Network Manager by Day, Blogger by Night.
Technology
What does the Internet look like? Check out this map of the Internet created by PEER 1 Hosting
Apr 5th
Have you ever thought about how the Internet works? Or better yet, how it looks on a map? The brains at PEER 1 Hosting did. So they created something so geeky, it’s cool – The Map of the Internet! It wasn’t too long ago when some of us didn’t even know what the Internet was and it still is the case for some. So what exactly is the Map of the Internet and what does it show?
In geek speak, it’s a layout of all the networks that are interconnected to form the Internet. Some are run by small and large ISPs, university networks and customer networks – such as Facebook and Google. It’s a visual representation of all those networks interconnecting with one another, forming the Internet as we know it. The size of the nodes and the thickness of the lines speak to the size of those particular providers and the network connections in relation to one another.
If you would like to read more about this Internet Map Poster, please visit PEER 1 Hosting’s Blog.
Your Windows Live Space will close on 16 March – 3 days left!
Mar 13th
I’m sure if you’ve been using Windows Live Spaces (MSN Spaces) that you’ve been receiving the emails saying that it’s closing down, but if you haven’t for some reason here’s a copy of the latest one:
Dear Windows Live Spaces customer,
You are receiving this note as a follow-up to our communications notifying you that Windows Live Spaces will soon close. If you haven’t taken an action yet, please read on to learn how to preserve the content of your space. On 16th March 2011 your space will be closed. However, you can still preserve the content of your space if you take action now.
We are collaborating with a premier and innovative blogging service, WordPress.com, to enable Windows Live customers to migrate their Windows Live Spaces blog to WordPress.com where you will get a number of enhancements to your blogging experience. We’ll help you migrate your current blog to WordPress.com or download it to save for later. On 16th March 2011 your current space will be closed and you will no longer have access to the content on your space unless you take action. Click here to begin the migration of your space.
With the new release of Windows Live services, we’ve made a series of changes and improvements across the products. We chose to partner with WordPress.com to provide Windows Live users with a fantastic blogging solution. However, we realise they will have an impact on you, so the information in this email aims to clarify what to expect. We thank you for your continued support of Windows Live.
Why is this happening?Our customers have asked for richer blog functionality including an integrated statistics system, continuous saving of drafts and improvements to spam-fighting technology. To deliver the best possible blogging experience, we are collaborating with WordPress.com to provide their free service to you. For those of you that already have a blog on Windows Live Spaces, we will make it easier for you to get started while helping you keep what you’ve already built up on Windows Live Spaces.
What you need to do before Windows Live Spaces closesWhen you visit your space you’ll have the following options:
- Upgrade your blog by migrating to WordPress.com – We will provide a simple way to move your blog posts and comments to WordPress.com.
- Download your blog – You can download your old posts to keep a copy with you. You can also do this and then migrate to WordPress.com.
- Delete your space – If you decide that you do not want to have a space anymore, you have the option to delete it permanently. If you want to save your content, please make sure to do that before deleting your space.
- Review your blog – Soon your space will close but you still have some time to review your blog and make a decision that’s right for you. We’re very excited about what you can do on WordPress.com and hope you’ll decide to take advantage of this improved blogging experience.
Note: some content such as gadgets, guestbook, lists, notes and draft posts won’t be migrated. See FAQs for more info on how to preserve this type of content.
Go to your space to choose an option that’s right for you.
What you can expect by moving to WordPress.comAll of your posts, comments and links will transfer, and you will have the option to share your blogging updates with your Messenger friends.
On WordPress.com, you’ll get tools to help you track how your blog is doing and who’s visiting. You’ll get tagging that enables people to find you, and for you to find like-minded people. It includes great blog comment functionality, and trackback spam prevention to help keep your experience clean. Take a look at more.
Thanks for using Windows Live and we hope you enjoy the new blogging experience.
Yours Sincerely,
The Windows Live team
Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: What is WordPress.com ?
A: WordPress.com is a free blogging site, similar to Windows Live Spaces. On WordPress.com, you’ll find great themes and widgets to customise your experience, tools to help you track how your blog is doing and who’s visiting. You’ll get tagging that enables people to find you, and for you to find like-minded people. It includes great blog comment functionality, and trackback spam prevention to help keep your experience clean.Q: What happens to my Windows Live Spaces content and what can I migrate?
