October 2014 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Book on activist DDoS actions launching this week!
by Molly Sauter 17 Oct '14

17 Oct '14

My new book on the activist use of distributed denial of service actions is launching this week. Check it out on Amazon <http://www.amazon.com/The-Coming-Swarm-Hacktivism-Disobedience/dp/162356456…> or contact Bloomsbury for an examination copy <http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/the-coming-swarm-9781623564568/>. And if you'll be in New York, Boston, Toronto, or Montreal in the next six weeks, come to one of the awesome book events <http://oddletters.com/2014/10/16/the-coming-swarm-book-tour/> we have scheduled. In *The Coming Swarm*, Molly Sauter examines the history, development, theory, and practice of distributed denial of service actions as a tactic of political activism. The internet is a vital arena of communication, self expression, and interpersonal organizing. When there is a message to convey, words to get out, or people to unify, many will turn to the internet as a theater for that activity. As familiar and widely accepted activist tools-petitions, fundraisers, mass letter-writing, call-in campaigns and others-find equivalent practices in the online space, is there also room for the tactics of disruption and civil disobedience that are equally familiar from the realm of street marches, occupations, and sit-ins? With a historically grounded analysis, and a focus on early deployments of activist DDOS as well as modern instances to trace its development over time, *The Coming Swarm* uses activist DDOS actions as the foundation of a larger analysis of the practice of disruptive civil disobedience on the internet. -- oddletters http://oddletters.com/ author of *The Coming Swarm: DDoS Actions, Hacktivism, and Civil Disobedience on the Internet <http://www.amazon.com/The-Coming-Swarm-Hacktivism-Disobedience/dp/162356456…>*

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Fwd: CFP: Bilingual Conference "History of Gender in Games"
by Mia Consalvo 17 Oct '14

