22 June 2010
Concerning the new product NCAppliance, NorCom Technology AG (NorCom) is entering into cooperation with IBM Deutschland GmbH (IBM). Acting as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Nor-Com will be responsible for the optimization of the IBM Blade Cen-ter for media customers.
NCAppliance is based on the IBM Blade Center Technology which is currently known as the most modern computing system worldwide. IBM is responsible for the mass storage device as well as for the computing power while NorCom is adding the management and application software which is tailored to the individual require-ments of the media customers. Further NorCom is constructing the network and the certified peripheral equipments. Together with independent software vendors (ISVs) the requested software solu-tions for the individual working process are developed as well as integrated into NCAppliance.
NCAppliance is consolidating all components of the data processing center
“Up to now media companies have been stored an unmanageable collection of system components, net works, grid connections, safety systems and individual applications¡¨, commented Robin Ribback, Head of Product Management & Business Development. ¡§So far there has been a lack in high-power technology which en-ables to merge all components to one single platform. NCAppliance is able to do this!”
NCAppliance is tied to the most modern communication networks. It is built up modularly; its infrastructure is scaleable and contains the standard IT-components. Therefore customers do not have any additional development costs for own server systems.
Also the sales partners who are consigned to distribute NCAppliance will have strong advantages. The whole development procedure will be much easier, especially with respect to quality management and the certification of the end-to-end solution.
NCAppliance supplements the innovative portfolio of NorCom
The cooperation between IBM and NorCom started with NCPower Compact, NorCom´s turn-key “TV-in-Box”.
NCPower Compact is generally delivered by pre-installing the NCPower software on the IBM Blade Center.
“Through NCAppliance we have reached a new level concerning our previous cooperation with IBM: Regardless of our software we are offering another innovative NorCom product by refining hardware products. This will also support the revolution of the media busi-ness´ IT,” added Ribback.
17 June 2010
BTs Media & Broadcast division and RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd (RRsat) announced today a five year strategic alliance. The alliance will enable their customers to benefit from high quality broadcast services over a deeper global reach as well as being a catalyst to facilitate both companies growth in their global media businesses.
The alliance will combine RRsats world-class capabilities in content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries over satellite, fibre and IP with BTs Global Media Network and existing satellite portfolio,
RRsat will gain access to BTs media switch in London linking in to its Global Media Network, satellite services and offering dedicated bandwidth for short-term event coverage, while BTs media customers will benefit from the RRsat Global Network which offers extensive distribution coverage currently provided to more than 550 channels using over 50 satellite platforms in more than 150 countries.
Each company has agreed to bring between £5-£10million of additional business to the other party.
BT Wholesales Media & Broadcast director of global sales & marketing, Mark Wilson-Dunn, said: This is an important step towards the formation of a global ecosystem to support the creation, movement and monetisation of content, and we are delighted to be taking that step alongside RRsat.
David Rivel, founder and CEO of RRsat Global Communications Network, said Bringing together the energy, culture and capabilities of both parties and both our high quality service standards promises exciting new prospects in the global broadcast and satellite market, delivering significant benefits for all our customers.
17 June 2010
The Voice of America Swahili Service announces the launch of Mitaani, or From the Streets, a new video feature produced exclusively for mobile phone users in Kenya and other parts of Africa.
The short video reports, which debuted on the VOA Swahili mobile site this week, can also be viewed on the Swahili Service website: http://www.voaswahili.com.
“Our audience uses mobile phones to get news, get health information and to share their thoughts about events that affect their lives,” says VOA Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard. “Features designed especially for cell phones help to make that possible,” Dillard adds. And she says, “We’re committed to bringing people mobile news and programs that go where they go.”
The Swahili-language features are shot by three mobile journalists in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu using pocket-sized video cameras. The features capture the opinions of average Kenyans who are invited to comment on political and social issues facing the nation.
Upcoming topics include the World Cup, proposed changes to Kenya’s constitution, and the sex trade in Mombasa.
“In Africa people consume information through mobile devices, rather than the Internet,” said Steven Ferri, VOA Africa Division Senior Web Editor. “It is very natural for us to offer this type of program.”
