“© kiwiright”, Documentary About Copyright Laws

“© kiwiright” is a 12 minute documentary about how copyright laws have been contorted to benefit the financial needs of corporate rights holders and no longer benefits the public nor the artists who create the work itself. Employing a fair-use argument, “© kiwiright” intercuts interviews with New Zealand lawmakers and technologists with Disney clips defining and commenting on copyright law.
The filmmaker calls “© kiwiright” a "proof-of-concept" film remixing footage from other films released under Creative Commons licenses to build an argument against “guilt upon accusation” laws and to promote freedom of speech and expression.

For more information, visit:

creativefreedom.org.nz

eff.org/action

See the original Creative Commons works that "© kiwiright" builds upon at:

cyberlaw.stanford.edu/documentary-film-program/film/a-fair-y-use-tale

ripremix.com/

Guilty Upon Accusation In The UK - Say No

Here in New Zealand we were one of the first countries that the forces that be tried to implement the "3 strikes and you're out" law with regards to alleged copyright infringement via the Internet - in essence if you're accused 3 times by a copyright holder of illegally copying their work you will have your Internet disconnected by your ISP. I have no qualms with copyright holders protecting their goods BUT the issue is that the disconnection would occur immediately on the third accusation and before any evidence is produced and way before you have a chance to defend yourself - therefore you are guilty because someone has accused you.

In NZ the law was defeated by a concerted effort (called "#blackout"), a change of government and the support of many high profile supported including Stephen Fry.

Today Stephen Fry tweeted the following:

I'll keep at this till a million sign! We mustn't let Mandy do this WRONG thing. Please sign & RT:http://is.gd/50gQK #webwar #threestrike

This "3 strikes and you're out" law is now being introduced into Britain.

This is WRONG!

If you are a UK citizen or an expat living abroad I urge you to sign the online petition: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/dontdisconnectus/

ACTA

Whilst this law is being introduced into many countries (some successfully, some like NZ not) it would benefit all those concerned to learn more of the source of this "guilty by accusation", the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (which is now plainly not about counterfeiting) being negotiated by governments in secret.

Online Collaboration Tools – We Want Your Recommendations

Helping Ben on a project and the team would love to know your thoughts:

... part of a group looking at building a collaborative platform for data sharing for a local Government organization, it seemed logical to approach the project in a similarly collaborative way. Wanting to “eat their own dog food”, a joint group of individuals shared in the project; Mike Riversdale, Aaron Brunet and Ben all joined forces to work on a project initiated by a forward thinking local government staffer required to manage an extensive natural resource. The great thing about this particular project is that, without giving specifics out, it seeks to improve the management of a scare natural resource.

So please pop over to Ben's CloudAve post and let the world know YOUR favourite online collaboration tool: http://www.cloudave.com/link/online-collaboration-tools-we-want-your-recommendations

NZ Government Opening Up Their Data

As you are probably aware the New Zealand government have, through their Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), created a one-stop-shop listing all the data accessible from government agencies. Nice.

This initiative was almost entirely driven from the awesome work of a small independent group led by Glen Barnes and Nathan Torkington (http://open.org.nz) with the Open Data Catalogue as a “one-stop shop for locating government data”.

So where is this official site: http://www.data.govt.nz/

• Browse datasets
• Add a dataset
• Suggest a dataset

They are also using Twitter to announce new data sets: @Data_Govt_NZ

Nat posted up his views on the initial release and ComputerWorld have popped up an article today. Included is this quote from the totally switched on Jason Ryan ("State Services Commission communications man") which has quickly become my favourite about 'open government data':

“It’s not about the technology. It’s not about data quality. Or privacy. Or commercial sensitivity, or any of that stuff. That should all be dealt to as part of the everyday functioning of any administration,” Ryan writes.

“It is about accepting that we, the government, collect and manage this information on behalf of citizens and that it is our fundamental responsibility to make it available to them, in a way that supports the creation of public and economic value.”

