Nov 2007
Best job advert this week
26/11/07 09:05 Filed in: Personal
I was looking at last weeks paper before we put it in the recycle bin and I found this from thursdays Manchester Evening News. That was the 22nd of November.
CyberSpace Sales Manager
DiscreteHeat are UK manufacturers of the revolutionary TermaSkirt® room heating systems for residential developments and office environments. The company has introduced an energy efficient, space saving and aesthetically superior radiator product that can reduce heating costs and provide a real challenge to the UFH market.
The capitalists in grey suits who own the company now require a CyberSpace Sales Manager to create & co-ordinate their internet and web based sales and marketing activities. This includes working in web sales arenas, email, marketing and other on-line activities. You might even have to talk to real people now & again, though.
Conversant in Java, HTML and all other stuff that means nothing to us, you will be responsible for growing sales in the Virtual World, by flying a desk rather than driving a car. Experience in C and C# a great help.
If you are a computer whizz with a personality and fancy a 2nd life, ping us an email with your data.
Send your provide with current up to date information to the following address.
They included an email address. But the role may already have gone. Try their website to see if the role is still there or for contact details.
Talk to 'real' people?!
CyberSpace Sales Manager
- Location: Virtual World
- Credit Package: Configurable
- Company Mouse Provided
DiscreteHeat are UK manufacturers of the revolutionary TermaSkirt® room heating systems for residential developments and office environments. The company has introduced an energy efficient, space saving and aesthetically superior radiator product that can reduce heating costs and provide a real challenge to the UFH market.
The capitalists in grey suits who own the company now require a CyberSpace Sales Manager to create & co-ordinate their internet and web based sales and marketing activities. This includes working in web sales arenas, email, marketing and other on-line activities. You might even have to talk to real people now & again, though.
Conversant in Java, HTML and all other stuff that means nothing to us, you will be responsible for growing sales in the Virtual World, by flying a desk rather than driving a car. Experience in C and C# a great help.
If you are a computer whizz with a personality and fancy a 2nd life, ping us an email with your data.
Send your provide with current up to date information to the following address.
They included an email address. But the role may already have gone. Try their website to see if the role is still there or for contact details.
Talk to 'real' people?!
Another day, another site!
25/11/07 11:59 Filed in: Personal
We've launched ANOTHER site.
You might have read in previous posts that we've bought into the Disney Vacation Club, in order to cut the costs of our holidays down. For the price of 10 years of holidays we've bought 49 years of free accommodation. Which is a pretty decent deal.
So far, we've only been to Florida. But our future plans include California and Paris (Disney Resorts) as well as Canada and even further afield.
Only trouble is.. while there are a number of very excellent Disney sites, there are very few that offer a European prospective and none that specialise in the Vacation Club.
So we created our own, using Microsoft's Community Server. I should point out, this is NOT FOR PROFIT. Any advertising revenue made (unlikely) is going to be put towards hosting costs and if it picks up enough, prizes!
After some deliberation we've decided on EuroDVC.com. Because that seems to sum it up pretty well.
You might have read in previous posts that we've bought into the Disney Vacation Club, in order to cut the costs of our holidays down. For the price of 10 years of holidays we've bought 49 years of free accommodation. Which is a pretty decent deal.
So far, we've only been to Florida. But our future plans include California and Paris (Disney Resorts) as well as Canada and even further afield.
Only trouble is.. while there are a number of very excellent Disney sites, there are very few that offer a European prospective and none that specialise in the Vacation Club.
So we created our own, using Microsoft's Community Server. I should point out, this is NOT FOR PROFIT. Any advertising revenue made (unlikely) is going to be put towards hosting costs and if it picks up enough, prizes!
After some deliberation we've decided on EuroDVC.com. Because that seems to sum it up pretty well.
Vista Update May Kill MacBook Pro
17/11/07 23:55 Filed in: Technology
I just wanted to get this out there as quickly as I could.
I own a MacBook Pro running Microsoft Vista under BootCamp and I just patched Vista with the latest updates.
The results?
My MacBook Pro will boot Vista, but after the main desktop appears it crashes out.
Clearly something in the system library files has changed, because reverting to a previous working boot fails.
