Strangely Drawn

I'm strangely drawn to this advert. Well planned and executed.

Sadly my dancing is more wooden than that :(

Being Scottish

Okay, so it is an advert, but it is for "our other national drink", and sums up many things about this nation:

Share and enjoy.

Paying Users for Generating Content

A while back I mentioned user generated content, and wondered how long before forums and hosting sites that make money out of users content (eg from all the advertising that is on popular pages) would start paying producers for that content. of course, after hosting costs and overheads and profits were taken into account. So far I've only seen competitions and reader discounts, and no financial rewards. Until today, where I followed up a link to some videos on metcalfe.com and looked at their http://www.metacafe.com/producer_rewards/

I like the fact that it tells you how much the producer makes for a certain video. Nice way to attract more content from the "I can do better than that" brigade.

There was a nice human drama playing out in one of the comment threads of a how-to-make-a-stove video. Someone alleged that the stove blew up when they followed the instructions and they were consulting a lawyer. Whether genuine or not, it opens up content providers and hosting companies to abuse. Be careful when giving advice online.

Blogging for Charity

This is a strange one. I picked up from a post from Paul Webster that he was going to blog for charity. "Hmm", I thought, "that's a good idea. Can I adSense and give any pennies raised to charity?" So, I was about to email a certain charity, but searched on Google's adSense site to find out their policy.... here's what they say...

While we do appreciate your charitable efforts, this practice is not permitted by our program policies. We want users to click on ads because they are interested in the products or services offered by the advertiser, not because they are interested in supporting a site or a charity. Using this type of language can draw undue attention to the ads, and we aren't able to verify whether earnings are actually donated to the third-party mentioned on each site. As a result, we don't allow publishers to offer these types of incentives.

But they go on...

However, please know that once you've received your payments, you're still welcome to use them however you wish - whether it's donating them to a charity, paying your hosting bills, or treating yourself to a night out on the town. We just ask that you avoid using any language on your site that would directly or indirectly encourage users to click on your ads. (source)

So, the upshot is...if I put adverts on my blog, I can't say that they are for charity. I can't imply that they are for charity. So, what is the point in me cluttering up my blog with adverts. Readers could accuse me of raising revenue via this site, and I'd be unable to say that it was for charity.

Yet more stress caused by people behind the computer systems. So, finally, the upshot is ... this site is still advert-free. Money I donate via memberships and donations are still my own business, or maybe I'll set up a "justgiving" site for donations instead - but you can do that yourself, so why should I get involved.

Prosperity and long life - it is indeed the year of the rat.

Personal Wind Turbine

This came through on Kirou's newsfeed: the alternative power source HYmini is now available for purchase.

A quick search and there's a longer article on CoolHunting. I'm more interested.

I find the manufacturer's site: hymini.com

I finally see a photo giving me an idea of scale. I'm impressed. I want to see if I can secure it to a pack during the day and use it to generate and store power. Even tie it between 2 guylines overnight.

YouTube search brings up some good videos, for example, this one:

I want one for the next long hiking session. After 3-days, I get concerned about recharging the mobile phone. And finally, it looks like the output is via USB instead of some proprietary connection.

And The Clocks Were Striking Thirteen

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

And so starts George Orwell's "1984".

On each landing, opposite the lift-shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran.

Orwell was writing it exactly 60 years ago this year, and it was published in 1949.The book is as apt today as it was when I read it in 1984.

He had been appointed to a sub-committee of a sub-committee which had sprouted from one of the innumerable committees dealing with minor difficulties that arose in the compilation of the Eleventh Edition of the Newspeak Dictionary. They were engaged in producing something called an Interim Report, but what it was that they were reporting on he had never definitely found out. It was something to do with the question of whether commas should be placed inside brackets, or outside.

Following links from Wikipedia, there are copies from Australia and cartoon versions, even a radio play from 1949. I must re-read it before April this year. There was a good series on BBC2 recently about British Science Fiction. I think it came originally from BBC4. I used to read a lot of early sci-fi when I was travelling to/from school on the bus, but I think it was American early and "golden years" stories. Unlike tv programmes and fleeting media, I find that reading things stays more in my brain. But I'm sure that's just a sign of my age. But then again, what's the point in remembering tv programmes if you can't give a copy of the documentary to a mate - but you can point them to a book, or a film. We are losing information into the aether of marginal tv channels where the makers can generate extra revenue in the hope that we, the public, will follow. If the data is out there and we can't find it, then it might as well not exist and we should call the fire brigade.

There was a whole chain of separate departments dealing with proletarian literature, music, drama, and entertainment generally. Here were produced rubbishy newspapers containing almost nothing except sport, crime and astrology, sensational five-cent novelettes, films oozing with sex, and sentimental songs which were composed entirely by mechanical means

If you've never read the book, go to the library and get it. Go to a bookshop and buy it (maybe even from one of these cheap shops or charity shops). Or read the linked file text from Wikipedia. You won't regret it. Or you can get back to your entertainment, being happily advertised as "brain-dead tv".

