On Air from the Hangout: A Discussion with Peter McDermott and friends

This blog is changing to reflect the digital landscape. In this post, Peter McDermott (remember him when he interviewed Will.i.am..) reflects on the Hangout in real Life that Google's Bradley Horowitz had just aired in Ann Arbour, MI. I enter the room at 8:30m and stay until the end..

 

Talk to the Chief Constable at Warwickshire Police, UK in first online chat

Warwickshire Chief Constable Andy Parker will be going online to chat with members of the public on Thursday night in the first trial of a new way of communicating for the force.

Mr Parker will be online using the CoverItLive system between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Thursday, December 22, and will welcome questions and comments on issues of concern to the community.

Questions not answered during the hour will be dealt with offline and the whole conversation will be published at a later date.

If you want to take part in the discussion visit the force website http://www.warwickshire.police.uk/pubscheme2009/ASKCC

Alternatively you can email your comments to yourevent+eb8f9d3021@mailcomments.coveritlive.com(make sure you add END at the end of your question) or you can pose a question using the hashtag #talktoAndy via Twitter.

Crisis in Midlands Journalism Audio from the 8 Dec 11 NUJ Meeting

On 8th December the Birmingham and Coventry branch of the National Union of Journalists held a meeting to discuss the Crisis in Midlands Journalism. If you are passionate about how you get your news then listen. 

You can follow the local NUJ on twitter @NUJBirmandCov and at their blog Birmingham and Coventry NUJ

   

Nuneaton burglars kill kitten in microwave, second incident in UK this year

In local news, it seems there are deranged people on the loose. This is the second time now involving a kitten placed in a microwave (and killed). Anyone with information should contact Nuneaton Police, Warwickshire, UK on 024 76 641111

Previous case occurred on 16 Feb 2011 in Torquay, Devon http://goo.gl/0y6nK where _A woman microwaved a 10-week-old kitten to death and was found guilty of causing it unnecessary suffering (sentencing on 14 Dec 11).

And of course the Coventry incident where a cat was placed in a wheelie bin, which caused outrage and 150 people protested outside the guilty woman's home http://goo.gl/sSqW

Nuneaton burglars kill kitten in microwave - Coventry News - News - Coventry Telegraph

SICK burglars killed a 10-week-old kitten by putting it into a microwave oven during a Nuneaton burglary.

Crime Prevention Christmas Menu 14 Tips for the Holiday Season..

Thanks to WDC for including this handy sheet in Behind the Scenes Dec 2011

To enlarge, read and learn - click the image..

A Northern Ireland Police Water Cannon was on display at the Emergency Services Show 2011 in Stoneleigh, UK

This could be some topical footage. It shows The Police Service of Northern Ireland demonstrating a Water Cannon on the UK Mainland for the very first time. 

The Government resisted it's use in the Summer Riots. This vehicle is one of six used in Northern Ireland. Watch out for the crowd soaking.

Press Release from the show organisers below the video.

Emergency Services Show 2011 at Stoneleigh

I will be attending the Emergency Services Show 2011 tomorrow at Stoneleigh Park, nr Coventry UK.

It will be a great chance to meet people passionate about Social Media. Here is Last Year's show. My focus is clear, Real Time Communication with the Public. Way Cool if Google had a stand..

+Simon Shilton Fire and +Kerry Blakeman Police will be there too, so be sure to find us..

Johnston Press to relocate three Isle of Man titles

150 miles to Sheffield

I''m not from The Isle of Man but if I were, I'd want the ink drying on My News on My Island and not transferred to the shore. How can Home Grown News be printed 150 miles away?

Job losses, as printing transfers to Sheffield

The printing of Isle of Man Newspapers' three weekly titles is to be transferred to the United Kingdom, with the loss of up to seven staff. The news was announced this afternoon (Monday) by managing director Helen Byrne.

In a media statement she says the board has decided to transfer printing of the Isle of Man Examiner, the Manx Independent and the Courier to the Johnston Press print site in Dinnington, Sheffield. Source: Manx Radio

The BBC weigh in with this about the breaking Isle of Man Printing Press Closure. Editor Richard Butt said, Content would continue to be produced by staff on the island under the new plans and it would then be emailed to Dinnington (in Sheffield). Hold the Phone What? Can email travel across water then?

This comes at a time when Johnston Press been involved on many other issues including strikes in Yorkshire and closure of offices.

Dinnington to Douglas will take five hours (road and ferry) and the population of the Isle of Man is 80,085.

