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Re: [Air-l] Postal mail and e-mail
by Esther Milne 05 Aug '05

05 Aug '05

hi all, at the risk of shameless self promotion (or even shamful!) my research is concerned with precisely these areas, namely similarities and diferences between the socio-technological forms of email and postal technologies. an overview of the research can be found in my article 'Email and Epistolary technologies: Presence, Intimacy, Disembodiment' published in the Fibreculture Journal and available: http://journal.fibreculture.org/issue2/issue2_milne.html cheers, Esther Dr Esther Milne Lecturer in Media and Communications Faculty of Life and Social Sciences Swinburne University of Technology John Street Hawthorn VIC 3122 AUSTRALIA Tel: +613 92148195 Fax: +613 98190574 **PLEASE NOTE NEW OFFICE: SE324** >>> aledbett(a)ku.edu 08/06/05 3:10 AM >>> I am currently writing a literature review on how various communication modalities are used in interpersonal contexts. One modality I am (not surprisingly) finding little material on is postal mail. In particular, I am looking for sources that either (a) address changes in postal mail use with the advent of e-mail or (b) qualitative comparisons of the use of postal mail and e-mail within interpersonal relationships. In particular, I have heard anecdotal reports of e-mail being more "convenient" but postal mail being "special" in a way that e-mail is not, though I have not found scholarly material that documents this perception. Does anyone know of scholarly articles that address these issues? Thanks, Andrew ---------------- Andrew M. Ledbetter Ph.D. student, University of Kansas Swinburne University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code: 00111D NOTICE This e-mail and any attachments are confidential and intended only for the use of the addressee. They may contain information that is privileged or protected by copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, printing, copying or use is strictly prohibited. The University does not warrant that this e-mail and any attachments are secure and there is also a risk that it may be corrupted in transmission. It is your responsibility to check any attachments for viruses or defects before opening them. If you have received this transmission in error, please contact us on +61 3 9214 8000 and delete it immediately from your system. We do not accept liability in connection with computer virus, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised access or unauthorised amendment.

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Re: Postal mail and e-mail
by Bram Dov Abramson 05 Aug '05

05 Aug '05

> I am currently writing a literature review on how various communication > modalities are used in interpersonal contexts. One modality I am (not > surprisingly) finding little material on is postal mail. In particular, I > am looking for sources that either (a) address changes in postal mail use > with the advent of e-mail or (b) qualitative comparisons of the use of > postal mail and e-mail within interpersonal relationships. In particular, > I have heard anecdotal reports of e-mail being more "convenient" but > postal mail being "special" in a way that e-mail is not, though I have not > found scholarly material that documents this perception. > > Does anyone know of scholarly articles that address these issues? You will already have thought of this, but just in case, let me note that there may be good studies available from other sources, too: - Many postal services will have examined this issue closely, commissioned studies, etc. Such studies would, I imagine, be available directly from postal service staff. Should that avenue prove difficult, you may be able to take advantage of the fact that most postal services are government-run or -owned -- access-to-information legislation in many jurisdictions provides an avenue for obtaining such material. - The Universal Postal Union (http://www.upu.int) the international organisation which federates state-run postal services, may also be a good source for studies or results of studies of this type. In particular, their International Bureau, which does postal statistics: <http://www.upu.int/statistics/en/index.shtml>. cheers Bram

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word origin question
by Kris Markman 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

Does anyone know the origin of the term "thread/threading" as applied to grouping conversational topics in CMC (i.e. newsgroups, email, etc.)? Thanks, Kris M. Markman, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate Communication Studies The University of Texas at Austin Email: jho-kmm(a)mail.utexas.edu https://webspace.utexas.edu/~kris3198

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International Journal of Education and Development using ICT: Second Issue Published
by Stewart Marshall 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

