Sunday, September 26, 2004

Open Clip Art Library: images in the public domain.  The Open Clip Art Library aims to make available SVG-type files whose authors want to put them into the public domain using the Creative Commons dedication. It's a small collection at the moment -- the downloadable repository of all items numbers 1702 -- but a great idea, and a resource of potential use for bloggers looking for visual elements for their sites. [Subdued Citizen] 5:15:44 PM    comment []

Blog Book Club: A Promise re "Promises to Keep". Professor Terry Fisher's new book is the most serious, comprehensive treatment of the alternatives we face for protecting copyright in a digital age. While it's famous for his particular solution, it is most effective when you see his solution against the background of the complete set of alternatives that he surveys. I think this book deserves extremely serious consideration by all who think seriously about this issue. I've asked Terry to guest blog during the week of October 24, but I'd encourage people to look at the book before then. His publisher has permitted him to make only two chapters available freely. You can find them on his website. You can also get the book at Amazon. [Lessig Blog] 5:14:39 PM    comment []

In lead-up to debate, candidates hone messages. As the first debate on Thursday nears, Bush and Kerry seek to knock each other off kilter. [Christian Science Monitor | Top Stories] 5:13:28 PM    comment []

SUNDAY COMICS [Begging To Differ] 11:20:55 AM    comment []

Dave sez: We're getting close to the open source release of Frontier. I'm running the software on my desktop. Decided on the license. We may do special licenses for commercial developers who want to make private enhancements (not shared). The GPL offers the most flexibility. [Scripting News] 9:31:06 AM    comment []

More Thoughts from Specialists on Political Theory vs. Political Philosophy. David Lefkowitz (Philosophy, UNC-Greensboro) writes: "I'd like to contribute a few thoughts on the choice between political philosophy and political... [The Leiter Reports: Editorials, News, Updates] 9:30:50 AM    comment []

Fear and Laptops on the Campaign Trail. The bloggers covering the presidential race are maverick, funny, mostly partisan and always hypercaffeinated. Are they ruining political journalism or recharging it? By By MATTHEW KLAM. [The New York Times > Technology] 9:26:05 AM    comment []

Security Mom: The Urban Legend. Noam Scheiber in The New Republic calls the “Security Mom” analysis an “urban legend” and offers several more plausible explanations for Bush’s lead among women in some polls. At this point I have to agree. The characterization never really sat well with me. Too retro. [Girl In the Locker Room!] 9:25:23 AM    comment []

Free to Clone. Does the First Amendment protect scientific research? If so, the debate over cloning will have to begin all over again. By By BRIAN ALEXANDER. [The New York Times > Science] 9:25:19 AM    comment []

The Land Down Under. The kitchen steward at Daniel runs the basement with a set of keys. By By MATT LEE and TED LEE. [The New York Times > Dining and Wine] 9:23:48 AM    comment []

Don't geofence me in. CNET news says that "cell phones are giving employers new ways to check up on employees in the field--and raising fresh workplace privacy concerns as a result.On the leading edge of the trend is Nextel Communications.The wireless provider began selling its Mobile Locator service last November,giving bosses an easy way to find employees who carry GPS-equipped cell phones.Earlier this month, mobile tracking firm Xora showed off the latest version of its Nextel GPS (global positioning system) phone software. The company says 1,600 corporate customers have signed up for its services,including "geofences" technology that sets off an alarm at the office when field workers go to preprogrammed off-limits sites, such as a bar or a park."There's no electro shock--yet," Xora CEO Sanjay Shirole said." Big boss is watching [Smart Mobs] 9:23:42 AM    comment []