Why database column names should be globally unique

After years of working with relational databases (RDBMS's), I have just started to realise the importance of globally unique names for database columns. Generally I use the term 'globally unique' to mean unique within the database schema, but I it could potentially extend to being unique across all schemas.

The problem that arises from using repeating column names is when two or more tables are used in a single query. For example, if we have two tables: 'customers' (which has a column 'id') and 'customer_orders' (which also has the column 'id') when we perform the following query:

"SELECT * FROM customers c, customer_orders o WHERE c.name = 'tom';"

The "*" clause means we will return every column of both tables. So considering a single row returned from the query, what would be the value of 'id'? Would it be the 'customers.id' field or the 'customer_orders.id' field? What if our application needed to use both values? Of course, we could change our query and give aliases to the columns, which would also mean we would need to explicitly list the columns we wish to be returned:

"SELECT c.id customer_id, o.id order_id, c.name, o.value FROM customers c, customer_orders o WHERE c.name = 'tom';"

So we can now reference either the customers.id value and the order.id value. But this solution makes our query fragile and susceptible to schema changes - what if we later rename the column 'c.name' to 'c.first_name'? The query would then break. In addition, and for the purposes of consitancy of any 'data interface' we might define, we would be forced to use these explict column aliases in all our queries, which would reduce the readability of the SQL and introduce the same problems associated with any form of code duplication.

In reality, the first SQL query would be perfectly good had we used unique column names. For example, 'customers.cst_id' instead of 'customer.id' and 'customer_orders.cso_id' instead of 'customer_orders.id'. Here I have chosen a three character 'prefix' for column names that gives some clue to the name of the containing table. Therefore 'customers.name' would also become 'customers.cst_name'.

Implementing a simple column naming convention across the entire database schema will greatly improve the effectiveness of SQL queries and will reduce the likelihood of application errors that may occur by accidentally referencing the wrong data within an application.

Delivering software projects: Drupal, Joomla or just go bespoke?

Imagine you are building a house and the time has come to install the electrics. Which of the following do you do:

1. Buy an 'off-the-shelf', 'one-size-fits-all' complete home eletrical system and then hire an electrician to customize and tailor the system to fit your needs, or
2. Hire an electrician straight-off to build the electrical system for you?

The first option may seem like a good way to save time and possibly money by buying a pre-built solution and hiring an expert engineer to tailor the system. However, such pre-built electrical systems are not available in shops because customizing a system that does not do what it is supposed to can often be more expensive that simply building the exact system to requirements.

Importantly, the second option works. An expert is hired to use their skills, experience and tools knowledge to deliver exactly what a client needs - nothing more and nothing less. This is the general approach taken not just in small-scale or private engineering, but also in large scale commercial engineering projects. And this is also the reason why 'off-the-shelf', 'one-size-fits-all' systems are simply not available for purchase - nobody builds them because nobody would buy them.


So why is the world of software engineering projects so obsessed with using off-the-shelf one-size-fits-all software like Drupal and Joomla which almost certainly do not do what the client wants out of the box and will almost certainly need extensive customization and tailoring? Why not follow the rest of the engineering world and deliver client software by using expert engineers to build tailored applications that do exactly what is required using the most appropriate tools and techniques available?

I believe there are three reasons to explain the software engineering obsession with using 'off-the-shelf' systems:

1. Building systems like Drupal and Joomla is actually pretty easy, which explains why there are hundreds, if not thousands of these types of 'one-size-fits-all' systems on the market. And the sheer number of these systesm gives an overall impression that we should be using them.
2. Self preservation - if a software project fails, it is difficult to blame the guy that chose to use Drupal, whereas it is probably much easier to blame the guy that chose to build a bespoke system.
3. In a few cases, for simple systems like very basic websites an 'off-the-shelf' system can help speed things along if very minimal customization is required - which of course is simply not the majority of high-value business systems.

A fourth reason is the often stated benefit that building a system based on an off-the-shelf product will avoid technology lock-in and avoid the problems of supporting proprietory software. However, I believe this goal is rarely, if ever achieved. It is highly likely that the parts of an off-the-shelf system that have been customized and tailored for a particular client are also likely to be the parts of the system that add most value to the client (by the very nature of those parts having been written to satisfy a specific client need).  So in many cases, the most valuable parts of system are also likely to be 100% proprietory with no support available from either the off-the-shelf product team or the open source community.

It is unlikely that designing and building an RDBMS from scratch would be a necessity for a given software project, therefore it is likely to be a good idea to use an off-the-shelf solution for this type of specific system component. The same goes for other system components like computer languages, operating systems, communication protocols etc. However, depending on client needs, the design and implementation of a new type of RDBMS maybe exactly what is required. This is to say that even with a bespoke project a vast amount of functionality can be provided by pre-built technologies. However, if a key requirement can not be serviced by pre-built technology then it will have to be built from scratch - drupal or no drupal.

There are many great and often free tools that software engineers can use to build high-quality applications quickly and effectively. An experienced and expert software engineer should be able to choose which of these tools and technologies best fits a clients needs and deliver a bespoke system faster than using a 'one-size-fits-all' product.

I wonder if as the software engineering industry matures that we will see fewer 'off-the-shelf' 'one-size-fits-all' packages and move toward boutique software consultancies that delier high-quality solutions quickly and cost effectively. And more importantly that the software engineering industry follows in the foot steps of far more mature engineering industries.

Web usability and HTML: Uploading files and photos

More and more people use online document and photo sharing websites (dropbox, picasa, facebook etc). However, I am still amazed at the number of websites that require files to be uploaded and that do not offer a way to link to an online resource.

A classic example is adding a photo to an online profile or attaching a document to an application form. It would be really helpful to be able to either upload a file, or simply enter a URL to an online file. This is something applications developers could easily implement.

