A very thoughtful study of the political blogosphere finds that liberal and conservative approaches to Web 2.0 differ dramatically, underscoring that it’s now that you do that matters, but how you do it. Continue reading
When we talk about peer-review, we often gloss over the important role of editorial review, which precedes external peer-review — in some cases, eliminating a majority of papers while raising an important type of quality. Continue reading
In my previous posting, I focused on what I believe to be dim prospects for the Encyclopedia Britannica as it transforms from a set of printed volumes into a networked online information portal. My skepticism stems from the fact that although the EB claims to offer “the breadth of the world’s knowledge,” its coverage of … Continue reading
Selling an idea well takes a lot of skill and daring. How “The Muppet Show” was pitched reveals a lot about why it worked. Continue reading
Digital publishing continues to borrow its shape from its predecessors in print. Truly creative individuals are necessary to work with new media on their own terms. Continue reading
In another rhetorical land grab, OA activists are aligning themselves with the Arab Spring by claiming their boycotts are the start of an “academic spring.” Not only are the two not comparable, but obviously the wrong target of oppression and exploitation has been identified. Continue reading
A new book on the economics shaping science is a treasure trove of facts arranged sensibly and put wonderfully into context. In addition, it’s an example of how to design a print book. Continue reading
The author of “How Economics Shapes Science” responds to some questions stimulated by her fine work. Continue reading
Cheap, effective, and nearly undetectable — editors devise citation cartels to drive up their journal’s impact factor. Continue reading
What issues aren’t we talking about enough? The Chefs discuss a surprisingly wide variety of elephants — from consumerization to emerging crises to legacy problems. Continue reading