BBC HD

BBC HD Sample 1
Someone has recorded Planet Earth from the new BBC HD trial service and uploaded it to the newsgroups. Quality of the broadcast is excellent – I’ve uploaded a few snaps (resolution not quite right of jpg – media player issue).

Can not wait for Sky HD which promises to be this years must have new technology. 13 days to go.

Weather

Was I the only one that liked the new BBC weather graphics? More detailed, easier to understand and bang up to date. I wasn’t even bothered by the angle the UK was looked at but it has been changed so that Scotland is more in proportion – and it works.
weather
Annoyingly the SNP are now claiming a victory over this change. How sad. One MP even raised a motion in the House of Commons for the map to be changed – great use of political time. The Tartan Tories strike again.

 

BBC Charter Renewal

BBC published it’s future proposals today. The pdf and interesting quote can be found here – BBC affirms Creative Archive in Charter Renewal plans. From DG Mark Thompson…

We want to builld a digital world based on universal access, open standards and unencryption. Encryption, subscription and other forms of digital exclusion lead to widespread welfare losses. They may have a role within the total broadcasting ecology, but the idea that they can successfully replace free-to-air public service broadcasting flies in the face both of economic theory and real-world experience.

The online creative archive sounds amazing but would surely grow to a huge undertaking even for a public broadcaster like the BBC?

Thinker Quiz

First saw on mad musings, the BBC has a thinker quiz for your delights. My results are:

Logical-Mathematical Thinker –

  • Like to understand patterns and relationships between objects or actions
  • Try to understand the world in terms of causes and effects
  • Are good at thinking critically, and solving problems creatively
  • Other Logical-Mathematical Thinkers include Isaac Newton, Archimedes, Albert Einstein.
    Careers which suit Logical-Mathematical thinkers include Physicist, Chemist, Biologist, Lawyer, Computer programmer, Engineer, Inventor.

    Interpersonal Thinker –

  • Like to think about other people, and try to understand them
  • Recognise differences between individuals and appreciate that different people have different perspectives
  • Make an effort to cultivate effective relationships with family, friends and colleagues
  • Other Interpersonal thinkers include Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, William Shakespeare.
    Careers which suit Interpersonal thinkers include Politician, Psychologist, Nurse, Counsellor, Teacher.

    Usually these net surveys are pretty inaccurate and just a bit of fun. Maybe its just coincidence but I’m surprised by the results which I think match me pretty well.

    Chancers

    Just watched a BBC Scotland documentary called Chancers. The programme follows the Airborne Initiative which tries to help persistent young offenders and change their ways. What struck me was the determination and faith that some of the Airborne workers had and just how difficult their job is. I thought my day-to-day job offers challenges and problems – theirs is an absolute nightmare. Constant abuse, threats of violence, persistent drug-taking and a total lack of discipline and respect yet throughout the course they must show they have belief in the offenders. And looking at the Airborne website I’ve seen the salaries offered – that�s a low wage for the stress they go through.

    More desperate are the offenders themselves. Even though they are in last chance saloon they still push their luck taking rules to the extreme. Some of the behaviour……can’t put it into words.

    But what�s left me confused is how best to deal with the offenders? Lock up and throw away the key? More initiatives like Airborne? Just don’t know which is why it’s so difficult to fix.