OLDaily
By Stephen Downes
August 5, 2003

An IMS Generator for the Masses
This is an interesting look into the possibilities transformations of data offer in the generation of individualized learning resources, no matter what the source of the data. "MARTINI's solution has been to create an 'IMS-Generator' which not only can create the IMS extensions necessary to hold the data but also allows for the creation of IMS-conformant XML files of any and all data held by an institution, regardless of 'native' format and/or structure." By Kelvin Hai, David Palmer and Chris Dunlop, ARIADNE, August, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

Using RSS 2.0 and RDF Together
This is how to do it: mix RSS, for syndication, with RDF, for data transport. The example focuses on job listings, but any sort of data can be managed in this way, including learning metadata. By Jon Udell, Jon's Radio, August 5, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

A Fight for Free Access To Medical Research
Overview of the Public Library of Science's (PLOS's) efforts toward "plotting the overthrow of the system by which scientific results are made known to the world -- a $9 billion publishing juggernaut with subscription charges that range into thousands of dollars per year. In its place the organization is constructing a system that would put scientific findings on the Web -- for free." By Rick Weiss, Washington Post, August 5, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

Copyright Law
For those of you who enjoy reading case law, here is a comprehensive set of (U.S.) cases related to copyight. By Various Litigants, My Notes, July, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

RSS JournoFunnies
Tim Bray follows up the CNet article about the great RSS dust-up. Some good dialogue about what happens when journalists interview bloggers. And some good bits about the role of personalities in technology. This, I think, is true: "Who built the Great Pyramids, and the Roman Roads, and the Postal System, and the Welfare State and Interstates and the Internet? People. Do you believe for a microsecond that any one of those got done without a maelstrom of passionate, bitter personality issues? Does anyone believe for a second that RSS would be where it is today without Dave putting his great big huge personality behind it?" By Tim Bray, Ongoing, August 5, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

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Copyright © 2003 Stephen Downes
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