Transcendence: That Damn Frankenstein Complex!

5th September, 2014.

Can I ask you a question … ?

Can I … ?

Have you ever read anything by the late Dr Isaac Asimov … ?

Yes, I know: I can’t actually hear you answer.

Let me just, then, take a minute to briefly explain the subtitle.   “That Damn Frankenstein Complex!” is a phrase used — repeatedly, sometimes — in the good doctor’s work: usually by characters of his who built robots.

And usually when those builders saw members of the public, unfamiliar with — and scared of — the robots they’d created.

Now …

I don’t know about you: but I feel Asimov hit a nerve, there.

Let’s face it: how many people do you know who are nervous around technology … ?

Exactly.

So the fact I can think of a few films that also be accused of suffering from it.

The Will Smith version of I, Robot, for example.

War Games, with Matthew Broderick.

And — arguably … ?

Arguably, I think we can also include the Wally Pfister directed film, Transcendence, in there.

Although, possibly, it’s a better film that I, Robot …

~≈É≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 5 Episode 10 — “Life, Itself” — A Review

30th May, 2024: the Introduction.

It’s official: it’s Thursday.

And … ?

Frankly, today is the day … where the last episode of Star Trek Discovery is broadcast.

Aired?

Streamed?

Whatever!

At any rate, I — and a few Jammie Dodgers — going to be watching that episode.

Then telling you about it, and the series it closes, tomorrow night.

I’ll see you then!

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th June 2025

19th June, 2025.

I have to admit, I tried watching a film, last night.

The 2024 folk horror, Lord of Misrule: with Tuppence Middleton and Ralph Ineson.

I have to admit, I gave up on the thing after about half an hour.

Despite — or possibly because of — its similarity to The Wicker Man, despite the beautiful setting, it’s something that couldn’t hold my attention.

Granted, having two teenagers bang on my door, at the twenty minute mark — they got the wrong address — didn’t help.

Even given that?

Lord of Misrule didn’t grab me!

That’s a shame: it’s beautifully shot!

~≈🃏≈~

I was rather interested in the technology news, at one point.

Mildly obsessed and evangelical, to be honest.

But still … interested … 

So … ?

Recent obscure news — that Denmark’s Ministry for Digital Affairs is planning to use forms of Linux and LibreOffice instead of Windows and Microsoft Office — caught my attention.

I’m assuming that a lot of that planned shift?

Is going to be based on cost.

The price of the computer you’ve just bought will include a certain amount for a copy of Windows*.

That amount will be far less for most forms of Linux.

MS Office will cost: even if you’re only paying a cheap subscription for the online version, it’ll cost.

Cost too much: especially compared to things like LibreOffice or OpenOffice, which are free.

But the ministry has also made another point: that they’re making the shift as a way to improve digital sovereignty.

Promoting Danish technology solutions to meet Danish technology needs, and reduce the control handed to foreign companies.

I can only hope that whatever UK government bodies — local and national — make the same sort of decisions, at some point.

It’s about time British governments, of whatever stripe, promoted British technology makers!

~≈💾≈~

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

2nd August, 2025.

Right … it’s officially Saturday … 

And … ?

My next Star Trek review will be up, tonight.

Once it’s finished!

Oh, and my nephew, Jude, has done another mix.

Feel free to hit whatever ‘Like’ button grabs your attention!

~≈🎼≈~

I’m something of a technology fan: at least, I try and pay attention to technology news.

So I saw the news that Microsoft’s introduced what it calls a Migration App*, with a certain amount of interest.

The app allows people who’ve bough a new, Windows 11, PC to import over their passwords, settings and apps from a Windows 10 machine, into their new Windows 11 machine.

Something they’ve not made available since the migration from Windows Vista to Windows 7, many years ago.

Apple introduced its own Migration Assistant, many years ago: around 2011

And even before then, this sort of transfer was easy enough to do, through what was called Target Disk Mode.

I’ve used both.

