March 12th, 2010 by
Chris Measures
The publication of the Tory Technology Manifesto initially got my hopes up. At last an election that puts technology at the heart of the debate. But on a closer look the definition of ‘technology’ is woolly to say the least.
Most people will agree that opening up government data, increasing superfast broadband speeds, ending central government mega-projects and increasing the use of open source are generally ‘good things’. I’m less sure about the vague idea of crowdsourcing during the discussion of legislation – but that’s a personal worry about the fine line between the wisdom of crowds and the baying of the mob.
What is less easy to understand is how many of the other proposals fit under ‘technology’. A new high speed rail network? Measures to force every local authority to publish expenditure over £500 online? MP expenses available via the web? Whatever you think of these, I wouldn’t class them as technology policies.
This isn’t just being pedantic – the risk is that if this is what politicians see as ‘technology’, the real benefits of properly applied IT and a vibrant UK tech sector will get lost in wrangles over trains and expense claims for duck houses. Time to reclaim technology for what it actually is and what it can really deliver to the country.
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January 22nd, 2010 by
Chris Measures
I blogged about Tim Berners-Lee’s appointment to open up access to government data when it was announced last year.
The www.data.gov.uk site has now gone live, providing developers with access to government data to power useful applications for us citizens. There are already some great little apps out there, from property prices to crime maps.
But at the moment there are two things missing if the initiative is to really fly. Firstly, it doesn’t have Ordnance Survey data, although apparently negotiations are continuing on this. Secondly, and I think more importantly is a way of getting these apps out to the widest possible audience. The risk is that lots of bright people will do cool things with the data but the general public simply won’t know about them.
What’s needed now is proper marketing of the apps, not just the concept, and a programme that mandates the public sector to publicise/include them on their own websites. Otherwise the risk is that the outputs of data.gov.uk will remain the preserve of a digital elite.
January 12th, 2010 by
Lisa Francis
BBC – Complaints greet Google Nexus One phone
Google is being inundated with complaints about its Nexus One phone. The touchscreen smartphone was launched on 5 January and many people are unhappy with Google only responding to questions by email and are calling for it to set up phone-based support.
CBR – Intel unveils app store for netbooks
Intel has launched a beta version of its software application store, the Intel AppUp centre for netbook computers and four other Intel partners Acer, Asus, Dell and Samsung are collaborating with Intel to bring their apps to consumers.
Computerworld UK – Google Energy to trade electricity
Google continues to broaden it business focus, now seeking permission to buy and resell electricity.
The Financial Times (online) – Component shortages set to push up computer costs
The cost of assembling personal computers will rise this year for the first time in six years because of shortages in some key components, industry analysts have forecast.
IT PRO – Mandelson launches new IT courses for adults
New IT courses are set to give thousands of adults the computer skills they need, according to a new Government initiative.
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December 14th, 2009 by
Matthew Watson
Computer Weekly – Government plans to launch cloud next year
The Government is creating a blueprint for its private cloud infrastructure and expects to launch across the public sector next year. Working with 100 IT firms on the architecture dubbed the g-cloud, John Suffolk, Her Majesty’s Government CIO told Computer Weekly that he hopes the service will lower IT expenditure.
Computer Weekly – Nokia to shut high street shops to focus on online sales
Nokia is closing its high street retail outlets worldwide in favour of an reinvigorated online sales strategy and greater use of mobile network operators’ retail outlets.
BBC – UK trails on super-fast broadband say OECD figures
The UK is trailing when it comes to next-generation access, new figures show. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UK is places 21st out of 30 in terms of speed.
CRN – Channel delight at scaled-back NPfIT
Public sector VARs have welcomed news the government could scrap its £12.7bn NHS National Programme for IT.
The Financial Times – Loophole to be closed on UK broadband tax
Ministers are seeking to close a potential loophole in the government’s planned broadband tax by saying consumers should pay the levy even if they only use their phone lines for internet services.
December 10th, 2009 by
Lisa Francis
Computing.co.uk – Wales gets £44m supercomputing institute
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills has announced a new £44m high-performance computing institute for Wales.
IT PRO – One in ten bring own laptop to the office
One in ten employees are bringing their own laptop to work, according to a survey from Gartner. The analyst firm expects that number to climb to 14 per cent by the middle of next year – although the UK is expected to be slower taking up the system compared to German and US counterparts.
IT PRO – Emerging markets to push mobile internet users past billion mark
Growth in emerging markets will help push the number of mobile devices accessing the internet to break one billion by 2013, according to IDC.
The Guardian – All phone lines to be taxed at £6 a year to pay for fast broadband
The government is pressing ahead with controversial plans to levy a £6 a year tax on all phone lines in Britain in order to fund the introduction of next generation broadband networks, Alistair Darling, the chancellor, confirmed today.
Computerworld UK – Europe has North-South digital divide, says report
A gaping geographical digital divide is emerging in the EU, with countries in the south such as Greece, Bulgaria and Romania being left behind by more technology savvy northern countries like Holland and Sweden, according to new research.
CBR – BT, Cisco launch new unified communication service
BT and Cisco have strengthened their collaboration by a breakthrough in unified communications (UC), with the launch of a cloud based IPT offering from BT’s Onevoice UCC portfolio. Together, the two companies are launching a scalable, business-grade, global hosted IP Telephony service, which reportedly allows businesses to reduce upfront investment costs.
Computer Weekly – Dell increases Twitter sales
Dell has sold $6.5m worth of equipment by using microblogging website Twitter. This represents a late surge because in June this year the company said it had made $3m of sales on Twitter over the previous two years.
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July 30th, 2009 by
Matthew Watson
Computing – Barclays relaunches online banking web site
Barclays has revamped its online banking web site with improved navigation and features aimed at protecting clients against fraud.
CBR Online – Cloud computing adopters fear becoming “guinea pigs”: Atos UK CEO
Keith Wilman, the UK CEO of IT services firm Atos Origin, said that the firm’s clients do not want to act as “guinea pigs” by becoming cloud computing early adopters.
The Register – US Congress probes accidental top secret file sharing
US Congress wants to know if new federal laws are needed to protect government employees from accidental file-sharing.
Computer Weekly – IT sector showing signs of recovery, says OECD
An OECD report says there are “signs of recovery” in the global IT industry after positive month-on-month growth for most countries between May and June.
Computer Weekly – Public sector union fears increased outsourcing
The Public and Commercial Services union fears that the government will start outsourcing more roles in civil and public services as public sector organisations face reduced budgets.
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