17 Oct '14

FYI.. please circulate widely: *Call for Papers* Game History Annual Symposium: 2015 Edition *History of Gender in Games * Bilingual Conference (French/English) June 26-27, Grande Bibliothèque (Montreal, Canada) Website : www.sahj.ca Since the beginning of the 1990s, many scholars have shown concern for the plethora of gender stereotypes and sexist narratives in video games, as well as for the lower percentage of female players and of female game designers. Over time, the solutions advanced to avoid sexism and to bridge the gaps between men and women followed three different trends. *First Wave of Game Feminism* Considering the growing importance of technological literacy during the 1990s, many were promoting the creation of computer games specifically designed for girls. Even though these games risk naturalizing gender binaries, it seemed more realistic to transform the game industry one step at a time, by creating spaces where young girls feel comfortable to play. Simultaneously, groups like *Quake Grrl* proved that female players can enjoy beating boys at their own games. *Second Wave of Game Feminism* Between 2000 and 2010, the number of female players increased, but the rarity of women designers, the marginalization of professional female players, and the proliferation of stereotypical avatars persisted. While the conception of gender as socially constructed was spreading, more voices called for gender-neutral games. Some scholars also surfed on this “second wave” of game feminism by turning their attention to the contextual factors that explain gender disparity within gaming practices. Such discussions on gender in games, however, remained mostly centered around white heterosexual women. *Third Wave of Game Feminism* After two decades of game feminism, many scholars are now shifting their focus toward alternative representations of gender, LGBTQ themes, as well as self-reflexivity, diversity, sexuality, and masculinity in video games. Inspired by the most recent developements in gender and queer studies, more researchers adopt an intersectional approach to gender/race/class/age, or a postmodern approach to gender as something that we “do” and that is open to exploration on an individual basis, thus initiating a “third wave” of game feminism. *Conference* Presented in partnership with TAG (Technoculture, Arts and Games, Concordia University), CMS|W (Comparative Media Studies | Writing, MIT), Canada Research Chair In Game Studies & Design (Concordia University), LUDOV (Laboratory for the Documentation and Observation of Video Games, UdeM), Homo Ludens (UQAM), and BAnQ (Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec), this second edition of the *Game History Annual Symposium* will not only provide opportunities to review the history of gender in games, but also to document the emergence of a “third wave” of game feminism. Professionals and scholars from any and all disciplines are invited to submit a proposal in French or in English that would fit in one of these four tracks: *Track 1: Game Feminism* Invited speakers: Suzanne De Castell and Jennifer Jenson, co-founders of *Feminists in Games* (FIG) How have studies of gender in games evolved in the past decades? Have scholars found ways to work on this topic without essentializing gender differences and homogenizing the category “woman?” How can we describe the third wave of game feminism in comparison with the first and the second ones? How can studies of gender in computer games benefit from studies of gender in “traditional games” (role-playing games, board games, dolls, etc.)? *Track 2: Game Representations* Invited speaker: Adrienne Shaw, author of *Gaming at the Edge: Sexuality and Gender at the Margins of Gamer Culture* (University of Minnesota Press, 2015) How have gender representations in games changed? What similarities and differences can be observed between those found in computer games and those found in “traditional” games? Are stereotypical protagonists still pervasive, or there is more room for nuanced, androgynous, and queer avatars? Are there more serious games, indie games, or machinima that challenge stereotypes, educate players on gender issues or question heteronormativity? *Track 3: Game Design* Invited speaker: Brie Code, Lead programmer of *Child of Light* (Ubisoft, 2014) How has the participation of women as players and developers transformed game design? Has the game industry created new genres that are more appealing to women? Has it incorporated, in traditional genres, new elements that attract female players? Does the evolution of game design reflect a change of values regarding gender equality or a better tolerance of diversity? Do computer games provide more freedom than “traditional” games in terms of gameplay? *Track 4: Game Culture* Invited speaker: Todd Harper, author of *The Culture of Digital Fighting Games: Performance and Practice* (Routledge, 2013) How have gender dynamics evolved in game communities? Have those communities opened up to female players and gaymers? To what extend are sexism and sexual harassment still pervasive in geek culture? Are there new pockets of resistance? How and in what areas has the game industry changed its marketing to reach wider audiences than the core young male demographic? *Abstract Submission* Proposals of 800 words (plus bibliography) should be sent to GameHistoryMTL(a)gmail.com before *January 11, 2015*. The proposals should be *anonymous*, include a title, and provide a clear synopsis for a 20-minute presentation. In your email, please specify which track you want to be part of, provide your name, affiliation, and a short biography. Submissions will be reviewed by members of the scientific committee. A double-blind peer review publication project will be launched after the conference. *Conference chairs for the 2015 Edition* Mia Consalvo, Professor at Concordia University Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin, Postdoctoral Researcher at MIT *Cultural Events* • Screening of the movie *Gaming in Color* (2014) • Exhibition “Gender in Games” • Closing Reception • Montreal International Jazz Festival -- Mia Consalvo, Ph.D. Professor and Canada Research Chair in Game Studies & Design Director, the mLab Co-editor of Sports Videogames, 2013, Routledge Concordia University 7141 Sherbrooke Street West CJ Bldg, 4.407 Montreal, Quebec Canada 514.848.2424 .2574

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Fwd: CFP: User Experience, Social Media, and Enterprise Systems for HCI in Business for HCI 2015 in Los Angeles
by Honglei Li 17 Oct '14

