Digital Yorkshire

IPv6 for LIRs Training Course, Leeds, 21st April 2011

2011-03-17T21:42:00.008Z

Well it was recently pointed out to me that it is a very, very long time since anything was put on this blog! So here's hoping this is the first of some more regular postings on my behalf.

I just wanted to let you all know about an upcoming training course in Leeds:

IPv6 for LIRs Training Course, Thursday 21st April 2011

The course is run by the RIPE NCC, you can register here and it will be hosted by AQL.

The course is free to everyone, although you should only attend if you are part of the staff of a Local Internet Registry (LIR).

After this course you will:

* Be able to create a deployment plan for IPv6 in your organisation

* Understand the differences and similarities between IPv4 and IPv6

* Know that deploying IPv6 will enable continued IP networking growth

* Understand the implications of running out of available IPv4 address space

This course is a great opportunity for anyone currently thinking about deploying IPv6, and i'd say it's fairly unlikely another course will be held in Yorkshire for quite some time, so don't miss out!

Creative Networks 2010 Annual Business Support Fayre

2010-05-10T09:45:00.000+01:00

Empower your creative business with an evening of over 20 support agencies dedicated to helping creative professionals flourish. The 2010 Creative Networks Annual Business Fayre will be a key opportunity for all professionals working in the Creative, Digital and Cultural industry sectors to discover and interact with the support services offered in the Yorkshire region alongside an exhibition of more than twenty regional support agencies and organisations.

Thursday 27th May 2010, 6pm – till late

Leeds College of Art, Blenheim Walk, LS2 9AQ

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.

If you would like to join us, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444
or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk .

Regional Culture Euro Seminars Announced

2010-05-10T09:19:00.002+01:00

EUCLID is again running a series of informative and fun regional Culture Euro seminars to help UK cultural organisations access some of the millions of euros available from the European Union.

The EU’s Culture programme (2007-2013) has a budget of €400 million to encourage mobility and to celebrate Europe’s cultural diversity, and there are many other EU programmes which offer grants for arts and cultural projects or exchanges and visits. These seminars, specifically designed for cultural organisations, will give you the tools to make a successful bid for European funding.

Statistics from the European Commission indicate that, in 2009, UK applications to the Culture programme had a 75% success rate - one of the highest success rates of applications to any funding programme or scheme, in the UK or in Europe. Your project could be the next success story!

For more information and to book a place please visit www.cultureuro.info

Dadi Awards Now Open for Entries

2010-05-05T10:00:00.002+01:00

The Dadis, in association with Leeds Live It Love It and Yorkshire Forward, are the awards that recognise and reward digital effectiveness. And they’re now open for entry.

Entries are open to digital agencies, creative agencies, media owners, in-house teams and clients.

A Dadi (Drum Award for the Digital Industries), tells the world one very important thing about the winner: that they make digital work.

Please see www.dadiawards.com for more information.

How to grow your Business through Connecting, Innovating and Expanding in Europe

2010-04-26T13:00:00.001+01:00

European SME Week 2010

As part of European SME Week 2010 and following the success of last year’s SME Week event Enterprise Europe Yorkshire will be running another breakfast event, How to grow your Business through connecting, Innovating and expanding in Europe.

Thursday 27th May 2010 Park Inn Hotel (York City Centre)

More information

FREE business pitch event

2010-04-26T12:52:00.002+01:00

FREE business pitch event
Digital Creative & Energy and Renewables companies
Tuesday May 11 2010

A chance to attend a one-off event for companies in energy, renewable or digital creative related markets to pitch their products and services to an audience of potential partners.

For more information about this opportunity to meet people who can help you grow your business, click here.

Last post from me!

2010-04-22T14:15:00.000+01:00

This is just a quick post as I am now going on maternity leave and today is my last day in the office. Don't worry though the blog will be maintained by my maternity cover, Jennifer Esty, so if you have anything interesting that you want to be blogged you can get in touch with Jennifer (she will post something on here shortly).

Thanks to all for following!

Job Opportunity: Skillset Recruitment - Northern Co-ordinator

2010-04-22T11:15:00.002+01:00

In case anyone is interested Skillset are currently looking for a Northern Co-ordinator to support Skillset's North Development Manager in all aspects of developing and implementing the Strategic Skills Assessment for the North of England:

Northern Co-ordinator

Salary: c. £27,000 pa, plus benefits package
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 40 Hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Location: Leeds

Closing date for applications is 12 noon, Thursday 6th May 2010

Interviews are expected to take place in Leeds on Tuesday 18th May 2010.

Full details can be found on their website at www.skillset.org/jobs

Creative Networks Presents an audience with Harry Gration

2010-04-20T13:17:00.000+01:00

Broadcasting through the Ages

Creative Networks is proud to announce that “Mr BBC Yorkshire” himself, Harry Gration, has agreed to speak at our April event; at Leeds College of Art.

A tireless broadcaster for the past three decades and across both radio and television, Harry has worked on a diversity of programmes, however is best known and loved for presenting BBC Look North which he has been involved with since 1984.

An incredibly warm and generous speaker, Harry will present through anecdote and good humour an entertaining journey of Broadcasting through the ages.

From 6pm, Thursday 29th April 2010

18.00 – 19.00 Hot food and Registration
19.00 – 19.30 Welcome and Opening Pitches
19.30 – 20.30 Harry Gration
20.30 – till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

Leeds College of Art, Blenheim Walk, LS2 9AQ

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.

If you would like to join us, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk .

Royal Television Society Yorkshire Awards 2010 - CALL FOR ENTRIES

2010-03-19T13:43:00.002Z

RTS Yorkshire has announced details of the sixth annual awards to be held at The Queens, Leeds on Monday 14 June 2010. These Awards aim to recognise and promote high quality television and related digital media production in the Yorkshire Centre region and celebrate excellence amongst its production and technical crew. The Society is now calling for entries from broadcast, independent and new media companies working in the region.

This year's awards will continue to acknowledge the region as a major supplier of programmes to the international television industry and celebrate the past year as a great year for production in Yorkshire. The Society is calling for entries from broadcast, independent and new media companies working in the region. To qualify for entry, all submissions must have been broadcast or launched between 24 February 2009 and 1 March 2010. *Deadline for entries: 12 noon on Friday 16 April 2010.

For clarity, the Yorkshire Centre region is defined as the aggregated transmission areas of ITV Yorkshire and BBC Yorkshire and BBC Yorkshire & Lincolnshire.

For full details and conditions of entry, go to the RTS Website. All enquiries should be directed to Sue Pagdin: suep@rts.org.uk

THE STATE OF INDEPENDENCE - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS TODAY!

2010-03-16T14:00:00.003Z

Codeworks GameHorizon and Game Republic in partnership with Screen Yorkshire present a unique one-day conference focusing on independent video games developer self-publishing, to take place at York Racecourse.

Guest speakers already confirmed include Charles Cecil, Managing Director of Revolution Software (who will be chairing the event), Ben Board, European Developer Account Manager Xbox, Ed Vaizey MP, Conservative Shadow Culture and Creative Industries Minister, Paul Farley, Managing Director, Tag Games, Joe Wee, Joint MD of Chillingo, Patrick O'Luanaigh , CEO of nDreams - with more big names to follow.

There has been a resurgence of the independent video games developer over the last two years with developers looking to self-publish via digital distribution routes to break from the traditional console value chain to gain more control of their IP and finances. Indies are asking how can they fund their own content, how to promote and market new content effectively on a small budget, and what are the best business models to maximise revenue.

Key areas to be covered at State of Independence will be:
• Different routes to market and new business models
• Funding your game - including access to investors
• Learning from current success stories
• Marketing your own games - including PR, viral marketing and customer service
• Networking with other games industry professionals

As well as giving developers a greater understanding of the brave new world of digital self-publishing and advice on how to succeed, State of Independence will be an ideal opportunity to network with other independents, investors and buyers, as well as unwind at the industry party.

Date: Thurs 8th April 2010
Location: York, Race course Gymcrack Suite (Ebor stand)
Start of Conference: 09.30am Thursday 8 April 2010
Finish of Conference: 5.30pm Thursday 8 April 2010
After Party: 6.30 - until late

A Super Early Bird discount starting at £75 is available until 16 March 2010 (today!!), with bigger discounts available to GameHorizon and Game Republic members.

Creative Networks event - An audience with Sir John Hegarty

2010-03-09T16:27:00.003Z

Another fab speaker is lined up for this months Creative Networks event on 25th March 2010:

Creative Networks is honoured that advertising legend, Sir John Hegarty, has agreed to speak at our March event, here in Yorkshire.

As Chairman & Worldwide Creative Director of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), where he presides over one of the most successful and creatively acclaimed agencies of all time, Sir John has been responsible for some of the most celebrated ad campaign’s – from the 1982 Levi's advert featuring the infamous Nick Kamen stripping off in the laundrette through to the more recent and blockbusting Lynx effect campaigns.

Hegarty who started out in advertising as a Junior Art Director at Benton and Bowles in 1965 and went on to develop an incredibly rich and illustrious career, was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award in the 2005 International Clio Awards and was knighted in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours.

An incredibly warm and generous speaker, Sir John, who was named "the Master of Creative Rebellion" by the Independent, will put forward ‘10 reasons why now is the best time to be in advertising’.

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Venue:
Leeds College of Art
Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ
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18.00 – 19.00 Hot food and registration
19.00 – 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches
19.30 – 20.30 Sir John Hegarty
20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.
If you would like to join us, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk.

BBC Survey - Internet access is 'a fundamental right'

2010-03-08T13:00:00.002Z

I thought this survey was pretty interesting due to the diverse countries included in the survey:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8548190.stm

The full PDF findings show some interesting stats not described in the article, for example 90% agree that the Internet is a good place to learn - showing that the market place is very ready for e-learning. Also 78% believe that the Internet gives them greater freedom - I wonder if this is a higher percentage than something like public transport would gain?

It is certainly easy to see why a survey like this highlights the importance of online communication and offers comparisons with other infrastructures such as roads and water.

Welcome to Yorkshire Y 10 - the biggest tourism event in Yorkshire

2010-02-17T11:00:00.003Z

On Monday 22nd March 2010 Welcome to Yorkshire will be hosting the biggest tourism event in the region - Y 10.

The event is free to attend and will begin with registration from 10am followed by the conference at 11am and a networking lunch for all delegates until 2.30pm.

Event details:

Date: Monday 22nd March 2010
Venue: Harrogate International Centre

Event programme:

10:00 - 11:00 Delegate registration
11:00 - 12:30 Y 10, followed by networking lunch and a chance to meet with Area Tourism Partnerships.
14:30 - Event closes

You can register online before 1st March.

For more information about the event please visit the website.

Get Connected - Digital, Creative & Healthcare companies - 22nd March

2010-02-16T10:30:00.000Z

NorthernNet, Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus and RTC North have arranged a pitching and networking opportunity for companies operating in the Digital, Creative and Healthcare markets.

Who should attend?

Digital Creative companies interested in:

•Mobile technologies
•3D simulation technologies (especially interactive)
•Web-based remote learning technologies
•Digital signage and communication technologies
•Real time Web-based or network based information systems (potentially applied in other sectors)
•Web-based, real time communication systems linked to monitoring of activities
•Security technologies

Healthcare sector businesses working in:

•Surgical Simulation
•Telecare
•Medical training
•Remote diagnostics
•Healthcare monitoring
•Healthcare education
•Clinical trialling
•Healthcare operation information & communication systems
•Manufacture of products & systems with potential to go digital

The event aims to:

•Identify relevant partners, customers or suppliers
•Build understanding of technology capabilities in the Digital Creative sector
•Build understanding of market requirements for digital creative technologies in the Healthcare sector

Agenda:

3pm - Delegates arrive for pitch training
3.30pm - 4.30pm - Pitch training
Pitching companies arrive early for pitch training by ‘Winning Pitch’
4.30pm - Delegates arrive for main event
4.30pm – 6pm - Business Pitch
90 seconds focussed specifically on businesses’ ‘offers’ or ‘needs’
6pm – 7pm - Networking and Food
Supported by sector relevant business support ‘brokers’

Date: Mon 22 March
Time: 4.30pm - 7pm
Venue: Round Foundry Media Centre, Leeds

Vodafone Appstar Developer Day: North - 3rd March

2010-02-15T12:32:00.000Z

Screen Yorkshire is bringing the Vodafone AppStar Developer Day North to Sheffield, giving you the opportunity to meet the experts, design and create your own apps with your contemporaries and more.... You'll also get the chance to win hardware, cash and other prizes!!

On the day you'll learn about:

* Vodafone 360 apps platform & channel to market
* Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) - the global operator alliance for 1 billion customers
* Apps of interest to Vodafone U.K. customers
* Using 360 to grow your brand and business: revenue and reach
* Building and publishing apps: concept to cash
* Meet the experts: SDK, publishing, commercialisation, QA, partner marketing

After the presentation session the rest of the day will be free for coding and creating new apps. What will you design? An app to show traffic camera updates? To save the world? 100 best football goals? Anything is possible...it's all up to you! Check out the Vodafone 360 store for ideas.

Agenda for the afternoon & evening:
12.00pm: Welcome, registration and drinks!
12.30pm: Presentations from Vodafone and Development Partners
2:00pm: Content and Dev Partner live showcases
3.00pm: Meet the experts
5.00pm: Q&A panel
5.30pm: Buffet dinner and beers provided
6.30pm: Evening Hackathon begins!
10.30pm: Judging session - winners and prizes announced
11.00pm: Close

Event preparation:
1. Download the SDK and tools from http://www.JIL.org/vodafone
2. Bring your laptop
3. Bring your proof of concepts, mock-ups and apps ideas to share with us

Venue: Electric Works, Sheffield Digital Campus, S1 2BJ

Register online.

techmesh: Sheffield, 23rd February

2010-02-09T12:54:00.002Z

Attend techmesh: Sheffield and expand your business connections. This event is about encouraging collaboration, making new contacts and listening to inspiring key note speakers.

