September 2003 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Working Definition of "political internet"
by Patrick Fagan 24 Sep '03

24 Sep '03

The link below goes to a webpage with a working definition of the term "political internet." I would appreciate any comments or suggestions, whether positive or negative, on the complete definition or its seven components. It is a cross-disciplinary definition, so responses are encouraged from all. Replies may be sent through the list or privately off the list. Here is the link: http://workingpapers.org/misc/politicalinternet.htm Thank you for any consideration, Patrick Fagan University of Southern Mississippi ---------------------------------------- Working Paper Sites of Political Science http://workingpapers.org

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AW: [Air-l] e-science, the grid, and supercomputers
by Barjak Franz 24 Sep '03

24 Sep '03

I am currently finishing a report on the use of the Internet among European scientists for a European Union funded research project. We carried out a postal survey among scientists on their Internet access and use. The dataset contains scientists from 5 disciplines (astronomy, chemistry, computer science, economics and psychology) and 7 European countries. If anybody on the list is interested, I'll be glad to send out the report draft (should be ready by mid november). I am also looking for opportunities to present and publish selected issues. Regards Franz ********************************************* Franz Barjak University of Applied Sciences Solothurn Northwest Switzerland Riggenbachstrasse 16 CH-4600 Olten Switzerland E-mail: franz.barjak(a)fhso.ch Web: http://www.fhso.ch/_e/kont_e/pers_hp/doz_wirtschaft/barjak_e.htm !!!!!!!!!new phone and fax numbers!!!!!!!!!!! p. +41 62 287 7825, fax: +41 62 287 7845 ********************************************* > -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- > Von: jeremy hunsinger [mailto:jhuns@vt.edu] > Gesendet: Dienstag, 23. September 2003 22:25 > An: air-l(a)aoir.org > Betreff: [Air-l] e-science, the grid, and supercomputers > > > Having recently been made aware that my university is moving > in a very > major way into the field of e-science by bringing online a new > supercomputer and intending to hook that up to the national > lambdarail > project as part of the terascale grid computing network, I'm > wondering > if anyone on the list is working on any of these topics, as they all > have to do with internet research in some way, and specifically > scientific uses of the internet, well at least in our case. > > here are some informational links: > lambdarail http://www.getlight.net/ > Virginia Tech terascale cluster > http://computing.vt.edu/research_computing/terascale/ > > > > > > > Jeremy Hunsinger > Center for Digital Discourse and Culture > () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail > /\ - against microsoft attachments > > > _______________________________________________ > Air-l mailing list > Air-l(a)aoir.org > http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l >

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RE: [Air-l] The death of chat?
by salterl 24 Sep '03

24 Sep '03

Not completely related, but Tower Hamlets Council in London is banning the use of such features for the same reason - pedophillia. Now I am waiting for them to ban the use of parks, schoolyards and pavements too! >===== Original Message From air-l(a)aoir.org ===== >That was the reporting in DK as well - but the argument that chatrooms are used by pedophiles to meet children was mentioned as well. >:-) Gitte >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Steve Jones" <sjones(a)uic.edu> >To: <air-l(a)aoir.org> >Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 6:56 PM >Subject: Re: [Air-l] The death of chat? > > >> Given the international membership on this list I'd be very >> interested in hearing reactions to MSN's announcement from outside >> the U.S. The news stories I heard about it on the radio in the U.S. >> emphasized spam and porn as being the reasons for the closing. Is >> that the reporting elsewhere? >> >> Thanks, >> Sj >> >> At 12:04 PM -0400 9/24/03, Karim R. Lakhani wrote: >> >I think this means the web based chat rooms and not IM or real time >> >chat service. >> > >> >J Sternberg wrote: >> > >> >>With Internet Relay Chat flourishing worldwide since its creation >> >>in 1988, as well as the ongoing popularity of AOL's Instant >> >>Messenger, it seems to me that chat won't be dying out any time >> >>soon. Although I don't know of any definitive statistics, my >> >>impression is that compared to systems such as IRC and AIM, MSN >> >>chat has been just a drop in the bucket. >> >> >> >>Janet Sternberg, Ph.D. >> >>Assistant Professor >> >>Department of Communication and Media Studies >> >>Fordham University >> >> >> >> >> >>Lois Ann Scheidt wrote: >> >> >> >>> MSN has announced that it will be closing or significantly changing its >> >>>chatrooms worldwide, effective October 14. The announcement can be found >> >>>at >> >>>http://www.wininformant.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=40329 >> >>> >> >>>Lois Ann Scheidt MPA MIS SPHR CCP >> >>>Doctoral Student >> >>>School of Library and Information Science >> >>>Indiana University >> >>>Bloomington IN USA >> >>>http://www.loisscheidt.com >> >>> >> >>> >> >>>_______________________________________________ >> >>>Air-l mailing list >> >>>Air-l(a)aoir.org >> >>>http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >> >>Air-l mailing list >> >>Air-l(a)aoir.org >> >>http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l >> > >> >-- >> >=============================================== >> >Karim R. Lakhani >> >MIT Sloan School of Management >> >& >> >The Boston Consulting Group, Strategy Practice Initiative >> >e-mail: karim.lakhani(a)sloan.mit.edu | lakhani.karim(a)bcg.com >> >voice: 617-851-1224 >> >fax: 617-344-0403 >> >http://spoudaiospaizen.net/ >> >http://opensource.mit.edu | http://freesoftware.mit.edu >> >http://userinnovation.mit.edu >> > >> > >> > >> >_______________________________________________ >> >Air-l mailing list >> >Air-l(a)aoir.org >> >http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Air-l mailing list >> Air-l(a)aoir.org >> http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l >> > >_______________________________________________ >Air-l mailing list >Air-l(a)aoir.org >http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

