2012 - Tag Archive

2012 community awards suggestions

5 Replies Christopher Roberts

Next Saturday I am going to open voting for this years community awards.

Last year the awards weren’t democratic. I had the idea a bit too late in the year to be able to open up a democratic system, therefore I choose what awards there were, who was nominated for them, and who won them. A fix, I know. That said I didn’t win a single one! How did that work?

Technology Bloggers logo (2.0)Before I open up voting I wanted to get your opinion as to what we should do this year.

Here is how I hope it will role:

  • This article will get comments and feedback from people (you!) suggesting awards we should have
  • The admin team (me at the moment) will select the awards we are going to run with and then suggest nominations
  • Next Saturday, voting shall commence and the community shall decide upon who wins the awards

Like last year, there is no physical or financial prize. If you win you get recognition and a lovely paragraph written about you, linking to your site (if you have one).

Last year, the awards were:

  1. Top Commenter – Someone who posts valuable and interesting comments which you like to read
  2. Top Writer (Contributor) – The contributor who has made the most valuable contribution to the blog – in terms of articles published in the last year
  3. Top Writer (Author +) – The author (editor or admin) who has been your favourite writer this year
  4. Rising Star – Someone with real potential who is becoming an ever greater asset to the community
  5. Most Friendly Member of the Community – The person who has been the most pleasant and kind person on the blog this year
  6. Top All Rounder – The big one! Technology Bloggers ultimate award, who is the best example of a good all round community member?

So, what awards do you think we should have this year?

If you have anyone in mind for a particular award, please let us all know!

Are there any awards above that we don’t need? Do you want to see any return this year? Would you like to see any new ones?

Let me know below ↓

Are broadband speeds on the rise?

14 Replies Christopher Roberts

Many providers will be increasing their broadband speeds from 100Mbps to 120Mbps at the start of 2012, with an estimated completion date in mid-2013. The increase will be really good for customers in the UK, who are looking for faster internet speeds for both personal and business use. Faster speeds could boost the economy, as well as change the way households and businesses use the internet.

Giving access to a super-fast internet is all part of building a newer and improved economy in the UK. The government alone has set goals to expand broadband speeds within the next three years. By the end of 2015, investors predict fibre optic broadband will be available to two-thirds of the UK. Many providers are doing their part to support the economy, understanding that the internet is such an essential part of the everyday lives of their consumers. People are using the web to assist them in every aspect of their lives these days, so having a fast and reliable internet connection is important now more than ever.

Investors will be bringing even faster speeds to the UK. It is thought that around 300Mbps speeds will become available in limited locations within the next few years. Currently, many providers are trying to keep up with these investors by doubling their speeds, allowing customers to upgrade from 10 Mbps to 20Mbps. Those who subscribe to their highest speeds of 30Mbps will be upgraded to 60Mbps. Some providers aim to roll out the changes free of charge, so customers may be pleasantly surprised by the change in their broadband speed! Users will be able to benefit from streaming television, movies and music twice as fast as before.

An example of some optical fibre internet cablesThe increase is good news for the UK, which currently ranks somewhere between 10th and 40th globally in terms of average broadband speeds – depending upon where you get your figures. Once upgrades are complete, the average UK broadband speed could increase to around 16.46Mbps, a massive download speed increase!

Consumers will be gaining this speed boost at the most opportune time, since the highly popular Netflix, this week launched its service in the UK. Such services require high bandwidth speeds and will undoubtedly attract large numbers of costumers, all of whom will need super-fast internet to watch their favourite movies and television shows.