Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-7-2016

You know, I’ve just had a lot at my phone’s Weather app.

Frankly?

It looks like we’re actually due some sunshine, for once.

Which would be nice.

Personally, though … ?

I’m planning on opening a window.

Getting a bit of airflow could be good.

~≈Ü≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

I’ve woken up this morning to good weather.

And to the news that ARM Holdings — the company that makes so many processors in mobile devices*, and Britain’s biggest technology firm — is to be sold to Japanese company, Softbank.

I’m not convinced it’s a completely good idea.

Part of the reasons I’ve always tried to encourage the use of open source operating system, Ubuntu†?   Is that — in part — the thing is British made.

I feel that encouraging British made technology is a good thing.

Yes, I know the UK needs to encourage foreign investment: and the Japanese company doing the buying intends to keep ARM based in the UK.

But I’m not totally convinced.

~≈Ü≈~

But let‘s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga^ and Debbiº putting in their answers: with both scoring ten out of ten.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) The world’s largest municipal bankruptcy was filed: on 18th July, 2013.   By the government of which US city: Birmingham, Chicago or Detroit?

Q2) The body of Dr David Kelly was found: on 18th July, 2003.   He’d been central to a row between the Government and the BBC: about the use of intelligence in the run up to which war?

Q3) 18th July, 1968, saw the founding of which chip company?

Q4) 18th July, 1848, saw the birth of cricketer, W. G. Grace.   was he an amateur or professional player?

Q5) Finally … 18th July, 1969, saw the death of Mary Jo Kocechne: after the car she was in, crash, near Chappaquiddick Island.   Who was driving the car?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 17th July saw the death of Tsar Nicholas 2nd and his family.   In which year?

A1) 1918.

Q2) During the Revolution in which country?

A2) Russia.

Q3) In which town: Engels, Yekaterinburg or Ostrov?

A3) Yekaterinburg.

§Q4) Name any of the Tsar’s family, killed that day.

A4) The Tsar, himself, his wife, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, also known as Alix of Hesse, the four Grand Duchesses — Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia — and the Crown Prince, Tsarevich Alexei.

Q5) What was the name of Tsar Nicholas’ dynasty?

A5) The House of Romanov.

Q6) The family were executed by Communist revolutionaries known as what: Mensheviks, Bolsheviks or Hetsheviks?

A6) Bolsheviks.

Q7) What was the name of the ‘Mad Monk’ famously associated with the Tsar’s family?

A7) Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin.

Q8) Notorious fakir, Anna Anderson, claimed to be which member of the family?

A8) Anastasia.

Q9) What was the name of the 1971 film about Tsar Nicholas and his family?

A9) Nicholas and Alexandra.

Q10) And finally … In which year was the body of Tsar Nicholas’ son discovered: 2005, 2007 or 2009?

A10) 2007.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace; walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.”

Peace Pilgrim, July 18, 1908 – July 7, 1981.

And this tune … 

Enjoy your day.

*        The company’s energy efficient chips are used as the processors in Apple’s iPhones and iPads: and in many Android tablets and phones.   There’s also a lot of digital cameras  that use themª.

†        I’m a huge fan of Apple productsª.   But I’m very aware that, because of the way software licensing works, I own my computer … but that Apple owns the software I use to operate it.   It’s the same for the Windows based PCs my family, friends and neighbours use.   They own the computer: but Microsoft still owns the software‡.   From what I know?   The terms of Ubuntu’s license — and of other similar open source operating systems — means you own the copy on your computer.

‡        The comparison I’m told worksª?   Is this.   You own your car.   But you’re renting the engine and steering wheel used to power and steer it.   Those are still owned by the car-maker.

^        Oh, an authors meal, Olgaª!   You know, I’ve got a sudden mental image of Ernest Hemingway and Dylan Thomas getting together for a quiet half-pint.   Of vodka!   At any rate, the staff meeting went well: bit quiet though, but there you go!

º        From what I’m told, Debbiª?   The game features what’s called Pokéstops: real world places where you can pick up extra in-app goodies.   One such stop … ?   Is the pub nearest my Mum’s place.   The app, itself, is free.   I think the makers are making money from in-app purchases: and from venues paying to be Pokéstops.

ª        Gosh … what a lot of footnotes …