Sorry Andy, I wasn't entirely clear.
The letter is good (IMO) at stating these things. Ditto some of the commentary I've read. But an awful lot of it is the "cultural resources for free to everyone" lobby vs the "we have to sell it to pay" lobby. The point that I was trying to make in my email (rather badly) was that maybe neither polar model works and that we need to find some kind of new ground where (some kind of) free access leads to (some kind of) sale.
So for music (for instance), it is looking like sales of music in some environments might start to take a back seat compared to ticket and merchandise sales. The market shifts dynamically from one place to another. For museums, this might mean more access to images but more ticket sales or physical visits. I don't know, and I don't think anyone else does either. But I think we should keep poking, as Paula Bray (Seb C's gang) has with her (most excellent - I have JUST read it!) paper: http://www.archimuse.com/mw2009/papers/bray/bray.html
There. Clear as mud.
Mike
Mike Ellis
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-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andy Powell
Sent: 17 July 2009 10:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: NPG / Wikimedia
Mike,
I'm slightly confused... the letter does make a suggestion (albeit somewhat implicitly) for how "*best* to continue to make/save/equalise money in this networked environment", namely the hosting of medium resolution images by Wikipedia with proper attribution and links thru to (potentially paid-for) high resolution images hosted by the institution. It also gives some anecdotal evidence that this approach provides a sustainable way forward?
In that sense, the letter does seem to address the issues that you want to see addressed.
Are you disagreeing that this is a possible, and sensible, way towards addressing the changed "economics"?
I agree this isn't quite about "free vs paid" but it is about how real costs are met most effectively. Right?
Andy
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Andy Powell
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-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike Ellis
Sent: 17 July 2009 09:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: NPG / Wikimedia
Hi Mia
That's a good open letter, but the line that stands out to me is this one:
"Digitization and the Internet are changing those economics"
This is the core point. I don't think this is (or can be) a "free vs paid" argument which - once again - it seems to be being polarised into. The fact that "institutions need money" doesn't really need to be said. Of course they do. The fact that we (all, not just cultural institutions) are unclear about how *best* to continue to make/save/equalise money in this networked environment should surely be the focus...?
Anyway. You're on holiday and I have work to do.
Mike
Mike Ellis
Professional Services Group
Eduserv
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-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mia
Sent: 17 July 2009 01:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: NPG / Wikimedia
I've been avoiding this thread because I'm one of those people on
holiday, but wanted to share this link to an 'open letter' on the
Wikipedia Signpost on "Working with, not against, cultural
institutions". It's definitely worth a read, and suggests that the
looming stand-off between Wikimedia and cultural heritage institutions
could be resolved:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2009-07-13/Open_letter
For what it's worth, I've also blogged on the issue:
http://openobjects.blogspot.com/2009/07/npgs-response-to-wikimedia-kerfuffle.html
(Apparently I'm not very good at being on holiday!)
cheers, Mia
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http://openobjects.org.uk/
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