Thursday, August 07, 2003
Blogging holiday....
I'm off to Bristol tis afternoon on company business, then I'm goign to spend most of the weekend down there with my godson and his family, so no blogging until Monday.
Look, mine's rubbish anyway, check out the ones on the right instead ;-)
Look, mine's rubbish anyway, check out the ones on the right instead ;-)
sacbee.com -- AP State Wire News -- Report: Marines dropped devices similar to Napalm on Iraqi troops
sacbee.com -- AP State Wire News -- Report: Marines dropped devices similar to Napalm on Iraqi troops:
"'You can call it something other than napalm, but it's napalm,' "
If it looks like napalm, smells like napalm and incinerates children like napalm, it probably *is* napalm.
Thanks to Tim for the link. Go and check out his site (Bloggerheads on the list to your right) for more info on viral marketing and Tom Watson amongst other things.
"'You can call it something other than napalm, but it's napalm,' "
If it looks like napalm, smells like napalm and incinerates children like napalm, it probably *is* napalm.
Thanks to Tim for the link. Go and check out his site (Bloggerheads on the list to your right) for more info on viral marketing and Tom Watson amongst other things.
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
Hangingday :: Publishing :: London
Hangingday :: Publishing :: London:
"The attempt to belittle Kelly was a piece of spin to cover some other spin... and so on. So it shouldn't be surprising that there's further spin about this story. Like that this wasn't official government policy, or that Tom Kelly was 'some guy'. It's worth remembering that Kelly is the Prime Minister's official spokesman. Essentially, he was mocking the corpse because Tony can't be everywhere at once. "
"The attempt to belittle Kelly was a piece of spin to cover some other spin... and so on. So it shouldn't be surprising that there's further spin about this story. Like that this wasn't official government policy, or that Tom Kelly was 'some guy'. It's worth remembering that Kelly is the Prime Minister's official spokesman. Essentially, he was mocking the corpse because Tony can't be everywhere at once. "
Games
Games:
"Gamers spent $722 million renting video game software [in the US] in 2002"
Now *that's* a lot of money.
"Gamers spent $722 million renting video game software [in the US] in 2002"
Now *that's* a lot of money.
BBC NEWS | UK | Britain sweats on heat record
BBC NEWS | UK | Britain sweats on heat record:
"Weather experts are cooling off on their predictions of record-beating temperatures on Wednesday, as the heat approaches 30C plus for yet another day.
The BBC Weather Centre said it was 'less likely than likely' that temperatures anywhere in the UK would top the record of 37.1C, although some areas could get close. "
As if anyone gives a shit. Jesus Christ, the country seems obsessed by this this week.
Yes, I know I just used this and this together.
Damn.
"Weather experts are cooling off on their predictions of record-beating temperatures on Wednesday, as the heat approaches 30C plus for yet another day.
The BBC Weather Centre said it was 'less likely than likely' that temperatures anywhere in the UK would top the record of 37.1C, although some areas could get close. "
As if anyone gives a shit. Jesus Christ, the country seems obsessed by this this week.
Yes, I know I just used this and this together.
Damn.
Interesting Star Wars Galaxies review...
SWG review:
All hype and no trousers???
"In case you’re not getting what I’m saying, it’s this: SWG will be dying a very similar death inside of six months unless this changes radically. Most of the friends I made in the first week of the game are rarely on any more. I see them maybe once every five days. And every single time I do see them, they gripe about how there is nothing, NOTHING, to do. Need I remind anyone that they are griping about being bored by a massive online game that is only four weeks old?"
All hype and no trousers???
"In case you’re not getting what I’m saying, it’s this: SWG will be dying a very similar death inside of six months unless this changes radically. Most of the friends I made in the first week of the game are rarely on any more. I see them maybe once every five days. And every single time I do see them, they gripe about how there is nothing, NOTHING, to do. Need I remind anyone that they are griping about being bored by a massive online game that is only four weeks old?"
BBC NEWS | Business | Pensions 'black hole' doubles
BBC NEWS | Business | Pensions 'black hole' doubles:
"The black hole in the pension schemes of Britain's top 100 companies has doubled over the past year to £55bn.
The annual survey of pensions by the actuaries Lane Clark & Peacock shows the pension deficits shown on company accounts now add up to more than £55bn.
