- Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Re: [Air-L] twittering
by Gonzalo Bacigalupe 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

> My first entry in this list... Joined AOIR recently and have been > enjoying the exhanges. In relation to the twitter conversation, I am > a bit surprised by it. My two cents:My first entry in this list... In my two years of experience with Twitter, it appears to me that the question the creators of Twitter asked: what are you doing? is irrelevant. Communities of twittering are really co -constructing their questions and thus responding whatever is relevant to their communities. Most of the people I follow don't necessarily tell me what they are doing but may be what they care for, what they want others to act on, they are recommending something , the most interesting twitters are probably the scheduled dialogues among communities of twitters and/or conversations about themes on a regular scheduled basis. In my experience, researchers who tare too certain or talk a lot about Twitter in definitive terms tend to be folks who are not very involved in the process. That is, it is an outside perspective (often along some fear) rather than a curious and ethnographic/caring perspective. I am not sure why this is such a pervasive reaction considering the tremendous impact of these social technologies on how a large segment of people communicate. The backchannel communication is core these days in many situations, to ironize the 140 characters seems too simplistic. May be I am missing the point here and it is not that I cannot laugh at a joke but it seems the jokes hide something else.

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS - SPECIAL EDITION ABOUT COMMUNITY INFORMATICS IN BRAZIL
by Suely Fragoso 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

