eGovLinks, the e-Government starting point, is featuring two news feeds on its home page and site navigation bar, and both are from Utah State Government!

We’re launching a new feature on The Hub: Tickets. Now you can effortlessly communicate with your clients entirely within The Hub, with an easy-to-use instant ticketing system. Plus, it’s entirely white label so it’ll appear to clients as part of your own site. Why We Created Tickets At the moment, you’re probably using email or […]

What difference would it make to be able to unlock ocean data at scale? How would deploying hundreds of marine sensing platforms improve marine weather predictability and accuracy? A company named Sofar is answering some of those questions these days due to their capacity to use real-time data to improve ... [continued]

The post How Networks Of Ocean Sensors Can Improve Marine Weather Predictability appeared first on CleanTechnica.

This year, the U.S. has faced extreme weather, including record heatwaves and intense hurricanes, like Idalia, causing widespread disruptions and power outages. In August 2024, Hurricane Idalia alone left over 2.4 million homes and businesses without power​. As these natural disasters become more frequent, the vulnerability of traditional electricity grids ... [continued]

The post BLUETTI Unveils Elite 200 V2 Power Station: 17-Year Battery Life for Resilient Backup During Extreme Weather appeared first on CleanTechnica.

With the proliferation of RSS feeds in state and local governments, a unique opportunity is developing to expand the delivery of the critical information contained in these feeds by leveraging the most ubiquitous personal communications device in the world -– the telephone. Governments that use RSS to deliver information to citizens using RSS feeds can also leverage VoiceXML, an open standard for developing telephony applications, to expose RSS content via cellular and traditional telephones.

VoiceXML is a web technology that can turn any telephone, even a rotary phone, into an Internet device. VoiceXML is a non-proprietary, web-based markup language for creating vocal dialogues between humans and computers. VoiceXML is similar to another common markup language -- HTML, the basic language of visual web pages. Just as a web browser renders HTML documents visually, a VoiceXML interpreter renders VoiceXML documents audibly. In this respect, one can think of the VoiceXML interpreter as a telephone-based, voice browser. As with HTML documents, VoiceXML documents have web URIs and can be located on any web server. However, instead of pointing a client-side web browser at a specific URI, citizens can access a VoiceXML application by calling a toll free telephone number from any ordinary telephone - cellular or traditional, touch-tone or rotary.

It’s not hard to think of a scenario where a local government or a university could publish an RSS feed with topical news, and have a phone number for students or citizens to call for more information. Depending on how the VoiceXML is structured, the caller could have the option of being transferred directly to the number associated with the information.

The trick would be, in my opinion, finding the right place within the RSS feed to put the phone number (if the publisher wanted to provide the option of an automatic transfer). Ideally, the phone number would be contained within its own RSS element. Glancing quickly at the RSS 2.0 spec, this could be something like the guid element. So, if a publisher was using a software package to author and publish RSS feeds, they would probably need to do a little experimenting to find the right place to place the phone number.

Because RSS and VoiceXML are both XML vocabularies, there are a number of standards-based methods for converting RSS to VoiceXML and using RSS feeds from within VoiceXML applications. The first method involves the use of eXstensible Style Sheet Language Transformations (XSLT). I have created a tutorial covering this technique and some of the issues relating to it. This technique is generally agnostic to the underlying technology used; XSLT transformations are supported in technologies like JSP, PHP, Perl, .NET and others.

To see it in action there is a demo application available at (800) 289-5570. Enter the following PIN when prompted: 9991422919. This example uses the latest headlines news feed from CNET News.com (news.com.com) and the XSLT file covered in my tutorial. This is only running on a demo platform, so I can’t guarantee anything on performance. Still, it gives you a sense of how an RSS feed sounds. This technology could allow travelers only equipped with cell phones to get the latest NOAA RSS weather reports, lobbyists to dial-in for legislative floor calendars, and rescue teams to phone for the latest operational instructions.

The other method for using RSS from within VoiceXML applications is to leverage the new data tag, an addition to the VoiceXML specification that is part of the developing VoiceXML 2.1 standard. Some excellent examples of this technique can be found on the VoiceXML Forum website at http://www.voicexmlreview.org/apr2004/columns/apr2004_speak_listen.html.

