I've just made my first contribution to wikipedia too.
dsp
- Tue Feb 28 23:47:21 2006

 Well done John! Fascinating articles about Japanese whisky on Wikipedia. We were using said Wiki to show our lad (Tim) the meaning of Shrove Tuesday - as it's pancakes galore over here and the kids love them! Do they celebrate with special pancakes over in the US/Seattle?
Nigel
- Tue Feb 28 22:47:39 2006

 sorry John, I didn't read your wiki, next time I'll wikipedia before asking!
kev
- Tue Feb 28 21:11:26 2006

 Kev - my article on wikipedia addresses exactly this point in the opening paragraph!
John
- Tue Feb 28 21:03:08 2006

 Apparantly Bird-Flu has skipped a species is now infecting cats.
I assume the cat probably killed and ate an infected bird.

However, looking on the bright side, if its started spreading from cat to cat then it wouldn't be too bad, infact some would say it would be a good thing ;)
Sorry cat Lovers :)
Kev
- Tue Feb 28 18:11:25 2006

 I am not sure what a 'wasy' or Irush' is but I presume I mean 'way' and 'Irish' !
Kev
- Tue Feb 28 17:34:36 2006

 John, when referring to Japanese Whisky I presume its still spelt the Scottish wasy rather than the Irush ( or do they have their own spelling ? ) wiskey/wisky/wizkee/whizkee ?
Kev
- Tue Feb 28 17:33:48 2006

 Good old Wikipedia answered that one in just a few seconds. Incidentally, I recently wrote my first wikipedia article (or actually a set of articles). I had used other wikis before at work, and generally found them to be messy and awkward - but the system that "the 'pedia" runs on is really slick. Somebody somewhere deserves a medal - it really is one of the best bits of the internet.
John
- Tue Feb 28 16:58:12 2006

 Did the original quote actual have "pop out" in it, or was that artistic license Kev?
John
- Tue Feb 28 16:52:13 2006

 It supposed to be March tommorrow and I am sitting here looking out of my windows at a snow blizzard. Roll on global Warming!
Kev
- Tue Feb 28 14:59:14 2006

 Yeah, got halfway down the road and it turned to slush :(
Kev
- Tue Feb 28 12:12:03 2006

 Are you back yet Kev?
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 28 12:02:52 2006

 Talking of snow, I am watching a blizzard out of my window right now. I going to pop out for now a bit and I might be some time!
Kev
- Tue Feb 28 10:43:52 2006

 Isn't KBTC korean?
Lox
- Tue Feb 28 07:53:02 2006

 Brilliant - a documentary about Monty Python is on American telly right now (some channel called KBTC....?)...
John
- Tue Feb 28 05:40:04 2006

 So the fridge in my hotel room has decided overnight it actually wants to be a freezer instead. Rather irritatingly I had a load of salad in there - lettuce doesn't really like being frozen, so it is all kind of spoiled. Very annoying!
John
- Tue Feb 28 04:23:01 2006

 I guess it was up in the mountains a bit (although I don't remember climbing up that much...). Certainly there is no snow anywhere around the suburbs of Seattle.
John
- Tue Feb 28 04:16:34 2006

 Snow?!?! We've had literally none this year. A shame...it was actually 81 degrees today. I think winter is officially over here. Sad, but I'm now ready for warmer weather so I can play some basketball.
Travis
- Tue Feb 28 01:21:39 2006

 Did you make any Snowmen while out for the day in the woods?

:))
Nigel
- Mon Feb 27 22:49:40 2006

 I am sooooo bored... literally falling asleep at my desk!
John
- Mon Feb 27 22:38:51 2006

 John: Could be interesting to see the effects on your potential carreer in MS, though I think that we all know that you will hardy rise to Vicepresidency if you write that! :)
Lox
- Mon Feb 27 22:09:26 2006

 Today I have to fill in some gwenny "mid year career development form" - full of questions like "Describe your career aspirations over the next 12 months". How bad would it be to fill this in with "Get a new job with a different company."....?
John
- Mon Feb 27 20:03:15 2006

 Jimmy: Ouch... How did it happen? i once phisically burned an hard drive by sending it into short circuit... But that was more of a fumble (in moving it when it was on ) on my side rathre than a faulty piece...
Lox
- Mon Feb 27 18:05:04 2006

 (Disaster, even)
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 27 17:18:02 2006

 Diasater day! Just when I thought things couldn't possibly get any worse, one of the computers began to make that tell-tale "Burning electronics" smell. Argh!
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 27 17:17:44 2006

 We get the odd repeats now and again. However there will be no more Father Ted since 'Ted' died a few years back :( - unless they do a new series without him in a Taggart-esque style.
Kev
- Mon Feb 27 16:02:28 2006

 Is father Ted still on in England? I was remembering the old English day watching Fater Ted with Rob and John and Tim, all together shouting "ARSE... FECK" every 1 minute...
Lox
- Mon Feb 27 14:09:31 2006

 Slow day today then. Had a super weekend, granddaughter was adorable, as usual, weather was OK but cold. Off soon to have my pre wedding perm!!
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 27 12:48:21 2006

 Just imagine the amount of neurones a glass of that stuff could fry on the spot!
Sheri
- Mon Feb 27 11:16:25 2006

 John: I have read that a distillery in Isle made a whiskey using a very old recipe and the result (that will come out in 10 years) should be a spirit at 92 degrees!!!! (Ninetytwo degrees!!)
Lox
- Mon Feb 27 08:29:51 2006

 So I'm off for an afternoon now at a colleague's house out in the country, where we're going to chop logs, round up horses, shift hay and so on. I'm gonna be a redneck for a day!
John
- Sun Feb 26 20:23:35 2006

 Whatever they say John, don't buy a banjo!!!! :)
Nigel
- Sun Feb 26 19:06:55 2006

 Oh and the bordering on the surreal: "Never try to teach a pig how to dance. You'll waste your time and just annoy the pig."
John
- Sun Feb 26 18:37:39 2006

 Since I am in the US, I thought it only proper to try and learn something about American culture, and so I have been perusing the insightful Redneck Words of Wisdom. My favourite thus far is "Busier than a cat covering up shit on a concrete floor". Genius.
John
- Sun Feb 26 18:30:41 2006

 Posting this from my 10-year-old laptop!! Yep, it still rocks!!

Anyhow, going back to the discussion earlier in the week (and I was being a bit of a devils-advocate), I think the reason I like the Windows platform more than any other, is not because of some MS-Envy, or Bill-Love, just that there's sooo much software available for it. And it's the guys and gals who write that stuff that I admire so.

There's a lot of arrogance in big-business and big software companies. I like shareware/freeware and the enthusiasm those programmers put in to their projects.

There. Right. Now off to buy a new vacuum-cleaner. Oh the fun of it...
Nigel
- Sun Feb 26 16:14:15 2006

 Travis: Unfortunately they do not broadcast AliG here in Italy, but he rocks! :)
Lox
- Sun Feb 26 10:29:16 2006

 Nigel: The only sound from the room is laughter! Unnerving. Have any of you seen the Ali G bit on gang signs? It's in the US version, maybe season 2. He's talking with a police officer about two "gang sign throwers" who turn out to be signing to one another. Pretty funny.
Travis
- Sun Feb 26 00:51:05 2006

 Yes, very unsettling. A few years ago, where I work, I volunteered to be trained in signing, but wasn't chosen as it hadn't been thought relevant to my field (sys-admin). It looks very like a gentle martial-art where everyone who takes part laughs...!
Nigel
- Sat Feb 25 20:43:51 2006

 At the university I attend, all language departments are housed in the same building (except English). Interestingly, in the room just next to the one housing my office are predominantly ASL (American Sign Language) courses. There's something eerie about seeing an entire room of students who NEVER speak. I think it's a conspiracy.
Travis
- Sat Feb 25 18:11:01 2006

 Sorry. This message was too small.
dsp
- Sat Feb 25 16:37:39 2006

 Sorry that was siGn ... I understand what you meant! :P
Lox
- Sat Feb 25 12:39:12 2006

 Sing Language? Care to explain that too John? :P
Lox
- Sat Feb 25 10:44:54 2006

 I have just got into the office, and am having a tremendously fun time going through my email, and sticking my fingers up at any I don't like. Oh the joys of being juvenile, and the blessing of being able to use "sign language" which is not globally understood!
John
- Fri Feb 24 18:01:17 2006

 Yep but the rearview mirror is not enough to see how he DID cut you hair, so I guess he would suffer a reduction of business... Interestingly, if you are to put a TV in the shop you pay triple the tax... I wonder why, if it's something to go with "senses"... Only hearing 1 tax, hearing and seeing 3 times... If I fart do I have to pay something? I am going to write a letter to the public administration, right now!
Lox
- Fri Feb 24 17:06:50 2006

 Or maybe he could just save all round, and cut people's hair in his car?
John
- Fri Feb 24 16:59:01 2006

 They would be probably shot dead by Italian police... :D
No actually it's interesting to see that if the owner of the barber shop, parks his car in front extends the speakers with some cable and plays the music inside IT'S OK!!!!!!
Lox
- Fri Feb 24 16:57:12 2006

 Lox, what if someone is playing the radio loud over the Swiss border...?
John
- Fri Feb 24 16:40:50 2006

 They'd probably invent some special chemical to put on vynile that will self destruct after you play half of it, simply because the music might be heard from your neighbour, therefore he has to pay for it. Jokes aside, in Pizzaland the BARBER has to pay a special tax if he has a radio in the shop... This is because customers listen to the music and that it's covered by copyright, so he has to pay... It's SO ABSURD that I don't even wanna comment on that!
Lox
- Fri Feb 24 11:31:22 2006

 I say lets go back to 8-track, vinyl, VHS tapes and audio cassettes that'll learn'em. stupid money-grabbing monopolising thingy-er-me-bobs.
Kev
- Fri Feb 24 11:14:25 2006

 Morning all, from a bright but cloudy London. I'm at home at the moment using Cyberdad's PC. Am off to deepest Somerset later this morning for the weekend, mainly with cadets, then will pop in to see Bethan on the way home on Sunday. A great weekend in store. Just hope we don't get snowed in anywhere.
Mad Mumsie
- Fri Feb 24 10:08:46 2006

 Jimmy: I totally agree. I couldn't do anything but agree with your analysis, chapeau!
Lox
- Fri Feb 24 09:39:45 2006

 My objection to DRM, is ... well, the D, the R and the M. Firstly, the D means it's implemented by a computer, which has absolutely no idea about what the law is, what country it's in, or whether or not any individual use of the protected media is legal or not ... thus forcing it to take a "Worst case" approach to the thole thing (i.e. preventing legal copying as well as illegal). The R is also a problem. Companies that push DRM like to use this word "Rights". Well, what *are* these rights? They're not legal rights- they are "Rights" in the "Computer access rights" sense, and the media owners see fit to invent new "Rights" (such as the "Right" to copy from one device to another) and grant them to end users entirely at their own discretion. These are not rights in any real sense, and yet they are being enforced as though they had some legal meaning. Which brings us to the M- and we discover that all the cards are actually held by the content owners, and the end-user is basically over a barrel. What about the end-user's rights? Their actualy, leagl rights? Who's managing these? What about the right to "Fair Use" ... which at the very least has to imply the ability not to lose your record collection if your iPod becomes damaged. Furthermore, there is no need for DRM - all these works are already protected by copyright, and these are enforced by whatever legal system is in place (which obviously varies from country to country). I believe it is necessarily a bad thing, and I am wholeheartedly against it.
Jimmy
- Fri Feb 24 08:27:48 2006

 Lox - Oh and the GM error message happens because the script took too long and the server went and cut it short. This happens to me all the time - you've just got to accept it! It normally means that your post has been saved properly, but the files may not have all been built correctly. You can try doing a rebuild all files after this, but then that might timeout too. One day I might move away from greymatter, but that is not likely to be any time soon!
John
- Fri Feb 24 03:03:24 2006

 Clearly the optimum though is that content providers don't insist on encryption at all. Take Freeview for example (UK Digital TV). From a developer's point of view this is a great platform - any two bit programmer like me can write software for it (and I did!). In Japan though, all digital TV is encrypted, and you need approval from broadcasters and all that yada yada before you can implement a receiver. This means for Japanese digital TV there will never be any freeware digital TV software, like my program does for UK DTV.
John
- Fri Feb 24 03:00:53 2006

 Well, whatever... but issues like DRM take on a different light when you see them from another point of view, as my job lets me do. I personally would rather see content available on a PC, but wrapped up with DRM, rather that not available on the PC at all. I don't want to always have to use some noddy box for watching TV which is totally crap and inflexible, because the broadcasters won't trust content being delivered on a PC. Similarly I would rather not see a future where the new triangular shaped CDs for music can only be played on some special proprietary player, because the record companies don't trust the PC. Either companies like MS engage with DRM, or the content providers decide not to allow their content onto that platform.
John
- Fri Feb 24 02:54:30 2006

 John: Look at this nice error that GM is returning to me when I try to add an article or rebuild the site...

