Word ‘structure’ research from Cambridge University

Gosh, isn’t this amazing ….. and if you read the following, it appears to be true.

“Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”

so there you go

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Cops Appeal for Monitors

Derby Evening Telegraph
09:30 – 09 January 2008

Police are looking for volunteers to help keep them in the frame by monitoring the streets of Ilkeston and Erewash.

People are being sought to operate the towns’ CCTV cameras to help with crime reduction and information gathering.

They will work in conjunction with police officers, PCSOs, members of the county and groups such as ShopWatch and PubWatch.

Derbyshire police said volunteers would be expected to undergo security checks and take part in at least 20 hours of training but that there would not be a minimum hours of service requirement.

Anyone interested in finding out more is asked to contact Vicki Marriott on 0115 9072019 or 0115 9512027.

Original Story

Ummmm!  So much for data protection and security.  It all gives an idea that there really are more cameras now, than folks to effectively watch them. Hence this appeal, and the progress of automated activity like ‘criminal action’ detection, and the like.

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Photographers claim police are exceeding their powers

2 January 2008
Press Gazette
By PA Mediapoint

More and more photographers are being wrongly prevented from taking pictures in public places by police who do not understand the law, according to a photography trade body.

The Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP) said it had seen an increase in reports of police acting outside their powers in the past 12 months – and expected a further rise in 2008.

In the latest case officers escorted a member of a local photographic society away from a ceremony to switch on Christmas lights in a town centre after wrongly telling him that he needed a “licence” to take pictures of the scene.

“We are getting reports coming in all the time – not just from our members but from various sources,” said Stewart Gibson, head of member services at the BFP.

“And we’re just expecting these cases to keep on going up.”

Concerns about terrorism and paedophiles might be behind the problem, he said.

“Time and time again people are being told ‘you cannot take pictures here’ – things like that. They don’t seem to worry too much about tourists but anyone with serious equipment seems to be a target,” he said.

“It seems now that police have all sorts of powers to stop people doing things but officers often don’t understand what they can do and can’t do.

“There seems to be a feeling that people have some right of privacy in law in some way that means they can’t have their picture taken.

“They don’t. Basically photographers can photograph what can be seen. If you can see me standing at a bus stop you can photograph me. Even when pictures are taken of people on private property – that’s not a matter for the police.”
He said in the latest case two police officers had stopped amateur photographer Phil Smith, 49, from taking pictures of Christmas lights being switched on in Ipswich, Suffolk, in November.

“Mr Smith contacted us for advice. He was escorted away by two police officers after being told he needed a ‘licence’,” said Mr Gibson.

“A ‘licence’ to take pictures in a public place? That’s a new one on us.

It’s nonsense. There seems to be some suggestion that the organisers had booked a ‘host’ photographer. Even if that’s the case it’s got nothing to do with the police. That would be a matter of civil law.”

Smith, of Ipswich, said he had received an apology from Suffolk police following the incident in November.

He said he had been taking pictures of the ceremony and hoped to photograph actress Letitia Dean, who was scheduled to appear, when police intervened.

“I was gobsmacked,” said Smith, a member of the Ipswich and District Photographic Society.

“I was just standing in the crowd when the two special constables came up to me and asked me if I had a licence.

“They said they had seen me taking pictures of the crowd which was not allowed.

“They escorted me away. I was embarrassed because it must have looked like I had committed a serious crime.”

Smith said a police inspector had later confirmed that he had done nothing wrong and apologised.

Press Gazette

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Climate Change on Trial

The eleven climate change activists who shut down Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station on April 10th 2007 are on trial for three days from Monday 14th Jan at Nottingham Bridewell Magistrates Court.

They have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated trespass and arguing that it was necessary to take such action in order to prevent the imminent threat that climate change poses to the human population. They are arguing that the threat of climate change on human life is so imminent & serious that it is a proportionate and reasonable response to commit aggravated trespass to try to reduce carbon emissions from England’s 2nd largest CO2 emmiter, Ratcliffe on Soar power station.

