Still in the midst of "July 1914" and one of the passages made me think. Could Austria have kept the invasion of Serbia to a localized conflict if the Dual Monarchy had mobilized and invaded Serbia right after the assassination of the Archduke?
It may seem preposterous, but the approach has merits. If the Austrians had invaded immediately after, than the act would be seen as direct result of the killing of Franz Ferdinand, instead of a power grab to reduce Serbia to a client state. There were plenty of voices urging just this, most notably Conrad and other Austrian cabinet members. So why did it take almost a month to send the ultimatum to Serbia, a month in which the goodwill and sympathy of Europe had dissipated? It was the work Of Tisza, the leader of the Hungarian government that slowed down the process. Since the unique structure of the Dual Monarchy meant that the approval of both Austrian and Hungarian governments needed to approve such decisive action, Tisza put the brakes on the whole process. To be fair, there were other factors, such as the fact that Austrian divisions had been dispersed to complete the yearly harvest, but these only came into play after Tisza began to drag his heels.
Though acting with the best of intentions, Tisza did eventually cave into the demands of the more belligerent members of the government, and a series of demands were dispatched to Serbia, demands that the Austrians hoped would be rejected and provide them an excuse for invasion. Thus, he cost his government nearly a month before they could take action against the Serbs. This delay ensured that the invasion and ultimatum were seen as Austria settling old scores with the Serbs, while cynically using the killing of Franz Ferdinand to mask their objectives. Of course this was the case, and would have been true even if the Austrians had invaded in the immediate aftermath of the murder.
In my opinion, the possibility of the Entente letting Austria mobilize against Serbia, even if undertaken in anger, would have been remote. This would have challenged the balance of power in the same way that the later Austrian mobilization did, and it is unlikely that the Powers would have let this happen.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Modern Terminology and History
I just downloaded "Catastrophe 1914" by Max Hastings and started listening to it. The first chapter lists how the interpretations of the war have changed over time, from the Treaty of Versailles being unjust and unduly harsh, to the Germans being solely responsible for the fighting. One of the theories holds that Austria-Hungary was justified in seeking a military solution for the murder of Franz Ferdinand, that by its terrorist activities and actions in the First Balkan War, Serbia had become a "rogue state".
I think that this is a very interesting concept of using modern terminology to describe a past event. Obviously the term "rogue state" did not exist in 1914, but it fits. Serbia used terrorism and aggressive action to achieve an enlargement of its territory and influence, desired to upset the political status quo, and even had a superpower patron in Imperial Russia. Substitute Syria for Serbia, and it is a similar situation the world finds itself in today.
This actually ties into the book "Invisible Armies" by Max Boot, a book that gives a narrative history of guerilla warfare. Boot uses terms like "insurgents" to describe, for example, the Jews fighting the Roman Empire in the 1st Century AD. Another book "The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt" by Toby Wilkinson compares the use of propaganda in Ancient Egypt to the level of state terror and propaganda in present-day North Korea. Wilkinson calls Pharonic Egypt a totalitarian state.
The point is, using a modern vocabulary can bring a new immediacy to historical events. When you call Egypt a centralized, authoritarian state, you picture propaganda, fear, and an oppressive government presence. Similarly, when you call Jewish rebels "insurgents", it adds texture to an otherwise abstract idea, because the word "insurgent" brings ideas to the modern mind that the word "rebel" does not. Ideas such as hit-and-run strikes instead of a standing army, relying on the population for support, a group fighting to evict an occupying power, and a group without diplomatic recognition from the outside world. These were all true in this case.
I think that this is a very interesting concept of using modern terminology to describe a past event. Obviously the term "rogue state" did not exist in 1914, but it fits. Serbia used terrorism and aggressive action to achieve an enlargement of its territory and influence, desired to upset the political status quo, and even had a superpower patron in Imperial Russia. Substitute Syria for Serbia, and it is a similar situation the world finds itself in today.
