The Wardman Wire http://www.mattwardman.com/blog Politics, Commentary, Culture, Technology. Tue, 13 May 2008 18:03:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 en Editorial Intelligence - a quick run down of services and alternatives http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/editorial-intelligence-a-quick-run-down-of-services-and-alternatives/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/editorial-intelligence-a-quick-run-down-of-services-and-alternatives/#comments Tue, 13 May 2008 18:02:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/editorial-intelligence-a-quick-run-down-of-services-and-alternatives/ Yesterday I had a look at Monitoring the Commentariat for free. Iain Dale has translated that as:

"Matt Wardman thinks he can put Editorial Intelligence out of business."

Now there's another challenge. In the spirit of enquiry and to encourage enterprise (!) I thought I'd do a quick minute rundown of Editorial Intelligence's services and a few of their potential free competitors.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/editorial-intelligence-a-quick-run-down-of-services-and-alternatives/feed/ Who, exactly, is the more out of touch here? Politics Decoded with Garbo http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/who-exactly-is-the-more-out-of-touch-here-politics-decoded-with-garbo/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/who-exactly-is-the-more-out-of-touch-here-politics-decoded-with-garbo/#comments Tue, 13 May 2008 10:04:14 +0000 garbo http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/?p=3359 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/who-exactly-is-the-more-out-of-touch-here-politics-decoded-with-garbo/feed/ Blogging: Collaboration and Creation. Cartoon by Gaping Void http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/blogging-collaboration-and-creation-cartoon-by-gaping-void/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/blogging-collaboration-and-creation-cartoon-by-gaping-void/#comments Tue, 13 May 2008 09:30:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/14/blogging-collaboration-and-creation-cartoon-by-gaping-void/  

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Cartoon: Gaping Void

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/blogging-collaboration-and-creation-cartoon-by-gaping-void/feed/ How to Monitor the Commentariat for Free http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/12/how-to-monitor-the-commentariat-for-free/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/12/how-to-monitor-the-commentariat-for-free/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 17:11:13 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/12/how-to-monitor-the-commentariat-for-free/ Yesterday I said in passing that I thought that it may now be possible to deliver much of the value added by subscription services designed to help organisations "get to grips" with the published commentary relatively easily - based on the insight that the supply of news and comment is no longer an expensive commodity. I have had a go myself today, and this article is to introduce the results.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/12/how-to-monitor-the-commentariat-for-free/feed/ Blogging: Get some Organised Chaos: Cartoon by Gaping Void http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/12/blogging-get-some-organised-chaos-cartoon-by-gaping-void/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/12/blogging-get-some-organised-chaos-cartoon-by-gaping-void/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 09:43:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/13/blogging-get-some-organised-chaos-cartoon-by-gaping-void/  

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Cartoon: Gaping Void

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/12/blogging-get-some-organised-chaos-cartoon-by-gaping-void/feed/ The Power of the Commentariat. Or Perhaps Not: Blog Platform http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/11/the-power-of-the-commentariat-or-perhaps-not-blog-platform/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/11/the-power-of-the-commentariat-or-perhaps-not-blog-platform/#comments Sun, 11 May 2008 19:31:59 +0000 MattWardman http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/?p=3357 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/11/the-power-of-the-commentariat-or-perhaps-not-blog-platform/feed/ Are you a Born Optimist? Cartoon by Gaping Void http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/11/are-you-a-born-optimist-cartoon-by-gaping-void/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/11/are-you-a-born-optimist-cartoon-by-gaping-void/#comments Sun, 11 May 2008 07:30:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/11/are-you-a-born-optimist-cartoon-by-gaping-void/  

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Cartoon: Gaping Void

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/11/are-you-a-born-optimist-cartoon-by-gaping-void/feed/ A Clash of Symbols II: What is the Sound of One Symbol Clashing? http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/a-clash-of-symbols-ii-what-is-the-sound-of-one-symbol-clashing/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/a-clash-of-symbols-ii-what-is-the-sound-of-one-symbol-clashing/#comments Sat, 10 May 2008 12:00:00 +0000 david-keen http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/a-clash-of-symbols-ii-what-is-the-sound-of-one-symbol-clashing/ There is a competition for a hilltop sculpture to be a focus or the new "town" at Ebbsfleet. David Keen reflects on the five competition entrants, and wonders whether a giant silicone sculpture of Jordan's breasts would be a better symbol of the national soul. Surely three hills are better than one, anyway?

