NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 6 October
06-10-2008
by Deirdre McArdle
ID fraud campaign launches | AirSpeed links up with HEAnet
National Identity Fraud Prevention week was launched on Monday, with a survey conducted by Fellowes, a firm that manufactures equipment such as shredders. The study revealed that 8 out of 10 Irish people regularly throw personal information in the bin. The research also suggests that 87,000 people in Ireland have already been victims of identity fraud. National Identity Fraud Prevention week runs from 6 October to 12 October. Its aim is to raise awareness of this fast-growing crime and to try and educate people as to what they can do to make sure they don't become a victim. The campaign has set up a dedicated website -- www.stop-idfraud.ie, with a test to highlight 'how at risk you are' -- and a free-phone number, 00800 1810 1810, that you can call to receive a free copy of 'A Guide to Protecting Your Identity'.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin, in conjunction with scientists at the University of Illinois, have made a major discovery concerning polymer physics that could have major implications for manufacturing processes in nanotechnology. Commenting on the significance of the discovery, TCD's Dr Graham Cross explained: "We have discovered that polymer flow is different at the nanometre scale. Contrary to accepted scientific models the flow of polymer molecules in small channels becomes easier when the polymer is larger than the channel itself. This means that forming shapes in the nanoworld should become a lot easier than it currently is for the plastics industry today." The research is a significant step forward in the understanding of polymer deformation that is directly related to nanoscale manufacturing. The research was funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the US Department of Energy, and the US National Science Foundation.
AirSpeed Telecom, which operates a nationwide licensed wireless radio transmission network, has been selected to provide high speed network services of up to 300Mbps to facilitate HEAnet's network extension to the Galway and Donegal Gaeltacht regions. The contract is for three years and is part of HEAnet's National Backbone Extension (NBE) programme. Under the contract, HEAnet clients such as NUI Galway and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) will be able to develop high-capacity links with their off-campus locations in areas such as Carraroe, Inverin, Carna, Castlebar and Letterfrack. AirSpeed Telecom said it also plans on making this capacity available to businesses and residential providers operating in the region at competitive commercial rates. A value for the deal was not disclosed.
Director of Wireless & Microelectronic research at NUI, Maynooth, Dr Ronan Farrell, has picked up the Enterprise Ireland ICT Commercialisation Award 2008. Dr Farrell was presented with the award for his technology research -- which focused on disruptive technology that offers new solutions to the technical challenges of transitioning from 3G to 4G networks -- and its successful transfer to the new technology company Socowave. Socowave is incorporating some of Dr Farrell's research conclusions into its technology platforms and creating radio access network (RAN) optimisation solutions for mobile broadband markets. "Dr Farrell is a true example of a technology pioneer. By combining his world class research in the wireless communications field and his strong industry experience he has played an enabling role in the creation of an exciting start-up technology company in the highly competitive telecommunications sector," said Gearoid Mooney, Enterprise Ireland's Director of ICT Commercialisation.
RTE has launched a competition in which new and experienced programme makers are invited to make pitches for a six-part drama series that will be webcast in March 2009. A shortlist of 10 dramas will have their first episode shown on www.rte.ie/storyland, with viewers deciding which drama they want to see more of. This list will be whittled down until just one drama will get to make all six episodes. "This is the first time that RTE Drama has commissioned a series specifically for the web. This is a truly innovative project in which we're hoping to uncover some new talent for both behind and in front of the camera. The web as a platform gives aspiring programme makers greater creative freedom to realise their vision and the StoryLand project will all give the winning teams valuable feedback on their programme with the audience deciding what they like," said Eilish Kent, development executive, RTE TV Drama.
Staying with TV, cable provider UPC has been awarded the first self-promotional channel licence by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI). UPC will broadcast the channel free of charge to all digital, cable and MMDS customers on channel 100 from November 2008. UPC says the main aim of the channel is to "inform, educate and promote UPC products and services to its existing digital customer base".
IBM has launched a series of cloud computing initiatives, which include Bluehouse, a free business social networking/online collaboration service; expanded web sharing for users of its desktop software; Lotus Sametime Unyte, an online web conferencing tool; and a series of security and privacy tools. The company said it will also be allowing independent software companies to access IBM's cloud and use the capacity to deliver their own web-based services to IBM customers. "IBM's cloud computing strategy was inspired by feedback from the business world's broadest IT customer base indicating a growing desire to utilise data, applications and services from any device and from any location based on open standards," said Willy Chiu, vice president, high performance on demand solutions, IBM.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 