Broadband and Me

Gadgets fuel eco concerns

BBC NEWS | Technology | Gadget growth fuels eco concerns

This was something that had bothered me for sometime in terms of consumer electronics and particularly power consumption. I have proposed in the past alternative powered devices (although I am not technical enough to know whether they are really feasible) as a niche product but Ebay is going a step further:

The online auction house thinks that its already-established community of loyal users could be influential.

"We really became aware of the e-waste issue and we saw that our 125 million users can be a powerful force for good," eBay's David Stern told the BBC News website.

"We saw the opportunity to meet the additional demand we have on the site for used computers and saw the opportunity too to good some good for the environment."

There are also a number of other issues discussed here not least re-cycling, the cycle of upgrade and displosal of consumer mobile devices and power consumption particulalry of rechargers.

While this is a positive story I think more could be done. There must surely be a market for more efficient devices and more efficient rechargers but why not state this as an absolute vision. Why not try and make energy neutral devices that can self re-charge. Blue sky maybe but surely worthy of a vision piece?

Long Tail TV: Conclusion

Long Tail TV: Conclusion

Chris Anderson finishes his epic exploration of Long Tail TV with a great little expo:

... But first, let's crisp up what I mean by Long Tail TV. The definition of the Long Tail in this context is: "content that is not available through traditional distribution channels but could nevertheless find an audience." For the most part, that's niche content. It may not have been niche when it was made or niche everywhere but it counts as niche now where you live. This could include:

1) TV shows that are made but not broadcast in your area:

• Channels your cable provider doesn't carry
• Foreign TV
• Local sports and events from places you aren't

2) Old TV shows:

• TV from the archives, from ancient to relatively recent
• Current shows that you missed and forgot to record

3) Video of any sort that is made but not broadcast (the video found on the Internet Archive's moving image collections, which ranges from the Prelinger Archives to SIGGRAPH animations, is a great example.)

• Independent films
• Commercials (which are broadcast but not scheduled and findable)
• Amateur video, including news
• Commercial/corporate video intended for targeted audiences

4) Video that could and would be made if only there were a good way to find an audience for it. (Steve Rosenbaum is blogging on this, too). The best sense of what that might be can be found by looking at the online video that's been made since the broadband web became a reality.....

(You get the idea) Essentially then cluetrain for TV, blogging for TV, microcontent (of a video persuasion) and a worldwide market.

Linked into yesterday's announcement about VOD and other initiatives like Telewest's Blueyonder TV, BBC's offering of online programming, you can see that some broadcasters and network service providers understand this. What I wonder is whether there could be a business model here (I'm very business focused today). Could this be the iTunes / iPod equivalent in video?

I mentioned previously that there are server - client and Peer to Peer models here. In addition I think from Chris's categories above there remains a distinction between mass consumables (although perhaps less mass than previously) and true niche products/offerings - which I think could well be micro-content or be in the same league as online comics / e-books.

Could this be video blogging or video podcasting?

Perhaps this could link to the kind of issues with online photo storage? I think I end up coming back to digital lifestyle aggregators.

Why Communism doesn't work...

From Quotes of the Day:

Frank Zappa
"Communism doesn't work because people like to own stuff."

(that should probably be people in industrialised capitalist societies but I'm being churlish :) )

Speak and it shall play

BBC NEWS | Technology | Speak easy plan for media players

ScanSoft and Gracenote are developing technology to give people access to their film and music libraries simply by voice control.

They want to give people hands-free access to digital music and films in the car, or at home or on the move.

Great idea - looking forward to seeing this implemented. I wonder how they will get round how to activate voice recognition. I mean if it is always on how does it cope with you having a conversation in the car or on the move?

I'm fascinated to see it in action. I wonder if they could develop voice recognition for TVs - I am always loosing my remote controls.

Photo Storage Market

BBC NEWS | Technology | Web photo storage market hots up

I have been thinking about this aspect of the web for some time - although admitedly on a broader outlook, at, as Marc Canter puts it 'Digital Lifestyle aggregations'. Photos are an essential place in a lot of people's lives - they convey meaning, emotion for time and place and can evoke powerful responses. As the article suggests they are also an important form of social history artifacts that offer incredible insight into people.

From a technology perspective it doesn't appear at first glance to be too much of an issue after all, storing phots isn't a problem - you just need more memory - and that's not expensive. The big 'but' though is format of the photo and its ongoing compatibility with future formats - something that has caused problems with such projects as the BBC's Doomsday Book project which was originally stored on VideoDiscs in BBC Micro format.

