tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369397592024-03-14T09:24:36.465+00:00The Mad RanterThere comes a time in every man's life when he has to give in, wear a flat cap, shout at kids to 'Get off my lawn', and start writing letters to newspapers.FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.comBlogger2780125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-9858571153065617322015-04-17T14:27:00.000+01:002015-04-17T14:27:00.714+01:00Freeview - an example of a lack of planningOnce again I have had to return my Freeview box in order to accommodate another shuffle of channels. While a retune is understandably necessary if the transmitters alter their frequencies this piecemeal operation should have been rendered unnecessary from the beginning and I'll explain why.<br />
<br />
Firstly it's always easy to render judgements and opinions in hindsight; as a result I will present those facts that were known or assumed at the time the system was set-up and proceed from those:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
1. The stated reason to switch from analogue to digital was to allow the introduction of more and varied channels than the existing five - <b>Known 1</b>: More channels of different types will be coming into existence.<br />
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2. At the same time as digital TV, digital (DAB) radio was to be in introduced this was allowed for by placing all radio channels in the region of 7--. <b>Known 2</b>: Setting aside 'slots' for certain types of broadcast was created and approved. <b>Known 3</b>: Freeview tuners would need to accept 3-digit channel numbers.<br />
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3. As an inducement to switch a line-up of various channels was promoted. <b>Known 4</b>: A mix of normal and text based channels existed prior to take-up.<br />
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Given theses Known items how should Freeview been set-up at creation?<br />
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Using Known 2 sections of the channel listing could be set aside for certain types of program, including Known 4 means, at the least, Normal TV, Radio and Text. Given Known 3 the logical blocks would be the ten 0-- to 9-- ranges. As such ten different content blocks could exist. Keeping the existing channels in their current slots i.e. BBC1 at 001 etc. would ease switchover and lower confusion add Digital at the end 9-- block. Using Known 1 and looking at satellite channels (at the time) blocks for Children's and News programmes could also be created. Allow for greater expansion by leaving gaps and:-<br />
<br />
0-- Existing channels and new channels<br />
2-- News channels<br />
4-- Childrens<br />
6-- Radio<br />
<br />
9-- Text<br />
<br />
This leaves an 8-- block for miscellanea or some other category that might become needed (Adult?)<br />
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Given the prominence of the initial 0-- block it would make sense to sub-divide this, as said keeping the existing channels as is and reserving the remaining 006-009 slots for local broadcasts. Allocate 010-019 for new BBC spinoffs, 030-039 for ITV etc. Possibly extend this to the 2-- and 6-- blocks this leaves 060-099 or 39 channels open for independent broadcasters allocated on a first come first serve basis with defunct channels becoming open to offer.<br />
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Now I'll examine how this would have helped with the current moving around etc.<br />
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What wasn't foreseen was the massive take-up of streaming and on-demand services that led to the need to offer +1 and even +24 versions of broadcast programming. In the existing system these channels are shoe-horned in; under a planned system placement becomes obvious - each 0-- channel gains a 1-- +1 channel equivalent. Want ITV (003) +1 just switch to 103; this could also apply to Childrens 4-- with +1 at the 5-- block. News shouldn't really have a +1 service so a +24 could be added for the 0-- block in the 3-- block etc. Resulting in:<br />
<br />
0-- Existing channels and new channels<br />
1-- +1 version of 0-- <br />
2-- News channels<br />
3-- +24 version of 0-- <br />
4-- Childrens<br />
5-- +1 version of 4--<br />
6-- Radio<br />
7-- +24 version of 4-- <br />
9-- Text<br />
<br />
Retuning only becomes necessary for frequency alterations or channel reallocations, new channels would require a simple addition tune that wouldn't alter the existing set-up; most notably scheduled recording.<br />
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As an example of potential line-up<br />
<br />
001 BBCOne<br />
002 BBCTwo<br />
003 ITV<br />
004 Channel4<br />
005 Five<br />
006 Community<br />
007 Local (Alba) etc.<br />
010 BBCThree<br />
032 ITV2<br />
041 S4C<br />
042 E4<br />
043 More 4<br />
044 4Music<br />
051 5USA<br />
052 Spike <br />
<br />
101 BBC1 +1<br />
<br />
210 BBC News<br />
211 BBC Parliament<br />
260 Sky News<br />
<br />
301 BBC+24<br />
<br />
410 CBBC<br />
411 CBeebies<br />
431 CITV<br />
461 Pop<br />
<br />
510 CBBC+1<br />
<br />
601 BBC Radio 1<br />
<br />
710 CBBC+24<br />
<br />
960 RabbitFlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-3746166468170033662015-02-16T13:59:00.001+00:002015-02-16T14:29:15.122+00:00Bank branch closures<p>Hardly a surprise that the proposed internal banking guidelines provide no protection for smaller communities, banks are businesses and obliged to return a profit. If a branch is not making money then it's only obvious it should be closed; the invisible hand of the free market dictates a simple logic: if people wanted a branch they would use it, if they used it then it would be profitable.</p>
<p>Except what dictates profit in these cases? If a customer makes a withdrawal does that count as a loss, is it how many loans and mortgages a bank sells that determines its success?</p>
<p>Can I be charitable and simply confidethat it's the number of transactions that a branch deals with? If so then with a decline in numbers, a branch would hardly be missed. But why would numbers decline? To listen to the banks its the advent of new technology, you can do your banking, apply for a loan etc. online. There is no longer a need to physically present oneself at a local branch, how much more convenient.</p>
<p>Except is this really the case or an example of false cause and effect, is the drive to online banking driven by the customer or rather by the banks themselves? Consider the operation of bank branches in the latter 20th and early 21st centuries compared to other businesses.</p>
<p>What time does your local branch open, what tine does it close? Chances are it opens at 9am (or even 10am) and shuts at 5pm (or even 4pm) and then only Monday to Friday. Where is your local branch? Probably in the main thoroughfare of your town or village.</p>
<p>Given that most employed work the same hours (although with the rise in shift work that's changing) that the banks are open and that places of employment became out of town estates, is it any wonder that the branches started to empty and that when an opportunity to bank at a time and location of your own choosing became available it was jumped on?</p>
<p>Does this mean that people don't want or need physical branches and points of contact? Not necessarily merely that the banks have slowly been removing them and providing no other option.</p>
<p>So is there an option available to maintain branches while acknowledging the main point of a bank's existence (making profit) and the addition of online services, I think the answer is yes and an example is already up and running in the form of every major airport in this country.</p>
<p>Unlike supermarkets and other convenience stores banks offer exactly the same non-physical goods, no requirement for any major physical storage just a desk and a computer; sound familiar.</p>