Dear Colleagues We are pleased to announce a special edition of the Journal of Community Informatics(http://ci-journal.net) about Community Informatics in Brazil. Below you will find the Call for Proposals in English, Portuguese and Spanish. We would like to call attention to the specific submission process which allows initial acceptance of proposals in any of these languages. Suely Fragoso & Gilda Olinto Unisinos/RS & IBICT/RJ Brazil JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com _____________________________ Journal of Community Informatics Special Edition - Community Informatics in Brazil Guest Editors: Gilda Olinto (IBICT) & Suely Fragoso (Unisinos) - JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR A SPECIAL EDITION ABOUT COMMUNITY INFORMATICS IN BRAZIL The Journal of Community Informatics(http://ci-journal.net) focuses on uses and appropriations of information and communication technologies (ICT) that enable communities to“improve their processes, achieve their objectives” and “overcome the ‘digital divides’ that exist both within and between communities”. Since its first issues, in 2004, the journal has built an excellent reputation among academics, professionals and policy-makers involved in ICT initiatives aiming at the empowerment of citizens and communities. Special editions have been dedicated to specific themes, for example Latin America (vol.3, n.3, 2007). We now have the pleasure to call for proposals for a forthcoming issue dedicated to the needs and characteristics of community informatics in Brazil. Our expectation is for extensive participation by authors who work in Brazilian institutions or projects. As with other issues of the Journal of Community Informatics, thisedition will include scientific (peer reviewed) articles, case studies and book reviews. Brazil’s great contrasts are reflected in the way ICT is accessed and used. In some aspects Brazil shows outstanding results, for instance, the absolute number of internet users, internet hosts and time spent online. The country has also very successful examples of public policies and private initiatives related to e-government and to the promotion and democratization of ICT use. On the other hand, in relative terms, Brazil lags far behind many other countries: only a small minority has access to the internet and their use is very restricted. As a result, the effect of ICT in the improvement of democratic processes, empowerment of communities and adaptation to the knowledge society in Brazil is still very limited. Education, health, culture and science are among the several areas that could benefit from a more effective ICT use. The simultaneity of successful examples, great contrasts and urgent needs related to ICT use in Brazil places high value to this special edition dedicated to the country. The Journal of Community Informatics is published in English. However, in order to encourage and facilitate the participation of authors from Brazilian institutions or other Latin countries who are developing projects in or about Brazil, a specific submission process will allow initial acceptance of proposals in Portuguese, Spanish and English (see instructions below). Some proposed topics for the special issue of the Journal of Community Informatics on Internet in Brazil are: - Use of Social Network Systems such as Orkut, Facebook, Twitter; - Internet and ICT use and appropriation by specific groups, especially disadvantaged groups; - Internet content production (blogs, sites, etc.) aimed at social and community development; - Analyses of initiatives for democratization of THE internet and ICT for social development; - Questions about social, political and cultural aspects of the ‘digital divide’ in Brazil; - Political and private initiatives for digital inclusion in education, and for cultural production and preservation; - Joint public and private actions and policies related to digital inclusion. The above list is not exhaustive. In case of doubt contact the editors at JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com Scientific articles will be selected through a double blind peer review process. A submission process for this special issue allows for initial proposals in Portuguese, English or Spanish, as specified below. Submission of proposals The Journal of Community Informatics is published in English but, to facilitate the contribution of authors from Brazil and other non-English speaking countries, submission will involve several steps: STEP 1 – Extended abstracts (750-1000 words) in Portuguese, English or Spanish detailing purpose, content, structure, originality and value of the article. Title, proposal type (scientific article, case study or book review), 3 to 6 keywords as well as authors’ name and affiliation must be specified. STEP 2 –Preliminary versions - in Portuguese, Spanish or English – of the previously accepted article (Step 1). Articles must follow the journal norms available at: http://www.ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/about/submissions#authorGuidelines STEP 3 – Final English versions of articles approved in Step 2 in full compliance to the journal’s norms. Deadlines Step 1 (Abstracts in Portuguese, Spanish or English): January 10, 2010 Step 2 (Preliminary version in Portuguese, Spanish or English): April 10, 2010 Step 3: (Final English version): June 10, 2010 The publication of this Journal of Community Informatics special edition is expected in late 2010.