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Website of the week: Dublin Airport Auth...

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:34:32 +0200

Website of the week: Dublin Airport Authority's Travel Value Airport Shopping – 31/07/08Travel Value Airport Shopping is the online portal for the Travel Value and Duty Free shops managed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) at the Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports in Ireland.
DAA is an airport management company in charge of the management, operation and development of the three airports in Ireland, domestic and international airport retail management as well as airport investment.
The company’s vision is ‘to deliver a quality airport travel experience to the best international standards’. On exploration, the website assures us of DAA’s commitment to their vision. Let us take a look at what Dublin Airport* has to offer.
As the websites for Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports are similar, we will only look at Dublin Airport.
Style
The webpage has a simple style and a neat layout. There is no particular reference to an Irish Sense of Place but the colour theme of the site is consistent with the Travel Value brand logo; a nice contrast of red and blue against a white backdrop. (Through the Travel Value Association the theme is repeated in airport retail branding across many European airports.)
There are a lot of links and icons displayed on the front page of the site, but the effect does not overwhelm due to the clean design and clear presentation.
The top right of the page displays links to Airport Choice, Home, Latest News, Contact Us, DAA and Advanced Search with the Travel Value Airport Shopping logo and a promotional banner below it.
The remaining components of the front page consists of a horizontal navigation panel, a welcome message by DAA, a product search tool, a link to the airport shopping map and a neat grid of image-accompanied links to Featured Products for nine categories.

Ryanair responds to the DAA monopoly’s c...

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:33:38 +0200

Ryanair responds to the DAA monopoly’s claims Ryanair responded to the DAA monopoly’s claims as follows: DAA’s charge of EUR15.00 per departing passenger is the same as EUR7.40 x 2 . This is more than the EUR10 one way fare paid by 40% of Ryanair’s winter traffic.  2. The DAA monopoly is Ryanair’s second most expensive base and far more expensive than other main airports such as Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan and Marseilles.
3.  The DAA monopoly’s EUR15.00 charge is not avoidable.  Ryanair’s baggage fee, credit card fee, check-in desk fee are all avoidable.  Airport charges at the DAA monopoly are paid by Ryanair not passengers.  When Ryanair sells 1 million EUR1 seats, Ryanair still pays the DAA monopoly EUR15.00 per departing passenger, not the passenger.
4.  Airport charges at Ryanair’s 25 other cheaper bases than Dublin Airport, cover those airports operational costs:  24 hour fire brigade, passenger security employees, etc.  The airport charges also pay for those airport’s investment programmes.
5.  The DAA’s check-in rentals have been confirmed by the Useless Regulator as a double charge on the airlines, because the airlines already pay for the terminal building and the check-in desks through the DAA’s expensive passenger charges

DAA to request changes to runway plannin...

