Category Archives: technology

Dre’s Journal: Is this how XO Laptops will be in Birmingham?

Posted on January 28, 2008 | 3 comments

XO laptops at Kogod Courtyard in Washington, DC

Photo credit: André Natta/Flickr

The biggest story that I saw covered by mainstream media and bloggers last week while I was out of town involved a recent “discovery” by city officials that Birmingham City Schools were not ready to fully utilize our soon to be delivered XO laptops. Here’s an example of what it could look like around town in a few years if the laptops gain more popularity and if we truly embrace WiFi connectivity in Birmingham.

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Posted in Commentary, technology

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You want to help out the Library of Congress?

Posted on January 17, 2008 | Leave a comment

Screenshot of The Commons - Flickr

Screenshot from The Commons – Flickr.com

Yes, you read that headline right… THE Library of Congress (with a little help from Flickr that is). The partnership, called The Commons, began in June 2007 according to the project page, providing an opportunity for us, the public, to join in on the continuing conversation of history. It is a pilot program, one that will hopefully encourage other cultural institutions to share some of their archives with the world of web users.

Whether it’s a photograph from Birmingham, AL or Birmingham, MI, our help on this project is unmeasurable, so take a moment and browse through a few of these glimpses into our country’s past. It will do a great deal to help its future.

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Posted in National, technology

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TechMixer Expo 2008, McWane Scence Center

Posted on January 10, 2008 | Comments Off on TechMixer Expo 2008, McWane Scence Center

TechMixer Expo 2008 is a technology networking event organized by TechBirmingham and sponsored by morethan 30 technology organizations and companies.  It’s the four ever event, allowing tech professionals and enthusiasts from the region to learn more about the area’s numerous technology user groups as well as providing a venue to share ideas.

If you’re a member of a tech user group you can participate by reserving a free table and staffing that table with someone from your group that can talk about what it offers.

Oh yeah, it’s FREE!

Location:
McWane Science Center
200 19th Street North (directions)

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Posted in 35203, Events, technology, Timetable

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Local TV’s going retro this year

Posted on January 7, 2008 | Leave a comment

rtn logoWell, at least for those with televisions that can pick up digital signals. Retro Television Network has signed a deal that was announced earlier this morning with NBC 13HD to introduce its station to the Birmingham, AL market during the first quarter of 2008. Continue reading →

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Posted in Media, technology

The First 100: City of Birmingham launches new website

Posted on January 2, 2008 | 3 comments

Screenshot of new City of Birmingham websiteThe first part of the overhaul of the City of Birmingham’s online presence started yesterday, when they unveiled their new birminghamal.gov website (and don’t forget to put the www in front of it when you put it in the browser). The empty space is actually filled with news from the city when you visit. We’d let you know what else it can do here, but then that wouldn’t give you a reason to check out the first post we wrote about it to learn more about some of the features, now would it?

With the unveiling of the city’s revamped site, a new plan to have wireless access in the city and possibly a in-chambers debut of Over C’s new single “Don’t Trash My Hood” geared towards encouraging area youth to do their part in the city’s efforts to be cleaner and safer, you’d think the first council meeting of 2008 should be fairly straightforward. Not necessarily…

Screenshot of http://www.birminghamal.gov.

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Posted in technology, The First 100

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A new website for Railroad Reservation Park

Posted on December 28, 2007 | Leave a comment

Screenshot from railroadpark.org

Screenshot of http://www.railroadpark.org.

Just in time for the second groundbreaking ceremony (in early January) for one of the members of the city’s Park-nership, the Friends of the Railroad Reservation District (FoRRD) unveiled its new website earlier this month, designed by Kinetic Communications. FoRRD was recently awarded the privilege to manage the park, which in its first stage will stretch from 14th to 18th Streets South.

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Posted in 35203, Parks, technology

The First 100: Coming soon to a monitor near you – birminghamal.gov

Posted on December 19, 2007 | Leave a comment

Ever wondered what it would be like to watch Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meetings online? Well, you’re about to find out.

The city has announced plans to revamp the website by January 1. Changes will include live streaming of regular council meetings, in addition to allowing viewers to search and replay portions of the meetings on demand and a new web address, http://www.birminghamal.gov (already active and linked to the existing site layout).

The company providing the city with the web tracking technology, Granicus, also provides similar services for cities including Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA, and metro Louisville, KY.

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Posted in 35203, Birmingham, Citywide, technology