The mystery of a savage murder has been told tweet by tweet.
Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery, The Body in the Library, was revealed– a tiny chunk at a time – through Twitter.
With permission from Agatha Christie Ltd, Stewart Bain, library assistant at the Orkney Library and Archive, has adapted the original text so it could be tweeted in 140-character nuggets from Twitter accounts specially set up for Miss Marple and each of the other main protagonists.
The first mini instalment went out at 7.15am last Friday – the moment in the book when the body is discovered – with the plot unfolding over the rest of the day and on Saturday until a cliff hanger moment was reached.
At that point followers can guess whodunnit – or go to their local library and pick up a copy of the book to find out.
Stewart, winner of two Golden twit awards last year, works in Orkney, where Copla is based.
He has worked closely with publishers HarperCollins and Agatha Christie Ltd, the company that owns and manages the literary estate of Agatha Christie – the world’s best-selling novelist of all time.
The serialisation was timed as a novel way to celebrate National Libraries Day last Saturday.
He hopes people enjoy following The Body in the Library on Twitter and that it encourages those who’ve never read Agatha Christie before to check out their local library and take a fresh look at her novels.
He is a fan of Twitter and has pioneered the way libraries can use Twitter and Facebook to highlight what they have to offer. He has attracted over 4,500 followers on Twitter, from all parts of the UK, and many countries worldwide. And he hopes they will be joined by many more as Agatha Christie’s characters interact with each other over the Twittersphere.
And perhaps some of the library’s crime writing twitter followers will particularly enjoy the tweets. Fans of the @OrkneyLibrary Twitter feed include Val McDermid and Anne Cleeves.
Freedom of information groups have been on the warpath recently over what they see as injustices in cyberspace.
First up for attack was Twitter after it announced that it has the technology to selectively block tweets on a country by country basis. And it can delete content from view in a specific country while the rest of the world can see it.
The freedom of information advocacy group Reporters Without Borders hit out at the news, saying it would have a negative impact on free speech and that freedom of information and the press cannot be compromised.
But in a blog post Twitter has defended giving itself the ability to withhold information as countries differ in terms of freedom of expression. They cited an example that France and Germany ban pro-Nazi content. It stated Twitter has to balance local laws with free speech.
Twitter hasn’t withheld any tweets yet and has pledged to advise the user if it does.
Many Twitter users have expressed dismay over the move, with some pointing out the adverse impact it would have on free speech, especially outside the US. Other commentators have suggested Twitter is leaving itself wide open for lawsuits by taking on an editing role. And they question how a computer system will be able to recognise negative or positive spins in tweets.
Meanwhile there were protests in Poland where thousands of marchers took to the streets over the signing of an international treaty that activists say amounts to internet censorship. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government, along with the UK, among 22 EU member states, signed the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in Tokyo.
ACTA aims to establish international standards to enforce intellectual property right, but critics say it could curb freedom of expression, and Polish government websites have been hacked in protest. But like the US anti-piracy bills, SOPA and PIPA, which saw websites such as Wikipedia and WordPress, shut down for the day in protest, ACTA has courted controversy.
Kader Arif, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for ACTA, resigned over how the treaty had been too speedily drawn up. The treaty still needs to be ratified by the European Parliament before it can be enacted. A debate is scheduled to take place in June.
You may remember duel controls being used when you took your driving lessons and a nervous instructor had the power to jam on the brakes if needed or take over the steering. But now a more sinister and scary form of driving control by an unseen being is possible.
A team of university scientists has identified security issues in the design of modern vehicles. They demonstrated that cyber thieves can overtake key components within a car’s computer, allowing remote control of the brakes, engine and lights as well as tracking of the driver’s current location, speed and even audio conversations. How scary is that?
But don’t have nightmares about getting into your car and being taken down the wrong road. There have been no known attacks to date by computer hackers.
The scientists have identified vulnerabilities–and ways to fix them–in advance of any known attacks. The automotive industry is responding swiftly to fix both the particular problems identified and, through standards organisations, to improve the general level of assurance in automotive platforms.
Modern cars are computer driven, to a certain extent, though you can choose where to go – unless you allow your sat nav to decide. Digital computers monitor and control vehicles through internal networks and those connected to the outside world through a variety of physical and wireless interfaces. This technology has driven major advancements in efficiency and safety, but it has also introduced a range of potential risks.
The boffins from the University of Washington and the University of California, San Diego showed in a study that compromising a single component can be sufficient to control the rest of the car as well. The second study evaluated and demonstrated a range of entry points by which an adversary could take over a vehicle without physical access (including cellular and Bluetooth networks, the CD player and the tools used by auto mechanics).
Let’s hope these scientists get there in time to keep us in control.
Slow speed internet coverage in rural areas across the UK means internet access on mobile devices and the downloading of files and videos is frustrating. It is nigh on impossible while outside up here in Orkney where 3G coverage is non-existent.
With our ‘not spot’ status, we were pleased to hear that Ofcom has announced it has revised its proposals to bring 4G mobile tech and faster broadband speeds to rural areas.
