Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd June, 2018.

23rd June, 2018

Or, at least … I’ll fall asleep on the train …

Assuming it’s not been replaced by a bus.

Or been delayed.

Usually, the trains from Brentwood to Shenfield — that form the first part of my journey to work — aren’t delay that much.

At least, not by more than a minute or two.

On Monday, though?

We had half an hour’s wait.

Half a bloody hour.

This was compounded … 

By the fact delays, on yesterday’s trip.

A signalling failure.

In Ilford!

Yes, you’re right.

‘Bloody irritated’ isn’t the phrase!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-6-18: Newcomers

22nd June, 2018

Yes: I didn’t spill me tea.

Well … 

Much … !

Nothing a cloth couldn’t solve.

I’m getting old … !

~≈§≈~

Right, while we’re at it … ?   Or about it … ?

I like TV: and will happily admit I’m not a sports fan.

So, normally?

Don’t watch football.

And TEND to ignore tennis, as well.

But … ?

Did notice that the BBC iPlayer will be screening this years Wimbledon championship in glorious 4K.

Via the iPlayer.

Frankly?

Long may that reign.

Again, I’m thinking of the pub game, here: where, in all of the fourteen years I was pulling pints, management’s biggest cost — out side of beer, food and staff? — was TV subscriptions.

Just as an example?   I worked in one pub where the area manager decided to cut cost for the year, and cancel its Sky TV subscription.   We lost half a dozen potential customers that first day: all of whom walked in, asked if we were showing the next big game … 

And walked out, just as quickly, when they found out we couldn’t.

So the fact that the BBC is airing World Cup games, and the upcoming tennis, for free, to anyone with a smart TV, or TV box?

Including pubs?

Is only good.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st June, 2018

21st June, 2018.

Yes: it’s the Summer Solstice.

Or, at least?   It’s the Summer Solstice … if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere!

It’s the middle of winter, of course: if, like regular readers, @BudgetDude and @MrDStrict … ?

You’re south of the equator, and it’s the middle of winter, and the Winter Solstice.

At any rate … ?

I’m knackered … 

Knackered … on the day daylight’s going to be hanging around … 

~≈§≈~

Oh, while I’m here … ?

I mentioned in yesterday’s Teaser that English schools were facing a dilemma.

And gave you my thoughts about it.

The other bit of tech news that caught my eye?

Was the fact one hundred Microsoft staff had written to Satya Nadella, the company’s CEO: protesting about the US government’s use of Microsoft services in the various processing centres that had separated asylum seeking families.

Which looks like it’s over, thankfully: after an international outcry.

My personal thinking … ?

Was sort of mixed.

Had Microsoft withdrawn any services provided to the US government, it would have forced the government to look at alternative software providers: including open source options like LibreOffice, OpenOffice or Thunderbird mail.

Something I’ve believe would be a better — and cheaper — option for a government.

They’d save taxpayer’s money.

It’s a little late for that, now, I think.

Firstly?   The President’s has signed an executive order: that eases up on separating children from their families.

Thankfully.

Secondly?

I’ve had the impression for many years, that most of the IT industry is a touch left wing.

That the makers of most open source software?   Like their colleagues in Microsoft?

Would ALSO have objected.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th June, 2018.

20th June, 2018.

Yes, I’m back at work, today.

And frankly?

I’m thinking I’ve got an extended run: from today until next week.

With no actual day off until next week.

Frankly.

It’s money: so I can’t complain much.

But, BOY, I’ll be looking forward to time off.

~≈§≈~

Something I noticed on the Tech news, yesterday … ?

Was that UK education is having a specific issue.

Recently, the UK’s various education authorities has toughened computer science classes: making them harder to do.

And less appealing to kids.

One reason for the UK’s tech sector doing so well?   Is simply that kids get interested as youngsters.

They certainly did, when I was young.

Most of the coders and IT people my age?   All grew up, as I did, working out how to make a ZX Spectrum — or BBC Micro, or Oric, what have you — go beeeeeeep*^ when you pushed a button.

At ANY rate … I think making the classes harder will be a bad thing, long term.

There’s something else.

I know — as an adult — I did what’s called the European Computer Driving License: a computer literacy course.

I knew most of it.

But wanted the paperwork that said I’d done it … to reassure potential employers that I could sit in an office, use a computer, and not melt down, working out how to switch the thing on.

And have the impression that, until recently, that’s what ‘computer science’ classes focused on.   Making sure people had a basic level of computer literacy: enough to be able to function in today’s modern society.

I think these days?

Using a computer — a tablet, laptop, phone, till, what have you — is on a par with reading and writing, or driving.

A basic skill that makes life a lot easier.

Frankly, these days?

I think compulsory computer literacy glasses would be good.

Leaving the tougher science classes for later.

~≈§≈~

American Horror Story — Series 6: Roanoke — Chapter 9 and Chapter 10.

19th June, 2018.

OK, OK, SUE me … !

I happen to like Jean Michel Jarre.

Or, at least, his earlier stuff: including Equinoxe.

That’s not why I’m here, though … 

There’s possibly a LOT of reasons why I’m here … 

One of them … ?

Is that I’ve just seen the last two episodes of American Horror Story, series 6, Roanoke … 

And yes: that was a good little series … 

~≈§≈~