northern ireland – Page 4

You want to be taken seriously? Lob a brick.

Ed Simpson refers to the recent meeting between the FM and the “community leaders” behind the recent unrest in East Belfast. I fancy a wee chat with the First Minister. Was going to email him but it seems it’s more effective to lob a brick at my neighbours. This highlights a problem in Northern Ireland. … Continue reading “You want to be taken seriously? Lob a brick.”

Ed Simpson refers to the recent meeting between the FM and the “community leaders” behind the recent unrest in East Belfast.

I fancy a wee chat with the First Minister. Was going to email him but it seems it’s more effective to lob a brick at my neighbours.

This highlights a problem in Northern Ireland. Get 1000 people behind you and want to get something done by speaking to a minister (any minister) and it’s all “Speak to advisors, make appointments, collect your evidence, ask questions and when nothing is done then get in touch with the public accounts committee”.

On the other hand, get those 1000 people to damage public property, intimidate half the city, attack the civil police force, injure dozens of people and you get the First Minister beating a path to your door AND protecting your identity in the process.

In a real society there would be hundreds of arrests to justify the thousands of pounds of UK taxpayers money spent policing the situation and the thousands of pounds it took to clear the roads of debris and the thousands of pounds it’s going to take to repair the roads. And we’re still two weeks away from the Twelfth (the traditional time of year when half the population imposes their bigotry on the other half with wanton destruction of property). And when nothing is done, is it any wonder that dissidents become more active? ( I’m told there won’t be many arrests because Sammy in the PSNI won’t arrest the rioting, law-breaking violent thug of a son of Mervin because they’re both mates down the Lodge? What the fucking fuck? )

To my middle of the road, Union-supporting, raised-as-Catholic eyes, this situation is Drumcree all over again.

Marina

I love Marinas. No, not No, Marinas I’m still enchanted with the idea of a decent marina in Belfast. There are nice marinas in Carrickfergus and Bangor but it seems odd not to have one in Belfast. Not only would the location be good for visiting sailors, but also a community amenity. The whole of … Continue reading “Marina”

I love Marinas.

No, not

No, Marinas

I’m still enchanted with the idea of a decent marina in Belfast. There are nice marinas in Carrickfergus and Bangor but it seems odd not to have one in Belfast.

Not only would the location be good for visiting sailors, but also a community amenity. The whole of Airport Road West is filled with office blocks and heaps of technology-related companies but, if you’ve ever worked there, you have to leave there if you want to eat – either through the entrance at Dee Street or Holywood Exchange.

Depth chart, courtesy of Navionics (used without permission) — Belfast Lough

My vision would be for a full service marina complete with an on-site chandlers and supplies. It would have a serviced bar serving pub grub as well as a proper restaurant. these facilities would be open to the many government departments in Clare House as well as the dozens of other businesses (CEM, BT, Fujitsu, Phoenix, Equiniti ICS, White Noise, Level Seven and more) which are along that road.

It would not compete in any way with B&Q, Sainsburys and IKEA (and Decathlon, NEXT or Harvey Norman) in Holywood Exchange but the presence of these retail outlets highlights what a great location this would be for visitors.

Being close to George Best International Airport would just encourage the development of a charter business which offered the coverage of the North Coast of Ireland and the Western Coast of Scotland and the Isle of Man. And the proximity to bus routes (Holywood is a brisk 1.5 miles away and Belfast City Centre is 4.5 miles away) and a train station passing by would make such a difference to the region.

It’s close to two nature reserves (both on Airport Road West), at the top of the Ards Peninsula, a couple of miles away from some nice hotels (Stormont, Culloden), a spa and gym or two within a stones throw away.

Now, all I need is an architect, a powerful alliance within Belfast Harbour Commissioners, a truckload of lawyers and marine architects and engineers and a couple of million quid. Simples.

Airpos Opens Office In Silicon Valley

From NewTechPost: Airpos has announced that it is moving on from releasing beta versions of its product to making it fully available to the public and it now has a brand new portal to its site. Airpos was one of the companies showcased at the 4th Annual Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) Awards Ceremony which … Continue reading “Airpos Opens Office In Silicon Valley”

From NewTechPost:

Airpos has announced that it is moving on from releasing beta versions of its product to making it fully available to the public and it now has a brand new portal to its site. Airpos was one of the companies showcased at the 4th Annual Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) Awards Ceremony which took place at Stanford University in April.

