Guests will have the chance to polish up their CV, get to grips with the new BBC North jobs website and be helped towards being in the best possible position to bag a job with the BBC

Unfortunately, due to popular demand and a limited number of places registration has now closed. For further information or questions contact clare.proffitt@bbc.co.uk

Come back next week to see how the event went…

We’ve sent out invites, but if we didn’t invite you and you’d like to come along please contact Holly, you’d be very welcome. Email holly@ntileeds.co.uk or phone 0113 812 1725.

This date is when it became officially impossible to buy a new analogue TV set from a UK retailer. With the final analogue TV switch-off scheduled for 2012, clearly the change had to come some time and apparently last month (June) no sale of an analogue TV took place anywhere in the UK.

So, what does this have to do with Green IT? Well, a number of things:

1. First of all, it shows that the pathway laid out in the Digital Britain report is on course (at least as far as TV is concerned).
2. It seems to suggest that there is a greater acceptance of digital technology than some feared, probably meaning that more digital devices of all kinds (TVs, TV and radio delivered through computers, internet access via computers games consoles, etc.) will find their way into people’s lives.
3. It is likely to generate a significant load on the waste electronics disposal industry – although the set top box converter has been a popular option, many people have bought new all-digital TVs, recorders and associated devices.
4. It may offer some pointers to the upcoming switch of radio to digital.

Collectively, items 1 and 2, suggest that there will be simply more IT-like devices in operation and their use will become more widespread, thus making it imperative that they operate as efficiently as they can, and calling for the need to understand just how much energy IT uses.

It is likely that the most effective energy saving solutions will be those which make use of the technology to automatically control device power, rather than expecting the human to remember to flick the off / standby switch. This has led to the interest in using IT systems to manage electricity consumption, part of “intelligent home” initiatives which also control heating and ventilation.

Item 3. poses challenges in the disposal of obsolete equipment. While the most obvious items are the large ones (the TV screen; the moulded plastic surrounds), remember that it’s not all TVs, there will also be analogue-enabled set top and associated devices. Also remember that central to most of these devices is a computer chip, microprocessor, call it what you will. While it might be theoretically possible that a microprocessor that used to control a DVD player could be reused – either in another DVD player or in another consumer device - almost all will actually be broken up to recover the metal content.

The planned switch to radio will create another wave of obsolete devices, but of a much broader range: in-car radios; radio alarms; multifunction devices (mobile phones with radio); personal entertainment systems; that old transistor radio you carry around in the garden … again, the demand on disposal will be great, but the likely profit in recovery will be much reduced.

Have we got the balance between reuse and reclaiming correct? Given that the consumer trend is for more frequent updating of the technology (HDTV, 3DTV …) should designers be building in reuse more than they currently do? As I stated above, Green IT has a big role to play in managing energy use, but how do we deploy and deliver it in a workable way, making it usable and effective without over complication?

This event is for developers, agencies, brands and individuals, and aims to help provide some of the answers to these questions, and many more, by putting you in touch with industry experts - both global players, and regional businesses who will share their experiences of developing apps.

You’ll hear from regional businesses, who’ll be showcasing their apps and sharing their success stories:

• Distinctive Developments - Sheffield-based games developer will share their successes like Hockey Nations 2010 and their wider portfolio of mobile games
• Punk Pie - York-based developers will showcase the first to market audio-only game Aurifi on the Apple App Store
• Squareware - This Sheffield located developer will share their development insight across iPhone, Android and iPad
• Creative North - Developers from Huddersfield will share their development of iPhone app iHobo, and Flight Frenzy on the Android platform
• Drive Gain - Harrogate-based Simon East of Shozu fame will share his experiences of the start-up, along with showcasing his latest project Drive Gain

You’ll also meet industry experts Sanjeet Martharu - Vodafone Principal Manager, Developer Marketing, Greg Merton - Nokia Developer Relationship, and Paul Foster - Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Developer Evangelist.

And you’ll be able to find out more about training opportunities here with us, from our expert trainer and developer Dave Verwer, of Shiny Developments, as well as take part in the  panel discussion - Where’s the APPetite?

This promises to be a great event, and we hope you are able to come along.

For more details, and to book your place, go to http://mobilemanifest-dmc.eventbrite.com/.

Our guest presenter is  Steve Burnard from Adobe. Steve has  just finished presenting at the official CS5 roadshow,  so if you missed the opportunity to come along to that, then here’s a second chance to find out how the amazing new features of CS5 can impact your design and development work.

