May 2008
Indiana Jones and the blah blah blah
30/05/08 02:21 Filed in: Personal
Which, if you have read my previous post, was of some relief to me. OK, so some of the opening scenes had rather too much of the "Basil Exposition" about them. What with Jim Robinson (OK... Alan Dale) spilling out Indiana's entire war record in an accent that's American via South Africa. Actually that scenes that weakest in the entire film. So a good job they got it out of the way early!
I get what people are saying about the scene regarding his dead being dead. But it cuts into the arrival of a new person in his life. I'll not spoil it... although you'd have to be completely stupid not to work it out.
The "brought a knife to a gunfight" line is interesting. I could only link it to the scene in "The Untouchables" where it is spoken by Sean Connery does his Scottish / Irish accent (as opposed to his Scottish/Russian, Scottish/Egyptian or any other variant).
Back to the film. It's not a good as Raiders of the Lost Ark. But then that's a pretty high target. It looked fresh, people have fond memories. It's totally better than "The Last Crusade" which was a total mess and (if you ignore Kate Capshaw... not hard) it's probably on par with "The Temple of Doom". With better effects.... and ANTS!
Review : Three USB Modem
29/05/08 23:04 Filed in: Technology
Three are a mobile phone/network provider that pioneered 3G in the UK. In recent years they have expanded their well priced service to provide generous data packages and currently they are heavily promoting a USB based modem solution for use by computers.
The first thing that strikes you about the USB is it's neat, almost Apple like, design. The white modem is clean, simple and easy to use. What's better is that 3 actually supply support and drivers for Apple Mac machines. Something rival companies have been very poor of late to offer.
So how good is it to use? Well, so far I've tried it up and down the country and I've yet to find an area where I can't get at least GRPS coverage. It's fantastic!
The 1GB monthly limit sounds mean; but for the £10 per month fee (lowest in the UK) it's actually quite low. If you have a 3 mobile on business contract this figure actually drops to £5 a month.
Another advantage that 3 has over over providers is that if your in an area where they don't have any coverage, they'll piggyback another providers network. Now, how this works with the mobile broadband is anyone's guess.
We're off to Cornwall early next week. So this should really set the cat amongst the pigeons in terms of access. Wish us luck!
Update
Believe it or not I've never actually plugged it into a PC until today. After about 30 minutes of looking for the installation CD (and not finding it) I eventually found the installation booklet. What impressed me most was that 3 have installed the drivers and control software in the device and the it works like a standard flash memory. So no installation CD required. How awesome is that!?
Indiana Is Nearly Here..
23/05/08 14:40 Filed in: Personal
Just a short post today. I'm back at base and time allowed me to take a look at the latest trailers for the Indiana Jones movie everybody is waiting for.
The only problem is that I'm not one of them. Oh, please. Don't me wrong. I LOVED the Indiana Jones movies. I thought Raiders was (and I) one the best films ever made. It's fantastic. I even have a soft spot for "The Temple of Doom", especially if you've edited the move to remove all Kate Capshaw's screaming out!
And that's my problem. I love the Indiana Jones movies so much, I hate the fact they've made a new film. I can't be alone in thinking that the delivery is in no ways going to meet the expectations.
The only problem is that I'm not one of them. Oh, please. Don't me wrong. I LOVED the Indiana Jones movies. I thought Raiders was (and I) one the best films ever made. It's fantastic. I even have a soft spot for "The Temple of Doom", especially if you've edited the move to remove all Kate Capshaw's screaming out!
And that's my problem. I love the Indiana Jones movies so much, I hate the fact they've made a new film. I can't be alone in thinking that the delivery is in no ways going to meet the expectations.
Eggs on Balmer
21/05/08 21:55 Filed in: Personal
Has everybody had a chance to watch the video of Steve Balmer getting pelted by eggs?
I watched the video a few times from my hotel room and one question really sticks in my mind.
No, not WHY was he pelted. How could he miss?!?!
Sorry Mr. B. But exactly what level of security do you have when the guy has
Microsoft = Corruption on the back of his shirt!! Come on!
I watched the video a few times from my hotel room and one question really sticks in my mind.
No, not WHY was he pelted. How could he miss?!?!
