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OLDaily

by Stephen Downes
December 30, 2008

3D Virtual Worlds Patented! Lawsuits Started...
Just when we thought we were safe, a patent that should never have been issued on technology that was in common use results this week in a lawsuit. Yes, folks, the virtual world has been patented. Ridiculous. Mike Masnick, Techdirt, December 30, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Patents, Copyrights, Patents] [Comment]

Edublogs Custom Search
Early last year I created the Edublogs custom search, based on the list of sites I harvest. And then promptly forgot about it. A number of people volunteered to manage the site list, but since the service does not send email notifications, I never noticed them, and hence never approved them. A message from Darren Draper a couple of days ago reminded me of its existence. And so I've now approved nine co-contributors. If you volunteer to help manage the community, please send me an email. Various Authors, Google Custom Search, December 30, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Google] [Comment]

PlayStation Home
There's a whole world of stuff out there behind the gaming platforms, such as Playstation of the oft-mentioned Wii. This website introduces PlayStation Home, a free interactive 3D community (looks a lot like Second Life) for PlayStation owners. Various Authors, Website, December 30, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Wii, Second Life, Gaming] [Comment]

Revisiting Web Server Usage Statistics
"Web 2.0 will die," wrote Peter Schwartz back at the beginning of December. "The universal social networks that are its public face cannot survive because they cannot propagate a sustainable user base willing to pay for its services." Sure, but the interesting question is when? What prompts this look is a post from Brian Kelly on server statistics. I still question the sharp rise of the Microsoft server, but looking at this chart prompts a more intriguing question: "Wait a minute. Google has a web server?" Oh, wait, it's just an Apache server. And the name change accounts for the entire decline in Apache server use (see especially the last diagram). Brian Kelly, UK Web Focus, December 30, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Networks, Web 2.0, Google, Wikipedia, Microsoft] [Comment]

Why Twitter Will Go Mainstream In 2009
Jennifer Wagner, after a year of changes, is becoming more selective and more daring this year. Good choices. As part of this (maybe?) she sends me a link to this article on the mainstreaming of Twitter.It's hard to deny the juggernaut. But one thing the internet has taught me is that things change quickly. Darren Rowse, TwiTip, December 30, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Twitter] [Comment]

When the Going Gets Tough...
According to a BBC report, the number of people seeking to qualify to teach has risen sharply with the downturn. "These are worrying and unstable times for everyone, and it may be that people are looking toward teaching as a secure as well as rewarding career." The Apple, meanwhile, profiles 16 states with alternative routes to a teaching career. But note: teaching is hardly the route to riches. Doug Dickinson, Dougmuses, December 30, 2008 [Link] [Tags: none] [Comment]

The Design-Based Research Collective
In design-based research, "researchers working in partnership with educators seek to refine theories of learning by designing, studying, and refining rich, theory-based innovations in realistic classroom environments." Interesting page describing the design-based research collective (who have not yet managed to design RSS feeds, tsk). Worth reading: their manifesto, from 2003. Nothing much since then, though. Via Muhammad Sabri Sahrir. Various Authors, Website, December 30, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Online Learning, RSS, Research] [Comment]

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