Journalist, editor, analyst and trainer on computing, government, climate and data
An innovative exercise in electronic mapping aims to bypass the block on access to data subject to Crown copyright
Researching this meant spending a memorable day with some great OpenStreetMap volunteers on the Isle of Wight, in the early days of what has become a massive wikimap.
Continue reading “A sidestep in the right direction”
Since 1998 the emergency services have been able to automatically locate 999 callers dialling from landlines. Now this potentially life-saving technology is starting to embrace mobile phones as well. SA Mathieson reports
I have written several times about mobile phone locating, including on services using the same technology to track children, and what the mobile networks actually hold on users. This is on an uncontroversial use of the technology, for locating those calling 999.
Continue reading “Your life in your hands”
Hoteliers don’t like empty rooms, which is why hotel businesses are using online auctions to bring in extra bookings
For many hotel chains, dynamic pricing has become standard, but back in 2002 auctioning rooms on eBay (and its defunct competitor QXL) was pretty smart. It was nice to see Blackpool hotels getting in the on the act, found simply by searches on the appropriate eBay category.
Continue reading “Hotel rooms under the hammer”