FROM THE SCREEN TO ME, 1984–2008

This paper explores Apple and Microsoft television commercials from the last 25 years and argues that they visualize three phases of the human–computer relationship through the changing positions of the computer and the human body. The three phases are: disembodied cyberspace, embodied hybridity and ubiquity. Ultimately, what becomes apparent is the extent to which these television commercials demonstrate what Henry Jenkins calls a ‘cultural convergence’ in relation to the human–computer relationship and why this convergence experienced a shift from phase one to phase two around the turn of the millennium. The paper ends by examining more recent Apple and Microsoft television commercials in order to explore the possibility of a new, third phase in the human–computer relationship.     

OCLC in Europe,the Middle East and Africa, 1998–2008

ABSTRACT

This article is a continuation of the article of the same name by Christine Deschamps who described the evolution of OCLC in Europe 1981–1997. This article continues the story for the period 1998–2008 and covers the expansion of OCLC services to the Middle East and Africa. It also includes the organizational, governance and product portfolio developments for this period under the global leadership of Jay Jordan.     

Contested Kicks: Sneakers and Gay Masculinity, 1964–2008

This paper presents a critical ethnography of an example of fashion's mediating cultural work: sneakers and North American gay men. This rich example presents fashion with a specific garment and wearers, yet mediating work in multiple directions, exemplifying fashion's ambivalence and flexibility. I will describe three positions taken, articulated around gender, and their relations to dominant culture: (1) sneakers are feminine and rejected in opposition to dominant culture; (2) sneakers are masculine and embraced in assimilation into dominant culture; and (3) sneakers are masculine and embraced in opposition to dominant culture. Beginning from a position of ambivalence (like fashion itself), I will elaborate historical and cultural contexts, showing a particular garment, among a particular group, put to varied ends. However, multiplicity is not necessarily progressive. While there are counter-hegemonic aspects to these sneaker positions– resisting stereotypes, embracing difference, denaturalizing sex, gender, and sexuality constructions– other aspects preserve the status quo. While admiring the creativity evidenced, I ultimately question positions untaken, such as embracing femininity.     

Report on Travel to Former Yugoslavia,April 17–May 7, 2008

The author traveled primarily to Sarajevo, Bosnia‐Herzegovina and Skopje, Macedonia. She attended the 4th International Convention of Slavicist Librarians in Sarajevo and visited the Sarajevo Book Fair. In both capitals she met with book vendors and visited bookstores and libraries. She also learned that travel between the successor states is more complicated now than before the breakup of close Yugoslavia.     

UNESCO Training-the-Trainers “Information Literacy Workshop,Montego Bay,Jamaica, June 1–6, 2008”

This is a brief report highlighting the key elements of an information literacy training workshop jointly organized by UNESCO and the University of the West Indies in Montego Bay, June 1–6, 2008, providing information giving the background of why the workshop was mounted and what the expected results and outcomes were, how it was organized and structured, including the programme/agenda, who the expert-presenters were, a list of participants, and some conclusions, and some recommendations.     

UNESCO Training-the-Trainers “Information Literacy Workshop,Montego Bay,Jamaica, June 1–6, 2008”

This is a brief report highlighting the key elements of an information literacy training workshop jointly organized by UNESCO and the University of the West Indies in Montego Bay, June 1–6, 2008, providing information giving the background of why the workshop was mounted and what the expected results and outcomes were, how it was organized and structured, including the programme/agenda, who the expert-presenters were, a list of participants, and some conclusions, and some recommendations.     

2008,半场牛市

“牛市的基础依然健康，上涨的基础依然明确，牛市依然处在上半场。不过2008年将出现转折点。”安信证券首席分析师高善文对《中国新闻周刊》说。     

2008,奥运演义

因为北京奥运的成功举办,历史注定在2008年留下精彩华章。因为百年难得的历史机遇,传媒业注定在2008年群雄并起。当媒体幸逢奥运时,我们看到了展现在公众面前的一场场精彩演义。