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The University of Sheffield has logged record numbers of people visiting the newly expanded Old Bailey Proceedings Online website. The site has proved so popular that computing experts at the University have had to increase server capacity to manage the increase in traffic.
Researchers from the Universities of Sheffield, Hertfordshire and The Open University recently launched the expanded website, which now includes details of criminal trials from 1674 to 1913, from just after the Great Fire to just before the Great War.
Demand for the website, which details the largest single source of searchable information about “ordinary” British lives and behaviour ever published, was so high that the site temporarily crashed under the pressure.
On the first day of its launch, the website, which now contains records from approximately 200,000 trials, logged 1,762,000 hits. In the first week alone, the site recorded over eight and a half million hits and 1,544,491 page impressions –about thirteen times the normal traffic on the site. And in the following week one especially busy day saw an astonishing three million plus hits, and half a million page views.
People from as far as Australia and the United States visited the site to gain a valuable insight into their ancestors and a diverse range of crimes from pick-pocketing and robbery, to abduction and murder.
Currently, the site is receiving about 300,000 hits per day, delivering around 100,000 page impressions.
Johnnie Walker launches call-to-action to consumers not to drink and drive
On 23 May the eve of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton and Mika Häkkinen unveiled in Monte Carlo the latest campaign in the Johnnie Walker Responsible Drinking programme with the European launching of The Pact, to encourage consumers to make a commitment not to drink and drive.
[Image Caption: Lewis Hamilton and Mika Hakkinen in Monaco promoting Johnnie Walkers Responsible Drinking.]
The programme will be formally launched across Europe later this year, encouraging consumers to make a pact with Mika and Lewis not to drink and drive.
As part of the announcement, Lewis and Mika also unveiled a prototype of The Pact Simulator as the latest tool in Johnnie Walker’s programme to promote Responsible Drinking. The Pact Simulator, in the form of a futuristic pod, will provide consumers with a practical demonstration to remind them of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol in a controlled virtual environment.
Health researchers at the University of Leeds are helping young people take the first steps towards reducing dangerous alcohol intake through an online personal analysis of their drinking behaviour.
Unitcheck, a website developed and trialled at the University of Leeds, aims to change the habits of at-risk young drinkers, giving them a quick check on the number of units they are drinking, and information on whether this affects their health and how their drinking compares to their peers.
During the pilot scheme funded by the European Research Advisory Board, lead researcher Bridgette Bewick of Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, found that 5 per cent of those surveyed are regularly drinking at weekly levels associated with health risk.
Initial results show a reduction in drinking per occasion of approximately one unit during the trial and a three-month follow up shows this lowered intake had persisted.
A progress report on the government’s National Alcohol Strategy, published in June 2007 advises that women who regularly drink over six units a day and men who regularly drink over eight units a day are in the highest risk ‘binge drinking’ category.
Bridgette Bewick said: “Our approach indicates many of the young people surveyed did not realise how many units they were consuming on an average occasion. The heaviest drinkers surveyed were surprised to find the majority of their peers stay within sensible weekly limits. High levels of alcohol taken on a single occasion can be particularly damaging to health, so a small change in this pattern is a step in the right direction.”
The current trial, due to finish this summer, is funded by the Alcohol Education and Research Council.
A Hugely Versatile, Innovation-Packed Gt
The first official photographs have been published of the Ferrari California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia.
The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse’s 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment.
The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most demanding of owners in terms of its superb vehicle dynamics and driving pleasure. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque’s history in the mid-front position.
In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California’s 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a “flat” crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari. As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car’s performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2). The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material discs as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.
In addition to sporting the marque’s classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari’s own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.
The Ferrari California is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever. The car will be officially unveiled to the public at the Paris International Car Show. However, over the coming weeks, new photographs and further details about it will also be published.
Construction equipment leader partners with biggest name in club rugby
Caterpillar, the world’s leader in construction and mining equipment, engines, and related services, has signed a five year multi-million pound sponsorship agreement with Leicester Tigers, the best-supported club in the country.
With 2007 global sales and revenues of over $44.9 Billion, Caterpillar employs more than 12,000 people in the UK and this partnership with England’s most famous rugby club is intended to support their national and international business and community objectives.
Under the terms of the agreement, Caterpillar will become the club’s sole sponsor across the Leicester Tigers playing kit with dominant branding throughout the Welford Road Stadium, including the naming rights to the North Stand (which is currently being redeveloped) and the members’ lounge. Significant player appearances and exclusive match day hospitality are also forming part of the deal.
Peter Wheeler (Chief Executive) of Leicester Tigers said: “We are delighted to be entering into this partnership with Caterpillar. The introduction of such a respected, global brand into the sport should be celebrated throughout the rugby world and reflects well on the quality and development of the Guinness Premiership. We have a number of joint strategic goals, but this really marks the beginning of a partnership, which sees both Tigers and Caterpillar working towards strengthening their positions in the UK and Europe.”
“We have had a relationship with Caterpillar for a number of years and are aware of their reputation and standing. We are looking forward to this significant enhancement of our relationship, which we believe will set new standards in regard to partnerships between professional sports clubs and commercial sponsors.”
Leicester Tigers at the Caterpillar Sponsorship launch at Oval Park in Leicester
Photo by Getty Images for Caterpillar
Leicester
16°
BBC News | UK