HyphalTip is a tumblelog.

airship convergence?

XKCD has Ron Paul in a Blimp the same day Telestar covers the zeppelin.  Todd has some awesome assignments that include taking these pics.

Don't forget HR 6845

I had sent in my concern about HR 6845 to my senator Diane Feinstein.  Several weeks later I received this email.  Of course there isn’t a bill in the Senate yet but I hope that raising the issue provides some feedback.

I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns about H.R. 6845, the “Fair Copyright in Research Works Act.” I am pleased to hear from you, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

Scientists and researchers throughout the United States are accumulating new information at a staggering rate. With the rapid advancement of information technology it is now possible to store, integrate, analyze, and access data like never before. The increased dissemination of scientific information has had an immeasurable impact on society. Students are more prepared than ever to enter research fields, and the public has unprecedented access to scientific information.

I understand your concerns about ensuring public access to National Institutes of Health (NIH) research that is funded by taxpayers. Taxpayers provide tens of billions of dollars for Federal research each year and, through the widespread sharing of NIH research, are able to obtain the health, economic, and social benefits of their investment. It is also important to balance public access with the rights of authors and copyright owners such as scientific, technical, and medical publishers.

On September 9, 2008, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) introduced the “Fair Copyright in Research Works Act” (H.R. 6845). This bill aims to strike a balance by limiting the ways in which Federal agencies can make federally funded research available. This bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and on September 11, 2008, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held a hearing examining H.R. 6845.

Although companion legislation has not been introduced in the Senate, please know that I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should this bill or any related legislation come before me in the Senate.

Again, thank you for writing to me. If you should have any additional concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator