During last week, Dave Sharpe (@MyLocalFaces) ran an experiment based around a Twitter hashtag to see if Warwickshire-based twitter users (businesses and individuals) could grasp the idea, share their tweets, be followed and reciprocate, and start to communicate with each other. The hash-tag Dave chose for the exercise was #FollowBigBear, and as I write this post, although activity has reduced a little, it is still seeing a slow trickle of tweets.

I was interested in seeing the outcomes of this experiment, to try to find out if Warwickshire twitter users were actually going to communicate with each other, or just use the # as an opportunity to broadcast to twitter users with their latest deals and/or offerings.

Tweetreach was deployed to give a very basic summary of the most recent 50 tweets, but I wanted to see more, indepth information- an indication of peak user times of day would be good to see, especially to ascertain the different behaviours and comparisons between business users and individuals. So Tweetreach simply didn’t cut it- the information it spat out was far too basic.

Then I thought about what would happen when twitter’s own archive vanished after about 10 days (as is usualy the case), so I hopped over to the SearchHash script that Dave Briggs (@DaveBriggs) and Steph Gray (@LeSteph) wrote a year or so ago. This script is great for generating a .csv or pdf file archive, but, as it says in the footer, it is not designed to deliver a realtime search. I ran an archive scrape on Friday, which is available in MS Excel format.

Going back to my MA Social Media studies (#masocialmedia), I remembered that Martin Hawksey (@mhawksey) had written some excellent code where there was potential for a google doc spreadsheet to be used as an archive for tweets based around a given #. So I revisited Martin’s blog, and was rewarded with the new development that not only had the code been refined, it could also spit out the results in realtime, and (bonus) with careful application of Martin’s “TAGSExplorer” software, could generate the network graphic using a # in realtime! Impressive stuff.

*Technical Jargon Filter: ON*
During the application process (which involved getting a Twitter Developer Account opened so the API hack could be deployed – can I haz a badge;-), a Skype call with Martin, revealed a glitch: for some reason, Firefox on a Mac running Snow Leopard was inserting a tab before the Consumer Secret Key was pasted into the Google spreadsheet, something that Martin had not experienced before. With his expert help and hacking skills (whilst in France) the code was repaired, and the ‘lets make this work’ process continued.
The instructions (available at http://mashe.hawksey.info/2011/11/twitter-how-to-archive-event-hashtags-and-visualize-conversation/ ) were followed to the letter, and the Google Doc generated the information required.

As usual, I’m a big believer that information shared is a very powerful tool for building strong relationships, so if you want to see how the #FollowBigBear tweets and network actually looks in real-time graphic representation, see the TAGSExplorer Feed

The url for the graphic feed via TAGSExplorer is available at http://hawksey.info/tagsexplorer/?key=0AlNjC1eCi5fFdFlwc2lvbnFoZ0lzNUJLclBsV0xLYlE&sheet=oaw

To get access to the Google doc (open) which shows all the information collated, just visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlNjC1eCi5fFdFlwc2lvbnFoZ0lzNUJLclBsV0xLYlE
*technical jargon filter: OFF*

So, back to the original reason for pulling this information together… you see all the dots with no links (curly lines) going to/from their account name… these are the users who have simply jumped onto the #FollowBigBear hash-tag, without following any new twitter users, or having twitter users follow them. The cynic in me would say that these are the users simply pushing messages out (1-to-many) rather than communicating (many-to-many), but I’m not cynical, so I won’t say that in such blatant terms (oops, it appears I just have). The other users appear to understand how the differences between communicating with a community versus broadcasting to an audience works, well, in Warwickshire anyway.

Many thanks to Martin Hawksey for his fantastic code, programming and assistance. Without him, none of the above would have been possible. You can COMMUNICATE with him via @mhawksey , and his blog is available by visiting http://mashe.hawksey.info/

Image Credit: (supplied under a Creative Commons License) “Getting em up” at U.S.Naval Training Camp, Seattle, Washington. Webster & Stevens., ca. 1917 – ca. 1918
Original Caption: “Getting em up” at U.S.Naval Training Camp, Seattle, Washington. Webster & Stevens., ca. 1917 – ca. 1918
U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier:165-WW-332D(16)
From: American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, compiled 1917 – 1918 (Record Group 165)
Created By: War Department. (1789 – 09/18/1947)
Production Date:ca. 1917 – ca. 1918
Persistent URL: arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ExternalIdSearch?id=533698
Repository: NARA’s Still Picture Records Section, National Archives at College Park (College Park, MD)

The Ministry of Transport ordered an inquiry last night into the use of the M1 motorway as a test track for high-speed sports cars.