Date: Tuesday 23 February 2010

Time: 18.00-20.00hrs

Venue: Showroom and Workstation, Paternoster Row, Sheffield. S1 2BX Map

Guest speakers: Trevor Higgins, BT Partnership Director

Includes: Food and drink

Who should attend:
IT and Telecoms professionals and organisations.

Programme:

18.00 Networking, Food and Drink
18.45 Gary Rowbotham, techmesh Programme Manager
18.55 Trevor Higgins, BT Partnership Director: Discussing Superfast Broadband
19.20 Members Time (5 x 3 minute sessions for members to have an opportunity to make a short presentation on how to collaborate with other members/organisations)
19.45 Networking and Drinks
20.15 Close

For further information, please contact Dawn on 0113 384 5641 or dawn@techmesh.org

Inspirational Women in Media & Creative Business: February 18th

2010-02-09T12:36:00.002Z

If you are enthusiastic about being a part of the fast growing creative and digital media industry in the North, then don't miss this unique opportunity to hear from some of the most inspirational women share insightful and motivational accounts of their experiences in the business, simultaneously to audiences in Salford, Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne.

As part of a pan-northern initiative, the regional agencies - Screen Yorkshire, Northwest Vision and Media, and Northern Film + Media - have joined forces using NorthernNet's Media Access Bureaus to present this first-of-it's-kind, 3-way, simultaneous event:

Speakers include:
Kaye Elling, Chair of Women in Games Conference 2010 & Lecturer in Computer Games, University of Bradford - speaking in Leeds
Lou Cordwell, Managing Director, Magnetic North - speaking in Salford
Dianne Nelmes, Managing Director, Liberty Bell- speaking in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Eileen Gallagher, Chief Executive, Shed Productions - speaking in Newcastle-Upon -Tyne

WHERE: The Round Foundry Media Centre, Leeds
WHEN: Thursday 18th February - 1.45pm till 4.30pm
Events will also be held simultaneously at:
Broadway 100, Salford
Hoults Yard, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Register Online.

A series of events for the Creative, Digital & New Media Industries

2010-02-09T11:41:00.003Z

@BLYorks runs from 23rd February – 4th March. Business Link Yorkshire in partnership with Creative Networks presents a series of free workshops and events designed to support and inspire the diverse creative, digital and new media businesses in the region.

Headline Events include:

C&binet Regional Conference - Tuesday 23 February

Creative Careers Event - Wed 24 February, 10:00am – 5:00pm
The Atrium, University of Bradford,

Feargal Sharkey, CEO UK Music - Wed 24 February, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Leeds College of Music

artsmix @ The Loft - Sunday 28 February, 11.00am – 4.00pm
The Loft, Leeds

The Integration of Modern Media with Classic Advertising Principles - Tuesday 2 March, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Aspire, Leeds

Be inspired with… Linda Barker - Thursday 4 March, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Halifax,

As well as the monthly Creative Networks event:

Creative Networks presents:
From ‘The Human League’ to ‘The Future of Sound’
An evening with Martyn Ware
25th February 2010

Founder member of The Human League and Heaven 17, Martyn is one of the leading figures in electronic music. As record producer and artist he has featured on recordings totalling over 50 million sales worldwide during a 27 year career to date, working with artists as diverse as Tina Turner, Terence Trent D’Arby, Chaka Khan, Erasure, and Marc Almond.

He founded the Illustrious Company with Vince Clarke in 2001 to exploit, in collaboration with fine artists, the performing arts and corporate clients around the world, the creative and commercial possibilities of their unique three-dimensional sound technology. Clients include: BP, the British Council, The Science Museum, The Royal Ballet, Amnesty International, the V&A Museum, Mute Records, BBC TV, the Royal Observatory Greenwich, BAFTA, Museum Of London, and Tate Britain.

A true pioneer in the industry, Martyn remains a digital innovator.

A highly entertaining speaker, Martyn will discuss the challenges he faced when, much to the disgust of producers, sound engineers and promoters; he rejected the conventional rock and roll style music and made music using basic synthesizers and a lot of creative thinking.

An Evening with Martyn Ware is part of a week of events supporting the creative industry organised by Business Link Yorkshire in partnership with Creative Networks.

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Leeds College of Art
Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ
----------------------------------------------
18.00 – 19.00 Hot Food and Registration
19.00 – 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches
19.30 – 20.30 Martyn Ware
20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.
If you would like to join us, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk.

There are also several other events during @BLYorks that should be of interest to many.

Future Technologies January - Overview of the year and Google Chrome OS

2010-01-29T17:00:00.003Z

For January I wanted to do a sort of round up of the year / predictions for the next year type article for my 'Future Technologies' post, but it's just so difficult!

I've been including posts on Future Technologies since April of last year and so far have covered:

Web caching, electronic packaging and acoustic-based inputs

So these are the main areas i've been interested in during 2009. I guess also of note is what I didn't cover.

I didn't cover Cloud Computing, am I the only one who's a little bored of it?! Also most techies I talk to see it as virtualisation and have been doing it for years. I probably should have covered Software as a Service but I think that would have been relevant as being 'new' in 2008 rather than 2009.

I didn't cover Mobile Apps - mainly because i'm not entirely sure where to even start, but also because I still haven't seen anything that's really made me think Wow! I'm sure there are apps that would make me go Wow, I just haven't seen them.

I didn't cover Social Networking, again partly because it's being talked to death and also because social networking sites, although generally fab, are not technologies that excite me. They're usually impressive in their simplicity and it's not the technology thats amazing but the

commitment of its users.

So as a kind of prediction for 2010, during the next 12 months i'd like to learn more about:

Geolocation, I still think there are many interesting and as yet unused ideas around geolocation technologies.

HTML5, i'm hoping this will bring about a new change for websites, sites are getting pretty predictable these days so it would be good to see something new and exciting.

Healthcare technologies, this is such a huge area and I have colleagues who specialize in just these industries so its a bit offputting because there is so much to look at, but there are some really exciting and amazing technologies around healt

hcare.

Finally, I wanted to end with something new-ish: Google's Chrome OS. It's a really new and fresh way of looking at the desktop and there are many features worth pointing out:

Every application is accessed through the Chrome browser. This means that you won't need to have Microsoft Office on your machine in order to use Excel, instead you just use the Windows Live Web-based version of Excel. A lot of software companies are going to need to adapt to that!

Due to the above users will never have to install software or deal with annoying updates. Due to this it's going to mean starting up is very fast and as the Chrome browser has already shown to be extremely fast (i'm a total convert, the speed is everything with this browser, its perfect for the impatient generations :-)) opening files will be really quick.

The majority of user settings are stored in the cloud. This means that you can go to any machine (as long as it's a Google Chrome machine) and it will be exactly the same as using your own.

To pick up on the above, although hardly anything is stored on the hard drive the OS will only work on specific machines. You can't just install it onto the laptop / desktop you have now. Potentially a major disadvantage, but I am interested to see what machines will come out using the OS and i'm hopeful there will be some new innovations there.

So hopefully this is also something that will be interesting to watch develop through 2010.

Report from the Future Broadband Services Forum held in Sheffield on 1st December

2010-01-26T10:03:00.003Z

The Digital Communications KTN, in cooperation with Digital 20/20, have produced a report following an event held in Sheffield at Electric Works on 1st December 2009.

Two keynote presentations were delivered, one around new developments in telecommunications and online technologies and one describing the Digital Region (South Yorkshire’s new state-of-the-art fibre-optic network).

These presentations were then followed by workshops to allow attendees to discuss particular themes, generate new ideas and identify how the capacity of Digital Region and other superfast broadband networks might be used. The attendees could choose from four workshops on the topics 'IT & Network Services'; 'Digital Content'; 'Learning & Education'; and 'Healthcare & the Smart Home'.

I've uploaded the full report as a PDF for you to view. Over 60 people attended the event on the day and I think the report makes an interesting read.

Events: BBC commissions for CBBC and CBeebies, Crossover Labs and Creative Networks

2010-01-05T15:23:00.006Z

A few more events coming up this month.

Firstly, The BBC is seeking new relationships with companies to fulfill at least 4 commissions for CBBC and CBeebies in 2010/2011. @North is a pilot programme for TV independents or digital creatives and companies interested in working with children's commissioners and the Future Media department, to develop new interactive content. There will be two events held in the region, where you'll have the opportunity to meet the BBC and ask questions about the project.

8th January, 10.00 am - 12.00pm: Leeds, Round Foundry Media Centre
11th January, 10.00 am - 12.00pm: Sheffield, Electric Works

Register to attend

Find out more about @North

=================

Secondly, Crossover Business Labs - Introduction Seminars: 11th - 14th January

Crossover Labs has been designed to assist companies position themselves for creative and commercial growth in the converging digital economy. The objectives of the programme are:

- to work with business leaders to share an understanding of the characteristics of the market and the opportunities available;
- to help companies develop the skills, capabilities and assets required to do business effectively in the converging digital marketplace;
- to foster collaboration between companies within and across the regions.

Each workshop will take place at 6:00pm in two venues simultaneously, connected using NorthernNet's video conferencing infrastructure. The seminar programme will be on the following dates, each one linking two venues.

Event details and registration

Find out more about Crossover

The Crossover Business Labs programme is supported by the Channel 4, BBC, North West Vision and Media, Screen North East, Screen Yorkshire, Skillset and NorthernNet.

=================

Finally, Creative Networks is on 28th January this month.

Creative Networks is proud to announce that its first speaker for 2010 is the internationally acclaimed, Martin Parr.

Martin Parr is probably one of the most influential living British Photographers still working today. With over fifty books and countless exhibitions, Parr is known for his lurid and sometimes shocking use of colour in photography and his satirical witty approach to documentary photography leaves the viewer not sure whether to laugh or cry.

His three recurrent themes are leisure activities, consumption and communication, which he uses to denounce consumer society, wastefulness, vulgarity, mass tourism, fashion and the often worrying narrowness of everyday life. He captures the laughable, the grotesque, and the unacceptable. We laugh, we giggle, we howl with laughter - the image of society that the artist holds up to us puts our moral failings and the absurdity of our everyday lives into sharp relief.

In true Parr humour, the audience will be invited on the evening to vote on which presentation they would most like to hear; 'Parrworld', or 'Martin Parr - the story so far'.

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Leeds College of Art
Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ
----------------------------------------------
18.00 - 19.00 Hot Food and Registration
19.00 - 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches
19.30 - 20.30 Martin Parr
20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.
If you would like to join us, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk.

IT Business Network - techmesh: Launch Event 27th January, Leeds

2010-01-04T10:53:00.005Z

techmesh is a brand new business network for IT and Telecoms organisations and professionals in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

They are holding a launch event where you can find out more about the network and how they can help you.

Who should attend: IT & Telecoms organisations, professionals and partners.

Date: Wednesday 27th January 2010
Time: 18.00-21.00hrs
Venue: The Loft, Cross York Street, Leeds. LS2 7EE

Guest Speakers:
Lee Strafford, former CEO of PlusNet
Conrad Poulson, Head of Startup Business Development of Orange

Includes:
Live music, Fizz Reception and Nibbles

More Info: To book your place, register online or call Dawn on 0113 384 5641.

It's free to attend and will be the first of many events that should be of interest to the IT industry, the sooner you get involved the sooner you can shape the networks future!

UKTI offering 50% matched funding for Yorkshire companies to attend Mobile World Congress 2010, Barcelona

2009-12-23T11:06:00.006Z

UK Trade & Investment are running an Overseas Mission to Mobile World Congress for companies in the Digital Sector within Yorkshire & the Humber. The focus of this will be around the exhibition with opportunities to participate in the UKTI briefings, use the UK Pavilion facilities and access reduced price entry tickets.

In addition to the Mobile World Congress there will be an opportunity to work with our Nordic team and Turkish team to identify potential fruitful markets in these countries following on from the Exhibition

As part of the mission UKTI will be combining the funding for the event with the UKTI offering via Trade Fair Support which includes the following:

* 2 exhibitor passes
* Entry into the UK Group Directory
* Company profile included on the Interactive touch screen on the UKTI Promotional Avenida stand allowing visitors to the stand to search by key word, product or company name. Visitor information will be sent to UK companies to follow up.
* Access to UK Group hospitality area in Hall 1

The Cost of the visitor package is £895
Funding for successful and eligible companies will be 50:50 matched funding up to £1,625 per company (split £525 for travel and accommodation and £1,100 event/conference entry).

How to be involved

A high demand for this visit is expected so please register interest as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the visit or would like more details please contact:
Nigel Goddard, UK Trade & Investment
Mob: 07816 911091
E‐Mail: nigel.goddard@project‐box.co.uk

Note: Closing Date: 8th January 2010

UK's e-learning sector set to grow by up to 8% next year, according to Learning Light's report

2009-12-09T11:11:00.002Z

Learning Light's definitive report into the UK e-learning sector in 2009 not only highlights Sheffield as the UK's 'e-learning capital' but also states that the sector is 'flowering'.

The report, 'The UK e-learning market 2009', reveals that despite the current recession the UK e-learning and learning technology industry is flourishing.

The report's principle finding is that the UK e-learning industry remains robustly positive in its view of the market and the prospect for continuing growth. Using financial modelling and third party research, the report suggests that the annual size of the UK e-learning industry is currently between £300m and £450m; with growth rates forecast of between 6.7% and 8%.

The report is available online.

Isn't it great to hear some good news and just in time for the New Year!

Upcoming Events - Accidental Leaders and Managers & Creative Networks

2009-12-07T13:33:00.004Z

Accidental Leaders and Managers

Hyper Island, widely regarded as the 'Oxbridge of Digital Media Training', has teamed up with Inspiral to bring their unique brand of management training programmes to yorkshire in early 2010. The Accidental Leaders is for company CEOs and founders, whilst the Accidental Managers is aimed at rising stars that are now or soon to be in management roles.

