iQR.AU - a new instant QR Code Generator

Another project I have been playing with as WebApp is a new QR Code generator called iQR.AU. I wanted to share a bit about this project that I’ve been working on. The idea was simple: make a QR code generator that’s easy for anyone to use, whether it’s for a small business or personal use. I aimed for something straightforward – a tool where you enter a URL and get a QR code, no fuss.

Customisation and User Experience
One thing I really focused on was customisation. I know how important it is for things to look just right, especially if it’s representing your brand. So, with iQR.AU, you can tweak the colors, size, and even the border width of your QR codes. It’s all about giving you the flexibility to create something simple but useful. More customisations are on the cards if they are needed or desired.

Advanced Features and Reliability
I also have set up the framework for some advanced features. Dynamic QR codes are coming shortly (with logins), letting you update the QR content even after it’s created – super handy for changing campaigns or info. The platform handles different output formats like PNG, JPG, and more, ensuring your QR code works wherever you need it, with more to come also. Plus, I’ve made sure they’re reliable with high error correction levels (although you can check how these work in options)

What’s Next: Continuous Improvement
The site works smoothly on both desktop and mobile, so you can generate QR codes wherever you are. And this is just the beginning. I’m planning to add user accounts and subscription options for those who need a bit more from their QR codes. So, stay tuned!

I know that there is some concern about what the upcoming referendum means for you and you have concerns about how you should vote.

I want to share why I am voting “yes”.

The whole process comes from the Uluru Statement from the Heart.  This was a 2017 gathering of aboriginal elders at a constitutional convention at Uluru. 

https://ulurustatement.org/ 

The FAQs about the voice have come from this - https://ulurustatement.org/the-voice/faqs/ 

I saw someone post today on LinkedIn something that resonated with me.

We have come to accept as reasonable and right, the acknowledgement of country as a part of our interactions on a daily basis.  If we truly accept that that is reasonable, then along with this comes an obligation to listen, and I believe also an obligation to act.

So – that is why I am voting YES to the Voice. 

Is it perfect? No.

Is it well defined? No.

Is it a step in a positive direction? Yes

Is it a change from the current status-quo? Yes

Is it supported by a majority of the aboriginal community?  Yes

In this I don’t think we can allow perfect to the enemy of good. 

I believe that voting Yes is the only way we can start to truly give a voice back to First Nations people in Australia.  

I hope you will consider the same action.  Talk to me about it if you would like.  Read about the Uluru Statement and visit the links above if you want to read more too.

A.

Uluru statement from the heart

We, gathered at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, coming from all points of the southern sky, make this statement from the heart:

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own laws and customs. This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture, from the Creation, according to the common law from ‘time immemorial’, and according to science more than 60,000 years ago.

This sovereignty is spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or ‘mother nature’, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were born therefrom, remain attached thereto, and must one day return thither to be united with our ancestors. This link is the basis of the ownership of the soil, or better, of sovereignty. It has never been ceded or extinguished, and co-exists with the sovereignty of the Crown.

How could it be otherwise? That peoples possessed a land for sixty millennia and this sacred link disappears from world history in merely the last two hundred years?

With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood.

Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not an innately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future.

These dimensions of our crisis tell plainly the structural nature of our problem. This is the torment of our powerlessness.

We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.

We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.

Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.

We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history.

In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.

#yes #yes23 #voteyes

The age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents boundless opportunities, but with them come unique challenges. One such challenge is the balance of assertiveness in AI systems. While assertiveness can translate to decision-making confidence in specific sectors, it could also lead to rigidity and lack of adaptability in others.

The Double-Edged Sword of Assertiveness

In high-risk environments like aviation or medical diagnoses, assertive AI can be a blessing. A system that can make swift, confident decisions without being swayed by human doubt can prevent accidents or speed up diagnosis processes. On the other hand, in fields like education or interpersonal relationships, an overly assertive AI might stifle creativity, overshadow human judgment, or even come across as insensitive.

Programming Perspective: Striking the Balance

From a programming standpoint, the challenge lies in how we design and train these systems. Do we prioritize consistency and confidence, or adaptability and feedback?

