Saturday 31 March 2018

The Third Man — A Review :That’s got Tone … 

31st March, 2018.


Yes … 

As I open the text portion, here?   With just the word, ‘yes,’ accompanied but those three little dots that tell you there’s a significant … … pause.

Well, you have to get little Pinteresque, once you’ve turned fifty.

At any rate: I’ve had some time off ill, with what boils down to a trapped facial nerve.

Makes eating cornflakes fun.

At any rate?

Tonights marks a Saturday night where I’m not getting an early night … AND have had some time off.

AND finished a box set: The Man in the High Castle’s second season, if you’re interested.

And … ?

“And?” I hear you say?



And I sat down with a movie: so you know.

Something I’ve been meaning to watch for a while: the Carol Reed film that is … 

The Third Man


~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31st March, 2018

31st March, 2018.


Yep: it’s officially official.

I’ve finished series two of The Man in the High Castle.

I think I’m right: that’s a series that — despite drifting away from the original Dick novel — still has an engrossing story to tell, characters that are well drawn — several times — and a nasty twist at the end.

One that will get one of the show’s protagonists?   Getting nastier.

And frankly?

Means I’m going to looking forward to more.


~≈§≈~

Something els I managed to do?

Is update my Mac!

I’m now using a machine running macOS 10·13·4: which is possibly more information than you wanted.

But?   Frankly, I’d forgotten how (mildly) nerve-wracking a late night update could be.

Will it take?   Will it be TOO big for my drive?   Will a grand’s worth of desktop explode?   Will Chelmsford explode?   Am I going to run out of space?   On an external drive?   Did that man just run past my window, stark naked, waving a trolley?


Was I a bit nervous about it?

You couldn’t tell, could you … ?

~≈§≈~

Friday 30 March 2018

The Man in the High Castle — Series 2 — Episodes 9 and 10: Detonation and Fallout

30th March, 2018.


Yes … 

I think ‘satisfying’ is possibly the word, here.

Can I make a slight confession?

I’m — at the moment — off ill.

A case of Bell’s Palsy: a — temporary, I’m told — trapped facial nerve which makes me look and sound slightly odd.

Which you’s possibly worked out.   Especially if you’ve seen the intro video for this morning’s Daily Teaser, and started wondering if I look like J. W. Pepper … !

At ANY rate: I’m trying to say I’ve had time off.

And time to catch up with both Teaser videos: AND a box set.

As you may also have worked out?

Is that the box set of the month is season two of The Man in the High Castle.

Yes: I think satisfying is the word … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th March, 2018

30th March, 2018.


Yep, it’s official: I look a fright.

A fright that’s all off ill.

Frankly?

I’m … having mixed feelings.

I’m actually getting some help: as the agency that’s placed me where I am has booked up some last minute annual leave.

Which helps.

I’m also feeling … well … either like or at a loose end.

One of the two.

The fact I managed to get a few bits done around the house?

Helped: as did catching up with another episode of The Man in the High Castle.

But … 

I’m at a loose and … and I’m not sure I’m fond of the idea.

~≈§≈~

Thursday 29 March 2018

The Man in the High Castle — Series 2 — Episode 8: Loose Lips

29th March, 2018.


Yes: I’m officially off ill.

Which I don’t like.

The’s job centre doesn’t necessarily cover it: at least … as regular sick pay, it won’t: just pay me extra Universal Credit … toward’s the end of the month.

Which I still don’t like … 

I’m ill.



Which I like even less.

With the bailiffs (metaphorically) banging at the door?

I’m worried … but have at least been able to make arrangements.

Or, at least, start to make arrangements: to get everything in place, and fend off SOME forms of starvation.

Right now?



I’m worried … 

But can’t do much more.

Bar try to relax.

And catch up with a TV I’ve missed …

~≈§≈~



It’s at times like this … ?

That, frankly, I’m grateful I’ve a box set or two, in hand: have sone for some time.

And, as you’re possibly aware?   I’ve been happily catching up with The Man in the High Castle over the past few weeks.

Season two, if you must know.

And yes: episode eight — out of a potential ten — is building to a big climax.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th March, 2018.

29th March, 2018.

The joys of being a Temp worker, eh … ?


Yes: I’ve been I’m officially ill, by my supervisor: and should take time off.