This move came after it was revealed that one car clocked 183mph on the M1 in a try-out for the 24-hour road race at Le mans next week-end.

Police patrols on the motorway have been ordered to keep a lookout for the cars, which are capable of speeds around the 190mph mark.

Reported
Superintendent E.S. Turton, chief of the traffic department of Bedfordshire police said:
“If we find cars travelling at that speed with other traffic about, they will be reported with a view to prosecution for driving at a dangerous speed”
A police spokesman said last night that special checks -possibly with radar- would be made on the speed of such cars.
He added that although there is no speed limit on the M1, speeds of around 180mph could be dangerous.
A Hertfordshire police spokesman said: “If a lorry pulled out to overtake and a car came up at this speed, there could be a damn great smash.”

Unhappy
One of Britain’s top sports car bosses said last night: “A number of companies have been using the M1 for high-speed tests for about two years.”
The car that clocked 183mph is an A.C.Cobra, which is powered by a 4,261cc American Ford V8 engine. It sped along the motorway at dawn.
Mr. Charles Hurlock, joint managing director of A.C. Cars of Thames Ditton, Surrey, said last night: “I am unhappy about having to use a public road like this for such tests but British racetracks can’t cope with sustained runs over 160mph.
We had only one run- and we checked to see that the motorway was clear.”

A Royal Automobile Club spokesman said that in an emergency a car travelling at 180mph would need 665yards to stop under perfect conditions. In wet weather, it would need about half a mile.

—————–
(Originally published on Monday June 15, 1964. Price:3d, but you can have it for free)
Photograph taken by me, but obviously, copyright for the original article belongs to Daily Mirror.
—————–

So, why have I published this? Well, that’s all to do with my Grandfather’s involvement with Goodyear tyres in Wolverhampton, when he was attached to the Shelby Cobra Le Mans racing team at the time, but that’s another story…

I just thought I’d put this out there, simply to add a little historical context to the current discussions around raising the UK motorway speed limit to 80mph… it was this series of tests that caused the UK to bring in speed limits on motorways, and the fact that my Grandfather was in some way involved makes me feel somewhat proud, in a very weird way. I guess he felt the same sort of way- that’s probably why he kept the original newspaper (pictured).

Purely some fun, nothing else.
My son is a fan of moto x, he pulls together his own blog, and Dad tags along, keeping well out of the way because I’m “not cool enough.” Damn right too- this is most definitely a sport for young people, and all Dads should realise that they are allowed to watch, with having the privileged role of taxi driver being an optional extra.

Filmed over the duration of the Red Bull Pro Nationals weekend (redbullpronationals.com) at the home of British Moto X, Hawkstone Park in Shropshire on 27th & 28th August, 2011.

Featuring pro and sportsman riders from MX1 and MX2, 65cc, 85cc big & small wheel, rookies, 125cc and the open class, I walked (climbed) around the circuit over the 2 days, capturing the exciting footage at various vantage points. Hopefully you enjoy the results.

A special thank you has to be given to Sharron and the team from Events22 for their invitation. Both my son and I had a great time.

As for the moonshine these blokes were drinking, I’m not going to comment, apart from the fact that my memory of that night around the campfires is still very hazy. The bottle didn’t open until the camera had been put back in it’s bag, although looking at some of the focus pulling, you may think otherwise.
Oh, and before you ask, no, I didn’t wear a costume!

So, I decided to take the opportunity and go for a walk around the lake at their Warwickshire premises.

I had my camera in my pocket, and was glad I did.

