- Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Twitter Research Question
by Theo Plothe 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

I'm at the beginnings of a Twitter study looking at a community's reaction to a televised event. In my literature review, I'm having a difficult time justifying when to include the community's tweets chronologically preceding the event and following the event. For those of you that do content analysis on social media like Twitter, do any of you have suggestions? The data has already been collected using a Twitter scraper. I'm just trying to decide right now how to define the boundaries for my analysis. Any suggestions or a study you can point to that uses a similar method will be helpful. Thanks, Theo -- Theo Plothe Ph.D. Student Remix Culture and Gaming American University School of Communication

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Re: [Air-L] A suggestion for reading lists and syllabi
by Kelly Quinn 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Hi All, We do have an AoIR wiki (http://wiki.aoir.org/page/Main_Page)--but some of the material is no longer available. As I recall, there were sections for digital research tools and teaching resources. Perhaps we can start an new section for syllabi/reading materials. Not sure when the new info will be up (Alex, any comment?). Looking forward to seeing many of you in Denver! Kelly Quinn

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Re: [Air-L] Utility of listserv vs. Facebook board?
by Nicholas Bowman 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

David, The point you make about the benefit of "lurkers" is a very good one. Indeed this is a 'weak-tie' sort of network, and we never know where insights will come from, right? I think it's more a matter of adjusting (myself) to AoIR culture, which seems much more inclusive than other research groups and organizations that might see "lurkers" as more meddlesome than (a word that means "helpful" that begins in "m"?). But, I should have expected at least as much from AoIR scholars as "network folks" - it seems that Granovetter wins, yet again. And Ella, see? I deleted the e-mail I'm responding to. =)

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A suggestion for reading lists and syllabi
by Andrea Guzman 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Hello all, As we all know, one of the routine uses for this listserv is to request reading suggestions, syllabi, and other course related materials. I was wondering if it would be possible to establish some sort of reading list, syllabus, assignment, etc. exchange on the AoIR website as a central place to share this information. I have used these pages for other groups and find they are very helpful, particularly when it comes to finding appropriate readings for undergrads. I realize that setting up and maintaining such a page would require additional thought and debate. I am just putting the idea out there for future consideration and discussion (maybe in Denver?). I also realize that adding a feature to the website is extra work for someone, and so, I would be willing to help if the idea is carried forward. Andrea -- Andrea L. Guzman, M.A. PhD Candidate Department of Communication University of Illinois at Chicago aguzma31(a)uic.edu

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Self-determined publics
by Michael Allan 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Hi folks, a request for pointers, Below I define what I call "self-determined publics". Has anything similar been attempted before? A self-determined public is an open community that stakes out the definitive bounds of its own communications. The boundary stakes are formed as a timely sequence of references (e.g. web links) each pointing to a communication of the public, such that all references together define the total of that public's communications in time and space. For example: Ago Place Title (click to visit thread) ------- --------- ------------------------------------------ 17 min r/Foo How do we attach the doohickey? 5 hr Foo-L The problem with so and so's proposal. 1 day FuBarz Who are these Foos, anyway? 1 day r/Foo This, that, and the next thing. 2 days FooStack What's the best thingamy for such and such? . . . and so on The staked boundary is similar in form to a conventional news feed. It concerns a specific topic, or style, or other quality of communication. The differences are in a) the exclusion of mass communications, b) the claim to totality, and c) the self-determin- ation that redeems that claim. (a) A principle criterion for the inclusion of a boundary reference is that one may immediately join the referenced communication and reply in kind, as a peer. Unidirectional, mass communications are excluded. (b) The staked boundary is asserted to cover the entire public discussion of the topic across all communication media and sites; or the entire public dialogue in the style of the community; and so forth. It claims to be the most complete, accurate and up-to-date outline of the extended dialogue that is available anywhere. (c) This claim is redeemed by the public members themselves who continually submit the boundary references, self-organize the necessary labour, and self-constitute the necessary government. No aspect of this redeeming self-determination is limited by an external authority, not even by the authority of their own, past decisions. I'm looking for brief pointers, please. I don't know of any actual implementations of this, or projects that are working on it. I'll share what's found with the list. Pointers so far: Heather Marsh (Concentric groups, knowledge bridges and epistemic communities); Chris Kelty (Two bits, recursive publics); Anthony Cohen (Symbolic construction of community); and Sebastian Benthall (Weird Twitter). https://mailman.stanford.edu/pipermail/liberationtech/2013-July/thread.html… Apologies if you received this message twice, -- Michael Allan Toronto, +1 416-699-9528 http://zelea.com/

