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BT Web21C SDK - Sending SMS, Voice Calls and Location Based Services
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Another interesting side-point from the discussion this morning - Joe Black, director of Emerging Business and Technology at BT pointed me in the direction of their new Web 21C SDK - available in .NET, Java, PHP and Python. What this does is exposes a load of functionality allowing you to integrate with their systems - including sending SMS, voice messages, conference calls, and location-based services. The service will ultimately work by purchasing "credits" for use within the system - but you're free to experiment within certain pre-set limits at no charge.
There's also an interview of two of the guys involved up on channel9, and some demo "mashup" apps using the technology - including one that will send you details of the nearest restaurants based on your location after you send an SMS.
Good stuff, and well worth a look!
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Microsoft Generational Roundtable
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I took part in an interesting debate today, organised by Microsoft, discussing the latest generation of new graduates, their role in the IT industry - and how they shape it, or are shaped by it. The discussion covered a broad range of issues, and definitely got those brain cells working! Some of the things raised were....
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How our current education system stimulates (or fails to stimulate) innovation, and whether educational institutions - at all levels - could do more to support this.
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Establishing closer ties to business, at university level if not earlier - so students can engage with not only academics, but tap into the experience and knowledge of individuals with years of experience in the industry
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How can we address the huge gender gap in the IT industry - can leading women within the industry to try to break down some of those preconceptions by engaging with potential students at an early stage?
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Moving towards a increasingly flexi-time, telecommuting business world - will businesses that fail to adapt to accomodate their employees needs struggle to hold on to staff? How will this affect working hours?
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Looking forward to the next 5-10 years and how technology might further change the way we work.
All in all, a very good morning, with some very interesting folks!