I also helped my nephew sync his Chromebook to his phone, at Christmas.   It had a similar set of apps in place.

So … ?

I’m vaguely surprised at Microsoft: for introducing this technology for Windows Vista and Windows 7, then removing it, then re-introducing it now.

When, maybe, they should have kept the technology in place.

If you want to encourage people to stick with your product, making it easy to transfer data and settings makes sense!

~≈🪟≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-6-2017

Hmmm … 

Do you follow the technology news?

I do.   I’m not an avid technology buff, but am usually fascinated by it: having grown up when the home computer boom really took off, in the 1980s.

 So I take an interest: especially if I’ve a vague connection to a story.

A few years ago?

A friend asked about a call she’d had: from someone claiming to work for a Microsoft approved body, who received reports that her PC was playing up.

Then tried to trick her into giving them remote control of her computer, so they could ‘sort the issue out.’

And THEN tried to charge for the privilege.

I always used to call it the Comantra Scam: as that was the name of the company.

At any rate?

The things continued: indeed, I’ve had a few such calls, myself.   (They get annoyed when I tell them I have a Mac.)

At any rate?

It seems the scam is still on-goning.

But, at least, we can say arrests have been made.

~≈Ω≈~

In other technology news?

You’ve possibly noticed there’s been a another global ransomware attack: that looks like it’s been aimed at the Ukraine.

I’ve just seen another piece about the attack.

According to that, it seems the early infections was through a piece of Ukrainian accountancy software.

Most ransomware spreads: by sending out emails with dodgy attachments.   Click on that attachment, and you’re in trouble.

It seems this recent one?   Has done the initial infections: through the accountancy software’s legitimate update systems.

To me?   That sounds suspiciously like the KeRanger ransomware attack.   

KeRanger is — as far as I know — the only bit of ransomware that’s affected macOS.   

It was sneaked onto people’s systems when the criminals behind it sneaked a spiked copy of a popular piece of software onto the software’s official download page.

You went to the official page?   You got infected.

Thankfully?

KeRanger got sorted.

This ransomware will, too.

But I’m thinking spiking official pages and update systems?

Will become more common.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th January 20205.

15th January 2025.

Right … I’ve officially had my blood results in.

And … ?

I’m frankly, relived.

My glucose level, my HbA1C level, is dow for 57, last time: to 52 in the most recent test.

Celebrating with a pile of Mars bars and a sugary cuppa?

Possibly wouldn’t be a good idea … 

But is a reason to feel pleased.

~≈🍫≈~

I have to admit, I’m slowly watching an episode of documentary series, Storyville, called “Eternal You”.

Seemingly?

A site called Project December, and others like it, uses generative AI technology to allow users to talk to avatars of their dead relatives.

I’m watching the episode in parts.

But … ?

I find this use of the technology* fascinating … but also disturbing.

Clearly, there’s a need for it: as much of a need as there is for something like a spiritualist church.

And clearly, a mix of religion and technology is going to get people talking.

I just don’t know if it’s an especially healthy mix: or a healthy use.

~≈👻≈~

Copyright, and the Hargreves Report.

Well, finally … !

Someone seems to be talking sense … !

You’ve probably realised, haven’t you, that I’ve long been dubious — if not critical — of the UK’s copyright laws.

After all, in this digital age, we expect to be able to transfer our music and movies to our computers — and then to whatever media we choose — purely and simply for our own personal use.

Notice I stress that last part, there … !

But, at any rate, here in the UK, the various bits of copyright law mean it’s a criminal offence to put the songs and films you’ve bought on CD or DVD — and then ripped or copied with something like HandBrake, iTunes or whatever else you prefer — despite the fact that that you’ve already paid for them.

It still is …

However … ?

However, today’s seen the publication of the Hargreaves Report into copyright law.

Several of the recommendations deal with several areas: parody, review, what have you.

But one paragraph did catch me attention.

