Bits & Bobs found by Watfordgap

The Twitter Times

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:58:36 +0000

There are thousands of social media applications and websites that are built using feeds from sites such as Flickr or blogs or Twitter; many are passing fads. But every so often I discover a social media application and have a ‘lightbulb moment’ - thinking this IS really useful.

Well Twitter Times (http://twittertim.es) is one of those in the useful category.

I am oftem away from my computer or phone during the day - in meetings, visits or just don’t have the time to follow Twitter all day (yes really!). This website will produce a constantly updating ‘newspaper’ style summary of the recent Twitter activity of those you follow (and their followers).

So, never miss the important news from Twitter and no need to check your phone under the desk in a meeting anymore (ahem!)

Swindon to give all its residents free wireless access to the internet

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:47:00 +0000

Swindon to give all its residents free wireless access to the internet:

Residents (and visitors) to Swindon in Wiltshire will soon benefit from free public access wireless connectivity.

Whilst it won’t be a replacement for fast connections and large bandwidths needed for video streaming it is a great step towards increasing digital inclusion for those people who want (or need) free limited connectivity.

Lets all move to Swindon!

Social by Social - Playing the game on the 30th floor!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:47:42 +0000

Social by Social - Playing the game on the 30th floor!:

The Social by Social game is a great idea that communities can play as they explore the challenges they face and how both conventional off-line and new on-line methods can help achieve those goals. Realism (of a sort) is brought in too as players are given a budget to work within in choosing tools they can use.

We played the game at the Chain Reaction conference on 12th November, this blog post from David and Amy tells the story.

Jumpstartkidz - A Facebook Social Media success!

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:58:23 +0000

Jumpstartkidz - A Facebook Social Media success!:

What a great use of Facebook, instantly gathering support for your organisation and using that in a funding application.

Really hope this one is a success, please feedback through @iictpete and let us know!

Twitter costs Lord Mandelson's department £3,175 a year - A good ROI!

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Twitter costs Lord Mandelson's department £3,175 a year - A good ROI!:

This one got the “twitterverse” going this afternoon!

It relates to the three twitter accounts run by The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - @bisgovuk, @digitalbritain, and @BIS_Science, but (aside from the typos and other mistakes) is there really anything amiss here?

The salary quoted - it seems a little high for someone who will be checking and tending to the Twitter accounts.

The overall cost - this relates to three Twitter accounts (so really that’s £1,058.33 per account)

But the important point is that the (quoted) 9,894 people who are following these three twitter accounts have CHOSEN to do so!

If I knew I had this many people following what I was saying out of choice i’d consider a three grand investment at just 32p per person very worthwhile!

But wait, it gets better - (as i’ve just been reminded by @cyberdoyle). The 32p relates to the whole cost per follower! Every message sent is just fraction of this cost. So taking into account actual figures (at 17:34 on 10th November) the three accounts have sent a total of 856 tweets to 9914 followers costing £3175.

I make that 0.037 pence per message - bargain !

Yes, I agree with the spokesperson, “…it (twitter) is very cost effective … at getting our message out to a different audience and it helps us respond to people’s queries quickly”.

ICT Security - Lasa Computanews guide

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:41:33 +0000

ICT Security - Lasa Computanews guide:

Lasa have just released another of their excellent ‘Computanews Guides’. This one covers the topic of ICT Security. Sections in the guide cover :

Risk assessment and policies
Security and computer use
Securing your ICT assets

There is also a checklist to help you think about risks and how to reduce them and a risk assessment checklist.

Well worth downloading and adding your ICT Library!

Why isn't the government closing the digital divide? | Technology | The Guardian

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:35:42 +0000

Why isn't the government closing the digital divide? | Technology | The Guardian:

Surely the aim of Digital Inclusion is to CLOSE the Digital DIVIDE not for the Digital CENTRES to be faced with having to CLOSE.

If we want to see Digital Inclusion taking place and many people who are not currently using Internet take up its use, what is needed is :

PEOPLE who can help and show them how to get online then mentor them as they grow
PIPES and infrastructure to give access to fast internet connections
PCs and all the associated hardware and software readily available in a local community environment where they feel comfortable.

These closures are such a step in the wrong direction and a perfect example of where a little investment could reach a lot of people.

