Network Manager by Day, Blogger by Night.
Archive for April, 2011
Prince Harrys Leaked Best Mans Speech
Apr 26th
As Britain and the rest of the world are gripped by Royal Wedding fever, the pressure will be on Prince Harry when he presents his best man speech to a room packed full of the world’s elite.
Last week a campaign launched by Article10 presentations imagined what the young Prince might say in his address to the 1,900 wedding guests, when it leaked a spoof draft of Harry’s best man speech and accompanying PowerPoint presentation on www.HarryLeaks.com.
Article10 Presentations ‘leaked’ the documents via a fictitious employee’s email, to a student recipient who then posted the link to their twitter feed, sparking worldwide interest across Twitter, blogs and traditional media. This has led to the Article10 site receiving widespread attention from customers, media and the wider public. The presentation which was posted on YouTube has had over 2,250 hits.
Article10 ‘reacted’ to the leak by issuing a spoof statement to press and customers apologising to Prince Harry and Royal Family for the slip, the apology produced over 50 online hits including The Telegraph, The Daily Express, The Scottish Daily Express, OK! Magazine and Yahoo News and as a result the website has seen a significant uplift in traffic.
Lyndon Nicholson, managing director of Article10 Group, said: “Only a select number of people will hear Prince Harry’s speech and we thought it would be fun to imagine what he might say. We could not have envisaged such a reaction from the world’s media, national newspapers from Britain and as far afield as Toronto have covered the story.”
Article10 Presentations commissioned an accompanying survey of 200 people which found that 50% of wedding guests had witnessed a best man or maid of honour use some sort of visual aid during their speeches. The rise of PowerPoint is a growing phenomenon, with 75% of wedding guests stating they had seen a best man deliver a speech using PowerPoint within the last five years.
Nicholson added: “As our research shows there is a growing use of PowerPoint at weddings and although we doubt ours will get the royal seal of approval, we hope the campaign has shown what can be done with PowerPoint.”
According to press reports from Closer magazine, Prince Harry has two versions of his speech and after delivering a formal version on the big day, will amuse the newlyweds and selection of close friends with the unedited version, after William and Kate return from their honeymoon.
In the Article10 version of Harry’s speech, the young Prince explains how he consulted his Grandad for advice, “The angel on my left told me to err on the side of caution, but the devil- or ‘Grandad’ as he’s known to me absolutely insisted that I spill the beans on my brother” and with his Grandad’s track record of politically incorrect gaffes, perhaps Harry is best keeping that advice for the unedited version.
Sand by The Carpels (One Beat Records)
Apr 25th
I was contacted about a new band the other week, called The Carpels who have real ambition to be at the forefront of modern cutting edge pop music with songs that have indie, punk, dub step & electronic music running through them – Picking up an inspired lead on pop from Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Late of the Pier and The Fall amongst others.
In early April the band launched on BBC Introducing with a live radio session and the release of free download “Sand” via EMI and Amazon which is the first of 3 contemporary indie anthems to come out in 2011 and also the band have been asked in to Beacon Radio in Wolverhampton on 10th May for an interview with the drive time presenter.
An interview with the band is to appear in May’s edition of Brum Notes magazine, the West Midlands student paper as part of their “Next Generation of Great Midland Bands”.
All of the bands first recordings were produced at Big Mushroom Studios in Cheshire by Jim Spencer who also worked with New Order, The Cribs, Doves and Shaun Ryder.
It’s also worth noting that The Carpels are the latest signing to label One Beat Recordsthat was started in 2010 by Jon Brookes (drummer with The Charlatans) and Ian Light (ex-Virgin Records).
