An Irish cloud community

EuroCloud Ireland, the first Irish cloud computing representative body, has started operations in Ireland. It will be an organisation “for the cloud computing community as a whole while working with the public to enhance its understanding of the role, capabilities and importance of cloud technologies,” says Noel Shannon, EuroCloud Ireland’s chairman.

EuroCloud Ireland plans to, among other things, provide policy statements on cloud computing best practice, conduct periodic surveys to gauge how the industry in Ireland is competing effectively, use sub-groups to research specific topics and issue white papers and provide a framework where service providers can benchmark themselves against industry best practice.

EuroCloud, a European network of cloud computing communities, includes vendors and industry experts and has a presence in 15 other European countries.

Further details can be found at http://www.eurocloud.org or it can be followed on twitter via www.twitter.com/eurocloud.

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What connects people?

Psychologists have tried for years to research the science of relationship chemistry and determine why people become friends, join groups and how people are attracted to each other.
Sabina_Piter

Traditionally, the first thing we notice when we meet people is their physical appearance. This aspect of connecting with others is lacking in the digital environment. However, the fact that the online venue still provokes and generates connections in a vast and profound way, bridging the gaps of time and distance, is possibly a proof that we’ve been doing it wrong all along.

The web has made interactions with others extremely easy and by connecting with others whose ideas, values or beliefs you share and are willing to disseminate, you become a part of a tribe. Groups, as opposed to tribes, are one or more people who can be brought together mostly by the need for compliance.

Compliance is largely met in work environments, for instance, where you may or may not agree with the behaviours of the group, but you go along with them. Acceptance, on the other hand is largely about embracing the values and behaviours of a group and this is what defines a tribe– that profound connection people believe it’s worth spreading. And being connected is why we’re all in for.

Tribes are formed around an idea, that encourages members to connect and spread this idea or take it further, perhaps even lighting the flame of a change.

In one way or another we’re all part of a tribe. Some may love dancing or music, others could be passionate about painting or comedy. Whatever our passion is, all the blogs we read and comment on, all the tweets we send out there, all the groups we join and all the posts we share on Facebook related to what we’re passionate about, make us part of that tribe.

The Love Lab and the Connector Tribes event, which took place at the Science Gallery this February, sent out the message that what matters is the way in which we connect and share our passions with people within the tribe and those outside it. Let’s connect further and spread the ideas of our tribes.
Sabina Piter is a social media enthusiast, has been involved in sales and marketing for the past five years, is currently pursuing a MA in Marketing in Dublin and writing her dissertation on the subject of social media and how it has radically changed the consumer – brand communication and interaction.

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Web projects fail due to poor planning

The latest ‘state of the net’ study from online consultancy Amas hits desks this week. One of the key findings of the report is that businesses and government bodies under-specify their web projects and digital campaigns and lose money as a result.

The reasons for this include an absence of detailed planning and a lack of knowledge about the full range of technology solutions available.

“Companies often commission online projects without a strategic context,” says Aileen O’Toole, MD of Amas.

Other trends in the report suggest digital advertising in Ireland will overtake radio in 2010 to become the third largest category. Online shopping is increasing significantly in Ireland e.g. 43% of 25-34 year olds purchase goods online regularly.

The full report is here http://bit.ly/9jJlzO.

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O2 joins the exodus to the cloud

Telefónica O2 Ireland has hooked up with email specialist Mimecast to offer large and small businesses a new cloud-based email management service.

The service will provide businesses with a solution for email archiving, security and continuity. Users can search 10 years of archived or deleted email without needing support from IT staff.

Recent research by Forrester Consulting, on behalf of Mimecast, measured the financial impact of using the cloud-based service. It estimates an 86% return on investment in seven months. Not a bad return.

Watch the video explaining cloud computing (in very simple terms).

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The web in 2010 – handy facts

Here’s a pretty cool animated summary of what’s going on with the Internet in 2010. Could be handy for anyone who wants tips and facts for digital presentations. Enjoy. This video was designed and animated for the JESS3 lecture at AIGA Baltimore in Feb 2010.

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