1. Feedback Mechanisms: One solution is to incorporate robust feedback mechanisms that allow AI systems to learn from their mistakes. Even in sectors where assertiveness is beneficial, there should be a way to “course correct” when the AI gets it wrong.

2. Variable Assertiveness Levels: Another strategy is to design AI systems with variable levels of assertiveness, depending on the context. For instance, an AI personal assistant could be more assertive when setting up an appointment but more flexible when offering movie suggestions.

AI Management Perspective: Training, Testing, and More

When it comes to managing the development and deployment of AI systems, a more holistic view is essential.

1. Iterative Training: AI systems should undergo iterative training phases where real-world feedback refines their decision-making capabilities. This iterative process can help adjust the AI’s level of assertiveness based on the desired outcome.

2. Ethical Considerations: AI assertiveness should also consider ethical implications. For instance, if an AI system is too assertive in criminal justice applications, it might impose certain patterns or biases that could be harmful. Ethical reviews can help catch such pitfalls.

3. User Feedback: End-users are invaluable sources of feedback. Companies should actively seek feedback, especially during the early stages of deployment, to understand how the AI’s assertiveness level is perceived and to make necessary adjustments.

4. Education and Transparency: Educate users about the AI’s design philosophy, including its intended level of assertiveness. When users understand why an AI behaves a certain way, they can use the tool more effectively and provide more insightful feedback.

Balancing the assertiveness of AI is akin to a delicate dance, one that requires both foresight in design and continuous feedback post-deployment. While the allure of an assertive AI that can make unwavering decisions is tempting, it’s essential to remember the diverse array of applications AI has in our world today. As we forge ahead, both programming innovations and comprehensive management strategies will be crucial in harnessing the full potential of AI, ensuring it remains a tool that complements human intuition and expertise rather than overshadowing it.

24/1/1953 - 7/7/2023

There are a few people in our lives who really make a huge difference.  A difference which is defined by the impact that they have on people and the scope and scale of that.  For me, John was one such person.

I first met John in 1987, he was my Year 9 science teacher at Ivanhoe Grammar School. He taught us many things about science. The fundamental basics of physics, chemistry, and biology which provided a groundwork and basis for a lifelong love of science and discovery of things new.

He even taught us about the dreaded human reproduction unit which I'm sure he hugely relished... But I remember particularly one very proud moment when he brought his ultrasound photo of his daughter in to show us all. We were all taken with the wonder and technology that allowed us to see as yet unborn children. Amazing.

John was also an amazing Chemistry teacher and he loved exciting his students and giving them the sense of wonder which he himself had with science. This passion and love was translated and imbued in so many of the students he taught. He was truly exceptional. He spent 40 years of his career teaching at Ivanhoe Grammar both at Ivanhoe and the Plenty campus. Many will understand how much of an amazing feat that indeed was...

There was more to John than just his students though. His family was always his priority.  He always had time for his kids and did whatever he could to support them.

John was a passionate Collingwood member and supporter. He knew all the players, and ardently supported them whether it be at the ground in person or from his leather recliner in front of the TV. 

He always supported and had the support of his loving wife, Karen. The two of them were peas in a pod and were always looking out for each other, a true example of how a life partnership is and should be.

I was honoured to be able to stay in contact with John over the years and hugely valued his friendship.  Each year around Christmas I would always pay a visit if possible, and when other significant events happened I always wanted to be able to share them with him. He was always interested and engaged whether it be a new car or a new kid.

John tragically passed away in an accident whilst on a walk on holiday near Port Douglas. Whilst he had experienced his share of health challenges, he was loving life and life was good. This makes his sudden passing all the more tragic.

Whilst I share some of the sense of loss John's passing brings, this is nothing compared to the loss felt by Karen, David, Steven, Robert and Claire and his brother Roger. My heart goes out to you all.

Even in this time of sadness, there is much to celebrate as John was indeed an inspiration.  His legacy of having taught a multitude of students a love of science and discovery will live on, and his presence will be felt in all the lives he touched in perpetuity.

Vale John Pollard. Thank you for your inspiration and kindness, your passion and your tenacity. It will not ever be forgotten.