However, the ideal solution would be to change the HTML5 upload file selector to allow the selection of either a disk-based resource/file or a publically available web-based resource (via a url). This change would immediately make ALL web applications that perform file uploading more flexible with zero effort required from developers.

An obvious progression from this would be to allow browsers to access secured resources (private picasa galleries or files on ftp sites etc) - of course, only with the owners permission and with appropriate authentication.

Premium services and content - the price point is just wrong.

How much would you pay per month for access to Wikipedia? $100 per month? $10 per month? $0.10 per month? Nothing?

Wikipedia is probably not a great example because it recieves money via donations, not via subscriptions but the point is that most people would probably not pay $10 per month for Wikipedia. But when pushed people might agree that paying a few cents per month is so reasonable that even the most infrequent readers could justify the cost.

So if people are only prepared to pay a few cents per month for one of the worlds most innovative and used information resources, how can some services or websites charge significantly more? $10's, or even $100's per month? For example, the Wall Street Journal subscription starts at €1.50 - this is not a lot of money, but when compared with the vast numbers of free news websites and alternative sources, maybe this price point completely exceeds what a casual reader would want to pay?

However, great content can not be free. Currently there are two typical financing models for this content:

1. Somebody else pays - commonly via advertising
2. The consumer pays - commonly via a subscription or donation

 The first model is great if you like webpages full of adverts. The second model it still fairly immature, especially regarding price point. I would be happy to pay for high quality content, but I think individual websites should appreciate they are one small part of a very big Internet. There are hundreds of services and content websites and if they were all to charge €1.50 p/m we would end up paying €1,000s per year and in addition, we probably couldn't read/digest/use of the services or content that these sites provide.

I think the world of premium services and content could be revolutionised with micro-payments. I could see a service whereby I could see all of my website subscriptions listed in one place and how much I am paying for each. In addition, this service could act as a way to manage my subscriptions - both allowing me to cancel existing subscriptions and subscribe to new sites at the click of a button.

If such a system existed, it could also allow users to give feedback to the content providers, allow users to 'recommend' websites and share opinions about them.

This would be great for web service and content providers because they would not have to care about handling payments. And of course such a system would be great for consumers - having one place to manage all of their subscriptions.

Google makes way for Femtoo.com - online tracking and notifications

Google have recently announced that it will be removed the tracking features of Google Reader.

In fairness it never worked very well and the alternatives, for example Femtoo.com is more sophisticated, allows far more user control and is just much cooler than Google Reader!

If you are interested in tracking changes to product prices, job postings, financial or world news, sports results and fixtures, house flat prices every 30 minutes - try Femtoo.com.

The last 2500 hours of BBC News headlines

For those interested in the publishing frequency and behaviour of online newspapers, I have published the last 2500 hours of BBC News headlines along with the date and time of publication.

In numerous cases it can be observed that speed of publication wins over grammatical correctness. In addition, it can be seen that numerous headlines have been amended to add drama, correct story discrepancies or simply shorten the lenth of the headline.

(this data was automatically extracted using Femtoo.com - the online tracking and notifaction system)

