Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Prince William to be a SAR pilot
BBC story here. He's utterly nuts and very brave. Good for you, your Highness.
F1 Monza
Top race. Plenty of thrills and spills while only one crash - very good indeed. Lots of battles and overtaking. A perfect performance by Vettel; Hamilton almost rescued it but was let down by poor tyre choice.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
F1: Spa
I could not resist a snigger at Hamilton. What a twonk! But well done Vettel.
It should be a great race tomorrow. I wonder if Hamilton will try the three-stop strategy that almost worked the last time he was so badly placed?
It should be a great race tomorrow. I wonder if Hamilton will try the three-stop strategy that almost worked the last time he was so badly placed?
Not good news.
My father had a stroke yesterday morning. I got there just in time to follow the ambulance to hospital. Fortunately, it appears to be a minor stroke and not a precursor to a serious one.
Fingers thoroughly crossed!
Fingers thoroughly crossed!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
You're stranded on a Desert Island
1. What one person would you wish was stranded there with you?
Someone who's really good at telling tales. Like Misty or Kim.
2. What one tool would you want to have?
A machete.
3. Of which one food do you wish you would have an unlimited supply?
This depends upon what's actually available on the island, but top contenders would be eggs and milk. Or a good red Burgundy.
4. What one luxury item would you wish for?
I suppose a solar powered PC with an unlimited internet connection is asking too much? Oh well, in that case, I'll have a solar powered icemaker.
5. What one book would you want to have with you to read and re-read?
The complete works of Shakespeare.
6. You have one piece of paper, a pencil and one bottle - to whom is the message going to be written?
My brother - to tell him and his family how much I love them.
7. What skill would serve you best while on the island? A close one here: being idle versus cooking.
8. How long do you think you could last before needing rescue?
No idea.
9. What one island animal would become your pet?
Hopefully there's a goat or two that I can milk.
10. Your island is unknown to you, and you need to give it a name - what would it be?
I'll let it remain unnamed.
11. What would you do to pass the weeks, days, and hours?
Gaze at the stars. Not a lot else to do at night, anyway.
12. You've been rescued! What is the first thing you're going to do when you get back home?
Put the kettle on!
Someone who's really good at telling tales. Like Misty or Kim.
2. What one tool would you want to have?
A machete.
3. Of which one food do you wish you would have an unlimited supply?
This depends upon what's actually available on the island, but top contenders would be eggs and milk. Or a good red Burgundy.
4. What one luxury item would you wish for?
I suppose a solar powered PC with an unlimited internet connection is asking too much? Oh well, in that case, I'll have a solar powered icemaker.
5. What one book would you want to have with you to read and re-read?
The complete works of Shakespeare.
6. You have one piece of paper, a pencil and one bottle - to whom is the message going to be written?
My brother - to tell him and his family how much I love them.
7. What skill would serve you best while on the island? A close one here: being idle versus cooking.
8. How long do you think you could last before needing rescue?
No idea.
9. What one island animal would become your pet?
Hopefully there's a goat or two that I can milk.
10. Your island is unknown to you, and you need to give it a name - what would it be?
I'll let it remain unnamed.
11. What would you do to pass the weeks, days, and hours?
Gaze at the stars. Not a lot else to do at night, anyway.
12. You've been rescued! What is the first thing you're going to do when you get back home?
Put the kettle on!
Looking backwards to predict Windows 7.
A lot of people are hoping that Windows 7 will be a revolutionary product, much like the Mac OS/X was. However, I don't think so. Microsoft has a history of spit-and-polish when it comes to OSs. There was Windows 3.0 then Windows 3.1. Then there was Windows 95 followed by Windows 98, and Window NT 3 followed by NT 4. Then there was Windows 2000 followed by Windows XP. And now we have Vista, which I expect to be followed by Windows 7, with the revolutionary product to follow 3 or so years later.
A comparison might be drawn with Intel, who have a similar policy with their CPUs: an inital release followed by a die-shrink.
So, Windows 7 will be a polish of Vista. What can we expect to see? A significant reform of Aero and UAC - making them much faster, for a start. With the introduction of Windows Home Server, I see an opportunity for MS to rationalise the SKUs. Instead of the plethora of products we have to day, I hope we'll return to just the one, Windows Workstation. Connect it to a Home Server and it becomes a home client; connect it to an Active Directory and it becomes a Business Client. There will be extra polish with DX 11 and physics, of course.
With Windows 7, matters are complicated further because Vista is a transition product for moving from 32 bit to 64 bit, and ISVs aren't following suit. As yet, there's no 64 bit Flash, no 64 bit Acrobat Reader. Indeed, 64 bit utilities are only just beginning to appear. I'd like to see Windows 7 being purely 64 bit - it would save Microsoft a lot of work to ditch the 32 bit versions - but with the amount of 32 bit software around, I just don't see that happenning, and the 32 bit / 64 bit dichotomy will confuse many users.
More later.
A comparison might be drawn with Intel, who have a similar policy with their CPUs: an inital release followed by a die-shrink.
So, Windows 7 will be a polish of Vista. What can we expect to see? A significant reform of Aero and UAC - making them much faster, for a start. With the introduction of Windows Home Server, I see an opportunity for MS to rationalise the SKUs. Instead of the plethora of products we have to day, I hope we'll return to just the one, Windows Workstation. Connect it to a Home Server and it becomes a home client; connect it to an Active Directory and it becomes a Business Client. There will be extra polish with DX 11 and physics, of course.
With Windows 7, matters are complicated further because Vista is a transition product for moving from 32 bit to 64 bit, and ISVs aren't following suit. As yet, there's no 64 bit Flash, no 64 bit Acrobat Reader. Indeed, 64 bit utilities are only just beginning to appear. I'd like to see Windows 7 being purely 64 bit - it would save Microsoft a lot of work to ditch the 32 bit versions - but with the amount of 32 bit software around, I just don't see that happenning, and the 32 bit / 64 bit dichotomy will confuse many users.