The specified CGI application misbehaved by not returning a complete set of HTTP headers.

Maybe it's just temporary, maybe it's something that some of you experienced as well?
Lox
- Thu Feb 23 20:41:28 2006

 lol Johns turned into the Man.
kev
- Thu Feb 23 20:16:04 2006

 Lox: I think DRM is actually just a "concept" and not actually a given system of protection. Like the term "Copyright". Having seen things from the Apple side as well, I can say their ideas are just the same, implimented slightly differently.

Anywho - if you really want to pirate a CD just play it in a hi-fi and use either the optical or phono outs to copy to another digital format and you'll suffer hardly any noticable degredation at all. Sorry, but this is the bottom line. It circumvents everything. If a manufacturer produces a CD that is so "tricky" it will not play, even on a stereo, then it plain and simple will not sell. (In my humble opinion!! :)))

True, offering music as download-only is probably how media companies want to go to gain control. But that is NOT MS.
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 19:40:14 2006

 John: Mmmm I am not sure.. They are the only player at the moment in the world, for a system like DRM to be enforced it would need agreement on both sides. I think that there will be a lot of troubles for end users, therefore I have my doubts about it.. I am not a pro-pirate person, but so far all the copy protections have created only problems to normal users rather than to pirates. Take the copy protections on musical CDs, I have heard a lot of people complaining after having bought a CD that they cannot play on their stereo... The way I see DRM is an even more complex system that inevitably will cause much attrition, at least at first... But then again, I do not know exactely how it works so maybe I am just mistaken...
Lox
- Thu Feb 23 17:56:59 2006

 The encyrption thing in Vista is partly about proper rights managements - it is all very well having user accounts, and setting file permissions, but this is all kind of meaningless if you could just pull out the hard drive, or boot into Linux, and just get at any of the files you want. I know I am biased, but I think some people are too quick to assume everything MS does is part of some evil masterplan! Design decisions at MS are driven by engineers having good ideas and wanting to do what they think is best. Obviously this then has to be checked against what will sell, what is legal and so on.... but fundamentally it is a bottom up process, and I haven't met any people at the bottom who are evil and want to take over the world (apart from me of course!).
John
- Thu Feb 23 17:54:47 2006

 Tim: it was SetEvent that gets called something like a billion times a second the world over (and thus they were "pretty sure" they'd have heard about it now if there were any bugs).
John
- Thu Feb 23 17:49:42 2006

 MS have to get into things like DRM, or the content providers (broadcasters, record companies, etc) simply would not make that content available to a PC platform. There is no vested interest in DRM for MS other than this (believe me, I know). It gets seen as something debilitating, but actually it is an enabling technology.
John
- Thu Feb 23 17:48:20 2006

 Interesting.... Let's see what they do, a bit of competition can only be good to the market
Lox
- Thu Feb 23 15:59:07 2006

 Have any of you heard about the Google "moves to world domination?" They're apparently working on PCs that will be cheaper than $300...but will need a connection to their site in order to do basic things, like word processing. Clever. And devious. They also seem to be buying up the "dark fibre" that was lain, but never used. I don't know if this is true, but it's interesting. Perhaps their own "internet" is in the offing?
Travis
- Thu Feb 23 15:33:58 2006

 Good points, Lox! You are quite right - my PC is mine, I built it - so I resent anyone else telling me what I can do with it. Which is why I dual-boot when I need to. Truth is though, of late, I actually prefer XP and my huge software library. Both Linux and OSX proved just as fickle and unreliable for me (probably all my fault!). A very small example is the sheer, unmatched functionality of "right-click" in Windows. It is truly superb compared with other OS's.

Jimmy: Ah! Then at least we'd know who was attacking our barricades (okay, ports) !!
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 14:07:55 2006

 Over time, technology becomes commoditized, the open-source movement is part of the commoditization process. It is a clear example of equilibrium at work. The open-source movement would not exist if Microsoft wasn't closed-source and purchased. Just like good and evil, they both need each other. (Not that I think either is evil).
dsp
- Thu Feb 23 13:56:01 2006

 Jimmy: What are they exactly trying to do with that encryption method? No chance for a dual boot anymore?
Lox
- Thu Feb 23 13:02:13 2006

 Nigel: Noooo problem, I like the discussion, it's the only way to "grow up" new ideas and maybe get more experience!
As for what you say, I think it's clear that MS is in the league with the software/music/movie companies, and in a way DRM are protecting their own interest. Linux doesn't have to protect this lobby, therefore its out of the DRM contest (apprently, though someone will create some program that allows these files to be used cross platform).
I do not object with the fact that they were the first and their idea is the winning one (easy computer for everybody), but what I do not like is the fact that they are trying to take away from the user's hands the control on this instrument (the computer). It's not right. They shouldn't be allowed to do it, just because most people don't understand about technology. In a not so distant future we might end up with the TV telling us what to watch, 'cause it's "best" for us. Under the technical point of view it must be hideously complex to create a kernel like the one that runs under windows, hats off to that.
Lox
- Thu Feb 23 13:00:36 2006

 Well, obviously so that only *their* sneaky-back-door products could infect the machines. As per Vista disc-encryption.
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 23 12:57:20 2006

 ... And if MS were in league with the record companies why did they release an addition to the Malware/Defender module to detcct rootkits??
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 11:42:23 2006

 Hi Lox. May I disagree? (In a friendly way, of course!!) DRM is not just MS, it's also digital rights management by big record companies too. I hate it as much as the next man, so happily use MP3s on my WinXP. Remember Macs use a similar AAC DRM format. Linux doesn't necessarily have it's own unique DRM format but can't play them either - MP3 are no problems though, and to hi-fi quality.

If you don't like DRM, buy the CD and rip it yourself. Circumventing the rootkits (now we know they exist!) is easy and you then have a "hard-copy".

And true, if you don't like MS software, don't use it. You DO have that choice. (I've used a lot of OS's as is well recorded here!!) It's just MS were the first company to get to the mass-market. Is that their fault? Even if their business tactics sound a bit "underhand" the technology side is pretty robust and adaptable. Linux and OSX are not at the same level (though the latter is certainly very robust) - yet! :))
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 11:39:31 2006

 The fact that Linux doesn't have DRM, HD encryption, proven communication of sensible data to Redmond and so on doensn't highlight the difference between the two OSs?
MS is becoming the controlling arm of whoever is in charge at the moment, Linux at least is not trying to do that...
I mean the computer is MINE, why should some software (paid or not) be allowed to decide what to run or not to run on MY machine? Fine if they share the bill for the hardware, but since it's not the case... It's like if Nestlè forced microwave owen producers to heat only THEIR milk and not the milkman's....
Windows is certainly great for many things, under the sheer programming point of view, but the marketing behind it it's scary.
Lox
- Thu Feb 23 11:17:52 2006

 Yes, I'd read about the encryption lark. No hard-disk would suffer actual physical damage I guess. So a quick low-level format would restore it. If the data is bejiggered by encryption, and you've not backed-up, is that any different from an NTFS partition going belly-up? Well until someone comes up with vistauncrypt.exe as freeware... :)

Kev: You know you want it just for all those see-through window frames!! :))) Have you seen how many versions MS seem to be going to offer? Not just Home and Pro, I recall there were about 9 or some such.
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 10:53:08 2006

 Kev- you need to upgrade so Vista can encrypt your hard-drive, rendering it useless if anything goes wrong, but mysteriously leaving a back-door for the ... er ... "Security Services" to peep through.
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 23 10:38:51 2006

 Bear in mind linux software is just as vunerable as MS software its just that no-one shouts about it from the rooftops in the meeja. If you run an old linux with unpatched apache/ftp/whatever you will be hacked by a script and have a backdoor installed - obviously you won't notice because otherwise you would have patched!!! Anyway as far as Microsoft are concerned they do a good job protecting the numbties from themselves. Auto patchers, free spyware apps, built in basic firewalls - all for about 80 quid! Not convinced about Vista though, is it one OS too far, whats wrong with XP seems pretty good to me, anyone know 'why I should upgrade?'
Kev
- Thu Feb 23 10:35:22 2006

 And.. (If Jimmy will take this as a compliment, as intended) in Jimmy-mode I would like to add my opinion that Open Source maybe good in theory (like communism I suppose) but in reality is no viable alternative to commerically-developed software.

How do you know that "Davis Jones" who wrote the COMMS module for Kernel 3.1 is not actually Osama Bin Ooojah?

In reality Open Source is not actually free - nothing is. There are big companies behind a lot of it - SCO, IBM etc. Who does Mr Torvalds work for? Why? Who pays for download sites?

:))
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 09:20:08 2006

 Sorry, this message was too big.
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 09:19:57 2006

 I think Windows is great. Its an impossible task to make any software of that size/complexity faultless. The odds are really stacked against MS. All it takes is one fault and they seen to have failed, yet think about how many areas are absolutely bullet proof. What was that API that got calls millions of times a second all over the world? Microsoft, you're my A!
dsp
- Thu Feb 23 09:19:01 2006

 Morning all! Let's get in perspective. Linux is definitely NOT user friendly. LINUX is a UNIX baby and console driven. Like MS-DOS only on steroids. What makes Linux usable for the masses are the various GUI add-ons like X-Window.