______________________________________ Journal of Community Informatics Edição Especial - Community Informatics in Brazil Editoras Convidadas: Gilda Olinto (IBICT) e Suely Fragoso (Unisinos) - JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com CHAMADA DE PROPOSTAS PARA EDIÇÃO ESPECIAL SOBRE A INTERNET NO BRASIL O Journal of Community Informatics(http://ci-journal.net) tem como foco o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) no desenvolvimento de iniciativas comunitárias e próprias da vida em comunidade, visando especialmente comunidades carentes e grupos ou setores que permanecem no lado excluído da divisão digital.. Desde sua criação em 2004, o Journal of Community Informatics construiu uma excelente reputação na comunidade acadêmica internacional, bem como entre profissionais envolvidos na formulação de políticas ou em iniciativas voltadas para o uso das TICs em prol da capacitação e potencialização de cidadãos e comunidades. Edições especiais da revista têm sido dedicadas ao aprofundamento de sub-temáticas, como foi o caso da edição sobre America Latina (v.3, n.3, 2007). Agora temos o prazer de anunciar a chamada de trabalho para o próximo volume que será dedicado às questões prementes e particularidades do acesso e uso das TICs no Brasil, para o qual esperamos contar com participação expressiva de autores de projetos desenvolvidos no Brasil ou projetos de outras origens que incluam o caso brasileiro em suas análises (veja o item submissão de propostas). Como os demais números do Journal of Community Informatics, a edição incluirá artigos científicos, relatos de experiência e resenhas de livros. O Brasil é um país de grandes contrastes e o uso da internet no país reflete essa realidade. Por um lado, o número absoluto de internautas, dehosts e o tempo de permanência online marcam uma forte presença do Brasil na rede. O país se destaca também por bem sucedidas iniciativas públicas e privadas visando promoção do uso das TICs no país. Em termos percentuais, no entanto, o acesso às TICs se revela restrito a uma minoria da população, que utiliza a rede de forma bastante específica, tendo este uso efeito restrito em aspectos como a redução das desigualdades, melhoria dos processos democráticos e da inserção do Brasil no cenário internacional. Entre as várias áreas que poderiam se beneficiar de um modo mais efetivo das TICs pode-se mencionar educação, saúde, cultura e ciência. A simultaneidade de exemplos de sucesso, grandes contrastes e necessidades prementes relacionadas ao uso de TICs no Brasil agregam especial valor a esta edição dedicada ao país. OJournal of Community Informatics é publicado em inglês. No entanto, para encorajar e facilitar a participação de autores do Brasil, um processo específico de submissão inicial de propostas em português, espanhol ou inglês é adotado para esta edição (ver submissão de propostas, adiante). Alguns tópicos propostos para a Edição Especial do Journal of Community Informatics são: - uso de sistemas de rede social (por exemplo, Orkut, Facebook, Twitter); - usos e apropriações da internet e das TICs por grupos específicos, especialmente grupos em desvantagem social; - produção de conteúdo na internet (blogs, sites, etc.), voltada para desenvolvimento social e comunitário; - análises de iniciativas de uso da internet e TICs para o desenvolvimento social e comunitário; - questões relativas aos aspectos sociais, políticos e culturais da divisão digital no Brasil; - políticas governamentais e iniciativas privadas voltadas para a inclusão digital na educação e para a preservação e produção cultural; - relações entre ações públicas e privadas relacionadas à inclusão digital. Essa lista de temas não pretende ser exaustiva. Em caso de dúvidas sobre a pertinência de uma abordagem ou sub-temática específica, as editoras estão à disposição pelo endereço JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com Os artigos científicos serão selecionados em processo anônimo, por pelo menos dois pareceristas. O processo de submissão para esta Edição permite o envio inicial de propostas em português, espanhol ou inglês, conforme as etapas descritas a seguir. Submissão de Propostas O Journal of Community Informatics é publicado em Inglês. Entretanto, para facilitar a contribuição de autores do Brasil e outros países latinos, a submissão e a seleção de propostas acontecerão conforme as seguintes etapas: 1ª ETAPA – Resumos em português, espanhol ou inglês, de 750-1000 palavras, detalhando os objetivos, o conteúdo, a estrutura, a originalidade e relevância do artigo a ser submetido em etapa posterior. O título da proposta, seu tipo (artigo científico, relato de experiência, resenha de livro) e 3 a 6 palavras-chave, bem como a identificação e filiação do(s) autor(ES) devem ser incluídos. 2ª ETAPA – Versões preliminares em português, inglês ou espanhol das propostas aprovadas na Etapa 1. Os artigos devem atender plenamente às normas do Journal of Community Informatics, disponíveis em: http://www.ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/about/submissions#authorGuidelines. Nesta etapa é esperado que os pareceristas solicitem ou sugiram ajustes aos artigos aprovados. 3ª ETAPA – Versões finais em inglês dos artigos aprovados na Etapa 2. A tradução é de responsabilidade dos autores. As editoras (JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com) farão o possível para dar apoio na localização de profissionais competentes para a realização das versões, pois é imprescindível zelar pela qualidade do texto em inglês, mas não atuarão sobre o processo e os custos de tradução (note-se que não é possível assegurar que todos os artigos que cheguem à etapa de apresentação em inglês serão selecionados). Prazos 1ª ETAPA (Resumos em português, espanhol ou inglês): 10 de janeiro de 2010 2ª ETAPA (Versão preliminar em português, espanhol ou inglês): 10 de abril de 2010 3ª ETAPA (Versão final em inglês): 10 de junho de 2010 A publicação da Edição Especial do Journal of Community Informatics sobre o Brasil está prevista para o final de 2010._______________________________________ Journal of Community Informatics Edición Especial - Community Informatics in Brazil Guest Editors: Gilda Olinto (IBICT) y Suely Fragoso (Unisinos) - JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com ANUNCIO DE PROPUESTAS PARA EDICIÓN ESPECIAL SOBRE LA INTERNET EN BRASIL El“Journal of Community Informatics”(http://ci-journal.net) tiene como objetivo el