Plagiarism: A Misplaced Emphasis
Brian Martin's essay from the Journal of Information Ethics takes an unconventional look at plagiarism, both its offenses and the places where it is taken for granted.
Although a scholarly article, students who have been long drilled in academic plagiarism will find its workplace comparisons useful.
Plagiarism.org or Turnitin.com: Policing Plagiarism?
Information is power, but what the Internet giveth (in the temptation to copy and paste with impunity), the Internet can taketh away (with paper scanning sites that catch the copy and paste). Is this a business or a racket? Can anyone do the same thing just by pasting phrases into Google for free?
Applying Copyleft to Non-Software Information
Michael Stutz provides a handy and detailed definition of the copyleft movement and its implications for people who are not necessarily programmers. Off-site hypertextual links expand upon the ideas discussed in the article. As you read, ask yourself, what is this author's position? What other positions might a person take on this issue?
Descramble That DVD in 7 Lines
Wired News article by Declan McCullagh on the efforts of film and music producers to protect their intellectual and artistic property with easily breakable encryption code, at the same time seeking laws that make it illegal to even try to break the encryption code. Is it unethical to participate in DVD or music copying? Or do political activists as part of the Open Source Movement have an obligation to "set information free?" A legal decision in this case may have been made by the time you read this.
"People of Earth . . . Markets Are Conversations"
The Cluetrain Manifesto discusses ways the Internet and interactivity have changed the way businesses communicate with their customers. This site seeks to reconceive how interactive information delivery and dialogue have changed the shape of corporate and technical communication.
Emergency Response and Survival
American Red Cross Disaster Services
Surviving a physical or bioterrorist attack in cities or interdependent areas depends on good instructions and technical guidance easily accessible to upset or grieving people needing to do something, take action, or protect their families. Analyze this site. How is the technical information presented? Are the instructions clear, well organized? Go through all the links on this section of the Red Cross site. Print out pages you find the most valuable. How does this site compare to other sites offering reassurance and guidance as well as practical instructions? What are the ethical and public service obligations of this site?
