*****************************************************
Edupage is a service of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association
whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting
the intelligent use of information technology.
*****************************************************
TOP STORIES FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2005
Texas Institutions to Develop Joint Digital Library
Survey Shows Rochester Students Not Keen on Napster
Coalition to Release Spyware Definition
EC Raids Intel Offices
TEXAS INSTITUTIONS TO DEVELOP JOINT DIGITAL LIBRARY
Rice University and four university systems in Texas have announced a
partnership to create a digital repository of online resources aimed
broadly at public users. Dubbed the Texas Digital Library, the
repository will pool the efforts of Rice University, the Texas A&M
University System, the Texas Tech University System, the University of
Houston System, and the University of Texas System. Initially, at
least, the repository will offer various resources online, including
teaching aids and practical information, but will not include books.
Fred Heath, vice provost of the University of Texas Libraries, said
that the program was conceived as a resource largely for individuals
outside the walls of academia, fulfilling in some measure the charge of
public higher education to serve the public good. The budget for the
project has not yet been finalized. Heath said he hopes the repository
will be online by the end of the year, but the timing will depend on
having sufficient content available for users.
Chronicle of Higher Education, 13 July 2005
http://chronicle.com/free/2005/07/2005071301t.htm
SURVEY SHOWS ROCHESTER STUDENTS NOT KEEN ON NAPSTER
According to a survey of students at the University of Rochester, which
offers the Napster online music service to members of the campus
community, virtually none of the students has purchased a song from the
company. Close to half of the students reported either using the
streaming audio feature of the service or acquiring a tethered
download, both of which carry restrictions on use. Students who said
they had purchased songs, however, totaled just one percent in the
Spring 2004 semester, and none reported buying a tune in Fall 2004. By
contrast, eight percent of students did purchase music online from
iTunes and Musicmatch. Further, although all students have access to
Napster through the university, 56 percent reported using competing
online music services. The costs for providing Napster to students are
not disclosed for the University of Rochester or for the other schools
that offer the Napster service. Some have criticized the institutions
for adding those costs to student fees, even while many students
evidently do not use the service.
The Register, 11 July 2005
http://www.theregister.com/2005/07/09/napster_rochester_survey/
COALITION TO RELEASE SPYWARE DEFINITION
The recently created Anti-Spyware Coalition is set to release a
definition of spyware. According to officials from the group, the first
step toward dealing with the growing problem of spyware and adware is
to define very clearly what it is. The group's proposed definition,
which the public can comment on until August 12, identifies spyware as
software that is installed without adequate notification and that
monitors computer users' activities. The group also proposes a broader
definition that would include software that interferes with users'
abilities to properly control their systems. Critics of the group's
definitions argue that makers of spyware and adware stand to benefit
the most from such a definition because it clearly delineates what they
could do and get away with. After the comment period is closed,
officials of the Anti-Spyware Coalition will incorporate the best
suggestions into the final definitions.
CNET, 12 July 2005
http://news.com.com/2100-1029_3-5783926.html
EC RAIDS INTEL OFFICES
As part of an ongoing investigation of antitrust allegations against
Intel, the European Commission (EC) this week conducted raids on Intel
offices around Europe and on computer makers and retailers. The EC
began looking into antitrust concerns more than four years ago, but the
investigation was left idle for lack of evidence in 2002. After
antitrust authorities in Japan began looking into Intel's business in
2004, the EC reopened its investigation. Intel competitors have charged
the chip maker with unfairly using its position in the market to
pressure computer manufacturers and retailers to use its products.
Critics also charge Intel with abusing a rebate program, which reward
computer makers for using its chips. The Japanese Fair Trade Commission
in March found Intel guilty of violating that country's regulations
with the rebate program. Chip maker Advanced Micro Devices has sued
Intel for $55 million in Japan and has filed a separate action in U.S.
courts.
New York Times, 13 July 2005 (registration req'd)
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/13/technology/13chip.html
*****************************************************
EDUPAGE INFORMATION
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your settings,
or access the Edupage archive, visit
http://www.educause.edu/Edupage/639
Or, you can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending e-mail to
LISTSERV@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To SUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type:
SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName
To UNSUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type:
SIGNOFF Edupage
If you have subscription problems, send e-mail to
EDUPAGE-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*****************************************************
OTHER EDUCAUSE RESOURCES
The EDUCAUSE Resource Center is a repository for
information concerning use and management of
IT in higher education. To access resources including
articles, books, conference sessions, contracts,
effective practices, plans, policies, position
descriptions, and blog content, go to
http://www.educause.edu/resources
*****************************************************
CONFERENCES
For information on all EDUCAUSE learning and networking
opportunities, see
http://www.educause.edu/31
*****************************************************
COPYRIGHT
Edupage copyright (c) 2005, EDUCAUSE