Not something I like, to be frank.   As a temp?   I don’t qualify for Statutory sick pay: so will have to put in at the Job Centre to organise income.   And probably need to see my GP: or, at least, a duty doctor, to arrange a sick note.

AND try and persuade the station to give me my money back on the two remaining train tickets for this week.

Money is the heart of our capitalist system … 

And a worry, at the moment … 

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 28 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th March, 2018

28th March, 2018.


Yes, it’s true: drinking through a straw, at the moment, seems to be a good thing.

I means I don’t dribble.

Well … 

Any more than I would do, normally.

Which seemed to work out well enough.

Until this morning … when I had too much of a mouthful of tea … 

That started dribbling out of my nose.

That’s … 

Well, frankly, it’s simultaneously amazingly dignified … and rather disconcerting.

Yeah … 

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th March, 2018

27th March, 2018.

It’s official … 


Those eyepatches are … bloody stupid … !

Getting to sleep in one?   And getting up in the morning?   With some trace of dignity?

Well, I let you tell me, shall I … ?

At ANY rate … ?

I have something else to worry about: that’s considerable less important than my health.

Has anytime got a copy of a classic Dr Who story called The Creature from the Pit, that I could borrow?

Mine seems to have gone missing, and I was planning to do a rip … ?

Oh, well … 

~≈§≈~

Monday 26 March 2018

The Man in the High Castle — Series 2 — Episode 6 and 7: Kintsugi and Land o’ Smiles

26th March, 2018.


It’s a bit of a … you know … conundrum … !

I am actually missing a series from my otherwise flawless Dr Who collection: and  I don’t know where it’s gone!

The Creature from The Pit, wouldn’t you know?

If anyone’s got a spare copy I could beg borrow, I would LOVE to hear from you!

It’s going to bother me for minutes!

Ahem!

At ANY rate … ?

~≈§≈~

At ANY rate, and as you’d possibly guessed?

I’ve not been without a favourite piece of TV.

Oh, no.

No, tonight?

On my last day off of the week?

I got to do two things.

1).  Check in with my GP.   You HAVE to, after the sort of weekend I’ve had.

And …

2).  Watch more of the second season of The Man in the High Castle.

Because you have to … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th March, 2018.

26th March, 2018.


Yep: it’s official.

If you’ve got facial paralysis of some description?   Eating is either fun, or bloody messy.   I had a bowl of cornflakes, yesterday: most of which ended up by my left foot.

Don’t even ask about French sticks.   I can’t get my mouth open wide enough!

~≈§≈~

As for tablets?

Seriously, I hate missing my alarm in the morning.

It’s a long standing bugaboo.

These days?

I make use of my phone: or my tablet.   Usually just the tablet.

Unless, of course, I — HA! — forget to plug the thing’s charger in, and so, not have an alarm clock.

You have to love a weekend like that … !

~≈§≈~

Sunday 25 March 2018

The Man in the High Castle — Series 2 — Episode 5: Duck and Cover

25th March, 2018.


No, really … 

I have with my normal breakfast — usually a bowl of cornflakes — for something else.

As you might know, if you’ve read this morning’s Daily Teaser, I’ve come down with what’s called Bell’s Palsy: a type of facial paralysis caused by a trapped nerve, after an infection.

One I think I caught, after having a tooth out, a while back.

At any rate?   I’ve a course of steroids to take: and some eyepatches to wear over night: to stop my left eye drying out.

Although I had to buy my own surgical tape to stick them on.

Which possibly says a lot about the hospital, or the mood I was in, when I got this lot.

At any rate?   I’m going to have to try and have a word with my GP, I think.

I think something like that could well be … … 

Useful.

~≈§≈~

There’s something else I meant To tell you, as well.

I mentioned — the last time I wrote about a TV show — that’s I’d been half lucking: when installing popular DVD transcoding, HandBrake onto my new iMac: the current version of the operating system, High Sierra, doesn’t allow you too.

I’ve done a little experimenting: and found a workaround for this.

The original one I found?   Was to install MakeMKV: which will turn the contents of a DVD or bluray into a series of .mkv files: which you can then rip as normal with HandBrake.

The OTHER workaround?

