TFG Ten: Blood Buddies, Blind Batsuits and the problem with Facebook
10th February 2015
Welcome to this week’s Tech For Good Ten, where we share the best 10 links in the Tech For Good world from the past week.
We’re aiming to share a wide range of links, meeting people behind the latest digital innovations, showcasing the greatest tech for good products.
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Tech For Good Ten: 10.02.2015
1. Blood Buddies
“I was a bit nervous about giving blood, but going with Dave meant I got over it. Turns out it was easy anyway—we’ll give again.”
2. Designing technology for the elderly
I once sat with a man in his 80s as he used a library interface. “I know there are things down there that I want to read” he said, gesturing to the bottom of the screen, “but I can’t figure out how to get to them.” After I taught him how to use a scrollbar, his experience changed completely.
3. A man walks for the first time in 11 years – watch the magical moment
“Standing and walking again.. felt weird and wonderful.. It’s fantastic to be back at eye level with everyone again”
4. Eye Play The Piano
The boy in this video is playing the piano without the use of hands or arms. How? By using a virtual reality device that is set to revolutionise the world of virtual musicianship.
5. Jobs For Good
Inspired by the potential of people and technology? Check out our jobs board.
6. The problem with Facebook
Facebook is a complex ecosystem of individuals, creators, brands and advertisers, but I don't think it serves any of these groups particularly well because its top priority is to make money. Now, I don't think making money is a bad thing, in fact I hope to make some myself. The problem is the only way Facebook has found to make money is by treating all entities on the site as advertisers and charging them to share their content.
7. Meet the dedicated inventor behind this batsuit for the blind
“The method of communication is very friendly with [the] user, and I try to create technology to help people.”
8. Watching people code could be the next big thing in live streaming video
"I personally would feel awkward having people watch me code — I spend most of my time Googling answers — but the value of watching others code is clear when compared to simply reading a tutorial or watching a pre-recorded video."
9. How effective would Internet ASBOs be?
“If it can be proven in a detailed way that someone has made a considered and determined view to exploit various online networks to harm and perpetrate hate crimes against others then the accepted principles, rules and restrictions that are relevant to sex offences must surely apply.”
10. Facebook is bigger than anyone ever realised
“Everybody knows Facebook is big, and everyone knows Facebook is driving a significant volume of traffic. But Facebook is bigger than people think they are.”