University of Alberta Recognizes 90th Anniversary of Marshall McLuhan's Birth As a longtime devotee of Marshall McLuhan I am pleased to report on the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension's recognition of the 90th anniversary of his birth with the launch of a web page, a graduate scholarship and an article describing McLuhan's association with the city of Edmonton. By Marco Adria, University of Alberta, October 12, 2001.[Refer]

Ashcroft to Academics: DMCA is Not Your Problem U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft comes out against academics protesting the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DCMA) saying that "their conduct fails outside its purview." Ashcroft filed a motion to dismiss the academics' lawsuit against the DCMA, saying it was "not ripe." A Russian programmer, still facing charges under the DCMA, might disagree. By Scarlet Pruitt , InfoWorld, October 11, 2001`.[Refer]

For High-Speed Access to the Web, a Dish-to-Dish Route Article describing the use of fixed wireless internet service. This is a good service if you live in a remote area or are unable to get DSL connectivity. You may experience interruptions in service during bad weather. You may also face additional charges for downloads over a certain amount (this story doesn't say, but that's my experience). By Eve Tahmincioglu, New Your Times, October 11, 2001.[Refer]

E-Learning U.S. News launches a new E-Learning directory based on surveys of 2000 traditional and online learning providers. American providers only, so far as I could tell. Someone should tell them that there's a whole world out there. Digging around through the list also reveals a list of 585 corporate e-learning providers. By , U.S. News, October, 2001.[Refer]

Software Simulation Shootout Brandon Hall uses the latest in scientific survey methodology - audience vote - to create a list of top online learning simulation software in its 2001 Software Simulation Shootout. By , Brandon Hall, October, 2001.[Refer]

Mixing Apples and Oranges: Quick Tips for Surviving the Interoperability Myth Useful article the main point of which is to substantiate the assertion that we are still a long way from interoperability, vendors' claims to the contrary notwithstanding. As the article notes, "This is the surprise killer, because many companies are surprised when, after the sale—or worse, mid-project—even the most reputable LMS vendors admit to troubles getting off-the-shelf content to run on their systems. In my consulting work, I have seen first-hand the hardships and horrors of getting LMSs and content to play nice, or even play at all." By Michael Rosenberg, Michael Rosenberg, October, 2001.[Refer]

A Primer on Metadata for Learning Objects Good overview article summarizing the role of metadata for learning objects and interoperability. By Rory McGreal and Toni Roberts, E-Learning Magazine, October, 2001.[Refer]

No Free Lunches: We Should Resist the Push to Rush Research Online In this article published in the Chronicle of Higher Education John H. Ewing argues against the movement toward free online academic research. He argues that this will only harm the smaller jorunals, leaving the field dominated by major publishers. And he argues that free online publications cannot provide the "frills" that subscription based publications can provide. Ewing's article is in the subscription-only area of the Chronicle, naturally, but it is mirrored in the FOS Forum for all to see (and comment). By John H. Ewing, Chronicle of Higher Education, mirrored on FOS Forum, October 12, 2001.[Refer]

When Allegory Replaces Rational Thought, Science had Better Watch Out In Nature, Richard T. Kaser cautions that the move to free online publishing constitutes replacing a system that works pretty well with a system that might not work. "I would add one more question: will the alternatives actually be any cheaper for the community of science to maintain than current systems?" By Richard T. Kaser , Nature, .[Refer]

What Price Free? More on the free publishing debate - Anne Okerson argues that the free publishing movement will simply force journals to raise their prices, thus restricting access to scientific work even further. By Anne Okerson , Nature, .[Refer]

California Digital Library and Berkeley Electronic Press Announce Partnership for Scholarly Communication Initiatives From the press release: "Through the partnership, the California Digital Library (CDL) will make a suite of electronic publishing tools from the Berkeley Electronic Press (bepress) available to University of California researchers. The tools enable rapid and low-cost creation, management and online publication of electronic journals, discussion papers series and other electronic forms of scholarship. The partnership is an important development for the library's eScholarship program supporting scholar-led innovations in online dissemination of research from the University of California and beyond." By Press Release, bepress, October 4, 2001.[Refer]

Dublin Core Metatdata Element Set Approved ANSI formally recognized the Dublin Core (which is now known to ANSI types as Z39.85-2001) By Marilyn Geller , IFLA, October 5, 2001.[Refer]

Multimedia Encyclopedias Close the Books Online encyclopedias. Useful aids to research. But: "What I do find unsettling is the possible commercial exploitation of a youngster who is trying to research a term paper online... to take advantage of Encarta.com, you must sign up for a Microsoft Passport account that the company uses as a way to authenticate various sales and services throughout cyberspace." By Edward C. Baig, USA Today, October 10, 2001.[Refer]

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