You can watch them performing their Sand song on YouTube below:
The Carpels – “Sand” (Official promo video)
Or better yet, you can grab a free download of Sand by The Carpels at the following facebook link:
http://www.facebook.com/TheCarpels?sk=info#!/TheCarpels?sk=app_184837598225796
If you are interested, the bands forthcoming events for 2011 to date are as follows (more tbc) :
- 1st May – The Rainbow, Birmingham (Bank Holiday Sunday 12 hour special)
- 10th May – Beacon Radio (Capitol), Wolverhampton (on air)
- 11thMay – The Rainbow, Birmingham (supporting The Kabeedies)
- 3rdJune – Kinky Club Night @ Kasbah, Coventry
- 17thJune – Social Bar, Doncaster
- 9thJuly – “One Beat Record Label Launch” Party @ This Feeling @ Queen of Hoxton, London
And their official web links are:
- http://www.youtube.com/user/thecarpelsuk
- http://www.facebook.com/theCarpels
- http://www.myspace.com/theCarpels
Download the Minecraft PC Gamer Demo
Apr 25th
Just noticed there’s now a demo of Minecraft, PCGamer Branded! Might help some of you get your freinds to see what they are missing, then buy the full version, and even maybe even join my Yet Another Minecraft Server (YAMS).
Minecraft now has a demo. Procrastinating excavators: you no longer have an excuse for skipping our favorite open-world game. Better yet, it has branded cows that Notch made for us. Keep in mind that these animals are specially-programmed to act as voodoo cows: when you punch them, each PC Gamer editor feels a mild thud in their chest. Be gentle.
Click in for the download link.
Download the Minecraft demo (4MB) here.
The demo is generous: every tool, mineral and item is accessible, and you can dig, frolic, and build in your world for 90 minutes before it “locks” and becomes uneditable. You can create as many new worlds as you’d like. Let us know what you’re making–send us a screenshot of your demo world to letters@pcgamer.com.
Like A Fire Without Sound by Should
Apr 25th
Well today as you should know from my last post, I’ve been listening to music! In fact I’ve been scouring the Internet looking for new music to listen to, and I came across “Like A Fire Without Sound by Should” and I must say I quite enjoy from what I can hear of their music.
Seems the album is due to be released tomorrow the 26th of April 2011. So perfect timing on this post if I must say so myself!
You can find more information on them and listen to their music here with a free download of some of it:
It has been 13 years since Should’s last album proper, the complex shoegaze/postrock haze of 1998′s Feed Like Fishes.
While much time has passed, the core elements of Should have not wavered: the ultra-sweet male/female vocal melodies, the penchant for the unexpected, and the ability to find beauty in the minimal.
The band’s immaculately crafted third album, Like a Fire Without Sound, infuses the pop sensibilities of Eno and Yo La Tengo while maintaining the personal eccentricities and atmospheric flourishes that have always set Should apart.
Like a Fire Without Sound was conceived and recorded over a five-year period, and infuses idiosyncratic indie flair with pleasing pop sensibilities. Bookended by Eno-esque tributes “Glasshouse” and “The Great Pretend,” the hook-laden record is simultaneously spacious and intimate.
Eschewing the fashionable trend of burying production in cavernous lo-fi reverb and fuzz, Like a Fire Without Sound is not warmed-over 1990s-era Should. The layers of fuzzed guitar have been peeled back and the pop quotient is dialed up considerably, aiming instead to balance the twin peaks of soundcraft and songcraft.
The end result of these efforts is an unpredictable record that — like Eno’s early pop albums — endures and is not easily ascribed to a particular era.
Timeless yet out-of-place, it’s the unwavering soundtrack to daydreams of life’s losses and loves.
Like a Fire Without Sound will be released April 26, 2011.
Music Video: Big City by Cyndi Nabozny
Apr 25th
I was just listening to some music and it made me wonder if Cyndi Nabozny had posted any new music on her YouTube channel. Well it seems she hasn’t as her last one was Big City. I’ve heard BigCity before but for those that haven’t I’ve embedded it below for you to listen:
Also don’t forget to check out her other music videos, I’ve linked to them below where Ive posted them before on my blog, or you can see them on her YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/cyndinabozny
- Music Video: Chelsea by Cyndi Nabozny
- Music Video: Catch Me by Demi Lovato sang by Cyndi Nabozny
- Music Video: I Don’t Mind by Cyndi Nabozny
Cyndi can we expect any more songs from you? 
Republic Signs Facebook Deal With One iota
Apr 24th
Leading fashion retailer Republic has joined the likes of Debenhams and Argos to launch a new Facebook Deals service.