For the finance directors of Britain's biggest companies this latest survey makes uncomfortable reading.
Groups such as ICI or BAE Systems have pension schemes worth two or three times as much as the company. "
LOL, BAE Systems pension scheme. Now, that really *is* the company I work for. And have a pension with. Oh bollocks.
"The black hole in the pension schemes of Britain's top 100 companies has doubled over the past year to £55bn.
The annual survey of pensions by the actuaries Lane Clark & Peacock shows the pension deficits shown on company accounts now add up to more than £55bn.
For the finance directors of Britain's biggest companies this latest survey makes uncomfortable reading.
Groups such as ICI or BAE Systems have pension schemes worth two or three times as much as the company. "
LOL, BAE Systems pension scheme. Now, that really *is* the company I work for. And have a pension with. Oh bollocks.
BBC NEWS | England | Workers get 'sun' day off
BBC NEWS | England | Workers get 'sun' day off:
"A firm in Lancashire is giving workers the day off to enjoy what is expected to be the UK's hottest day of the year."
And do you know? It's the very firm I work for!!!
Is it fuck :-(
"A firm in Lancashire is giving workers the day off to enjoy what is expected to be the UK's hottest day of the year."
And do you know? It's the very firm I work for!!!
Is it fuck :-(
Keep it in the family.....
BBC NEWS | UK | Tories angry over new CPS boss:
"'We have already had one Lord Chancellor who was the prime minister's boss and the current one who is his former flatmate.
'Now we learn that the new director of public prosecutions is a founder member of the same legal chambers as the prime minister's wife. "
Aah, all friends together.
"'We have already had one Lord Chancellor who was the prime minister's boss and the current one who is his former flatmate.
'Now we learn that the new director of public prosecutions is a founder member of the same legal chambers as the prime minister's wife. "
Aah, all friends together.
Nothing to declare....
Bad memories of school dinners still affect the eating habits of many adults, a survey suggests.
Many still refuse to eat certain foods or even look at them after being force-fed at school, according to the poll of over 2,000 BBC Good Food magazine readers and users of the website Friends Reunited.
And my licence fee pays for this does it? Jesus.
Many still refuse to eat certain foods or even look at them after being force-fed at school, according to the poll of over 2,000 BBC Good Food magazine readers and users of the website Friends Reunited.
And my licence fee pays for this does it? Jesus.
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Mini-nukes on US agenda
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Mini-nukes on US agenda:
"A two-day secret conference to plan the future of the American nuclear arsenal, including the development of so-called mini-nukes, is being held this week at StratCom, the headquarters of US Strategic Command in Nebraska. "
Well, if they're looking for WMD's at least they haven't far to go.
Looking to improve the effectiveness of the US nuclear arsenal? Whatever for? They can't be planning on using them, can they?
"But we're Americans, we've got double standards to live up to"...
"A two-day secret conference to plan the future of the American nuclear arsenal, including the development of so-called mini-nukes, is being held this week at StratCom, the headquarters of US Strategic Command in Nebraska. "
Well, if they're looking for WMD's at least they haven't far to go.
Looking to improve the effectiveness of the US nuclear arsenal? Whatever for? They can't be planning on using them, can they?
"But we're Americans, we've got double standards to live up to"...
BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Music | Record label unveils single plans
BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Music | Record label unveils single plans:
"Music giant EMI is to introduce a new system of prices for CD singles in an attempt to revive sales.
Most singles will be available on two-track discs for £1.99 - but releases by the biggest names will be priced at £3.99. "
£3.99 for a single? They must be on glue.
I can buy the new album legit for £10 on play.com, so why on earth would I pay 40% of that for a 2 or 3 track single?
And they wonder why people download. They are sooo removed from reality it's just funny.
"Music giant EMI is to introduce a new system of prices for CD singles in an attempt to revive sales.
Most singles will be available on two-track discs for £1.99 - but releases by the biggest names will be priced at £3.99. "
£3.99 for a single? They must be on glue.
I can buy the new album legit for £10 on play.com, so why on earth would I pay 40% of that for a 2 or 3 track single?
And they wonder why people download. They are sooo removed from reality it's just funny.