A Lunchtime Walk from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

It also gave me the opportunity to try out the extremities of the digital zoom- not bad, but not great.
Something to bear in mind for the future…

Adrian Goldberg from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

Watchdog, The Politics Show, Healthcheck, BBC Breakfast News, The Stirrer and 5 Live Investigates are just a few of the well known broadcast, media and journalism platforms that Adrian Goldberg has been associated with in the past.

Today, BBCWM announced that Ed Doolan is stepping aside and hanging up his headphones, and Adrian will be taking the reigns of this popular radio show from September. CONGRATULATIONS Adrian.

Here Adrian shares some of the stories, views and experiences from his past.

He also gives us an insight into his views about the possible future direction(s) that journalism may well take, focusing on local issues and alternative media.

Glynn Purnell from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

One man who has been leading the art of good food is Glynn Purnell. He started his craft when still at school, practicing and honing his skills on family and friends, and has made industry-recognised progress throughout his career development. So much so, his Purnell’s Restaurant in Birmingham boasts a Michelin Star.

Key to the success of his restaurants is the ethos of strong leadership, management, and teamwork. In this short feature I get to see a little snapshot of what happens behind the scenes, watch the team in action and ask Glynn a few questions, not about his cooking skills, but about his management and leadership style.

Named at Number 14 on 2009’s Birmingham Post Power 50 list, without doubt, Glynn Purnell is Birmingham’s premier chef, internationally recognised and respected by his peers, a fact that features in many magazine and newspaper reviews and frequent TV appearances.

Oh, and yes, I sampled one of the dishes (Goats’ cheese royal – textures of Beetroot – Rosary foam ), and yes, it was delicious. Comes with the project I suppose… call it a perk Thanks Glynn. I’ll be back, paying next time.

Expermenting with the Panasonic HDC TM700 from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

Reading the 3 Panasonic manuals supplied via their website is a bit of a daunting task, and I’ve found myself looking at particular relevant information I need, rather than reading the 3 documents in their entirety (show me a bloke that doesn’t do this).
The pre-purchase research I completed showed that compatibility with my Macbook Pro, iMovie and Final Cut Pro would be an issue (I don’t like to use a PC for such things), and I reassured myself that importing the MTS files required for successful editing of HD files would indeed be possible when I need to make full use of the camcorder’s capabilities. The useful info I found is available at the Apple User’s Forum and it was the prior experiences of other users delivering a positive outcome (albeit with a work-around) that swung me towards the TM700 purchase, and my budget available of course.

Test capture- Panasonic HDC TM 700 from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

So, off I went (after the horrid winter) into the daylight, filming a couple of short pieces with my good friends from S&D Falconry…
Recording at full HD was important for me, so I could see first hand what the camcorder was capable of delivering. Then, realising that compression would be an issue, I simply imported the files into iMovie for a quick couple of edits, just so I could see what is possible when working against tight deadlines with the need to produce and publish for the web quickly. Needless to say, I am quite impressed with the outcomes, and hopefully you are too.

Panasonic HDC-TM700 Test from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

Next, I’ll do some more recording in HD, and this time, will use the work-around and import the files into Final Cut Pro for a more considerate edit, using some filters and maybe some advanced effects.

Opening up the iris- Panasonic HDC-TM700 from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

Have a look at the final short pieces, and please, tell me your thoughts.

1 Paul Thandi from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

Fantastic news !
Today (3rd Feb, 2011), TheBusinessDesk.com have announced that Paul Thandi, Chief Executive of The NEC Group is to receive an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University.
During his time there, he has worked to boost the group’s international portfolio and overseen the £40m refurbishment of the NEC exhibition centre and £30m revamp and rebrand of the NEC Arena, now the LG Arena.

Shortly before this announcement was made, I had the opportunity to interview Paul, where he gave me a valuable insight to his management and leadership style, describing what drives him, where his inspiration comes from, and how he applies it whilst running a very successful business.

Paul Kehoe from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

It was interesting to learn (off camera) that during extreme weather conditions, he wears a different hat- the one of snow plough driver- and his colleagues all do something similar to ensure that the airport remains open for business.
Recent years have seen many changes at the airport, and the future holds more challenges and changes to come. Here Paul tells me how these plans are currently progressing, and describes what the impact on the local economy and landscape will be.