Out there— very much not on Apple’s App Store — is an app called RipIt which can copy a DVD: and store the contents where you want to put them … 

MINUS the copy protection.

The resulting DVD media … ?

Can be transcoded with HandBrake, as per normal.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th March, 2018

25th March, 2018.


No, really, you would NOT believe the day I’ve had at work.

But let me ask you a questions: one I asked Tracey, the co-worker who was sitting next to me,. and later, Patsy, my supervisor.

How’s my face?

Frankly?   What I though — on Friday — was maybe a cold, or blocked nose, something like that, was making the left side of my face go numb.

And making winking my left eye undoable, my voice sound slightly odd … 


And my usually winning smile look a bit … you know … sick … !

Understandably?   And with this sort of poster displayed in the staff room?


Patsy moved like lightning, and got an ambulance: something I know I’m grateful for.

I’m ALSO thankful for Broomfield Hospital wasn’t that clogged up.

And were able to diagnose what was ACTUALLY going on.

Apparently?

I have a condition called Bell’s Palsy: that causes facial paralysis of the sort I’ve got, and is caused by a trapped nerve, linked to a minor virus.

That I’m thinking I may have picked up, a month or two ago: after having a tooth out!

At ANY rate … ?

I’m fine, well … and have steroids to take to help, and eye pads to wear, overnight: to stop my eye drying out.

About the only time I can afford an iPad, I know that!

At any rate … ?

I’m grate both to the hospital, AND to everyone — Patsy, Tracey, Ismayil, Ria, Del, et al — at work that helped!   And, bless her, to Old Peculiar regular and stroke survivor, Debbi — and her partner, Rick — for also clarifying the symptoms.

I’m alive!

Just very aware I sound like Emperor Claudius!

~≈§≈~

Saturday 24 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-3-2018: Shogun


24th March, 2018.

Have a lot at the date, there, would you … ?

2018, right?

That’s the year, yeah?

Well … 


Yeah … WH Smiths, the stationers and newsagent — at least the Brentwood branch — seem on the ball.

I was there, yesterday: as the Brentwood branch is home to Brentwood’s main post office, where I pay most of my bills.

I couldn’t help but notice the huge display of security software: as it was by the main door … 

I ALSO couldn’t help but notice the stickers on those boxes … the one that says ‘2017 Ready.’ 

2017.

I hate to sound picky, but the impression I’ve always had is that — with security software in particular — having the most recent version is important: it’ll catch more nasties, that way.

Selling something that seems to be last year’s model … ?

Seems a little off the ball … 

~≈§≈~

Friday 23 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-3-2018: Let’s Pretend

23rd March, 2018.


No, it’s true: that particular one, Boson X?

Is just a little bit distracting!

No, really.

If you’re not a casual gamer … ?   It’s not going to grab you.

If you DO like the genre?

A game where you have to run and jump could be just the thing.

~≈§≈~

Thursday 22 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd March, 2018

22rd March, 2018.


It’s true …

I seriously want to go back to bed.

But that’s possibly something I’ll have to doing later.

Despite what I may want … ?

Frankly, and if nothing else?

I’m under general doctor’s orders to get my harry rear out of the house: and try and get some exercise.

Not that I go far … but on the upside … ?   I get exercise, AND out of the house … !

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st March, 2018.

21st March,  2018.


Or, at least, they were … when I recorded that video … 

Now … ?

The Today programme’s shifted: to the ongoing controversy about Cambridge Analytica’s use of user data on Facebook.

Quite what I make of that … ?

Well, I don’t know that I make much of it.

Somewhere along the line, I think Analytica’s behaved iffily: as has Facebook’s rules writing department.

But, frankly?

I don’t know about Cambridge Analytica, but the big blue monster that is Facebook?

Is too immediately useful for me to starting thinking about leaving it.

Although, to be honest … ?

I think I’ll keep away from the sort of quizzes that seem to be at the heart of the issue.

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 20 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th March, 2018

20th March, 2018.


I have to admit, I had an … issue … last night: believe it or not, whilst writing up the post about another episode of The Man in the High Castle.

Some of my media files?

Wouldn’t open with the version of QuickTime Player that cam with High Sierra – given me a rather long error code, ‘1718449215.


I had to admit, I got a relatively late night: tinkering around, trying to see what I could do to solve the issue.

