Eeegads, Cash. I hope you give that Doc what-for on Monday.

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{{{{bitches}}}}

GC: I haven't read the whole Marcum speech, but from what you have here, I can see where she could be right with

Marcum feels that quick results are more important to users than precise results that require some work from the user.

and at the same time you can be right that

Without having those multiple organization layers, users can’t browse collections. If users can’t browse collections, they may never discover resources that meet their needs. They may never connect with keywords that would help to refine their search results.

I think that many librarians are, by nature, more focused on getting it just right, while most users are, by nature, satisfied with just enough (note the most on both sides; there are certainly many exceptions). So, the organization layers are both very important and also a barrier. I think that this also ties in with the premise of The Long Tail, (or so I've heard from others, as I haven't actually read it), so that perhaps the Google-like search is best for the majority, but it's important to have the browse-able categorization for the long tail group. For me, a difficult and important part of my job is understanding where the patron is in terms of their information need, without my own personal bias getting in the way. I've often said that what makes librarians different from others is that we won't give up once we get started on a search. Remembering that sometimes people just want quick answers that are ok, not perfect, is very difficult, but also important.

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I called them and the answering service said, "Prescription calls do not qualify as an emergency" and therefore, they are not allowed to forward those calls to the on-call physician. Bollocks. I'm going to contact my PC doc and let her know how unhappy I am about how she handled this situation and how it cost me a lot more time, money and trouble to take care of this problem.

Asshats. It really wasn't a prescription call. It was a underdiagnosed/mistreated illness call.

I'm actually worse today. The rash site is bigger and more painful and the tingling on my back makes me suspect I'm going to get more spots soon. Unless the antivirals work very well.

I do think you caught it quickly enough. The first day you mentioned the rash, it wasn't that bad. I know this is your day three, but I think you'll be okay. But your doctor's decision to have you try the Lotrimin, when she thought it was Shingles, boggles the heck out of me -- particularly since it was a Friday.

On the plus side, at least the rash isn't on my face.

Yes, thank goodness. It got so close to my grandfather's eyes, he had to be hospitalized.

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Reminder to self: People who are smug, snotty fuckheads who always want things that are beyond the parameters of normal people are assholes and they are not worth getting quite this upset over.

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Good points, libkitty. I do address the user needs a bit more:

Deanna Marcum addresses the issue of “how digital-era students work.” She states repeatedly that college students do not want to go to physical libraries, and instead they use Google first (and often only). Her use case is built around an undergraduate student doing research for a term paper. I would argue that Ms. Marcum is not addressing all users of the library. Does she feel that the needs and practices of undergraduate college students should dictate library and Web usage for everyone? What about lawyers, doctors, and other professionals who rely on research in order to do their work? One would hope that doctors aren’t Googling and using the first hits to diagnose and treat patients.

And:

Another argument that supports the need for manual cataloging is the contrast between users who are looking for scholarly resources versus those looking for quick information. Google is a wonderful resource for answering a quick question, such as getting information on a specific law. It becomes less usable when researching for detailed, factual information, such as finding past cases that establish precedence for a current case.

Do you think that covers it?

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Reminder to self: People who are smug, snotty fuckheads who always want things that are beyond the parameters of normal people are assholes and they are not worth getting quite this upset over.

Now hey, I haven't picked on you all day.

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Now hey, I haven't picked on you all day.

You *wanted* to, though. I *felt* it.

sniffs

Somedays, I really hate BMW owners.

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Gee, thanks.

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Oh pooh on you. I've had this rant before and you know I don't mean anyone here.

Plllbbt.

Goose.

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Plllbbt back

pooner

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