By Stephen Downes
October 16, 2003
Building a Digital Library the Commons-based
Peer Production Way
The author describes the
rationale and methodology for the construction of a
commons-based peer production (CBPP) digital library. Nice
table outlining the four major sets of motivations:
philosophical (spirit of camaraderie, democracy, altruism;
aversion to hierarchy/command), logistical (knowledge
distributed unevenly and/or widely; inflexibility of
centralized effort), fiscal (inability to provide major
coverage using works for hire) and optimal (more material;
more peer review; more up-to-date content). The case of
PlanetMath, a paradigm CBPP is discussed. The author also
offers some interesting remarks about representing content
quality. By Aaron Krowne, D-Lib Magazine, October, 2003
[Refer][Research][Reflect]
On-line Publishing in the 21st
Century
Nice article about the contradictions
between traditional publication models and the
possibilities inherent in the web. The two mix together,
notes the author, about as well as oil and water. So long
as they see no role for themselves, publishers will
continue to complain (incorrectly) that the new
distribution model is flawed. But their role post-internet
is becoming clearer. "Consumers and authors alike have much
to gain from the free exchange of knowledge, especially
with regard to the intellectual satisfaction of rapidly
impacting the growth of enlightenment... A void still
exists, however, in providing a filter for consumers, who
must figure out which findings are legitimate and which are
not quite solid. Publishers take note: opportunity knocks."
By Geneva Henry, D-Lib Magazine, October, 2003
[Refer][Research][Reflect]
Experimental OAI Registry
From the
Belarusian State University Fundamental Library to the
American Indian Studies Research Institute, they're all
here, more than 400 Open Archives Initiative repositories
listed in this new OAI Registry. By Various Authors,
Grainger Engineering Library at the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, October, 2003
[Refer][Research][Reflect]
Open Source Everywhere
Despite
some scaremongering and red-baiting by traditional
publications such as Forbes, open source as a business model
has taken hold in the software world and is expanding to
other domains of enterprise, most notably medicine and
publishing. This comprehensive article takes a sympathetic
look at the success of open source in various areas of
endeavour and suggests that the movement is permanent and
revolutionary. "In 2003, the method is proving to be as
broadly effective - and, yes, as revolutionary - a means of
production as the assembly line was a century ago." By
Thomas Goetz, Wired, November, 2003
[Refer][Research][Reflect]
Traffic Overwhelms New Online Science
Journal
Imagine. An academic journal on the
subject of biology gets a million hits in a single day.
Biology, even! In what may mark the most popular day in the
history of the subject, the Public Library of Science
Biology journal, the first to be launched by PLoS, was
swamped by the widespread interest on its first day. As the
story notes, "One reason the journal has generated so much
attention is a report it contains about brain implants in
monkeys that enable them to control a robotic arm with
their thoughts." Well, true. But remember when, in the dark
ages, we had to read about such reports second-hand,
mangled at the hands of an underqualified science reporter?
No more. It's science, the real thing, available to the
public at large. And a new day dawns. By Alorie Gilbert ,
CNet News.Com, October 14, 2003
[Refer][Research][Reflect]
The Fourth Planet
This site
attempts a new dimension in learning: the use of blogs
within a simulated Mars mission. beautifully designed, this
site (which is just getting started) provides tasks, blogs,
discussion and chat. Whether or not this succeeds, I
applaud the attempt. Via Jeremy Hiebert. By Heather Stoehr,
October, 2003
[Refer][Research][Reflect]
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