<p>Could banks pool funds for a 'bank terminal' and staff it 24/7 with separate kiosks? Reduced overheads, better footfall (anyone banking with a rival will get to see your offers), stops the whinging from the government (regardless of Party), and heck might even bring more customers in. Certainly better than just pulling services and shutting out or displacing customers to your rivals and certainly better than sticking your fingers in your ears and reciting "but this is what the customer wants" over and over again.</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-51004823464820359522014-06-30T09:35:00.001+01:002014-06-30T13:13:32.386+01:00Chancel Repair Liability Insurance<p>I'm hearing stories of those buying new houses or moving house being contacted by their solicitors or mortgage brokers with regard to the taking out of chancel repair lability insurance.</p>
<p>I'm guessing this has been prompted by stories of landowners suddenly being presented with invoices from their local church as their property, being within the diocese, are liable for its upkeep.</p>
<p>As such it seems that such insurance is being made a compulsory part of the mortgage agreement or that solicitors are badgering homeowners into taking it out.</p>
<p>All well and good if your particular church has such a provision in place, not so good if they don't. Not that such niceties seem to be concerning those pushing this insurance.</p>
<p>(Oh wait it seems the premiums for this insurance is quite low until it's confirmed that the property may actually be liable at which point they increase)</p>
<p>Indeed one homeowner pointed out to an insistent firm of solicitors that their local church had no such provision in place with written documentation to back up their claim yet this same firm continued with their selling tactics to the point they handed over money just to shut them up.</p>
<p>Given the PPI mis-selling scandal does this have the makings of another?</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-85370890994645297972014-03-07T17:03:00.000+00:002014-03-07T17:03:06.196+00:00Tesco and the Squirrel Inn at StourportOnce again Tesco puts the moves on Stourport this time over the river and in Areley Kings, this time with a bid to turn the old Squirrel Inn into a Tesco Express.To some this may seem a little odd given the hold-up with the new store that, rumour has it, will finally be built and ready by September this year. However this isn't odd in the slightest given the proximity of a Londis, a newsagents, and a pharmacy.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Despite the <a href="http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/11055177.Campaigners_say_they_will_fight_village_Tesco/?ref=mry">assurances</a> of the spokesman that "There is every reason to believe we will co-exist and complement the existing independent traders, as we do in villages and small towns across the country." this isn't why they're planning a store in this location.<br />
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This isn't a case of Tesco serving the needs of a community, nor offering 'competition'. They're not taking a risk with opening a brand-new store in an area not served by one they're trying to take over an existing market. They can see that there already exists enough of a clientèle to support three stores and they just want to poach them.<br />
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I'm sure they'll give assurances that deliveries won't cause a problem, as they did at that Kidderminster branch then parked a lorry in the street. It also won't affect any other of the Tesco stores despite, again rumour, that some staff already have been handed redundancy notices.<br />
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It's going to cause a mass of trouble in terms of car-parking, but there is a simple solution if it does get built - don't shop there.<br />
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<br />FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-51839371385300577362013-11-22T10:46:00.001+00:002013-11-22T10:46:13.105+00:00Eye operation<p>After some eye troubles at the weekend I was booked into Kidderminster hospital with a detached retina in one eye. The operation apparently went well but for the next couple of weeks I'm pretty much blind in that eye.</p>
<p>Hopefully the jobcentre will accept "can barely read or write" as a good reason die not pursuing jobs as diligently as normal</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-24431750695879714892013-10-24T11:57:00.002+01:002013-10-24T11:57:43.249+01:00The joys of the job hunt - an open letter to politiciansI have now been unemployed for 3 months, by the rhetoric of most government politicians I am some sort of lazy soul who simply isn't looking hard enough as such let me elucidate those who have never had to look for a job in their lives (i.e. most government politicians) or deal with the many ways of searching for one.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>In the olden days it was easy - you'd take a trip around the local area and call in at the local stores to see if they had any vacancies going; then you'd head into the local Jobcentre and check the cards posted to the wall. For the more senior positions you might sign-up to an agency who'd hunt around for you. Oh for those days.<br />
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Now there are no local stores hiring it's national chains with all decisions being made at head office; there's no local jobcentre, just a central one; and no cards, it's all computerised now. Isn't that better? Let me count the joys:<br />
<br />
<i>Haven't I seen you somewhere before?</i><br />
<br />
Oh look [Major Food Chain] is looking for a [Job Description] in [location]. Next page - oh look [Major Food Chain] is looking for a [Job Description] in [location]. Next page - [Major Food Chain] is looking for a [Job Description] in [location]. Gosh that area seems to have a high turnover; or some local serial killer has it in for [Job Description]. Of course they're the same job; they've just been posted by difference agencies onto different sites and simply scooped up by the job amalgamation sites with no checks for duplicates. Checking takes time and time is money.<br />
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Now check 6 job sites and guess how many times I see the same job.<br />
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<i>Haven't I seen you somewhere before?</i><br />
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No you're not going mad - there's an Office Administrator position with an [Agency] in a [Location]; now there's an Administrator position with an [Agency] in a [Location], but wait the description and requirements are exactly the same and so is the location. Again they're the same job just posted with a slightly different title.<br />
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<i>Haven't I seen you somewhere before?</i><br />
<br />
Sorry. Two days ago I applied for a position for [Company] via [Agency], but what's this [Company] are now looking for exactly the same job via exactly the same agency. Is it a new vacancy; have they been through and rejected all the previous applicants? No it's the same job that's been reposted so as to bump it to the top of the queue.<br />
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<i>Is there anyone there?</i><br />
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In the three months of applications I've had 5 responses back. Oh I get a feedback from the job sites, but nothing from the agencies nor the companies themselves. I suppose with so many chasing so few the count of applicants is too high to respond to each one for some people. but boy does it get you down. Just a feeling that you're throwing applications into a black hole.<br />
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<i>Register, register, register.</i><br />
<br />
So I've registered with a job site, posted details, CV etc. and am now poised to apply for any job with a few simple clicks... haha don't be silly. Although I can apply for a job that's been posted to that particular site chances are it's just sucked up jobs from anywhere it can find. Click on a job and I'm taken through to another job site where to apply I have to enter all my details again. Then I start to use that site too (taking into account all the <i>you look familiar</i> encounters) and then get taken to another site where I have to do it all over again. Worse yet is being taken to the companies own site as they have no intention of wasting storage space on keeping your details so I have to enter them every single time.<br />