Mobile phone users can find Mitaani at http://sw.voa.mobi. VOAs Swahili Service first introduced news content via mobile phone earlier this year. For a list of other VOA language services, go to www.voanews.com.
17 June 2010
New in the App Store: owners of the iPhone can create content with My No Comment TV.
The No Comment TV application can be downloaded for free in the News section.
The World Cup and UGC (user generated content)
euronews is launching this application for the World Cup and invites viewers and iPhone owners to provide any videos and comments relevant to this world sporting event.
With the No Comment TV application, these videos and photos can be posted as soon as they are made.
My No Comment
In the My No Comment section, users can create and share their own content.
Therefore, any No Comment entry created can be viewed via the No Comment TV application for iPhone, the nocommenttv.com website and it will also be broadcast during the No Comment programme on euronews global network to 153 countries.
This instantly shared live news service, provided by No Comment reporters, can be accessed in the Galleries section.
iPhone owners can also access the following pages:
– Latest the latest 25 No Comment entries by euronews
– Top Videos the months most-watched videos on euronews.net
– Categories every day, 50 No Comment entries are grouped by themes or by geographical area.
8 June 2010
The YouTube video which is embedded below is a presentation by Dr Anthony Leiserowitz of Yale University of the results of the lastest Gallup survey of attitudes of people throughout the world to climate change. The survey has been carried out annually since 2006 and has a huge scope with nearly half a million people having been polled up to now. Although Dr Leiserowitz obviously believes in manmade climate change and the need to act to combat it, the figures provide interesting reading whatever your views.
The headline states that 40% of the world have not heard of climate change, but in fact the 40% figure includes those who answered “Do Not Know” and those who refused to answer the question, as well as those who actually said they had not heard of climate change. It also, as Dr Leiserowitz carefully points out, does not mean that 40% have not experienced changes in climate themselves. However, this headline figure is a good indication of how many people, usually the most disadvantaged by poverty and lack of education, are not aware of the debate and so have very little voice in deciding how the issue should be tackled.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/B3R6VE4EvnU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0
The analysis by country is fascinating and makes the video well worth watching. The results of the first question, on awareness, are not that surprising, with the developed world most aware of the debate and Africa & South Asia the areas least aware. Some countries have over 70% of their population unaware and because of their large populations India & China have by far the largest number of inhabitants who are unaware. The example of Bangladesh is used to analyse the huge gap in awareness between those who are highly educated (98% aware) and those who are mainly or totally uneducated (under 30%).
But the question of belief in the causes of climate change presents a different geographical picture, with the USA joining India and a number of African countries as those with the highest belief that climate change is due to natural causes. Also, it is the countries of South America, particularly Brazil, who feel the risk to them from climate change is the highest.
Finally, despite the differing views, it is interesting to note that in nearly all the countries which are major carbon emitters, there is a majority of those who are aware who state that their governments should be doing more.
For more details of this report and similar work, visit the Yale Project Climate Change Communication website
4 June 2010
Because the AIBs (international media excellence awards) this year include a People’s Choice category for the best TV coverage of climate change, I have been looking at the online coverage on this subject and the wide range of different views expressed. It is a fascinating subject because of the way it affects, or may affect, different nations and peoples around the world (listen, for example to an interview with a campaigner from Samoa talking about climate justice) and also because of the widely differing views on the subject from fervent climate change disbelievers (e.g. Watts Up with That) to those who have made careers out of propounding manmade climate change (e.g. Al Gore)
But it is interesting to see other angles taken on climate change – from Ecological Buddhism’s view of the morality of mankind treating nature as a resource to be cared for, through those who care passionately about the effect on people living at the margins (see Oxfam’s website, for example) to those who focus on green technologies as business opportunities as well as necessary for our future (e.g. Clean Technology Business Review).
If you do not have a set viewpoint, it is difficult to make sense of all the conflicting claims and studies. Thank goodness for sites like “Information is beautiful”, in particular the blog post putting arguments from opposing views on climate change side by side with the data graphed inbetween. It is a really useful infographics tool to allow readers to make informed decisions themselves.
It can be difficult to make up your mind on the arguments, but once you have, you can be sure of finding a group who is championing the point of view on which you decide.