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7 new papers on opensource.mit.edu
by Karim R. Lakhani 24 Sep '03

24 Sep '03

HI Y'All! I hope the new academic year for everyone has started well. I am in the midst of my PhD comprehensive exams (written component was last friday and this coming friday is the oral!) - but felt kind of guilty with the long que of articles that needed to be posted. Any way, as usual we have had a great summer harvest! Please do send your comments to the authors. Many thanks to all the authors for their submissions. Here are the papers: Paper 1 Authors: Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon & Pankag Ghemawat Title: Dynamic Mixed Duopoly: A Model Motivated by Linux vs. Windows http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/masanellghemawat.pdf Abstract: This paper analyzes a dynamic mixed duopoly in which a profit-maximizing competitor interacts with a competitor that prices at zero (or marginal cost), with the cumulation of output affecting their relative positions over time. The modeling effort is motivated by interactions between Linux, an open-source operating system, and Microsofts Windows in the computer server segment, and consequently emphasizes demand-side learning effects that generate dynamic scale economies (or network externalities). Analytical characterizations of the equilibrium under such conditions are offered, and some comparative static and welfare effects are examined. ********************************************** Paper 2 Authors: Demil, Benoit & Xavier Lecocq Title: Neither market or hierarchy or network: The emerging bazaar governance http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/demillecocq.pdf Abstract Despite the growing body of literature describing the open-source phenomenon, few contributions have been theoretically grounded and research has largely focused on the software industry. Drawing on transaction cost economics, we go beyond these limitations and advance that open source constitutes a new generic governance structure—which we label bazaar governance— based on a specific contract. We characterize this structure in terms of its strengths and weaknesses and in comparison with market, firm and network structures. We consider how bazaar governance is actualized within an industry and the institutional entrepreneur’s crucial role in this process. Finally, we propose that bazaar governance has a profound impact on the structure of the industry in which it is introduced. ********************************************************************* Paper 3 Authors: González-Barahona, Jesús M & Gregorio Robles Title: Free software engineering: A field to explore http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/barahonarobles.pdf Abstract: The challenge of free software is not that of a new competitor who, under the same rules, produces software faster, cheaper and of a better quality. Free software differs from "traditional" software in more fundamental aspects, starting with philosophical reasons and motivations, continuing with new economic and market rules and ending up with a different way of producing software. Software Engineering cannot ignore this phenomenon, and the last five years or so has seen ever more research into all these issues. This article takes a look at the most significant studies in this field and the results they are producing, with a view to providing the reader with a vision of the state of the art and the future prospects of what we have come to call free Software Engineering. ************************************************************* Paper 4 Authors: Lakhani, Karim R & Bob Wolf Title: Why Hackers Do What They Do: Understanding Motivation and Effort in Free/Open Source Software Projects http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/lakhaniwolf.pdf Abstract: In this paper we report on the results of a study of the effort and motivations of individuals to contributing to the creation of Free/Open Source software. We surveyed 684 software developers in 287 F/OSS projects, to learn what lies behind the effort put into such projects. Academic theorizing on individual motivations for participating in F/OSS projects has posited that external motivational factors in the form of extrinsic benefits are the main drivers of effort. We find in contrast, that enjoyment-based intrinsic motivation, namely how creative a person feels when working on the project, is the strongest and most pervasive driver. We also find that user need, intellectual stimulation derived from writing code, and improving programming skills are top motivators for project participation. *************************************************** Paper 5 Authors: Stewart, Katherine J & Sanjay Gosain Title: Impacts of ideology, trust, and communication on effectivness in open source software development teams http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/stewartgosain.pdf Abstract: This paper develops a framework of the OSS ideology (including specific norms, beliefs, and values) and a theoretical model to show how components of the ideology, combined with trust and communication, impact effectiveness in OSS teams. The research model proposes distinct roles for affective trust, cognitive trust, social communication, and task communication as determinants of OSS team effectiveness. The results suggest that in order for OSS projects to grow into the kind of large successes that prior work has studied, the teams that work on them should foster the norms and values of the larger community and maintain consistent task communication to develop cognitive trust among members. ************************************************************************ Authors: van Reijswoud, Victor & Corrado Topi Title: Alternative Routes in the Digital World: Open Source Software in Africa http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/reijswoudtopi.pdf Abstract: Software allows people to work with computers. Operating Software controls the hardware components and application software provide tools to facilitate and support the users' work. Most of the softwares are owned by private people or companies and users by licenses to use the software. This type of software is called proprietary or closed source software since the user purchases a license for using the product and the actual product (source code). At present Microsoft and Oracle are the biggest producers of this type software in the world. In the two decades a new approach for software development is emerging. Open Source Software movement is built on the premise that better software is produced when everyone is allowed to modify and change the software. So, in stead of selling user licenses, the product (source code) is distributed. The article discusses the differences between Open and Closed Source Software and reasons that organizations in the African context should decide to embrace the Open Source Software initiative. Several emerging initiatives promoting the use of Open Source Software are considered. ********************************************************************** Paper 7 Author Barnes, Jonathan Title: Open Source Software as an organisational Technology http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/barnes.pdf Abstract: This paper is still relatively preliminary, yet it provides a decent introduction to open source, as well as including discussion on various economic issues, contained in the following sections: The benefits of Open Source, Possible incentives that encourage contribution, Barriers to widespread implementation of Open Source. -- =============================================== Karim R. Lakhani MIT Sloan School of Management & The Boston Consulting Group, Strategy Practice Initiative e-mail: karim.lakhani(a)sloan.mit.edu | lakhani.karim(a)bcg.com voice: 617-851-1224 fax: 617-344-0403 http://spoudaiospaizen.net/ http://opensource.mit.edu | http://freesoftware.mit.edu http://userinnovation.mit.edu

