Back to the drawing board… Literally!

When I first started designing webpages back in 99’ the original aim was to create an online gallery for my illustrations and artwork

Terra Lumnus by Pol Steele (Pen, Ink, Pencil)

I little suspected at that time that creative use of computers and digital technology would soon come to dominate almost all aspects of my artistic output, leaving little time for my original pen and ink work.

Later, when the internet festival came into prominence I didn’t think it was ethically appropriate to use the event’s webspace to host a permanent portfolio of my own work.

However, as I am currently taking an extended break from hosting online artistic events via scotfestival.com - I at long last have the time to devote to the creation of an exhibition space for my original Celtic fantasy illustrations. The gallery will also contain a selection of my photographs and more recent digital compositions.

Work on the gallery is already underway and should be completed by early spring of 2010

PoL Steele

The GD – “Onwards Voyager!”

The initial year-long development stage of “The GD – Gorgie Dalry & Edinburgh Westward” web portal has now been successfully completed.

The prototype version of The GD website proved to be highly popular with both local residents and businesses alike. The initiative also received a great deal of positive attention from a wide selection of community organisations working across the Edinburgh Westward area.

One of the most popular sections of the prototype website was ‘The GD Online Survey’. The survey was specifically created to enable those living and working within Gorgie Dalry to have a clear say in the ongoing development of The GD initiative. The objective was to gather information at a grassroots level as to which online services and content structure would be of maximum interest and benefit to the local community.

Over the next few months, material gathered during the initial development stage will be used to create a detailed business plan. The aim will be to secure the funding required to launch The GD as an independent social enterprise project early in 2010.

Race Online 2012

Race Online 2012 is a national challenge to help 4 million socially and digitally excluded people get online by the London Olympics.

Most of us take the internet for granted. It saves us time and money, lets us keep in touch with family and friends, search for jobs, access a world of entertainment and fun and contact government services.

Yet 10 million people in the UK have never used the Internet. Of them, 4 million are also society’s least advantaged: the long-term unemployed; the elderly and isolated; people on low-incomes; and others facing difficult challenges in everyday life.

For Further Information Visit Race Online 2012 At http://raceonline2012.org/

ACE IT at Nominet Best Practice Challenge 2009

After their success in winning the Best Development Project award in the Nominet Best Practice Challenge 2008, ACE IT (Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology) were delighted to be invited by Nominet to apply to enter the 2009 challenge.

Nominet recognises - “Those organisations groups or individuals who have embraced the challenge of making the Internet a secure, open, accessible or diverse experience for all”.

For the event ACE IT decided to highlight the outstanding work undertaken by everyone involved in the ‘Moose in the Hoose’ project. A project aimed at introducing benefits of computers and the Internet to those living in Care Homes and attending Day Care Centres across Edinburgh.

ACE IT were thrilled to be shortlisted as a finalist under the Best Development Project, which this year also included the BBC World Service Trust, Digital Birmingham , Rafi.Ki and Citizens Online.

Jenny Ridge, ACE IT’s Chief Executive said. "This year the competition is even tougher than last year, if that's possible! Nominet have acknowledged that the entries they received were of an exceptionally high standard, which has made their shortlist selection a very challenging task”.

The 2009 Nominet judging panel said...
“ACE IT was a well regarded project that
deserves a wider application and audience”

The award ceremony was hosted on the 2nd July at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace, London. A blisteringly hot morning saw Jenny Ridge of ACE IT, Pat Bryson, ACE IT’s Coordinator for the Moose in the Hoose project and Rachel Henry, Volunteer Coordinator/ Development officer, The City of Edinburgh Council’s Health and Social Care Department board a train to London.

On the night - The Banqueting House, one of London’s most spectacular gathering places, was filled with organisations, agencies and charities which combined are working to shape and develop the Internet for communities around the world.

Speaking prior to the event Councillor Paul Edie, Convenor of Health and Social Care said "This is an excellent initiative (ACE IT), well deserving of an award. Keeping our residents active and interested is a key priority for us, as is the wellbeing and physical and mental health of all who live in our care homes. ACE IT is a major contributor in helping the Council to achieve these aims."

John Storey, Older People and Age Team, Scottish Government said "Well done! Whatever the outcome, it is a great achievement to have been short listed 2 years in a row."

See winner's brochure Here

Jenny Ridge went on to say “All of us at ACE IT are very proud just to have been short listed - it really is fantastic achievement and everyone should be congratulated for their commitment, enthusiasm and passion for our work”

Visit The Moose In The Hoose Online At:
www.aceit.org.uk/moose

Edinburgh Canal Festival - Sat 27th June 2009

Now in its 3rd year, Edinburgh's annual raft race has evolved to become the Edinburgh Canal Festival, a full day of nautical adventure with samba, salsa and water-walking to name a few of the activities on offer.

32 teams will compete in this year's raft race, with masses of other activities happening from Edinburgh Quay to Harrison Park. Action will be at the Lochrin Basin (Edinburgh end of the Union Canal, near Cargo bar). Events kick off at 10am, races start at 11am, with prizes awarded around 5pm.

This year along with the raft race there will be free boat trips, a floatilla of human powered crafts, canoes and hydrozorbs (hamster balls for the water).

There will be lots of opportunities for people to get onto boats and have a look around them.Land based activities will include a schools mural display, craft and community stalls, street performers, BBQ and a variety of food tasting stalls. Music includes the Edinburgh Samba School, Jazz, Ceilidh, Drumming and Pipe Bands.

Car parking will be available for only £2 (8am-6pm) underneath the Edinburgh Quay Building and £3 (8am-6pm) at the Scottish Widows Building.

Visit The Edinburgh Canal Festival Onlinewww.edinburghraftrace.com

The GD Gets Ready To Move To Own Webspace

Due to unexpectedly high levels of interest in and local support for The GD initiative - We are delighted to be able announce that we will shortly be moving (earlier than expected), to our own webspace at www.thegd.org.uk

The preview version of the website is now currently being redesigned and prepared for the transfer.

Material is also being prepared for a local publicity campaign and dates for an official launch of the website are being considered.

Further information will be made available here shortly!

Internet Festival Hijacked!

The annual Edinburgh Internet Festival was founded in 1999 as the first online resource for artists and performers attending the Edinburgh Festival. Additional aims of the event have always been to encourage and promote the digital arts within Scotland and to explore the benefits of digital technology within local communities at a grass-roots level.

For almost 10 years the event has been refused all requests for funding or support from Edinburgh Council - The Scottish Arts Council - The Scottish Government.

The forthcoming launch of the Festivals Edinburgh ‘Digital Hub’ project is so similar in aims and objectives to those of the Internet festival that the future of the entire event will have to be reconsidered.

It is ironic that the very body set up to assist and promote Edinburgh’s festivals has in effect killed off the Internet festival - As is also the fact that 'Festivals Edinburgh' is funded by Edinburgh Council - The Scottish Arts Council - The Scottish Government.

PoL Steele
Edinburgh Internet Festival 1999 - 2008