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:32:47 +0200

DAA to request changes to runway planning conditionsOUTRAGED Northside residents have slammed the Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) moves to have planning conditions on the controversial new runway changed.
An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the development last year subject to 31 strict conditions.
However, the DAA now plans to apply for a change to two of the conditions which restrict the number of flights using the runway between the hours of 11pm and 7am.
The DAA says the conditions would cause delays and inconvenience for airlines and passengers between 6-7am, which is the busiest hour for departures, and from 11pm-midnight, one of the busiest arrival hours.
But according to Adrienne McDonnell of the St Margaret’s Concerned Residents’ Group, the appeal is an insult to locals and to the planning process.
“Those regulations were set down to give us some noise-free hours in which to sleep,” she told Northside People.
“We know that the An Bord Pleanála conditions put a major spanner in the works for the DAA but it should respect the ruling.”
Ms McDonnell questioned how the DAA could appeal the planning board’s decisions.
“There is a reason why those conditions were set down,” she continued.
“It would be absolutely detrimental for us if these conditions were scrapped.
“We would be extremely angry and disappointed if An Bord Pleanála entertained this appeal which goes against the transparency of the planning process.”
According to the DAA conditions three and five would “significantly reduce its operational capacity at peak travel periods and cause delays and inconvenience for airlines and passengers.”
Condition five stipulates that the average number of overall night-time landings and take offs at the airport should not exceed 65.
However, the current number of night-time flights from the airport is 72. The DAA argues that An Bord Pleanála’s condition would affect the airport’s current schedules and future capacity for the new runway.
“The number of departing aircraft during 6am and 7am has doubled since 2003, consequently this busy hour is already over-subscribed in terms of slot allocation,” a DAA spokesperson said.
“Since our initial planning application in 2003 the two biggest airlines at Dublin Airport have collectively added more than 110 new routes and services including 70 new routes and services since 2006.
“Not only would these planning conditions restrict flights at the airport below current levels, it also has the potential consequence that existing slots could be withdrawn from many operators.”
Robert Hilliard, director of Dublin Airport, clarified the DAA position even further.
“The delivery of a new parallel runway is of national importance to the economy of the island of Ireland,” he stated.
“While the DAA is conscious of the concerns of some of Dublin Airport's neighbouring communities, it also needs to ensure that it maintains an appropriate balance in meeting the operating requirements of our airlines and passengers.
“Once an Environmental Impact Statement has been compiled the DAA will arrange for copies to be made available to interested parties.”
It is understood that An Bord Pleanála will now assess the DAA's pre-application submission under the Strategic Infrastructure Act to establish how the request for changing the conditions should be handled.
The Chambers Ireland Transport Users’ Council also argued that the planning conditions imposed on the DAA would directly affect business travellers.
“Ireland’s time zone is one hour behind that of mainland Europe, so any provision which has the potential to impede the departure time of business flights to Europe will directly shorten the working day of Irish executives and aviation transport users seeking to build business opportunities on the continent,” a spokesperson said.
“Accordingly, we support the application by the DAA for a modification.”

Out of Dog House and into the Bed

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:31:52 +0200

Out of Dog House and into the BedA few years ago one of those polling groups that ask if you'd rather have sex with your spouse or go out to eat in a restaurant and what kind of mouthwash you'd take to the moon made some startling discoveries about dog owners: A surprising number called their answering machines during the work day to talk to their dog. SEARCH NZ JOBS Search Businesses FindA For all your PROPERTY needs An even larger number slept with their dog--unapologetically. All but two percent celebrated their dogs’ birthdays with gifts and parties. No poll was required to know that a lot also kiss their dogs on the mouth. (see: mouthwash; choices) In the last year dog books like Merle’s Door, Marley & Me, Good Dog. Stay and Rescuing Sprite have been the rage. But humorists have been riffing dogs for years. Columnist Erma Bombeck used to say dogs were the last of the optimists. They rush the door when the bell rings but it's never for them. And they can't wait to go for a car ride but they never go anywhere but the vet. (Isn’t doing the same thing and expecting different results also the definition of insanity?) US comic Gary Shandling observed that the only thing a dog likes more than getting in the car is getting out and if we opened both doors they'd pass through all day long, happily. Of course dogs' simplified triage system--if you can't eat it or mate with it pee on it--has provoked many X rated jokes. But so has their tendency to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Comedian Buddy Hackett used to recount hearing the dog yawning at the edge of the bed while he and his wife were getting busy. "Am I boring you," he asked the dog in jest. "A little," replied his wife. And of course Woody Allen recalls asking his mother where babies came from and she replied, thinking he'd said rabies, "dogs." While Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Old Yeller, White Fang and even Benji were brave and heroic figures, Snoopy from the cartoon Peanuts introduced the era of the sage and sardonic dog who was actually a philosopher. Suddenly names like Rover and Fido were passé--not to mention terms like "master" and "command"--and the dog moved from the dog house to the foot of the bed. Or better. He wasn't a pet or companion; he was a bona fide member of the family. You weren't his master or owner; you were his Caretaker and it was a privilege to be so. This marked the era of mixed breed dogs named Fred with bandanas around their neck and their own web site. They ate food we would eat ourselves, received acupuncture and went to day care even if they belonged to average people, not Leona Helmsley. But there's another reason for Americans' rising love affair with dogs: their falling love affair with the institutions of marriage and family. Not only are people marrying later in life if at all--the Searching Twenties turning into the Searching Thirties and sometimes Searching Forties--when they do take the plunge, the marriages don’t last because they’ve become so set in their ways. (See: what was I THINKING) Marriages often don't even last as long as a dog's life anymore which explains the bitter custody suits over Jake or Max. Plus even at their best, new spouses can't inspire a grown man or woman to get down on hands and knees in a business suit after work and beseech wildly "come to Daa-Daa." Since it’s been a whole hour since they called the answering machine.

