tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.comments2023-11-14T08:19:54.657+00:00DMossEsqDavid Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comBlogger541125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-58169123155628662612013-03-13T17:27:46.789+00:002013-03-13T17:27:46.789+00:00I'd be interested to know how bad facial match...I'd be interested to know how bad facial matching software is at high volume (since for day to day use, iPhoto et al seem to work quite well, and presumably are even better with passport style photos). Presumably the problem is the number of false matches with a database of tens of millions? Do you have any stats on this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-3824047597276928572013-02-25T15:21:23.815+00:002013-02-25T15:21:23.815+00:00Would a Digital Legacy Tool (http://www.infopacket...Would a Digital Legacy Tool (http://www.infopackets.com/news/internet/2013/20130225_new_twitter_app_lets_you_keep_tweeting_after_death.htm) mean that it could be brought back to life?<br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-74554234256100115582013-02-23T12:28:07.212+00:002013-02-23T12:28:07.212+00:00I worked for one of the big IT suppliers in the UK...I worked for one of the big IT suppliers in the UK. Cloud was being pushed at the expense of all else. One account was told it had to offer the cloud to it's customer even though when they added up the costs from the 'menu of services' it worked out more expensive that the bespoke service!<br><br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-10935698869092598342013-02-18T18:03:25.025+00:002013-02-18T18:03:25.025+00:00DavidYou seem to pick and choose definitions and a...David<br><br>You seem to pick and choose definitions and analogies at will based on part of the name of a programme of work instigated by the UK Government. I have defined several times what the programme is about and how it operates but you choose to ignore the facts, not allowing them to get in the way of a good story and headline. The programme tries to enable organisations in the public sector access to a much broader range of IT, including "cloud", suppliers who may offer solutions more in line with user (public sector , citizen and business) need. GCloud does a slug of the procurement activity and assurance up front, once, for as many organisations that want to use it. The procurement and assurance done by the programme, (actually the Government Procurement Service and Pan Government Assurers), is exactly in line with conventional IT procurement and assurance rules.... again...is exactly in line with conventional procurement and assurance rules. The difference is, having done it once every organisation can reuse that work, thus saving tens of £Ms in reduced duplication. The service also makes public and visible the cost of those services and also,before long, the level of satisfaction of users, something that is currently often, even contractually, invisible.<br><br>All this is in response to obscenely high levels of spending and low levels of service that exist at present. What would be your solution David, no really, tell us, we all want to know how to fix this and if you have a bettey3f0b9mhuwAUH3gLOavA; oauth2-token=<br>Pragma: no-cache<br>Cache-Control: no-cache<br>X-Google-GFE-Frontline-Info: vip=173.194.69.191,server_port=Chris Chantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-38970985721169628502013-02-15T10:13:11.776+00:002013-02-15T10:13:11.776+00:00departments still actually manage their content on...<i>departments still actually manage their content on GOV.UK</i><br><br>Keep whistling.<br><br>The Head of the Digital Outreach Communications Directorate at BIS no longer has his or her own domain, bis.gov.uk. Gone. They can't vary the layout of content on the web, it has to abide by GDS standards. No BIS-specific logos or mottos.<br><br><a href="http://www.dmossesq.com/2012/10/martha-lane-fox-httpwwwgovukmachiavelli.html" rel="nofollow">Martha Lane Fox</a> specified that:<br><br><i>A new central commissioning team should take responsibility for the overall user experience on the government web estate, and should commission content from departmental experts. This content should then be published to a single Government website with a consistently excellent user experience.</i><br><br>and<br><br><i>Ultimately, departments should stop publishing to their own websites, and instead produce only content commissioned by this central commissioning team.</i><br><br>and that's the way it seems to be going. The Head of the Digital Outreach Communications Directorate at BIS publishes by invitation only. On the web at least, he or she has lost any autonomy.<br><br>GOV.UK is meant to be hosted by <a href="http://www.dmossesq.com/2013/02/skyscape-would-you-invest-4-million.html" rel="nofollow">Skyscape</a>, chosen by GDS. Would BIS ever have made such an odd choice? It doesn't matter now. BIS don't have a choice any more.<br><br>BIS finds itself advocating the utterly incoherent <a href="http://www.dmossesq.com/2012/11/midata-false-prospectus-every-time-you.html" rel="nofollow"><b>midata</b></a> initiative. That can't be their choice. But the Head of the Digital Outreach Communications Directorate at BIS will no doubt be commissioned to provide supporting web content.<br><br>Check in with your <a href="http://publications.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/digital/strategy/#description-of-a-digital-leaders-role" rel="nofollow">Digital Leader</a> each morning, won't you.<br><br>And don't worry, keep your spirits up, it's all going to be alright.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-31376130417767832492013-02-14T21:02:54.938+00:002013-02-14T21:02:54.938+00:00You do know that departments still actually manage...You do know that departments still actually manage their content on GOV.UK, right?<br><br>"The department no longer publishes its own information and no longer issues its own press releases. That is all handled now by the Government Digital Service."<br><br>So this is a bit of a non-story, really.