Inspiral will be hosting three events this week to launch the programmes. The first will be at Round Foundry in Leeds on 9th December, York Science City on 10th and Electric Works in Sheffield on 11th. Places are free but limited. You can register online.

Full details about the training programmes and launch events can be found on Inspiral's website or get in touch with kath@inspiral.biz.

The Accidental Leaders development programme and Accidental Managers training programme are run by Hyper Island and Inspiral with funding from Train to Gain's Enhancement Fund and supported by Skillset and Screen Yorkshire.

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Creative Networks End of Year Festive Party
Thursday 17th December 2009

Creative Networks has gone all festive and is throwing an end of year party. There will be drinks, food and live music, with entertainment provided by Manasamitra and Tim Moon plus others.

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.

18.00 - 19.00 Hot Food and Registration
19.00 - 21.00 Entertainment and Networking

Leeds College of Art
Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ

If you want to join contact the team on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk

Future Technologies November - Web caching, electronic packaging and acoustic-based inputs

2009-11-20T14:08:00.008Z

Following the disgraceful lack of a 'future technologies' article in October due to illness i've decided to do a random article this month with a few cool but unrelated things i've come across recently.

First up is a project called HashCache and is a great idea at getting web caching to work effectively for a higher purpose. I know lots of people don't like caching for various reasons and I assume it will mean certain sites won't work as well, especially social networking sites, but for countries struggling to overcome network issues this seems like a great solution:

http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=tr10&id=22119

It's such a simple idea that just looked at the way something had been done for years and then streamlined it. I'm sure there are lots of examples of how background applications for the Internet have been untouched for decades but could be improved. I have certainly seen lots of discussion related to this around SMTP.

A one-terabyte hard-disk cache could give students in a poor country much faster access to online content, but operating such a cache can be expensive. HashCache offers a way to cut costs. You can't dispute the figures below:

This next link came my way via @jonmoss. Electroluminescent Liquor Packaging - you can tell by the title it's gonna be good! So this is basically packaging that is being used on bottles which includes light effects to better advertise the bottle:

I'm assuming this is using printed electronics technology which I blogged about in April and it is great to see it being used in an obviously commercial setting. It's also true that it's not just the technology that is interesting but the effect that this will have on package design and the new types of skills and thought processes that will be required from the designers.

This next project is called Scratch Input, an acoustic-based input technique that relies on the unique sound produced when a fingernail is dragged over the surface of a textured material, such as wood, fabric, or wall paint:

It's a simple sensor that can be easily coupled with existing surfaces, such as walls and tables, turning them into large, unpowered and ad hoc finger input surfaces, and I love it! How cool would it be to control your stereo by tapping on the wall or controlling your mobile by touching your desk or even your jacket - very cool!!

The project concludes with a study that shows users can perform six Scratch Input gestures at about 90% accuracy with less than five minutes of training and on a wide variety of surfaces. So already pretty user friendly with absolutely loads of potential applications.

Creative Networks event: T-Shirts & Suits - International Creative Industries Consultant, 26th November

2009-11-13T13:52:00.003Z

Creative Networks keynote speaker for November is David Parrish, international creative industries business adviser, trainer and consultant.

Author of the acclaimed book, ‘T-Shirts and Suits’, David has directly helped hundreds of creative, cultural and digital enterprises to become even more successful through his own particular approach to integrating creativity and business.

With over twenty year’s experience, David’s talk will inspire creative professionals by transferring great ideas and effective techniques that transcend across national and cultural boundaries.

A hugely entertaining speaker, this event will be of interest to anyone working within or across the creative, cultural and digital industry sectors of Yorkshire (and beyond!).

THIS EVENT IS FREE TO CREATIVE, CULTURAL AND DIGITAL INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

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Leeds College of Art

Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ

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18.00 – 19.00 Hot Food and Registration

19.00 – 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches

19.30 – 20.30 T-Shirts & Suits

20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

If you would like to attend, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or e-mail Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk

Digital Week 09 - events are happening across Yorkshire from 9th - 14th November

2009-10-29T13:39:00.003Z

Should have blogged about this ages ago but better late than never!

So it's nearly digital week, with events this year being held not just in Leeds but also Huddersfield, Scarborough, Bradford and Sheffield. You can find all the info including an online calendar of events on their website:

http://www.digital-week.co.uk/

Highlights from the many, many events taking place include:

An official launch event on Monday 9th in Leeds by way of a knowledge auction - chocolate money is somehow involved so who could resist!

The Bradford Animation Festival on Tuesday 10th at the National Media Museum, the UK's longest running and biggest animation festival.

Wednesday 11th sees an unusual event called Musical Chairs: Fun and Games with Cool Pink which will debate the effectiveness of digital games development for tangible return on investment.

Thursday 12th has quite a few things that caught my eye including a 3D Cinema Workshop in Sheffield and a Digital Ghost Hunt in Scarborough!

Friday 13th sees the return of the Drum Awards for Digital Industries, or DADIs, to Leeds, with the keynote address given by Tom Loosemore from 4iP.

And last, but definitely by no means least as i've raved about these events on this blog before, will be a Barcamp on Saturday 14th. Barcamp Bradford will be held at the WOW Academy in the morning and the National Media Museum in the afternoon.

All in all an exciting week!

This month's Creative Networks event - How do artists contribute to Innovation?

2009-10-19T14:57:00.003+01:00

Thursday 29th October 2009

For this month’s ‘Creative Networks’ – the largest and most well attended professional network in Yorkshire for the Creative, Digital and Cultural Industry sectors – attention is turned to the “worth” of artists and the wider creative community.

In the 21st century, the UK’s economic competitiveness and social wellbeing will increasingly depend on our ability to innovate. A significant part of the innovation process revolves around ‘creativity’ – the ability to generate new ideas, or to restructure and redeploy old ones.

Presenting the facts and leading the debate will be Kate Oakley, respected writer and policy analyst, who specialises in the creative industries, cultural policy and regional development.

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Leeds College of Art
Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ
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18.00 – 19.00 Hot Food and Registration
19.00 – 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches
19.30 – 20.30 How do artists contribute to innovation?
20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.

If you would like to join, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk

Microsoft's "Get on the Bus tour" hosted by the University of York IT Academy

2009-10-09T14:10:00.004+01:00

Microsoft's "Get on the Bus tour" is making a stop in York on October 29th 2009 from 6pm - 9pm at the National Science Learning Centre at the University of York. Doors open at 5pm for informal networking.

The tour, which goes to 11 locations across Europe, starts in Milan and finishes in Berlin with York being the only UK location for the tour - a real coup!

The event is free and worth attending if you're interested in:

Finding out how IT Skills are critical to business development and how Micorsoft is driving IT Skills.

Learning how to improve and develop the IT systems in your business.

Finding IT training from a range of specialised IT providers.

Witness top technology leaders present on the latest releases.

Networking with sector professionals.

Feedback your ideas and comments on learning and certification directly to Microsoft Learning.

Grab exclusive Microsoft giveaways.

Seats are dissapearing fast so if you're interested get yourself signed up:

Event: The Cultural Evolution, Creative York Symposium Part of the Illuminating York Festival

2009-10-08T16:13:00.002+01:00

I'm told The Cultural Evolution is The Biggest Event of the Year :-)

The Symposium contains a huge selection of excellent speakers from all over the UK and Europe, and the event is crammed full of interesting and inspiring presentations and demonstrations. Cost is £40 for the day, (£26 of which is the catering cost per individual and includes a fabulous lunch and drinks reception).

This is a real chance to bring together the experts in new technologies, inventors, innovators, electrical, lighting and sound specialists, mobile, touch-screen and GPS developers, as well as digital and social media technologists, communicators, tourism industries, heritage centres, planners, city strategists, developers and architects, councillors, creative practitioners and students to name a few.

The Symposium aims to provide a unique opportunity to bring together the movers and shakers as well as the enablers, specialists, informers and supporters, inspiring those people to act together in catalysing progress in Yorkshire.

The symposium has three main sections:
‘New interpretation of City and Culture,’
‘New Interpretation of Heritage and Culture’ and
‘Age of interactivity – Engage with the Target Audience.’

Each session will have three speakers from various organisations talking about the topic, followed by plenty of time to ask questions, comment and discuss the content during Q&A sessions.

Speakers include
* Simon Smith of LUCI (Lighting Urban Community International)
* Belinda Kidd and Arthur Stafford of Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium
* Julia Unwin of Joseph Rowntree Foundation
* Jane Field of BEAM
* Mairi Robertson of New Media Partners
* Lucy Wurstlin of 4IP
* Mat Lazenby of LazenbyBrown
* Marcus Romer and Kit Monkman of Pilot Theatre and KMA who will be exhibiting their 5Circles installation as part of the previously mentioned Illuminating York Festival.
* Ben Stern and Markus Dorninger of Gaia Nova and OMA International who will be exhibiting their ‘Tagtool’ technology during Illuminating York
* Chris Walker of BrightWhite LTD who will be exhibiting ‘Vespertine,’ also as part of Illuminating York.

Full details can be found online at:
www.creativedigitalyork.wordpress.com

Or if you want to book a place register at:
https://www.yorktheatreroyal.purchase-tickets-online.co.uk/public/auto_choose_ga.asp?area=275

Future Technologies September - 3D Technology

2009-09-26T19:03:00.005+01:00

I have now heard a few things about new 3D technology which made me decide to write this months future technologies article about it.

3D Television is already being showcased in public spaces and at exhibitions around the world.

The likes of Samsung and Mitsubishi have already sold over two million 3D TVs in the US, but they don't currently promote the fact that their TVs are 3D-enabled because there is no 3D content.

However, several 3D films have recently been released, so far all in the area of animation and aimed at a young audience (i.e. Ice Age 3) but will James Cameron's new 3D movie Avatar bring the technology to the mainstream?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1_JBMrrYw8

Spaceships, aliens, all very futuristic...

3D gaming also looks to be the next big thing according to Blitz Games, following the release of their new game Invincible Tiger, a kung fu platform game. Invincible Tiger is the world's first true digital 3D console game - i'm not sure what 'true digital 3D' means, as opposed to 'false digital 3D' I assume?!

The game works in anaglyph 3D mode on all TVs - not just special 3D capable TVs.

Also, Sky announced last month that it will launch the UK's first 3D channel next year. It will be available via the current HD set-top boxes but in order to watch viewers will also require a new '3D Ready' TV, expected to be on sale in the UK next year. Sony, Panasonic and Phillips LG certainly seem to be ramping up their commitment to the new technology.

Music is also getting in on the act with performances being filmed in 3D - a great idea to differentiate yourself and introduce new financial models to replace illegal downloading.

Certainly for the cinema industry this could really inject some life back into the experience - especially while people don't have 3D TVs at home.

However it seems there is still some way to go towards standardising the technology and in particular exactly what kind of glasses will be needed to view 3D (seems to be lots of talk of shutter glasses whereby the lens shutters open and close 200 times a second working with a transmitter on top of the television to deliver slightly different images to each eye. And just think, one pair of glasses for each member of the family, at least... could get expensive.

3D video conferencing is also here, check out this very cool project that allows pseudo 3D video conferencing using only a single generic webcam at each end:

http://www.chrisharrison.net/projects/3dvideo/index.html

So when will our monitors / laptops / mobiles have 3D screens? Just a matter of time surely...

Creative Networks. David Rogerson, Digital and New Media Manager for ‘Sound and Music’

2009-09-23T12:03:00.003+01:00

This Thursday evening's Creative Networks event speaker is David Rogerson, Digital and New Media Manager for ‘Sound and Music’, the UK’s landmark organisation for new music and sound.

Former Publishing Director of Sonic Arts Network, David will deliver an exciting exploration of Sonic Arts; what it is and why it has become such an incredibly rich Art form – crossing over so many different platforms. True to the Art form and subject matter itself, David will offer lots of really interesting audio visual ground-breaking examples that will capture the imagination of even the most hardy of enthusiasts.

Sound and Music have worked on some ground-breaking projects including a two day festival of performance in June this year in which, installation, video, broadcast, podcast and discussions explored the beauty, memory and personal identity of sound in domestic environments. They are also working on technology to help deaf children see sound.

Date: Thursday 24th Spetember 2009
Venue: Leeds College of Art Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ

Timetable:
18.00 – 19.00 Hot Food and Registration
19.00 – 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches
19.30 – 20.30 David Rogerson – Sonic Arts “put a Donk on it!!”
20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals. If you would like to join, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk.

Yorkshire Music Network - Invitation to Tender

2009-09-22T14:28:00.003+01:00

Screen Yorkshire is seeking an individual or company to develop and manage a network for the Music Industry in Yorkshire. The need for a music network was identified through research commissioned by Yorkshire Forward and Arts Council England. Arts Stra then undertook a specific piece of work to engage key industry leads in a consultation exercise.

Interested parties can find out more information (including access the previous work carried out) and download the tender document at:

http://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/news/news-archive/yorkshire-music-network-invitation-to-tender

Key dates:-

Date tender issued: Thursday 10 September 2009
Deadline for tender: 12.00noon, Wednesday 30 September 2009
Interview date for tenders: 5 October 2009
Date of award decision: 9 October 2009
Anticipated contract start date: 15 October 2009

Any questions regarding this tender can be directed to Emma Cheshire, emma@screenyorkshire.co.uk

Sheffield Event: TSB £2M grant fund available for Feasibility Studies supporting Digital Britain

2009-09-15T11:40:00.002+01:00

Very short notice i'm afraid of an event to be held next week at Electric Works in Sheffield, Monday 21st September.

The event should be of real interest to anyone with new and innovative ideas that require funding in the following areas:

• Enabling technologies for the internet
• Applications and services for Digital Britain
• Access to public service information
• Cost-effective deployment and operation of digital infrastructure

I think in particular for our region, any ideas relating to the South Yorkshire Digital Region project could be eligible for funding, but of course it is a broad remit and although it's not entirely clear at the moment what projects could be funded this should all be made clear on the day.

