Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July 2026

2nd July, 2026.

Right, then: it’s Thursday!

And I’ve literally rolled out of bed, this morning.

Rolled out of bed … and hit the carpet with a certain amount of screaming, pain … and swearing.

Well … you would, wouldn’t you?

~≈🍁≈~

I’ve mentioned that Rockstar Games next big release in the Grand Theft Auto series — GTA6 — is to not be released on optical disc.

You can buy a boxed version: but it’ll only contain a download key.

In a follow-up piece, published yesterday?

Sonny announced that they would no longer be producing games on disc: that they, too, will be issuing downloadable version … 

Or ‘physical’ copies that consist of download codes in a box.

I’m … 

Well … I’d imagine that decision will disappoint a few people.

One advantage to physical discs is the simple ability to re-sell them, when a player’s done with them.

It’s a good way of off-setting some of the cost of the game.

Another advantage?

Is if the game’s producers take the online version, off-line.

A gamer still has the physical copy.

I think this decision is a shame: ads there’s pros and cons to both formats.

I’m not surprised by it, though.

One of the first modern computers I owned, shipped with a copy of Ubuntu OS: one that shipped with an early form of app store.

Useful, given that you couldn’t buy Linux software in the shops.

But … ?

At the time, I felt that App Store, that download-only model, was the shape of things to come.

Given how that model has spread since then?

Sony’s decision may be disappointing: but really isn’t surprising.

~≈🛜≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July 2025.

2nd July, 2025.

Right … it’s officially official.

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year, so far.

By contrast?

And thankfully?

Today is roughly ten degrees cooler.

And we have rain!

Granted, I’ll be getting wet, when I co out.

But?

I’m not going to boil … !

~≈🌧️≈~

Did I mention I’ve caught the first couple of episodes of Max Headroom?

The US science fiction show, rather than the UK music show that introduced the character.

I’m possibly going to keep watching it: just so I can say I’ve seen it.

But?

It may have been exciting at the time.

But the cyberpunk effort — filtered through a Miami Vice feel, bad soap acting and a retro-VHS look that should have been cleaned up before its DVD release — is … 

Well, it’s not necessarily stunning.

If nothing else, though … ?

Matt Frewer as Edison Carter/Max, is good.

And Max, himself, is as subversive as ever: especially in his outros at the end of the episodes … 

Those make the thing worth watching … !

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July, 2024.

2nd July, 2024.

Right then: it’s officially Tuesday!

Which is going to be nice and quiet, I think.

At least I hope so: I’d like to get some quizzes written.

~≈∏≈~

Or possibly watch some TV.

If I did want to … ?

There’s a very good possibility that a new channel — station? service? — will show up on my AppleTV at some point.

As Rupert Murdoch’s Fox company is planning is planning to introduce its ad supported Tubi service.

I think it’s a crowded market … but that’s never stopped people, before!

~≈∏≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve an earworm, this morning.

Syd Dale’s “Marching There and Back”, best remembered as the theme tune to an old quiz show called Screen Test.

I have fond memories of Screen Test.

There were times the only way you’d see the first two Dalek stories — The Daleks or Dalek Invasion Of Earth — was if the BBC aired the film versions on a Saturday morning.

Or, more commonly?

If Screen Test used a famous clip in one of its quizzes!

That was exciting stuff!

~≈∏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July, 2023.

2nd July, 2023.

Hmmm … 

You’ve possibly realised I’m on Twitter: as well as Facebook, Mastodon, and Instagram.

So I tend to follow the news about it.

Hearing, last night, that Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, had decided to limit users ability to read posts.

To 600 posts, for a standard user, and 6000 for a verified one.

That got modified, a few hours later: to 1000 and 10, 000, respectively.

Musk says “We were getting data pillaged so much that it was degrading service for normal users.”

Quite what that meant, I don’t know.

But others have suggested he’s trying to turn Twitter into a subscription service: and that this is the beginnings of the process.

