Inclusiv-IT-y 2009

I attended this event yesterday, and here are some comments from my notes (I've not written up all my notes here, only those which are directly relevant to my research and work interests).

David Banes of abilityNet gave a talk on the history of assistive technology, and the big message from this talk is that there is a convergence of the various technologies being used to support disabled users (e.g. screen readers, speech synthesis etc) and that there is a clear move toward ubiquitous and pervasive computing on mobile devices (phones, PDA's, netbooks). This transformation into the mainstream of various technologies (they can be used by abled bodied users as well), is really helping. He talked about Universal Design, the first time I've come across the idea. He also briefly mentioned the move of assistive technologies in the cloud (a recent trend). But the big message is - mobile!

Rachel Burnett gave a talk on the law and IT - quite useful in terms of the need for assistive technologies (i.e you've got to do it!). Some resources mentioned included Disability Law Service and Mind's Legal Advice Service.

Miguel Gonzalez Sancho gave a talk on EU inclusion policy, what is is, past projects to support the policy, and plans for the future. He talked about i2010, which is just about to wrap up:

There are plans to move this strategy forward (they are currently going through the consultation process), but it looks like they may well address the problems in ageing. Its all very sketchy at the moment, but I will try my best to keep and eye out for any developments. Hearing report can be found here:

Alasdair King gave a talk on the new assitive technologies group. This was set up to replace the now disbanded disabilities group, which used to be run by Geoff Busby.

Robin Chrisopherson of abilityNet (they were very prominent at the event!), gave a very entertaining demonstration of how blind people use computers. What was particularly interesting is that many flashly designed websites using CCS as very hard to use for people who utilise screen reader to interact with the browser. What was even more interesting, was that he showed that using the interfaces set up for mobile devices (facebook, new scientist) were far more useable to users who needed assistive technology to navigate pages. The implication here is that designing for mobile might generally be a good idea!

Core blimey luv a duck strike a light

A cash machine, particularly for those who live within hearing of the sound of Bow Bells.

Digitial Preservation

Here's a rather lovely cartoon on the problems and issues of Digital Preservation:

(h/t: Amanda)

Using Computer Hardware to make music

Heres how you can do this!

(h/t: David Thompson)

The progress of computing vs. cars

This is great - just love it!

Its a myth of course, but enjoyable none the less.

Predicting the Internet/Web

From 1981:

Talks about newspapers, but could be any type of information.

(h/t: David Thompson).

I'm gobsmacked

Just don't know what to say:

Beethoven 9th detemines length of music on CD

See here.....or perhaps not?

(h/t: Kris West)

Testing your broadband connection in the UK

Sigh. Having broadband problems at the moment :(

My provided pointed me at a couple of web sites where you can test your connection, http://www.mybroadbandspeed.co.uk/ and http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/

Just so that you know, I case you have the same problem at some distant time in future....

Monday Blues Cure

Bank Holiday I know, but here's something to cheer you up on a rainy day:

How sweet! More:

(h/t David Thompson)

How to disarm an atomic bomb

You can find some advise on how to do this here. Please read this very carefully - you may be tested on various aspects of this public service announcment later.

If that fails, turn you back to the bomb, adopt the brace position and kiss goodbye to your arse! (h/t David Thompson)

Generating Art from Analogue Computers

Nice bit of computing History this! Desmond Paul Henry (1921 to 2004) built a number of analogue bombsite computers , to create art. The art he created this way has its own symmetrical beauty. More about this fascinating man can be found here.

(h/t Ian Logan)

Computing History

David Thompson has posted some links on the history of storage and antique computers at RAL.

Large is the word. The earliest hard disk drive would practically take up all of my bedroom!

Developers

A colleage and friend showed me a video on youtube of Steve Ballmer (Microsoft's CEO) 'performing' at a conference. One of the videos linked to this one was a short 19 second extract of Mr Ballmer using the word 'Developers' rather a lot, and I wondered if I could find it by searching on youtube. To my delight, this came up as the first hit:

The 19 sec segment is nowhere to be seen on the hitlist. Oh the joy of relying on single word search terms! This is the 19 sec version:

Completely over the top. So is the video my colleage/friend pointed me at:

Sync is all wrong! Enjoy.

Theo Jansen: Kinetic Sculptures

The work of this chap is really quite incredible. A video of him presenting his work is available.

He creates Sculptures with move with the wind. So far they can store energy, detect water and reverse direction, and when it gets very windy, hammer themselves into the beech (they are designed to work on beeches).

What particularly interests me about this is he uses genetic theory to create these sculptures, and I have an interest in GA's to solve optimisation problems in IR.

(Hat Tip: David Thompson)