Category — Thinking points
Could your idea change the world? Tell Google
Submission Deadline: October 20th, 2008.
To celebrate its 10th birthday Google has created Project 10 to the 100th, with US$10 million funding:
Project 10100 is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible.
Never in history have so many people had so much information, so many tools at their disposal, so many ways of making good ideas come to life. Yet at the same time, so many people, of all walks of life, could use so much help, in both little ways and big.
In the midst of this, new studies are reinforcing the simple wisdom that beyond a certain very basic level of material wealth, the only thing that increases individual happiness over time is helping other people.
In other words, helping helps everybody, helper and helped alike.
The question is: what would help? And help most?
At Google, we don’t believe we have the answers, but we do believe the answers are out there. Maybe in a lab, or a company, or a university — but maybe not.
Maybe the answer that helps somebody is in your head, in something you’ve observed, some notion that you’ve been fiddling with, some small connection you’ve noticed, some old thing you have seen with new eyes.
If you have an idea that you believe would help somebody, we want to hear about it. We’re looking for ideas that help as many people as possible, in any way, and we’re committing the funding to launch them. You can submit your ideas and help vote on ideas from others. Final idea selections will be made by an advisory board.
[Via : Project 10 to the 100th.]
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October 1, 2008 No Comments
You could lose Internet access on a whim
Colin Jackson speaks regularly on National Radio about New Zealand Internet matters. Recently he spoke about Section 92A of the Copyright Act:
… it says that ISPs have to cut people off the Internet if a music company accuses them of copyright infringement. There’s no trial, no proof, and no accountability on the record companies to get it right.
[Via : Cutting off your Internet if you are accused of infringement.]
In other countries the music companies have a history of accusing anyone and everyone of copyright infringement by downloading or sharing material. Cases have been thrown out of court because the accused didn’t own a computer, or even was dead!
Section 92A of the Copyright Act goes against our well-establised right to a trial. As written, Internet access can be cut off if someone is accused of copyright infringement, not if they are found guilty of it.
This is something we should know about, and probably act on. Read Colin’s post for full details, and the link to an article:
which quotes the head of the music lobby as saying that it would be totally unacceptable for them to have to prove their case in court.
Links:
September 26, 2008 No Comments
Why a professional web site designer can save you money (and tears)
Amongst community organisations money is generally in short supply. It’s tough to make good choices for wise spending, and always tempting to see where you can save a few dollars. After all, the more you can spend on your actual services the better.
And in that climate of careful spending websites often look like something where you don’t need the ‘luxury’ of a professional web designer. After all, there are so many places where you can make your own website, or get a friendly volunteer hobbyist to help.
But in the Scottish Business Blog professional web designer Heather Burns explains how sometimes taking the ‘cheap’ route can turn out more expensive, and even sometimes disastrous. She writes about businesses, but everything she says is also valid for community organisations. In her post, Why hire a web site designer?, these are her concluding remarks:
… to quote a Scottish Business Forums member, “If you think professionals are expensive, then just wait until you see how much amateurs cost”. Web sites are complex and they are technical. But they are not expensive. Cleaning up the damage caused by homemade web sites, “e-z site” builders, and bruised family egos is what costs companies far more than they budgeted for in the long run.
A trained web professional will take a genuine interest in helping you and your business to succeed. Whatever issue arises with your web site - whether it involves search engine optimisation, visitor tracking, legal requirements, e-commerce, marketing, copywriting, design, security, or the brave new frontier of web 2.0 - your professionally trained web site designer will work with you throughout the life of your site to give you the best web presence possible.
You just won’t get that in a DIY kit. Get your web site right the first time - hire a professional.
Read Heather’s article at : Why hire a web site designer? | Scottish Business Blog.]
September 22, 2008 No Comments
The NZ copyright minefield
Did you know your Internet connection could be disconnected if you’re alleged to have transmitted copyright material?
This affects community groups and ordinary folks, along with businesses. We all need to know about it!
The TCF [Telecommunications Carriers Forum] is creating a Code of Practice to guide ISPs and internet users through what it calls a “legislative minefield” created by section 92A, which they say will require ISPs to “reasonably implement” a policy to disconnect “in appropriate circumstances” the internet services of users who have repeatedly downloaded or uploaded infringing music, movies, games and other copyright material.
…”The Act gives no guidance on what ‘reasonably implement’ or ‘in appropriate circumstances’ mean,” Chivers says. “This leaves the door wide open to those who seek disconnection of an alleged repeat infringer based on flimsy evidence, or worse, allegations alone.
…”The potential for infringement of human rights is a significant concern to us. Arguably one of the great benefits of the internet has been the strengthening of human rights and the development of democratic freedoms around the world. However, this law change has the potential for Internet users to have their service disconnected on very weak grounds, undermining the fundamental right of ‘innocent until proven guilty’.”
[Via : Computerworld > ICT groups slam 'legislative minefield' of Copyright Act.]
Find more information at InternetNZ: ICT industry moves to address copyright confusion.
September 20, 2008 No Comments
Facebook: For yoof. And wrinklies
Everybody knows that social networking is popular with the younger set. But every generalisation has its exceptions — meet Ivy Bean, 102 years old:
Ivy Bean is a great-grandmother with a difference. At 102 years old she has joined the social networking revolution and become the oldest person on Facebook.
The former mill worker, who was born in Bradford in 1905, showed an interest in the website, after hearing care workers at her home talk about the phenomenon.
… The world has changed radically during Ivy’s lifetime. When she was born … telegrams were the fastest way of communicating and a national telephone network was still seven years away. Ivy would have to wait 46 years until the first computer was invented.
… Care home manager Pat Wright said: ‘We try to keep all our residents independent by letting them use the computer.’
[Via : Meet Ivy Bean - the world's oldest Facebooker aged 102 | Mail Online.]
August 24, 2008 No Comments
