What's the point in software innovation if no-one benefits?

IDC's survey has shown that increased software complexity from multicore, Web 2.0 and SOA are increasing code problems and driving up costs for companies.

Some key stats:

. Nearly 70% of firms surveyed said that their code base was more complex than in last two years

. 72% conceded that debugging was problematic

. A quarter found that they found serious problems in post code review either very often or all the time

. 41% said they had experienced these issues to some extent

. The cost of fixing software defects at $5.2 million to $22 million annually, depending on organisation size

. Yet respondents calculated that if 100% of defects were addressed and remediated prior to production, they would experience 32% cost savings

Usability and reliability are the two fundamentals of any piece of software. Snazzy tricks are great but surely the companies using the product have to feel the benefits?

The Curious Case of... how Brad Pitt has become a good actor

When did that happen? He was never awful but now he's good looking, rich and respected? And this is fair how?

Trailer looks good in fairness

The nuclear debate

The UK government has (again) denied that the sites for several new nuclear power stations are already decided.

The UK already has reactors in Sizewell, Dungeness and Hartlepool among others and is looking at possible sites to add to these in an effort to cut dependence on fossil fuels.

Research since nuclear went into shutdown has allowed the development of the 'new' nuclear energy which will be used as the UK attempts to cuts carbon emmision dramtically over the next 20 years. No point going into details but it's supposed to be safer, cleaner and more efficient. We'll see... no real harm in trying for now.

Greenpeace has of course waded in, arguing that research suggests that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025. Well that's 4% more of a cut that any plan they've ever suggested.

I'm a total green-geek and grew up in the home of 'green' (the Centre for Alternaive Technology). Therefore I should really be walking around with banners (spray painted with CO2 oozing chemicals I'd like to add screaming for the end of nuclear. However, this appears to be the more viable and promising option in the battle to cut CO2 emmisions. Yes there are risks, as there are with everything but until someone comes up with a better plan, this will have to do.

Mobile internet usage on the up

A new report from Nielsen Mobile has shown that the UK has the second largest number of mobile internet users, at 12.9%.

The UK is just behind the US which has 15.6% but ahead of some-would-say mobile leader Italy (home of Tiscali) which has 11.9%.

With the Blackberry taking over the world, it's not a surprise accessing the net from your phone is becoming more popular. Browsing is quicker, navigation is easier and the screen/image quality is always improving.

And yet 'traditional' broadband is still experiencing problems. Not enough bandwidth, loss of connection, security issues, wifi still no avilable in certai areas etc.

The pressure has always been on broadband providers to keep up with demand, the fact that people are now BVB-ing (browsing-via-berry) will mean a lot of late nights and yet more bald heads in the telco world.

http://www.nma.co.uk/Articles/38739/UK+mobile+internet+penetration+reaches+129+.html

The Dark Night

Here's a sneak peak - first five minutes!

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/391830/30803282

eBay sued by designers

eBay is being sued for £30 million over its seeming willingness to let its users sell designer fakes.

A Paris court has ordered eBay to pay up. Louis Vuitton, its sister company Christian Dior plus four of its perfume brands - Dior, Guerlain, Givenchy and Kenzo - sued the website for "culpable negligence".

Massive news for the industry which will need to completely change the way it runs - with Amazon also being effected to a lesser extent. If eBay is going to tackle this problem, it will need to install security software that can vet for illegal sellers - and even then, it's not guaranteed.

Moreover, this story has the potential to severely damage the reputation of Internet selling... watch this space

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1320396,00.html

Amy Winehouse - verdict

Hmmm... I don't know if I'm just getting old. But aren't people with good voices supposed to sing? Winehouse just mutters her way through her set.

Maybe it's deliberate? She looks better at least - amazing what fake tan and clothes can do!