Silicon Snake

There are several issues raised by Stoll in his book Silicon Snake Oil-Second Thoughts on the Information Highway. In reading excerpts and reviews from others, some of the issues I would like to address are:

1) Stoll does and effective job in stating the importance of keeping traditional libraries and not letting them become virtual libraries. His arguments against the virtual library are: 1) the costs associated with copyrights 2) on line research is cumbersome and at times difficult 3) electronic media is not archival 4) the cost of digitalization for older material is staggering.

There are several areas that have started budgeting more funds toward the technological end of libraries instead of the traditional library in the form of e-books, expensive subscriptions to on-line services, computer software, computer hardware, etc. The Internet is not the “know all end all” to information. There is no regulation for authenticity. Anyone can set up web site and post information without regard to accuracy. It is cumbersome at times to wade through the waves of information. In using the Internet and on-line sources the information is dated and does not delve as far into past history as the printed book. A virtual field trip is nice but isn’t a visit from an expert on the subject a lot more memorable.

Some of the advantages of the virtual library are the access to large quantities of information, not being burdened with a storage problem for massive volumes of a collection, the ability to hear sound clips and see pictures of a research area when using the computer. The computer helps your research come alive. With the virtual library you have more access to current information that is updated regularly than the traditional form of encyclopedia that is dated as soon as it is on the shelf.

Personally, I like the feel of the book with the opportunity to turn my own pages and not be tied to a computer screen. A book can go with you anywhere without an expensive piece of equipment that is required of the virtual library. Teachers can help students in searching techniques to determine the best sources of information. It is important that teachers have students validate Internet resources with the Printed word.

2) Stoll implies that telecommuting impedes productivity. The person that is telecommuting cannot regulate himself or herself.

Companies are saving millions of dollars with the implementation of telecommuting. Employees are more productive because they are happier with a flex schedule and the opportunity to spend more time with their families and less time in the commute part of employment. The employer benefits because the employee has the work in their home and if an idea comes to them in the middle of the night, it can be acted on immediately. The employer saves on the office overhead. There is little to no office politics. With networking, employees can work on projects simultaneously. Telecommuting is a “win win” situation.

3) On reviewing online businesses, Stoll states that through the Internet there is far less merchandise available than through traditional mail order catalogs and on-line sales generate only $25,000 a day.

More and more people are heading to the Internet to shop. It saves time, money, and hassle. On-line shopping allows one to compare prices, go to sites that will do this for you, go to sites that will find the “hard to find items”. Most sites have clearance sections to browse if you are a bargain shopper. Where else can you shop in your pajamas and not care who you run into? Stoll was incorrect in his dollar figures for on-line sales. If businesses were only making one or two sales a day, why would there be so many businesses joining the ranks daily?

4)Stoll contends that the “computer networks isolate us” and the “computer network is a community but has no humanity”.

With the emergence of computers and support groups, as a society we have become more connected. There are many people in their 70s that are learning the computer and doing research. When researching a topic, they will find that there is a support group or chat area for almost any topic. Some of our older folks and others that previously sat alone in their own homes are now visiting through the Internet on topics of interest. Through email and instant messaging, a person can check on several of their older friends in a lot less time than physically stopping by the house. A computer can help with a person’s independence with on-line shopping, on-line banking, and many of the daily things a person with limited mobility might have trouble doing. The computer is not the replacement of a person but can assist in many of the daily drudges.

One way that teachers can help avoid the isolation of computers is in assigning Web Quests that pair students or have them working in groups. In this class the computer gives one access to the teacher without feeling like you are asking a dumb question in front of the whole class. Through the computer only the teacher knows how dumb your question is. Through net working students can learn from each other.