Julia Martin's blog

Gossip Column Update: Faster Than Light Particles Result of Loose Cable

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:45:04 -0500

Turns out Einstein was a pretty smart guy. As it turns out, the theory of relativity destroying and highly controversial discovery of particles moving faster than the speed of light was the result of a loose cable.
This also is a nice moment for all researchers that even the guys at CERN can sometimes succumb to tech failures.

Wikipedia's Editing policies, Specifically "Undue Weight"

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:35:48 -0500

In this article from the Chronicle, author and Cultural Studies professor Timothy Messer-Kruse writes about his experience attempting to correct a factual error on Wikipedia and the difficulty that the democratic editing policies pose towards "truth".

4 Elements That Make a Good User Experience Into Something Great Via FastCoDesign

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:51:22 -0500

This article is a report from the Inaugural Interaction Design awards. I thought that in light of Gary's presentation on the expansive and experimental goals of the lab that this article might be of particular interest.

As we begin to brainstorm ideas for reaching people and moving outside of the predictable education system, I think it's going to be more and more important to be building what I think of as "bridge" tools, which live between formerly siloed worlds (Education and Criminal Justice System) are an example. It's easy enough to say that, and hard enough to do.

The Four Principles in this article are

Building Platforms:"[The] combination of a solid foundation built with inherent flexibility that allows users to seize something and make it their own is a key characteristic of many of the digital platforms that will flourish in the years to come."

Check Out This Awesome Data Visualization About the Size of the Universe

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:45:17 -0500

Just click through . . . there aren't ways to explain this other than awesome.

With easy navigation and identifiable (from an American perspective for sure), landmasses and planets for comparison, this is a cool and simple exploration of size and scope within our universe.

Rebecca MacKinnon talks about her book "Consent of the Networked"

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:25:58 -0500

Above find an interview with the author Rebecca MacKinnon on her new book about information/data privacy online and the complexities of this new issue. I for one, can't wait to read this book.

More here.

Creative Library Advertisement

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:41:15 -0500

Check out this library's creative approach to highlighting their collections and offerings:

Library Data Tumblr

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:33:46 -0500

Here's a Tumblr focused on library data which I thought some of you might find interesting.

The Chronicle's Online Learning

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:59:09 -0500

I receive a digest from the Chronicle every once in a while and today had a link to this feature which is filled with opportunities to download and look at research (including white papers) and experiments into online learning environments.

I thought this might be a good thing to be aware of for the mSchool!

All in One Laptop, Phone, Camera, Tablet

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:31:36 -0500

Meet Lifebook, the concept All In One laptop . . . wow. Full review here at Geekologie.

Supreme Court Upholds Congress' Right to Re-copyright Things

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:59:16 -0500

Get out of that public domain, foreign works!

Reported here is a brief summary of the US Supreme Court's recent ruling in favor of Congress' right to restore copyright protection in foreign works where the work was never registered in the US and the full copyright term has expired.

Here's the full ruling if you'd like some light reading.

Wikipedia Joins SOPA Blackout, Twitter CEO Calls It Foolish

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:45:38 -0500

Wikipedia has announced that it's going dark in support of the anti-SOPA and anti-PIPA movement. It's only their English language site though so your options are to search in Spanish, or check out Encarta

It doesn't looking like Twitter will follow suit as their CEO has called the shutdown foolish.

SOPA Protest Live and In Person

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:41:43 -0500

There's a tech group meet up organizing a civil disobedience action more info hereon January 18th from 12:30 - 3:30 in front of the offices of Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand.
Follow this link to contact your Congressional representative.

Video: The Information Machine From 1958

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:24:52 -0500

UConn Investigation Find Health Researcher Fabricating Data

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:51:53 -0500

Man, people just won't stop doing things for this Gossip Column . . . I'm telling you.
According to the Chronicle, a researcher falsified and fabricated data 145 times. WORSE STILL, this guy is a researcher at the Cardiovascular Research Center AND his "adjustments" included taking images to photoshop to reflect his changes.

If you're interested, here's a summary of the investigations findings. One of the Gossip Column's favorite blogs is Retraction Watch, where you can keep up to date on all the things being pulled from publication.

SOPA Update: Reddit calls Blackout January 18th in protest of SOPA & PIPA

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:47:39 -0500

Reddit has committed to the anti-SOPA (and PIPA too) blackout now scheduled for January 18th
Ubu has also committed to participation.

I haven't seen any updates from the heavier hitters mentioned earlier, but I did find this open letter to the US Gov. from 83 prominent internet inventors and engineers. Full letter here.

SO: who else do you think will participate? Google? Twitter?