The Mismeasurement of Public Libraries — via FedEx, Netflix, Starbucks, and VISA
A recent infographic from OCLC shifts the value considerations for libraries into a potentially risky realm, a mismeasure of value that’s just not necessary.
Leading Your Content to the Money — A New Equation for Selling Content to Consumers
Consumers have demonstrated a willingness to pay for targeted, virtual goods and services. Why are publishers still trying to foist low-value generalized content off to them?
“The Reinvention of Journalism” — Just Code for “Reinvention of the Status Quo”?
The US Federal Trade Commission and Google spar openly over the future of journalism. Guess which one comes out looking more modern?
Delusions, Illusions, and the True Costs of Digital Publishing
The models we use to describe the publishing business need to change, and we can learn from software companies and digital distributors.
“Cognitive Surplus” — Look What Can Happen When We Turn Off the Television
Clay Shirky’s new book is smart, snappy, and insightful. You should read it if you want to understand why people are adding social media to their lives.
Is Print an Elite Medium? Or a Medium for Elitists?
College journalists are more motivated about getting into print, editors are missing huge opportunities, and Harry Potter’s owners are in no hurry to go digital. What gives?
E-book Sales Beat Hardcover Sales at Amazon: Tipping Point or Fluke?
Amazon’s Kindle and e-book sales take off, and the overall trend is for a huge shake-up in the retail book space.
Clay Shirky on Generosity, Erotic Novels, Civics, Lolcats, and Scholarly Journals
The cognitive surplus of our age is being unleashed. This video discusses some of the side-effects and trends that will shape our futures.
The RIN Report on Researchers and Web 2.0: If You Build It . . . Well, You Know the Rest
The Research Information Network’s new report on researchers and Web 2.0 offers a similar set of results to previous studies: uptake is relatively low, and the trustworthiness and quality of online resources are suspect. The report offers contrary evidence to common myths about “digital natives” and some useful advice for anyone looking to build social media.
Cups, Buckets, Pools, and Puddles: When the Flood of Papers Won’t Abate, Which Do You Choose?
When most papers submitted ultimately get published, and in an age driven by pooled philosophies and practices, are we already participating in a “filter failure” of immense proportions?
The DISCLOSE Act: New Media, Old Politics, and the Fight for Public Data
Campaign financing, corporations, unions, the Supreme Court, political action committees, large corporate interests, and technology companies with deep pockets and a hunger for data — what more could you ask for?
The iPhone 4 Unboxed: Early Observations for Publishers
Some early observations on the iPhone 4. I will leave the technical reviews to others and just focus on what the new iPhone 4 means for publishers, and particularly STM and scholarly publishers.
Stage Five Book Publishing — How to Go Beyond “Sustainability” and Into “Viability”
Book publishing is evolving in stages, and when we get to Stage Five, where books are sold on a subscription basis, the fortunes of scholarly publishers will improve dramatically.
The Content Graph: How Brands, Trust, and Quality Can Network the Future of Online News
By realizing content links news outlets and creating a barter system, Scott Karp’s Publish2 offers an interesting approach to the “content graph” networked information has created.
The iPad in Medicine: The Good, the Bad, and the Germy
A physician uses the iPad, and it works great. But can you wash it enough for the hospital setting?