Is it possible to ban a website? Should we ban websites that aren’t illegal, merely offensive? With recent concerns about websites promoting anorexia, and the Pakistani Government blocking access to YouTube (for the whole World for a few hours by accident), these questions have come back into the mainstream media. I have some experience in this area, so thought I’d stick my oar in.
Archive for February, 2008
What is it sensible to censor on the web?
The Manchester Geek Scene
In my introduction last week, I mentioned my familiarity with the technology scene in Manchester.
It struck me that it is almost hidden, a sort of underworld that the majority of Mancunians are unaware of. It’s quite a substantial community with a tempo, attitude and growth all of its own.
Are you REALLY from Manchester?
Pretending you come from Manchester is emerging as a popular activity.
The M.E.N’s Paul Taylor is the latest high profile person to admit to using the city to improve his appearance.
Speaking in yesterday’s MEN Paul confessed: “Right now, when a stranger on holiday asks me where I’m from, I have to admit my usual answer is ‘Manchester’”.
But he’s not alone. Amazingly there’s even a Facebook group for them. I’m not from Manchester but I tell people I am already has almost 200 members.
Their excuses for telling this little untruth?
“I’m from Leigh but nobody’s ever heard of it!!! I usually get, ‘Where did u say, Leeds’???? Lol!!!” says Clare Dawson.
“I thought it was just me! Rochdale born and bred, oh the shame!! It’s just so much easier to say Manchester.” confesses Zoe Rigg
While Lorraine Treves Brown adds: “Yeah I know, but if I say I’m in Derbyshire, people fall asleep…”
Being from Manchester, it seems, automatically makes you a more interesting person.
It’s a movement teenage rappers musahousband have picked on up with their recent video Welcome to Wilmslow.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXhFpE-d4Zw&rel=1]
Have you ever told someone you’re from Manchester? Why do think people do it?
A New Face.
I am not Sarah Hartley. Contrary to expectations, I’m not even a professional writer or MEN employee.
My name is Paul Robinson. I’ve been asked by Sarah to co-blog with her from now on to “The Mancunian Way” and pontificate on all things technical and geek-related. With the rise of the online scene and home-grown online talent in Manchester, it was thought that somebody with experience of being close to the ground around the Manchester technology scene might help make sense of it all.
In defence of the three cogs
It seems the city’s transport bosses have failed to see the funny side in the ongoing cyber debate about it’s three cogs poster.
As posted on this blog last week, the authority had become the butt of online jokes for the poster which showed cog wheels which wouldn’t be able to turn effectively.
Now the BBC is reporting that GMPTE is happy its “distinctive branding” was doing the job of promoting the free bus service.
It reports that a GMPTE spokesperson said: “Metroshuttle is the largest free city centre bus service in the UK and the logo was designed to promote its three interconnecting routes. It is not a technical drawing.
“The distinctive branding on buses and at bus stops has certainly helped to encourage people to use the service.”
The stiff upper-lip defence of the graphic still hasn’t impressed Sean Corker from The Association of British Drivers (ABD)though:
“It looks like a classic case of all the gears but no ideas.”
The wheels on the bus (can’t) go round and round
The message boards of the blogosphere are currently abuzz with this lovely spot.
The mechanical impossibility of this Metroshuttle illustration of three cogs has been amusing plenty of the city’s commuters.
“The north west’s rich historical contribution to engineering destroyed by a poster 
” laughs The Great Architect while a poster called masakatsu adds that the service’s catchline should perhaps be changed to read: “Manchester Metroshuttle. Where everything grinds to a halt?”
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