Implemented and managed by One iota, the mobile and Facebook commerce provider, Republic will give shoppers access to exclusive offers and promotions. Deals will be activated when users ‘check-in’ on their mobile phone through Facebook to Republic stores in Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Leeds and London.
Republic has recently embarked on a period of rapid expansion. In 2010, the retailer launched a social media strategy that has already clocked up over 43,000 Facebook fans.
Using Facebook Deals, Republic hopes to drive local retail footfall through Facebook and tap into the growing number of mobile users who are using their phones to source products, compare prices and seek out the best deals on the high street.
One iota’s CEO, Damian Hanson, who worked closely with Republic on the launch, commented: “Facebook Deals provides bricks and mortar retail stores with a huge opportunity to create new customers and drive loyalty. The ability to attract custom through ‘local Facebook commerce’ is something that can’t be ignored. Facebook Deals is destined to become a key component in the multi-channel strategy, fuelled by the growth in social media consumption through mobile devices.”
Natalie Primus, head of social media at Republic, said: “We wanted to drive increased and repeat footfall by rewarding and incentivising our customers – Facebook Deals allows us to do this quickly and efficiently. One iota’s expertise and knowledge of the Facebook platform has been invaluable in supporting our goals.”
The initial campaign will provide customers with discounts of up to 20 per cent. Users simply have to ‘check-in’ to receive their Republic Facebook Deal, which can then be redeemed in store at the point of payment.
For more information, see www.oneiota.co.uk or follow the action at @itsoneiota.
Microsoft Next – Meet Microsofts next generation of innovators
Apr 24th
From developing an online platform through Azure that helps ease the devastation caused by floods in Australia, to performing medical operations using Kinect, to developing the next generation of teachers in the Middle East, people are doing amazing things with Microsoft technology. Microsoft Next is a new internal competition that was created to showcase how these innovations are helping people and communities around the world and offer the creators a chance to showcase their work on a global scale.
Today, 30 individuals have been singled out as the winners. To view these videos please visit this Microsoft Showcase site.
Inspired by his travels around the world, Jean-Philippe Courtois, President of Microsoft International, launched this program to highlight the impact people throughout the company are having on customers and partners through innovation.
The 3 minute video submissions were judged by a panel representing the depth of Microsoft’s business across Research and Innovation, Product Development, HR, Marketing and Sales, and our breadth across the globe, and also included two external judges from emerging markets that work with Microsoft’s BizSpark program. These nine judges shortlisted the 30 winners that they felt best represented ‘What’s Next’.
“Microsoft’s Next program represents some of the best work directly impacting Microsoft’s customers and partners around the globe,” comments Jean-Philippe Courtois. “I was inspired by these 30 winners, and am honored to share their work through this initiative.”
Teaching community shares record number of classroom resources and ideas using TES Connect
Apr 24th
TES Connect, the world’s largest professional teaching community on the web, saw a record five million classroom resources downloaded in March from its teaching resource bank www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resources – equivalent to a single resource downloaded every 2 seconds.
- A record five million classroom resources were downloaded by teachers in March 2011, from TES Connect
- That is equivalent to a single resource downloaded every 2 seconds.
- Teaching materials themed around Red Nose Day were the most popular resources downloaded by teachers during this period
- Other popular themes were Easter, Top 10 Behaviour tips and resources based on a better understanding of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.
- TES Resources is now one of the world’s largest collections of teaching resources with over 60,000 free teaching resources available
Bill Donoghue, Managing Director of TSL Education said, “This is another major milestone in the development of TES Resources and a huge endorsement of our significant investment in Digital technologies for the teaching community. The landmark achievement is even more significant when you consider, the majority of our teaching resources have been contributed by teachers for teachers and fits with our ethos of helping to share best practice and raise standards of education in the classroom”.
Frequent Mobile Internet Users Love Their Mobile Operator
Apr 24th
Research from mobile survey company On Device Research has revealed that the more people use the mobile internet, the more they love their mobile operator. The mobile research, which was conducted directly on the mobile internet, shows that frequent mobile internet users are more satisfied with their mobile operator, compared to those who only occasionally use the internet on their mobile phone.
