American RadioWorks
Steve Henn has just released a study on the travel habits of our elected officials. The sort that's paid by their other friends (the ones with deep pockets).
Interesting stuff. Lots of data here for someone looking at this sort of thing.
4.22.2005
The Internet and News
Journal of Online Behavior
Eric Riedel etal have just published an interesting paper, "The Role of the Internet in National and Local News Media Use."
Apparently, we're not really gaining much local knowledge by reading the Drudge Retort.
Eric Riedel etal have just published an interesting paper, "The Role of the Internet in National and Local News Media Use."
Apparently, we're not really gaining much local knowledge by reading the Drudge Retort.
Post-Westphalian offshoring
Sourcingmag.com
Some guys in LA have decided it would be easier and cheaper to "almost" import their computer programmers. Rather than pay high wages and have the hassle of getting H-1s, they're just parking a cruise ship three miles off the southern California coast.
The result is cheap 24x7 programming, close enough that non-tech US citizens (e.g., cooks, maids, Capt Stubing) can commute back home at night.
Life is catching up with fiction.
Some guys in LA have decided it would be easier and cheaper to "almost" import their computer programmers. Rather than pay high wages and have the hassle of getting H-1s, they're just parking a cruise ship three miles off the southern California coast.
The result is cheap 24x7 programming, close enough that non-tech US citizens (e.g., cooks, maids, Capt Stubing) can commute back home at night.
Life is catching up with fiction.
4.21.2005
It's not what you know...
Links between Directors and Executive Compensation
Yet another study of interlocking directorates, this time assessing whether compensation is correlated with connectedness across company boards.
Guess what - Gramma Cousins was right - it's who you know that matters.
CEOs with such "back door links" (no comment) were paid an average of $454K-$612K more than those without.
Damn. Gotta get my schmooze on.
Yet another study of interlocking directorates, this time assessing whether compensation is correlated with connectedness across company boards.
Guess what - Gramma Cousins was right - it's who you know that matters.
CEOs with such "back door links" (no comment) were paid an average of $454K-$612K more than those without.
Damn. Gotta get my schmooze on.
4.20.2005
Conducting surveys online
Michael Stein
Not exactly a cookbook, but this provides a lay of the land, and several useful external sources.
Good stuff.
Not exactly a cookbook, but this provides a lay of the land, and several useful external sources.
Good stuff.
Campaign tech
Personal Democracy Forum
Brian Reich's "Please Standby ... the DNC is Still Experience Technical Difficulties" is a criticism of McAuliffe, but more than that, it's a solid discussion of the sort of technologies used by both Republicans and Democrats to win (or lose) elections (i.e., VoterVault and Demzilla).
Brian Reich's "Please Standby ... the DNC is Still Experience Technical Difficulties" is a criticism of McAuliffe, but more than that, it's a solid discussion of the sort of technologies used by both Republicans and Democrats to win (or lose) elections (i.e., VoterVault and Demzilla).
By the way, we sold you out.
Wired News
Apparently, ChoicePoint (or more likely, their lawyers) have decided it would be a good idea to let people know when they provide "damaging information" to third parties.
I wonder if "damaging" includes whatever they've given to the guys on the Matrix project?
Apparently, ChoicePoint (or more likely, their lawyers) have decided it would be a good idea to let people know when they provide "damaging information" to third parties.
I wonder if "damaging" includes whatever they've given to the guys on the Matrix project?
Democracy and invention
Eric Von Hippel
If you're interested in the politics of open source, here's a book-length discussion, available for FREE through the Creative Commons.
Chapter 9 focuses specifically on the question of "Democratizing Innovation."
If you're interested in the politics of open source, here's a book-length discussion, available for FREE through the Creative Commons.
Chapter 9 focuses specifically on the question of "Democratizing Innovation."
4.19.2005
Preparing to teach online
Yang and Cornelius, 2005
This seems useful, but still I'd like to see research comparing student learning across in-the-room and online teaching.