Having been around other operating systems I personally think vulnerabilities are more down to the attackers persistence. They target MS Windows far more than Mac OSX or LINUX, for whatever twisted reason. If any other OS was targetted so visciously, and MS left alone, would we know about any inherent deficiencies?
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 09:06:22 2006

 Sorry, this message was too big.
Nigel
- Thu Feb 23 09:05:54 2006

 John- on the general "Windows is good/Windows is bad" subject, I've been working with a really interesting add-on for Windows called RTX. It's extremely clever, in that it leaves Windows as a user-friendly UI, but actually patches itself into the HAL for running realtime tasks. In "Normal" Win32 (whether kernel or user mode) you'll never get better thread-scheduling than 1ms (and that's if you're lucky)- but this system allows you to get down into the microsecond region. It's extremely impressive, and you end up with an OS that has the best of all worlds.
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 23 08:18:44 2006

 John: Well XP was boasted as the new frontier in terms of security, but it clearly wasn't. The fact that it gets attacked a lot more it's not just because of the script kiddies, it's because it's not open source (a lot more people trying to crack it), it's usually released in its Beta state (though the beta testing is officially over), and of course because it's sooo user friendly that it's unavoidable to have pitfalls all over it... I am not so sure about Linux not being user friendly. I think that computers will move from their "wide" usage to more specific tasks (1 computer for games, 1 for word processing/maisl/espreadsheet, 1 for TV etc etc), pretty much like we have a washing machine now, it will be considered an home appliance like all others. At that point OSs will be specific and not so hard to use. My mum uses XP, but if I installed Ubuntu and explained how to go on the net ("click here") and how to use Open Office ("click on this pen and paper icon"), I bet she would not find any differences. But then again maybe she's an extreme case as her computer knowledge is terribly basic...
Lox
- Thu Feb 23 08:05:08 2006

 It's ok Travis! I *forgive* you! In nomine patris et filii et spiritu sancti... ego te absolvo!
Sheri
- Thu Feb 23 06:44:44 2006

 I have never had my browser hijacked, but the horror stories from other people were enough to make me move away from IE onto Firefox. I think MS have really got their shit together for Vista, security is the number one priority, and it looks a lot more safe compared to XP (there's a thing called "Windows Defender" built in). Unfortunately though whatever they do will probably never be enough, as Windows just seems to be targetted far more than any other OS by script kiddies - partly just because Windows viruses will have the widest impact, and partly because of some stupid belief that writing Window viruses is "sticking it to the man". This sort of thing pisses me off - they don't end up hurting MS that much, relatively speaking, but it does have a very negative impact on people like my parents. There is no way my parents are going to switch to using Linux - it is nowhere near user friendly and manageable enough. So virus writers are really just punishing people for being less technically literate. Not much of an achievement there. I don't know much about Physics, but that in itself doesn't give a license to people in that field to come along and bugger up all my neutrons and protons.
John
- Thu Feb 23 06:21:31 2006

 Sheri, sorry I wasn't of help. I recently had a problem with a hijacked browser. I don't remember how I got it fixed, but I did download SpyBot, Adaware, and several others...I don't use IE anymore.
Travis
- Thu Feb 23 04:09:32 2006

 Kev, I don't think it would be too wise to consult the microsoft site. I *borrowed* the last Windows version, you see...! D'you think they can spot me, or is it irrelevant? Anyway, I'm off to bed now. Good night (or good day) to all.
Sheri
- Wed Feb 22 23:28:09 2006

 Glad you're sorted Sheri! My pleasure. Kev: Well at work I'm on an 0845 number... But at home perhaps I should be on an 09##... number!! :))
Nigel
- Wed Feb 22 23:07:35 2006

 Nigel. I think you should be officially instated as "maison-de-stuff" tech support. do you have a 0800 or 0845 number we can call in an emergency ;) ?
kev
- Wed Feb 22 22:54:25 2006

 glad you fixed your 'puter sheri. have a look on the microsoft site, they have a free spyware app that runs all the time and actively protects you. i use it all the time and can recommend it as a must have (along with avg virus checker!)
kev
- Wed Feb 22 22:52:24 2006

 NIGEL: It worked! You're a good guy, you know! Many thanks. LOX: The problem is solved, but I thank you anyway. TRAVIS: Go to hell...!
Sheri
- Wed Feb 22 22:38:31 2006

 Sheri: Will try to look at it from work tomorrow, I'll post something, looks like a normal dialer though, nothing that will fry your computer fortunately...
Lox
- Wed Feb 22 21:59:35 2006

 Sheri: Download "SpyBot" (http://spybot.eon.net.au/en/index.html) , install, let it update via the internet and zap the blighter!

Now I understand you might have trouble dialling out to start with (you are not on broadband?). Try this: disconnect the phone line temporarily to stop a rogue dialler making a connection. Bring up the correct dialler for your ISP and check the visible phone number is correct and not a high-rate number. Connect the phone cable, press dial. This should get you online legitimately if you need to download SpyBot of the updates.

Also check the default home page in your web browser. If this is Internet Explorer check: Tools menu; Internet Options; Homepage.

Hope this helps!
Nigel
- Wed Feb 22 21:58:43 2006

 Travis. I confess I sometimes look at pornsites (Who doesn't?!) But not this time! Please, do believe me. For once I'm being serious. So, instead of pointing an accusing finger at me, do help me!
Sheri
- Wed Feb 22 21:48:47 2006

 Sheri: Let this be a lesson to all: know your porn sites, and avoid those that are malignant.
Travis
- Wed Feb 22 21:43:22 2006

 Nice, Lox. I, too, started very young. I haven't played in a regular group (at a tabletop) in nearly two years. I've been running a play-by-email RPG for the past 6 months or so. It's nice, but not the same.
Travis
- Wed Feb 22 21:41:30 2006

 Hello everyone. My arsehole of a brother, who's on holiday, spent the whole day using my computor. He was considerate enough to leave me with a charming gift: a spyware named Dialer-257 which I cannot get rid of, though I have McAfee protection. Could someone help me with this annoying situation!!!! P.s.: 1) Do not forget it's an obscure science to me, so please use simple words. 2) I have windows XP, if it's helpful.
Sheri
- Wed Feb 22 21:19:35 2006

 Hi dsp! Ok, how about yours? (I know the original reason for the question was Jimmy's "Bad Day" event yesterday). You got a new car yet?
Nigel
- Wed Feb 22 14:50:16 2006

 Good work everyone, your brilliant things rock!
dsp
- Wed Feb 22 14:06:36 2006

 Good point! Touché !! :))
Nigel
- Wed Feb 22 13:25:29 2006

 Well- all of them, otherwise I'd not be qualified to catagorise them as brilliant (as per dsp's challenge).
Jimmy
- Wed Feb 22 12:59:49 2006

 Morning! Ok Jimmy. Sounds good. So how many have you achieved so far? Most years we're going to get the last! For me, apart from the love of family and friends etc, it's - the first cup of tea of the day: a genuine smile: England in the spring.
Nigel
- Wed Feb 22 11:22:19 2006

 A gorgeous woman with big knockers. An unexpected lucky break- just when you really need it. Living in England when the temperatures are up and the days are long.
Jimmy
- Wed Feb 22 10:39:59 2006

 Travis: I have been playing PROPER RPG (pen and paper) since I was 13... Computer based ones are also very nice especially now that I don't have a group to play with. When I was in Florence for the re-hab I re-started playing with my friends after a long time, I was so emotional that I wanted to cry!!
Lox
- Wed Feb 22 08:42:31 2006

 Lox: What sort of RPGs do you play? "Just" computer-based ones? I'm not sure what you know, but I met Rob through "real" pen and paper-based RPGs. I'm a huge fan.
Travis
- Wed Feb 22 01:52:07 2006

 Nigel: Could be :)
Lox
- Tue Feb 21 19:35:46 2006

 My granddaughter; my kids; CHOCOLATE
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 21 16:38:18 2006

 So, is that all at once then Lox? :))
Nigel
- Tue Feb 21 16:16:28 2006

 Dsp: Sex, Whipped Cream, Role Playing Games. There you go.
Lox
- Tue Feb 21 15:45:11 2006

 Rob: I think you're geography is a bit up the creek. I though John lived in Japan! (temporarily in USA)
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 21 14:31:26 2006

 Jimmy: I challenge you to name three things that are brilliant (that are not alcoholic)
dsp
- Tue Feb 21 14:04:37 2006

 Rob: are you at home?
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 21 14:01:26 2006

 John, me old china - may I have your address please so that I can send this wedding invite! email it to: roblang at icar.co.uk
Rob Lang
- Tue Feb 21 13:34:34 2006

 Also, most digital cameras are rubbish. And mobile telephones. And compressed-music players. CDs were never as good as LPs, but are going further downhill due to those virus-like computer programs hidden on them by the likes of Sony. Housing is getting worse, with ever-smaller, ever-cheaper-to-build boxes being sold at ever-higher prices. I am *so* grumpy today- don't even get me started on set-top boxes! Or taxes. Or out-of-town supermarkets.
Jimmy
- Tue Feb 21 13:34:12 2006

 Flying is allright.. I quite like it... I guess it's because it takes me to nice places. I can't sleep and it's quite uncomfortable, but apart from that it's not too bad (I guess)... And you get air miles!! :)
Lox
- Tue Feb 21 09:36:54 2006

 Flying is a necessary evil. I had a real problem last November, when we went to New Zealand, but I bit the bullet, and although I can't say I enjoyed it as such, I had a wonderful holiday.
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 21 08:49:09 2006

 Flying, like computers, is rubbish (unless you're the pilot, that is).
Jimmy
- Tue Feb 21 08:30:10 2006

 I've never had alcohol while flying. I'll look into it. I'll be flying the Friday before Easter...family is getting together in Florida. I'll pretend you're only slightly less ignorant of my geography than I am of yours...TX (where I am) is across the Gulf O' Mexico from Florida. More or less. The odds are that because of how northward I am in TX, we won't fly over the gulf itself (thank God; that would be too much for me). We'll more likely go north toward Dallas and then bank eastward.
Travis
- Tue Feb 21 06:18:52 2006

 It gladdens my heart to find some fellow despisers of air travel - so nice to know it is not just me...!
John
- Tue Feb 21 05:10:41 2006

 Travis: Me too! This is why some sort of oblivion (music or alcohol or both) is always a necessity when flying...
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 19:39:58 2006

 Well talking about coffee... A few years back I decided I was going to become an expert so bought a few gadgets, sourced my beans etc and set to (keen, as you are with a new hobby) . Embarrassingly I remember asking a restaurant waiter what their coffee was as I thought it a particularly good bean blend.. Said waiter looked sheepish as I waffled-on and on as if I knew what I was talking about. Then she spat it out - "I don't remember the make but it came in a jar with a screw lid..."