17 Oct '14

*Social Media, User Experiences and Enterprise Systems* *Session Chair *Honglei Li, Northumbria University, honglei.li(a)northumbria.ac.uk Nnanyelugo Aham-Anyanwu Northumbria University, nnanyelugo.aham-anyanwu(a)northumbria.ac.uk *Description* User experience refers to the subjective, dynamic and emotional side of technology usage. Originating from the practical side of interface design, user experience has recently been penetrating into the academic field mainly because of the recent user-cantered design stream alongside burgeoning social computing software such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. and mobile devices such as Tablet PC like iPad and smartphones. Given this fact, many new software and product developments focus on the enriched user experience to improve product values and expand new business areas. With this wave of user experience design, the software design has gradually shifted from the traditional function-centred method to the user-centred method. User-centred software implies considerations of the holistic user experience including emotional, sensory, communicational and even visual sides of the function. However, the interfaces and functions of most enterprise systems, such as ERP systems are still in their legacy states where users won’t be able to communicate with each other. This session aims at exploring the user experience perspective of enterprise systems to find solutions to tackle the issue of legacy interface of enterprise systems. *Call for Papers* Last decade has experienced a burgeoning growth of diversified social software including social networking software like Facebook, LinkedIn, and SecondLife. Smartphone interface such as IOS and android through iPhone and various other brands brings new perspectives on human computer interactions. Users have come through completely new experience with computer interface and information systems in mobile and social networking applications. However, most enterprise systems such as ERP systems are still using the legacy user interface which is complex to learn and hard to navigate. As today’s workforce gradually sheds the older generation of employees and absorbs the younger ones who have been raised up with vast information technology devices, the views and attitudes on user interfaces of ERP systems will be gradually changed. The needs for interactions with the enterprise systems will be challenged. While fully realization of all user experience dimension might take years, the most convenient solution would be the integration of the social media and the traditional ERP system. Big ERP provider such as SAP has already started their strategic plan to shift toward this direction. SAP is implementing a social media strategy to shift the perception of their ERP software from the company level to the individual level. Their recent plan to acquire Syclo <http://www.syclo.com/>, a leading provider of enterprise mobile applications and technologies, indicates their strategic move the enterprise software to the social level. SAP has also introduced the SAP Jam which allows for social collaboration at the workplace and connects customers, partners and work colleagues with the aim of business-critical problems. SAP Jam can be integrated with and accessed within a firm’s business applications; it can also be accessed on mobile devices and online. Several others ERP vendors like IFS and Oracle also launched their social media-powered ERP software such as IFS. What is the user experience of the current enterprise systems? How users expect from the user experience if they are considered in the development process? Should the enterprise systems be changed to meet the emergent needs of the new generation workforce? What’s the relationship between the use experience of enterprise systems and productivity and business performance? Many interesting issues should centre on interactions of new user experience and the traditional enterprise systems with legacy interface. This session aims at discussing various issues between user experiences and enterprise systems. We welcome high quality papers on the topics of, but not limited to, the following areas: · User Experience of the existing Enterprise Systems · Interaction methods of Enterprise systems · Enterprise systems’ manual or documentation · Ease of use of enterprise systems · User experience requirements analysis for enterprise systems · Influence of stakeholder’s interest on their experience · The relationship between user experience and employee productivity of enterprise systems · Case study of user experience of enterprise systems · User interface analysis of existing enterprise systems such as ERP and BPM systems · Development issues of enterprise systems user interface · User interface design of enterprise systems based on user experience · Social media integration with enterprise systems · Graphical design of enterprise systems · Social experience of enterprise systems · Social identity in enterprise systems · Internal and external factors influencing user experience All submissions will be evaluated for novelty, significance, and soundness. Papers should clearly state the purpose, theory, methodology, results, possible practical implications of the study, and be fully referenced with appropriate international citations. *Important Dates and Submission Method* Deadline for Abstract (Up to 500 words) Submission Sunday 16 November 2014 Notification for Review Results for Abstract Friday 12 December 2014 Deadline for receiving the camera-ready version of invited papers: Friday, 20 February 2015 *If you are interested in submitting the abstract, please reply to Honglei Li *honglei.li(a)northumbria.ac.uk An Invitation will be sent for the submission of the abstract. For more information about the 2nd International Conference on HCI in Business, please visit http://2015.hci.international/hcib -- 李红蕾 -- Dr. Honglei Li -------------------------------------------------------- Senior Lecturer in Enterprise Information Systems School of Computing, Engineering, and Information Sciences Northumbria University Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST Phone: +44 091 243 7830 (O) +44 0787 2653330 (M) E-mail:HongleiLi@gmail.com; Honglei.Li(a)northumbria.ac.uk Homepage: http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/ceis/about/staff/honglei_li -- 李红蕾 -- Dr. Honglei Li -------------------------------------------------------- Senior Lecturer in Enterprise Information Systems School of Computing, Engineering, and Information Sciences Northumbria University Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST Phone: +44 091 243 7830 (O) +44 0787 2653330 (M) E-mail:HongleiLi@gmail.com; Honglei.Li(a)northumbria.ac.uk Homepage: http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/ceis/about/staff/honglei_li