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/a-clash-of-symbols-ii-what-is-the-sound-of-one-symbol-clashing/feed/ Mr Robert Mugabe’s Election Photo Album, and Sokwanele (”Enough is Enough”) http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/mr-robert-mugabes-election-photo-album-and-sokwanele-enough-is-enough/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/mr-robert-mugabes-election-photo-album-and-sokwanele-enough-is-enough/#comments Sat, 10 May 2008 08:30:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/mr-robert-mugabes-election-photo-album-and-sokwanele-enough-is-enough/ This post may well ruin your Saturday breakfast, and it is shocking. The article highlights some of the physical violence used by those working for Mr Mugabe and his friends in their campaign to retain power in Zimbabwe. Not pleasant - but neither is Zanu PF's campaign.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/mr-robert-mugabes-election-photo-album-and-sokwanele-enough-is-enough/feed/ Who am I? … Cartoon: Asbo Jesus http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/who-am-i-cartoon-asbo-jesus/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/who-am-i-cartoon-asbo-jesus/#comments Sat, 10 May 2008 06:31:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/who-am-i-cartoon-asbo-jesus/ 20080517-q-cartoon-asbo-jesus-whoami

A cartoon from ASBO Jesus.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/10/who-am-i-cartoon-asbo-jesus/feed/ Instant Interactivity is Back: Chatrooms on Political Blogs http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/iinstant-interactivity-is-back-chatrooms-on-political-blogs/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/iinstant-interactivity-is-back-chatrooms-on-political-blogs/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 18:41:15 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/iinstant-interactivity-is-back-chatrooms-on-political-blogs/ One of the key benefits that came from the existence of 18 Doughty Street - whatever you thought of the overall balance (old bones that I am not interested in gnawing) - was the opportunity for political bloggers to talk and debate together, and to interact with the wider political blogosphere instantaneously.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/iinstant-interactivity-is-back-chatrooms-on-political-blogs/feed/ The Metric Minister on Mr Blair and Mr Brown from February 2007 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-metric-minister-on-mr-blair-and-mr-brown-from-february-2007/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-metric-minister-on-mr-blair-and-mr-brown-from-february-2007/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 16:14:43 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-metric-minister-on-mr-blair-and-mr-brown-from-february-2007/ Just a bit of fun. This is Mr Miliband talking on Question Time in the last days of the Blair regime:

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-metric-minister-on-mr-blair-and-mr-brown-from-february-2007/feed/ Mr Galloway prepares for retirement II: Gorgeous George http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/mr-galloway-targets-the-winnable-seats-ii-gorgeous-george-3/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/mr-galloway-targets-the-winnable-seats-ii-gorgeous-george-3/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 14:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/mr-galloway-targets-the-winnable-seats-ii-gorgeous-george-3/ The problem with being a gin-soaked popinjay, is that you only end up in one place...

20080508-q-lolcats-gorgeous-george-galloway-in-the-gutter

...even though gutter tactics had been fruitful in the past for George.

Inspired by Friday Lolcats meme.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/mr-galloway-targets-the-winnable-seats-ii-gorgeous-george-3/feed/ The Electoral Hokey-Cokey: Out after 200 hours http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-electoral-hokey-cokey-out-after-200-hours/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-electoral-hokey-cokey-out-after-200-hours/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 13:29:54 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-electoral-hokey-cokey-out-after-200-hours/ I don't normally cover day to day council politics here, but we have what I think is the first ejection of a Councillor since the Local Election last week.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/the-electoral-hokey-cokey-out-after-200-hours/feed/ Noticed by sweet Emily on election night… http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/noticed-by-sweet-emily-on-election-night/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/noticed-by-sweet-emily-on-election-night/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/noticed-by-sweet-emily-on-election-night/ I didn't spot it before I've had Emily Maitlis listening to my Twitter feed. Click through for the full screenshot.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/noticed-by-sweet-emily-on-election-night/feed/ A Bar Chart for the Crewe and Nantwich Byelection http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/a-bar-chart-for-the-crewe-and-nantwich-byelection/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/a-bar-chart-for-the-crewe-and-nantwich-byelection/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 07:30:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/a-bar-chart-for-the-crewe-and-nantwich-byelection/ I have a leaked By Election Bar Chart from the Crewe and Nantwich byelection. I'm assuming that they won't be using this one.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/09/a-bar-chart-for-the-crewe-and-nantwich-byelection/feed/ Rounding Up the Blogs: Senedd Circular w/b 04 May 2008 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/rounding-up-the-blogs-senedd-circular-wb-04-may-2008/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/rounding-up-the-blogs-senedd-circular-wb-04-may-2008/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 18:32:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/rounding-up-the-blogs-senedd-circular-wb-04-may-2008/ This week we have a special "link blog" Senedd Circular, as Matt has been rounding up the daffodils earlier and Miss Wagstaff had a night on the tiles (allegedly). So this is a "Matt" roundup.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/rounding-up-the-blogs-senedd-circular-wb-04-may-2008/feed/ Buying Welsh vs Free Trade: Exploring the tension http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/buying-welsh-vs-free-trade-is-there-a-tension/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/buying-welsh-vs-free-trade-is-there-a-tension/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 12:17:16 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/buying-welsh-vs-free-trade-is-there-a-tension/ Prof. Dylan-Jones Evans is arguing that there should be a preferential option for local suppliers over to foreign suppliers. Examples Dylan quotes include foreign organisations from as close as Sheffield or Cornwall.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/buying-welsh-vs-free-trade-is-there-a-tension/feed/ Hmmmm. Existentialism. Cartoon by Gaping Void http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/hmmmm-existentialism-cartoon-by-gaping-void/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/hmmmm-existentialism-cartoon-by-gaping-void/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 07:30:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/hmmmm-existentialism-cartoon-by-gaping-void/ Hmmmm.

