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TOP STORIES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 04, 2006 UC to Join Google's Book Scanning Project? Cal Poly Moves Away from Social Security Numbers BPL Gets New Boost from FCC UC TO JOIN GOOGLE'S BOOK SCANNING PROJECT? The University of California is reportedly in talks with Google to join its controversial book-scanning project. The university is already participating in the Open Content Alliance (OCA), which is also working to digitize vast numbers of books but with a different approach. Rather than scanning all books, copyrighted or not, unless copyright holders request that a book be left out of the program, the OCA has taken the approach of only scanning copyrighted books whose owners have given explicit permission. The university and Google did not disclose details of the negotiations, but questions arose about how the institution's participation in the two projects might be reconciled. Brewster Kahle, director of the Internet Archive, which was a founder of the OCA, wondered if perhaps Google would move its project to a more open model, closer to that of the OCA, because, as he said, "there is no point in scanning these books twice." Daniel Greenstein, director of the University of California system's California Digital Library, said the issue is fundamentally not about specific companies or organizations but about the university's mission to support public education and explore new roles for libraries in the digital age. Chronicle of Higher Education, 3 August 2006 http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/08/2006080301t.htm CAL POLY MOVES AWAY FROM SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS This fall, Cal Poly will join a growing list of colleges and universities that no longer use Social Security numbers as default identifiers for students. In July, a laptop with Social Security numbers for more than 3,000 students was stolen from a professor's home, putting them at risk for identity theft. Colleges in California and across the nation are working to remove Social Security numbers from as much of the daily business of the institution as possible. Although the numbers will still be stored and used for reporting for such reasons as financial aid and health care, a new number will be used for routine purposes such as class lists. Faculty and most of the university's staff will use the new numbers and will not have access to students' Social Security numbers. The transition away from Social Security numbers will start with incoming students this fall and will eventually cover all Cal Poly students. San Luis Obispo Tribune, 2 August 2006 http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/local/15178137.htm BPL GETS NEW BOOST FROM FCC The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a new set of guidelines for broadband over power lines (BPL) that signal continued support of the technology. Today, virtually all customers of high-speed Internet service buy access through either DSL or cable modems. BPL technology would tie into the existing infrastructure of the electrical grid to deliver broadband access through the same outlets that provide electricity. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said, "It is my hope that our rules will allow BPL systems to flourish." A number of small operations currently provide the service, but many of those are still in the developmental phase. Opponents of the technology include operators of radio and television systems, as well as some in the aeronautical field, who argue that the frequencies allotted to BPL will interfere with their systems. In its new guidelines, the FCC has largely rejected those concerns, though Commissioner Michael Copps said the agency would closely monitor the technology and would address problems that arise. CNET, 3 August 2006 http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6101925.html ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your settings, or access the Edupage archive, visit http://www.educause.edu/Edupage/639 Or, you can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To SUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName To UNSUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SIGNOFF Edupage If you have subscription problems, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***************************************************** OTHER EDUCAUSE RESOURCES The EDUCAUSE Resource Center is a repository for information concerning use and management of IT in higher education. To access resources including articles, books, conference sessions, contracts, effective practices, plans, policies, position descriptions, and blog content, go to http://www.educause.edu/resources ***************************************************** CONFERENCES For information on all EDUCAUSE learning and networking opportunities, see http://www.educause.edu/31 ***************************************************** COPYRIGHT Edupage copyright (c) 2006, EDUCAUSE
