The BBC reports today of some new Government statistics; Apparently a "hard core" of 100,000 criminals are committing over half the crimes in this country.
At least now that the Government has some performance statistics they will be able to introduce measures to make them to work harder, and stop lazing around like the rest of the civil service 
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Tuesday, 27 Mar 2007
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2007
Last night on BBC3 a program was aired with the title "Help! my dog is as fat as me". It's no longer a question of "is the BBC being dumbed down?", but how did we let it get as dumb and peurile as this?
Will someone please explain why reality TV of any kind has a place on public service broadcasting?
It's obviously not bad enough that we have to suffer endless re-runs of "The Vicar of Dibley" and "Only Fools and Horses" (both great shows in their time, but massively over-played these days), and the grinding dirge that is "Eastenders" - now we have to watch with horror as the venerable Beeb apes low-brow American shows just to fill airtime.
The answer?
Cut back to less channels and you lose the need for constant replays and pathetic victim-vision. the huge savings can be put to better use on quality drama and documentaries.
Saturday, 3 Mar 2007
This blog gets about 6200 hits a month, and i'm interested to know who reads it.
I would appreciate it if you would click the little envelope at the bottom of this entry and tell me who you are and what you do. You don't have to use your full, or even real name, and I promise I won't use the data to send you spam.
Thanks in advance
Cheers
James
I thought i'd finally post some stats from the last project:
Network Cabling
• 460 man-days in installation.
• 1.64Km MultiMode Optical Fibre feeding 10 Floor Distributors around the building with diverse routed redundant links.
• 120.17Km of CAT5e cable providing 1838 endpoints from the Floor Distributors to the desktop. All points providing 100Mb wire speed to the backbone.
• 5.28Km of CAT5e cable providing 576 endpoints in the server room alone.
• 100 pairs of voice connection installed to present the BT Distribution point in the ground floor east riser 70m up the riser and into the server room and presented as RJ45. Allowing us to patch any inbound PSTN or ISDN line into the server room.
• 1.18Km 40 pair voice grade cabling running from the Server Room to the Floor Distributors and providing the ability to patch a PSTN or ISDN line to any floorpoint in the building.
Server Room
• 180 man-days in assembly works.
• 12 x HP racks (9 x 800 wide, 3 x 600 wide). Cables from outside the server room feed from above, cables servicing the various racks are fed from underfloor.
• Full FM200 fire suppression system, suppressing above and below the floor level.
• Temperature, Humidity, UPS state and battery life, Fire and Water detection sensors feeding a comprehensive SNMP-based environmental monitoring system detecting above and below floor level.
• 330mm raised floor, with traywork to support underfloor power and inter-rack patching.
• 2 x internally redundant Airdale A/C units capable of removing 33.5Kw of heat from the air each.
• 200A 3 phase power supply into the room, split into 3 PDUs and providing redundant power to each rack with 32a supplies (scaled to support blade servers in the future).
• Space and power provision made to add a secondary UPS (N+1 solution) as the demands on the room increase. Space left ouside the room to expand up to twice the current size, if required in the future.
Server Infrastructure
• Dual Hosts running VMWare Infrastructure 3, capable of serving up to 30 Virtual Servers.
• Consolidated File and Print, and Database Servers.
• Full lights-out remote control via advanced iLO and VPN enables power-off operation of any server from anywhere on the internet.
• 6Tb (RAW) SAN providing 3TB SATA and 3TB SCSI Storage for File and Print, Database, Media and Digital Signage Solutions.
• MSL6060 Tape backup with dual LTO3 tape drives capable of more than 1Gb per minute throughput.
• All Servers running Windows 2003 R2 and members of the new DaimlerChrysler Retail Active Directory Infrastructure.
Network and VoIP
• The core of the network consists of 1 x Cisco Catalyst 6509 with dual supervisors, network interfaces and power to provide resilient network services to the access layer.
• The access layer consists of 10 stacks of Cisco 3560-48-port 10/100 switches distributed throughout the building. These are connected to the 6509 using multi-mode fibre via dual diverse routes. Each stack is individually protected by a Powerware series 5 UPS.