A: Here’s a list of different functionality available on Windows Live Spaces today and what you can expect:
- Blogs and comments: If you choose to migrate or download, your blog content (including inserted photos, videos and comments) comes with you.
- Photos: Photos not part of your blog but part of Windows Live will continue to live on SkyDrive and, if you choose, you can continue to share them with others. Photos that were part of your blog will be migrated if you choose to migrate your blog. If you add any other modules provided by other services that shared your photos, those will not be migrated.
- Visitors will know where to find you: If you migrate, existing links to your blog and specific articles will continue to work and your visitors will be redirected to your new location on WordPress.com. You’ll also be able to keep your friends up to date with your latest posts on Windows Live Messenger.
- Private blogs: If you have a private blog, your blog will be checked as private unless you choose another option during migration. You’ll be able to share your blog back with your Windows Live Messenger friends or just choose to select a few people to invite to WordPress.com.
- Gadgets, guestbook, lists, notes and draft posts: Unfortunately, you won’t be able to move these. You might consider publishing your draft posts over the coming months and moving content in lists and notes into your blog before migrating.
- Profile and Contacts modules: That information stays on Windows Live. You can add your new blog to your Profile and share it with your friends.
Q: What can I expect between now and the date Windows Live Spaces closes?
A: Now and until 16th March 2011 you can continue to review past posts, download your content to save for later and upgrade your blog to WordPress.com. On 16th March 2011, Windows Live Spaces will close and you will not be able to access or migrate your blog.Q: Where can I learn more?
A: Are you a parent of a child who uses Windows Live Spaces? Do you have a private blog? Do you use Writer to publish to Windows Live Spaces? Do you have other questions? Please visit our Help Centre for additional information and resources.
“TNT” – A Minecraft Parody of Taio Cruz’s Dynamite – Crafted Using Note Blocks
Feb 28th
Need I say more? Watch the video, and check out the youtube video for more info, Lyrics included below for those who want to sing along! 
Lyrics:
I came to dig dig dig dig
I’ll build a city oh so big big big big
just wait a sec, gotta kill this pig pig pig pig
cook me some bacon and take a swig swig swig swig
yeah, yeahthere must be something I can craft
to ease the burden of this task
yeahI shoot my arrows in the air sometimes
saying ay-oh, that creeper’s KO’dloot his remains and now his sulphur’s mine
saying ay-oh, not today noand then I’ll go to work
under the birch tree
and I’ll make myself
tons of TNT
cause ill use these blocks
I’ll build a big city
and I’ll mine it all
using TNTI came to blow blow blow blow
up everything you’ve ever known known known known
expel you out of house and home home home home
biome to biome you shall roam roam roam
yeah, yeahcause I’m a creeper I will rob
all of your items it’s my job
yeahI shoot my arrows in the air sometimes
saying ay-oh, creeper’s KO’dteabag his ghost and now his sulphur’s mine
sayin’ ay-oh, MLG proand then I’ll head back home
where I’ll smile with glee
that now I can make
lots of TNT
’cause I rule my world
made in 3 by 3
I’m-a blow stuff up
with my TNTIm gonna blow it all up
every mountain every valley
ruler of the world, yup
all of the animals will fear me
Cause TNT is awesome
and TNT, is just really cool, is just really cool
I’m gonna shoot my arrows in the air, yeah
arrows in the the air
shoot your arrows in the air-air-air-air-air-air…I shoot my arrows in the air sometimes
saying ay-oh, creeper’s KO’dteabag his ghost and now his sulphur’s mine
saying’ ay-oh, MLG proand then I’ll head back home
where I’ll smile with glee
that now I can make
lots of TNT
’cause I rule my world
made in 3 by 3
I’m-a blow stuff up
with my TNT
Download the song for free: http://www.mediafire.com/?sj3sse3h6c7oaie
Yet Another Minecraft Server – 27th February 2011
Feb 27th
Hey my fellow minecraftirians, bit of an update on my Minecraft Server “Yet Another Minecraft Server” a.k.a. YAMS.
We’ve had so many new people join since I first set up the server, there’s way too many people to list now both old and new! I’m really happy they are all on the server – we even have some girls which is a bonus so it’s not just guys, they keep us in check! Of course not all users are nice and not all users stick to the rules, some people need to understand that I pay for this server and that they are guests and that rules do change from time to time and that no matter when you join or who you are, the latest rules are the ones that stand….
Anyhow enough rambling from me… don’t let me put you off! 
