Rupert Murdoch’s recent moves have challenged the widely held notion that Google and the traffic it generates are essential to a successful web publishing business. Is it better to have lots of freeloading readers or a much smaller group of paying customers? Could the rumored search engine subsidies help support struggling scholarly publishing activities?
DVRs increase viewership and engagement with advertising. Will we be able to recognize the equivalents in our industry when they arrive? Are some here already?
Are user rating systems a good way of measuring the quality of an author’s research? More and more websites are abandoning 5-star rating systems as the results they give are deeply flawed. PLoS’ approach will probably suffer the same problems.
The accelerated, real-time Web has some people worried about its cultural effects. Given the alternatives, I’ll take it.
In a set of disruptive moves that may be unmatched, Google is positioning itself to simultaneously compete effectively in smartphones, GPS, geo-ads, and operating systems, all based on a “less than free” pricing model.
Two new analyses — one in Cell, and one of a bit of source material from another post — suggest scientists are pretty likely to use social networks and social media.
Google Wave is a cacophony of functionality that doesn’t even try to reveal its value or purpose to the user. You have to be determined to use Google Wave in order to make it work for you.
Stumbling across an early review of the first Mac shows how far we’ve come.
Publishers are seeking new markets by finding ways to bypass libraries and selling directly to end-users. Do we need new approaches here?
Carl Sagan remains relevant, even moreso thanks to this brilliant little video featuring the Sagan song stylings and a special appearance by Stephen Hawking.
The Guardian is doing what every news organization — every publishing organization — should do. Are you listening?
A video sums up the strange new world of The Social Media Guru. Also, a follow-up on Chris Anderson’s “Free”.
With all the buzz around the invitation-only beta release of Google Wave last week, you might be excused for not noticing the much quieter and, in the humble opinion of this writer, far more significant launch of a little tool […]
e-Books are becoming more competitive, with Sony striking distribution and retail deals. Authors and readers stand to benefit.
Over time, many markets become dominated by low quality, cheap, “good enough” products. How is this common evolutionary pathway playing out in the world of scholarly publishing?