On April 10th 11 activists walked into Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station and locked onto coal machinery & conveyor belts in order to prevent the power plant from working. They prevented the plant from re-charging after the Easter break for 5 hours. They were cut free by police and arrested for aggravated trespass.

This is the first time that the defence of necessity in relation to climate change has been used in a court of law. The defendants will call an expert witness; a climate scientist, and Royal Society Research Fellow, to prove to the court the scale and imminence of the threat that climate change poses.

The Trial is expected to last 3 days.

There will be a supporters demonstration 9:30am on Monday 14th January, please come along and give your support to the fight against climate change.

press@eastsideclimateaction.org.uk
http://www.eastsideclimateaction.org.uk

Poster to download and distribute

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Spring into Action :: Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station 1

Spring into Action :: Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station 2

Spring into Action :: Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station 3

Climate activists in court – report

Tacking climate change: East Midlands: Local Govt Consultations

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Climate Camp Photographers: A digital exhibition at the Broadway

A number of photographers documented aspects of the camp, and the surrounding police actions. A selection of this work, is currently being shown in the foyer [and o/s Screen 1] of the Broadway Cinema, Broad Street, Nottingham.

The exhibition is in digital form on high quality small screens , and will last throughout the month of January.

Contributing photographers
http://www.minimouse.me.uk/photographers.html

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Camps for Climate Action are campaign gatherings (similar to peace camps) that have taken place to draw attention to, and to act as a base for direct action against major carbon emitters, and to develop ways to create a carbon-neutral society. Camps are run on broadly anarchist principles – free to attend, supported by donations and with input from everyone in the community for the day-to-day operation of the camp. In 2006 a camp took place near Drax power station and in 2007 near Heathrow Airport. Camps seek to set an example of what a sustainable society might be like. Decision making is by consensus and much of the material used to created structures for the camp is reclaimed waste from building sites which would otherwise have been sent landfill.

Camp for Climate Action 2007
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_Camp

More on this display, on Indymedia at ………….

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Police are upset, at a demonstration ban on pay & condition

Hahahahahahahaha. & Haha again.

The criminalisation of protest at large, has been enthusiastically policed by the police.

Many peaceful actions and demonstrations have been attacked with some force and enthusiasm. It seems now the police themselves have a grievance and wish to protest, to draw attention to their case.

However, they are now crying in their beer about the restrictions placed upon them.

I might try and go myself.

Intention: to photograph the organisers and scale of the event. To record actions of wrongdoing and public order issues. Thus to provide evidence to prosecute. It might also be interesting if police try to march in their units. Wouldn’t it be lovely to ’shadow’ the Metropolitan Police FIT team.

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Police anger at Commons march ‘ban’

Jamie Doward, home affairs editor
Sunday December 30, 2007
The Observer

Police last night accused the government of attempting to ban 10,000 officers from marching through Westminster in a mass protest over their pay award. The demonstration would be the force’s biggest since 1919.

Relations between the Home Office and the force have fallen to a new low, with the Police Federation of England and Wales, the body that represents 124,000 rank-and-file officers, claiming the government is ‘interfering behind the scenes’ over plans for the march to Parliament on 23 January.

Full story

Ian Bone blog: Police rent-a-mob paid by union to go on march!

Orgreave miners to face cops on pay demo

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Sumac Skillshare – Spring Programme

Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone St, Nottingham
Skillshare Phone: 07880 937511
To subscribe to the e-list to keep up to date with info about the skillshare as it happens, go to:  http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/sumacskillshare
 
Full listing of events at: http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2007/12/388533.html

Skillshare flyer download http://indymedia.org.uk/media/2007/12//388534.pdf

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Happy New Year

Happy 2008 new year all. 

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ps. the Chinese do it better.  This year, there will be events in Nottingham on the 9th 10th February, celebrating the new year of the Rat.

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My son, Sam comes to visit

Sam, my son, came to visit for a couple of days. Nice to see him again. ‘My, how he’s grown’. Currently to do with Bassline Circus, tol3, Free-kuency-festival crew & totalresistance. He’s a sound system and lighting/projection bod.

