Xara (now owned by German company Magix) have just released a new version of their flagship Xtreme product. Upgrades for both the standard and pro editions are available, and a comprehensive list of changes is available from this Google Docs document.

Over at TalkGraphics, it’s getting something of a mixed reaction; those who use Xtreme primarily for its vector graphics capabilities to create artwork are somewhat miffed at the apparent paucity of new vector-related features, but other users are happy to see such longstanding requests as a spell-checker, and better object/layer management tools.

Personally, I can understand both viewpoints; historically, Xara was very much focussed on the digital artist, but the last few updates seem to be an attempt at broadening its user-base to include basic website design and desktop publishing. If it brings in the funding to continue development, and doesn’t get in the way of creating artwork, then I’m all for it. Let’s hope the next version has some more groundbreaking vector-related improvements though.

Interestingly it’s one of the first software titles I’ve seen that specifically mentions Windows 7 support – I know that much everything that was Vista compatible should work under 7, but it’s always good to be reassured.

I’ve managed to avoid starting on the redesign of wightmusic.com by playing with Xtreme 5 for long enough… back to work it is…!

After trying half-heartedly to get the dataswift.co.uk for the past few years, I finally contacted Nominet a couple of months back. They responded pretty quickly, with good and bad news.

The bad news was that they weren’t going to create a dispute case for DataSwift. The good news was that the current registration data for the domain was invalid, as the company dataswift.co.uk was registered to had been dissolved a few years back. As a result they initiated the domain cancellation process, and after a couple of months I was able to register the domain for us – no longer shall we have to spell out dsns.co.uk over the phone!

Friday was the first time in a couple of years that I made it to the BETT show (it stands for the British Educational Training and Technology show) and despite it being a bit of a long day, with far too few seats, and coffee that was stupidly expensive, it was a worthwhile trip.

The biggest stands weren’t actually the most interesting ones (aside from Intel’s – more about that one later). There were a number of smaller companies exhibiting some pretty original ideas, and despite much of it being targeted at visiting teachers, it was still worth a look.

It was good to drop by the Edugeek stand, and finally put faces to some of the names that frequent the forums, – it was also good to get a free smoothie from the guys on the Smoothwall stand next-door, especially taking into account the pricing of refreshments in the place!

Although I’m currently in the process of writing our own helpdesk system at DataSwift, the folks at the Topdesk stand seem to have an impressive product for a pretty reasonable price (they’ve sent me a demo pack, which I’ve yet to try out).

I wasn’t exactly inspired by one stand, where the salesperson didn’t even know the basic system requirements of their (pretty technical) product! – nor by another vendor, who tried in vain to demonstrate how good their product was, only to have it time-out with every other click…

Intel had a number of their new Classmate 3 netbook-cum-tablet-pcs on their stand, and had apparently seeded them liberally throughout the exhibition halls. The new machine (apparently on sale soon as the NEC Otomo) is pretty standard Netbook specification on the inside:

• Intel Atom CPU (1.6Ghz)
• 1GB RAM (upgradeable)
• 1024 x 600 8.9″ TFT display
• 60GB HDD (or a 16GB Solid State Device)
• 802.11b/g/n wireless
• SD card reader
• 2 x USB 2.0 ports
• VGA connector
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Touch-screen

It’s that last item on the list that gives a clue toward what makes it stand out from the crowd, – it’s effectively a tiny tablet-pc, albeit with a fairly low-end touch screen, so handwriting recognition isn’t likely to be stunning. A lot of educational software is targeted at interactive whiteboards these days, and -assuming it will run in the 1024×600 screen size- it should be equally at home on the Classmate/Otomo. The case of the machine is pretty rugged too, with a carry handle integrated into the chassis. Apparently it’s been drop tested at heights of up to 60cm officially, and up to 1m unofficially, so it should be capable of withstanding most of the rigours of classroom life (especially if you go for the SSD option).

We’re looking at getting a demonstration model at DataSwift, so may be able to let local schools have a play if they missed out at BETT.

Now if only I can tear myself away from interesting gadgets, and get our helpdesk finished…!

Indie/retro-video-game band The Lost Levels have got a video for one of their tracks entitled ‘The Early Sheets’. It’s been created by Steve Jones, a recent graduate of Games Art & Design from Norwich University. The band’s other tracks are all well worth a listen too.

Wordpress has just announced the official release of version 2.7  (codenamed Coltrane) of their blogging / content-management system. I’ve just upgraded both this site and the DataSwift one to the latest and greatest, with -so far- no issues at all!

The administration interface (known as the Dashboard) has been completely redesigned and is now a lot more customisable. It should also reduce the number of steps involved in carrying out everyday tasks.

Technology Review has an article about an Adobe project named Zoetrope which promises to give users access to web content through time. It’s a little hard to explain, but essentially it allow you to scroll back and forth through a time-line and look at pages or parts thereof over time.

It has the makings of a very powerful tool, with the only downsides being its requiring a huge amount of historical data (such as that stored by the Internet Archive), and very fast access to same (which the Internet Archive doesn’t really provide)

Just in case anyone’s interested, Christ the King College (formerly Archbishop King and Trinity Middle Schools) are looking to recruit a Network Manager, to start in January. Details should be available in the national and local press shortly, and I’ll try to stick something on here too.

It should be a good position -and hopefully the network’s in a fairly healthy state, since DataSwift have been looking after it in the interim!

If anyone wants any other info, either contact the College, – or if it’s of a technical nature, ask in the comments…