date	time	text
05 June 2010	18:45:40	Seized aid ship taken to Israel
05 June 2010	13:45:31	Israel takes control of aid ship
05 June 2010	12:45:35	Israeli soldiers 'board aid ship'
05 June 2010	09:45:32	Israelis threaten to board ship
05 June 2010	08:45:35	Israel 'shadowing' Gaza aid ship
05 June 2010	06:45:32	New Gaza aid ship 'intercepted'
05 June 2010	04:45:35	Israel vows to stop Gaza aid ship
04 June 2010	23:45:52	Obama warning over Gulf optimism|Footing the bill
04 June 2010	22:45:43	New Japan leader to be named
04 June 2010	21:45:56	Obama makes third visit to Gulf|Footing the bill
04 June 2010	17:45:40	BP begins to funnel off oil spill|Footing the bill
04 June 2010	16:45:27	BP cap begins to siphon oil spill|Footing the bill
04 June 2010	15:45:45	Turkey in threat to Israel ties|Footing the bill
04 June 2010	14:45:42	New Japan leader to be named
04 June 2010	12:45:30	Turkey in threat to Israel ties|Footing the bill
04 June 2010	11:45:36	New Japan PM pledges fresh start|Footing the bill
04 June 2010	09:45:35	New Japan PM pledges fresh start
04 June 2010	08:45:31	Kan becomes Japan prime minister
04 June 2010	07:45:40	Japan's DPJ chooses Kan as leader
04 June 2010	06:45:35	New Japan leader to be named
04 June 2010	03:45:26	Dozens killed in Bangladeshi fire
04 June 2010	02:45:35	BP set to lower US oil-spill cap
03 June 2010	23:45:49	Turkey mourns dead Gaza activists
03 June 2010	16:45:38	Anger as Turkey buries its dead
03 June 2010	14:45:29	Turkey mourns Gaza flotilla dead
03 June 2010	03:45:38	Gaza activists welcomed in Turkey
02 June 2010	20:45:39	Gun rampage leaves 12 dead in UK
02 June 2010	19:45:51	Israel 'had no choice' over raid
02 June 2010	06:45:29	Israel deports flotilla activists
02 June 2010	01:45:24	Israel to free flotilla activists
01 June 2010	18:45:27	Doubt cast on Israel raid account
01 June 2010	08:45:22	UN urges Israel convoy raid probe
01 June 2010	02:45:24	UN members decry Gaza boat deaths
31 May 2010	20:45:28	Israeli PM 'regrets' ship deaths
31 May 2010	19:45:32	Deaths as Israel storms aid ship
31 May 2010	12:45:23	Computing powers|Deaths as Israel storms aid ship
31 May 2010	08:45:22	Deaths as Israel storms aid ship
31 May 2010	06:45:25	Israeli navy storms Gaza aid ship
31 May 2010	01:45:22	Ex-minister leads Colombia vote
30 May 2010	17:45:24	Spill 'is worst US eco-disaster'
30 May 2010	15:45:34	'No guarantee' on new BP oil plan
30 May 2010	00:45:24	'Top kill' fails to stop oil leak
29 May 2010	21:45:31	UK politician quits coalition post
29 May 2010	19:45:24	Israel rejects nuclear talks plan
29 May 2010	18:45:25	Israel rejects nuclear conference
29 May 2010	16:45:25	Malawi pardons jailed gay couple
29 May 2010	11:45:25	UN push for nuclear-free Mid-East
29 May 2010	10:45:30	Minister apologises over expenses
29 May 2010	06:45:24	UN push for nuclear-free Mid-East
28 May 2010	23:45:26	Obama bolsters Gulf oil teams
28 May 2010	13:45:39	Deadly raids on Pakistan mosques
28 May 2010	09:45:22	'Maoist sabotage' kills 65 on India train
28 May 2010	07:45:30	India train 'sabotage' kills 65
28 May 2010	06:45:23	India train 'sabotage' kills 40
28 May 2010	04:45:23	India rail blast crash kills 25
28 May 2010	02:45:23	Indian trains collide after blast
27 May 2010	19:45:38	Obama defends oil spill response
27 May 2010	17:45:43	BP 'slows leaking Gulf oil well'
27 May 2010	16:45:30	BP 'stops leaking Gulf oil well'
27 May 2010	13:45:29	US 'to extend oil drilling ban'
27 May 2010	10:45:22	North Korea scraps naval clash pact
27 May 2010	05:45:13	Oil well plug 'going as planned'
27 May 2010	03:45:27	Oil well plug 'going as planned'|Spectre of debt
26 May 2010	20:45:32	BP begins 'top kill' on oil spill|Spectre of debt
26 May 2010	11:45:22	US seeks action over Korea crisis|Spectre of debt
26 May 2010	09:45:22	US seeks action over Korea crisis
26 May 2010	08:45:22	US backs South Korea in crisis
26 May 2010	06:45:24	US visit as Korean crisis mounts
26 May 2010	00:45:25	Jamaican PM vows to restore order
25 May 2010	18:45:25	Jamaica drug raid toll reaches 27
25 May 2010	17:45:24	North Korea 'severs ties' with South
25 May 2010	12:45:24	World stock markets see big falls
25 May 2010	08:45:22	Jamaican forces storm stronghold
24 May 2010	22:45:23	Jamaica police storm stronghold
24 May 2010	19:45:42	US to conduct Korea navy exercises
24 May 2010	14:45:38	US says Korea crisis 'precarious'
24 May 2010	04:45:24	S Korea freezes trade with North
23 May 2010	22:45:25	US warns it may 'push BP aside'
23 May 2010	20:45:23	India crash jet's recorder found
23 May 2010	12:45:25	Hunt for Indian air crash clues
23 May 2010	06:45:26	Tributes to India crash victims
22 May 2010	19:45:33	Inquiry into deadly India crash
22 May 2010	18:45:22	India air crash kills 158 people
22 May 2010	08:45:22	Indian plane crash kills scores
22 May 2010	06:45:24	'Many dead' in India plane crash
22 May 2010	05:45:22	India plane 'crashes on landing'
22 May 2010	04:45:23	India plane 'overshoots runway'
22 May 2010	03:45:28	EU seeks better crisis response
21 May 2010	20:45:26	EU seeks better crisis response|The meaning of life
