scholarly information in a digital age

How should the University develop its scholarly information and technologies, services and infrastructure to achieve its research, learning, teaching and knowledge transfer aspirations over the next decade?
To stimulate conversation about this important question, the Information Futures Commission has released a consultation paper, “Scholarly Information in a Digital Age: Choices for the University of Melbourne.” — StaffNews No 297, Friday 29 February 2008

In February 2008 the Information Futures Commission (The University of Melbourne) released a consultation paper: “Scholarly Information in a Digital Age: choices for the University of Melbourne.”

In responding to this Consultation Paper, we encourage all staff and students to conduct their own discussions and concentrate on the issues most relevant to them. Colleagues should get together to work out their response and proposals, which need not be confined to the questions raised in this paper. Critical perspectives, creative ideas and robust solutions are most welcome. [1]

[1] Consultation Paper – an invitation to respond [UniMelb: Information Futures]
[2] Call for submissions, release of Consultation Paper (2008-Feb-28) [UniMelb: Information Futures Blog]

You cannot get there from here

Your call could not be completed because the call was routed through an intermediate network that does not service the far site. Contact your network administrator for assistance.

Most likely Cause: Firewall or Router access list blocking the H.323 messages required.
If there is a gatekeeper involved the unit may not be registered properly.

To alleviate the problem of IP dialing, the H.323 standard defines the use of a gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper is a system that connects to the Internet just like the client terminals. The IP address of the gatekeeper is configured into the client terminals and when the clients “power up”, they communicate with the gatekeeper and transfer certain information to the gatekeeper that describes the vct. [2]

[1] Topic: polycom pvx (2006-Nov-01) [Wainhouse Research Forums]
[2] Video Conferencing – An Introduction [Ezine]
[3] Interworking Signaling Enhancements for H.323 and SIP VoIP [CISCO]

Where did the tube go?

Pakistan has ordered all Internet service providers to block the YouTube website for containing “blasphemous” content and material considered offensive to Islam, officials said Sunday.

The telecom company that carries most of Pakistan’s traffic, PCCW, has found it necessary to shut Pakistan off from the Internet while they filter out the malicious routes that a Pakistani ISP, PieNet, announced earlier today. Evidently PieNet took this step to enforce a decree from the Pakistani government that ISP’s must block access to YouTube because it was a source of blasphemous content. — Pakistan removed from the Internet [1]

(…) that to block Pakistan’s citizens from accessing YouTube it is believed Pakistan Telecom “hijacked” the web server address of the popular video site.
Those details were then passed on to the country’s internet service providers so that anyone in Pakistan attempting to go to YouTube was instead re-directed to a different address.
But the details of the “hijack” were leaked out into the wider internet from PCCW and as a result YouTube was mistakenly blocked by internet service providers around the world.
The block on the servers was lifted once PCCW had been told of the issue by engineers at YouTube. — Pakistan ’sparks YouTube outage’ [2]

when someone in Pakistan announced a more specific BGP route announcement for the block of IP addresses that YouTube uses. Routers default to the more specific route announcement. Now all YouTube traffic is being routed to Pakistan. [3]

[1] Pakistan removed from the Internet (2008-Feb-24) [ZDNet]
[2] Pakistan ’sparks YouTube outage’ (2008-Feb-24) [BBC News]
[3] Pakistan takes out YouTube (2008-Feb-24) [ZDNet]

Steady as she goes!

“Steady as she goes!”
Blimp pilot at Pancake Parlour in Northland

This weeks links (2008-02-18)

How to Speak: Lecture Tips from Patrick Winston
via BoingBoing;
In this skillful lecture, Professor Patrick Winston of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers tips on how to give an effective talk, cleverly illustrating his suggestions by using them himself. He emphasizes how to start a lecture, cycling in on the material, using verbal punctuation to indicate transitions, describing “near misses” that strengthen the intended concept, and asking questions. He also talks about using the blackboard, overhead projections, props, and “how to stop.”
Running time: 45 minutes.
A series of 13 Quicktime videos entitled Lecture Tips from Patrick Winston

When marketing and Nature collide;
The Freakiest, Most Out-There LIFT08 Presentation (2008-Feb-08) [Wired]]

WebComics – <3 them!
FREAKANGELS is a free, weekly, ongoing comic written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Paul Duffield.
http://www.freakangels.com/

LOST CAT!

LOST CAT! posted by Japanese students somewhere in Sydney Rd (Melbourne)

Perhaps we should change the definition of CAT ?