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Call for Papers: Research in the Humanities
by Tama Leaver 16 Oct '14

16 Oct '14

*May be of interest to some of you ...* *Ctrl-Z: New Media Philosophy* Call for Papers: Research in the Humanities <http://www.ctrl-z.net.au/journal/research-in-the-humanities-call-for-papers/> The editors invite submissions to a forthcoming special issue of *Ctrl-Z: New Media Philosophy* on the question of ‘research’ in the humanities today. What counts as research; what doesn’t; and who decides? Does the traditional distinction between critical and creative work still hold? Is creative work, or any form of non-traditional academic work (i.e. whatever doesn’t conform to a notion of the standard academic essay), quantifiable and measurable according to an idea of research modelled on a certain conception of science? And who or what is humanities research for? What are its most appropriate or effective means of dissemination, and what kinds of effects might be expected of it once—*if*—it reaches its proposed destination? The editors have begun to address these questions in earlier issues—see Briggs & Lucy, ‘Art as Research? <http://www.ctrl-z.net.au/journal?slug=briggs-lucy-art-as-research>’ ( http://www.ctrl-z.net.au/journal?slug=briggs-lucy-art-as-research) for example—but there are many other possible responses. Ctrl-Z welcomes contributions in a variety of forms, including: • Essays between 3,000 and 6,000 words • Reviews (books, films, exhibitions, performances, etc.), up to 2,000 words • Audio-visual texts • Short fiction/creative nonfiction between 3,000 and 6,000 words • Poetry Contributors are encouraged to incorporate images in their work, and the journal favours multidisciplinary approaches. The issue is scheduled for publication in 2015, and the deadline for submissions is 31 December 2014. For the journal’s preferred style of presentation, see previous issues. Email submissions to Robert Briggs <R.Briggs(a)curtin.edu.au>.

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ANNOUNCEMENT AND CFP - KNOWLEDGE STRATEGIES
by ettore.bolisani＠unipd.it 16 Oct '14

16 Oct '14

APOLOGIES FOR CROSSPOSTINGS ------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS "Knowledge Strategies: a new connection between strategic thinking and nowledge management capabilities" Special issue call for papers from VINE - The journal of information and knowledge management systems Guest Edited by Prof. Constantin Bratianu of Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania and Ass. Prof. Ettore Bolisani at University of Padova, Italy, and President of International Association for Knowledge Managment. DETAILS AT: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/call_for_papers.ht… TOPICS This Special Issue aims to explore this issue and welcomes papers focusing on (but not limited to) the following topics: Strategic thinking and a knowledge-based view of the firm New perspectives on strategic planning and knowledge strategies Incorporation of knowledge strategies in corporate or business strategies Strategies for improving internal management of knowledge Strategies for improving the capability to exchange knowledge with external partners Knowledge management and strategic planning; knowledge management strategies Strategies for enhancing intellectual capital and organizational learning Knowledge strategies and emotional capabilities of companies Both theoretical papers (i.e. developing definitions, classifications, theories, or reviewing existing literature) and empirical studies (i.e. qualitative or quantitative studies: surveys, case studies, action research) will be considered. IMPORTANT DATES Manuscript deadline: 31 January 2015 Reviewer reports: 31 March 2015 Revised paper submission: 31 May 2015 Final Decisions: 30 June 2015 Expected publication: end of 2015 ----------------- Ettore Bolisani - PhD, Associate Professor DTG - University of Padua, Italy - ettore.bolisani(a)unipd.it International Association for Knowledge Management - www.iakm.net

