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Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

universitytimes.ie

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Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#11
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's a tragic story but what he was doing was theft

Educate yourself: he only downloaded articles that were already public domain. MIT actually didn't want to prosecute him and didn't pursue charges. US DA Carmen Ortiz pursued it for political and career reasons and expressed no remorse when the young man was driven to suicide. There was absolutely nothing to gain from prosecuting a student for freeing public domain articles from behind a paywall, except a soulless DA…

Like I said, the whole thing was very tragic. But suicide is not a normal response. Schwartz had deeper problems and he wasn't "driven to it" by a soulless DA, as you say.

Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#12
> Updated title: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

> Correction: 19:42, March 19th, 2020

> A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that JSTOR had made previously unavailable ebooks and journals accessible to the public for the first time. In fact, the materials in question have been available to the public for some time. The headline, subheading and body of this article have been updated to reflect this information.

What’s accessible here is open access in the first place. I don’t see evidence of anything being opened up additionally as a response to the pandemic. Move on, nothing to see here.

Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#13
post #8
post #2

Nice it only took a global pandemic to accomplish the free sharing of information that Aaron Swartz was trying to accomplish: "In 2011, Swartz was arrested by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) police on state breaking-and-entering charges, after connecting a computer to the MIT network in an unmarked and unlocked closet, and setting it to download academic journal articles systematically from JSTOR... Swart…

it's a tragic story but what he was doing was theft

Is there anyway JSTOR can get the stolen items back though? JSTOR should either go to the police and request that they help them get the stolen items back. Or maybe talk to their insurance company, they might help to compensate them for their losses. But a helpful idea; if Swartz stole something and then put copies of that on a website that is freely accessible, I would suggest just copying it, so that both him and they have the same thing. That's a great thing with the digital world, everyone can have copies of things. I am surprised Swartz stole something when he could just have copied it. I'm guessing he is a older individual that don't know the possibilities of modern day technology to make copies.

Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#14
I'm still angry over the ridiculous overcharging of Swartz and his suicide. I hope Carmen Ortiz never gets another job in law enforcement or politics again, ever, and I shall donate to any primary or general election opponent of hers if she ever runs for any office higher than dog catcher.

Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Educate yourself: he only downloaded articles that were already public domain. MIT actually didn't want to prosecute him and didn't pursue charges. US DA Carmen Ortiz pursued it for political and career reasons and expressed no remorse when the young man was driven to suicide. There was absolutely nothing to gain from prosecuting a student for freeing public domain articles from behind a paywall, except a soulless DA…

Like I said, the whole thing was very tragic. But suicide is not a normal response. Schwartz had deeper problems and he wasn't "driven to it" by a soulless DA, as you say.

He wasn't charged with theft, he was charged with accessing a computer system he wasn't supposed to (the locked server cabinet). He was also driven to suicide by the prosecution flipping his friend after he confided in her.

You don't know what you're talking about

Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#16
> The database is also working to expand on the amount of free content available online to students

Don't worry JSTOR, Alexandra's got your back. http://sci-hub.tw

Seriously though, to hell with paywalls and artificial barriers imposed on publicly funded papers by no-value-added rent-seeking publishers such as those whose material is archived by JSTOR.

Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Educate yourself: he only downloaded articles that were already public domain. MIT actually didn't want to prosecute him and didn't pursue charges. US DA Carmen Ortiz pursued it for political and career reasons and expressed no remorse when the young man was driven to suicide. There was absolutely nothing to gain from prosecuting a student for freeing public domain articles from behind a paywall, except a soulless DA…

Like I said, the whole thing was very tragic. But suicide is not a normal response. Schwartz had deeper problems and he wasn't "driven to it" by a soulless DA, as you say.

The overcharging of Swartz was over the top, ridiculous, embarrassing, and destructive. It destroyed Swartz, but also Ortiz.

You can blame Swartz for his suicide, sure, but don't tell us Ortiz's nonsense didn't help him go there. She might not be liable in any way (not least because she'd be immunized as DA), but morally she sure was -- we, the public, have judged her. She should never hold public office again.

Re: Open-Access JSTOR Database Accessible to the Public

#18

I'm still angry over the ridiculous overcharging of Swartz and his suicide. I hope Carmen Ortiz never gets another job in law enforcement or politics again, ever, and I shall donate to any primary or general election opponent of hers if she ever runs for any office higher than dog catcher.

I was just thinking the same thing.
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