News and Events from InfoLab21
InfoTextX
News and Events from InfoLab21
September 2006
Welcome to the September issue of InfoTextX – the e-newsletter from the Knowledge Business Centre at InfoLab21, aimed at keeping you informed about developments inside InfoLab21 and other news which we hope will be of interest to you.
If you would like to contribute news items to future editions of InfoTextX and our new website, or know someone else who would like to receive this InfoTextX please contact the editor – Amanda Ross - at a.ross@lancaster.ac.uk
The Department of Communication Systems extends a cordial invitation to InfoLab21's annual postgraduate show, Innovate, on the 20th September, 2006.
The show provides a unique opportunity to browse through demonstrations of the latest technological applications including RFID technology, Robotics, Mobile applications, signal processing, software development, and multimedia.
In addition to the open demonstrations will be a number of briefings (please register in advance for these sessions) on key technical issues including RFID technology, mobile software development, and Business Intelligence gathering using Bluetooth.
To register for the briefings and for further details see http://www.innovateshow.info/
As part of the European Commission Leonardo Da Vinci scheme, a portuguese graduate, Vanessa Gomez has joined the KBC. Vanessa specializes in networking systems and previously worked for the leading portuguese energy supplier.
The KBC has also welcomed Andrew Foote, a graduate from InfoLab21’s Department of Communications. Andrew already has experience designing websites for local companies and as part of his studies he developed a promotional DVD.
Andrew and Vanessa will be working on ICT projects as part of InfoLab21’s Graduate Academy, which provides free ICT support for businesses.
The first Graduate has left the Academy - Rob Jones, who
specialised in web design and completed a series of projects for local businesses,
including developing a new free website Content Management System, has been
recruited by IT Works in Preston. We wish him all the best in his new role
as ICT Recruitment Advisor.
For more information on the Graduate Academy see: http://www.infolab21.lancs.ac.uk/business/graduate_academy.php
For more information on the kinds of ICT support available, see http://www.infolab21.lancs.ac.uk/business/
Thanks to all those who attended the latest Technology Matters events at InfoLab21 and at Rheged on September 6th. The InfoLab21 event was filmed so if you missed the talks by HSBC and BT and would like to know what they think about the future of ICT, you will be able to download all the information from our website shortly.
InfoLab21’s Department of Computing is looking for suitable projects for its Masters students. If your business is interested in new technology and has the resources to support a student project, they can help you to evaluate issues, solve problems, build a prototype, test or devise theory, all for free.
Previous projects proposals have included:
WiFi Ad-hoc message propagation over GPRS networks (2) (BT)
QoS in next generation converged hub/router (BT)
Project Traffic Matrix (Dante)
The W-Files... Mobile Multiplayer AR Gaming (Winmarleigh Hall)
Managing the location and maintenance of potholes (Atlantic
Geometrics)
Mobile anti-virus evaluation / development (St Georges)
For further details see http://www.infolab21.lancs.ac.uk/news_and_events/news/?article_id=343
The course description and skill base of the students can be found here: http://www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/postgraduates/masters.html
For more information, please contact the KBC Business Development Officers:
Nick King n.king@lancaster.ac.uk
Colin McLaughlin c.i.mclaughlin@lancaster.ac.uk
InfoLab21 Company Kinetic Cubed, who specialise in international trade and investment solutions, economic development and regeneration, are speaking at the Institute of Directors, Manchester on the 12th September on “The arrival of India in the Global Economy”, organised by Pro-Manchester. Kinetic Cubed is sponsoring the annual Pro-Manchester “Sir Howard Bernstein” talk to Manchester’s professional community on the 5th October 2006. Sir Howard is the Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City Council.