• A cluster of Cisco MCS-7825’s provide the VoIP CallManager solution capable of supporting up to 1000 phones.
• 2 x Cisco VG224 are used to provide VoIP services to analogue devices such as faxes, PDQ’s and franking machines.
• 2 x Cisco 2811 routers to provide resilient PSTN voice gateway as well as conferencing and transcoding processing via PVDM modules.
• A single MCS-7825 is used for the Unity Voicemail solution that currently provides 250 users with Voicemail.
• 100 x Cisco 7920 wireless phones running the latest firmware utilising EAP-Fast security.
• 120 x Cisco 7941/7961 wired phones.
• 5 x Cisco 7936 conference phones.
• 48 x Cisco 1242 Access points providing both B/G and A wi-fi coverage throughout the entire building.
• A Cisco (WLSM) Wireless LAN Services Module (within the 6509) with a Wireless LAN Solution Engine (WLSE) provide seamless roaming, enabling users to continue with active calls whilst moving anywhere around the site (both internal and external).
• A Bluecoat SG400 with Surfcontrol Internet Filtering is used to provide fast, safe and managed Internet Services.
• Cisco ACS 4.0 is used to provide the necessary radius and tacacs+ security and authentication to the various aspects of the network.
• 2 x Nokia IP380 firewalls in a clustered configuration running Checkpoint NG.
• 1 x Cisco 2811 router is used to provide connectivity to the 10mg DaimlerChrysler MPLS network.
Telecoms and WAN
• 10Mb Internet Pipe on a 30Mb Bearer.
• 8Mb Diverse Routed MPLS connection via Byfleet and Weybridge on 100Mb Bearers.
• 5 x ISDN30 PRI Lines, servicing voice/fax calls and 2 dedicated Video Conference Suites.
• 18 x PSTN lines for use as lift emergency and public emergency telephones.
The Audio Visual solution is the most high profile of the technology installed into Brooklands. All AV is centralled managed and controlled by dedicated personnel from the Media Control Room (MCR)
Themefield Screens
• Sony Ziris Digital Signage solution, capable of supplying varying content to multiple screens. Controlled from a central server in the MCR.
Streaming Video
• 6Mb+ Live streaming of video signals via the network to any and all screens connected to the network - this includes projectors in all of 6 Meeting Rooms, 2 Training Rooms, The Track Briefing Room, The Conference Suite and The Management Meeting Room. Live video can be sent to any combination of LCD, Plasma or Projector displays.
Digital Signage
• A total of 20 x 40" SONY LCD screens. 5 of which are on mobile stands for connection to a network point anywhere in building to provide Digital Signage. Digital content is held on local SAN storage and downloaded as a playlist over the LAN to Apple MiniMacs used to drive each LCD screen.
• Two further 61" plasma screens; The Maybach Suite (for the Car Configurator and presentations) and The Media Control Room (MCR).
Interactive Meeting Rooms
• 6 Meeting Rooms and 2 Training Rooms with interactive Smartboard technology, Sony LCD projector, DVD/VHS, PC for Ziris Digital Signage and usual office applications. Laptop inputs, Infra-red Induction Loop (hard-of-hearing support system), wireless keyboard and mouse, Audio Conferencing. All rooms are controlled by a remote handset and/or a simple wall-mounted touch screen. Control provided by Control 4.
Audio Zoning over the LAN
• 19 independent audio zones ranging over three floors driven by 3 Control4 Media Controllers each capable of storing and retrieving over 1000 hours of licensed MP3 audio. The 19 zones can each have multiple dedicated playlists which are individually controlled by either a hand held ZigBee remote control or centrally from the MCR.
Technical Workshop
• Satellite radio supplied to 36 workshop bays each with their own controllable speakers. Workshop sound system controlled with the wall-mounted touch panel or from the MCR.
Event Hall
• Large screen (4m x 3M) Sony LCD projector with PC and Laptop inputs. Wireless microphone system. 20 high-level speaker system with infrastructure cabling from 9 individual zones to enable connectivity back to separate Communications Room.