Ho-hum. Since then I've never claimed to be an expert in anything (the truth is always the safest!) nor even tried to become one... :))
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 19:38:10 2006

 I hate flying. Just thought I'd throw that out there. Didn't do it until I was about 23, and I've only done it 3 times (two-way trips) since then.
Travis
- Mon Feb 20 19:34:06 2006

 John: if you are faced with 'other type of coffee', just pinch your nose and gulp it down! If anyone asks just tell them thats how people from Australia drink coffee. ( this only works in America of course )
kev
- Mon Feb 20 19:15:45 2006

 Yes Nigel - it hadn't escaped my attention that there is quite a lot of coffee about here in Seattle. Unfortunately, a lot of it isn't really to my taste - Lorenzo has converted me into a fully paid up member of the espresso snobbery club, and as such I can't really enjoy any other type of coffee now. I have heard tell of an almost mythical coffee bar called "Pete's" here in Seattle, which apparently does a very respectable espresso. As yet though I have seen no solid (or indeed liquid) evidence of this.
John
- Mon Feb 20 17:10:40 2006

 Well that's a bit of a sore point MM. They tried to persuade me to fly out on Sunday like I did last time, but in turns out they do not pay for days spent travelling, nor even offer time off in lieu. So basically yes I could have had a day to recover, but it would have been a day of my own time. So I much prefer this way round - I spent the whole day with Chie yesterday, which works much better for me, even if it does mean I am going to be stumbling about like the living dead for the first day of my business trip (hey - it's only work!).
John
- Mon Feb 20 17:05:38 2006

 John: You think they'd give you a day to recover. I'm sure you can't possibly be firing on all cylinders with no sleep.
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 20 16:53:01 2006

 Hi MM. Funny you should mention sniffles.... Cough-splutter!!
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 16:45:10 2006

 Nigel I did wonder about that, thought it was a particularly American way of saying coffee, you know, as if they've got a "cod in de nos"
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 20 16:42:34 2006

 Or coffee even... ah-hem...
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 16:31:47 2006

 Wow John! Hope you manage to keep the old eyelids open! Still, being in Seattle there's probably no shortage of coddee... As they are so fond of saying over there - Have a Nice Day!
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 16:31:20 2006

 Jimmy: the point about internet connections on planes is not that anything is so important that it can't wait, it is just that it would help pass the time really well. Yea, there's movies and all that, but the particular movie selection on the flight I was on just now was really crap. As I had also forgot to buy a book, I had a really very boring time, which the internet would have helped tremendously to allaeviate.
John
- Mon Feb 20 16:19:30 2006

 Well, I am now in Seattle, posting from my hotel room. Didn't sleep at all on the plane, as predicted. My body clock is on Japanese time (1AM), but I now have a full day of meetings ahead of me (it is 8AM here). Oh and you lot are on a whole other different time again.
John
- Mon Feb 20 16:15:07 2006

 Judging by the recent contract change among cleaners, it seems I'll be sticking to my desktop here too!! I should point out we have to "hot-desk" here so I'm not always in charge of my workspace's condition :(
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 16:12:03 2006

 With you there Jimmy, especially if it was going somewhere warm and sunny.
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 20 14:47:29 2006

 "Stuck with" imlpies that I don't want to be using it. This is true insofar as I believe *all* computers to be utter crap, but it's certainly not true to say that I'd rather be using a laptop from within an aeroplane.
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 20 14:46:29 2006

 Jimmy: would "sticking to" be the same as "stuck with"
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 20 13:33:09 2006

 Well I'm sticking with my desktop, thanks.
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 20 13:02:25 2006

 Dsp: Mmm I guess it's down to mathematic conventions differences. Basically in Italy the decimal places are "," while thousands are "."...
Having said that I tend to use the english system if I remember to do it... :)
Lox
- Mon Feb 20 12:56:39 2006

 Lox, I am posting from about 40.000 feet as we speak. And why do you feel the need to use three decimal places?
dsp
- Mon Feb 20 12:20:04 2006

 Nigel: I usually TRY to get plaastered with drinks and general stuff, but since it's impossible for me to sleep properly (even when I travelled FIRST CLASS, due to a free upgrade, I didn't sleep), I only make things worse by being generally drunk (no video, no music, no book)...
Lox
- Mon Feb 20 10:43:39 2006

 And I guess it's only in a class of seating I can't afford that there's enough room to open a laptop or operate a stylus! However, as I'm someone who hates flying, I can appreicate the need to do something to take your mind off it. MP3 player would do it for me. And a glass of wine. Or two. Or three.
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 10:26:17 2006

 Jimmy: I have to be very honest... After the first post from the bog (DSP) I kinda of played with the idea of posting from 40.000 feet above the ground over some unknown part of the Gobi Desert when flying to Japan... :) 'part from that it's completely pointless to me... :)
Lox
- Mon Feb 20 10:17:57 2006

 C'mon, guys! What's so important that it can't wait until you land? Get a life.
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 20 09:23:30 2006

 And there's the security issue too, of course. And imagine your "roaming profile" up there!! :) I'm sure the technology is available, but having a terrorist at 40,000 feet connected to goodness knows where, doing goodness knows what is a pretty terrifying prospect for normal peeps.
Nigel
- Mon Feb 20 08:51:45 2006

 Mmmm I think that we had this conversation before John... If I remember corectly it was down to some technical issues... The main problem is definiately the fact that airlines are trying to make money out of it, instead of charging a bit more on the airplane ticket. Oh well, I feel the same when I have to travel and I don't even have a wi-fi laptop... :(
Lox
- Mon Feb 20 08:13:29 2006

 Just to prove the point, I am connecting to the interweb now using my laptop through my mobile phone from the airport (business class lounge of course). Why can I not do this on the plane? 2006! 2006! 2006!
John
- Mon Feb 20 05:13:00 2006

 I'm connected at home, obviously connected at the office in Tokyo, and also everywhere in between whilst in Japan, thanks to my phone. When in Seattle I'll have a connection in the hotel, and also in the office again obviously. I will hardly spend any time anywhere else whilst in the US, but I'm sure I could borrow some kind of mobile gizmo if I really wanted to. So in the end it is just the crappy airlines letting the side down! I mean, it is 2006 for christ's sake!
John
- Mon Feb 20 02:49:41 2006

 Well, I'll be getting on a plane to Seattle in a few hours. You know, one of the things that annoys me about planes is the lack of internet connection. Just a few airlines have them so far as I know, and they are always prohibitively expensive.
John
- Mon Feb 20 02:39:30 2006

 Q: How many surrealists does it take to change a light-bulb? A: Fish...
Nigel
- Sun Feb 19 16:08:46 2006

 I've heard, "He took like to it like a fish to water," to mean that someone was a 'natural' at something. And "like a fish out of water" is fairly common here, too.
Travis
- Sun Feb 19 15:32:43 2006

 John, Sheri; We use the same version of the French and the English, depending on the situation... "pesce nell'acqua" and " pesce fuor d'acqua"...
As for the connection my agent has a 42Mbit (so he says) but I can tell you that you see all the difference when you use it... (4 simultaneous downloads with an average of 150KB x sec...)
Lox
- Sun Feb 19 10:35:40 2006

 Kev, yep I think you've very possibly hit the nail on the head - the 25meg could well be just within our ISP, who do, as it happens, also offer video on demand and so on.
John
- Sun Feb 19 05:06:20 2006

 Interesting that Sheri - we use that proverb in its opposite form (like a fish out of water) - to mean someone who is not in their element.
John
- Sun Feb 19 04:50:06 2006

 Hi John. Liked the pictures you took on the annual whisky exhibtion with you friend Watanabe-san. You must have been in your element. *Comme un poisson dans l'eau !* says the French proverb.
Sheri
- Sat Feb 18 17:30:56 2006

 John: That's even better!
Travis
- Sat Feb 18 16:04:08 2006

 .. also on your fibre point, perhaps you can get 25Mps from within your ISP network, i.e any computer directly connected to the ISPs gateway and not on the 'real' internet. Perhaps the ISP serves VoD from a local server, that would be a cool use of 25Mbps.
Kev
- Sat Feb 18 14:13:09 2006

 John: well, you should get ~230-240Kbps for a 2Mbps connection. have a look here for some large test files from an ISP on a 155Mbps and 622Mbps central pipes. http://fuller.zen.co.uk/test/ you might be restricted by the size of the pipes in between you ( Japan) and the rest of the world. Sounds like a Q for Tom! I think there is a program called DUMeter which you can run and will monitor throughput on you machine.
Kev
- Sat Feb 18 14:10:49 2006

 It is going over fibre and I think I heard somewhere that system in Japan has different implications on contention (I don't really know what I'm talking about here) - so maybe the crazy 25 is what you would get if you were the only person living in Tokyo or something.
John
- Sat Feb 18 13:46:49 2006

 I think it is just all you can eat...? Hmmm - that ADSL guide thing seems to suggest it is basically 2MBits, not 20 odd! As you say, not sure if it makes a difference being in Japan... Maybe they have a different way of measuring here in Japan? Anyway - I am quite happy with 2meg - this was basically the cheapest package available.
John
- Sat Feb 18 13:44:04 2006

 John: Is it all you can eat or limited so that you get to use it for 5 minutes at 25Mbps and you have then used all you allocated bandwidth for the month. Try www.adslguide.org/tools/speedtest.asp - I am not sure how it will be in Japan...
Kev
- Sat Feb 18 12:28:27 2006

 I like your thinking Travis. Alternatively, how about submerging my internet connection in a bath, and seeing how much water comes out?
John
- Sat Feb 18 07:28:47 2006

 John: Stack up 1 megabit increments next to it until they are of equal height.
Travis
- Sat Feb 18 06:12:09 2006

 Hey boys and girls, I've just got a new supposedly super mega fast internet connection - it is billed as 25, yes, twenty five Megabits, but I am sure in practice the performance is never going to be anything even remotely like that (maybe 5 at best). Does anyone know of a way to test this?
John
- Sat Feb 18 01:57:38 2006

 Yeah, makes you (me!) realise just how easy we have it these days. In the town I work (Wrexham) there are a couple of derelict pit-head wheels but they've long since stopped working. One's a museum, the other an "Enterprise Centre" for new businesses, where they make posh cakes, valet cars etc. etc.. Nothing like the work that used to go on there... For health I guess this is a good thing... Except, of course, we've just removed the industry to a far-off land.
Nigel
- Fri Feb 17 22:45:07 2006

 Nigel: Pennsylvania (where I grew up) was the largest supplier of anthracite coal in the US at one time. The area where I grew up is still called the "coal-cracker region" and the hospital where I was born is Miner Hospital. That was serious work...glad I wasn't born 50 years earlier, at least in that regard.
Travis
- Fri Feb 17 22:21:30 2006

 Sounds good Travis!! No reason why you shouldn't take it easy if you can. I mean, speaking purely locally, there are no more coal-mines round where I work. They've all closed. Now that would have been *real* work as far as I can see.
Nigel
- Fri Feb 17 17:15:56 2006

 Well, I'm jumping ship a bit early. Have a good weekend everyone.
Mad Mumsie
- Fri Feb 17 16:39:52 2006

 John, Jimmy: I tend to agree, shame that my nature would tend to spill out the beans with all the bells and whistles attached... Lucky me I didn't do it, though my position hardly changes, i.e. I am a probable "fireable" employee... Or at least that's how I feel about it..
Lox
- Fri Feb 17 15:52:49 2006

 I had a job. Once. In all seriousness, I'm hoping that I never have to return to a "real" job. Teaching is such a cushy (I believe that word makes sense to you lot?) job, I've been horribly spoiled. On a bright note, I've found out that the Graduate Advisor in my department is pushing for me to teach two classes over the summer break, which would be very nice for me...as it's a decent amount of money for very little work. Only 2 hours of work per day.
Travis
- Fri Feb 17 15:33:11 2006

 This is true- if they don't want to hear it, then there's no point in saying anything, otherwise you'll just be seen as a whinger. Better off finding a new job.
Jimmy
- Fri Feb 17 15:10:22 2006

 Hmmm... there was once a time when I would nod and smile to a question about how I was getting on with my job although more recently I have tended towards telling it like it is. Yea, I'm keeping it real and all that bollocks... but yea, I guess sometimes it is easier not to say anything that the management don't want to hear.
John
- Fri Feb 17 14:47:04 2006

 Had a strange chat with the president of the company, she kept asking if I still "believe" in my job and so on. Of course I couldn't say anything true, I had to tell her (in a quite embarassed voice ) that I still like the job and beleive in it and that as usual the results are at the end of the year and not at the beginning.. blah blah blha... I am 100% positive that she knows that I am looking for other jobs, which means that my position is not good anymore (politically speaking)... Mmm, not nice!
Lox
- Fri Feb 17 10:06:47 2006

