links for 2009-03-20

From the 'when cute localisation attempts go wrong files' comes this New Zealand based rant: "Now if today had been the first day of *Fall* in the Northern Hemisphere and Google had used that logo, I would have overlooked the matter. But to produce a special logo for their regional sites that has no relevance to persons who actually use those sites screams cultural insensitivity to me. Am I wrong?"

Jeremy Dear [of the NUJ] said: “The meeting with Andy Burnham was very constructive and I am delighted that our suggestion has been picked up so quickly. Journalists on regional papers, TV, radio and websites are losing their jobs every day. Papers are closing, local offices are being boarded up. The government summit must involve journalists, media owners, and community and co-operative groups. It must actively consider all options for the future of local media". Although, one presumes with the NUJ having actively campaigned against job cuts, and the Newspaper Society having campaigned against local councils bypassing the ads in the local press by producing their own freesheets, they don't actually really want *all* options considered?

Probably best I don't make a comment on the Barclays / Guardian tax gagging order, except to pass on this Twitter from Guardian Editor Alan Rusbridger: "Judge keeps ban on barclays document. Stable door firmly bolted. phew!"

"Despite receiving more than 60 complaints about OK! magazine publishing a "tribute issue" to the terminally ill Jade Goody while she is still alive, the Press Complaints Commission will not investigate the complaints". So it must be alright then. Hurray, another self-regulation triumph for the industry - pats on the back all round eh?

A Flickr group for oddities found in Google Street View UK. I expect them all to be reprinted in the UK press without credit by the end of next week ;-)

Ohh. Want. "A one day BarCamp in Central London for anyone involved or interested in user experience design / interaction design / information architecture / usability."

"For a more efficient service, please alight at the next stop where a team of heavily drugged sloths will drag you to your destination". Genius sign on Gatwick Express.

Great points, neatly illustrated.