21 May 2010	19:45:28	EU pledges better crisis response|The meaning of life
21 May 2010	15:45:26	Germans approve euro rescue plan|The meaning of life
21 May 2010	13:45:22	German house approves euro rescue|The meaning of life
21 May 2010	12:45:20	Thailand unrest 'under control'|The meaning of life
21 May 2010	10:45:25	Thailand unrest 'under control'
21 May 2010	03:45:24	US Senate backs Wall St reforms
20 May 2010	19:45:27	Scientists make 'artificial life'
20 May 2010	15:45:47	Anger at North Korea over warship sinking
20 May 2010	03:45:19	'N Korean torpedo' sank navy ship
19 May 2010	15:45:40	Curfew in Bangkok after surrender
19 May 2010	08:45:23	Soldiers storm Bangkok barricades
19 May 2010	06:45:23	Army enters Bangkok protest camp
19 May 2010	04:45:23	Army moves in on Thai protesters
19 May 2010	03:45:28	Army masses at Thai protest site
18 May 2010	22:45:23	New Iran sanctions being tabled
18 May 2010	19:45:33	New Iran sanctions plan 'agreed'
18 May 2010	15:45:37	Kabul suicide car bomber kills 18
18 May 2010	08:45:21	Kabul suicide car bomb 'kills 19'
18 May 2010	06:45:21	Greece to receive bail-out money
18 May 2010	04:45:25	Obama to set up oil spill panel
17 May 2010	21:45:24	Thais 'must step back from brink'
17 May 2010	12:45:23	Thai protesters defy order to leave camp
17 May 2010	11:45:24	Thai protesters 'must leave camp'
17 May 2010	05:45:22	Rogue Thai protest general dies
17 May 2010	02:45:22	Ash shuts Heathrow and Gatwick
16 May 2010	23:45:27	BP says new oil plan working well
16 May 2010	17:45:24	Thailand rejects protester talks
16 May 2010	11:45:25	New ultimatum for Bangkok protest
16 May 2010	06:45:24	Thailand protesters defy PM vow
15 May 2010	17:45:25	Thai PM promises to end protest
15 May 2010	16:45:25	Thai PM pledges to end protest
15 May 2010	15:45:40	Six die in latest Bangkok clashes
15 May 2010	11:45:27	'Live fire zone' set in Bangkok
15 May 2010	08:45:22	Thai violence claims more lives
15 May 2010	06:45:27	BP chief backs future of oil drilling
15 May 2010	03:45:27	UN urges halt to Bangkok clashes
14 May 2010	22:45:22	Deadly clashes shake Thai capital
14 May 2010	12:45:21	Deadly clashes erupt in Bangkok
14 May 2010	09:45:20	Thai troops clash with protesters
14 May 2010	07:45:29	Bangkok tense after fatal clashes
13 May 2010	18:45:28	Pro-protest Thai general shot in head
13 May 2010	17:45:34	Pro-protest Thailand general shot
13 May 2010	15:45:29	Pro-protest Thai general 'shot'
13 May 2010	14:30:32	UK coalition in first cabinet meeting
12 May 2010	18:45:32	UK coalition leaders in unity vow
12 May 2010	17:30:26	Cameron and Clegg: We are united
12 May 2010	16:45:22	Cameron praises 'historic' deal
12 May 2010	15:30:26	UK PM Cameron hails 'new era'
12 May 2010	13:30:20	New UK PM begins shaping coalition
12 May 2010	12:15:04	UK coalition government sets to work
11 May 2010	19:45:05	UK's Labour 'know Lib Dem talks over'
11 May 2010	18:45:04	Labour 'know Lib Dem talks over'
11 May 2010	06:45:04	'Crunch time' in UK government talks
10 May 2010	20:45:32	Brown to quit as UK Labour Party leader
10 May 2010	18:45:26	Brown to quit as Labour leader
10 May 2010	15:45:45	Shares surge after EU loan deal
10 May 2010	03:45:27	EU agrees euro stability package
10 May 2010	02:45:24	EU agrees 500bn euro aid package
10 May 2010	01:45:21	EU debates emergency funding
09 May 2010	15:45:28	'Pakistan Taliban' behind NY plot
09 May 2010	12:45:22	Mid-East indirect talks 'begin'
09 May 2010	10:45:22	Foreign troops join Russia parade
09 May 2010	07:45:34	EU to debate 'stabilisation fund'
09 May 2010	06:45:23	Tories and Lib Dems to meet again
08 May 2010	23:30:38	Clegg meets Cameron on power deal
08 May 2010	09:00:14	UK parties to consider power deal
08 May 2010	07:00:14	Clegg to deliberate on Tory deal
08 May 2010	00:00:32	Tories and Lib Dems in deal talks
07 May 2010	18:00:14	Cameron offer to build UK government
07 May 2010	17:00:14	Cameron offer to build government
07 May 2010	16:00:23	UK Tories to try to form government
07 May 2010	13:00:16	Germany votes to bail out Greece
07 May 2010	12:00:12	Global shares fall on Greece debt
07 May 2010	10:00:11	Asia shares fall over Greece debt
07 May 2010	08:00:12	UK 'wakes up to hung Parliament'
07 May 2010	07:00:12	Tories likely to be largest party
07 May 2010	06:00:13	Tories set to be largest party
07 May 2010	04:00:36	Conservatives head for big gains
07 May 2010	00:00:18	Tories 'just short of majority'
06 May 2010	19:00:14	Greek parliament backs hefty cuts
06 May 2010	12:00:11	Nigeria swears in new president
06 May 2010	11:00:13	Nigeria's Jonathan made president
06 May 2010	09:00:11	Nigerian President Yar'Adua dies
06 May 2010	05:00:12	Nigeria President Yar'Adua dies
06 May 2010	04:00:13	Nigeria President Yar'Adua dead
06 May 2010	03:00:28	Nigeria President Yar'Adua 'dead'
06 May 2010	01:00:10	Greece is 'on the brink of abyss'
05 May 2010	15:00:14	Three killed in Greece protests
05 May 2010	14:00:17	Clashes in Greek general strike
05 May 2010	11:00:12	UK party leaders in final push for votes
05 May 2010	08:00:13	General strike paralyses Greece
04 May 2010	22:00:15	NY suspect charged with terrorism
04 May 2010	21:00:15	NY suspect 'on terrorism charge'