This actually ties into the book "Invisible Armies" by Max Boot, a book that gives a narrative history of guerilla warfare. Boot uses terms like "insurgents" to describe, for example, the Jews fighting the Roman Empire in the 1st Century AD. Another book "The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt" by Toby Wilkinson compares the use of propaganda in Ancient Egypt to the level of state terror and propaganda in present-day North Korea. Wilkinson calls Pharonic Egypt a totalitarian state.
The point is, using a modern vocabulary can bring a new immediacy to historical events. When you call Egypt a centralized, authoritarian state, you picture propaganda, fear, and an oppressive government presence. Similarly, when you call Jewish rebels "insurgents", it adds texture to an otherwise abstract idea, because the word "insurgent" brings ideas to the modern mind that the word "rebel" does not. Ideas such as hit-and-run strikes instead of a standing army, relying on the population for support, a group fighting to evict an occupying power, and a group without diplomatic recognition from the outside world. These were all true in this case.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Library Technologies Continued
I think that, for users, the OPAC will have the greatest impact on library users, especially in large and academic libraries. This is because information that previously required a specialist to find is now much more readily available, and because catalogs are becoming more and more faceted, they are also becoming more and more easy to search for the average user. Having information more easily accessible, especially with regards to specialized subjects, means that users no longer rely solely on library staff or browsing to find things.
On the other hand, ILS is, in my opinion, the most interesting development for librarians. The simple fact that it updates the same information across databases and keeps information consistent and accessible (most of the time) is, as one would expect, important for an information professional. In addition, the OPAC would not be possible without the data fed into it by the ILS.
On the other hand, ILS is, in my opinion, the most interesting development for librarians. The simple fact that it updates the same information across databases and keeps information consistent and accessible (most of the time) is, as one would expect, important for an information professional. In addition, the OPAC would not be possible without the data fed into it by the ILS.
Library Technologies
This is my first post, and as I had to create this blog for my IRLS 571 class, it is obviously going to be related to that.
1. The first technology I selected is OPAC (online public access catalog). This is probably one of the most familiar technologies for people who use the library, since it is the online catalog that they use to look for items, place holds, other tasks that were once done at a desk. The technology has evolved in recent years to be more user-friendly, adopting relevancy rankings and a more faceted search process due to user's expectations after using websites like Google and Amazon. OPACs are usually tied to, but independent of, other library systems such as purchasing and serials.
It is used in a library to find materials, place holds, and see what items are currently checked out. It is often the first place that users go when they get to the library. Since it is online as well, patrons can also search and place holds from outside the library.
I think that the new generation of OPACs will have a fairly significant impact on users. With the easier search parameters and more faceted catalog, users will have a much easier time finding the items they want in the library. In addition, more items are being cataloged via other portal systems, so that the OPAC is not the only place to find the record for items. Overall, the continued development of the modern OPAC is making it easier than ever before to find information and pinpoint areas of interest.
2. Web-filtering is another technology that many library users may be familiar with, but not every library uses it. There are several types of filtering, ranging from extensions that plug into the browsers themselves, to network based filtering that is initiated at the transport level of the network, to the common client-side filters, which are installed on each computer that will be accessing the internet. If a library does not offer wireless internet, the client-side solution is most effective. If the library does offer wifi, than it is likely that they will use a network based filter.
When used by libraries, these filters are most often used to block sites that have been deemed unfit for a public environment, such as adult sites. In certain countries, political and religious content is filtered as well.
For the most part, web-filtering does not drastically affect the user experience in US libraries. The vast majority of the internet is still available, and many libraries do not even use content filters.
3. RSS (stands for Rich Site Summary) feeds are used for frequently updated information, such as blog posts, news stories, movie and book releases. RSS is updated using a standard XML format and includes metadata, such as the author's name and publishing date. Software, called RSS feeds or aggregators present a user interface and automatically download updates. A user can subscribe by clicking on the feed icon a browser displays when it is possible to subscribe, or by entering the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) into the reader itself.
Libraries frequently use RSS to update the public on their new releases and upcoming programs.
RSS makes it easier to receive updates on what the library has just received, and has made it easier for patrons to determine if the library has gotten any new materials of interest, without even visiting the library. In this way, it can work with the library's OPAC to make finding materials easier.