It would be great to have as many projects in the region as possible from this fund so please spread the word to anyone you think may be interested.

You can see the full agenda and can register for this free event at:

http://www.regonline.co.uk/builder/site/tab1.aspx?EventID=771897

Hull Digital Live - with speakers from The Guardian, BBC, Sapient and others

2009-09-11T15:25:00.003+01:00

Hull Digital Live is going to happen on the 14th October at the KC Stadium, Hull and should be a great day out for all those interested in digital things!

Hull Digital Live will be the first Digital and Technology conference in the city, with expert speakers from Europe and North America, providing insight, ideas and value to people who want to make the most of technology to help their business succeed.

The schedule includes Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC Technology Correspondent, Charles Arthur, Technology Editor - The Guardian, Anand Verma, Director of Digital Strategy, Sapient and many others.

There are still 10 early bird tickets left at the bargain price of £65 (as opposed to the normal price of £99) or £25 for students.

For all the info and to register just go their particularly lovely website http://www.hdlive09.co.uk/.

Barnsley Twestival Local: Tweet. Meet. Give.

2009-08-27T11:08:00.002+01:00

Another event coming up on Thursday 10th September 2009 at the Barnsley Digital Media Centre.

The event will be an afternoon of interesting and useful seminars to help you get to grips with using social media as a tool for promoting yourself and your business. Hear from practioners in the field who can give you practical advice and tips on how to use sites like Twitter and Facebook, as well as hearing case studies from people who have successfully integrated social media into their everyday lives.

Co-hosted by Creative Barnsley and the Barnsley Digital Media Centre, the evening will finish with The Big Twitter Debate where you will hear arguments for and against the use of Twitter and other similar sites for the purpose of building contacts and networking. Follow the debate live on Twitter http://twitter.com/twestivalbsly from 5:30pm.

The event will raise funds for Action Space Mobile as part of the Barnsley Twestival Local event.

Date: Thursday 10th September 2009
Time: 3:30pm to 8:00pm
Fee: £5 (to be donated to Action Space Mobile)

Programme: 3:30pm to 4:15pm
Seminar sessions 1 and 2 4:30pm to 5:15pm
Seminar sessions 3 and 4 5:30pm
Registration for The Big Twitter Debate 6:00pm
The Big Twitter Debate 7:00pm
Refreshments and networking 8:00pm

For more information and to register your attendance either phone 01226 720 700 or email m.goodrich@oxin.co.uk

Think Visibility event focused on SEO, Affiliate Marketing, PPC, Usability and Accessibility

2009-08-24T13:44:00.004+01:00

Think Visibility is a series of conferences on "The Things that usually get left behind in the web design process"; featuring well known speakers from relevant areas, new talent and some fantastic networking opportunities.

The Think Visibility conference is on September 12th 2009 in Leeds. It costs £99 a ticket, and i've been assured by the organisers that it's a bargain :-)

Subjects to be covered include 'Maximising Universal Search', 'Have Blogs Gone Wrong', 'How to Win at the Content Network' and 'Big Site SEO - thetelegraph.co.uk'.

More information and registration can be found at:

http://www.thinkvisibility.com/

Future Technologies August - Augmented Reality

2009-08-21T11:16:00.012+01:00

I've decided to blog about Augmented Reality this month because firstly, it suddenly seems to be popping up everywhere and secondly, it's cool.

So what is it? The wikipedia definition:

"Augmented reality (AR) is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real-world and computer-generated data (virtual reality), where computer graphics objects are blended into real footage in real time."

Of course the best way to get your head round it is to see it. Here is a nice practical example of Augmented Reality in use:

http://www.vtt.fi/kuvat/projektit/imgaugasse/tty_ar_2.swf

Note that he can move the object and it moves around on the computer screen in real time and shows him where to place the next item. He can also see on the computer screen where his hands are so that he can see if his hand is in the same place as the graphic. In case you're interested, apparently this is a tractor engine's hydraulic block being assembled (I know, you already got that ;-)).

Toyota have also used AR to promote one of their cars. You can watch the demo, or even download it to try it out for yourself, at:

http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/frame_start.jsp?id=iQ_reality

Again notice how the person can move the object in real time to affect the image on the computer. It's very clear how AR can be used to generate interest in a new product in this way, no doubt marketing will continue to be one of the first main uses for the technology.

This example of AR with a business card I particularly like, I think because it reminds me of Princess Leia sending out her SOS message:

http://vimeo.com/4979525

HITLabNZ, the Human Interface Technology Laboratory in New Zealand have a very cool AR project called EyeMagic Book.

As you can see from this image the user holds special goggles in front of their eyes whilst looking at a book. The book then uses AR to deliver a 3D, moving image. Obviously the glasses are a little bulky but once they become smaller and more discreet you can easily see the commercial potential, especially with children's books, games etc.

Another area that keeps coming up is the use of AR for medical purposes i.e. surgery whereby you could have a graphical representation of a person's organs from an x-ray or scan during operations - such a great idea.

Leeds Metropolitan University are currently involved in research in augmented and mixed reality so if any businesses in the Yorkshire region are looking at investigating AR for commercial reasons, an Innovation Voucher could potentially get some time with an expert there.

I am also hopeful that this could be brought into education, a new way of teaching, especially about something that is difficult to get physically into the room but that could be demonstrated and viewed in 3D, inside and out. A much easier and more compelling way for someone to learn about something that would otherwise seem inaccessible i.e. ocean life, the solar system, large-scale architecture etc. Talk about the subject matter jumping off the page!

Creative Networks event - Award Winning Animator, Director & Writer, Barry Purves

2009-08-18T15:37:00.004+01:00

This months Creative Networks event, in association with Animated Yorkshire, has a fab speaker lined up in the form of award winning animator, Barry Purves.

If you don’t know Barry by name, you will certainly know of his work, from childhood classics like Postman Pat and Rupert The Bear, to Hollywood Blockbusters like King Kong and Mars Attacks.

Barry has also done numerous TV interviews, animation training courses, and documentaries. He has held workshops about animation around the world, including at major studios Dreamworks, PDI, and Pixar.

Known as one of Britain’s most celebrated animators, his six films have won over sixty major international awards, including Grand Prix, Best Director, Best Film, and OSCAR and BAFTA nominations.

A fascinating speaker, Barry will guide us on an entertaining journey through a career spanning over 30 years.

So, basically, if you love animation you have to go! It's on Thursday, 27th August at Leeds College of Art from 6pm onwards.

The event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals. If you would like to attend please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444
or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk

Free webinar on the preparation of a successful Framework 7 proposal

2009-08-13T16:45:00.002+01:00

On the 31st July the EU Commission launched its largest call for proposals so far this year with over €700 Million of allocated budget. It's a lot of money, but being successful with EU bids is no walk in the park so the Digital Communications KTN are putting on a free webinar with expert advice for anyone who might be interested.

The webinar will take place on the 18th August at 10.30 a.m. There will be a 20 minute presentation followed by time for questions.

To apply for a free registration click http://www.brighttalk.com/webcasts/5162/attend

If you can't attend at the time the video will be available on the Digital Communications KTN website afterwards.

If you watch the webinar and decide that this is something you'd like to take further you can then utilise the expertise of RTC Yorkshire, who can help with completing application forms, find appropriate partners in other EU Member States etc. If you'd like to be put in touch with someone at RTC Yorkshire just let me know.

Music and Media Educators Conference in Leeds

2009-08-07T16:30:00.002+01:00

Just a quick blog to tell you about an upcoming, free (gotta like those) event on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd September being held by Leeds Metropolitan University and JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Services).

The event takes place over two days and will include master classes, seminars, workshops, product demonstrations and lectures.

Day 1 will cover issues concerning music technology and education in areas such as Mastering and 'Long Distance Mixing'.

Day 2 will address issues relating to Film, TV and Post-Production with workshops from Foley Artists and Sound Design Editors.

Keynotes addresses will be delivered by Dennis Weinreich (Managing Director Post Production for the Pinewood Group) and Steve Lawson (stevelawson.net) .

If you're interested and want to register you can book your place by emailing innevents@leedsmet.ac.uk

Competition for the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

2009-07-21T09:31:00.003+01:00

The Digital Communications KTN, working in association with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), has announced a competition open to UK-based SMEs with an innovative new mobile or wireless solution or product.

On offer are five free places to showcase your solution or product on the UKTI stand, located on the Avenida at the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona from 15 - 18 February 2010. This is your chance to introduce your high technology product to the more than 60,000 key industry decision makers that are expected to attend.

If you would like to take part in this competition you have to summarise in no more than 500 words the nature of your new solution or product, it’s value proposition and benefit to the customer, and why you believe your company should be awarded a place to showcase it at next year’s Mobile World Congress. Summaries should be sent to info@dcktn.org.uk and arrive no later than 5:00pm on Friday September 4 2009.

A panel representing the Digital Communications KTN and UKTI will assess all submissions received by this date. Up to twenty short listed companies will then be given the opportunity to present their products at finals held at locations determined by the geographic spread of the short-listed entries.

It's an excellent opportunity to showcase a new project, meet other people in the field and of course get a trip to the mobile conference, which just happens to be in Barcelona :-)

Upcoming events - Creative Networks’ Summer Festival & Yorkshire Gold Business Club's Golden Surgery

2009-07-20T11:31:00.007+01:00

So just to spread the word about a couple of upcoming events...

The next Creative Networks event is going to be their annual Summer Festival on Thursday 30th July 2009 at ‘Wonderwood’, near the Round Foundry in the Holbeck Urban Village (you can get a bus from the Leeds College of Art if it's closer to you at 6.20pm and 7pm).

There will be live music, courtesy of the ‘Old Chapel’; barbeque and summer booze from the ‘Midnight Bell’; and as you would expect of Creative Networks, a great atmosphere and lots of good company.

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.
If you would like to attend, contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk

The Yorkshire Gold Business Club is holding a ‘Golden Surgery’ event. Discover the live contract and tender opportunities that are available right now that your business can bid for and win!

Speakers will offer practical advice about how to gain a real advantage and on winning work on major projects such as the £16bn Cross Rail, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Commonwealth Games, Leeds Bradford Airport, Heathrow Terminal 6 & 3rd runway expansion and Transport for London upgrades.

Date: 22 July 2009
Location: Round Foundry Media Centre, Leeds
Time: 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm (Registration at 6.00pm)
Cost: FREE

Guests are required to register for this event - please email ygbc@venmanagement.com with your Contact Name, Company name and Postcode or call Lauren Pigg on 0114 2015721. You will receive an e-ticket in response. Numbers are restricted to the event so respond early to avoid disappointment.

TEDx North, TED talks across the North of England courtesy of Codeworks

2009-07-17T12:36:00.005+01:00

Codeworks are bringing TED talks to the North of England with a fab TEDxNorth roadshow type affair. I won't explain what TED is, suffice to say it is the conference to be at; maybe because it's invite only, maybe because it's expensive or more likely because the speakers are ridiculously impressive and entertaining. They're absolutely not the normal run of the mill death by powerpoint type events. YouTube is full of TED talks if you want to see what i'm on about.

TEDx are official but independently organised TED events. And, for TEDx North at least, are free to attend.

Anyway so now there are going to be two events in Yorkshire & Humberside.

TEDxLeeds to be held on 10th September at Old Broadcasting House from 5.30pm - 9pm, supported by nti, carbonimagineering and Codeworks. You can register online.

TEDxSheffield to be held on 16th September at Electric Works from 10am - 5.30pm, supported by Creative Sheffield and Codeworks. You can also register online.

I try to keep this blog entirely Yorkshire centric as if the rest of the world doesn't exist, but in case you are unfortunate enough to be elsewhere ;-) :

TEDx Liverpool

TEDx Newcastle

TEDx Manchester

I have a feeling these are all going to sell out fairly fast, especially as they are free to attend, so clear your diary and get registered!

Future Technologies July - New Software Tools

2009-07-16T14:34:00.003+01:00

This month instead of focusing on one main theme I thought i'd give a brief overview of some of the interesting new ideas i've come across recently. I like to keep my eye on people like Microsoft Research, Google Labs, Yahoo Labs and Mozilla Labs so i've gone through and chosen my pick of their current new offerings.

First up is Google Labs and what i'm most interested in at the moment (except maybe the new OS :-)) is Google Wave.

"Google Wave is a new model for communication and collaboration on the web".

A ‘wave’ is a group conversation with added functionality. A 'wave' is live. It combines files (text, photos, videos, maps) and conversations. People can join part-way through the 'wave' and rewind to see what has previously been discussed / shared.

As I understand it, a group of people can work on a file at the same time and the 'wave' ensures it keeps track of all the different changes in real time and that there is only one version of the file. So instead of having to have version 1, version 2 etc of a file you can work on one file but rewind to see where changes have been made and thereby see the different versions. Also, because it's live you can see other peoples changes in real time - making it very useful for collaboration.

Next is Yahoo labs and a new product they're working on called MapChat.

MapChat combines Instant Messenger and maps. So basically you can discuss areas or specific locations with a group of people at the same time whilst viewing the maps. I can see this being particularly useful for events organisers but potentially it could have other uses. Not surprisingly you have to have a Yahoo account to try it out and I don't, so if anyone else does, have a go and let me know what it's like!

I'm really liking this next find from Mozilla labs called Ubiquity.

"With search, users type what they want to find. With Ubiquity, they type what they want to do."

The online demo shows a user being able to insert maps whilst writing an email. So basically you're composing an email and through Ubiquity you can tell it to insert a map (instead of linking to the map). You can also insert an online review - Ubiquity is grabbing the information from the webpage and automatically adding it to your email through a simple command from the user - I like this! You can also add information to your calendar without actually having to go into your calendar. For me I like it because it's combining some of the fantastic benefits of using commands with online information and office-like tools.

You can also highlight a list of locations, for example a list of hotels, and then add them all to a map using a simple one line command. It allows you to send messages through twitter, compose emails whilst on a webpage, automatically create TinyURLs for websites, all through using commands.