VoiceXML also allows for the playback of recorded audio. If one had an audio file that they want to include in a feed, a VoiceXML application could actually invoke the audio file and play it to the caller. There is a VoiceXML service at (800) 555-TELL that plays audio files. Give it a call and try listening to the “News Center” option.

One caveat -- most VoiceXML platforms only support certain audio formats, but the more common ones (WAV, MP3) are usually supported. VoiceXML also supports recording the audio of a call, so if one wanted to let callers post comments the application could record their audio and save it for later playback. There is actually a project called “Phone Blogger” that takes this approach (see www.wombatnation.com/phoneblogger).

By using these techniques, governments that make information available to citizens through RSS feeds can dramatically expand the accessibility of these feeds by making them available to anyone with a telephone.

Mark J. Headd
Voice Technologies for Government
www.voiceingov.org
mheadd@voiceingov.org





[Editor's note: Commenting is turned off because of spamming. Mark is interested in hearing from readers who are interested in how that can use VoiceXML to augment what they are doing with RSS. Please email the author with your comments and we'll invite him to write a follow-up here at RSS in Government addressing your ideas and suggestions.]

Cat lovers often come up with creative ways to express their love for their pets, and Salt Inkso’s clients are doing it through the power of tattoos. This ink artist from Shanghai became a huge sensation on Instagram thanks to her unique tattoos, depicting cats inside shopping bags. Salt Inkso is crafting some of the […]

As more businesses move to the cloud, they are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cloud network security threats. Here are the top three threats and how to avoid them: Data breaches One of the most common and devastating cloud security threats is data breaches. These can occur when hackers gain access to a company’s cloud-based data, …

The Top 3 Cloud Network Security Threats (And How to Avoid Them) Read More »

Humans are generally the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain, so training and awareness are essential alongside technology to keep organizations safe. With the launch of its AI Scenario Generator, Immersive Labs enables organizations to seamlessly generate threat scenarios for crisis simulations to ensure their workforces are ready for the latest threats. By inputting a few short prompts, customers can use the AI Scenario Generator to rapidly generate and launch customized cyber exercises to prove and improve individual and team cyber skills against various attack types, such as ransomware and supply chain threats. Organizations can automatically tailor content by attack… [Continue Reading]

Building a social media presence is perhaps the most common advice given to brands that have just begun building their online presence, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Social media has become so ingrained in our culture that it touches every corner of our lives, both personal and professional. Even those who don’t consider themselves […]

The post Five Tips for Creating a Hot-Shot Social Media Strategy From Scratch appeared first on The Design Inspiration.

In today’s world, journaling has become an essential daily routine for many people. It’s a great way...

In today’s world, journaling has become an essential daily routine for many people. It’s a great way...

Are you looking for an online editor that offers free templates for commercial use? If so, you...

A couple of months ago, we reported how Google Search will label if an image was AI-generated, edited by photo editing software or taken with a camera by working with Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) as a technical standard. Well, now Google officially supports C2PA metadata in the about this image feature.

Google wrote this morning, Google Search now supports this [C2PA] metadata in the "About this image" feature."

Google updated its image meta data documentation to add a new section for "How C2PA metadata can appear in Google Search results."

The new section reads:

If an image contains C2PA metadata, Google can extract those details and may show information in the "About this image" feature, such as how the image was created or if it was edited with AI tools. This metadata comes from a signer, which is usually an app, device, or service (for example, photo editing software, the camera itself, or other services that modify or create images) that meets the following conditions:

• The app, device, or service has adopted C2PA version 2.1 or later.
• The image's manifest must be signed by a certificate from a Certification Authority on the C2PA Trust List.

It does seem like Adobe products, like Photoshop, Illustrated, and others, do support this metadata.

I just wonder how it handles the image above, which I generate using Midjourney AI and then edit later in Photoshop.

Forum discussion at X.