Warning for airport travellers

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:31:17 +0200

Warning for airport travellersBank Holiday travellers passing through Dublin Airport are warned to give themselves extra time when checking in.More than 350,000 passengers are expected to travel through the capital's airport over the next four days, a 3% rise on last year. Over 2,400 flights will arrive and depart between Friday and Monday, including 240 charter flights, which have been added to the normal schedule.Passengers should arrive at their check-in desk at least 90 minutes before their flight departure time and allow a further 30 minutes if they are using one of the long-term car parks. Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) also reminded customers that the departures road is a passenger drop-off area only, with clamping and tow-away procedures in place.

What a mess, DAA

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:30:30 +0200

What a mess, DAAAfter a very pleasant flight with Aer Lingus from Gatwick to Dublin at the weekend -- no delays, a quiet flight etc -- it was disappointing to arrive at Dublin Airport to discover chaos in the passport control area. It appeared that about five flights had landed at once and about 200 people (or maybe more) had all converged on the one area.

There was no-one there to deal with the situation and it really was a bit of a free-for-all. Bad show, Dublin Airport Authority. DAA

Dublin flights cancelled over radar faul...

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:29:28 +0200

Dublin flights cancelled over radar faultDAA A fault in the air traffic control radar system at Dublin Airport is continuing to cause major flight disruption and delay thousands of passengers.The Irish Aviation Authority says the airport is operating at around 65% capacity.Airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair have cancelled dozens of flights.AdvertisementThe IAA said this evening that a glitch in the hardware of the radar system has been identified.It is waiting on an engineering report to assess if this fault is the main cause of disruptions to the radar system. It emerged today the system has been faulty for as long as four weeks.The Authority has apologised for widespread disruption and cancellation of flights to and from at Dublin Airport due to a safety-based decision to ground flights earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Ryanair have called for a Government investigation into the failure of the radar system.Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said Ireland is effectively closed for business because of the failure of the system and the lack of a back up system or contingency plan.He said 74 Ryanair flights had been cancelled and 13,000 passengers have been affected by the systems failure.Mr O'Leary said it is impossible to know if there will be a knock on effect to tomorrow's schedule as a result of today's disruption.Earlier, all flights in and out of the airport were grounded for a time because of safety reasons.Ten flights were diverted to Shannon, Belfast and Cork. A bus service has been provided for those passengers to get them to Dublin.A spokesperson for Aer Lingus says it is too early to say whether today's disruption will have a knock-on effect to flights tomorrow but she said the airline hopes to restore a full schedule tomorrow morning.Affected Aer Lingus passengers can rebook their flights free of charge, via the website, www.aerlingus.com, or by calling reservations on 0818 365 044. Passengers that choose not to travel may avail of a refund.At around 11.45am this morning, a problem occurred with the air traffic management system. Due to a technical fault, air traffic controllers were unable to identify aircraft.This problem lasted for ten minutes before the system returned to normal. In that time, all departures were held on the ground and some aircraft in the air were asked to remain where they were.A spokeswoman for the IAA said the cap on flights was put in place as a result of this incident and in the interests of safety.Passengers are advised to check with their airlines.