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<i>You're where exactly?</i><br />
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Although the ideal is a local job one has to branch out further afield, but some places are just simply too far away or too difficult to get to. Given the sheer volume of jobs (counting duplicates) taking a quick look at the posted location is a time saver (not just for you but for the employer who'd have to deal with your application). So if I spot a job in Kidderminster I'll jump on it like a starving dog. At which point I discover that it's the agency that's based in Kidderminster and the job is in South Shropshire... or Yorkshire. Yep seriously a part-time shift work in Yorkshire.Because all the sites just grab details and use different formats - where the job is doesn't always match to what it says.<br />
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The most useful tell you the job is in West Mids. gee thanks that narrows it down to a 350 sq. mile area<br />
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<i>No you can't do that.</i><br />
<br />
As I check the sites every day it makes sense to look solely at the jobs that have been posted since I last visited. In terms of computer records this is a piece of cake; it knows when I logged in so can easily show everything that's been posted since. So why do none of them allow this?<br />
<br />
I can sort by date posted, which is great, I can search by distance, which is great. What I can't do is sort by date and distance. Far too much for their feeble systems to even contemplate. So I end up having to go through every single site twice using a different sort to make sure I haven' t missed anything<br />
<br />
<i>What were you looking for again?</i><br />
<br />
At least it's possible to narrow down the search to the type of job I'm looking for; which would be fine if I can pigeon-hole myself into just one type. However as unemployment continues one is expected to branch out and look for other jobs. Doing so would of course be much easier if it were possible to search in more than one category a once. Expectations of that from sites that can't allow you to search by two categories? Oh some sites are kind enough to let you tick a few but only a few. It's look at all the jobs or merely a sliver at a time.<br />
<br />
<i>There's plenty of jobs out there!</i><br />
<br />
There are, if you're a recent graduate with qualifications (now 50% off wages) or you're 16-25 (lower minimum wage) or an Apprenticeship (also 50% off the lower minimum wage). There are plenty of jobs if you have exactly the right experience/qualifications in exactly the same field as the position (I'm sorry we're looking for a General Office Administrator with experience in the engineering field). There's plenty of jobs if you don't object to minimum wage, minimum hours and being at the beck and call of your employer 24/7. Or hey why not go self-employed with catalogue distribution watch out for all those up-front and recurring costs which will push your wage below the minimum though.<br />
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Oh yes there's plenty of jobs out there.<br />
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<i>Still no job; better start looking a bit harder!</i><br />
<br />
Various swear words.FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-61837225546406864572013-10-19T09:08:00.001+01:002013-10-19T09:12:58.693+01:00The problem with shift work<p>Huzzah unemployment is down with less young people signed on and there are more private sector jobs being created every day. Proof, if proof were need, that the Conservative economic policies are working. Really?</p>
<p>Take the new apprenticeship scheme, a government funded package aimed at 16-19 year olds and pays half the minimum wage. Anyone think they count towards the unemployment figures?</p>
<p>But what about all these jobs? Awesome except most are part-time shift work. There's nothing wrong with shift work, however there does seem to be a problem with employers who offer it.</p>
<p>I'm not talking about the government's current "gosh we must do something about this" zero hour contacts, but something more insidious.</p>
<p>Three tales to tell that were simply offered to me with no pushing, I'll start with the shortest I've already told in another entry. </p>
<p>A gentleman working morning shifts applies for extra work doing afternoon shifts elsewhere, the new company expects him to quit his morning job. </p>
<p>A young mother working at a food retailer drops her children at school, works her shift, collects her children, goes back to work more. She's told she's not "committing enough" and is fired.</p>
<p>A lady workng for a different food retailer on an 8-hour week is told which days she'll be working 4-hours for, is called up at various times to cover other shifts. If she can't "there are plenty of other people who can".</p>
<p>A part-time job that doesn't offer enough to live on and excludes the ability to get another complimentary part-time job.</p>
<p>That's what this government is crowing about.</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-41050570731894053182013-09-30T10:09:00.001+01:002013-09-30T10:42:29.608+01:00Job seeking - the Conservative Party conference 2013<p>The headline news this morning was the multi-million trust-fund owner and tax-break giver George Osbourne stating that they'll be no money for nothing under their administration. They're going to make the long-term unemployed do community work.</p>
<p>What I find annoying anything about this is that they're partially right, but due to their indulgent background and rigid dogma they're doing it wrong.</p>
<p>First up is the non-explicitly stated, but easily-inferred, assumption that these people can't get jobs because they're lazy so let me tell you a tale.</p>
<p>A friend of mine works part-time and, coincidentally, also does voluntary community work. He was looking to supplement his earnings with another part-time job that complimented his existing employment. He applies for suitable positions and gets asked: "So you'll be giving up your other part-time job then?".</p>
<p>Why this question? Because they don't just want him to work the stipulated hours they want to be able to whistle and have him run.</p>
<p>Take my position - I've 20 years of IT and office admin experience and I can't get a job. Why? Well I saw one company advertising for an Admin post, an IT post, a Marketing post and for a PA. No that wasn't four jobs, that was one job combining skills that don't normally go together. I've applied for jobs that turn out to be nothing like what's been advertised and for ones in which I've been deemed too old and/or overskilled.</p>
<p>If it's a choice between employing someone young that you're not legally obliged to pay as much as someone older; or someone with no skills (or long-term unemployed) who has to take whatever shit the job shovels at them who would you take?</p>
<p>Yet according to good old George this is all our own fault. But is there a way around this, possibly.</p>
<p>Consider the local councils creating two 4-hour shifts a day over the whole week. Someone doing three shifts for the ~£70 a week in benefit would be on minimum wage. Given that technically they're already paid by the government why not work for the government?</p>
<p>As the local councils are already cutting staff etc. it's not really going to affect full-time staff and may require more managerial positions to oversee the 'community' workers. At the same time we'll see a reduction in litter, graffiti as well as tidier verges etc.</p>
<p>Except that's not going to happen as that would be an expansion of government over private enterprise. Far better to make people work for free for privately hived off services and charities than for the public sector.</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-83856491318002852722013-09-26T17:14:00.000+01:002013-09-28T17:12:13.747+01:00Bioshock Infinite - Lady Comstock 1999 mode<p>I'm playing through Bioshock Infinite at the moment and trying it on the hardest difficulty setting 1999'<br>s mode.</p>
<p>It's not been too bad until I reached Lady Comstock, oh boy.</p>
<p>The graveyard encounter was okay thanks to the numerous medkits around. The bank encounter was made easier by staying behind a thick vault door. But outside the house was a major pain in the proverbial.</p>