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Re: [Air-L] Utility of listserv vs. Facebook board?
by Prof. Dr. Nadia Kutscher 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Dear Nicholas, thanks for this suggestion. As a person critical to the digital enclosure of Facebook etc. I would suggest if there should be something like that at all to set up a structure not based on a system such as Facebook but being open without contributing to data mining etc. Best regards Nadia Kutscher ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prof. Dr. Nadia Kutscher Catholic University of Applied Sciences NRW Department Cologne Woerthstr. 10 D-50668 Koeln Germany Phone: +49-(0)221 7757 186 Fax: +49-(0)221 7757 180 E-Mail: n.kutscher(a)katho-nrw.de Please note: From September 1st 2013 I am starting a new professorship at University of Vechta. New e-mail address: nadia.kutscher(a)uni-vechta.de ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nicholas Bowman <Nicholas.Bowman(a)mail.wvu.edu> hat geschrieben: AoIR pals! As a new member to the organization, I had wondered perhaps if this e-mail listserv really is the best space for many of the transactional-type discussions that happen between members. On the one hand, it's very cool (and inspiring) to see such a vibrant discussion between motivated and intelligent people, but on the other hand there are days in which I will receive as many as 20 different AoIR e-mails - often a chronology of a conversation between a few members that I might or might not be specifically involved in (besides my tangential connection to both as an AoIR member). To this end, I wonder if the organization has (or might) consider using a different channel for these transactional-type discussions, such as a closed Facebook page, that provides members an "opt-in" and persistent space for more detailed discussions. As the Web and Publications Editor for the Mass Communication of NCA (National Communication Association), I have facilitated such a page for our 1200+ members for the better half of three years, and we've seen quite a few members (about 500 currently "following" the page) log in and share research and scholarly opinions in the space - which has taken quite a bit of pressure off of our listserv. I realize of course there are likely many reasons why we don't have such a space, but I'm just wondering if using the current AoIR listserv as a bulletin board and discussion place is the most functional use of the technology; as a new member, it can often times be overwhelming. Of course, should there be any interest in such a project - using Facebook, or some other technology that is more easily assessible/less likely to see us all anti-aging cream on a daily basis - I'd be more than happy to assist. Or, I'll just continue to acclimate to the AoIR listserv, as I go find it generally useful. Just a few thoughts from a new member - I do not mean to shake the apple tree so please to not take this note as anything more than an "outside looking in" observation. Glad to be a member, and eager for my first AoIR this Fall in Denver. =) ~nick Nicholas David Bowman, Ph.D. ( http://ndbowman.info/ )Assistant Professor of Communication Studies; Research Associate, Media and Interaction Lab West Virginia University Web and Publications Editor, Mass Communication Division National Communication Association Vice-Chair, Game Studies Interest Group International Communication Association Interim Social Media Director Eastern Communication Association ______________________ Twitter @bowmanspartan Skype ID: nicholasdbowman On Media Theory... ( http://onmediatheory.blogspot.com/ ) _______________________________________________ The Air-L(a)listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org Join the Association of Internet Researchers: http://www.aoir.org/

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Re: [Air-L] digest it! not FB it!
by Taylor-Smith, Ella 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Hi while we're discussing this, it would make it easier to follow threads on digest mode if people who are replying deleted the message(s) they are replying to, thanks -Ella Ella Taylor-Smith Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation Edinburgh Napier University 10 Colinton Road Edinburgh, EH10 5DT Email: e.taylor-smith(a)napier.ac.uk http://www.iidi.napier.ac.uk/e.taylor-smith http://about.me/EllaTaylorSmith @EllaTasm Edinburgh Napier University offers industry informed courses which combine the optimum balance of theory and practice to equip graduates for success in today's competitive global job market. 92.3% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of leaving. With over 17,000 students from over 110 countries, we are an international University and are also proud to be the largest UK provider of higher education in Hong Kong. This message is intended for the addressee(s) only and should not be read, copied or disclosed to anyone else outwith the University without the permission of the sender. It is your responsibility to ensure that this message and any attachments are scanned for viruses or other defects. Edinburgh Napier University does not accept liability for any loss or damage which may result from this email or any attachment, or for errors or omissions arising after it was sent. Email is not a secure medium. Email entering the University's system is subject to routine monitoring and filtering by the University. Edinburgh Napier University is a registered Scottish charity. Registration number SC018373