Marty and the guys have sweated blood over this product, ignored all of the advice from the “volauvent boys” and went with their guts. They’ve shouted at friends, infuriated officials, shot from the hip and followed their hearts. They were the “pilot” for the StartVI programme run by David Kirk and hosted by a group of passionate individuals here in Belfast.

Opening an office in Silicon Valley is a great step – getting close to the biggest market in the world.

Better drowned than duffers. If not duffers, won’t drown.

I recently listened to an audiobook of “Swallows (by Arthur Ransome) and Amazons” and it struck me how much their parents trusted them. Not only were they camping outdoors but on an island, an island they had to reach by themselves. The eldest child, John, was perhaps 14 years old, the youngest, Roger, only 7. … Continue reading “Better drowned than duffers. If not duffers, won’t drown.”

I recently listened to an audiobook of “Swallows (by Arthur Ransome) and Amazons” and it struck me how much their parents trusted them. Not only were they camping outdoors but on an island, an island they had to reach by themselves. The eldest child, John, was perhaps 14 years old, the youngest, Roger, only 7. Their absent father, away with the Royal Navy, gives his permission for this adventure with a telegram (see the title of this post).

The mother of the Swallows was Australian and certainly “outdoorsy”. She grew up on a sheep station and sailed (and capsized) in Sydney Harbour. She also mentioned falling asleep on horseback. And the books were set in 1929; a different time certainly.

I know from personal experience that my kids love the outdoors just as much as they love the Playstation and Nintendo worlds.

Mayer Hillman writes:

“Children’s lives have been evolving in a way that mirrors the characteristics of the lives of criminals in prison. They, too, have a roof over their heads, regular meals, and entertainment provided for them, but they are not free to go out. Enforced detention, and restrictions on how they spend their time, are intended to seriously diminish the quality of their lives. But children are not criminals.”

As much as I want to learn to sail for my own enjoyment, part of it is to provide something of a legacy. I went out on a boat with my dad once, a bulky motorboat which grounded itself on an island in Lough Neagh. I don’t know what happened to it. I went fishing with a friend of my fathers, Davy, a few times. We caught perch and pike and cooked them up. I used to camp in the back garden but as a child I never went camping proper.

Northern Ireland Creative Showcase

You want to know what Digital Circle is all about? Everything in this video was made either in Northern Ireland or by people from Northern Ireland. The music is by Wonderful Way by Joe Echo. Related posts: Digital Circle going independent and my thoughts on the Future The Broadband Blueprint (re DETI Telecoms Consultation) Jonathan … Continue reading “Northern Ireland Creative Showcase”

You want to know what Digital Circle is all about?

Everything in this video was made either in Northern Ireland or by people from Northern Ireland. The music is by Wonderful Way by Joe Echo.

Some things don’t change.

Image and article credit: The Irish News, March 23, 2011. When I was in the OTC (Officer Training Corps – the Territorial Army for University Undergraduates), a similar display of paramilitary force was pretty much the norm every time we went to stay in a camp – be it Ballykinler, Garelochead or elsewhere. The senior … Continue reading “Some things don’t change.”

Image and article credit: The Irish News, March 23, 2011.

When I was in the OTC (Officer Training Corps – the Territorial Army for University Undergraduates), a similar display of paramilitary force was pretty much the norm every time we went to stay in a camp – be it Ballykinler, Garelochead or elsewhere.

The senior cadets would stand at the top of the billet, dressed in fatigues and black balaclavas and pose with their SLRs in front of Union Jacks and Red Hand flags. They’d belt out verses of the Sash and be very critical of those of us who didn’t know it – demanding that we perform The Soldier Song instead. Another song I didn’t know. Or ignore jibes about how they knew I was a Taig because I looked like one.

It even got to the point where I’d volunteer for guard duty in the evenings. Which was the most boring activity in the world.