More later.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Jobhunting!
I'm now seeking gainful employment in IT. A team leader or junior management role by preference. I've 20 years experience of Microsoft - client and server - support, from DOS to Vista. So gissajob!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Duke Nukem 3D
Steven den Beste reminisces about Duke Nukem 3D. I have many happy memories of that game, particularly of the multiplayer modes. Lying in wait with a pipebomb, zooming around with the jetpack and the rocket launcher or the devastator. It was fun! And there was fun within the game itself. These days, they all take themselves so seriously: not so Duke.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Nature can be so cruel
A child that's lost its mother is always distressing. And whales are usually such gentle giants - to humans, that is.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The ideal platform for Google Earth
Microsoft should sell this as a simple single-function appliance.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
It's the 'Complete the title' game
I know I've got one or two readers, so here's a game for you to join: provide a link and complete the title!
Senior ministers get behind Brown... to better stab him in the back.
Unexpected fall in puffin numbers... improved fitness to blame.
Have at it!
Senior ministers get behind Brown... to better stab him in the back.
Unexpected fall in puffin numbers... improved fitness to blame.
Have at it!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ouch!
I dropped a partially-full filing cabinet on my foot yesterday. It took very much less than a second to realise that I was not wearing my safety boots...
Learn from my mistake: don't try toting heavy stuff without them.
Learn from my mistake: don't try toting heavy stuff without them.
Monday, June 30, 2008
A quick rant about computer suppliers
This means you, Novatech, ebuyer, Scan, etc.
Go to the computer supplier of your choice and quickly find all motherboards that can support an Intel Quad Core, 8 GB of RAM, Crossfire (or SLI), and are micro-ATX. Can't do it.
How about computer cases? Sure I can search by size, but quickly find all micro-ATX cases that have 2 120mm fans. Can't do it.
Guys, for some product types, you need to be able to search by feature.
Go to the computer supplier of your choice and quickly find all motherboards that can support an Intel Quad Core, 8 GB of RAM, Crossfire (or SLI), and are micro-ATX. Can't do it.
How about computer cases? Sure I can search by size, but quickly find all micro-ATX cases that have 2 120mm fans. Can't do it.
Guys, for some product types, you need to be able to search by feature.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Blessed be Broline
So I've got an eye infection and it doth suck mightily. But 15 mins after a dose of Broline and the relief is wonderful.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Portable Grab & Go Bag
I missed this article when Kim posted it, but I'd like to suggest that those who replied are missing a fundamental point: you have to prepare for two scenarios here, not one. The first is what if you are in close proximity to and directly affected by the incident; the second is what if you aren't. The events of 7/7 are still fresh in my mind.
With regard to the first, you simply need to survive to get yourself into the hands of the emergency services ASAP. Multitool, whistle, torch, mask, and water are a bare minimum here. I like the idea of the goggles but I think a ski visor would be better, simply because it's easier to put on - less likely to get tangled in something else - and more comfortable. Let the emergency services take care of you after that.
With regard to the second, while you still may need those items from the first scenario, home may not be reachable, but mass transit will only be stopped for a day or two. People often commute long distances, so having friends nearby who can put you up is good. At a pinch, sleep at the office. People should also be aware of secondary functions of items. When you can't make a telephone call, texting may still work. My phone will operate as a radio, so I'll be able to hear news broadcasts.
With regard to the water, freeze it! It will keep you cool in the hot tube as it melts.
With regard to the first, you simply need to survive to get yourself into the hands of the emergency services ASAP. Multitool, whistle, torch, mask, and water are a bare minimum here. I like the idea of the goggles but I think a ski visor would be better, simply because it's easier to put on - less likely to get tangled in something else - and more comfortable. Let the emergency services take care of you after that.
With regard to the second, while you still may need those items from the first scenario, home may not be reachable, but mass transit will only be stopped for a day or two. People often commute long distances, so having friends nearby who can put you up is good. At a pinch, sleep at the office. People should also be aware of secondary functions of items. When you can't make a telephone call, texting may still work. My phone will operate as a radio, so I'll be able to hear news broadcasts.
With regard to the water, freeze it! It will keep you cool in the hot tube as it melts.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Yee-hah!
We've received the grant of the Court of Protection and my aunt will be safe from those who would do her ill. We're now a year behind schedule getting her home. Soon...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
You can't have too many USB ports
Or, I want wireless!
Attached to this computer via USB are keyboard and trackball (via KVM), printer, card reader, mobile phone, floppy drive (sometimes), hard drive (well, actually three but only one at a time), joystick, wheel, drawing pad, and a UPS. And then there's the power cables, the KVM cables, the sound cables, etc. And after that there's the other computer...
Oh yes, there's a memory stick or two around as well.
My mobile's already Bluetooth-aware, but I reckon the computer itself, trackball, keyboard, joystick, wheel, UPS, and drawing pad could be added to that list.
Of course, then I'd be moaning about batteries. I can't win.
Attached to this computer via USB are keyboard and trackball (via KVM), printer, card reader, mobile phone, floppy drive (sometimes), hard drive (well, actually three but only one at a time), joystick, wheel, drawing pad, and a UPS. And then there's the power cables, the KVM cables, the sound cables, etc. And after that there's the other computer...
Oh yes, there's a memory stick or two around as well.
My mobile's already Bluetooth-aware, but I reckon the computer itself, trackball, keyboard, joystick, wheel, UPS, and drawing pad could be added to that list.
Of course, then I'd be moaning about batteries. I can't win.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)