Kenilworth Community Forum Monday 5th Dec 2011 Upper School Hall

Monday 5th December 2011 at Kenilworth School, upper school hall, Leyes Lane, Kenilworth. CV8 2DA The Community Forum drop-in is open from 6.30pm, with a start time of 7pm. Behind the Scenes Dec 2011

Safe in your community? Come and hear what we’re doing to help keep Kenilworth safe. Share your ideas and concerns .Get involved in your community!

Agenda: Parking issues in Winn Close, Grant application from Crow watch, Safer Community (Young People and Youth Work, Graffiti), Library, Public Service Centre, Connect 2 and the Police Update. 

We look forward to welcoming you. If you would like to suggest an issue for a future Community Forum meeting, or get involved, please contact the Warwick District Community Partnership Team on 01926 456102 or email warwick@warwickshire.gov.uk www.warwickshire.gov.uk/communityforums Community Forum Kenilworth

Warwickshire Libraries: How many hours is each library is to Open

Kenilworth Library Opening Hours

Here's what you need to know. Visit Warwickshire Libraries Online to complete a survey. There are 16 libraries to choose. For Example, Kenilworth has two Options A or B. There is a third Option C (no preference) and a blank box for comments.

To have our library in Kenilworth close at 1.00pm every Saturday and be Closed on a Sunday is unexplainable. Children, Students and even Adults have free time at the weekends.

Sarah Hill from KOMU on Journalism Education at MediaTwits#28 Media Shift

This interview from Sarah Hill tells us much about the changing world of Journalism in the Digital Age. Listen and see which parts apply to Kenilworth and Warwickshire. No prizes for saying, all of it.

Local is now Global and everything is on our digital doorstep. Larger SoundCloud Player. Note: the player below is built in html5.

Coventry v West Ham LIVE Video and Tweets from CI Kerry Blakeman West Midlands Police

With 6,000 fans expected in Coventry today from West Ham, once again Kerry Blakeman is giving LIVE Video Updates.

This player will up date as the broadcasts come in.

I know what you're thinking, why doesn't Kerry just broadcast the whole game live. Somehow, I think that's not allowed..

Computers and Adult Learning: Surely we could do more for those who need it most?

The Kenilworth Centre

Although this is national news, places like The Kenilworth Centre have recognised the need to stay ahead of the digital revolution. 

If this data were applied directly to Kenilworth, it would mean 3,576* people have never logged on to the internet.

With the libraries closing earlier and schools closed in the holidays - how are those adults going to get online? I put this question to Martha Lane Fox on 12 July 2010 at Downing Street.

Martha agreed, saying we have 500,000 computers in schools locked up every night and school holidays.

For people like us, it's almost alien to think there are those who have never logged on. That's 16.8 per cent of the adult population (in the UK).

More than 8.4m Britons have never used web - Telegraph

The Kenilworth Weekly News: Print Digital Balance

thedrum

When Digital met Print. The curious case of an ex Microsoft BBC iPlayer guy joining Johnston Press to help them find a solution.

Ashley Highfield said, ..the brands of the local newspapers are incredibly strong in local communities...the trick is to help move those brands into the digital age.'

On a local level, we have five JP Print Editions. Weekly price rose to 55p Jan 11 and 60p two weeks ago with circulation down average 6% across those five titles http://goo.gl/5ImcS [ABC Certificates]

g+ Post: Data Visualisation for fun: The Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall ..all you gotta do is: http://hint.fm/projects/flickr/

Four Seasons at http://hint.fm/projects/flickr (3)

g+ Post: Visualizing people's innermost thoughts

This is a blast from the data past (2009). Visualizing people's innermost thoughts?http://hint.fm/projects/seer/

And the LIVE Version: http://hint.fm/seer/

More photos from Mike Downes

Search within g+ now has a video

Emphasis seems to be on what people are saying as opposed to a web search. Although from g+ search, Sparks is still active.

Hangouts: How to Guide for U News Co Hosts from Sarah Hill

Sarah Hill at KOMU TV and the U News Hangout CoHosts recorded this How to Video Guide. KOMU public hangouts are being LIVE Streamed from 4pm GMT every weekday. If you are new to g+ and hangouts and want to know more, get in touch.

Sarah wrote: Check out this "Hangout How to" Guide for U_News. We figured this would be far more interesting than a google doc with a bunch of rules. Kind of a trip down memory lane. Thanks again for continuing to co-host with us! :-)

Operation Blade in is Progress in Coventry with Monty

CI Kerry Blakeman recorded this video clip earlier of Operation Blade in Coventry. The message is very simple: 

Carry a Knife, expect to go to Prison.