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CFP: Media Fields Journal -- Digital Distribution
by Juan Llamas Rodriguez 16 Oct '14

16 Oct '14

Apologies for cross-posting. CFP Media Fields Issue 10: Digital Distribution Submission Deadline: October 24, 2014 In the past few years, media studies scholars such as Alisa Perren, Stuart Cunningham, and Ramon Lobato, have persuasively made the case for the importance of studying distribution. No longer considered simply the "space between production and consumption," distribution has quickly become a site of study in and of itself. In its myriad forms, distribution serves as the construction of difference, as the instantiation of hierarchies, and, as Sean Cubitt puts it, "the material ground of cultural dominance and political power." Therefore, the study of distribution increasingly becomes a key locus from which to start our investigations into the cultural, political, and social ramifications of media. Alongside this newfound attention to distribution, scholars have also begun to trace the rise and proliferation of digital technologies. Over a decade after the coining of the term Web 2.0, and fifteen years after the launch of Napster, the number of platforms and formats for the digital circulation of media has skyrocketed and, consequently, their ensuing communities have multiplied. Contemporary media studies has turned its attention not only to digital technologies themselves but also to the new media ecosystems emerging from these technologies. By considering these two intertwined, burgeoning trends in media studies scholarship, this issue of Media Fields Journal will explore how the theorization and practice of distribution transforms in light of the digital. If distribution is the movement of things-information, commodities, values, etc.-through space, the digital has now complicated what each of these aspects constitutes. The types of things that can be distributed across media have changed; the ways these things move are different; even the space through which they move has shifted. Furthermore, what phenomena, technologies, and practices fall under the purview of distribution have become more varied and disparate. For the Digital Distribution issue, Media Fields Journal seeks submissions that address questions about the role of distribution-as a practice, as a space, or as a process-in light of the digital. What are these new technologies and platforms, and how do they alter our relationships to media content? How are relations of power between producers and consumers restructured? How is geographical space itself reconfigured or reimagined? How is the exchange of values and affects facilitated by digital networks? How does the digital change the very metaphors used to discuss distribution, such as pipes, conduits, channels, networks, flow, etc.? In turn, how do these metaphors shape our projects and our theories of distribution? We invite submission that engage with the interconnections between distribution, the digital, and space in relation to topics such as: Geography: Geoblocking, International Censorship, Reformatting, Global Internet Penetration and Platform Availability, Satellite and Cable Infrastructure, Geographical Case Studies Informal Distribution Practices: Piracy Practices and Networks, Do-It-Yourself Distribution, Cyber Underworlds and the "Darknet" Social Space: Online Fan Practices, Social Networking, Cultures of Hacking, Social Apps Regulation and Policy: Cloud Governance, Net Neutrality, Spectrum Management, Privacy Rights, Regulating E-Waste Digital Platforms and Evolving Business Practices: Connected Viewing and Mobile Media, Content Flow and Windowing, Web TV, TV Everywhere, Format Theory, Digital Radio and Podcasting, Platform Interfaces and Design, Audience Segmentation and Metadata Essay submissions are typically 1500-2500 words. We encourage submissions from any disciplinary approach relevant to media distribution. Scholarly or critical contributions in atypical formats are welcome. Along with your submission, please include a 50-word biographical statement in the body of your email or as a separate attachment. Email submissions or inquiries to issue editors Jennifer Hessler and Juan Llamas-Rodriguez at submissions(a)mediafieldsjournal.org<mailto:submissions@mediafieldsjournal.org>. The deadline for submission is October 24, 2014.

