THIS ISSUE'S STREAM:
[-- A SPECIAL OFFER FOR BITSTREAM SUBSCRIBERS --]
[-- NEWSPEAK: MULTIMEDIA INDUSTRY NEWS --]
///// INDUSTRY //////////
+++ Third Annual Survey of Interactive Media Producers Released
+++ E-Health Still Waiting for House Call
+++ Grey-Market No Longer So Grey
+++ Victoria Opens Technology Hub
+++ Conference Explores E-Business Survival Strategies
+++ Wired Woman Toronto Appoints New President
+++ CryptoLogic Settles with State of New Jersey
///// CONTENT //////////
+++ Canada Tops in Government Web sites
+++ Who Wants to Date a TV Star?
///// MARKETING //////////
+++ LVNMC Creates New Media Week
///// AWARDS & FUNDING //////////
+++ CANARIE Announces its E-learning Program Competition
+++ CBC's 120seconds.com Nominated for Webby
///// INFRASTRUCTURE //////////
+++ TeraGo Brings Broadband to Markham
[-- DIGERATI DATEBOOK: UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS --]
+++ Interactive Arena: "Open Source" Founder Bruce Perens
+++ New Media Week
+++ e-literacy: OnTarget
+++ Canadian New Media Awards
+++ Summer Institute of Film & Television New Media Workshops
[-- GEEKERS' CORNER: EDITORIAL --]
+++ Lost Your Privacy? Look Inside Your Icebox
Return to Table of Contents
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[-- A SPECIAL OFFER FOR BITSTREAM SUBSCRIBERS --]
MultiMediator has teamed up with the 2002 Canadian New Media Awards
to offer BitStream subscribers a SPECIAL DISCOUNT on tickets to this
year's Awards. Get your tickets now for the 2002 Canadian New Media
Awards and celebrate the thrilling feats of Canada's new media
superstars and the death-defying companies driving the industry!
This year's event is on Monday, May 27th at the Bluma Appel Theatre
at the St. Lawrence Centre in Toronto. The show begins at 7:30 PM
with a post-show party at 9:00 PM. To claim your discount, simply
identify yourself as a subscriber to MultiMediator's BitStream when
ordering by phone, and you will be eligible for a $10 discount off
the regular ticket price of $60. To order tickets, contact the box
office at 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754. For more information,
please click on the link below:
http://www.cnma.ca/event_main.html
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[-- NEWSPEAK: MULTIMEDIA INDUSTRY NEWS --]
///// INDUSTRY //////////
+++ Third Annual Survey of Interactive Media Producers Released
The most comprehensive study to date of the Canadian new media
industry has been released. The Interactive Media Producers Survey
2001 (IMPS) presents valuable insight into the state of the
interactive media production industry across Canada. Produced by
Delvinia Inc. with the support of the Department of Canadian
Heritage, the report is available in both English and French.
According to the report, the Canadian new media industry is a $1.8
billion industry. "This survey is beneficial because it contributes
to informed policy and business decisions within the new media
industry," said René Bouchard, Director General of Canadian Culture
Online. For more information, please click on the link below:
http://www.multimediator.com/IMPS2001
Return to Table of Contents
+++ E-Health Still Waiting for House Call
Even if bandwidth problems are addressed, the state of e-health could
still face problems according to delegates to a recent conference on
e-health. Dr. Alejandro Jadad is quoted in ITBusiness as saying that
"even if all of those pieces are in place, e-health won't fly if
physicians haven't bought into the idea." Jadad told the audience at
the BCNet Advanced Network Conference that "there are too many egos
involved, too much money and too many control freaks." Doctors are
also concerned about "how bringing technology into the health care
system will affect issues like liability and how it might change the
way [doctors] bill for their work and get paid. They also want to
protect their own turf." (Source: ITBusiness.ca)
http://www.itbusiness.ca/index.asp?theaction=61&sid=48499
Return to Table of Contents
+++ Grey-Market No Longer So Grey
Canadian satellite providers are claiming victory in their battle
against the so-called grey market dishes. The Supreme Court of Canada
has ruled "that selling decoders to pick up foreign signals violates
federal law." The ruling is being hailed by the industry as a "clear
and final victory," claiming it vindicates their long-held opposition
to grey market dealers and opens the door for Ottawa to crack down on
what they called theft of television content. ExpressVu and
StarChoice are the only licensed direct-to-home providers in Canada.