<p>I checked various sites, watched videos and so many went with the run and hide technique that proved dicey. It was the bank encounter that provided me with the clue to a method that allowed me to win without once needing health.</p>
<p>Lady Comstock is restricted to her movements, she cannot step beyond the carts at the bottom of the steps. Except the dead soldiers she revives can. Ah but she can only revive and re-revive soldiers within her range. Getting the idea?</p>
<p>Head to the area with the machines and use the range boosted vigour "Undertow" to grab soldiers then kill them. If you run out of salts stay put and you only need to deal with the few melee soldiers before Elizabeth will throw you some. Use the Mosquito to whittle things down. </p>
<p>Once all the soldiers are piled up at your feet just let the Mosquito take her out. </p>
<p>Job done</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGynK3ItsD-q10zRXfm2SeG3gA20k3tRgBmn7aKmZzEDz1S8tpPDLglYWYgo1yeaqnuFMwJDZyOE0MaUbuXLoWP0-tE2tfMmm-0mXaqVCZomLNzvWS2VFTdw7A1ivblkxJ1kJegQ/s1600/CameraZOOM-20130926165553792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGynK3ItsD-q10zRXfm2SeG3gA20k3tRgBmn7aKmZzEDz1S8tpPDLglYWYgo1yeaqnuFMwJDZyOE0MaUbuXLoWP0-tE2tfMmm-0mXaqVCZomLNzvWS2VFTdw7A1ivblkxJ1kJegQ/s640/CameraZOOM-20130926165553792.jpg"> </a> </div>FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-41555103857594223702013-09-11T18:15:00.001+01:002013-09-11T18:15:56.442+01:00Christmas<p>In 2011 I <a href="http://flipc.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/christmas.html">noted</a> that Christmas now started in October because of all the "[holiday] starts earlier every year" comments.</p>
<p>September 11th and Christmas stuff is now out, yeesh</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-79652376630036022682013-08-29T10:14:00.001+01:002013-08-29T10:14:27.007+01:00Weights without scales<p>I have a 1kg box of moss killer I need to mix it at 120g per 10 litres. I have no scales.</p>
<p>1. Assume the box is full. It measures 6x13x21 cm or 1638 cm3<br>
2. I need 0.12 of a box or 196.56 cm3<br>
3. I have a roughly cylindrical jug of diameter 12.5 cm<br>
4. The bottom of the jug therefore has an area of 122.71 cm2<br>
5. I therefore need to fill the jug to the 1.6 cm line</p>
<p>Or I could just go and buy some scales, but where's the fun in that?</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-23911383595013432222013-08-28T11:03:00.001+01:002013-08-28T11:45:21.065+01:00Bus journeys<p>As mentioned previously due to the lack of parking at my training facility I've been having to catch the bus into Kidderminster from Stourport, it's been a while since I've had to do this for an extended period and it's led me to note a few things.</p>
<p><i>There are no return tickets anymore.</i></p>
<p>It used to be I'd travel in and then just want to return. I'd ask for a return and get a ticket that was punched to prevent reuse. Now I get an "Adult Day Saver" that gives me a whole day of being able to travel around on the bus.</p>
<p>Except I don't want to, and I doubt anyone who uses the bus to commute does either. I'd love to see the figures for how many of these tickets get used more than once.</p>
<p><i>Competition doesn't work</i></p>
<p>It should. Unlike trains that need to leave a massive gap between them there's nothing to stop buses following each other, it's the lack of information that renders this useless.</p>
<p>There are two main franchises in my area Diamond and Whittles, a day ticket with Diamond costs £2.60, with Whittles it's £2.30. They both arrive at my stop approximately 5 minutes apart. So if the Diamond arrives first I should decline it and wait for the Whittles.</p>
<p>However I have no information as to whether the Whittles service is running or even if I've just missed it, given the timeframes involved if I have to wait for the next 'cycle' I may only just make it in on time. I therefore pick the first to arrive.</p>
<p>However having done so I am now tied to that company, my day saver ticket is not redeemable with the other franchise.</p>
<p><i>Bus companies do not like day saver passengers.</i></p>
<p>Waiting to return with my Diamond ticket the correct Diamond service arrived, this was closely followed by the equivalent Whittles who upon seeing the Diamond was already there simply drove past. Had I a Whittles ticket I'd have been stuck.</p>
<p><i>Buses </i><i>always </i><i>have</i> <i>right </i><i>of </i><i>way</i></p>
<p>At least according to their drivers anyway. The route I was on always took me past the new council building. I've watched several times as the bus I was on pulled out to overtake a parked car while there was an oncoming vehicle, I've watched them pull out into traffic without indicating, I've watched them pull over without indicating. They've switched lanes on islands with no acknowledgment of traffic on either their left or right and pulled out onto said islands when they clearly haven't enough time. </p>
<p>All this in the certain knowledge that they are big and the other vehicle will stop.</p>
<p><i>Week </i><i>tickets </i><i>are</i><i> a </i><i>con</i><i> </i><i>for </i><i>business </i><i>use</i></p>
<p>If I were working a standard week catching the Whittles bus it would cost me £2.30*5 or £11.50. A week ticket costs £12. Supposedly though this would work with either company so some benefit there.</p>
<p><i>All </i><i>the </i><i>rolling </i><i>stock </i><i>is </i><i>different</i></p>
<p>How hard is it to make a bus? It's a box with seats, yet I've not been on two alike. Some have more jump seats at the front, some have two levels, some have three levels. All have poles and bells at different places.</p>
<p><i>There </i><i>are </i><i>some </i><i>benefits</i></p>
<p>For example the ability to take in your surroundings. Most notably driving past that massive overgrown concrete slab opposite the new council building that might well be ideal to turn into a Traveller site housing caravans. Odd that I don't recall seeing that as being one of the potential sites.</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-30126236818140253122013-08-17T11:30:00.001+01:002013-08-17T11:51:29.245+01:00Training over<p>A week's worth of training over and I pray to gods that the accrediting body involved has nothing to do with the education of this country's children.</p>
<p>"It is i--------t that employees keep their workplaces c-----"<br>
That should be "important" and "clean" rather than "importantt" and "clean-" oh so many of those.</p>
<p>A whole morning being told that something is the responsibility of both employer and employee and the multiple-choice question asks who is responsible? The answer, of course, being the employer, contradicting everything in the teaching materials.</p>
<p>The teaching material listed three statistics regarding a subject and then had a question regarding a fourth unmentioned one.</p>
<p>One module explained the acronym SMARTER another related module then asked what the acronym SMART meant, the ER being suddenly deemed unimportant.</p>
<p>The course was also obviously designed as a company aid as we were constantly being exhorted to explain how things were done in our "company"; a little difficult in a group of the unemployed.</p>
<p>Amusingly the actual teaching of the course was fine, though on occasion it did rattle through a bit too quickly. In group round-robin events the next task would often be described as the last member was just finishing their turn.</p>
<p>That all said I did learn a few new things, just not that much, and hopefully I'll get some pretty pieces of paper out of it.</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-7126977300374369022013-08-12T17:31:00.001+01:002013-08-12T17:58:33.376+01:00Training Day<p>Ah the opportunity to learn new skills and gain qualifications. It all promises to be so fun and them devolves into endless PowerPoint presentations. Well at least mine wasn't like that although rather simplistic questions to answer with only a little learning so far.</p>
<p>The main problem I had was with the initial organisation. Contrary times on the documentation, a singular instruction with two options, and zero information on access our structure until I and the others turned up.</p>
<p>[Bit I missed - got back home to a letter thanking me for my intention to attend the training]</p>
