetric Digital Subscriber Line

This method has the same upload and downloads speed, and so therefore the maximum download must be lower. This is more common for business use, or dedicated gamers, as the speed with which you can send data is faster than that of normal ADSL.

Cable

This system uses a mixture of fibre optics, and coaxial cable to your home, not your existing phone line, therefore the technology must be available in your area.
Cable Internet is the principal competitor of the DSL which offers a range of prices and speeds overlapping that of DSL, but tends to concentrate more on the high end of the market.

Wireless

This system uses radio technology, and a receiver based on your premises, depending on the technology, the receiver may be attached to your roof or inside the home. The speeds above were based on the UMTS TDD standards, in use by a UK wireless network (provided by Hong Kong).

To sum it up, among the above-mentioned types of common used connections, I highly recommend the use of DSL.

INFRASTRUCTURES

Infrastructure can be defined as the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

The Internet has placed heavy demands on infrastructure with its requirement for high-quality, high-speed connections. Internet service providers (ISPs) need access to international communication lines in order to interconnect with Internet backbones, as well as needing local access for their customers.

DSL connection is almost of no use if the university’s hardware can only comply with the minimum speed requirement. I mean, what is the use of fast internet connection if our computers and other devices have no capacity to manage large data in a second?
I also suggest in improving the computer units of the university. Units which are able to manage large amount of data I short span of time.

For the internet backbone, I suggest that the university only use the existing media in terms of what they only needed. Be it a copper wire or fiber optics. In consideration to the cost, fiber optics is known to be at least the most efficient in fast traversal of the data but it’s also expensive. Fiber optics is ideal for networks with a long distance. In the case of the university, the distances of the computer units are not too long to require fiber optics. Thus, I suggest the use of copper wires, it is just moderately expensive and yet effective.

INNOVATIONS

The term innovation refers to a new way of doing something. It may refer to incremental and emergent or radical and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations.
The first tip is to get rid of your modem and move to ADSL. Yes, broadband is available at low cost in most areas.

Use a high speed port. This'll only apply to readers with really old computers. The serial port may use an old, slow chip called a UART. The answer is to fit a high speed serial port with a 16550 UART chip or to fit an internal modem which includes one of these beasties.

Organizations and institutions like the university would also have to have the acceptance to change. If in the current situation, they are not using the DSL connection or the copper wire media, then it’s the time they have to weigh the costs and advantages of the said technology and infrastructure with the existing ones.

This will guarantee a strong campus network infrastructure that will improve the University’s services, operations, managerial decision-making and strategic development.

PROCESSES

Process or method is a collection of related, structured activities or tasks that produce a specific service or product (serve a particular goal) for a particular customer or customers. It often can be visualized with a flowchart as a sequence of activities.

Here are some of the processes or steps which will help in improving the speed of the internet.

1.) Use Anti-Spyware:

There are numerous programs that can be obtained over the Internet that are harmful to your computer. These are not viruses or worms. Instead, they are known as "Spyware."

Spyware is not easy to define, because there are so many variations of it. In the most typical case, Spyware usually arrives on your computer because you agreed to permit it. Perhaps you signed up for a free tool bar, or downloaded free software, or you are using some web-based server such as a file-sharing site.

Some Spyware merely records information about what web sites you have visited, and transmits that information back to Spy. This slows down your computer because it takes time to send back this information. Some Spyware will actually hijack your computer. Many of the sophisticated Spammers (people who send junk mail) will hijack your computer and send off a few hundred junk emails without you ever knowing about it.

Spyware Blaster at: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spyware Guard at:http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html
Spybot Search and Destroy at:http://spybot.eon.net.au/

2.) Use Firewall and kill Pop Ups

Another factor that slows down surfing, and is downright annoying anyway, is pop-up advertising. Pop-ups cost you bandwidth, which results in a loss of speed. Part of that suite of programs I mentioned earlier includes a pop-up killer.

Finally, there are problems that occur because others are attempting to gain information and/or control of your computer. They may do this by "pinging" your computer. A "Ping" is a request made by another computer for the identification number of your computer. Again, this information can be used to hijack your machine. Installing software known as a “Firewall” can prevent this.

Zone Alarm at: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/zap_za_grid.jsp
Popup Killer:EndPops.com at: http://endpopups.com

3.) Use Anti-Virus:

Another class of programs that we don't need are virus/worms. If you install the program I suggest for Anti-Virus, be sure to uninstall any other virus program you have running on your computer. It is not unusual for virus programs to disagree on which one is in control of your computer.

AVG Anti-Virus by Grisoft at: http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
Atomic Clock Sync at: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/

4.) Tweak your settings
Your PC has some settings that may improve modem throughput. All data sent over the internet goes in data packets.

5.) Use FTP download wherever possible.

If you want to download files, you can often choose between FTP or HTML download. FTP, (File Transfer Protocol,) is much faster for file transfers so you should choose that when you can.

6.) Use a download tool.

There's nothing more frustrating than losing a connection near the end of a one hour download.

7.) Use a faster browser.

Once you've connected to AOL, you can start any browser and run it in a second window. Opera is one of the fastest so why not download a free copy and give it a test run?

8.) Manage your cache.

Every time you use the internet, images and other files are downloaded onto your hard disk.

9.) Define a blank homepage.

Each time you start a browser outside your AOL window, the browser will go to the defined homepage.

10.) Don't display images.

Text only windows are much faster to download. You can easily restore images when required. Here's how to set whether to display images: From Internet Options (see above) select the Advanced tab. Scroll down until you see the multimedia section, then select or deselect "Show pictures." Select Apply then OK to save your change.

Finally, I strongly recommend that you keep informed these programs and their databases on a regular basis. If you don't, you won't be fully protected. My rule of thumb is twice a week.

11.)Update your Windows
If you are running any version of windows, you would also be well advised to download and install all available patches, fixes and updates from the Microsoft Windows Update web site at: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

That’s all. I hope I have successfully done my part as IT consultant.The above-mentioned tips and ways are only my suggestions to the university president if ever. In the end, it’s up to the president to weigh his decisions with the aide of my advice.


REFERENCES:

http://www.epinions.com/content_3428491396
http://www.practicalpc.co.uk/computing/comms/speedup.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.helpbytes.co.uk/connections.php
http://www.epinions.com/content_3428491396
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/it_consultant_job_description.jsp