artiss.blog

Category: Life

Random thoughts on life

  • Hit below the belt

    Hit below the belt

    As you are probably aware from my various blog entries, I’m a member of a local theatre group. I do as much as I can to help, including creating and running their website (with next to no feedback or comments from either members of committee), designing posters, etc, etc. And I’m happy to do it.

    I’ve also been on the committee twice before. Once, looking after the patrons. Then, later, as a Society Representative. Unfortunately, due to illness I resigned from the latter role, stating that it was due to “personal reasons” (I really didn’t feel the need to give exact details!).

    Now, the position of Vice President has become free and I’ve put my name forward. On Wednesday night myself and, at least one other person, will present our case and the votes will be cast.

    In the past, senior positions on the committee have caused some nastiness from within the society, as people take sides. Except there’s no real need for it and it just causes ill feelings. At least one person fell out the last time this happened and I think it affected others, who have not since been quite so involved as they once were.

    You’d think history would teach a lesson, but as nothing was done about it that time, it continues. This time the daggers have come out for me. “Don’t vote for him, when he doesn’t get his way he resigns from the committee,” is how the rumours is going around. In some versions I’ve resigned twice, in others 4 times (an impossibility, as you can only resign once from a position!).

    And you know.. it does hurt. People who you regard as friends being spiteful and vindictive behind your back.

    So far I’m saying nothing. I’ve written a speech for Wednesday which a friend (who also put forward my nomination for the  role), who also happens to a psychology degree, helped check. In particular, it’s checked to ensure I don’t accidentely make the mistake myself – the speech is about me and why I’m good for the role. It insults no-one and makes no mention of anyone else who is going for the same role.

    To be honest, the damage is probably already done towards me. The “rumour” has probably been directed at new members, who won’t know better. The competition was already quite stiff, and I suspect this will have put an end to my chances.

    But, as I say, I’m saying nothing unless asked. All I can do now is my best and, even if nobody else wants to, I’m determined there will be at least some integrity remaining from all of this.

  • The Smallest of Worlds

    The Smallest of Worlds

    I’m an IT geek. That’s pretty much known.

    And what got me into IT, other than the Commodore 64 that I had at home, were the BBC Micro‘s (and Master‘s) that I used at school and, later, college. Indeed I barely touched a PC during this time. And it was my experience during this time that got me a job in IT straight away, no degree required (quite rare at that time in the commercial sector).

    The “Beeb” was a superb computer. Well designed and very quick (you quite easily write a commercial program in BASIC. Even a game). They shared a similiar processor to the Commodore 64 (6510 vs 6502) so I could even use my machine code knowledge and write assembler on the BBC as well. Stick a decent monitor and a twin dual-side disk drive on a BBC Master and it was an absolute beast.

    Good times.

    The chap who designed the BBC Micro went onto design the ARM processor. This spun off to a seperate company (ARM Limited, based in Cambridge) which a good friend of mine works for. The ARM processor is now used in numerous devices, including many mobile phones.

    Truly a genius and a bit of a god-like figure to someone such as me.

    Which is why it came as a surprise, completely accidentely, to discover that he’s the father of a good friend of mine. Steve Furber is the man. Catherine is his daughter, and a fellow member of Beeston Musical Theatre Group.

    He picks up an MBE from the Queen in a couple of weeks time.

    Well deserved too.

  • Cold Calls

    Cold Calls

    We’ve had 3 phone calls this week that very much fall into the category of “cold calling”. Odd, as we’re registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) not to receive calls like this.

    The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a central opt out register whereby individuals can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. It is a legal requirement that companies do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS.

    So, what can we do about these calls?

    If you are receiving unsolicited sales and marketing voice recorded messages down your telephone line, and you have not given prior consent to receive such messages, you can ask the marketer to stop sending these.

    They are legally obliged to act upon your request.

    However if you are still receiving such calls (or it is not possible to ask the company to stop sending these types of messages) you can complain directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). They are the government body responsible for enforcing the regulations.

    I’d therefore suggest that when you receive such calls, to do the following…

    • Ask for details on which company they represent
    • Tell them you are signed up to the TPS. This often causes an immediate reaction, as they know the consequences of this.
    • If this makes no difference, point out that it is illegal for them to call you when you are registered with the TPS.
    • If this makes no difference, tell them you are going to report their company and that you don’t wish to be contact again. Hang up.

    Everyone makes mistakes, so that’s all that may have happened here… give the company a chance to realise their mistake and correct it. If they’re unwilling, then DO contact the ICO.

    Unfortunately, none of this applies if the company is outside of the UK (the company they represent, not necessarily the company calling you) as TPS and ICO have no jurisdiction. Never-the-less I’d still ask the previous questions about TPS and, if not helpful, ask them to remove you from their contact lists. If all else fails, ask them to never call again and hang up.

  • The New Highway Code

    The New Highway Code

    I’d like to take this opportunity to make a plea. To drivers. First of all an extract from the Highway Code.

    Driving on the motorway – Rule 259

    When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from an adjoining motorway. You should

    • give priority to traffic already on the motorway
    • check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane

    Now, I assume the same applies to slip roads onto other roads, such as A roads.

    What the Highway Code DOESN’T say is

    • Drive up the slip road, with your indicator on, until you get to the end.
    • Join the main carriageway, whether clear or not. You have priority so other drivers must move out of your way

    End of todays lesson.

  • Wiiiiiiiii

    No, I’m not sliding down a bannister.  Instead, Santa brought me a Wii for Christmas (or rather Boots.com did a few months ago, before stocks starting running out, and I had it in a cupboard until Tuesday).

    Wow, great machine. Immediately bought some Wii points and splashed out on a Virtual Console game (Mario 3, which Laura was struggling to play on her laptop) and the Internet Channel. So, if you’re thinking of getting one, here are some tips that I wish I’d known before…

    •  Super Mario Galaxy is THE game to get. Very, very addictive.
    • I didn’t think I’d need a second Nunchuck, but I was wrong. Lego Star Wars requires one for the second player. Cheapest price is £13.99 from DVD.CO.UK
    • Some of the virtual console games WON’T work with a Wii controller, and require you to buy a classic controller. That will be an extra £15 (play.com, Argos, etc). Depends if old NES and N64 games are your bag though.
    • You can buy Wii points from outlets such as Amazon but you can also buy via the Shop Channel on the Wii. It’s £7 for 1000 points (Internet Channel was 500 points and virtual games are usually 500-1000 points each).
    • The Shop Channel is dog slow unless it’s on certain router channels (1 or 11 I think). I use 6 as I have a Super-G option.

    And, thankfully a tip I found beforehand, Nintendo are providing free protective “jackets” for the controller. If you’ve not got one (or how many you need) then they’re recommended.