Modem draws ultralow power from USB port

ueb555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:28:24 +0200

Modem draws ultralow power from USB portRadicom Research Inc. has introduced a compact USB dongle modem dubbed V92HU-E2 that processes data using its own hardware and does not utilize any processing power of the host computer. Because it is a hardware modem, the V92HU-E2 dongle modem can be easily adopted in non-x86 CPU and non-Windows OS-based systems. The modem will operate with any system that has a USB CDC (Communication Device Class) driver. The V92HU-E2 dongle modem measures just 0.55-inch x 0.75-inch x 2.50-inch, weighing less than 1oz, it can be easily tucked away in the smallest of notebook cases and enables consumers to easily connect their notebooks and desktops to the Internet over standard telephone lines. The USB dongle modem contains a hardware controller, a data pump and an International DAA (Data Access Arrangement). The International DAA in these modems does not draw power from the telephone line, but only draws low power from the USB port. They operate reliably when line current is low due to long lines or poor line conditions. The modem provides 300bit/s to 56Kbit/s data rates, 14.4Kbit/s fax, on line voice playback and recording, and a hot swappable USB interface. Other features include caller ID, modem-on-hold, caller waiting detection, data/fax/voice call discrimination, quick connect, and extension pickup detection. Modem customization is available through patch code that can be stored in modems on board memory. The V92HU-E2 is designed to meet global Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards, including IEC60950-1 and CE marking. It meets RoHS compliance directives, and conforms to telecom standards required for immediate shipping to the U.S., Canada, Europe and other major industrial countries around the world. Pricing begins at $49 each. Devices are available now.

CCTV blunder: wrong 'sex attacker' charg...

ueb555 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:07:02 +0200

CCTV blunder: wrong 'sex attacker' chargedCCTV blunder: wrong 'sex attacker' chargedA man, mistakenly accused of being a sex predator after CCTV footage of him was shown on television, has been released fromcustody after police realised he was not the culprit.Accused man not sex predator- Footage shown on television news bulletins- Police renew appeal for informationBut the mistake has prompted the Australian Council for CivilLiberties to call for CCTV footage of suspected offenders to bebroadcast only if police are granted a court order to do so.The council's national president, Terry O'Gorman, said the policetactic, widely used around Australia, was a concern for tworeasons. "Firstly, often identification is a real issue in a case as thebroadcasting of CCTV or other pictures often interferes with theintegrity of a court case," he said. "Secondly, it's a huge invasion of privacy and it's a procedurewhich we think should be kept under control. Clearly here thestandard of policing has been unacceptably low. If the police can'tget their act together and they are making that kind of mistake,the protection of the courts is needed." In the latest twist in the hunt for the "buck-tooth" sex predatorstalking teenaged girls in Sydney's west, police last nighthurriedly applied to the Supreme Court to release the man, who hasbeen held in custody since Sunday. One of the sex offender's teenaged victims reported seeing herattacker in Woodcroft on July 25 and, soon afterwards, policereleased CCTV footage from Blacktown train station of the manwanted for the crimes. It was this footage, shown on television news bulletins over theweekend, that prompted the released man to go to Mount DruittPolice Station on Sunday, police say. On Sunday detectives from Strike Force Luxford, set up to catch thesex-predator, were thanking the public and the media "for theirassistance during the investigation" after they arrested a23-year-old Minchinbury man.

The man appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday charged with 11offences related to attacks on six teenaged girls between April andJune.

China TV, US agency IMG launch sports ve...

ueb555 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:05:16 +0200

China TV, US agency IMG launch sports venture Chinese state television and IMG, the U.S. sports marketing giant,announced a 20-year partnership Thursday to produce and broadcastsports in China. The deal, unveiled ahead of the Aug. 8 start of the BeijingOlympics, comes as Chinese and foreign broadcasters and promotersrace to tap into China's increasingly lucrative sports market. The new venture, CCTV-IMG Sports Management Co., will produce livesporting events and television and multimedia programming, thecompanies said in a statement. No financial information or detailsof planned sports events were released. The venture "will generate many different opportunities to enhancethe sports and media landscape in China," said IMG Chairman andChief Executive Ted Forstmann in the statement. IMG said it was thefirst non-Chinese company to form such a multiyear, multisportventure with CCTV. IMG Sports Media says it is the world's largest independentproducer of sports programming. CCTV, China's national broadcaster, operates 17 channels includinga 24-hour sports channel. The network says it commands an 80percent share of China's TV sports viewership. The popularity of professional sports, especially basketball andsoccer, has exploded in China in recent years. CCTV and some 50smaller Chinese broadcasters air National Basketball Associationgames.

NexxNow, Inc. to Congratulate IMG and Ch...

ueb555 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:04:24 +0200

NexxNow, Inc. to Congratulate IMG and China Central Television ...

