Posted 8:49 PM by George Siemens
Microsoft to buy Macromedia?
Quote: "Microsoft Corp is believed to have trained its acquisition crosshairs on Macromedia Inc, lining up a deal that would throw enterprise Java into a spin, Gavin Clarke writes.
Comment: This purchase would make a lot of sense for Microsoft...I like Macromedia and their products - they are one of the few companies that dominant in a market that Microsoft also plays in...

Posted 8:39 PM by George Siemens
Perspective: Internet law: The year in review
Quote: "Here's a look back on how some of the most important developments in Internet law weighed before the U.S Congress and the courts this year. While headway was made on some issues, not much has changed since the beginning of 2002."
Comment: By Doug Isenberg...lawyer/editor of GigaLaw (an excellent resource for Internet legal issues). This article summarizes major legal issues in the U.S. this last year...and briefly discuss issues in 2003

Posted 8:51 AM by George Siemens
Back to basics - e-learning in 2003
Quote: "In this article, Clive argues that we have only just started to see the true potential for information and communication technology in education and training but that, by getting back to basics and doing the simple things well, we can still expect to see powerful results in the short term...The good news is that you don’t need to take giant steps to make effective use of e-learning. You don’t have to have the technical skills; you just need to know what computers can do. You don’t need to be a highly-talented graphic designer, although you do need to understand adult learning. You don’t need to have installed a giant learning management system, just make a start by getting everyone connected. The use of computers to help people learn is not such a big deal, yet at the same time could be the biggest deal you ever make as a trainer."

Posted 6:48 AM by George Siemens
Hopes for Email
Quote: "The biggest problem with Outlook is that it makes it difficult to categorize/archive mail and make rules. Here's some of the attributes I would like to see:"
Comment: Some great ideas for making email more useful...many of them focused on extending/incorporating blogging ("I could view a thread of interactions with a person as a weblog"). Email as a form of communication is not keeping up with communication needs for most people...it's too isolated, too rigid, too time-consumming. Like many people, I'm finding that RSS and blogs are far more effective than email. I want to see information when I want...not when others want me to. For certain tasks email is very effective (simple communication)...but for information gathering (i.e. listservs), large group interactions...blogs are far more effective.