IOTC 2008 Arduino Talk

As promised here are my slides and notes from yesterday's Irish Open Technology Conference (details).

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IOTC08 The Arduino Platform - Upload a Document to Scribd

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Major changes in Limerick City layout for forthcoming local elections

NewLimerickCityWardBoundaries
Originally uploaded by bluepelican

The report from the Electoral Area commission is in (and online). They're still using the incorrect census data from the night of the previous ERC trip to Cardiff so I'm taking these figures with a pinch of salt. Limerick city has grow by a mere 500 people or 0.96% to approximately 52,539. They're stating population decreases in Wards 1 and 3 (yeah and who's living in all those new houses ....) and growth in Wards 2 and 4. They've also had to factor in the addition of Moyross to the city.

Net result - Ward 1 gets an extra seat due to Moyross. Wards 3 and 4 are merged and loose a seat to become a seven seater. No change in Ward 2. They also decided to rename the new arrangement.
Ward 1 - Limerick City North
Ward 2 - Limerick City East
Wards 3 & 4 - Limerick City South

If this isn't gerrymandering, I don't know what is. Its clear that the Greens have gotten their say to increase the sizes of wards which will favour the smaller parties. In Limerick's case, the rearrangement also suits Fianna Fail due to collapse of the party in the last local elections as the new boundaries guarantee them some hope of recovery. I really hope this turns into a serious case of Tullymandering for the government.

Voting Yes Tomorrow

Well for a long time I wasn't fully convinced for why I should vote Yes tomorrow. I had waded through parts of the treaty but ended up scratching my head. The papers and general media were pretty poor and the referendum commission materials were freeze dried. However, over the weekend finally a couple of factual articles in plain English helped separate the lies from the actuality of the treaty. What really surprised me was watching Prime Time last night and actually watching RTE put a report together that made it clean why (if you're sensible) that Yes is how you should be voting.

Embedded from RTE.IE

The discussion and arguments were even better and I have to admit that Pat Cox is some speaker. I can see why he was president in the European Parliament.

Embedded from RTE.IE

Maybe the arguments here will convince some people to vote no and point others to vote yes but the important thing tomorrow is to vote. I don't know how many voter registration campaigns I've helped out in and I can't say it more vehemently but get out and vote, regardless of which way. Not using your vote is in my mind a sin when you think about how many people in this country fought to ensure we had one and when so many in other countries would and do die to get a vote. Democracy only works if people participate so vote tomorrow! If you're not sure, my two cents is vote yes.