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Internet Use Among Scientists
by Wesley Shrum 24 Sep '03

24 Sep '03

Barjak-- The folks on my project would be very interested in seeing your results on Internet use among European scientists. We have been studying communication among scientist in India, Kenya, and Ghana since 1994, and Internet communication more recently. Most of the papers are on http://worldsci.net. There might be a possibility for some collaboration here, comparing countries. Apart from AOIR, a good place to present results is the Society for Social Studies of Science (unfortunately there is a scheduling conflict with AOIR this year, but this is not typical). All the best! Wes Shrum Professor of Sociology Secretary/Treasurer, Society for Social Studies of Science 4S website: www.lsu.edu/ssss From: Barjak Franz <franz.barjak(a)FHSO.CH> To: "'air-l(a)aoir.org'" <air-l(a)aoir.org> Subject: AW: [Air-l] e-science, the grid, and supercomputers Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 11:22:29 +0200 Reply-To: air-l(a)aoir.org I am currently finishing a report on the use of the Internet among = European scientists for a European Union funded research project. We carried out = A postal survey among scientists on their Internet access and use. The = Dataset contains scientists from 5 disciplines (astronomy, chemistry, computer science, economics and psychology) and 7 European countries. If anybody = onthe list is interested, I'll be glad to send out the report draft = (should beready by mid november). I am also looking for opportunities to present = andpublish selected issues. Regards Franz ********************************************* Franz Barjak University of Applied Sciences Solothurn=20 Northwest Switzerland=20 Riggenbachstrasse 16 CH-4600 Olten Switzerland E-mail: franz.barjak(a)fhso.ch Web: http://www.fhso.ch/_e/kont_e/pers_hp/doz_wirtschaft/barjak_e.htm !!!!!!!!!new phone and fax numbers!!!!!!!!!!! p. +41 62 287 7825, fax: +41 62 287 7845 *********************************************

