Nerd Environmental News: UK Power shortage risks by 2015, Ofgem warns

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19842401

Detailed report (PDF) here http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/WhlMkts/monitoring-energy-security/elec-capacity-assessment/Documents1/Electricity%20Capacity%20Assessment%202012.pdf

I think Gamers, well everyone really, should think about environmental issues, because it impacts not only us, but everyone else.

Not only in simple ways like making power to run our electronics more expensive, or having to deal with rolling blackouts or other more extreme measures.

But also because the interconnectedness of the world, lot of the countries that manufacture HDD, SSD, & other computer components will be hit hard, earlier than UK, or many of EU countries, or US.

Play Expo October 13 & 14, 2012

For my readers in UK & EU, you might want to go to this event, in their own words this "show is the only UK video games expo which caters for every aspect of video games – from console, PC and mobile to classic gaming including arcade and pinball right through to pro gaming/eSports and even cosplay."

For more information see their site at http://www.playexpo.net/

Nerd News: Good News for Nerds In UK, Net Speeds Increasing!

A lot of Buzz about UK Internet Providers and improvements this week.

First this bit about prices from the BBC:

The price of broadband down your copper telephone line is about to come down, thanks to those nice folks at Ofcom.

The latest price controls on BT's wholesale division mean that companies like Sky and Talktalk, which supply broadband via the Openreach ADSL network, should be able to trim the cost to their customers.

 
And this from TechSpot:

Virgin Media had previously rolled out 100Mbps services in select areas of the country but it is now topping at 120Mbps. Over the next 18 months the company plans to upgrade the connection speeds of its entire customer base, with existing 10Mbps subscribers getting a bump to 20Mbps, those that currently have 20Mbps or 30Mbps packages getting 60Mbps, while Brits on a 50Mbps service will achieve 100Mbps after the upgrade. Those that purchase Virgin Media's 100Mbps service will also see their speed increased to 120Mbps.

Looks like the UK is pulling clearly ahead of the US for nationwide quality of internet.