Edu_RSS
Calling All Corpses for CSI
The popularity of crime TV shows translates into a boom for autopsy actors willing to play cadavers. In Table of Malcontents. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 10:45 p.m..
Rants: Ethics, Survival and Music
Readers sound off on stem cell research, the new Blackjack and the death of CNET editor James Kim. Plus: Links to our most popular blogs! From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 7:45 p.m..
Launch party for Intranet Leadership Forum
The Intranet Leadership Forum was successfully launched last Thursday in Sydney, with many organisations attending from both the private and public sectors. With the assistance of drinks and good food, the intranet managers in attendance quickly realised how much they... From
Column Two on December 11, 2006 at 6:47 p.m..
Top 10 mistakes when selecting a CMS
Organisations often make the selection of a CMS much harder than it needs to be. They do this by running into common pitfalls that impact not just on the selection process, but on the overall success of the CMS project.... From
Column Two on December 11, 2006 at 6:47 p.m..
Usability and IA are core skills for intranet teams
It goes without saying that an intranet is only successful if staff can easily find the information they need, when they need it. Recognising this, the majority of intranet teams follow a 'user-centred methodology' when they redesign the intranet. This... From
Column Two on December 11, 2006 at 6:47 p.m..
Plan before CMS implementation
It would seem to be a statement of the obvious that organisations should do their planning before embarking on the implementation of their new content management system (CMS). Yet all too often this doesn't occur. Let's state this more strongly:... From
Column Two on December 11, 2006 at 6:47 p.m..
Wikia Gives It All Away
Free software, free bandwidth, free storage, free computing power -- the only thing missing is a business plan. Not to worry, says Wikia founder Jimmy Wales, "the wisdom of our community will prevail." In Monkey Bites. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 6:45 p.m..
Folksonomy as symbol
In about an hour, I am giving an informal, 20-minute opening talk at the University of North Carolina's social software conference. I share the floor with Thomas Vander Wal (his blog), the information architect who coined the term "folksonomy," and someone who knows far more about the topic than I do. So, I'm going to stay as general and meaningless as I can. Here's what I'm thinking of saying: Why do we care about folksonomies? They're easy to minimize as either (a) Just another tool in the kit, and/or (b) A phenomenon that's been around for a while (e.g., eBay.. From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
Tagging K-Fed
Thomas Vander Wal at the UNC social software symposium I'm at just pointed to the way people at Amazon have tagged Kevin Federline. Pretty funny. [Tags: everything_is_miscellaneous taxonomy thomas_vander_wal kevin_federline k-fed amazon]... From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
[unc] Thomas Vander Wal
Thomas "Father of Folksonomy" Vander Wal is giving a talk at the Univ. of North Carolina symposium on social software. (I gave the opening 15 min talk, as per my previous post.) [As always, I'm paraphrasing, typing quickly, missing stuff, getting things wrong...] He defines tagging and then quotes Rashmi Sinha: "The beauty of tagging is that it taps into an existing cognitive process without adding much cognitive cost." Thomas thinks the Wikipedia article on folksonomy is now much better than it was. [I haven't seen it, but that means I'll probably disaree with it.] He defines i From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
[unc] Social Tagging panel
Alla Zollers notes that we can tell a lot about a community by looking at its tags. E.g., delicious.com is clearly IT heavy. "Relevance is socially constructed," she says. I.e., what is relevant changes over time depending on who interacts with it and how they interact it. "Communities form around tags." [As always, I'm just taking live notes and missing lots.] Lilly Nguyen thinks of tagging as peer production of knowledge. People think about taggging in terms of production but not use. We have sociological tools that explain some of these but they don't seek up with Library Informat From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
Corpse Rights!
Larry Lessig decides that since corpses are signing music industry petitions, he must be wrong about copyright... [Tags: larry_lessig digital_rights copyright ]... From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
Worst. President. Ever?
