Melbourne takes crowdsourced Jubilee time capsule online

Melbourne, the independent server hosting provider, has been chosen to host the Jubilee Time Capsule (JTC) – a forward-thinking, revolutionary digital gift being prepared for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

Melbourne joins Manchester-based companies − Capsool and Ravensoft – to form a trio of technology experts who will be powering the JTC. Capsool – a collaboration of technology experts − has developed the digital platform that supports the Jubilee Time Capsule, while mobile software developers, Ravensoft, will create a bespoke app for users. As part of the project, Melbourne will be providing pro-bono hosting for the platform. 

The project is asking members of the public in the UK and across the world to contribute videos, photos and text about a memorable day over the last 60 years. The best JTC, entries will be presented to the Queen later in 2012.

Daniel Keighron-Foster, managing director of Melbourne Server Hosting, said: “It’s a real honour to have been chosen to host the Jubilee Time Capsule. As excitement and interest builds around the project, Melbourne has the skills and capabilities to safeguard this priceless digital archive for posterity. In a momentous year, we’re delighted – as a young Northern company – to be working on behalf of one of the oldest institutions in the country."
The JTC has had more than 37,000 entries from 52 countries and interest is growing by the day. Special features include: The People’s Choice, which is the 60 most popular entries, as voted, by site users.

Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, director of the Royal Commonwealth Society – the organisation behind the project − added: "With two months to go till the Jubilee festivals, the JTC is now ready and able to crowdsource memories from around the Commonwealth. We are delighted to be working with Melbourne, a hosting company with a fantastic reputation for reliability and scalability."

Paul Carruthers, director of Capsool, the JTC technology partner, added: "We wanted the site to really involve the public, not just in the contribution process, but in the viewing experience. The JTC gallery allows people to explore content more easily and tell us which entries are their favourites, achieving an extra level of interaction and engagement."

The JTC gallery will display all of the content judged 3 stars-plus by the JTC judges. All valid entries will be ‘locked’ into an online time capsule preserved in perpetuity as a digital legacy of
Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

Ends.
Media Contact:
Alex Kapp or Jessica Wilkinson
Tel: 0161 941 4252
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Notes to Editors:
About the project: The Jubilee Time Capsule will be a key part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Contributions can currently be submitted at www.jubileetimecapsule.org and via the free JTC App.

The Royal Commonwealth Society is the oldest and largest civil society organisation devoted to the Commonwealth. Founded by Royal Charter in 1868, it promotes international understanding through its educational, youth and cultural programmes. Headquartered at the Commonwealth Club in London, the RCS has some 4,000 members in the UK and a network in over 40 Commonwealth countries. The RCS is a registered charity in England & Wales.
(226748). www.thercs.org

Capsool has developed the digital platform that supports the Jubilee Time Capsule. This technology enables the creation of online social archives and is also the basis for a unique messaging service to be launched later this year.

Melbourne is an independent server hosting provider. Established in 2000, the company provides hosting solutions for a wide variety of local, national and international clients in the IT and creative sectors. Launched by Daniel Keighron-Foster, a 29-year-old entrepreneur, the company is one of the only hosting specialists in the North West to be in control of its own infrastructure.

Ravensoft Ltd creates bespoke mobile software. Based on Manchester Science Park, it works with all the major mobile platforms to create unique mobile solutions for unique business needs.