  We discuss the dust attenuation and the star formation rates in the nearby
universe obtained from a comparison of far-infrared (IRAS) and ultraviolet
(GALEX) observations. The ratio of the dust to UV flux ratio is used to derive
the dust attenuation: this dust attenuation is found to increase with the
luminosity of the galaxies and from z=0 to z=1. The slope of the UV continuum
is found to be a very poor tracer of the dust attenuation in "normal" galaxies.
Galaxies selected by their UV emission are found to be rather quiescent with a
recent star formation rate equal to only 25-30% of the past averaged one.
Galaxies selected in FIR appear slightly more active in star formation.
