Petition The Prime Minister

I've had several people send me a link to the ePetition that's been setup to try to stop the BBC adopting a Windows only policy excluding all other computer platforms to future initiatives. This must not happen and does not just impact Mac users - you Linux bods need to step up to the line as well! Could I please urge all UK residents and Ex-Pats to sign the ePetition at this link: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/iplayer/ to try and stop this. Here are some more details:

The BBC plans to launch an on-demand tv service which uses software that will only be available to Windows users. The BBC should not be allowed to show commercial bias in this way, or to exclude certain groups of the population from using its services. The BBC say that they provide 'services for everyone, free of commercial interests and political bias'. Locking the new service's users into Microsoft Windows whilst ignoring those members of society who use other operating systems should does not fit in with the BBC's ethos and should not be allowed.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/iplayer/

Thank You!

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Google Apps Premier Edition

Google Apps Premier Edition But why does it still not work with Safari?

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Apple TV Connections?

Hopefully the Apple TV will be with us in a few short weeks. I know it supports both HDMI and component video for the video signal but it's just struck me that I don't have a spare HDMI or set of component video cables to plug the thing into my TV when it arrives. I don't have a spare HDMI socket anyway so I'll probably have to go the component route. Does anyone know if Apple will be providing any cables with the Apple TV or will we need to buy the cables separately? Update - The Apple TV specs on the Apple Store do not list any cables (other than the power cord so it looks like I'll have to hunt down a set of component video leads) Be warned. Update 2 - Looks like the Apple store have a complete range of HDMI, Component and Audio Cables to match the Apple TV available from February, jusy as the Apple Tv hits the streets. Just search for XtremeHD on the Apple store to see the complete range. Not cheap :-( Don't forget that unless you're using HDMI to HDMI, you'll need to buy an audio cable as well! Update 3 - Component video and Audio cables ordered. £4.50 plus vat for both audio and video from CPC in the UK.

Technorati Tags: Apple TV

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Airport Extreme - Spot the difference!

Take a look at these two images on the Apple web site: US Version

UK Version

Spot the difference? Well in case you didn't notice, the UK version is being advertised as only half as fast as the US version. This is apparently due to the fact that the Airport Utility doesn't allow you to select 802.11n (5 Ghz) and then "use wide channels" under wireless options if your region setting is set to United Kingdom. The "wide channels" setting is required to get the maximum 5x throughput. It looks like Apple have blocked UK users from using "wide Channels" in both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz range :-( The reason for this? Well, Macworld UK states:

In the US the new AirPort Extreme is up to five times faster than its predecessor. However, in the UK the device is just 2.5 times faster. The reason for the lag is UK government regulatory restrictions that prohibit wide-channel operation. The wide-channel operation that is restricted is the 40MHz channel that is found in the 5GHz frequency.

Original Link

However, one of the ScreenCastsOnline forum members (Mabsey) reports that if you're in Ireland (or at least if your Airport Extreme thinks you're in Ireland) this restriction is lifted and you can switch over to 5Ghz and "wide channels" to get the full 5x speed. See the ScreenCastsOnline forum thread for more details and screenshots. Of course, ScreenCastsOnline would never condone tricking your Airport Extreme into thinking it is located somewhere it's not, that would be illegal! It just seems weird that my Airport Extreme came with Ireland set as the default? Of course, I changed it straight back to the UK setting and dropped its speed by half.

Technorati Tags: Apple, 802.11n, Airport Extreme

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1 Down, 7 to Go

Well I'm delighted to say the first day of training at the Learning Lab is now under my belt! Yes, today was the inaugural flight of the "Podcasting for Beginners" 1 day course and you'll be glad to know it appears to have been a success. The only glitch appears to be a couple of faulty USB connectors for the external headsets went on the blink, but we managed to work around that. If the evaluation forms were anything to go by, it looks like the structure and content hit the mark and everyone seemed pleased as punch at the end of the day. We may have even got a convert to the Mac :-) Props go out to all the attendees for being guinea pigs on this first run through. I have to say that they all coped extremely well, even without the aid of a mouse on the Macbooks - I'm promised that they'll be available on the next course! Thanks also to Steve, Liz and Abi at the Learning Lab for giving me the opportunity to run these courses and for looking after us so well. Looking forward to the next one!

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