Sorry Mr. B. But exactly what level of security do you have when the guy has
Microsoft = Corruption on the back of his shirt!! Come on!
FOR A PICTURE!!!!!!
20/05/08 20:44 Filed in: Personal
Let me begin.....
About three months ago I had some work done on my Saab at Stratstone Saab. It's one of those jobs that only a Saab dealer can do (a rather expensive £500 'glitch') but as part of my complementary Stratstone gift park (for presumably keeping the dealer open for that month) there came a little black envelope into which a free photo-session at Venture was included.
Now, right out of the gate I want to point out that I thought this was a complete scam. But despite all my best moaning and protestations 'the Mrs' took the kids anyway.
In less than an hour they had all returned, with 'the Mrs' showing a somewhat paler complexion than she left with.
Now Venture is a nation-wide chain of studios specialising in extracting large amounts of cash out of people with little or no sense. Sorry, but there it is. No I've always subscribed to the idea that stupid people and money were already showing unlikely signs of getting together in the first place. But there's a whole nation of people with iPhones to prove me wrong. Just to digress... it's a 2 MP camera phone that can't take video and you can't install 3rd apps (yet) onto; it costs a fortune to buy and the monthly tariffs are ridiculous (in the UK)... sounds perfect. Perhaps version 2, due in June, might be better. In the first instance, thanks stupid people for paying the way for a better phone.
Back to Venture. Now. After your complimentary 30 minute session you are gifted a free photograph. As in single. I presume it is protected in some way to stop duplication. Perhaps a Venture watermark or such. But should you wish a second 5" x 7" picture. It's yours for just £75 ($150). Not a misprint. SEVENTY FIVE POUNDS. For a 5x7 picture. Hell, even Kodak is cheaper. But the price range gets better and better 10x8 is £150 ($300).
Perhaps you might like something a bit more like a proper picture, framed. The VERY least you can pay is £325 ($650) for a 5x7 in a very cheap looking pine frame.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THESE PRICES!!!
Want to go the whole hog. They sell a composite picture, printed on canvas, made up of three 29" x 29" squares for... wait for it... hold breath. £2,900 ($5,800). Just short of THREE THOUSAND POUNDS!!! You could get a car for that! Nice little run around... Hell, you could probably get David Bailey for the piggin' day for that!
My particular favourite is the book of ten photo-book with 5"x4" pictures in it. Yours for the bargain price of £1,050 ($2,100). Or for another £100, why not 15 pictures.
Now quite aside from the fact that the quality could be questioned. Who the hell buys a picture like that. I mean it is beyond conspicuous consumption and enters into insanity. Like I say, the foolish and money were lucky to get together in the first place.
So, what ARE the alternatives.
Well, via Apple iPhoto you can order some very lovely books; both softback, hardback and wirebound. But the hardback version compares with Ventures. Only instead of being £1,050 for 10 pictures... it's actually £20 for either ten pages of double or single printed paper. Please note that each page can in fact have anything from a one to sixteen pictures upon it. So that would be a saving of £1,030.
Now Apple don't do canvas prints; more is the pity. But Print on Canvas do. They offer various sizes and styles and their price range is between £25 for a 12" x 12" canvas print to £250 for a 60" x 60" print. Or does that sound more impressive as 5 foot by 5 foot. Either way, three by 29" x 29" would cost £285 from them (£95 each). So that's a saving of £2,615 pounds. So send it to them... and take a family holiday. Or better still. Take the holiday and send some of the snaps to them.
Another option is Photo Canvas Printing who offer some lovely little ones that look fantastic for baby pictures. Prices start at just £7.99.
So stuff Venture. Get a half decent camera (check out this site or this site for the best reviews) and take lots of pictures. Then do the rest yourself.
About three months ago I had some work done on my Saab at Stratstone Saab. It's one of those jobs that only a Saab dealer can do (a rather expensive £500 'glitch') but as part of my complementary Stratstone gift park (for presumably keeping the dealer open for that month) there came a little black envelope into which a free photo-session at Venture was included.
Now, right out of the gate I want to point out that I thought this was a complete scam. But despite all my best moaning and protestations 'the Mrs' took the kids anyway.
