Although these sites offer a lot of convenience and the potential for huge wins, they also raise some concerns. The online casino sites must, therefore, comply with some stringent rules and regulations. This is the best way to gain the trust of players and protect them from online security threats.  

Compliance with the regulatory authorities

A secure and trusted online casino will always operate under the license of a competent regulatory authority. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) are the two renowned ones. They have stringent regulations in place for the operation of online casinos. 

They are mainly associated with protecting players’ funds, use of fair gaming, and prevention of fraud and money laundering. Obtaining a license from such authorities is not easy. The best online casinos go through a rigorous vetting process to demonstrate their compliance with the regulator’s requirements. 

To ensure that there’s ongoing compliance, the authorities also conduct regular audits. An online casino that fulfills all these requirements gives its players an assurance that it’s legal and ethical. 

Online security and data protection

It is extremely important to keep the players’ personal and financial information secure in this digital world. An online casino must use advanced security features to safeguard its players’ sensitive data. One of the standard practices is the use of Secure Socket Layer (SSL). This technology encrypts data transmitted between a player and an online casino. 

This protects the website from any unauthorized access. Firewalls, regular security audits, and intrusion detection systems are other robust online security measures. They are highly effective in preventing data breaches and hacking. The best online casino real money players bet on implements strict privacy policies. They ensure that the players’ data is not shared with third parties without the required consent.

Practice of fair gaming 

Yet another factor that builds trust among players is fairness in games offered by the online casino. A legit online casino real money players gamble on ensures this through the use of Random Number Generator (RNG). It makes sure that a game’s outcome is entirely random. 

There are independent testing agencies that verify an RNG’s integrity and fairness before its certification. Some of these testing agencies are iTech Labs and eCOGRA. An online casino must also disclose RTPs and payout rates publicly and transparently. It helps players in making informed decisions about where they should play.

An online casino can also implement some excellent measures to promote responsible gambling. This will prevent players from developing serious gambling-related problems. Among the measures an online casino can take for responsible gambling are providing options in self-exclusion and deposit limits.

In conclusion…

An online casino needs to have a multi-faceted approach to ensure security and fairness. They involve regulatory compliance and initiatives that provide a fair, secure, and pleasant gaming environment for players. This would be an ideal way to build and sustain trust in the long run.

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Currently synthetic DNA stores this data but in the future we may be able to use organic DNA.

We’re already using organic DNA in our bodies to store infomation. This information is the DNA in our cells.

Synthetic DNA replicates the process of storing data in a digital way.

Synthetic DNA is essentially the same as organic DNA but from a synthetic standpoint. Organic DNA that´s in our bodies look exactly like the molecules made.

There are four things that make up DNA. The four different bases, A, T, G, and C. and it´s the sequences of these base pairs that dictate what’s stored in it.

It is very much a digital manner the way the body stores information. Synthetic DNA uses this as a starting point and looks at the way DNA stores genetic information to see how it can work with digital information instead.

Because human cells have to pack in so much genetic information into the content of DNA the storage system is incredibly efficient.

As an example, the size of a sugar cube can store an exabyte of DNA.

Another feature of DNA is the stability of the molecules. At room temperature this medium will essentially last forever.

The idea of storing information in DNA sounds very modern but the idea has actually been around since the ’50s. Until recently only small amounts of data could be stored due to the expense of writing information into the molecules.

How might that be useful in real life? As an illustration, last year a new machine that prints DNA molecules transferred the entirety of Wikipedia onto synthetic DNA.

It´s not difficult to imagine that in the near future these machines will be connected to data centers. For things that require long-term archival we might store that information in DNA form and access it as required. Thousands of copies can also be made if necessary. This is another characteristic of DNA that’s very advantageous as a data-storage medium.

Digital data production is expanding so fast that within 20 years memory chips could consume nearly a hundred times the anticipated supply of microchip-grade silicon.

A data storage revolution is important to reduce the impact on the environment.

By 2025, accumulated global data will exceed 175 billion trillion bytes.

This amount in theory could be contained in 180 pounds of DNA, in turn housed within a 15-gallon drum.

In 2020 it was proven for the first time that DNA could be synthesised.

DNA won’t replace thumb drives for storing and retrieving data but will be reserved for archival purposes. It can safeguard valuable information about things humanity wants to keep forever.

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Research has shown that some of these tools are better than others in reducing the players’ risks.