We have created a great community and I’m really happy with how it’s progressing, especially today. Except MasterHiku (one of our mods) trapping me in water when I was away quickly sorting out screenshots. Damn him!! Our other other mod is EightBitBen. They are both called Ben (so ben and ben) and are doing a great job, keep it up you two! Though MasterHiku can be a bit of a joker at times, when really he needs to calm down and start acting like a mod!
Ok so I’ve uploaded 201 Screenshots here and 2 cartograph photos (aerial imagery):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darrenstraight/sets/72157626033198275/
You can also download the High Resolution cartographs I have taken here - right click and save target as:
- http://www.darrenstraight.com/blog/images/2011/02/world_isometric_east.png
- http://www.darrenstraight.com/blog/images/2011/02/world_isometric_east_night.png
For those not in the know, the Minecraft Server Details are as follows:
- Minecraft ip address @ 85.236.102.40:31665
- Mumble Voice Chat @ mumble://85.236.101.45:4962
- Yet Another Minecraft Server Forums @ http://www.darrenstraight.com/minecraft
Warner Bros Digital Distribution Launches App Editions of Feature Films The Dark Knight And Inception
Feb 26th
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD), a market leader in video-on-demand and electronic sell-through, has announced the groundbreaking launch of the “App Editions” of feature films “Inception” and “The Dark Knight,” giving consumers around the world an entirely new way to own special edition movies with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The “Inception: App Edition” and “The Dark Knight: App Edition” are now available on the App Store.
App Editions provide a fully-loaded, connected viewing experience that gives consumers the first five minutes of a feature film and a portion of bonus content that can include games, trivia, soundtracks and soundboards. The entire feature film can be unlocked via an in-app purchase, which enables downloading and unlimited streaming, as well as access to the entire array of bonus content available within the App.
The “Inception” and “The Dark Knight” App Editions are available in over 30 territories, including some which previously did not have access to films through iTunes including China, Brazil and the Netherlands. They contain fully customised menus in 16 languages including Japanese, Greek and Russian and also provide consumers movie subtitles in 34 languages ranging from Arabic to Ukrainian (streamed via WiFi). While watching the film, fans can also connect with friends by sharing their favorite movie quotes through Facebook and Twitter and watch a feed of social networking chatter directly related to the movie in real-time.
“Warner Bros. is bringing more than 100 million Apple device owners a highly innovative new way to experience their favorite films,” said Thomas Gewecke, President of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “For many, watching a movie is a social activity and App Editions are the first mobile product to deliver this capability on a global scale. They offer a fully connected experience, allowing viewers to engage with others around the world in real-time through Facebook and Twitter. In 2011, Warner Bros. will release a full slate of App Editions including new release and catalog films.”
“Inception: App Edition”
Nominated for eight Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “Inception” stars Leonardo DiCapiro as “Dom Cobb,” who’s a skilled thief in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception.
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, “Inception” stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Dileep Rao, and Michael Caine. Nolan also produced the film with Emma Thomas.
“Inception: App Edition” will not only allow fans to download or stream the blockbuster film, they can also enjoy exclusive bonus materials including three never-before-released tracks from the Academy Award® nominated score composed by Hans Zimmer that can be streamed via Airplay. The App also includes concept art, productions stills, movie poster artwork, bonus video showing a behind-the-scenes look at how Christopher Nolan’s unique vision was brought to life, and copies of “The PASIV Device Instruction Manual” and “The Cobol Job” comic.
The “Inception: App Edition” is available for free through the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad or at http://store.apple.com/uk/
PRFilter – The first press release search engine launched in beta
Feb 26th
PRFilter, the first press release search engine, has been launched today to enable anyone to quickly find recent relevant press releases. The service indexes thousands of releases each day and is designed to save journalists and bloggers time and get PR stories in front of the most relevant media.
PRFilter’s search results are ranked based on a combination of relevance to the terms searched for and the extent to which PRFilter’s patent pending Active Interest Technology considers a release to be relevant to a greater number of journalists and bloggers. So the more people PRFilter thinks a release could be relevant to, the higher it is ranked.
The search application has been developed by UK press release distribution company RealWire and represents a significant expansion of its PRFilter platform. The technology was subject to testing by UK journalists and bloggers at the end of 2010 and initial feedback has been very positive. Founder of UK PR and journalist community, UKTJPR, Andrew Lim, said, “PRFilter is a fantastic way to manage press releases and find interesting stories.”
