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 — 7th October 2025.

7th October, 2025.

It’s officially official: I’ve got a double-ended thingie!

To put it more sensibly?

I’ve got a recently acquired, double-ended, USB stick.

One that has a USB-c port at one end, and a USB-a port at the other.

Which was handy, I felt: it meant I could plug the thing into my Mac mini’s USB-c ports, copy something to it, then give the thing to someone who’s laptop only has USB-a ports.

That way … ?   They can copy it their machine, and not have to worry too much about compatibility.

What I’d totally forgotten?

Was that technology moves.

And that, for several years, mobile phones have come equipped with what’s called USB OTG, USB on-the-go, capabilities.

In other words?

You can also plug a USB OTG capable stick into a mobile phone — or tablet — with a USB-c port, and copy things to and from the phone.

That’s handy.

~≈☎︎≈~

As a quick, extra thought, there?

My phone is an Oppo A40, running a version of Android.

I have to switch on the OTG capabilities by going into Settings>Accessibility & Convenience>OTG Connection.

One of the volunteers at my weight management group was interested in seeing this work.

They have to go through the file explorer on their Android phone.

But with much the same results: it’s show up in the relevant drop down.

As I’ve not had a chance to see it work on an iPhone?

I couldn’t tell you if it works on them.

I’m assuming it does: especially as I know there’s similar, Lightning port equipped sticks that should work with older iPhones.

And that newer iPhones have USB-c ports.

But, as I say, it’s not something I’ve been able to check for myself.

~≈☎︎≈~

As a final thought … ?

I found out that I’ve put on a couple of hundred grams, since last week’s weigh-in.

But?

Am still under one hundred kilos.

That, and finding out something new?

Was welcome.

~≈🙏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th October 2025.

6th October, 2026.

Yes, it’s officially official: I have a cheap USB stick, on that I can wave at passing readers!

These day’s … ?

It’s still handy to have a few of them, around: which is why I’m taking it to my weight management meeting, today.

I’ve been asked for copies of things … 

~≈🥖≈~

There’s talk — inevitably — that more lost episodes of Dr Who have been found.

Or, at least, that lost episodes are in the hands of private collectors: and may be made available to the BBC.

I hope so.

With ninety-seven episodes missing, it would be nice to see complete lost stories found.

Marco Polo, The Mythmakers, and Fury From the Deep would be nice to see.

The third episode of The Web of Fear would be great: the animated replacement is awful.

But … ?

I’d love to see The Daleks’ Master Plan, completed.

Ands The Space Pirates!

Its writer, Robert Holmes?

Was one of TV’s finest.

~≈✍🏻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-10-2025 — “Love Me Do”

5th October, 2025: “Love Me Do”.

It’s officially official: courtesy of the local barbers, I’ve had a haircut!

I’m thankful!

Frankly, I was getting a little bit shaggy.

~≈💈≈~

I’m not one for dancing: or watching people dance.

Or watching dance competitions.

But I’m very aware that Alex Kingston — best known as Dr Who’s River Song — is taking part in this year’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.

And is at the top of the leader board, after last night’s samba.

Well done, her!

~≈💃🏽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-10-2025 — The US Open.

4th October, 2025: the US Open.

Good god, there’s a woman in charge!

Slightly more respectfully?

Bishop Sarah Mullally has been named as the one hundred and sixth Archbishop of Canterbury: the first woman to be appointed to the role.

That’s welcome.

And somewhat unsurprising.

There’s been talk of a female being appointed for many years: but?

The bishop, herself, had some serious leadership roles when she was a nurse.

Much as her predecessor, Justin Welby, was a senior oil executive, and his predecessor, Rowan Williams, was the Archbishop of Wales.

The Church has, again, named someone with high level, organisational skills.

So, to me?

Her being named is no surprise: as she had the needed management skills.

What is also unsurprising?

There’s been complaints about her appointment≤ from more conservative Anglian groups, already.

She also does not support assisted dying: I disagree with her position.

I don’t like the idea, either: but feel it needs to be available, and enshrined in UK law.

She’s going to be installed in March: we’ll have to see happens …

~≈♗≈~

As a quick, other thought … ?

Would you mind hitting the like button on a video?

Or the share button?

Yep: that’s Jude’s newest video … !

~≈🚘≈~