BBC NEWS | Business | Linux copyright row escalates
BBC NEWS | Business | Linux copyright row escalates:
"But Red Hat - not to mention many in the Linux community - believe the threats to be little more than shadow boxing, an attempt to leverage intellectual property by a company which now is equipped to do little else. "
"But Red Hat - not to mention many in the Linux community - believe the threats to be little more than shadow boxing, an attempt to leverage intellectual property by a company which now is equipped to do little else. "
There's a guy works down the chip-shop swears he's Elvish....
These guys have developed a Word plugin which allows you to use elvish script. Not my cup of tea, sounds a little too geeky even for me, but you have to admire their perseverence. Not to mention their font-skillz.
Thanks to Tim for the lead. Go check out his site, he has loads and loads of really good links today.
Thanks to Tim for the lead. Go check out his site, he has loads and loads of really good links today.
Monday, August 04, 2003
Tom's Hardware Guide PCs & HowTo: The Lazy Days of Summer Case Review - The Lazy Days of Summer Case Review
Tom's Hardware Guide PCs & HowTo: The Lazy Days of Summer Case Review - The Lazy Days of Summer Case Review:
"With the lazy days of summer upon us, it is time again to look at what the case manufacturers have been up to. Normally, this would be an excellent time to look at many of the new cases that have been released, as the majority of the case manufacturers have traditionally launched their new case offerings at Computex. But with the postponement of Computex until September, many case manufacturers and case marketers have not yet introduced new models. "
Tom has a quick gander at cases for all you mod phreeks.
"With the lazy days of summer upon us, it is time again to look at what the case manufacturers have been up to. Normally, this would be an excellent time to look at many of the new cases that have been released, as the majority of the case manufacturers have traditionally launched their new case offerings at Computex. But with the postponement of Computex until September, many case manufacturers and case marketers have not yet introduced new models. "
Tom has a quick gander at cases for all you mod phreeks.
Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness Rreview
Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness Rreview:
Firingsquad review of Tomb Raider, AOD. I agree with every word. I borrowed and played for 20 minutes. I will never play it again. Goodbye Core.
"Core has trashed everything that ever made the Tomb Raider games popular. Plot is now more James Bond than Dr. Jones, with a smattering of the X-Files. You spend more time in modern cities than ancient ruins. All of the new stealth and hand-to-hand combat options are a waste of time. The control system is probably the worst that I’ve ever experienced in a computer or video game—and, man, I own an Intellivision."
Firingsquad review of Tomb Raider, AOD. I agree with every word. I borrowed and played for 20 minutes. I will never play it again. Goodbye Core.
"Core has trashed everything that ever made the Tomb Raider games popular. Plot is now more James Bond than Dr. Jones, with a smattering of the X-Files. You spend more time in modern cities than ancient ruins. All of the new stealth and hand-to-hand combat options are a waste of time. The control system is probably the worst that I’ve ever experienced in a computer or video game—and, man, I own an Intellivision."
BBC NEWS | Politics | Call for health checks for immigrants
BBC NEWS | Politics | Call for health checks for immigrants:
"All immigrants entering the UK should be screened for infectious diseases, the Tories have said.
Shadow health secretary Liam Fox said that the adoption of compulsory screening for immigrants and asylum seekers was essential to prevent such diseases being brought into the country. "
Now, I'm all for this. Whoa, easy tiger, let me finish. I'll all for this as long as it is not used as a reason to refuse entry. We should use it as a way to provide treatment for immigrants (legitimate ones) and hoepfully make sure there's no recurrence of the TB scare of last year.
It might help people! Imagien that! Our current government might actually help people who are worse off than them!
Of course it won't fucking happen.
"All immigrants entering the UK should be screened for infectious diseases, the Tories have said.
Shadow health secretary Liam Fox said that the adoption of compulsory screening for immigrants and asylum seekers was essential to prevent such diseases being brought into the country. "
Now, I'm all for this. Whoa, easy tiger, let me finish. I'll all for this as long as it is not used as a reason to refuse entry. We should use it as a way to provide treatment for immigrants (legitimate ones) and hoepfully make sure there's no recurrence of the TB scare of last year.
It might help people! Imagien that! Our current government might actually help people who are worse off than them!
Of course it won't fucking happen.
