‘Giving it away’ a textbook argument
Open access "has so far been developed, promoted and argued for most extensively, and certainly most heatedly, in the Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. Gary Hall, a leading open-access advocate, and others have produced powerful polemics in favour of open access, often in books in which they practice… Read More
Future of web search is ‘3D’ and ‘visual’, expert tells C4
According to Weitz, the concept of 3D searching is already brought into the mainstream with applications such as Google Streetview. Weitz, who is charged with luring more users to Microsoft’s search engine Bing away from rival Google search, also told C4 that amid internet’s evolution, it is crucial to understand… Read More
No Journal Access? Email the Author, Colleague
Informal peer-to-peer sharing of scientific articles is common for researchers in developing countries, a new study suggests. The article, “Access to scientific literature in India,” appears in the December issue of the Journal of the American Society for Information Science & Technology. Read More
Google Books: Scan First, Ask Questions Later
In a revision to the Google Books Settlement filed in federal court late Friday night, Google and the Authors Guild made concessions to industry groups, regulators and others who have vocally opposed the plan. But the search giant refuses to budge on one of the agreement’s most controversial points. Read More
On Self-Selection Bias In Publisher Anti-Open-Access Lobbying
Russell selectively cites only this negative study -- the overhastily (overoptimistically?) published first-year phase of a still ongoing three-year study by Davis et al -- because its result sounds more congenial to the publishing lobby. Russell selectively ignores as "biased and dubious" the many positive (peer-reviewed) studies that do keep… Read More
Open Source Science: A Revolution From Within
(LinuxInsider.com) It worked for software, so why not science? The open source science movement has been gaining momentum, and it's shaping the future of scientific research and discovery. Everyone -- scientists, the general public, and even taxpayers -- stands to benefit from a new scientific model. Read More
Medical Search Engine: A web innovation in medicine
(pr-inside.com): The field of medicine and science saw a huge revolution when Slideworld, a path breaking internet phenomenon, launched a merger of technology and medicine. Slideworld.org is the first ever medical search engine that treasures a huge repository of PowerPoint presentations on medicine and science. Read More
Library to make additional cuts
(Yaledailynews.com): The University Library will soon begin cutting back on some of its resources in the face of a third round of University budget cuts. The Library has announced that it will reduce duplication of materials and cut journal and database subscriptions, as well as purchases of books and other… Read More
Suppressing science – Is Climategate world’s biggest hoax?
(Calgaryherald.com): On the eve of next week's Copenhagen climate summit, the evidence couldn't be more embarrassing for proponents of global warming. Leaked e-mails from the University of East Anglia's Hadley Climate Research Unit (CRU), one of the world's leading climate change research centres, indicate that prominent scientists cooked the books… Read More
British Library’s new £26 million storage facility in Yorkshire – the most advanced in the world
(bl.uk): The world's most advanced library storage facility has been officially opened at the British Library's Boston Spa site in West Yorkshire. The new facility will house low use material including patent specifications, books, serials and newspapers in temperature- and humidity-controlled conditions that meet international standards for archival preservation. In… Read More