Community Voices (Media Trust) Research Report

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:37:18 +0000

Community Voices (Media Trust) Research Report:

The first report from the Community Voices team (initally called Digital Mentors) at the Media Trust contains an overview of the success stories as well as identifying some of the biggest barriers that prevent disadvantaged communities from finding their voice.

The research shows that there is a wide range of digital media already being used but there are also a number of challenges around information sharing and knowledge exchange, which has resulted in a lot of reinventing the wheel and a lack of sustainability.

The full report can be viewed here or downloaded here.

Browser Information Statistics

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:18:32 +0000

Browser Information Statistics:

This is probably one for website developers, but still for all a handy reference site listing which are the most popular web browsers and which are now on the way out.

Breaking: Twitter costs British economy less than people who gaze out the window

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:11:33 +0000

Breaking: Twitter costs British economy less than people who gaze out the window:

Interesting perspective on the Daily Telegraph article about time spent on Social Networking sites in the average office.

40 minutes per week (8 mins per day) per employee are “wasted” on these sites it seems. But how much time is spent talking about X-Factor or Sports fixtures? Is this time wasted though, isn’t it all part of social interaction, which we all need to do at work and we all need to continue our discoovery of useful resources on the Internet.

Is a procuctive person one who spends 8 hours at a desk or one which achieves the oucomes set by their employer?

You’ve just spent a copuple of minutes reading this blog post … how productively will you use your remaining 6 mins today!?

Cyberspace - where do teenagers go?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:25:29 +0000

Cyberspace - where do teenagers go?:

Surprisingly, parts of cyberspace are teenager-free zones. Who is learning from who. Also to note, only 11% of Twitter users are under 17 years old.

Where are Young People on Social Networking sites?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:02:42 +0000

Where are Young People on Social Networking sites?:

This report from August 2009 asks where are young people on Social Networking sites. Facebook looks like the clear winner. The 15-24 Year Olds in the U.K. Encroach on their Elder’s Social Networking Space. MySpace and Bebo show a drop in users … and Twitter - its not for young people! (Report from comScore, Inc)

Who's not using the internet? | Technology | The Observer

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:54:17 +0000

Who's not using the internet? | Technology | The Observer:

Very good read from The Observer this weekend. Who isn’t on the Internet and how its changed the lives of four new converts - Digital Inclusion

Get Online Day - Pass IT On

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:27:23 +0100

Get Online Day - Pass IT On:

Today - 23rd October is National Get online day. Help someone discover the internet for the first time today and then show them the world of possibilities and opportunities it opens up!

Which region and sub-region am I in?

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:38:34 +0100

Which region and sub-region am I in?:

OK, we probably all know which Government Office region and sub-region we are based in, but occasionally the need arises to check where another town or village islocated. This handy webpage (on the GOYH site) does just that.

Louder is the new online home for campaigners

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:47:30 +0100

Louder is the new online home for campaigners:

Sharing the new Campaigning NSS website - Louder

About Us | Race Online 2012

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:23:31 +0100

About Us | Race Online 2012:

Race Online 2012 aims to help those living in some of the hardest social and economic conditions who currently can’t enjoy all the opportunities and benefits offered by the Internet.

New Report Shows the Economic Benefit of Getting Everyone Online in the UK is GBP22billion

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:10:11 +0100

New Report Shows the Economic Benefit of Getting Everyone Online in the UK is GBP22billion:

Results from the PWC study of the benefits of moving closer to digital inclusion for all those who want it.

Yes there are barriers. People need to tell each other about the benefits, we need faster and more robust internet connections and costs of access, equipment, support and training need to be reduced.

Its not a one person job, I think its a job the voluntary and community sector could assist with.

Top RSS tips for councils (and everyone else) « Mash the State

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:28:49 +0100

Top RSS tips for councils (and everyone else) « Mash the State:

Although written from a local authority point of view, these guidelines will be very useful to any local support organisation looking at use of RSS for their news feeds.

Circuit Rider Development Programme - lasa

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:20:34 +0100

Circuit Rider Development Programme - lasa:

Lasa have just launched a training programme for Circuit Riders / ICT Development Workers. Details and introductory video on this page