> Hi all > > The second issue of The International Journal of Education and Development > using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT) is now available > at http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu/viewissue.php > > This special issue on "ICT for Education and Development in Southern > Africa" is edited by Guest Editors Laura Czerniewicz and Tony Carr of the > Centre for Educational Technology at University of Cape Town. The seven > peer reviewed papers and six papers "From the Field" report on work in > Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The issue links > researcher and practitioner perspectives across the region on key > challenges such as access, institutional change, learning design, > learning communities and research methodology. The articles in this issue > are based on papers presented at a Southern African regional online > conference, e/merge 2004: http://emerge2004.net > > IJEDICT is an e-journal that provides free and open access to all of its > content. IJEDICT aims to strengthen links between research and practice in > ICT in education and development in hitherto less developed parts of the > world, e.g., developing countries (especially small states), and rural and > remote regions of developed countries. > > The emphasis is on providing a space for researchers, practitioners and > theoreticians to jointly explore ideas using an eclectic mix of research > methods and disciplines. It brings together research, action research and > case studies in order to assist in the transfer of best practice, the > development of policy and the creation of theory. Thus, IJEDICT is of > interest to a wide-ranging audience of researchers, policy-makers, > practitioners, government officers and other professionals involved in > education or development in communities throughout the world. > > Regards > > Stewart > -- > Professor Stewart Marshall > Director, Distance Education Centre > The University of the West Indies > Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, BARBADOS, West Indies > phone: +1 246 417 4497 fax: +1 246 421 6753 > Gmail: stewartmar(a)gmail.com > url: http://www.dec.uwi.edu/smarshall > > Please view the open access e-journal on ICT in education and > development at: http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu//index.php > and the recently published books edited by Marshall, Taylor & Yu: > "Closing the Digital Divide" > http://www.greenwood.com/books/BookDetail.asp?dept_id=1&sku=Q602 > "Using Community Informatics to Transform Regions" > http://www.idea-group.com/books/details.asp?id=4146 > "Encyclopedia of Developing Regional Communities with ICT" > http://www.idea-group.com/encyclopedia/details.asp?ID=4460 > _______________________________________________________ >

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Fwd: Call for papers for Barbara Wellbery Memorial Award in privacy
by Dan L Burk 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

Of possible interest. DLB > Call for Papers: > > Submissions for the 2005 Barbara Wellbery Memorial Award are now being > accepted through October 15, 2005. The Barbara Wellbery Memorial Award, > annual international privacy writing competition, was established in 2004 to > honor the memory of Barbara Wellbery and her contribution to the privacy > field. The purpose of the award is to spark constructive debate, stimulate > creative thinking in the field of data privacy, and encourage the > development of practical solutions to current privacy dilemmas. The first > award was presented last year at the 26th Conference on Data Protection and > Privacy Commissioners in Poland to Lilian Edwards from the Law Faculty of > Edinburgh University in the UK. > > A former partner at Morrison & Foerster, Barbara Wellbery was well-respected > for her in-depth knowledge of privacy issues, and strong commitment to > fostering international understanding of differing privacy approaches around > the world. She was the chief architect and negotiator of the U.S. safe harbor > privacy accord with the European Union. Ms. Wellbery passed away in 2003 > after a long illness. > > The winner of the award receives a $3,000 cash award. In addition, the > individual will receive an invitation to present his or her paper at an > international data protection and privacy conference and a stipend of up to > $2,000 for associated travel expenses. The paper will also be published in > the International Review of Law, Computers, & Technology and by the > International Association of Privacy Professionals. > > To view application information, submission form (in English or French) and > the 2004 winning entry, see the links below. For further information about > award and guideline submissions, please contact Ms. Cynthia Rich of Morrison > & Foerster LLP at crich(a)mofo.com. > > http://www.mofo.com/docs/PDF/2005_Wellbery_Award_%20Application.pdf (the > application in English) > > http://www.mofo.com/docs/PDF/2005WellberyFrench.pdf (the application in >French) > > http://www.mofo.com/docs/PDF/2004_Barbara_Wellbery_Award_Paper.pdf (2004 >winning paper) Dan L. Burk Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly Professor University of Minnesota Law School 229 19th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA *************************************** Voice: 612-626-8726 Fax: 612-625-2011

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Re: [Air-l] academics steering away
by Jonathan Marshall 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

> In a recent discussion, an Aussie colleague said: > >> "On the whole, with the exception of legal writers arguing about >> whethersuch control is good or bad, academics seem to have steered >> away from the >> issues involved of how these things actually work. > I really wondered about "steering away" which really says > "deliberatelyavoids" (you have to actively "steer"). Well, if for example i steer to towards the US, I also steer Away from Western Australia. Thats life and thats innocence :) However, although i was not arguing this, there are of course explicit and implicit 'forces' which affect the kinds of work that people take up and which gets propagated - if there isn't, then we might as well forget about doing sociology altogether and simply assume everyone has personal motivations which overwhelm social factors. > It actually sounds as a hot and researchable topic -- see > sociological-ish journal _Surveillance and Society_. thank you for the reference. jon -- UTS CRICOS Provider Code: 00099F DISCLAIMER: This email message and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message or attachments. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this message. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender expressly, and with authority, states them to be the views the University of Technology Sydney. Before opening any attachments, please check them for viruses and defects.

