Saturday, November 12, 2005

Wes  commenting on Doc's post blinked earlier today, in the neighborhood of my worries But whenever someone says that DRM can enable business models, remember that it can take them away just as easily. and citing Cornell's Response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s Proposal to Amend the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), November 2005. This is the key in my mind: "[T]he interpretation of the regulation is unclear. The technical means to comply may not even exist. No matter how much money is pressed into a good faith attempt to obey the regulation the goal may not be able to be achieved. ... Further, the vagaries of the technical requirements of this regulation set against the fundamentally insecure nature of Internet protocols do not instill confidence that such a system is or could be made to be appropriately secure." 10:21:42 PM    comment []

[TS] Op-Ed Columnist: Psst! 'Human Capital'. We can't test for what kids really need to learn. By DAVID BROOKS. [NYT > Opinion] 10:18:46 PM    comment []

Personal fabrication. "Neil Gershenfeld of MIT says a revolution is on the horizon for manufacturing -- that existing technologies and tools can bring capabilities once only held by huge factories down to the personal level",this NPR segment says. The Making of a Personal Lab [Smart Mobs] 10:15:52 PM    comment []

How to Sell a Movie (or Fail) in Four Hours. In today's world of computerized supply chains, the whole process of releasing a movie on DVD has become one in which success can be measured nearly instantly. By ADAM LEIPZIG. [NYT > Business] 10:15:35 PM    comment []

Editorial : Playing With Fire. History shows that in the wrong hands, the power to jail people without showing cause is a tool of despotism. [NYT > Opinion] 10:40:49 AM    comment []

Listening to Podcasts. I admit, I thought podcasts were a dumb idea.  Much as I enjoy reading different blogs, I couldn't imagine wanting to sit and listen to them.  I read much more quickly than I can listen, and I like to control my own pace.  Heck, I can barely sit through an entire tv show.  (And don't get me started on teachers who think lecture podcasts will guarantee engaged students.  I grant that they'll have their uses, but the technology alone won't grab students' attention.  Frankly, I can think of few colleagues whose podcasts wouldn't leave me searching for the nearest window.  I know I wouldn't want to listen to me while I work out.) But on a whim, I subscribed to a few podcasts in iTunes . . . and now I'm a convert.  Some of these podcasts offer great info, much more interesting than my local Clear Channel radio stations, plus I can choose the length of podcast based on the time I have available to listen.  Sure, the production quality isn't always the best, but the convenience can't be beat. Here are some of my current favorites: 43 Folders: Witty--and concise--ideas for Getting Things Done.  From the blog of the same name. Book Voyages: A children's librarian reviews books and interviews authors.  Only six episodes into it, and my daughters are already reaping the benefits.  (Me, too.)  One of these days, I'll be well-read enough to identify the mystery book of the week. CrossLeft:  It's hard to imagine anything more liberal than Jesus' teachings.  This podcast features a different progressive Christian minister, activist or musician every week. Mom Talk Radio: Great topics, great guests, a great (real mom) host, and since this podcast is also a radio show, great production values too.  I prefer my podcasts in 15-minute-or-shorter bursts, so this one is definitely on the long side, but because Maria Bailey usually covers several topics in one show, it's easy to subdivide. WDW Today: high-quality information about Walt Disney World.  Not the "Disney-ized" info, but the real info researched by people who aren't under the thumb of The Mouse.  They have good guests, too. The Word Nerds: Interesting reflections on language from two North Carolina brothers, one a high school English teacher and the other a professional magician.  No, really.  (He's also a German teacher.)  Again, this podcast is longer than my ideal, but it's good for listening at the office while doing brainless tasks.  Except for the "euphemisms" podcast--that one will make your computer smoke.  (Though there is a certain entertainment value in listening to two high school teachers explaining the origins of the phrase "sloppy seconds.") All of these are well worth bringing to an iPod near you. :) [iBeth] 10:39:12 AM    comment []

Admission Test's Scoring Quirk Throws Balance Into Question. A student scoring extremely high on one part of the exam has a sharp advantage because of the way the test is graded. By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. [NYT > Education] 10:38:54 AM    comment []

Microsoft Settles Antitrust Suit Over Windows in South Korea. Microsoft will pay the South Korean Internet portal operator Daum Communications $30 million to settle an antitrust suit over its Windows software. By CHOE SANG-HUN. [NYT > Business] 10:38:05 AM    comment []

Long post from Doc, titled, Yo, Libraries: say No to DRM. [The Doc Searls Weblog] I wasn't going to blink it, because it was, though worthy, long, and I didn't feel like trying to expurgate it. But there's the link, and it's worth a read, and what really caught my eye was the first paragraph I'm citing here: I think there's a fix to the DRM problem, by the way. As Craig recommended almost five years ago, it's infrastructural. And open. And when I'm finished understanding it, I'll share it. Meanwhile, back to Dave's poison pill. Podcasting is a perfect example of what happens when the market supplies itself. We chose MP3 because it worked on devices like the iPod, even though it was closed in other ways. And because it couldn't be closed in ways that matter. It's amazing to me that we're still only beginning to understand that free and open markets doesn't mean "your choice of silo". But we'll only understand it by making markets ourselves. And at that we're still at about the year 1480. Key piont: the silo-builders can't lead us out of the dark ages. They can help, but they can't lead. That's our job. Our job, I agree. But I'm skeptical about the DRM solution, yet respectful of Doc's opinions, hence, curious and eager to learn what he's thinking. 10:35:05 AM    comment []