And realised that the files causing issues had extra audio tracks — commentary, remixed audio tracks, what-have-you — as opposed to the ones that weren’t causing problems.

Which had just the one.

The simplest fix I found for this?

Is simply to re-rip the file with HandBrake.

~≈§≈~

In other (ish) news?

I’ve now managed to connect the new blu-ray drive I bough to my new iMac.

It works: and happily shows up.

Unfortunately?

I can’t use the current version of HandBrake without using a hack: which, in theory lets me install libdvdcss, the library that lets me get around DVD’s copy protection.

Not, at least, without being asked to a root password in Terminal.

However, there’s a work around, there.

I can still MakeMKV* to turn the contents of a DVD or bluray into .mkv files: which can then be ripped by HandBrake, as usual.

There’s always a way … 

~≈§≈~

Monday 19 March 2018

The Man in the High Castle — Series 2 — Episode 4: Escalation

19th March, 2018.


Which is decidedly odd.

I’ve had most to the relevant files for quite a few years: and some for a lot less time.

All of which have happily shown up on my AppleTV: when they’ve been dragged into whatever my current version of iTunes is.

All I’m getting from them … ?

Is a very strange dialogue: telling there’s an unknown error.

And giving me the error code, 1718449215.


Quite what’s happening there … ?

I really couldn’t tell say.

~≈§≈~

On other fronts … ?

On other fronts, I’m now the proud owner of a new blu-ray drive: now happily hooked up to my new iMac.

Granted, I can’t seemingly get HandBrake to work on DVDs, under High Sierra: despite there being a hack for that.

But I can still use MakeMKV to turn the contents of a DVD into MKV files.

Which can then be converted, as per usual, into mp4 files I can stream straight over to my TV.

~≈§≈~

Actually … ?

I’ll make a confession, here: if I may?

I’ve just done a test rip — with HandBrake —  of one of the problem children in my media library.

Some of them?   Have an extra layer of audio file.

Commentary, mono mix of the show’s audio, what have you.


Re-ripping them, minus that extra audio track?

Seems to help.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s Monday night: a Monday I’ve had off.

And, with all this talk of TV?

You can bet I’ve been watching some, can’t you … ?

You’d be right.

It’s another episode of The Man in the High Castle second season.

Because I’m worth it … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th March, 2018.

19th March, 2018.


Yes, I’m right, aren’t I … ?

‘Lesser Beast from the East’ sounds just a little bit pretentious, doesn’t it … ?

At any rate, I THINK we can say that things seem to be calming — slowly — down.   Or, at least, warming up.

Not that you’d think so, looking out of my window: it’s still a bit … you know … icy … 


~≈§≈~

Can I make a confession?

Today, I’ve used a quote — and a song — from the late comedy magician, Tommy Cooper.

The man, in life, was a huge fan favourite: and, in death, something of a legend.

Actually those of us who remember his death?   Will remember his death was eye-opening, as well.

He died, on stage, of a heart attack, in front of a large theatre audience … and millions ALSO watching the live TV broadcast.

I missed it.

Until doing the basic bits of research needed for today’s Teaser.

The clip of his death?

Is on YouTube.

I don’t don’t know whether to call that sick, bad taste or unpleasant: it’s certainly unpleasant to watch.

This much I DO know.

We — understandably — encourage the likes of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to not post videos showing ISIS beheadings on their platforms: and encourage them to take these down.

The fact Tommy Cooper’s death is still on YouTube as we speak?

Seems sick, bad taste, unpleasant … 

And deeply unwelcome.

~≈§≈~

Sunday 18 March 2018

The Man in the High Castle — Series 2 — Episode 3: Travelers

18th March, 2018.


Yes, I know … the simple fact I can smell cocoa?

Is possibly not something to write home about.

Or a post about.

But … ?

As I know Debbi and her husband, Rick, will know — after their visit, back in the day — I gave up smoking some seven years ago: not long after my nephew, Jude, was born.

So … ?

Being able to smell any thing — tea, cocoa, someone’s perfume, me own rather sweaty armpits* — is sort of amazing.

With the possible exception of the armpits …


~≈§≈~

At ANY rate … ?

Today is, officially?   The day of the Mini/Small/Lesser† beast from the East.

