Wednesday 31 May 2017

Mr Robot — Series 2: Episodes 11 and 12 — eps2.9_pyth0n-pt1.p7z and eps2.9_pyth0n-pt2.p7z

31st May, 2017.


Right … 

That’s that done … 

Hmmm …

I supposed I’d better tell you what I’m talking about, hadn’t I … ?

Jus in case you’re not one of my regular readers, my name’s Paul, I work in a call centre in Chelmsford — we take calls for social landlord tenants who need emergency repairs — and live in Brentwood.

I’m an ex-pub-quiz-master who writes the hopefully entertainingly Daily Teaser.

I’m someone getting annoyed by the amount of calls from the kind of call centres telling me I’m entitled to a PPI compensation, or compensation for an accident I had, or that I’ve won a Morrison’s voucher.

I’ve had about five, already, today.

With one or two?   I’ve answered the phone, but just not talked to them.   They get bored and hang up.

But I’m thinking I should get a football referee’s whistle.   I’ve had half a dozen calls like that: one of them is going to get a headache …

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, one thing I do, when I have time off — along with sweeping, laundry and washing up — is catching a film, or a TV show.

Tonight?

Tonight was a TV show.

Tonight was the last two episodes of series two of Mr Robot.

And yes: the techno-geeky that’s my current fave?

And ended on another tense note.

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-5-2017

Yay … !

Time off!

Yes, today is a day off: one that I intent on using well.

Well … at least get my laundry done!

I’ve got my work shirts drying as we speak: although why I’ve got them in the tumble dryer, in this weather, I couldn’t tell you.

Oh, yes I could!

I haven’t got a washing line.

And even if I did, I don’t have a back garden to put it in … !

You have to love living in a flat, don’t you … ?


~≈⌘≈~

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-5-2017

I have to admit it … 

I have Safari — the default Mac Browser — open over several table and windows.

With one parked in an alternative space to the immediate right.


Frankly?

I’ve got to confess, this is where I miss having really good speakers.

This week’s episode of Just a Minute is hysterical!

Paul Merton is on serious form!

~≈Ê≈~

Monday 29 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-5-2017

Crap … !

Carp, crap, crap crap, crap … !

It’s a bank holiday.

Frankly?

I’m working.

I’ve no problem with that!

The issue?

Is that, just for today?

We’re back to the replacement buses for the trains.

Lovely … 

~≈Á≈~

Oh, did anyone catch Dr Who, over the weekend?

That was a rather good episode, I though.

Not the paciest, certainly.

But definitely one with a lot of intellectual meat on the bone.

It turns out the bacterium named in the episode?

Was the centre of a mild scandal: in an event mirrored in the episode, the bacterium was tested in lab conditions: and found, in field conditions, to kill plants.

Nasty!

~≈Á≈~

Sunday 28 May 2017

Dr Who — Series 10: Episode 7 — The Pyramid at the End of the World


28th May, 2017

You’ve been reading me a while, haven’t you … ?

At least, I hope you have!

Welcome to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar: the YouTube channel’s over here, the Teasers’ are self explanatory … 

But, just in case you are new?

I (currently) work in a call centre in Chelmsford, I’ve been a pub quiz master in my time, I blog about whatever I feel may interest an audience … 

I like watching TV shows, as well.   If I think I can get away with it?

I’ve been following Mr Robot, just recently: just as an example.

For many years, now?

I’ve almost religiously followed Dr Who

Good, bad, thick, thin, up, down … 

Yeah

Since childhood, in other words.

You notice I mentioned I work in a call centre?   Usually on a Saturday night?   

That’s right … 

That means I’ve actually watched this week’s episode, tonight … ?

Now … 

I can tell what you’re thinking.

You’re wondering what I thought of … 


~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-5-2017

Hmmm … 

Have you been watching the news?

Then you’d possibly realise that the NHS isn’t the only one to have cyber-problems.

Oh, no.

British Airways has had problems.

That was apparently caused … ?

By a power supply issue.

Either someone’s pulled a pug they should’ve have.

Or someone forgot to put 50p in the meter … 

Ahem … !

~≈Â≈~

Saturday 27 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-5-2017

Yay … !

It’s Saturday … !

Which means, of course, that I’m working until ten o’clock, tonight.

Which also means I’m going to be taping tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

Or, at least, record it.

What always amazes me how, sometimes?

Is the way that — sometimes — a word will stick around: long after the technology that spawned it.