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CFP: Hong Kong, April 2015 -- Global Digital Cultures Conference
by Jack Qiu 16 Oct '14

16 Oct '14

Just a gentle reminder that abstracts for our conference next April will be due tomorrow (Oct 17). We've got quite some submissions but won't mind receiving more. :-) Cheers, jack On Wed, Oct 1, 2014 at 3:23 PM, Jack Qiu <jacklqiu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Dear all, > > Brian Loader and I are organizing this conference, to be held in Hong > Kong. Abstracts are due on October 17 this month. > > Don't ask me how this ongoing political movement in Hong Kong will look > like next April. I have no idea. But my university and WUN (World > Universities Network) have committed to making this a great conference. > We've also got Lee Rainie, Hu Yong, and Saskia Sassen (she's almost > confirmed) as keynote speakers. There's also a high chance to get a panel > on digital activism and this "umbrella revolution" in Hong Kong. > > So consider joining us, and please spread the word! > > Cheers, > jack qiu > > ===== > *Call for Papers: WUN Understanding Global Digital Cultures Conference > 2015. 25-26 April. Hong Kong. CFP deadline:17 October. *http:// > bit.ly/1vvxy8e <http://t.co/YocgU0Yo4H> <http://t.co/YocgU0Yo4H> > > Ever since the Internet developed into a World Wide Web there has been > speculation about its potential to breakdown national cultural barriers. In > the early years of largely western dominance proclamations about the > emancipatory nature of cyberspace were only matched by charges of cultural > colonisation by consumer brands. In more recent times however this > suggestion of the emergence of a homogenous online digital culture has been > significantly challenged. Today at least 40% of Internet users are Chinese > and many more languages and cultures are now online. We have also witnessed > a resurgence of national, ethnic and identity cultures flourishing on the > Internet. Facilitated by social media platforms these new media > technologies have given rise to a much more complex picture of cultural > diversity and multiplicity. What is clear is that the new media ecology is > likely to have a significant influence upon the maintenance, threats, > opportunities and emergence of cultural forms. This two-day conference will > seek to explore the emergence and development of global digital cultures > through a number of themes including, but not limited to the following: > > - influence upon indigenous cultures > - governance of the Internet and how international negotiations might > influence cultural identities > - social media as cultural artefacts > - global branding, resistance and culture jamming > - participatory cultures, new cultural politics > - internet generations > - population mobility and social connectivity > - surveillance and public cultures > - cultural development through social media > - digital archives, narratives and memory. > > Keynote speakers > > Lee Rainie <http://www.pewresearch.org/staff/lee-rainie/>, Director of > the Pew Research Center's *Internet and American Life Project.* > > Professor Saskia Sassen <http://www.saskiasassen.com/>, Sociology > Department, Columbia University & The London School of Economics. > > Professor Hu Yong <http://www.chinafile.com/contributors/hu-yong>, School > of Journalism and Communication, Peking University. > Call for papers > > Papers are now invited that address the topics mentioned above. A > selection of the best papers will be published in a special issue of the > international journal *Information, Communication & Society*. > > Please submit title, abstract and brief biography for consideration to Brian > Loader <%20brian.loader(a)york.ac.uk> by *Friday 17 October 2014*. > Notification of decision will be made by 27 October 2014. > Registration > > Conference registration is £120 (HKD$1511). A reduced registration of £60 > (HKD$755) applies to students. > > Delegates from WUN member institutions receive free registration. > > Conference registration includes catering and symposium dinner. > > Online registration will be available on this website in November 2014. > Venue > > Lecture Theatre 2 > > Yasumoto International Academic Park > > The Chinese University of Hong Kong > Accommodation > > Rooms have been set aside at the Hyatt Sha Tin > <http://www.hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?src=phd_hr_ppc_goog…>, > located a few minutes walk from the conference venue. A discounted delegate > rate of HKD$1420 (incl. breakfast) has been arranged. > > Online registration and hotel reservation portal will be available on this > website in November 2014. > > For more information on visiting Hong Kong, visit Discover Hong Kong > <http://www.discoverhongkong.com/au/index.jsp>. > Conference Convenors > > Brian Loader > <http://www.york.ac.uk/sociology/our-staff/academic/brian-loader/>, > Department of Sociology, The University of York - brian.loader(a)york.ac.uk > <%20brian.loader(a)york.ac.uk> > > Jack Qiu > <http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/en-GB/people/teaching-staff/qiu-jack-l-c>, > School of Journalism & Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong - > jacklqiu(a)gmail.com <%20jacklqiu(a)gmail.com> > http://wun.ac.uk/wun/events/view/globaldigitalculturesconference2015 > -- Jack Linchuan Qiu, Ph.D. Associate Professor School of Journalism and Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong http://jack.com.cuhk.edu.hk/