It also causes problems for people now too. Whilst digital formats are extremely easy to use, in terms of taking and storing personally, sharing digitally and physically can be an issue. My family have hundreds of stored photos but we rarely look at them unless they are stored physically because we don't have an obviously easily accessable digital viewer to hand (i.e. we have to switch on the PC and look at them there - not convenient - an my father in law leaves the photos on the memory card in the camera).

Ideally then a service that could provide a means of sharing, a device capable of showing pictures to their full effect which is portable, a means of showing pictures anywhere within the household and a means of printing high quality physical prints. And of course a format that is compatible cross devices and future proof.

Not asking for much am I?

Whilst there are a number of firms in and around this area, none of them have really caught the imagination or developed the 'killer app'.

I wonder whether a service that allows storage and view over TV, mobile, Internet with third party printing and perhaps rental or discounted pricing on a suitable mobile viewing device could be a business model that would work?

Anybody needs someone to help work up a business model?

VOD is coming

BBC NEWS | Technology | Cable firms offer video-on-demand

I couldn't very well not mention this Product launch. Although two points spring to mind from this article:

1) Great new technology which the cable firms think gives them a lead on BSkyB (not convinced entirely but I'll let it ride) and gives customers a lot of interesting choice and perhaps more importantly control.

2) Telewest get their senior mangement team to deliver a PR launch, very upbeat, very excited pioneering and visionary.

ntl get their anonymous spokesperson (probably Malcom Padley, ntl's PR Manager) to deliver a few words - although if you read the article they are actually delivering the more exciting service. Its as if they are embarrassed or afraid.

So I would love to have the VOD service tomorrow ( I have actually used the BBC VOD trial and it was brilliant) I doubt I'll get it given my current circumstance and I would love for once for ntl to actually start creating buzz about their products. They do have other stuff to go fix but products they generally do well - so someone for pity's sake shout about it!!!

Ubiquitous Net

BBC NEWS | Technology | All of the net, all of the time

Bill Thompson's BBC technology column is always worth a view. His take this week is on pervasive nature of the net given wireless access methods. I think this will invade our lives more and more - the idea of computing and particularly network (internet) access everywhere. As Bill mentions he could use a PDA or Smart Mobile phone and most places now have some sort of wireless connection for a laptop to connect to.

I suspect in the not to distant future Head up displays may well come into being but probably further than I think (well I am a Cyberpunk fan at heart).

For an interesting take on pervasive and ubiquitous computing have a look at Anne Galloway's blog Purse Lip Square Jaw

Games Help you learn and play...

BBC NEWS | Technology | Games help you 'learn and play'

Absolutely. I am surprised that this is such a revelation - whilst the researcher does admit to not being the first to suggest this - I know from experience that this has been happening for as long while. At college we played simulations to understand economic theory regarding absolute and comparative advantage in International trade. When I was studying for my PGCE (teaching qualification) I was also encouraged to make use of games most notably SIM City to highlight how society interacts and social models. The SIMs and Civilisations are merely the extension of that.

So great idea. Agree totally that it should be implemented. By no means new or innovative.

The importance of Blogging

THE TEN MOST IMPORTANT IDEAS OF 2004: BLOGS AND THE INTERNET

Wanted to capture this before I forgot - Dave (and Rob Paterson) waxing lyrical about blogging (need to read this post in full but until then I think I will attempt to realise some self awareness):

Rob identified three 'values' of blogging to him personally: Finding one's voice; Noticing what gives and what drains one's energy; Redefining the meaning of work as a function of community and fellowship instead of wage slavery. So he's saying, and I agree with him, that blogging (the participation in the conversation as both a journal reader and writer) re-centres you, frees you from being like, and seeing the world like, everyone else, and allows you to see the world and yourself differently, more profoundly (for better and for worse), and hence to liberate yourself and take charge of your own life. Self-awareness, self-reliance, and the personal liberation that comes from deep knowledge. Could there possibly be a higher utility for anything?

Wider, Flatter and Less predictable?

Seth's Blog: 25,000 copies sold

Seth's Blog: 25,000 copies sold

Seth points to the Yorkshire Post (interesting) and highlights that it takes less sales to reach number one in the UK pop charts and the New York Times Best Seller.

I guess this also links in with my point about UK Politics as well.

One thing that Seth doesn't say but I would suggest is a consequence of this, is that it makes it less easy to predict what will happen, i.e. although products can build quickly they can't build for as long or with as much success or certainty as in the past.

Breaking the Mould

BBC NEWS | Politics | Kennedy looks to election gains

One of my favourite Politics A level questions was "The SDP / Liberal alliance (as it then was before merger into the Liberal democrats) have broken the mould of British Politics." Discuss.

