Kevin Donovan 's Techdirt Comments

Latest Comments (49) comment rss

  • On the post: Are Computers in Africa Really Weapons of Mass Destruction?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 05 Apr, 2010 @ 08:30am

    Re: RE: Are Computers in Africa Really Weapons of Mass Destruction?

    Fair enough. In the original version of this I noted that forecasting possible downsides of ICTs is a fine exercise: http://blurringborders.com/2010/03/25/are-computers-in-africa-really-weapons-of-mass-destruction/

    We just need to do so in a way that is conscious of the situations on-the-ground, and the two pieces to which I wrote in response do not do so.

  • On the post: Are Computers in Africa Really Weapons of Mass Destruction?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 05 Apr, 2010 @ 08:27am

    Re:

    And you need to learn to read a little more closely.

    First of all, Masnick isn't the author.

    Second of all, being online, even for a few moments a day, is insufficient if you lack the computer skills to harness a botnet.

    Finally, if the botnet herder were to be from somewhere besides Africa (a more likely scenario), they'll have trouble using computers in "slums" in their botnet because those computers will be unreliable.

  • On the post: RIAA CEO Tries To Connect China Google Hack With Google's Attitude Towards Copyright

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 25 Feb, 2010 @ 11:29am

    When all you have is a hammer...

    When all you have is a hammer...

  • On the post: Internet Addiction Might Actually Get Recognized By The Official Book Of Mental Disorders?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 24 Feb, 2010 @ 11:28am

    Psychiatry is messed up on so many levels

    See the New Yorker's recent take on it: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2010/03/01/100301crat_atlarge_menand

  • On the post: Time For 'Israelification' Of U.S. Airports?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 05 Jan, 2010 @ 08:17am

    ID-based Security

    The problem with the Israeli focus on 'knowing who you are,' is, obviously, privacy on a more holistic scale than body scanners. Keep in mind that the security measures that have boosted security are not ID-based: reinforced cockpit doors and passengers fighting back.

  • On the post: US Trade Rep Promises Transparency… But Actions Speak Louder Than Websites

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 04 Jun, 2009 @ 05:16am

    Re:

    Actually, Ronald, for countries at a lower level of innovation capacity, increased intellectual property is a tax levied by the developed world on poorer nations.

  • On the post: The Role Of Abundance In Innovation

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 29 May, 2009 @ 08:49pm

    Constraing + Abundance

    Here's an interesting post about how innovation may occur at the intersection of constraint and abundance: http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/robert-fabricant/design-4-impact/innovation-crossroads

    And I like Ethan Z's thoughts on innovation from constraint: http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2008/11/10/innovation-from-constraint-the-extended-dance-mix/

  • On the post: Obama Administration Sides With Technology Over Hollywood In Cablevision Case

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 29 May, 2009 @ 08:47pm

    Berkman

    As HLS Dean, Kagan was a big supporter of the Berkman Center. Hopefully her friendships with those people will lead her to do more like this.

  • On the post: Yes, Academics Can Add To The News Ecosystem; No, It Doesn't Need To Be In Newspapers.

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 30 Mar, 2009 @ 07:18am

    Re:

    Thanks, Jerry, for catching the error. It's been fixed.

  • On the post: Google 'Requests' That We Not Copy Works That Are Already In The Public Domain

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 17 Mar, 2009 @ 09:05am

    First Sale Case

    What was the EFF victory against the contracts limiting the first sale doctrine? That should give some firm footing to any malfeasance by public domain limiters.

  • On the post: How Does Chinese Internet Censorship Affect Business?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 26 Feb, 2009 @ 08:58am

    Re: Re: Re: What's so special in primary schools?

    I wouldn't be so sure, John. See here: http://rconversation.blogs.com/rconversation/2009/02/internet-control-without-firewalls.html

  • On the post: When Will Journalists Stop Treating Google As The Enemy?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 26 Feb, 2009 @ 08:56am

    Re: but...

    Scott,

    I do not think that advertisers go to the search engines solely because they are the gateway; after all, Google'e goal and policy is to move people through their site rapidly. People will be spending more time on the newspaper's site as they read the article.

    Advertisers like search engines because, as Battelle pointed out in "The Search", searches demonstrate intent - something very valuable to advertisers.

    But that still doesn't mean GOOG and NYT are competitors.

    Kevin

  • On the post: Increasing Concerns Raised Over Google's Book Search Settlement

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 11 Feb, 2009 @ 03:09pm

    Monopoly?

    I, too, have big reservations from a public-interest point of view, but as for monopoly... Amazon is making giant strides in providing a competitor for digital books.

  • On the post: Online Publications Still Think They Can Get Away With Charging For Access

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 28 Jan, 2009 @ 05:00pm

    Business's Pay

    Another reason WSJ can do this is because a lot of companies pay for their people to have access to WSJ. USN&WR doesn't enjoy the same dedicated, rich clientele.

  • On the post: Can A Professor Force Students To Destroy All Their Notes?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 27 Jan, 2009 @ 01:44pm

    Recording

    I had a professor who banned students from recording the audio of his class, but he has been the exception to the rule.

  • On the post: Should Public Transit Systems Open Up Their Data?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 23 Dec, 2008 @ 12:23am

    TERRORISTS!

    But the terrorists, Mike, they'll use the data to attack us!

  • On the post: More Evidence That Online Information Is Not Always Credible

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 12 Dec, 2008 @ 07:08pm

    Source?

    You sure you didn't find that one in The Onion?

  • On the post: Do We Really Want An Internet Run By Lynch Mobs?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 08 Dec, 2008 @ 09:52pm

    Re: Re: Strawman?

    Fergie,

    Sorry my comment wasn't addressed, but I meant the straw man remark in regards to the Anonymous Coward saying this was a "minor use of power."

    On it not being minor, we are in agreement. And on the good-faith effort made at protecting all Internet users, I am in agreement that this specific incidence was done so.

    Again, sorry for the confusion. I think we disagree far less than limited commenting will allow us to recognize.

    Kevin

  • On the post: Do We Really Want An Internet Run By Lynch Mobs?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 08 Dec, 2008 @ 09:48pm

    Re: Re: The fundamental question...

    Most human rights experts would agree that "freedom of expression" includes seeking, receiving and expressing information.

    "And of course, the information society's very life blood is freedom. It is freedom that enables citizens everywhere to benefit from knowledge, journalists to do their essential work, and citizens to hold their government accountable. Without openness, without the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers, the information revolution will stall, and the information society we hope to build will be stillborn." Kofi Annan

    (But please don't think I am arguing McColo lost a human right here. Just a side note on comprehensive free speech protection.)

  • On the post: Do We Really Want An Internet Run By Lynch Mobs?

    Kevin Donovan ( profile ), 08 Dec, 2008 @ 09:45pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    But when you lose the ability to drive (analogy alert), there is more due process.

    But, again, this is only relevant insofar as you see what happened w/ McColo and Atrivo as "minor." At which point we should ask why it should happen at all.

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