Currently based in Portugal and earlier in Orgiva, Spain ….. He has followed so many other, ex-traveller types,  getting out of the UK,  after the anti-gathering laws occured. Personally, although I don’t get to see him as often as I would like ….. But, I’m glad he has left, because I think in the UK, they would have locked him up by now.

He’s told me they have a convoy mission, overland to India, later in the year. I love him muchly, and wish him well.

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 So as not to leave anyone out ….. My daughter and 3 grandchildren.  I guess I’ll put up more of these in time, but still trying to sort lots to upload yet.

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Site4Life

This short film is about the young people who were born into the free festival scene that flowered and bloomed through a counterculture in 80’s Britain. From the Stonehenge free festival to the merging of the so called ‘New Age Traveller’s’ and the underground dance scene at Castlemorton and beyond these kids have lived a unique life of ups and downs, grown up in freedom and felt the violent force of the state – Operation Solstice: The Battle of the Beanfield. They have seen the negative effects of laws tailored to curb and their lifestyle in the form of amendments to the Public Order Act and later the new Criminal Justice Act which criminalised their existence. This coupled with the over commercialisation of the UK festival scene that their families dedication helped to create has left the second generation of New Travelers kids with an uncertain future… Until now…. Site4Life.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFslbnJoIo&rel=1]

They say –  Site4life are 2nd and 3rd generation new travellers who have an amazing amount of talent in making music, performance and art. They have grown up surrounded by festivals and free parties which their parents helped create. This new generation are looking for a positive future.
As a group we will travel and perform at Festivals and local community projects.
We also have plans to build a mobile recording studio. The aim of Site4Life is education for our youth and chances to show case their talent.
We hope to build bridges into mainstream culture for these new travellers.

http://site-4-life.org

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2008 – Seasons greetings [with legal considerations]

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

May you have a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the new year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make Christmas a joyful occasion celebrated throughout western civilisation, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual orientation of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. 

· This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. 
· It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. 
· It implies no promise of the wisher to actually implement the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.
· This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and said warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

So ……… there you ‘ave it.

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This set of antlers and me, say happy xmas

Happy Christmas all

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photographers from climate camp: exhibition at Nottingham Broadway

Tues 1 Jan – Thurs 31 Jan, Climate Camp: ‘Time 2 Act’ : How 2,500 people got together to call for an end to aviation expansion and work out solutions for a lower-impact society. A digital photographic exhibition showing on small screens at the Broadway.

The photographers from climate camp have an exhibition based around large photographic display boards with text. It opened in London at the end of October and will be touring.
 
Based on their work there will be a digital photographic exhibition on tv screens in the broadway from 1st-31st Jan.
They are also up for bringing their work to events with wider submissions/installations, presentations and so forth.
In London there were speakers and an open discussion, and the event was recorded and broadcasted on the radio.
Leeds are hosting it in the first half of February.

View work from the contributing photographers.

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A (very) misty morning

A (very) misty morning in Woodthorpe Park, Sherwood, Nottingham. Sometimes you have to get up really early to capture this atmosphere.

Today though, it wasn’t necessary, since it stayed like this, all bloody day.

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Just a thought ……………….

“He who seeks to know himself in the universe

is as one who gazes at his own reflection in the warm waters of the oasis,

after the camels have been”

………. anon

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Happy Winter Solstice

I used to regularly go to Stonehenge, both winter and summer.  To celebrate with others the cosmic events of the solstice.  But, in recent years, English Heritage, and other agencies, have created ‘managed access events’ that I don’t feel I have anything in common with. They are not the gatherings they were.

Solstice happens everywhere, and I can still observe it,  in my own quiet ways …… wherever I am.

If the science of what is going on is important to you,  one of the best sites I’ve found in explaination is here: 

http://www.archaeoastronomy.com

Useful also for the precise timings of this and other cosmic events.

 Anyway, HAPPY SOLISTICE all.  A far more significant event than all this Christmas stuff.

Archaeoastronomy 1

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 This year, the cusp of the Winter Solstice actually occurs at 06:08 22nd December

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Applications under Freedom of Information & the Data Protection Acts

Over recent years, government has passed legislation to allow the citizen to get a copy of information, held by  public authorities on policy issues [general matters], and about the individual [only yourself as an individual].