There are a number of sessions outlined below, so you can decide which ones to attend. Register for as few or as many as you wish.

Coffee  will be available from 930 am.

The breakdown of sessions is as follows:

10:00 - 11:30 CS5 Design Premium - Familiar tools, new possibilities, without writing code
Learn how Adobe® Creative Suite® 5 Design Premium software is the ultimate toolkit for designers who need to express their wildest ideas with precision; work fluidly across media; and produce exceptional results in print, web, interactive, and mobile design. Craft eye-catching images and graphics, lay out stunning pages, build standards-based websites, create interactive content without writing code, and extend page layouts for viewing with eBook reading devices.

11:45 - 12:30 The Photoshop Family - Take a closer look at the Photoshop Family and the comprehensive set of desktop and web hosted solutions available

Join Steve as he shares his knowledge of products in the Adobe Photoshop family. From image organisation to basic editing, he’ll show you how to take complete creative control. Whatever your need or skill level, the Adobe Photoshop family offers the ultimate playground for bringing out the best in your digital images. Whether you’re designing something new, creating breathtaking photographs or enhancing and sharing your images, there’s a Photoshop product that’s right for you.

13:00 - 13:30   An Introduction to Flash Catalyst
See how creative developers and web designers can transform static creative’s from Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software into fully interactive applications and projects without requiring development or coding skills. We will define behaviours and control sophisticated interactions and animations using simple easy to use design tools. Finally we will output fully functional AIR and Flash applications as well as exporting interactive content and designs into Flash Builder to support rapid RIA development.

13:45 - 14:30 CS5 Web Premium - Showing you how to redefine the extraordinary in web design and development
Together you’ll discover comprehensive solutions for producing standards-based websites and immersive digital experiences as our industry hosts explore new techniques and creative avenues with Adobe Flash Professional and Adobe Flash Builder 4 Standard. Learn more about the industry-leading web authoring tool Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 and discover a wide range of tools and features that will help you create content faster, smarter and collaboratively.

The day will conclude at 14:30   with an exciting live prize draw where one lucky delegate will win their choice of the three Premium Editions.

Please book your place at this event here.

If you’d like further information, please contact Holly, via email holly@ntileeds.co.uk or phone 0113 122 1713

While no previous knowledge of Première Pro is required to benefit from this course, an understanding of basic computer use is required.

By the end of this course, using hands-on practical tuition and with exercises that are both demonstrated and repeated by you, you will have gained confidence to use Première Pro.

Blender is a free 3D graphics application that can be used for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, water and smoke simulations, skinning, animating, rendering, particle and other simulations, non-linear editing, compositing, and creating interactive 3D applications, including video games, animated film, or visual effects.

Find out more about the creative possibilities of Blender and get started by downloading your copy  at their web site http://www.blender.org/

Well, according to research by ICD / EMC, at some time in 2010 the total amount of digital data stored in the digital world will exceed one zettabyte (that’s 8 followed by 21 zeros bits). I’m not aware of anyone doing any research on the proportions of different data types (email; web pages; video; photos; tweets …) but it all has to go somewhere and “somewhere”, in most cases, will be a server. If we go on adding (and copying) our data, then clearly the storage space it occupies has to increase as well – and unless there’s a very clever method for compressing data about to be announced, the trend can only go one way. More data will – at some point – mean that a given server’s capacity is “full”, at which point the next step has to be to install more capacity, either by adding storage to an existing device or installing a new one. In many cases, this will mean more energy being consumed, (there will be cases of replacing inefficient devices, but again the overall trend is clear).

Can this continue? If not, how do we address it? If we assume the magic new compression algorithm is NOT about to happen, we are left with the need to reduce the stored data. We could do this automatically, perhaps by automatically deleting data which has not been accessed for some time period, or we could ask our users to maintain their own data (or perhaps to employ a virtual clutter organiser).

While it is trite to say that somewhere, someone will generate the email which will mean a new server, it has to make sense that as part of the “something we just do” (see my previous posting) we apply some concepts of tidiness and order into our digital storage.

Update 5th August :  We have approximately 30 places left under this current offer. We’d advise contacting us on 0113 812 1725 if you are planning to book for an Autumn course.

This funding is available until September 2010 and is restricted to employees of businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber.

What you need to do to take advantage of this offer:

1. Get in touch to check your eligibility by calling 0113 812 1725 or   emailing info@ntileeds.co.uk Alternatively,  use the form below.  Tell us the name of your organisation, and the  nature of your business and we will let you know straight away. The good news is that there are very few exceptions.