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-86169938575143954332013-02-13T20:08:07.673+00:002013-02-13T20:08:07.673+00:00Biometrics uses optical mirrors for assured protec...Biometrics uses optical mirrors for assured protection isn't that right? If they think biometrics fail at some point they could just devise a new system that they think will improve their overall security system.Ellie Naylorhttps://www.lasertoolsco.com/laser-products/construction-lasers/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-77412015092542337292013-02-10T16:04:30.646+00:002013-02-10T16:04:30.646+00:00I am jealous, Anonymous. I spent ages poking aroun...I am jealous, Anonymous. I spent ages poking around data.gov.uk trying to get information on Cabinet Office expenditure and couldn't find anything post-September, I think, possibly October.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-24028726236456054392013-02-10T15:36:57.867+00:002013-02-10T15:36:57.867+00:00Skyscape were paid £54k in December by the Cabinet...Skyscape were paid £54k in December by the Cabinet Office.<br><br>http://gcloud.civilservice.gov.uk/about/sales-information/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-86342797330351619542013-02-09T23:05:25.346+00:002013-02-09T23:05:25.346+00:00... and what I'm thinking is this – the appoin...... and what I'm thinking is this – the appointment of Skyscape is just very odd.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-64650855974745112372013-02-08T22:08:06.735+00:002013-02-08T22:08:06.735+00:00Sign the petition to oust him here:https://submiss...Sign the petition to oust him here:<br><br>https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/45576/signature/new<br><br>Wondermike<br><br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-44533795226556592602013-02-03T20:29:53.595+00:002013-02-03T20:29:53.595+00:00Dear David,I couldn't understand the blog full...Dear David,<br><br>I couldn't understand the blog fully. Would you explain the summery?<br><br>Please take a look at <a href="http://fivestaralarm.com/wireless-home-security-systems/" rel="nofollow">expecting a good Home security</a>sarah leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04458958401387511915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-45236407689404910252013-02-01T02:06:41.629+00:002013-02-01T02:06:41.629+00:00Thanks for all that, Anonymous.It may not look lik...Thanks for all that, Anonymous.<br>It may not look like it<br>but I'm thinking.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-19450438866625602162013-01-31T16:42:30.571+00:002013-01-31T16:42:30.571+00:00CDN services typically *cache* already available s...CDN services typically *cache* already available static *public* content, to reduce the load on the web servers and to decrease the latency from various locations.<br><br>Since all of gov.uk is public at the moment (no registration, no sign-in, etc), and visible from everywhere, including the US, then it doesn't really matter where that data is delivered from.<br><br>If you're paranoid, once gov.uk starts asking for personal data, check to see where that content is transmitted from/to - I suspect that it won't be via Akamai. <br><br>Oh, and calling out ScienceLogic as a data security risk isn't really fair; it's a piece of software, not a cloud company. If you check their website, they specifically talk about on-site deployment (http://www.sciencelogic.com/product/services/deployment). Since the company doesn't host the data, then the PATRIOT Act doesn't come into play.<br><br>Ditto with EMC ATMOS, which is a disk storage system that (presumably) runs in one of Skyscape's datacentres. To say that this is a risk because EMC is a US company is to say that anybody running Windows (or Redhat, or Mac OSX) is in danger because the company that wrote it is US-based. This also means that pretty much all of government servers (which run Microsoft) are in trouble.<br><br>Assuming that Skyscape have taken the precaution of changing the default passwords, EMC cannot get back in to get the data, even if the US govt. told it to.<br><br>Of course, if Skyscape are using a US company to host data, then there is a theoretical risk that PATRIOT could be used... but that's taking paranoia to a whole new level.<br><br>By the way, Government Gateway IDs are currently delivered by a "black-box" (i.e. closed source) solution built on Microsoft technology (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/03/28/microsofts_uk_egovt_service_unveiled/), and hosted by Cable & Wireless (a US company) - which, by the way, also runs all of the government secure intranet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Secure_Intranet). So presumably, the US government can already see all of our existing, non-cloud hosted services anyway... :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-75025105876706586422013-01-31T10:42:17.865+00:002013-01-31T10:42:17.865+00:00Just noticed last night that four days after the c...Just noticed last night that four days after the conversation between Simon Newton and me Theodore said: "From your last few comments, I take it that this is the first time you've been on the Internet by yourself".<br><br>Guilty as charged.<br><br>Theodore goes on to say: "I believe, but don't actually care, that Skyscape is using a CDN (perhaps Akamai) to prevent their having had to buy hardware, pay for software, pay for data center space, etc, etc, etc ... Whether that is what was intended when Skyscape's bit was accepted, I don't know, but I'm sure that Akamai are happy with the situation".<br><br>Theodore may not care but Mr Newton does: "While I cannot comment on what any particar customers IT strategy and press releases mean, I can say with 100% certainty www.gov.uk is delivered through Akamai. Do a nslookup or dig on www.gov.uk to confirm if you wish".<br><br>That's 100% certainty, note. 100%. Theodore notwithstanding, it would be useful if GDS answered the question, is GOV.UK hosted on Skyscape, yes or no.