A few patches for this week (2008-02-11)

Skype 3.6.0.248
Today Skype has released a updated version of Skype 3.6 for Windows.
This hotfix release addresses many issues found in the previous version, including the cross-zone vulnerability and API programs intended to fool users.
It’s recommended for everyone to upgrade to the newly released build.
– Skype 3.6 for Windows hotfix (2008-Feb-05) [Skype]
Get the updated installer from Skype Windows download

Sun Java 6.0 Update 4
The Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications.
Java (6.0_4) … so fresh it is not on auto update yet!
Java SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 4 First Customer Ship
Java SE Downloads

Orbit 2.6.1
(…)Orbit Downloader, leader of download manager revolution, is devoted to new generation web application downloading to make downloads more easier and faster. (…)
Back in January (Jan 29,2008) Orbit 2.6.1 was released, I managed to miss the post so will catch up now.
Version 2.6.1 fixes a bug that may cause Orbit Downloader crash when download via RTSP protocol.
Orbit 2.6.1 [c|net Download]
http://www.orbitdownloader.com/ [Orbit Downloader]

Apple Security Update 2008-001 + OS X 10.5.2

On the 11th Feburary 2008, Apple released Security Update 2008-001 and the Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update.

The Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1 Leopard. It includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac. [1]

To update to Mac OS X 10.5.2, use Software Update or the standalone installer.

[1] About the Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update (2008-Feb-11) [Apple]
[2] About the security content of Mac OS X 10.5.2 and Security Update 2008-001 (2008-Feb-07) [Apple]
[3] Apple security update 2008-001 and 10.5.2 upgrade (2008-Feb-12) [SANS]
[4] Apple security updates [Apple]
[5] Apple Mac OS X Security Update Fixes Multiple Vulnerabilities (2008-Feb-13) [Secunia]

Patch Tuesday Wednesday (FEB-2008)

Welcome to another Black Tuesday, our second for 2008. We have an elegant sufficiency of patching served up to us this month. In total we have 6xCritical and 5xImportant patches for our entertainment, all of which are detected via Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. A restart will be required.

Bulletin	KB number	Description	Severity	Impact	Software
MS08-007	946026	Vulnerability in WebDAV Mini-Redirector Could Allow Remote Code Execution	Remote Code Execution	Critical	Windows
MS08-008	947890	Vulnerability in OLE Automation Could Allow Remote Code Execution	Remote Code Execution	Critical	Windows, Office, Visual Basic
MS08-009	947077	Vulnerability in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution	Remote Code Execution	Critical	Office
MS08-010	944533	Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer	Remote Code Execution	Critical	Windows, Internet Explorer
MS08-012	947085	Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution	Remote Code Execution	Critical	Office Publisher
MS08-013	947108	Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution	Remote Code Execution	Critical	Office
MS08-003	946538	Vulnerability in Active Directory Could Allow Denial of Service	Denial of Service	Important	Windows, Active Directory, ADAM
MS08-004	946456	Vulnerability in Windows TCP/IP Could Allow Denial of Service	Denial of Service	Important	Windows Vista
MS08-005	942831	Vulnerability in Internet Information Services Could Allow Elevation of Privilege	Elevation of Privilege	Important	Windows, IIS
MS08-006	942830	Vulnerability in Internet Information Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution	Remote Code Execution	Important	Windows, IIS
MS08-011	947081	Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Works File Converter Could Allow Remote Code Execution	Remote Code Execution	Important	Office, Works, Works Suite

Malicious Software Removal Tool and Non-Security, High-Priority Updates on MU, WU, and WSUS:
• Microsoft has released an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services, and the Download Center.
• Microsoft has released seven non-security, high-priority updates on Microsoft Update (MU) and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
• Microsoft has released two non-security, high-priority updates for Windows on Windows Update (WU) and WSUS.

For this month:

This month Microsoft released eleven bulletins which repair a total of 17 vulnerabilities. None of these vulnerabilities have been seen within in-the-wild zero-day attacks. [5]

PATCH NOW:
MS08-007, MS08-008, MS08-009, MS08-010, MS08-011, MS08-012, MS08-013
Exploit publicly available for MS08-010 [2]

LINKS:
[1] Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for February 2008 (2008-Feb-07) [MS]
[2.] February Black Tuesday Overview (2008-Feb-12) [SANS]
[3.] Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for February 2008 (2008-Feb-12) [MS]
[4.] Microsoft security updates for February 2008 (2008-Feb-12) [MS]
[5.] Microsoft Patch Disclosure – February 2008 (2008-Feb-12) [eEye]
[6.] February 2008 Monthly Release (2008-Feb-12) [MS Security Response Center Blog]
[7.] Description of Software Update Services and Windows Server Update Services changes in content for 2008 [MS]

Sorry

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to Australia’s Stolen Generations:

Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation’s history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.

A day of closure, and a way forward? Time will tell.

“As Prime Minister of Australia, I am sorry,” Mr Rudd told Parliament.
“On behalf of the government of Australia, I am sorry.”
“On behalf of the parliament of Australia, I am sorry. I offer you this apology without qualification.”

[1] VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS – No. 2 – Wednesday, 13 February 2008 [PDF] (2008-Feb-13) [House of Representatives of the Australian Parliament]
[2] The Apology [ABC News]
[3] The hour has come. A nation says sorry. (2008-Feb-13) [The Age]