This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Seonaid finds a new voice
24/07/2002
Seonaid, the Executive's state-of-the-art virtual
presenter, has had a makeover and now takes her place on
the main news website to further improve accessibility to
government news and information.
She has a new Scottish accent to more closely identify
her with the site, and a range of virtual outfits designed
by a student from Heriot Watt University, as she begins to
present selected news items from today.
Seonaid (pronounced Shona) appeared at a special launch
event which included a virtual interview with Finance and
Public services Minister Andy Kerr, and a presentation to
Fiona McWilliam, the fashion design student who was
successful in the competition to provide her new
clothes.
Seonaid is believed to be the first virtual character on
a Government website anywhere in the world and her
re-launch marks a further step forward in the Executive's
drive to modernise government, using technology to improve
the quality of public services and public information.
Her new accent was created by Rhetorical Systems, an
Edinburgh-based company. It is incorporated in
enhanced software provided by Digital Animations Group, a
Glasgow-based company originally responsible for the
world's first cyber news-caster Ananova.
The first version of Seonaid appeared on the Junior Exec
section of Executive News Online in November last year.
Andy Kerr said:
"Seonaid is a terrific example of how the cutting-edge
technology being developed in Scotland can be harnessed to
bring real advantages to public services and, more
importantly, benefits for the people who use those
services.
"Technology is not about gimmicks but about delivering a
better service to the people of Scotland. Technology plays
an important role in helping to close the opportunity gap
and this is absolutely integral to the Executive's
modernising government agenda.
"Seonaid has the potential to communicate in sign
language and speak in foreign languages - opening up
Scotland to the rest of the world, and to Scots whose first
language is not English, at the touch of a button.
"She has already been involved in opening conferences,
in addition to her appearances on the Executive news site
and we are actively looking at ways to expand the use of
Seonaid onto other platforms so that she can be accessed
through an even wider variety of channels."
The name Seonaid stands for Scottish Executive Online
News and Information Distributor.
Seonaid is to be an integral part of the John Logie
Baird exhibition at the Royal Museum, Edinburgh, during the
International Festival. The exhibition celebrating the life
and achievements of one of Scotland's great pioneers
runs from August 12 to August 31. For more information
visit
www.johnlogiebaird.com or
call 0141 575 9521.