I've been thinking about the difference between a "resource center" and a "center of excellence." I think Alex is right that it wouldn't be that difficult, nor require a lot of funding to build a simple resource center. But a big list o' links is not what I have in mind.
I want a center that sponsors workshops and conferences, brings in scholars and/or developers in residence, and offers regular classes. The center should certainly include a "resource center" of well-organized and maintained links to resources, but that's only a piece of what I'm imagining.
What might be ideal is to begin the resource center as part of the grant application--it's my understanding that NSF tends to like funding things where people have already started on the work, rather than waiting for funding before they consider jumping in.
This sounds very reasonable. I also think we need to do a bit of "networking" in the MBA sense and try to cast a wide net. With Winer headed for Harvard, and a number of other luminaries no longer looking sideways at academics and the mainstream, I think there could be a rapidly developing academic base / invisible college that is simply not yet self-aware.
Simple question: what's our value added. I'll think on this and post more this weekend.
Posted by: alex on January 10, 2003 12:31 AM