 John: Pure Genius!! Kittens... I'll try to explain it here but I doubt that they'll understand...
No, actually I wish I had a quick response to the usual attempt of one of my designers colleagues to put me down for not having taken part to the usual "collection presentation" bullshite (you know I had 2 clients yesterday and I really couldn't make it). Maybe I'll write something later... Still I didn't have the proper retort, made my day completely crap...
Lox
- Fri Feb 17 07:56:29 2006

 I tried to explain the kittens strategy to some of my colleagues here yesterday and they completely failed to understand. :/
John
- Fri Feb 17 00:00:40 2006

 Lox, did you have a box of kittens ready just in case the clients asked any difficult questions? I would love to hear the Italian for: Not sure about that, but... Hey, look! Kittens!
John
- Thu Feb 16 23:55:59 2006

 Hi all. Just back from the Zoo (Chester) with the kids. COLD, WINDY and CROWDED.... Sorry to shout but that was a painful way to spend 50-pounds. All the little wild things were sensibly hiding in their sheds. With the marked exception of the elephants who decided to take a swim!! Who said elephants were intelligent?!?!?!? BRRRRRRR..... :(
Nigel
- Thu Feb 16 16:44:11 2006

 Quiet day today, nearly 5pm, Friday tomorrow, whoopee.
Mad Mumsie
- Thu Feb 16 16:44:09 2006

 Well, everything appears to be in order again.
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 16 13:16:52 2006

 Clients today, finally a proper day aof work in a WEEK!!!!
Lox
- Thu Feb 16 11:23:35 2006

 Caps lock, shift and punctuation gone too? How about copy/paste? Feel free to use my message for source material..!
John
- Thu Feb 16 11:14:54 2006

 morethanthespacebarisbroken
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 16 11:09:10 2006

 Space bar broken?
John
- Thu Feb 16 09:05:06 2006

 Jimmy: must have been the last one! (or possibly two) :)
Mad Mumsie
- Thu Feb 16 09:04:20 2006

 myheadhurtsmusthavehadabadpint
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 16 08:56:45 2006

 Travis: Made me laugh a lot.
Mad Mumsie
- Thu Feb 16 08:20:25 2006

 Mumsie: I don't think I've heard that one. Pretty funny.
Travis
- Thu Feb 16 05:45:11 2006

 I have an evil master plan, which will culminate in me returning triumphantly to my good old Blighty in a few years time and buying a string of properties in very choice locations for cash. I am currently in phase 3, during which my liver appears to be taking the brunt of the damage.
John
- Thu Feb 16 00:08:49 2006

 MM: I heard that joke recently... Naughty!! As for BTL - I thought it meant Bacon-Tomato-Lettuce....!!! Ho well.

As a mortgage payer I have to have a view on "property". I don't like landlords - period. Though I did have one for a while... Our house is a liability, but not financially (if that makes sense) I pay out but one day it might be mine and paid for...:( I would never borrow against this fact though. Obviously I pay way more than it's worth in repayments.

As for reselling... Well I'm buying back in to the same market, unless I want to live in a tent, so the fact it has doubled in value since we bought it means nothing really. Just cripples first-time-buyers very cruelly.
Nigel
- Wed Feb 15 17:57:13 2006

 dsp: That is VERY decadent
Mad Mumsie
- Wed Feb 15 16:59:48 2006

 Mmm, yummy! Clare puts jam on them!
dsp
- Wed Feb 15 16:58:35 2006

 dsp: how were the rock cakes?
Mad Mumsie
- Wed Feb 15 15:52:05 2006

 All that talk about property (we own ours, so its boring) I thought I'd lighten it up a bit. Just be warned you lot! Q: What does it mean when a man is in your bed gasping for breath and calling your name? A: You did not hold the pillow down long enough.
Mad Mumsie
- Wed Feb 15 14:24:45 2006

 Dsp: Indeed. Car makers have pushed a lot on sales, when we were kids a family MIGHT own 1 car, now at least 2/3. You can imagine that streets built in the 50s (after the war) are hardly capable of sustaining the traffic, let alone the parking space. Same story here in Italy, if you invested in a car park 10 years ago you would have a gold mine by now... Point is: with oil rising and car prices skyrocketing, how much longer till the car market will shrink to more sensible levels? (if it will ever shrink, mind you)...
Lox
- Wed Feb 15 13:13:39 2006

 The things that really scrapes my gonads is paying so that you can park your car on some guys land. When you add up how many cars are paying £1/hour its a real money spinner. The thought occured to me when they knocked down a massive department store in Blackpool and turned it into an open air car park. Clearly a stronger business case than opening a shop.
dsp
- Wed Feb 15 12:44:49 2006

 Jimmy: True but those who own the land pay taxes, and they are liable for all the construction/interior damages that might arise. Owning a house to rent is A FORM OF INVESTMENT, albeit a low risk one (unless you live in Japan and L.A. - earthquakes), but still a small risk of not gaining any money (or even loosing out) is there.
Lox
- Wed Feb 15 12:37:58 2006

 My understanding of the situation is that it's all about land. As you guys point out, a house is both a necessity and a liability. So (I believe) the argument goes like this: Those who do not own land have to rent somewhere to live, and hence have to work to keep up the payments. Those who do own land, do not have to pay for it, and so do not need to work. Furthermore, they can rent-out their land to non-owners and simply collect the rent. Nasty, but true.
Jimmy
- Wed Feb 15 11:16:14 2006

 Actually JH it stands for Buy-To-Let - can you guess what FTB is then since we seem to have an "acroynm game" going?
Kev
- Wed Feb 15 11:05:30 2006

 Oh, and am I allowed to bring class into this discussion?
John
- Wed Feb 15 11:02:24 2006

 For a moment there I couldn't work out what BTL stood for, but I've got it now. I was hoping though that L might be for landlords, and BT a string of insults. :-D
John
- Wed Feb 15 10:58:58 2006

 on a lighter note has anyone else seen the "ads" on the BBC for the research into Climate change software, here's a link for those of you not privelidged( i.e not forced to pay £126.50 to watch TV ). http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/ Its basically a Boinc project thats lets you save the planet by working out when then climate is going to get too hot or too cold to live in!
Kev
- Wed Feb 15 10:40:21 2006

 houses being a neccessity rather than an income stream is my main "jump up and down shouting point" about the current state of housing prices in the UK, lots of BTL speculating on property as though it were a commodity. As long as everyone isn't saying "house prices always go up.. and it's my pension you know!" everything will be alright!
Kev
- Wed Feb 15 10:30:59 2006

 Dsp: Interesting view though... As a matter of fact it is a liability, but it's also a necessity. If the book overlooks on "consumer utility" (the pleasure that you have when possessing things that you like/use/do but that cannot be accounted) then even a car is a liability.
For example, I don't care about cars, and I have a scrappy 1982 (yes EIGTHY TWO) Peugeot 06. My philosophy on the car is to spend less as possible, but other people might like to drive around in a nice car and in that case they will not look at it as a money eating tin box, but rather as a nice thing...
Still interesting book it seems... No mentions of investments...
Lox
- Wed Feb 15 10:18:11 2006

 Its more about your attitude to money and a redfining an asset as being something that gives you an income. Contraversially, the author says that your main living house is not an asset as it does not give you an income, in fact it is a liability because you have to pay taxes and bills etc.
dsp
- Wed Feb 15 10:09:40 2006

 Dsp: Could you summarize Rich Dad Poor Dad for me? It seems to be a book about household finance, but I am curious on the topics that it touches... Investments? Money Management? Stock Market? Bonds?
Lox
- Wed Feb 15 09:37:47 2006

 (d'oh crap HTML sorry) John: I like books that teach you something or give you a different perspective on things. I recently read and loved: Rich Dad Poor Dad and The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It - they both get my thumbs up!
dsp
- Wed Feb 15 09:12:39 2006

 John: I like books that teach you something or give you a different perspective on things. I recently read and loved: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It - they both get my thumbs up!
dsp
- Wed Feb 15 09:12:00 2006

 Well I'm not that experienced in the Victorian era, but I can wholeheartedly recommend PG Wodehouse. Especially Jeeves and Wooster. For me it can be embarrassingly laugh-out-loud stuff at times. Pure genius. :)
Nigel
- Wed Feb 15 08:25:28 2006

 Hmmm... yep sorry Travis I'm not really into any of that proper readin'. I just want mild escapism really...
John
- Wed Feb 15 05:08:25 2006

 For shame, John. You should read some quality literature. Actually, not having read any "stupid boy" stuff, I can't talk trash about it. I'm in the midst of both Baudolino and Dune. I loved Chapterhouse Dune, but am finally getting around to reading the first novel chronologically. Great stuff.
Travis
- Wed Feb 15 03:11:59 2006

 If it wasn't clear, Redmond basically means Seattle.
John
- Wed Feb 15 02:57:47 2006

 That reminds me - I am going for another bloody business trip to Redmond for two weeks from Monday (groan). I really need a good book to read on the plane, but I am so fussy when it comes to reading. Basically I only read books in two categories - the "stupid boy project" category as described below (oh and Tony Hawks of Round Ireland with a Fridge fame), or it has to be slightly whimsical and Victorian (Sherlock Holmes / Three Men in a Boat). Any suggestions?
John
- Wed Feb 15 02:57:09 2006

 I only really know about it via Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure, perhaps not the best of the Dave Gorman/Danny Wallace "stupid boy project" books, but still, quite entertaining nonetheless.
John
- Wed Feb 15 02:50:06 2006

 I think there is more info (including the "rules") on a website somewhere - something like www.googlewhack.com
John
- Wed Feb 15 02:48:39 2006

 Cheers John! For a moment there I thought I'd imagined the whole thing!! :)) Glad to hear someone else has come across this game too!
Nigel
- Wed Feb 15 00:18:29 2006

 Ah no, it has to be exactly two words and they both have to show up underlined at the top of the results page - meaning that they are real words which can be found in the dictionary. Yes, you must get exactly one result, but that page must be some real content - not just a list of words.
John
- Tue Feb 14 23:47:45 2006

 Well done! Yes, I think unique-ish names are a good way to win. I suppose you could impose various restrictions of your own to add some interest too.
Nigel
- Tue Feb 14 23:10:15 2006

 well in that case I won at the 4th try.... ( "lallalilla" the nickname that I use for my cat)..
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 22:56:26 2006

 well in that case I won at the 4th try.... ( "lillalalla" the nickname that I use for my cat)..
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 22:55:58 2006

 Hi Lox. I don't think it matters what you search, as long as you only get *one* result. An unusual name is fine.
Nigel
- Tue Feb 14 18:11:17 2006

 Yep I have tried but what do you search? I mean I think that names and nicknames are not valid right?
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 16:34:45 2006

 Nigel: I'll try! Sounds fun...
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 16:30:08 2006

 Well the other guys where I work (did I mention I'm off work this week!!:)) ) play this daft game when they are bored. It's called "GoogleWhacking" - apparently. To play you do a search on Google. To win you must just get one and one only, result. Sorry it's not up to much but you might find it worth a go to pass the time! Raining here, so I'm just "tidying up" . Hmmm...
Nigel
- Tue Feb 14 15:59:29 2006

 BORE AID!!!!!!!!