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CFP: Making Links Sydney 14/15 Nov 2005 - Putting Technology to Work in the Community Sector
by Marcus Foth 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

Putting Technology to Work in the Community Sector Sydney, 14th - 15th November 2005 http://communityweb.ngogeeks.com/Abstracts2005.html A conference for community and non-government workers will show it's not only corporate giants and dotcoms that can successfully harness the power of the World Wide Web. Representatives from community agencies and NGOs around the country will come together in Sydney in November to share their experiences of employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) for community building and improved service delivery. Making Links 2005 - "Putting technology to work in the community sector"' will be held on 14 and 15 November 2005 at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Participating NGO and community workers will gain an understanding of the application of ICTs in community work, as well as the fundamental tools for website development. Call for papers Papers are invited from community sector or NGO workers with ICT successes - or lessons - to share within the themes: NGOs and IT; Community Building and Social Capital; Web Development; and hands-on technical workshops. Registrations: Open 27 July 2005 Jill Sergeant Website Officer Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) PO Box 51 King St Newtown NSW 2042 Ph: 02 8568 1106 Fax: 02 9557 9867 Switchboard: 02 9557 9399 www.afao.org.au -- Marcus Foth MA(DigitalMedia) BCompSc(Hons) BMultimedia m.foth(a)qut.edu.au - http://www.vrolik.de/ Research Associate Creative Industries Research and Applications Centre Queensland University of Technology (CRICOS No. 00213J) Creative Industries Precinct, Brisbane QLD 4059, Australia Phone +61 7 3864 3800 - Fax +61 7 3864 3723 http://www.creativeindustries.qut.edu.au/

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academics steering away
by Barry Wellman 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

In a recent discussion, an Aussie colleague said: "On the whole, with the exception of legal writers arguing about whether such control is good or bad, academics seem to have steered away from the issues involved of how these things actually work. I'm not for example able, at this moment, to do more than posit that things are less controlled than they used to be (most of the complaints seem to arise between 1994 and 1997), however this may not be the case." I really wondered about "steering away" which really says "deliberately avoids" (you have to actively "steer"). It actually sounds as a hot and researchable topic -- see sociological-ish journal _Surveillance and Society_. I really think this -- and many similar -- case is a situation of so many things worth studying and not enough time or people to study them. So not steering away, just not getting around to do. Having just come over 2 years prep and 6 weeks writing our first big Connected Lives paper, I am wearily aware of the gap between bright idea and reasonable paper. Barry _____________________________________________________________________ Barry Wellman Professor of Sociology NetLab Director wellman at chass.utoronto.ca http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman Centre for Urban & Community Studies University of Toronto 455 Spadina Avenue Toronto Canada M5S 2G8 fax:+1-416-978-7162 To network is to live; to live is to network _____________________________________________________________________