This may be a terrible coincedence; but I just wanted to get the message out ASAP.
Unless you can risk loosing your machine, please be VERY, VERY careful with this.
I'd love to hear from anybody else who has been affected or people who have not. I'd like to get a full picture as to what has gone on.
Thanks
I own a MacBook Pro running Microsoft Vista under BootCamp and I just patched Vista with the latest updates.
The results?
My MacBook Pro will boot Vista, but after the main desktop appears it crashes out.
Clearly something in the system library files has changed, because reverting to a previous working boot fails.
This may be a terrible coincedence; but I just wanted to get the message out ASAP.
Unless you can risk loosing your machine, please be VERY, VERY careful with this.
I'd love to hear from anybody else who has been affected or people who have not. I'd like to get a full picture as to what has gone on.
Thanks
Couple of boots
12/11/07 23:56 Filed in: Personal
Had a bit of a surprise on the road the other day.
In the UK it's not unusual for 4X4 (or SUV's) to have an image or similar on the spare wheel. You know, the one that's attached to the back door.
It's usually the address and logo of the dealer the car was bought from or the logo of the car company.
Not long back a craze for amusing logos on the rear wheels took hold. In the late 90's when tripped up mini-SUV's hit their zenith, you often had Rhinos in various states of activities.
But nothing prepared me for what I saw on the M1 the other day. On the rear wheel of a (frankly ridiculous) red Land Rover Discovery there was the most outrageously sycophantic image of a middle age couple 'in lurv'. Pictured cheek to cheek on the rear wheel. To say it was a distraction would be a understatement. To be honest, I understand there was an accident later that day on the M1, not a serious one, but one all the same. I can't help but wonder if that Land Rover had something to do with it.
In the UK it's not unusual for 4X4 (or SUV's) to have an image or similar on the spare wheel. You know, the one that's attached to the back door.
It's usually the address and logo of the dealer the car was bought from or the logo of the car company.
Not long back a craze for amusing logos on the rear wheels took hold. In the late 90's when tripped up mini-SUV's hit their zenith, you often had Rhinos in various states of activities.
But nothing prepared me for what I saw on the M1 the other day. On the rear wheel of a (frankly ridiculous) red Land Rover Discovery there was the most outrageously sycophantic image of a middle age couple 'in lurv'. Pictured cheek to cheek on the rear wheel. To say it was a distraction would be a understatement. To be honest, I understand there was an accident later that day on the M1, not a serious one, but one all the same. I can't help but wonder if that Land Rover had something to do with it.
Nice... almost
05/11/07 21:56 Filed in: Personal
Breakfast was OK. But, considering I was the first person to get to the buffet type arrangement, the food had a 'been here a while' look to it. Which is a worry. Do they have a cafe somewhere? 
Meeting went fine and it was off to Huntingdon and the delights of the local Travelodge. It's an 'in between' type establishment. I think it was probably built in the very late 80's or early 90's. The give away is the location, style of building and the interior layout. Having spent far too much time in these establishments you get 'an eye'. The newest one I ever stayed at was near Plymouth and the oldest... near York I'd say.
Obviously, the newest have the newer fittings and so forth.
Most amusing place I stayed as the Welcome Break at Newport Pagnell. It was like stepping back into the 1970's. The room was orange! It even had the radio built into the headboard. Fantastic!
Meeting went fine and it was off to Huntingdon and the delights of the local Travelodge. It's an 'in between' type establishment. I think it was probably built in the very late 80's or early 90's. The give away is the location, style of building and the interior layout. Having spent far too much time in these establishments you get 'an eye'. The newest one I ever stayed at was near Plymouth and the oldest... near York I'd say.
Obviously, the newest have the newer fittings and so forth.
Most amusing place I stayed as the Welcome Break at Newport Pagnell. It was like stepping back into the 1970's. The room was orange! It even had the radio built into the headboard. Fantastic!
Arrival
04/11/07 22:51 Filed in: Personal
It's going to look a little odd. Nothing on the blog and then suddenly a load of relatively short (perhaps) postings. But I'm away on business and to be honest, at the rate hotels charge for Internet Access in the UK, I'd rather upload at the weekend.