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digest it! not FB it!
by Barry Wellman 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Dear Nicholas David Bowman et al I get the daily digest which isn't onerous at all. I skim items, and even use the Table of Contents. I'd hate to get one item at a time. But if it goes to Facebook, AoIR loses me, as I don't do FB. Barry Wellman _______________________________________________________________________ NetLab Director FRSC INSNA Founder Faculty of Information (iSchool) 611 Bissell Building 140 St. George St. University of Toronto Toronto Canada M5S 3G6 http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman twitter: @barrywellman NETWORKED:The New Social Operating System. Lee Rainie & Barry Wellman MIT Press http://amzn.to/zXZg39 Print $22 Kindle $16 Old/NewCyberTimes http://bit.ly/c8N9V8 ________________________________________________________________________

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Re: [Air-L] Chinese (or other non-Western) objections to Internet Freedom...
by Madeline Carr 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Hi Bill, Thanks so much for that - I have seen your excellent UNESCO report but wasn't aware of the Working Paper. And I agree with your comment on the possible disjuncture between state and civil society approaches, of course. Perhaps I should have clarified - this module is an International Politics course so as part of it, I'm asking the students to critically analyse state policies and the underlying arguments that shape them. That's easy for the US/EU because there is so much material available but I have a lot of difficulty sourcing a straightforward framing of alternative views - in English. By presenting them with a 'Western' interpretation that critiques those alternative approaches, I fear they are relieved of the intellectual burden of thinking it through for themselves. It's just a pedagocial preference of mine to problematise these issues. If anyone else is teaching Internet Freedom in an International Relations context (Bill, I think you mentioned to me that you had in the past?) I'd be very open to input or suggestions. I really need to nail this before holidays so I can concentrate on Italy! Madeline Dr. Madeline Carr Lecturer in International Politics and the Cyber Dimension Department of International Politics Aberystwyth University Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3FE Wales +44 01970 621955 mob: 0752 867 2088 madelinemcarr(a)gmail.com On 3 August 2013 13:00, William Dutton <william.dutton(a)oii.ox.ac.uk> wrote: > Madeline, > > I would not assume Internet freedom is not valued by Internet users in > China. Be careful not to take national policy as indicative of the values > and attitudes of users. Some of our findings suggest that people in North > America, for example, might be more complacent about freedom of expression > online than users in the emerging nations of the new Internet world. > http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1916005 > > Our report on freedom of expression for UNESCO looked at a range or > ecology of policies that are shaping freedom of expression and connection > worldwide, from liability to industrial policy, etc: see: William H. > Dutton, Anna Dopatka, Michael Hills, Ginette Law, and Victoria Nash (2011), > Freedom of Connection – Freedom of Expression: The Changing Legal and > Regulatory Ecology Shaping the Internet. Paris: UNESCO, Division for > Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace. Reprinted in 2013; Trans. In > French and Arabic. > http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/public… > > Good luck with your course, > > Bill > > On 3 Aug 2013, at 11:49, Madeline Carr wrote: > > > Hi all, > > > > It seems we're all working to get our syllabi together for next semester > > and the hunt for quality sources begins. I'm writing a new module on > > Internet Freedom and I would like to provide the students with a balanced > > account of objections raised by some states like China. There is plenty > > available from a Western perspective that critiques Chinese approaches > but > > I want something that challenges the students to consider alternative > > perspectives. This might include the argument about cultural imperialism, > > language preservation, social cohesion etc... Could anyone point me to a > > good article or chapter that looks at non-Western objections to Internet > > Freedom in a balanced way? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Madeline > > > > Dr. Madeline Carr > > Lecturer in International Politics and the Cyber Dimension > > Department of International Politics > > Aberystwyth University > > Penglais, Aberystwyth > > SY23 3FE Wales > > +44 01970 621955 > > mob: 0752 867 2088 > > madelinemcarr(a)gmail.com > > _______________________________________________ > > The Air-L(a)listserv.aoir.org mailing list > > is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org > > Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: > http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org > > > > Join the Association of Internet Researchers: > > http://www.aoir.org/ > > William H. Dutton > Professor of Internet Studies > Oxford Internet Institute > University of Oxford > 1 St Giles', Oxford OX1 3JS > UNITED KINGDOM > > Tel +44 (0)1865 287 210 > Fax +44 (0)1865 287 211 > Cell +44 (0)7768 823906 > Web: http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/dutton/about/ > You can access my papers on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) at: > http://ssrn.com/author=478025 > Latest Book: The Oxford Handbook of Internet Studies: > http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199589074.do > >

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Commercial v non commercial web mastering?
by Peter Timusk 05 Aug '13

05 Aug '13

Does anyone know how much of the web that is percent of all pages are there to sell something or collect money and how many are more non-commercial creative art or personal pages. I am fairly angry over the years of of building the web since 1994 of only finding resources for web building that assume I must be running a business or that I want more web traffic to my web sites. Here is a related question, how many newbie Internet users open businesses where before they were not business people? Does the Internet encourage commerce by everyone?

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