My sense is that online courses are much more likely to present opportunities for slacking (i.e., non-learning), and that correcting for this potential involves a great deal more work online than in a classroom setting.
I'm a huge fan of online support for "wave your arms" courses, but have been underwhelmed by the potential of fully online courses to impart knowledge or develop meaningful dialogue.
This seems useful, but still I'd like to see research comparing student learning across in-the-room and online teaching.
My sense is that online courses are much more likely to present opportunities for slacking (i.e., non-learning), and that correcting for this potential involves a great deal more work online than in a classroom setting.
I'm a huge fan of online support for "wave your arms" courses, but have been underwhelmed by the potential of fully online courses to impart knowledge or develop meaningful dialogue.
Re-drawing the boundaries of activism
Re:activism
Budapest, October 14-15, 2005
This conference focuses on the emergence of new forms of activism, based on new technologies. Topics include the PE of peer production networks, regulation and post-Westphalian order, "culture jamming," new media, etal.
Deadline for abstracts is June 14th.
Budapest, October 14-15, 2005
This conference focuses on the emergence of new forms of activism, based on new technologies. Topics include the PE of peer production networks, regulation and post-Westphalian order, "culture jamming," new media, etal.
Deadline for abstracts is June 14th.
4.18.2005
Firefox security patch just released
Softpedia News
Yes, there are flaws even in the best of them.
To download, just go to Tools, Options. In the popup window, select "Advanced," then scroll down to "Software Update" and "Check Now."
Yes, there are flaws even in the best of them.
To download, just go to Tools, Options. In the popup window, select "Advanced," then scroll down to "Software Update" and "Check Now."
Hackin' for the man
Wired News
This reads somewhere between Tom Clancy and Bill Gibson, but it's apparently really real. Really.
So what do you think the uniforms look like? Long black coats and leather pants?
This reads somewhere between Tom Clancy and Bill Gibson, but it's apparently really real. Really.
So what do you think the uniforms look like? Long black coats and leather pants?
New journal on the technology of politics
European Review of Political Technologies
The website is maddening (everytime I select a link, my browser re-sizes), but the content is interesting - if you're into that whole e-Government thing.
The website is maddening (everytime I select a link, my browser re-sizes), but the content is interesting - if you're into that whole e-Government thing.
4.17.2005
3D monitors coming soon
Toshiba Press Release
No, I'm not mentioning this because it will make Freecell look really cool. Those of you who have experimented with graphing your datasets (especially network models) have probably already wished you could see the structures in three dimensions. Well, it looks like that will soon be feasible.
The rest of you: get on the ball! C'mon, what's wrong with you?
No, I'm not mentioning this because it will make Freecell look really cool. Those of you who have experimented with graphing your datasets (especially network models) have probably already wished you could see the structures in three dimensions. Well, it looks like that will soon be feasible.
The rest of you: get on the ball! C'mon, what's wrong with you?
4.16.2005
The Evolution of Social Software
Life with Alacrity
This is a really nice, straightforward essay, useful to understand exactly what "social software" is, what it isn't, where it might be going.
This is a really nice, straightforward essay, useful to understand exactly what "social software" is, what it isn't, where it might be going.
4.15.2005
Communication and/in intl conflict
BISA International Communications Working Group
The ICWG of the British International Studies Association is organizing a number of panels on this theme for the December 2005 conference at the University of St Andrews (Scotland).
Deadline for submissions is April 22. To be considered for a ICWG panel, send your name, affiliation, abstract, snail and email address, and "BISA membership status" to Maura Conway.
Do it for the Bruce.
The ICWG of the British International Studies Association is organizing a number of panels on this theme for the December 2005 conference at the University of St Andrews (Scotland).
Deadline for submissions is April 22. To be considered for a ICWG panel, send your name, affiliation, abstract, snail and email address, and "BISA membership status" to Maura Conway.
Do it for the Bruce.
Open-access journals
Wired News
A promising trend - there are currently at least 1500 open access (i.e., FREE), peer-reviewed journals available, with hundreds added each month.