I am bored senslessly!!! I think I can set a new record for un-productivity and general slackness!!
HELP!
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 15:48:44 2006

 Well done Lox. Glad you enjoyed them. Practice makes perfect you know.
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 14 11:39:08 2006

 MM: I did forget to mention that during my rehab period I made Rock Cakes and they were grand! Though the original Connie version (the one that we ate in Reading) was better, I was quite pleased with the result...
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 11:37:48 2006

 dsp: I can smell them cooking. Enjoy.
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 14 11:34:17 2006

 Clare's going to make Rock Cakes this afternoon with Abigail, yummy!
dsp
- Tue Feb 14 11:33:58 2006

 Connie Plaskitt was my grandmother and while I was at University, she kept me and most of Reading in supply of 'Rock Cakes'. Whenever I would return to Radstock Road, I would bring a huge plastic bag filled with them. I loved them and so did everyone else. Thanks to my uncle, Nigel, the recipe has been released for general consumption. I'm keeping it here for simplicity sake!

The Recipe

For 10 - 12 Cakes:
Ingredients

Method
  1. Prepare a baking sheet with Margarine Set oven to Gas mark 6, (400 F)
  2. Seive flour and salt into a bowl.
  3. Cut margarine into half inch squares and rub in.
  4. Stir in sugar with a metal spoon.
  5. Stir in fruit and lemon.
    NB:All above can be done with a mixer.
  6. Beat the egg lightly with the milk add to the mixture and stir (or mix) thoroughly together.
  7. Place dessertspoons of mixture in rough heaps, a little apart on the baking sheet.
  8. Cook for 20 - 25 minutes on second shelf (reduce for fan assisted oven).
  9. Cool on wire rack.
  10. Put in a plastic bag.
  11. Give to Rob to distribute.

dsp
- Tue Feb 14 11:33:30 2006

 Clare just asked me for a rock cake recipe, so I tried to find the Connie recipe that Rob posted but its gone from his mini-site. Fortunately, the Internet Archive's WayBackMachine had a copy from Nov 2004! Amazing! I'll repost it so its not lost!
dsp
- Tue Feb 14 11:32:34 2006

 Sofa-trawling is just for fun. I never find any cash. Nor wenches.
Jimmy
- Tue Feb 14 11:08:09 2006

 Jimmy: Visa is better for buying things online becuase if the stuff doesn't turn up, or is faulty, the card company can go into bat for you, as they essentially "own" the stuff till you pay them back. More info: (http://www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer/04_CREDIT_DEBT/mn_protection.html)
Graf
- Tue Feb 14 10:53:34 2006

 Or even the remote control....
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 10:45:42 2006

 What exciting lives you all lead.
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 14 10:39:47 2006

 Jimmy - to find money? Or just for shits and giggles?
dsp
- Tue Feb 14 10:32:50 2006

 ... I trawl down the back of the sofa from time to time ...
Jimmy
- Tue Feb 14 10:30:52 2006

 Dsp: I thought I was desperate for entertainment, but you beat me hands down! :D
Lox
- Tue Feb 14 10:05:26 2006

 The present-day-Tim like to hide small amounts of money for future-Tim to find. Occasional tenners in glove boxes, pockets, draws etc. Its what passes for entertainment up North.
dsp
- Tue Feb 14 10:00:25 2006

 Yes Travis, generally speaking life will only get better... or worse (or I suppose it could also stay the same).
John
- Tue Feb 14 07:20:56 2006

 John: I think that's a damn good plan! Personally, I try to pretend that I have money, and hope that I can earn it quickly enough that when the bill comes due, I can cover it. One day, I'll either become filthy rich and never have to worry about it or umm...I won't.
Travis
- Tue Feb 14 02:05:19 2006

 I don't understand all this money business, I just concentrate on trying to earn more than I spend.
John
- Mon Feb 13 23:46:08 2006

 There's nothing...well, there are some things...more disgusting than used car salespersons. They disgust me. Even when I wasn't looking for a car, just wanted to see a few different cars, my experiences have been horrible.
Travis
- Mon Feb 13 21:47:48 2006

 Lox, try our trick, be extremely nice and mild mannered, then when they offer you a ridiculously low price for your present car, laugh quietly and say you can get a better deal on the net and get up to start to leave the premises. It's amazing how they come round to your way of thinking!
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 13 16:57:07 2006

 - but to answer you q - I get stung - yes I do, too, however I am getting 1% cashback(From Smile/VISA) which is my "Commission" for using visa. If you use cash you loose out.
Kev
- Mon Feb 13 16:39:32 2006

 Jimmy - yes I believe this is correct. When you make a purchase at e.g Tesco if you use a Credit card then Tesco have to pay VISA a percentage say 1.5% of the the total. This means this 'value' is calculated into everything in Tesco else you would have different prices for cash and credit card, which you clearly don't. Apparently the exact percentage is a closely guarded secrect between companies!! This is not made up Head it on "Working Lunch". Also think about lidl or other places like this - no CC=less cost!
Kev
- Mon Feb 13 16:38:23 2006

 Hang on Kev- you're saying I get stung the the credit-card scam whether I use it or not? Sure that means *you* get stung, even if you *do* use a credit card. No?
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 13 16:19:45 2006

 MM: I am afraid that I will be probably thrown out of the permises if I do so.... :( Having said that I am resolute to have a GOOD DISCOUNT when I will pay CASH my new car (when and if I decide to buy it)...
Lox
- Mon Feb 13 16:14:19 2006

 Lox: You can always ask if they give a discount for cash. (providing you actually mean the hard counting stuff)
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 13 16:00:29 2006

 Kev: Absolutely agree. By using ccards you effectively gain at least 45 days of bank value, small peanuts due to the fact that bank accounts interest rates are low, but it's still better than nothing. Also true the fact that cc effectively put up prices of an average of 3% to 7% (these are the current commissions to my knowledge)... It's a shame that we cannot go into a shop and get 2 set of prices, one with consumer credit and one with cash..
Lox
- Mon Feb 13 15:49:07 2006

 - Oh and you do realise that all shop prices are hiked by the Visa/Mastercard fee whether you use them or not. So by using cash ot debit you are actually getting a worse deal than someone who uses Credit( and pays off who amount each month of course)
Kev
- Mon Feb 13 15:02:04 2006

 jimmy - credit cards are ok AS LONG AS YOU PAY OFF MONTHLY. You usually get 1% ( smile do this ) so the more you spend the more you save! Egg let you automagically pay off the outstanding amount every month from another account without you interferring - so I use it LIKE a debit card but I get to keep THEIR money for 45+ days!
Kev
- Mon Feb 13 15:00:32 2006

 jimmy, I use Smile, have done since 2000. Never lost any money yet! One thing though, if you need large amounts of cash > £500 it can be a bit annoying - but thats never been a problem for me. Also I use Egg credit and savings accounts - they have a cool activex money manager that allows you to auto-magically access other online bank accounts.
Kev
- Mon Feb 13 14:58:27 2006

 Graf- why would a credit card be better? I've never actually owned one of these (I'm not keen to spend anybody else's money).
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 13 14:57:09 2006

 Don't you just love these:)) RAC Motoring Services Caller: "Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia?" Operator: " Doesn't the product name give you a clue?"
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 13 14:09:28 2006

 In Italy you can buy a pre-paid card at the post office. Works like a Visa but you "recharge" the amount every time, so that even if they steal the codes you know that they can use it for the amount of money that you put into it... Quite useful, but only if you buy MANY things over the net... I buy stuff every now and then, so there is no much point I guess.. (though you can never be sure)...
Lox
- Mon Feb 13 13:37:14 2006

 Graf: Smile? Is it the name of the investment?
Lox
- Mon Feb 13 13:35:18 2006

 Doh - just re-reading your post and I realise I have no idea about Smile's fraud/identity theft provisions. But Smile are a good internet bank. If you mean for buying stuff online you're probably better off using a credit card rather than a debit card anyway.
Graf
- Mon Feb 13 13:34:02 2006

 Smile are good, and because they're run by the co-op they invest your money ethically.
Graf
- Mon Feb 13 13:30:21 2006

 I'm considering getting some sort of bank account specifically for internet use (i.e. one with identity-theft and fraud cover built-in). I hear Egg is quite good. Any recommendations?
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 13 09:59:25 2006

 Hey Jimmy, only two outfits, you got off lightly - and still the hat to get.
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 13 09:08:43 2006

 Kev- no hats, but somehow we ended up with more than one outfit. How did she manage that????
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 13 08:40:32 2006

 Morning all, quiet weekend, had a bit of a turn out, which is quite satisfying. Now back at work. On the food front, when they refurbished the library in 2004 they added a rather nice cafe. They do toasted/ordinary sandwiches, soup, good coffee, fresh fruit, all very tasty, and staff get a discount!
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 13 08:32:32 2006

 Travis: Well in a cerrtain sense I am following a program by myself in the swimming pool and gym. I say in a "certain sense" because I haven't been doing anything lately, mostly due to work related problems... Oh well... This week I'll kick-start that story again. As for PARMIGIANA that means "MELANZANE ALLA PARMIGIANA", it's a dish (Parmigiana style eggplant), while the cheese is called PARMIGIANO... "Parmesan" is a fake name used by big food companies to con you into buying a crap products...
Lox
- Mon Feb 13 08:03:33 2006

 Well, then there's good and bad. Are you doing physical therapy? Also, let me apologize as a stupid American if I offended you by typing "parmesan." I don't know if that's correct....I also see parmigiana, and I don't know the difference, the right, and/or the wrong.
Travis
- Mon Feb 13 00:37:40 2006

 Best 'O luck John! Does any serious coding ever get done on a Monday anyway? Hope it's not too painful! :)
Nigel
- Sun Feb 12 23:31:07 2006

 John: I see that good habits (getting drunk) are still there huh?! :)
Travis: Thanks for asking... Well Let's say that it's better compared to 2 months ago (right after the surgery) but I don't feel like it has been improving a lot in the last 3 weeks, which is not a nice feeling.... Let's see I have a medical check up at the end of the month anywys...
Lox
- Sun Feb 12 18:08:56 2006

 Lox: How is the knee, then? Basically good as new? In other news, I was to play basketball yesterday, but the weather was so frigid (which is incredibly rare here) that we decided against it. Ended up renting a DVD and making some surprisingly good low sugar chicken parmesan.
Travis
- Sun Feb 12 17:05:51 2006

 Well, I'm full of beans about it being Monday tomorrow, I'm going to have a vicious hangover and no reprieve... Shiiiitt.
John
- Sun Feb 12 13:39:45 2006

 Oh, and what was the point of that?
John
- Sun Feb 12 13:35:56 2006

 Yes quite drunk and that.
John
- Sun Feb 12 13:06:42 2006

 Lox: No, I had a busy day errecting a new TV aerial, and laying a new floor in the bathroom. No time for the pub! So I just collapsed on the sofa watching the new TV channels and drinking a can or two of beer!! :) Today we're off to some sort of family reunion (Joc's family, not mine) which could be, er, boring.... :|
Nigel
- Sun Feb 12 12:01:04 2006

 Nigel: Thanks Nige! The last solar month has been quite good in terms of nights out, let's say that it takes back the terrible month and half that I spend beign sick in bed with my knee destroyed... I can only hope it lasts for a little longer... Didn't go out to the pub yesterday?
Lox
- Sun Feb 12 09:57:48 2006

 Hi Lox! Glad you had a good night out - you deserve it! Me, I'm just about to go to bed after a boring night in!! :)
Nigel
- Sun Feb 12 00:08:20 2006

 Evening all! John: Yes, I have the We Are Scientists single, as it happens. It was featured as a free single of the week when I used to frequent iTunes music store, so I got it for nowt. From their With Love and Squalor album I believe. It's mp4 audio though so nothing much PC plays it :(
Nigel
- Sun Feb 12 00:05:52 2006

