Archives
Thursday, October 30, 2003
DMCA Exemptions
- DMCA Exemptions - LibraryPlanet.com
- DMCA Exceptions -TechnoBiblio
Step by agonizing step, we slowly inch back to sanity.
Copyright — laura
Monday, October 27, 2003
Newsreaders go mainstream
OJR article: News That Comes to You
RSS feeds offer info-warriors a way to take the pulse of hundreds of sites
I talked about RSS and aggregators before and now it’s strating to catch on. They really do make keeping up much easier and more efficient.
Computing News — laura
Wireless Grows
The Shifted Librarian:Wireless Keeps on Going and Going and Going….
But a growing number of hotels and restaurants have found that it pays to offer free Wi-Fi Internet access. This perk attracts customers and provides a real bottom-line payback for a relatively small capital investment, according to free-Wi-Fi pioneers.
We’re going to have a real problem if patrons can get wireless access everywhere but the local library. I finally just outright said it at the ILA conference - the question is no longer “will libraries offer WiFi;” that is no longer up for debate. The question now is when, and that’s a decision to be made by each library in its own due course. Some will go down this road next year, while others will tread more slowly and take 2-3 years to get there. But get there they will, and it’s a Martha Stewart “Good Thing.”
Computing News — laura
Web design and integrated marketing
Digital Web Magazine - Features: Web design and integrated marketing
One thing all libraries need to be concentrating on these days is marketing. The current generations of users have no idea what we’re capable of. And the Internet is an ideal method to use for its intrinsic “coolness” and low cost.
Website Design — laura
California wins against spammers
California wins first state suit against spammers
In addition to the $2 million fine, the company and its owners were prohibited from sending any unsolicited commercial e-mail, disguising their identity by sending e-mail that appears to originate from an e-mail address that is not their own and accessing and using computers and computer systems of persons without their permission.
Furthermore, they were barred for 10 years from owning, managing and holding any economic interest in any company that advertises over the Internet without first providing written notice to the attorney general.
I don’t see a “small” $2 million fine from having much effect but the business limits might do some good after a few more applications.
Computing News — laura
X10 files for bankruptcy
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Pop-up ad pusher X10 files for bankruptcy
The notorious Internet pop-up ads of scantily clad women being viewed from miniature wireless cameras might be gone forever.
I stopped seeing those when I switched to Mozilla but the memories still make me shudder.
Computing News — laura
Usability Guidelines
Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines
A book of research-based guidelines on web-design and usability.
Website Design — laura
Thursday, October 23, 2003
antispam bill
U.S. Senate approves antispam bill
The Senate voted 97-0 to approve the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act on Wednesday after a compromise among members of the Senate’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee allowed an amendment authorizing a federal agency to launch a national do-not-spam registry.
Computing News — laura
Monday, October 20, 2003
MS losing government ground
Mercury News | 10/20/2003 | In open source gain, Bay State locks horns with Microsoft
…despite Microsoft’s lobbying, a Pentagon report concluded that open source was often cheaper and more secure, and that its use, if anything, should expand.
Computing News — laura
Friday, October 17, 2003
vision-impaired directory
USATODAY.com - Site has the vision-impaired in mind
A friendly, accessible, interactive global Internet portal for people who are partially sighted or blind, the professionals who work with them, the families and friends who support them — and anyone looking for the latest information on vision impairment, its prevention and vision rehabilitation
Web Tools — laura
Database Legislation Introduced
Critics warn that under new federal legislation, writers and Web designers could be hauled into court over something as simple as publishing a list of local sporting events or creating a Web site offering consumers price comparisons on car parts.
And the insanity grows. How can you legislate people’s minds?
Copyright — laura
Thursday, October 9, 2003
DMCA Reform Resources Report
The recording artist Moby, on his Web site, offered a similar opinion, suggesting the music companies treat users of file-sharing services like music fans instead of criminals.
“How can a 14-year-old who has an allowance of $5 a week feel bad about downloading music produced by multimillionaire musicians and greedy record companies,” he wrote. “The record companies should approach that 14-year-old and say: ‘Hey, it’s great that you love music. Instead of downloading music for free, why don’t you try this very inexpensive service that will enable you to listen to a lot of music and also have access to unreleased tracks and ticket discounts and free merchandise?’ ”
“I see both sides,” said Rodney Crowell, a country-music singer and songwriter. “In some ways, I think the record companies have it coming, but at the same time, being a writer and therefore in the business of copyright, they’re saying it’s impacting our business by 30 percent or more, so we have to do something.”
They say?
The Recording Industry Association says sales of recorded music have dropped 31 percent since file sharing became popular more than three years ago. But statistics from Forrester Research show the sales decline since 2000 has been half that, or 15 percent, and that 35 percent of that amount is because of unauthorized downloading.
ROBERT MORA / GETTY IMAGES
James Hetfield is a member of Metallica, which has strongly favored the record industry’s crackdown on file sharing.
In interviews, some musicians and their representatives said their labels had asked them not to talk. And in a dozen cases, record labels did not grant interviews with musicians on the subject.
Sounds like the fans aren’t the only ones being pressured.
Much of the stated concern over file sharing has centered on the revenue that record companies and musicians are losing. But few musicians ever actually receive royalties from their record sales on major labels, which managers say have accounting practices that are badly in need of review. (Artists do not receive royalties for a CD until the record company has earned back the money it has spent on them.)
Ween, which recently left a major record label, Elektra, to release its records independently, has found a way to coexist with file sharing, which the band actually supports by encouraging fans to record and trade shows.
See, it can be done.
Copyright — laura
Tuesday, October 7, 2003
New DRM Silliness
The recording artist Moby, on his Web site, offered a similar opinion, suggesting the music companies treat users of file-sharing services like music fans instead of criminals.
“How can a 14-year-old who has an allowance of $5 a week feel bad about downloading music produced by multimillionaire musicians and greedy record companies,” he wrote. “The record companies should approach that 14-year-old and say: ‘Hey, it’s great that you love music. Instead of downloading music for free, why don’t you try this very inexpensive service that will enable you to listen to a lot of music and also have access to unreleased tracks and ticket discounts and free merchandise?’ ”
“I see both sides,” said Rodney Crowell, a country-music singer and songwriter. “In some ways, I think the record companies have it coming, but at the same time, being a writer and therefore in the business of copyright, they’re saying it’s impacting our business by 30 percent or more, so we have to do something.”
They say?
The Recording Industry Association says sales of recorded music have dropped 31 percent since file sharing became popular more than three years ago. But statistics from Forrester Research show the sales decline since 2000 has been half that, or 15 percent, and that 35 percent of that amount is because of unauthorized downloading.
ROBERT MORA / GETTY IMAGES
James Hetfield is a member of Metallica, which has strongly favored the record industry’s crackdown on file sharing.
In interviews, some musicians and their representatives said their labels had asked them not to talk. And in a dozen cases, record labels did not grant interviews with musicians on the subject.
Sounds like the fans aren’t the only ones being pressured.
Much of the stated concern over file sharing has centered on the revenue that record companies and musicians are losing. But few musicians ever actually receive royalties from their record sales on major labels, which managers say have accounting practices that are badly in need of review. (Artists do not receive royalties for a CD until the record company has earned back the money it has spent on them.)
Ween, which recently left a major record label, Elektra, to release its records independently, has found a way to coexist with file sharing, which the band actually supports by encouraging fans to record and trade shows.
See, it can be done.
Copyright — laura