There’s still only limited research as to the extent to which consumers use these tools online however.

A recent study from Australia studied 564 participants between the ages of 19 and 83 on 6 Australian online gambling sites. All the participants had gambled online within the last 6 months. The researchers asked whether participants set a budget for themselves and the strategies they used to manage them.

The researchers asked about three different tools: activity statements, deposit limits, and time-outs. Participants then responded as to how satisfied they were with each tool, the reasons for using them, and whether it impacted their behaviour.

To assess the severity of gambling amongst the participants the
researchers used the matter Problem Severity Index. Those that scored highly were asked what kind of gambling contributed to their gambling problems. They were considered to have moderate-risk or problem gambling.

Most of the participants (60.5%) knew about all three consumer protection tools. Results showed that around half the participants set budgets for their online gambling. The majority of the participants who set a limit stayed within the number they budgeted. Most users of activity statements didn’t think they had an effect on their gambling.

Only 20% thought that activity statements had made a change.
Many users seemed to find deposit limits and time-outs did help with their gambling. They cited reasons such as feeling in greater control of their gambling, and spending less money and time on gambling.

Low-risk gamblers were the most likely to set budgets for online gambling. People who were moderate risk gamblers preferred deposit limits and time outs than non-problem gamblers.

Younger participants and those at higher risk used more consumer protection tools.

This research and other studies can inform strategies to minimise harm and promote the use of protection tools for gamblers. Service providers and gambling institutions could use the information gained from the study to develop further programs to help user gamble safely. Future research, for example, could examine the effectiveness of the three consumer protection tools for other groups of gamblers not looked at within this particular study.

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Now with many libraries opening again there is a lot of discussion regarding how best to go back to normal. In person classes and close interactions are still to be avoided where possible. Access to physical collections could also prove to be an issue. Collaborative study is being shunned in favour of isolate studying or via online platforms. Social distancing in buildings means that libraries may only safely house half the people they used to.

For that reason even after the pandemic is over there will likely be a number of changes to how and what we perceive libraries to be.

Collections

Even despite the current crisis it has become increasingly clear how irrelevant a lot of print collections have become when a lot of the information can be accessed digitally.

Mass digitization and access versus archives.

For a long time now research libraries have engaged in print digitization efforts as back ups should anything happen to print copies. With print materials locked behind closed doors, in some instances emergency digital library were able to be accessed by its members. This is surely a trend we are likely to see happen from now on within the future of libraries. Whilst there are copyright issues further mass digitization efforts should be undertaken to preserve print copies and make them more accessible.

E-everything.

Demand for printed materials have decreased while use of electronic resources has skyrocketed in libraries. Over the following few years, budgets need to be allocated towards growing electronic collections. The future of libraries will involve developing new strategies for negotiating deals with publishers. Lobbying for greater access to streaming media and ebooks will also need to be pursued. New access models will have to be developed to encourage the adoption of e-books.

The end of huge deals.

The long-term financial implications of COVID-19 and inflationary increases by publishers have caused several institutions to reconsider multiyear licenses to large journal packages. Libraries will need to rely instead on resource-sharing and document delivery services, encouraging publishers to develop specific access options.

Distinctive collection digitization.

The best assets of an academic library’s collection are the special collections and archives. Often though, these materials are often hidden away in vaults, only available for in-person access. For libraries during COVID closure such access was limited. This again means further archives digitization efforts should be made in the coming years. Digitized content will become a primary source of access rather than just a means of preservation.

Copyright/fair use challenges.

Copyright has always been unreasonably restrictive despite protecting the creators of the material. Due to the increase in online access and classes libraries must provide more copyright education to encourage authors to use creative licenses and lobby for more flexible copyright laws.

Services

Libraries pride themselves on their customer service. Layouts may now need to be redesigned to ensure they don’t become hot zones of traffic. More self-service and touchless interactions will be needed. These include services such as self-checkout, curbside pickup and scan and deliver.

Support for online teaching.

Libraries are perfectly positioned to help educational institutions with the development of online courses. They already provide students with instruction, technologies and digital learning facilities. Further relationships should be made to ensure students and schools have all they require to navigate the online environment.

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OER include textbooks, software, and other resources that can be used for free and repurposed by others. It creates powerful opportunities for a faculty to support students and student success. This is irrespective of size and influence of the institution.
So far universities have been slow to take advantage of such opportunities.

82 percent of universities have the autonomy to choose open source textbooks and course materials.