It makes me wonder if the economics of open source are fundamentally different than that of rival goods. If copying such goods is effectively cost-free, the question is not whether you could get everyone to produce, but whether altruists (at least, not selfish wealth-maximizers) occur in sufficient numbers, worldwide.
And whether they have skills.
A promising trend - there are currently at least 1500 open access (i.e., FREE), peer-reviewed journals available, with hundreds added each month.
It makes me wonder if the economics of open source are fundamentally different than that of rival goods. If copying such goods is effectively cost-free, the question is not whether you could get everyone to produce, but whether altruists (at least, not selfish wealth-maximizers) occur in sufficient numbers, worldwide.
And whether they have skills.
The persistence of megabytes
STUFF.com
Those crazy Kiwis - imagine archiving everything digital. I'm sure parts of it will be enormously useful to historians, someday.
Like all those Xena and LOTR chatrooms.
Those crazy Kiwis - imagine archiving everything digital. I'm sure parts of it will be enormously useful to historians, someday.
Like all those Xena and LOTR chatrooms.
Didn't we meet at the KitKat Club?
Social Networking in Fur
I'm not convinced that this isn't an elaborate spoof, but it's interesting, nonetheless.
I wonder what would happen if someone were to embed RFID tags into conference nametags?
I'm not convinced that this isn't an elaborate spoof, but it's interesting, nonetheless.
I wonder what would happen if someone were to embed RFID tags into conference nametags?
4.14.2005
Agent-based networks biblio
Notre Dame
This seems to be Barabási's thing. LOTS of interesting stuff here, for those interested in structural models (and the scary math behind them).
This seems to be Barabási's thing. LOTS of interesting stuff here, for those interested in structural models (and the scary math behind them).
New open access journal
Journal of Community Informatics
Community Informatics is about using IT to enable communities, helping them to achieve their objectives, overcome "digital divides," and empower citizens in areas such as health, culture, civic management, e-governance, etal.
It's peer-reviewed and it's FREE.
Community Informatics is about using IT to enable communities, helping them to achieve their objectives, overcome "digital divides," and empower citizens in areas such as health, culture, civic management, e-governance, etal.
It's peer-reviewed and it's FREE.
4.13.2005
Wikiography
Call center fraud
BBC News
I think there's a real danger that this sort of thing could play into the hands of jingoists, but it's definitely food for thought.
Just as there are "critical industries" (e.g., certain metals) for which countries are reluctant to wholly depend on foreign producers, perhaps we ought to re-think whether we want limits on the sort of tasks which are out-sourced abroad.
First, it was medical records extortion (an isolated incident); now it's credit card fraud.
Makes you wonder about what mayhem could be done with Voter Vault.
I think there's a real danger that this sort of thing could play into the hands of jingoists, but it's definitely food for thought.
Just as there are "critical industries" (e.g., certain metals) for which countries are reluctant to wholly depend on foreign producers, perhaps we ought to re-think whether we want limits on the sort of tasks which are out-sourced abroad.
First, it was medical records extortion (an isolated incident); now it's credit card fraud.
Makes you wonder about what mayhem could be done with Voter Vault.
LexisNexis finds more illegal data access
Business Wire
You mean it wasn't 30,000 Seisint (i.e., LexisNexis) customers whose personal information (e.g., SSN, driver's license numbers) were stolen, but more like 310,000?
Bummer.
But I'm sure the persons who took the data wouldn't doing anything untoward, right?
You mean it wasn't 30,000 Seisint (i.e., LexisNexis) customers whose personal information (e.g., SSN, driver's license numbers) were stolen, but more like 310,000?
Bummer.
But I'm sure the persons who took the data wouldn't doing anything untoward, right?
4.12.2005
Blogging as Democracy
Mary Griffiths
New, from the Electronic Journal of e-Government:
e-Citizins: Blogging as Democratic Practice
New, from the Electronic Journal of e-Government:
e-Citizins: Blogging as Democratic Practice
Video reverses protest persecutions
WorldChanging
Apparently, when you arrest people for exercising their 1st Amendment rights and claim that they were violent and resisted arrest, you might want to make sure that there aren't six amateur videographers taping you.
