Cornell Open-Access Publication Fund
Is the creation of an author publication fund really an experiment? Or a piece of fiscal advocacy dressed up in scientific clothes?
“Content Nation” — Self-promotion in the Age of 2.0 Buzzwords
A 2.0 Publishing talk delivers little more than anecdotes, buzzwords, and a narrative that conflates technological, biological, and cultural evolution. Does “Content Nation” really deliver a new view of publishing? Or just a business model borrowed from Web 2.0?
Operation eBook Drop — Indie Authors Helping Soldiers
Operation eBook Drop has delivered hundreds of books to soldiers in less than a week. It says a lot about indie authors and the power of digital distribution.
Science Is Real, According to They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants has produced a children’s album alleging that “Science Is Real.”
Learning from Books — Lessons for STM Publishers
Mass-market book publishing is being disrupted more quickly than anyone expected. What lessons can we learn?
The Narcissism of Social Media — Shameful, Practical, or Just Practice?
While a study of college students finds that social media is viewed as narcissistic, it’s also viewed as practical. Do these “social media natives” have it right?
Do Publishing Associations Match Publishing Realities?
Trade organizations grew up around traditional information containers and roles. Now that things are changing, is it time to consider collaboration and consolidation in the association space?
Text as Interface — The Usability of Words
More than ever, text is a part of the user experience. Do we appreciate the art involved? Has the medium changed the message?
A Corporate Culture to Slip the Management Trap
A company’s culture defines a great deal. Here’s a peak inside Netflix, a company undergoing disruptive innovation and choosing to embrace it.
Google Announces Opt-Out Village
In response to consumer concerns, Google announces its new Opt-Out Village. Happy Friday!
Think Social Media is a Fad?
A video compilation of data, set to a familiar tune, showing why social media is changing the world.
Wikipedia’s Plateau: A Sign of Elitism, Maturity, or Both?
The plateau of entries in Wikipedia has people scratching their heads. Are the editors becoming elitists? Is quality beating quantity? Or is it a little of both?
Free Digital Textbooks Win in California
An initiative to see if free K-12 textbooks in math and science could exist, California tested the waters. The results have been released. They’re surprising, and may portend changes for educational publishers.
The Trouble with Fribbles
Right and left are fundamental relative directions and biological preferences. Do they shape more than just our preferences for handedness?
Google Knol — Vanity Publishing Fails Again
Google Knol is fading fast. Why didn’t it work? And when will it be put out of its misery? Meanwhile, Google opens the doors on a faster, more accurate version of its search engine.