The only disadvantage I see with it is that for people who have never used Linux or applications that use the command line this could take some getting used to and could in fact seem a bit too alien. It also seems to take quite a bit of effort to set it up.

Finally, from Microsoft labs i've been looking at the Social Desktop.

"The Social Desktop blends the Web and PC by embedding Web oriented sharing inside your desktop, allowing every document to have the ability to have a backing social URL for sharing without having to upload or copy or move it from its natural location. This url provides access not just to the file, but to a built in social experience which includes a rich preview of each item, comments, related items, tags, etc."

What an interesting idea. As I understand it this is basically using cloud computing (Windows Azure, which is Microsofts cloud) to turn public anything you have on your desktop that you want to share with others. Not only is the file made public without any real work on the part of the end user but all the related content is too, i.e. people can have a conversation about the file and this information is saved with the URL. Could be fantastic for collaborative working.

My only query with this one is that it states "enabling local data to be accessible through firewalls" - i'd like a bit more information on this! I wonder how it does this and what restrictions would be in place to ensure sensitive information doesn't get out and about by mistake.

I'm struck by the similarity of the products above, which are all looking at combining existing but currently separate ways of working and bringing them together to make them more efficient. So there is nothing individually new or amazing , it's more the combination that is interesting (instant messenger with file editing etc). Apart from Mozilla's Ubiquity, they are also all focussed on improving online collaboration, removing the need for face to face meetings. Is this an indication of a new global workforce able to work anywhere, at any time, with anyone?

IT and Telecommunications Report - The Findings

2009-07-13T13:45:00.003+01:00

We recently commisioned a report looking at the IT and Telecommunications industries in Yorkshire and Humberside.

The report was made up of several elements including an online survey of IT companies asking various questions about their business and the potential for a new business network for the IT and Telecomms industries in the region.

A profile of the sector nationally and regionally was also compiled by looking at various different sources of statistical information.

Finally, there were also workshops held across the region (Leeds, Hull, Sheffield and York) as well as some one-to-one sessions with key individuals in order to gain some qualitative feedback.

The report makes for an interesting read if you're involved in the sector so you can find the results on our website, Establishing IT and Telecomms Yorkshire.

UKTI event: Opportunities for Yorkshire companies in India, 13th July, Leeds

2009-07-02T09:17:00.007+01:00

Indian customers are looking for ICT firms with experience, expertise and innovation to help them meet a variety of business needs, many familiar to the UK but new to the Indian market.

There is great demand for software, electronics and communications expertise, across sectors including healthcare, automotive, government, education, infrastructure and retail.

As the global market for offshore services becomes increasingly crowded, Indian IT firms are looking for partners who can provide sources of competitive advantage to global customers.

The UKTI is looking for the best UK firms in these sectors, to introduce to its network of potential customers and partners in India, and support them through the increasingly familiar challenges of doing business in this compelling market.

UKTI can guide you through these opportunities, and equip you with the knowledge, confidence and support to explore them. You can book 1 to 1 sessions with the UKTI sector specialists in India to look at opportunities specific for you.

Or you can attend an event in Leeds on the 13th July. The UKTI is bringing ICT and Life Sciences sector specialists from India to the UK, to share these opportunities with you at a series of “India Clinics”.

To find out more or register for the India Clinic in Leeds contact Amanda Kirk:

0113 394 9825 mandy@uktiyh.org.uk

Upcoming event: Open Source Business Breakfast - Tuesday 30th June

2009-06-25T16:29:00.002+01:00

Next week is another Open Source Business Breakfast at Old Broadcasting House in Leeds, as part of the OS4B (Open Source for Business) project.

This is definitely a date to put in your diary, as you’ll be hearing from Yorkshire businessman, Paul Rhodes, from Greencore, talking about his experience in turning around the business from big losses to achieve millions, sharing his ordinary common sense strategies for achieving the seemingly impossible.

Then after breakfast, another highly successful Yorkshire entrepreneur, Neil Warnock of Luminary, will explain how you can gain insight into your own business with a Business Intelligence system based on Open Source.

To register contact the OS4B team on 0845 122 1555 or email info@ntileeds.co.uk.

I'm sure i've blogged about OS4B before but as a quick reminder: OS4B is a joint venture between nti Leeds and Yorkshire Forward, it's designed to help regional businesses make the most of open source technologies. At the heart of OS4B is a centre of excellence for open source, including part-funded training (at least 60%) on open source products to help your business thrive.

Future Technologies June - Interfaces (Johnny Chung Lee)

2009-06-16T21:41:00.003+01:00

Whilst at the utterly fabulous Thinking Digital conference I saw a presentation by Johnny Chung Lee from Microsoft Research (http://www.thinkingdigital.co.uk/speakers/speaker_profile.php?id=38) which contained everything I love about new technology. Parts of it made the audience gasp, it made me think about how my life will be in ten years time - just what i'm looking for in a presentation!

I thought i'd cover some of the new developments he shared with us, Johnny focused on new interfaces, pointing out that although many technologies have moved on we've actually been using the keyboard, mouse and monitor for quite some time now.

There are many developments happening using projectors rather than a fixed monitor. At the following YouTube video you can see a demo from Johnny regarding foldable displays - absolutely fantatsic. Note how fast the calibration is with regard to the projector knowing where the object is due to the wiimote. The scrollable screen is particularly awesome, but I can't figure out how the projector knows how much of the display is unscrolled - if anyone else can figure this out let me know!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhSR_6-Y5Kg&feature=channel_page

The orientation sensitivity part of that video is also incredible, the projector knows which side of the screen to display allowing double sided images - how!?!?

Johnny also talked about Haptics, whereby the sense of touch is recreated. He talked about a project he came across whereby he held an empty plastic box and when the switch was flicked it suddenly felt as if there was a metal ball inside the box which he could move around by moving his hand, pretty impressive if you really think about it. I've managed to find another one of Johnny's video's on YouTube where he is demonstrating a haptic pen. It's amazing to think that you can simulate all those different feelings of touch within one pen. Watching the testers using it in the second part of the video really shows how real it must feel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk-ExWeA03Y&feature=channel_page

So you can see how potentially the time has come for the monitor and mouse to move over in place of some new, more intuitive technology.

This next video has Johnny demonstrating 3D images. Stick with this one because as soon as you see the football stadium you realise the potential this has. It really is like looking through a window, with a feeling of depth and space that is very clever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw&feature=channel_page

Obviously the implications for games are also massive as Johnny points out.

Finally I came across this video of Project Natal, which Johnny is now working on, and, well it's just cool! The face recognition, voice recognition etc. The near future of games and home entertainment? I hope so!

One more upcoming event: Shift Happens 2.0

2009-06-11T13:35:00.005+01:00

One more upcoming event that I forgot to mention in my blog below, Shift Happens 2.0 will be held on Monday 29 - Tue 30 June at York Theatre Royal. The cost of a ticket is £100 + VAT and they only have a few spaces left.

The programme includes keynote speaker Charles Leadbeater along with many, many more on the line-up and subjects to be covered range from "Sustainable Ability... Building Envirodigital Communities" to "2012 and all that...a new vision for the Cultural Olympiad".

They even have two people calling in live from different locations using Skype - a brave move on the part of the event organisers and surely proof that it's not going to be just another run of the mill conference!

More information and details on how to book your place can be found at:

http://www.pilot-theatre.com/redesign/default.asp?idno=17061

Events - TechTalk 2009, Barcamp Sheffield, Creative Networks

2009-06-08T12:03:00.003+01:00

Well it's been a couple of weeks since my last post (mainly due to me moving house) so I have a few events to tell you about today.

First up is Connect Yorkshire's TechTalk 2009: "Enterprise IT for the Masses". The event will be on the 17th June from 1pm - 4pm at York Racecourse. It only costs 40 quid to attend and the keynote speaker is David Aldridge, Vice President at Oracle. The debate will cover Software-As-A-Service and Cloud Computing.

Next, Barcamp Sheffield, registration has now opened for Barcamp Sheffield a.k.a Unsheffield, the theme is Future Users of Cool Technology. The event is free to attend, from the 19th - 21st June and will be held at the Showroom. You can see a previous blog of mine about the last Barcamp Sheffield, which was great!

And last but by no means least is Creative Networks. This month the speaker is Patrick Burgoyne, Editor of Creative Review and they have combined the event with the Leeds College of Art – End of Year Shows.

The event is also free to attend, on 25th June from 5pm onwards at the Leeds College of Art & Design. If you want to go contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk.

13th UK Network Operators' Forum agenda now published

2009-05-20T14:42:00.002+01:00

The agenda has now been published for the next UKNOF meeting on the 28th May, which will be held in Sheffield at the Electric Works:

Morning Session
"System Maintenance: Please verify your details" (Graeme Fowler, Loughborough University)
How Spammers Break E-mail for the rest of us (Andrew Richards, ACR Consulting)
BBC Redux (Tom Bird, Portfast Ltd)
XS4ALL's IPv6 Deployment Experiences (Marco Hogewoning, XS4ALL Internet)
Using Quagga for Route Servers (Mike Hughes, LINX)

Afternoon Session
Leeds Interconnect (Andy Davidson, NetSumo Ltd)
Digital Region (Les Morris, Thales)
IWF, Wikipedia and the Wayback Machine (Richard Clayton, University of Cambridge)
Internet History (Daniel Karrenberg, RIPE NCC)

Lightning Talks:
DNSSEC for .uk (Brett Carr, Nominet)
100Gb/s Fibre Transmission Trial (Robert Evans, JANET (UK))
The Economic Crisis and RIR Registrations (Jochem de Ruig, RIPE NCC)
Recent RIPE Policy Developments (Nigel Titley, RIPE NCC)
VoIP Caller Location - Implications for ISPs (Ray Bellis, Nominet)

If you want to go it's free to attend and you can register online.

Future Technologies May - New Business Models

2009-05-12T11:30:00.003+01:00

To carry on with my monthly post about something new and exciting, i've decided to choose new business models - no really it is exciting!

I recently saw a great presentation from Mervyn Levin, Levering Ltd Consultancy (his background is impressive as you can see from this PDF i've found covering a bit of his biography http://www.southeastmedianetwork.co.uk/knowledge/asia.pdf) on the subject area 'The Digital Economy in East Asia'. He talked about the different business models in the games industry in China, instead of relying on consoles and packaged (physcal) software which can be easily pirated a new industry has developed whereby online gaming has taken over. The online gaming industry tried charging a subscription (in the same way we're all talking about with SaaS, Software as a Service) but this proved unsuccessful so instead they have monetised features in the games and utilise microtransactions. To put it in layman terms if i'm totally into a game I might pay 50p for a better sword, 50p is not exactly a lot to me but if enough people do it (and a new sword would eventually need an accompanying shield etc) it can soon add up - especially when you have a population size like China.

This has all started me thinking about other new business models that are starting to slowly enter our lives. As i've already mentioned everyone is talking about SaaS and i've been hearing about various new ideas with organisations looking into providing all kinds of software on a monthly subscription or one-off fee type basis (made much easier with cloud computing but i'm not going to go into that right now!). At an event recently I heard about a new company that is looking at allowing people to pay for software on a one-off basis i.e. you get an email with a photoshop attachment and could click to pay for a day's use of photoshop in order to view and if necessary edit the attachment - fab idea. Sites like http://www.myhrtoolkit.com/ (check out the 2 minute demo) are totally getting the idea of the scope of SaaS and how it could be used for almost everything (also a Yorkshire company btw!).

So what else can I predict will move to a new business model? Well I don't want to be contraversial by talking about the Post Office and I am absolutely supportive of the Royal Mail but I do also see a future where individuals won't have to buy a stamp to attach to a letter and then pop it into a postbox, after all this is a classic microtransaction scenrio that could be made easier with technology (and I don't believe this would mean you don't need a post office, they're about much more than buying stamps after all!).

I used to be able to pay for the bus in York by using a 2D barcode on my mobile phone - it was great! They've stopped using it and I don't know why because it was so easy, all I had to do was send a text to get more bus tickets on my phone and my bank account was immediately debited - i'm really hoping they can bring this back to buses and that some bright spark makes sure you can use the tickets on any bus in the UK - how great would that be! So what else can we pay for with our mobile phones? Games, tickets, hotel reservations, parking spaces and where could this take us? Into supermarkets, airports (negating the need to have a different currency to buy a bottle of water)?

Also, as we're all wanting to be *the* knowledge based economy isn't it time we monetised knowledge better? We already pay for advice, could we do this in a microtransaction type way? Are people prepared to make a one-off payment for a single recipe for example instead of a cookery book? (okay that's a bad example due to wikibooks cookbook http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook but you get the idea).

Could you sell a book chapter by chapter? How much would you pay for a 30 minute online chat session with a solicitor? Why has no one thought to have a 24/7 online IT support company where you allow access to your PC / MAC and pay by the hour? What about an online magazine that allows you to click on anything in the photo to be taken to buy it (i.e. clothes, furniture, games, whatever the magazine specializes in).

There has already been talk of charging for single TV episodes. Could it work, I think maybe. People download individual episodes from torrents so would they pay a small amount if it was made easier and more reliable?

I think it will be really exciting to see the next round of new ideas with this new kind of business model.

LSx 09 - the 2nd Leeds Web Festival

2009-05-11T09:45:00.003+01:00

Just to spread the news regarding LSx 09 which began on the 5th May (I'm too late to tell you about the Digital Britain unconference i'm afraid but I believe there are still more to be held in other locations) and continues until the 3rd June.

There are even more things going on than last year and include:

12th may innovation north 2009 showcase
Leeds Met's undergraduate expo, showcasing the work of this year's graduating class in music technology, sound, games design, animation, special effects, creative media and computing.

19th may hackspace
Hackspace is an alternative term for Hackerspaces, a physical place where anybody with an interest in technology can meet up, socialize and collaborate on project within a vast range of technologies and languages.