Mind you, given old fashioned vinyl’s been given a new lease of life?

I’d not be surprised to see Mr Robot or Dr Who on a new version of VHS!



~≈Â≈~

Friday 26 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-5-2017

You know …

In the midst of the aftermath of the Manchester attack?

You’ve got to do all sorts of things.

Hope the police have tracked down everyone involved.

Hope that no-one is hurt at any upcoming Bank Holiday events … 

Hope that we can deal, emotionally, with the situation.

But I had a nasty thought, last night.

Assuming there’s a bomber we’ve missed: which is always a possibility.

Assuming there’s someone we’ve missed?

Have they got tickets for Glastonbury … ?   Or V, or Reading, or Donnington or any of the other big festivals … ?

That’s a nasty turn of mind I’ve got … 

~≈Â≈~

Thursday 25 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-4-2017: Star Wars

You know, in the midst of all the news about Manchester?

In the midst of the blast, the shrapnel, the arrests … ?

It’s very easy to overlook the fact that the second actor to play James Bond — Sir Roger Moore — has died.

I don’t know about you, but I saw The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker at the cinema: and enjoyed Moore’s self deprecating, but very knowing take on the character.

And I’m very aware that most actors have taken their cue from Connery’s version, Pierce Brosnan, in particular, took his from Moore.

He’ll be missed.

~≈Â≈~

Now … 

Just as a quick aside … ?

I’ve just seen a preview clip fro this week’s upcoming episode of Dr Who: The Pyramid at the End of the World.


And have a confession: I find the Monks’ mouth action when talking vague — very vaguely, I’ll confess — reminiscent of someone else.


But, here, there you go … !

~≈Â≈~

Wednesday 24 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-5-2017

Monday’s attack has just got … 

Nasty … 

Although you’re possibly wondering how.

So was I … 

Until, last night, when I saw in the news that Britain’s threat level — the official view of how likely a terrorist attack is — had been raised to Critical.

Meaning that — in key public locations — there’s going to be armed soldiers supporting police.

Armed troops.

On British streets.

I don’t know how to say this: but I really don’t like that idea.

Granted, it’s only happened three times this century.

Granted, it’s felt another attack is imminent: I’d hate to see what happens if someone attacks Glastonbury or Reading.

But … ?

I don’t know about you, but I can remember reading about British troops patrolling the streets of Northern Ireland: back in the 1970s.

And about Bloody Sunday.   The day was a major contributed to IRA propaganda, and — I feel — caused by having a lot of nervous squaddies on the streets of the UK, itself … 

Doing what their trained to do — shoot to kill — in completely the wrong situation.

If this mishandled badly?

We could be looking at a result that makes the Troubles look like a playground argument.

~≈∑≈~

Tuesday 23 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-5-2017

You know, I was going to tell you I’m back at work, today — I’m back at work, today — and tell you that I’d seen two more episodes of Mr Robot.

Great episode, by the way: the fact the main character uses the old cantenna trick to break into a wifi network, tickled me.

I was … 

But I’ve woken up, this morning … to find that, overnight, a bomb has gone off at the end of an Ariana Grande gig at the Manchester Arena, last night: killing twenty-two concert goers.

From what I read, it’s assumed to be a suicide bomber: that ISIS have claimed responsibility for.

Some of the dead are, I believe, Muslim.

Some are children. 

I’m … 

Shocked.

And rather surprised: here in the UK, we’ve been very lucky to have avoided the sort of attacks that have hit parts of France.

I’m also concerned: both for the safety of anyone missing, and for the safety of any of my Muslim co-workers.

As I’m sure some of my Irish friends will tell us, terrorist attacks generate a not just fear and terror … 

But a backlash* against those seen as ‘involved,’ somehow.

~≈Ê≈~

Right now … ?

Right now, I’m feeling … conflicted, to say the least.

I’m hoping a lot of things.

Chiefly?   That this has a minimal effect on the Election.

This sort of thing?

To the best of my knowledge, this sort of thing has never happened during an election.   I hope this has as little an effect on the General Election as possible.   But doubt it: someone will make political mincemeat of the thing.

I’m ALSO mildly angry.

The man that’s done this?   Has killed himself as part of the process.

The coward has taken his own life, and cannot be questioned about his motives, or face the law.

Yes, a coward.

I hope ISIS are listening.

The coward who ISIS claim has acted for them …

Has taken his own life rather than justify killing children.