 Went out for a great night out with friends, to be honest SO FAR the coming back to the North hasn't been all that bad... Let's see what happens next, but so far I am enjoying this period... :)
John: Interesting conversation there! :)
Lox
- Sun Feb 12 00:04:56 2006

 jimmy: how many different did she try on?
Kev
- Sat Feb 11 18:29:28 2006

 Today, we are shopping for a wedding outfit for Alison. Oh joy.
Jimmy
- Sat Feb 11 18:14:02 2006

 Ahh....nice weekend. Well, I haven't done much yet. About to get some work done before playing some basketball. Hopefully it will be relatively warm today...
Travis
- Sat Feb 11 15:21:37 2006

 No, I'm listening!
Imaginary Al
- Sat Feb 11 15:07:05 2006

 I am actually talking to myself here aren't I?
John
- Sat Feb 11 14:33:20 2006

 Apologies if the previous message made no sense. I went out this evening with Chie and a friend of hers, and in the first bar we went to they had some MTV-esque channel, but with the sound turned off (as standard it appears, in bars the world over). In my musical ignorance, I saw the band in question, thinking the video looked querky and interesting, but could not hear the actual song. So I then determined it would be good to record the relevant details for later investigation, etc. As I had my mobile with me, the board was the easiest medium by which to do this. And that.
John
- Sat Feb 11 14:31:44 2006

 Mental note to self: Great Escape / We Are Scientists.
John
- Sat Feb 11 10:32:02 2006

 http://www.chickfila.com/home.asp
Travis
- Sat Feb 11 04:06:43 2006

 Sounds good, Travis! Never heard of Chix-a-whatsit over here, but then I do live in the provinces where they've only just learned how to rub two sticks together... Hey-ho
Nigel
- Fri Feb 10 20:01:18 2006

 Food at hand? There's precious little in either of my buildings (I still maintain an unofficial office in the English/Philosophy building). Just a vending machine. The Student Union Building isn't far away (five minute walk), and has recently added several internal food sources: Tex-Mex, Pizza, Sandwiches, and a Chick-fil-A (if you have them), among others. I just ate a chicken quesadilla, which was nice.
Travis
- Fri Feb 10 19:08:36 2006

 Close of play. Have a good weekend everyone. See you Monday.
Mad Mumsie
- Fri Feb 10 17:00:31 2006

 Lox: Its a week's school holiday between the main Christmas/Easter/Summer holidays, hence half term. There's another in June and one in October.
Mad Mumsie
- Fri Feb 10 15:40:38 2006

 Half term? What is it?
Lox
- Fri Feb 10 15:33:23 2006

 I love half term - it only takes me 5 minutes to get to work:))
Mad Mumsie
- Fri Feb 10 13:50:47 2006

 Yes! Mind you, the only reason I was allowed the time is because where I work - Wales - has their half-term the week after where I live - England!! Staffing is notoriously tight during etc. :))
Nigel
- Fri Feb 10 12:57:50 2006

 You're taking half term week off - brave man.
Mad Mumsie
- Fri Feb 10 11:53:37 2006

 ...And, I may add, I'm off work next week!! :)))
Nigel
- Fri Feb 10 11:38:50 2006

 Yippeezippeediddlydoodah!!! :))
Nigel
- Fri Feb 10 11:38:02 2006

 A beautiful day in London, but cold. And its FRIDAY.
Mad Mumsie
- Fri Feb 10 11:14:33 2006

 Sunny and Cold here as well...
Lox
- Fri Feb 10 09:41:03 2006

 Morning! No vending machines here - just a hot-water thingy. Seems to "taint" the drinks though... Well, it's a lovely sunny morning here, but the car said "-4" so it's a bit nippy!! :)
Nigel
- Fri Feb 10 08:44:56 2006

 John: Yes the old company that you saw is now history, we are 20km away from there (and from my house) and these new offices are a massive open space divided by plastic walls. It's ok I guess. Food is good, also vending machines (which I thought were rather crap) have improved but I am afraid that it's the only thing that went better, all the rest is still shite!
Lox
- Fri Feb 10 07:49:07 2006

 Lox, glad to here that lunchtime at least is not a living hell then! I have lost track a bit: have you moved to the other building yet, or are you still in the same one? If it is still the same one then I have been there haven't I? I remember the vending machine making surprisingly good espresso. The coffee at my place is just vile. From next week we will have a Starbuck's in our building, but whether or not that is a step forward is a matter of opinion!
John
- Fri Feb 10 00:20:39 2006

 Scabz! Capacitors eh? So, how is married life and all that? Have you become a domestic slave yet?
John
- Fri Feb 10 00:09:21 2006

 Mmmm. Pizza.
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 9 16:55:28 2006

 Sheri: No so far no cuddles, it's all ok, but I have to wait to be back a little longer to start fighting... :) As for lunch we are rather lucky (the only bit that is good in this new place), basically the canteen is a first class one it's like at the restaurant so food is great! I have had ravioli, pizza and a salad!
Lox
- Thu Feb 9 16:21:58 2006

 Nigel: YOU'VE GOT A POST OFFICE? I thought they were a dying breed.
Mad Mumsie
- Thu Feb 9 16:21:54 2006

 Definitely the mackerel. It looked at me in a strange, suspicious manner. I should have been more cautious...
Sheri
- Thu Feb 9 14:20:40 2006

 Hi Sheri! Of course! Do you think it was the Mackerel or the Muscadet?
Nigel
- Thu Feb 9 14:14:42 2006

 Nigel, help, my hair is falling!!!!
Sheri
- Thu Feb 9 14:09:05 2006

 Well lunch here was spent queuing in the Post Office again... Then home-made butties, rushed, and a slurp of tea! Back in the saddle once again... :( Lovely sunny day out there though!
Nigel
- Thu Feb 9 14:04:27 2006

 Oh no, I look green...! What happens to me !!!!
Sheri
- Thu Feb 9 14:04:05 2006

 John, I opened a tin of mackerels allegedly marinated in muscadet wine. Now I feel a bit nauseous.
Sheri
- Thu Feb 9 14:01:55 2006

 I suppose he was tremendously happy to see you back...
Sheri
- Thu Feb 9 13:55:31 2006

 Lox. How about your boss? Did you exchange cuddles?
Sheri
- Thu Feb 9 13:54:32 2006

 Today I discovered pepsi max cino - I suspect its highly addictive.
Kev
- Thu Feb 9 13:25:49 2006

 I can't be bothered to have lunch. I am going to read about capacitors intead.
Scabz
- Thu Feb 9 13:24:32 2006

 So, is/has anyone having/had a particularly nice lunch?
John
- Thu Feb 9 13:20:01 2006

 MM: Weeeeellllll If I want to get people to do the things that I say, considering that I have no power at all, I need to use some politics (sometimes)... :) Here it's worse than in the public run businesses, unfortunately... :(
Lox
- Thu Feb 9 12:37:44 2006

 Morning (just). But Lox, you're Italian, you're allowed!!
Mad Mumsie
- Thu Feb 9 11:25:10 2006

 'morning all!
Jimmy
- Thu Feb 9 10:56:27 2006

 Sheri: I never actualyl "scream" I do it in a very vicious, half calm, half angry style... Still the real me would have screamed if he could! :)
Lox
- Thu Feb 9 09:27:28 2006

 Travis - sorry forgot to explain. If you use a password you need to handcode the full HTML to make a link. Alternatively leave the password off, but you will need to write the full URL including the HTTP bit.
John
- Thu Feb 9 08:51:26 2006

 Lox, yesterday morning you had a go at someone at work. You said you screamed at him. Whish I could see that ! I thought you were a fairly calm, level-headed bloke. God knows why, I can't imagine you shouting...
Sheri
- Thu Feb 9 07:49:29 2006

 Grr. John, how am I to write a link that will work with a password? I suppose I don't really know if the password is functioning. Anyway, just finished my Greek. On to Latin.
Travis
- Thu Feb 9 03:58:14 2006

 www.testing.com
Travis
- Thu Feb 9 03:57:18 2006

 Well I put on a brave face and struggle through somehow. I am hoping one day I will experience the same phenomenon as people who work in chocolate factories do after a time.
John
- Wed Feb 8 23:39:07 2006

 John- that must be quite a problem for you ... I know what you're like when it comes to Japanese "Distractions", and being in Japan can't make things any easier!
Jimmy
- Wed Feb 8 15:46:50 2006

 Sadly my "distraction" has left now, so my ability to finish sentences without stuttering or fumbling the keyboard is back up to speed!! :( Oh well....
Nigel
- Wed Feb 8 14:53:12 2006

 Just testin' the ol' (new) password thingie.
Travis
- Wed Feb 8 14:20:26 2006

 Well, at least she is a good distraction... The only distraction that I have had today (apart from my knee) was a chat with the HR responsible... :( Oh well... At least I can check the board more often than what I do from home...
Lox
- Wed Feb 8 14:20:16 2006

 Jimmy - I should consider yourself lucky if I were you! There is nothing more unprofessional looking than suddenly losing concentration part way through a conversation about templates, or whatever, because of a "distraction" walking past the meeting room door.
John
- Wed Feb 8 14:19:50 2006

 Others are banned from my office too.
Mad Mumsie
- Wed Feb 8 14:13:09 2006

 Distracting ladies appear to be banned in my office ...
Jimmy
- Wed Feb 8 13:32:28 2006

 Lox: Sadly, no. However the lady in question certainly is a "distraction"!! :)
Nigel
- Wed Feb 8 13:16:32 2006

 Nigel: Remind me again where are you working at the moment... Models casting office maybe?
Lox
- Wed Feb 8 13:07:23 2006

 Did I enjoy that, oh yes. She is such fun. And story time could have gone on and on and on, but the magic phrase are you going to go to sleep for Nanna had the desired effect.
Mad Mumsie
- Wed Feb 8 11:57:28 2006

 :)))
Nigel
- Wed Feb 8 11:25:19 2006

 You rascal Nigel!
John
- Wed Feb 8 11:19:56 2006

 Hi Jimmy. I've got a window but it's raining... Oh no... breaking news... the sun just came out!! Won't last long though - those clouds are thick and grey :) As for being happy... If you could see the lady sitting opposite me I think you might be at least a bit happy!! ;)
Nigel
- Wed Feb 8 11:11:09 2006

 John, Nigel: Yep that was PISSED OFF, I wish I was drunk and it all would feel like a dream or a bad nightmare (rather)... Oh well...
Lox
- Wed Feb 8 11:06:53 2006

 Hello everyone! Are you all feeling happy on this bright and sunny Wednesday morning? Personally, I'm stuck in a windowless room- how depressing :(
Jimmy
- Wed Feb 8 10:57:08 2006

 Lox, I assume you mean pissed as in pissed off? If you do in fact mean drunk then that is quite an achievement, and by the sounds of things quite necessary given the awful state of your working conditions!
John
- Wed Feb 8 10:23:47 2006

 Morning all! Morning Lox - try to rise above it all and play your injury for all it's worth. For example, hobble dramatically at a crucial moment to show you're giving 110-percent just by being there! Wince subtly every now and then. Smile ruefully. Remember your are worth twice what they are paying you and it really is you doing them a favour by being there!! :))
Nigel
- Wed Feb 8 09:32:36 2006

 First post from work.... In 5 minutes I have already got pissed twice and sreamed to a colleague.... It won't take long before I am mentally exhausted again... :(
Lox
- Wed Feb 8 08:13:57 2006

 Ciao Tom!! How are you? How's the new one shaping up?
Lox
- Tue Feb 7 17:17:34 2006

