Archives for September 2006

Broadcast tax for German bank machines

by Martin · Sep 29, 2006

The upcoming reform of the German “broadcast tax” system will expand the reach from television and radio to Internet usage. Starting in January 2007, businesses will need to pay fees for all computers and UMTS mobile phones because – through Internet access – they have the potential to receive radio or television programs. According to the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce, this will mean that financial insititutions will have to pay a broadcast tax for the 50,000 bank machines in Germany – because they are all connected through the Internet.

(via FAZ.net)

I fondly remember my student days in Bonn, when a “broadcast tax investigator” came to my door to find out whether or not I had any “illegal” radios or tv sets. Looking straight at the television in my one-room apartment, he asked me: “is this a television?” And I said, “why yes, it is indeed a television.” There are times when you have to embrace bureaucracy. But I still wonder whether he would have just walked away if I had said “no”. Maybe my broadcast tax investigator will now be promoted to head of the bank machine surveillance division.

Wired Woman Toronto event on October 24

by Martin · Sep 28, 2006

PR bloggers David Jones and Leona Hobbs apparently know more about High Road’s speaking engagements than I do. Just saw on their blogs that Leona is speaking at the Wired Woman Toronto event on October 24 – together with High Road co-founder and president Mia Wedgbury. More information about the event here.

More cameras for Toronto

by Martin · Sep 28, 2006

A couple posts ago I mentioned Middlesbrough’s CCTV system. CCTV is gaining popularity in Toronto, too. 680 News reported today that Toronto police will roll out 18-20 new cameras, “starting in the Jane and Finch area and northeast Scarborough“.

Links of note – September 27

by Martin · Sep 27, 2006

What is word of mouth? Good question. Sean @ BuzzCanuck has a whole bunch of answers.
Better late than never: a German legend enters the digital age.
“We believe that we have earned the right to positive news coverage.” Really?

The fastest growing tech companies in Canada

by Martin · Sep 22, 2006

The 2006 “Fast 50”

Deloitte published its annual list of Fast 50 winners a couple days ago (press release). The full list can be found in Simon Avery’s Globe and Mail article. Here are the top ten winners:

Under-funded nation

The article points out that the level of Canadian venture capital investment today is down to about $1.7 billion from $5 billion in “the boom days of 2000”. According to Deloitte, more than half of the Fast 50 are self-funded and receiving no venture capital support.

“As a nation, Canada is under-funded from a VC perspective, and it’s exacerbated by the tech downturn.”

David Ferguson, managing general partner of VenGrowth Private Equity Partners Inc.

Daily Mail: Big brother is not only watching you – now he is barkinging orders too

by Martin · Sep 19, 2006

According to an article in the Daily Mail, the Closed Circuit TV in Middlesbrough now features a number of loudspeakers, so control room operators can publicly berate bad behaviour and shame offenders into acting more responsibly.

‘This isn’t about keeping tabs on people, it’s about making the streets safer for the law-abiding majority and helping to change the attitudes of those who cause trouble. It challenges unacceptable behaviour and makes people think twice.’

Ray Bonner, manager of CCTV at the City of Middlesbrough, in Daily Mail, September 16, 2006

Not sure if the clocks are striking thirteen yet (some would probably argue they already did when CCTV was introduced). It’s a debatable innovation and use of security technology but in today’s world, it’s hardly surprising. Let’s see if more cities in the UK will adopt this idea.