“Star Trek” Bashed as “Fun, Watchable”
“The Onion” continues to skewer many things scholarly publishers probably like, including President Obama and “Star Trek.” Join us for a few Friday laughs.
Bike to Work Week — Fun for Everyone!
National Bike to Work Week has ended. Here’s a bit of gentle cycling/driver humor to end the week.
Dark Secrets: Open Access and Author Processing Charges
Transparency and accountability are at the heart of Open Access. If only library advocates would walk the talk.
The WSJ’s Payment Curbstop
The WSJ shows just how it’s missing the boat with its latest announcement about micropayments.
Chaos Plays Catch-up
An embattled math journal resumes publishing without its editor. Is this journal preparing to close shop?
USPS = Spam in Meatspace
We often don’t think about the USPS as a vulnerable business entity, but a closer inspection shows that it’s another US business from a bygone era. Will its troubles push publishers to drop print?
I’m a Friend of “al” — A Rant
The disappearing -al ending seems part of a war on two innocent, helpful letters that exist because we still speak, and therefore seek sounds that let our jaws relax when we reach natural breakpoints. Why are STM editors killing the -al?
Paying for Open Access Publication Charges
New report outlines guidelines for establishing central publication funds. Success of these funds may spell failure for libraries.
“The Next 100 Years” — Brilliant, Flawed
George Friedman’s “The Next 100 Years” is a book well worth reading, and reductionism of it won’t suffice.
Open Access Voted Down at Maryland
Academic freedom cited as main counter-argument.
“New” AP Strategy Is Nothing New
The Associated Press tries yet another strategic shift, one that shows they’re late to the game, and playing the wrong game at that.
Going Public About Privacy
Defining privacy is tricky, and it’s moreso in the digital-soaked world we live in. How can we frame our thinking on the issue?
Google Wants Your Links, Not Your Content
The Google Books Settlement has publishers up in arms over copyright and content presentation. They need to wake up and smell the coffee. That’s not what Google’s after.
Competing Views of Intellectual “Property”
The NIH Public Access Policy debate can be better understood through the lenses of competing Intellectual Property theories.
Can Education Adapt?
Universities might be in for some major changes and challenges. This thoughtful slideshow reveals some of what likely lies ahead.