Hampshire Hub

Thoughts on what a Hampshire Hub might be: a place where councils and agencies can share data (securely if appropriate) a place to share information, tools, and techniques between partners a place to ask a question signposting to existing data sources (so, no duplicated content) signposting to subject experts (“who can I ask about…”) possibly…… Continue reading Hampshire Hub

SLA Event (Part 1): Open Data: Powering the Information age

This is the first of a two-part post about a Society for Location Analysis (SLA) event last night (21st Feb). It was held in Hampshire County Council’s headquarters in Winchester, but the SLA – and its sponsors CBRE – kindly picked up the tab. There were just under thirty present – enough to make it a ‘proper’…… Continue reading SLA Event (Part 1): Open Data: Powering the Information age

LocalGovCampNW (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of a post about LocalGovCampNW, an unconference held in Preston on 4th February. It’s the second instalment, as last week I ran out of time, and had to get something in by midday on Thursday to meet Weekly Blog Club’s deadline. I was interested in most of the session pitches but, sadly, could only attend…… Continue reading LocalGovCampNW (Part 2)

Preston is a nice place. Oh, and Local Gov Camp North West (Part 1)

Crafting the agenda at LocalGovCampNW

Preston & LocalGovCampNW (Part 1) On Saturday I attended Local Gov Camp North West, or #LocalGovCampNW as it’s known on Twitter. Whilst it’s only a couple of weeks since UK GovCamp, I couldn’t resist going along, even though it’s quite a trek from Hampshire to Preston. I travelled up by train on Friday evening. There…… Continue reading Preston is a nice place. Oh, and Local Gov Camp North West (Part 1)

Camping without the tents: UK GovCamp 2012

I spent Friday and Saturday in London at UK GovCamp 2012, or #UKGC12 as it’s known on Twitter. It was an “unconference” with no prepared agenda. If you aren’t familiar with unconferences, Steph Gray gives a good description in his November 2011 article in The Guardian. It amazes me that so many people are willing to give…… Continue reading Camping without the tents: UK GovCamp 2012

Tracks, Maps, and Apps

Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger Map for iPhone

I got the idea of blogging about maps and apps a couple of weeks ago whilst reading Louise Brown’s fascinating first post for the #weeklyblogclub entitled: “How will I be using technology in 2012”. I’m interested in technology – not for the sake of it – but where it can be used to solve practical…… Continue reading Tracks, Maps, and Apps

Drumalism – great new app from @SemanticTourist

Steve Peters aka @SemanticTourist describes himself on Twitter as an: “Open Data enthusiast and LinkedData fan; armchair developer…” In a great example of that armchair development – in his spare time over Christmas – he’s put together an excellent app which draws together hyperlocal media sites and feeds, Twitter &  Facebook for local authorities. He…… Continue reading Drumalism – great new app from @SemanticTourist

Something for the weekend, Sir?

The Village Barber by H Bunbury 1772 Image courtesy of City of London, London Metropolitan Archives

Visit a traditional barbershop and you can get a haircut for under a tenner. It may not have the exoticism of today’s stylist or unisex salons, but its history is every bit as exotic, and much longer. According to The Old Testament, in a tale of treachery and barbarism, Samson received one of the earliest recorded…… Continue reading Something for the weekend, Sir?