Photomarathon.co.uk

I’m determined to shoehorn this in one way or another :)

Those with a 35mm camera (film, remember that?) may want to consider entering the PhotoMarathon competition that is scheduled for the 16th June.

It’s basically a time bound photography competition, during which photographers are encouraged to take photos in/ around Cardiff that reflect their interpretation of a variety of themes.

I know it isn’t digital, and it isn’t at all online, but it is quite a cool concept and I’m already thinking of how the web could take part in making it interactive…

Microsoft "Surface" - next steps in UI

Ever since watching Minority Report, I've been waiting for this sort of thing:

Microsoft Surface

Street level images come to Google Maps

360 degree photos of streets come to Google Maps, yay!


Only in the U.S. for the time being, boo...

Where to find Welsh language software

Kevin Donnelly, the man behind Welsh language versions of the Gnome and KDE Linux desktop environments, has started a directory of cross-platform software that can be used in Welsh, not dissimilar to the updates about Welsh language software you can find at Meddal.

So far Donnelly’s directory includes:

The KnotsBag vector graphics software which allows you to create intricate Celtic knotwork patterns, making it ideal for tattoo designers with a penchant for maths, amongst others.

kTranslator, a program to translate words from one language to another.

QCAD, for 2D computer-aided drawing.

To Bach, the little utility from Draig Technology (based in Bangor) that allows you type diacritic marks when typing in Welsh.

Donnelly is welcoming submissions, so if you know of any cross-platform software that can be used in Welsh, contact him via his blog.

Important considerations when building a website

Another good article from A List Apart:

http://alistapart.com/articles/educatingstakeholders

Although aimed at web designers, there are some very useful lessons in here for anyone considering [re]building a website in the current legislative climate.

Our goal must be to equip decision-makers with the knowledge they need to make sensible and informed choices about development.

The purpose of this article is to show you how to do this by means of a simple process of stakeholder education. This will enable you to explain the main factors that shape web deliberations and help “set the scene” for future decision making.

Google under your skin

Over in the US on Tuesday, it was announced that Google invested almost $4m in 23andMe. 23andMe is a privately held genetics company that promises to help consumers understand and browse their own genetic information - "Don't panic - we're here to help". The Wall Street Journal stated that 23andMe "aims to unite people with copies of their genetic blueprint" but it’s not Google’s first investment into genetics. In 2005, the search giant invested in Craig Venter’s genome project (which is in direct competition with the Human Genome Project). Venter’s vision is to work with Google to catalogue the genome and make it searchable.


Now I’m more than happy allowing Google to ‘read’ my blog and visit my site on a daily basis but I’m not as happy allowing them to sequence my genetic code. Who will then own my code – Google or me? Whatever happens with these investments, their vision to collate and organise the world’s data is defiantly moving on.


Saying that, who needs Google when you've got TV? The BBC Wales and Yellow Duck programme ‘Coming Home’ did a great job of uniting the likes of Donny Osman and Petula Clark with their Welsh roots. Finding out that Paul Daniels, the renowned magician and conjurer, is an 1/8th Welsh pu a big healthy smile on my face. Even Google couldn’t have guessed that Debbie McGee husband had connections to Carmarthen.

Boom a bust a boom

Online retailing has grown at its fastest rate since the dotcom bust reports the BBC. The figures are big and the results so far attribute this to more of us having broadband. The headline figures are amazing and apparently by 2011 almost 9% of all retail transactions will be online (wayhey!).

We’ve seen several local Welsh e-tailers do very well JoJo Maman Bebe for one and trendy eco clothing shifter Howies as well as a ‘clicks and mortar’ outfits like Welsh Whisky. I even notice that even high end Jeweller Clive Ranger is starting to dabble with the big ‘e’.