CODENAME 'SCOOP'

The following is from a 1999 press release:

“Scoop! is the (code) name for Oracle’s Millennium Project (OMP), which in its initial stage aims to provide an email address and Web-based learning facilities for schoolchildren across Europe and the USA, and which was developed with the help of a group of 21 young people from Douglas Youth Club and the Manx Telecomputer Bus!

The beauty of Scoop! is its versatility and simplicity. The system allows users to publish information onto the internet— including pictures, videos etc—with minimum training, software or equipment. In a matter of minutes, you can e-mail friends, or leave them ‘stickies’ (electronic Post-it notes) and view the information that other youngsters in your ‘community’ have posted. The Manx students could also see work produced by the two other centres involved in the pilot, Whitehill School Glasgow and Walthamstow School for Girls. The Scoop! network is also safe for all young people to use, with protection from unsolicited email, advertising, or any other inappropriate material. And one more thing— its free!

Oracle’s developers in the USA and at Anglia Polytechnic University’s ‘Ultralab’ were especially keen to receive feedback from the youngsters on what changes they would like to see, and how the system could be made better. Since early April, the Island’s Scoop ‘test pilots’ were sending in on-line ideas and almost immediately these suggestions were incorporated into the Scoop! system.

After the ‘pilot’ in which the Douglas Youth Club played such a critical part, the system has moved into the ‘early adopters’ phase, and Oracle hope to have nearly 10,000 users by the start of the next school year—and many of these will also be from the Isle of Man.

To thank them for their help, Oracle invited all those involved in the pilot to London (photo above), and highlights included exclusive access to the Millennium Dome, accommodation at a top hotel, a west end show, and a night bowling with TV Gladiator Rhino.

Manx Telecom sponsored the Bus for its visit to London.”

CODENAME 'SCOOP'

15/12/2001

STUDENTS from the Douglas Youth Club taking part in the evening Codename SCOOP tests for ORACLE during April/May 1999.

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ABOVE: “Herald the Hound” mascot of Codename Scoop!

LEFT: Professor Steven Heppell - an inspiration and a great friend of the Computer Bus !

BELOW: Some of the boys and girls from the Douglas Youth Club who took part in the Codename SCOOP project.

ABOVE: During the Codename SCOOP trials with (L to R) the Island’s ICT Advisor John Thornley, Oracle and Youth Centre representatives (fill in names here). Youth Worker Steve Brookes and Fairfield School’s Elizabeth Townsend (looking very cross for some reason!)

LEFT: Some of the icons used for Codename SCOOP in 1999 - clearly heralding what become known as ‘Social Media’ years before it was a ‘thing’.

BELOW: Under the Codename SCOOP ‘header’ is a ‘worksheet’ from May 3rd 1999 showing the ‘focus’ tasks for those on board the bus encouraging collaboration with others.

BOTTOW: Notice how the ‘Personal Newspaper’ reproduced here foreshadowed many aspects of today’s (2020) social media phenomenon...

Notice also the use of ‘Netscape Navigator’!

LEFT: The computer bus outside the Kensington Road Youth Club in Douglas during the Codename SCOOP trial. The evening time slot was essential to allow ORACLE staff in California to remotely monitor activities.