BBC NEWS | Health | Smoking - 'shock tactics needed'
BBC NEWS | Health | Smoking - 'shock tactics needed':
"Hard-hitting health warnings on cigarette packets must be regularly updated - possibly with shocking images of cancer victims - if they are not to lose their impact, say experts.
Researchers from the Cancer Research UK Centre for Tobacco Control Research have conducted a study into the effectiveness of using graphic images and warnings on cigarette packs. "
As a smoker, I can confirm they have lost all impact.
"Smoking kills!!1!!" - Really? You think we don't know that? Just because we can read doen't mean we're not stupid.
Make the adverts harder hitting. Please. It might make me give up.
"Hard-hitting health warnings on cigarette packets must be regularly updated - possibly with shocking images of cancer victims - if they are not to lose their impact, say experts.
Researchers from the Cancer Research UK Centre for Tobacco Control Research have conducted a study into the effectiveness of using graphic images and warnings on cigarette packs. "
As a smoker, I can confirm they have lost all impact.
"Smoking kills!!1!!" - Really? You think we don't know that? Just because we can read doen't mean we're not stupid.
Make the adverts harder hitting. Please. It might make me give up.
BBC NEWS | Magazine | Stopping the pop-swappers
BBC NEWS | Magazine | Stopping the pop-swappers:
"According to the RIAA's own figures, over the last two years the US music industry has produced 25% fewer CDs. "
"The music industry cannot hope to sue everyone using file sharing to find music as that would take hundreds of years and already the US legal system is complaining about the work the RIAA is heaping upon it. "
Interesting article on the BBC site about how the real threat to RIAA is organised piracy by criminals. 90% of all CDs in China are pirate copies. I think that might have slightly more impact than Joe Q. Public downloading a couple of Turin Brakes tracks.
"According to the RIAA's own figures, over the last two years the US music industry has produced 25% fewer CDs. "
"The music industry cannot hope to sue everyone using file sharing to find music as that would take hundreds of years and already the US legal system is complaining about the work the RIAA is heaping upon it. "
Interesting article on the BBC site about how the real threat to RIAA is organised piracy by criminals. 90% of all CDs in China are pirate copies. I think that might have slightly more impact than Joe Q. Public downloading a couple of Turin Brakes tracks.
BBC NEWS | Technology | Virus poses as admin e-mail
BBC NEWS | Technology | Virus poses as admin e-mail:
"People are being warned to be on the lookout for a Windows e-mail virus which pretends to be a message from computer support staff.
The worm, dubbed Mimail, first struck on Friday in the US but it has enjoyed a resurgence with people returning to work after the weekend. "
Check your AV stuff is on auto-update.
"People are being warned to be on the lookout for a Windows e-mail virus which pretends to be a message from computer support staff.
The worm, dubbed Mimail, first struck on Friday in the US but it has enjoyed a resurgence with people returning to work after the weekend. "
Check your AV stuff is on auto-update.
Herald.com - Your Miami Everything Guide
Herald.com - Your Miami Everything Guide:
"Today Iraq is a lethal grind. As of this writing, Saddam Hussein remains on the run, not a single weapon of mass destruction has been found, and we're spending almost $1 billion a week in a country where many of the citizens we ''liberated'' want us to fix the electricity and get the hell out."
Well said Carl.
"Today Iraq is a lethal grind. As of this writing, Saddam Hussein remains on the run, not a single weapon of mass destruction has been found, and we're spending almost $1 billion a week in a country where many of the citizens we ''liberated'' want us to fix the electricity and get the hell out."
Well said Carl.
Scaryduck: Not Scary. Not A Duck.
Scaryduck: Not Scary. Not A Duck.:
"Fake punks. What the hell’s that all about then? Avril Lavigne, repeat after me: “I am not punk. I am a corporate whore invented by some shit in a suit trying to add a bit of white-skinned teenage rebellion into bland popular music.” Or if that’s too long for you, just try “I’m shite. Sorry.”"
LOL @ Scary...
"Fake punks. What the hell’s that all about then? Avril Lavigne, repeat after me: “I am not punk. I am a corporate whore invented by some shit in a suit trying to add a bit of white-skinned teenage rebellion into bland popular music.” Or if that’s too long for you, just try “I’m shite. Sorry.”"
LOL @ Scary...
