[Tccc] Research without Walls

Joe Touch touch
Mon Oct 24 14:55:28 EDT 2011


Hi, Jakob,

(speaking as an individual, not as TCCC Chair)...

On 10/22/2011 8:37 AM, Jakob Eriksson wrote:
> I just read about this interesting initiative on Slashdot, with the summary:
>
> "Prominent Computer Science researchers from Google, Microsoft and
> UC Berkeley are starting to sign the 'Research Without Walls'
> pledge, promising to never be involved in peer review for a venue
> that does not make publications available to the public for free."

Good post to chat about, indeed!

I agree with others; this notably doesn't boycott submission, only peer 
review.

That has a few net effects:
	(1) - they're benefiting from the reviews of others without
	pulling their own weight
	(2) - they won't be on program committees anymore

(1) is clearly irresponsible. First, they're clearly benefiting from the 
reviews of others but not pulling their own weight. Second, they're 
failing to train their own students in how to review papers, which is a 
key part of their education as well as preparing them for life after 
graduation.

(2) has repercussions as well. They no longer help promote their 
employer in the community (being listed on TPCs is an advertisement of 
sorts). They also no longer are able to impact the community through 
their participation in PC meetings, which include personal networking 
opportunities and technical direction.

One wonders what kind of employer would tolerate - or even endorse - 
either of these positions.

Finally, I'm assuming that:
	- Google now offers advertising for free
	- Microsoft products are available for public download
	- UC Berkeley no longer charges tuition

No? Hmm. So they like free markets when it's their market, but not when 
it's someone else's. Interesting. I've never seen anyone do that before*

(* - in the last 100 ms)

Joe



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