Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2025 — Solzhenitsyn Gets a Gong

8th October, 2025: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

It’s officially official: it’s now Wednesday!

And … ?

My calendar is clear of any events.

Which is nice.

But … ?

I have a nagging feeling I’m supposed to be doing something.

Why … ?

I don’t know.

If I DID … ?

I’d possibly win a prize … 

~≈🏆≈~

I had a thing float across my timeline: a piece from the Manchester Evening News, that tells us the Government has responded to the Digital ID petition.

Which we knew about.

But … ?

Seeing the article reminded me to at least check the petition, again.

The site tells us that Parliament has to debate the issue: although it hasn’t said when.

Here’s hoping a date gets named, soon!

~≈🌴≈~

I’m no computer expert.

I have some lay knowledge: but am seriously no expert.

Although a piece about Windows 11 has caught my eye.

Microsoft has been encouraging people to upgrade to Windows 11, since its release in 2021.

And has cause a lot of discussion.

Partially?   Because the new operating system needs a specific security chip: a chip that older machines — one that could otherwise meet Windows 11’s requirements — don’t have.

But also because you — notionally — have to create a Microsoft account, and have an internet connection.

The MS account is Microsoft’s equivalent to the Apple Account on Macs and iOS devices, and to Google’s online account: but covering a wider range of services, and seemingly, giving users less option to disable things.

The account, until recently, can be circumvented: and a local account*, created.

The article I read, yesterday?

Told me Microsoft have now closed the loopholes.

You can’t, now, create a local account.

You must have an online Microsoft Account, and must have an internet connection.

I’m in two minds about this.

Yes: I can understand the insistence on a permanent, internet connection.

It’s useful, even if it’s just for getting updates for a computer, or installing the odd game.

But I’m also aware that there’s a lot you can do without one: even if it’s just watch videos you’ve — um — borrowed from a friend.

Or filling in offline paperwork that you can then upload, else where.

That connection’s a big convenience, but not mandatory.

But a permanent, online account?

That’s strikes me as bad: leaving a user open to tracking.

It makes the machine less useable for those who aren’t online, indoors.

And … ?

It offers less choice.

~≈💻≈~

Let’s move on.


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



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

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

Q1)        Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize on 8th October.   8th October of which year of the 1970s?

Q2)        Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize on 8th October.   The Nobel Prize for what?

Q3)        In 1998, Solzhenitsyn turned downed the Order of Saint Andrew.   The Order of Saint Andrew was the highest award given by which country?

Q4)        He was awarded the Lomonosov Gold Medal in which year of the 1990s?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Solzhenitsyn was the Templeton Prize in 1983.   Who — in 1973 — was the first winner of the prize?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        Saint Osgyth’s day is on 7th October.   Saint Osgyth is a cephalophor. In other words, she’s traditionally depicted, carrying her own what: leg, arm or head?

A1)        Head.   (The village of St. Osyth is named after her.)

Q2)        The treaty that created the Dual Alliance was signed on 7th October, 1879.   The Alliance was an alliance between the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and where: Germany, France or the UK … ?

A2)        Germany.

Q3)        Cissy Houston died on 7th October, 2024.   She died some twelve years after her famous daughter.   Who was her daughter.

A3)        Whitney Houston.

Q4)        7th October is International what Day: International Banana Day, International Hedgehog Day or International Cotton Day?

A4)        International Cotton Day.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Cricketer, Jack Russell, was born on 7th October, 1887.   Was the Jack Russell Terrier named after him?

A5)        No.   The terriers were named Parson Jack Russell.

Here’s a thought …

“One should never direct people towards happiness, because happiness too is an idol of the market-place.”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

An speech, given years after the fact …

And a scene with Alexei Sayle …

The next ten question set is on 24th October: it’s about Zambia

Your comments will be published, tomorrow morning.

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

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        From the little I’ve seen on the Macs I’ve had over the years, a ‘local account’ is the default one on the Mac.   You only need an Apple account if you’re planning to buy things through the Music, TV, Book, and Podcast apps, or use iCloud.   It’s also a requirement for using an iOS device.   Let me stress, again: the account, and a ’net connection, are useful, rather than mandatory on the Mac.   Nor, from what I’ve seen of the few Linux distros I’ve used, is an online account needed on them.

        I’m enough of a Mac fanboy to welcome their sales increasing as a result of this.   But also recognise that ChromeBooks and Linux machines are also good alternatives.

†        SanDisk have got a good reputation, Olga: they were one of the companies that introduced the SD card, as well.   They’re equally as handy: and be just as handy, at Christmas.   Either way, the sticks I’ve got set to work well with my phone’s onboard software.   But having the audio files on an mp3 player would work just as well …

‡        Hello, Mum!

§        Well, that’s a relief, Debbi!   It must have been frustrating!   I’m blaming Cisco!

        Did I mention my sister, Anna, has an iPhone, Debbi?   Anna’s got an iPhone, Debbi.   The iPhone 14 versions of the double-ended stick I mentioned yesterday, cost!