(Source: The Globe and Mail)
http://www.lexum.umontreal.ca/csc-scc/en/rec/html/bellexp.en.html
Return to Table of Contents
+++ Victoria Opens Technology Hub
The city of Victoria likes its staid reputation just fine, but some
feel it is time to also embrace the world of technology. The
Vancouver Island Technology Park, under development for the past two
years and now officially open, will go a long way in achieving that
goal. The facility is comprised of just over 160,000 square feet of
commercial space owned by the crown corporation British Columbia
Buildings Corporation. The site recently underwent $11.9-million
worth of renovations and improvements. The Globe and Mail reports
that the site "was formerly a residence for adults with physical and
mental disabilities that opened in 1971 and closed in 1996." (Source:
The Globe and Mail)
Return to Table of Contents
+++ Conference Explores E-Business Survival Strategies
Toronto's Centennial College and eBiz Toronto are "bringing together
industry, government, educators and non-profit sectors to address a
vital segment of our economy: small- and mid-sized companies, which
make up the economy's largest growth engine." As part of IT Week, the
conference will bring together government, educators and the
non-profit sector to try and answer the question: Should companies
retreat in the aftermath of dot-com failures, or cautiously embrace or
go full-out with e-business strategies? "Knowledge and skills are the
new tools of our economy," says conference organizer Fidelma Lynch of
Centennial College.
https://secure.inorbital.com/centennial
Return to Table of Contents
+++ Wired Woman Toronto Appoints New President
Wired Woman Society's Toronto chapter has announced the appointment
of Laurie Freudenberg as the association's new president. Freudenberg
says she plans to "expand the association's mandate to meet the
growing needs of an expanding female technology workforce. The Wired
Woman Society plays an important role by offering women networking and
career training/development opportunities, and I am excited to help
the organization expand to reach women from all backgrounds." The
Wired Woman Society's mandate is to create an open environment for
women to explore career opportunities in the high technology and new
media sectors.
http://www.wiredwoman.com/toronto
Return to Table of Contents
+++ CryptoLogic Settles with State of New Jersey
Toronto's CryptoLogic has reached "an amicable settlement" in regards
to a civil action filed by the New Jersey Divisions of Gaming
Enforcement and Consumer Affairs in October 2001. The settlement
"expressly acknowledges that CryptoLogic, WagerLogic, and the
WagerLogic licensees named in the civil action have not violated any
law, statute, ordinance, contract, duty or obligation whatsoever."
"As a leading advocate of safe, secure, responsible and regulated
online gaming, we are very pleased that this issue has been resolved
and is now behind us," said Jean Noelting, President and CEO of
CryptoLogic.
http://www.cryptologic.com/investor/2002/apr30a_2002.html
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Return to Table of Contents
///// CONTENT //////////
+++ Canada Tops in Government Web sites
Score another first place finish for Canada. A recent study by
consulting firm Accenture found that the Canadian government's Web
sites came in at the top of 23 government sites. The researchers
credited the overall high ratings to "better cooperation between
government departments, the hiring of staff with experience in private
sector customer relations, and a focus on ease of use." The Canadian
sites were credited with the "promise to respond to user emails within
24 hours." Rounding out the top five were Singapore, the US,
Australia and Denmark. (Source: The Guardian)
http://www.accenture.com
Return to Table of Contents
+++ Who Wants to Date a TV Star?
While it may not rank up there with ABC's "The Bachelor" (the finale
was seen by over 18 million viewers in the US) U8TV: The Lofters is
offering an alternative for Canadian women. The Canadian Internet
television station "is looking for eight women who would like to have
a dream date with Toronto's most eligible bachelor, Lofter Stephen
MacDonald." From April 30 until May 24 those interested in some
one-on-one face time can send in original and adventurous dating ideas
via the show's Web site or via snail mail.
http://www.u8tv.com
Return to Table of Contents
///// MARKETING //////////
+++ LVNMC Creates New Media Week
The Liberty Village New Media Centre (LVNMC) has announced the
creation of New Media Week, "a national initiative designed to
facilitate industry education, networking, and celebrate Canada's
new media talent." The event will be held May 24 to May 30, 2002.
