Open Source Software

  This weeks topic, open source software, isn't something I've had much experience with. The following is what I see as the advantages and disadvantages of this software, based on what I've read and know about it:

Advantages: a less expensive means to run an e-reserve service, doesn't require staff members to devote as much time to in-house development, allows libraries to pool their resources and technical experience, programmers can work together to make a more complete version of a document (rather then everyone re- producing the same work over and over).
Disadvantages:  it's not the easiest software to set up and maintain, there's no requirement for the original developer of the site to resolve any problems that happen to pop up.

Overall, it sounds like a useful system (... as long as you know enough about the program to solve minor problems yourself).

Content Enrichment

  Truthfully, everything I know about content enrichment came from the one article on our course content page. I'm not a particularly tech- savvy person, but I can see the usefullness of what it provides. My post this week will involve tht advantages and dissadvantages of using this software.
   The main advantages that I see are as follows; users have the option to analyze and select online resources with a minimum amount of difficulty, it doesn't require actually going to the library, you might even be able to get  sample chapters of books. (All of these making it possible to work from... prety much anywhere, look for titles/ subjects you need, and get a quick look at what's in there, and if it's really what you need.
   The main downside is that, since you aren't actually with the resource, you can't flip through the book, look at illustrations, and so on. (Considering what can be accessed, though, this isn't too bad.)