In other words?   A second batch of bad weather: coming in after last week’s Beast From the East.

Frankly?

I stayed indoors for most of it.

Venturing out with the intention of getting some milk from the local shop: but coming home with some washing up liquid, and some incense.   And a lighter: to light the incense.

Sense of smell, remember?

Frankly?   I wanted indoor to smell nice, as well as — ha! — clean.

At ANY rate … ?

I’ve been at home: laundering, making videos, editing metadata on my video library …

And wanting to catch up with something.

More episodes of Series 2 of Man in the High Castle.

It’s intriguing.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th March, 2018

18th March, 2018.


I think we can definitely say I’ve got the day off, today: and tomorrow.

And, while I’d get serious extra pay for doing extra hours — double time, plus work’s recently invented Snow Bonus* — I really don’t like the look of that trip.

Plus?

I’ve got stuff I need to do, here at home.

As I told my boss, yesterday?

“No-one else is going to wash my pants …”

~≈§≈~

Saturday 17 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-3-2018: Saint Patrick’s Day

17th March, 2018.


Yep, it’s official: we officially not being snowed on.


Yet.

Frankly?

I’m surprised about the cold snap: and slightly cynical.

And hoping this doesn’t affect my trip to work.

~≈§≈~

In other news?

In other news, my Amazon package finally turned up.

What’s more?

It finally turned up … when I was to receive it … !

I think I’ve had a refund, as well.   Frankly?   I’m pleasantly surprised.

Now all I have to do, is set the thing up.

~≈§≈~

And finally, in still MORE news …

This chap’s what they call a biohacker: someone who likes the idea of implanting bits of tech into his body.

In his case?   Implanting a chip from an Opal card — the Australian equivalent to London’s Oyster card — into his arm, so he can get around, without forgetting it.

Nice idea, I think.

Except he’s been sued by the relevant transport authorities for not carrying a ticket: despite the fact the thing in his wrist is still accessible to card readers.

Granted, it’s not going to be something everyone’s going to want to do … but still strikes me as a good idea.

Once the ticket inspectors get their heads around it …

~≈§≈~

Friday 16 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March, 2018.

16th March, 2018.


Yep: it’s official: I’m back at work, today.

AND another episode of The Man in the High Castle, last night.

Which is starting to drift away from the original novel, a touch.

Although, to be honest?   I can’t say I’m complaining too much.

I’m very aware that making sure a film stays true to a text is one thing.

After all, most movies don’t go over about two or three hours in length.   There’s less screen time: so more chance of getting everything in the book on screen.

TV shows, though?   Certainly this TV show?   With twenty episode of an hour each, across two seasons so far?

I think that’s a bit more time than most films of the book*!

~≈§≈~

Thursday 15 March 2018

The Man in the High Castle — Series 2 — Episode 2: The Road Less Traveled

15th March, 2018.


OK, OK … I’ll put a shirt on* … 

As long as you never mention the fact I’m at home, on my own … and aren’t expecting visitors!

OK, I’ll confess: today’s been a day off: one I should have had a CT scan on.

But, for various reasons, didn’t.

Mostly, where I didn’t read the relevant letter, informing me of the basic procedure until the last minute.   Only realising, yesterday afternoon, I was supposed to have a blood test, last week: a week before the test.

Kick me, would you?

I try and do it, I’ll miss.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

I had time off.

Time off to do stuff around the house.   Make a few videos … have some tea …

And, just as importantly … ?

Watch more TV.

Yep, you got it: more of The Man in the High Castle second season.

It’s just starting to warm up … 

~≈§≈~

Episode 2 — The Road Less Travelled — shows us Inspector Kids (Joel de la Fuente) investigates the apparent shooting of Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos): apparently shot trying to escape.

In the meantime … ?   The Inspector has a problem.

Frank Frink (Rupert Evans) has seriously impressed the local Yakuza boss.

There’s a price for working for him, though … 

Releasing Ed McCarthy (DJ Qualls) from the Kempetai gaol he’s held in … 

Juliana, meanwhile?   Is having issues.   The films that she’s been show tell her one thing.

That the Empire?

Is going to bomb San Francisco.

Getting out seems to be just the thing.

Finding someone she can trust, like — ooh — double agent and spy, Joe Blake (Luke Kleintank)?