Katherine Brown, Executive Director of LVNMC said, "New Media Week
will be an exciting week of events where new media professionals and
new media users will be able to learn more about the industry, find
out who is making waves in the industry and network with one
another." New Media week is being organized through the coordinated
efforts of OnTarget, Delvinia, ITAC Ontario, Gigathon and LVNMC.
http://www.newmediaweek.ca
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///// AWARDS & FUNDING //////////
+++ CANARIE Announces its E-learning Program Competition
CANARIE has announced the latest edition of its E-learning Program.
The program is "a $26 million, shared-cost funding initiative to
support development of broadband applications that promote learning at
all levels." Past projects have included "development of repositories
of learning objects, multi-institutional implementations of
broadband-enabled education, and innovations in multimedia learning."
The overall budget for this competition is $7 million.
http://www.canarie.ca/press/releases/02_04_22.html
http://www.canarie.ca/funding/learning/guidelines_2002.html
Return to Table of Contents
+++ CBC's 120seconds.com Nominated for Webby
The CBC site 120seconds.com has once again been nominated for a Webby
Award in the Broadband category. The Webbies, hailed by The Wall
Street Journal as a "celebration of sites that pave important paths to
the Internet's next phase," will announce the winners at a ceremony on
June 18, 2002 at the California Palace of The Legion of Honor in San
Francisco. In keeping with past tradition, the winners will be held
to a five-word-or-less acceptance speech.
http://www.120seconds.com
Return to Table of Contents
///// INFRASTRUCTURE //////////
+++ TeraGo Brings Broadband to Markham
TeraGo Networks has announced the availability of broadband Internet
and data communications services in the town of Markham, Ontario, just
outside of Toronto. The company says the move "demonstrates the
company's confidence in the Canadian telecommunication industry".
TeraGo Networks is currently serving over 475 Canadian business
customers across Canada. Markham Councilor Tony Wong of Markham
remarked, "In this knowledge-based economy and age of fast Internet,
reliable data communication is no longer an option for many companies.
It is an absolute necessity."
http://www.terago.ca/news/media_releases/020430.php
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[-- DIGERATI DATEBOOK: UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS --]
+++ Interactive Arena: "Open Source" Founder Bruce Perens
May 13, 2002 in Toronto, ON
Design Exchange
The Canadian Film Centre's Interactive Arena presents a discussion
with Bruce Perens on open source business models. Perens will share
his insight into how open source can work as a viable business model.
http://www.interactivearena.ca
Return to Table of Contents
+++ New Media Week
May 24 - May 30, 2002 in various locations
A national umbrella initiative consisting of multiple events designed
to facilitate industry education, networking, and the celebration of
Canada's new media talent.
http://www.newmediaweek.ca
Return to Table of Contents
+++ e-literacy: OnTarget
May 24, 2002 in Toronto, ON
Connects professional educators and members of the business community
for a one-day forum dealing with virtual schools, e-learning, new
technology skills, new media and digital delivery and much more.