But first I'll do a quick run down of what I've not posted in the last few days because, frankly, I couldn't be that bothered.
Firstly, the Salford Advertiser (always a demigod of gaff) has broke the truth regarding ya' singing chap "The Voice" from Salford.It would appear from the MASSIVE headline next to the picture that it was in fact a shocking domestic violence issue.
Reality check is that Russell Watts was in fact rushed into hospital to have some emergency brain surgery due to a very aggressive tumour. Rhetoric has him as being out of the woods. You can only hope. Apparently the operation was fascinated via the nose. Which, as my eldest pointed out during evening meal, was how the Egyptians scooped out the brain during mummification. Not a single morsel of the cauliflower cheese was eaten that night.
Next up we have another competition winner for worst parker. This one is from this evenings drive down to Reading. I have a 9.30 meeting in Reading tomorrow and somehow the idea of getting up at 5 am in order to guarantee I make it; it just didn't appeal.
This is from the Services on the M6 Toll road. There's only one, so I don't feel the urge to spend a fortune checking the name out on the internet.
This rather large red pickup was so badly parked in the MORE THAN adequate spaces that he's actually penned in the little Renault Clio from escape. Curiosity made me want to stay to see what the outcome would be. But needs must and apart from anything else... it was piggin' freezing. As you'll probably note from the fog, everybody wearing coats and the slight blur of the image due to me shivering.
I take my hat off to ya! Most people who park badly do so preventing another person parking in a valid space. But you my friend have gone one further. You've actually managed to trap a car in situ. Therefore inconveniencing them further.
There's been an increase in number of these kind of trucks and especially the double cab type trucks that have started to come over from the US. Anybody who professes to work a blue collar job and has their own business is buying these cars in disguise and claiming back all the VAT for them. Plus they pay pittance in road tax because they are considered a work vehicle.
Surely somebody will cotton on to the fact that 99% of all these things are being being driven around in such pristine condition as to give you the idea they are just the same shop models being moved around the country.
Before I risk sounding like a complete nut case, I'll move on.
So I'm in a hotel at present near Reading called "The Wee Waif Lodge". Because I booked via Lateroom.com I managed to get the room rate of £35 for tonight £75 for tomorrow. The actual room rate is £85. But that's neither here not there. Reading, for reasons I've yet to understand, is extraordinarily expensive to visit. So an average of £55 spread over the two days isn't too awful. I could have stayed 'in town' at the Travelodge for £50. But to be honest, they were so remarkably stupid that I decided not to risk it.
The Reading Central Travelodge has no parking of its own. So I called them up and asked "as they didn't have parking; could they advice me where I could park". He put me on hold, or rather he thought he did. Actually I heard him book somebody in while I was waiting. To be honest, he could have just asked me to call back in five minutes; but he didn't. He then started out with "Parking. We don't have a car park.".
"I know, that's why I'm calling. Where can I park?" I asked.
"Not at the hotel. We don't have a car park."
"I KNOW. But where else could I park?"
(He sighed) "There are a few car parks." and with that he hung up on me.
So.. avoid at own risk. Also, the car parks, according to Google Maps, are about 3/4 to a mile away in either direction.
So.. I'm here.
I'd take a picture of the room. Which is actually OK, quite nice in fact. Not £85 a night nice, but certainly £55 a night nice. I would take a picture. Only it appears that Reading is a 10 watt bulb town.
I am sure it must be creating an intimate atmosphere. But the reality is that the rooms, unless you have the 'main beam' light on; are a bit dark. So it's either bathed in the glow of a supernova or nothing.
Breakfast IS included. Only a reasonable nights sleep and an effective alarm clock separate us!
Firstly, the Salford Advertiser (always a demigod of gaff) has broke the truth regarding ya' singing chap "The Voice" from Salford.It would appear from the MASSIVE headline next to the picture that it was in fact a shocking domestic violence issue.
Reality check is that Russell Watts was in fact rushed into hospital to have some emergency brain surgery due to a very aggressive tumour. Rhetoric has him as being out of the woods. You can only hope. Apparently the operation was fascinated via the nose. Which, as my eldest pointed out during evening meal, was how the Egyptians scooped out the brain during mummification. Not a single morsel of the cauliflower cheese was eaten that night.
