September 2004 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

RE: [Air-l] Request for Information: Call for Articles on "order"
by Matthew Allen 13 Sep '04

13 Sep '04

Sounds like M/c (media culture) http://www.media-culture.org.au/ <http://www.media-culture.org.au/> but the current issue is ''open" not "order" Matt Dr Matthew Allen Associate Professor Internet Studies Associate Dean Teaching and Learning, Humanities Curtin University of Technology, CRICOS 00301J Australia m.allen(a)curtin.edu.au http://smi.curtin.edu.au/netstudies/allen.htm +61 8 92663511 (v) +61 8 9266 3166 (f) Vice-President, Association of Internet Researchers http://www.aoir.org _____ From: air-l-aoir.org-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org on behalf of St-Amant, Kirk Sent: Tue 14/09/2004 4:26 AM To: air-l-aoir.org(a)listserv.aoir.org Subject: [Air-l] Request for Information: Call for Articles on "order" Hi all, I thought I had recently seen a call for short articles on the subject of "order" or systems of order being created as a result of online media use. I also believe the related online journal/publication was based in Australia. Has anyone else seen this call? If so, could you please respond to me directly at kirk.st-amant(a)ttu.edu and point me in the right direction? Thanks! Kirk _______________________________________________ Air-l-aoir.org mailing list Air-l-aoir.org(a)listserv.aoir.org http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org <http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org>

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RE: Re: [Air-l] new ! * The AoIR Journal *
by Julio Meneses Naranjo 13 Sep '04

13 Sep '04

Hi there, *My UBC colleague, John Willinsky, has created Open Journal *Systems - *software that supports open source online journal *management and publishing *- and last I checked, it was free <no wonder Bush is so *suspicious of *everything coming out of Canada>. It has been vetted and *found worthy by *large organizations like the American Educational Research *Association, and *small development efforts. *Worth a look, I should think. * *http://pkp.ubc.ca/ojs/ And that's a very great tool! I recommend it for a new born journal, reducing costs and improving collaboration. Something to have a look seriously, indeed. _________________________________________________________ Julio Meneses Knowledge Society Program Ph D. Candidate. Dept. Psychology and Educational Sciences. The Open University of Catalonia http://www.uoc.edu/ Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3 - UOC) Research Staff. Project Internet Catalonia (PIC) - Schools on the Network Society http://www.uoc.edu/in3/pic/

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Request for Information: Call for Articles on "order"
by St-Amant, Kirk 13 Sep '04

13 Sep '04

Hi all, I thought I had recently seen a call for short articles on the subject of "order" or systems of order being created as a result of online media use. I also believe the related online journal/publication was based in Australia. Has anyone else seen this call? If so, could you please respond to me directly at kirk.st-amant(a)ttu.edu and point me in the right direction? Thanks! Kirk

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BlogWalk before AOIR 5.0
by Lilia Efimova 13 Sep '04

13 Sep '04

Dear all, In case you are in London on 17 September and your interests are around social software in a corporate context you may be interested to join BlogWalk 4.0 BlogWalk (blogwalk.mediapedagogy.com) is a series of face-to-face meetings aimed to bring together weblog researchers and practitioners for in-depth conversations about their work, possible trends, and visions. The format we strive for is an intellectual Salon where minds can meet and inspire each other in direct conversation. The theme of BlogWalk 4.0 is "the future of work under influence of social software, e.g. blogging within the firewall". More at http://blogwalk.mediapedagogy.com/BlogWalkVenues/BlogWalk4 If you are interested to join, please email me. Looking forward to meeting you in Succex anyway :) Regards, Lilia Efimova blog.mathemagenic.com

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Re: [CITASA] PCs were invented in 1968
by Jen Light 13 Sep '04