Although awareness of this fact has nearly tripled since 2014–15, adoption still lags far behind.

The use of OER material will require strategic planning and collaborative leadership.

Barbara Illowsky, a professor at De Anza College in California strongly believed in student equity. Students who needed access to course materials by the time classes began often received their aid within the second week of classes.

This meant that often they had to get into debt in order to properly prepare themselves for the start of class.

During the early 1990s, Illowsky and her co author Susan Dean wrote a low cost textbook on elementary statistics. She subsequently republished the book online in 2007 on the Openstax platform. It is now used at nearly one thousand universities and colleges worldwide.

OpenStax’s free and openly licensed textbooks are developed with the identical rigorous authorship and peer-review processes to traditional publishers. These Open Source textbooks have been instrumental in addressing the concerns of some faculties who viewed OER as lower quality than commercial rivals. In just one elementary statistics course at De Anza College students have saved over $3 million in textbook costs since 2007.

In 2012, C. Edward Watson, director for the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Georgia had a similar experience. He and his staff recognised that the best opportunities to provide affordability and equity through OER came from instructors using expensive textbooks in large classes.

In 2013, his staff worked with an Introduction to Biology professor to change her course. It resulted in changing from using a $99 textbook to using OpenStax’s free biology textbook.

By the end of the next academic year, this OER adoption saved students $200,000.

The biology professor became a valuable OER advocate. With proof of how it worked Watson worked with two or three new faculties every year to transition their course materials to OER. Watson left UGA in 2017. By then over a dozen faculties had transitioned from using expensive textbooks to high-quality OER materials. Between 2013 and 2017 savings from these changes were estimated at nearly $4 million. Most importantly research conducted by Watson and his team found that using OER actually led to students gaining higher grades.

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Data sharing across sectors has been feasible for a period of time now. It’s not prohibited by technical issues but instead by other obstacles such as ethical, social, and legal issues.

Healthcare data sharing needs an infrastructure to support it.

That infrastructure should provide functionality, transparency, and data security. All the stakeholders must commit to making it work.

One of the greatest obstacles to sharing data can be a lack of trust. Other barriers include the cost of the data and how it ends up used.

During the pandemic some providers have started sharing their data on COVID-19. The HCA healthcare system in Nashville, Tennessee has collected data on its COVID patients since March 1, 2020.

They were approached by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and asked if they wanted to collaborate on a long term basis. The aim was to provide information that could be be used to provide a greater understanding of the nature of COVID-19.

HCA were able to offer access to their data to help build on AHRQ´s existing knowledge. Due to the urgency of the pandemic, trust is being built quicker among HCA and other such external research organizations. The potential of adding other health systems to contribute their data is also being actively looked into.

Another large health data sharing project is the N3C. Sponsored by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, the goal of this group is to gather data on people that have COVID. Looking at their medical information dating back from 2018 should help them get a better understanding of the virus.

Currently 197 organizations are using the data.

It includes 1.2 million COVID patients’ electronic health records, in addition to control patients who haven’t had COVID. The data provides a wide range of data covering all sectors of the population, in cities and more rural areas as well as ethnicity, and race. Around 2,000 people have contributed to the database. The pandemic has been terrible but it’s also shown how people and organisations can work together for a common good.

The database raises issues with regards to who can use that data however. The database includes healthcare data from a wide range of sources. If an organisation is looking at the data for a specific purpose can they look at other parts of the data which isn’t necessarily relevant to their needs?

Patient privacy is another issue which almost always raises its head when it comes to discussions like these.

Many organisations have already put out guidelines and codes of conduct for using data and the implications and procedures are being looked at.

Whilst there are still problems to iron out, the US has come a long way with health data in a relatively short time. 5 or 6 years ago less than 50% of the country had functional electronic health records. These days that number significantly higher. There is still a long way to go with the main challenge being the fragmentation of the industry.

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There is evidence of coordination across different agencies but it is not good enough to meet the needs of those who need it who are outside of the loop.

A report has recommended the creation of a “national climate information system”. This will be conducted with federal leadership, data and quality assurance guidelines.

The Democrats put forward a similar recommendation last Summer to establish a central portal of climate risk information. Republicans were unhappy about creating new federal infrastructure however.

It is not intended to be just further bureaucracy however and will be invaluable for its intended users.

A variety of federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic centers and personal sector institutions can provide climate-related information. That variety may however also create confusion about which data is acceptable in any given situation.