Of course, until they find a way to transmit to a broad audience in real-time, it won't matter much. Free speech was still prevented, and only monstrous damage awards are likely to encourage police departments to think twice in the future.
How long before first-person videoblogging becomes a source of mainstream news?
Apparently, when you arrest people for exercising their 1st Amendment rights and claim that they were violent and resisted arrest, you might want to make sure that there aren't six amateur videographers taping you.
Of course, until they find a way to transmit to a broad audience in real-time, it won't matter much. Free speech was still prevented, and only monstrous damage awards are likely to encourage police departments to think twice in the future.
How long before first-person videoblogging becomes a source of mainstream news?
How Internet Search Engines Work
Howstuffworks
Because you know you always wanted to know.
Plus, it'll make you a more effective (and efficient) researcher.
Because you know you always wanted to know.
Plus, it'll make you a more effective (and efficient) researcher.
Hacking Google
by Johnny Long
No, don't get nervous yet. I'm not suggesting you develop an allergy to sunlight.
Google hacking also has really useful, normal applications, like rapidly narrowing your search results. For most of us, Chapters 1 and 2 will be sufficient, but Chapter 12 provides clues to a universe of research potential.
Yes, political science research (see below).
No, don't get nervous yet. I'm not suggesting you develop an allergy to sunlight.
Google hacking also has really useful, normal applications, like rapidly narrowing your search results. For most of us, Chapters 1 and 2 will be sufficient, but Chapter 12 provides clues to a universe of research potential.
Yes, political science research (see below).
Mapping GoogleNews
Buzztracker
I've been wanting to something very much like this for a couple of years now - very cool. Provided that basic metrics and controls could be established, this sort of thing might tell us a GREAT deal about global (and regional and national) news cycles actually function.
With a bit more background work, it might also help us to understand (and thus make informed arguments about) the effects of media consolidation or plurality (as well as national politics and culture) on what's put forth as news.
VERY interesting. Sign up for the listserv.
I've been wanting to something very much like this for a couple of years now - very cool. Provided that basic metrics and controls could be established, this sort of thing might tell us a GREAT deal about global (and regional and national) news cycles actually function.
With a bit more background work, it might also help us to understand (and thus make informed arguments about) the effects of media consolidation or plurality (as well as national politics and culture) on what's put forth as news.
VERY interesting. Sign up for the listserv.
4.11.2005
Open-Access Journals Flourish
Wired News
Not sure whether this is merely the newest vanity press, or a real alternative to the marketization of knowledge, but it's an interesting trend, nonetheless.
Would you pay $2,500 to let people read your thoughts? Could you?
Perhaps the time has come for peer-reviewed academic blogs.
Not sure whether this is merely the newest vanity press, or a real alternative to the marketization of knowledge, but it's an interesting trend, nonetheless.
Would you pay $2,500 to let people read your thoughts? Could you?
Perhaps the time has come for peer-reviewed academic blogs.
Computational social analysis links
CASOS Publications
Oodles and oodles here, folks. Many are "copyright protected" (i.e., restricted access), but not all.
Oodles and oodles here, folks. Many are "copyright protected" (i.e., restricted access), but not all.
Computational Social, Organizational Science
NAACSOS 2005 Conference
Interdisciplinary computational methods, with the goal of advancing formal reasoning, analysis, and system building drawing upon and encouraging advances in areas at the confluence of social networks, AI, sociology, business, political science, economics, and computer science.
Call for papers deadline: April 16, 2005
Interdisciplinary computational methods, with the goal of advancing formal reasoning, analysis, and system building drawing upon and encouraging advances in areas at the confluence of social networks, AI, sociology, business, political science, economics, and computer science.
Call for papers deadline: April 16, 2005
4.09.2005
Sony to make eyes, ears obsolete
New Scientist
... they're just too old school. Got to get with the cyberfuture, dawg.