For more about Monty:

Police dog Monty teaches pupils to behave on the bus

How to Search any Site Using the Chrome Browser

I use Google's Chrome Browser, it's fast and works brilliantly with g+.

Here's how to search a specific site (like whatsinKenilworth.com) - just press TAB.


CLICK in address bar (to place cursor there), press Space Bar and then TAB..type your search.


This site has a few thousand pages, find what you are looking for with this search.

Slide above shows before, during and the site results window.

And the slide on the right is how this post appears at g+

All Public Google Plus Posts are Now Included at whatsinKenilworth

logo by pixelpinch.com

For the last few months, I've been involved with Google Plus. All the public posts I've made are now cross posted here at whatsinKenilworth. To find them, look for g+ or google plus in the contents.

This will allow everyone to see what Googlers (Google Employees) look like and what content I've been sharing at g+. There are a many tips and basics now included to help people learn. 

What's in Kenilworth cannot be the same again as the Media World has changed with with technology and new platforms. Live video using Bambuser has also had a dramatic effect. 

Anyone can create great content and be a real part of the Community thanks to all the tools you see at this site. 

West Midlands Fire Service Training Exercise from Oldbury

Hangout Video Screen

Here are the still shots from the +Neil Griffiths Fire Service Training Exercise this morning. Video from +Lord Miles Parker coming later. The Officers were told there had been a gas leak in a building that contained workmen. There were five teams in operation.

We believe this is the first time a UK Fire Service event had been streamed using hangouts and Bambuser in this way. Look out for the thermal images.

Neil Griffiths Bambuser [ 5 Broadcasts ]

LIVE Bonfire Night from Simon Shilton and Kerry Blakeman 6-10pm Today

Simon Shilton and Kerry Blakeman

Today, Friday 4th November 2011 between 6pm and 10pm you can follow the Police and Fire Service on patrol in Coventry.

Fire Commander Simon Shilton and Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman we will use Bambuser to bring you LIVE Video updates from real incidents around the city on what we expect to be a busy night.

g+ Katherine Gramann from Google

Screenshot from a Google hangout with Extras

This a g+ post made after a hangout with Katherine Gramann who is a Google Employee based in Mountain View, California.

As a Community Manager, Katherine liaises with users (like me) to see how the hangout experience can be improved.  Daria Musk is also in the hangout.

Mike Downes - Nov 3, 2011 - Public
+Katherine Gramann How about this one? Thanks for all the questions and listening earlier..

More photos from Mike Downes  +4  Katherine Gramann - Hahaha! better, but I think you only took screenshots of frowns.

g+ Three Guitars and a Tractor

Mike Downes  -  Nov 3, 2011  - 

YouTube Playlist

 -  Public

This is way too cool for a machine - I swear there is a guy in there..

3 Guitars & a Tractor!

youtube.com – A Texas Swing band has an old tractor for a drummer.

5 shares - Andy P, Gary Green, Paul Gagne, Scott Elliott, and Steve Berry 
Tony Schwartz - /claps eXciTeDly, Nov 4, 2011

g+ YouTube Mini Player

Mike Downes - Nov 3, 2011 - Public

Try this YouTube Button for size. Find it on the right..

More photos from Mike Downes

12 shares - Antonio Francisco de Souza, Ben Smith, Brad Panovich, David Smyth, Graham Gordon and 7 more

g+ Yellow Pages and QR Codes

Mike Downes  -  Nov 2, 2011  -  Public

When a company cares only about itself is when their customers go elsewhere. Spot the QR Code on the cover and the inside (for the app) - but not in ONE customer advertisement.

If I were running Yellow Pages every ad (with a website) should have a QR Code.

g+ How to Send a Message

Mike Downes  -  Nov 2, 2011  -  Public

This is way too easy, click Send a Message and you have a one:one without deleting all the Circles, Extended Circles, Public stuff. Example slide shows +Erika Stahoski and her pet camel.

g+ Blogger Slideshow

Mike Downes  -  Nov 2, 2011  -  Public

This is what I like.. finding answers in seconds.. Thanks +Mohammad Mustafa Ahmedzai

Create Slideshow In Blogger With Navigation - V2 | Blogger Widgets, Tricks and Templates

Follow @mybloggertricks. My Blogger Tricks. Home; Blogger Tricks; Templates; Widgets; Tools. Encode HTML Characters; Count Characters; HTML Editor; Meta Tag Generator; Color Code Generator; Color Char...

g+ Code Breakers

Mike Downes  -  Oct 30, 2011  -  Public

Must share this as simple paper n pencil Maths at work [read simple as freakinly mind breakingly hard. ]

Code-Breakers: Bletchley Park's Lost Heroes

Documentary revealing how two men hacked into Hitler's personal super-code machine.

