Daily Digest 12 September

12-09-2008

by Deirdre McArdle

Ireland bottom of table for broadband capacity | CERN scientists break it down

When it comes to broadband connection speeds and capacity, Ireland ranks 33rd in the world, according to an international study conducted by Oxford University. Researchers at the university looked at the capability of broadband connections in 42 countries, to find out if they are equipped for services like high definition video and other enhanced content offerings. While Sweden and the Netherlands had the best-performing broadband connections in Europe, they were still found to be behind the required standard for next generation services. The report revealed that Japan is the only country currently equipped to handle the roll-out of these services.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan has announced a public consultation process on radio frequency spectrum. In 2007 the Communications Department established a working group to review Ireland's current policy on spectrum management and to develop a national spectrum policy. The group recently presented its report to Minister Ryan, who has opened it to submissions from the public. "It is vital that we use our spectrum efficiently to take advantage of these factors and bring the maximum possible economic and social benefits to Ireland. Indeed, I see this [spectrum policy] as the perfect opportunity to position Ireland as a 'test-bed' for innovators of new technologies and services."

Some 20 percent of employers check out social networking information on potential employees, according to a survey by recruitment site Careerbuilder.com. An additional 9 percent of companies surveyed said they plan to start checking profiles soon. A third of those who look up social networking information had found details which led them to no longer consider the applicant for a particular position. The two most common reasons for eliminating the candidate were 'use of drugs or drinking' and the posting of photographs deemed 'inappropriate' or 'provocative'. On the flip side, the survey also revealed that 24 percent of those who checked profiles had found information which helped them to hire the applicant.

So, the new Microsoft ad campaign featuring dynamic duo Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates has kicked off. The first ad, which aired last week, is called The Conquistador and it takes place in a shoe store. The second ad -- A Family Affair -- was released this week and sees the pair living with a 'regular' American family. The ads so far have seen Seinfeld and Gates 'connecting' with ordinary people. Microsoft has said the ads will evolve and will soon focus on talking about Windows. The overall theme of the campaign, in which Microsoft is investing USD300 million, is 'Windows, Not Walls', which involves "break[ing] down barriers that prevent people and ideas from connecting," according to Microsoft.

Finally, to those who are still struggling to get to grips with the Large Hadron Collider, which was fired up this week at CERN's nuclear physics research centre, this rap video posted on YouTube may make things clearer. Sample lyric: "Antimatter is sort of like matter's evil twin". Word.