The merging of data and creativity has long been a north star at Comscore. Now, with the help of artificial intelligence technology, the intersection of art and science is expanding to include new possibilities such as helping marketers shape or create video, images and text content, or predicting a consumer’s digital behavior.

Fr. Stephen looks at creation and its "voice" as described in Old and New Testament and sees what it means for our realtionship with the world around us.

Fr. Stephen, having experienced a time of grief in the loss of his father, writes about the faith of Pascha and what it is to which we should look as we await our reunion with those we love.

Fr. Stephen looks at the meaning of the "Great Cloud of Witnesses" whom St. Paul describes as surrounding us as we go about the struggle of the Christian life.

Our modern world is increasingly finding ways to avoid the uncomfortable reality of death. Orthodoxy faces death directly and sees within it the triumph of Christ and His affirmation of His good creation.

Fr. Stephen continues with the topic of the battle between the true self and the false self, looking this week at what it means to be "moral."

Fr. Stephen reflects on the hidden nature of God's work.

This podcast is part one of three where Fr. Stephen explores the topic of Orthodoxy and our sexual/gendered existence.

Fr. Stephen offers thoughts on the providence of God—His will working good for us all despite what we may see or think.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the unique Gift that God gives us in Christ's Pascha: the revelation of our true self.

Fr. Stephen Freeman reflects on the thoughts of Thomas Hopko, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, and GK Chesterton, all of whom speak of the value of smaller and more local things. He examines this within Orthodox thought as well.

In the liturgy we pray that we have a "Christian ending to our life: painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ." Father Stephen Freeman looks carefully at the true nature of that judgment seat. It might surprise you.

Ever wonder what the phrase, “the Divine Energies,” means? Fr. Stephen looks at its inner depths and its constant place in our lives. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His mercy endures forever!

The update is rolling out to several airlines soon, including United. Here's how it works.

The post How to Create a Sense of Anticipation on Your Blog appeared first on ProBlogger.

People read and then subscribe to blogs that they think will enhance their lives in some way in the future. Many bloggers create a sense of anticipation on a blog quite instinctively – but there are numerous things that you can do quite intentionally to create anticipation and increase the ...more

The post How to Create a Sense of Anticipation on Your Blog appeared first on ProBlogger.

The post Mastering Blog Post Creation: 10 Essential Steps to Enhance Your Writing Process appeared first on ProBlogger.

It hits you like a TON of BRICKS! It’s an idea for that KILLER blog post that is just bound to bring you all the traffic that you’ve ever dreamed of. With the idea fresh in your mind you sit down at your keyboard and BANG it out – desperate ...more

The post Mastering Blog Post Creation: 10 Essential Steps to Enhance Your Writing Process appeared first on ProBlogger.

The post 5 Ways I Use Habits to Stay Creative and Productive When Working From Home appeared first on ProBlogger.

Folks, you’ll know today’s guest contributor author Gretchen Rubin from her bestselling books on happiness, habits, and human nature, her inspiring talks, and her popular daily blog GretchenRubin.com. Gretchen also shares practical, manageable advice on her podcast Happier With Gretchen Rubin. We are thrilled to have Gretchen on ProBlogger today, giving us ...more

The post 5 Ways I Use Habits to Stay Creative and Productive When Working From Home appeared first on ProBlogger.

The post Mastering Engaging Opening Lines: 11 Creative Strategies to Hook Your Readers appeared first on ProBlogger.

My wife’s first words to me were… ‘Hi Michael, it’s nice to meet you’ …which was both funny and memorable since my name is DARREN, not Michael!   Ever wondered how some posts keep you hooked while others don’t catch your eye? It’s all in the opener. The first words ...more

The post Mastering Engaging Opening Lines: 11 Creative Strategies to Hook Your Readers appeared first on ProBlogger.

