The Daily Teaser — 6-2-2015: Votes For Women

I have to admit to being up, slightly later than usual.

No, really.

I have to admit to having been up, late: watching Jobs.

Which is nice, as far as it goes: and being honest, Ashton Kutcher in the title role did well enough.

But really, the film doesn’t seem to go into any great depth: nor do justice to its subject.

It’s good: but disappointing.

~≈∂≈~

Jobs: About That Biopic … …

5th February, 2015.

You know, just for once … ?   Just for once … ?

Just for once, I’m going to put the poster on the left hand side.

No, really.

Normally, when I write about the films I watch, I tend to put the posters on the right hand side of the post: and write the text down the left.

Tonight … ?

I thought I’d swap.

A bit.

Frankly … ?

I’m in something of an odd mood, to be honest.   And felt the change would be a good thing: however actually minor the change may be.

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I had a quiet night in, tonight.

A quiet night in … and a few films in the collection I’d not actually sat down and watched.

Including the one I’ve just finished watching, not twenty minutes ago.

The 2013 biopic that is … 

Jobs.

And yes: much as I’m a fan of both Apple — as a maker of rather good products — and of the man himself — very few CEO’s are that charismatic — I’m not sure the film managed to hit the mark …

~≈Ê≈~

CeX Lives

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’ve sort of been mulling this over: and hoping I’ll not get into any sort of trouble about it …

But there we go …

At any rate, I’ve got to admit, I’m now starting to happily get settled into my new job.

Which — in case you were wondering — is with a company called CeX.

Pronounced ‘sex’ so you know.

Leads to all sorts of fun when you’re handing out leaflets: can you imagine walking up too any of Brentwood’s monastic community and asking them if they’d like to talk about Sex … ?

The mind boggles: no, really …

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But …

Lets get serious, here, shall we … ?

Yes, I think think I should …

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Do you remember me telling you, a little while back, that I had a job interview to go for … ?

Well, I did …

The company in question was CeX: who’ve been going, now, for something like twenty or so years.

Old for a technology company, when you think about it, but relatively recent compared to many high-strett retailers

And what they do … ?

Or what we do, I should say … ?

Is simple.

We buy and sell second hand electronic kit.

Everything from games — for the Playstation 2, 3 and PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and Game Cube — to films and TV series on DVDs and blu-ray.

To both the consoles, themselves, to TVs and monitors to connect them to, and laptops and desktops, as well.

AND second hand mobile phones, as well, so that you can tell your friends about the bargain you’ve picked up.

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You can imagine my reaction, when I realised that we had some fairly recent model second-hand Macs, can’t you … ?

And just as importantly, from where I’m sitting, still-sealed copies of iWorks ’09, iLife 11 and Microsoft Office 11: For Mac, as well.

Not that I’d be interested in the latter, you should know me better than that by now.

Lets get back on message, shall we … ?

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At any rate, what the company does is buy in second-hand bits of electronic kit.

We check the state of any DVD, Blu-ray and CDs we get in.

We also test any hardware we get, as well.

Say you want to sell us your old mobile phone*, for example. And, incidentally, want to buy one you’ve seen in our window.

You have to join up for membership, for starters. It’s a formality, really, and you need ID, but it means we can offer you cash for your phone, instead of just a credit note.

Once that’s done, we’ll take the phone in for testing: check it’s still capable of holding a battery charge, for one thing, and that it’s capable of making and receiving calls, and what ever else it may do. And that it’s not stolen, as well.

Usually, that can take anything up to an hour or so, depending on how busy the day is.

Once that’s done, we can give you a better idea of the price we can offer you — cash or credit note — which is when you decide that you’d like to either not bother.

Or accept the price we’re offering you.

Once you’ve done that … ? And made sure you’ve signed all the necessary paperwork … ?

That’s when we can start talking about that iPhoneº in the window you’re interested in.

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Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m hoping to come out of the initial trial period well.

And I’mstressing the hope, I should add.

After all, someone my age comes in expensive, going on the minimum wages we get.

So I’m hoping my time-keeping and general reliability counts in my favour, here.

And my customer facing experience, as well, even though it is with-in a different — very different — industry.

After some fifteen years in the licensed trade … ?

The change is challenging.

And all the more fun for that …

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* I’m using a phone as an example, here: the same basic procedure applies to any games consoles, computers or accessories you’d like to trade in.

º Blackberry, Nokia N90, what-have-you …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’ve think I’ve had a very long, but satisfying, day, today.

At the moment, though … ?