But seriously, this is somewhere between fascinating and frightful. If Sony lives up to their dreams (here and here), we can all imagine useful aps. Of course, market culture being what it is, we'd just as likely get a full-blown nightmare.
Might be worth renting Existenz again.
... they're just too old school. Got to get with the cyberfuture, dawg.
But seriously, this is somewhere between fascinating and frightful. If Sony lives up to their dreams (here and here), we can all imagine useful aps. Of course, market culture being what it is, we'd just as likely get a full-blown nightmare.
Might be worth renting Existenz again.
Record and edit audio on your laptop
Audacity
An open source, cross-platform sound editor that lets you record, covert between formats, edit, change pitch and speed, remove background noises, and much more.
A very cool ap for interview-based research.
And it's FREE.
An open source, cross-platform sound editor that lets you record, covert between formats, edit, change pitch and speed, remove background noises, and much more.
A very cool ap for interview-based research.
And it's FREE.
4.08.2005
ChoicePoint for Big Brother
Wired News
The prize is a statue of a golden boot, stomping on a human head.
I wonder if they make keychains?
The prize is a statue of a golden boot, stomping on a human head.
I wonder if they make keychains?
First Friday
er, First Monday
This month's issue includes several articles, including: The democratic divide; ‘Public eyes’: Direct accountability in an information age; Teaching as performance in the electronic classroom; and The limits of Web–based empowerment: Integrated water resource management case studies, et al.
This month's issue includes several articles, including: The democratic divide; ‘Public eyes’: Direct accountability in an information age; Teaching as performance in the electronic classroom; and The limits of Web–based empowerment: Integrated water resource management case studies, et al.
The Web of Law
Thomas Smith
Another example of simultaneous thought. While this project differs quite a lot from our more focused project, it's still impressive.
More from this analytical approach soon, I imagine.
Another example of simultaneous thought. While this project differs quite a lot from our more focused project, it's still impressive.
More from this analytical approach soon, I imagine.
GoogleFacts
Macworld News
In case you didn't notice already, Google has introduced a new feature to its main search results: facts.
Type in something like Bolivia population, and right at the tippy top of the page you'll see something very much like "Bolivia Population: 8,724,156 According to http://www..."
I'm sure there will be absurd errors, but it's still pretty cool.
In case you didn't notice already, Google has introduced a new feature to its main search results: facts.
Type in something like Bolivia population, and right at the tippy top of the page you'll see something very much like "Bolivia Population: 8,724,156 According to http://www..."
I'm sure there will be absurd errors, but it's still pretty cool.
4.07.2005
Madison's Papers
Library of Congress
The LOC has digitized over 12K items (72K images) that document Madison's life and thought. The collection also includes an illustrated timeline and several essays.
Odd thing, I can't find anything about the Federalist Papers.
The LOC has digitized over 12K items (72K images) that document Madison's life and thought. The collection also includes an illustrated timeline and several essays.
Odd thing, I can't find anything about the Federalist Papers.
Nine questions for scientists
Okay, so it's not exactly about applying IT to social science research. But these are compelling and persistent questions that any scholar should ask themselves at least once.
From Michael Simpson, University of Alberta (edited for conciseness):
Questions for Scientists
1. What's the difference between induction and deduction?
2. What's the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?
3. Can you prove a hypothesis?
4. What is a fact, and are there any scientific ones?
5. If the answer is 'No', how can a scientist believe in anything?
6. Is there merit to the notion that publication is a sign of credibility?
7. How many do you think you need to become a professor?
8. What are a scientist's social obligations?
9. Where do you think bias is most likely to influence your work?
From Michael Simpson, University of Alberta (edited for conciseness):
Questions for Scientists
1. What's the difference between induction and deduction?
2. What's the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?
3. Can you prove a hypothesis?
4. What is a fact, and are there any scientific ones?
5. If the answer is 'No', how can a scientist believe in anything?
6. Is there merit to the notion that publication is a sign of credibility?
7. How many do you think you need to become a professor?
8. What are a scientist's social obligations?
9. Where do you think bias is most likely to influence your work?
Pass the highlighter, please
The Annotated New York Times
This site connects blogged commentary on NYT articles to the articles themselves. It begins with a summary (linked to the source), then the blogs (indexable by time, source, thread). Rather cool.