For details of both events, visit http://www.pro-manchester.co.uk/events.asp?PageFlag=1&EventId=345
For more information on Kinetic Cubed, see http://www.kinetic3.co.uk/
One area InfoLab21’s academics specialise in, and the source of the latest commercialisation project, is ubiquitous computing. This may sound complicated, but the concept is actually quite simple. Computers are ubiquitous- that is, all around us, in our lives and our daily routines. Computers are becoming more embedded into objects that we use everyday- phones, cookers, cars etc, and by embedding technology into existing products it is possible to create new products. Project Firefly involves two academics from InfoLab21’s Computing Department who have chosen a simple item, a fairy light, and have given it a “technological upgrade” by embedding a tiny computer, creating the next generation of Fairy lights. This innovation will potentially revolutionise lighting displays like the Blackpool Illuminations and have great potential for advertisers.
For full strory see:
http://www.infolab21.com/latest_news/?article_id=280
InfoLab21 is delighted to announce that Prof. William Webb, Head of Research and Development for Ofcom: Office of Communications has agreed to chair the InfoLab21 advisory group. Prof. Webb, who described InfoLab21 as an “important venture,” takes over from Patricia MacDonald, Director of Key Technologies at the DTI, who is changing roles.
For the full story see: http://www.infolab21.lancs.ac.uk/latest_news/?article_id=283
Rachel Fligelstone was featured in Computer Weekly talking about ICT Focus' novel Hacker course.
For more information about the course see: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/ictfocus/eccouncil/CEH.html
If you have any concerns about ICT security issues and would like a free security assessment from our ICT experts, please contact Nick or Colin at the KBC.
Nick King n.king@lancaster.ac.uk
Colin McLaughlin c.i.mclaughlin@lancaster.ac.uk
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) is the first certification
on Microsoft's Certification program for IT professionals and involves taking
only 2 exams; MS2261 & MS2262.
(see http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcdst/default.asp).
Details of each course are given below, but for these course dates only we are offering this special offer :
At least 5% discount on the fee for each course (fees are already very competetive).
A further 5% if you book on both courses (i.e 10% of both courses)
A free transcender web cert (worth at least £55) for each course booked,
giving you access to practice exam questions on-line for up to 6 months.
A reduction in the cost of the exams (when you are ready to sit the exam you
can buy a voucher to take the exam in our testing centre for only £70
rather than the RRP of £103.40)
MS2261 : Supporting Users Running Microsoft Windows XP Desktop Operating Systems : 3 days : 18th-20th Sept: Fee reduced to £425 (commercial prices elsewhere start at £700) and includes a free transcender web cert for use on any exam.
MS2262 : Supporting Users Running Applications on Microsoft Windows XP :
2 days : 21st & 22nd Sept: Fee reduced to £285
(commercial prices elsewhere start at £495) and includes a free transcender
web cert for use on any exam.
Course fees include Microsoft Official Courseware, refreshments and lunch.
Book both courses for only £675.
If you are interested please let us know by Wednesday 13th September. Tel ICT Focus on 01524 510425 email ictfocus@lancaster.ac.uk (places are limited).
InfoLab21 Associate Company folly is launching f.city, a major festival
of digital art and culture including exhibitions, events, performances, talks,
screenings and podcasts from late September.
The festival features Perimeters, Boundaries and Borders, an exhibition of
work existing at the point of convergence between art, architecture and design.
Other events include the first major field trial Steve Symons’ GPS virtual
sound environment Aura, the launch of two online works from boredomresearch
and Adele Prince; a collective dance performance developed in partnership
with Ludus Dance; a 3D films night and workshop with Julian Oliver; podcasts;
music events and Open Source workshops.
More information is available at www.folly.co.uk
Currently, BlueGene/L is the most powerful computer in the world. Computer giant IBM will build the world's most powerful supercomputer at a US government laboratory. The machine, codenamed Roadrunner, could be four times more potent than BlueGene/L, also built by IBM.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5322704.stm
Web giant Google is further expanding its online empire with the launch of the Google News Archive Search. The web-based tool allows users to explore existing digitised newspaper articles spanning the last 200 years and more recent online content.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5317942.stm