The Present's Tale: In Brentwood Library ...

7th March, 2020.

OK ...this is possibly getting to be a habit.   Possibly.

I've started a post, without an introductory video.

Debatably, a good thing: if you're not used to my ugly mug.

At any rate?

I've recently been given a cheap, refurbished, laptop.   A Lenovo Thinkpad T-400, so you know.

One I've installed a version of Ubuntu Mate on: as a replacement for the version of Windows Seven the sellers had installed by default.

The installation, I should add?   Was done on Thursday.

I had intended to do that from a version of the installer I'd managed -- after a lot of coaxing -- onto a US?B stick.

One that this laptop wouldn't recognise.

So I eventually installed from a DVD.

The process was fairly easy, and took a lot less time than I remember earlier installations doing.

Bar the odd quirk -- there's one important password that needs resetting -- it's running well.

~≈¥≈~

Tablet

Just as a quick thought?

Right now, I’m in Brentwood Library; tapping away on a post on a cheap Android tablet.

Something I’ve picked relatively cheaply.

Yes, I’d rather have an iPad.

But I’m portable, so not complaining.

The Friday Question Set — 9-8-2013

Well, THAT’S something … !

I have to admit, I’ve just been into Brentwood Library, today — as much for a wander around, as much as anything else — and found out a couple of things.

For starters … ?

For starters, the printers still aren’t working.

At least, still haven’t been made to work: whoever’s in charge of these things, over at at Essex County Council’s IT department, still hasn’t updated the drivers, or bought replacements.

On the upside … ?

On the upside, I managed to find the assorted Control Panels that let me set the mouse to left hand use.

Something that’s only been doable on the library’s computers with these updated ones.

Well … I thought it was good … 

~≈$≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, today is Friday.

Which means, of course, that it’s time for the Friday Question Set: covered by the usual Creative Commons License* … 

Online 214

Round 1: General Knowledge.

Q1) What was the first ever credit card: Diners Club, American Express or Barclaycard?

A1) Diners Club.

Q2) Digitalis is made from which plant … ?

A2) Foxglove.

Q3) Allen Stuart Konigsberg is better known as which director, and comedian?

A3) Woody Allen.

Q4) What was the first country in the world to have a TV service?

A4) Great Britain.

Q5) True or False. Peladophobia is a genuine phobia.

A5) True. (It’s a fear of bald people.)

Q6) Which London landmark is seen at the start of ITV’s News At Ten?

A6) Big Ben.

Q7) Prince Michael Of Moldavia was a character in which American soap? 

A7) Dynasty.

Q8) Which city is closer to the sea, London or New York?

A8) New York.

Q9) Who predicted that everybody would be famous for 15 minutes?

A9) Andy Warhol.

Q10) Who was the outgoing president, when George Bush Senior, took office?

A10) Ronald Reagan.

Round 2: Crime & Punishment.

Q11) Jack the Ripper operated in which city?

A11) London.

Q12) How many women did he kill?

A12) 5.

Q13) What is the name of the Japanese equivalent of the Mafia?

A13) The Yakuza.

Q14) For what crime was Al Capone eventually arrested?

A14) Tax Evasion.

Q15) What American island prison closed in 1963?

A15) Alcatraz.

Q16) Which of the Kray twins was the 1st to die?

A16) Ronnie.

Q17) Andre Chikatilo was the 1st Soviet example of what?

A17) Serial killer.

Q18) Who did James Earl Ray assassinate during the 60s: Martin Luther King, John F> Kennady or Robert Kennady?

A18) The Reverend Martin Luther King.

Q19) Auburn Prison, in New York, held the 1st execution by what: hanging, electrocution or lethal injection?

A19) Death by Electrocution.

Q20) During the 17th century, what did Colonel Blood try to steal? 

A20) The Crown Jewels.

Round 3: On the Map.

Q21) Which Australasian capital shares its name with a duke, and a boot?

A21) Wellington, New Zealand.

Q22) One of the rivers flowing through Germany, is the dirtiest in Europe.   Which is it?

A22) The Rhine.

