Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-2-2017

Hmmm … 

You know I try and keep my eyes on the technology news, don’t you?

And I’m someone with an Apple TV, and no DVD player.   So I follow the news about streaming boxes with interest.

Especially about Kodi boxes.

Just so you know, a Kodi* box is a media streaming box: one that usually runs a version of Android: and usually runs Kodi as the default media player/manager software.

Kodi, like a lot os open source software?   Can be modified: with add-ons.   Mostly ones that let you play some of the odder file types, or play games: what have you.

SOME of which can let you access paid for contact — Netflix or Amazon Prime, say, or subscriber sports channels — for free.

Most of us could add these to a Kodi box: but would probably find it just a little too fiddley.

However, someone sellers?   Sell what are known as fully-loaded Kodi boxes: ones with the dodgier add ons already installed.

Some of those sellers?   Were raided by various northern police forces, yesterday: working with the trade-body the tries to prevent copy-right violations.

Personally?   I’m a little concerned.

Not so much by the raid: nor by the fact people are buying stuff that let’s them break the law.

I think copyright piracy is going to happen in many different ways.   And where we were talking about peer to peer sharing, a few months ago, and Kodi boxes, now, we’re going to be talking about something else, in a year or so’s time.

What worries me, between the raid, and the court case?

Is how this affects add-ons.

Frankly?   I know many bits of software — open or closed source, free or otherwise — relies on add-ons.   You’re probably using an ad-blocker and a Flash player in your web-browser, am very aware some media players use add-ons to play some of the odder file types, and know there’s a lot of add-ons for Microsoft Office.

My concern is this.

I’m not worried about copy-right theft: the raids and court case won’t stop that, nor stop companies working to prevent it.

I’m concerned how this will after the legal use and development of add-ons.

I like Ad-block Plus.   I’d rather not lose it and others, in a botched attempt to ban the ones that let you watch football for free.

~≈↑≈~

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) Halley’s comet made its last appearance in the inner Solar System: on 9th February of which year?

Q2) When had it previously appeared: 1909, 1910 or 1911?

Q3) 9th February, 1979, saw Trevor Francis became Britain’s first footballer to be transferred for one million pounds.   When he joined which club?

Q4) A new Roman Republic was declared: on 9th February, 1849.   It was the first republic on the planet to abolish what: slavery, capital punishment or smoking in public?

Q5) Finally … A new nuclear reactor was opened in Dounreay: on 9th, 1966.   Reactor, and region, are in which country of the UK?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) Jules Verne was born on 8th February: of which year?

A1) 1828.

Q2) Which country was he from: Switzerland, France or Canada?

A2) France.

Q3) Around the World in Eighty Days was written by Verne.   Who was the central character?

A3) Phileas Fogg.

Q4) Verne’s publishers released Journey to the Centre of the Earth in which year of the 1860s?

A4) 1864.

Q5) Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was made into a movie with James Mason.   In which year was that movie released?

A5) 1954.

Q6) Finally … Verne is regarded as one of the fathers of science fiction.   Along side H. G. Wells: and which Hugo?

A6) Hugo Gernsbeck.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Why should I go to dull parties and say dull things just because I wear greasepaint and make love to beautiful women on the screen?”

Ronald Colman, 9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958.

And this tune … 

Have a good day.

*        The software is available for the Apple TV.   Personally, it’s not something I’d choose to install: the installation process is too much effort in order to get functionality I already have.

†        Good LORD!   Macy sounds incredibly prolific, Olga!   The surprise is that I really HAVE missed him!   I really have to catch up, don’t I?   (Once I’ve finished series one of Mr Robot.   Episode four got me boggling!)

‡        I don’t think Trevor‘s pouting, Debbi.   Play fair: I think he’s flounced!   (Whenever I think of the phrase, midnight at the Rue Jules Verne, I keep hearing it to the tune of Midnight at the Lost and Found.)