newspeak

Page Layout in the Era of Electronic Publishing | UX Write.

Peter Kelly has been doing brilliant work making texts used by enterprises editable on the iPad. UX Write, which I use (albeit a pre-release version), is actually usable. This latest post by him goes over some of the issues that modern app makers have been working on for over 5 years. (I had a version of this discussion at Canonical’s offices some time ago.)

Analysis of Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons (Parallel Importation Case); Supreme Court Applies International Exhaustion | Knowledge Ecology International.

For-Profit Fiasco: California Public Colleges Turn to Web Courses | The Nation.

Like anyone who has actually taught a college course, I’ve been skeptical of the rush to online coursework. But I also recognize, and have repeatedly lectured on, the need for ICT solutions to the unprecedented need for instructors worldwide to teach not just advanced material but even the most basic. Online education can do that.

But if done badly, it can also wreck not just the particular course experience but far more. This is obvious. What do I envision as a system that is done right? One that does not imagine the student isolated in his or her room with the computer, doing drudgework to recorded videos.

Rather, I’d insist that the necessary element is community, and emphasize the importance of in-person community, where students can be led through courses by mentors, who can also conduct discussion sessions.

The Enemies of Internet – Special Edition : Surveillance.

[liberationtech] Whonix ALPHA 0.4.5 – Anonymous Operating System.

One of the most interesting developments in the last few years has been the rise of “liberation technology,” which can mean a raft of things. You get the idea.