My new favourite software
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
is here. I inadvertantly bought a copy-protected CD the other day. This was a stupid thing to do, I had even previously twice returned this particular CD to the shelf in this particular store because it was copy-protected. For some reason I forgot this and bought it anyway.
Luckily, Easy CD-DA Extractor came to the rescue. It allows the copying of copy-protected discs. This saved me having to buy a new CD player simply because the greedy record companies manufacture discs that don't conform to the Compact Disc standard. I can't condone breaking the law, but this software works well. Get it. Also, try to avoid buying copy-protected discs.
It also does ripping/conversions e.g. ogg>mp3, mp3>wma flac>mp3 etc
By way of protest, I may package up my un-copy-protected album and make it available for all as a torrent file.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Monday, July 26, 2004
Fed up having to register with a website just to get to the stuff you want? Try this
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Short attention span?
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
German Grand Prix
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
This weekend sees the FIA Formula 1 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. I am bored of Formula 1, it has become exactly that; a set formula. I will no longer put up with it. Unless this weekend’s race is spectacular in the extreme (and the German doesn’t win) I will not watch any more races this season. Finished.
I am not going to give up my summer Sundays to watch a sport that has become so self-important. Drivers at the last Grand Prix were mysteriously spinning in the first qualifying session. This meant they went earlier in the second qualifying session (which determines grid positions). The teams’ meteorologists had forecast rain during the second half of the second qualifying session. I’m sure the drivers deny that they deliberately span but it’s just not on. The formula is wrong.
Formula 1 has long been a showcase for the best in automotive technology. Sadly for those on the outside, it's all too clear that the participants have become too good. There is no competition. The cars can’t race each other because their aerodynamics interfere with each other. Races are routinely won in the pit lane rather than by anyone actually overtaking another driver. It's become a battle of software engineers, aerodynamicists and strategists. And the team with the most cash keeps getting richer, while the “minnows” get poorer.
The FIA has made some rule changes to try and make the formula more competitive, but they just haven't worked or won't be happening for several years. Something needs to be changed quickly (not in 4 or 5 years time). My favourite is "success ballast" as seen in BTCC - if you win, you carry more weight in the next race to slow you down a bit and increase competition. I guess with F1 cars simply giving a team a few lead bricks and saying "Ere, carry these" could have safety concerns with offsetting the car's balance etc so perhaps it could be up to the teams where they include the weight. All cars should also then start each race with a standard amount of fuel.
Something needs to be done to revive F1 and turn it back into a sport. Although, after this weekend it may not bother me as I may not be watching it any more this season.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Messenger-ing
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Tim recently told me about a web-based MSN Messenger client that means you can sign into MSN Messenger in a web browser like Internet Explorer, rather than have to install/use MSN Messenger's own program. For a PC that doesn't have Messenger installed and is behind a quite restrictive firewall (like at work for instance), this sounded really good.
Today I have give it a whirl and had a quick chat with a couple of people. It works very well. Oh, and it's FREE!! Genius.
The service is here
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Regional Assembly?
Sunday, July 18, 2004
On my way to work I pass several large billboards. Most suggest that I need a 4x4 in order to successfully traverse the virtually impassable terrain between my house and Morrisons. Some suggest that should I buy yet another razor I am virtually guaranteed to have a model in a flimsy dress glide her hand across my chin.
The billboard that caught my eye this week is far less glitzy. It's relatively simple. It's hidden on a backstreet. It's for the "Your Say" Elected Regional Assembly campaign. There's a website as well.
My first reaction was: "Why do we need a referendum that no one will bother voting at, for a body that no one really needs or wants?". Then I realised that I knew very little about the matter. Before passing comment, I thought I'd read up a bit at both the "Yes" and the "No" websites.
My initial opinion hasn't changed. I will be voting "No".
Quotes I found most interesting from each camp:
- From the "Yes" camp - "The plans for a new Regional Assembly is not about taking power away from local councils; their role is clear". So what's if for then? From the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's factsheet, all I can clearly see is that the Assembly will have £570m to spend and will be responsible for the Fire & Rescue Service.