Was it all intimidating? Yes. As a Catholic in the early nineties who had dared to join the British Army (even just as a weekend soldier) it was intimidating because it damaged the trust that the training was meant to instil.

I was raised as a Catholic but consider myself an atheist. I’m a proud British subject and an Irishman by nationality. I love my country and I’m proud of the Cross of Saint Patrick in the Union Jack.

I loved being in the British Army. We learned about first aid, orienteering, took trips in RIBs and helicopters, camped in the pouring rain in Scotland and the blustering, freezing gales in the North West of Ireland. We learned about rifles, how to shoot, make them safe and how to respect their power. And I appreciate the work our military does – even though I may not agree with the government which directs it.

And every now and then I am re-introduced to one of the balaclava-wearing bigots in my day job and I do my best to forget. Unlike the children in these photos, these bigots were adults. They knew exactly what they were doing.

Musing about Learning and Teaching Technology

There’s a group of companies here in Northern Ireland who are focused on the growing educational technology market. Educational technology is, for most part, just the application of general technology to the education market without necessarily the grounding of technology with pedagogy or learning. Technology manifests as tools, as a medium and as a network. … Continue reading “Musing about Learning and Teaching Technology”

There’s a group of companies here in Northern Ireland who are focused on the growing educational technology market.

Educational technology is, for most part, just the application of general technology to the education market without necessarily the grounding of technology with pedagogy or learning. Technology manifests as tools, as a medium and as a network. We might use Photoshop to teach a certain skill, we might populate a wiki, blog or other content management system in order to store and record or we might use email or instant messenger to communicate – but none of these have any specific pedagogical or learning purpose.

I suppose the difference is whether you are using the technology to teach as opposed to teaching about the technology.

Some of the ideas I have regarding ‘educational’ technology are certainly in the tools, media and networks areas. Tools to inform parents of progress, new methods to deliver established content and the development of peer groups beyond the school all fit into these neat categories.

Applying game reward principles to learning and teaching is an enhancement that I can’t accurately describe in the context above. While the tools may be the browser or the iPad, the medium may be the web or dedicated apps (with graphics, sound, video) and the network may be the reporting of achievements (either to the peer group, the teacher or the parents), the process of matching the query to the answer, the process of imparting the techniques for research and the striving for success will be part of the pedagogical delivery.

During my schooling, knowledge was analog. It was written in books, passed on through a formalised oral tradition and collected in condensed form for schools. This meant that if you wanted to know something, you had to visit a library, open a book, ask a teacher. The answer would be both “best effort” and also subject to the local bias of a region. To find out any depth of information, you had to be truly curious. Today, the search for knowledge has become trivial. A tool (the browser) used to access a medium (like Wikipedia) across a network (the Internet) brings the knowledge of the largest encyclopedias into reach of the most casual researcher. For depth, for interest, however, we have to rely on the innately curious; the quality of wanting to know more than your peers, to become excellent at something.

We have to develop the learning and teaching curriculum to create curiosity for the curious will inherit the earth.

I believe in extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people

Mike Cane tweeted: Democracy is based on the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people. ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick I firmly believe in the extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people. Code4Pizza is a light-hearted meeting of minds, open to coders, designers, people with ideas and people who want to just talk to other people … Continue reading “I believe in extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people”

Mike Cane tweeted:

Democracy is based on the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.
~ Harry Emerson Fosdick

I firmly believe in the extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.

Code4Pizza is a light-hearted meeting of minds, open to coders, designers, people with ideas and people who want to just talk to other people about the possibilities for public service value (or public good) especially in the area of open data. Our mission is to turn those possibilities into realities by creating opportunities for reflection, collaboration and innovation.

We expect our attendees to become active participants in society by contributing to the creation of goals and the evaluation of actions and work towards these goals. It is not enough to be passengers on the train of democracy – we must take our turns as conductors, engineers, navigators, and drivers.

On November 3rd, We’re having a Code4Pizza meeting and on December 4-5th we’ll be hosting a local RHoK (Random Hacks of Kindness – original site at http://rhok.org/). We will be applying our brains to the various Problem Definitions, modified only for local bias, and working to create teams who can deliver prototype solutions.

And, we hope, innovation.