http://www.getontarget.ca/conference
Return to Table of Contents
+++ Canadian New Media Awards
May 27, 2002 in Toronto, ON
Bluma Appel Theatre, Saint Lawrence Centre
Celebrate the thrilling feats of Canada's new media superstars and
the death-defying companies driving the industry! Tickets for the
2002 Canadian New Media Awards are now on sale.
http://www.cnma.ca/event_main.html
The Canadian New Media Awards would like to thank two of its Gold
Sponsors, the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the
Cultural Human Resources Council for their support:
Officially inaugurated on February 1, 2001 by the Government of
Ontario, the OMDC is the first government agency in Canada to focus on
building strategic partnerships across the converging cultural media
industries, including film and television, sound recording, book and
magazine publishing and interactive digital media. It is an agency of
the Ministry of Culture and provides a range of innovative programs
and services to stimulate the growth of the Province's film,
television, sound-recording, publishing and digital interactive media
industries. Visit the OMDC Web site for more information:
http://www.ofdc.on.ca
The mission of the Cultural Human Resources Council is "to initiate,
coordinate and promote human resources planning, management,
development and training in the cultural sector". It is the centre
for vision and forward thinking on human resources in the Canadian
cultural community. A catalyst for action, CHRC assists members of
the sector to achieve a better livelihood and better future by
stimulating coordinated efforts to respond to career development and
planning issues. For additional information visit:
http://www.culturalhrc.ca
Return to Table of Contents
+++ Summer Institute of Film & Television New Media Workshops
May 31 - June 2, 2002 in Ottawa, ON
Includes workshops on Writing for the Web with Wayne MacPhail and
Interactive Television and Convergence with Steven J.P. Comeau.
http://www.cstc.ca
Return to Table of Contents
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[-- GEEKERS' CORNER: EDITORIAL --]
+++ Lost Your Privacy? Look Inside Your Icebox
by Michael O'Brien
mptobrien@earthlink.net
Beware of the people who live inside your appliances. Paranoia?
Perhaps, but if you buy one of the new smart appliances, the marketing
departments of the world's retailers could have their eyes inside your
icebox.
By now, most everyone is acquainted with bar-code scanners, because
most everything sold has a bar code. New technology allows scanning
of not just an object's bar code, but of the object itself. Such
scanners can differentiate an apple from an orange, a cucumber from a
banana, or a grape from a cherry. And this is where your new
refrigerator enters the picture.
According to a 1999 report by the consulting firm the Yankee Group,
networked homes will number in the millions by 2003. Imagine you just
built or purchased a networked house with interconnected systems for
security, audio, video, and an always-on Internet connection. These
systems are, in turn, wired to a central computer. Your
scanner-equipped, smart refrigerator is also connected, and the
refrigerator's manual might even mention this benefit: "The X-1000 can
monitor internal functions and report any malfunction directly to our
repair facility via your phone line." On its face, this
monitoring/reporting feature might not be a bad idea. Yet this is
where your privacy might exit the picture.
Your smart refrigerator can scan what you put in and take out. It
itemizes its contents and, if the feature is enabled, communicates
them to wired merchants ready to pay to know those contents. Got
milk? Your refrigerator knows. It tells the grocer's computer, and a
fresh gallon is delivered to your door. And while this might be
convenient, having your most personal habits open for review might
not.
These smart capabilities will be available on other appliances:
microwave ovens that monitor what you cook; television sets that
monitor what you watch. All the while your appliances are providing
information about your habits to others producing profiles of you.
They want to know, among other things, what you eat, when you eat it,
and how often you replace it. Their business depends on it.
Although the image of someone inside your icebox might seem silly,
those behind the new networked-home and smart technologies want to
make it a reality by using marketing tools such as psychographic
profiling.
"Psychographic profiling seeks to determine who we are by considering
what we do and what we buy. It begins with the shopping card that's
scanned when we check out of the supermarket or the forms we complete
or cookies we drop when we Web surf. A personal profile is then built
from our habits and practices," according to Sam Punnett,
Vice-President of Research and Development with Delvinia in Toronto.
Companies record our tastes so they can provide products we will buy.
Their need makes sense: a company producing unwanted products is soon
wanting for profits. But why not simply use questionnaires and
surveys?
Such tools are easy to ignore. Yet we automatically open our wallets
and offer our shopping cards to checkers and blithely visit new
Web sites. Retailers know this and exploit these preferences using
psychographic profiling.
"This sounds Orwellian," you say. The point is that we have choices,
and having choices is a substantial part of who we are as consumers.
We can today choose to keep people from entering our homes to gather
the information they need. Tomorrow, our appliances might tell our
central computer to unlock our front doors and let someone in. That
someone might bring convenience, but they might take something as
well.
/////
A technical writer for Cisco Systems, from 1991 until he retired from
Cisco in 1998, Michael O'Brien is mere months away from his M.A.
in English at the University of New Mexico and spends his free time
staring at things until he's sure they won't move; then he writes
about them.
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