Science and Web 2.0: Talking About Science vs. Doing Science
So far, Web 2.0 tools for scientists have failed to gain much traction with researchers. Is this because they’re tools for talking about science rather than tools for doing science?
A Social Search Engine Approacheth, and Its Name Is Aardvark
A new social search engine comes onto the scene, sporting some moves borrowed from Google’s playbook. It’s an interesting approach. But will Aardvark just put ants in Google’s pants?
More and More People Adopt Social Media — But What They Use Varies
More people are using social networks, but different ones at different ages, but mostly by choice. Will professional usage of social networks ever be worthwhile enough to drive adoption?
Who Controls Publisher Prices? Amazon Fires the First Shot, Then Forges a Bitter Truce
This weekend Amazon pulled all of MacMillan’s books, both electronic and paper, from their store due to a dispute over eBook pricing policies. Is this the first battle in the war for control of the publishing industry?
Where Is the Money in Custom Publishing? Your Answer Depends on How You Define It
How custom is custom publishing? Will custom publishing ever move fully into the user’s hands?
From the SIIA: Four Executives Describe the Past and Look Into the Future
Four different information industry executives’ perspectives seem to converge on customization. Customers want what they want, when and where they need it, and expect providers to anticipate those needs accurately.
Kids Increase Their Media Consumption, But Many Mysteries Remain
A Kaiser Foundation study finds that kids are consuming electronic media more than ever. But there are suprises in the data and potentially important caveats for scholarly publishers with an eye to the future.
ArXiv Grows Up, Adopts Subscription-like Model
The celebrated e-print service will now rely on annual library donations. Meanwhile, it’s long-term business plan is still in the works.
Is Google Making Us Stupid, Part II: Perhaps, If We Don’t Seek Truth Over Information
Is a creeping computerization of our intellects making us less willing to accept that truth and knowledge may begin and end with human beings?
Going Legit: The Difficult Path from Piracy to Partnership
Though social networking websites continue to proliferate, turning them into sustainable, revenue-generating businesses is still a difficult prospect. For sites based on the illegal distribution of copyrighted material, the process is even more difficult. Is it possible for a pirate to become a respected member of the business community?
The Republic of Letters, Visualized as Social Networks
Predating journals, a social network of scholars known as the Republic of Letters generated many breakthroughs. Now, their social networks, as represented by their letters, are being mapped.
Does a Citation Advantage Exist for Mandated Open Access Articles?
A new article suggests that institutional self-archiving mandates may benefit authors . . . if you ignore some inconsistent and inconvenient results.
Doing the Kindle Math — Does Amazon’s Opacity Conceal a Shameful Truth?
Is the Kindle really a success? Do the vague and convoluted statements from Amazon about Kindle sales mean anything? The backlash against Amazon’s lack of transparency has apparently begun.
Let’s Hear It for Reckless Enthusiasm!
Innovations in scholarly communications often come about through bold and often reckless investments in new capacity, for which the utility is not always obvious.
Do You Suffer from “Change Blindness”?
Change is hard to notice, and this video shows how blind we can be, even when challenged to spot it.