04 May 2010	19:00:11	Obama defiant after NY bomb plot
04 May 2010	18:00:12	NY bomb suspect to face charges
04 May 2010	08:00:11	Man held over New York bomb plot
04 May 2010	07:00:14	Times Square bomb plot 'arrest'
04 May 2010	01:00:12	Nuclear talks spark Iran-US clash
03 May 2010	13:00:15	Surviving Mumbai gunman convicted
03 May 2010	12:00:13	Mumbai gunman convicted in India
03 May 2010	11:00:13	Mumbai attacks trial verdict due
03 May 2010	07:00:12	NY car bomb plot 'not al-Qaeda'
02 May 2010	19:00:09	US hunts New York car bomb clues
02 May 2010	12:00:25	New York escapes car bomb attack
02 May 2010	11:00:12	New York police defuse car bomb
02 May 2010	09:00:10	New York police defuse 'car bomb'
02 May 2010	08:00:13	Suspected car bomb on NY's Times Square
02 May 2010	05:00:11	US spill 'threatens way of life'
01 May 2010	21:00:12	Weather hampers US oil clean-up
01 May 2010	08:00:11	BP under fire over US oil spill
01 May 2010	02:00:16	US Air Force to douse Louisiana oil slick
30 April 2010	14:00:12	Oil spill sparks new drilling ban
30 April 2010	08:00:12	Oil 'reaches' coast in US spill
30 April 2010	06:00:09	Oil reaches coast in US disaster
30 April 2010	03:00:17	Obama pledges to tackle oil leak
30 April 2010	00:00:13	Leaders in last TV debate appeals
29 April 2010	22:00:13	Leaders clash in final TV debate
29 April 2010	21:00:12	Leaders braced for crunch debate
29 April 2010	20:00:14	US steps up oil disaster response
29 April 2010	16:00:15	US military joins oil leak effort
29 April 2010	10:00:04	US oil slick 'five times bigger'
29 April 2010	07:00:04	US oil leak worse than expected
29 April 2010	02:00:07	Republicans allow finance debate
28 April 2010	23:00:03	Fears grow over Greece shockwaves
28 April 2010	18:00:05	Fears mount over Greece shockwaves
28 April 2010	13:00:15	Greece debt fears batter markets
28 April 2010	11:00:07	Greece moves to block speculators
28 April 2010	08:00:08	Greek crisis sends Asian markets sliding
28 April 2010	03:00:06	Senate panel skewers Goldman boss
27 April 2010	20:00:08	Markets hit by Greece junk rating
27 April 2010	18:00:07	Goldman Sachs comes under fire
27 April 2010	17:00:07	Goldman executive denies charges
27 April 2010	12:00:10	Chaos as Ukraine votes on fleet
27 April 2010	04:00:06	US extradites Noriega to France
26 April 2010	15:00:05	President wins key Sudan election
26 April 2010	12:00:06	IPL chief faces corruption probe
26 April 2010	11:00:06	Indian cricket suspends IPL chief
26 April 2010	05:00:06	Environmental fears over US spill
25 April 2010	18:00:06	Greek talks with IMF 'going well'
25 April 2010	10:00:06	Thai PM warns Bangkok protesters
25 April 2010	01:00:05	IMF head speaks out on Greek fear
24 April 2010	19:00:05	US urges speedy action on Greece
24 April 2010	15:00:05	Thai PM rejects protesters' offer
24 April 2010	14:20:54	Greek crisis hangs over IMF talks
24 April 2010	03:00:05	G20 hopeful on economic recovery
23 April 2010	13:00:05	Greece calls on emergency EU loans
23 April 2010	12:00:07	Greece 'to activate EU/IMF loans'
23 April 2010	09:45:06	Thai protest stand-off intensifies
22 April 2010	14:45:04	Obama pushes case for bank reform
22 April 2010	06:45:04	Recriminations over flight chaos
22 April 2010	01:45:04	Europe's skies returning to normal
22 April 2010	00:45:05	Europe's skies head back to normal
21 April 2010	11:45:06	Europe's skies open for business
20 April 2010	21:45:05	Chaos persists as flights resume
20 April 2010	16:45:04	Half of European flights 'to fly'
20 April 2010	15:45:14	Half of Europe flights 'to fly'
20 April 2010	11:45:11	Limited flights resume in Europe
20 April 2010	04:45:05	Europe starts to resume flights
20 April 2010	01:45:04	EU moves to ease curbs on flights
19 April 2010	19:45:06	EU moves to ease curbs on flights|Audio slideshow: Mugabe's 30 years
19 April 2010	18:45:05	Hopes rise flight chaos may ease|Audio slideshow: Mugabe's 30 years
19 April 2010	11:45:07	Airlines condemn 'European mess'|Audio slideshow: Mugabe's 30 years
19 April 2010	05:45:04	EU emergency talks on air chaos
18 April 2010	17:45:47	Airlines urge flight ban review
17 April 2010	23:45:49	Europe flight misery to drag on
17 April 2010	14:45:07	Ash deepens Europe travel chaos
17 April 2010	10:45:11	Ash shuts major European airports
17 April 2010	00:45:05	Air travel 'facing days of chaos'
15 April 2010	22:15:42	Europe faces prolonged air chaos
15 April 2010	18:15:42	Volcano ash spreads Europe flight chaos
15 April 2010	13:15:05	Volcanic ash disrupts N European flights
15 April 2010	12:15:40	Volcanic ash halts all UK flights
15 April 2010	10:15:32	Volcanic ash disrupts UK flights
15 April 2010	08:15:39	China earthquake rescue steps up
15 April 2010	01:15:07	China sifts rubble for survivors
14 April 2010	14:15:46	Hundreds die in western China quake
14 April 2010	08:15:48	Hundreds die in west China quake
14 April 2010	06:15:42	Quake kills scores in west China
14 April 2010	02:15:38	Nuclear stock security tightened
14 April 2010	00:15:48	Summit agrees nuclear protection
13 April 2010	14:15:53	Kyrgyz president 'ready to quit'