Next up we have another competition winner for worst parker. This one is from this evenings drive down to Reading. I have a 9.30 meeting in Reading tomorrow and somehow the idea of getting up at 5 am in order to guarantee I make it; it just didn't appeal.
This is from the Services on the M6 Toll road. There's only one, so I don't feel the urge to spend a fortune checking the name out on the internet.
I take my hat off to ya! Most people who park badly do so preventing another person parking in a valid space. But you my friend have gone one further. You've actually managed to trap a car in situ. Therefore inconveniencing them further.
There's been an increase in number of these kind of trucks and especially the double cab type trucks that have started to come over from the US. Anybody who professes to work a blue collar job and has their own business is buying these cars in disguise and claiming back all the VAT for them. Plus they pay pittance in road tax because they are considered a work vehicle.
Surely somebody will cotton on to the fact that 99% of all these things are being being driven around in such pristine condition as to give you the idea they are just the same shop models being moved around the country.
Before I risk sounding like a complete nut case, I'll move on.
So I'm in a hotel at present near Reading called "The Wee Waif Lodge". Because I booked via Lateroom.com I managed to get the room rate of £35 for tonight £75 for tomorrow. The actual room rate is £85. But that's neither here not there. Reading, for reasons I've yet to understand, is extraordinarily expensive to visit. So an average of £55 spread over the two days isn't too awful. I could have stayed 'in town' at the Travelodge for £50. But to be honest, they were so remarkably stupid that I decided not to risk it.
The Reading Central Travelodge has no parking of its own. So I called them up and asked "as they didn't have parking; could they advice me where I could park". He put me on hold, or rather he thought he did. Actually I heard him book somebody in while I was waiting. To be honest, he could have just asked me to call back in five minutes; but he didn't. He then started out with "Parking. We don't have a car park.".
"I know, that's why I'm calling. Where can I park?" I asked.
"Not at the hotel. We don't have a car park."
"I KNOW. But where else could I park?"
(He sighed) "There are a few car parks." and with that he hung up on me.
So.. avoid at own risk. Also, the car parks, according to Google Maps, are about 3/4 to a mile away in either direction.
So.. I'm here.
I'd take a picture of the room. Which is actually OK, quite nice in fact. Not £85 a night nice, but certainly £55 a night nice. I would take a picture. Only it appears that Reading is a 10 watt bulb town.
I am sure it must be creating an intimate atmosphere. But the reality is that the rooms, unless you have the 'main beam' light on; are a bit dark. So it's either bathed in the glow of a supernova or nothing.
Breakfast IS included. Only a reasonable nights sleep and an effective alarm clock separate us!
Ssssssh Don't tell the RIAA!
02/11/07 18:52 Filed in: Personal
Sssh. Can you keep a secret? Hope so.
There's a new kid on the block promoting the (free) distribution of songs all over the place. His name is Captain DJ and he's a pirate.
In fact he's such a successful pirate that he operates his own pirate radio station. Around the galaxy!
BBC Children's Television (or as it exists today cbeebies) will launch a new program on Saturday 3rd November, that stars a 'Space' Pirate who travels the Universe looking for new tunes to play on his pirate radio show.
I guess being in outer space will have the same effect as being in China or Russia or being part of an organised crime network. In other words, the RIAA will keep well clear. Frankly, if Captain DJ was a single parent in Seattle; he'd be target number one.
For more fun and games follow the official link.
But related to this. Is it me, or is the BBC using it's drama/entertainment departments to do most of its social comment? Recent episodes of "Spooks" have the sort of plots more akin to New World Order conspiracy theories. Criminal elements in the UK Government organising terrorist attacks against its own people (in a story a bit TOO similar to the back story of V for Vendetta). Government scientific advisors being murdered in a way to make it look like suicide. Cabinet Ministers who don't toe the line being murdered. Is this plausible denial in action?
There's a new kid on the block promoting the (free) distribution of songs all over the place. His name is Captain DJ and he's a pirate.
In fact he's such a successful pirate that he operates his own pirate radio station. Around the galaxy!
BBC Children's Television (or as it exists today cbeebies) will launch a new program on Saturday 3rd November, that stars a 'Space' Pirate who travels the Universe looking for new tunes to play on his pirate radio show.