Q23) Where would you be, if you were in Nihon?

A23) Japan.

Q24) What motorway goes past Stoke On Trent?

A24) The M6.

Q25) The Home counties surround which European city?

A25) London.

Q26) According to the old rhyme Long legged Italy kicked what into the Mediterranean?

A26) Sicily.

Q27) Which republic lies to the northwest of the UK?

A27) Iceland.

Q28) In which city is the world’s largest church?

A28) Rome.

Q29) Whose official residence is the Elysee Palace?

A29) The President of France.

Q30) Malta is the island HQ of the Knights of who?

A30) The Knights of Saint John.

Round 4: Music and Lights.

Q31) Naomi MacLean Daley is the real name of which British singer?

A31) Ms Dynamitey.

Q32) Which David has charted with both Mick Jagger, & Bing Crosby?

A32) David Bowie.

Q33) The Show, Wasted, and Biology have been hits for which girl group?

A33) Girls Aloud.

Q34) Which US rapper had a hit with Get Ur Freak On?

A34) Missy Elliot.

Q35) Eminem sampled which Dido song, for his hit, Stan?

A35) Thank You.

Q36) Who did Robbie Williams duet with, on Somethin’ Stupid?

A36) Nicole Kidman.

Q37) In which decade were the UK charts first compiled?

A37) The 1950s.

Q38) I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing was the first British UK hit for which rock band?

A38) Aerosmith.

Q39) Which girl band’s first UK hit was called Independent Women (Part 1)? 

A39) Destiny’s Child.

Q40) Who were the first Dutch act to have a UK № 1?

A40) Pussycat: with Missisippi.

Round 5: This Sporting Life.

Q41) What Spanish pastime is known as Corrida de Toros?

A41) Bull Fighting.

Q42) Which classic Sinatra song did Geoff Boycott choose, on Desert Island Discs?

A42) My Way.

Q43) Mike Tyson was suspended from boxing for biting off whose ear?

A43) Evander Holyfield’s.

Q44) Which jockey was once gaoled for tax evasion?

A44) Lester Piggott.

Q45) What would you be riding in a velodrome?

A45) A bicycle.

Q46) Exactly how does Dennis Bergkamp refuse to travel?

A46) By air. (Accept by plane.)

Q47) Phillipides was the first man to run what kind of race?

A47) A marathon.

Q48) Which sport feature a discipline called Foil?

A48) Fencing.

Q49) Mike Denness was the first Scotsman to do what?

A49) Be the England Cricket captain.

Q50) What is the name of Hole 8, at Troon?

A50) The Postage Stamp.

Round 6: General Ignorance.

Q51) Who co-wrote Do They Know it’s Christmas, with Bob Geldof?

A51) Midge Ure.

Q52) In cooking, if something is described as being Florentine, what has it been garnished with?

A52) Spinach.

Q53) Which major battle took place between July and November, of 1916?

A53) The Battle of the Somme. (Accept The Somme.)

Q54) Which cartoon character has a little buddy, called Boo Boo?

A54) Yogi Bear.

Q55) What are the two colours of a standard Blue Peter badge?

A55) Blue and White.

Q56) Who duetted with Jennifer Warnes, on Up Where We Belong?

A56) Joe Cocker.

Q57) Which team won the 2010 World Cup … ?

A57) Spain.

Q58) Which newspaper used to be called the Daily Universal Register?

A58) The Times.

Q59) Which Archbishop traditionally signs himself as Ebor?

A59) The Archbishop of York.   (The current incumbent, Archbishop John Sentamu, is a bit radical)

Q60) What government department is known as the MoD?

A60) The Ministry of Defence.

Enjoy those: I hope they help … !

*        If you’re new, all it means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   A link back to the site would be appreciated.

Forms And Printers.

It has to be said.

Really.

That, in amongst Brentwood Library's shiny new bits of fabbo - yeah, sure - kit, they's something they've not had updated.

Their new computers are far more usable than the old Dells they did have: even if they're not running the most recent version of Windozes or Ubuntu.

The problem they have ... ?