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Re: RE: [Air-l] query about commercial regulation of internet chat
by Jonathan Marshall 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Thank you Eric, Chris and Carolyn, Sorry about the delay in acknowledgment, i had a rather sharp deadline. But what has suprised me in a way, is the shortage of descriptive or sociological articles on this issue. Most of the accounts of what i guess we could call 'commerical moderation' such as AOL's patrolling and 'censoring' of its message boards and chatrooms seems largely to be covered by disconnected personal anecdote, as kept in the archives of groups like alt.aol-sucks (which may or may not be reliable) or in a few newspaper stories (most of which i've found only by references in that newsgroup). Partly this difficulty *might* arise because of the legal agreements binding AOL Moderators which restrict their open discussion of these issues, and which make discussion from all sides difficult. On the whole, with the exception of legal writers arguing about whether such control is good or bad, academics seem to have steered away from the issues involved of how these things actually work. I'm not for example able, at this moment, to do more than posit that things are less controlled than they used to be (most of the complaints seem to arise between 1994 and 1997), however this may not be the case. In a way, this is where i have slight doubts about Eric's argument, if i may be excused. As i understand Eric is arguing, from a legal point of view, that corporate monitoring and control of discussion sites, or of virtual worlds, really has little effect on free speech issues in general, and that there is no need to panic. There is, however, a plausible argument that more and more public space is being sold off to corporations, that media ownership is shrinking and getting less open to different views (ask anyone who has non-mainstream pro-cororate views if such views are accurately represented in the media and the chances are they will say no), that the way broadband is being regulated removes 'open access', or that even the actions of government are becoming protected by commerical inconfidence deals, or commercial secrecy. Now, if it is the case that more and more places in which one can discuss issues are coming under corporate control, then the question arises as to whether access to significant public areas, in which access to a large public is possible, is potentialy being lessened. And if the answer to that question is 'yes', then allowing continuing, unrestricted and increasing corporate regulation of the space they provide for discussion, or allowing corporations to regulate discussion about that space, becomes more and more problematic. ie. if there are plenty of alternatives to corporately provided discussion sites then complete corporate control of those sites is not such a bad thing, but the less such alternatives exist or are able to allow access to any wider 'public sphere', then less democratic and open society will become. jon ----- Original Message ----- From: Eric Goldman <egoldman(a)gmail.com> Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 10:47 pm Subject: Fwd: [Air-l] query about commercial regulation of internet chat > A lot has been written on this topic, depending on how broadly you define > your inquiry. Consider, for example, the recent short paper I wrote > http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=755884 > Regards. Eric. > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jonathan Marshall <Jonathan.Marshall(a)uts.edu.au> > Date: Jul 26, 2005 12:56 AM > Subject: [Air-l] query about commercial regulation of internet chat > To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org > > > I wonder if anyone knows of any academic writings on the commercial > regulation of chatrooms, mailing lists etc. > > I remember and can find heaps of annecdotal evidence of AOL regulating the > use of posts with 'vulgar' terms in them. This has supposedly lead to the > discontinuance of serious discussion on homosexuality, breast > cancer and so > on. However i've not yet found any academic discussion of this, or articles > which put this in historical context. For example, does AOL still behave in > this kind of way, if it ever did. > > I also remember that Prodigy was accused of obliterating > complaints against itself. > > In one book i saw mention that one supplier simply replaced any word it did > not like with a series of #s, but the source does not mention either where > or when this occured. > > I've also heard of companies attempting regulate comment about them in > internet groups by threatening legal action over the use of trade marks, but > cannot remember any details, and again don't know anything about the > historical trajectory. > > thanks for any help with this. > > jon > -- UTS CRICOS Provider Code: 00099F DISCLAIMER: This email message and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message or attachments. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this message. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender expressly, and with authority, states them to be the views the University of Technology Sydney. Before opening any attachments, please check them for viruses and defects.

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new reviews in cyberculture studies (august 2005)
by david silver 01 Aug '05

01 Aug '05

New reviews (found at http://www.com.washington.edu/rccs/ ) for AUGUST 2005 include: [1] Emily Noelle Ignacio, Building Diaspora: Filipino Cultural Community Formation on the Internet (Rutgers University Press, 2005) Reviewed by: Marc W.D. Tyrrell, Research Resource Division for Refugees, Carleton University Reviewed by: Hilary Robertson-Hickling, Department of Management Studies, University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica Reviewed by: Christopher Helland, Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada [2] John Edward Campbell, Getting It On Online: Cyberspace, Gay Male Sexuality and Embodied Identity (Haworth Press, 2004) Reviewed by: Adi Kuntsman, Department of Sociology, Lancaster University, UK Reviewed by: Nina Wakeford, INCITE and Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, UK Reviewed by: Monica Whitty, Psychology, Queen's University Belfast Author Response: John Edward Campbell, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania [3] Karen Mossberger, Caroline J. Tolbert, Mary Stansbury, Virtual Inequality: Beyond the Digital Divide (Georgetown University Press, 2003) Reviewed by: Charles Ford, Department of History, Norfolk State University Reviewed by: Jane Weiss, Humanities Department, SUNY College at Old Westbury Reviewed by: Michelle Rodino, Department of Communication, University of Cincinnati Author Response: Karen Mossberger, University of Illinois at Chicago [4] Christine L. Borgman, From Gutenberg to the Global Information Infrastructure: Access to Information in the Networked World (MIT Press, 2000) Reviewed by: Bill Herman, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania Enjoy. david silver www.theseptemberproject.org English: http://www.theseptemberproject.org/tsp.pdf Espanol: http://www.theseptemberproject.org/tspespanol.pdf

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