I guess being in outer space will have the same effect as being in China or Russia or being part of an organised crime network. In other words, the RIAA will keep well clear. Frankly, if Captain DJ was a single parent in Seattle; he'd be target number one.
For more fun and games follow the official link.
But related to this. Is it me, or is the BBC using it's drama/entertainment departments to do most of its social comment? Recent episodes of "Spooks" have the sort of plots more akin to New World Order conspiracy theories. Criminal elements in the UK Government organising terrorist attacks against its own people (in a story a bit TOO similar to the back story of V for Vendetta). Government scientific advisors being murdered in a way to make it look like suicide. Cabinet Ministers who don't toe the line being murdered. Is this plausible denial in action?
When one mistake isn't quite good enough.
02/11/07 16:53 Filed in: Personal
Just before lunch I got an email from an IT agency touting for staff to work a Liverpool contract. I wasn't interested. I also wasn't to impressed with the fact the agent, from Allegis Group, instead of sending a mass mailing to multiple SINGLE recipients he just simply created a 91 address to list and sent a single email.
Now sending an email in a single company in this fashion isn't a problem. But the problem is that this was a permanent role and the other 90 recipients would presumably be people looking for a new job.
It was a poor mistake to make and certainly somebody with more time and experience in the business wouldn't have made it. But to compound matters we have a couple of real brain aches who take it upon themselves to put things right.
Firsly, at 14:31 (GMT) we have Scott Crichton. Who says
Hello Paul,
I think it very unproffessional of you to include my email address with a mass email send. This both shows other people that i could be looking for work and shows me that they are. I am sure you could create an alias and put all the emails beneath this.
Apologies at the start of the email are not good enough!! It's like saying, sorry for punching you in the face and then punching me in the face!! The act has already been done before being able to respond to it.
Please remove me from your email list and do not include me in future correspondence.
Regards
Scott Crichton
I think the punching in the face analogy was totally pathetic. Just because you received this email DOES NOT mean you are looking for work. You could have been signed up with the agency years ago and it was sent in error.
Worse was to come. In fact, it was so bad I'm even considering publishing his email address.
Jamie Williams wrote at 15.37.
Paul.
I suggest you start looking for another job as your f**king techinical incompetence is legendary. You have provided everyone on the list a nice little contact file for people looking for work.
DO NOT SEND ME ANY FURTHER EMAILS from Allegis or I will contact your ISP and ensure your domain is blacklisted for sending stupid f**king spam mails out en-mass complete with my details to other people.
F**k Off!
Thanks
Why am I so annoyed at this jerk and his predecessor? Because both these idiots replied to EVERYBODY when they complained. I don't think for one minute it was an accident. Clearly they wanted everybody to know how clever they were being. So clever, in fact, that if they were concerned about being "found out" about looking for a new job, they compounded that problem twice over.
Quit why Jamie felt it necessary to swear (and lets face it, we all know what he meant) in an email to 90 other complete strangers is beyond me. May I suggest that Jamie drink de-cafe from now on.
You'll be glad to know I didn't join the 'round robin' of moaning by replying to either of them.
Now sending an email in a single company in this fashion isn't a problem. But the problem is that this was a permanent role and the other 90 recipients would presumably be people looking for a new job.
It was a poor mistake to make and certainly somebody with more time and experience in the business wouldn't have made it. But to compound matters we have a couple of real brain aches who take it upon themselves to put things right.
Firsly, at 14:31 (GMT) we have Scott Crichton. Who says
Hello Paul,
I think it very unproffessional of you to include my email address with a mass email send. This both shows other people that i could be looking for work and shows me that they are. I am sure you could create an alias and put all the emails beneath this.
Apologies at the start of the email are not good enough!! It's like saying, sorry for punching you in the face and then punching me in the face!! The act has already been done before being able to respond to it.
Please remove me from your email list and do not include me in future correspondence.
Regards
Scott Crichton
I think the punching in the face analogy was totally pathetic. Just because you received this email DOES NOT mean you are looking for work. You could have been signed up with the agency years ago and it was sent in error.
Worse was to come. In fact, it was so bad I'm even considering publishing his email address.