Is that Essex County Council's IT department hasn't - yet - managed to update Brentwood Library's printers: or, at least, their printer drivers.

It's not THAT inconvenient.

I could, after all, get the relevant form from Brentwood Job Centre.

It IS, though, a bit of a pain.

Especially as - from the little I know - Brentwood Library's the only place in town many of us can get any sort of printing done, at a (halfway) reasonable cost.

Updated Librarians ...

Yes, I know, I know: I'm using a Windoze based PC for this post.

But play fair: I AM, if nothing else, listening to some seriously intent Muddy Waters on the iPod: 'Got My Mojo Working,' if you must know.

At ANY rate ... ?

At any rate, I thought I should let you know that Brentwood's library has updated its IT system.

Currently, I'm using a Dell box - an Optiplex3010, apparently - with Windoze 7.

I'm not actually complaining, TOO much: although I think that Essex County Council could well have taken a punt on getting a Dell box with Ubuntu.

The reason I'm not partly complaining ... ?

Is that whoever's done the actual upgrade has made sure that this installation has included a copy of Google Chrome: and of OpenOffice.org.

All good!

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 13-3-2013

Well, it has to be said, I’ve just been in to Brentwood Library: and, happily, managed to pick meself a copy of William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition.

I’ve been meaning to read it for years … !

Now I’ve finished both Terry Pratchett’s Dodger and Debbi Mack’s Riptide — and thoroughly enjoyed both —  I’ve got the perfect chance to.

At any rate … ?   At ANY rate, it’s Wednesday: which means it’s time for the Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser.

Here’s this week’s Evolutionary questions.

Q1) 13th March, 1925 saw the teaching of Evolution banned in which US state: Tennessee, Texas or Utah … ?

Q2) What was the name of the teacher eventually — and famously — prosecuted for violating this law: John T. Scopes, Jean B. Goode or Jonty Smith … ?

Q3) Was that state the 14th, 15th or 16th to join the USA … ?

Q4) Moving on, slightly … the teacher’s trial was known as the what trial … ?

Q5) The 1960 film — with Spencer Tracey — based on these events was called ‘Inherit the’ what … ?

Q6) Who popularized the theory of evolution, in his book, On the Origin  of Species … ?

Q7) More to the point, what did he call evolution … ?

Q8) What’s the name of the theory — usually followed by devout christians — that says that the universe was designed … ?

Q9) Which boy-band released a 2012 album called ‘Evolution’ … ?

Q10) Finally … In which year was the film, ‘Evolution‘ — with David Duchovny and Julianne Moore — released … ?

And here’s last week’s questions and answers …

Questions.

Q1) 6th March saw Aspirin registered as a trademark.   In which year of the 1890s … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the company that registered it: Schwarz, Bayer or GlaxoSmithKline … ?

Q3) Aspirin famously is supposed to help act as what: an anti-inflammatory, an anti-pyretic (reducing fever) or an analgesic (reducing pain) … ?

Q4) The company that registered Aspirin is headquartered in which German city: Dusseldorf, Leverkusen or Cologne … ?

Q5) That company also marketed Heroin: in the run up to which World War … ?

Q6) Equally, they marketed Heroin as completely non what … ?

Q7) While we’re on the subject: Heroin is a stronger version of which drug: morphine, cocaine or ecstasy … ?

Q8) Heroin — and the associated drugs — are all made from a version of which flower … ?

Q9) Moving backwards … Aspirin ultimately comes from the bark of which tree … ?

Q10) And finally … In the film version of ‘The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy,’ which character says “Now I’ve got a headache …!” … ?

Answers.

A1) 1899.

A2) Bayer.

A3) Actually, all three.

A4) Leverkusen.

A5) World War 1.

A6) Non-addictive.   (How wrong can you be … ?)

A7) Morphine.

A8) The poppy.

A9) The Willow.

A10) Marvin the Paranoid Android.

Enjoy those, everyone,

Oh, and enjoy the tune … !

Give an Hour.

