Whatever...

French say ‘non’ to election Tweets

By Mike King

The French often like to take their own path and, when it comes to social media it seems they are no different. In a move that brings to mind King Canute, French authorities are attempting to stop people from using social media to discuss exit poll results on election days. This strikes me as being as ridiculous as trying to stop people chatting about politics in the pub on the day of a general election.

In particular, the French authorities are reported to be targeting those Twitter users (and there were many of them) who discussed exit poll results before the 8pm deadline in Sunday’s first round presidential election because the law in France bans the publication of exit poll results before all polling stations are closed. And it isn’t just Twitter users in France who are under fire. In a move that reinforces stereotypes of French arrogance, the authorities were also reported to have begun attempts to prosecute media outlets in other countries, in particular Belgium, for breaking the same law. Why newspapers would have to do anything other than adhere to the laws of the country that they operate in is beyond me.

Amusingly, to get around the restrictions in France, Twitter users adopted code names for the various candidates when tweeting about them. The candidate with the most votes after round one, Francois Hollande was frequently referred to as The Flan and the current president Nicolas Sarkozy as Platform (a reference to his stacked shoes).

It will be interesting to see what action is taken and what codes are used when the second round of voting takes place on May 6th. One thing’s for sure, there’ll be plenty of people Tweeting about it, including the exit poll results.

20 years of tech with Johnson King

To celebrate Johnson King’s 20^th birthday, we worked with Blue Chew to create this wonderful infographic looking at how the tech industry has changed over the last 20 years:

Let us know what you think!

Gold medal performance

By Ben Roberts

I was absolutely gutted for Jacqui that she couldn’t run the race, but also incredibly excited to get the opportunity to run in the Olympic stadium – warming up the track for the likes of Usain Bolt and Mo Farah.

Arriving at the stadium, it was great to see so many people come out to watch and support the event.    I met my fellow ‘athletes’ and, with numbers pinned and stuck on, we made the walk towards the venue.  We entered through a discreet side door and were taken to the warm-up track, a place I never thought I’d get the chance to see!  The friendly Gold Challenge team took us through a quick warm-up session to loosen the muscles and wished us good luck.  While we waited to get out on to the actual track, the conversation was suitably chatty and friendly, but also full of nerves as none of us had ever done anything like this in front of so many people!

Then, as we walked out of the wide tunnel in one of the corners of the stadium, the scale of the arena hit us.  Being down on the track you really appreciate the size of the place, and – though the stadium was far from full – you definitely notice the noise (good work on the acoustics!). 

As I was wandering down towards the starting line I heard a strange variety of people screaming my name, looking up I noticed the JK support team cheering me on!  With such adoring fans, I  knew I had to run well!

Down to business.  We assumed our starting positions in our respective lanes and waited for the call.  On your marks.  Get set.  *BANG* (wow that gun was deafening!).  A reasonably quick runner for most of my life, I made a good start and pulled away in the first 50m or so.  But then, as my tired, unfit and frankly past it legs started to tire (I didn’t know it was possible for legs to tire during the 100m!) I noticed a charge on the inside lane.  Thankfully I just managed to hang on to the lead and record a very proud Gold Medal finish for Team JK.  It was over in a flash, but what an experience!  As a massive sports fan this was such an incredible thing to get to do.  (I'm the blurry guy in blue, if you're wondering)

 

After I’d re-joined the JK team and basked in my glory (*ahem*) we treated ourselves to some well-earned food – I was crying out for a hot dog and thankfully was satisfied.

The day was absolutely fantastic with such a great mix of people running and supporting.  A huge well done has to be said to all of those involved with organising the event and making sure it ran so smoothly and with such a friendly and warm atmosphere.

With well over 1,000km still to go in our Gold Challenge, we’re still raising money for the NSPCC, so if you’d like to sponsor us please do!

A golden ticket to the Olympic Stadium – and passing the baton on…

By Jacqueline Booker

As I’m sure all the faithful readers of our blog will now know – Johnson King is currently raising money for the NSPCC as part of the Olympic Gold Challenge. Due to the superb fundraising efforts of the team here so far (who have already raised more than £2,000 so thanks to everyone who has donated!), we secured a place in one of the hundred metre heats at the Gold Challenge Event – one of the first competitive events to be held at the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.

Feeling inspired by a recent read of ‘Yes Man’ I decided, alongside my colleagues Ben and Claire, to put my name forward for the opportunity.  And you’ve guessed it, I was selected.  Now for those of you who know me, you will know that I am probably one of the least sporty people alive.  Running to me is something that you do as a very last resort, or at its very best, something you do to get to the shops a little quicker. It is definitely not an activity of pleasure. That said, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that I was incredibly excited, if a little nervous, about taking up.

Training for the event started with a few sprints down my street.  My mother, visiting for the weekend (who incidentally also has no running experience to speak of) advised me that my running style left a lot to be desired, “You’re not running on the balls of your feet, dear.  If you want to have any hope of winning in this thing, you need to run on the balls of your feet.” Well, that told me. The sprints, if I can call them that, were swiftly followed by a 15km bike ride round Richmond Park with fellow JK Gold Challengers Lindsey and Flora.  As I’m sure they both will testify, it’s definitely a good thing that the big race itself was not going to be any such distance.  It would not have been pretty.

So I was ready, I was trained (well, I’d tried) and I had my lycra neon outfit prepared, so all systems go, right? Alas, this budding athlete was struck down in her prime by the flu.  And the day before the big event, decided to pull out and hand the baton over to Ben who, let’s face it, definitely knows how to run the proper way (even my discerning mother would have thought so), and may actually have a hope of not coming last.

Check back tomorrow for Ben’s thoughts on the day