I’m a touch distracted, as I’m trying to write this post, whilst simultaneously watch the Mark Gatiss version of The First Men In The Moon.

Which is very entertaining … !

I’ve also been into Coventry, today: for staff training day at my new job!

Can I make a confession … ?

I feel rather good about it …

L-Space … And The Thing In Chelmsford …

WHAT a morning … !

Seriously, I’ve think I’ve had a bad one.

And one that’s partly no one’s fault, bar mine!

Did I mention, in today’s Teaser, that I’d an interview lined up?

In Chelmsford?

Yeah, THAT was the one …

You know, one of these day’s, I’m going to really have to invest in a sat-nav, or something like it. Because I managed to get myself lost …

Lost … !

I mean, it’s not as if I’m completely clueless …

§§§§§

Tim, Adrian, Don’t! I can hear the silly remarks from here!

§§§§§

But, at any rate, I’ve phoned the company concerned: and they’ve happily rearranged the interview, for this coming Monday.

Here’s hoping …

•••••

But let’s get moving on, shall we?

Yes …

The handy thing about the job I’m going for is that it’s one I managed to find in the hallowed pages of the Brentwood Gazette.

And this weeks issue … ?

Well, this week’s issue had a little announce about the fact that Essex Library service is to introduce Wi-Fi to all Essex Libraries.

To quote the Jack Nicholson version of The Joker, “It’s your Uncle BINGO!”

Well, it’s not like the Gazette keep’s up, now is it?

So what I’ve done …

Is what I usually do, when something in the Gazette catches my eye.

I sent them an email, obviously …

Oh, and told them about the previous two posts.

Well, I was kind of obliged, I think …

At any rate, here’s the text of what I sent to the Gazette.

Dear Editor …

I’ve got to admit, I read this weeks issue, with a great deal of interest.

Especially the small article about wi-fi access at all the Libraries in Essex.

Oh, boy, wi-fi access in libraries!

Now, can I admit that I’ve made something of a pest of of myself, with Essex Council’s library service, over the past couple of weeks? Mostly on the back of the fact that — as things stand — both Brentwood and Shenfield Libraries computers have are notoriously bad at dealing with USB flash memory sticks. Those little thingies that are slowly replacing blank CD’s and floppy disc as a way of storing pictures, Word documents, and other files.

You probably wouldn’t believe that amount of times I’ve needed something printed and taken it to the Library on a flash drive … only to NOT have the thing recognised by their machines.

So, I’ll happily admit that I wrote to Susan Carragher, Essex County Council’s Director of Adult Learning and Libraries, and Joanna Killian, the Chief Executive, to ask about this: and a few other things, as well …

Which is when Ms Carragher told me about the planned upgrades.

And about a planned ‘new software build’ that the council was planning.

Being as aware of the choices in software available as I am, I jumped.

I’m a Mac fan, so I of course asked if that’s what they’d be replacing the library’s ageing machines with Macs.

Apple usually offer a hefty discount for educational establishments. And if a clever purchaser can’t argue that a library is an educational establishment … ?

•••••

But if they weren’t going to be replacing the machines would they be replacing the software?

I actually went and had a look at Microsoft’s prices for a copy of Windows 7: for the professional version — paralleling the version of Windows XP Professional, currently used — it’s £219.

For a copy for one library computer.

£219 of Essex taxpayers money.

The alternative I mentioned to Ms Carragher was what’s called an open source operating system: in this case, one called Ubuntu.

One which I’m familiar with, as it’s one used by several friends of mine. One that’s user-friendly, usable for the exact same emailing, websurfing, letter writing and online gaming as any other operating system.

And added a good two to three years worth of usable life to their machines.

And what’s more, one that the makers — Canonical Ltd — make available at no cost to either businesses or home users.

A double saving, you might say, considering they won’t have to spend money on new software or hardware, for a while, yet …

•••••

Now I realise reading about this sort of thing probably isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

But with all the parties in the up-coming general election all arguing about the state of the economy, and how they’re planning on saving public money, I’d like to know what — and how — Essex County Council are doing to save money on this important upgrade.

After all, that’s taxpayers money being spent.

I’d hate to see mine being wasted, wouldn’t you?

Hmmm …

Actually, can I ask you a favour?

If that’s ok?

Here’s what I’m gonna ask.

I’ve installed Ubuntu on various friends systems.

And I’ve also met quite a few other people who’ve used it.

And quite a few Mac users, as well: one or two of whom have bought on the basis of me enthusing about the platform at them.

In either case, I’ve know a few people who’ve used various forms of open source software: whether it’s applications like NeoOffice, OpenOffice, GIMP, or whole operating systems, like Ubuntu, or NetBSD.