<p>There's no parking for trainees, we're expected to park our cars all day on the pay and display at about £4 a time, actually I lie we're expected to take public transport for which we can claim the money back. That's great for me provided they don't start digging up outside the old British Sugar site past which 90% of the buses travel. So I cadged a lift in and took the bus back, only to find no bloody roadworks. Bet they'll start tomorrow when I do try to catch the bus in. Oh but can I get a return before 9am? Never used to be able to, but with all the competition has that changed? Either that or a week card.</p>
<p>So with no idea as to catering, so many places kick you out, I brought nothing with the determination to grab a burger and drink and ready outside in the fine weather.</p>
<p>Since when did a cup of coffee cost more than the actual meal? Yeesh! Given my proximity I thought it would be nice to sit by the canal. Ha yeah right take my pick from the zero number of seating areas arrayed along the wide grass verges. I ended up propped against a bridge wall.</p>
<p>It's just a joke if this were Stourport I'd be spoiled for choice as to where I could eat my lunch from pretty much any location in town. Kidderminster's a hell hole.</p>
<p>Either sit in the hot confines of a café or restaurant, a bench in the middle of the busy town, or just try to make do. It's not designed for people to enjoy.</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-41058070636455166772013-08-07T13:38:00.001+01:002013-08-07T13:38:01.684+01:00Hello your computer has a trojan<p>A phone call in the middle of eating asking about my computer and that it was infected by a trojan horse and could I get in front of my computer</p>
<p>"No it's not" I replied "How did you get this number?"<br>
"It came up a part of the server report"<br>
"No how did you connect my IP address to this number?" Given that my land line doesn't have broadband and isn't even with the same company<br>
"You've registered this number"<br>
"With whom? Also as it's a dynamic address the only easy you could connect it up is via my ISP whom you have not mentioned"<br>
"It's part of the server report"<br>
"What server?"<br>
"The World Wide Web server"<br>
"There's no such thing, who are you what company are you from?"<br>
"As I said the World Wide Web"<br>
"There's no such entity"<br>
"So what does www mean on the Internet?"<br>
"That's just an address protocol it's not an entity it's not a company, who are you?"<br>
"I think you should just hang up sir"<br>
"Why don't you?"<br>
"I can't"</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-61829118012344041402013-08-07T13:24:00.001+01:002013-08-07T13:26:52.862+01:00I'm still around<p>Wow has it really been that long since I've published anything? Okay there's been a lot going on which has kept me busy, I resigned from my job so I've been job hunting and jumping through hoops for the job centre. More to come</p>
FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-46778419606532291142013-06-10T19:33:00.000+01:002013-06-10T19:33:00.183+01:00Wyre Forest by-elections - the blame gameNot the best of times for UKIP. With two members elected to the Worcestershire County Council within the Wyre Forest district one resigns due to comments they made on Facebook and the other dies. That means two new elections and while anyone's death is not a pleasant occurrence it's possible to learn from this experience regarding cost and blame for the by-elections.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>A brief re-cap from comments made is the thought that UKIP should pay for the cost of holding the by-election due to the resignation of one of their members. On the face of it this seems perfectly reasonable - their candidate resigned due to actions the Party should have been aware of. In other words they shouldn't have fielded them as a candidate in the first place. This need for a by-election is 'their fault' so why should the council pay for it?<br />
<br />
But what about the untimely death of their councillor; should UKIP have to pay for that by-election too? How exactly would this be written into law? How would the rules determining the running of an election place the burden?<br />
<br />
We wouldn't want a Party to pay the costs if one of their councillors was run over and died for example; but what if said member had health issues and suffered a heart attack? Should the Party have been aware of them? It seems they need to be aware of the past actions of their members; are health screenings necessary too? How much vetting does a Party need to perform; how much can they not do. When fielding a candidate would each Party need to state that they believe there is no physical or moral impairment that would require their candidate not to serve their full term of office and be held liable for costs incurred should this event happen?<br />
<br />
In this instance it can be said that the Party stated that this person represented their views despite the available evidence to the contrary and was fit enough to stand. Failure on this is either negligence or falsehood. How would this hold for an Independent; exactly whose views do they represent? "I hereby sweat that the views I hold are the views I hold" is a tautology. All that remains is the physical section; perhaps that would be enough. Perhaps not.<br />
<br />
<br />
If a Party backs a candidate, who becomes elected, and then switches Parties does the new Party take on the 'affirmation'. If a new election is called for due to this switch should it be the old Party who pays or the new one?<br />
<br />
<br />
Annoyingly this is one of those seemingly easy questions that when forced into the exactitude the law would require suddenly displays its complexity.FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-63983415174166935002013-06-07T13:19:00.000+01:002013-06-07T13:19:00.453+01:00Video game expiry dates and the second hand marketThe new XBone will tie your game to your account so that if you lend the disc or (bom bom bah) actually want to sell it on; the person on the receiving end may have to pay full price once they stick into their system. It appears to be Microsoft's answer to both a) piracy and b) the scourge of the second-hand market.<br />
<br />
If they can't force you to buy everything from their digital store where they can charge what they like and keep it at that price in perpetuity they can damn well stop the physical used market dead in it's tracks.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The whiny tone is that the publishers don't get any money from the sale of used games so they have to keep the prices high. If only they could ensure that a game played means money in their pocket, then prices would drop... and pigs would rise.<br />
<br />
The part they miss out (because it spoils their argument) is that gamers tend to trade in games to buy new ones; that gamers may buy a second-hand version then spend a ton on the optional extras in-game. They might buy the first in a series and then continue on.<br />
<br />
Not being able to do this means a gamer thinking - huh I'll just buy a PC for the same (or less) and then buy the same games for that (which retail for less). It's not as convenient, but the hassle is made up for by the console manufacturers attitude. Is this necessary though; is there a way around this? Well yes and it's already in force.<br />
<br />
I recently picked up a copy of Assassin's Creed III; a new copy. It comes with an online 'passport' and a PS3 exclusive download all available using the codes within the box. It cost me £17.99 down from £35.99(ish).<br />
<br />
If I'd bought it second-hand the codes wouldn't work and I'd have to purchase them online for a fee; that money goes directly to the publisher. In theory the publisher might be getting more profit from the purchase of the 'codes' than they would from a direct retail sale. Anyhow I entered my passport code and had it accepted; I entered my bonus code and had it rejected. Huh? Ah I know...<br />
<br />
Studying the small print led to the answer - the bonus code expires on 31 May 2013. Am I mad about this? No I'm not it's a rather clever method of both gaining money from second-hand sales and encouraging early non-discounted sales. It's become a hackneyed term but this is 'nudging' plain and simple.<br />
<br />
