Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-1-2026 — Macintosh

24th January, 2026: Macintosh.

Hmmm … 

That’s possibly good news.

I might — might — now be visible, again, on Twitter/X: after spending time being suspended.

If you’re on the service … ?

Can you head over there, look me up and let me know if I’m visible?

Cheers in advance … !

~≈X≈~

On an equally, and just as ambiguously, good front … ?

I’m due some Amazon deliveries, today: including a new air fryer.

Apparently?

One package is due to be delivered by the Royal Mail: with the rest coming via Amazon’s usual, anonymous, white van.

I just don’t know which package.

The excitement’s killing me … 

~≈📦≈~

Actually, I’ve just double checked.

The air fryer’s getting delivered by Royal Mail.

I’ve got one question: will it be dropped of by Dave, the ever efficient postie?

Or by a Royal Mail van … ?

Gosh … 

~≈🏤≈~

For All Mankind — Series 3 Episode 9 — Coming Home — A Review

2nd April, 2023: ‘Coming Home’.

Yes: it’s officially Sunday.

And … ?

Dinner is officially on.

Frankly?

It’s not Friday: so chips are out … and chilli is in!

Rather than a roast!

Either way … ?

I’m going to be watching TV, tonight.

Yes: episode nine of For All Mankind’s third season.

Frankly?

I’m wanting to find out what happens to Margo in this episode!

~≈👨‍🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th February 2023.

24th February, 2023.

Yes: it’s Friday.

Yes: I went shopping, yesterday.

And yes … 

There’s always something I forget!

Tea bags and sugar.

Saying that … ?

I’ve got enough for now.

But given I’ve learnt how to use the shopping list app on the relevant shop’s App?

Yes: I’m kicking myself!

~≈🛒≈~

You know … I’ve a question in today’s set: about Russia’s invasion of somewhere, a year ago, today.

It should be obvious where I’m talking about: but I don’t want to give you too many clues!

At any rate?   I sympathies are with the invaded small nation.

And, try as I might … ?

I’m thinking I should try and find a copy of the old 2000AD strip, Invasion: about a Volgan — ha! — invasion of Britain.

Thinking of that story is inevitable, given the day.

At any rate … ?

I can remember that many I knew were showing support for the country: by adding the now familiar blue and yellow flag to their profiles.

Something I’ve personally not done: and don’t see myself doing.

Why?   Outside of thinking it’s virtue signalling, and groupthink*?

I don’t think it serves any useful purpose.

It’s not sending bullets, tanks or planes to the invaded country’s army, after all.

~≈🥷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th February, 2019

24th February, 2019.

It’s a Sunday morning … 

It’s a quiet Sunday morning.

Which … ?   Well it usually means I head for my family’s place for Sunday dinner.

Usually, any thing involving my nephew’s bound to get noisy!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th June, 2018

29th June, 2018.

Yep: ‘strange mood’ is one way of putting it.

I think I’m getting a sense of general malaise: caused by the simple fact today is payday … 

And the money I get … isn’t going to last much beyond today.

Wouldn’t you know it … ?

I do know that — last year — I got a tax rebate.   An honest to God, tax rebate.

Enough to put a chunk towards my rent, and get a new pair of glasses.

I’ve not had the form that tells me if I’m due another, this year.

And, frankly?   Much as I’d LOVE a great big chunk of money landing on my doorstep, I’m also realistic enough to realise I’ve never had a tax rebate, two years in a row.

I should coco … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-2-2017

Have you ever heard of the Crucible Curse?

In case you’re not a Snooker fan?

The Curse takes its name from the venue: the tournament’s been held there since 1977.

It refers to the fact that no first time winner of Snooker’s World Championship has won the title the year afterwards.

And it’s generally held to be something psychological: attributed to weight of expectation after winning the biggest title in the game, tied to a lack of experience of winning the game’s biggest title.

The reason I mention it?

Is because I’m not a football fan.

But was shocked to hear the Leicester City FC have sacked manager, Claudio Ranieri: the man who’d steered them to winning the Premiership, last year, after many years out of the game’s top tier.

Yes, I know the team’s in the relegation zone.   Yes, I know there’s talk he’d lost the dressing room.

But I can’t help but think the team — manager and players — been suffering with football’s equivalent of the Crucible Curse.

For the owners to ignore the possibility?

Represents short-termism at its worst.

And bloody stupid.

~≈Ö≈~

Steve Jobs — THE Biopic … !

23rd March, 2016.

You know, it’s not that often I get to watch a film, these days.

In point of fact, I’ve been discussing that with a few friends, over the past few days.

Between work, writing the Teasers, and a column for the Gazette?

I don’t get as much time as I’d want.

Actually … ?   Most of the conversations centred on me subscribing to Netflix.

From what I’m told, it’s services are pretty good.

But even at its cheapest?