uso de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TICs), en el desarrollo de iniciativas comunitarias y propias de la vida en comunidad, focalizando especialmente comunidades carentes y grupos o sectores que permanecen del lado excluido de la división digital. Desde su creación en 2004, el “Journal of Community Informatics” construyó una excelente reputación en la comunidad académica internacional, así como también entre los profesionales comprometidos en la formulación de políticas o en iniciativas orientadas al uso de las TICs en pro de la capacitación y formación de ciudadanos y comunidades. Ediciones especiales de la revista han sido dedicadas al ahondamiento de subtemas, como fue el caso de la edición sobre América Latina (v.3, n.3, 2007). Ahora tenemos el placer de anunciar la presentación de trabajos para el próximo volumen que será dedicado a cuestiones urgentes y particularidades del acceso y uso de las TICs en Brasil, para el cual esperamos contar con la expresiva participación de autores de proyectos desarrollados en Brasil o proyectos de otras orígenes que incluyan el caso brasileño en sus análisis (ver ítem presentación de propuestas). Como los demás números del “Journal of Community Informatics”, la edición incluirá artículos científicos, relatos de experiencia y reseñas de libros. Brasil es un país de grandes contrastes y el uso de la internet en el país refleja esa realidad. Por un lado, el número absoluto de usuarios de internet, dehosts, el tiempo de permanencia online, marcan una fuerte presencia del Brasil en la red. El país se destaca también por prósperas iniciativas públicas y privadas que tienen como objetivo la promoción del uso de las TICs en el país. En términos de porcentajes, sin embargo, el acceso a las TICs se revela restricto a una minoría de la población, que utiliza la red de forma bastante específica, teniendo este uso efecto restricto en aspectos como la reducción de las desigualdades, mejora de los procesos democráticos y de la inserción del Brasil en el escenario internacional. Entre las áreas que podrían beneficiarse de un modo más efectivo de las TICs, se puede mencionar educación, salud, cultura y ciencia. La simultaneidad de ejemplos de éxito, grandes contrastes y necesidades apremiantes relacionadas al uso de TICs en Brasil agregan especial valor a esta edición dedicada al país. El“Journal of Community Informatics” es publicado en inglés. Sin embargo, para alentar y facilitar la participación de autores de Brasil, un proceso específico de presentación inicial de propuestas en portugués, español o inglés es adoptado para esta edición (ver presentación de propuestas, adelante). Algunos tópicos propuestos para la Edición Especial del “Journal of Community Informatics” son: - uso de sistemas de red social (por ejemplo, Orkut, Facebook, Twitter); - usos y apropiaciones de la internet y de las TICs por grupos específicos, especialmente grupos con desventaja social; - producción de contenido en la internet (blogs, sites, etc.), orientada al desarrollo social y comunitario; - análisis de iniciativas de uso de la internet y TICs para o desarrollo social y comunitario; - cuestiones relativas a los aspectos sociales, políticos y culturales de la división digital en Brasil; - políticas gubernamentales e iniciativas privadas dedicadas a la inclusión digital en la educación y para la preservación y producción cultural; - relaciones entre acciones públicas y privadas relacionadas a la inclusión digital. Esa lista de temas no pretende ser exhaustiva. En caso de dudas sobre la pertinencia de un abordaje o subtema específico, las editoras están a disposición a través de la dirección de e-mail JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com Los artículos científicos serán seleccionados en proceso anónimo, por una banca compuesta por lo menos de dos personas. El proceso de presentación de propuestas para esta Edición permite el envío inicial de las mismas en portugués, español o inglés, conforme las etapas descriptas a seguir. Presentación de Propuestas El“Journal of Community Informatics” es publicado en Inglés. Sin embargo, para facilitar la contribución de los autores de Brasil y otros países latinos, la presentación y selección de propuestas se darán conforme a las siguientes etapas: 1ª ETAPA – Resúmenes en portugués, español o inglés, de 750-1000 palabras, detallando los objetivos, el contenido, la estructura, la originalidad y relevancia del artículo propuesto en etapa posterior. El título de la propuesta, su tipo (artículo científico, relato de experiencia, reseña del libro) y 3 a 6 palabras-llave; también, la identificación y filiación del (los) autor(ES) deben ser incluidos.. 2ª ETAPA – Versiones preliminares en portugués, inglés o español de las propuestas aprobadas en la Etapa 1. Los artículos deben atender plenamente a las normas del “Journal of Community Informatics”, disponibles en: http://www.ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/about/submissions#authorGuidelines. Enesta etapa se espera que la banca solicite o sugiera ajustes a los artículos aprobados. 3ª ETAPA – Versiones finales en inglés de los artículos aprobados en la Etapa 2. La traducción es de responsabilidad de los autores. Las editoras (JoCI.Brazil(a)gmail.com) harán lo posible para dar apoyo en la localización de profesionales competentes para la realización de las versiones, pues es imprescindible velar por la calidad del texto en inglés, pero no actuarán sobre el proceso y costos de traducción (nótese que no es posible asegurar que todos los artículos que llegan a la etapa de presentación en inglés serán seleccionados). Plazos 1ª ETAPA (Resúmenes en portugués, español o inglés): 10 Enero, 2010 2ª ETAPA (Versión preliminar en portugués, español o inglés): 10 Abril, 2010 3ª ETAPA (Versión final en inglés): 10 Junio, 2010 La publicación de la Edición Especial del “Journal of Community Informatics” sobre Brasil está prevista para el fin de 2010.