It is currently very confusing for people to get the information from so many different sources. It’s therefore important that there is coordination across federal agencies so everyone receives the identical information.

It should serve as a point of contact to direct people to the information they need.

Microsoft and the ODI have also been working to create open, trustworthy data sharing and collaboration. Together they have conducted research into climate change to spot priority areas for increased access via data through data collaborations.

They are working with experts to analyse the data ecosystem. They aim to review how data is shared and used. Also existing collaborations and the challenges and opportunities that increasing access to data in these areas could lead on to.

A sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic is important in addressing climate change.

Governments around the world are looking at various measures to ensure transformation to a net-zero emissions economy.

The plan is to bring together datasets on the economy, society and work, population and health, agriculture, transport and tourism, and energy. This should bring significant benefits to the investment and policy decisions needed for recovery.

Improving energy efficiency for buildings which account for a third of all global energy emissions is obviously a huge task. Data sharing on climate change with regards to data on building characteristics and energy could result in significant improvements in their energy consumption.

Improving water resource management

The world’s water supplies are increasingly in danger from climate change. This makes collaboration regarding the management of water as a shared resource even more imperative. Collaborative approaches will ensure that water is available for both people and the world’s ecosystems.

Reducing the climate impact of urban transportation

Cities around the world are trying to develop solutions to transition towards more climate-friendly transport systems. Data sharing models could accelerate the progress of cities towards achieving the Paris Agreement goals.

Reducing waste

11 billion metric tonnes of solid waste generated per year creates pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Ensuring that high-quality data is available will help to reduce waste and corresponding emissions.

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The fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks is imminent. Security for supply chains, information-sharing strategies with private sector companies and approved acquisition standards will be key to a successful roll out.

The Federal Mobility Group (FMG) includes a number of federal agencies and reports to the Federal CIO Council. It meets every couple of weeks to debate the challenges and discuss best practices.

They have made concerted efforts to consolidate the data available and make it more accessible to agencies.

The data used by the FMC and other agencies will help them make key decisions.

The ultimate aim of the information-sharing and collaboration practices is to make sure 5G rollout is as streamlined as possible.

In other areas of industry other organisations have teamed up to share their data and skills. Honda and Verizon are researching how 5G and mobile edge computing (MEC) could improve safety for vehicles both connected and autonomous.

They are working with the University of Michigan to explore safety scenarios to improve threat detection and avoid accidents.

The project’s goal is to research how 5G and mobile edge computing (MEC) can ensure fast and reliable communication between road infrastructure, vehicles and pedestrians to reduce accidents and save lives.

Super-fast, reliable and low-latency data transmission is crucial for connected vehicle safety according to the two companies involved.

Verizon claims its 5G and MEC platforms are able to bring the power of the cloud closer to the vehicle.

This helps to lower latency, offer massive bandwidth and improve communications with other cars, traffic lights, pedestrians and emergency vehicles.

Honda has been developing a technology to reduce the likelihood of collisions since 2017. “Safe Swarm” enables vehicles to communicate with other road users. Key information like location, speed, and vehicle sensor data is shared.

The implementation of 5G reduces the need for expensive and complex AI capabilities in every car.

Using their software platforms, Honda and Verizon are exploring three different safety scenarios:

An approaching driver cannot see a pedestrian crossing a street at an intersection as a result of a building obstructing the view. Smart cameras at the intersection relay information to MEC using the 5G network. The software identifies the scenario and sends the driver a warning message.

A driver can´t see or hear an approaching emergency vehicle.

The software receives a message from the emergency vehicle and sends a warning message to nearby vehicles.

A vehicle fails to stop at a red light signal.

Using data from the smart cameras the software sends a red-light-runner visual warning message to other vehicles approaching the intersection.

Car accidents killed over forty thousand people in 2020. 94% of those were caused by human error. New technologies such as 5G and MEC can help drivers react quicker helping to stop collisions and save lives

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It has been around for 20 years and has become a pillar of the open education community. It is a useful resource for many learners around the world from all walks of life. Both lectures and videos are used as well as other content for users to improve their careers and propel their studies.

OpenCourseWare launched during the early days of the internet during the initial phase of e-learning. Asking their users for feedback spurred them to launch OpenCourseWare, an internet site offering all of their course materials free to anyone. Within a year, MIT OpenCourseWare had a website with fifty courses attracting worldwide acclaim. Currently they offer over 2,500 courses spanning the MIT graduate and undergraduate curriculum. To date, OCW has been a resource for over 210 million unique users, with most users coming from outside the US.

