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The government of Switzerland has issued a statement declaring that it will not take action to alter current copyright laws allowing the downloading of music and movies for personal use. The statement is the result of a lengthy study conducted by the Swiss government into the impact of so-called "piracy" on the entertainment industry. Despite the industry's claims that downloading undermines their business, this study shows that the effect of unauthorized downloading on the industry's bottom line is negligible. One key finding of the study is that downloaders spend as much if not more to acquire content legally as those who do not download. Researchers found no change in amount of disposable income spent on music and movies, despite the fact that roughly one third of Swiss people engage in some form of downloading. The government concluded, then, that no change to the current legal structure was necessary, and urged the entertainment industry to grow and adapt with the changes in technology and in consumer habits, rather than trying to suppress progress.

"Our Space is a set of curricular materials designed to encourage high school students to reflect on the ethical dimensions of their participation in new media environments. Through role-playing activities and reflective exercises, students are asked to consider the ethical responsibilities of other people, and whether and how they behave ethically themselves online. These issues are raised in relation to five core themes that are highly relevant online: identity, privacy, authorship and ownership, credibility, and participation. For more information, download the Introduction to Our Space [pdf], FAQ [pdf], and Road Map [pdf]. All curricular units and lessons are free and available for download below. The full casebook [pdf - 133MB] can be downloaded using the link at the bottom of the page." Critiqued by @downes for not addressing the issue properly "This is "a set of curricular materials designed to encourage high school students to reflect on the ethical dimensions of their participation in new media environments." The content divides into five major subject areas: participation, identity, privacy, credibility, and authorship and ownership. I'm not sure these are the top five things I would list when thinking of ethical dimensions of new media environments. While it's useful that there is a section on flamers, lurkers and mentors I think there should be something about hate, racism and bulling. And while a section on credibility is a good idea, it should be based on the principles of reason and inference, not outrageously bad definitions like this: "Networking-the ability to search for, synthesize, and disseminate information." And this: "Collective intelligence-evidence that participants in knowledge communities pool knowledge and compare notes with others toward a common goal." Wow, those are just wrong. Maybe I need to review this and criticize it more closely."

Interesting post on the language of copyright. Should we say 'downloaded a copy' or should we say 'manufactured a copy'?

2nd edition The Theory and Practice of Online Learning published 2008 edited by Terry Anderson download page for the entire eBook or can download individual chapters as preferred

"ClearBits provides hosting and distribution for open licensed media. We distribute high quality, open-licensed (Creative Commons) digital media, datasets, and artwork for Content Creators. We host creative content in its entirety, ensure fast, reliable downloads, and enable users to directly sponsor Content Creators and their work."

Can we start to connect this with Moodle? Is it possible? "Now, all of your Google Sites content can be accessed using the Google Data protocol. That means porting over an old webpage or backing up an existing site got much easier! In fact, check out our open-source Google Sites import/export tool that does just that. So what can you do with the Google Sites API? Glad you asked! The API supports most of the functionality found in Google Sites, which includes the ability to: * Retrieve, create, modify, and delete pages and content. * Upload/download attachments. * Review the revision history across a site. * Display recent user activity."

"Now, all of your Google Sites content can be accessed using the Google Data protocol. That means porting over an old webpage or backing up an existing site got much easier! In fact, check out our open-source Google Sites import/export tool that does just that. So what can you do with the Google Sites API? Glad you asked! The API supports most of the functionality found in Google Sites, which includes the ability to: * Retrieve, create, modify, and delete pages and content. * Upload/download attachments. * Review the revision history across a site. * Display recent user activity."

"Google says that on April 29, Google Videos will no longer be viewable on the site, and the download function will still be available for a couple of weeks to allow users to retrieve their work."<--How does this effect Google video @UoW?

Book. Free, downloadable.

Posters with useful strategies for learners.

Open textbook from Tony Bates on integrating technology into teaching - free download in a range of formats

A conference app. Free for up to 200 downloads

While DRM has largely been defeated in downloaded music, it is a growing problem in the area of ebooks, where people have had their books restricted so they can't freely loan, re-sell or donate them, read them without being tracked, or move them to a new device without re-purchasing all of them. They've even had their ebooks deleted by companies without their permission. It continues to be a major issue in the area of movies and video too. Join us in working to eliminate DRM! This is the fourth year we've run the international Day Against DRM. In previous years we've focused on music, held events at the Boston Public Library and more! On May 4th, the Defective by Design DRM Elimination Crew will of course be running an event in Boston. But for this day to send a strong message against DRM, we need people all over the world to join us and hold their own events! As well as attending or running events, you can join other activists in blogging about DRM, putting up banners on your Web sites and blogs, talking about DRM on your social networks and more.

We know mosty of these hints but still some useful new ones. Need to print lots of docs at once? Download all as a zip and print that.

Site to Phone is a free service designed to send links and text from your computer to your phone or tablet. Once you have a Site to Phone account you can download a selection of extensions and browser addons that let you send information to your phone. Once your phone is setup you can recieve the information by opening a homescreen app or bookmark. If you regularly type out links from your computers web browser onto your phone Site to Phone could save you a lot of time.

Report on a change in Internet traffic post-copyright law changes.

Interesting research by @Waikato researchers showing the impact of the new file sharing law change on internet traffic. Conclusion: little net-change in traffic, users have simply shifted to more secure protocols.

NetSpot FAQ on their defection to Blackboard.

Stanfords open source learning platform - although this seems like a page of blah and can't find a download link or access to the code...

Free book on future of the internet download under read now) Bunch of essays about impact of internet on society, how internet should be managed, privacy, intellectual property etc . Various perspectives but published by a libertarian think tank. Critical of Lessig for proposing controls on internet development. Some good reads (Dean, beware - lawyers). Also check out the video presentations - panel discussions - some fascinating stuff. This book is both a beginning and an end. Its publication marks the beginning of TechFreedom, a new non-profit think tank that will launch alongside this book in January 2011. Our mission is simple: to unleash the progress of technology that improves the human condition and expands individual capacity to choose.

Sounds good - need to check.