CCTV This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaningof Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, andSection 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Allforward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they arebased on current expectations and assumptions concerning futureevents or future performance of the company. Readers are cautionednot to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. Inevaluating such statements, prospective investors should reviewcarefully various risks and uncertainties identified in thisrelease. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company'sactual results to differ materially from those indicated in theforward-looking statements.

IMG & CCTV Agree Sports TV Deal

ueb555 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:04:06 +0200

IMG & CCTV Agree Sports TV Deal Global sports marketing company, IMG Worldwide, has agreed anexclusive 20-year deal with China Central Televesion (CCTV) todevelop and market new sports events, Sport Business reports. According to the Wall Street Journal, the venture aims tocapitalise on the post-Olympics commercialisation of sports inChina and will develop sports and entertainment events across Chinafor broadcast on state-owned CCTV. IMG will sell sponsorship rightsfor those events. "The fundamental purpose of the joint venture is to marry whatCCTV does in China and what IMG does all over the world," saidTed Forstmann, IMG's Chairman and Chief Executive. "If we aresuccessful [in China], there are going to be a whole lot of eventsthat do not exist today," he added.

Last update : Sunday, 03 August 2008

'How do I use the CCTV monitor?'

ueb555 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:02:51 +0200

'How do I use the CCTV monitor?'MUMBAI: A CCTV monitor installed in Ghatkopar station manager S PJagtap's office is not serving its desired purpose . "I have noworking knowledge about it. The contractor appointed by CentralRailway (CR) installed this monitor more than two months agowithout educating me about its elementary operations . I have triedoperating it through trial and error, but I can't understand how itfunctions,'' said Jagtap. Generally the sets are installed in RPF chowkies at nodal stationswhile at smaller stations they are kept in station masters'offices. The purpose of a CCTV is to prevent crime and aidinvestigations as the data collected can be stored for up to fivedays. The CCTV monitor at Ghatkopar station was installed in Jagtap'soffice as there is no RPF chowkie there. However, one wonders howmuch justice the station master can do to his newly-addedresponsibility along with his other duties. Jagtap said there was a proposal to install 16 CCTVs at Ghatkopar.However, as he fiddled with the buttons on the regulator projector,the screen showed views from only three cameras. One of which isprojected to the ceiling. Even the clock was twenty minutes behind. "I am clueless on the know-how of these CCTVs. I even can'tfigure out if the CCTVs are working as I don't know where they arelocated. I wasn't given any information about their locations,''said Jagtap. Jagtap said even the service personnel couldn't help him." Theservice personnel come here periodically but say they don't knowhow the equipment works. One of them even asked me to show him howto operate it,'' he said.

Chief PRO S C Mudgerikar said CR appointed contractors through itssignal and technology department. "The contractor , has to explainto the RPF or the railway staff how to use the monitor. Queries canalso be cleared at the time of supervision. I am sure such problemsare rectified if and when they are brought to our notice,'' saidMudgerikar.

China's CCTV.com to Stream Live Coverage...

ueb555 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:01:58 +0200

China's CCTV.com to Stream Live Coverage of 2008 Olympic Games via ... CCTV The views expressed in the articles are not necessarily those ofearthtimes.org and we accept no responsibility for the views oropinions

expressed in the articles either direct or indirect.

CCTV.com and Adobe Partner to Bring 2008...

ueb555 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:00:41 +0200

CCTV.com and Adobe Partner to Bring 2008 Beijing Olympics to ...

today announced a strategic relationship with CCTV InternationalNetworks Co., Ltd.(CCTV.com) to deliver the 2008 Beijing OlympicGames' coverage through the Web. The coverage will be delivered tomillions of sports fans in mainland China and Macau through the"Olympic Network TV Station," CCTV.com's next-generation onlineexperience based on Adobe(R) Flash(R) and Flex(R) technology.CCTV.com owns the online video rights to the 2008 Beijing OlympicGames for mainland China and Macau. With thousands of hours ofcompetition video available on CCTVOlympics.com, the OlympicNetwork TV Station will allow sports fans to view the Olympicsports, athletes and country teams of their choice.