The mobile research, contained in a free quarterly report (http://www.slideshare.net/OnDevice/odr-mobileinternetsatisfaction2011q1-7614676), revealed the strength of relationship that a consumer has with his or her mobile operator is directly related to the perceived quality of their mobile phone and the services they use on it. For example, mobile internet browsers in the UK who use social networks, such as Facebook, showed the greatest increase in operator satisfaction with a 10% rise compared to those who do not use the service.
In emerging markets, such as India and Kenya, the influence of rich media services such as games and music becomes more important. For many the mobile phone is the only method they have to listen to digital music and play computer games. The mobile survey results showed that the more consumers are engaged with these services, the more important media becomes in mobile phone purchase decisions and operator loyalty.
“As mobile media becomes more important to consumers daily lives, mobile operators are gaining more satisfied customers,” said Alistair Hill, managing director of On Device Research. “Great services such as social networking and mobile games help operators to increase customer loyalty and handset manufacturers to differentiate themselves.”
Data highlights from On Device Research’s free quarterly report include:
- Operator satisfaction increases 22% for daily mobile internet users compared to occasional browsers in the UK, +10% in India, +26% in Kenya.
- Mobile social networkers’ operator satisfaction increases 10% in the UK compared to those who do not use the service, 14% in India, 10% in Kenya.
- In Kenya mobile games have huge influence on which mobile phone to purchase. 89% of mobile media users in Kenya consider the quality of games they can play on their device when choosing a new phone.
The mobile research was conducted by On Device Research (http://ondeviceresearch.com/) directly on the mobile internet. 4523 people across the UK, India and Kenya completed the short survey which was sent directly to their mobile phone.
Britains superfast broadband lines set to pass 250,000 this month
Apr 24th
Virgin Media and BT lead the way to NGA services
High-speed broadband is starting to catch on in Britain, with the total number of superfast lines delivering speeds in excess of 25Mbps set to pass the 250,000 mark this April – according to the broadband analysts Point Topic.
Whilst Point Topic’s Chief Analyst Tim Johnson says the number is quite modest – only 1% of homes in Britain – it means that superfast broadband could be in a position to follow in the footsteps of first-generation broadband 10 years ago.
“We went on from there to reach over 13 million broadband lines within five years,” he said. “Now we have over 19 million. It’s dangerous just to assume that history will repeat itself, but it’s still a good pointer to what will happen to superfast broadband in this decade.”
Point Topic’s estimates for the current number are based on its detailed figures for the end of 2010. These show there were 175,000 superfast broadband lines in use by then. The majority were for the 118,000 Virgin Media customers signed up to the 50 megabits per second (50Mbps) cable broadband service. The remaining 57,000 or so were getting superfast broadband over telecom infrastructure owned by BT and alternative network operators (altnets).
Projecting these figures forward and allowing for some increase in growth suggests there were about 236,000 superfast lines by the end of March. “At that rate we should pass the quarter-million milestone sometime between now and the end of April,” said Johnson.
| Operator | Superfast broadband lines | |
| December 2010 | March 2011 (estimated) | |
| Virgin Media | 118,000 | 146,000 |
| BT networks | 54,000 | 86,000 |
| Alternative networks | 3,000 | 4,000 |
| Total | 175,000 | 236,000 |
In terms of technology, Virgin Media’s customers are all being served using the Docsis 3 broadband standard over co-axial cable. As of the year end in 2010, another 3,700 superfast end-users had fibre all the way to their homes (FTTP) giving them up to 100Mbps download speeds or even more. The remaining 53,000 or so had fibre to their local BT street cabinet (FTTC) with very-high-speed DSL (VDSL) over the last few hundred metres of the telephone line to their homes.
In December 2010 the great majority of the BT lines were sold by BT Retail as their BT Infinity superfast broadband service. An estimated 3,000 were BT Wholesale lines resold by over 20 different ISPs, all relatively small ones so far. The remainder were at BT pilot sites for its FTTP service.
Detailed figures for superfast broadband are provided as part of Point Topic’s regular overview of superfast and next-generation access developments in its UK Plus service on the UK broadband market.