It is of great value to students much further afield however. With other institutions operating closed systems, OCW is a lifeline for many students from all around the world. These students can access the site and progressed through their chosen career path as a result.

OCW has created a boom within the open-education movement. Aside from the courses, OCW has had an impact on the way online learning resources have worked in education. They have set a template for other colleges and universities looking to achieve similar results.

OER lifts up everyone’s ability to contribute to shared knowledge, and to increase that knowledge. It creates new paths for people to work together.

In 2005, OCW helped launch the MIT OpenCourseWare Consortium whose network of over 300 educational activity institutions and other similar organizations have freely shared countless learning materials to foster widespread adoption of OERs.

Integrating teachers into the process of OCW was a key priority. Initially it was envisioned that it would be almost exclusively used by educators. It has actually come as a surprise how popular it is amongst students. Educators all around the world have shared their positive experiences of using OCW.

For individual learners OCW is a means to expand understanding and satisfy curiosity and to achieve their work goals. Educators can use it is a resource library to augment and strengthen their curriculum. For educational organizations it’s a way to share a commitment to open knowledge.

The courses on OCW have also come to reflect the way that MIT has grown and adjusted over the last 20 years. An Introduction to engineering courses in Algebra have always been two of the most viewed courses. These days however courses like “The Challenge of World Poverty” reflect the zeitgeist. “Blockchain and Money” is another course which has seen a significant rise in views.

OCW also plays a role in creating more diversity. For example African studies have become more visible at MIT. Often Africa is seen as a place where problems need to be solved. OCW has helped show that it is also a place of knowledge production.

OpenCourseWare enters its third decade in the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic, with schools and businesses closed. Traffic to OCW spiked to 2.2 million visits a month, 75% higher than during the same period in 2019. More importantly, the shift to remote learning over the past year has focused on the opportunities of online education. Looking at the longer term, OCW can use its experience of 20 years to address the problems currently being faced.

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Like most parts of the western world South Austalia has an ageing population experiencing greater growth within the Metropolitan areas alongside a decline in the population in rural areas.

New migrants account for 15% of this growth and speak a language other than English. Over 50% of the state’s Aboriginal population lives outside Adelaide. For a significant period of time governments have worked on plans for the community.

Priority on increased community engagement has been a key aim. Public libraries play a big role in community engagement and education. The tech industry has seen a large rise in South Australia and is home to a number of innovative entrepreneurial technology based small businesses.

The nature of labour has changed significantly with new jobs appearing as a direct result of this changing landscape.

Climate change has meant that South Australia is warmer than it was 15 years ago.

The government has built ‘Ice boxes’ to provide a welcome, cool environment. This has helped the vulnerable and as acted as a sustainable way to minimise energy use.

Libraries have become a key part of this scheme. Mixed-use development such as this bring together housing, jobs, transport services, recreation and leisure.

Modern smart libraries seek to use sustainable technologies to keep utility costs down. Just as importantly they should also look to be a welcoming environment and a library network should always be interconnected and interdependent. The future lies in strengthening this via service delivery. Nothing within the dynamic library ecosystem should be in isolation.

A modern library network should deliver an integrated library system.

Systems for the Network of the future will be streamlined. This includes the ability to enable online collaboration via sophisticated platforms for sharing resources. These should make administrative tasks more efficient.

A libraries network must be dynamic, interconnected and play a central role similar to community hubs. Ideally they will also collaborate with other sectors including schools, businesses and community groups. Long term success is dependant on skilled staff, atmosperic physical and virtual library spaces. Also content that stimulates imagination.

The services and spaces should encourage innovation and learning through technology. Partnerships and interactions at a localised level is vital. Knowledge is a major driver of productivity and economic growth. This has resulted in a focus on data, technology and learning.

Knowledge access and the creation of innovative ideas and solutions to new problems are all connected. Libraries play a key role in delivering information, technology and learning for people and communities.

Public libraries have had a comparatively basic service delivery model for the last fifty years. It was the centre of knowledge to which the user had to visit to gain that information. Digital technologies and globalisation have meant that libraries now have to adapt.

Library services in the next five years will be delivered to people both physically and online. In a complete change from the past, these smart libraries now needs to come to the people.

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