BBC - Give an Hour - Home page

Hmmm …

I do that a lot, you know …

Go Hmmm …

But at any rate, I’ll happily admit that what’s got me going Hmmm … — this time — is the one appeal that’s been launch, this year: partly by the BBC.

Who, I should add, having been mentioning it with a lot less frequency than the fact that the clocks go back, tonight.

But, at any rate, that’s seemingly the heart of it.

The idea is quite simple.

The Give an Hour, though, is really quite simple.

Considering the clocks go back one hour, tonight — it’s the end of British Summertime, just so my non UK readers know — the idea is to use that hour, helping someone you know to ‘get online’.

Either from something as simple as setting up an email account, to looking things up on the ’Net.

It’s a nice idea …

But I’ve got to admit, MOST of the reactions I’ve had, when I mentioned it, today… ?

Seem to be on the lines “Hang on, most of the people that want to BE online, already ARE”.

Which is sort of a good thought … !

»»•««

On top of that … ?

On top of that, I’ll happily admit that I’ve poked my head around the doors of Brentwood Library, today, to see if they were doing anything as part of the campaign.

They weren’t: beyond happily directing people to the website that let’s people volunteer.

Now, that seems a shame.

Given the local library services educational remit … ?

I‘d’ve said that’s an excellent use of time and funds.

Getting A Book Out …

Hmmm …

Well, that’s nice to know …

I book that I’ve ordered from Brentwood Library has finally turned up.

William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition.

Just so you know!

Actually …

Bizarrely, that’s actually mildly disappointing in one regard.

I was expecting a book of poetry, as well, which doesn’t appear to have turned up.

Still … ?

I’ve got to admit to having been something of a fan of Gibson’s, ever since I read his Sprawl trilogy, some yeas ago.

Here’s hoping Pattern Recognition follows nicely on …

»»·««

Oh, one other thing … ?

I had an appointment the Practise nurse, at my GP’s yesterday: I’m in the last few weeks of trying to give up smoking.

One thing that DID put a smile on my face, and snapping away madly with me camera phone … ?

Was a fully laden carriage: with FOUR horses, I should add.

Now what the hell they were up to, I’m blowed if I know.

But it was nice to see.

Brentwood Library: PDFs

Hmm …

Well, THAT was a bit of a sod … !

I’ve got to be honest, I was at Brentwood Library, today.

Believe it or not, I actually needed to do some printing off.

Frankly … ?

Frankly, I’ve got a printer, but haven’t been able to afford ink for it, for a while.

So the fact Brentwood Library’s not too far away, and FAIRLY reasonable on prices, helps, sometimes.

As done the existence of the .pdf file format.

You see, the file I wanted print off was some basic bits and bobs I wanted to have to had, so that I do do a clean re-install on the ageing Dell laptop I have sitting, behind me.

Basically, a ‘How To’ I’d saved from the web as a .pdf.

Just so you know … ?

.pdf stands for ‘portable document format’: and the file type was designed to be one that — no matter what — was and is capable of being opened by any computer, no matter what operating system it uses: there’s even a version of Adobe’s Reader software for Windoze, Mac OS X, and many forms of Linux.

The idea was — if I’ve understood things correctly — that you could design and write (say) a brochure on your Windows machine, and then take it down to your printing department — or local print shop — and have the thing printed out of their Macs.

Or vice verse.

And have it printed out, exactly as designed: and, again, regardless of operating system.

Now, on top of that … ?

Mac OS X can — as a legacy of it’s long association with the desktop publishing industry — can export near enough anything — webpage, Word document, Excel file, what-have-you — to .pdf format.

It’s in any and every Print menu within Mac OS X, and its predecessor, Mac OS since about the year dot.

At ANY rate … !

That’s how I managed to have the web-page with the information I needed: hitting ⌘ and p and picking the ‘Save As PDF’ option.

Saved the resultant file onto a little flash drive I keep around for exactly this kind of situation, and tottered up to the library to print it off.

Only to find, when I got there … ?

That Brentwood Library’s has a new procedure put in place to help them deal with printing: one that had both gone live, today …

And that, apparently, “… is having a problem printing .pdfs. And we can’t even convert them into anything else”.

