OLDaily
By Stephen Downes
June 17, 2003

Fast Forward: 25 Trends That Will Change the Way You Do Business
Maish dredged up this list of 25 predictions of changes in the workplace. This is an excellent list, and while some of the trends (such as the corporate management of kindergarten) are uniquely American, the bulk of then may be applied more widely. Overall, what we see in this list is a shift toward a greater emphasis on the rights of employees, a shift concurrent with a looming skills shortage. By Unknown, Workforce, June, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

IMRC - Metadata Training
The Canadian Treasury Board Secretariat has released an updated package of materials to assist people conducting staff training in metadata. It consists of three components: a trainers' manual, a presentation that instructors can use during training sessions, and a participant workbook that can be used as a reference guide. By Information Management Resource Centre, Treasury Board Secretariat, June 5, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

School Launches Herculean Hot Spot
Nice to have glimpses into the future, this one from the Netherlands as the University of Twente has launched a huge "hot spot" (area of wireless internet connectivity). "Students and staff are quick adopters of these nice facilities. The flexible way of teaching that this allows also helps with new students who have experienced new ways of (learning) at school. They're not used to classical ways of knowledge transfer anymore." Meanwhile, the press is reporting a wave of wireless venture startups. That's great, and we'll have a wireless bubble, but try not to get burned in the inevitable crash. Just as the end of the internet boom was relatively easy to see, so will be the end of the wireless boom. Watch for stagnating access speeds, cut-throat competition, market saturation, and the beginning signs of market decay, starting with weak IPOs. It doesn't take a genius to see the fall coming. We are not there yet - years away - but mark my words, the day will come. By Rupert Goodwins, CNet, June 17, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

UC to Launch Open-Access Journals
According to this article, the University of California is joining the world of open access journals. The author suggests, and I agree, that this "could permanently alter the nature of scholarly publishing." For the better. By Catherine Zandonella, The Scientist, June 16, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

South Australia Urged to Brop Bill on Open Source Software
If you live in South Australia and you support open source, get your letters in to Premier Mike Rann. The Institute for Software Choice is lobbying the SA government to reverse its "preference" for open source software for state software procurements. By Sam Varghese, The Age, June 16, 2003 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

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Copyright © 2003 Stephen Downes
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