But Ofcom’s plans for its fourth-generation mobile spectrum auction, would still only bring coverage to 98% of the UK. And although the regulator says the winning bidder will have to provide the high-speed coverage to current “not-spot” areas, we fear that our Northern Isles may not be included. The Scottish Government has expressed the view, relating to the areas with small populations, that we may miss out because of the cost to network providers.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said it is proposing a significant enhancement of mobile broadband, extending 4G coverage beyond levels of existing 2G coverage – helping to serve many areas of the UK that have traditionally been underserved by network coverage. The original spec was that the winning bidder would be obliged to get 4G to 95% of the UK but now it wants to extend this to 98% on the back of investment to boost 2G coverage in remoter areas.
Up here in Orkney we switched to digital television back in 2010 and the process is almost complete across the UK now. Spectrums that were being used for analogue transmission will be offered to mobile operators as signals can travel over greater distances.
It’s a double whammy for remote workers and lifestylers. We really need faster internet speeds to work and play.
Social networks decided not to go off-line last week in protest at proposed anti-piracy laws in the United States.
Twitter declined to take part in a shutdown staged by several high profile websites, such as Wikipedia, Reddit and Boing Boing.
When asked whether Twitter would join the blackout, its chief executive, Dick Costolo, tweeted: “Closing a global business in reaction to single-issue national politics is foolish.”
Wikipedia took its English-language site offline as it is opposed to the Stop Online Piracy Act (Sopa) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (Pipa) being debated by Congress in the US. Its founder Jimmy Wales said the bill is so over broad and so badly written that it would impact all kinds of things that don’t have anything to do with stopping piracy.
Those backing the bill in the House of Representatives say the legislation is designed to stop revenue flowing to “rogue websites”. Meanwhile, a similar law, Pipa, is making its way through the US Senate.
If it went ahead it would mean content owners and the US government would be given the power to request court orders to shut down sites associated with piracy. Advertisers, payment processors and internet service providers would be forbidden from doing business with infringers based overseas.
Sopa also requires search engines to remove foreign infringing sites from their results, a provision absent in Pipa. So, it would affect websites globally, in fact across the whole World Wide Web
However, the White House released a statement saying it couldn’t support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global internet.
And the English site Wikipedia agreed saying the bills would be devastating to the free and open web.
Certainly innovation and a free and open web are how we like to work at Copla. Although online piracy is a bad thing, it seems that systems to fight it could be detrimental to online freedoms.
Research In Motion (RIM) has rolled out its Blackberry 7.1 OS, the latest version of its smartphone software. The Canadian phone giant says its new operating system will expand worldwide during the next few weeks.
One of the new features of the system is Blackberry Tag, a new content sharing tool which uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to allow users to share contacts, media and files, as well as invite friends to BlackBerry Messenger by touching their BlackBerry smartphones together.
It also adds mobile hotspot capabilities to turn devices into a portable Wi-Fi router, which have been available to Android and iOS users for some time and support for Wi-Fi calling. For users of BlackBerry Curve 9360 and 9380, the update also brings FM radio.
RIM has also updated a number of apps, including BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel.
RIM is being forced into upping its game as it lags significantly behind its larger rivals. For example, RIM’s BlackBerry App World boasts less than 50,000 applications. Apple’s App Store, meanwhile, offers around 600,000 applications, and Google’s Android Marketplace tops out at nearly 330,000 apps, according to a recent study from Mobilewalla.
Apple’s share of the British smartphone market has grown almost 10 per cent in the last year, bucking the trend in the eurozone, where those watching the euros are opting for cheaper Android devices.
It will be interesting to see how Blackberry fares with so many innovations happening in the smartphone marketplace.
This year we will find out if Google will be accused by the European Commission over web dominance. It is being investigated by the commission over allegations it favours its own products such as Google Maps and YouTube and suppresses rivals.
If it is found to be a dangerous monopoly through an antitrust finding it would change how we use its search pages and it could damage Google’s business through a costly legal battle. A guilty finding that Google has broken European rules could cost the web giant 10% of its annual turnover in Europe. Recently Google’s chairman, Eric Schmidt, met Europe’s competition commissioner Joaquín Almunia prompting rumours amongst analysts that the search giant will be accused of abusing its dominant position in the market.
Rival search engine companies accuse Google of locking out potential competitors through monopolising searches and advertising sectors. But Google says its services allow people to find what they want quickly, and that users are free to switch to other services if they want to.
These allegations come as Google is trying to get commission approval for its $12.5bn (£8bn) bid for the mobile phone company Motorola Mobility, in a deal approved by the companies’ boards in August. The deal would increase Google’s power in mobile search and advertising and help safeguard its Android mobile operating system from rivals Microsoft, Nokia and Apple. The US Federal Trade Commission has also begun an antitrust investigation into Google’s practices.
No formal antitrust complaint has been made by the European Commission against Google from the inquiry which has been ongoing for two years. So we will have to wait and see what happens.
With Google being the major search engine player, companies attracting web hits compete fiercely to appear high up in its search results. At Copla we help our clients target their audiences while creating websites which maximise traffic.