Chapter 5, Paragraph 14, specifically says

“By contrast many submissions also recognise that copyright needs to accommodate some unlicensed copying that is considered to be fair, in the ordinary sense of the word: whether that involves transferring CD files to a laptop and MP3 player or sharing a family home movie on your Facebook page which makes incidental use of copyright material.”

Paragraphs 24 goes on to say

“We therefore recommend below that the Government should press at EU level for the introduction of an exception allowing uses of a work enabled by technology which do not directly trade on the underlying creative and expressive purpose of the work (this has been referred to as “non-consumptive” use). The idea is to encompass the uses of copyright works where copying is really only carried out as part of the way the technology works. For instance, in data mining or search engine indexing, copies need to be created for the computer to be able to analyse; the technology provides a substitute for someone reading all the documents. This is not about overriding the aim of copyright – these uses do not compete with the normal exploitation of the work itself – indeed, they may facilitate it. Nor is copyright intended to restrict use of facts. That these new uses happen to fall within the scope of copyright regulation is essentially a side effect of how copyright has been defined, rather than being directly relevant to what copyright is supposed to protect.”

The key part, I think, are the parts I’ve italicised …

I think they finally allow us to potentially — and legally — allow us to do what we’ve all BEEN doing for years … !

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-8-2026 — 1812.

20th August, 2026: the 1812 Overture.

Technology can be a mixed bag, can’t it?

We see death cause by climate change related pollution, we see cybercrime, we see lord knows what else … 

But also see a lot of good: you’ll probably find more than I could, I’m sure.

You’ll also probably see sill artwork, generated with AI.

The fact I — after a conversation with a friend — used ChatGPT to generate the ‘Yurt Buggering Beast of Phnom Penh’ leaves me amazed at the technology … 

And thinking of Graeme Chapman … 

~≈😜≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over: and yes: we’re both amazed at the technology that let’s him make this … 

It’s also got him a comment that says “19:54 might be the most jammed thing I’ve ever seen😭”.

Which is nice … 

~≈🚀≈~

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.

Humans — Episode 8: 2-8-2015

Ooooh … 

So that’s what the Humans finale looked like … 

I don’t know if you’ve been following me for a while.

But if you have … ?

You’ll realise I write the Daily Teasers.

You know I like Dr Who.

And you’ll probably have realised I like the odd movie or two.

You’ll ALSO realise something else.

That, over the past few weeks?   I’ve been watching the Channel 4 science fiction series, Humans.

Hmmm … 

Humans … … … … 

~≈Ê≈~

Format Shifting: A Thought Or two …

Hmmm …

He says, thoughtfully …

You know, I’ve GOT to admit video is a bit of a git, isn’t it?

At least, in this modern age of multimedia devices capable of playing all SORTS of things, video’s a bit of a git … !

Honestly, there’s times — just times, mind — when I really do wish I was back in the good old days of VHS.

I do.

Video weren’t quite so all-over-the-place …

»»•««

Hmmm …

OK, you’re probably wondering what the HELL I’m going on about, aren’t you … ?

But to be frank … ?

I’ve been happily nattering to both Kevin D and Grub, over the past few weeks an, inevitably, we’ve all talked — at some point — about the various changes in video technology and the media that films and TV series are on.

Let’s face it, over the course of our life times, we’ve seen the introduction of technology undreamt of at when we were born.

I mean, being able to record something, so that we could watch it later? First on VHS — or Betamax — then on DVD, BluRay/HD-DVD, a set-top boxe with a built in hard drive or DVD recorder.

Or TV set that lets you record and playback from a USB memory stick or external hard drive …

Options, decisions and format wars, eh? And that’s BEFORE we start getting into things like IPTV and Internet TV, and renting from iTunes, NetFlix and YouTube!

At any rate … ?

At any rate, with ONE thing and another, I think I can SAFELY say that video is …

Bloody tricky, given the amount of stuff that you, me, Grub and Kevin D are watching them on.

»»•««

Lets face it, VHS changed the shape of television, didn’t it … ?