4. For my final technology, I chose Integrated Library Systems. ILS tracks patrons and item through a series of databases that include acquisitions, circulation, cataloging, serials, and the OPAC. Each patron and item is assigned a barcode number that follows them through these systems. These are usually used by larger libraries to manage all activities, since it would be more time consuming and potentially confusing for jobs such as serials, interlibrary loans, and online resources.
Libraries use ILS in every aspect of their operations, from ordering material, to checking it in and out, to tracking patrons' fines, to managing holds. It would almost be easier to list what ILS does not do.
The potential for these technologies is enormous. By automating much of the tedious work that librarians used to be required to do, ILS has the potential to reduce errors and allow the library staff to focus more on the patron.. By ensuring that due dates are computerized, errors are less likely, as are serial errors. In addition, since everything is connected, when one part of the database is updated, related records in the rest of the system are updated as well.
1. The first technology I selected is OPAC (online public access catalog). This is probably one of the most familiar technologies for people who use the library, since it is the online catalog that they use to look for items, place holds, other tasks that were once done at a desk. The technology has evolved in recent years to be more user-friendly, adopting relevancy rankings and a more faceted search process due to user's expectations after using websites like Google and Amazon. OPACs are usually tied to, but independent of, other library systems such as purchasing and serials.
It is used in a library to find materials, place holds, and see what items are currently checked out. It is often the first place that users go when they get to the library. Since it is online as well, patrons can also search and place holds from outside the library.
I think that the new generation of OPACs will have a fairly significant impact on users. With the easier search parameters and more faceted catalog, users will have a much easier time finding the items they want in the library. In addition, more items are being cataloged via other portal systems, so that the OPAC is not the only place to find the record for items. Overall, the continued development of the modern OPAC is making it easier than ever before to find information and pinpoint areas of interest.
2. Web-filtering is another technology that many library users may be familiar with, but not every library uses it. There are several types of filtering, ranging from extensions that plug into the browsers themselves, to network based filtering that is initiated at the transport level of the network, to the common client-side filters, which are installed on each computer that will be accessing the internet. If a library does not offer wireless internet, the client-side solution is most effective. If the library does offer wifi, than it is likely that they will use a network based filter.
When used by libraries, these filters are most often used to block sites that have been deemed unfit for a public environment, such as adult sites. In certain countries, political and religious content is filtered as well.
For the most part, web-filtering does not drastically affect the user experience in US libraries. The vast majority of the internet is still available, and many libraries do not even use content filters.
3. RSS (stands for Rich Site Summary) feeds are used for frequently updated information, such as blog posts, news stories, movie and book releases. RSS is updated using a standard XML format and includes metadata, such as the author's name and publishing date. Software, called RSS feeds or aggregators present a user interface and automatically download updates. A user can subscribe by clicking on the feed icon a browser displays when it is possible to subscribe, or by entering the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) into the reader itself.
Libraries frequently use RSS to update the public on their new releases and upcoming programs.
RSS makes it easier to receive updates on what the library has just received, and has made it easier for patrons to determine if the library has gotten any new materials of interest, without even visiting the library. In this way, it can work with the library's OPAC to make finding materials easier.
4. For my final technology, I chose Integrated Library Systems. ILS tracks patrons and item through a series of databases that include acquisitions, circulation, cataloging, serials, and the OPAC. Each patron and item is assigned a barcode number that follows them through these systems. These are usually used by larger libraries to manage all activities, since it would be more time consuming and potentially confusing for jobs such as serials, interlibrary loans, and online resources.
Libraries use ILS in every aspect of their operations, from ordering material, to checking it in and out, to tracking patrons' fines, to managing holds. It would almost be easier to list what ILS does not do.
The potential for these technologies is enormous. By automating much of the tedious work that librarians used to be required to do, ILS has the potential to reduce errors and allow the library staff to focus more on the patron.. By ensuring that due dates are computerized, errors are less likely, as are serial errors. In addition, since everything is connected, when one part of the database is updated, related records in the rest of the system are updated as well.
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