ISP Change - 4G
Recently changed to my new ISP - With an unlimited broadband plan (Yes unlimted!)
Dropped the home phone connection and will be using my VOIP for free local, national and 15c untimed international calls.
The arrive connection is around 8-9Mbps www.vividwireless.com.au
IT Demand Expected to Balloon
THE stance of both major parties in the election raises concerns that cutting skilled migration could jeopardise projects, recruiters warn. Prime Minister Julia Gillard's comments about "hurtling" towards a big Australia have sparked heated debate on population and immigration policy. Opposition leader Tony Abbott has vowed to cap annual migration at 170,000 people if elected. But the IT recruitment sector is predicting the need for a larger intake of foreign technology workers. Professional Recruitment Australia chief executive Jane Bianchini said Australia was approaching one of the tightest skilled labour markets in recent times. Tightening migration would make it more difficult to attract skilled professionals from overseas, especially in the hi-tech and engineering sectors. With resources and technology projects, such as the national broadband network being approved and supported by the government, demand for skilled labour in these areas far exceeded supply, she said. Peoplebank chief executive Peter Acheson said the sector would face a talent shortage by the end of the year, with pressure already emerging in Sydney and Melbourne. "If you talk to senior executives in IT at the moment -- and I do pretty consistently -- one of the things that is foremost in their minds is the lack of skilled IT candidates and all are foreshadowing that we are going to need to bring more people in from overseas," Mr Acheson said. Read the rest of the story here - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/recruiters-warn-of-skills-shortage-if-migration-is-slowed/story-e6frgakx-1225897199086
Awesome Body Painting
Not that I do body painting myself personally, but you have to appreciate the time and skill taken to articulate these bold designs.
- Some Photos taken at the World Bodypainting Festival event in Seeboden, Austria.
Intel Digital Signage Concept
THE film Minority Report did it first in its fictional take on a tech-heavy future, but the lines between reality and fiction are already blurring.And it’s all thanks to new devices that give reality just that little extra kick.
At the Digital Signage World exhibition, which opens in Sydney today, people will see what could end up being the 21st Century version of the store assistant – and it’s not human. Intel, the company behind this new device, sees a future where shoppers are greeted by a glass panel packed to the brim with augmented reality (AR) technology.
AR is when extra information or images about people and places around us are superimposed onto a view of the real world, commonly through a mobile camera or similar gadget. This new AR shopping device is certainly not mobile - it’s a 210cm by 300cm monster with a large glass panel and smaller LCD screen - but it works in a similar way, using a camera and special software to merge the digital and the real together.
related coverage The Jetsons new reality in computer age Daily Telegraph, 8 days ago
Intel aims Larrabee chip at supercomputers Australian IT, 15 Jun 2010 Intel opens war chest for new software buys Australian IT, 21 Apr 2010 Intel's interim income quadruples Adelaide Now, 14 Apr 2010 USB 3.0 a long time coming
Australian IT, 12 Apr 2010 The idea behind the device was to take signs, directions and advertising in a new direction in the retail sector, says Intel’s Director of Digital Signage Jose Avalos. Intel’s proof of concept includes a camera that sizes the customer up and, using sophisticated facial recognition software that can work out things like gender, says what clothing it thinks will suit you best.
Stepping up to the display activates it, thanks to the body recognition software.
It will then (anonymously) analyse things like height and gender, and using that data, will display several items of clothing.
That information can even be used to tailor your Digital Signage experience to “your needs”, and this appears to extend even to targeted advertising.
Mr Avalos is quick to point out that the current device doesn’t collect any “private” information about users, only general "metric" information such as height and gender. While some people may feel uncomfortable about this, according to Mr Avalos some of Intel’s research has shown that there are people who actually don’t mind this data being collected about them.
The data can even lead to a better shopping experience for the customer.
“When we did research in Shanghai and Tokyo, there was tremendous acceptance of the technology. “When the user walks into a retail market, they want to optimise their time and experience of the retail environment, so they really welcome having advertising that is tailored to their needs.”
Once you actually do find what you need, you can then zap a coupon for that product over to your phone, ready to be taken to the counter for purchase, in some cases with a special discount for shopping on the cutting edge.
Intel says such a device could be seen in shopping centres and stores within two years, and that the project has been getting significant interest from the retail sector. While Intel’s proof-of-concept that we used only records your gender, height, how many people eyeball the screen, and for how long, Mr Avalos says future versions could record more specific data.
Things such as age, body type, previous item selections, and other more detailed kinds of info could be collected down the line on an "opt-in" basis.
So while this device may end up being smart enough to work out what we’d like to buy, the question is, do we really want it to? Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/biz/intel-digital-signage-give-shop-
owners-customers-an-augmented-reality-check/story-fn5lic6c-
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Qantas unveils Q Card as next-gen check-in
QANTAS has unveiled its next generation check-in system which promises to provide passengers with a five-second check-in and electronic bags tags to keep track of their luggage. A new Qantas Frequent Flyer card called the Q Card will be embedded with a smart chip to identify the passenger and their flight bookings.Users simply hold the Q Card to a reader at check-in kiosk before receiving an audible and visible alert to signify a successful check-in within five seconds.
Passengers will also receive a confirmation SMS within 15 seconds with all their relevant flight information. Bags with new RFID (radio frequency identification) electronic Q Bag Tags, which are linked to Frequent Flyer accounts and hold the passenger and current flight information, can even be taken to the Bag Drop point without the need to print a luggage tag. The Q Bag Tags also have a built-in sensor to make it easier to locate a bag and remove it from an aircraft if needed in a few minutes - a process which previously led to lengthy delays with printed bag tags.
The beginning of Micro-nerds
This 1978 file photo made available by Microsoft Corp. shows the 11 people who started Microsoft.
