Stephen's Web

OLDaily

by Stephen Downes
January 25, 2007

Situating Connectivism
George Siemens has post a presentation (voice and slides in Flash) to prepare for the upcoming online connectivism conference (I am presenting at the conference, one of five events I presenting at online in February). This is part 1, which generally sketches the history. Well, some of the history (my own background is very different, and George's history reads to me like somebody describing a completely different family tree). I expect I'll like part 2 better as this is where George and I and a few hundred edubloggers come into the picture. George Siemens, Connectivism January 25, 2007 [Link] [Comment]

'Knowledge' and 'Learning'
This has been in development for a long time, and is still being developed, but it's now online and I'm enthused to be able to link to it. It is essentially a concept map developed by Rod Savoie, my colleague here at NRC in Moncton, on the topics of knowledge and learning. Don't be misled by the term 'concept map' - in this case that's kind of like calling the Pacific Ocean 'some water'. You won't want to miss this. PDF. Rod Savoie, Cognitive Overload January 25, 2007 [Link] [Comment]

Norway Declares Apple'S iTunes Illegal
Creating a monopoly through the use of legally protected proprietary DRM technology may be legal on this side of the ocean, but there's at least one country that takes into account user rights as Norway declares Apples Fairplay system - which prevents songs from being played on non-Apple devices - to be illegal. What is it about the capitalist system that makes it a virtue to eliminate competition by hook or by crook and then charge larcenous prices? David Ibison, Emiko Terazono and Richard Waters, Financial Times January 25, 2007 [Link] [Comment]

A Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection
The official launch of Microsoft Vista, just around the corner, signals the start of a major PR war (there was a puff piece on the CTV news yesterday that was as offensive as it was long). But it's hard to imagine that Microsoft will be able to quell the most hostile voice of them all: Vista itself. The scale of the misery about to be launched into the computer-using community is documented in this article in cracking-sharp technical detail and a voice of bewildered wonderment. Why, wonders the author, would Microsoft enter into what is essentially a suicide pact with the major 'premium content' producers? "Once this copy protection is entrenched, Microsoft will completely own the distribution channel." Peter Gutmann, cs.auckland.ac.nz January 25, 2007 [Link] [Comment]

Re: No More New Speak
Hmm. Yes - I think I agree Stephen. Leigh Anymouse, January 25, 2007 [Link] [Comment]

Re: If You Read Nothing Else Today...
Thanks for the pointer to this very interesting conversation. I like the fresh clean look of the revised site, by the way...

Karyn Romeis Anymouse, January 25, 2007 [Link] [Comment]

 

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