There is never an excuse for killing kids.

~≈Ê≈~

Monday 22 May 2017

Mr Robot — Series 2: Episodes 9 and 10 — eps2.7_init_5.fve and eps2.8_h1dden-pr0cess.axx

21st May, 2017.

Arrgh … !  I’m officially back to work, tomorrow … !

Arrgh … Arrghity ARGH ARGH … ARGH … 

Not that I mind.

After all, being able to pay my own rent, and buy my food … ?

Is both good, and confidence building.

But, with this week’s hours going back up to something approaching normal?

It means I’ll be spending a lot of time at work.

Which means … ?

Well, right now, these two episodes of Mr Robot will be the last couple I see, until next week!

Arrgh … !

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-5-2017

Did you know there’s an election on in a few weeks?

You did … ?

Good gum drops … !

There’s an important deadline to mention at this point.

The deadline to register to vote.

The deadline for that runs out, tonight.

If you haven’t registered by midnight, tonight, you can’t vote on 8th June.

The link to the government site that lets you vote: is here.

And here … 


Well … ?

Don’t just sit there!

~≈Â≈~

Now … 

Did anyone manage to catch this week’s episode of Dr Who?

That was rather good stuff!

Zombies monks, Forbidden Indexes, the Pope hanging around in a gay woman’s bedroom … ?

Where can you go wrong … ?

~≈Â≈~

Sunday 21 May 2017

Dr Who — Series 10: Episode 6 — Extremis


Can I ask you a question?

I may as well: I’ve been doing that for quite some time.

It’s this.

Do you watch Dr Who, at all?

I have: for much of my life.

Ever since I was a child, remembering the vague nightmares the Jon Pertwee Inferno gave me.


Which possibly explains a lot … !

At ANY rate?

“Do you watch Dr Who?” is rather rhetorical.

If you do … ?   You’ve possibly seen this weeks episode, Extremis.   Or, at least, have it lined up on iPlayer.

If you haven’t?

You’ve missed possibly the weakest episode of the series thus far.

But in saying that?   It’s possibly a lot stronger than quite a lot of what’s gone before it … 

~≈⌘≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-5-2017

I’ve got a weekend off.

Well … 

Not a weekend: I’ve got today and tomorrow off.

Frankly?

I’ve seriously got to get laundry done.

Possibly eat.

I might just shop.

Do some writing.

But I THINK the important bit?

Is putting my feet up, and watching TV.

Frankly?

I want catch with Dr Who: this week’s episode looks good, from the little I’ve seen of it.

Equally frankly?

I’m thorough enjoying Mr Robot … 

And feel impressed with myself: I recognised one of the on-screen Terminal* commands!!

~≈Ê≈~

Saturday 20 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-4-2017

Right … 

Yesterday was nice: it was the first Friday off in a while.

I could’ve ended up in the pub: which I didn’t especially fancy.

Instead?   I’ve ended up watching more episodes of Mr Robot*.

Three more episode of Series 2, if you most know.

And … ?

Just so you know, the central character — Elliot, played by Rami Malek — is a seriously unwell — but very sympathetic — computer hacker: who has hallucinations of his dead father, played by Mr Robot.

One of the other characters?   Is Elliot’s sister, Darlene, played by Carly Chaikin.   She’s deeply cynical … but also sympathetic … 

And VERY ruthless … !


She’s … getting nastier as the series progresses … !

Obviously … ?

There’s all sorts of stuff running in the family!

~≈Ç≈~

Friday 19 May 2017

Mr Robot — Series 2: Episodes 6, 7 and 8 — eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes, eps2.5_h4ndshake.sme and eps2.6_succ3ss0r.p12.

19th May, 2017.

OK.

It’s a Friday.

I know.

And you’d THINK I’d be off at the pub, wouldn’t you?

I doubt it!

I’ve not actually drunk in years.

Besides?   Heading out implies having the money to do so.

And, after choosing to have a rather good fish supper from the local chippy — the Flying Fish, if you’re ever on Warley Hill — hitting the pub was extravagant.

Besides … 

I had a few more episodes of Mr Robot to watch .

It’s getting good.

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-5-2017




That’s a worry.

I’m something of a Mac fan.

Part of the appeal?   Is simply the fact the Mac platform is rarely hit by malicious software.

The recent ransomware attack that hit many Windows machines?

Would have slid off my Mac.