HALO dEMO

d/l'd the Halo demo n gave it a whack. Sim controls 2 old Castle Falkenstein, which evolved into Doom. So intuitive. Loved the Gunny character that appeared when I quit (having failed to get thru doors in the Easy - Silent Cart'pher miss'; but also failed in my attempt to drown the warthog at sea). Sale's pitch for the full ver: "It's got tanks, guns"...all to a happy jingle. "Buy one, heck, buy two" (uToob, n spoof)

News Technology

Rory Cellan-Jones, tech journo with the BBC News team writes:

I’ve been away from my normal beat for a couple of days, getting involved in coverage of the Heathrow crash landing. But reporting on this story has reminded me of how new technology has changed the lives of journalists. Ten years ago, we would not have had three tools that proved essential over recent days – Google, Youtube, and games software downloaded online.

Full story on how Internet technology aided the recent BBC coverage of the Heathrow crash landing. The discussion afterwards is worth your perusal too.

RW: Missing People

Another real world use of YouTube, this time by "Missing People".

Missing People has established itself as central to the search for and support of missing people, and those left behind, for more than a decade. The history of the charity is as varied as its work and is a true testament to the energy and passion of all those that have worked and volunteered, steering it from its humble origins to the much-respected organisation it is today.
Started as the National Missing Persons Helpline in 1993, Missing People has grown to become the largest UK charity dedicated to finding missing people and offering emotional and practical support to families searching for their loved ones.

YouTube channel

YonTeuchter

Fun video channel on YouTube. I'll need to catch some more over the festive break.

Keeping it real

 

 

We're n ur headz making u hummm a fairytale of new yorkzzz

Funniest thing this week

Police Launch Festive Campaign

From the Grampian Police RSS feed and website:

Motorists across the north of Scotland are being given the stark message this festive season – Don't Drink and Drive.

"Our message is again very simple and very real," said Chief Inspector Tom Forrester, Head of Roads Policing in Grampian.

"Research indicates that drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs greatly increases your risk of being involved in a collision," he continued.
"Those people who choose to drink and drive or drive whilst under the influence of drugs are at a significantly higher risk of being involved in a collision than those who don't - a collision that could result in serious injury or death to themselves, the death of someone close to them or the death of an innocent member of the community.  Ask yourselves this - could you live for the rest of your life with the death of another human being on your conscience?"

Chief Inspector Forrester added:  "This year we are launching a text service where members of the public can report anyone they suspect to be drinking and driving.  You will see posters displaying the text number 07739934444 throughout the Force area and I would encourage anyone with any information about drink /drug drivers to use this facility, or 'Crimestoppers' to report anyone they know to be drinking and driving.  I guarantee your information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
"During this campaign we will be deploying additional resources in all areas of the Force to deter and detect offenders. 

You will be breathalysed for committing any moving road traffic offence, whether that's exceeding the speed limit, failing to wear a seat belt or driving your vehicle with a defective light.  Don't ruin someone else's Christmas this year.  Don't risk it – Don't drink and drive!"

Drinking and driving or taking drugs and driving have an obvious effect on drivers' abilities and this effect can last for several hours afterwards – even after a night's sleep.  Over indulgence at the office party or Christmas night out can mean motorists are still unfit to drive the following day and no amount of fresh air, food or coffee can change that - only time will.

Chief Inspector Forrester concluded:  "If you have to ask yourself whether you are fit to drive the 'morning after', there is every likelihood you are not.  So don't risk it! Don't ruin this festive season – or those for years to come...Don't drink and drive."

Other media from the "Think! Road Safety Website"

Festive Irn Bru Ad

It's getting old, but still a fun advert for our other national drink.

HGA Creative do some advertising work for Barr's, but I can't find if they created this advert.

Better quality (i.e. non-YouTube) version is on the Irn Bru site.

Duncan Drops A Clanger

How could I resist this?

I Heart Jimmy Shand

The blog seems to be turning into a request show, as a student of mine pointed me to this video.

Meditation by Paddyrasta

Paddyrasta's "Meditation" video, filmed here in Aberdeen. See how many locations you can spot.

BeatBullying

YouTube has set up a channel that hopes to beat the bullies.

The BBC News writes:

It follows growing concern about the increase in persecution by e-mail, mobile phone and on social networking sites, known as cyberbullying.

The scheme is being launched at the start of anti-bullying week and is run jointly with charity Beatbullying.

The Beatbullying YouTube channel aims to revolutionise how young people access information on how to avoid being bullied and importantly on how to avoid being the person who does the intimidating.

Links:

• BeatBullying website
• Anti-Bullying Week (19-23 November)
• BeatBullying YouTube channel

More information can be found on these sites, including video clips from celebrities, some talking about how it affected them.

This and That

This

and

that

Old College Project

When people whinge and moan about having to do work at College, just take a moment to consider the fact that you came to College to get the skills and qualifications to get a better job. Out in the real world, you'll be up against people who really want that job. If you grudgingly answer questions asked, slouch in the chair and show a general lack of indifference, you won't get the job, and you'll have to come up with some excuse as to how it wasn't your fault you didn't get the job. Then you'll shrug, and say that you didn't want the job in the first place.

Or you get real, and wise up. Here is one of former student, Mark Stirton's old college projects:

Put this level of effort into your work; show interest, show flair, show passion for your career. Interview panels can detect this quickly. They can also detect laziness, disinterest and lack of willing. Guess what? So can we. Good luck for the future.

Monster Mash BrickStyle

A bit of YouTube fun for these dark days.