 Hiya Mr Rowan!! How are you and the family doing?
dsp
- Tue Feb 7 16:01:58 2006

 Alright there?!
tom
- Tue Feb 7 15:45:08 2006

 John: email on the way....and, yes, that post was from me. I have a tendency to look at the person's name that I'll reply to when I'm doing a reply. My apologies.
Travis
- Tue Feb 7 15:24:13 2006

 Ah, Travis, have just emailed what I thought to be your email address and have had my mail returned. I guess it was somewhat out of date! So please mail me to let me know a current address... Cheers!
John
- Tue Feb 7 14:36:25 2006

 MM: I have finally replied to your email!
Travis: Could you email me, I will reply with that which you seek!
John
- Tue Feb 7 14:32:37 2006

 MM: I have finally replied to your email!
Travis: Could you email me, I will reply with that which you seek!
John
- Tue Feb 7 14:32:18 2006

 White refined sugar is completely unnatural and has no place being in your body. Your body has to dispatch insulin to sort it out. In your pancreas' lifetime, it can only make a finite amount of insulin hence the high number of diabetics these days. That'll learn 'em.
dsp
- Tue Feb 7 14:14:44 2006

 Incidentally though - I'm not sure that we should determine something is bad for you purely because it is mildly acidic - think of vinegar and lemon juice, both of which the human race has been consuming for thousands of years (and, incidentally, also have cleaning properties!). Let us not forget that your stomach is full of acid too! Oh and sugar - that's a perfectly natural substance which again humans have been eating for thousands of years. I do however agree that artificial sweeteners are evil and unnatural and ought to be banned.
John
- Tue Feb 7 13:34:09 2006

 Blimey you're all a healthy lot aren't you? Am I the runt of the litter? I bet my alcohol, fat and salt consumption is higher than all of you too!
John
- Tue Feb 7 13:28:39 2006

 I'm off shortly until tomorrow lunchtime - going to Wootty Bassett for a touch of Boo sitting!! Super. Haven't seen her since Christmas, although we have spoken to her on the phone.
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 7 13:17:46 2006

 I stopped drinking them myself - nowdays I use them for cleaning the driveway of oil! When I did ( or on the rare occasion I still do drink a fizzy beverage I prefer Pepsi-Max )
Kev
- Tue Feb 7 13:16:37 2006

 I agree Colas are rather nasty stuff, but I drink it every now and then especially if I have to digest vast amount of food. They are very "acid" substances and greatly imrpove digestion... My mother run some experiments on colas and she said that they can be compared to a mild ACID, in terms of effects... Have a guess what do they do to your stomach....
Lox
- Tue Feb 7 10:50:18 2006

 Fizzy pop is one of the absolutely worst things you can put in your body. The zero calorie ones are even worse and the sweeteners are completely artificial chemicals that your body has no idea how to process. Most nutritionalist have sodas as their no 1 worst offending item (more than pork pies).
dsp
- Tue Feb 7 09:26:38 2006

 Travis: I'm lucky in that I know most of my people, and on the whole they are appreciative of any help. But how many times does one have to ask the same person, have you tried rebooting the PC, to get the same answer, no I didn't think of that, or have you checked the cables in the back, and the favourite, bearing in mind its a public library, have the little ba....ds turned the brightness down on the monitor!
Mad Mumsie
- Tue Feb 7 09:00:24 2006

 Ha! Trouble is John, I think I might have blown the gaff by broadcasting it on the Maison!! Rats!!

As for the poll - I've never been a fan of "cola" drinks - the gas destroys any enjoyment for me, but I think this is just a personal chemical reaction as everyone else seems able to gulp the stuff!! I've used it to clean old coins though...!

Yeah, wondered who the imposter was... either that or you've quickly been married, John!! :))
Nigel
- Tue Feb 7 08:43:38 2006

 Cola is nasty stuff, and *astronomically* expensive for what it is. Alison drinks it, but I avoid the stuff.
Jimmy
- Tue Feb 7 08:20:27 2006

 Travis - was that last post from you? It wasn't me!
John
- Tue Feb 7 05:56:42 2006

 I don't really consume sugar, and I'd rather not have aspartame or phenylketones, so I drink RC brand...Diet Rite. If it has to be one of the big two, I opt for Coke Zero. To be quite honest, I can drink either one (including Twist, Vanilla, Lime, and Cherry variations) if I'm pressed. I don't mind any of them. Tonight I drank a diet dr. pepper because that's what my wife bought.
John
- Tue Feb 7 05:37:04 2006

 If you guys can bare yet another straw poll, any strong feelings on cola brands? We have two vending machines here - one doing drinks in little paper cups, the other doing cans and bottles. Both only have Pepsi. In the interests of a more balanced and tolerant society, I want to like Pepsi, but try as hard as I might I can't seem to make myself actually enjoy it. In fairness, it may be partly due to the fact that the cup variety is obviously just made out of that sludge stuff, and the one in the can is Pepsi "Twist" which has an added unpleasant fake lemon flavour. Shudder.
John
- Tue Feb 7 05:24:26 2006

 I love the notion of "Silicon Fen" - I strongly urge you to hurry through a trademark Nigel.... and who knows, maybe Norfolk will become the next IT hotspot in the UK? After all, Berkshire was once nought but a sleepy backwater alongside the Thames.
John
- Tue Feb 7 05:15:34 2006

 MM: It's a fine line to walk between pointing out obvious solutions and having it sound like a friendly suggestion and having it sound offensive. I've had some Technical Support people tell me the most amazingly simplistic things as if they were solving all my problems. I realize that people make stupid mistakes, but when you've tried all the little stuff, it can seem offensive.
Travis
- Mon Feb 6 18:38:46 2006

 Ah! I reckon you'd be snapped-up down in Silicon-Fen, Kev. The jobs may be rare, but I guess it's even rarer to have a skilled DTV programmer walking the streets (if you'll forgive the phrase!!) Travis: Call-centre Support ofr a government dept. DWP. Used to be, variously, a SysAdmin, self-employed engineering advisor, quality control manager, network manager (olden-days when string was used to connect!) :))
Nigel
- Mon Feb 6 15:40:31 2006

 Nigel, its not really a deliberate change, its just that the opportunities for TV broadcast software programmers are rarer than rocking horse poo. Esp in East Anglia. Anyway I would rather try something different, don't want to be a one trick pony after all!
Kev
- Mon Feb 6 15:16:30 2006

 I was speaking to the main council Help Desk earlier, I have a lot of contact with them and we always have a laugh about people's computer problems. Today was someone whose PC kept printing in Caps. She'd tried everything in set up etc., my colleague suggested she tried the Caps Lock key. The caller hung up!! She has to deal with about 7,000 people, all who think they are the most important person. Mine is about 250, some even know what they're doing!
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 6 15:10:40 2006

 MM: There's an older gentleman who runs the information desk in our university library. He seems to enjoy his job FAR more than anyone else who works with him. Then again, most of his assistants are "work study" students who get paid a piddling fee.
Travis
- Mon Feb 6 15:07:34 2006

 John: Not to sound like a persistent whiner, but did you send me a password for the maison? I should check my spam folders, but I thought I'd check with you, too. Thanks.
Travis
- Mon Feb 6 15:05:59 2006

 My job title is Electronic Information Services Administrator. Dogsbody is the short title. I work in a small section, me and five men(!) within the libraries department of a local council, mainly running a Help Desk for all those people who work in our 16 libraries and don't know an off button from a light switch.
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 6 15:05:06 2006

 You have no idea how wonderful it is at work at the moment - something has gone wrong with the phones and The Council cannot receive any outside calls. Bliss. BT are working on it, but not too hard I hope!
Mad Mumsie
- Mon Feb 6 15:02:13 2006

 May I ask what jobs you lot do? I only know very sketchy details, even of Rob's and John's jobs. I'm employed as a "Teaching Assistant" meaning I have to do 2 semesters of not really teaching a class. I am there and I teach on certain days, but the responsibility isn't mine. Next semester, I'll be the instructor of record again (in switching programs, I had to start at the beginning), teaching probably Mythology and Greek at a university.
Travis
- Mon Feb 6 15:02:00 2006

 Why the change then Kev? Was there something about DigitalTV you don't like? Or just the industry?
Nigel
- Mon Feb 6 14:26:47 2006

 KevTel - nono I don't think so, I think I am out of the digital tv broadcast industry for good. Anyway it sounds too much like working for a living!
Kev
- Mon Feb 6 14:05:09 2006

 Well if ever there was a group of guys to get together and begin a hi-tec start-up, then you guys are it! Along with Lox and dsp's business instincts too of course! Don't worry about your perentage rating or venture capital, just engineer a product. I have faith you could do it. Of course I can't programme my way out of a wet paper bag, so can't offer pointers. But I'm thinking about it :)
Nigel
- Mon Feb 6 13:44:41 2006

 Are we ever likekly to see a Kevtel then?
John
- Mon Feb 6 13:24:34 2006

 ahh. but on those days that you hate your job you just make into a holiday instead
kev
- Mon Feb 6 12:36:29 2006

 The trouble with running your own company is that then you'd only have yourself to blame on the days when you decide you hate your job!
John
- Mon Feb 6 12:23:41 2006

 Kev - I have cleaned up the latest outburst of spam, and closed comment posting on that entry. Hopefully that ought to be an end to it.
John
- Mon Feb 6 12:21:40 2006

 john, maybe you should quit and start johnTV. that way you could be in the top 1 percent or infact whatever percentage you wanted, that'll learn'em.
kev
- Mon Feb 6 12:03:53 2006

 something amusing is occuring over on johns blog for 'monday night karoke' he seems to have drawn the attention of a very persistant spammer.
kev
- Mon Feb 6 12:02:14 2006

 Yea clearly the whole 2% thing is highly subjective! My point was just that companies like this make a big deal about all the smart people they've got, and then, in my opinion, don't use them effectively. It's kind of selfish really - like posh people who go into restaurants, order one of everything on the menu, then only eat a forkful of each dish. Or the schoolboy who wins all the marbles and then doesn't let anyone else play with them.
John
- Mon Feb 6 12:00:44 2006

 Kev: Going on the track-record for ex-Softel employees, I expect great things of you!! :))
Nigel
- Mon Feb 6 11:55:21 2006

 It's odd isn't it? How are the top 2% defined? The top 2% of people who apply to work for MS? I might be a supreme programmer, better than everyone at MS or Apple (ok, this is an ficticious example. I am not that good... at all... nope... zI should cocoa) but I've not presented myself to the market and have no wish to.
Nigel
- Mon Feb 6 11:49:38 2006

 In that case Kev, you must be in the top 0.1%: a software developer who has finally learned better. Well done, sir!
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 6 11:45:25 2006

 i think they mean the top 2 percent with the biggest egos to massage LOL. i am currently enjoying my non-job immensely. i think i have decided i won't ever work again.
kev
- Mon Feb 6 11:41:43 2006

 Lox- we get to meet the "Famous people" but as most of them have an engineering background, they're very down-to-earth. The drivers are a different kettle of fish- but we tend to employ the more sensible ones. John- Billy G. reckons he has the top 2% of software engineers, does he? That's an interesting (maybe even extravagant) claim. How many work for him? What if they'd rather work for someone else- does he employ them anyway???! Does this mean that I cannot be in the top 2% by definition?
Jimmy
- Mon Feb 6 11:20:00 2006

 Jimmy: Nice job!! Do you get to know some famous engineer or driver by any chance? Free tickets to the races?
Lox
- Mon Feb 6 10:50:50 2006
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