links for 2011-03-14

"A web page about a crappy TV show may seem like ephemera, but it is used as the basis to establish a fact in the most read encyclopedia on the planet. Not a groundbreaking fact. This isn’t the discovery of DNA, it’s a crappy TV show that establishes the notability and significance of a sketch in a comedy show broadcast on British TV in 1976. But why should it be removed? The URI doesn’t need to be reused for anything."

"Gillingham Football Club has launched a legal battle with the BBC over a comment left on a blog post on the corporation’s sport website. The League Two football club wants to sue an individual over allegations of racial hatred within the club, but does not know his identity. The club has turned to the High Court in London seeking an order that would force the BBC to disclose the name, postal address, and email address of the individual who has made postings under a pseudonym."

"When you really dive into the data behind your internal site search you can begin to see the potential that is held in this little search box. The obvious reason why people use a site search is, of course to find what they are looking for. In an age where time is precious and everyone wants answer now, if searchers are looking for something on your site, chances are they will use the search function."

Disturbing images, but a fascinating way of presenting before/after on the web

"Today’s children act out the Jeremy Kyle Show, or Britain’s Got Talent, as well as engaging in play based on computer games, in which scenarios of combat, stealthy hunting, fantasy weapons and warriors, and computer consoles feature"

"And then, at an opening party for the festival on Friday night, I was entertained by a dozen burlesque dancers in little more than g-strings and tassled pasties. And boy did they shake it. What then, is the message that SXSW is trying to send? Are women both something to be elevated in business and drooled over onstage?"

"Upon reading the title of this post I suspect your reaction is, "Really? I didn't even know it was a news organization". Facebook is not some plaything. It is a fully fledged news organization on a scale we have never seen.

"The Committee of Experts on New Media (the “Expert Committee”) of the Council of Europe (“CoE”) has issued draft recommendations and guidelines regarding the protection of human rights by search engines and social networking providers. The draft recommendations and guidelines observe that the way in which search engines and social networking providers operate impacts various human rights, especially the rights to freedom of expression and information and the right to privacy and data protection. Current drafts of both sets of recommendations and guidelines are open for public consultation and comments until March 18, 2011". Wow, a whole nine days consultation. Gee, thanks experts...

Talking about coverage of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan: "This is definitely a BBC day. Commercial radio and television can't be trusted at times like this". Trust is a very strong word to use in that sentence

"Not impressed that the Times website is down 'as it is currently receiving a high level of traffic' - I pay for this shit". Backing up my point that going digital raises customer service expectation, going paid raises customer service expectation, and going paid digital etc etc