Meet some of the guests (and questions) that will feature in Season 4 of Time Eternal. Philip Roth once wrote that "in every calm and reasonable person, there is a hidden second person scared witless about death." This episode is dedicated to all those "calm and reasonable" folks out there who are secretly scared out of their minds when it comes to death. In this episode, I mentioned "Death in Orthodox Tradition," a course I am co-teaching with OCA priest Fr. Geoffrey Ready at the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College (Toronto). Check out our programme (Canadian spelling, people!) here: https://www.trinityorthodox.ca/ Time Eternal is now on Patreon! Find bonus content and resources here: https://www.patreon.com/nicole_roccas This episode featured upcoming TE guests Carla Moberg, Fr. Tay Moss, and Fr. Ted Paraskevopoulos. It also featured the following music by Kai Engel: "Idea" (Intro); "Behind Your Window"; and "Remedy for Melancholy" (Outro). http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/

Just as death entered the world through one man (Adam, according to Romans 5), so death typically enters our personal experiences through one person. This first experience with death has a profound impact on how we view not only death but also life. Today I talk about losing my grandpa, Wilson Lyon, when I was five

The call to remember death is a constant in ascetical theology. But how exactly does one put this virtue into practice? Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos has made this question the focus of his pastoral ministry - and doctoral thesis. Check out Fr. Ted's podcast iSermon. If you're interested in hearing more about Fr. Ted's thesis, complete with practical suggestions for catechists and catechumens alike, you can find our uncut conversation here. And here's his YouTube channel.

Bill's special guest is none other than his daughter Dr. Alexis Marianes. Dr. Alexis Marianes received a PhD from The Johns Hopkins University in molecular biology working on stem cells. Her Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology was from the College of Charleston and she completed Post Doctorate studies at The Medical University of South Carolina focusing on alligator embryology. Dr. Marianes has taught at The Johns Hopkins University, the College of Charleston, and the University of West Indies. She is completing work as a part of the Sustainable Innovations Initiative NGO in Trinidad performing pioneering research for a variety of other universities, governments, businesses and NGOs regarding a wide variety of creatures, species and natural biological habitats and phenomena, including a project featured on the Discovery Channel regarding the Ocelots of Trinidad. Dr. Marianes is soon headed to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest for additional studies regarding a wide variety of species and habitats of God’s creation.

There are well over 1 million Americans who classify themselves as Orthodox Christians. And while fundamental theological beliefs and practices are very similar, we do not always speak with one strong and unified voice. On top of that, our Orthodox Patriarchs identified a Canonical anomaly in the way Orthodoxy has evolved operationally in the United States. This led some of our distinguished Patriarchs to want to resolve this anomaly and address our lack of unity. The result was the formation of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. Its stated mission is to preserve and contribute to the unity of the Orthodox Church, and its goals include: 1. promoting Church unity in the United States; 2. strengthening the common pastoral ministry to all the Orthodox faithful and a common witness to all those outside the church; and 3. the organization of the Orthodox Church according to Canonical tradition. Ten years after its formation, what do you know about the Assembly of Bishops and what this distinguished group of over 55 Orthodox Hierarchs are working on? Tonight's program is devoted to a more thorough examination of the Assembly’s accomplishments and plans. Bill's guests include Metropolitan Gregory of the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese and the current Secretary of the Assembly, Mark Arey its first Secretary, and Nicholas Anton its Director of Operations.

Tune in this week to Stewardship Calling as host Bill Marianes talks with Fr. Evan Armatas about his new book, Reclaiming the Great Commission. In his book, Fr. Evan provides a roadmap for parishes to diagnose and remove barriers and get back on track.

Frederica examines a statement by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales about reinstating the Friday fast.

Frederica calls us to the practice of "remembrance of death" as a way to help us realign our priorities and resist sin.

Frederica is in Spokane again for today's episode and chats with icnonographer Heather Kochamma Durka.

Today Frederica is in her car on the way to a speaking engagement. While we are thinking about the Dormition of the Theotokos, Frederica reflects on an aspect of our mortality that is very comforting.

Orthodoxy in America is in revival, and that makes it a lively place to be. In other times and places revival has been a temporary state, so it can’t be expected to last forever. At the moment, though, it’s a great time to become Orthodox.

Frederica speaks with the Orthodox Christian Book Club about the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the topic of prayer.

Most people experience some fear of death. In this episode, I look first at "fear of the unknown" (exploring scriptures that might apply) and then at "fear of the known." I hope this helps alleviate some fears.