Time Lapse Kenilworth Bridge Installation from Sustrans

This was uploaded a few days ago by Sustrans. I think there was a camera mounted on a long pole atop a van - guess these are the images.

g+ Photo Update

Mike Downes  -  Oct 28, 2011  -  Public

For me, I'm bypassing What's Hot and Ripples and sharing this instead.. [http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/google-popular-posts-eye-catching.html ]

Google+ Update: Add Fun to Your Photos with the Creative Kit

youtube.com – The Google+ Creative Kit is a fast and friendly way to make powerful edits to your photos.

+2

Melissa Taylor  -  looks like a great feature, thanks.

Oct 28, 2011   

Lord Miles Parker  -  Yes I love this feature... it's a lot like lightroom

Oct 28, 2011    

g+ KOMU Emmys

Mike Downes  -  Oct 27, 2011  -  Public

Always a pleasure reading something like this, especially as Community Engagement ..

KOMU-TV receives four Emmys - Columbia Missourian

The station won awards in four different categories, for photography, community service, video editing and historical and cultural coverage.

+5

3 comments

Lord Miles Parker  -  yay congrats to all

g+ Hangout Test at Youth Centre

Mike Downes  -  Oct 26, 2011  -  Public

Testing hangouts from www.thekenilworthcentre.com this afternoon, prior to Sat 29 October 2011 Open Day 2-6pm - drop in to see yourself on the big screen..

The Kenilworth Centre - Here's the Recording Studio: Try it out at the Open Day

For those who have not seen it, come along on Saturday 29 Oct 2-6pm where you can see this studio for yourself, record a song or get involved in all the other activities at The Kenilworth Centre.

Kenilworth Town Council provides long term financial backing for the takeover of the Kenilworth Youth and Community Centre

At the Kenilworth Town Council meeting on Thursday 20 October there was unanimous support by Councillors for the Town Council to provide funding of between £30 - 40k per year for the next three years to The Kenilworth Centre, a new charity, which is in negotiation with Warwickshire County Council to take over the running of the centre, and provide youth activities in Kenilworth. 

Councillor Norman Vincett, leader of Kenilworth Town Council, said, 'We see youth activities, and the community centre, as key to our community and the Council felt that it was essential that we should provide this financial support to ensure that the transfer to a Kenilworth based charity happens.'

g+ YouTube Movie Rentals

Mike Downes  -  Oct 23, 2011  -  Public

Online Movie Rentals Has anyone used this service yet from YouTube? And if so, will it see the end of our friendly neighbourhood DVD rental shop?

For the record, I've used LoveFilm and cancelled it a few days in as found the website clunky, ill loading and that was before I even sat through a poor quality film. The BBC iPlayer is great, but rarely gives any mainstream movies.

YouTube rolls out movie rentals in the UK

YouTube has launched its own movie rental service featuring over a thousand feature films for users in the UK. Among the blockbuster titles featured are British classics like Monty Python’s The Meanin...

+6

3 shares  -  David D. Stanton, Emma Ogilvy, and Karen Mercer

7 comments

M Monica  -  I'm interested. I have not used it yet though.

Oct 23, 2011   

Philip John  -  Whenever I try to get to the Android app I'm told its not there! I see news about it but Google won't let me see it! Frustrating...

Oct 23, 2011   

+1

  

Martin Broadhurst  -  And Netflix is expected to hit the UK in early 2012.

Oct 24, 2011   

mike ashworth  -  Friend of mine has used YouTube service

Oct 24, 2011   

Myko Clelland  -  I can't find any reference to the quality of the videos anywhere - anyone able to help me out?

Oct 25, 2011   

jane cerva  -  Um, you still have a friendly neighborhood DVD rental shop?

Oct 25, 2011   

tony brookes  -  I find Blockbuster sending me DVD's each month to be a good deal. The stores are fine but you have far more scope to find the films you need at the online site. I had Lovefilm before but the choice and after-sales are best forgotten

Oct 25, 2011