I’m cynical enough to agree with them!

~≈€≈~

Just in case you’re wondering … ?

Yes: I have seen another episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds: episode three, “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”.

I’ll tell you what: that’s one formidable piece of work!

~≈€≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July, 2022.

2nd July, 2022.

OK … have I used too many versions of the word, ‘official,’ there?

At any rate … ?

The washing machine is now fixed: at no charge, as it was still — just! — under warranty.

What went wrong?

Apparently, there’d been a power surge, somewhere along the line.

A power surge that interfered with the control board*: so all he had to do was reprogram it.

Through a panel at the back of the machine!

It took him about half an hour, from start to finish.

I’m thankful: both the it was quick, and didn’t cost me anything.

Quite what I’d’ve done if it had been out of warranty?

And had to pay?

I don’t know.

~≈🧺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July, 2021.

2nd July, 2021.

Did I mention I like a good read?

I like a good read, every so often.

And, last night?   Managed to start Isaac Asimov’s Foundation.

Something I’ve been meaning to read for a while: especially given that AppleTV+ is due to start airing its version of the story in September.

Three very short and well written chapters in … ?

I’m impressed.

~≈📕≈~

Of course, when one book is started … ?   Another is finished.

The one I finished was Hallie Rubenhold’s The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper.

Something that takes looks at the lives of Mary Anne Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly: the victims of the Ripper, rather than the ripper, himself.

Can I suggest you have a look at this particular book?

It’s focus on the victims reminds us of one thing.

In Rubenhold’s own words?

‘In order to gawp at and examine this miracle of malevolence we have figuratively stepped over the bodies of those he murdered, and, in some cases, stopped to kick them as we walked past.’

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper, Hallie Rubenhold.

~≈📕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-7-2020: Two’s Company

2nd July, 2020.

Argh!

I hate it, when I get an earworm, first thing in the morning … 

Especially when it’s Bad Lip Reading at their oddest … !

Oy!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July, 2019.

2nd July, 2019.

Yes, it’s officially official.

I’ve just had a haircut.

Which is  … 

OK, possibly not something that’s life-saving, Brexit preventing, or running around with its knickers in the air, yelling “Hello, I am Paul’s latest haircut.”

But … ?

I fell less shaggy.

That’s a good thing.

~≈§≈~

Did you read this article on the BBC’s website?

It seems the European Union has negotiated a trade: one that’s favourable to both sides.

But taken twenty years to negotiate.

Frankly?

This is where leaving the EU’s strike’s me as blatantly stupid.

There’s many who confidently say we’d be able to negotiate deals that are just as good.

Maybe

And yet?

All I can do is look at the fact deal took two decades to finalise.

Walking away from one that’s ready to go, from one that’s up and running, to make our own — one that could well take another two decades to sort out — seems as stupid as ever … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-7-2017

No: I haven’t, before you say anything!

I’ve not seen this week’s episode of Dr Who, yet.

Don’t say a word!

I’d rather not have any spoilers, thank you!

The nearest I’ve got to it?

Is listening to this weeks charity appeal on radio 4.

Hosted, this week, by Peter Capaldi, in aid of the children’s charity, Coram.

Sounds like it’s a good cause.

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-7-2016

Thank GODS for that … 

I actually managed to get through a very long shift, yesterday — a total of nine and a half hours — without my guts kicking off!

Which surprised me, I know that much … !

The one thing that DIDN’T … ?

Was the fact I felt completely knackered at the end of it.

And definitely a bit … you know … 

Grouchy … !

~≈†≈~

At any rate, one piece of news caught my attention, yesterday.

We’ve got a charity sweepstakes on the go, at work.

Basically, if you pick the winning team at this years Euro2016 tournament?

You get a prize.

I don’t who’s going to win: I’m no kind of football fan.

I do know I’ve got Wales.

Who are doing rather well … 

Be nice if they got to the final … 

~≈†≈~