20th may geekup
An evening social of internet industry workers, including a trio of brief 20:20 talks - Clare Lindley on Creating iPhone apps with PhoneGap, Phil Helliwell on What your BIG-IP can do for you & Jonathan "Squigfried" Powell on Hack Spaces, and why having one in Leeds will be awesome.

27th may girl geek dinner
An evening buffet accompanied by keynote speakers representing the best femalte talents in the technology sector. Seedcamp CEO, Reshma Sohoni, and Democracy PR's founder, Jennifer O'Grady will be one of the featured speakers, with around 70 guests drawn from the city's most talented and respected female professionals in creative and digital.

28th may future of web apps tour
Ryan Carson's renowned conference comes to Leeds for the first time, at the city's newly opened Rose Bowl. The theme is Cloud Computing - with speakers from Microsoft, Amazon and Salesforce.

(I'm assuming this is the same lineup that I saw in Manchester a couple of weeks ago and in which case I can really recommend the event. I thought all the speakers were really interesting - and I was tired that day so it really says something :-))

29th may physical computing 101 tinker.it
an innovative consultancy that's bringing together the physical and digital worlds through creative technologies will be leading a day long Beginner's Guide to Arduino, to help novices and experts alike learn how to build small electronic widgets!

(I know i've blogged about Arduino before and i'm afraid i'm still yet to do anything with mine - but I have big plans, honest!)

30-31st may barcamp leeds {2009}
BarCamp Leeds is the city's third 'unconference', an event where the folks that attend create the programme of sessions themselves. BarCamps are open, participatory, democratic, 'workshop' events; the organisers and sponsors simply provide wireless broadband, a venue, beverages and food!

(I blogged about Leeds and Sheffields last Barcamps so will try not to bore you again with how great I think they are! I will hopefully be attending this on the Saturday so will blog again then.)

3rd june exposure leeds
The city's photographic community is supporting LSx by running 60-90 minute workshops photography workshops with a technological bias - some topics might include Flickr, Photoshop, HDR, PhotoSynth and Lightroom.

UKNOF (UK Network Operators Forum) 13 to be held in Sheffield

2009-05-08T14:12:00.003+01:00

Just a quick blog about UKNOF 13, which is to be held at the Electric Works in Sheffield on Thursday 28th May. It's a free event so if you're around I recommend going along.

To give you an idea about the kind of speakers they have, the last event's agenda included:

* Fighting Spam at the Source (Thomas Mangin, Exa Network)
* 21CN Operational Experiences (Adrian Kennard, Andrews and Arnold)
* JANET STM-256 Upgrade (Rob Evans, JANET UK)
* Passive WDM Experiences (Mike Hughes, LINX)
* New Undersea Cables Around the UK (Martin Hannigan, Verne Global)
* IETF Update (Kurtis Lindqvist, Netnod)
* OpenSIPs (Bogdan-Andrei Iancu)
* RIPE-2007-01 and -08 Charging Changes (Nigel Titley, RIPE NCC)
* 32-bit AS Numbers (Will Hargrave, Andy Davidson)
* DNSSEC Signing of .ORG (Dave Knight, Afilias)
* UK ENUM Update (Ian Meikle, Nominet)
* Perspectives on IPv4 runout and the transition to IPv6 (Mat Ford, Internet Society)
* VoIP 999 Regulatory Update (Steve Kennedy, NetTek)
* IRRToolset Update (Shane Kerr, Afilias)
* Website Accessibility (Steve Kennedy, Textic Ltd)

So if any of the above topics are of interest come along. Yorkshire Forward are sponsoring the event and we're also organising someone to come along to talk about Digtal Region (http://www.digitalregion.co.uk/), the broadband project in South Yorkshire so this will also be an opportunity to hear about the plans for Digital Region and ask questions.

You can regsiter online at:

http://www.uknof.org.uk/

New Websites - Game Republic and OS4B

2009-04-22T10:10:00.002+01:00

Two new sites have been launched this week, well I guess Game Republic is kind of a re-launch but anyway i'm counting it!

So first up is Game Republic a network for the Games Industry in Yorkshire and Humber. The new site is looking great and has loads of info on it including news, events, business support and also Jamie's blog. They also have a list of all the games companies in the region, which is very useful and includes titles produced by the companies so makes an interesting read. If you're a games company in the region and you're not on the list get in touch to get yourself added. Finally, they also have a Vodcasts page with a video of Team 17's Martyn Brown talking about Yorkshire's fab games industry.

The second new site this week is OS4B, Open Source for Business. Run by the nti this project is all about bringing Open Source to more businesses in the region and supplying the skills needed for various different Open Source applications. There are various training courses currently on offer including Google's Android, Apache, Linux and an Introduction to Gimp (an image editor I used to use all the time and I definitely recommend an intro course rather than trying to figure it all out on your own!), keep an eye on the site for new courses.

They also have a news / events page, a jobs page and a communities page which lists a few of the different communities in the region. It also lists OS4B's own community - the employers forum. If you're a business working with open source or interested in developing open source you can join the employers forum and input ideas on the types of training that should be supplied and get some information / advice from other members.

Creative Networks April event

2009-04-16T16:55:00.004+01:00

Just to spread the word about the next Creative Networks event. I've probably blogged about Creative Networks before, they're excellent events held at Leeds College of Art & Design and always get great speakers. This time it's going to be Ajaz Ahmed, founder of Freeserve (and coincidentally a Yorkshire Forward board member!) and his subject area is 'Lessons Learnt', which i'm sure is going to be of great interest to many. The events are free to attend and more info can be found at:

http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/news-events/events/creative-networks-april

You can also find information about their recent events (and check out the great previous speakers) at:

http://www.creativenetworkswestyorkshire.com/

I think potentially meeting Jimmy Choo at my first Creative Networks event (and getting his business card no less) is one of my most treasured moments :-)

Future Technologies April - Printed Electronics

2009-04-07T17:36:00.003+01:00

I've decided to make life more difficult for myself and add a monthly feature to my blog that will be vaguely related to future technology / predictions / cool technology of the month - type thing.

This month I thought i'd focus on Printed Electronics... (Photo courtesy of Thin Film Electronics listed below)

It seems everyone is predicting massive increases in printed electronics and the potential affect on various everyday products are huge. Being able to print electronics will eventually change almost everything but current research seems to be focusing on:

Displays / screens
Think mobile phones, laptops and TVs. The latest idea I just came across being wallpaper TVs (for when flatscreen just isn't flat enough)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/4786367/Japanese-develop-television-wallpaper.html

Lighting
Leading on from that you can obviously see the connection with lighting. I have already heard of examples of lights without bulbs, i.e. the lighting electronics are printed into the lampshade, apparently they're not very bright yet but that's just a matter of time.
The first OLED lamp has been prototyped already:
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1523/

Batteries
Everyone's looking into batteries but i've come across quite a few articles about reserch MIT is doing around this area - it doesn't take a genius to realise the commercial opportunities are huge and that as devices get smaller and better batteries need to too.

MIT's most recent press release regarding battery research:
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/virus-battery-0402.html

Note: "The prototype is packaged as a typical coin cell battery, but the technology allows for the assembly of very lightweight, flexible and conformable batteries that can take the shape of their container."

Memory / storage (rfid)
An example here could be printed security tags that contain information in the memory contained within the label and can be printed onto any surface, as described by Thin Film Electronics based in Sweden:
http://www.thinfilm.se/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=54

Another example would be interactive scratchcards that have several goes (the card can be wiped so several 'scratches' are included on one card).

So then I decided to brainstorm it myself and came up with the following product ideas:

Leaflet laptops taking netbooks to the extreme!
Bathroom cabinet organisers (online diary on half the mirror so you can see what you've got that day while brushing your teeth!)
Instant messaging business cards (message a person instantly through their business card)
Re-ordering through labels (i.e. you need a new hoover bag so you press an area on the label on the bag and you've automatically ordered a new bag, just like that)
Menus in fast food outlets that submit your order electronically
Printed runway lighting at airports, maybe even lighting that's contained within paint in the distance future!

Some of these, maybe all of these, have probably already been thought of but I thought it demonstrates the many, many applications that this will bring into our lives.

If anyone out there is seriously interested in printed electronics in Yorkshire just drop me a line as it's something we're working on through the Northern Way partnership.

Get Connected to Investors

2009-04-02T11:26:00.004+01:00

An opportunity for businesses that are classed as high growth and technology based to get in front of some investors / venture capatalists is being held by Connect Yorkshire:

http://www.connectyorkshire.org/?page=presenting%20companies

You have to fill in an application form which can also be found at the above link. It's not as scary as it might sound because Connect Yorkshire will help you prepare your pitch in advance of the actual event - so even if you don't get any cash out of it the advice is worth having. It's good to know how to pitch your business for funding and get some feedback.

IT Apprenticeships Event - Leeds 22nd April

2009-03-30T14:43:00.003+01:00

There will be an event in Leeds on the 22nd April specifically for IT companies to find out about apprenticeships. The event is free and you get fed - what more could you ask for :-)

I'm particularly supportive of this as I was first employed through a University placement (not quite the same but sort of) at Hewlett Packard and if it hadn't been for that I would never have gotten my first job after university at Planet Online, and if it hadn't been for that I would never have ended up at RIPE NCC, and on and on!

So if you're an IT organisation I encourage you to sign up for the event at:

http://www.digital2020.org.uk/skills/strands/apprenticeships

Places are limited.

Electric Works Opening Party

2009-03-12T09:34:00.003Z

Just a quick blog to let people know about the Electric Works opening party on Friday 27th March 5pm - 9pm. The event will include a one-off sky bar with views over the city, a Wii bowling competition, various installations and an opportunity to have a tour around the building.

For anyone who hasn't been to see the building I really recommend going for a look round, not just for people who are thinking of office space but also for the conference / event facilities which are really great and I think will become a very well used venue.

Of course the icing on the cake is the very well publicised helter skelter and i've been reliably informed that you will be able to try it out on the night - again I can't recommend this enough, it's so fast it took my breath away!!

If you want to attend you can RSVP at openingparty@electric-works.net or call 0114 286 6200

Digital Awards - the shortlisted nominees

2009-03-09T16:19:00.002Z

Well the shortlists for the Yorkshire Digital Awards are finally in and congratulations to everyone who has made it this far:

Best Web Design Company
Shortlist: Quba, Numiko, Coolpink, twentysix Leeds, Clever Clover

Best IT Consultancy
Shortlist: P2 Technologies, Sleek Networks, Save9, NetConstruct, Blue Chip

Best Business-to-Business Website
Shortlist: www.myjobgroup.co.uk, www.9xb.com, www.vivid-display.com, www.mckinnon-clarke.co.uk, www.openpaymentsystem.com

Best Business-to-Consumer Website
Shortlist: www.subspecies.co.uk, www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk, www.lafitness.co.uk, www.streetshirts.co.uk, www.mind-the-gap.org.uk

Best Application of Internet Technology
Shortlist: Pilot Theatre, Harvard Engineering, aql, Patient Opinion, H2R

Best Digital Start-Up
Shortlist: BrandNew, The Precious Monkey Jewellery, Tierlinear/s3crm, The Digital Consortium

Best Game
Shortlist: Harry Putter’s Crazy Golf (Limelight Software), Pencil Rebel (Model No 1)

Best Entertainment Site
Shortlist: www.pilot–theatre.com, www.getyourheadroundit.co.uk, www.britanniahigh.com, www.freebingo.co.uk, celebrity.itv.com

Best E-learning Initiative
Shortlist: www.training-pod.com (Mezzo Films), www.getyourheadroundit.co.uk (Get Your Head Round It), www.asda-thebinks.co.uk (MadeByPi), www.radiowaves.co.uk (Synergy TV), www.ecgskills.net (Medcom)

Best Application of Mobile Technology
Shortlist: Blink, An Agency Called England, Sense Internet, 3Squared

Best New Talent
For the first time this year we have been working with tutors in colleges and universities across the Yorkshire and Humber region for this award and the winner will be announced at the award ceremony.

There is certainly a good mix of companies amongst the shortlists, demonstrating just how many exciting companies are here in the region. I shall of course keep you posted on the winners to be announced in May.

IT Suppliers Database

2009-02-18T09:44:00.004Z

I have recently sent some mails out through contacts trying to get IT organisations to sign up for a supplier database and i've had such a great response I realised I should make more effort to reach even more companies!

The idea is to have a database of IT organisations in the Yorkshire & Humberside region that is publicly available and promoted to companies in all industries in order to help them find a company to work with. The database will contain information about the kinds of products and services organisations can deliver and any specialities of interest. We can then direct other companies to the database to help them find a company that not only delivers what they want but is within the region.

If anyone has any ideas for reaching more companies drop me a line, or if you're an IT company and you'd like to be included in the database mail me: emma dot frost at yorkshire-forward dot com please include your name, organisation name and phone number.

Digital Britain

2009-02-10T14:47:00.006Z

(Obviously i'm a bit behind with blogging about this, but better late than never.)

The Government has published an interim report (which means it will be followed by a full report) entitled Digital Britain which looks at Britain and the digital economy. You can download the report at:

http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/5631.aspx

I won't lie, it's long (about 90 pages) and covers such a variety of topics from broadband to digital radio that it's hard to imagine there are many people out there who are interested in all of it, but you can just read the Executive Summary for an overview.

To give you a very quick idea of what is covered the report details five objectives for 2012:

Upgrading and modernising our digital networks – wired, wireless and broadcast – so that Britain has an infrastructure that enables it to remain globally competitive in the digital world;
A dynamic investment climate for UK digital content, applications and services, that makes the UK an attractive place for both domestic and inward investment in our digital economy;
UK content for UK users: content of quality and scale that serves the interests, experiences and needs of all UK citizens; in particular impartial news, comment and analysis;
Fairness and access for all: universal availability coupled with the skills and digital literacy to enable near-universal participation in the digital economy and digital society; and
Developing the infrastructure, skills and take-up to enable the widespread online delivery of public services and business interface with Government.