It — in part — contributed to the situation we’re now in: where we don’t just record a film or TV show to watch later.

We can get it ALL sorts of ways, if that doesn’t sound ambiguous.

Those of us blessed with the money to afford a more recent model of TV may well have one that’s capable of hooking up to the net, and to streaming services like Netflix, LoveFilm and YouTube.

Those of us with an older television that can’t access the ’Net: or who own something like an AppleTV … ?

Will have trouble with that option.

On the other hand … ?

On the hand, you — like me — have probably made use of something HandBrake, or one of it’s Blu-ray ripping cousins, to back up your DVD collections — or, heaven forbid, got a film from somewhere like Demonoid or Pirate Bay — and several different devices you’d like to watch those video files on.

Now, I’ve got to confess, I don’t have an iPod, any more: and when I did, it wasn’t one of the models capable of playing video files.

Mind you, if I did?

I’d have to make sure any video files I wanted to play on them were in .mov or .mp4 format, with the audio and video components encoded with the AAC and MP4 codecs: pretty much anything that iTunes can open.

Which is quite a lot, I’ve noticed, but there’s exceptions.

Mostly in the shape of anything that comes in the .avi file format, with whatever codecs happen to have been used in making the file: a container format that — using MP3 as the audio codec and DivX 5.0 as the video one — is the one demanded by my DVD player.

Hmmm …

I’m right, aren’t I … ? I’ve just confused the LIFE out of you, haven’t … ?

Explaining what I’m on about would probable help, wouldn’t it … ?

To use an old bit of technology as a metaphor, my Mac, and most iPod’s, are today’s equivalent of a VHS video cassette recorder. My DVD player, on the other hand, as well as being a DVD player and recorder, has a USB port on it, that can ‘read’ USB flash memory sticks — and exterior hard-drives — with video files on them.

But to follow the metaphor through, it can only read files that are .avi: the digital equivalent of Betamax, if you will.

Which isn’t the most accurate metaphor, but it’s the nearest I could think of … !

Actually … ?

That’s a handy way of explaining something else, while I’m at it.

You’ve probably noticed me mentioning codecs and containers files, there, haven’t you … ?

Basically … ?

Basically, any given video file you’ve got on your computer is a lot like the already mentioned different types of video cassette.

Well, then, practically all of the video files I have will come in one of the container files I’ve already mentioned: .mov, .m4v and .avi, as well as .VOB*. They’re are also known — for obvious reasons — as wrapper files.

And they’re a bit like the digital equivalent of the video cassette BOX: the plastic thing that holds the tape. Metaphorically, and on each type of wrapper file/video-cassette-format: the box is length⊗breadth⊗width, the reels are so far apart, the tape that the film’s on is so wide, what have you.

CODECS, on the other hand … ?

Codecs are a bit different.

Codecsº — to carry one the video cassette metaphor — are a bit like the digital versions of the contents of the tape.

The video and audio tracks physically recorded onto the emulsion of the tape, itself.

And there’s tons of different ones.

Lordy, aren’t there ever … !

But boiling it down to as simple as I possibly can … ?

It doesn’t necessarily matter what the video and/or audio codecs are, in a given video file: if your computer can’t play them … ? Well, my normal suggestion would be to buy one that can°.

Or to make sure sure that you’ve got all of the relevant plug-ins and extensions that let your particular operating system play a particular video.

Or type of video codec, in this case!

There’s OTHER options, too …

Oh, my WORD, yes …

But you sort of take my point, don’t you? That, when it comes down to video files, you are going to HAVE to face doing something that is a lot easier — in some ways — than it was many years ago.

I’m talking about video conversion.

NOW you’re worried, aren’t you … ?

»»•««

Saying that, I’m not actually talking something as arcane as the transferring home movies on VHS to DVD‡. If that’s something you need to do you’ve probably either taken the tapes to the nearest specialist to where you live to do that. (There’s an old fashioned camera shop near me that provides the service.)

