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 It Still Disruption When You’ve Done It Yourself?
The fact that scientific publishing hasn’t been disrupted may be a sign of a problem, not an advantage. A future choice may be disruption or irrelevance. Which will we choose?
Is Privacy Dead? Only When Exploitation Mixes with Apathy
Recently, pronouncements by online mega-players (Google, Facebook) have been lighting up the boards as Eric Schmidt and Mark Zuckerberg particularly have made incendiary comments about the future and value of privacy. Here’s Eric Schmidt, in a brief clip, saying things […]
Lifelines and Funeral Rites in the Publishing World
A famous publishing course is officially laid to rest, while a renowned publishing mag gets a reprieve. Which decision makes the most sense?
The Real-time Web’s Utility Meter Spins Rapidly
Want to see the best-guess at the real-time Web’s activity level? Gary Hayes has a tool that let’s you peek.
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?
How Not to Negotiate for Digital Rights
Jonathan Galassi misses the boat when he tries to argue with authors on moral grounds. Appeal to their pocketbooks.
Will Ad Targeting Lead to a Lesson in Moderation?
Targeting ads isn’t logically sustainable. But will the direct marketing mindset concede its limits in the advertising age?
The End of Kirkus Reviews: Gloom, Doom, and Sunshine
Kirkus Reviews is doomed. But for all the losses of old ways of discovering books, new ones keep cropping up. The future is bright for book publishing.
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.
Fighting Fire with Fire — The Only Remaining Option?
The shift to the Systems Age is happening so fast and completely that publishers are left with only one option — fight fire with fire. Will they? Can they? Some examples show the way.
The Age of Systems Is Dawning — How Can Information Providers Respond?
Publishers and librarians are creatures of the Information Age. How can they cope with the coming Systems Age?
Why Hasn’t Scientific Publishing Been Disrupted Already?
Despite predictions and analyses to the contrary, STM publishing hasn’t been disrupted yet. Perhaps there’s more here than meets the eye . . .
Top 5 Trends of 2009 — Harbingers of Things to Come
As 2009 ends, its trends will propel change into 2010 and beyond.