I wonder how long before they figure out a way to track all the expletives I say to the TV?
This site connects blogged commentary on NYT articles to the articles themselves. It begins with a summary (linked to the source), then the blogs (indexable by time, source, thread). Rather cool.
I wonder how long before they figure out a way to track all the expletives I say to the TV?
4.06.2005
Babel, online
Global Language Monitor
It's not the prettiest website I've seen in the past ten seconds, but there are a lot of interesting fact(?)oids here.
For instance, in the three days following the death of JPII, more than 5.6 million Internet sites (here's one more) and 75K news stories appeared.
Also - this just in - "Presidential Election Affects Way Americans Speak"
Apparently, we drawl a lot more now.
It's not the prettiest website I've seen in the past ten seconds, but there are a lot of interesting fact(?)oids here.
For instance, in the three days following the death of JPII, more than 5.6 million Internet sites (here's one more) and 75K news stories appeared.
Also - this just in - "Presidential Election Affects Way Americans Speak"
Apparently, we drawl a lot more now.
Pirates, Thieves and Innocents
Perceptions of Copyright Infringement
The 5th Annual Symposium (two days) of the Center for Intellectual Property will be held June 16-17, 2005 in Adelphi MD.
Grad students receive 50% discount on registration (but it's still expensive, somehow).
The 5th Annual Symposium (two days) of the Center for Intellectual Property will be held June 16-17, 2005 in Adelphi MD.
Grad students receive 50% discount on registration (but it's still expensive, somehow).
Sane copyright protections
Creative Commons
Links include OYEZ (audio of Supreme Court proceedings), MIT OpenCourseWare (free course notes, syllabi, etc), Prelinger Archives (government films), Eldritch Press (public domain books) and much more.
Interesting stuff.
Links include OYEZ (audio of Supreme Court proceedings), MIT OpenCourseWare (free course notes, syllabi, etc), Prelinger Archives (government films), Eldritch Press (public domain books) and much more.
Interesting stuff.
Another open source network tool
Statnet
Based on statistical modeling of random graphs (exponential random graph models), written in C and R (an open source statistical language, itself based on S).
The ap supports visualization, analysis, and simulation.
It's not exactly "user friendly" (so few network tools are, these days), but it appears rather powerful.
And it's FREE, of course.
Based on statistical modeling of random graphs (exponential random graph models), written in C and R (an open source statistical language, itself based on S).
The ap supports visualization, analysis, and simulation.
It's not exactly "user friendly" (so few network tools are, these days), but it appears rather powerful.
And it's FREE, of course.
4.05.2005
Googlezon
EPIC 2014
What's the logical conclusion of digitization of data and information? How might this impact how we acquire or value knowledge? What could that mean for human beings as social creatures?
The Museum of Media History has put together this fascinating, entertaining (and frankly, a bit disturbing) pre-history of what happens when Google beats the New York Times.
Requires Macromedia Flash Player (FREE).
What's the logical conclusion of digitization of data and information? How might this impact how we acquire or value knowledge? What could that mean for human beings as social creatures?
The Museum of Media History has put together this fascinating, entertaining (and frankly, a bit disturbing) pre-history of what happens when Google beats the New York Times.
Requires Macromedia Flash Player (FREE).
You dropped something, part 2
Google Maps
I suspected this would be implemented rather soon, though I'm glad to see that it wasn't relegated to Keyhole (Google's commercial sat pic service).
I suspected this would be implemented rather soon, though I'm glad to see that it wasn't relegated to Keyhole (Google's commercial sat pic service).
4.04.2005
Analysis of Political Networks
POLNET 2005
Tilburg University, The Netherlands, September 18-23, 2005. 300 EUR, deadline to apply is May 20.