Besides: there’s actually a couple of arguments AGAINST doing that. For starters, with commercial video cassettes, it’s probably easier — and not an arrestable offence — to replace VHS versions with the DVD/Blu Ray version. And as a second point, these days, if you’ve home made stuff on video cassette that you’d like to preserve, you’ve probably already done it already: either by hooking up a VCR to a DVD recorder or getting hold of some of the various bits of video capture packages on the market.

Actually, what I’m talking about … ?

Is the simple ability to change one form of video file to another.

Although, obviously, the methods I use aren’t necessarily going to be useable by everyone.

The first option … ?

Is relatively simple for those of us using QuickTime X on Mac OS X 10•6•x or above, or QuickTime Pro on the relevant versions of Mac OS X or Windows: I personally use QuickTime X, as that’s the version that ships with my version of OS X, so can’t swear that this will work on QuickTime Pro.

But with QuickTime X, all I need — indeed, can do — is save a given type of file as a .mov, along with some very basic trimming.

Saying that … ? I also have access to iMovie: the older version I use — iMovie ’08 — does allow for a lot more control over trimming of clips, and variation in output formats than QuickTime X.

It DOESN’T do everything: at least, as far as I can tell. But I’ve not explored as much of it as one could. After all, I only really use it to add sound to the Teasers, remember.

However, for straight conversion … ?

There’s another piece of software I go for.

For straight conversion I tend to find the powerful vlc player surprisingly useful. Usually I tend to use it for its ability to do screen grabs of whatever TV shows or films I happen to be watching or writing about.

However, one of it’s other handy features — and going through the documentation, there’s a lot more than I suspected, or usually need^ — is the ability to turn a given video file into something else. Hitting Shift(⇧), CMD (⌘) and W† — or File>Steaming/Exporting Wizard — will take you to vlc’s streaming wizard: there’ll be a Windows equivalent, as well, by the way, which I’m guessing will be CTRL (^), Shift(⇧) and W.

Once there, all you need to do is pick the file you wish to convert: either from a stream, or a pre-existing movie in your collection.

In the next two steps you pick the codecs you need, and the file format.

And wait for vlc to do its thing.

»»•««

There’s another option, as well.

You see, I tend have a bad habit of taping stuff that’s on television.

And, like a lot of people, tend to keep it, until I’ve either watched it.

Or I can replace the recorded version with a legitimate copy: film, series, what-have-you.

So for when I want to keep hold of a film — for example, and subject to what I’ve just said about replacing it with a legitimate version — that I’ve taped from a TV broadcast, I tend to prefer using another cross-platform application, MPEG Streamclip™, from Squared5.

Now, I’ll HAPPILY admit that I love adverts.

Really.

But I’d rather not have to fast-forward through them, when I’m watching something.

And I’ll happily admit to finding MPEG Streamclip very handy, in that regard.

Unlike QuickTime X, MPEG Streamclip can edit out bits from anywhere in a given video. And, while it’s not especially fast when saving the results, it is — unlike Quicktime — capable of both resizing and re-encoding a given video file: VERY important, if you have to change something, to play the file on a specific machine.

»»•««

Now …

That leaves us with a few of questions, doesn’t it … ?

Probably quite a few, now I think of it.

But the main ones … ?

Well, obviously, from where I’m sitting, the main one is, has that lot been helpful, or not … ?

I always tend to worry about these things, and frankly … ? I’d appreciate some feedback, here: either about these apps, or ones you use, yourself.

The other main one … ?

Is why convert video … ?

God, there’s TONS of reasons.

Frankly … ?

The main ones are ones I think I highlighted, at the start of this post: various different manufacturers have made their various bits of kit capable of only playing certain forms of file format, for whatever reason.

I can’t complain, there, I think.

I think we, as consumers of these things, have a choice: in how we choose to view a given form of entertainment. What’s more, in this digital age, we’re also becoming (minor) video producers ourselves: home made video heroes in the traditions of the “I Can Do That” ethos of the Punk years.