2. Register your organisation with the programme.  You only need to do this once no matter how many courses employees may take. You do this by downloading this form, completing it and returning it to us by post. Much as we’d love to we cant accept scanned copies as original signatures are required.

3. Register the  your place of work, position and National Insurance number by downloading this form, printing it out on company letter headed paper and returning it to nti Leeds by post. In order to qualify for the funding only original copies can be accepted.

4. Check with us to make sure there is availability for the course(s) you want.

5. Book onto the course you want by completing a booking form - we can accept electronic copies of this - you can email this to us at info@ntileeds.co.uk

6. We will  confirm your booking and send you joining instructions.

7. When you arrive for the course, we will ask you to sign attendance records and an enrollment form.

We think you’ll agree that this is a great opportunity for your business.  You can still expect to receive our 100% committment to a high quality experience with us, with our Authorised status ensuring small class sizes and tutors who are experts in their field, and in passing on their passion to you.

If you haven’t already registered, why not sign up and come along?

At the event you can see the new features and near-infinite possibilities of Adobe® Creative Suite® 5.  On the day, you’ll be able to choose from a number of engaging live sessions running across two screens, so feel free to come and go as you please.

Adobe® Creative Suite® 5 has launched and all the new features and near-infinite possibilities are on display at the Adobe CS5 UK roadshow. Experience the software’s new, more powerful capabilities and fine design tools as demonstrated by our product specialists.

Adobe experts will cover CS5 Web Premium, the Photoshop® Family, CS5 Production Premium, CS5 Design Premium and the Developer/Designer workflow. On the day, you’ll be able to choose from six engaging live sessions running across two screens, so feel free to come and go as you please.

CS5 Web Premium will be presented by Steve Burnard, Matt Wicks and Greg Rewis. Jonathan Ferman and Terry White will cover the Photoshop family as well as CS5 Design Premium. Al Mooney and Jason Levine will show you how to work magic with CS5 Production Premium, while Mark Doherty and Mike Jones will tell you more about the enhanced Developer/Designer workflow.

Morning sessions will take place from 09:30 - 12:00 with lunchtime sessions from 12:30 - 13:30 and afternoon sessions from 14:00 - 16:30. Registration starts at 09:00 on each day.

Catch the UK roadshow in Edinburgh on 25th May, Manchester on 26th May, Birmingham on 27th May, Bristol on 2nd June; and finally, in London on 3rd June. Vue Cinemas across the country will be hosting presentations on the big screen between 25th May and 3rd June, and the agenda will include 4 main sessions consisting of CS5 Web Premium, CS5 Production Premium, CS5 Design Premium and Developer/Designer workflow. Attendees are expected to be high with an estimated 2000 people visiting!

Combined with the launch of the new Adobe UK creative community portal, Creative Juices, creatives now have many resources to explore every aspects of CS5.

Eric McCashey, Senior Marketing Manager of creative solutions at Adobe, said: “Every version of Creative Suite Adobe pays close attention to the needs of the creative community, and with CS5 we have really pushed boundaries of what can be achieved with our software. By providing users with supporting resources to develop their knowledge of the new products, we hope to build an active community around the Creative Juice’s web site for sharing ideas and spurring innovation.”

There is no charge to attend Creative Suite 5 Tour 2010, and for further information or to register for any of the dates, visit www.adobecreativejuices.com. See you there!

P.S  Linda,  Geoff,  Holly and Patrick will be there from nti Leeds, come and say hello. We’ll have chocolates for visitirs to our nti stand!

Let me take each in turn:

I do believe that there is a very real need for specialists in Green IT. IT is such a significant part of modern life that even very small changes in the energy consumed by IT can make a big difference overall. While it may be the case that only the bigger organisations can create a specific “Green IT” post (indeed, some of the biggest have done so at a very high level in the organisation), enterprises of all shapes and sizes will be affected by Green IT drivers.

The reasons for this are not hard to identify:

The three drivers of (in alphabetical order) corporate social responsibility, cost and legislation affect all of us to different extents. While your organisation may not be big enough to be covered by current legislation, those which whom you have contracts may well be, and some of the requirements may trickle down. It also seems likely that those behind the legislation will aim to widen its coverage, so those outside the coverage today may find themselves firmly “inside” in a few years time. Therefore, even where there is no place for a full-time “green IT” specialist, others (often IT network and service managers) should expect to see the subject find its way onto their job specification sometime soon. They may elect to take the job on, or to seek consultancy to advise them on how to meet these requirements. Our MSc course and our consultancy support can help here.

