Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ College Students Encouraged to 'Define the Line'

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community
The new Define the Line website, announced today by the Business Software Alliance, is a condescending attempt by its backers to discourage file sharing through fear (you might get a virus) and intimidation (file sharing is stealing, stealing is a crime, ergo...) and even self-interest (file sharing costs jobs, one of which may be yours). The survey published along with the site, though (click on 'Research'), shows massive support in the student population for file sharing and attitudes ranging from indifference to support among the professors. Only the administration sides with their golf buddies the Business Software Alliance. One humerous note: when I last looked at the 'quick poll' on the site, which asks, "Do you think there are negative consequences of illegally downloading or sharing commercial software?", the 'No' side had a commanding (73 percent) lead. Vote quickly; the BSA isn't likely to leave it up for very long.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Apr 19, 2024 9:01 p.m.

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