TRaC who are Testing Regulatory and Compliance a body that performs interoperability testing etc have set-up shop in Hull. This will allow vendors and chipset manufacturers to ensure their system work with others.
TRaC will have a number of different DSL solutions from several vendors (25 DSLAMs and 2 interoperability labs) and can test ADSL, SHDSL, ADSL2+, and VDSL2 as well as ensuring regulatory compliance and EMI compliance.
The operations are being moved from the current Santa Clara base.
30 Kasım 2009 Pazartesi
29 Kasım 2009 Pazar
The Lancet: Public Health Benefits of Strategies To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A just-released Study by The Lancet and other notable international organizations says "Climate change already affects human health, and if no action is taken, problems such as malnutrition, deaths and injury due to extreme weather conditions, and change in geographical distribution of disease vectors will worsen." A Series of Papers on Household Energy, Food and Agriculture, Urban Land Transport, and Low Carbon Electricity Generation is the result of an international collaboration of scientists. The Papers make a strong case for linking climate and health goals, and through suggested strategies and case studies encourage the international and business communities to act now.
A notable mention from the Food and Agriculture Paper suggests that in order for the agricultural sector to meet the target recommended by the UK Committee on Climate Change to reduce UK emissions from the concentrations recorded in 1990 by 80% by 2050, which would require a 50% reduction by 2030, they identified that a 30% reduction in livestock production would be needed to meet this target. In addition, the potential benefits of reduced consumption of livestock products on the burden of ischaemic heart disease shows the disease burden would decrease by about 15% in the UK. See the full Food and Agriculture Paper here.
Image Credit: The Lancet (Full Size Lancet Food, Agriculture, and Health Diagram is here)
28 Kasım 2009 Cumartesi
27 Kasım 2009 Cuma
25 Kasım 2009 Çarşamba
Drive Clean Website from CA Air Resources Board
Please view: DriveClean.ca.gov. The site ranks cars by smog and greenhouse gas emissions, and provides a variety of tools to search and compare vehicles by environmental impact, efficiency,
cost and incentives.
Ericsson buys Nortel's GSM assets
Ericsson has acquired the North American GSM assets of bankrupt Nortel for $70m, this follows their successful purchase of the North American CDMA and LTE assets (for $1.13bn).
The GSM equipment is used by AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile USA. Ericsson also get 350 ex Nortel employees. The GSM operation made about $400m for Nortel last year, so the buy seems quite a steal.
The European and Taiwan assets were bought by Austrian firm Kapsch CarrierCom for $33m.
The GSM equipment is used by AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile USA. Ericsson also get 350 ex Nortel employees. The GSM operation made about $400m for Nortel last year, so the buy seems quite a steal.
The European and Taiwan assets were bought by Austrian firm Kapsch CarrierCom for $33m.
20 Kasım 2009 Cuma
11 Kasım 2009 Çarşamba
NY Times: Afloat in the Ocean, Expanding Islands of Trash
You may remember my interview with David de Rothschild on his Plastiki Expedition and the serious increase of plastic in our oceans.
Here is a recent NY Times article noting the expanding plastic islands, chemical pollution, contamination of fish, and actions some people and businesses are taking. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html
After my Interviews with David de Rothschild and Stephanie Soechtig, Director of the Tapped Documentary:
http://ecoprotection.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-stephanie-soechtig.html,
I had a NO Plastic Bottle Policy at the Green Software Unconference I founded.
What actions are you taking? Please share them with me.
Here is a recent NY Times article noting the expanding plastic islands, chemical pollution, contamination of fish, and actions some people and businesses are taking. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html
After my Interviews with David de Rothschild and Stephanie Soechtig, Director of the Tapped Documentary:
http://ecoprotection.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-stephanie-soechtig.html,
I had a NO Plastic Bottle Policy at the Green Software Unconference I founded.
What actions are you taking? Please share them with me.
Final Report on an Economic Study of Greenhouse Gas Targets and Policies for Canada
Leading economic modeling firm M.K. Jaccard and Associates, on behalf of the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation, conducted an in-depth study of federal and provincial policies needed for Canada to meet two targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The firm modeled how Canada can achieve both the federal government's current target (20 per cent below the 2006 level by 2020) as well as a more ambitious target (25 per cent below the 1990 level by 2020). The second target is derived from analysis of the emission reductions needed to limit average global warming to 2° C -- a limit supported by a broad scientific consensus.