Which was a cue for a raised eyebrow, from me …

»»·««

You see, something I noticed, a long time ago, is that Adobe’s Reader software has had a Save as text feature for some time.

Simply … ?

Simply the ability it has to save a given .pdf file — or the textural parts — as a .txt file: in File>Save As>Text, so you know.

And, as I pointed out to the staff at the library … ?

One that could be opened with either Notepad, or MS Office.

And either saved or printed from there.

»»·««

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m …

Hmmm …

Feeling a bit smug, there, actually.

Well, but at least I think I’ve done a bit of good, passing a helpful bit of knowledge …

Identity Crisis: Blood, Swearing … And Terribly Entertaining …

Can I ask you a question, here, folks … ?

Can I … ?

Actully, no, forget I asked … !

I’m going to, anyway … !

Ever hear the phrase, page-turner … ?

You have … ?

Me too …

And I’ve always felt that — with rare exceptions — it’s not a term I apply to every book that I read.

Terry Pratchett’s usually an exception, for example: Thud, Nightwatch and Nation, in particular.

Oh, and Dune …

I really can’t be forgetting Frank Herbert’s Dune …

The point I’m trying to make, here, is simply that it’s not often I come across a page-turner.

I think I just have …

»»•««

Do you remember, a while back, I wrote rather extensively about Brentwood Library, and how it was going to have its hours adjusted … ?

As part of that, Debbi, bless ’er — writer, recovering lawyer, and one of my regular contributors — got in touch with Essex Library’s head, Susan Carragher, and offered to donate some copies of her first novel, Identity Crisis.

I went and ordered a copy, as soon as I got word they were in …

»»•««

I’m glad I did …

Identity Crisis sees Stephanie Ann “Sam” MacRæ — Maryland lawyer at arms — finding her working day starting with something nasty at her office: her friendly local plain-clothes police officer, Detective Derry … accompanied by the somewhat obstreperousª FBI agent, Special Agent Jergins.

Seems they want to ask a few questions about a former client of hers, a certain Melanie Hayes.

Who’s gone missing.

After her ex boyfriend — Melanie had filed a Domestic Abuse complaint against him, with Sam’s help — has been fatally shot …

On top of that … ?

Sam’s found out that there’s quite a few odd things happening with bank account: which is at the same bank where Melanie works …

And on top of that … ?

There’s a bunch of seriously unfriendly Mafiosi floating around in all of this, with threatening cars that make President Obama’s Beast look lightweight …

»»•««

Now, I was saying page turner, earlier … ?

Yes, I was, wasn’t I … ?

Now, I know that one could — arguably — make the point that Identity Crisis is possibly a little much like a latter day Miss Marple.

Possibly …

One could also argue that Identity Crisis is possibly even a touch tame*: especially me, having seen various shades of gruesome horror movie and crime thriller, over the years.

That’s also possible …

On the other hand, though … ?

On the other hand, though, Debbi, bless her, has written a bit of a corker … !

I actually found meself patiently going to bed and spending a long time reading Identity Crisis, night after night and chapter by chapter, wanting to know what happens in the next chapter, and how Sam either deals with a problem, finds information, or puts another next piece of the puzzle in place.

Identity Crisis is a rock solid read, literally a page-turner.

And what’s more … ?

It’s also an entertaining one, that’s built a nicely solid introduction to Sam McRæ and her world …

That I think I’ll be heading for my local library to see if I can’t get hold of Least Wanted.

I want to know what happens next … !

Identity Crisis by Debbi Mack.

Lulu.com; July 2009

ISBN: 978-0-557-08325-1

Paul: “Identity Crisis? It’s a Keeper!” ★★★☆

* In spite of one use of the ‘C’ word: I’ve known people who have done serious time, for serious crime and are seriously nasty, and even they’ll raise an eyebrow at that one … ! (To be fair, though, Debbi DID tell me she was trying to drop the hint that these guys weren’t pleasant … )

ª I‘m almost tempted to say mildly snotty. Or even slightly tetchy …