Hi. I just finished a 3,000 word article about the ibiblio digital library project that should be appearing in OCLC Sytems & Services, assuming it passes the peer review process. Many of today’s weird links are from my research.
a good model for what “free” means in an internet context
Slightly off-topic, but I really think you will enjoy this article: Cooking pot markets: an economic model for the trade in free goods and services on the Internet. From the always wonderful people at First Monday.
[Linus] Torvalds remained in the University out of choice, not necessity. Linux has paid back, because the reputation it’s earned him is a convertible commodity. “Yes, you can trade in your reputation for money,” says Torvalds, ” [so] I don’t exactly expect to go hungry if I decide to leave the University. ‘Resume: Linux’ looks pretty good in many places.”
IPL was the first digital library that I knew of
The Internet Public Library was also really helpful. They have a good list of online journals and serials about librarianship.
UDC, down with me, UDC
ibiblio has a list where they organize their collection by UDC. They are serious about keeping the “library” in digital library.
VT100 in the house
Back before ibiblio was ibiblio, they were a BBS system serving mainly UNC alumni. Here’s a help file telling you how to access onlione library catalogs, using mainly telnet, from 1991.