"This new analysis shows that with strong policies, Canada can meet a 2° C target in 2020 and have a strong, growing economy, a quality of life higher than Canadians enjoy today, and continued steady job creation across the country," says Dale Marshall, climate change policy analyst with the David Suzuki Foundation.
Far stronger policies than the federal government has proposed to date must be implemented, according to the modeling study. "Meeting either target requires governments to put a significant price on global warming emissions broadly across the economy, and to back this up with strong complementary regulations and public investments," says Matthew Bramley, director of climate change for the Pembina Institute. "The study indicates that Canada can implement much stronger climate policies than the U.S. and still prosper economically."
Key findings of the Jaccard study include:
* Canada's gross domestic product would continue to grow at 2.1 per cent per year on average between 2010 and 2020 while meeting the 2° C target, compared to 2.2 per cent for the government's target and 2.4 per cent under business as usual.
* Canada's total number of jobs would grow by 11 per cent between 2010 and 2020 while meeting either target -- essentially the same rate as under business as usual.
* The urgent need to address very high emissions in Alberta and Saskatchewan would significantly reduce projected growth rates in these provinces. However, Alberta's per capita GDP would continue to be much higher than that of any other region, and Saskatchewan's per capita GDP would stay close to the Canadian average.
* To meet the 2° C target, a carbon price would start at $50 per tonne in 2010 and reach $200 per tonne by 2020. To meet the government's target, the carbon price would need to reach $100 per tonne by 2020, or $145 per tonne if Canada does not purchase any international credits.
* Almost half of carbon price revenue can be returned to Canadians through reductions in income tax. Revenue from carbon pricing can also fund major public investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as building smart grids and transit infrastructure.
* Technological approaches to achieve major reductions in Canada's greenhouse gas emissions range from increased energy efficiency to renewable energy.
You can download the full Climate Leadership, Economic Prosperity report here but avoid printing it for the planet's benefit: http://climate.pembina.org/pub/1909
10 Kasım 2009 Salı
The Whales and Dolphins in the Faroe Islands Need Your Help
By Mary Vincent - Follow on Twitter @MaryVincent
As you know, I have mainly focused on Green Business and Clean Tech News on this Blog. However, an email crossed my inbox today that surprised and shocked me. It's about the senseless killing of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands. Very Graphic Photos are in this Slideshow.
As you know, I have mainly focused on Green Business and Clean Tech News on this Blog. However, an email crossed my inbox today that surprised and shocked me. It's about the senseless killing of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands. Very Graphic Photos are in this Slideshow.
The Faroe Islands receive subsidies from Denmark.
As you know, Copenhagen, Denmark is scheduled to be the December 2009 meeting place for a new Climate agreement as a follow-on to the Kyoto Agreement.
How can Denmark work on climate goals to help this planet and at the same time allow the killing of whales and dolphins?
I immediately emailed the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in Australia with a request of how I can help.
I immediately received this response below from Robin Graham at WSPA with emails for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Fisheries and Natural Resources, and Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
If you'd like to help, please email them with your concerns and please share with your network asap.
Thank you.
Mary
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Email from Robin Graham, WSPA, Australia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mary,
Dear Mary,
Thank you so much for your email. We share your concern for the welfare of whales and dolphins in the Faroe Islands.
Some 28,000 great whales have been killed since the International Whaling Commission (IWC) adopted a worldwide ban on commercial whaling that took effect in 1986. The Faroe Islands however continue to kill pilot whales and other species as these islands are not covered by the Convention. For this reason it has been difficult to enforce the end of this cruel ritual.
WSPA has been campaigning against the whale and dolphin hunt in the Faroe Islands since 1984. In 1992 WSPA, the Environmental Investigation Agency and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society formed the Pilot Whale Campaign and started targeting importers and retailers of Faroese products in Britain (and later on in Germany) in an attempt to stop the import of Faroese products. Unfortunately the campaign had little success however WSPA continues to lobby against whaling globally through the Whalewatch coalition. WSPA is the leader of Whalewatch - a network of over 140 non-governmental organisations in over 55 countries worldwide, united by a common belief that whaling should be banned because it is inherently cruel. This lobbying activity is an essential part of maintaining the current commercial whaling moratorium and the battle to end whaling once and for all. For more information about Whalewatch and how to take action please visit www.whalewatch.org
You may wish to write to the Department of Foreign Affairs mfa@mfa.fo; and the Ministry of Fisheries and Natural Resources fisk@fisk.fo to voice your concern for the welfare of whales and dolphins in the Faroe Islands Hunt.
