Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd June, 2022

23rd June, 2022.

Yes: it’s Thursday.

Busy Day, Pt 2,  in other words.

Yesterday?   I was due a locksmith: who eventually turned up a lot earlier than I was expecting.

Which was unexpected: but nice.

Going by what the locksmith told me?

The rack of letterboxes are no longer made.

So replacing the things would be difficult.

~≈§≈~

Today, on the other hand?

I’ve got a plumber coming down: in theory, to unblock the drain of my kitchen sink.

Which?   Doesn’t actually seem to be blocked: but was getting upsurging waste water, a couple of weeks ago.

In May.

Upsurging water, with suspicious brown bits, in May.

Today’s the earliest they could send someone out.

You couldn’t make it up, could you?

~≈§≈~

One thing I know isn’t made up?

Is this news piece from The Register: a piece that tells us Microsoft is blocking access the site that lets customers in Russia download copies of Windows.

After stopping sales of the operating system in the country, in March.

I’m assuming that’s a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

I think that’s going to have consequences.

It’ll hit Microsoft’s sales.

Another possible consequence?   ReactOS — an open source clone of Windows — has long been trying to interest the Russian government.

Russia might — might — start looking at that, again: as a possible replacement for Windows*.

Rolling a new operating system out, over a whole country, could be difficult.

It’s not just home users like you or me that would need to replace our systems: it’s all those government departments, as well.

At any rate?   If Microsoft’s blockade goes on for any length of time?

Russia may might have to look at large scale alternatives!

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga†, Mum‡ and Debbi^ putting in their answers: with Debbi scoring five out of five, and Olga and Mum on four.


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

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

Q1)        23rd June is the Grand Duke’s Official Birthday.   The Grand Duke of where: Luxembourg, Lichtenstein or San Marino?

Q2)        The Battle of Bannockburn started: on 23rd June, 1314.   Bannockburn is in which country of the UK: England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

Q3)        The International Olympic Committee was founded on 23rd June, 1894.   At which University: Cambridge, Harvard or the Sorbonne?

Q4)        23rd June is the feast day of Saint Joseph Cafasso.   He’s the patron saint of whom: politicians, prisoners or pirates?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Caesarion, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, was born 23rd June, 47BC.   His mother was Cleopatra.   Who was his father: Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar or Marcus Antonius?

Yesterday’s answers are in today’s video.

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1)        In the UK, 22nd June is Windrush Day.   It marks the start of immigration to the UK, from where: the Commonwealth, the USA or Egypt?
A1)        The Commonwealth: specifically from British colonies in the Caribbean.

Q2)        The first immigrants arrived on the HMT Empire what?
A2)        The HMT Empire Windrush.

Q3)        The ship arrived in the UK on 22nd June, 1948.   At which port: Felixstowe, Tilbury or Llanelli?
A3)        Tilbury.

Q4)        The British Nationality Act 1948 gave these immigrants citizenship of the UK.   It went into law on 1st January of which year: 1947, 1948 or 1949?
A4)        1949.   (As far as I know?   UK laws are named for when Parliament created them: not necessarily when they went into law.   I’m no legal expert, though.)

Q5)        Finally … ?   2017’s Windrush Scandal saw the wrongful deportation of legitimate migrants from the Windrush Generation.   Which British Home Secretary resigned as a result: Theresa May, Amber Rudd or Sajid Javid?
A5)        Amber Rudd.

Here’s a thought …

“I am not very impressed with theological arguments whatever they may be used to support. Such arguments have often been found unsatisfactory in the past.”
Alan Turing, 23 June 1912 – 7 June 1954.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

The quizmaster’s decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        I’ve always believed that people should be able to use whatever operating system they want, and can afford, that governments should look for open source alternatives: as they could be cheaper, long term, than Microsoft.   Having to change systems during a war, though … ?   Could be awkward!

†        You’re right, there, Olga: from what I can tell, Left Hander’s Day is older than Windrush Day.   I think the real scandal, though?   Was the 2018 Windrush Scandal.   The Government tried deporting the families of those who’d been British citizens for generations.   The fact twenty-three of the wrongfully deported died before receiving compensation?   Probably tells you everything.

        I’ll keep my fingers crossed on the dental: say ‘Ola’ to your Mum, and to Carla and the gang!

‡        Hello, Mum!

^        Thankfully?   Dr Who’s only ever been featured on Jim’ll Fix It, once, Debbi.   Colin Baker’s comments are priceless!