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Technology and Collaboration Questionnaire (and Prize Draw)
by Alastair Gill 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

Hello all, I am conducting a survey about online academic collaboration, use of tools and attitudes to technology. All participants who supply an email address (and complete the questionnaire by the 14 November) will be entered into a prize draw. Please see below for an advert and further details. Thanks, Alastair -- The Qlectives project based at the University of Surrey is conducting a survey to investigate how scientists collaborate and use technology. The questionnaire should take around 20 minutes to complete and is being conducted anonymously and confidentially. Please follow the link below to take part: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Y5t4t49EmepNfkojCHlS4w_3d_3d As a way of saying thank you to those who take part, we will hold a prize draw for 5 x £20 Amazon vouchers when we have finished collecting data (we anticipate that this will be around the 14 November 2009). To be considered in the prize draw, simply leave your email address on the final page of the questionnaire, and we will contact the lucky winners. A more detailed description of the Qlectives project and this study can be found on the first page of the questionnaire. Please also feel free to share the study with other colleagues who you think would be interested in taking part. Many thanks, Alastair -- Dr Alastair Gill University of Surrey

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L J > Summon and EBSCOhost To Debut New Mobile Interfaces
by McKiernan, Gerard [LIB] 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

Colleagues/ I am greatly interested in learning of Any/All other current or planned mobile access initiatives that offer / will offer access to databases / OPACs / e-collections / etc. Thanks ! /Gerry LJ > Summon and EBSCOhost To Debut New Mobile Interfaces Josh Hadro / Library Journal / 11-4-2009 [snip] As if smartphones weren't already hard enough to put down, new, mobile-optimized interfaces are coming for both Summon, Serials Solutions' discovery platform, and a number of EBSCO resources. The Summon mobile interface should provide students and researchers most of the same features and options as the regular search interface, including access to both local materials and electronic resources available from the library. The mobile search site will debut today in time for the opening of the Charleston Conference in Charleston, SC. The mobile search option is an alternative interface, not a separate downloadable app. [snip] Others offering access to library content are also gearing up for mobile access. EBSCO will soon release EBSCOhost Mobile; ... , "the interface will include many features for an enhanced mobile experience, is optimized for internet-enabled handheld devices, and qualified for all the major SmartPhones ... ." After Mobile, The Flood So, will researchers incorporate this into regular use, or only when other tools are not available to them? Gerry McKiernan, mobile device trend-watcher, science and technology subject librarian, and associate professor at Iowa State University, said that it may take a little while for these services to be fully embraced, but that their day will inevitably come. "At this point [mobile-specific searches] are supplemental, or impulse, such that if you're on the road and you want to search a particular resource ... you could do that," he said. But, he added, "The mobile phone is becoming an all-in-one tool for a variety of functions," and as that happens, users will come to expect some kind of mobile interface to the tools they're grown accustomed to using. McKiernan also said a number of Pew Internet reports and dispatches indicating the inexorable march of progress on the mobile front can't be ignored by content providers and other vendors. Pew Internet Report: Wireless Internet Use The World In 2020: The Mobile Device Will Be The Primary Connection Tool To The Internet Currently, handheld library service is represented by a patchwork of mobile-enabled OPACs, streamlined library site stylesheets, and text-message services ... . A frequent complaint is that these services often draw users in ... only to lead them to other site subsections or resources that are unwieldy on a smaller screen, or entirely unusable. As more content providers embrace the mobile medium, however, libraries will be better able to offer both smartphone users and traditional users an equal level of service. Links To The Article Full Text And Noted Services And Reports Available At [ http://tinyurl.com/y9oulq5 ] NB: If You Are Aware Of Similar Mobile Initiatives Please Note As A Comment On The Posting] Thanks For Your Assistance! Regards, /Gerry Gerry McKiernan Associate Professor Science and Technology Librarian Iowa State University Library Ames IA 50011 gerrymck(a)iastate.edu There Is No Answer, Only Solutions / Olde Irish Saying The Future Is Already Here, It's Just Not Evenly Distributed Attributed To William Gibson, SciFi Author / Coined 'Cyberspace