Data Protection Act 1998

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980029.htm

Freedom of Information Act 2000

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm

Environmental Information Regulations 2004

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/opengov/eir/guidance/index.htm

Now although there are lots of “ifs, buts, maybes and perhaps’s” ….. dotted about within the legislation, they are useful for gathering information, that up to only a few years ago, was very hard to access.  They are all designed for the ordinary citizen to be able to get information to help keep ‘big brother’ in some kind of check.

Further, to empower the individual, through access to information, to hold those in power to account on many issues. They are all vastly underused by ordinary folks, but they have become a standard tool of journalism.  There are frequently many news items on TV or newspaper that start with the words:

“according to information obtained by the media under the Freedom of Information Act, we have discovered such and such about the subject ……. >”.

I encourage all, who are concerned about issues to make greater use of these facilities. I believe it one of the better things that the current government have done. Please use them.

I guess firstly, there should be some pre-amble on what each is for. 

The Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act had come into force from 1st Jan 2005. It is only part of the new openness package. There is also the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs),

Application for information under this act is free.  It applies to all public bodies and authorities in the UK. 

You should use this, when wanting to know matters of policy and generally what they’re up to, why, and how much ‘it’ costs. What research has been done, what are the implications and what are you going to do next?

There are ‘get-out’ clauses in the wording, like exceptions for ‘commercially sensitive’ information, national security implications, costs of complying with your requests and many others. Don’t then just give up! But, without giving you a full run-down here, if refused you can then make other applications asking for the same information over shorter time scales for example. Doesn’t always work, but, be creative in rewording, and go round again and try. You should receive a reply, the information requested, or an explanation of why not within 20 days.

The Environmental Information Regulations are similar in status and all the above applies.

They implement an EU directive, that came into force at the same time as the FOI. These provide a more powerful right to information about pollution, conservation, the natural environment, land use, road building, genetically modified organisms, air and water-borne diseases, food contamination, financial and many other issues. The regulations include the utilities and private contractors acting on behalf of a public authority.

Data Protection Act 1998

Now, coming to the Data Protection Act. The object is to enable the citizen to check what information is held about them by a public body or authority, and to further check that the information is accurate. Hence, you apply under this act for information about yourself as an individual.  You may not apply for information about anyone else.

Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 states that a “data subject” (the person about whom the personal data refers) is entitled, upon written request, to be informed whether or not personal data is held or processed about them.

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Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998

Rights of data subjects and others

7 Right of access to personal data (1) Subject to the following provisions of this section and to sections 8 and

9, an individual is entitled-

(a) to be informed by any data controller whether personal data of which that individual is the data subject are

being processed by or on behalf of that data controller,

(b) if that is the case, to be given by the data controller a description of-

(i) the personal data of which that individual is the data subject,

(ii) the purposes for which they are being or are to be processed, and

(iii) the recipients or classes of recipients to whom they are or may be disclosed,

(c) to have communicated to him in an intelligible form-

(i) the information constituting any personal data of which that individual is the data subject, and

(ii) any information available to the data controller as to the source of those data, <snip> ……

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http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980029_en_3#pt2-l1g7

This is making a ‘Subject Access Request’. Now, you might want to check on your own criminal record, driving convictions, parking tickets, council tax records, medical information, I mean, they know lots about us, don’t they?

But, a main object here is perhaps to use it to look into our surveillance.  It is the way I have exercised my right, to take a peek!

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surveillance webtech

Two areas of interest here are the CCTV systems we live life under now-a-days and the police teams we find at public events, demonstrations, protests, festivals, while being a minority group etc …….

With respect to CCTV, there is not a uniform pattern of ownership in the UK. Here in Nottingham, the city cameras are owned and administered by Nottingham City Council.

Surveillance of Nottingham city centre:

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/03/335022.html

This gives a flavour of the nature of the machine. There is then co-operation between the City council operations and the police in their use.

Generally speaking, there should be a plate, publicly viewable, with the contact details / number of the ‘data controller’ for the system. So, if inclined to see video of yourself, walking across the Market Square on a Saturday afternoon, surveyed by the numerous cameras there, then your application would be to Nottingham City Council. You would do so on the form [links below] stating details like times, dates, locations, and your appearance.