You may also wish to write to the Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen and ask him to suspend Denmark's annual subsidy to the Faroe Islands until an agreement to phase out and end the whale and dolphin hunt has been signed between the Faroese home rule government and the Kingdom of Denmark.
You can help us achieve global recognition and protection of animals around the world by joining a global voice of 10 million in support of our campaign. Animals and our treatment of them are important. Because you care, tell your government that animals matter to you. Act now by signing our petition: www.wspa.org.au/animalsmatter
On behalf of the animals, thank you again for your compassion and concern.
Kind Regards
Supporter Care
WSPA Australia
World Society for the Protection of Animals
1/2 Northcote Street
ST LEONARDS NSW 2065
WSPA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals exists for the sole purpose of raising the standards of animal welfare throughout the world. To find out more about our work log onto: www.wspa.org.au.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
1/2 Northcote Street
ST LEONARDS NSW 2065
Gizmo5 sells out to Google
The rumours have been flying and it was thought that Gizmo5 would be the sensible acquisition for the new Skype as a basis for replacing the P2P technology that was reliant on JoltID (and why JoltID was suing Ebay).
Events have now significantly changed the market, JoltID has come to an agreement with Skype/Ebay where-upon their P2P technology will be owned outright and Gizmo5 has been purchased by Google.
Gizmo5 was started by Michael Robertson and has around 6m users while using non proprietary SIP VoIP protocols. It is expected that Google will integrate Gizmo5 into their GoogleTalk product line (and maybe Google Voice).
Events have now significantly changed the market, JoltID has come to an agreement with Skype/Ebay where-upon their P2P technology will be owned outright and Gizmo5 has been purchased by Google.
Gizmo5 was started by Michael Robertson and has around 6m users while using non proprietary SIP VoIP protocols. It is expected that Google will integrate Gizmo5 into their GoogleTalk product line (and maybe Google Voice).
JoltID settles with Skype
Rather than spend millions on court cases it seems JoltID have made an agreement with Skype whereby Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis will join the investment group that purchased Skype from Ebay and they'll get a 14% stake, Skype will gain control of the P2P technology that was previously licensed (or not as the case may have been).
Though the P2P technology is now owned by Skype itself, there may still be major changes brewing with the technology (see previous article.
Though the P2P technology is now owned by Skype itself, there may still be major changes brewing with the technology (see previous article.
HTC Touch HD2 is MiFi device
HTC's Touch HD2 will include a native WiFi router. This means the Windows Mobile 6.5 device can act as a MiFi system (i.e. personal WiFi hotspot) using 3G as the transport.
It is expected the HD2 will be released in 2010 and will support HSPA (7.2Mb/s).
Though there are many MiFi units already on sale (the Novatel unit seems to be common) this will mean the HD2 phone can be used without having to purchase a separate MiFi unit which will please people who don't want to carry to much around with them.
It is expected the HD2 will be released in 2010 and will support HSPA (7.2Mb/s).
Though there are many MiFi units already on sale (the Novatel unit seems to be common) this will mean the HD2 phone can be used without having to purchase a separate MiFi unit which will please people who don't want to carry to much around with them.
6 Kasım 2009 Cuma
Amazon drops Kindle (CDMA)
Amazon has stopped selling the US only CDMA Sprint/Nextel Kindle, though it will continue to support exiting units. Amazon is only going to sell the 3G version that works on AT&T's network in the US, though it's the same model that is sold internationally.
Amazon could have used a chip manufactured by Qualcomm known as the Gobi which support 2G/3G and US protocols but Amazon said the chip was more suited to netbooks, they may consider using Gobi in a future device.
Sprint/Nextel must be disappointed as it's assumed most of their 394,000 wholesale customers are Kindles. On the other hand it's a good move by Amazon to recognise that the 3G world is bigger than the US market.
Amazon could have used a chip manufactured by Qualcomm known as the Gobi which support 2G/3G and US protocols but Amazon said the chip was more suited to netbooks, they may consider using Gobi in a future device.
Sprint/Nextel must be disappointed as it's assumed most of their 394,000 wholesale customers are Kindles. On the other hand it's a good move by Amazon to recognise that the 3G world is bigger than the US market.
4 Kasım 2009 Çarşamba
Skype re-engineering the world
Please note this is completely based on my own thoughts and I have not liaised with anybody else on the content.