Initial sources include key paid newswires and distribution services such as Business Wire, PRNewswire, MarketWire and RealWire themselves. In addition releases are starting to be sourced direct from a number of the world’s largest companies with the initial focus being on the technology and media industries. More sources are to be added in the coming weeks.
Adam Parker, Chief executive of RealWire, said “PRFilter is designed to help both the Media and PR communities to find relevant stories as quickly and easily as possible. In a world where relevance is increasingly at a premium we need tools that focus on increasing the signal to noise ratio, not simply amplifying it. PRFilter seeks to do this in a human way by basing its automated predictions of relevance on the topics that journalists and bloggers write about the most.”
PRFilter operates as a standalone service, though its relevance prediction technology is now integrated into RealWire’s own existing distribution service offering.
The PRFilter platform also allows journalists and bloggers to register to access a specific profile built automatically from their own or their publication’s articles. This profile then ranks the press release content based on the topics they write about the most. Registered users can also teach PRFilter to better understand their interests by providing feedback on the releases suggested.
Safer texting for children as bullies and predators move to mobile
Feb 17th
With bullies and sexual predators increasingly moving from the Internet to mobile phones, the new Simply Safe SIM from Anvil Mobile automatically scans every text message sent and received to identify potential risks to children or vulnerable adults. With some 90% of under 16 year olds now owning a mobile phone and 1 in 7 children aged between 11 to 19 claiming to have been bullied by text, the new Anvil solution sends an alert by SMS or email to a parent, guardian or carer if abusive language and possible bullying or predatory behaviour is detected.
Unlike PCs or laptops that are often shared and in open spaces, mobile phones are very personal devices that can be always on and not easy to monitor physically – making them an ideal target for bullies and predators. Simply Safe now offers protection without intrusion or a breakdown of trust. Only text messages that are considered potentially dangerous can be viewed by the parent or guardian when they are alerted to log-in to the secure TxtSafer message site. Future text messages can be blocked from suspect individuals and also stored for possible investigations by the police or schools.
Simply Safe is the first SIM-based solution and works on most 3G unlocked phones without the need to install any software. It uses the leading-edge profiling technology from Crisp Thinking that is already trusted by popular online games sites and communities. Rated as the most reliable technology of its kind by the University of Cambridge with a 98.4% accuracy in the detection of online grooming, this is the first time Crisp’s TxtSafer advanced software has been used on mobiles.
More than one SIM can be monitored through the same controls and Anvil can also provide additional protection with mobile phone call recording to capture any abusive or threatening voice calls. In addition, it is possible to assign a local geographic number to the mobile SIM. By presenting what looks like a home number, potential abusers and predators will be deterred under the belief that the call is more likely to be intercepted.
“Parents are under increasing pressure to provide children as young as five with mobile phones at the same time as there is increasing concern about mobile bullying and grooming,” said Ian Philip, CEO at Anvil Mobile. “Simply Safe provides parents with the safety and reassurance they need while giving their children the freedom to use their phones.”
“But it’s not just children that are at risk; disabled people along with ethnic, religious and sexual minorities and even certain professions such as social workers and teachers can also be vulnerable,” adds Philip. “Whatever the reason, there is a need for a simple system that protects mobile users and provides the evidence for action to be taken if required.”
Ge.tt Enables Browser-Based Real-Time Publishing and File Sharing
Feb 17th
Danish start-up Ge.tt, an online browser-based file publishing and sharing service, today launches its new tool that makes sharing all types of materials quick and easy.
Ge.tt lets users turn any type of file, no matter how large, into web content and publish it in seconds within a browser or email. Users can also share files with one person or several, with just one click. Suitable for personal and professional use, Ge.tt requires no special tools, software or plug-ins to view photos, listen to music, watch video and read any type of document. Real-time statistics also let users track downloads.
“Ge.tt is a simple, real-time file publishing and sharing tool that anyone can use without any complicated software installations or wait time for files to upload,” said Tobias Baunbæk, co-founder and CEO, Ge.tt. “We see huge potential to develop Ge.tt with premium and professional account options for users who need to share and access large files on any device and in real-time.”
A beta version of the service went viral in November 2010 and grew to 10,000 signups immediately, which was especially significant for a service that does not require a signup. Hundreds of thousands of files have been shared since with more than 3 million downloads.
