Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2025 — Solzhenitsyn Gets a Gong

8th October, 2025: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

It’s officially official: it’s now Wednesday!

And … ?

My calendar is clear of any events.

Which is nice.

But … ?

I have a nagging feeling I’m supposed to be doing something.

Why … ?

I don’t know.

If I DID … ?

I’d possibly win a prize … 

~≈🏆≈~

I had a thing float across my timeline: a piece from the Manchester Evening News, that tells us the Government has responded to the Digital ID petition.

Which we knew about.

But … ?

Seeing the article reminded me to at least check the petition, again.

The site tells us that Parliament has to debate the issue: although it hasn’t said when.

Here’s hoping a date gets named, soon!

~≈🌴≈~

I’m no computer expert.

I have some lay knowledge: but am seriously no expert.

Although a piece about Windows 11 has caught my eye.

Microsoft has been encouraging people to upgrade to Windows 11, since its release in 2021.

And has cause a lot of discussion.

Partially?   Because the new operating system needs a specific security chip: a chip that older machines — one that could otherwise meet Windows 11’s requirements — don’t have.

But also because you — notionally — have to create a Microsoft account, and have an internet connection.

The MS account is Microsoft’s equivalent to the Apple Account on Macs and iOS devices, and to Google’s online account: but covering a wider range of services, and seemingly, giving users less option to disable things.

The account, until recently, can be circumvented: and a local account*, created.

The article I read, yesterday?

Told me Microsoft have now closed the loopholes.

You can’t, now, create a local account.

You must have an online Microsoft Account, and must have an internet connection.

I’m in two minds about this.

Yes: I can understand the insistence on a permanent, internet connection.

It’s useful, even if it’s just for getting updates for a computer, or installing the odd game.

But I’m also aware that there’s a lot you can do without one: even if it’s just watch videos you’ve — um — borrowed from a friend.

Or filling in offline paperwork that you can then upload, else where.

That connection’s a big convenience, but not mandatory.

But a permanent, online account?

That’s strikes me as bad: leaving a user open to tracking.

It makes the machine less useable for those who aren’t online, indoors.

And … ?

It offers less choice.

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December 2022.

11th December, 2022.

I have to admit: it’s Sunday.

Frankly?

It’s a cold Sunday.

Normally?

I’d be having a stroll around the block, at some point.

Just to try and keep trim, don’tcherknow!

Today … ?

I’m probably going to be walking, rapidly.

It’s not warm out.

~≈É≈~

That cold’s not helping the people of Jersey.

A block of flats exploded in Saint Helier, the capital, on Saturday.

And?

The news tells us no survivors have been found.

That’s sad: and my thoughts go to the families of those killed.

But?   And for all there’s talk of that some could smell gas in the run up to the explosion?

I’m wondering what happened, what caused this.

I’d like to know.

And have reassurance it can’t happened on my street.

~≈É≈~

The mild irony?   Is that, in amongst exploding flats and freezing weather?

Is that today is what the Catholic Church calls Gaudete Sunday*.

Apparently?   

The word means ‘rejoice.’

Like I say: mild irony … 

~≈É≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December, 2018

11th December, 2018.

Yep: it’s a Tuesday, yes, I’ve got an interview … 

And, yes: I’ve got concerns.

And not about the interview, per se.

No … 

It’s the train fare that’s causing the issues.

I’ve got it covered by the job Centre … mostly … 

I’m just wondering if it’s going to be enough money to cover the cost.

I like London … but I’d hate to be stuck in the middle of it … 

~≈§≈~

Right … 

Something else I’m seemingly getting a lot of, just recently?

Is phone calls.

Annoying ones.

Frankly?

Right now, I’m job-hunting, as you know.

So I tend to answer the phone: just in case it’s someone offering me a job or an interview.

However?

A good two thirds of the calls coming in on my landline, are scams: there’s a few on my mobile, as well.

Mostly, the mobiles are trying to sell me boiler repairs, or PPI checks.

The landlines?   Are usually ones claiming to be from my Internet Service Provider: threatening to cut me off.

If I don’t put the phone down, straight away?   I usually get through to the ‘technician,’ and then start singing whatever cheesy song springs to mind.

Then I put the phone down.

Not that that seems to work: I’m expecting another one at about nineish, as I have for the past few days.

But it makes me feel better.

~≈§≈~

Oh, as a rider to THAT … ?

A couple of times, now, I’ve had attempted drive-by downloads.

Usually disguised as an attempt to install an updated version of Flash Player.

Personally?

Most malware out is aimed at Windows based PCs.   So I’ve not many concerns on that front.

But wasn’t going to download anything from that link … 

Just in case!

Besides … I actually update Flash, a few days ago … through the usual Mac update system.

Now … have an owl … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-2-2018: In Exile

12th February, 2018

And … 

Shiver!

It is, after all, rather cold!

Much as it was, yesterday!

There’s an upside!

Yep: I’m incredibly grateful.

I’ve seen what may family’s getting me for my birthday.

I can’t wait until March*!

~≈§≈~

All this … ?

All this on the same night as catching some fantastic episodes of Mr Robot?

Well … 

~≈§≈~