Table of contents: issue54

Book Review: Programming Collective Intelligence

editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Pete Cliff tries to remember A-level mathematics as he dives into the fascinating world of machine learning and statistics and how to apply these techniques to Web-accessible datasets.

When I was handed this book for review a colleague of mine said "rather you than me" and there is no doubt that Programming Collective Intelligence is probably not a book for everyone. However, if phrases like 'Bayesian filtering', 'Support-vector machines', 'Collaborative filtering' and 'Methods of clustering' do not deter you or better, engage your interest, then this work is well worth a look.

Book Review: Digital Copyright

editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Stuart Hannabuss looks at an interesting Nile cruise of a book about intellectual property.

The second edition of Digital Copyright is the print-book counterpart of the original e-book and, as such, will sell particularly well to libraries where training (and self-updating) is taken seriously and to educational establishments where people are trained for 'the profession' (this is so hybrid now that perhaps no one book on information law can satisfy everyone - think of electronic communications law, Internet law, computing law, and the like, and specialist authors like Ian Lloyd on IT law).

Book Reviews: Digital Information and Knowledge Management, and Print Vs. Digital

editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sylvie Lafortune looks at two books edited by Sul H. Lee dealing with the impact of digital information on libraries, librarianship, information providers and library users.

Sul H. Lee is professor of Library and Information Studies at the University of Oklahoma and Dean of University of Oklahoma Libraries. He is also the editor of Haworth's Journal of Library Administration. As a recognised scholar and an administrator of a large university research library, it is not surprising that he is able to bring together some of the leading library administrators in the US to give their insights on the challenges and opportunities that libraries now face from the massive influx of digital resources.

Book Review: The University of Google

editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Judy Reading reviews a work that may engender considerable debate in months to come.

This book has generated a lot of discussion on the Internet which seems mostly to focus on Tara Brabazon's comments such as: 'Google offers easy answers to difficult questions. But students do not know how to tell if they come from serious, refereed work or are merely composed of shallow ideas, superficial surfing and fleeting commitments.' [1].

It is easy to find this discussion – just Google the author and/or title! [1][2]

Book Review: Blended Learning

editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Brian Whalley reviews Barbara Allan's book on blended learning for Information and Library Science staff and educational developers.

As the author says, 'The overall aim of this book is to provide a practical guide to library and information workers who are involved in education and training, and who are interested in designing and delivering blended learning experiences to their colleagues and customers'. I come from an academic geology background but with an interest in teaching and ICT in teaching.