We’re the Digital Age’s equivalent of car drivers.

We owe ourselves, this: how to use our equipment.

If nothing else … ?

We have HAVE to know whether we’re using the digital video equivalent of petrol or diesel.

And where to stick the dipstick …

* Which — just so you know — is the file format used on DVDs: again, it’s a container file.

º Much like the word ‘modem’ª, the word ‘codec’ is a portmanteau: a contraction in other words. In this case, it’s a contraction of ‘encoder/decoder’.

ª Which is a contraction of ‘modulator/demodulator’.

° OK, OK, you caught me …

^ Quite a LOT, actually! VLC — the client version you and I use — plays a HUGE rang of different video and audio files, has plug-in’s allowing it to interact with both Firefox and Chromium and seemingly is capable of broadcast a given video file — or CD/DVD — across to other machines on your network. I’ve a funny feeling it may well sing, dance and clean the sink as needed.

† I really couldn’t swear to what the equivalent combination of keys is, under the version of Windows you use: however, many — but not all — will substitute ctrl for the command key.

‡ Actually, that’s easy enough to do, if you have an old video cassette player that you can hook up to a DVD recorder: it’s just a matter of time, mostly.

™ I’ve outline a few helpful hint about VLC, MPEG Streamclip and QuickTime X, here.

The Daily Teaser — 25-3-2016: The Queen of Soul.

It’s not often I laugh at technology.

Really!

But I was going through the Technology news, late, last night.

And noted that Microsoft had designed an artificially intelligent chat-bot — something that can talk to people as if it were a real person — and then released it onto Twitter.

Twenty four hours LATER … and the thing started issuing Tweets that — apparently — supported genocide … and Adolf Hitler.

Me, being ME … ?   I laughed!

Especially when I found out Microsoft had edited some of the more … controversial Tweets.

Ahem!

I can’t help but think a couple of things.

One?   That Apple would’ve done things a lot better!

And secondly?

That maybe Microsoft shouldn’t be editing the things Tweets, or code.

After all — and correct me I’m wrong, here — but isn’t PART of what makes AI, AI, the fact it can learn.

Shouldn’t Microsoft be leaving it, to learn how to behave better?

~≈‰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7th August, 2021

7th August, 2021

Yes: it’s officially the case.

It’s raining out: as you’ve possibly guessed, watching today’s intro video.

Which is awkward.

I was thinking of heading to Romford, today!

It’s possibly not the weather for it!

~≈☔️≈~

I’m something of a technology watcher: although I don’t talk about it as often as I’d like to.

I’m not exactly Linus Sebastian, after all.

But … ?

I do keep an eye on Apple.

So the news Apple’s announced that— in upcoming versions of iOS — they will be scanning your phone for child abuse images, before those uploaded to Apple’s iCloud back up service?   And reporting user with such content to the relevant police force?

Is something I took notice of.

Apple can champion its safeguarding effects, whilst keeping illegal content off its servers*.

The problem, of course?

Is people are complaining.

Frankly?

I’m not surprised.

But, as I’ve said in a footnote*, I believe Apple have made this move to avoid getting sued for having child abuse images on their iCloud servers.

Assuming I’m correct?

I’m wondering if the complainers have realised that?

~≈≈~

The Golem: How He Came into the World/Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam: A Review

20th March, 2019.

OK … OK … 

For those of you who watched the intro video … ?



I’m still — still — craving chocolate.

But?

Right here and now, I can say three things.

One … ?

I’ve got coco!

Drinking chocolate, in other words!

Two … ?



I THINK I’ve got that Max Headroom effect as well as I can.

At least, with a copy of iMovie … !

Three … ?

I’ve actually managed to pick out a movie … 

You’ve possibly worked out WHICH movie, have’t you … 

You’re right.

The famously lost, found and refunded, Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam: The Golem: How He Came into the World.

It’s … interesting … 

~≈§≈~

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner …

Which is — according to the film Adrian and I were watching, tonight — a catch-phrase used by some casino croupiers when there’s a big winner at the Blackjack tables.

