Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-4-2025 — 2001: A Space Odyssey

3rd April, 2025: 2001: A Space Odyssey.

I’ve got to confess to feeling mightily fecked off!

I had a 4k copy of Aliens turn up, yesterday.

And was looking forward to ripping it: then watching it.

But … ?

Trying to copy it with MakeMKV, seemed to give the app issues: regardless of which optical drive I used.

So … ?

I thought, as dinner was done, I’d eat: and be in a better mood when trying again.

Oh, and while I was at it … ?

I thought, I know: I’ll update my Mac to the latest version of the operating system, and see if that helps.

Which is when it really went pear shaped!

It seems that the current version of macOS — Sequoia 15.4 — is flawed: and has broken MakeMKV.

So badly that the developers behind it are working on emergency updates, to get the app working, again.

I’m fuming: and angry, and annoyed, and very frustrated!

Mostly at Apple!

I’ve public raved about Apple products for year: and they manage to wreck one of the best bits of software going.

I’m also very aware of the irony.

Especially as — going by MakeMKV’s forums — the version on Windows and Linux is working perfectly.

To paragraph a throwaway line in the original The Italian Job?

Get your wheels in line, Apple!

~≈🍏≈~

On other fronts?

The US president has introduced a pile of trade tariffs: in a move he claims will ‘Make America Great, Again.’

I can’t help but think he’s shot America in the foot.

And can’t help but think of one of Margaret Thatcher’s policies: allowing council house tenants to buy their rented homes … 

Which was partially responsible, years later, for a shortage of social housing: as councils didn’t plough the profits from the sales, back into more affordable housing.

I think the president’s started something similar.

~≈🏠≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

The Trailer for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has dropped: making this series look interesting!

I just have one question.

How much did Melissa Navia, Lieutenant Ortegas, to wear that fright wig???????

She and Jess Bush, Nurse Chapel?

It looks like they’re wearing dead tribbles!

~≈💇‍♀️≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum*, Olga†, Debbi‡ and Irene§ putting in their answers: with everyone scoring five out of five.

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

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

Q1)        2001: A Space Odyssey had its US debut on 3rd April.   Of which year of the 1960s?

Q2)        It had its world premiere on the 2nd April of that year.   In a cinema in which US city?

Q3)        Who directed 2001: A Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg or George Lucas?

Q4)        The director co-wrote the film with which writer: Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov or Poul Anderson?

Q5)        The film is based on which of that writer’s short stories: “The Sentinel”, “The Nine Billion Names of God” or “Dog Star”?

Q6)        The film starts on which planet: Venus, Earth, Mars or Tatooine?

Q7)        Keir Dullea appeared in the film.   As whom: Dave Bowman, HAL 9000 or Moonwatcher?

Q8)        Gary Lockwood played Frank Poole in 2001: A Space Odyssey.   He played Gary Mitchell in an episode of what: Star Trek, Dr Who or Lost In Space?

Q9)        Douglas Rain voiced the ship’s computer.   What was that computer called?

Q10)        Finally … ?   The one recurring object in the film is a black what: monolith, pyramid or orb?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        Australia’s first national census took place on 2nd April.   Of which year: 1909, 1911 or 1913?

A1)        1911.  (Strictly speaking it took place at midnight, on 2nd/3rd April.)

Q2)        LexisNexis was publicly launched on 2nd April, 1973.   It allowed a user to do computer assisted what: legal research, gene editing or web searches?

A2)        Legal research.

Q3)        2nd April, 1979, saw a bioweapons lab accidentally released spores that cause what: anthrax, smallpox or pneumonia?

A3)        Anthrax.  (The city this took place in was Sverdlovsk, better known now under its old name, Yekaterinburg: the place saw the death of the last Russian Tsar and his family.)

Q4)        The then pope died on 2nd April, 2005.   Which pope: John Paul 1st, John Paul 2nd or John Paul 3rd?

A4)        John Paul 2nd.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Giacomo Casanova was born on 2nd April of which year: 1723, 1725 or 1727?

A5)        1725.

Here’s a thought …

“I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

The ship’s computer, on receiving an order it won’t obey.

A soundtrack …

And a review … 

The next ten question set will be on 9th April: it’s about Paul Robeson.

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



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!   (It’s about reincarnation!!!)

†        Yep: we all get an occasional brain-freeze, Olga!

        I’ll have to keep an eye peeled for that one, too.   Good or not?   Hollywood’s lost a talent, there: and one happy to keep going, despite a tracheotomy.   (This just floated past me on YouTube: Kilmer got that right …)

        Oh, I got the Twitter message: they put some work in on that, didn’t they … ?   🤣   Remind me to point you at the There I Ruined It channel … !   Their version of “Lose Yourself” is hysterical!

‡        It turns out Johnny Tillotson — of “Poetry in Motion” fame — has died as well, Debbi.   It’s a sad set of days, isn’t it … ?

§        Morning, Irene!   How IS the day … ?