Reception Projector
• Large (1.5m long, 115kg in weight) Sony SRX High Definition Projector. Custom built Projector Screen (4.6M x 2.4M) positioned on lift shaft.
• Capable of 4 x HD quality projection, supplied via Ziris Digital Signage and a dedicated SKY HD receiver with 5.1 Surround Sound, all controlled from the MCR.
Conference Suite and Management Meeting Room
• Presentations displayed on two main LCD screens with two 'repeater' screens on either side of suite. Fully recordable Audio and Video Conferencing with speech reinforcement and Infra-red Induction Loop. 5.1 Digital Surround Sound. Multiple laptop inputs as well as standard PC operations. Controlled via WiFi Crestron Panel connected via the secure building-wide Wireless LAN.
Media Control Room (MCR)
• Home to the media control solution (Ziris Author), Control 4 Media Controllers, SKY head-end containing multiple digiboxes. Rimage DVD burner/printer for creation of Driving Experience DVD.
PDA’s
• The system comprises 50 x HP iPaq PDA's with Postcode Lookup, 1 x Windows 2003 Virtual Server running SQL Server 2000, Desktop Administration Consoles.
• Contacts are taken on the PDA, printed out for Sales Staff to then take customers and input them in to Kerridge, or simply saved to the central server. Nightly reports are then run that generate 4 daily reports:
• Callback Report (All customers requesting callbacks)
• Sales Report (All customers transferred to a sales exec)
• MB World Interest Report (All customers showing an interest in MB World attractions)
• Full Data Collection Report (All customers)
• Pivot Table reports are also created to analyse real time data.
Applications
In line with Programme Office standards, applied to the whole MB World, the IT applications projects were managed with the PRINCE2 project management method.
Following the decision made to manage developments in house an initial study was conducted commencing on June 2005 which included refining the requirements and business case for the applications and applying the Product Breakdown structure techniques to the business areas where a systems requirement was envisaged. The major systems identified using these methods and implemented are:
• The dealership aspects of the business utilise a new implementation of Kerridge Autoline version 8.3.5.
• The Boutique and Call Centre also makes extensive use of Kerridge providing financial, point of sales and stock control.
• A configurable Booking System, Artemis from Artifax Ltd, has been implemented to fulfil enquiries about MB world and to book Track, Conferences. Restaurant and Kids Zone resources. The first phase of the system went live in January 2006 to cater for the thousands of enquiries made regarding MB World prior to its opening. The requirement for this web based system was established during the initial study mentioned earlier. The system now has over 100 users.
• IBM Surepoint point of Sales terminals have been implemented in the Boutique and are used in conjunction with Kerridge.
• To facilitate the finance aspects of sales we have implemented 5 desks based video conferencing terminals in addition to the larger conference room based units enabling Business Managers, Customers and Dealers to communicate with each other and with DaimlerChrysler Financial Services UK Ltd.
• For Track Experiences in a range of AMG and 4x4 cars; we have implemented a system for the automatic production of DVDs. The system provides in car recording onto solid state media. Once the customer returns from their drive, the system provides highly automated yet personalised DVD production which includes both the recording of the customer's drive together with material from our media library. The DVD includes a customised menu and personalised label printing.
• In order to safeguard car keys, we have implemented the eTAG electronic locking key cabinets together with the associated application and electronic fingerprint recognition.
• A PDA based enquiry and data capture system has been deployed to enable MB World hosts to capture and fulfil customers' enquiries.
• A web based Vehicle Locator system is currently being assessed to enable vehicle logistics staff to quickly locate cars at any location on the site. The system employs GPS locating devices together with GPRS communications to provide a central server with the vehicle location information.
• Information Kiosks are currently being developed. These will utilise the IBM Anyplace combined inbuilt PC and touch-screen technology to provide customers with self service information at MB World. These will enable customers visiting MB World to quickly familiarise themselves with the layout of the building and to examine all MB World has to offer.
Building
• 16,500SqM on three floors.
• Unique split wing design connected by 4 high level pedestrian bridges.
Budget
• Total Infrastructure Budget of £2.085M.