Should energy efficient IT be something we “just do” and therefore not need the services of a specialist? In an ideal world, yes it should. However, in the real world, we need help. We need to question why computers are left switched on (or on standby) overnight and at weekends; we need to choose the most suitable (energy efficient) systems for our work; we need to use the IT we have more effectively, choosing print systems and storage devices which meet our needs without consuming excess resources.

Most importantly, we need to educate users and developers of the current cost of their patterns of work and the opportunities to change for the better.

nti Leeds launched one of the first iPhone apps courses in the UK in July 2009, with experienced apps and OSX developer Dave Verwer as trainer, using materials licensed from American training provider About Objects. We’ve even had delegates travel across the world to attend.

In January 2010 we switched to using a new set of materials, developed by Dave in partnership with nti Leeds, incorporating feedback from our delegates and built on Dave’s own personal experience as an apps developer.

From May 2010, we’ll be running the course as a four day, rather than a three day course. The first three days include the same core content, covering everything you need to get up and running with the iPhone SDK and Objective-C . Then, on the new fourth day, you’ll build a complete app, Tweet Trends, from start to finish. As well as giving you an extra productivity boost, you’ll have access to Dave’s expertise,  in nti’s lab environment, whilst developing your first app. After that, there’ll be no stopping you!

The course provides a comprehensive grounding in iPhone training and iPad apps development techniques and you’ll come away with not only the ability to build iPhone applications but also an understanding of all of the concepts and patterns used in iPhone development.

You’ll find a full breakdown of our iPhone Development course here, together with dates, prices and details of how to book. The course runs at our Apple Authorised training centre at Old Broadcasting House in Leeds, in our iMac training suite.

We can also come to your location. In April 2010 we ran the course in Newcastle, for Codeworks as part of the programme for the  DIBI conference. This was the first delivery of the new four day course, and the feedback from delegates was excellent. We’re absolutely committed to enhancing and developing all of our courses to ensure that your investment of time and money provides the best possible return for you.

We’d be happy to discuss your requirements. Tell us what you’re looking for by calling us, emailing info@ntileeds.co.uk or via our contact page.

Our course launch press release from June 2009  can be found at http://prmac.com/release-id-6517.htm.

the Android essentials course on Monday 14th June 2010 and with the
Android advanced course following on Tuesday the 15th June 2010

Linux is now a mainstream operating system. This course will help you make Linux a part of your network and make the most of its stability and cost advantage.

You’ll learn to integrate Linux effortlessly synchronising users with your Windows Active Directory and Windows file-shares.

We’ll show you how you can continue to use your windows based software with WINE.

Learn to configure the desktop so that your users will feel comfortable with their new computers.

Save time in image deployment using Clonezilla. Find out about office alternatives and how you can access your MS Exchange Mailboxes with a free email client.

You will have a dramatic effect on your IT support effort and expenditure! Your boss will love you!

The evening speakers will include Joscelyn Upendran, the co-founder and CEO of lovle which is a learning and training software & services company. She is also involved in Creative Commons UK as the Public Project Lead for England & Wales, which involves raising awareness about Creative Commons. Prior to this, Joscelyn worked as a commercial lawyer in private practice for a number of years before she commenced a career in higher and further education, training lawyers, accountants and mangers.

Deborah Sherry joined Google in 2007 and is currently Strategic Partnerships Director for Southern & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa. Prior to Google, she spent nearly 7 years in the France Telecom group (Freeserve, Wanadoo & Orange). Deborah has been based in the UK but with a remit split across the UK and Europe, working on multi-platform portals and convergence. Previously, Deborah also worked at Samsung in Korea, and at Citibank.

All geek and tech girls are invited! Geek boys are also welcome but must be invited by a girl geek. The evening will be informal, friendly and chilled. For just £15, you can enjoy some food, drinks and the chance to network with Leeds’ finest girl geeks. Register your place now at http://leedsgirlgeekdinners.com/.

Leeds Girl Geek Dinners are supported by UKRC and WYLLN and presented by nti’s Linda Broughton and Carbon Imagineering’s Imran Ali.

About 5 years ago, these interests and my work in computer network management developed into a belief that one of the “things” we should start to measure was the energy consumption of our computer systems. From initial readings of books like Kuehr & Williams, Computers and the Environment, (published by Kluwer Academic Publishers in 2003) I developed a view that this should form part of our academic curriculum. Late in 2005, I presented an internal seminar to colleagues at the University on the subject. The conclusion of which was “we should create a course or part of a course on this subject.”