So I have a choice to buy it new at full price; or discounted with partial content; or heavily discounted/second hand with no content. How much better is this then simply not allowing me to buy the game except at whatever the publisher wants to charge me?FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-55542112031851450082013-06-01T13:46:00.000+01:002013-06-01T13:46:00.106+01:00Tax avoidanceStill popping up in the news are the tales of the big UK companies who barely pay any of the 20% corporation tax on their profits; nothing new their. What did catch my eye were those trying to justify it.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The first excuse seems to be - They're not doing anything illegal. In other words it's up to the government to alter their rules to stop them at which point <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/30/1212376/-Lucky-Ducky-in-Gimme-Shelter">this</a> happens.<br />
<br />
Excuse Two is that the company has an obligation to maximise its return for its investors. This happily ignores the minor fact that without the government in place enforcing laws and providing infrastructure there would be no company. One could argue that a company has an obligation to ensure the smooth running of the government that supports it.<br />
<br />
Excuse Three is that the money is still going somewhere and it's better off in the hands of people rather than the government. Which could be considered true if you accept the 'people' end up being mostly those outside of your country.<br />
<br />
But how does corporation tax work? Well imagine if it applied at an individual level (and thanks to creative accounting it can). A person receives a full paycheck with no tax say £250 for a week's work. They then spend some of that on food, energy etc. At the end of the week they end up with £50 left. Said person then pays £10 in corporation tax (I'm ignoring VAT etc here for the moment). Unlike for an individual tax is on profit and not on income. How to reduce profit, without actually reducing the money made? Well the big companies seem to be using two main avenues:<br />
<br />
1. The "Ain't my money Gov'" method or the S.A.R.L. dodge.<br />
<br />
When is a UK company not a UK company? When all the money goes through a low-tax country. Keeping things simple - a company registers in both the UK and a tax-low country normally as a <a href="http://s.a.r.l./">S.A.R.L.</a> Any money that appears to be going to the UK company in fact goes to the SARL. But wait; if the UK company gets no money how can it employ people etc.? Easy! The SARL pays the UK company a handling fee; they act as the SARL's agents in the UK and the fee happens to be dead-on as to the companies running costs therefore no UK profit.<br />
<br />
2.The trademark/products dodge.<br />
<br />
This one is easier to set up than the previous version, but acts in a similar way. In this instance the SARL company owes the rights to use the company name or the products needed. The UK company has to pay a fee to use the name or a fee to obtain the products and oh look it covers the UK profit. <br />
<br />
The method used depends on the company; if you have to take cash directly from people in the UK (a coffee shop for instance) use the trademark dodge; do everything over the internet (like an online book store) and you SARL it.<br />
<br />
So how can this money be stopped from being sent overseas? It may seem obvious to just tax companies on income as we already do for individuals; but recall that in the SARL dodge the UK company's only income is the running cost amount. The company hands over, say, £1m to cover the running costs, but £200k needs to go off in tax. They need to hand over £1.25m to pay tax of £250k to leave the amount they needed in the first place. Cue howls that this is squeezing companies; that prices will go up as profit margins would have to be at least 20% to cover the tax; which in turn would lead to a greater amount of VAT on applicable goods etc.<br />
<br />
Can tax be raised on just the profit part of income? Potentially yes; in practice no. Businesses would be required to keep the exact profit margins for every single item; and alter it during sales etc. as well as keeping track of every single item of every single type sold and have it presentable to HMRC for checking.<br />
<br />
Is it possible to tax money that leaves the country? Any money heading out of the country to a company gets taxed? This presents the exact the same problem as the income tax method as well as problems with other countries (tax money coming into my country and I'll tax money coming into yours)<br />
<br />
An obvious solution does seem to present itself - if companies are doing this to get a lower tax rate; then perhaps this country should itself have a lower tax rate? Perhaps the UK could become the tax haven that companies set up brass plate offices in? We'd be getting less tax per company; but potentially they'd be more companies. This approach though leads to a race to the bottom until we end up with no company tax at all.<br />
<br />
While that may appeal to a certain type it means that the entire infrastructure of the country becomes dependent on the taxes raised on individuals; who will then very quickly incorporate themselves and invoice their companies direct from Joe Bloggs Ltd and then as sole director take a dividend of all the profits.<br />
<br />
So no solutions? Perhaps one. If we discover a company that isn't paying its full share (not 'fair' share) of tax stop using them. As soon as tax avoidance becomes unprofitable they'll stop doing it.FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-40947836573679423002013-05-28T19:30:00.000+01:002013-05-28T19:30:00.115+01:00The condemnation of Islam? Part 2In Part 1 I provided a transcript of an interview spouting intolerance and hate purporting to be on behalf of the Islamic religion and tried to answer why we treat such radicals as representations of the whole. Here I want to try to answer a question posed by a newspaper editorial asking why when such attacks happen the media turns to the 'Muslim community' for answers.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>It seems a simple question with a simple answer; why do we ask Muslims what they think about an attack by a Muslim? Because it's about them? But when the editorial posed this question it continued with something that made me pause for a moment. During the IRA bombings did we turn to the Irish population and ask them what their response was? Did the media seem to insist that they have a response? No.So why ask the Muslims?<br />
<br />
From the context of the piece the question is why should these people who have nothing to do with the attack be expected to have a response. Asking Muslims about this would be like asking a black man about it simply because one of the suspects is black. Oh yeah all black people know each other and are really all the same way. How racist can you get? It's a ridiculous concept. Except perhaps it isn't.<br />
<br />
Stop thinking about Muslims in a racial sense; we shouldn't be doing it anyway the Islamic religion covers many countries and many different races. In fact let's stop thinking about it as a religion; instead consider it as a group of like-minded people coming together in common cause - like the Boy Scouts or the Women's Institute. Now ask the same question.<br />
<br />
Why should we expect a group of like-minded individuals to respond to the actions of one of their members?<br />
<br />
We wouldn't ask the Irish about the actions of the IRA because they're not members of the IRA. But we wouldn't ask the IRA either because the bombings were why they joined up. Instead questions were asked to Sinn Fein who were purported the political non-violent wing of the IRA. In other words - how can you (Sinn Fein) claim to be non-violent when you associate with this (the IRA) violent group?<br />
<br />
In the case of Islam (and as I pointed out in Part 1 Christianity) the group is comprised of both the violent and non-violent who are both under the impression that only <i>their</i> version is the <i>right</i> version of their faith. In the same way when the anti-atheist leanings of the Boy Scout movement were placed in the spotlight branches in other countries were asked for a response. One part of the whole was asked about another part of the whole.<br />