In less than an hour they had all returned, with 'the Mrs' showing a somewhat paler complexion than she left with.
Now Venture is a nation-wide chain of studios specialising in extracting large amounts of cash out of people with little or no sense. Sorry, but there it is. No I've always subscribed to the idea that stupid people and money were already showing unlikely signs of getting together in the first place. But there's a whole nation of people with iPhones to prove me wrong. Just to digress... it's a 2 MP camera phone that can't take video and you can't install 3rd apps (yet) onto; it costs a fortune to buy and the monthly tariffs are ridiculous (in the UK)... sounds perfect. Perhaps version 2, due in June, might be better. In the first instance, thanks stupid people for paying the way for a better phone.
Back to Venture. Now. After your complimentary 30 minute session you are gifted a free photograph. As in single. I presume it is protected in some way to stop duplication. Perhaps a Venture watermark or such. But should you wish a second 5" x 7" picture. It's yours for just £75 ($150). Not a misprint. SEVENTY FIVE POUNDS. For a 5x7 picture. Hell, even Kodak is cheaper. But the price range gets better and better 10x8 is £150 ($300).
Perhaps you might like something a bit more like a proper picture, framed. The VERY least you can pay is £325 ($650) for a 5x7 in a very cheap looking pine frame.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THESE PRICES!!!
Want to go the whole hog. They sell a composite picture, printed on canvas, made up of three 29" x 29" squares for... wait for it... hold breath. £2,900 ($5,800). Just short of THREE THOUSAND POUNDS!!! You could get a car for that! Nice little run around... Hell, you could probably get David Bailey for the piggin' day for that!
My particular favourite is the book of ten photo-book with 5"x4" pictures in it. Yours for the bargain price of £1,050 ($2,100). Or for another £100, why not 15 pictures.
WHAT A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RIP OFF!!!
Now quite aside from the fact that the quality could be questioned. Who the hell buys a picture like that. I mean it is beyond conspicuous consumption and enters into insanity. Like I say, the foolish and money were lucky to get together in the first place.
So, what ARE the alternatives.
Well, via Apple iPhoto you can order some very lovely books; both softback, hardback and wirebound. But the hardback version compares with Ventures. Only instead of being £1,050 for 10 pictures... it's actually £20 for either ten pages of double or single printed paper. Please note that each page can in fact have anything from a one to sixteen pictures upon it. So that would be a saving of £1,030.
Now Apple don't do canvas prints; more is the pity. But Print on Canvas do. They offer various sizes and styles and their price range is between £25 for a 12" x 12" canvas print to £250 for a 60" x 60" print. Or does that sound more impressive as 5 foot by 5 foot. Either way, three by 29" x 29" would cost £285 from them (£95 each). So that's a saving of £2,615 pounds. So send it to them... and take a family holiday. Or better still. Take the holiday and send some of the snaps to them.
Another option is Photo Canvas Printing who offer some lovely little ones that look fantastic for baby pictures. Prices start at just £7.99.
So stuff Venture. Get a half decent camera (check out this site or this site for the best reviews) and take lots of pictures. Then do the rest yourself.
Roll out the scape goats
06/05/08 19:55 Filed in: Personal
I was reading on the BBC news website about a fraudulent mortgage broker who submitted false details to lenders in order to obtain mortgages; that couldn't be afforded.
The story dovetails into a series of other such stories about dodgy mortgage brokers, self-certification mortgages. Which in turn caused the credit crisis ba-boom-da-boom - Hence a crisis.
Only trouble is this. All mortgages have to pass through a basic credit worthiness check. So people's salary, savings and debts are all on record. In the UK this is done by Equifax or Experian. But the fact of the matter is that mortgage lenders DID have an opportunity to turn back risky clients, but chose not to.
The story dovetails into a series of other such stories about dodgy mortgage brokers, self-certification mortgages. Which in turn caused the credit crisis ba-boom-da-boom - Hence a crisis.
Only trouble is this. All mortgages have to pass through a basic credit worthiness check. So people's salary, savings and debts are all on record. In the UK this is done by Equifax or Experian. But the fact of the matter is that mortgage lenders DID have an opportunity to turn back risky clients, but chose not to.