• Project was brought in on time and £68k under budget.
Challenges
• 75% through the project to build the server room, the specs almost doubled as the decision to use Brooklands as the hub for the new Dealer infrastructure was taken. Abruptly, the Server Room had to be re-specced and partially re-designed to double the A/C and Power supplies. The room was still delivered to the original timescales finally came in under budget by £1015.
• The day the cablers arrived on site, we realised that the cabling design relied on the floor and wall box termination points being individually identifiable. The numbering system for the termination points had been junked by the builders some time previously and no records of the old system existed, so the cablers could not tell how many points to run to each termination point. I spent a long week walking the site and marking the precise number of required points for every one of around 500 termination points on paper plans, so the cablers could start.
• The building was handed over to us in an almost finished state, requiring us to pull the cables above the ceiling with minimal access to containment and no final plans as to where all the containment was. In the meantime, the Phase II builders were also laying their own power and M&E cables and installing containment for us where it was found to be missing.
• A large number of other suppliers, installing their own technology solutions required access to our network while we were still commissioning. This severely complicated the rollout of the new network and required some fancy footwork to keep the systems secure and provide the requisite services to the various suppliers.
Friday, 2 Mar 2007
For those of your that don't know, I've started working at The Royal Botanic Gardens. That's Kew gardens to the rest of us. Like almost everyone I know, I thought that RBG was a garden, with some nice plants, a load of trees and some interesting buildings. Hardly...
Kew is perhaps the most respected plant research institute in the world, it has about 1200 staff (including volunteers and non-permanent), 2 sites, at least 200 buildings and an IT department of around 30. I couldn't possibly go into everything it does with any justice, so go to the website (www.kew.org), or better yet, go to Kew itself. Oh, and stop asking me for free entry (you know who you are), it's a bloody charity, so pay the 12 quid you tightwads!
It is a beautiful place to work (I'm really looking forward to spring), and after the stress and politics of the last job, it is as good as a holiday to relax into an environment so far entirely free of petty politics and rules for rules sake. Sure, my office is in an old building, in need of a coat of paint and it's got a carpet that's older and more scarred than I am, but it doesn’t matter. The people are very friendly and thanks to Mala and Graham, I'm deluged in tea. All in all, fantastic!
Still, I turned down two better paying (and closer to my house) jobs for this one, so I better explain why I bothered.
You may remember that I like a challenge. For a number of good reasons, Kew's IT estate has not kept pace with the available technology, or the demands it’s users place upon it. Like most academic institutions (I've worked with a couple) IT is seen as a necessary evil and generally pushed to the bottom of the funding heap. However, Kew has taken on some high profile, technology driven projects over the last few years and the IT systems have distinguished themselves in not quite rising to the occasion.
The department itself is unique in being almost entirely populated by people who came to IT from utterly dissimilar careers, mostly around the rest of Kew's academia.
On the face of it, the job is similar to Brooklands (www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk). There's a building site (ok, only about 5% of the size), there's a computer room needing replacement (but this one is full of live kit), there's a decent sized budget, and there's a team chomping at the bit to get on with it. What's different here is the scale of the task. Frankly, it's probably even larger than Brooklands.
Kew has a number of systems (Novell, Active Directory, Pegasus/Exim MTA, Exchange, and others). Due to unforseen problems, each time a migration project was undertaken to move from one technology to another, something happened that stopped the project in its tracks. As a result the IT department spend too much of it's time firefighting integration issues, and too little time improving service to the user population. It's clearly driving them mad. The migrations alone will consist of Pegasus to Outlook, Exim MTA to Exchange 2007, Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007, Novell Netware to Active Directory and Active Directory to Active Directory.
Kew has finally grasped the need for enterprise-class systems, and has jumped into technology with both feet. There is a clear wish to join the 21st century and not just participate, but to lead their field in doing it right, first time, on time and on budget. What is amazing to me is the fact that this wish does not appear to have started at the top, but from the staff and managers themselves.
Jaded tho I am by years of management fads and golf course decisions, it's clearly infecting me - I've even started watching the occasional gardening show!