“What differentiates Ge.tt from other technology start-ups is that early on they saw the importance of backing their technology development with a strong business foundation and seeking guidance from advisors,” said Arne Winther, advisor and investor, Ge.tt. “This forethought has given Ge.tt the potential to grow from instant, real-time file sharing to a professional content publishing and distribution service.”
The company will launch paid premium and professional services in the first quarter of 2011. Ge.tt Premium and Ge.tt Professional will offer high quality video and audio sharing capabilities, advanced storage options and statistics tools. Ge.tt’s free service offering is ad funded.
Yet Another Minecraft Server – 29th January 2011
Jan 29th
Well my Minecraft Server “Yet Another Minecraft Server” a.k.a. YAMS only went public 4 days ago, after I did quite a lot of back work before hand on setting up a decent spawn base and well the structure builds I am seeing coming from people are already pretty good (even great) and everyone’s been really friendly so far, well except “i_am_sex”, he was just a troll.
Here’s a list of some of the users we have had so far:
- TheTubbe
- MrsLayer0123
- Satch2096
- I_am_sex (troll)
- Average_Joeee
- iamgod341
- DukesOfDawn
- Joe_Corns
- And some others….
Thanks to everyone for coming on and I hope you all continue to stay and build more wonderful things.
Here’s some cartograph (aerial imagery) I have taken – right click and save target as:
- http://www.darrenstraight.com/blog/images/2011/01/custom-map-day-2011-01-29.png
- http://www.darrenstraight.com/blog/images/2011/01/custom-map-night-2011-01-29.png
I’m not going to post any screenshots this time though, they don’t do justice. Better to see in person! 
Though I might have a look into creating a google maps type cartograph where we can see where everyone is in real time. Problem is though I don’t want to bog things down to much, the ping is pretty good at the moment so we shall see…
For those not in the know, here’s the ip again:
Server IP = 85.236.102.40:31665
Edit 05/04/2011: My public UK Minecraft multiplayer server has improved a lot since these cartographs from the 29/01/2011, please check out theses panoramic stitches below to see what some of the city looks like now. (click to enlarge). Also please check out the YAMS Forums (http://www.darrenstraight.com/minecraft) to see the great community we have now, were the number 1 rule is be a part of the community. The ip is still the same as above: 85.236.102.40:31665 I hope to see you in game!
Yet Another Minecraft Server (YAMS) Now Public!
Jan 26th
Calling all minecrafterians looking for public minecraft servers… My London based multiplayer Minecraft server titled “Yet Another Minecraft Server” a.k.a. YAMS is now public, so no more hiding as it’s free for anyone to join. There is currently no whitelist however due to increased popularity whitelist is sometimes on, in which case please visit the forums to get yourself whitelisted. I’m putting a lot of trust in you all here by making this a public minecraft server, so please don’t let me down. At the first sign of madness that is bad behaviour, there shall jailings and bans! 
so Keep an eye out for those bad boys and girls who just want to cause damage.
YAMS Server ip: 85.236.102.40:31665
YAMS Forums located at either: www.darrenstraight.com/minecraft | www.yetanotherminecraftserver.com | www.yams.me
Update 26/01/2011: I have set us up a farley decent size base, which took me quite a while but I want you lot to expand from there, use your imagination, I’ve provided you with the foundations. So Enjoy!
Note: These images are from the old world, see below for images of the new world.
Update 05/04/2011: My public UK Minecraft multiplayer server has improved a lot since the screenshot images from the 26/01/2011, please check out theses panoramic stitches below to see what some of the city looks like now. (click to enlarge). Also please check out the YAMS Forums (http://www.darrenstraight.com/minecraft) to see the great community we have now, where the number 1 rule is be a part of the community. I hope to see you in game!
Note: These images are from the old world, see below for images of the new world.
Update 17/08/2011: Due to a huge increase on new players joining, from time to time we may whitelist the server. If you try and get on but you are not whitelisted please be sure to sign up to the forums at http://www.darrenstraight.com/minecraft/index.php?/forum/11-introduce-and-whitelist-yourself/ where you can read our welcome topic and introduce/whitelist yourself, pretty much all we need from you is your’re Minecraft Username. If you have facebook you can use that to sign in to the forums.
Update 18/03/2012: It’s been a month now since we have been in the new world, some call it YAMS v2 more than a year latter after the orginal first map of YAMS. Here’s some nice pictures of spawn.