The Washington Post asked four guys whether Bush is the worst president in history. It's a silly question, of course, but elicited really interesting responses: Foner Brinkley Cannato Greenberg. Brinkley is my favorite of these. He concludes that although Bush is probably not the worst, "He has joined Hoover as a case study on how not to be president." I am certainly not convinced W is the worst ever, if only because "worst" is such a rich term with so many possible axes (and axes to grind). So, I've put together my own list to weigh the pros and cons,... From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
Search the globe's voices
Global Voices has put up a new search box that uses Google Co-op so you can search the 4,800 regional, non-European, non-US blogs the editors of Global Voices follow. So, now you can find out what bloggers outside of Europe and US are saying about, say, the Iraq study group, global warming, or Mel Gibson... [Tags: globalVoices blogs search ]... From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
No RNG, so Ubuntu fails
I'm trying yet again to install Linux to use as a desktop machine. Ubuntu won't install because it tells me there's "no RNG," which apparently is a random number generator. Any way around this? (I'm trying to install Ubuntu 6.10, desktop edition, on a pretty new Intel machine. I can't say that Kubuntu handled this error very gracefully: No explanation, no hints, no joy :( [Tags: ubuntu linux]... From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
Report from Iceland
I'm at the Reykjavik airport, waiting for the flight to Paris for Le Web (formerly Le Blog, and before that Le Usenet and, originally, Le Cuneiform). It's 1:30am (or "6:30am" as they say in Icelandic). I love Iceland, and not just for its physical beauty and for putting letters together in impossible combinations simply for my amusement. No, I love Iceland because there's free wifi in the airport. Tired? Moi? Not a bit! Why, if I were tired, would I be willing to generalize about a country based on 50 minutes in its major airport? Later: In Paris. At the... From
Joho the Blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:49 p.m..
I Don’t Own a Printer
Yesterday, I found myself on a Skype call with a colleague of mine and we were editing a Google document on the fly preparing for another three way Skype call that we’re having today. I was sitting there watching the document screen refresh every time my collaborator stopped typing, watching his actions in the Skype [...] From
weblogged News on December 11, 2006 at 5:48 p.m..
Commenting Evolves
So how would it be to comment not just on total posts but on individual paragraphs within posts themselves? From a writing teacher’s standpoint, I think it would be pretty awesome. You could annotate specific sections of blog posted essays or stories and then leave more general comments at the end. Other people (students) could [...] From
weblogged News on December 11, 2006 at 5:48 p.m..
Teaching as Exchange of Ideas
True story I heard second-hand today: In a planning meeting for state educational technology leaders recently, one attendee actually said “Why in the world would anyone over the age of 30 want to text message on a phone?” Because: If teaching is an exchange of ideas, the ways that people convey their thoughts in this day and age [...] From
weblogged News on December 11, 2006 at 5:48 p.m..
Time: How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century
So here are Time’s recommendations: 1. Teach kids more about the world. 2. Think outside the box. 3. Become smarter about new sources of information. 4. Develop good people skills. (Communicate, collaborate) We can do that. technorati tags:school20, learning20, education Listen to this podcast From
weblogged News on December 11, 2006 at 5:48 p.m..
Usability weaknesses inherent in portals
Joe Lamantia has written an entry on the usability issues with portals. To quote: Portal user experiences suffer from a number of inbuilt usability weaknesses that the building blocks are designed to eliminate. For instance, flat tile schemes assume all... From
Column Two on December 11, 2006 at 5:48 p.m..
Party out the back
Party out the back This time of year in Sydney, the increasingly warm weather brings out the party spirit. Down the road from me, an elegantly-lettered sign invited guests back to the patio at the end of a long... From
Column Two on December 11, 2006 at 5:48 p.m..
"Web 2.0"--Live Blog from TLT Virtual Conference
Here's another virtual conference, this one from the Teaching. Learning and Technology Group featuring Drew Smith, Lisa Star, and Steve Gilbert talking about Web 2.0. (See the background links for more information.) _____JH ------------ "ORIENTATION to help participants understand what is happening to all of us with Web 2.0. What is in common to the amorphous Web 2.0 that is significant potentially for higher education." Consult: From
EduResources--Higher Education Resources Online on December 11, 2006 at 5:47 p.m..
New Rubber Lets Sweat Out
Scientists develop a light, breathable material for hazmat suits that keeps toxins out while letting water vapor escape. This could be the new Gore-Tex. By Cyrus Farivar. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:46 p.m..