And Blackjack is the McGuffin for “21”, the Robert Luketic, Kevin Spacey produced film that had the pair of us were watching, tonight. And — appropriately — it’s a bit of a hacker movie!!

“21” is the true (for a given value of true) story of a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology* who are persuaded by one of their lecturers, played by Kevin Spacey, that playing Blackjack, for money, isn’t the mug’s game that they’d assumed.

As long as you’re using a technique called card-counting, that is …

The basics of that are simple; you assign a value to high cards, and another to low cards, in order to keep track of when high cards are more likely to appear. In blackjack, that’s when you start betting heavily, as you’re more likely to get 10-valued cards and aces.

It follows Ben Campbell from when he gets involved with Spacey’s team of card counters; one that’s initially successful, but becomes more and more undisciplined and agitated, as the pressure — and winnings — mount. Actually, part of that pressure is provided by Lawrence Fishburne as Cole Williams, the eupemistically titled Loss Prevention Officer for the Vegas casinos.

I leave you to fill in those details, yourself; but Fishburne’s character does have a serious amount of blinged out knuckles.

Very dusty knuckles, I should add.

It’s fascinating stuff to watch. And based on a premise the basics of which, much like Fermat’s Last Theorem, very simple to understand. The other part of the attraction? We like all like to think that there’s something simple we can do to take on the Establishment at their own game and win!

Which is a tempting but futile thing, in all probability. After all, casino’s are very ruthless businesses. And for those of us with any kind of addiction issue, hanging around a casino —organised by people who’ve picked up hints from the recreational pharmaceutical industry — is necessarily a good way to find out if you HAVEN’T got a gambling problem.

But, my word, isn’t it still tempting?

* The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is where the word ‘hacker’, in the sense of a computer hacker, originally evolved. They used to the word to mean someone who did a good hack; found a way to solve a problem, or exploited a flaw to do something entertaining and unexpected. Card counting, I’m thinking, is a good example. The

Opening’s in Technology

Well now, there’s a thing …

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m a technology fan, I really am … !

And one that’s on something of a budget, like many of us.

So I’ve, like many others, fallen back on what’s known as open source software.

Just in case you DIDN’T know, Open source software is computer software that is usually given away freely.

And, unlike many bits of proprietary software, the underlying code — the actual text that makes up the software — is readily accessibly those those who wish to change it, improve it, study it …

Or just plain have a look at it.

Now you’re PROBABLY thinking that’s a BIT geeky, aren’t you … ?

But if you reading this vis Firefox or Chrome … ?

They’re open-source web-browsers.

If you, like me, have used OpenOffice.org, or a version or it … ?

That’s another piece of open source software …

Or you’re using Ubuntu, or another Gnu/Linux distribution to work your PC … ? Or Android, in the case of an android phone … ?

They’re whole open source operating systems …

And usually, they’re NORMALLY handed out for free.

All the likes of you and me have to do is pay any company that’s made such a thing for technical support …

Unlike, for example, the case of any given version of Windows, or Mac OS X — or any other piece of closed source proprietary software — where you’d be paying twice over: once for any technical support, and once for buying the software in the first place.

»»~««

For many of us … ?

Well, for many of us, that mean’s that there’s a LOT of free software out there, that’s certainly on a par with it’s commercial equivalent.

Given the choice, I personally would go for an Ubuntu equipped PC, if I couldn’t afford another: although I realise that’s not going to please everyone.

If for no other reason than the fact that iTunes isn’t available on the platform.

However … ?

While I’m not surprised that more home users don’t know about open source software — mostly because of the way the shops that SELL us computers work, and the lack of a Linux version of iTunes is a big hindrance to its uptake — I AM surprised that local and national governments don’t make more use of it.

Near enough exactly what this little article I found says, if I’ve understood it correctly … ?

Can I be honest … ?

I’m thinking that good old fashioned inertia seems to be wider spread than people think …