There’s been a few though.   I can still remember the Inqtana, a few years ago: ad that was a relatively innocuous proof-of-concept virus.

There’s been a few more serious ones doing the rounds.

A while ago, Transmission, the BitTorrent client, had issues: when a spiked version of the application was issued … from Transmission’s own sites.

Something similar’s recently happened: with popular video transcoder, HandBrake: someone’s sneaked a spiked copy of the installer onto one of HandBrake’s own mirrors, that installs a back door, allowing passwords to be harvested from one’s Mac.

I’ve made sure my system’s OK: there’s no trace of the malware, here.

I’ve also quietly advised others to do likewise, if they’ve downloaded HandBrake during the relevant period.

But I can’t help but think a few things.

The one thing I notice from the HandBrake and Transmission attacks?

Is that the attacks happened in a similar way.

In other words, the infected installers were sneaked onto the app’s legitimate download sites.

People were tricked into downloading them, because they thought they were the legitimate apps.

I think we are going to have to be more careful about downloading things: even from the genuine sites.

I ALSO think app developers are going to need to hike up their security, in order to stop this sort of thing.

Or, at least, keep it to a bare minimum.

I also think the trick’s going to catch on.

Next time?

Some-one could well be downloading a spiked copy of Microsoft’s Office suite: from Microsoft’s own site.

Nasty idea, that …

~≈∑≈~

Thursday 18 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-4-2017: Hooray for Bollywood

Oh, handy … 

I’ve — in the wake of having a quiet week, this week? — been hitting the boxed sets: catching up with the second season of Mr Robot.

Which is looking as good as the first one, I should add.

What I didn’t know until yesterday?

Was that VideoLan, the makers of open source media player, vlc, had release a version of the player for the AppleTV.

Well, if you going to watch a TV show about a hacker, watching it on the open source video player only seems polite.

It’s … 

Actually, it’s not too bad.   The picture quality, player the same files, seems better with the AppleTV’s native software.   And you have to jump through a couple more hoops — you connect the software on the AppleTV to a remote control page, in a web browser, and drag and top the files in to the browser page — than you do, using iTunes.

But it’s not a bad process to use: and offers the chance of playing all sorts of formats on my favourite streaming box.

So I’m happy.

~≈Î≈~

Wednesday 17 May 2017

Mr Robot — Series 2: Episodes 4 and 5 eps2.2_init_1.asec and eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc


17th May, 2017.

You know, I’ve had time off, just recently.   Where work’s cut everyone’s hours: as a result of going from a busy winter season to a less busy summer season.

There’s a downside.

Less pay, next Friday.

But more time to myself, this week.

Frankly?

I usually don’t spend enough time in front of the TV.

Nor — usually — do I want to.

But, in the case of an exceptional film or TV show?

I fell I have to.

I felt — when I first saw it — that season one of the show meant Mr Robot was one of those exceptional shows.

I’m thinking season two carries that on … 

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-5-2017: The New York Stock Exchange

Blimey … 

I like a good book, every now and again.

Terry Pratchett’s a perennial favourite.

So is Iain M Banks.

So, when a medical company funded by entrepreneur, Elon Musk, came up with what looks like an Iain M Banks inspired neural lace — a device that, in Banks’ Culture novels, lets characters hook up to computerised devices — I was … unsurprised.

But thinking it’ll be Minds, next.

Then … ?

Then ARM announced it was making chips that could be inserted into a living human brain: mostly to help people with spinal damage move various body parts.

Lord knows what any other applications are.

Or implications.

After all, we’ve recently had a large spate of ransomware.   There’s also discussion of security problems with the Internet of things.

My point?   Is that we’re getting nearer to a a cyberpunk future: complete with Intrusion Countermeasure electronics, capable of killing a person.

I have to ask … 

Did anyone mention this to William Gibson?

~≈Á≈~

Mr Robot — Series 2: Episodes 1, 2 and 3, eps2.0_unm4sk-pt1.tc, eps2.0_unm4sk-pt2.tc and eps2.1_k3rnel-pan1c.ksd

Series 2 poster.
16th May, 2017

You know … I have had doubts.

Which may sound odd, I know.

I’ve had my doubts about the job I’ve got.

It’s a very good job, with a nice bunch of co-workers, a job that’s challenging, makes good use of my customer service skills AND feels socially useful.

Over the past couple of weeks, though?

Having the hours cut has been something of a blow.

Saying that?