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Re: [Air-l] blogs text?
by Jim Downing 24 Sep '03

24 Sep '03

Dear Greg, Bryan Alexander's bookmark page found here is a great resource for many things one of which is blogging Links to these articles found at it include Paul Andrews, "News by the People, For the People" (May 2002) Cameron Barrett, "Anatomy of a Weblog" (January 1999) Rebecca Blood, "weblogs: a history and perspective" Thomas Burg, "Learning and Weblogs" (Java presentation) Ellis, "All the News That's Fit to Blog" _____, "Weblogs for Professional Web Sites" (Feb 2002) Foley, "Are you blogging yet?" (July 2002) (.com value) Gilmor, "Journalistic Pivot Points" Grosso, "The Evolution of Blogs" (2002) Harrsch, "RSS: The Next Killer App for Education" (July 2003) Hiler, "Blogosphere: the emerging Media Ecosystem" (28 May 2002) _____, interviewed (22 June 2002) Meg Hourihan, "What We're Doing When We Blog" Jenkins, "Blog This" Jerz, On the Trail of the Memx: Vannevar Bush, Weblogs and the Google Galaxy" (February 2003) Kling, "Is Blogging a Fad?" - some good information metaphors. Lasica, "Blogging as a Form of Journalism" - Part 1, Part 2 [May 2002] Mayfield, "Ecosystem of Networks" (February 2003) Microdot, Dynamics of a Blogosphere Story" (May 2003) Orlowski, "Back in the Bloghouse" Pasick, "Blogs May Piece the Fog of War" (December 2002) (Forbes) Rodgers "Targeted Serendipity" (2002) Shachtman, "Blogging Goes Legit, Sort Of" (June 2002) Shirky, "Power Laws, Weblogs, and Inequality" (February 2003) Stone, "The Blogging Revolution" (July 2000) Sullivan, "The Blogging Revolution" Cross, "Blogs: Learn to blog, blog to learn" Jenkins, "Blogs at the Heart of Cultural Change" Kruper, "Blogs as CMSes: Is their biggest advantage also their achilles' heel?" (August 2003) Long, "Blogs: A Disruptive Technology Coming of Age?" Oravec, "Bookmarking the world: Weblog applications in education" (April 2002) Sinha, "Experiments in Designing Online Communities" (2002) You will find that these reading would give the crtical overview perspective that you are seeking to impart. http://cet.middlebury.edu/bryan/bookmarq.html Hope this helps and if you use it perhaps you could e-mail Bryan your appreciation. All the best Jim Downing >>> Greg.Wise(a)asu.edu 09/24/03 11:41 AM >>> I'm revamping my class in New Media and was wondering if anyone knew of any new books out there on blogs that one could recommend be set as a course text (i.e., a shorter book aimed at undergrads or a general public). I'm not looking for "How To" books, but perhaps a more critical approach to the phenomena. I've noted a number of books on blogs listed on Amazon. Also, or instead, if anyone knows of any decent articles on blogs that might work as a critical overview to set instead of a whole book, I'd appreciate it. Offlist replies are fine. Thanks, in advance, Greg Wise _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

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blogs text?
by Greg Wise 24 Sep '03

24 Sep '03

I'm revamping my class in New Media and was wondering if anyone knew of any new books out there on blogs that one could recommend be set as a course text (i.e., a shorter book aimed at undergrads or a general public). I'm not looking for "How To" books, but perhaps a more critical approach to the phenomena. I've noted a number of books on blogs listed on Amazon. Also, or instead, if anyone knows of any decent articles on blogs that might work as a critical overview to set instead of a whole book, I'd appreciate it. Offlist replies are fine. Thanks, in advance, Greg Wise

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Penn State
by Matt Jackson 23 Sep '03

23 Sep '03

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Apologies
by Rita Lauria 23 Sep '03

23 Sep '03

Assistant Professorship at the University of CaliforniIf my misguided email gets through the moderator (intelligent autonomous agent or other) w/out being thrown back, apologies to the list for early morning hasty hitting of the reply button. Rita Lauria

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Assistant Professorship at the University of California, Irvine
by Vikki Duncan 23 Sep '03

23 Sep '03

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