The standard answer (at least in the late 80s) was a slightly depressing they tried hard but "No". Even recent elections despite showing the willingness of the average British voter to move away from two party politics, the frmework though warped does still seem to exist however can it continue? Perhaps Charles Kennedy's speech will see the Liberal Democrats provide a truely effective third force that could win power, although I suspect that this will not be possible at this next general election.

What is certainly the case is that multi-party politics will be a reality. I certainly believe that more choice is better as long as there is not too much choice given the way the political system works in the UK. Push to far away from single party government or two party political system and things will break.

Despite my former professor (now Lord) Norton's desire to see change by evolution, I think revolution (though not in a chaotic way) may be necessary.

PVR and TV links on Blogs

The Long Tail: Long Tail TV: Wishlist

Great idea explored by Chris Anderson at the Long Tail blog - a permalink to a TV show that would allow instant set up of a PVR to record a show - ideal for bloggers to pick up and recommend a programme (show) and for readers (watchers) to remotely get their PVR to implement.

It is also a very similar idea to some P2P solutions such as Bit Torrent which can be set to automatically download torrents based on filters or by using browser plugins (which Chris also mentions). I would certainly buy into the concept (although I would need to upgrade my PC) as I often miss things I would like to see. The UK's listings infrastructure doesn't seem to be as sophisticated as the US...

I have certainly noticed a tendancy for this to be more the case in radio shows especially given the BBC's decision to allow some shows to be downloaded e.g. In our time. This isn't exactly the same but its close. Maybe a VOD type offering would also be appropriate but that is of course a server side as opposed to P2P or client side model. Be very interested to see where this thinking will develop...

(Update) N.B. SMLXL also comment on PVRs and their effect on advertising models here - good little introduction especially for the UK

EA want to be Disney...

BBC NEWS | Technology | EA to take on film and TV giants

EA games says it wants to be as big as Disney. Why is that interesting? Becasue it shows how far Electronic games have come in terms of entertainment value and consumers desire to have them and play them.

The increasing trend for children and young adults to surf and play games over watching TV is a distinct trend that should have some broadcasters shaking in their boots unless they can counter using more interactive media?

The Storytelling Problem

From elearning post - The Storytelling Problem

Malcolm Gladwell, in his new book Blink, takes a look at how people make snap decisions. ....

"We have, as human beings, a storytelling problem. We're a bit to quick to come up with explanations for things we don't really have an explanation for."

This becomes quite apparent when we interview experts... When we interview them, we are asking them to peep into their subconscious (their "locked door") and to come up with explanations for their actions. But its difficult for experts to figure out why they do what they do -- they can't open their "locked door" -- so they end up telling us only the most plausible story, which as Gladwell describes, can be far from the truth.

Really enjoyed Malcom Gladwell's Tipping Point and Blink looks like a good buy too.

I remeber that our brains are essentially built o take decisions based on limited data, by looking at previous patterns (experiences) in our lives and matching the current situation (decision point) against them. This is extremely useful in hunter gathering situation as it allows humans to react very quickly and usually correctly.

Nowadays it holds less true becuase situations are often more conplex than they originally appear and people still opt to 'jump' based on limited data.

The Storytelling point is interesting because it means that post hoc we attempt to rationalise the process. I suspect that 'experts' would try to fit the actions to some rational process whereas in reality they probably reacted based on their experience.

Does this make you angry or is it just me?

From Adpulp the title certainly got my interest:
Maybe Markets Are Getting Smarter

Then I read the following:

from Promo Magazine: The "Let Them Eat Cake" sweepstakes, which supports the recent launch of Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake treats and the upcoming world premiere of The History Channel's The French Revolution, puts a new twist on Marie Antoinette's infamous statement, "Let them eat cake."

So the implication is (unless I am reading this wrongly) is that because Baskin Robbins offers prizes which are French and educational therefore markets are getting smarter. In addition they are using the phrase 'let them eat cake' in I suppose the ignorant way it was originally used not appreciating the real situation in the world (or market).

Maybe I am being oversensitive about this but it feels crass and ignorant of history not funny or humourous and definitely not smart.

there is no horizontal option

there is no horizontal option

Hugh at Gapingvoid being his usually pithy self:

A business is either growing, or it's dying.

The conversation is either geting smarter, or getting dumber.

There is no Horizontal Option.

[UPDATE:] Just added this post to The Hughtrain.

I can honestly say that at ntl the conversation is defintely getting dumber. No offence to those whom I know and love but the company itself (and maybe the most senior management) don't get it.

Hugh's 'Hughtrain' makes some very good points and well worth a read particularly about internal marketing...

Money doesn't buy happiness, part 2

Money doesn't buy happiness, part 2

Curt posts on Money not equaling Happiness:

"During the 1980s, the West Germans had double the incomes of the poor Irish, who year after year reported more satisfaction with their lives," said David Myers, a sociologist at Hope College in Michigan who authored the 1993 book "The Pursuit of Happiness."