I shall keep you posted about any developments with Digital Britain as and when they appear. The full report will be published sometime in June.

Survey for a network for the IT industry

2009-01-29T10:26:00.002Z

We have just created an online survey for any IT companies in Yorkshire & Humberside to fill in to help us decide what activities and events and so on the industry would like from a network for the IT industry.

As an extra incentive (as if for the good of the industry in the region wasn't enough!) there's an opportunity for one lucky person to win £100 in Amazon vouchers or to donate to a charity of their choice.

The survey can be found at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=pz8TuxfAF31vKeFbLYNTxQ_3d_3d

So if you're an IT company in the region, what are you waiting for :-)

Ignite

2009-01-28T11:45:00.004Z

I've been meaning to post about the Ignite event I went to last week at Old Broadcasting House in Leeds.

There were tons of speakers and I couldn't possibly blog about all of them so i'm going to have to limit myself with a couple of highlights:

* Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino: Could hardware hacking save us?

I really liked Alexandra's talk, mainly because I bought an Anduino set a couple of months ago:

http://www.tinker.it/en/Products/ArduinoNG

I also liked hearing about the different events that have been held and the idea of the creative aspects of building something physical yourself and how this can allow people to think more creatively in the future. I also had a quick chat with Alexandra afterwards about having an event in the region which I intend to follow-up on at some point, maybe this is something for me to discuss with OS4B as it is an open source product...

* Stuart Childs, Richard Garside, Dave Lynch: FriiSpray digital grafitti w/IR tracking

I also liked this presentation about using the wii with an electronic whiteboard to create an electronic spray can for grafitti work. My brain is still thinking about this one as i'm convinced there are all sorts of possibilities with it. Could be great for events, has obvious tie-ins with young people and artists, could have potential for interactive advertising boards? A way to collate information? I like the idea of having one somewhere that people can just come in and use and a snapshot is saved to file every 30 seconds or something like that... Anyway still thinking about it which must be a good sign!

There were loads of other speakers who were all very interesting and often very entertaining, i'm assuming the slides will go up online somewhere soon at:

http://www.meetup.com/Ignite-UK-North/calendar/9017862/

Barcamp Winner - Dom ‘The Hodge‘ Hodgson

2009-01-06T11:33:00.003Z

Happy New Year! The first post of 2009, how strange...

Anyway so just a quick one to let you know that the winner of the Yorkshire Forward competition at Barcamp Sheffield has been announced, you can see Jag's post (and the winning video) at:

http://barcampsheffield.net/announcements/live-like-barcamp-sheffield-people.html

Dom's video had over 400 visits within the time frame and we will be presenting him with the cheque on Wednesday evening at Sheffield's next Geek Up meeting. The fact that i'm a massive, life-long Pulp fan had no bearing on the chosen winner and is just a happy coincidence :-)

Digital Awards

2008-12-19T09:34:00.005Z

In case the Innovator/09 competition below isn't your cup of tea we've just opened the nominations for the 2009 Yorkshire Digital Awards!

This year you can either nominate yourself for a category, or nominate another company that you work with which you feel deserves some recognition. We've heard from previous winners that the competition has a really positive effect on sales due to all the free promotion your company receives so I *really* recommend entering if you can. Especially at this time of year when you don't want to start a whole new project but need something to keep you busy for your last afternoon in the office ;-)

Anyway, categories are:

Best Web Design Company

Best IT Consultancy

Best Business to Business Website

Best Business to Consumer Website

Best Application of Internet Technology

Best Digital Start Up

Best Game

Best Entertainment Site

Best e-Learning Initiative

Best Application of Mobile Technology

Best New Talent

To enter all you have to do is fill in a form which can be found on the website:

http://www.yorkshiredigitalawards.com/

If you're feeling flush with Christmas cheer there are also still a few categories that need sponsoring, in which case just drop me a line.

Finally, even if you're not entering and not sponsoring, don't forget the actual awards ceremony itself. A great craic and with over 300 people attending it's a good way to meet some interesting people (including a few of us lovely Yorkshire Forward folk). Be warned the tables fill up really fast so if you want to go you need to book your place pronto!

Date: Thu 7th May, 2009

Venue: Saviles Hall, The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

Innovation- Are you best in the region.

2008-12-14T10:28:00.000Z

Innovator/09, the second round of Yorkshire & Humber’s awards, the first were March 2008 , and they could help you raise your own or your organization’s profile, regionally and nationally, whilst raising awareness of your innovation.
Whilst working in the region I see so many exciting new developments and innovation companies are making to increase their presence and sales.
This competition could help you to enhance your relationships with partners and could lead to new collaborations and opportunities with businesses and universities. It could even attract new clients. The awards are an excellent, high-profile way to demonstrate your commitment to innovation in your field.
Winners receive a cash prize of £3,000 to spend on developing innovation within their organisation through training, services or products.
Find out more about the awards at the Innovator/09 microsite.
With tougher economic conditions already beginning to bite, many businesses in Yorkshire and Humber are concerned about how they will cope.
Do not forget you can access the FREE business advice and the help which is available in our region. http://www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk

Barcamp Sheffield Update

2008-12-11T16:53:00.002Z

Oops! Took a little longer to get to this post than planned!

Barcamp Sheffield was fabulous, a thoroughly enjoyable experience even though it meant working over a weekend :-) Everyone I have spoken to who attended agreed that it was a very positive event. The competition is still ongoing. The idea behind the competition is that attendees should create 'something' online that is promoting either Sheffield, Yorkshire or Barcamp Sheffield and whoever drives the most traffic *and* is the most creative wins!

I shall most definitely be posting a link to the winner on here.

I'm now hoping there may be space for some more Barcamps around the region, maybe York, Hull etc so will have to start subliminally putting ideas into the right peoples head :-)

BarCamp Sheffield

2008-11-24T17:35:00.005Z

So this time it's Sheffield's turn to host a BarCamp. I won't explain the concept again, I did that when I blogged about BarCamp Leeds.

Sheffield is looking very exciting! It's from Friday evening until Sunday evening so quite a long one, meaning of course that they can pack loads more in. I know they've sold out tickets for Friday and Saturday but I understand there are a few left for the Sunday so if you're around I recommend you attend:

http://barcampsheffield.net/

We shall be holding a competition this time with a prize and everything, as soon as the details are released I shall add some info on this blog. I shall also take some photos of the 'agenda' on the day to give a better feel of the type of session that's covered, but people are already making suggestions on the forum so you can have a look. Of course you never know what will actually happen until you get there!

Victor Watson - Print Yorkshire

2008-11-12T12:24:00.003Z

It may seem like I spend my whole life at events but I honestly don't! However, I was lucky enough yesterday to attend the book launch of The Waddington's Story by Victor Watson (President of Print Yorkshire).

Victor gave a very interesting speech. The part I have dwelled upon most is his statement that he considers his success in business to be due to the fact that he has always trusted people, he may have been taken for a ride a couple of times, but still feels that trust in individuals is the most important thing. He then added that most people underestimate the importance of personal relationships in business.

I thought this was partcularly good to hear as this is what we're all about at Yorkshire Forward and specifically my role in supporting industry through networks. Sometimes individuals don't immediately understand the importance of a network to help businesses to grow and prosper but it is through networks that important relationships are estbalished and the ripple effect is often surprising.

Victor obviously sees the advantage of networks through his involvement with Print Yorkshire, a network for the print industry in Yorkshire and Humberside. More information about Print Yorkshire can be found at:

http://www.printyorkshire.com/

Information about Victor Watson and his book launch can be found at:

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/businessnews/Victor-by-name-and-victor.4589286.jp

Digital 20/20

2008-11-05T16:57:00.004Z

Monday I was at the launch of Digital 20/20.

It's a project with two strands, one covers digital and ICT skills and the other strand covers business adoption of ICT.

Both are a partnership of public and private sector and the fantastic turnout at the launch event from both sides shows how many people are already committed.

Firstly, looking at the skills strand. The 12 key themes are:

Current Workforce:
1. Next generation user skills
2. Higher level skills
3. Business ICT adoption
4. e-Learning habit

Future Workforce:
5. Specialist curriculum
6. Digital skills across the curriculum

People outside the Workforce
7. Digital literacy – citizens & jobseekers
8. Engaging under-represented groups

Information, Advice & Guidance
9. Improving the IAG portfolio
10. Attracting and retaining talent

Delivery Capacity
11. Digitally adept educators
12. Specialist capacity – facilities & trainers

With regard to the business adoption of ICT strand, Action Plan Priorities are:

P1 – Communication: Promote the business benefits of ICT
Devise and deliver a regional marketing and communications approach that focuses on the business benefits and drivers of ICT adoption rather than the technology involved. This activity should seek to:
provide the wider business support community with a range of promotional tools to demonstrate business benefit to customers
exploit linkages with complementary initiatives, such as innovation

P2 – Transition: Stimulate progressive ICT adoption
Increase business performance as measured by key indicators of ICT adoption and implementation, using effective customer segmentation to move companies up the adoption ladder.

P3 – Synergy: Link ICT with agility in innovation and enterprise
Position ICT clearly within the business support offer, seeking to improve the levels of ICT literacy and awareness, thus contributing to wider initiatives such as innovation and enterprise.

P4 – Capability: Build recognition of the benefits of ICT literacy and training
Work with regional partners and providers to enhance the connection between business support delivery and the ICT skills agenda, improving business recognition of the benefits of ICT training.

P5 – Impact: Increase ROI and business performance
Work with commercial ICT providers and resellers to improve the overall quality, coherence and impact of the customer offer and therefore to maximise return on ICT investment and business performance.

P6 – Leverage: Maximise regional impact, competitiveness and investment
Identify the opportunities arising from increased ICT adoption and work with partners in the public and private sectors to maximise regional impact, competitiveness and investment through a range of complementary initiatives.

There is loads more info on the website:

http://www.digital2020.org.uk/

2008-10-27T07:45:00.002Z

Solutions for Business

Last Thursday ~ 23rd October the government launched 'Solutions for Business - funded by government', a national package of publicly funded business support products.

At this time of global economic turmoil you would expect the press to be keen to signpost the support companies can get.
However I guess the press is to keen to be gloom mongers rather that see a brighter future ahead.

The products will be accessed via Business Link.

All the 'Solutions for Business' products will be in place by March 09 and are a result of a streamlining exercise whereby the government committed to reduce over 3,000 products to less than 100. Monitoring will ensure the number of schemes stays low.

The aim is to make it easier for companies, small and large, new and existing, to find the right products to help them with common business issues such as getting started, growing, finance, export, skills, innovation and the environment.

Businesses had complained they found government support complex and confusing. 'Solutions for Business' responds to their concerns and the business community has been involved in developing the package.

It is estimated tighter targeting of schemes will collectively add up to £1.4bn per year of value for businesses whilst having clearly identifiable products will save them up to £1.4m in saved search costs.

Economic, social and environmental goals will be met where the Government needs to intervene.
. 'Solutions for Business' products are:
1. Export Credit Insurance
2. Grant for Business Investment
3. Maximising Foreign Direct Investment
4. Accessing International Markets
5. Developing Your International Trade Potential
6. Train to Gain
7. Business Collaboration Networks
8. Business Premises
9. Business Growth: Specialist Facilities and Environments
10. Starting a High Growth Business
11. Intensive Start-Up Support
12. Starting a Business
13. Manufacturing Advisory Service
14. Designing Demand
15. Innovation Advice and Guidance
16. Coaching for High Growth
17. Support to Lenders
18. Small Loans for Business
19. Understanding Finance for Business
20. Finance for Business
21. Enterprise Coaching
22. Improving Your Resource Efficiency
23. Environmental Land Management Funding
24. Environmental Land Management Advice
25. Collaborative R&D
26. Networking for Innovation
27. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
28. Innovation Vouchers
29. Low Carbon Energy Demonstration
30. Grant for Research and Development

Products will migrate to 'Solutions for Business' on a rolling basis between now and March 09. Five products join the portfolio from 23rd October: Grant for Business Investment, Maximising Foreign Direct Investment, Accessing International Markets, Developing Your International Trade Potential and Train to Gain.

Businesses looking for support can contact Business Link by phone (0845 600 9006), online (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/solutions) or face-to-face by contacting their local provider.

Logistics Institute

2008-10-23T12:31:00.002+01:00

Last week I went to the Logistics Institute in Hull which was great (and i've just realised is the number one link in Google if you search for 'Logistics Institute' so good for them! :-) :

http://www.hull.ac.uk/logistics/index.html

I watched a few presentations from some of their incubator tenants and then had a tour round the building. It's a fantastic looking building before you go inside, nice big glass front and so on. But it also has a really good feel to it and some truly excellent training / event facilities that i'm going to try and find an excuse to use at some point in the future!

They also have a technology showcase area where you can see the technologies being developed by some of their tenants as well as other organisations. I love this kind of thing as it's so much easier than reading about something in a dry, boring document. They had some really nice equipment on display including 2D print examples, RFID tags and a new mobile application which is a bit like Skype but allows you to call several PC's / mobiles at once.

I think what is particularly good about the Logistics Institute is that it is literally (physically) attached to the University of Hull and has business tenants so it really is combining both worlds and I have a feeling that the physical proximity of business and academia will be a real benefit for them.

As an example of this, their membership is for both business and students and both types of members can access their resource centre and use the other facilities (which include meeting rooms as well as state-of-the-art laboratories).

This is definitely another one I shall be keeping an eye on and am sure i'll have more to report back in the future.

Cloud Computing

2008-10-14T15:30:00.006+01:00

I just watched a webinar called 'Powering Your Business with Cloud Computing' hosted by the Grid Computing Now! KTN.