It’s something I’m still thinking is … uneconomical: I usually only get the equivalent of one movie a month, and, while I’m aware there’s some damn good TV on there, as well?

It’s still not necessarily the first thing I’m going to be spending money on.

At ANY rate … ?

At ANY rate, this month’s unusual.

For recent times.

I‘ve managed to see three films.

Dad’s Army.

The Martian.

And tonight’s film: one I’ve been meaning to catch for a while.

The biopic that is … 

Steve Jobs.

~≈Î≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-2-2016

Right … that’s that done … 

I mentioned, yesterday, that I’d managed to buy myself a cheap second hand hard drive: which didn’t work!

Which surprised me: CeX normally check these things!

Still … despite having lost the recent?  My local branch was decent enough to give me a refund: AND give me a good price on a replacement.

Which is good: it means I’ve got manoeuvring room: and extra transport.

All good … 

~≈Ç≈~

The Daily Teaser — 9-8-2015: In California

Lord knows how I was actually going to start this post.   I had no idea.   Possibly by telling you about the weather.

But … ?

I also have to confess that I’ve posted up the slideshow for today’s California-themed Teaser.

While I was doing so … ?

I caught this trailer for an upcoming movie called Steve Jobs: all about the late Apple CEO.

I’m intrigued: and impressed by the trailer.

Personally … ?   I wouldn’t mind catching the thing … 

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 6-2-2015: Votes For Women

I have to admit to being up, slightly later than usual.

No, really.

I have to admit to having been up, late: watching Jobs.

Which is nice, as far as it goes: and being honest, Ashton Kutcher in the title role did well enough.

But really, the film doesn’t seem to go into any great depth: nor do justice to its subject.

It’s good: but disappointing.

~≈∂≈~

Jobs: About That Biopic … …

5th February, 2015.

You know, just for once … ?   Just for once … ?

Just for once, I’m going to put the poster on the left hand side.

No, really.

Normally, when I write about the films I watch, I tend to put the posters on the right hand side of the post: and write the text down the left.

Tonight … ?

I thought I’d swap.

A bit.

Frankly … ?

I’m in something of an odd mood, to be honest.   And felt the change would be a good thing: however actually minor the change may be.

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I had a quiet night in, tonight.

A quiet night in … and a few films in the collection I’d not actually sat down and watched.

Including the one I’ve just finished watching, not twenty minutes ago.

The 2013 biopic that is … 

Jobs.

And yes: much as I’m a fan of both Apple — as a maker of rather good products — and of the man himself — very few CEO’s are that charismatic — I’m not sure the film managed to hit the mark …

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 5-10-2012

Random Tiger screenshot

Hmmm … 

Know what I’m thinking … ?

I’m thinking two things, actually.

Firstly, that winter’s slowly coming in.

When I got up, this morning, things were looking decidedly dark: dark enough to have the lights on.

And secondly … ?   Secondly, I got watching a film, last night: believe it or not, on the aging G4 I’ve dubbed Dirty Gerty.

Which didn’t actually come out looking too bad.

