Born Digital

In the midst of the media meltdown about the end of the internet as suggested in this month’s Wired magazine it is encouraging to see thoughtful examinations of where we are being published. The latest is Born Digital by  John Palfrey and Urs Gasser. These slightly more positive interventions are more helpful than apocalyptic predictions which border on moral panic. See a review of the book here: www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/11/shallows-internet-changing-way-think

Facebook

This week the Observer carries an interview with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The interview is an introduction to a new film which will chart the creation of the social network in Feb 2004.  The article argues that the basic idea is very simple and that it the network was established to inject an egalitarian spirit into the hierarchical halls of Harvard. Might be worth having some discussion on that! The full article can be found at www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/sep/12/social-network-facebook-mark-zuckerberg

Sometimes the Obvious Needs Stating!

Embrace technology to avoid ‘crisis of relevance’

While a great number of academics have been arguing this for a great number of years the debate looks as though it is about to go mainstream.

www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=411304

#loveHE: A wide-open web of potential/ Digital Academia

There are some interesting articles appearing in the Times Higher Education journal in relation to emerging technologies and universities. This one argues that educational resources should be opened up by universities to create a new model of linked learners.

www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=411353&c=1

Election

Is it not strange that few politicians have been talking about their plans for the digital future? Nick Clegg has apparently indicated that if the Lib Dems were elected they would repeal the Digital Economy Act. Who do you think would be the best party to develop the digital economy?

Apple – Adobe Wars

So the battle lines for supremacy in the mobile space are hotting up. This is John Naughton’s view of this. Is he right do you think?

www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/apr/18/adobe-flash-apple-iphone-ipad

Digital Economy Bill

The Digital Economy Bill was passed last week shortly before government was dissolved as a prelude to the election. This bill could have profound implications for those working in the digital space. The Guardian on Monday 12th April carried this piece on the possibilities arising form the Digital Economy Bill: www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/apr/12/digital-economy-bill-households-piracy

What are your thoughts on its implications?

Observer Article on Augmented Reality

The Observer on Sunday 21st March carried an interesting article on AR (Augmented Reality) and, in particular, its use in advertising. The article can be found at: www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/mar/21/augmented-reality-iphone-advertising

Oxford Internet Institute

Having spent an afternoon at the Oxford Internet Institute I would encourage all to give the related web presence a thorough examination. Particularly interesting are the web casts the most recent being a presentation on peer to peer file sharing and copyright issues in the contemporary ecology. The url is:

www.oii.ox.ac.uk/

Towards a Future Internet workshop

View more presentations from Ian Brown.