Author: grabe

When is this legal

I came across a new online resource called SimplyBox. It is another entry within the category of tools that allows a user to collect and organize research resources (e.g., Evernote). I have heard this category described as “clippers”.

I think these are great tools for personal research. What I wonder about is the use of such tools for presentation/sharing (e.g., SimplyBox proposal for teachers). Two options are provided for sharing collected resources. One offers stored resources to non-SimplyBox users (anyone) and the second to a designated group of friends. To me, repurposing content AND sharing would require limiting access to an audience of students (e.g., TEACH act). The second option I mention (designate Friends) would fit this requirement. Combining content as part of a display would also seem to require the permission to create a derivative work. Again, I would interpret offering a collection of resources collected without author/creator permission to the general public to be against copyright. This seems like another of those situations in which we are provided powerful tools and it is up to us to decide what represents legal and ethical use.

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Tech Recycling

As we use more and more technology, we also discard more and more technology. This is the way that consumerism and the desire for newer and better products works. While we have learned to recycle our old cell phones and computers, we may underestimate the consequences of this rapid accumulation of high tech garbage.

This evening’s edition of 60 minutes featured a story on the breakdown of computer junk in Guiyu, China. The expose traced the shipment of cast-off hardware from the US to China and the breakdown of this equipment to collect valuable metals by Chinese laborers using primitive and dangerous methods. While the practice is against both US and Chinese laws, the money to be made still encourages the exploitation of desperate people.

One thing I recall from visiting China some years ago was that the rapid economic advances were largely built on the labor of farmers moving to the cities for a better way of life for family and self. One of the pictures I took in a factory making merchandise for tourists is included below. The hours and conditions were typically far different from our experiences, but I assume tolerated because the alternatives were worse. Perhaps the message here is that we understand what is happening and urge our representatives to support policies that prevent exploitation.

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Trying to do the right thing

Sometimes it is really tough to follow the rules. I have spent a significant part of the morning trying to register some software I purchased from Adobe. They dropped support for GoLive and so now I have  to use Dreamweaver. I don’t like Dreamweaver and that probably makes this process even more irritating.

Anyway, to obtain the educational discount, I must prove that I am a faculty member. There is a list of things you can provide – a faculty ID with picture, a pay stub, a letter from your boss, etc. I used my digital camera to take a picture of my id and sent that.

It turns out my ID was issued in 2005 and it does not prove I am presently employed as a faculty member. I agree the date clearly does not say 2008, but my institution does not go through the process of issuing IDs each semester. Unless we go to a different numbering system, this is my card for life. They can reprogram the swipe strip, but why take another picture. I should have smiled. Efficiency is not unique to universities. My state does not require I get a driver’s license each year. Sorry, I am getting worked up again.

I thought perhaps the fact that I was corresponding via a university email service might prove I was a faculty member or a student. A university email account is not on the list.

I think a letter from my boss is out. These are tough financial times for educational institutions and he is probably meeting with the legislature or rich alumni. I don’t want to bother him with a request for a letter proving I am a faculty member.

I guess I will have to wait until I get paid so I can fax a copy of the pay stub.

I suppose I will have to use GoLive until then. Did I say that GoLive was a superior product and I have no idea why Macromedia would continue Dreamweaver and drop GoLive?

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How did that hologram thing work?

If you watched CNN for your election coverage, you likely saw the spots in which the CNN anchor talked with a correspondent (or will.i.am) appearing as a hologram. I am not certain what unique advantage it offered, but it was really cool and I think the first time something of this nature has been part of a major production.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js6b31_p5cc]

Here are a couple of accounts of how it was done:
Gizmodo

CNN Video –

Not likely this will make an immediate impact on distance education. It took 35 HD cameras and 20 computers to produce the effect.

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Now the hard part

The election is now behind us. Whatever your pre-election orientation, it is time to take a hard look at President-elect Obama’s plan. The Obama/Biden web site does a great job of identifying key issues by area.

The top three education challenges include:

  • Reform No Child Left Behind
  • Invest in early childhood education
  • Improve the affordability of a college education

    • There is a great deal of information on this site. The word “technology” does not appear on this page. Neither does the word “research”. I liked what Sen. Obama said about parental responsibility. As long as the challenge to institutions and teachers extends to parents and students, count me as a supporter.

    As I suggested yesterday, the vast digital collection of promises and priorities will hopefully represent a type of contract.

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    Accountability

    I wonder if the ease with which digital video can be saved will influence how we think about political candidates? In the present election candidates are pushed to offer specific details on their plans for the economy, health care, or defense and sometimes they come up with plans. The plans are often vague at first, sometimes the proposals become more specific under prodding, and somethings the plans are altered when the public does not react favorably. However, the commitments are often not really commitments. This is partly the advantage of vagueness and partly explained away by changing circumstances. Still, what if elected officials had to respond to their own promises a year or two down the road. Perhaps, a record of promises made during this season will serve such a purpose. 

    Here a couple of clips available on YouTube – search for what interests you from 2004.

    [youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=_LDsp67eKaI]

    This clip from Republican convention 2004. Included are comments on NCLB, tax relief, the economy, etc.

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