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post-editing of news stories in online environments
by Philippa Smith 15 Oct '14

15 Oct '14

Hi Everyone, I'm interested in finding any published research about how online news organisations respond to readers comments to the extent that they will change words in a published story or a headline. This may follow criticism that certain words used in a story are inaccurate, racist or simply have the potential to be interpreted differently to what the journalist intended. Online platforms enable news organisations to alter a story immediately, but does the pressure to respond with speed also mean that alterations might occur to simply pacify one reader when others might not view the same words in the same way? Is there a safety net at work here for news organizations - just how common is it to change material? and what does this mean for journalistic practice in the digital age when reader criticism can be so immediate and visible? Any links to academic research in the area of the post-editing of news stories already published online would be appreciated. Kind regards Philippa Smith Institute of Culture, Discourse and Communication Auckland University of Technology Auckland NEW ZEALAND

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new emotional database of a half million hours of television news
by kalev leetaru 15 Oct '14

15 Oct '14

Apologies for cross-posting. I thought many of you would find of interest the latest GDELT Project (http://www.gdeltproject.org/) release. All 540,000 hours of English-language American television broadcasts held by the Internet Archive's Television News Archive were processed to extract the complete list of people, organizations, disambiguated locations, and more than 2,238 emotions and themes from each broadcast. The complete dataset (only the extracted metadata, not the broadcasts themselves) is available for download, along with an interactive viewer timeline that allows you to visualize a particular emotion or theme over the last four years of American television news: http://blog.gdeltproject.org/visualizing-the-emotions-of-american-televisio… http://analysis.gdeltproject.org/cgi-bin/iatvemotions/iatvemotions As an example, here is the plot of the intensity of "Anxiety" over time - notice the huge surge around the government shutdown last October and in June 2012 with the massive derecho storm: http://analysis.gdeltproject.org/cgi-bin/iatvemotions/iatvemotions?var=c8.3… While the extracted metadata is currently only at the level of a entire broadcast, it offers an enormous range of possibilities in terms of a first exploration of the emotions and themes of American broadcast news. Everything from mapping the geography of television ( http://blog.archive.org/2013/12/13/mapping-400000-hours-of-u-s-tv-news/) to building emotionally-weighted cooccurance networks is possible with this dataset. The ability to infuse cooccurance graphs with emotional, geographic, and thematic context layers opens some particularly interesting doors. A second dataset of possible interest applies the same coding to English translations of 101 speeches given by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from 2000 to present and a comparison dataset of 21,295 presidential documents from The American Presidency Project for Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama: http://blog.gdeltproject.org/leader-speeches-assad-vs-american-presidents/ In the next few days we will be debuting this emotional/thematic coding for all global news media monitored by the GDELT Project, meaning that you will shortly be able to assess these dimensions live over the world's news media: http://blog.gdeltproject.org/introducing-the-global-content-analysis-measur… ~Kalev

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archiving web pages?
by Bryan-Mitchell Young 15 Oct '14

15 Oct '14

I've been using a combination of httrack, the scrapbook extension for firefox, and print-to-pdf to archive web sites but some of the more complex sites are difficult to save with these so I was wondering if anyone knows of other, more powerful, ways to archive modern web sites that use a lot of javascript or don't display the full page until you go to the bottom of the page or things like that. Thanks Bryan-Mitchell Young

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