Communications Networks, Content & Technologies
Newsroom Update
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– – – – [ Latest News ] – – – –
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/news.cfm
PRESS RELEASE
Europeans welcome use of robots in an increasingly complex world
(14 September 2012) More than two-thirds of EU citizens (70%) have a positive view of robots, according to a new EU Eurobarometer survey; the majority agree that robots «are necessary as they can do jobs that are too hard or too dangerous for people» (88%) and that «they are a good thing for society because they help people» (76%). The survey found that people who have some personal experience with robots are more likely to have a positive view (88%) than the wide majority who lack this experience (68%). The more interested in science people are, the more positive they tend to be towards robots (86% of EU citizens who are very interested in science and technology hold positive views about robots, compared to only 42% of those who are not interested). EU citizens have clear views about the areas where robots should operate: they should work in areas that are too difficult or too dangerous for humans, like space exploration (52% consider this a priority), manufacturing (50%), military and security uses (41%) and search and rescue tasks (41%).
PRESS RELEASE
Cyber security strengthened at EU institutions following successful pilot scheme
(12 September 2012) The EU institutions have reinforced their fight against cyber threats by establishing the EU’s Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT-EU, on a permanent basis. This decision follows a successful one-year pilot for the team, which drew positive assessments from clients and peers.
NEWS ARTICLE
Europeana’s huge cultural dataset opens for re-use
(12 September 2012) Opportunities for apps developers, designers and other digital innovators will be boosted as the digital portal Europeana opens up its dataset of over 20 million cultural objects for free re-use. The massive dataset is the descriptive information about Europe’s digitised treasures. For the first time, the metadata is released under the Creative Commons CC0 Public Domain Dedication, meaning that anyone can use the data for any purpose – creative, educational, commercial – with no restrictions. This release, which is by far the largest one-time dedication of cultural data to the public domain using CC0 offers a new boost to the digital economy, providing electronic entrepreneurs with opportunities to create innovative apps and games for tablets and smartphones and to create new web services and portals.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Open Workshop on the evaluation of BEREC and the BEREC Office
8 October 2012 Brussels, Belgium
During this workshop, organised by the European Commission, the findings of a study on the evaluation of BEREC and the BEREC Office will be presented. Market players and any other interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on them. Registration is mandatory and closes on 4 October.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Easy-to-Read on the Web – Online Symposium
3 December 2012
The W3C WAI Research and Development Working Group (RDWG) organises this online symposium on Easy-to-Read on the Web. It aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, content authors, designers, and developers, and users with disabilities to explore the needs of people with cognitive disabilities or low language skills. It is intended to encourage the development of better guidance, support, and tools for developers, designers, and users, and to inform researchers, standards developers, and policy makers on how to better address easy-to-read on the Web. A call for papers has been launched (deadline: 12 October)
Call for Papers: http://www.w3.org/WAI/RD/2012/easy-to-read/cfp.html
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http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/news.cfm?item_type=library
SPEECH
Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda: Copyright and innovation in the Creative Industries
The 2012 Intellectual Property and Innovation Summit, The Lisbon Council, Brussels, 10 September 2012
REPORTS AND STUDIES
Study on Impact assessment for legislation on mutual recognition and acceptance of e-Identification and e-Authentication across borders (SMART 2011/0075 Final Report)
The study provides a coherent analysis of regulatory, institutional, organisational and technological issues related to the development of interoperable cross-border eIDs. Furthermore, it considers the four options in terms of their potential impact on the development of the digital single market in general, and of their support to the cross-border access to public services. The different options are compared with the specific development goals of current policy initiatives.
Blog de Octavio Islas 