Archived News for IT Professionals - November, 2011
The Communications Alliance, with five of Australia’s largest Internet Service Providers (ISOs), have unveiled a new filter scheme aimed at combatting the ‘growing problem’ of online copyright infringement.
The scheme is designed educate internet users on the legality of copyright infringement usually associated with peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing or unathoirsed content downloads.
Known as the Notice Scheme, the initiative was born from discussions held during 2011 between ISPs, the Federal Government and “Rights Holders” - representatives of the movie, music, software, gaming, publishing and other sectors who hold copyright over material that can be accessed online
Bioprinter awarded Engineering Innovation Award
Start-up company Organovo and Melbourne based Invetech have been jointly awarded the Engineering Innovation Award for the development of the world’s first commercial 3D bioprinter.
Victoria to solve health problems with technology solutions
The Victorian Government is calling for healthcare professionals and community health providers to submit ideas on how technology might be better used to improve patient care and increased productivity in the sector.
Cloud computing company attracts venture capital
Venture capital company, Innovation Capita, has invested a $1.5 million first funding tranche into 1300 RECORD Pty LTd to fund the establishment of new distribution channels to market the Australian-owned cloud computing company.
NBN Co appoints COO
The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has announced the appointment of Ralph Steffens as the company’s first Chief Operation Officer (COO).
NBN opens operations centre
The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has opened its $32.5 million operations centre in Melbourne. The facility, located in Melbourne’s Docklands district, will act as a central hub that houses the facilities that manage the day-to-day operations of the NBN service, while allowing telcos and ISPs to test products and equipment they will make available as services are rolled out.
ICT jobs boom in Victoria
Nearly 200 ICT jobs have been generated in Victoria after a number of companies announced their intentions to open operations in the state.
ACCC calls for final comments on bitstream service
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is inviting final comment on the local bitstream access service description as final plans for regulation are made.
NSW Government to hold ICT pitching and networking event
ICT companies have been invited by the NSW Government to register for a pitching and networking event in Sydney on 8 December to help form consortiums for the Government's $1 million Collaborative Solutions Mobile Government program.
Quantum computing expert awarded 2011 NSW Scientist of the Year
For more information on Professor Simmons's work go to www.cqc2t.org. For more information on the awards visit www.business.nsw.gov.au/scienceawards
Victorian Ombudsman slams ICT waste
Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer has slammed the state of state ICT projects, lamenting the lost opportunities that the wasted funds represented.
Face recognition technology wins Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Award
University of Queensland (UQ) academics have been awarded the ICT Research and Development prize for their face-recognition technology that improves the speed and accuracy of identifying faces for law-enforcement at the Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA) in Thailand.
The academics, working in collaboration with National ICT Australia's (NICTA) Queensland Research Laboratory and the Queensland government, created NICTA's Face Search Engine to improve face recognition in grainy, low quality video footage, potentially saving precious police time.
NICTA's Advanced Surveillance Project Leader and UQ academic, Professor Brian Lovell said the Face Search Engine is the product of five years research by a committed and dedicated team.
The Advanced Surveillance Project is the result of a collaboration between NICTA, Australia's ICT Research Centre of Excellence, and the National Security Science and Technology (NSST) Branch within the National Security and International Policy Group which resides in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The APICTA Awards is an international awards program which aims to increase ICT awareness in the community and assist in bridging the digital divide.
UQ's Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Max Lu said the technology developed by Professor Lovell and his colleagues has the potential to save police time and reduce the rate of crime not only in Australia, but throughout the world.
Government opens NBN education plan
The Federal Government has announced its $27.2 million National Broadband Network (NBN) Enabled Education and Skills Services Program, to support the development of online and interactive education and training projects.
Swinburne launches online only courses
The Swinburne University of Technology has announced that applications for its online only degree programs are now open.
NBN Co announces $635 million in contracts
The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has announced $635 million in contracts to be delivered over the next five years by six separate companies.
Melbourne Uni announces new IT department
The University of Melbourne’s School Of Engineering will open the new Department of Computing and Information Systems (CIS) at the start of 2012.
NBN finalises SA and NT construction agreement
The Federal Government has announced that the National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has reached a final agreement for the volume rollout of fibre in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Government forms ICT advisory group
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a strategic advisory group that will contribute to international discussions on ICT standards issues.
Telstra outlines next cloud step
Telstra has announced the next stage of its $800 million cloud computing investment strategy, outlining a new Cloud Services portal making virtual servers more easily available and affordable.
Victoria unveils $85 million ICT plan
The Victorian Government has revealed its $85 million ICT plan that will aim to support continued growth in the sector while developing global competitiveness.
Citigroup estimates opposition broadband scheme to cost $17 billion
Citigroup Global Markets has estimated that the Federal Opposition’s alternative to the National Broadband Network (NBN) will cost taxpayers $16.7 billion and would be completed by 2018.