Which I think is sort of my point.

There’s alternatives: and not just between one type of machine running Windoze, and another, or MS Office and … MS Office.

There’s choices.

What I think I’m going to ask you — if you think it’s something you’d like to do — is either email the Brentwood Gazette, telling them what you use as your choice of machine, why you use it, and whether our libraries have provision to use them wirelessly. And what sort of operating system Essex Council’s going to be using. (Emails to editorial@gazettenews.co.uk)

Or — OR —would you rather send an email to Susan Carragher, herself, to ask about the proposed changes? (You can contact her on Susan.Carragher@essex.gov.uk)

Either way, I think I’d be happy to hear from you, about what you choose to do.

Leave me a comment, folks.

After all, that’s our money being spent!

The Job Situation … Again …

Do you remember me writing, a day or so ago, about the situation with my job?

About how there was a possibility that I’d get taken aboard by the company that’s taking over what had been the Warley branch of Threshers?

You do?

Oh, Good …

Well, an old workmate — from way back in the day, when I’d worked at The Hutton — pointed out that I may have cause to complain about that.

Cheers, Aurora!

It was a damn good idea.

It’s just a shame that it didn’t work out …

Bless her, Aurora suggested that I might just be able to make a case of it, under something I’d not heard of, until then: what’s called the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) regulations. Designed — basically — to make sure that the staff at a place of work get to keep their jobs, if a business is sold on.

Like I say, a damn good idea …

And one that — five or ten years ago — I maybe wouldn’t have gone for.

These days?

These day’s, when I’m older, in a steady relationship, and putting up a fight to get or keep a job, it seems much more the thing.

But, unfortunately, according to the nice person I spoke to at the Brentwood branch of the Citizens Advise Bureau, there was an exception to the TUPE regulations that applied to the case of Threshers.

The TUPE regulation applied when a business was sold on as a going concern.

What happened to Threshers?

Was a case of the assets of a business — the Brentwood branch’s lease, in other words — being transferred.

NOT the business, itself.

TUPE, it seems, doesn’t apply …

Now, I’d lying if I told you I didn’t have my hopes up, about this.

I would.

But I did.

The fact it didn’t come to anything?

Doesn’t surprise me.

But is a disappointment.

Definitely.

The Job Situation

You know, right at the moment, I’ve got to admit to feeling just a touch gutted.

Gutted …

And seriously hacked off.

Seriously, seriously, seriously hacked off.

You see, when Threshers closed, we were told …

Well, several things, actually.

One of which was the fact that — potentially — the Brentwood branch would be taken over by a company called Four Vintners.

Who would also be taking on any available staff.

…

…

…

Hmmmm …

Well …

That turned out to be …

Well, I’m tempted to use all sorts of words, here.

But let’d stick to ‘inaccurate’, and leave it there.

Will — my former boss, and the manager of the Brentwood branch where I worked — phoned me this morning, to let me know the bad news that he’d be getting taken on.

But that, due to the hours Four Vintners had available, I wouldn’t be.

Not even on a part time basis.

Not even THAT!

You might be able to imagine how I felt.

I think one word sums it up.

GUTTED.

And very angry.

At least, angry enough to get very snippy with Will, bless him, which he didn’t deserve: sorry about that, Will!

After all, Will had tried to persuade the new company to get as many of us as possible taken on.

But …

Well …

I can’t help but feel — right here and now — gutted, hacked off, angry …

And feeling incredibly …

Well …

I won’t use the word betrayed, here …

I’ll stick with the phrase ‘let down’, instead.

After all, like many people my age, I come with a history, both good and bad.

The bad bits I’d rather not talk about, unless I absolutely have to to.

But — as a counter to that — the good bits include an ability to cash up a till, do basic banking and an ability to interact with customers that on an bad day, is ok.

And on a good day, is bloody fantastic.

It’s not just me saying that.

Threshers used to operate a Mystery Visitor scheme, as many companies do, to keep tabs on their shops, and to make sure staff are up to par.

For those staff members who got a 100% score in one of these visits, they’d hand out a £500 bonus.

This post is being written with a copy of Safari, on the 2008 model Mac Mini that I got with the £500 bonus I got, for getting that 100% score on the Threshers Mystery Visitor scheme: something I was assured by our area manager that only half a dozen or so people in the area got.

So I — and Threshers and many customers I’ve served over the years — know I’m damn good at my job.

I’m upset, disappointed, and bloody ANGRY that someone won’t employ me and give me a chance to find that out.