Hi there,
Ever since Biznews moved into new offices at the JSE, I’ve been Gautraining. The super efficient underground service is a reflection of what’s possible through Public Private Partnerships – when the State acts as the facilitator rather than demanding to be the controller. Swiss-style, you can literally set your watch by the Gautrain. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been and, too often, arrived on the platform as the train was leaving.
Today I downloaded the Gautrain App. It is another reminder of the debt we owe the late Steve Jobs. Apps like this are further recognition how technology offers tools that are easy to install and use – and like all great inventions, once used wonder how we managed without them. Gautrain’s App tells me exactly when the next train will be leaving my closest station, updating by the second. So I’ll never have that sinking feeling again of seeing a train leave as I hit the platform.
The media world is also full of great technology that, once used, you’ll wonder how you did without it. For instance, have a look at the Biznews stream on Soundcloud. Pretty much every day we add an interview worth listening to. Really easy to download onto your phone (or iPad) to play when it suits you. Radio on demand. And it’s here today. I’m amazed at how a whole bunch of free to air stations still stick to the business radio formula I started with SAFM in 1997 – right down to the timeslot and clones of the script. Haven’t we all moved on?
Best
Alec
Yesterday’s top stories, 1 April 2014
Goodbye Brian Dames – now consider the real reasons he quit Eskom
Peter Major loses his cool: Mining in South Africa is becoming death by a thousand cuts
Gijima, DiData, and the strange SA tech sector
Standard Bank bids farewell to its London operations
SANRAL officials “arrogant” and “dangerous” says OUTA’s new whistleblower