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Cartoon: Gaping Void

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/hmmmm-existentialism-cartoon-by-gaping-void/feed/ Editorial Intelligence get half the point http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/editorial-intelligence-get-half-the-point/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/editorial-intelligence-get-half-the-point/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 02:39:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/editorial-intelligence-get-half-the-point/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/08/editorial-intelligence-get-half-the-point/feed/ CCTV Boom has failed to slash crime http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/cctv-boom-has-failed-to-slash-crime/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/cctv-boom-has-failed-to-slash-crime/#comments Wed, 07 May 2008 14:43:48 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/cctv-boom-has-failed-to-slash-crime/ Justin over at Chicken Yoghurt has been a touch Boris obsessed for my taste recently, but he's back on form:

CCTV boom has failed to slash crime, say police
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…

Personally, I'd add 76 more "Ha ha ha"s and a "Yay" - celebrating the failure of CCTV, not the failure of CCTV to reduce the crime rate.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/cctv-boom-has-failed-to-slash-crime/feed/ Minder - Quote of the Day http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/minder-quote-of-the-day/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/minder-quote-of-the-day/#comments Wed, 07 May 2008 08:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/minder-quote-of-the-day/ I'm writing this posts at 2:30am, having just switched on "Minder" on one of the minor ITV Channels. The first words that come out summarise the whole thing:

"My God, they've nicked Pongo. That's a fly in the ointment."

A TV series summarised in 11 words.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/07/minder-quote-of-the-day/feed/ Time for a change in Government or just Labour leader? - Politics Decoded with Garbo http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/time-for-a-change-in-government-or-just-labour-leader-politics-decoded-with-garbo/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/time-for-a-change-in-government-or-just-labour-leader-politics-decoded-with-garbo/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 13:00:58 +0000 garbo http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/?p=3298 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/time-for-a-change-in-government-or-just-labour-leader-politics-decoded-with-garbo/feed/ Matt Wardman Blogging Hiatus (almost) in May http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/matt-wardman-blogging-hiatus-almost-in-may/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/matt-wardman-blogging-hiatus-almost-in-may/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 12:00:51 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/matt-wardman-blogging-hiatus-almost-in-may/ I've just reached 1500 posts since the blog started, so I'll be taking a partial break during most of the rest of May to recharge my blogging batteries, and to do some thinking about the development of the Wardman Wire. Everybody else will continue to post.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/matt-wardman-blogging-hiatus-almost-in-may/feed/ Double trouble (nearly) - Clegg and Clegg http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/double-trouble-nearly-clegg-and-clegg/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/double-trouble-nearly-clegg-and-clegg/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 07:30:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/double-trouble-nearly-clegg-and-clegg/ Hmmm. Clegg and Clegg. Nearly, but not quite. There's something about the eyes, though...

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]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/06/double-trouble-nearly-clegg-and-clegg/feed/ Contrarian blogging - in somebody else’s comments box http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/contrarian-blogging-in-somebody-elses-comments-box/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/contrarian-blogging-in-somebody-elses-comments-box/#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 11:28:55 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/contrarian-blogging-in-somebody-elses-comments-box/ This may sound like a strange idea, but there can be considerable benefits in letting part of your blog be hosted on somebody else's site - in their comments box. You get the benefit of a possibly wider audience and lots of lovely attention.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/contrarian-blogging-in-somebody-elses-comments-box/feed/ Exclusive: Things you need to know today: No Excuses http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/exclusive-things-you-need-to-now-today/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/exclusive-things-you-need-to-now-today/#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 06:27:38 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/exclusive-things-you-need-to-now-today/ There are a few pieces of knowledge that you just cannot get through today without knowing.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/05/exclusive-things-you-need-to-now-today/feed/ Local Election 2008 Damp Squibs http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/local-election-2008-damp-squibs/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/local-election-2008-damp-squibs/#comments Sun, 04 May 2008 18:33:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/local-election-2008-damp-squibs/ The Conservatives have done well; Labour has done badly; the Lib Dems have got by. There are also a few outright flops. Here are those I have spotted.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/local-election-2008-damp-squibs/feed/ My lucrative career in the media. http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/my-lucrative-career-in-the-media/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/my-lucrative-career-in-the-media/#comments Sun, 04 May 2008 15:42:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/my-lucrative-career-in-the-media/ q-caricature-journalistI haven't got one.

Boo.

]]> http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/04/my-lucrative-career-in-the-media/feed/ When will New Labour ever learn… http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/03/when-will-new-labour-ever-learn/ http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/03/when-will-new-labour-ever-learn/#comments Sat, 03 May 2008 14:36:00 +0000 admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/05/03/when-will-new-labour-ever-learn/ From a statement in a report on the BBC News about students being overcharged for student loans by Direct Debits continuing after the debt has been paid off:

"The government denies the system is flawed, but will be introducing improvements from September".

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