13 Sep '04

There is an extended discussion of the story that Kathy mentions in my article "When Computers were Women," which appeared in Technology and Culture 40:3 (1999), pp. 455-483. There is also an active community of historians of computing with a journal of possible interest -- the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing (published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The journal contains both historical studies and first-hand testimonials from computing pioneers. We are eager to publish more work from the communication studies and internet research community, so if you have article idea feel free to run it by me, or the editor in chief, David Grier of George Washington University. Jennifer Light Assistant Professor Northwestern University Department of Communication Studies Department of History Department of Sociology (and Consulting Editor, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing) Stolley, Kathy S. wrote: >Barry et al.: > >There was a great article on women as the first computer programmers in Ms. Magazine a few years ago. It profiled the project and the team who programmed the first computer to calculate trajectories of missiles during World War II, a process that had previously taken a considerable number of hours per calculation. If I recall correctly, it also did an interesting "where are they now" on these women. I don't think I have the article anymore but my references have it listed as the being in the May/June 1998 issue of Ms. Magazine. > >Kathy > > >-----Original Message----- >From: citasa-bounces(a)mit.edu >To: communication and information technology section asa; aoir list >Sent: 9/11/04 3:26 PM >Subject: [CITASA] PCs were invented in 1968 > >Yup, that's what a student in my first class (Tech & Society) told me. I >forget if it was by John, Paul, Ringo or George. > >The comment made me realize that I should include in the syllabus a >potted >article on the history of computing, from Einiac to Pentiums and >wireless. > >Does anyone know of any? >And I will also include my personal 40 years of computing. (Which is >both >on my website, and at www.digibarn.com -- Bruce Damer's wonderful >computer >museum near Santa Cruz, Calif. > > Barry > _____________________________________________________________________ > > Barry Wellman Professor of Sociology NetLab Director > wellman at chass.utoronto.ca http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman > > Centre for Urban & Community Studies University of Toronto > 455 Spadina Avenue Toronto Canada M5S 2G8 fax:+1-416-978-7162 > To network is to live; to live is to network > _____________________________________________________________________ > >_______________________________________________ >CITASA Email List >citasa(a)mit.edu >On the Web at: www.citasa.org >_______________________________________________ >CITASA Email List >citasa(a)mit.edu >On the Web at: www.citasa.org > > > >

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Survey Questions for Online Forum Participants
by Steven Clift 13 Sep '04

