Update 184 - 16th February 2012

In this Issue: Digital Skills Summit 2012 | Big Chip Networking Events | News | Events | Jobs

Digital Skills Summit 2012 - Conference and Talent Day

Manchester Digital Skills Summit Conference

21st February - 13.30 - 18.00 followed by networking, Manchester Town Hall

The conference will offer businesses and education providers a unique opportunity to exchange information about the opportunities they offer and whats available to them.

For more information about registering for this event please email katie@manchesterdigital.com.

Are you a Student looking to work in the Digital Sector?

Manchester Digital Talent Day - 22nd February - 12.30-15.30 - Manchester Town Hall

Come along to this free networking opportunity and meet 40 cutting edge digital businesses based on your doorstep, find out more about them and what they could offer you. The region is home to some of the best in the business and many of them will be at Talent Day waiting to talk to you about your future.

Companies signed up so far include Ampersand, BBC,  BJL, Carat, Code Coomputerlove, Delineo,  Dream Agility, Matmi, McCann, Realtime, Userzoom, Photolink, Magnetic North, Latitude, Livelink New Media, Spark Business Technology, Stardotstar, Realtime, Return on Digital, Ravensoft, Vanilla Storm.

The Manchester Digital Skills Summit and Talent Day are organised by Manchester Digital with the generous support of Manchester City Council and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Big Chip Roadshows

Interested in entering Big Chip? It's a quick and simple process but why not come to one of our roadshows for some hints and tips on what the judges are looking for. Plus you get a chance to meet and network with other digital industry people. You will hear:

• How to enter and choose your categories
• Tips on what the judges want to see and hear
• Tips on common mistakes entrants make

All events free to attend.

• Liverpool - 16th February - 18.00 - Elevator Bar - Click here to book
• Leeds - 23rd February - 17.30 - The Round Foundry - free drinks - Click here to book
• Newcastle - 23rd February - 12.00 - Brewin Dolphin. Time Central, Gallowgate - free food - Click here for map.

Entries for Big Chip 2012 close on Monday 5th March.

News

UK.gov: We really are going to start buying open-source from SMEs - Open source and open standards are the direction for UK government IT.

Councils push for broadband cash - Manchester City Council is to submit a £12m bid to improve broadband connectivity in the city.

Google gets nod to buy Motorola Mobility - U.S. and European regulators approved Google $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility.

Inflation falls to 3.6% - Inflation fell for the fourth month in a row in January, new figures show.

MIT launches free online fully automated course - One of the world's top-rated universities has announced its first free course which can be studied and assessed completely online.

iPad 3 'to launch' on 7 March? - Tablet to have 'retina' screen and could include 4G connectivity, according to reports.

Events

JobCity - 21st February - The jobs fair with real jobs, real employers and real opportunities.

Meet.. the Nominet Trust - 22nd February - The Nominet Trust are currently funding a variety of social innovation projects that utilise technology.

Improving Customer Focus through Social Media - 22nd February - This workshop is fully funded and particularly designed for small and medium enterprises in the North West of England.

Manchester Net Squared: February Meetup - 28th February - Digital Storytelling - I'm the storyteller and my story must be told!

Web Programming with SAP's Internet Communication Framework - 3/4 March - This 2-day course will help you gain a detailed understanding of the framework and harness its power.

Salford Social Media Surgery - 8th March - Speak to experts and get advice and tips on how social media can help your organisation.

Beginners guide to Arduino and Physical Computing - 23rd March - ‘Physical Computing’ and Arduino devices have made physical interaction affordable and available to non-experts.

VVVV + MapTools : introduction to the tools of projection mapping - 24/25 March - VVVV is powerful toolkit of media technologies, boasting a glut of built in functionality, tools and examples.

Building the Internet of Things - Arduino and Ethernet - 31st March - This course will get you started on the road to realising your own Internet-connected projects.

If you have an event that you would like to feature on the website and in the upcoming newsletters let us know by contacting info@manchesterdigital.com

Vacancies

Looking for a job? Keep an eye on www.manchesterdigital.com/recruitment

Web Designer, Interim Online Communications Co-ordinator - CMS & Social Media proficient, Senior Creative Designer, Marketing Executive - Retail / FMCG, Digital Project Manager - Animation and Illustration Design Agency, Digital Development Manager, Senior SEO Specialist, eCommerce Marketing Manager, Digital Creative Director, Senior Digital / Website Designer

Got a vacancy? Log in to the Manchester Digital site and record the details and it will appear in the mailout and on the site.

Business Opportunities

Seeking Software developer & Marketing Partners

Visual Approval is an online design workflow solution developed 8 years ago. The software is an online approval, annotation, workflow & billing system designed to be used within design agencies. We are currently looking to form a partnership with a software developer to work with us  to develop the software, and also a marketing agency to grow the business, market and sell this exciting and proven product. On offer is an equity stake in the business. More details.

Vodafone iPhone and iPad offer for Manchester Digital members

Manchester Digital members can get a free iPhone 4S and iPad 2 - black or white - each with its own connection for a contract fee of just £78 per month and including 900 free minutes, excellent data allowances and SMS. Offer for paid up members only. Click here for more details.

Get involved in Manchester Digital

What do you think?

Update is for you: we welcome articles for the Update newsletter - 150 words on an issue that you think will interest members. Contact info@manchesterdigital.com