The Data Controller, a designated person within their operation would then have to record your application, identify you and so as to make sure that no other personal data about anyone else present within the frame, would have to go through a technical procedure to ‘blob-out’ all others that appear. A time-consuming and expensive procedure!

Ownership of these systems is different throughout the country and so please make sure you know which authority is responsible for the cameras operations.

With the police, things are a little more obvious. The uniform gives it away. Mostly, they are clearly policemen, but sometimes civilians working for the police. These will be accompanied.

If you’re at events, say you are lawfully protesting on an issue, you’re not breaking the law and yet you are photographed or videoed by officers. May I suggest the following:

1.  Stay calm. Do not be rude or physically obstructive. [charges under public law frequently then ensue].

2.  Note, time, date, and place, this should include what police force area are you in.

3.  Note the force, the surveillance officer is from. Not always the same as your location.

4.  If you can also note the officers shoulder number, and if you’re up for it photograph the officers yourself. [helpfully including force badge and number]. If you’re not, then a simple note on paper.

5.  Some policemen, sent into the field for intelligence gathering are quite chatty.  Who are you with then? Where do you come from? Do you do this sort of thing much? Nice weather were having …. oh and so on. I am always polite, but do not engage.

6.  Shortly after incident, make a brief note of the info above, together with a few paragraphs on the circumstances.

7.  When back at base, if you have internet access, call up the police force website for where you were. There is a ‘map index’ of uk forces at: http://www.police.uk/forces.htm  If not on the internet, ring a police station and ask for the address of the ‘Data Controller’ at the force HQ.

8.  All forces have a different website layout, but all have either ‘data protection’ or ‘freedom of information’ links from the front page.  They all then contain standard guidance for the application your making, and you should find a ‘forms’ link where you can download the application form, usually as a PDF for you to print out.  There will also be a direct contact phone number if you need further assistance.  Fill out the info above on the form.

9.  They ask for proof of identity. They must do this, or you might ask for the personal info on someone else. [this is not allowed]. They also ask for a photo of you, the subject!  This is the scary bit for many folks.  However, you are asking them for copies of your image, taken by them, I have never understood what the problem is here. They already have it!

10.  Stick the whole thing in an envelope and send, recorded delivery post, to the address instructed. It costs £10 and you should expect to receive the video, photos, notes of what you asked for, within 40 days.

Links

Data Protection Act 1998  http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980029.htm

Freedom of Information Act 2000  http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm

Environmental Info Regs 2004  http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/opengov/eir/guidance/index.htm

Information and encouragement to use the Freedom of Information Act 2000

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/10/325499.html

Nottinghamshire Police: Freedom of Information:  http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/freedom

Nottinghamshire Police: Application form:

http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/uploads/library/73/FOI%20request%20form.pdf

Nottinghamshire City Council: Data Protection

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/sitemap/services/council_government_and_democracy/information_governance/data_protection.htm

Nottinghamshire City Council: Freedom of Information Act

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/sitemap/freedom_of_information

Metropolitan Police: Data Protection  http://www.met.police.uk/dataprotection

Metropolitan Police: Data Protection Application form

http://www.met.police.uk/dataprotection/forms/3019a.pdf

‘Map index’ of uk forces at: http://www.police.uk/forces.htm

UK FOIA requests – Spy Blog  http://www.spy.org.uk/foia

Campaign for Freedom of Information  http://www.cfoi.org.uk/

Information Commissioner monitors and supervises the implementation of the Acts 

http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/

Complaint Form [if the authority doesn’t comply with your request]

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/forms/ico-datap-how2comp-form.pdf

FIT Watch  http://www.fitwatch.blogspot.com/

Forward Intelligence Teams – FIT operate under the Public Order Intelligence Unit (CO11) at New Scotland Yard and has responsibility for collating and disseminating intelligence.

http://www.met.police.uk/publicorder/intelligence.htm    Their website content is a little sparse!

