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BlackBerry
Outage
THIS week has shown just
how dependent we are on the bits of plastic and circuit boards we
carry in our pockets day in, day out. It has been amply demonstrated
by BlackBerry, as its systems crumble after major server problems
hit their messaging systems. Many high profile customers voiced
their irritation at the outage which has spread from the UK across
the world. It has been reported in the national press that sources
within RIM Slough, where the problem is thought to have started,
have said that the problem might have been brewing for years as its
subscriber base has grown. But also that these difficulties may have
been exacerbated by a botched attempt to upgrade the software and
hardware which encrypts messages, emails and web traffic for users
across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. If correct, it is
thought that this botch has lead to what some are calling the
"Chernobyl moment", which hit the system at 11am, on Monday,
10 October 2011. Since then, the attempts to restore the service
have failed and the disruption spread to North America, including
Canada, the home country and birthplace of RIM. On Twitter, many
voiced their annoyance, amongst them, former Labour spin doctor,
Alastair Campbell, and British businessman Lord Sugar, along with
Jemima Khan and Kevin Pietersen. It has shocked many to realise just
how dependent many companies are on BB's. Quite a few are stating
that they are so reliant on getting email on the move via their
phones that they might now move to Apple or other phones as a
result. We would like to know if you are affected by the outage and
what your views are. Please email our newsroom via our email
address:-
news24@southportreporter.com with
your feelings on this matter. Does it expose a fundamental flaw in
the new business model or does it show our lack of understanding as
to just how complicated computer systems really are and how fragile
they can be? Or do you feel that it is just bad management at the
company? Let us know... That is if you can....
The Sky Lounge 1st
Birthday Party Invite
OK, it is a bit after the real birthday, but over 20 October
to 24 October 2011, the Sky Lounge on Coronation Walk, Southport are
holding their Birthday celebrations. We can confirm that this will
be few nights of legend and that man VIP's are attending. Anyway,
this is what to look forward to...
On Thursday, 20 October 2011, the
bar will be holding a £10 wristband offer, see their
Facebook page for more
information... On Friday, 21 October 2011, the night will see the
launch of a new monthly theme night called:- 'Delicious'
with DJ's Mike Tracey and Paul Barno (Space Ibiza) as well as
James 'Caino' Cain from Ministry Of Sound. They are
back to playing the club classics and pure uplifting vocal house.
They are joined by G On Percussion (Hed Kandi). Then on Saturday, 22
October 2011, it will be the OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY... It has been
confirmed that performing at the club will be not one, but four Big
Brother stars, and one who is in a soon to be aired TV show as well!
Stuart Pilkington was in BB9 and now he is to feature in a new TV
show called 'Hot Like Us'. Also joining him are Anthony Hutton
(BB5), Dale Howard (BB8) and Kris Donnelly (BB10). If that was not
enough, the Big Brother mates will be joined by DJ's Ola Bean and
Ridge! On Sunday, 23 October 2011 into the early hours of 24 October
2011, will be holding a Bakers Reunion with DJ AJ. Keep an eye on
our site next week for more information! |
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Top award for
Sandhills station
PASSENGERS and staff alike
are celebrating as Sandhills Station has been named Station of the
Year at the National Transport Awards 2011.
Sandhills is one of the busiest
and most important stations in Merseyside, with over a 300,000
passengers every year, including those attending football matches at
nearby Liverpool and Everton stadiums. Track, engineering and
improvement works totalling £6.7m completely overhauled the station
and Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel said:- "We
are delighted that the work and investment in Sandhills Station has
been recognised with this award acknowledging that it is now a fully
accessible asset to the network."
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel added:- "The
upgrade to the station has been a massive success. We are committed
to the people of Liverpool and Merseyside, they deserve a first
class rail service with stations to match and we are happy that our
work to provide top class facilities has been rewarded."
Sandhills station benefits from a platform level ticket office and
booking hall with variable height ticket counters, a fully
accessible toilet, new platforms, a new subway, glazed canopies and
two fully enclosed and heated waiting rooms offering better
protection for waiting passengers. State of the art CCTV
cameras cover every square inch of the station, along with improved
lighting throughout. A new DDA compliant ramp and lift provides step
free access from street level up to the station platforms. A
new customer announcement system means better information for
waiting passengers, as well as an induction loop for people with
hearing impairments. Cycle facilities have also been improved
providing greater security and protection from the elements. The
station has also been accredited with Secure Station status.
Funded by Merseytravel, the Department for Transport and Network
Rail, the revitalised station was opened in January 2009 by Lord
Adonis, the then Minister for Transport.
Irish famine victims remembered
LIVERPOOL will be
remembering the victims of the Irish famine on Sunday, 16 October
2011, by holding a commemorative service in St. Luke’s Church
grounds. The service will be led by a representative from the
Local Famine Committee and will be attended by the Lord Mayor of
Liverpool, Councillor Frank Prendergast, who will lay a wreath at
the Irish Famine Memorial alongside the Irish Government’s Minister
for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan.
Councillor Prendergast said:- "Liverpool has strong historic
links with Ireland and today we come together to remember the
thousands lost their lives in the Irish Famine. This suffering and
hardship faced, not only by those who remained in Ireland, but also
those who came to Liverpool, should never be forgotten."
The service will be followed by a minute’s silence.
Before attending the service the Culture Minister will also be taken
to see a memorial plaque on the gates to Clarence Dock.
Unveiled in 2000, the plaque inscription reads in Gaelic and
English:- "Through these gates passed most of the 1,300,000
Irish migrants who fled from the Great Famine and 'took the ship' to
Liverpool in the years 1845–52"
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