By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Revisiting the Potential of Free Content
The author argues that "releasing OERs under a licence restricting commercial use of the content creates unnecessary restrictions and should be avoided wherever possible." It seems to me that there is a real push to allow commercial exploitation of freely produced learning resources - since the only people who are inconvenienced by this are corporations, should we wonder where this argument is coming from? The corporations are using their considerable lobbying power to make their case directly to the foundations and the funding agencies, including the Commonwealth of Learning. It's like they can't understand the concept of free educational resources - that is to say, available at no charge. The point of open educational resources isn't to create wealth for some publishing company. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Free Tuition Offer has Its Drawbacks
Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick proposes to make the state's community colleges tuition free for high school graduates. I love how those writers who never supported free tuition turn around and argue that free tuition is not enough when it is announced. It won't help the people who need the help, say these writers with a newly discovered concern for poor people. Yes, free tuition helps everyone, not just the poor. But that's a good thing. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Prince to Launch New Album As Free Newspaper Giveaway
I've been laughing all day about this. Music for free - a full album of ten songs - if you buy the mail or if you attend a Prince concert. The record lables are not pleased. As one commentator on Metafilter says, "The comments in that article seem to be one step below threatening to break his legs." The industry's thuggish behaviour - which has also seen them sue tens of thousands of music fans - is not lost on the performers. It will be the industry's downfall - a downfall that is already evident. Textbook and academic publishers, take note. More...