Is going to be tricky …

~≈§≈~

Now, I have to confess that yes: series two of The Man in the High Castle does still seem to be drifting from The original novel.

But?

I’m not sure I’m worried.

We’re getting hints of n interesting story, one headily influxnced by Dick’s book, striving to keep that sense of ambiguous realities, and identities … 

And stilll being an interesting watch.

Personally?

I’m off, again, on Sunday.

I’ll be cueing up more episodes of The Man in the High Castle.






*        I want cocoa.   Cocoadammit!   It’s too cold in here!

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-3-2018: Maine Lining

15th March, 2018.


It’s true: I’ve made a major — or minor — screw up.

I’m due to have a CT scan, today: to check on the blood vessels going into my heart.

Me being the silly twit I am?   And the the kind of man who — like most of us — leaves things right until the last bloody minute?

Including reading the letter that tells me what I need to do, before I have the scan?

Yesterday?   Right at the last minute?   Just before going to work?

I re-read the letter … and realised I should have had a blood test, last week, to make sure my kidney function was ok enough to have the scan!

Whether that means the test can go ahead … ?

I’m blowed if I know.

I’m going to have to make a phone call …

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 14 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th March, 2018.

14th March, 2018.


It’s true: a scientific icon has died.

Professor Stephen Hawking has died: this morning.

Which, as John Humphrys has just pointed out? Is extraordinary, in and of itself.   When he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease back in the 1960s, he was given just two years to live.

The fact he then lived until today, doing valid scientific work?   Says a lot about a man who believed a hideous condition wasn’t going to stop him making contributions.

All the way from working out Hawking radiation — the radiation emitted by black holes — would show black holes exist, to writing A Brief History of Time, that explained arcane scientific ideas, all the way to the seriously silly stuff*.


Frankly?

The world’s lost an icon, today.

We’re richer for his time with us, baffled until he explained things …

And poorer for his death.

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 13 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th March, 2018

13th March, 2018.


Yeah … 

Wondering … 

I have to confess to ordering something on Amazon, on Friday just gone.

A bluray drive, so you know.

Usually?

They’re rather good at dispatching stuff, quickly.

Arrival dates not withstanding, they USUALLY get the package out a day or two ahead of time.

So … ?

The drive I’ve order is due anytime between Wednesday, and Friday.   I’d usually expect to see it, today at the earliest.

None the less … ?

The order tracking page tells me it’s either arriving Friday … or between Wednesday and Friday … 

And hasn’t actually been dispatched, yet … 

Given Amazon’s* hit rate, in delivering to my door … ?

I’m a little concerned … 

~≈§≈~

Monday 12 March 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th March, 2018.

12th March, 2018.


I have to admit, I was never that much of a fan of Ken Dodd.

But?   It’s sad to hear that Britain’s last variety star has gone.

Frankly?

I was never much of a fan of either the man, or the form.

It, and he, never appealed.

I think that’s my lose.

With Dodd’s death?

I’ll no longer have the chance to see what made him special … 

~≈§≈~

Something occurred to me, yesterday.

Money.

I’ve used all sorts of software, over the years.

And, where appropriate?   I’ve used free, open source, software as a mainstay.

Firefox gets updated well past other browsers, from what I’ve seen.

Media player, vlc?   Can handle everything that’s thrown at it.

Then there’s things like OpenOffice.org, and its various spin-offs: LibreOffice and NeoOffice are the two I’ve used.

They can handle most Microsoft Office files.

I’ve also heard the argument many give me: that they need Word, Excel or PowerPoint for work.

But have pick up the impression that actually, we don’t.

We just need something that can open and save as, Word, Excel or PowerPoint files.

With that in mind, I actually went and had at Microsoft’s website for MS Office: just to check up their prices.

It’s £59·99 to £79·99 for a years worth of Office 365 subscription: compared to something like GoogleDocs, for free!   (Which, strictly, isn’t an app: nor, necessarily, open source.)

Microsoft also charge £119·99 for the downloadable Office app: compared to LibreOffice or OpenOffice: capable of doing the same jobs … for free.

Just as an extra question, today, especially for those readers who’ve never come across the idea of legitimate, free of charge, software?

How much do you want to pay?

~≈§≈~