Thanks to the Institute of Economic and Social Research for their tracking and comparison between the current UK recession and previous ones.

As Bette Davis said ‘ Buckle your seatbealts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.’

Visit IESR: HERE

Michael Maddock introduces, in a few sentances, his thought that innovations need to be nurtured. This excerpt was recorded at The Future Trends Conference.

Link: HERE

Read more at his blog: HERE

While I’ve been watching developments in OLED, surface computing and 3D screens with interest over the last few years. Sony now appear to be making significant steps forward in interactive digital screen technology. While some mobile phones already use touch screens and thin (TFT) screens. I’m looking forward to seeing more business and consumer products feature touch screen technololgy and flexible screens very soon.

Find out about their new OLED screen technology: HERE

There was a period when time spent working online was measured in a similar manner to the way people think of ‘dog years’ (dogs being perceived to age 7 times quicker than humans). A year of digital experience was akin to 7 years working offline. It was an exageration of course, with a kernal of truth. But the pace of digital development has slowed a little (the internet hit 40 years old last week – could this herald middle age spread? Or a looming mid life crisis?).

Netscape Logo 1994 - 2002

In 1994 Netscape made the internet truly accesible for consumers for the first time, slow though it was, through a 14.4k or 28.8k modem and a Netscape browser. After their decline and fall, to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (which, to be frank, was great in its first few years). The Byzantine code that made up Netscape Communicator remained behind; from the once great Netscape Navigator, that plummeted from controlling over 90% of the browser market, to under a 1% share in the late 1990’s. But after the AOL purchase debacle, the code gained an interesting new life. Under the stewardship of Mozilla (entering into Open Source first in 1998), in 2004 Firefox was born.

So this month marks the 5th birthday of Firefox (or 15th year and a bit for its Netscape parent). And Firefox has finally become a relevant and compelling web browser again. There’s no lag (not in the IE8 sense) and with Xmarks it is easy to flip your favorites list from one PC/Mac to another. So you never need to set up another computer from scratch

So here’s wishing Firefox a happy 5th (15th?) birthday.

There is an understated, but interesting, celebration for Firefox: HERE

While the length of the name increases with each iteration of the game. Today is a huge event for video gamers – whether PC or console players.

While I won’t be splashing out for the Playstation 3 version of the game that comes packaged with night vision goggles. I will be buying a copy of the game today – along with tens of thousands of other gamers.

I know of several other account planners who play this game. Unfortunately we all use different gaming platforms, so can’t play either as a unit or against each other.

A review has been posted by MTV HERE. They have been lucky enough to play the game for 200 hours already (hopefully with some sleep along the way).

Infinity Ward have something to say about their new game: HERE

See you in the Spetsnaz ranks on the UK PC servers. My call sign is Jangle.

A chart of my personal favourite Top 10 movies from 2000 to 2009:

10. The Constant Gardener (Fernando Meirelles, 2005)
A John Le Carré’s political thriller that is charged with conflict and idealism. Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes give career best performances. Ralph Fiennes plays the widower driven to make sense of his wife’s murder in Africa. READ MORE

9. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Adam McKay, 2004)
The march of 1970’s chauvinism goes head to head against feminism in a San Diego newsroom. It’s a world where men yell and fight for no reason, the hero plays jazz flute and aftershave is strong enough to clear a newsroom. Will Ferrell’s at his finest. ‘You stay classy, San Diego.’ READ MORE

8. 28 Days Later… (Danny Boyle, 2002)
While Shaun of the Dead broke the zombie movie mold for comedy. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland re-invented the zombie movie for 21st century horror fans. A dark tale, where the real monsters may possibly be some of the human survivors. Unusually the zombies move with speed, and are fuelled by a virus, rather than necromancy (an idea borrowed from the 1970’s book ‘I am Legend’ and also used in Resident Evil). READ MORE

7. The Quiet American (Phillip Noyce, 2002)
Michael Cain plays a world weary British journalist in Vietnam during the end of the French Colonial administration. He uncoivers an American secret service black opps team, as they aid the destabilising political situation within the country. This is an enjoyable and faithful adaptation of the Graham Greene novel. There is also an unexpectedly great performance by Brendan Fraser. READ MORE

6. Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton/Lee Unkrich, 2003)
Pixar’s abundant talents in storytelling, rapid-fire humour and stunning animation are all here. Characters draw you in to a tale that never ceases to please both adults and kids. READ MORE

5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Ang Lee, 2000)
Modern martial arts brought to theatrical effect with an action movie that successfully crossed over from Eastern to Western audiences. The movie introduced many to the wire work combat scenes found in Chinese action movies. READ MORE

4. The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson, 2001)
Wes Anderson’s directs the movie of his career (to-date?). Gene Hackman, Bill Murray, Anjelica Houston, Ben Stiller and Gwyneth Paltrow star in the comedy ensemble cast that tells the story of a dysfunctional family of New York eccentrics. READ MORE

3. Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003)
Strangers in a strange land become unlikely but endearing soul mates for a few days. Bill Murray plays a gloriously jet lagged fading celebrity in a mid-life crisis. Scarlett Johansson is his muse in this unrushed portrait of ennui. It’s beautifully shot in Japan and with a superb cast. The scenes with the Japanese translator and ad director never fail to raise a painful smile. ‘For relaxing times, make it Santorri Time.’ READ MORE

2. The Last King of Scotland (Kevin Macdonald, 2006)
Forest Whitaker gives a great performance as Idi Amin. He nails the Ugandan dictator’s deadly charm – he’s a charismatic monster; part amiable clown, part ice-cold killer. READ MORE

1. UP (Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, 2009)
Disney Pixar hit the sweet spot, with a movie that quite probably would never have made it past the pitch stage at any other studio (miserable old man escapes via balloon flight to enjoy the adventure he never had in younger life, accompanied by an annoying boy scout and a talking dog). But it delivers on all levels and avoids becoming too cloying. READ MORE

With thanks to Zerega for their beautiful photo of Miramar, Florida. I’m so envious of that view today.

Check out the full size original: HERE

“For most simply through paradox do I usually discover truth.”

R. Buckminster Fuller

12 July 1895 — 1 July 1983.

Useful site for stats on internet users within regions and countries.

Visit World Internet Stats: HERE

As I posted the table last year, I might as well post the update here:

CoolBrands 2009/10 Top Twenty

1. iPhone (up one place)
2. Aston Martin (down one)
3. Apple (same position)
4. iPod (up 36 places)
5. Nintendo (up two places)
6. YouTube (down one place)
7. BlackBerry (up 16 places)
8. Google (down two places)
9. Bang & Olufsen (down five places)
10. PlayStation (up five places)
11. Xbox (down 28)
12. Tate Modern (down two)
13. Dom Perignon (down two places)
14. Virgin Atlantic (down two places)
15. Ferrari (down two places)
16. Sony (same position)
17. Mini (up 11 places)
18. Vivienne Westwood (up 23 places)
19. Rolex (down ten places)
20. BBC iPlayer (New entry)

Read more at CoolBrands: HERE