13 April 2010	11:15:06	Polish first lady's body returned home
13 April 2010	05:15:05	Stark nuclear warning for summit
12 April 2010	23:15:05	'Ukraine vow' at nuclear summit
12 April 2010	16:15:43	Thailand PM faces rising pressure
12 April 2010	15:15:06	Pressure mounts on Thai premier
12 April 2010	05:15:05	Poles to pay tribute to dead president
12 April 2010	04:15:51	Poles to pay tribute to Kaczynski
11 April 2010	16:15:37	Polish leader's body flown home
11 April 2010	15:15:06	Kaczynski body returned to Poland
11 April 2010	14:15:40	Polish tributes to President Kaczynski
11 April 2010	13:15:08	Poland tribute to dead president
11 April 2010	12:15:47	Poland in tribute for president
11 April 2010	11:15:05	Poland grieves for dead president
11 April 2010	02:15:39	Poland mourns its lost president
10 April 2010	13:01:46	Polish president dies in plane crash
10 April 2010	10:01:41	Polish president 'in plane crash'
10 April 2010	09:01:52	Vatican defends Pope over new row
10 April 2010	07:01:40	Vatican backs Pope in letter row
09 April 2010	22:01:45	Pope 'letter' reignites abuse row
09 April 2010	18:01:50	Kyrgyz president 'fears for life'
09 April 2010	17:01:45	Thai protest restores blocked TV
09 April 2010	11:01:56	Thai red-shirts storm TV station
09 April 2010	02:01:51	Netanyahu cancels US nuclear trip
08 April 2010	19:01:42	Kyrgyz president refuses to quit
08 April 2010	18:31:45	Labour hit back over tax plan row
08 April 2010	17:31:35	Kyrgyz president refuses to quit
08 April 2010	13:31:41	US and Russia hail nuclear treaty
08 April 2010	13:01:49	US and Russia sign nuclear deal
08 April 2010	12:32:30	US and Russia to sign arms deal
08 April 2010	10:32:28	Kyrgyz opposition seizes control
07 April 2010	23:31:41	Kyrgyz opposition claims control
07 April 2010	15:01:42	Clashes escalate in Kyrgyz crisis
07 April 2010	14:01:46	Kyrgyz protesters storm state TV
07 April 2010	12:31:39	'Four killed' in Kyrgyz clashes
07 April 2010	03:31:41	Rio de Janeiro floods kill scores
06 April 2010	23:01:38	Obama cuts US nuclear arms' use
06 April 2010	12:31:42	UK PM confirms election on 6 May
05 April 2010	23:31:48	US anger at Pakistan mission raid
05 April 2010	13:31:37	Attack on Pakistan US consulate
05 April 2010	12:01:34	Pakistani city hit by explosions
05 April 2010	10:01:40	Scores rescued from Chinese mine
05 April 2010	08:01:37	Dozens rescued from Chinese mine
05 April 2010	06:31:34	'Dozens survive' China mine flood
05 April 2010	06:01:32	Battle to save '70 China miners'
05 April 2010	00:31:35	Chinese miners rescued after week
04 April 2010	15:31:33	Top cardinal rejects sex abuse 'gossip'
04 April 2010	15:01:39	Cardinal rejects abuse 'gossip'
04 April 2010	11:31:37	Pope's preacher sorry for abuse remarks
04 April 2010	08:31:30	S African supremacist Terreblanche killed
04 April 2010	02:31:38	Eugene Terreblanche beaten to death
04 April 2010	00:01:32	Eugene Terreblanche 'beaten to death'
03 April 2010	22:31:34	Iraq gunmen kill Sunni villagers
03 April 2010	17:31:39	Iraq gunmen 'execute' villagers
03 April 2010	16:01:37	Iraq gunmen kill Sunni villagers
03 April 2010	06:30:59	Fury at anti-Semitism link in abuse row
03 April 2010	05:30:51	Fury at anti-Semitism link to abuse row
02 April 2010	20:30:59	Sex abuse furore 'like anti-Semitism'
02 April 2010	14:31:10	Obama to step up pressure on Iran
02 April 2010	11:31:15	US presses China on nuclear Iran
02 April 2010	02:30:47	Multiple Israeli strikes hit Gaza
02 April 2010	01:30:56	Israeli air strikes target Gaza
02 April 2010	00:31:02	UN envoy denies Afghan poll fraud
01 April 2010	16:30:54	UN accused over Afghan polls
01 April 2010	12:30:53	Iran takes nuclear case to China
01 April 2010	11:31:06	China 'relents on Iran sanctions'
01 April 2010	01:30:57	UN Haiti pledges surpass targets
31 March 2010	19:31:08	Chechen rebel claims Metro blasts
31 March 2010	16:30:55	UN chief supports $4bn Haiti plan
31 March 2010	11:42:21	Twelve die in Dagestan bombings
31 March 2010	02:10:36	Serbia offers Srebrenica apology
30 March 2010	20:15:34	PM Putin demands bombers caught
30 March 2010	16:45:35	Putin wants Moscow bombers caught
30 March 2010	14:15:41	Russia mourns Metro bombs victims
30 March 2010	10:15:36	Moscow mourns Metro bombs victims
29 March 2010	23:46:17	Moscow vows to avenge bomb blasts
29 March 2010	14:12:59	Suicide bombings hit Moscow Metro
29 March 2010	07:45:40	Moscow Metro explosions kill 37
29 March 2010	06:45:34	Deadly explosion on Moscow Metro
28 March 2010	22:45:37	Obama hails forces on Afghan trip
28 March 2010	21:45:39	Obama hails troops on Afghan trip
28 March 2010	18:15:42	Obama on first Afghanistan visit
28 March 2010	17:15:36	Face-to-face talks on Thai unrest
28 March 2010	12:15:44	Thailand PM meets protest leaders
28 March 2010	10:45:31	Thailand PM agrees to negotiate
27 March 2010	23:15:40	DR Congo massacre uncovered
27 March 2010	12:45:28	Iraq poll winner reaches out to rivals
27 March 2010	09:15:33	Iraq PM vows to challenge result
27 March 2010	06:15:28	Iraq PM vows to challenge vote
26 March 2010	18:15:30	US and Russia cut nuclear arsenals
26 March 2010	15:45:32	US and Russia agree nuclear deal