Tilburg University, The Netherlands, September 18-23, 2005. 300 EUR, deadline to apply is May 20.
Open Source development lowers cost
Yahoo! News
Not terribly surprising, I suppose - but the implications could be quite substantial. Especially as we begin to see software originating (i.e., not "outsourced") in the developing world. Sustaining any comparative advantage in the global north may require open source models.
Not terribly surprising, I suppose - but the implications could be quite substantial. Especially as we begin to see software originating (i.e., not "outsourced") in the developing world. Sustaining any comparative advantage in the global north may require open source models.
Streaming lectures
ResearchChannel
I'm currently watching "Google: a Behind the Scenes Look" presented by Jeff Dean. Very interesting talk, I'd recommend it.
Then I looked up the host site.
Wow.
There are high quality, streaming lectures here on everything, from health, literature, computer science, engineering, politics, journalism ... the list goes on.
I think this is my new favorite website.
I'm currently watching "Google: a Behind the Scenes Look" presented by Jeff Dean. Very interesting talk, I'd recommend it.
Then I looked up the host site.
Wow.
There are high quality, streaming lectures here on everything, from health, literature, computer science, engineering, politics, journalism ... the list goes on.
I think this is my new favorite website.
Hoss is Big Brother?
Texas HB2893, Section 601.507
The Texas legislature is thinking about switching vehicle inspection stickers to RFID tags, including the option of using them to enforce insurance requirements. It's somewhat ambiguous on other law enforcement applications, or privacy concerns in general.
Maybe they'll switch back to horses.
The Texas legislature is thinking about switching vehicle inspection stickers to RFID tags, including the option of using them to enforce insurance requirements. It's somewhat ambiguous on other law enforcement applications, or privacy concerns in general.
Maybe they'll switch back to horses.
4.03.2005
PDF Tracking, part 2
PDFzone
This article provides more detail on RA's technology, and helps me pinpoint my unease:
"Every time the PDF is read, it briefly interacts with the reporting repository to record the event."
It's one thing to track a file transfer, and quite another to monitor reading habits. Apparently, I'm not alone - Forrester Research has also cautioned RA that end users may react quite negatively to "what they perceive as intrusiveness if they perceive that they do not benefit on their end."
What he said.
This article provides more detail on RA's technology, and helps me pinpoint my unease:
"Every time the PDF is read, it briefly interacts with the reporting repository to record the event."
It's one thing to track a file transfer, and quite another to monitor reading habits. Apparently, I'm not alone - Forrester Research has also cautioned RA that end users may react quite negatively to "what they perceive as intrusiveness if they perceive that they do not benefit on their end."
What he said.
PDF tracking
Remote Approach
DRM comes to PDF (portable document format). I'm not sure how I feel about this - I am a heavy PDF user, and am a bit concerned where this could lead.
DRM comes to PDF (portable document format). I'm not sure how I feel about this - I am a heavy PDF user, and am a bit concerned where this could lead.
4.02.2005
Revolutionizing science
NSF Blue Ribbon Panel on Cyberinfrastructure
This 2003 report had a few fascinating comments and recommendations:
[A] "new age has dawned in scientific ... research, pushed by continuing progress in computing, information, and communication technology, and pulled by the expanding complexity, scope, and scale of todayʼs challenges."
"The Panelʼs overarching recommendation is that the [NSF] should establish and lead a large-scale, interagency, and internationally coordinated Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Program to create, deploy, and apply cyberinfrastructure in ways that radically empower all scientific and engineering research and allied education."
"[S]ustained new NSF funding of $1 billion per year is needed to achieve critical mass ... to empower a revolution. The cost of not acting quickly or at a subcritical level could be high, both in opportunities lost and in increased fragmentation and balkanization of the research communities."
Buckle up, kiddies.
This 2003 report had a few fascinating comments and recommendations:
[A] "new age has dawned in scientific ... research, pushed by continuing progress in computing, information, and communication technology, and pulled by the expanding complexity, scope, and scale of todayʼs challenges."
