Book Resale - A Case for the US Supreme Court

The United States (US) Supreme Court was to have heard a case on Monday (in all probability was delayed due to Hurricane Sandy) about the resale of books that were initially purchased overseas at significant discounts - but resold in the United States.  For example, it is common for a textbook author to get $.07-.10/textbook profit for textbooks sold in the US, but only $0.03-0.04/book if sold overseas.  Multiple authors would "split" the profit for the sales of a textbook.  The profit may vary slightly for increased volume of sales.

A Thai graduate student studying in the United States, Supap Kirtsaeng, reportedly used book resales to help support himself financially.  He resold books that were initially purchased at the discount rates in foreign markets.  

The arguments for and against are very interesting.   The use of the Internet for online sales is a yet another new twist for copyright issues.

To read more, go to:

• http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_21880709/google-ebay-side-student-supreme-court-case-resale
•  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/business/supreme-court-hears-copyright-case-on-imported-textbooks.html

I will follow this case and report the outcomes.  This is an legal and ethical issue pertinent to Chapter 25 in the Informatics and Nursing textbook.

PS - The Supreme Court did hear this case but the decision is pending.

 

Google Crisis Map - Hurricane Sandy

Google is working to assist with victims of Hurricane Sandy with Google Crisis Maps.  The link is at
http://google.org/crisismap/2012-sandy

For example the map includes the ability to view:  It is amazing how much technology has improved since Hurricane Katrina.  My friend, Deb, is one of the hurricane victims.  She has been able to communicate with us on Facebook about the effects of the storm using her iPad with its long battery life. Of course she has no electricity on Staten Island, or shingles on her roof.  She said that several houses in her neighborhood had been flattened. According to the news, there were several deaths on Staten Island from the storm.  The Google Crisis Map shows:

• Power Outages
• Emergency shelters
• Traffic conditions

 I read where two hospitals had to evacuate all of their patients.  One of the hospitals lost its emergency backup generators.  I look forward to hearing more about the situations and disaster recovery efforts. 

Fortunately, we have only had constant wind gusts from the storm here in Georgia.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the millions of storm victims.  

Halloween Avatar

One of the students prompted me to explore avatars again. I reviewed an article she posted on 10 Ways to Used Avatars in Education at http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/teaching_learning/10_ways_use_avatars_education

One of the links was broken, but I played with a Voki avatar.  See the video below and enjoy!

The Google Trekker for Google Maps

When reading the Google Blogspot this morning, I recognized "The Trekker."  OMG!  Just last week, when I was driving home I saw what appeared to be a large helmet on a post on top of  a car.  It was so unusual that I drove closer - wondering if it could be a bicycle on top of the car with a large red helmet on top.  But then - the vehicle turned left and I could clearly see that it was not a bicycle, but a post.  When reading the Google Blogspot this morning about taking pictures of the Grand Canyon for Google maps - there is was!  I had followed a car with a Google Trekker mounted on top. 

Google Drive - an Updated Version of Google Docs

As you probably know, Google Docs is now Google Drive.  If you are using the Chrome web browser, you can get Google Docs, Spreadsheet, and Presentation from the Chrome Web Store.  When you open a new Chrome tab, the apps will appear.  That means you can access your Google Drive with a single mouse click.  I added the three apps, but Presentation is not visible (Chrome told me that I had added it).  That is not really a problem, because when you open a new Google Doc, you still have a choice of the document type.

Another new feature is that Google Drive is a free app for the Android and Apple iOS devices. So, similar to Evernote, you can easily access any of the documents in Google Drive from your mobile devices.

We discussed Google office apps in the 4th edition of the Informatics and Nursing textbook.  That information is a bit dated now. The short video below provides an overview on Google Drive.

MOOCS - Minnesota Changes Stance and Now Allows

In a recent blog, I noted a call for papers for a JOLT issue on MOOCS.  It also included a controversial stand by Minnesota higher education banning MOOCS.   An email this morning provided an update that I missed from October 20 The Chronicle article.  The backlash centered around right to freedom of speech and a 20-year old law that required universities to register with the state and pay a $1000 fee (to provide free courses?).

The BIG controversy prompted officials in higher education to change their minds about the ban on MOOCS.

The article is online at http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/facing-backlash-minnesota-decides-to-allow-free-online-courses-after-all/40588

MOOCS - JOLT Call for Papers and Controversy from Minnesota Outlawing MOOCS

There is a call for papers for  MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT).  Have copied the information below.

The MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT at http://jolt.merlot.org/) has just released a Call for Papers for a special issue on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), to be published in Summer (June) 2013. The Guest Editors of the special issue are George Siemens (Athabasca University), Valerie Irvine (University of Victoria), and  Jillianne Code (University of Victoria).

Proposals in the form of extended abstracts (500 words) are due on November 15, 2012, with full manuscripts due on January 31, 2013.

The full Call for Papers is available at the following URL:

http://jolt.merlot.org/jolt_moocs_cfp.pdf

Conversely, the state of Minnesota does not allow for the use of MOOCS in education.   

Read the Washington Post article outlining the details at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/is-minnesota-cracking-down-on-moocs/2012/10/19/aecde79e-1a18-11e2-aa6f-3b636fecb829_blog.html 

There is an interesting editorial online at http://www.mndaily.com/2012/10/22/moocs-will-never-replace-traditional-higher-ed 

Pinger - Free Texting and Calling App

One of my students traveled in Europe this past summer and shared an app she used to communicate with friends and family in the United States - Pinger (http://www.pinger.com/).  Needless to say I downloaded it to use when we go to Italy in a few months.  Pinger allows for free text messaging using WiFi (vs cellular services) in 35 countries.  It works just like text messaging on a smartphone.  I had my husband download it so that we could give it a trial run.  Right now it is available for the iPhone, but it looks like there is a beta version available for the Android devices. 

Information on the website indicates that you can also use it to call landline phones.  I am looking forward to using the app and learning more.

Research Information Online Tutorial (RIOT)

I discovered the Rutger's Research Information Online Tutorial this morning at http://clients.kognito.com//rutgers/infolit/.  I have not review all of the videos - but the concept is a good one.  The tutorial is an animation that guides students through the different library resources used in researching a topic.  It is available in a text version for use with screen readers.  Some of the specific resources noted are for Rutger's students, but there are equivalents in most other college libraries that other students will recognize. 

Panoramic photo with iPhone and iOS6

We were at a football game last weekend when I noted someone taking a panoramic photo with their iPhone.  I just now realized that it is a feature that was available with the iOS 6, not just the iPhone 5.  I wanted to take a panoramic photo of the sundown over the lake the other evening, but realized I didn't know how.  I did a quick search and discovered that I had overlooked the buttons at the top of the camera screen.  The video below is a short how-to.

Switching from Windows to a Mac

Chris Breen has started a new column series that assists user to switch from the Windows platform to a Mac.  The first column in the series is online at http://www.macworld.com/article/2010716/mac-101-getting-set-up.html.  Chris has done numerous video tutorials for Lynda.com.  He is an excellent resource for learning about the Mac.