I’ve been asked how my new job as a Kable analyst varies from my old one (on the next bank of desks) as a Guardian Professional Networks editor. There are more things in common than not, but the biggest difference is that there is much more performing required – teleconferences, face to face meetings and presentations to an audience are significant elements of what a Kable analyst does. But I don’t think this difference will last, as journalists will increasingly be going live too.
Continue reading “Why for journalists, it’s showtime”
Why broadband in Britain is what it is
Johnny from America has emailed about an article I wrote in 2007 on broadband in Britain, including why it takes so long to install. “This article came up during my recent quest to find out why everything seems so backward and archaic as it pertains to obtaining broadband internet access in the England,” he writes, adding that in the US, you can often buy a cable modem, call a provider, plug the modem in and be online in half an hour. “This is quite the contrast to here, would you not agree?” he asks.
Continue reading “Why broadband in Britain is what it is”
CI Colin Paine, the tweeting policeman of West Oxfordshire
A version of this article appeared in Chipping Norton News, March 2012
Chipping Norton’s neighbourhood and community support police officers are opening an account on Twitter.
Neighbourhood officers visited Great Tew School reception class, Chris they loved your police car!
— TVP Chipping Norton (@TVP_Chippy) February 23, 2012
Continue reading “CI Colin Paine, the tweeting policeman of West Oxfordshire”
The biggest council CCTV spenders per resident: Westminster… then Tamworth
Big Brother Watch’s newly-released data on £515m of council CCTV spending between 2007 and 2011 (covered by my colleague Sade Laja on Guardian Government Computing) is even more interesting when combined with population numbers. Obviously, camera spending per capita is not a perfect measure, as some areas clearly have security needs beyond those of their immediate populations. This would help to explain why Westminster is the biggest spender per head of population: £46.75 over the last four years, compared to a UK average of £8.27.
Continue reading “The biggest council CCTV spenders per resident: Westminster… then Tamworth”
Oxbridge applications mapped: London and the south east dominate
Map removed as Google Fusion Tables no longer works.
Where do applicants for Oxford and Cambridge universities come from? According to data from Ucas, the top locations are Oxford, Cambridge – and, in far greater numbers, many parts of London. Continue reading “Oxbridge applications mapped: London and the south east dominate”