26 March 2010	11:45:36	Vatican attacks media over abuse
26 March 2010	02:15:31	Vatican denies sex abuse cover-up
25 March 2010	17:45:35	Pope 'failed to act' on sex abuse
25 March 2010	15:15:33	Pope faces abuse cover-up query
25 March 2010	13:15:30	Merkel stands firm on IMF rescue
25 March 2010	09:45:32	Israeli PM hopeful on peace talks
25 March 2010	09:15:30	Israeli PM talks of 'golden' deal
25 March 2010	08:45:27	Israel PM hails 'golden' solution
25 March 2010	07:15:29	'No progress' in US-Israeli talks
25 March 2010	02:15:32	Fresh bid to solve US-Israeli row
24 March 2010	18:45:34	US-Israel talks fail to solve row
24 March 2010	16:15:34	Saudis 'hold dozens of militants'
24 March 2010	08:45:29	Netanyahu meets Obama amid row
24 March 2010	04:45:30	Netanyahu meets Obama after row
23 March 2010	23:45:33	Netanyahu warns of peace talks delay
23 March 2010	17:15:31	UK punishes Israel in Dubai killing row
23 March 2010	11:15:35	Britain to expel Israeli diplomat
23 March 2010	08:15:30	China slams Google censorship move
23 March 2010	04:15:35	Israel 'will build in Jerusalem'
22 March 2010	21:45:39	Clinton warns Israel on tough choices
22 March 2010	14:45:34	Democrats hail US healthcare bill
22 March 2010	12:45:32	US House passes historic health reform
22 March 2010	04:15:31	US House passes key health vote
21 March 2010	18:45:34	US House set for key health vote
21 March 2010	14:15:34	Iraq vote recount calls rejected
21 March 2010	12:15:30	UN chief dismay at Gaza suffering
21 March 2010	10:15:33	UN chief pledges support for Gaza
20 March 2010	21:15:31	Obama in final health vote push
20 March 2010	12:45:30	Pope apology for Irish church sex abuse
20 March 2010	12:15:30	Pope 'sorry' for Irish church sex abuse
20 March 2010	11:15:28	Pope's letter on Irish church abuse due
19 March 2010	23:15:32	Obama hails 'historic' health bid
19 March 2010	10:15:32	Quartet urges settlement freeze
19 March 2010	09:15:33	Moscow hosts key Mid-East talks
19 March 2010	03:46:04	Taliban arrests halt UN contacts
18 March 2010	16:45:32	New US-Russia nuclear deal 'soon'
18 March 2010	11:15:29	EU's foreign chief in Gaza visit
18 March 2010	07:15:30	EU's foreign chief to visit Gaza
18 March 2010	04:45:28	Obama denies crisis with Israel
17 March 2010	18:15:34	Nigeria leader dissolves cabinet
17 March 2010	13:45:36	Irish Catholic head sorry for 'cover up'
17 March 2010	08:15:44	Thais take blood protest to PM's house
17 March 2010	07:15:41	Thais spill blood at PM's house
17 March 2010	04:45:31	Thai protests head to PM's house
16 March 2010	19:45:35	Clinton affirms US Israel support
16 March 2010	14:45:54	US envoy postpones Israel visit
16 March 2010	12:45:33	Blood protest against Thai leader
16 March 2010	09:45:31	Sri Lanka puts ex-army chief on trial
16 March 2010	03:15:36	Sri Lanka trial for ex-army chief
16 March 2010	00:15:42	US presses Israel on settler row
15 March 2010	18:15:38	Israel-US ties 'at historic low'
15 March 2010	14:46:10	Israel-US ties at 'historic low'
15 March 2010	13:45:47	Thai PM rejects protest ultimatum
14 March 2010	17:20:22	Obama aide stokes US-Israel row
14 March 2010	13:45:45	Thai protest sets poll deadline
14 March 2010	05:15:31	Huge opposition rally in Thailand
13 March 2010	19:15:35	Many killed in Afghan bomb blasts
13 March 2010	15:46:30	Karzai U-turn on polling watchdog
13 March 2010	06:15:39	EU 'nearing' Greece bail-out deal
13 March 2010	01:45:35	Clinton rebuke over Israel homes
12 March 2010	23:15:39	Clinton rebuke over Israel homes|The top 100 sites
12 March 2010	18:15:37	Bombs kill 45 in Pakistani city|The top 100 sites
12 March 2010	17:15:34	Third blast rocks Pakistani city|The top 100 sites
12 March 2010	13:15:58	Deadly blasts hit Pakistani city|The top 100 sites
12 March 2010	12:45:32	Deadly blasts hit Pakistani city|The top 100 sites on the internet
12 March 2010	10:15:40	Deadly blasts hit Pakistani city
12 March 2010	05:15:34	New York agrees 9/11 dust payout
11 March 2010	16:45:35	Pinera sworn in as new quake hits
11 March 2010	13:15:35	Biden tries to ease Mid-East row
11 March 2010	11:45:50	Mid-East peace talks in doubt over housing
11 March 2010	09:45:31	Peace talks in doubt over housing
11 March 2010	09:15:33	Abbas 'refuses talks with Israel'
11 March 2010	08:45:52	Greeks stage fresh general strike
11 March 2010	00:15:45	Contractors 'divert Somalia aid'
10 March 2010	20:15:33	Scientists to review climate body
10 March 2010	16:15:33	Biden steps up pressure on Israel
10 March 2010	11:15:38	Iran attacks US over Afghanistan
10 March 2010	09:15:34	'Last Bali bomber' killed in Indonesia
10 March 2010	05:15:29	Indonesia militant 'was killed'
09 March 2010	23:15:33	US attacks East Jerusalem plans
09 March 2010	18:15:33	Israel backs East Jerusalem build
09 March 2010	17:45:53	Israel backs E Jerusalem building
09 March 2010	11:15:34	US eyes chance for Mid-East peace
08 March 2010	13:15:33	'Hundreds dead' in Nigeria attack|Connected world
08 March 2010	06:45:32	Eleven die in Pakistan explosion
08 March 2010	03:46:03	Nigeria head puts forces on alert
08 March 2010	00:15:37	'Scores killed' in Nigeria riots
