It’s an open invitation and anyone can come and join us. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been using Facebook ever since it existed, or whether you’re simply interested in finding out more about Social Media, and how it can help your career or your organisation. Just pop in, we’re a welcoming bunch and always look forward to meeting people with an interest in Social Media.

You all know the time and venue: Paparazzi at 12:30 on Thursday 16th. Come if you can, even if it’s only to grab a coffee and say hello.

I spotted one of these cases on HSBC’s online banking. To get to the screen below you have to supply a string of digits which is your username, followed by secret word, then a numeric key generated by a token that I have to carry around me. Pretty secure, huh? Well, is what one of the screens looks like on the inside:

I love the fact that someone felt the need to obfuscate my phone numbers. I feel really secure in the knowledge that if someone hacks my bank account they won’t be able to phone me up.

Consultant retains copyright of what he creates even if someone paid him to do it

Copyright – if an employee writes something – employer has copyright – if a consultant writes something, it’s NOT the client

Patents protect ideas – Copyright protects the manifestation of an idea – #bcsiom_ip

Most software doesn’t get patented .. it’s already protected by copyright –

There’s no such thing as a “World-wide patent” – Patents are territorial – #bcsiom_ip

3 criteria for a patent: has to be new, has to involve inventive step, capable of industrial application – #bcsiom_ip

Intellectual Property is all about monopoly (countered by anti-monopoly law (anti-trust/competition law))

Organisation that manages IP internationally: WIPO – http://www.wipo.int – #bcsiom_ip

(yup, they are in reverse order)

So, what’s Social Media Club all about? Well, it’s an opportunity for people interested in Social Media to meet up and chat about the latest developments in Social Media, what the big networks are doing and all the gadgets that bring Social Media to our daily lives. It’s an open event, anyone can attend. It doesn’t matter if you’re just curious about what the fuss about Facebook is all about, or whether you’re a seasoned veteran, all you need is a desire to learn more about Social Media, the new wave that’s taking the world by storm.

We meet at Paparazzi in Douglas at 12:30, this Thursday 18th April. Join us if you can!

It’s fantastic to think that some news editor somewhere saw a Tweet and decided that a 3-line news article was needed, without any context, any investigation, any journalistic value. No wonder newspapers everywhere are struggling …

In 2009 468 dedicated Manx pairs captured the 3-Legged World Record. This triumph was short lived with a Japanese school soon stepping up to take our title with 502 pairs. But now it’s time for the Isle of Man to reclaim this record, and a local initiative is organising the date to make it happen. It’s all going to happen on the 6th of May, yes it’s a Monday, but it’s a Bank Holiday. They’re looking for 1000 pairs of people who are ready to take part in a race. It won’t be a long race, don’t worry, only 200m in all; but it will help secure the Isle of Man’s place in the Guinness World Records Book.

Arthur has been saying he wants to be part of a world record for some time now, so this has just come up at the perfect time. The question is .. are you going to join us?

Everyone is invited, whether you’re a Social Media aficionado, or just interested in how these new networks work. So, come along and join us. We meet at Paparazzi in Douglas at 12:30 on Thursday 21st March and hope you can join us.

Anyway, what I didn’t realise was that the product hadn’t quite launched in the UK yet; in fact the official launch is on March the 23rd. And to celebrate the official launch, BassBuds are hosting a competition with over 100 prizes to win including BassBuds in-ear headphones, Bassboomz portable bluetooth speakers, VIP tickets to the celebrity launch party, and VIP tickets to their launch concert next Saturday in Wembley Arena called The Show Tour. The concert look awesome with 5 of the biggest, most influential R&B groups of the 90s, something just up my street!

So, if you think you’re up for one of the prizes, head down to the Bassbuds competition. The top prize is an amazing package consisting of tickets to the celebrity launch party, VIP tickets to the concert (for 2), a night stay at the London Hilton and a selection of BassBoomz and BassBuds. Check it out!

Anyway, back to the robot. Assembly was quite simple. With the kid’s “help”, we pumped up the robot then tried attaching the wheels and drive assembly. After a few minutes fiddling with it, I reluctantly dug out the instructions and discovered they have to be attached BEFORE inflating the robot. So we let it down, attached the wheels and pumped it up again. It took us a couple of days to try out, because the remote control needs a 9V battery and I didn’t have one handy, but once we got the robot going we had loads of fun. Being inflatable, the robot can take a certain amount of abuse, and our 3-year olds loved pushing him around. It also automatically rights itself (thanks to the heavier base), so can handle being knocked over or being driven off a step.

So, where did he come from? He was sent to me by a Gadget Website – Gadget Inspector, who have a huge collection of similar toys and gadgets, including a remote control R2-D2 for all the Star Wars fans out there. He normally retails for £49.99, but is currently at £27.99. You’ll have to hurry if you want one though, there are only 500 available in the UK (well 499 as I’m not giving mine up!)

If you want to see him in operation, here’s a video showing you all he does:

Much recommended!