What's Trendy in American Design?
Biomimicry, interaction and do-it-yourself initiative ride the forefront of U.S. design, says a new exhibit. Michael Myser gets a sneak peek at the Design Life Now triennial at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt in New York City. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:46 p.m..
Wired Test: High-Def TVs
No need to play Goldilocks at your local gadget mall this holiday season: Match the right display to your visual appetite with our hands-on reviews. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Painting by Numbers
When the algorithms behind an artwork's value are decided ahead of time, it's difficult to hit the big time. By Daniel H. Pink from Wired magazine. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
BitTorrent's Move From PCs to TVs
The file-sharing company swallows up one of its rivals in a bid to ease distribution of video and movies to cable boxes and mobile devices. Can the digital dream of peer-to-peer television become a reality? Analysis by Scott Gilbertson. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Making a 'Murderabilia' Killing
A reporter's effort to auction off a ballpoint pen once owned by a serial killer is thwarted by eBay's policy against listing such items. But the internet has no shortage of venues for unloading grisly artifacts. By Marty Graham. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Backstage With a Text Actress
Horny housewives want to meet you now? Maybe not, but they do enjoy flexible hours and the ability to work from home -- even if the pay is crap. Commentary by Regina Lynn. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Nissan to Push Gas Alternatives
The automaker wants to leapfrog Toyota and Honda in fuel-efficient vehicles by developing plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles and a fuel-cell car. But which technology is friend to the environment? In Autopia. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Stupid Reason to Fire a Teacher
If you did something 11 years ago that has nothing to do with your life or career now, should you be fired for it? Sex Drive Daily. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Norman Bates, Your Ballot Is Here
The researcher behind the psychos-like-President-Bush study tells us his research supports allowing reality-challenged people to cast ballots. In Bodyhack. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
MexicanDrugCartelTube
Drug cartels south of the border are now using YouTube to deliver the kiss of death. In Table of Malcontents. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Britain May Nix U.S. Fighter Deal
After months of discussion over access to source code, it looks like U.S. project leaders are underlining their earlier "No" to the British. That could queer the deal. In Gear Factor. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
New Google VP Busted Mitnick
One-time federal prosecutor Kent Walker will head Google's legal team, about a decade after he oversaw the search for hacker Kevin Mitnick. In 27B Stroke 6. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Ghost Hunting With Homemade Tech
Vince Wilson sets out to prove and explain the existence of ghosts with an arsenal of poltergeek gear. By Chris Suellentrop from Wired magazine. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
NIH Funds Are for Research
Naysayers argue that embryonic stem-cell research deserves no federal funding because it has shown no success. Neither have other heavily funded research programs. By Brandon Keim. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
2006 Foot-in-Mouth Awards
It was another year of smart people saying stupid things. You help us pick the year's lamest quotes from the tech world. In Furthermore. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
RSS Delivers Web's Best Deals
Online bargain hunters use the latest Web 2.0 technologies -- RSS feeds, social networks and browser add-ons -- to get the lowest prices. Welcome to Shopping 2.0. By Scott Gilbertson. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Blackjack: Jackpot, or Bust?
