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Chapter 6 in Esther Dyson's book Release 2.0 is titled Intellectual Property. Chapter 6 deals with the idea of intellectual property on the net. Email conversations, advertisements, databases, video clips, icons, as well as documents are among the things considered to be intellectual property. There are laws governing "traditional" intellectual properties like books and magazines in the form of copyrights and patents, but intellectual property on the net is not as easy to regulate. Everyone probably takes content from the net all the time without really realizing it, but the trick is to know where to draw the line. Dyson says the big rule about this is to never collect money, whether directly or indirectly, on the basis of something that isn't legally yours. The example she gives is that it is probably good and fine for a young teen to post a picture of Bill Gates for decoration. However, it is not okay for the teenager/software consultant to post a picture of Bill Gates on their site advertising their services./ Dyson then talks about the web person's or publisher's options for use control of their content. She gives three options: limited distribution in a controlled environment (cooperate intranet), broad distribution with limited control, and tagging the content in some way so it can be monitored and billed for. Dyson Dyson gives the examples of Digital Property Rights Language, IBM's Cryptolopes, and watermarking to demonstrate these options. Dyson then discusses the economic or business aspect of content on the net. What this deals with is human attention as a commodity of economic value, or how people or businesses can make money from the net user. Dyson goes over some basic business models or approaches on how to best create and exploit value on the net. The approaches include subscriptions, performances, intellectual services, electronic intellectual services, memberships, face-to-face conferences, product support, spin-off goods, advertising, sponsorships, and selling copies. One of the things that Dyson brings up in the models section that I found interesting was in her discussion of face-to-face conferences. She basically says that a virtual experience of the conference (watching videos of it, reading transcripts while looking at photos) takes away the major part of why conferences are effective. Conferences are effective in their face-to-face value; the mix of people there, the interactions that you get. Dyson likens it to throwing a great party. This is relevant to our class discussions about cyber-relationships and marriage. The last section of the chapter deals with "content-integrity" issues. Dyson thinks that to deal with copyright issues, netizens will create communities where free duplication and alteration will be accepted practice. Dyson uses the example of Oracle to illustrate her idea. Dyson then goes over the three issues of "content-integrity": caching and mirroring, linking, and framing.
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Do you think video-conferencing is an effective way of communication?
I believe that video-conferencing has its merits. On those occasions that people cannot be in one place, video conferencing is very effective. I also believe that video conferencing is best used when there are a limited number of people. The more people, the less effective it will be. It certainly has advantages over phone conferencing.
Do you think that face-to-face interactions are important?
I believe that face-to-face interactions are extremely important. There is a certain quality of interaction that you get with F2F that you cannot duplicate with video, or other virtual interactions. Human beings enjoy the company of other human beings and that quality makes for a better mood, and contributes to the overall energy of the interaction. Dyson illustrates this when she talks about conferences being like a big party. The mix of people add to the atmosphere and effectiveness of the interactions. However, F2F can also detract from the effectiveness of the interaction if you get the wrong mix of people. If the people don't get along, the result will be more negative. So there are some good points and bad points with face-to-face interactions.
Which of the three options of protecting copyrighted materials would you recommend to individuals who want to protect their published work on the web?
Of the three options for protecting copyrighted materials, the best, most economical way for people to preserve their published work would have to be a limited distribution in a controlled environment, or tagging the content in some way. By limiting distribution, you can employ strategies like subscription and memberships to collect fees and protect your work. However, once you sell your content to someone, it is in their hands to protect the content of your work. The most complete way to protect your work would be to tag it in someway so that wherever it is downloaded or copied it can be monitored and billed for. Playboy uses this kind of "watermarking" on their images to protect their content.
Should the government step in to control the regulation of copyrights, trademarks, etc… for intellectual property over the internet?
I don't believe that any one government should step in to control the regulation of copyrights on the internet. The internet is world wide and it is not controlled by one country. Perhaps a coalition of countries could get together to work out some kind of treaty where they work together to enforce laws concerning regulation on the internet.
What are your views on mp3 music files and "burning" of games, programs, and music?
