Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th February 2025.

4th February, 2025.

Ah … 

That’s handy … !

I’ve been transcoding a blu-ray copy of 1982 film, Bladerunner.

As you know, I use a mix of MakeMKV and Handbrake to turn a given blue-ray into a digital video I can then stream to my AppleTV 4k.

Software I’ve used to copy the versions of the film on the disc, to my computer, and then transcode.

Whilst I’ve been tinkering?

I’ve discovered that you can tweak the settings in the version of MakeMKV I have, to let VLC play a protected blu-ray, directly.

As all three apps are, effectively, free?

This means I can play optical discs on my computer, at no cost.

Without having to pay for expensive disc playing software, or a blu-ray player.

That’s handy … 

~≈📀≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, Mum† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with Olga and Debbi scoring five out of five, 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)        4th February is World what Day: World Sex Worker Day, World Cancer Day or World Polio Day?

Q2)        According to the United Nations, 4th February is the International Day of which Human ‘F’?

Q3)        4th February, 1968, saw people of Asian origin arrive in Britain.   Having fled which African nation: Uganda, Kenya or South Africa?

Q4)        Vince Furnier was born on 4th February, 1948.   He’s better known, how?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Noodles was born on 4th February, 1963.   He plays guitar for which US band: Blink-182, the Offspring or Green Day?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        3rd February, 1637, saw a collapse in the Dutch sales of what: tulips, edam or wheat beer?

A1)        Tulips.

Q2)          The House of Assembly sat for the first time: on 3rd February, 1639.   Which House of Assembly: Bermuda’s, Barbados’ or Virginia’s?

A2)        Barbados’.

Q3)        The Benelux Economic Union was founded on 3rd February, 1958.   Name any one of the three nations that formed the Union.

A3)        Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg.

Q4)        3rd February is the Feast Day of Saint Blaise.   He’s a patron saint of where: Bradford, Chelmsford or Glasgow?

A4)        Bradford.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Setsubun (節分) is traditionally marked on 3rd February.   Where: India, China or Japan?

A5)        Japan.

Here’s a thought …

“From my upbringing and the Bible I learned people should stand up for rights just as the children of Israel stood up to the Pharaoh.”

Rosa Parks, February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005.

And a stand-up routine …

The next ten question set is on 19th February: it’s about EastEnders.


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



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        You know, that’s a very good point, Olga•!

        Funny old thing: I’ve found this photo of Harpo doing the rounds.   I don’t think it’s the right way around: but I’m reasonably convinced he was left handed …

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        Did I ever mention an old set of Spitting Image sketches, Debbi§: the President’s Brain is Missing series.   It saw President Reagan only behaving rationally when his missing brain was replaced with a peanut.

        Back when the series was revived, during Trump’s first term … ?   Not asking is possibly wise … 

§        Debbi, Olga, I don’t know if the software I mentioned in the intro will be useful … but thought I should point you at it.