And goes onto mention that unless you accept this as true you cannot escape the cycle of pursuing money to be happy and making yourself more miserable. Wise thoughts indeed. I'm going to keep that in mind as I look for my new role.

5 key KM concepts

5 key KM concepts

Great little post introducing people to knowledge management concepts - well worth a quick look.

I find it interesting the difference between PKM and Social thoughts. I think (and I am sure I am stealing this from someone else) that although knowledge may tescitly be held personally, it only appears (is recalled) in a social context.

In addition as the training exercise for a group - What uses can you think of for a paper clip proves - more heads are better than one.

Other Plans

Johnnie Moore's Weblog: Other plans...

Priceless.

Hugh's cartoon says it all.

(oh and thanks to Johnnie for the plug (and the sacked/hired for blogging reference))

Experienced Knowledge Worker Available (AKA 2005 Hasn't started well: Part 2)

Well after 8 years its finally happened: ntl are making me redundant. Its a bit of a shock after only being in this new role for 10 months, however considering that this is the 5th or 6th time in 8 years that I have been at risk, its not really that surprising.

It perhaps would have been better to have been "sacked for blogging" but I haven't... ;) (sorry couldn't resist it)

So, I am looking, ideally a strategic role, in either marketing or knowledge management and possibly with connections to Internet technologies (websites, software, hardware) but defintely something that allows me to use my considerable experience of taking ideas / products from inception through business case, design (particularly customer experience and process) and implementation. Ideally based within less than an hour of Farnborough in Hampshire, UK although willing to relocate if the right role is available.

I am available from 11 February 2005.

Any offers, suggestions, help, etc greatly appreciated.

My C.V. can be found here ( or a more traditional version here)

If you want to know more about me in general you can take a look at my about me page

2005: Hasn't started well (Part 1)

Oh for a crystal ball...

Little to say about the world in general simply that what has happened in Asian, the poverty that exists throughout the world especially in Africa and man's inhumaity to man is by far more important than the following (just so that you know where my priorities lie).

Broken Modem

Returned from holiday last week to find by Broadband connection down. No having considerable experience of the service (probably more than most people in ntl) I rang up to report a fault knowing ful well that they needed to send an engineeer to look at the levels in the cabinet. (Its happened more than once and is usually down to an install, disconnection or very basd weather). So first of all I get relatively new guy at ntl's tech support. He takes me through his online diagnostics (despite me telling him what the problem was). Now this is fine as he has to check that I am not talking rubbish. Then he finally agrees I need an engineer.

Good.

But no.

"You don't have a security word on your account".

"Pardon", says I.

"You need a security word on your accoutn becuase of the Data Protection Act".

"Okay", says I, still feeling a false sense of calm. "I have to transfer you to customer services" says the man. " Okay but you have organised the engineer?"

"No sir. You need a secuirty word before I can do that. I'll transfer you". Boring musak for 5 mins. " Sorry sir I can't do that you will have to ring them".

Calm has now disappated. So, I call customer services. Eventually get through to a guy who doesn't know what I am talking about but after lengthy consuyltations with somebody who does eventually manages to add a security word. He also cannot transfer me back.

So call Tech support again. Guy I get through to does know what he is doing but insists on repeating the diagnostics and doing some other bits to see if he can get it going again (fair enough). Note he doesn't ask for my security word.

He again eventually agrees an engineer is needed. Endlessly long wait while he tries to escalate through to second line. Second line finally answer and attempt to put me through to the faults department to agree a time for an engineer to come out - he doesn't actually know what for though so I have to tell him.

So an engineer is coming out the next day when I know he won't need to touch the house and it just requires a short visit to the cabinet. Talk time 45 mins. End to end time over 1 and half hours. No wondered the call centres are not doing well.

Post Script - cable modem comes back up early evening and an hour later receive a call from ntl saying they went to the cabinet and fixed it. Someone knew what they were doing and acted, probably saving a visit to me, so service fixed but what appalling service and processes.

Strangely before Christmas I spoke with a number of frontline people who are also extremely frustrated with the way things work and can't believe what they are being asked to do.

Its a wonder customers stay with ntl if they have to phone.

The people at the sharp end know the problems and quite frankly most of them know how to solve them, yet middle and senior management persist in making these mistakes. Yes ntl is in the middle of a massive change programme but that is no excuse for not maintaining basic service levels or for obvious mistkes when shutting down old operational areas and transferring them.

It certainly feels like cuts have taken away the fat, the meat and quite a bit of bone. How long till Telewest merger? I suspect not long...