We recently blogged about the slow broadband speed here in Orkney which lags behind that of much of the UK. And across Britain the service is at a snail’s pace behind that enjoyed in many homes in the US.
So the news of the US download film service Netflix’s launch in the UK makes us wonder whether many folk will sign up for it here. There is nothing worse than having your film freeze on the screen, sometimes every few seconds, while the streaming catches up. In many areas across Britain we have to think ahead and start downloading and go away and make a cup of tea while the streaming trickles through.
Netflix is the must have internet film subscription in the US and has deals with studios Miramax and MGM. It is expected to rival Amazon-owned Lovefilm in the UK which offers combined packages of DVDs in the post and film downloads. Industry analysts predict a host of new digital delivery service launches across the UK this year.
Google announced a movie rental service for UK Android users, and Sony the launch of its Entertainment Network, offering streaming and downloading services. Other platforms such as Sky, BT Vision and Virgin Media, have focused on providing on-demand content to deter people from using the web. Apple’s iTunes is also a major player in digital film distribution. The launch of Netflix, on a date to be confirmed, could provoke a new price war.
Netflix has done a deal with the commercial arm of the BBC, which means subscribers will be able watch older series of BBC shows, such as Torchwood , Miss Marple, Fawlty Towers and Spooks, via the service.
Those with a fast enough connection can download content to a computer, tablet or connected TV. There have been advances in the latter and a greater move towards downloadable programming and catch-up service, among them Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console which is in a range of content deals with big names.
In 2012, the BBC is set to work with Virgin Media to launch new red button services and apps on its TiVo box, while Sky’s Anytime+ service will connect its set-top boxes to other broadband services rather than just its own. The number of apps for TVs will also begin to rise creating a growth area for software developers.
At Copla we can install video sharing on our clients’ websites. Fast broadband is essential for doing business on interactive websites.
One of the major developments expected to launch this year is Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system’s touchscreen technology which would add the smartphone and tablet experience to the traditional PC. And it is expected that Apple would compete with a touchscreen Mac or MacBook.
Two years ago the launch of Microsoft Windows 7 saw the first raft of touchscreen PCs with the all-in-one desktop space for multi touch multi media. But industry watchers predict that the next version of Windows will see touchscreen enabling go mainstream.
The main difference with Windows 8 is its Metro interface. This can be used with a keyboard and mouse but this is not Microsoft’s intention. Previously touch has been used with specialty PCs but now a generation used to iPhones, iPads, Android phones, and other devices will be able to walk their fingers onto the screen like a duck taking to water. However they will need the eyesight of an eagle as apps created without touch in mind will be hard to touch with precision in the same way as the right click of a mouse.
However, using a mouse was a tricky thing to master not so very long ago. Now it is as easy as using a QWERTY keyboard.
And following our recent blog about TVs being controlled by the wave of a hand, it is mooted that Apple may produce a touchscreen connected television set later this year. And when other TV manufacturers join the rush to compete with the iTV, touch control is expected to be part of all aspects of our lives, if we want to go down that route.
Ebook readers have been the most popular gift this Christmas with Kindles being the must-have item for book lovers of all ages. One of the most fiercely debated topics over the turkey was over books versus Kindle. Although Amazon’s eReader version has been around for two years, it seems that now Kindle fever has taken off.
Those with bookshelves groaning with volumes clutched unwrapped new hardbacks to their chests, ardently declaring their continuing faithfulness to print and paper. Their allegiance would help independent bookshops, or indeed any high street bookstores, survive, they say. And no download could beat the real thing.
Others spent three days getting to grips with their new electronic devices and extolling the freedom of travelling with thousands of tomes in their hand. Millions of books are now at their disposal through a click or two, they cried with excitement in their eyes.
Online retailer Amazon says it has enjoyed its best Christmas for its Kindle-brand, the black and white reader which it claims can be read in sunlight just like ink on paper. Meanwhile in the US the Kindle Fire, expected to be a cut price rival to Apple’s iPad, has been selling like, err, wildfire.
But its forthcoming UK launch is not being greeted with total excitement by every technology reviewer here. It has been called ‘a brick’ and ‘feels like a Soviet version of Apple’s tablet’. It may be half the price of the iPad but it’s got no GPS or mobile connection, no camera or microphone and only has a few thousand apps. And reading off a tablet for more than half an hour proves painful, some say.
It is interesting that in Sweden, for example, there are virtually no eReaders using the likes of Kindle, Sony or Kobo eInk devices but plenty reading books on iPads.
Meanwhile speculation is growing as Apple is to make a new product announcement towards the end of this month. Tech bloggers are predicting the secret development is not likely to be the revamped iPad 3, which is expected later this spring, but perhaps something related to publishing or media content
One thing is certain: the phenomenal rise in the number of people choosing to read books on electronic devices looks set to continue over the next year. Publishers say the market is booming. HarperCollins said it is seeing a 600% growth year on year in eBooks in a stagnant book selling market. Ebooks are outselling hardcover books by 2:1. And writers are discovering they can self-publish online and reap up to ten times higher percentages in royalties over book deals.