13 Sep '04

If you have surveyed participants of online political/community forums, E-Democracy.Org would really like to compare notes. If you plan to survey forum participants in the future, we encourage you to build upon or adapt some the questions we share below. Also, E-Democracy.Org would be interested in your thoughts about the questions you think should be ask in future surveys: http://www.e-democracy.org/comments.html Steven Clift Chair, E-Democracy.Org --- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 12:53:37 -0500 From: Steven Clift <clift(a)PUBLICUS.NET> Organization: http://www.publicus.net Subject: [DW] Article - E-Democracy.Org Participant Survey Report and Key Questions to Other Surveys To: DO-WIRE(a)LISTS.UMN.EDU *** Democracies Online Newswire - http://dowire.org *** *** Headlines from top blogs: http://dowire.org/feeds *** Asking the right questions in e-democracy research is a difficult challenge. Building knowledge that helps practitioners refine and rethink their e-democracy-related efforts is vitally important and extremely rare. Jakob Jensen, who recently completed his PHD in Denmark, provided E-Democracy.Org the opportunity to work with him as he crafted questions to create useful knowledge about online civic/political discussion forums. An article titled, "Minnesota E-Democracy Forum Participant Survey Report," provides an overview of Jakob's research results: http://www.e-democracy.org/research In short, active citizens show up online. Many post and enjoy the forums. Prompted by public forum postings, often private communication from elected officials, journalists, government staff and other citizens demonstrate an important aspect of civic/political life not visible to the casual visitor ... and much much more. View the questions and background notes from Steven Clift, E-Democracy.Org Board Chair: http://www.e-democracy.org/research/surveyquestions.html Look below for the questions we encourage you to use in comparative surveys and studies. One of our goals is to determine what e-democracy investments (time, volunteers, programs, money, etc.) bring about the most resource-effective democratic results. If you are active with e-democracy research and are looking for an organization that will give you deep inside access, drop us a note: http://www.e-democracy.org/comments.html Sincerely, Steven Clift Board Chair, http://E-Democracy.Org Editor, http://DoWire.Org The questions: Survey - Minnesota E-Democracy A unique kind of democratic debate Your activity on Minnesota E-Democracy Question 1: Which E-Democracy hosted forums (e-mail discussion lists) do you subscribe to: (check all that apply) Minneapolis Issues Forum St. Paul Issues Forum Winona Online Democracy Minnesota Politics Discuss Question 2: In which of the forums do you spend the most time (i.e. follow most closely)? Minneapolis Issues Forum St. Paul Issues Forum Winona Online Democracy Minneasota Politics Discuss Question 3: For how long have you participated in one or more of the forums? (off and on or continuously) Since 1994 Between 5 and 7 years Between 3 and 4 years Between 1 and 2 years Less than a year Question 4: How did you first become aware of Minnesota E-Democracy or any of its forums? Via links on the Internet Through an e-mail from a friend or family member Through an e-mail from a political or professional contact Through media coverage Through word of mouth (off-line) At a public meeting or event Through print flyers or similar materials Other, ____ Question 5: How often do you use any of the features provided online by Minnesota E-Democracy? (read the discussion messages or use the E-Democracy web site to find links or information) Everyday Most days Most weeks Every month Rarely Never Question 6: Approximately how often do you post (send an e-mail to the list(s)) to any of the forums? Everyday Most days Most weeks Every month Rarely Never Jump question 6a (if answer anything but never): Have you ever received private responses (those not shared publicly with other participants) to any of your postings from (check all that apply) Another participant A government official An elected official A journalist Someone offering information you sought Someone supporting the opinion you expressed Someone differing with the opinion you expressed Someone offering abusive comments (profanity, personalized name calling, etc.) Question 7: What activities have you engaged in on the forum(s)? (check all that apply) Started new topics of discussion Contributed my opinion to discussions Requested information from the group Contributed information and/or links Forwarded messages from the forum(s) to others Encouraged others to join the forum(s) Engaged in private exchanges with other forum members Read a post which caused me to e-mail, call, write or meet with an elected official Read a post which caused me to attend a public meeting, event or rally Read discussions without posting Impressions and conceptions of the forum Question 8: Consider your experience with the forum(s) in which you participate. How would you evaluate the following elements of the forum? Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 characterizes a very negative impression and 5 characterizes a very positive impression (-) (+) The overall quality of the postings 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The quality of my own postings 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 __ Doesnt Apply The amount of new information provided 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The reliability of the information provided 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The usefulness of the discussion 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The level of respect between the debaters 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The general atmosphere in the forum 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 Please share further comments on your personal experiences - good, bad or simply notable: ________________________________________________ Question 9: Consider the following factors and their effects on making Minnesota E-Democracydiscussions an ideal forum for online dialogue, participation and civic involvement. Please use a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means a very negative effect and 5 means a very positive effect. (-) (+) The rules and guidelines 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The forum managers (list manager/moderator) 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The geographical boundaries on topics discussed 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The present technical form of the discussion (i.e. an e-mail list not a web board) 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 The information provided on the website of Minnesota E-Democracy 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 Question 10: Try to compare Minnesota E-Democracy forums with other forms of political participation. To which forms do you find it most similar? (one to three answers, please) Writing letters to the editor for a newspaper or journal Participating in a meeting with other citizens Contacting politicians by letter Contacting politicians in person Discussing politics with friends, colleagues or family Attending a political party meeting Organizing grassroots activities Other forms, which_________________ Do not know Question 11 Considering the overall content in the forum(s) compared to view points expressed in other media (TV, radio, newspapers etc.) Is it: More balanced Similar Less balanced Question 12: To what extent do you think the discussions affect the following areas? Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 means they have no impact, 3 means they have some impact and 5 means they have a large impact. No impact-some impact-large impact Influencing politicial decision-makers 12345 Setting the community agenda? 12345 Influencing opically related media coverage of community or political issues? 12345 Affecting public life or your community relations with others? 12345 Question 13: Over time, have the discussions changed or influenced your political opinions or your vote? (check all that apply) It has changed how I normally vote It has influenced my vote in specific elections It has changed one or more of my political opinions It has had some impact on my political opinions It has had no impact at all Dont know Question 14: Consider your experience with the activities of Minnesota E- Democracy. Which of the following purposes do you think it serves best? (one to three answers please) Discussion among citizens Discussion among citizens and politicians Affecting media coverage Putting issues on the political agenda Giving a voice to alternative perspectives Giving a voice to diverse or less represented groups in society Contacting politicians Searching for information about politics or community issues Networking with other politically active people Organizing grassroot activities Linking communities and neighborhoods together Other Do not know Question 15: Have you experienced cases where Minnesota E-Democracy forum discussions have had an effect on political decisions, the agenda in traditional media or in-person discussions in the community. If so, please describe: _______________________________ Question 16: What do you value most about the discussion in the forum(s)? What do you value most about the role of Minnesota E-Democracy and their volunteer forum managers? Question 17: What should Minnesota E-Democracy do to improve the use of the Internet as a tool for citizen participation, political/community involvement or dialogue among the citizens and elected officials? Do you have specific suggestions for E-Democracys web site and e-mail forums, or related online services youd like to see in Minnesota related to democracy? Political interest and participation in general Question 18: Do you consider yourself interested in politics and/or community affairs? Yes, very much Yes, to some extent Only a little Not really Not at all Question 19: Have you participated in other discussions online? (check all that apply) Yes, on a political party website/e-mail list Yes, on a politicians website/e-mail list Yes, on a political or community organizations website/e-mail list Yes, on a government website/e-mail list Yes, on an individuals website/e-mail list Yes, on a mass media website/e-mail list Yes, on a commercial website/e-mail list Yes, through usenet newsgroups Yes, through real-time chat or group instant messaging No, I have not Question 20: Have you actively participated in politics the last 12 months? (check all that apply) Member of /donor to a political party Attended a political partys precinct caucus Candidate for elective office Member of any kind of government or local councils Member of a grassroot organisation Attended town meetings, public hearings, citizen activist meetings, etc. Written a letter to the editor Contacted a politician on one or more issues Discussed politics with family, friends or colleagues I voted in the most recent election None Question 21: Which effect has your participation in Minnesota E-Democracy had on the following factors?: Please use a scale from 2 to +2, where 2 means a decrease, 0 means no effect and +2 means an increase. Decrease ------ No effect ------ Increase My interest in political or community issues -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My knowledge of political or community issues -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My overall civic involvement -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My knowledge of the rationale behind other peoples opinions -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My level respect for those with differing opinions from my own -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 My sense of connection to elected officials -2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2 Use of Internet and other media Question 22: How often do you use the following Internet features? Several times a day - Every day - Weekly - Monthly - Less than that - Never E-mail? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X ------------- X --------- X Websites? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X ----------- -- X --------- X Instant messaging? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X --- ---------- X --------- X Question 23: Where do you access the Internet on a regular basis? (check all that apply) At home At work At school/university At libraries, cafes, or other public places At the homes of friends or family Other places Question 24: Which non-Internet forms of media do you use at least once a week? (check all that apply) TV Radio Newspapers Magazines Others I use only the Internet Demographics: Question 25: Basic demographics What is your gender? Male__ Female___ What is your age? ____years What is your ZIP code _____ Question 26: Which education do you have (please mark the highest level attained)? _None, or grades 1-8 _Some High school (grades 9-11) _High school graduate (grade 12 or GED certificate) _Business, Technical, or vocational school AFTER high school _Some college, no 4-year degree _College graduate (B.S., B.A., or other 4-year degree) _Post-graduate training/professional school after college (Master' degree/Ph.D., Law or Medical school) _Don't know/Refused Question 27: How would you best describe yourself? Average citizen Activist citizen Journalist Elected official City employee County/regional govt employee State government employee Don't know/Refused At Minnesota E-Democracys request I have included the following two optional questions for their use in comparing the demographics of participants with recent census data. The aggregate information will help them establish a baseline for future outreach. Question 28: Race/Ethnicity Please check all boxes that describe your racial/ethnic background (adapted from U.S. Census categories): White Black or African American American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Hispanic or latino Dont Know/Refused Question 29: Total Household Income Per Year (from US Census categories) Less than $10,000 $10,000 - $14,999 $15,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $34,999 $35,000 - $49,000 $50,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $149,000 $150,000 - $199,999 $200,000 or more Thank you for the participation. You will of course remain anonymous and your answers will be treated and analyzed with the utmost discretion. ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - - - W: http://publicus.net Minneapolis - - - - E: clift(a)publicus.net Minnesota - - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - MSN/Y!/AIM: netclift Join my Democracies Online Newswire: http://dowire.org EDem's Election 2004 Links: http://e-democracy.org/us *** Past Messages, to Subscribe: http://dowire.org *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: listserv(a)lists.umn.edu *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please send submissions to: clift(a)publicus.net *** *** New RSS XML Feed Available: *** http://www.mail-archive.com/do-wire@lists.umn.edu/maillist.xml Steven Clift - http://publicus.net - Reply to: clift(a)publicus.net Join DoWire: http://dowire.org E-Democracy: http://e-democracy.org