Skype is currently having a few legal issues with JoltID who own the P2P technology (known as Global Index) that Skype runs on. Oddly when Ebay purchased Skype from JoltID for $4.1bn they only licensed the P2P technology. Now that Ebay has sold off 65% of Skype to a private investment company, JoltID have said that their licensing has been infringed and there's a UK court case planned for June 2010.
Ebay must be slightly worried (well Skype now) as if the court case is successful Skype may not be allowed to continue to use the underlying P2P technology, which means no more Skype, or at least no more functioning Skype network.
Skype must be doing something about this? Maybe they are as they've taken on-board Theo Zourzouvillys who's job description seems to be "Internet Hippy at Skype Labs". Theo is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world when it comes to VoIP, especially SIP and he has written many SIP stacks and built hugely scalable SIP networks and is the author of many an IETF drafts on said protocols.
Though Skype are making huge efforts in supporting SIP for business users (they already utilise SIP for connectivity to telcos for interconnect i.e. for Skype In and Skype Out), could Skype be re-engineering their network from the ground up, utilising non proprietary protocols? If that was the case and the underlying technology changed significantly from the Global Index P2P system, then the JoltID problem goes away.
In this case only time will tell.
Skype is currently having a few legal issues with JoltID who own the P2P technology (known as Global Index) that Skype runs on. Oddly when Ebay purchased Skype from JoltID for $4.1bn they only licensed the P2P technology. Now that Ebay has sold off 65% of Skype to a private investment company, JoltID have said that their licensing has been infringed and there's a UK court case planned for June 2010.
Ebay must be slightly worried (well Skype now) as if the court case is successful Skype may not be allowed to continue to use the underlying P2P technology, which means no more Skype, or at least no more functioning Skype network.
Skype must be doing something about this? Maybe they are as they've taken on-board Theo Zourzouvillys who's job description seems to be "Internet Hippy at Skype Labs". Theo is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world when it comes to VoIP, especially SIP and he has written many SIP stacks and built hugely scalable SIP networks and is the author of many an IETF drafts on said protocols.
Though Skype are making huge efforts in supporting SIP for business users (they already utilise SIP for connectivity to telcos for interconnect i.e. for Skype In and Skype Out), could Skype be re-engineering their network from the ground up, utilising non proprietary protocols? If that was the case and the underlying technology changed significantly from the Global Index P2P system, then the JoltID problem goes away.
In this case only time will tell.
3 Kasım 2009 Salı
3 is 94% data
UK Mobile Network Operator 3's CEO Kevin Russell says 94% of all traffic across 3's network is data. This is a dramatic increase as 3 has pushed data services to attract users such as offering Skype phones and INQ phones which are application centric.
He stated that Skype use has increased from 90,000 minutes in 2006 to 600 million minutes last year.
3 has been unusual in that it has promoted VoIP and other internet services, when most mobile networks tried to block them.
However it must be remembered that services like Skype are actually using an iSkoot client that then connects to a 3 hosted server which then uses Skype's protocols out to the rest of the world (though the user is unaware of this).
He stated that Skype use has increased from 90,000 minutes in 2006 to 600 million minutes last year.
3 has been unusual in that it has promoted VoIP and other internet services, when most mobile networks tried to block them.
However it must be remembered that services like Skype are actually using an iSkoot client that then connects to a 3 hosted server which then uses Skype's protocols out to the rest of the world (though the user is unaware of this).
Windows 7 becomes a WiFI Hotspot
Nomadio has discovered some features in Windows 7 that allows it to be converted to a wireless hotspot.
It seems Microsoft were developing features to allow virtualising interfaces and the code was left inside the release version and though not accessible from the user interface they are available programmatically.
Nomadio then developed some software Connectify which is available form their here which exploits these features and will share any interface over WiFi (i.e. you 3G or wired connection).
It seems Microsoft were developing features to allow virtualising interfaces and the code was left inside the release version and though not accessible from the user interface they are available programmatically.
Nomadio then developed some software Connectify which is available form their here which exploits these features and will share any interface over WiFi (i.e. you 3G or wired connection).
Nokia N-Gage RIP
Nokia has officially killed the N-Gage platform with the user community etc closing down by the end of the year. Software for N-Gage will be available until Sept 2010. No new devices will have N-Gage pre-installed, but instead will have the Ovi store software and users can download N-Gage and titles through that.