<br />
Asking Muslims for a response regarding actions from people calling themselves Muslims and purporting to act for that faith is no different; except we make it different. We tip-toe around it in case we're called bigots (or incorrectly) racists when in reality it is treating Islam (and Christianity and Judaism, check the ultra-Orthodox views, etc) as somehow special that is the real bigoted viewpoint.<br />
<br />
Treat religion as if they were the Boy Scouts, as if they were a political party, a cricket club, or goths, and not as some special off-limits group and this worry about "how we treat them" falls to the wayside. Ask yourself how you'd feel if a cricket club insisted that everyone in the village turned out to support the team, with threats and punishment for failure. We'd treat them like 'nutters' and move away (carefully). But a group of people who just played cricket and allowed people to join or watch... perfectly normal.FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-12866202032589502612013-05-28T18:59:00.000+01:002013-05-28T18:59:00.349+01:00The condemnation of Islam? Part 1This is a transcript of an on-the-street interview between a Daybreak reporter and Anjem Choundary that took place Friday morning two days after the Woolwich attack (... indicate interruptions and speaking over each other) please forgive the punctuation.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Reporter: With me now is the radical preacher Anjem Choundary quite a controversial figure let's hear from you this morning if we can because we know you knew one of the suspects didn't you Michael Adebolajo and he came to some of your demonstrations are you responsible then for radicalising him?<br />
<br />
Choundary: Well you know if you mean by radicalisation that people are calling for the sharia, they stand up for the men women and children who have been killed around the world because of the British foreign policy, that they are commanding good and forbidding evil, and of course raising their voice; then yeah I mean I have no problem with that whatsoever. Obviously in Britain...<br />
<br />
Reporter: Are you horrified at what he's gone on to do them because it's one thing having different views isn't it?<br />
<br />
Choundary: Well oddly enough you know we've had reaction from around the world from Muslim world for them because as a Muslim confronting a soldier for them he's courageous, for them he's a hero, it's not the same reaction as you have in a Muslim country.<br />
<br />
Reporter: Many Muslims we've spoken to are absolutely horrified by what's happened here.<br />
<br />
Choundary: In Muslim countries he's considered to be courageous and a hero. Obviously in this country we do believe, actually and I've expressed that before, that it's somewhat out for Muslims, as far as I believe, to target the non-Muslims because we live under them; you know with them under a common law of security, but not everyone adopts that opinion. What he did does have justification according to some schemes of thought and as I said I'm on the Muslim...<br />
<br />
Reporter: Mr Choundary that's quite offensive to many Muslims in this country because I've spoken to lots of them and they are absolutely horrified and appalled by what's happened just a mile or so down the road from here.<br />
<br />
Choundary: It could be, it could be that many people have been desensitised and, you know, they've grown up in the west, and in fact they have you know really given up their religion, but for the Muslims around the world the British government, remember, and their soldiers are at war with them and therefore they consider this to be an act really an operation against the enemy.<br />
<br />
Reporter: So therefore you're responsible for radicalising him then are you holding for him to get these extreme views?<br />
<br />
Choundary: Look you know there's nothing in fact there's nothing in fact called radicalisation in Islam. There's either Islam or there's not Islam if you're talking about Islam...<br />
<br />
Reporter: If someone that you knew that has turned up to your sermons, demonstrations has gone on to commit murder on the streets of Britain in broad daylight in front of families and children you've got to you've got to condemn those attacks surely?<br />
<br />
Choundary: No I don't think so I think we should condemn the hundreds of thousands of murders of innocent men women and children first who are the cause of this...<br />
<br />
Reporter: These are arguments that you; Mr Choundary to be fair these are arguments that you have made in the past before...<br />
<br />
Choundary: Well no that's a reaction, the thing is, the point is there's there's there's a...<br />
<br />
Reporter: We've heard these arguments before would you consider yourself to...<br />
<br />
Choundary: There's effect and result...<br />
<br />
Reporter: Would you consider yourself to be a dangerous man them with your views that you that you have on people...?<br />
<br />
Choundary: I think, I think, I think Islam is very very dangerous for non-Islam, for democracy and freedom; one day we'll implement it Britain. Obviously it's dangerous for those people who don't believe in God and don't want to live according to god's law, but...<br />
<br />
Reporter: Mr Choundary for now we're going to have to leave it there we're going to speak to you later on throughout the programme and Matt it's now back to you and I'm sure this will create quite a lot of debate with or viewers this morning.<br />
<br />
Studio: No doubt Jonathan thanks very much indeed</blockquote>
The obvious points that I'm sure most will take away is that he thinks that this attack is okay. Anjem specifically answers whether the attacks should be condemned with a "no"; however for me the most worrying points occur at the end of the interview "Islam is dangerous for non-Islam, for democracy, and freedom." Wow! That is it is "dangerous for those people who don't believe in God" etc. as an atheist can I read that as a threat against myself; could I please have this person arrested?<br />
<br />
So this is a response from one person who the term "radical" has been applied it's possible to state that this isn't the default view of many practising Muslims which is why Anjem has to redefine them as having "given up on their religion". From his point of view if you are a Muslim this attack is justifiable; if you don't think it is then you are clearly <i>not a Muslim</i>.<br />
<br />
Given that media chase ratings it's no surprise that they seek out people like Anjem Choundary to interview, but with what he spouts is it any wonder that Islamaphobia seems to be on the rise? Except why just anti-Islam. Not so much here, but jump the pond to the USA and take in the Christians burning down clinics and picketing homosexual occasions and the things they spout aren't that dissimilar. Why don't we see anti-Christian rallies and organisations rise up to the same degree?<br />
<br />
Perhaps because here and in the USA Christianity is the dominant religion; even for those not raised directly the process of osmosis means they know about it. So while that sure there are some 'nutters' out there in the Christian movement most know they don't form a majority; that the hate they spout aren't <i>the</i> tenets of Christianity. As the minority within these countries the only window onto Islam comes from the ones who shout the most. Sadly what they shout is hate and intolerance so that is how their religion becomes depicted.<br />
<br />
In part 2 I'll try to answer a question posed in a newspaper editorial - "Why do we expect the Muslim community as a whole to have a response and to respond to such actions?"FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-90475194580847913972013-05-23T13:46:00.000+01:002013-05-23T13:46:00.410+01:00The Kinect problemOkay so it turns out I'm a prophet. Sadly this didn't mean a premonition of the winning lottery tickets, but almost 3 years ago I did point a <a href="http://flipc.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/microsoft-kinect-and-playstation-move.html">potential issue</a> about Microsoft's new Kinect system<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Also worth a mention those techy type shows such as The Big Bang Theory where the characters play on-screen with an XBox<br />
<br />