Jamie Williams wrote at 15.37.
Paul.
I suggest you start looking for another job as your f**king techinical incompetence is legendary. You have provided everyone on the list a nice little contact file for people looking for work.
DO NOT SEND ME ANY FURTHER EMAILS from Allegis or I will contact your ISP and ensure your domain is blacklisted for sending stupid f**king spam mails out en-mass complete with my details to other people.
F**k Off!
Thanks
Why am I so annoyed at this jerk and his predecessor? Because both these idiots replied to EVERYBODY when they complained. I don't think for one minute it was an accident. Clearly they wanted everybody to know how clever they were being. So clever, in fact, that if they were concerned about being "found out" about looking for a new job, they compounded that problem twice over.
Quit why Jamie felt it necessary to swear (and lets face it, we all know what he meant) in an email to 90 other complete strangers is beyond me. May I suggest that Jamie drink de-cafe from now on.
You'll be glad to know I didn't join the 'round robin' of moaning by replying to either of them.
Another bit of great research BBC
01/11/07 18:40 Filed in: Personal
Do we live in 'rip off Britain'? Well, it's an interesting question. The fact we get all get paid more than our US equivalents is never taken into account... plus we have relatively inexpensive health care.
But before I expand the scope of this too far I just want to zero in on the actual report.
Essentially they compared prices of goods in London to those in New York. The shopping list was:
They concluded that prices were 30% extra in London.
Tiny problem. You CAN'T BUY Playstation games in the US that work in the UK. EVERYBODY knows this!!!
Talk about poor research. The list of platforms that ARE multi-national is;
That is it!
Platforms that ARE region locked...
So basically, console systems ARE locked. Where portable and of course computers are not.
You can get some fixes; upgrade chips or additional software. But most if not all revoke your warranty, are consider against the terms of the licence or are not totally effective.
If you want a comparable list. What about this easily sourced items;
How much of a saving? Well, 80% of DVD's are $19 OR LESS (That's £10 versus £15). CD's are usually $10-12, that's just £5 - £6. And PC games! Well, they are usually the same in $'s as they are £'s. So at present, that's 50% off. I bought Call of Duty 2 for the MAC for just £18 and sold it on Ebay 4 months later for £25!
Of course.. this is all very good. But there's just one problem. First, you have to get to the US. So unless you're already going on a holiday... what's the point. If you are, rules are £125 of goods EACH. So.. if like me you take the kids, they also get the allowance. And Gabriella (1 at the time) REALLY DID want that iPod.
But before I expand the scope of this too far I just want to zero in on the actual report.
Essentially they compared prices of goods in London to those in New York. The shopping list was:
- A designer T-Shirt
- A Playstation 2 Game
- Perfume
They concluded that prices were 30% extra in London.
Tiny problem. You CAN'T BUY Playstation games in the US that work in the UK. EVERYBODY knows this!!!
Talk about poor research. The list of platforms that ARE multi-national is;
- Nintendo DS/DS Lite
- Nintendo Gameboy Advance
- Sony PSP
- PC
- MAC
That is it!
Platforms that ARE region locked...
- Nintendo GameCube
- Nintendo WII
- Microsoft XBox
- Microsoft XBox 360
- Sony Playstation, Playstation2 and Playstation3
So basically, console systems ARE locked. Where portable and of course computers are not.
You can get some fixes; upgrade chips or additional software. But most if not all revoke your warranty, are consider against the terms of the licence or are not totally effective.
If you want a comparable list. What about this easily sourced items;
- A chart CD
- A chart DVD
- A PC Game
How much of a saving? Well, 80% of DVD's are $19 OR LESS (That's £10 versus £15). CD's are usually $10-12, that's just £5 - £6. And PC games! Well, they are usually the same in $'s as they are £'s. So at present, that's 50% off. I bought Call of Duty 2 for the MAC for just £18 and sold it on Ebay 4 months later for £25!
Of course.. this is all very good. But there's just one problem. First, you have to get to the US. So unless you're already going on a holiday... what's the point. If you are, rules are £125 of goods EACH. So.. if like me you take the kids, they also get the allowance. And Gabriella (1 at the time) REALLY DID want that iPod.