Other NZ Government information can be found at:

• Statisphere
  
• DigitalNZ
  
• National Broadband Map
  
• Open Data Catalogue
  
• Koordinates

How To Tun A Great Barcamp/Unfonference Session

Spotted this over at the UX Barcamp group - Scott Berkun's, How to run a great unconference session

Perfect compliment to my wider How To Facilitate A Barcamp/Unconference

So Tweets Are The New Thing To Steal

It used to be blog posts but, hey, thieves have gotta get with the times as well you know!

Open Letter To All New Zealand Google Apps Resellers

Have recently sent the following to all NZ-based Google Apps resellers.

In the spirit of openess AND knowing the current list probably doesn't cover everyone:

SUBJECT: NZ Google Apps eco-system wants you

You're a Google Apps re-seller and I work for one (WaveAdept based here in Wellington)

This would normally mean in the NZ IT/tech industry we should only ever see each other over the fence of competing RFPs
However, I believe Google Apps users within NZ are suffering from a lack of local support, information and "mates to call upon".
There are also myths galore ("What if NZ loses its one Internet cable to the world"), misrepresentation ("Google Apps is just not allowed within the NZ Government agencies) and plain old "who knew that?!" ("Wow, I didn't know Google was more than search!?")

Whilst Google can provide a swag of information it is up to us, the local representatives, to mould this collateral to suit our particular audience.
Unfortunately I don't think New Zealand resellers (big or small) are doing this particularly well, hence the ongoing issues/views people have of Google Apps.


Yeah, so what are we doing about it?
One small step to help address this was to create two (free & independent) online groups aimed, primarily, at NZ Google App re-sellers such as yourself but also existing and new users:

• LinkedIn: NZ Google Apps
• Google Group: NZ Google Apps

(there's also an associated Twitter List if that floats your boat, ask and you shall be added :-)


What was the point in that?
Whilst I believe the market here in NZ will be big enough for all, the market is currently small and stifled in its growth (see above).

This doesn't take away the great work all re-sellers are trying to do, we just need a period of focussing some of the "base" education and knowledge.


Why should I ("what's in it for me")?
Well, if grasping at every opportunity and making them your own is the approach then probably you'll see nothing in it for you.
However, if we can't serve the current NZ-based Google Apps community I question how on earth we can grow the market to the benefit of us all!

And other vendors are going to have a far more concerted approach come the new year (think Microsoft rallying it's already present eco-system and you understand the challenge).

To answer the question: because it will help grow the market.


But isn't that Google's job
Yes, ultimately a local Google Apps presence from Google will need to be more permanent, vocal and sustained.
However, are you willing to wait until NZ is big enough to make a blip in the Googleplex - no, neither am I.

And don't forget that these online groups have already had some official Google input.
The more active, engaged and connected they are the more active and engaged will be Google.


But isn't this just a WaveAdept self-promotion gig?
I work for WaveAdept but this is not a WaveAdept run initiative.
But hey, let's be honest WaveAdept are already up and running in the groups and will gain as much commercial benefit from growing the Google Apps market as you and all the other vendors.

In order to alleviate any perceived benefit of my workplace I will, a) never use my WaveAdept detailss; b) share ownership of the groups with someone else ... you?

I'm also posting this email (without your name, of course) on my MiramarMike.co.nz blog as an open letter to all to join and share the facilitation/ownership.


OK, now what?
Sign-up:

• LinkedIn: NZ Google Apps
• Google Group: NZ Google Apps

And then be as brave as you care sharing the problems, solving the issues and asking the big questions.
You will have full edit rights to the groups and be able to invite whoever you want.


And finally from a purely commercial stance, we're always looking to extend our re-seller partnerships throughout NZ, Dave at WaveAdept is the person to talk with (gotta keep myself outta all that :-)

Cheers, Mike Riversdale

tel: +64 (0)21-169 1359
Skype: mike.riversdale
email: mike.riversdale@miramarmike.co.nz
web: http://www.miramarmike.co.nz
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MiramarMike.co.nz - Connecting people to people via information

Great Company Name With Top Logo

From an email correspond to the The Register ("Biting the hand that feeds IT")