I’ve just had next weeks rota in: which looks rather healthier.

At least in the amount of hours I’m down for.

No complaints, there, then.

For now, though?

For now, it’s this week: and I’ve plenty of time off to catch up with a TV show or two … 

Bet you can’t guess which TV show … ?

~≈∑≈~

Tuesday 16 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-5-2017

So it’s done … 

The last surviving Moors Murderer, Ian Brady, has died in Ashworth Secure Hospital: at the age of 79.

We can honestly say that’s … 

Well … 

Several things.

But frankly?

The man who, with his partner, Myra Hindley, committed some the the most notorious crimes in British history — and there’s few worse than the killing and torture of children — is dead.

Personally?

I’m glad he didn’t die as a result of the palliative care being withdrawn.

It’s taken me a while to come around to the idea of assisted dying: but still don’t support the idea of a death sentence, even for someone like Brady.

Withdrawing that care, for me, would look too much like a death sentence for my comfort.

On the other hand?

His death is still a sad thing.

As he’s gone to his grave … without revealing where he and Hindley hid the body of Keith Bennett, the only victim whose body was never found.

Sad?   Yes.

Keith Bennett’s remaining family now have no hope of finding Keith’s body and giving him a decent burial.

That’s a final cruelty.

~≈Ω≈~

Monday 15 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-5-2017: McDonalds

You know … 

The recent ransomware attack is generating headlines.

As many security experts are expecting more reports of attempted ransomware attacks.

Especially at a lot of GP surgeries: the ones that were closed over the weekend.

I’m listening to the Today programme, at the moment.

And I’m getting the feeling there’s going to be a blame game going on.

Various government ministers seem to pointing fingers — at other ministers departments! — and saying they haven’t spent the money correctly.

There’s something else.

The attack has its roots in a flaw originally spotted by the US National Security Agency … and not passed by them to Microsoft.

Microsoft have gone on the record, to ask why the NSA didn’t send them an email: comparing doing so to nicking a US Army missile.

My cynical side?

Will point out that’s possibly so they can hit Russia or China with ransomware attacks.

Personally, I think several things.

But this is the import an one

Doing security updates and backups are important: as is making sure you do them, quickly.

I’ll leave that, there, I think.

~≈Ç≈~

Sunday 14 May 2017

Dr Who — Series 10: Episode 5 — Oxygen

14th May, 2017.

I think … 

Think … 

I’ve seen something special, tonight.

Hmm … 

I’m just staring at that initial opening.

And thinking it seems just a little bit gushy.

Unlike the TV show I’ve just watched.

I think I’ve should explain myself, shouldn’t I … ?

I’m old enough to like sitting down with a TV show: rather that — say — play hard-core computer games.

Although I’m ALSO of an age to appreciate casual games like Tetris and Space Invaders, but let’s not go there, shall we?

At ANY rate?

My given choice of entertainment is a film, or a TV show.

Or possibly a radio station.

I’m happily listening to an online station called LeCandyLab which is playing a lot of Technohouse that I find great to blog to.

The reason I’m writing?

The reason I’m writing, is simply this.

I’ve JUST seen Oxygen: the Jamie Mathiesen penned, fifth episode of series ten of Doctor Who.

I think I’ve seen something both watchable … 

And terrifying … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2017

Hmmm … 

Elections … 

Funny old things, elections.

You get ALSO sorts of ideas getting floated, come election time.

One policy that the Greens have put forward?   Is that of decriminalising prostitution.

That’s not something I have any kind of emotional connection to: couldn’t comment on, one way or the other.

Although, if I’ve understood what I’ve seen in the media, correctly?   Prostitution is already legal in the UK.   Looking for a hooker on the streets, running a brothel, and advertising your services as a prostitute is what’s illegal.

Whatever.

What got me?

Was the Liberal-Democrat policy to legalise and regulate the sale of cannabis.

I used to smoke cannabis: and gave up, at about the same time I gave up drinking.

Mostly as a general principle.   Abstaining from one substance I knew was having bad effects also implied keeping off something that could do just as much damage.

It wasn’t as if I was having delusions.   But was noticing I felt just a little paranoid when I used: feeling, say, that the driver of the police car that had just gone past, knew I’d had a joint, just by looking at me.

Can I make a confession?

I’ve know about half a dozen or so people who’ve had some form of schizo-affective disorder: what they used to schizophrenia.

Complete with paranoia and hallucinations as a factor.