<br><br>David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-88837771961595829232013-01-30T22:22:58.189+00:002013-01-30T22:22:58.189+00:00Thank you for that comment, Anonymous. Akamai'...Thank you for that comment, Anonymous. Akamai's servers could be anywhere in the world. So our data could be anywhere in the world. Beyond the jurisdiction of HMG.<br><br>Akamai's <a href="http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/containing/1585340" rel="nofollow">Simon Newton</a> says: "Last time I checked it was Akamai hosting www.gov.uk. I should know, I managed the integration", 17 October 2012.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-73503457504081338272013-01-30T22:11:24.299+00:002013-01-30T22:11:24.299+00:00Akamai is a Content Delivery Network used by many ...Akamai is a Content Delivery Network used by many large websites to handle heavy load- it's essentially a distributed cache, not the actual website hostAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-71754635835726384002013-01-29T09:05:52.559+00:002013-01-29T09:05:52.559+00:00Bleaching? Dreadful man. Closed down half the rail...Bleaching? Dreadful man. Closed down half the rail network.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-88897523857787877812013-01-28T21:25:03.025+00:002013-01-28T21:25:03.025+00:00Very tempting, PBI, I agree, haven't quite mad...Very tempting, PBI, I agree, haven't quite made my mind up but maybe see you at the interview – they're a jobshare arrangement, you may have noted. It's just that I'm not sure I could do all the engaging required.<br><br>The latest <i>Private Eye</i>, by the way, have got a related story. Helots at the Dept for Education serving under the yoke of Gove's oppression are spending £100,000 on a new website, which will be thrown away some time this year when that Dept also disappears into GOV.UK. Something to do with austerity, according to the <i>Eye</i>.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-73850587105308513482013-01-28T19:04:09.968+00:002013-01-28T19:04:09.968+00:00Actually, being paid £55,000 for doing a non-job f...Actually, being paid £55,000 for doing a non-job for a non-website sounds like a good deal to me. Thanks for the tip!Poor Bloody Infantrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-28947621216476532082013-01-19T13:10:57.423+00:002013-01-19T13:10:57.423+00:00The very sameThe very sameDavid Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-74177873567712055392013-01-18T03:30:37.486+00:002013-01-18T03:30:37.486+00:00Which? is a shadow of it's former consumer cha...Which? is a shadow of it's former consumer champion self.<br>It is no more than a marketing tool for government departments, big business and regulators these days.<br><br>The debacle of their "fixed means fixed" campaign regarding increases mid term in mobile phone fixed contracts is plain for all to see.<br>A process that OFCOM could have resolved in July 2012, is currently still out for consultation in 2013.<br><br>Secret backroom meetings with Eon and others regarding their campaign against doorstep selling saw Which? condone doorstep selling in the meeting notes.<br>Which? denied this was the case when asked on twitter, yet was clearly stated in the meeting notes, from 8 months earlier.<br><br>Much of what Which? does today is about keeping it's voice & position with big business, regulators and in turn governments and less about standing up for consumers.<br>Talking shops are all well and good, but taking on test cases and forcing regulators and policy makers hands are lacking.<br><br>The final straw for me with Which? was the guest conversation post regarding a "not for profit" group running financial education in schools - that has strong links to the banks, while refusing to answer the simple question of will the education cover consumer redress?<br><br>I have had conversation posts that have appeared on my logged in page view, showing as part of the conversation, but when not logging in as a recognised user, have been hidden from view.<br>I have had a friend logged in to the which? website to check my post and they to reported that it was hidden. (I got the excuse some days later, that it was held in a moderation queue, where as other posts of mine on the same topic were published immediately. Only the critical one was hidden. Coincidence?)<br><br>It is a great shame, because the UK consumer is crying out to be represented, at present, apart from consumer group forums and talking shops, no one with any power is listening or remotely interested if it may jepardise their income/position.<br><br>An apples to apples comparison holds true.<br>What looks like an apple today is nothing like an apple was as we remember it.frugalhttp://www.frugalways.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-47537210539637247862013-01-17T11:44:52.353+00:002013-01-17T11:44:52.353+00:00PayPal? As in, "I've just had my PayPal a...PayPal? As in, "I've just had my PayPal account hacked"?<br><br>It'll end in tears.Mike Brokennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-64866889097989810792013-01-14T14:27:50.315+00:002013-01-14T14:27:50.315+00:00Thank you for that comment, Frugal. I have updated...Thank you for that comment, Frugal. I have updated the article now and added a reference to localism.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048449668150968412.post-60357026727844505162013-01-14T09:28:20.283+00:002013-01-14T09:28:20.283+00:00This from a local councillor three years ago;"...This from a local councillor three years ago;<br>"You appear to have a false impression of exactly what a councillor can do. We are an elected body of people yes, but unless at the very top of council, we can only sit on committees and ask what it is that the civil servants in departments are doing. Our ability to influence and change policies that the council is following is limited at best."<br><br>The same thing appears to be happening with governments, which is choking Britain.<br>I don't think many people realise the state of affairs as it stands.<br>People want action, but unless someone in office of any colour tackles the issue, any "conviction" politicians simply will not make a difference to the status quo.frugalhttp://www.frugalways.co.uknoreply@blogger.com