A view of signage for the Department for International Trade in Westminster, London. I don’t think it’s imposter syndrome but I am in awe of big organisations, especially government departments. They bring with them a sense of the power and the authority they convey. I can’t say why, as when I meet the people they … Continue reading Department for international Trade
Back at Thinking Digital
It seems a long time since I was last at Thinking Digital. COVID had put a temporary stop to it and I had some concerns that it would never come back again. It is such a great event, a celebration of what makes the tech sector so interesting and uplifting and it would have left … Continue reading Back at Thinking Digital
What’s up with the economy?
There is something odd going on in the UK. The Conservatives continue to tell us that the best way to create jobs is to have a low tax economy. They call it Singapore on Thames. Yet wait on, UK unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 50 years, standing at 3.5%. Great I … Continue reading What’s up with the economy?
Dynamo 22 is coming
Thinking Digital, the Dynamo Conference, The Northumbrian Water Group Innovation Festival and then #CyberFest. Four great events to look forward to that are going to keep me busy over the summer. I’m not directly involved in Thinking Digital (though I would like to be) but the others are coming thick and fast. Each one requires … Continue reading Dynamo 22 is coming
How many mailboxes?
How many mailboxes do you really need? Come on, be honest. You would think that one would suffice yet somehow I had ended up with seven. The imminent launch of the new CyberNorth website has added yet another. I have collected them over the years as I have become involved in new ventures. Despite trying … Continue reading How many mailboxes?
The Queen’s Speech
I wish the Queen well, she is obviously not well yet her lack of attendance at this year’s Queen’s Speech once again highlights the mockery we have of a democratic system. According to a statement from Buckingham Palace, “The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility problems, and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided … Continue reading The Queen’s Speech
Help at last
Image thanks to Postive Adventures Yesterday was a great day. I’ve finally got some operational support to help me with CyberNorth. I’ve always had volunteers working with me but this is paid support. It’s only temporary at the moment but will hopefully become permanent shortly. Already it is a relief and Oliwia is an enormous … Continue reading Help at last
Low code security
Image thanks to revistadigitalsecurity The concepts of low code and no code have been around for some time. We were talking about them a lot when I was at Durham, which is now five years ago. That’s a long time in IT. In my regular catch ups with my friend Adam, it is a subject … Continue reading Low code security
Should we be worried?
Image thanks to Brighton Journal According to a poll, 42% of people aged 18-24 are not aware local elections are taking place on 5th May. Should we be worried? (BTW I can’t actually find the poll but it’s all over Twitter so it must be true.) Perhaps but not necessarily in the way the headline … Continue reading Should we be worried?
All the meetings together
Image thanks to Teams. A few months back I decided to review the way I held meetings for CyberNorth. There were three key groups, all meeting on different days, when diaries permitted and the number of attendees had been falling. It was taking so much time and effort to pull it all together that I … Continue reading All the meetings together
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 