First ever Digital Shoreditch Festival unleashes over 40 cutting-edge events from 3rd to 7th of May

Google Faculty Summit 2010 July 30, 2010 ABSTRACT Presented by Damon Horowitz. As our thinking about the web evolves from being document-centric to being people-centric, our thinking about search must evolve as well. It's no longer sufficient to organize and access the world's online information -- we must also consider how to organize and access the information that remains in peoples' heads. We will discuss Aardvark, a social search engine acquired by Google in February 2010. Aardvark is motivated by the simple observation that sometimes you want a person, not a web page, to answer your question. With Aardvark, users ask a question, either by instant message, email, web input, text message, or voice. Aardvark then routes the question to the person in the user's extended social network most likely to be able to answer that question. As compared to a traditional web search engine, where the challenge lies in finding the right document to satisfy a user's information need, the challenge in a social search engine like Aardvark lies in finding the right person to satisfy a user's information need. Further, while trust in a traditional search engine is based on authority, in a social search engine like Aardvark, trust is based on intimacy. I'll describe how these considerations inform the architecture, algorithms, and user interface of Aardvark, and how they're reflected in the behavior of Aardvark users.

(PRWEB UK) 2 May 2011

The Digital Shoreditch festival showcases the outstanding creativity thriving in the area and opens up the debate on the impact and importance of digital technologies across a wide cross-section of industries. The aim is to nurture and connect the digital community, and position Shoreditch firmly at the heart of digital innovation.

There is something for everybody including digital creatives, families and even the less tech-savvy.

Some highlights of the week include:

Open studios & workshops :
The best of Shoreditch will be throwing open their doors to the public. Make the most of this unique opportunity to experience the latest innovations in creative tech, design, film, games, and meet the Shoreditch creatives that make it all happen.

The Digital Shoreditch Summit :
This climax of the festival brings together the Brains, the Creatives and the Visionaries behind the vibrant Digital Shoreditch economy. The Technology Strategy Board will open the £1 million Launchpad competition. The summit'll also explore the key issues driving the digital economy. This unique gathering of talent will set the manifesto for our Digital Shoreditch community going forwards.

Digital Shoreditch Closing Party :
A gathering to celebrate the week, with music from Super Best Friends Club, DJ Jigsaw, Stereo Addiction, and The Hoodlums.

The Family Day:
An interactive exhibition on Saturday 7th May to engage and inspire children and families, with fun digital installations, games and artworks from local creatives, companies and studios.

Further details of the schedule of events can be found at http://digitalshoreditch.com/events

Kam Star, CEO of PlayGen and festival founder, said, ‘This week-long festival is only the start. Digital Shoreditch is a collective movement built on the amazing talent and flair of our community that will establish Shoreditch as the world’s number one destination for digital creativity.’

ENDS -

Notes to editors:
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Digital Shoreditch is a festival celebrating outstanding creativity, from 3rd-7th May 2011. Shoreditch will be transformed into a digital playground with late-night parties, open studios, eye-catching displays, gigs, conferences, workshops, real-world interactive installations, and augmented reality games. However, it's not just about ‘the event’. As an ongoing enterprise, Digital Shoreditch will nurture and support an extensive community through ongoing online and offline platforms, including monthly meetups.

See http://digitalshoreditch.com

To apply for media credentials, please email emily@digitalshoreditch.com

For more information Digital Shoreditch contact:

Emily Memarzia
Media Relations

020 7749 3742 or 07889 336 153
emily@digitalshoreditch.com

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PlayGen is the UK’s leading gamification and serious games development studio.
Developing playful solutions to engage and educate players, influence their behaviour and inspire action. PlayGen make games designed to make players happier, smarter, better informed, healthier, more creative, more confident and better connected. The audience includes children, young adults, parents, professionals, targeted consumers and citizens. More information at http://playgen.com/

For more information on PlayGen contact:

Annah Hutchings

0800 530 0136 or 07572 446 341
annah@playgen.com
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The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led government body which works to create economic growth by ensuring that the UK is a global leader in innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit: Technology Strategy Board website

The Tech City Launchpad competition was announced on 4th April 2011 by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts and the Technology Strategy Board. The Competition will be opened on May 6th, the Digital Shoreditch Festival Summit day.

For more information on the Technology Strategy Board contact:
Claire Cunningham
Media Relations Manager
01793 442901 or 07554 115745
claire.cunningham@tsb.gov.uk