INTERNET
Report: Intellectual Freedom in the Information Society,
Libraries and the Internet
Amazon Opens Pages to Perusal
US Government Plans Internet Security Ads
OPEN SOURCE
Denmark Urges Government Support for Open Source
Two Companies at Odds over Internet's Future
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INTERNET
REPORT: INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY,
LIBRARIES AND THE INTERNET
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
has announced the release of the IFLA/FAIFE World Report 2003, entitled
"Intellectual Freedom in the Information Society, Libraries and the
Internet." The report focuses on libraries and the Internet, discussing the
digital divide, filtering and blocking of information, user privacy,
financial barriers, intellectual freedom and codes of ethics. It also
considers the adoption and implementation of the IFLA Internet Manifesto and
the Glasgow Declaration on Libraries, Information Services and Intellectual
Freedom, which express vital principles for a free Internet supported by
strong library and information services. The survey discussed in the report
finds that there is a long way to go before countries, their libraries and
their staff are suitably equipped and properly trained to meet the challenge
of safeguarding their patrons' full participation in the information and
knowledge society.
SOURCE: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
(IFLA)
http://www.ifla.org/faife/report/intro.htm
AMAZON OPENS PAGES TO PERUSAL
Amazon.com has unveiled its "Search Inside the Book" service. The company
already offers the capacity to search by author, subject or title, as well
as the option to view the opening pages of some books, but this new service
allows the ability to search the text of entire books. Amazon and 160
partner publishers hope to sell more books online by offering this new
service. The company could use this service not just to sell more books, but
also to connect advertisers to consumers. Amazon is making a move to deliver
more relevant information to Web shoppers, says Tim Hickernell, Meta Group
technology analyst. Despite the innovation of this new search service, it
has not escaped challenges. For example, observing copyrights was an
obstacle, but Amazon squeezed its way out of infringement by arguing that it
was supplying images of book pages, not merely the text. Another challenge
is that the service lacks the ability to "personalize" search results, says
Hickernell. In the future, Amazon may offer searches not just for book
excerpts, but for song lyrics and movie dialogue as well.
SOURCE: USA TODAY; AUTHOR: Byron Acohido
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-10-26-amazon_x.htm
U.S. GOVERNMENT PLANS INTERNET SECURITY ADS
The National Cyber Security Alliance and the US Department of Homeland
Security plan to produce a $1.8 million nationwide cyber security
advertising campaign. The campaign is designed to educate home and small
business computer users about the importance of using firewalls and
anti-virus software, as well as defend themselves against online fraud. The
alliance has raised $500,000, but it announced today that the Homeland
Security Department would match those funds up to $650,000. People need to
understand that poor security affects everyone because hackers frequently
take control over poorly secured computers to launch attacks against other
systems, says Richard Clarke, the White House's former cyber security
adviser. The Department of Homeland Security, at best, can attempt to keep
consumers reasonably informed about threats and risks, both online and
offline, says Mike Jacob, former deputy director for information systems
security at the National Security Agency. The campaign is expected to air
next year via television, radio, magazines, newspapers and movie theaters
throughout the country.
SOURCE: Washington Post; AUTHOR: Brian Krebs
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7600-2003Oct23.html
OPEN SOURCE
DENMARK URGES GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR OPEN SOURCE
A report released by the Danish Board of Technology is stirring up
controversy by suggesting that public sector support for open source
software and standards may be necessary to ensure real competition in the
software market. The board was particularly critical of closed, proprietary
standards such as Microsoft's Word format, arguing they go against the
principles of e-government by requiring citizens to use particular software
and reinforcing monopolies. The board recommended that the Danish government
take an active role in promoting an open, XML-based alternative for file
formats; however, it recognized that this would be an uphill battle. The
report said that open source could also help make public sector software
procurement more cost-effective by introducing real competition. The board
urged the government to take action, dismissing the lukewarm approach of
other European countries: "It is... not sufficient for us in Denmark to
follow Britain and Germany, for example, in merely recommending that open
source should be 'considered.' A more active decision must be taken in those
areas where there is a de facto monopoly."
SOURCE: ZDNet UK; AUTHOR: Matthew Broersma
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020390,39117341,00.htm
TWO COMPANIES AT ODDS OVER THE INTERNET'S FUTURE
The future of the Internet is fueling a debate between IBM and Microsoft.
IBM is the leading corporate backer of the open source Linux operating
system, a direct challenge to Microsoft. In the past, the two companies have
cooperated to reach software standards and Web service agreements, but have
struggled to agree on anything else. Adding to the current debate is the
ambiguity about the evolution of Internet technology. Microsoft's vision
attempts to recreate the personal computer revolution by focusing on
individuals and technology tools. IBM's vision focuses on the computing
evolution from the perspective of business interest, which uses evolving
technologies to streamline business processes and seize new markets. IBM's
Internet strategy involves services and computing sold on demand, while
Microsoft wishes to make computing more seamless for the individual.
Microsoft says IBM is trying to exploit companies by persuading them to hand
over computing chores. The Internet will soon be programmable like software
Microsoft argues. If this happens, on-demand computing will be unnecessary
because the Internet will be able to solve complex computing problems that
would have been otherwise outsourced to companies like IBM.
SOURCE: New York Times; AUTHOR: Steve Lohr
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/27/technology/27neco.html
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