Archive for the ‘e-participation’ Category

From 2nd to 4th February 2010, the best Digital specialists from around Europe converged upon the RAI centre in Amsterdam for the Integrated Systems Europe 2010 event. Now in its 6th year, the ISE Show allows companies to showcase their hardware to audiences that over the three day event now is in excess of 25,000 attendees. The businesses vary from audio to visual hardware and in a visual format, from small format to large format screen.

The attendees also come from a wide spectrum of businesses, with the wish to see the best cutting-edge digital technology available and how the technology is used in a multitude of environments. Pebu represented Digital Birmingham at the event to look at the opportunities for project partners linked to innovations in digital signage particularly in connection to the digital events that we are delivering in autumn 2010.

Pebu have delivered cutting-edge technology before this event, at Hello Digital 2009 having a number of touch-screen technology pieces, including the Panasonic 103″ touch-screen, which at the time of the event was the World’s largest touch-screen.

The following Case Study highlights the key areas of the show and allows the partners of Pebu an insight into how these technologies will enhance the propositions that Pebu will look to deliver.

I’ve just read an interesting article from the BBC site which makes reference to London’s attempt to free up some of the public sector data in order to see how people might use it.  Birmingham is doing a similar project called Timely Information – but I hadn’t realised until now that 4ip Channel 4′s innovation fund are offering a £200,000 reward for the best of the ideas that come out of the mashup.  If I were a hacker, that would give me another good reason to work into the small hours.  And when you’re analysing the released datasets, why not check out the Council’s ‘Be Heard’ database.  This is an online portal for all of the City’s consultation.  Eg. what people want.  Hackers, you have the data, and you also have a font of information from the public, on what services they need or would like to see developed. Check out the piece from the BCC here

In my post Christmas, rather over indulged state, I’ve just had a quick look around for some help with how to get back into shape.

It didn’t take me long to find a favourite….   Came across this site from handbag.co.uk that shows you little video clips of different exercises, relevant to different body parts.  Exercises relevant to a pretty comprehensive list such as; banish back fat, get a booty-licious bum, minimise your miffin tops, eliminate jelly belly to list just a few – I guess there’s something there for any ailment.

I’ve been working on the banish bingo wings for the past 10 mins – whilst eating the last of the mince pies in the office.  I’m hoping to pull off a break even calorie count.

A site I will be logging onto quite often over the next month.  Why not check it out here then let me know your favourite and if you’ve seen any improvement.

Birmingham City Council have just unveiled a new and exciting database which pulls together all research & consultation projects they (and all Be Birmingham partners) undertake throughout the year, and gives Birmingham people a greater chance to get their voices heard.  The Be Heard database is an easy to use system which allows the user to search for key words or topics of interest.  There is a simple video which walks you through how to use the system, and a consultation calendar which shows when key pieces of research are planned.  The best bit though, is the database allows you receive email alerts when topics that interest you are due to happen.

New and interesting ways have been developed to help busy orgs.  evaluate and monitor the growing level of feedback from social media and review sites.

Some time ago I saw a product that evaluated text feedback on customer service received in a clothing shop.  By setting up key words, the feedback system was automated and daily/weekly/monthly reports could be produced to monitor how the shop was doing.

Today I read how similar systems are being developed to evaluate the ever growing quantity of comments and feedback left on social media sites.  Statistics show that 75% of feedback is being unread because of a lack of back end resource.  Automating the process seems like a very sensible move forward.  Especially when the methods of evaluating qualitative social media comments are few and far between.  Check it out here

4iP, Channel 4‘s innovation fund for digital media, has started announcing its grant awards and it’s good to see that Birmingham has a part in them.

Will Perrin‘s Talk About Local is a collaboration with UK Online Centres to establish a network of tools with support for individuals and community groups to set up their own online presence.  Because of the strength of blogging talent in Birmingham, more particularly the many people using social media to increase civic engagement and give people a voice in their community, Talk About Local will be doing a lot of it’s early work in the Midlands.  Much of this will be in Birmingham but the Black Country and Stoke should get a look in as well. More – 4iP Projects Announced

With our aim to be a leading European digital city in 2010, it is not surprising that we have developed strong links with our European cities to exchange information and collaborate on project work, debate digital city developments and exchange experiences.

Whilst we may have a lot to learn (and the pace of technology change means that won’t lessen), we also have a lot to offer and collaboration has got to be key here to get the best from technology and promoting greater digital inclusion. Already we are a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) that was established to increase the global competiveness of European business, Chair of Eurocities Knowledge Forum and participate in European funded projects such as DEHEMS (trialing of a smart meter to assist home energy efficiency and change behaviour).

More – EU Commission comes to town

John’s already given his report on the National Digital Inclusion Conference 2009, so I thought I’d reflect on the work put in by the two Birmingham groups who were there.  Representing the voluntary sector, we had We Share Stuff who were “there to share” and to demonstrate to people at the conference the benefits of social networking tools.  Representing the public sector, we had Digital Birmingham and its partners, who are founder members of the DC10+ Network, the co-sponsors of the event.

There was a session centred around the work being done by grassroots organisations to tackle social exclusion using digital technologies.  For this, Digital Birmingham got Priara and Shazia from Saathi House down to talk about their “A Conversation About Diabetes” project which teaches English skills using digital technology in order to improve access to health .  Priara is a very impressive speaker and for many of us was a highlight of the conference as she was able to talk about a practical example of digital inclusion from personal experience. More – Birmingham at #ndi09

….or at least that’s the fancy title of the pilot project we’re running with funding from the department for Communities and Local Government. As announced by Hazel Blears, Birmingham is one of ten English councils who secured funding for a ‘Timely Information for Citizens’ pilot project.

The idea behind ‘Birmingham – Open City’ is to develop a community of practice around developing new resources to empower citizens. When Digital Birmingham were working up the bid we went on the basis that we shouldn’t presume what kind of services could be developed, or indeed, what kind of data sources could be made available to develop them. Instead we’re focusing on putting some resource into generating the collaborations, discussions, creativity and debate from which new services can spring.

More – Birmingham – Open City