All of them?   All of them, in private conversations with me, pointed at their cannabis use: and blamed it for either triggering or aggravating their schizophrenia.

I know that’s very anecdotal, very experiential and very unscientific.

I’m not voting Conservative: never have, never will.   I won’t be voting Labour: I feel they have no chance in the Brentwood and Ongar constituency.

I’m planning to vote Green, should the party stand in the election.

I realise there’s good arguments for legalising cannabis.   If nothing else, one could raise extra tax money from it.

But, given my personal experiences?   And my belief that any cannabis tax money so raised will be going on an mental health services for cannabis users, as a result of an explosion in demand for them?

Legalisation is not something I can support.

I will not be voting to Karen Chilvers, the Lib-Dem candidate for Brentwood in the up-coming General election, as a result of this.

I can’t support her or legalisation.

~≈Â≈~

Saturday 13 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-5-2017

Bloody hell … !

Have you been following the news?

If you have, you’ll have seen the news that quite a lot of NHS Trusts have been hit by a major ransomware attack.

That, so far, has affected systems in ninety-nine different counties.

There’s a story behind it.

It seems the code the attack used?   Was based on an exploit released by a group calling itself the Shadow Brokers: and that was originally written or developed by the USA’s National Security Agency.

And one that Microsoft issued a patch for, in March.

The problems seem to have affected PCs running versions of Windows from Vista, up to Windows 8.1, that HADN’T had the software updated: and machines running Windows XP, that hadn’t been replaced and couldn’t deal with the update, anyway.

There’s possibly a lot to say about this.

I think one of the reasons this has happened?

Is simply the fact that a cash strapped NHS hasn’t been able — or has chosen not  — to update older machines with a lot of propriety software.

On grounds of cost.   

Which, of course, means it’s going to be spending a fortune.   Either on paying the ransom to free up a LOT of data, or on doing the IT dog-work to restore a lot of data from back-ups.

That’s possibly something any one who gets into government, after June 8th, will need to look at doing.

I’m ALSO thinking that the virus is just affecting Windows based PCs.

Mac fan that I am, part of me is cynically pointing out this is a good reason for large organisations to buy Apple, instead of PCs.

Realistically?   I have to admit Microsoft aren’t at fault, here: they have, after all, done their bit and got the various security updates out.

Equally as realistically?   I believe the attacks show that, yes, large organisations need a bit more diversity in the computers they used.

Companies that make business software need to make versions for as many different operating systems as possible: so large organisations can chose whatever operating systems they prefer, whether Windows, MacOS or a Linux distro.

And that IT departments, AND home users?    Need to make sure they have back-ups in place.

And keep their systems updated*.

~≈Â≈~

Friday 12 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-5-2017

Hmmm … 

That’s something of a blow.

An old friend, Lorna, sent me an interesting job posting she’d spotted: wanting bloggers and writers to attend a film screening, and then do an enthusiastic post, afterwards.

I HAPPILY put in for it.

But didn’t notice the event was last week!

Blast … !

Still … 

It got me thinking that I should look for magazines needing a complete amateur who wants to turn eight years of blogging into some form of cash.

 Here’s hoping … !

~≈Ω≈~

Thursday 11 May 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-5-2017: One Knight in New York

Hmmm … 

That’s going to be interesting.

I’m something of a sci-fi fan.

And one who grew up, reading Britain’s best loved comic, 2000AD.

Home of the lawman of the future, Judge Dredd.

I grew up on the ever-so-slightly right wing lawman: and watched the films with interest.

So, browsing through the BBC’s news site, yesterday, and reading someone’s planning to make a TV show of the series?

Certainly grabbed my attention.

I’m looking forward to seeing that.

I just hope it’s easily accessible.

~≈Â≈~

Wednesday 10 May 2017

Under the Shadow: Not Bad …

10th May, 2017.

Hmm … 

Do you ever the get the feeling I … umm … like watching a film or two … ?

You don’t … ?

You’ve not been paying attention, have you … ?

But let me just emphasise the point, here.

I like watching films.

TV, as well: and listening to music.

Brian Eno’s Discreet Music, in case you’re wondering.

I’m in that kind of mood.

I’ve ALSO been in the mood — having a quiet night in — to catch a film.

You’re looking at the poster, aren’t you … ?

And asking yourself if I’ve sat down with a copy of Under the Shadow, aren’t you … ?

You’d be right … 

~≈Ë≈~