There is no such thing as “intellectual property.” Take copyright: if we are to look at creative works as property, then it is the property of the commons (that is, public domain), and copyright is simply a limited duration monopoly on works extended to creators as an incentive and reward. Patents likewise are of limited […]
internet
Cyberspace sex crimes
German authorities are investigating child porn on Second Life. Second Life, for those few who may not have heard of it, is like a computer game (they call it, rather grandly, a “virtual world”) wherein you are represented by an onscreen figure, or avatar. You have a great deal of choice as to how to […]
Let the Music Play!
This week we’ll examine impediments to accessing music in three realms: the digital, the fiscal, and the lithic. On the digital front, Steve Jobs seems about to walk the talk with regard to getting rid of digital restriction management (DRM). Last week Apple sent word to iTunes content providers that soon they will be able […]
Online quizzes are a) fun b) productive c) a great waste of time
Marni Ko This blog is called “Living,” and for the most part we’re all in favour of getting out there and doing so. Living, that is. But let’s face it, there are times when you just want to stay at home and let life pass you by for awhile. For those moments, I recommend an […]
Finding those impossible to find files
There are a couple of things Windows does better than Linux. One of the reasons I occasionally still find myself using it is to access Internet news groups. Some might say, “So what? The ultimate Internet news is Google Groups, with its massive archive going back more than a decade. If you have a web […]
Canada: Rise up and defeat the Norwegians!
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released their annual Global Information Technology Report. The newsy aspect of this year’s report is the slippage of the United States from first place position to seventh. Cold northern countries seem to do very well, with Denmark and Sweden in first and second places respectively, Finland in fourth place, […]
Be Your Own Robin Hood
Recently Slashdot posted a story about the RIAA suing a disabled man living on social security. For the most part, the Slashdot crowd is rabidly anti-RIAA, but one fellow commented that just because a person is disabled, it doesn’t mean that he can’t infringe copyright. I found this defense of the RIAA vs. a poor, […]
Avast ye, eh?
Avast ye, and listen well. Ol’ Joe Biden has turned his guns to North and is taking aim at our Great White Land o’ the Pirates, aye. Seems he and his Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus gave fair warning three years ago when they put us on a watch list, but e’en so we did not […]
Running on the information superhighway
Marni Ko Randy Troppmann is an Edmonton multimedia developer and an avid runner. He’s also well on his way to becoming something of a household name among joggers. Getting over 20,000 visitors a month, Troppmann’s new website runningmap.com uses licensed content from Yahoo Maps in an innovative application designed to help runners, hikers, and walkers […]
Bye bye books?
Times Online has a worthwhile article provocatively titled Could This Be Final Chapter in the Life of the Book. That’s just a tease, however — the article is really concerned with Google’s book search and issues of copyright. It’s a bit desultory and concludes out of the blue that teachers should be concerned with encouraging […]