A phone that doubles as a first-rate music player for the serious listener? A slick TV commercial convinces our intrepid reporter that the Blackjack may, in fact, be that device. Commentary by Eliot Van Buskirk. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
E-Gold Gets Tough on Crime
Weary of being called a haven for money launderers and crooks, the PayPal competitor gets cozy with law enforcement and locks down suspicious accounts. If you've sent $17,000 to the Ukraine "for beer," you may be banned. By Kim Zetter. From
Wired News on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Four Days of Links
I've been busy with Testament, my Discover column, a bit of travel, and a new book proposal. In the meantime, here's a taste of what's been coming back at me from the Internet:
The Big Mashup from SunBy John Musser Featuring a diverse group of people involved including Andrew Baron and Joanne Colan from Rocketboom, author Douglas Rushkoff, DJ Spooky and Sun From
rushkoff.blog on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Graham Attwell - Social Software, Personal Learning Environments and Lifelong Competence Development - The Wales Wide Web
Good paper that looks at the links between competencies and the personal learning environment (PLE). Attwell notes that while there has been a hostile reaction from the education community to social networking applications, research about SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) shows that people actually learn informally and socially, in communities of practice. Informal learning isn't just some uncredentialed version of formal learning, which is why recognition has been difficult. It is closely tied to practice, and practice varies from community to community. "Broad policy decisions o From
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Geoffrey Glass - Eben Moglen on Free Software and Social Justice - A Whole Minute
I posted a longish excerpt of this to ITForum today, part of a wider discussion. And I think that Eben Moglen is exactly right to focus not simply on the mechanics of open source but also on the reasons people are working on this, in this way. "We have a very special place in the history of the campaign for social justice. We have some very special infrastructure. We have new means of economic development available to us. We have got proof-of-concept. We have got running code. That's all we ever need." Oh, and the other thing. "We have been looking for freedom for a very long time. The di From
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Lawrence Lessig - Codev2 by Lawrence Lessig
Lawrence Lessig (I don't know him well enough to call him Larry) has launched an update of Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace. I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure everyone will be reading it this week (download it for free from the net). I wonder why he uses such an old picture of himself on the launch page. [
Link] [Tags:
Lawrence Lessig] [
Comment] From
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Michael Geist - Digital Info Strategy Requires Courage Before Cash
Some pretty straightforward advice that would cost almost nothing to implement and would greatly increase access. "The government should mandate an open access model that would require that all taxpayer-funded research be made available to the public at no charge... Ottawa could also amend the legal deposit program... by expanding the program's requirements to also include a digital copy... Crown copyright should be dropped." Of course, while all of this wouldn't cost very much, it would require politicians to confront the publishers who benefit from the current system. [
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Scott Wilson - Communities of Practice - The Patent - Scott's Workblog
Yes, you read that correctly. I'm sorry. As Scott Wilson observes, "It essentially
patents the idea of doing any kind of community-oriented knowledge management involving filesharing and forums involving one or more experts." How long before this becomes a full-blown crisis, and not the absurd annoyance it is now? Or are we at that point now, with absurdities like the Blackboard patent and lawsuit?
See also Harold Jarche, who comments, "I remember a sign that was posted in the Officers&a From
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Vicki A. Davis - Using and Citing Video from Google Video in your Student Movies - Cool Cat Teacher Blog
I know this topic will appeal to some people, but I also link it here to raise a point. Vicki Davis writes, "MLA has yet to determine how exactly to cite the wealth of electronic resources out there. If you know how to cite video, please help me..." Why wait for MLA to decide this? If you are citing video, you are ahead of the curve - you shoulds be setting the standard, and let MLA follow. By all means, ask for help. But don't ask to be told what to do. There's no reason for it. Via
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Jay Cross - From Counterculture to Cyberculture - Internet Time
Jay Cross outlines one version of the history of the internet and net culture, tracing its roots from the counterculture movement of the 60s via Stewart Brand and Kevin Kelly to the Long Now and Wired magazine. We children of the 70s know there is always another side to the idealism of the 60s, the side that has more to do with self-interest and making a buck than it has to do with saving the world. Just saying, is all. And so while there's the Wired version of the history of the web and the web economy, there is another side to the story of Wired.
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Graham Glass - Edu2.0
Graham Glass has launched Edu2.0, which appears to be an aggregation service for learning materials, sorted by subject, supported with online community (the site's 'about' page really needs a section titled 'what this site is'). [
Link] [Tags:
Online Learning Communities] [
Comment] From
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..
Michael Feldstein - Blackboard Patent Celebrity Death Match - E-Literate
Michael Feldstein opines about the recent debate between Blackboard's Matthew Small and the Free Software Foundation's Eben Moglen's (see the coverage from
Seb Schmoller about the Blackboard patent and lawsuit. Feldstein is unhappy. "Some audience members were offended by Moglen," he writes, "describing him variously as 'a bully', 'a pimple', and 'our side's version of Rush Limbaugh'." Maybe so. But when you launch a war you need to expect to sometimes be attacked. And make no From
OLDaily on December 11, 2006 at 5:45 p.m..