The Daily Teaser — 21-08-2012

You know, I’ve got to be frank, it’s handy following Stephen Fry on Twitter, it really is!

He’s flagged up this little article from Scientific American, by David Pogue*.

Who argues that Hollywood’s encouraging online piracy by not allowing online vendors — iTunes, Netflix, LoveFilm, whoever — to rent out films at a cheaper price — and for three days, rather than 1.

Can’t say I disagree.

I know that iTunes movie rental prices are eye-popping, at times: especially when you’re on a budget.

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

Before I go into rant mode.

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with mentioning she could do with a curryº, also bagging 5 out of 6.

Let’s see  how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 21st August, 2017 will see a Solar Eclipse: on which day of the week  … ?

Q2) 21st August, 1968, saw a Soviet clampdown on Czechoslovakia: name any of those five (then) invading countries.

Q3) More to the point, name either of Czechoslovakia’s two successor states …

Q4) 21st August, 1969, saw Michael Dennis Rohan attempt to burn down the Al-Aqsa Mosque: Al-Aqsa translates into English as what … ?

Q5) And finally … 21st August, 1991, saw which Baltic state declare its independence … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 20th August, 1926, saw the founding of Japan’s public broadcaster, the NHK: what does NHK stand for … ?

A1) Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai.

Q2) More to the point, what’s the English translation of that company’s name … ?

A2) Japan Broadcasting Corporation.

Q3) 20th August, 1920, saw American Football’s NFL established: what does NFL stand for … ?

A3) National Football League.

Q4) More to the point, how many teams were in the NFL, in that first year … ?

A4) 16.

Q5) 20th August, 1975, saw NASA launch the Viking 1 probe at Mars: what’s the name of NASA’s recently landed Mars rover … ?

A5) Curiosity.

Q6) And finally … 20th August, 1960, saw which country break away from the Mali Federation … ?

A6) Senegal.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Sergey Brin: the Google co-founder celebrates his birthday, today.

“Technology is an inherent democratizer. Because of the evolution of hardware and software, you’re able to scale up almost anything. It means that in our lifetime everyone may have tools of equal power.”   Sergey Brin born August 21, 1973

And with this tune from The Clash, in memory of the late Joe Strummer … 

*        He of Missing Manual fame.

º        How about a Chinese, Debbi … ?   Or a pizza … !   (Actually, Debbi, it’s when I suggest Martian cuisine we know we’re in trouble … !)