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Fwd: EC Open Source Observatory seeks stories from public administrations
by Laurent Straskraba 13 Sep '04

13 Sep '04

Hi all, are there some people on this list being able to support OSO? Sounds really interesting. Thanks, Laurent >--- >European Commission's Open Source Observatory seeks stories from public >administrations > >The European Commission's Open Source Observatory (OSO) is a clearinghouse >of information related to free/libre/open source software in the public >sector, and is intended to promote and spread the use of best practices in >Europe. The OSO is part of the EC's IDA (Interchange of Data between >Administrations) programme, and ultimately aims to provide a comprehensive >overview of open source software policies and activities in the public >sector, especially in current and future EU Member States > >The OSO has been re-launched on the new IDA website in August, and is >available at http://europa.eu.int/ida/oso/. The content is being collected >by MERIT (University of Maastricht), Unisys and Eurocities/Telecities. It >includes information on events and other announcements, case studies, and >news stories with a focus on news sourced directly from public >administrations. > >We invite you to send in news items, announcements for events and other >stories related to open source and of interest to public administrations. >Please email them to: <mailto:gposs@cec.eu.int>gposs(a)cec.eu.int. > >If you belong to a public authority or a public sector organisation and >would be interested in being the subject of a case study for best practices >regarding open source software, please contact us at: ><mailto:gposs@cec.eu.int>gposs(a)cec.eu.int. --- Mag. Laurent Straskraba Information Society Researcher http://www.icts.sbg.ac.at Information Society Representative at UN Youth & Student Association of Austria http://www.afa.at post: Ontlstrasse 3, A - 4040 Linz, Austria / Europe mobile: +43.650.7711861 (GMT +1) e-mail: laurent(a)straskraba.net web: http://www.straskraba.net ---

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Re: [Air-l] PCs were invented in 1968
by Ted Friedman 12 Sep '04