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CFP: FDG 2010: The 5th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games
by Yusuf Pisan 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

[Apologies for cross-posting. Please forward to colleagues and mailing lists as appropriate ] ========== FDG 2010: CALL FOR PAPERS ========== FDG 2010: The 5th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games 19-21 June 2010, at Asilomar Conference Grounds, Monterey, California. http://fdg2010.org/ *** Important Dates *** Workshop Proposals: 18 Sep 2009 (past) Paper and Poster Submission: 5 Feb 2010 Doctoral Consortium Submission: 12 Feb 2010 Author Notification: 29 Mar 2010 Demo Submission: 2 Apr 2010 Registration for Authors: 9 Apr 2010 Camera Ready Papers: 23 Apr 2010 Conference: 19-21 Jun 2010 LATEST NEWS =========== * Invited Speaker: James Gee James Gee, Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies at the Arizona State University and the author of "What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy", "Good Video Games and Good Learning: Collected Essays" as well as other influential books and research papers is the first Invited Speaker for FDG 2010. * Advertisement in the November issue of Communications of the ACM The November issue of CACM features a full page ad for FDG 2010. You can download a copy of the ad from http://fdg2010.org/downloads/FDG2010-acm-ad-small.pdf to distribute to your colleagues and students. If you would like some color flyers to distribute at the next conference you are attending, please contact Yusuf Pisan yusuf.pisan(a)uts.edu.au and we will get some flyers out to you. * Workshops at FDG 2010 There will be 3-4 workshops held in conjunction with FDG 2010. See web page for details of the workshops and on submitting papers to workshops. Please note that selection and publication of the papers for the workshops is the responsibility of specific workshop organizers and is not conducted by the FDG Program Committee. * Panels at FDG 2010 In addition to invited speakers from industry and academy leaders, peer-reviewed papers and tutorials, FDG 2010 will have panels on topics related to games. If you have any burning suggestions for panel topics or people you would like to see on the panel, please email Ian Bogost ian.bogost(a)lcc.gatech.edu OVERVIEW ======== FDG 2010, the International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games, is a focal point for academic efforts in all areas of research and education involving games, game technologies, gameplay and game design. The goal of the conference is the advancement of the study of digital games, including new game technologies, capabilities, designs, applications, educational uses, and modes of play. FDG 2010 will include presentations of peer-reviewed papers, invited talks by high-profile industry and academic leaders, hands-on tutorials and topical panels on a range of subjects related to games research and education. We invite researchers and educators to share insights and cutting-edge results relating to game technologies and their use. PAPER and POSTER SUBMISSIONS ============================ FDG 2010 will accept both full paper and poster submissions. Authors may choose to submit their papers and posters to the general conference or to a specific theme area. The seven theme areas for FDG 2010 are described below. 1) Artificial Intelligence Track Chair: Magy Seif El-Nasr, Simon Fraser University We solicit papers on artificial intelligence research that provides novel solutions to traditional game AI problems (e.g., path planning, camera control, terrain analysis, user modeling, tactical/strategic and decision making), supports novel game concepts or gameplay elements (e.g. interactive drama, narrative/character development and NPC belief/attitude/emotion modeling), provides automated or semi-automated solutions to game production challenges (e.g., game design, content creation, testing and procedural animation), or describes the integration of AI technologies (e.g., machine learning, logical inference and planning) into game AI architectures. 2) Computer Science and Games Education Track Chair: Andrew Phelps, Rochester Institute of Technology The Computer Science and Games Education Theme Area invites researchers and educators to submit papers illustrating the latest advances and innovation in curricula for games and computer science, in both formal and informal educational contexts. All papers must show rigorous and compelling evaluation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: game design and development curricula, effective practices and infrastructure for the use of games and game technologies in Computer Science courses and programs, Web-based (adaptive) educational games and interdisciplinary collaboration among computer scientists and others to create games in educational contexts. 3) Game Design Track Chair: Tracy Fullerton, University of Southern California The Game Design theme seeks detailed reports of creative practice and methods, as well as the exploration and development of innovative gameplay forms and mechanics. Design postmortems that rigorously analyze the intent and effect of particular solutions, mechanics, structures or gaming situations are very welcome. Also, research on new models for player involvement, design for learning, participatory design, iterative player-centered process, and investigations into the relationship between hardware and software platforms and design are strongly encouraged. Submissions may discuss theoretical designs or implemented ones, but should provide evaluative evidence and rigorous analysis of outcomes. 4) Game Studies Track Chair: Mia Consalvo, MIT Game Studies as a field is broadly interdisciplinary, welcoming a variety of theoretical, methodological and computational approaches to the study of games and play. This year, we particularly seek submissions that investigate areas such as player experience, game ontology, the social and cultural aspects of gameplay, cross-cultural or global analyses, networked play (including consoles), game aesthetics and criticism, casual and serious gaming and analysis of new and emerging phenomena. All submissions must provide rigorous analysis and present evaluative evidence. 5) Graphics and Interfaces Track Chair: Steven Feiner, Columbia University The Graphics and Interfaces theme seeks papers on all aspects of computer graphics and user interfaces that are specifically related to digital games, including but not limited to: animation, modeling, rendering, 2D and 3D user interfaces, collaborative user interfaces, mobile user interfaces, tangible user interfaces, design of (interfaces for) Web 2.0 game focused web applications, integration of web-based and computer/console based game worlds, augmented reality and virtual reality, and novel interaction devices and displays. 6) Infrastructure (Databases, Networks, Security) Track Chair: Mark Claypool, WPI The Infrastructure track invites submissions that focus on the many aspects of improving systems support for digital games. Suitable papers should describe novel networks, operating systems or database systems that are especially designed for games, or make novel use of existing systems to support games. Topics of interest include: networked game architectures, network protocol design for games, latency compensation and synchronization methods, mobile and/or resource-constrained game platforms, software and middleware support for networked games, content delivery and adaptation, services for supporting networked games, cheat detection and prevention, networking and security for Web-based games and game portals, database engines and database optimization for games, distributed database techniques and consistency models for networked games, and data management for games that cross physical and virtual worlds. 7) Learning in Games Track Chair: Elisabeth Hayes, Arizona State University Learning in Games invites papers that investigate how games contribute to intellectual, creative, social, and embodied forms of learning in and outside the classroom, for learners of all ages. Studies focused on educational games as well as the learning potential of COTS games are welcome. Research on the design of games for learning, the outcomes of game-based learning, and learning that occurs in the social contexts and interactions around games (such as within fan communities) should be submitted to this track. Papers on the professional training of game developers should be submitted to the Computer Science and Games Education track. All paper and poster submissions will be rigorously peer reviewed for their technical merit (where applicable), significance, clarity and relevance to the advancement of the study of games. All full papers must describe a completed unit of work and show rigorous and compelling evaluation of the ideas they present. Poster submissions should describe novel work in progress that is not at the same level of research maturity as a full submission. Full papers must not exceed eight pages, but can be shorter. We will review for quality not length! Poster submissions must not exceed two pages. All submissions must be submiteed via https://easychair.org/login.cgi?conf=fdg2010 and must comply with the official ACM proceedings format using one of the templates provided at http://www.acm.org/sigs/pubs/proceed/template.html All accepted paper and poster submissions will be published in the conference proceedings. For a paper or poster to appear in the proceedings, at least one author must register for the conference by the deadline for camera-ready copy submission. Papers from FDG 2009 and its predecessor (GDCSE 2008) are included in the ACM Digital Library and we anticipate that all paper, poster, and doctoral consortium publications from this year's conference will appear there as well. Submissions must not have been published previously. In addition, a submission identical or substantially similar (or even a subset or superset) in content to one submitted to FDG should not be simultaneously under consideration at another conference or journal during the entire FDG review process (i.e., from the submission deadline until the notifications of decisions are emailed to authors). WORKSHOP PROPOSALS ================== The workshops portion of the conference provides an informal setting for new developments to be discussed and demonstrated. We invite proposals for full-day and half-day workshops focused on specific topics related to the broader themes around games. We are particularly interested in topics that will bridge different communities. Proposals should include: A 2-page extended abstract, the objectives and expected outcome of the workshop, the planned activities, the background of the organizer(s), the anticipated number of participants, and the means for soliciting and selecting participants. Proposal should be emailed directly to the Michael Mateas, Workshop Chair, at michaelm(a)cs.ucsc.edu. DOCTORAL CONSORTIUM =================== The FDG Doctoral Consortium provides an opportunity for a limited group of Ph.D. students to discuss and explore their research interests and career objectives with a panel of established games researchers and industry professionals. The consortium has the following objectives: (1) to provide a setting for mutual feedback on participants' current research and guidance on future research directions; (2) develop a supportive community of scholars and a spirit of collaborative research; (3) support a new generation of researchers with information and advice on academic, research, industrial, and nontraditional career paths; and (4) contribute to the conference goals through interaction with other researchers and participation in conference events. Students whose submissions to the Doctoral Consortium are accepted for presentation will receive complimentary conference registration and some support for their travel/housing expenses. FDG 2010 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ============================= Conference Chair Ian Horswill, Northwestern University Program Chair Yusuf Pisan, University of Technology, Sydney Doctoral Consortium Chair Zoran Popovic, University of Washington Workshops Chair Michael Mateas, University of California, Santa Cruz Panels Chair Ian Bogost, Georgia Institute of Technology Tutorials Chair Robin Hunicke, That Game Company Local Arrangements Chair Marilyn Walker, University of California, Santa Cruz Webmaster Karl Cheng-Heng Fua, Northwestern University ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ====================== Please see http://fdg2010.org/ for this year's conference and http://foundationsofdigitalgames.org/ for past years, including: Table of Contents for FDG 2009: http://portal.acm.org/toc.cfm?id=1536513 Table of Contents for GDCSE 2008: http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1463673 Proceedings for GDCSE 2007: http://www.eng.unt.edu/ian/Cruise2007/madgdcse2007.pdf To get the latest news on FDG, subscribe to the FDG-announce mailing list. Send an email to listserv(a)listserv.it.northwestern.edu with no subject line and a body saying: SUBSCRIBE fdg-announce firstname lastname Yusuf -- A/Professor Yusuf Pisan Games Studio Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology University of Technology, Sydney http://staff.it.uts.edu.au/~ypisan/ http://games.it.uts.edu.au/ Skype: ypisan [CFP v2, sent out on 4 Nov 2009]

