Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-8-2016

You know, I’m not an expert: but I’m someone who follows the news.

I’m also someone who follows the Technology news: as far far as possible.

I’m ALSO a man aware of the open source movement.   A movement that makes software you and I can freely examine and change: and, in the case of the better known examples, makes them available to the home user, at no commercial charge.

The better known examples?   Include browser like Firefox, media player, vlc, and productivity suites like OpenOffice and LibreOffice.

I’m ALSO aware there’s open source operating systems: usually based on the Linux kernel.   I’ve used Ubuntu occasionally, but am aware there’s others around.

So, when I saw this piece on the BBC’s news site, yesterday, about an London Assembly member’s efforts to get the Metropolitan Police to upgrade their desktops … from Windows XP?

Basically?   I wrote to the Assembly member concerned, Andrew Boff, to see if he would suggest a Linux-based system to the Met, instead of — or in conjunction with — versions of Windows 10.

Lord knows what will happen, there.   But hopefully?

I’ll get as reply, at least.

~≈®≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with both scoring six out of six.

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

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

Q1) 10th August is International Biodiesel Day.   The day celebrates diesel fuel made from what type of oil: animal, mineral or vegetable?

Q2) The world’s largest museum opened on 10th August, 1793.   Which Parisian museum are we talking about?

Q3) Similarly … 10th August, 1846, saw the US Congress charter which Institute?

Q4) Missouri was admitted to the USA: on 10th August, 1821.   What’s the capital of Missouri?

Q5) Finally … the Magellan probe arrived at Venus: on 10th August, 1990.   What planet is nearer the Sun: Venus or Earth?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 9th August, 1968, saw the birth of actress, Gillian Anderson.   In which series does she play Dr Bedelia Du Maurier?

A1) Hannibal.

Q2) 9th August, 1930, saw the debut of Dizzy Dishes.   Which cartoon character made their debut in it?

A2) Betty Boop.

Q3) Internment — without trial — was introduced in which part of the UK, on 9th August, 1971: England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland?

A3) Northern Ireland.

Q4) Japanese occupied Manchuria was invaded: on 9th August, 1945.   By forces from Communist where?

A4) Russia.

Q5) More to the point, Manchuria was the Japanese occupied part of where?

A5) China.

Q6) Finally … 9th August, 1877, saw the art of the Battle of the Big Hole.   A battle between the US Army: and which tribe of Native Americans?

A6) The Nez Perce.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“The design of each element should be thought out in order to be easy to make and easy to repair.”

Leo Fender, August 10, 1909 – March 21, 1991.

And this tune from Jimmy Dean: as it’s his birthday … 

And THIS tune … for no other reason than I’m listening to it … 

Have a nice day.   (And if we can avoid Bobby Maggot?   MIGHT be an idea …)

*        Yes, I’d heard about the Casinos, Olga.   Apparently, what happened was that some bright spark on a New England reservation realised that the Reservations weren’t subject to federal gambling taxes … and could make comparatively bigger profits than casinos in Nevada … and started wondering why they hadn’t opened one.   There’s possibly a bad taste joke about scalping, somewhere … 

†        I’m probably going to have to sit down with it, again, Debbi: it’s a fascinating piece.   One thing that tickled me, though?   Was when Edward Snowden put a towel on his head: to conceal what he was typing on his laptop.   The look on the journalist’s faces?   Was ALSO on mine for a minute!   (Yep: I’d like to see the new one.   And there’s lord knows how many Peel Sessions: Bowie, The Specials, Mott the Hopple, AC/DC, Adam and the Ants, Bolan … BLOODY HELL!   LONNIE DONEGAN DID ONE!)