Some News …

Do you remember me writing, a few months ago, about “Enigma”, and Dr Alan Turing?

Although Dr Turing’s not had more than a few streets named after him, at least the code-breakers themselves have had some sort of honour, today; or at least a commemorative badge, if nothing else.

It’s not necessarily the thing, but at least it’s a start!

And, on a personal note, I’m also happy to announce I’ve finished me Level 2 Customer Service NVQ; the scanned in picture’s of one of the exam’s I did as part of it, the Technical Service one.

And, although it doesn’t actually say so, I got a 98% result.

Nice!

It’s also something I’m quite pleased to have got.

Although I’ve doing various customer service rôles, over the years, it’s nice to be able to say I’ve got some paperwork to show for it!

The Daily Teaser …

I’ve got to confess, I couldn’t resist it.

I couldn’t.

Considering that today is something of an big anniversary — one I feel, as many others, is very significant — I’m making no apologies for doing the picture that’s underneath the poster …

I’ll admit, I’m no artist …

You can tell, can’t you?

But I thought I’d mark the day in a couple of way’s.

Obviously there’s the picture …

And there’s also the first half of today’s Teaser; here …

Q1) Today in 1969 saw the launch of which Apollo mission?

Q2) Where exactly was that mission going?

Q3) Name any of the astronaut’s on that Apollo flight.

Q4) More to the point, which one of those astronauts was the first one out of the command module, when they got to their destination?

Q5) Which American government agency launched the Apollo space missions?

•••••

Q6) To other events, what weapon got tested, on this day in 1945?

Q7) Again in 1945, Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill and Harry S. Truman, gathered together at which WW2 conference?

Q8) Which famous J. D. Salinger novel was released on July 16^th, 1951?

Q9) July 16^th, 1935 saw the world’s first parking meter being installed; in which US city?

Q10) And finally, which religious calendar started on July 16^th, 622 AD?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) Today in 1997, saw which fashion design shot dead on his doorstep?

A1) Gianni Versace.

Q2) Today in 1815 saw which Emperor abdicate, on board the HMS Bellorophon?

A2) Napoléon Bonaparte.

Q3) A few year’s earlier, in 1799, saw the discovery of which famous Stone?

A3) The Rosetta Stone.

Q4) July 15^th, 1606, was the birthday of which famous Dutch artist?

A4) Rembrandt. (Or Rembrandt van Rijn, to give him his full name.)

Q5) And finally, July 15^th, 1953, saw the execution by hanging of which English murderer?

A5) John Christie.

I hope you enjoy them!

Catch you later!

How to Dismantle a Mini!!

You know, that’s a point!

Some thing that ~SomeGuy~ raised earlier, that he — and many other pc owners — had frankly, built their own.

Not that that’s an option for us MacHeads, I’ll admit.

But we can at least do a little bit of tinkering.

Those of us blessed with the MacPro will, of course, will realise quite how easy it is to add bits and bobs to it. That is, after all what it’s designed for.

But if, like me, you’re the proud owner of a Mac Mini, you’ll probably be wanting to have a look at the guts, at some point; in my case, I wanted to get a stuck optical disc out.

I really wish someone had told me about holding the left button down when you boot, I really do!

My point is it’s relatively easy to do, but you’ll need to be careful; we are, after all, talking about modifying electrical equipment.

You’ll also need a couple of palette knives, a couple of old credit cards*, and a tea-towel to put your upside down Mini, on.

But, here …

Here’s the video from OtherWorld Computers that I relied on, for help.

* Or, in my case, a couple of discarded iTunes gift cards, and a used Waterstones card!

The Daily Teaser …

You know, I’ve got to thank ~SomeGuy~, I really have!!

He’s managed to put some helpful and constructive comments on my recent post about the War Terror post. Helpful in that it’s helped me clarify my thinking about the whole situation in Afghanistan.

And, as a side benefit, I’ve managed to find a site that has a guide to a few basic HTML tags to use on the comments section, as well; always handy!

But let’s more on, shall we?

Shall we?

Yes, lets!

Here’s today’s questions …

Q1) Today in 1997, saw which fashion design shot dead on his doorstep?

Q2) Today in 1815 saw which Emperor abdicate, on board the HMS Bellorophon?

Q3) A few year’s earlier, in 1799, saw the discovery of which famous Stone?

Q4) July 15^th, 1606, was the birthday of which famous Dutch artist?

Q5) And finally, July 15^th, 1953, saw the execution by hanging of which English murderer?

And here’s the questions and answers for yesterday’s Bastille Day Teaser!

Q1) The 14^th of July is a major French holiday; which major French holiday?

A1) Bastille Day.

Q2) Which French king ascended the throne, today in 1223; Louis the 8^th, 9^th, or 10^th?

A2) Louis the 8^th .

Q3) Which French President survived an assassination attempt, today in 2002?

A3) Jacques Chirac.

Q4) In 1791, Riots in Birmingham saw a noted supporter of the French Revolution; he shared his name which English playwright?

A4) Joseph (J. B. ) Priestley*.

Q5) Here in Britain, we use the term ‘Frog’ as a mildly insulting term for the French; what’s the equivalent French term for an Englishman?

A5) Les Rosbif’s.

Q6) And finally, who — up until the early 19^th Century — which nationally did we call ‘Frogs’?

A6) The Dutch.

I hope you enjoy those; catch you later.

* Ok, I got the first names wrong!! I was hoping nobody would notice!!

L'énigme quotidienne …

Yep, I’ve done the title in French, again … !

Weeeeellllll …

They’re having a bit of a do, over the Channel.

Anyway, here’s today’s questions …

Q1) The 14^th of July is a major French holiday; which major French holiday?

Q2) Which French king ascended the throne, today in 1223; Louis the 8^th, 9^th, or 10^th?

Q3) Which French President survived an assassination attempt, today in 2002?

Q4) In 1791, Riots in Birmingham saw a noted supporter of the French Revolution being killed; he shared his name which English playwright?

Q5) Here in Britain, we use the term ‘Frog’ as a mildly insulting term for the French; what’s the equivalent French term for an Englishman?

Q6) And finally, who — up until the early 19^th Century — which nationally did we call ‘Frogs’?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) July 13^th, 100BC, saw the birth of which Roman Dictator?

A1) Julius Cæser.

Q2) July 13^th was the date of the original Live Aid concert; in which year of the 1980s?

A2) 1985.

Q3) July 13^th, 1901 was the birthday of actor, Eric Portman; he, Leo McKern, and Patrick McGoohan all appeared in which cult 1960s series?

A3) “The Prisoner”

Q4) Today in 1878, saw Romania, Montenegro and Serbia become independent of which Empire?

A4) The Ottoman Empire.

Q5) And finally, today saw the death of the last woman to be hanged in Britain; what was her name?

A5) Ruth Ellis.

Enjoy those! I’ll catch you later!!