It was a really interesting seminar about an organisation called Rozmic and how it uses Cloud Computing for a new service it's released. There were also some interesting questions at the end, the main issues people had with using Cloud Computing seem to be interoperability between different providers, security concerns (which are pretty much overcome by keeping the really sensitive data inhouse) and pricing (the fact that you can't easily predict how much you will use and therefore how much it will cost which is difficult for less flexible large organisations, and that it's all new so pricing can still vary quite a lot).

However, the potential financial advantages seem to be huge, especially for small business and start ups. Ross Cooney at Rozmic made the good point that with Cloud Computing you can take your time over purchasing hardware as you're not in the usual desperate situation of having to get new servers tomorrow, instead you can use cloud computing in the interim while negotiating a good deal for equipment. And of course you can have less equipment inhouse and take advantage of cloud computing for some of your needs.

Ross also suggested an 8 hour rule whereby any server that will be in use for more than 8 hours a day is cheaper to have inhouse, anything in use less than 8 hours a day is cheaper using cloud computing. He stressed this wasn't rigorously tested but I think it's a good rule of thumb for a small business trying to work out what to do.

Anyway you can watch the seminar online at the Grid Computing Now! website:

http://www.gridcomputingnow.org/

As far as I can tell you have to register in order to watch the seminars but it's free and then you can also see what other webinars they have coming up.

Green Computing

2008-10-02T15:57:00.003+01:00

Having been on holiday for nearly three weeks i'm still mainly catching up on emails etc. But just wanted to quickly blog about a conference on the 17th October at Leeds Metropolitan University called 'Green Computing Conference':

http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/inn/news_green_conf08.htm

Hopefully i'll be attendng and will post a blog with any interesting links / docs etc collected on the day...

After all surely Green Computing is going to be one of the biggest things to affect the IT industry over the next few years, what with the combination of continuing scarcity of energy sources and political will to decrease carbon footprints? Should make for an interesting day.

National Electronic design e-legacy awards

2008-09-11T19:39:00.003+01:00

I was fortunate to attend the Electronic Product Design e-Legacy awards which were held at the Roof Gardens, Kensington on the afternoon of the 11th September.

The roof gardens in central Kensington are on the 6th floor of building incorporating office, shops and homes.

Pink Flamingos and exotic ducks swim in a pond, trees flourish. A great setting for an awards ceremony.

I attended to present one of the awards on behalf of the Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network. http://www.electronics-ktn.com/

Electronic Yorkshire is the regional partner to the E KTN. http://www.electronicsyorkshire.org.uk/

Caroline Hayes, editor, Electronic Product Design explains how the awards came into being: 'The e-Legacy Awards are a defiant response to reports about the 'wasteful' power-hungry' electronics industry....Yet in my role as editor, I see so many positive things that electronics companies do, that I wanted a vehicle to show this and to demonstrate how we can create a lasting legacy for future generations.'

The awards' categories were unusual in that they asked readers to vote on projects and initiatives that contribute to education, the environment, health and safety. http://www.epdonthenet.net/awards.aspx

The categories being awarded were for
1. Contribution to Sustainability
2. Environmental Design –This was sponsored by Leeds based Farnell.
3. Investment in Training
4. Medical advances
5. Investment in Environment
6. Investment in Education- the category I was presenting.

This was won by Freescale Semiconductor
7. Contribution to security

According to Carolyn Hayes over 6000 readers on EPD voted on the awards.

The category sponsored by the electronic KTN relating to Investment in Education was the most heavily voted category.

I would love to be able to report that a Yorkshire company had won one of the awards but sadly this was not to be.

Hopefully some of our companies were amongst the 80 entries which started the competition.

Pity the Electronic Yorkshire mobile training unit was not in the final selection!
http://www.electronicsyorkshire.org.uk/mtu.htm

For those who do not know, the unique vehicle is fully equipped with the latest electronics training equipment, making access to the industry-specific training we’re famous for easier, simpler and affordable. In its spare time it visits schools to encourage the pupils to consider the electronic industry as a career.

A few days in a Sector Champ life

2008-09-10T11:36:00.002+01:00

As with Emma I attend and enjoyed the Melt inspirational event.
In addition to the aspects identified by Emma I was interested in the talk by Tom Savinger of The Future Laboratory http://www.thefuturelaboratory.com/ particularly the discussion on the slash/ slash generation.

From this if found the view that to sell or influence the younger generation, (to be a sector champion you have to be old) you need to build into the way you deliver your sales message the fact that the generation multitask much more than previous generations.

Folks are more likely to be influenced by a popular theme rather than a brand.
So the classic words came out “ To create successful sales be like a band rather than a brand”
Younger users are constantly ‘switched on’ to a range on devices and input .
Peer networks are more likely to influence purchasing than advertising and most sales will take place in the hours from 6am to 10am and 6pm to midnight.

An interesting day.

Friday 5th – September Plastic Electronics

The following day I was attending a workshop on a totally different field- Plastic Electronics.
Over 40 northern companies gathered at Leeds university to consider how to work together to grow current strengths in the north so we can become the key location in the UK and ideally Europe for all Plastic electronic research, development and production.

The Wikipedia definition of Plastic electronics is
Organic electronics, or plastic electronics, is a branch of electronics that deals with conductive polymers, plastics, or small molecules. It is called 'organic' electronics because the polymers and small molecules are carbon-based, like the molecules of living things. This is as opposed to traditional electronics which relies on inorganic conductors such as copper or silicon

ID Techex predict that in 2006, the worldwide printable electronics market was approximately £70 million; this is predicted to grow to £3 billion by 2009 and to £15 to £30 billion by the year 2015.

The North of England is well placed to benefit from this with the strength of work in the university sector, the strong base of Print production companies in Yorkshire and the recently commissioned state-of-the-art plastic electronics prototyping and process development facility, namely, PETeC (Plastic Electronics Technology Centre) located in Sedgefield, Co. Durham. http://www.ukpetec.com/

What sort of application can use printed electronics.

The following list is not exhaustive :-

E-book
E-newspaper
Mobile phone/handheld equipment
RFID tags
Smart electronic sensors
Smart cards
Retail signage & shelving
Disposable sensors packaging/medical
Digital signage
Printed battery + printed PV
Video, TV, multimedia
Notebook computers
Automotive
Consumer disposables
Wearable electronics/smart clothing

I will report back as this potential project progresses.

Monday 8th –September

White Rose Healthcare Innovation Master Class in Health Application for Wireless Technology.

Details of the series of events can be found at http://www.wrhip.org/

The event attracted about 40 professionals from the healthcare and academic fields.

Interesting day talking about a wide range of different uses for wireless technologies.

Prof Anthony Furness from the European centre of excellence in Automatic Identification and Data Capture Centre in Halifax gave a significant overview of the total global market. http://www.aidcuk.org .

Tuesday 9th September

A more classic day talking to companies with new ideas for research and development. Always fun to see these new idea particularly when they grown ino something big.

The one company I meet on Tuesday I would like to recommend is the work Martin Spence and his colleagues at Xoolon are doing with school children and encouraging them to exercise.

See http://www.xoolon.com/ I suggest you look at the community and perhaps join.

Some useful websites...

2008-09-09T15:09:00.003+01:00

I have a few links i've been saving up over the last few days so I want to signpost them all in this post.

First up is KnowledgeRICH:

http://www.knowledgerich.com/

It's a free service for businesses to get in touch with Universities in the region to work on innovative projects. What a great idea!

Next up is the Yorkshire Science and Technology Network:

http://www.ystn.co.uk/

I went to their last event in Leeds, it's free (although invite only so you have to sign up to attend) and gives a good networking opportunity to meet people from quite a variety of organisations. They have a couple of speakers at each event and in the past these have included Tim Berners-Lee and Wayne Hemingway.

Next I wanted to point out Cisco's I-Prize:

http://www.cisco.com/web/solutions/iprize/index.html

This is a competition to create an idea that Cisco will then fund anything up to $10 million! The really cool part to it is that when you enter you basically register into a community and then can get ideas from other people and create a team from within that community. A very cool way to encourage collaboration...

Finally, 4mations:

http://www.4mations.tv/

This site allows you to upload your own animated movies and games with the most popular each month winning a cash prize! The site isn't the most user-friendly i've ever come across, but if you get stuck you can click 'help' at the top right of the page to get to a fairly useful FAQ.

Melt 2008

2008-09-05T14:40:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I was in Sheffield for the Melt 2008 Inspiration Session, and very inspiring it was too! Melt gives R&D awards to artistic, media and technical talent to explore the creative and economic possibilities of innovative content exploitation - basically they invest in cool, new things :-) They also do a lot of mentoring and giving of advice to help the projects make progress.

Personally my favourite part of the afternoon was the Melt Show and Tell where we saw short 10 minute presentations from 5 Melt projects. I loved them all! :

Healthy Island - an interactive game for teachers to encourage healthy behaviour in their pupils. A great way to bring more modern technology into the classroom without using a whiteboard!
http://www.lovemelt.com/past-awardees/7-earth-heart.html

Call of the Wild - a sound controlled game using animal noises. The added value with this one has got to be the whole 'all the family' can play factor.
http://www.lovemelt.com/past-awardees/13-call-of-the-wild.html

Piefighter - a mobile game using bluetooth and involving throwing pies at friends using your mobile and gaining free beer! Surely a winner with students.
http://www.lovemelt.com/past-awardees/16-blueface.html

Lost Angels - another mobile game, this time in a tamagochi / virtual pet stylie using real world info (i.e. news sources). You can really see this being picked up by the increasingly younger mobile market.
http://www.lovemelt.com/past-awardees/10-lost-angels.html

Wizard Academy - interactive 3D / 4D (think water being sprayed at you in 4D!) game for use in theme parks and visitor attractions. This one I thought was particularly commercially attractive, you can see it being used in lots of places.
http://www.lovemelt.com/past-awardees/14-wizard-academy.html

I shall try to keep my eye on the progress of all of them...

Going Global Conference

2008-08-29T13:38:00.000+01:00

Another event to blog about, this one is for any industry and is being run by UKTI:

http://www.tradeyorkshire.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=45997

It's all about improving international business relationships, export and trade. Sir Alan Sugar is the key speaker, although personally i'm more impressed with the host, Declan Curry - always been a fan :-)

The event is in Harrogate on the 30th September and even more importantly it's free! It'll be a great opportunity to get free advice, inspiration and more importantly meet other businesses.

Singularity 2008

2008-08-28T17:25:00.000+01:00

Just came across an online conference called Singularity which has some very interesting sessions:

http://www.singularity08.com/

It's from 24th - 26th October and features some fairly well known speakers including Tim O'Reilly and Molly E. Holzschlag.

It's not free, which is a shame as it's an online conference but then I guess the quality of the speakers would probably not be as high, however there are 'hubs' where people can get together to watch the conference, the nearest to us being in Manchester:

http://www.singularity08.com/hubs/

I'd be interested to hear from anyone how they thought it went...

AIDC

2008-08-26T14:55:00.001+01:00

AIDC is a European Centre of Excellence for Automatic Identification and Data Capture. They basically work in the barcoding, RFID, smart cards, biometrics etc world and are located in Halifax:

http://www.aidc.org/

The building is absolutely fantastic. Covering two floors it's built in a tv / film set style with physical rooms representing different scenarios whereby visitors can walk around and see the technology in practice. Room scenrios include:

* A hospital where you can scan equipment used for surgery to see how many times it's already been used in the past.
* A farm where you can follow stuffed sheep (i.e. cuddly toy :-) ) round the farm with their tags, and even take apart a stuffed lamb (!) and see where the different parts go enabling a supermarket to know not only which farm a piece of meat comes from but even which particular animal on that farm.
* An airport where you can pick up a small tag and walk around the room while watching a moving dot on a screen representing you. This shows how exact an airport can pinpoint luggage moving around its building. The airport room also had smart technology that identified if a runway light needed replacing.
* Town hall, this has a machine that allows the general public to vote using electronic polling stations and their ID cards, this technology has already been used abroad.
* Supermarkets, there are obviously various uses for the technology in a supermarket, my favourite included a smart shelf that knows exatly what products are on the shelf and therefore knows when it needs restocking.

More info about the different room scenarios can be found at:

http://www.aidc.org/page.asp?pageid=74&pagegroup=AIDC&pagetitle=Demonstrators

Digital Print CIC

2008-08-20T17:02:00.000+01:00

Today I met with Digital Print CIC who are located at Leeds University. They've been going for three years and are involved with lots of exciting new developments within the world of print. I've been sworn to secrecy regarding most of it but I can say they're interested in hearing from electronics companies and told me about some amazing new products that involve print and electronics.

The website is:

http://www.cic-digitalprinting.com/

I will be keeping uptodate with any events and projects that they become involved with - and will blog about the ones that are allowed to go public!

NorthTech

2008-08-19T14:46:00.000+01:00

Another useful link i've come across following the Barcamp in Leeds is NorthTech:

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/group/5015/

It lists upcoming technology-related events and you can add more events to the list.

Barcamp Leeds

2008-08-16T15:34:00.000+01:00

Today is the first day of Barcamp Leeds 2008. It's a fantastic event. Totally user-generated meaning that you don't know what you'll get till you get there. The sessions are written on a white board in the morning, updated during the day, and the session speakers are the attendees - so it's a total free for all!

Sessions at this year's Barcamp included Cloud Computing, Virals, Web Apps, Debian, 12 Tips for Startups, Design vs Usability etc, etc.

Useful links include:

http://barcampleeds.com/

and:

https://barcamp.pbwiki.com/BarCampLeeds2008

As you can imagine their's a Twitter page, Facebook page, probably tons of blogs and a load more photos on Flickr.

It's an extremely useful and well-attended event. Tickets (which are free) went in 3 days this year so if you can get one next year, enjoy :-)

Digital Yorkshire

2008-08-15T16:22:00.000+01:00

This blog will be a way for me to record all the exciting things going on in the digital and new media industries in Yorkshire and Humberside, and occasionally even further afield.

Hopefully it will become a really useful resource for people working in a particular field to find out about related projects and also for people outside the industries to see all the exciting things going on.