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PhD Studentship in Webometric methods to assess emerging research fields
by m.thelwall＠blueyonder.co.uk 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

PhD Studentship in Webometric methods to assess emerging research fields A significant part of the effort in the research field of scientometrics is devoted to tracking new and emerging scientific fields by analysing their publications in standard databases like the web of science. This approach suffers from an inevitable time lag due to the publication cycle. The objective of this PhD is to develop web-based methods to track heterogeneous emerging research fields, bypassing the publishing time lag and encompassing commercial, governmental and other actors that would not be fully represented in traditional academic publishing. This research will build upon pilot studies already conducted at Wolverhampton. The candidate will ideally have some knowledge of bibliometrics or scientometrics and interview or qualitative analysis techniques. The PhD will combine quantitative and qualitative approaches and would suit someone with a library and information science background. Funding is available for a three-year full-time PhD. Essential: Degree in information science, mathematics or related discipline. Ability to use novel software and do simple analyses of quantitative data. Desirable: Masters degree. Experience of writing scientific articles. Experience of interviewing and interview analysis. Knowledge of bibliometrics, scientometrics, webometrics, social network analysis, science studies. Programming experience. For more information see: http://cybermetrics.wlv.ac.uk/phd_2009a.htm

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Reminder -- CFP: Games and Game Culture (SW/TX PCA/ACA Conference, Feb. 2010)
by Judd Ruggill 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

CFP: Games and Game Culture (SW/TX PCA/ACA Conference, Feb. 2010) This is just a reminder that the deadline for proposals on game and game culture topics is 12/15/2009. Please see the CFP below for more information. Cheers, Judd Ruggill Arizona State University _____ CFP: Games and Game Culture Computer Culture Area 31st Annual SW/TX PCA/ACA Conference February 10-13, 2010 The Computer Culture Area of the SW/TX PCA/ACA welcomes paper, panel, and other proposals on any aspect of games or game culture. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): Alternative reality games Archiving and artifactual preservation Economic and industrial histories Educational game design and development Foreign language games and culture Game advertising (both in-game and out) Haptics and interface studies Localization Luddology and other theories of play Machinima MOGs, MMOGs, and other forms of online/networked gaming Narratology Performance Pornographic games Religion and games Representations of race and gender Representations of space and place The rhetoric of games and game systems Serious games Table-top game design and theory Technological, aesthetic, economic, and ideological convergence Wireless and mobile gaming For paper proposals: Please submit a 250 word abstract embedded in the body of an email. Include contact information (e.g., postal and preferred email address, phone and fax numbers, etc.) and a biographical note about your connection to the topic. For panel and other proposals: Feel free to query first. Panel and other proposals should include all of the information requested for individual paper proposals, as well as a 100-word statement of the panel’s raison d’etre and any noteworthy organizational features. As always, proposals are welcome from any and all scholars, including graduate students, independent scholars, and tenured, tenure-track, and emeritus faculty. Also, unusual formats, technologies, and the like are encouraged. Please submit proposals to Judd Ruggill (jruggill(a)asu.edu) by 12/15/2009. Information on the SW/TX PCA/ACA and its conference can be found at: http://swtxpca.org.