12 Sep '04

In the interests of self-promotion, let me recommend one more source - my own Electric Dreams: Computers and American Culture, forthcoming from NYU Press next spring. In the meantime, an excerpt on the introduction of the Macintosh is available at http://www.gsu.edu/~jouejf/mac.htm. -- Ted Friedman > -----Original Message----- > From: air-l-aoir.org-bounces(a)listserv.aoir.org > [mailto:air-l-aoir.org-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf > Of Monica Murero > Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 4:04 PM > To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org > Subject: Re: [Air-l] PCs were invented in 1968 > > > > article on the history of computing, from Einiac to Pentiums and > > wireless. Does anyone know of any? > > Hi Berry and all, here some references: > > Bootstrapping: Douglas Engelbart, 2000. Coevolution, and the > Origins of Personal Computing. Stanford, CA: Stanford > University Press. > > Rheingold, Howard. 2000. Tools for Thought: The History and > Future of Mind-Expanding Technology. 2nd Rev. ed: MIT Press. > > Winston, Brian. 1998. Media technology & society: a history > from the telegraph to the internet. London: Routledge > > Smith, Douglas K., and Robert C. Alexander. 1988. Fumbling > the Future: How Xerox invented, then ignored, the first > personal computer. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. > > Reckoners : the prehistory of the digital computer, from > relays to the stored program concept, 1935-1945 / Paul E. Ceruzzi > > A history of modern computing; Ceruzzi, Paul E. > > Pfaffenberger, Bryan (1988) "The Social Meaning of the > Personal Computer: Or, Why the Personal Computer Revolution > was No Revolution". Anthropological Quarterly, Vol 61, pp 39-47 > > Campbell-Kelly and Aspray: Computer: A History of the > Information Machine > > Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer by > Paul Freiberger & Michael Swaine (1984) > > Tracy Kidder: The Soul of a New Machine > > Hafner, Katie, and Matthew Lyon. 1998. Where wizards stay up > late: the origins of the Internet. New York: Touchstone. > > Janet Abbate: Inventing the Internet > > Waldrop, M. Mitchell. 2001. The Dream Machine. J. C. R. > Licklider and the Revolution That Made Computing Personal. > New York: Penguin. > > Online Resources: > > http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/overviews.html > > http://www.pbs.org/nerds/ > > Usenet group alt.folklore.computers > > I hope it helps . > Monica > ************************************************************ > Prof. Monica Murero, PhD > Director, E-Life International Institute > Professor in Communication and Media Integration > > University of Florence MICC - Center of Excellence > for Media Integration and Communication > RAI Sede Regionale Toscana (III p.) Largo A. De Gasperi, 1 > 50136 Firenze (Italy) Tel. + 390 55 666 445 Fax + 390 55 > 666 465 http://www.micc.unifi.it/organization.htm > E-mail: monica.murero(a)unifi.it > > International Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) > AoIR Executive Board - First Appointed Seat > http://www.captaindoc.com/interviews/interviews12.html > > ****************************************************************** > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Barry Wellman" <wellman(a)chass.utoronto.ca> > To: "communication and information technology section asa" > <citasa(a)mit.edu>; "aoir list" <air-l(a)aoir.org> > Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 8:26 PM > Subject: [Air-l] PCs were invented in 1968 > > > > Yup, that's what a student in my first class (Tech & > Society) told me. > > I forget if it was by John, Paul, Ringo or George. > > > > The comment made me realize that I should include in the syllabus a > > potted article on the history of computing, from Einiac to Pentiums > > and wireless. > > > > Does anyone know of any? > > And I will also include my personal 40 years of computing. > (Which is > > both on my website, and at www.digibarn.com -- Bruce > Damer's wonderful > > computer museum near Santa Cruz, Calif. > > > > Barry > > > _____________________________________________________________________ > > > > Barry Wellman Professor of Sociology > NetLab Director > > wellman at chass.utoronto.ca > http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman > > > > Centre for Urban > & Community Studies University of Toronto > > 455 Spadina Avenue Toronto Canada M5S 2G8 > fax:+1-416-978-7162 > > To network is to live; to live is to network > > > _____________________________________________________________________ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Air-l-aoir.org mailing list Air-l-aoir.org(a)listserv.aoir.org > > http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org > > _______________________________________________ > Air-l-aoir.org mailing list > Air-l-aoir.org(a)listserv.aoir.org > http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-> aoir.org >

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Re: [Air-l] PCs were invented in 1968
by Willard Uncapher 12 Sep '04