Character: "Xbox: Channel 1"<br />
Viewer: "... hey what just happened? I was watching that.""</blockquote>
Guess what happened to those people <a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124281-Kinect-Causes-Trouble-for-Viewers-During-Xbox-One-Reveal">watching the live streaming</a> of Microsoft's new XBox One reveal with built-in Kinect system?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span id="intelliTXT" itemprop="articleBody">Several viewers sporting
360s with connected Kinects discovered the device was responding to
commands being spoken by Microsoft representatives during the live
stream. Responses to the commands varied from the video being paused to
the console itself being shut down.</span></blockquote>
<span id="intelliTXT" itemprop="articleBody">Gosh how could anyone have possibly predicted that sort of thing could happen?</span>FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-25603342643821997092013-05-22T13:43:00.000+01:002013-05-22T13:43:00.803+01:00The end of console backwards compatability?Microsoft have revealed their future console the boring titled "XBox One" which is only slightly more original than Sony's revealed (or more like hinted at) Playstation 4. What both platforms have in common (besides using Blu-ray, rechargeable and vibrational controllers etc.) is their lack of backwards compatibility. So what? The current Xbox360 will only play some old Xbox games and the backwards functionality was totally removed from the PS3 - what's the difference here? Architecture.<br />
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No not buildings - but the gubbins that goes into each machine. As is despite neither current console being able to natively run older games i.e. just stick in the disc and play (baring PSOne games) that hasn't stopped either manufacturer from re-releasing them as digital-only downloads. How does that work?<br />
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Each game runs through an emulation system that comes packed with the download. In simple terms it's a translator - it's as if the PS2 spoke German and the PS3 Japanese; you download the 'German' game and it automatically translates it into 'Japanese' so it can be understood. Why can't this be done with the newer machines?<br />
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It's the 'translation' needed. Continuing the analogy the new Xbox One and PS4 both speak 'Earthworm'. A translation can't be made because the 'languages' have no common concepts. An earthworm may think in terms of pressure and movement; whereas human languages tend towards objects.<br />
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So sadly it's not a case of 'just creating an emulator' this really could be the start of the major consoles just ditching their entire back catalogues at every new iteration. But only if it works.<br />
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Given this lack, given that warnings have been made that pushing this new hardware may require twice the initial investment as for the previous ones it's likely only the big boys will put any new games forward for the launch. If no-one buys the newer consoles the smaller companies may just continue with the existing base and if new games continue to be produced consumers may ponder exactly why they should 'upgrade' at all.FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-2630972799023930112013-05-20T13:39:00.000+01:002013-05-20T13:39:00.906+01:00Wyre Forest Councillors attendanceThe Shuttle has printed the <a href="http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/10421751.Wyre_Forest_councillors__attendances_in_spotlight/">attendance record</a> for our district councillors, two councillors don't appear for some reason (Paul Harrison and Adrian Sewell) and there are two caveats with regard to Tracey Onslow's Maternity leave and Jim Parish's heart problem, but the figures can still be analysed without that being too much of a hindrance.<br />
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The raw figures show attendance by an individual and doing so we see only three councillors have a 100% rating - Rose Bishop (Con), Barry McFarland (Lab), and Jamie Shaw (Lab). Ignoring the exceptions cited our two lowest attendees are Stephen Clee (Con) and Nigel Knowles (Lab).<br />
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At first glance it seems fairly square, but as I've preached sometimes percentages hide things. Stephen Clee 'only' had 15 meetings to attend and managed 8; Nigel Knowles had 39 meetings to attend and made 23. Given what can happen to make one miss a meeting making 23 of 39 is more impressive than 8 of 15. It works the other way too.<br />
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Rose Bishop and Barry McFarland managed their full 45 and 40 meetings respectively Jamie Shaw managed 25 out of 25. Switching to pure number of meetings attended Rose Bishop (Con) tops the league followed by Stephen Williams (Con) 45/49, Mike Price (Lib) 43/46 and Howard Martin (Lab) 43/55.<br />
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Combine these processes (and remove the two exceptions) and it's possible to produce a total figure for each party in terms of how many meetings they each had to attend on average, and the percentage of how many they managed. With rounding:<br />
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Con: 34 meetings each, attended 85%<br />
ICHC: 35 meetings each, attended, 76%<br />
Ind: 36 meetings each, attended 79%<br />
Lab: 37 meetings each, attended 83%<br />
Lib: 41 meetings each, attended 87%<br />
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So well done to the Liberal councillors who, on average, had the most meetings and managed to attend most of them, and queries to ICHC who had almost the least number of meetings and couldn't manage them.FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36939759.post-83079677809208399882013-05-17T13:44:00.000+01:002013-05-17T13:44:00.699+01:00The proposed change in GCSE gradesMinisters just can't help themselves can they? They talk about a <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10061479/Ministers-consider-radical-overhaul-of-GCSE-grading.html">radical overhaul of the GCSE</a> grading system and all they mean is converting 2 or 3 levels of grade into 4. What a pointless exercise in futility.<br />
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They can't even work it out for themselves:<br />
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so that rather than having A*, A and B,
you achieve 1, 2, 3, 4, and it might be the case that 1, 2, 3, 4 cover the
band of achievement that is currently A* and A. </blockquote>
So a 4 grade is a B wait no a 4 is an A-? Which makes a B a... B? The idea seems to be that greater differentiation at the top will allow better comparability between the 'high achievers' and between different exams. No it won't. It's simply adding two more grades into the system.<br />
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At the moment there's no way to tell the difference between a high A (missing out on an A*) and a low A (just beat a B). With this proposed system they'll be no way to tell the difference between a high 3 (just missed out on a 2) and a low 3 (just beat a 4). Perhaps we need some extra grading between those make it 1-6 instead of 1-4; and then 1-10 and then...<br />
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Or perhaps we could just abolish this entire notion of single grades and do something that would accurately reflect a person's score such as <a href="http://flipc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/exam-grading-simple-one-point-change-to.html">mark their position for that year</a>. Much easier to say that Person A beat 94.65% of that year and person B beat 94.35% rather than just giving them both Grade 1's<br />
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It would even allow weighting for comparability with other years. Given the amount of statistics MPs have to look at and like to quote this approach should have been fairly obvious, but then again they only look at the statistics - they don't compile them or really need to understand them.<br />
<br />FlipChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09449939046593105926noreply@blogger.com0