"The Panelʼs overarching recommendation is that the [NSF] should establish and lead a large-scale, interagency, and internationally coordinated Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Program to create, deploy, and apply cyberinfrastructure in ways that radically empower all scientific and engineering research and allied education."
"[S]ustained new NSF funding of $1 billion per year is needed to achieve critical mass ... to empower a revolution. The cost of not acting quickly or at a subcritical level could be high, both in opportunities lost and in increased fragmentation and balkanization of the research communities."
Buckle up, kiddies.
Cyberinfrastructure for Social Sciences
NSF Workshop
Y'know, sometimes you just can't win for trying.
This workshop was held two weeks ago, about 25 miles away. It's still well worth looking over the website (especially "links").
Next year, perhaps?
Y'know, sometimes you just can't win for trying.
This workshop was held two weeks ago, about 25 miles away. It's still well worth looking over the website (especially "links").
Next year, perhaps?
NSF funding op
Next Generation Cybertools
Funding is to develop tools to facilitate integration of qualitative and quantitative info from heterogeneous sources, multiple media, and/or multiple modes; investment in research to protect respondent confidentiality in computerized, widely accessible databases; incentives, standards and policies for collecting, storing, archiving, accessing, and publishing research results.
Proof of concepts should be based on existing distributed datasets or aud-vid recordings.
Deadline: May 30, 2005
Funding is to develop tools to facilitate integration of qualitative and quantitative info from heterogeneous sources, multiple media, and/or multiple modes; investment in research to protect respondent confidentiality in computerized, widely accessible databases; incentives, standards and policies for collecting, storing, archiving, accessing, and publishing research results.
Proof of concepts should be based on existing distributed datasets or aud-vid recordings.
Deadline: May 30, 2005
4.01.2005
PE of IT in Egypt
Integrating the South
Nivien Saleh (American University) has written a dissertation on "the political economy of connecting Egypt to the Internet."
She has made the full text of her dissertation available online for the time being.
Nivien Saleh (American University) has written a dissertation on "the political economy of connecting Egypt to the Internet."
She has made the full text of her dissertation available online for the time being.
Text Data Mining primer
Issues, Techniques, and Info Access
Another overview from Marti Hearst. Though it's a bit dated (1997), this presentation is a relatively quick and painless way to understand the broad outlines of the possibilities of automated text processing.
Another overview from Marti Hearst. Though it's a bit dated (1997), this presentation is a relatively quick and painless way to understand the broad outlines of the possibilities of automated text processing.
Get ready to jack in
Guardian Unlimited
First RIFD chips, now direct connections from brain to computers.
Kinda puts all that HCI visualization research into perspective, huh?
First RIFD chips, now direct connections from brain to computers.
Kinda puts all that HCI visualization research into perspective, huh?
Untangling Text Data Mining
Hearst 1999
"What's that?" you say. Well here's a general overview of data mining and computational linguistics, suitable for most neophytes.
"What's that?" you say. Well here's a general overview of data mining and computational linguistics, suitable for most neophytes.
Too Much Information?
SIMS, UC Berkeley
The clever people at the School of Information Management and Systems at UC Berkeley attempted to estimate how much new information (print, film, electronic) was created in 1999 and 2002.
Answer: 5 exabytes (roughly, a buttload - the equivalent of 37,000 Libraries of Congress)
Wowsers.
The clever people at the School of Information Management and Systems at UC Berkeley attempted to estimate how much new information (print, film, electronic) was created in 1999 and 2002.
Answer: 5 exabytes (roughly, a buttload - the equivalent of 37,000 Libraries of Congress)
Wowsers.
Happy Cyperawareness Month!
Educational Technology Outreach
Strange, I can't find any stores that carry the cards. Would it be crass to just give chocolate?
Gotta go - my cybercoffee is done.
Strange, I can't find any stores that carry the cards. Would it be crass to just give chocolate?
Gotta go - my cybercoffee is done.
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