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Food updates
by Suzanne Aurilio 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

I hid someone in FB recently because she frequently updated about food she was eating and then wrote elaborate, intimate notes about body image issues, clothing sizes, workout etc. TMI. She's a colleague, who I happen to like too. I felt as if I were in a private domain, a confession. I've noticed the women I know post about food more than men. Yeah <food>fat>skinny>food>workout> is a women's issue and a national obsession. I respond (and react) to discourses like that one and yes I know, I know, that's abstract, but it's really not. So the personal is political and it's public. ~~ Suzanne Aurilio Assistant Director pICT -People, Information and Communication Technologies San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-1623 619-594-2953 Office AD220C pict.sdsu.edu cdi.sdsu.edu sdsu-aztlan.wikispaces.com SL Aurilio Oh Twitter saurili Delicious saurilio

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Re: [Air-L] Research on
by Amelia Kassel 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

Perhaps of related interest though not precisely on point is a study from Nielsen covering Twitter retention rates. The study was criticized in some blogs. A Nielsen blog includes 152 comments and anecdotal comments related to our question - see http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/twitter-quitters-post-roa… For more on the study, Google: Nielsen study twitter Amelia Kassel, MLS Distance Faculty, San Jose State University, School of Library and Information Science http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/faculty/kassela/kassela.php -----Original Message----- >From: Lisbeth Klastrup <klastrup(a)itu.dk> >Sent: Nov 4, 2009 6:44 AM >To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org >Cc: klastrup(a)itu.dk >Subject: [Air-L] Research on "passive" social media use? > >Hi all, >A question related to what we do NOT do while spending our time on social >network sites: > >Im currently trying to dig up academic literature documenting in some form >the numbers of active versus passive users of social media, with special >focus on the passive users. Active here for the sake of argument meant in >a broad sense: uploading content, commenting, rating; and passive as just >watching or reading, but not interacting with content in any way. Im >basically interested in all forms of recent academic research on this, which >actually provide some numbers, not just mentionings of rule of thumbs or >second-hand information. > >Particularly, Id love to know if anyone has researched how many people >just read status updates and do NOT comment, retweet, Like them etc on >sites like Facebook or Twitter. (I know its a tricky question and perhaps >not very useful to make the distinction, since most are likely to have >commented or liked at some point, but then again I surmise some people are >more likely to do it on a more regularly basis than others, and some are >very rarely active??) > >What I have found so far: >A 2008 OfCom report in their UK survey results reports that 40% looks at >other peoples sites (eg. SNS profiles) without leaving messages, but does >not deal with passivity otherwise. A Sysomos survey of Twitter users >claims to have found that 21% of people with Twitter-accounts have never >tweeted (so they must be passive readers of other peoples tweets?). > >I know of Jenny Preeces early work on lurkers, and Jose Van Dijck in her >2009 paper Users like you? Theorizing agency in user-generated content >mentions a Forrester report from 2007 Mapping Participation in Activities >(which you have to pay for), talking of 33% of users being passive >spectators (of videos, blogs etc) and 52% inactives. An OECD 2007 report >Participative Web: User-Generated content (according to Dijck) says more >than 80% are passive recipients of content. All in all not much knowledge to >go by, and mostly just numbers. And then theres the 1/10/89 % meme, but how >substantial is it: >www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/jul/20/guardianweeklytechnologysection2 > >I've perused Danah Boyds extensive list on social network research, but at >least judging from the titles of articles listed there & still unknown to >me, passive SNS use hasnt really been the topic of any papers so far? > >So: >Do any of you know of any (other) work in this area? Ill be happy to do a >summary here or in the social media sphere.. > >Lisbeth Klastrup, >IT University of Copenhagen > > >_______________________________________________ >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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my breakfast
by Barry Wellman 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

Well, AoIR-ists, I will cater to your tastes: I had a glass of fresh organic orange juice first (don't know which type of orange, alas). Followed by 3 teaspoons of organic maple-tinged sheep yogurt (Ewenty Farms, Ontario -- don't know which type of sheep), topped with fresh organic blackberries and raspberries Followed by one of Sharon Wohl's delicious non-sugar muffins for diabetes While sipping Prince of Darkness coffee from Ideal Coffee Co in Toronto, roasted last week, but freshly ground this AM. This tells you a lot about me, but I am not going to repeat everyday. (In any event, it would basically be Ibid, except the days I travel or have Whole-Os). BTW, the person who started me off thinking about this theme was a guy. Sorry, Caroline -- you did have a 50% accuracy probability. Barry Wellman _______________________________________________________________________ S.D. Clark Professor of Sociology, FRSC NetLab Director Department of Sociology 725 Spadina Avenue, Room 388 University of Toronto Toronto Canada M5S 2J4 twitter:barrywellman http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman fax:+1-416-978-3963 Updating history: http://chass.utoronto.ca/oldnew/cybertimes.php _______________________________________________________________________

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