Met Police: Overt Filming / Photography Leaflet

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/02/363276.html

American Judicial Decision: NYPD Spy Tactics Exposed: Democracy Now! Airs Exclusive Police Surveillance Footage Recorded From Blimps, Helicopters and “Lipstick Cams” During Republican National Convention Monday, February 19th, 2007

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/19/1545225&mode=thread&tid=25

Watch 128k stream       http://play.rbn.com/?url=demnow/demnow/demand/2007/feb/video/dnB20070219a.rm&proto=rtsp&start=46:16

Watch 256k stream http://play.rbn.com/?url=demnow/demnow/demand/2007/feb/video/dnB20070219a.rm&proto=rtsp&start=46:16

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SMS Guerilla Projector

 

Check out this:  http://www.troika.uk.com/sms-guerrilla-projector.htm

I saw a piece this evening on Current TV, the Goggle digital TV channel.  They did a ‘pod’ piece on the SMS Guerilla Projector and it’s application, not only for commercial purposes, but also street protest and the like.

I have seen projectors used to project imagery on public buildings, and this does seem an interesting progression.
            
The SMS Guerilla Projector is a home made, fully functioning device that enables the user to project text based SMS messages in public spaces, in streets, onto people, inside cinemas, shops, houses…

Small, portable, and battery operated, the SMS Guerilla Projector contains a mobile phone which enables the device to receive and project messages from other people.

The SMS Guerilla Projector is made by recombining available technologies. As an open object, the projector generates a wide range of applications, allowing the user to display messages and share his reflections.

Its unpredictability creates a very special and disturbing experience for the people who watch the projection, and invites them to reflect on the content or the implications of the message.The images below show actual examples of projected messages.

If you are interested to use the SMS Guerrilla Projector, please visit : http://www.troika.uk.com/troika%20communications%20index.htm

Example commercial application
http://www.troika.uk.com/thestreets.htm

The current TV pod is at:  http://current.com/topics/77303151_sms_guerrila_projector

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Straw Bale work on eco-building in St.Anns. Progress to the New year

Work has been continuing at EcoWorks with the Straw Bale building. The wall having been compressed, the wooden top-plates in position and the whole issue strapped down as described in part #24.

From the 13 – 16th December, we had a bit of a final spurt of activity in trying to get the building to a state, when it could be covered over for a bit of a winter interval.

Beams fixed over the kitchen area span. Care taken to uniformally support the weight of the covering boards and lining. It will eventually have to support a thin-ish turf roof. Like the main part of the building.

Thus, at the completion of this part of the roof, the building is now fully enclosed in its structure. There will be additional measures taken to reinforce the structure in the new year. Then the principle remaining items on the list will be:

window frames
door
rendering of the outside walls
rendering of the interior walls
paint job
opening party ………

but I guess this still a little way off yet!

So, dear readers, if you have enjoyed watching the progress of this building being constructed ….. how about getting out from behind your computer screen, and get up to EcoWorks in the new year, and volunteer your services.

All could have been done a lot earlier, if a bunch of ‘already-skilled’ people had just got on with it. But, it was generally descided that by involving many volunteers, folks might go away, and having been inspired by the project, and with a bit of hands-on experience ……. have ideas and help others think about what they could do with other sustainable projects in their own areas.

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Ecoworks is on the Hungerhills allotment site, reached off Ransom Road, St.Anns …..
If needed, they can provide transport from the city centre by arrangement. Ring Tim on 07719 428187 for more info.
Hot drinks supplied; please bring your lunch.

Ecoworks
info@ecoworks.org.uk

Welcome

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‘Collected’
set of pictures on Flickr :: Straw Bale Building @ St Anns

The story so far, Described on Indymedia:
EcoWorks: Straw Bale work on “eco-building” in St.Anns

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More to follow, i guess …….. >

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Happy Christmas from my Grandkids

Guess it that time of year then.  Class-fulls of kids doing xmas cards, sparkley stuff and plastic antlers etc.

Here is an example from mine ……. cute eh 🙂

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To Grandad Tash - Ebba Drawing 1

To Grandad Tash - Ebba Drawing 2

To Grandad Tash

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