Any personal use of mp3 music files or "burning" of games, programs and music is acceptable. However, once the mp3 file or game or program changes hands, it becomes unacceptable.
Can you see yourself using the web to make money? How?
I already use the web and computers to make money. My office pays me to be computer and internet literate. I may also design a web page for them for extra pay.
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The presentation went well. It was fairly difficult to filter out what to say and what to keep out. Dyson has a lot of information packed into one chapter. I don't know that anyone in our class will go on to make money using the internet but this chapter did provide some good information and guidelines to follow if we ever do. The debate over governing and enforcement of policy regarding intellectual property on the internet will likely remain a long process.
As always, the advice for posting reports is to start early. If you type out what you are going to say, it will make the posting a lot easier. Worry about the content of what you are going to say without worrying about the format of web presentation. That can be done after.
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My second oral report is on online statistics. The site is called Fastats A-Z and it is part of the NCHS or the National Center for Health Statistics. The NCHS is the primary Federal organization responsible for the collection, analyses, and dissemination of health statistics. The NCHS is part of the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They also work with various other Federal agencies and research and academic institutions in their collection of data. The NCHS has been collecting health data since 1960. This data provided by the NCHS is used by the Executive Administration, Congress and for medical research.
This sites purpose is to provide access to health information produced by the NCHS. Their mission is to provide this statistical information in the hopes that it will guide actions and policies to improve the health of the American people.
Fastats is just a small part of the general NCHS/CDC site and it is basically an index where you can find statistical information on health related items like vital events, health status, lifestyle, illness and disability, and the use of health care.
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What other methods, besides the use of surveys, were used to gather data?
The CDC uses all types of methods to gather information for their statistics. In addition to health surveys, the CDC uses information birth and death data, compiled nationally. They also work in conjunction with academic and other private institutions like hospitals in their collection of data. The majority of the information does come from surveys conducted by the CDC and these other institutions.
Does this site only give you statistical information on the health industry, or does it give you some general descriptions and treatments of some of the diseases as well?
The site does not generally give information about descriptions of diseases or treatments. The main type of information provided relates things like disease incidence, and prevalence, and use and availability of health care.
How does a site like this affect the general public?
The site can affect the general public by providing useful information to policy makers and health program designers. These new health policy and programs will, in turn, directly affect the general public.
Does the site benefit the average net user?
This site can benefit the average net user directly and indirectly. By taking interest in health information, the average net user can, for example, take note that cancer may be the number one killer for their particular age group. Then bye finding out that cancer is correlated to certain health behaviors, take steps to decrease his or her chances in developing cancer. Indirectly, it can benefit the average net user by shaping health policy and program improvements and decisions.
What is the data good for?
The data is good to increase public awareness of health issues and concerns. Many Americans practice poor health behaviors and thus our nation is faced with some of the worst health statistics for industrialized countries. Being more aware of health issues may lead to better health behaviors for our nation.
How often is the index updated? Who keeps the index updated?
Although I don't know how often the site is updated, it is very current. Upon checking on 3/8/99, the last update was on 1/12/99, and then checking again on 4/30/99, the last update was on 4/29/99. The NCHS is responsible for updating this website.
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The presentation went fairly well. This site was fairly straightforward. Most of the class had the same question regarding how this site would benefit the average web user. Health information is always good to keep up with. Many times, we neglect our health and put ourselves in emminent risk of illness and disease. People need to realize the importance of good health behavior and this site does a good job in providing health information regarding statistical information regarding disease and health behaviors. I personally used this site in my research for another class, Sociology 454, Medical Sociology. I used the mortality rates and disease incidence and prevalence statistics in studying death and dying and end-of-life issues.
Again, the best advice for these reports is to start early. Starting early will alleviate a lot of stress. Typing out what you are going to say makes in much easier to post the report. Worrying about the content before web presentation is also recommended. My strategy for web presentation is to basically use the same format for all my reports, varying the color scheme and layout slightly. In that way, I can cut and paste what I want to say, and just change minor things from my previous reports without having to create a new latyout everytime I post a new report.