But let’s move on, shall we?   Before this turns into a technical breakdown.

~~~~~

As Debbi’s off to , this weekend, yesterday’s teaser saw no-one putting their answers.

Let’s see who we can interest in today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 5th October, 2011, saw the death of businessman, Steve Jobs: which computer company did he co-found?

Q2) More to the point, in which year of the 1970s?

Q3) Equally to the point, name either of the people Jobs co-founded that company with.

Q4) Jobs famously owned and ran the animation company, Pixar: who did he buy Pixar from … ?

Q5) What was the name of the company he founded, when fired by Apple in 1985?

Q6) Moving on … 5th October, 1947, saw who make the first Presidential address, from the White House … ?

Q7) And finally … 5th October, 1936, saw the start of the Jarrow March: to where … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 4th October, 1957, saw the launch of Sputnik 1: by which country’s space agency … ?

A1) The USSR’s.

Q2) More to the point, what does Sputnik mean, when translated into English … ?

A2) Satellite.

Q3) As a final Sputnik 1 question: which car company produced the a Sputnik model?

A3) Lada.   (You can imagine Jeremy Clarkson’s comment, can’t you … ?)

Q4) Moving on … 4th October, 2004, saw which spacecraft win the Ansari X prize for being the first privately owned spacecraft into space … ?

A4) SpaceShipOne.

Q5) 4th October, 1927, saw Gutzon Borglum begin work on which sculpture … ?

A5) Mount Rushmore.

Q6) And finally … 4th October, 1227, saw the assassination of Caliph Abdallah al-Adil.   Which north African country was he caliph of … ?

A6) Morocco.

Enjoy those, everyone: as today’s Sir Bob’s birthday, I’ll leave you with this song from the Boomtown Rats*.

And with this quote from the late Steve Jobs …

“People think it's this veneer — that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make it look good!’ That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

Steve Jobs, February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

Oh, and as it’s the 50th anniversary of the start of the Bond film franchise … 

*        Despite the fact it’s about a girl who hangs herself at a party, Diamond Smiles is a personal favourite of mine.

RIP: Steve Jobs

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, the almost constant reportage, today — about the death of Apple Chairman, Steve Jobs — is …

Well, almost constant …

And a touch depressing.

Lets face it, it is — for the iPad and Mac using community — going to be a bit of a shocker.

After all, we’re talking here about not only one of the men that founded the company, but also the marketing man that — when he rejoined the company, back in 1997 — turned around a company on the verge of bankruptcy in to the worlds biggest technology firm.

At least, by market value.

»»·««

Let’s face it …

There’s not much I can say, except to tell you to check the words out of the man, himself.

Firstly, at the original Macintosh demo, a few (ahem) years ago …

Along with a quick demo of that original machine’s abilities: granted, they’re not much by TODAY’S standards, but in 1984 … ?

Next is the news report about his death, on the BBC, this morning …

Along with a few words from Lord Alan Sugar, and BBC technology reporter, Rory Cellan-Jones

And you can’t mention Apple or Steve Jobs, without mentioning Steve Wozniak, the technology giant whose design of the Apple 1 and 2 were the technological foundations that the two Steves built the giant on.

And lastly … ?

Well …

I think I’ll leave you with a few words from the man, himself.

In Memorium.

Steve Jobs: February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011.

Steve Jobs: Chairman of the Board … !

Blimey …

THAT’S a bit …

Sudden … !

Now, I don’t know if you‘re anything of a technology fan, but I am.

Well …

More of a gadget fan, let’s put it that way.

And I’ll happily admit that I’m a Mac fan, been one for years, and intend to keep being, for as long as the budget holds out.

AHEM!

But at any rate … ?

At any rate, I’m as aware as any one of the influence of one particular member of Apple’s management team .

The Big Kahuna, himself, Steve Jobs.

Who announced, late last night … ?

That he was stepping down as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer, becoming Apple’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, and handing the CEO position to former Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook.

I was … shocked, to say the least.

After all, Jobs has been, along with Bill Gates of Microsoft, one of computing’s most recognisable figures: and, as Apple’s public face since 1997, the spokesman for the company’s much vaunted kit*.

»»·««

So this kind of shocked me.

Shocked …

But didn’t exactly surprise me.

After all, his health has been notoriously iffy, for quite some time: and in a way that famously influences Apple’s share prices, whenever changes to it are announced.

But personally … ?

Well, I shocked — and mildly worried — to hear it …

But I’m thinking the company will still do well, despite Jobs’ absence from day-to-day running of the company.

He has, after all, made sure it’s in a VERY good position …

* Which I’ll happily admit, I’ve been recommending to people, ever since I got my first Mac, back in about 2002.

Pirates Of Silicon Valley: Don’t Think of It as A film …

Well …

Hmmm …

You know, it’s not often me and Adrian will watch a made for TV film.

Tonight we did, though. And I know Adrian — an even bigger open source fan than me — wasn’t too stunned that it didn’t mention Linux.

But the ten year old “Pirates Of Silicon Valley” is definitely interesting, for those of us who take an interest in technology.

It’s basically a docu-drama that follows the original founding of Apple and Microsoft, and follows them up to 1985, when Steve Jobs was fired by then Apple CEO, John Sculley; and adds a footnote about the return of Jobs, and his alliance with Microsoft, in 1997.

And it does remind us about one thing that many forget; that both Jobs and Gates are hard-headed businessmen.

One early scene has Anthony Michæl Hall as a very creepy Bill Gates negotiating a signing bonus out of the company behind the Altair. (And blatantly ‘socially engineering’ a prototype Mac, in order to copy the GUI, in a later scene.)

Not that Jobs comes off much better, although Mac fan that I am, I’m personally inclined to his side of things. I think I’m with Adrian, here; I hate to work in an atmosphere that looked like it prevailing at Apple, at the time*.

It’s interesting to see how the computer revolution of the 1970’s started, though; which makes “Pirates” worth watching — although it’s not necessarily telling me anything I didn’t know, it does tell it in a reasonably entertaining way.

And does make one wonder about the difference between the ideals we hold when young and what we end doing, later in life.

*        Whether he’s got a point about open source operating systems being the next computer revolution, I don’t know; at one end, the simple fact that we live in a Windoze dominated world means that there’s a set of standards to work to. On another, Apple manage to innovate a look quicker than their bigger rival. And on the third other hand, open source does mean that you and me can re-write, copy, hand out, whatever piece of software we want to. Guess we’ll have to see what the next few years bring. But OpenOffice.org and Firefox are only getting bigger …