Reliability

As there is usually no contractual agreement with the web 2.0 services provider its users (us!) are relying on a service whose conditions and terms of use may change sporadically or which may even cease trading. Updates may or may not take place, features can suddenly disappear, site support may become unavailable, or the service itself may change owners or even become fee paying.

Depending on the intended use of an external service, therefore, such as this blog it is advised to consider the risks, which may differ for a casual vs a high-stakes, formal or even assessed activity. For the Napier Education Exchange WORDPRESS was chosen for its reliable performance, 24/7 technical support, global and active support network, customisability, and ease of use after 2 years of testing within EdDev's online staff development unit and the new MSc Blended and Online Education (see http://www2.napier.ac.uk/ed/boe/ ) where students post reflections, tutors host discussions and podcasts, and assignments are carried out.

The responsibility rests with the user to ensure back-up copies of work are made periodically. Please be reminded that Napier University’s C&IT support services do not extend to externally hosted sites such as this one. The facilitators will not be held responsible for the loss, deletion or damage to any material or data posted to the forum.

Take down policy

It may become necessary for the facilitator to remove content that has been posted to the site. This may be the case for instances of defamation, breach of copyright, or breach of the Data Protection Act. Users are referred to the following institutional guidelines when writing content and/or making use of third party materials. Napier Netiquette Guidelines at http://www2.napier.ac.uk/webct/staff/documents/netiquette_guidelines.pdf; Data Protection Code of Practice (for students) at http://www.napier.ac.uk/deptsmas/Sms/publications/DataProtection.pdf; Copyright guidelines at http://staff.napier.ac.uk/Services/Library/Information/Copyright/CopyrightFactsandGlossary.htm

References

The abovementioned guidelines are drawn in part from the guidance available in the document UKOLN Risk assessment for use of third party web 2.0 services, online at http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/documents/briefings/briefing-98/briefing-98-A5.doc (last accessed June 12, 2008).