We then ran a number of projects as part of our undergraduate courses, and 3 years later, in 2008, validated our MSc in Green Computing which accepted its first students in October 2009.

Alongside this, the projects have continued with undergraduate projects in low-cost low-energy Wireless LAN, Portable servers, thin client evaluation and an IT energy saving advisory team; with funded project developing both the wireless LAN and the thin client work; PhD work in cloud computing, network management in a power-saving network environment and efficiency of security for mobile devices. I have also worked on developing our Green IT strategy and undertaken consultancy on energy-saving IT matters. Other ideas will follow as they are developed.

In starting this blog, I hope to share the ideas and enthusiasm for the subject, and to widen the discussion about Green IT related matters.

Raffi has worked for MIT’s Media Lab, written for O’Reilly Media, founding an R&D lab and working for Twitter in Silicon Valley. Previously, he was a co-founder in WattzOn.com - which was named by Business Week as the “Best Idea” in 2008.

He has made a career out of hacking everything and anything. He was the founding partner of Synthesis Studios, a technological design and consulting firm with extreme breadth and with projects ranging from interactive television to web crawling and aggregation, from embedded solutions to mobile media until he sold the firm in 2009. Raffi was also Adjunct Associate Professor at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program examining the side effects of our digital lifestyle (by hacking, amongst other things, computer and telephone networks, and RFID tag readers). 

As a student, Raffi developed distributed/mobile software agent infrastructures while also investigating human perception of sound in zero gravity through a NASA program (where he got to ride, and vomit on the “Vomit Comet”). He finished off his studies by researching and building tiny and embedded Internet Zero nodes, while also teaching students “How To Make (Almost) Anything”. Raffi earned a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees from MIT and the MIT Media Lab.

Come and listen to Raffi speak at Old Broadcasting House on Wednesday 12th May, from 6pm to 8pm. Book your FREE place now by clicking through here.

Old Broadcasting House coworking space has been recently featured on the national online magazine, Creative Boom, aiming to celebrate, inspire and support the creative industries throughout the UK and the rest of the world! Here is what they had to say about coworking at Old Broadcasting House:

Old Broadcasting House, Leeds

Old Broadcasting House is located in the heart of Leeds and houses top spec computers, the latest software applications, meeting areas and group working ones, all in a stunning creative space. It is home to a community of independent, freelance and nomadic workers - digital entrepreneurs, creatives, technologists, artists, designers, marketers, writers and programmers, all of whom share our core values of collaboration, openness, community and sustainability.

To keep reading, click through to the article available at 10 of the Best Co-Working Spaces in the UK.

This highly technical training course has brought delegates together from all over the world. Attendees include technical system officers like Ejaz Ahmad, who works for Erricson in Reading. Managing the IP design and 3G connection, Ejaz gives his opinion on the course: “It has been a really useful and knowledgeable course that has looked at the common pitfalls surrounding DNS, and how to avoid financial lose in business.”

Simon Balthazar is from Tanzania, working as a Technical Officer who has been running the country domain for a year. He says: “The course has given me an in depth technical understanding. I am currently working on aspects of new technology growth and finding that the course relates to these new plans successfully.”

Anne Van Bemmelen & Harrie Roelofs have both come all the way from Holland, working for a server company called SIDN. Patrick Cauchi, from Malta, will be taking this newly found knowledge back to the internet provider, Melita PLC.

Their trainer, Alan Clegg, has provided support and management of internet facing systems for over 20 years. Providing a tailored learning experience, Alan has encouraged the development of all the delegates to look at real situations that System Administrators face.

Alan comments: “Often server engineers will find themselves trying to understand what question was actually being asked. Resolving the question is often the hardest part, but once this has been clarified the Technicial Officers will also have the skills required to do their job easily!

“The course is a hands-on, practical, out working of knowledge and understanding for Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).”

The training course has been enjoyed by all the delegates currently studying at the Rose Bowl this week. To find out more about the Introduction and Advanced DNS and BIND training course, visit the training course web page here.

- Music, Sound & Performance

- Multimedia, Games & Animation

- Computing & IT

This will provide you with the opportunity to view innovative student work and meet the people behind it through a series of exhibitions, presentations and performances.

The showcase will be held on Thursday 13th May 2010 with daytime viewings, 2.00pm - 4.30pm, and evening viewings, 5.00pm - 8.00pm at James Graham, Headingley Campus, LS6 3PS.

Confirm your attendance by emailing innevents@leedsmet.ac.uk.