JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
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JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
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Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#2For those unable to access their statement due to the traffic load:
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Aaron Swartz
We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Aaron Swartz. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Aaron’s family, friends, and everyone who loved, knew, and admired him. He was a truly gifted person who made important contributions to the development of the internet and the web from which we all benefit.
We have had inquiries about JSTOR’s view of this sad event given the charges against Aaron and the trial scheduled for April. The case is one that we ourselves had regretted being drawn into from the outset, since JSTOR’s mission is to foster widespread access to the world’s body of scholarly knowledge. At the same time, as one of the largest archives of scholarly literature in the world, we must be careful stewards of the information entrusted to us by the owners and creators of that content. To that end, Aaron returned the data he had in his possession and JSTOR settled any civil claims we might have had against him in June 2011.
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service and a member of the internet community. We will continue to work to distribute the content under our care as widely as possible while balancing the interests of researchers, students, libraries, and publishers as we pursue our commitment to the long-term preservation of this important scholarly literature.
We join those who are mourning this tragic loss.
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#3The "creators" did not charge them with this responsibility.
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#4"To that end, Aaron returned the data he had in his possession and JSTOR settled any civil claims we might have had against him in June 2011."
Reminds me of that spider drawing comic [0].
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#5IMO, JSTOR isn't directly to blame. They are operating within a broken system, and it seems like they are doing what they can.
Academic publishing is what needs a serious overhaul.
After having worked in an academic library and, more recently, leading technology operations for a prominent new ebook publisher and article archive, the first two words that come to mind when I think of both publishing (academic and trade) and librarianship are "waste" and "bureaucracy."
Librarians are supposed to be the ones advocating for the readers, but they are hobbled by a culture of committees, conferences, and politics. They work within organizations that are heavily stratified ("librarians" and "staff"), with all the worst aspects of severely hierarchical organizations.
Recently I was also was privy to a variety of details during the formation of a new academic digital publisher, and it was the same kind of top-heavy, anti-"lean" structure you'd expect. The amount they were raising just to get started seemed absurd, especially when we were in the process of building a larger organization that did more with less funding.
The point being, when you look under the surface, it's no wonder that everything in this space seems to cost more than necessary.
There must be enough of us fed up, skilled, and idealistic enough to disrupt this space, creating new, actually modern publishers and/or publishing platforms if necessary.
Does anyone with more domain expertise have any advice about where to start or what to focus on?
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#6The "creators" did not charge them with this responsibility.
Nevertheless, it is true that Jstor got out of the "hassle Aaron Swartz" game a long time ago, which is why they're able to post a message like this without it coming off as totally opportunistic. The prosecutors in the case can't exactly do the same.
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#7For those unable to access their statement due to the traffic load: ------ Aaron Swartz We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Aaron Swartz. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Aaron’s family, friends, and everyone who loved, knew, and admired him. He was a truly gifted person who made important contributions to the development of the internet and the web from which we all benefit. We have had inquiries abo…
Good call
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#8For those unable to access their statement due to the traffic load: ------ Aaron Swartz We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Aaron Swartz. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Aaron’s family, friends, and everyone who loved, knew, and admired him. He was a truly gifted person who made important contributions to the development of the internet and the web from which we all benefit. We have had inquiries abo…
[deleted]
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#9> "We will continue to work to distribute the content under our care as widely as possible"
Hint: put the content on static HTTP server without an authentication system.
Re: JSTOR Statement on Aaron Swartz
#10IMO, JSTOR isn't directly to blame. They are operating within a broken system, and it seems like they are doing what they can. Academic publishing is what needs a serious overhaul. After having worked in an academic library and, more recently, leading technology operations for a prominent new ebook publisher and article archive, the first two words that come to mind when I think of both publishing (academic and trade…
>There must be enough of us fed up, skilled, and idealistic enough to disrupt this space, creating new, actually modern publishers and/or publishing platforms if necessary.
indeed, there are. How do you get them together though?