07 March 2010	13:15:46	Iraq poll hit by deadly attacks
07 March 2010	09:45:27	Bloody start to Iraq's election
07 March 2010	09:15:31	Iraqis vote in general election
07 March 2010	08:45:40	Iraq PM seeks high vote turnout
07 March 2010	07:15:32	Iraqis vote in general election
07 March 2010	04:45:37	Iraq PM seeks high vote turnout
07 March 2010	03:15:29	Iceland rejects bank payback plan
06 March 2010	23:45:54	Togo president 'wins re-election'
06 March 2010	10:15:30	Icelanders vote on payback plan
06 March 2010	06:45:27	US to conduct Blackwater review
06 March 2010	00:45:38	US will not adopt 'genocide' bill
05 March 2010	11:45:54	Iraq war was 'right', says Brown
05 March 2010	04:15:34	Turkish anger at 'genocide' vote
04 March 2010	22:15:37	US vote attacks Turkey 'genocide'
04 March 2010	15:15:36	Polling stations attacked in Iraq
04 March 2010	12:45:30	Four jailed for German bomb plot
04 March 2010	11:15:29	Four convicted over German plot
04 March 2010	08:45:28	China slows military spending surge
04 March 2010	08:15:29	China slows military budget rise
04 March 2010	07:45:30	Birth defects 'rise' in Falluja
04 March 2010	07:15:28	Birth defects 'rise' in Fallujah
04 March 2010	06:45:28	Birth defects 'rise' in Falllujah
03 March 2010	22:45:33	Obama urges vote on health reform
03 March 2010	14:15:31	Greece backs new austerity plan
03 March 2010	10:45:32	Iraqi city hit by triple bombing
03 March 2010	10:15:27	Iraqi suicide bombings 'kill 29'
03 March 2010	09:45:30	Iraqi suicide bombings 'kill 27'
03 March 2010	08:15:28	Greeks await fresh economic pain
02 March 2010	19:46:29	Pleas for calm amid Chile rubble
02 March 2010	17:46:29	Chile troops aim to stop looting
02 March 2010	10:46:13	Chile struggles to stop looting
01 March 2010	14:15:39	Chile troops tackle quake looters
01 March 2010	02:15:36	Chile steps up rescue after quake
28 February 2010	19:45:38	Chilean quake toll jumps to 708
28 February 2010	13:15:27	Chile counts cost as tsunami ebbs
28 February 2010	03:15:34	Chile quake 'affects two million'
27 February 2010	08:45:35	Massive earthquake strikes Chile
27 February 2010	02:45:35	Colombia president fails in third term bid
27 February 2010	02:15:36	Uribe fails in Colombia term bid
27 February 2010	00:15:31	Fresh charges over Turkey 'plot'
26 February 2010	15:45:31	Court seizes $1.4bn of Thaksin fortune
26 February 2010	15:15:29	Thai court seizes Thaksin fortune
26 February 2010	08:15:31	Suicide attack on Afghan capital
26 February 2010	06:45:30	Suicide bombs hit Afghan capital
26 February 2010	00:15:36	No breakthrough on US healthcare
25 February 2010	19:15:40	US leaders wrangle on healthcare
25 February 2010	17:15:34	Turkey seeks to calm 'plot' fears
25 February 2010	12:45:35	Turkish leaders in 'plot' summit
25 February 2010	06:45:33	India and Pakistan launch talks
25 February 2010	05:45:29	Australia anger at Dubai killing
24 February 2010	22:45:41	Toyota boss apologies to Congress
24 February 2010	22:15:53	Toyota boss apologies for faults
24 February 2010	21:45:36	US Congress questions Toyota boss
24 February 2010	20:45:31	Toyota boss appears for grilling
24 February 2010	18:45:51	Toyota boss arrives for grilling
24 February 2010	14:45:52	Nigeria deputy remains in charge
24 February 2010	12:45:47	Nigerian president returns home
24 February 2010	08:45:46	Nigerian president 'returns home'
23 February 2010	21:15:31	Sudan and Darfur rebels sign deal
23 February 2010	18:15:34	Boss says Toyota 'grew too fast'
23 February 2010	08:45:36	Concern at Karzai poll power grab
23 February 2010	05:45:32	Summit 'backs claim on Falklands'
22 February 2010	16:45:47	Obama unveils new healthcare plan
22 February 2010	08:15:38	Air strike kills Afghan civilians
22 February 2010	05:45:37	Lufthansa four-day strike begins
22 February 2010	05:16:10	Portugal to mourn Madeira victims
21 February 2010	18:45:46	Rescuers search flood-hit Madeira
21 February 2010	17:45:36	Aid rushed to flood-hit Madeira

What happened to the pocket television?

I remember about 20 years ago seeing the first portable televisions.

But technology has moved on - we now have a range of high performance, low cost, energy efficient devices that enable our mobiles, laptops, netbooks, mp3 players and cameras to host an array of advanced and broad features.

Google recently announced their interest in approaching television as an amazing advertising opportunity - stating that world-wide more people engage with television than any other channel - including the Internet.

So where are all the televisons? Cars now have large screen GPS devices, blue tooth capabilities, USB audio interfaces... but no televison. Mobile phones have blue-tooth, wifi, web browsers, cameras, radios, high-resolutions screens...but still no television.

You see hundreds of people on trains and buses hunched over their mobile/media player watching pre-downloaded or low-resolution, low-bandwidth video online - when they could be watching the world cup live, in relatively high-definition, wherever they they go...

...so why do mobile/mp3 manufacturers simply not include a dvt digital tuner and provide television capabilities.