Canadian government gives businesses greater powers over copyright
The conservative Canadian government is giving consumers permission to copy content for personal use, while expanding the ability of businesses to digitally lock their products to prevent anyone from actually doing it, reports the Toronto Star.
Some colleges have second thoughts on Gmail
A small-scale backlash against Google’s free eMail service and applications has included at least three prominent universities this year, after many colleges had begun moving to the outsourced Gmail system to save money and simplify support.
Lawsuits resume against illegal file sharers
Suing people for illegal file sharing appears to have made a comeback, CNET reports—although now it’s smaller studios that are the plaintiffs.
FCC aims to measure home broadband speeds
The Federal Communications Commission wants to find out whether broadband providers are delivering internet connections that are as fast as advertised, reports the Associated Press—and so the agency is seeking 10,000 volunteers to take part in a study of residential broadband speeds.
Not everyone ready for the digital textbook revolution
Don’t let the iPhones and BlackBerries fool you: Research and a recent pilot program that put eReaders in college students’ hands showed that most students aren’t ready to read their textbooks electronically, despite the proliferation of internet-ready mobile devices on campuses nationwide.
House passes major science, technology bill
The U.S. House of Representatives gave its assent on May 28 to $84 billion in federal funding to help keep the country competitive in the fields of scientific and technological innovation.
Researchers: Even violent video games can be learning tools
You’re at the front lines shooting Nazis before they shoot you. Or, you’re a futuristic gladiator in a death match with robots. Either way, you’re playing a video game—and you might be improving your vision and other brain functions, according to research presented May 27 at a New York University conference on games as a learning tool.
Supreme Court gets RIAA copyright case
A case testing the meaning of the so-called “innocent infringer’s” defense to the Copyright Act’s minimum fine of $750 per music track that is downloaded or shared illegally has landed at the U.S. Supreme Court, Wired reports.
Image-conscious youth rein in social networking
It might go against conventional wisdom, but a new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project is adding fuel to the argument that young people are fast becoming the gurus of online reputation management, especially when it comes to social networking sites.
ASU’s education technology program top-ranked for productivity
With only a few graduate faculty members, the educational technology program at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College might be small, but according to a recent publication it’s one of the most productive in the world, ASU News reports.