12 Sep '04

At 01:26 PM 9/11/2004, you wrote: >Yup, that's what a student in my first class (Tech & Society) told me. I >forget if it was by John, Paul, Ringo or George. > >The comment made me realize that I should include in the syllabus a potted >article on the history of computing, from Einiac to Pentiums and wireless. Picking up a parallel thread to exploring computer history - I have been incensed, if I might put it in those terms, at the lack of interest in most communications research programs on the general topic of communications history. Indeed, the lack of understanding on these issues by my students is so profound that I find it almost impossible, or at least improbable to move forward on others issues. I would generalize that the understanding of history in general is becoming erratic, a factor that plays into various know-nothing political stances these days. For instructors like myself who have very little say in what courses are taught in the departments with which I am affiliated, this great lack of understanding on both the faculty as well as the students I think presents a great theoretical hole in not only Internet Studies, but in communication research in general. (I am doing a little study on this right now, not that I know where such research might be welcome). I am teaching a course on 'computer mediated communication' right now, with over half the class consisting of graduate students in communication. Now I wanted to contextualize the development of the computer into the larger developments of comm history. Indeed, I like to think about the question as to whether the development of the Internet and CMC during the later 20th century was 'revolutionary' or 'evolutionary' or what. I want to make sure that we wouldn't be too quick to jump on techno-determinist or cultural-determinist ideological camps, and to see how the impact of new media can reflect, play into, and influence contemporary techno-communicational developments. Ok. Computers in 1968, Barry? I asked my students when Gutenberg developed his revolutionary iteration of the printing press - and not only could not a single student tell me within a 100 years, but the answers were simply astonishing (1700!). Dates of the larger developments in comm history, even from a Euro-centric perspective were not forthcoming. What little comm history they did know was related to mass media (there were some grunts of acknowledgement when I asked about the penny press, but not much understanding when I mentioned the telegraph as the beginning of the global, electronic, network society). The same was true as I talked about the history of the discipline itself: Paul Lazersfeld, who's he? Indeed, not one of my students had heard of Marshall McLuhan (and how could they in a traditional media course?). My course on CMC, which I had planned as only exploring the state of the field since 9/11 and the dot.com bust is now spending a lot more time setting up an understanding of the media world even before Turing, von Neuman, etc. Indeed more contemporary historical awareness - for example, the complete lack of awareness bout the existence or promise of the Whole Earth Catalog - can be so lacking that a question about the inter-relation of the WECatalog, the California Ideology, the Sharing economies, and the rise of the WEB invite confusion. However, I don't see resources out there to address this problem. Sigh. Willard Willard Uncapher, Ph.D. / Network Emergence / 8706 Kendall Court, Arvada, CO 80003 mailto:nwu1@columbia.edu / http://www.well.com/user/willard

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new ! * The AoIR Journal *
by Monica Murero 12 Sep '04

12 Sep '04

Since early in AoIR's short life, there have been questions about when, how, and whether we should launch a journal of our own. AoIR does not have a journal of its own. Most professional associations publish one or more journals. Since May 2004 an online working group composed by AoIR members has discussed thoughtful considerations of the issues upon which the AoIR executive committee will base a decision. Specifically, the group has: 1) identified existing journals that publish internet research; 2) Identified the possibilities for AoIR; 3) For each possibility the group has identified the advantages and disadvantages. In Sussex we will talk more about the "AoIR journal": - Sunday after lunch @ the BoF session - On Monday afternoon, during the AoIR General Meeting. You are invited to participate to the discussion of this very important opportunity for the future of AoIR. See you soon ! Monica ************************************************************ Prof. Monica Murero, PhD Director, E-Life International Institute Professor in Communication and Media Integration University of Florence MICC - Center of Excellence for Media Integration and Communication RAI Sede Regionale Toscana (III p.) Largo A. De Gasperi, 1 50136 Firenze (Italy) Tel. + 390 55 666 445 Fax + 390 55 666 465 E-mail: monica.murero(a)unifi.it International Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) AoIR Executive Board - First Appointed Seat http://www.captaindoc.com/interviews/interviews12.html ******************************************************************

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