- From the "No" camp - "The administration costs (i.e. before the costs of any services delivered) will be around £30 million per year. There will be 30 MYAs (Members of the Yorkshire Assembly) on £35,000 a year each and there will be a support staff of 200 or so – in addition to the 230 who currently work for Yorkshire Forward. Average Council Tax bills are likely to rise by £25 per year." Think that's the clincher for me really.
Oh, and the "Yes" website makes at least one reference to the Assembly's intentions for North Yorkshire. They forgot South Yorkshire. Make of that what you will.
Politics is not one of my loves. I fall into a very large section of the population who would struggle to name their councillor, MP and MEP. I tend to take an interest only when I feel an issue directly affects me. And this issue will directly affect me. My main concern is the cost to benefit ratio. I really can't see it. The proposed assembly just doesn't have any accountable responsibilities. All of the areas mentioned that the proposed assembly will control/offer guidance on seem to be adequately covered by a whole host of other bodies. This doesn't appear to be a way of reducing inefficiency. The Assembly looks as if it will add a further seal of red tape to this region's affairs.
If the Assembly was being proposed with the clearly stated intention of abolishing several other disparate, inefficient local bodies I would be all up for it. But it isn't. It's just a joke. Thirty-odd people meeting once a month for half an hour voting themselves pay-rises and deciding on the new colour scheme for their office. I could do that for £35,000.
Two things alarm me most; firstly that so much time, effort and taxes will be spent on just preparing/holding the referendum. Secondly, that so few people will bother voting that by the end of the year it will probably be set up, swallowing my taxes and not delivering me a single benefit.
Of course, if someone can convince me that the proposed assembly is really worthwhile (or if I manage to get myself on the candidate list), I may change my mind...
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
We have moved (back)!
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Yep, had to reluctantly give up trying to work out why can't successfully host Blog at home. We're back here at hotphil.blogspot.com now (or at least until I have certainly worked out the issue!).
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Catch me if you can....
I have booked-in the Bullet to have one of these fitted.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Justice
This week, a former judge who "pleaded guilty to 12 counts of making and possessing indecent images of children" was not sent to jail. By contrast, a Sheffield man stupid enough to accidentally shoot himself in the groin with a shotgun was sent to jail.
I just don't get it.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Still Messing About
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Still trying to work out why some people can't access this site. Not really much further forward to be honest - a simple text file was accessible to all yesterday but anything more complex seems to generate all kinds of dropped packets on the firewall. If can't get it sorted soon, we will be moving back to Blogger hosting!
Have been so busy doing it have not had time to describe the weekend in Edinburgh. Luckily, Nick has done it here, saving me the bother! Which reminds me - anyone who's put a link to this site on their site may find it no longer works - part of the messing about. Sorry. Format will settle down soon I promise.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Messing About
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Yes, am messing about with template/site to try and find out why several people have trouble viewing site from (most notably, Mother when she's at work!). Will get it sorted.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Having a Break
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Probably last post for a few days as a) have to sort out tyre grrrrrrr.... and b) am off to Edinburgh for weekend. Here's some stuff to be getting on with:
The true source of problems with the US economy is not knowing what size paper to use.
Some proper tat
And his government tried to shut him down. Never. Why would they do that?
Mostly nerds, but an interesting insight into some people's lives/good place to get initial info if you want to stalk someone. Watch out for the scary lesbian woman from Berlin. A true living stereotype...
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Why do I even bother?
Very excited about going to Edinburgh this weekend. Thought it might be an idea to give the Blue Bullet a bit of a clean before heading up there. Three arduous hours spent last night and it looked fabulous inside and out. A coat of polish, oil and water topped up, new wipers and a fully inflated spare tyre.
Was feeling dog-tired afterwards so took it out for a spin to get a bottle of wine to sit on the sofa with.
Wake up this morning to heavy (bordering on torrential) rain that has brought down power lines in the south. Decide that best bet for getting to work semi-dry is to drive there and arrive at 7:15 so as to guarantee getting in car park. Just one problem, apart from losing it's polished sparkle in the ongoing storm, it has also lost all the air in one tyre. Feck.
Why today when I need the bloody thing?
Am now standing on tram, about to get soaking wet when have to walk last bit of journey to work. Feck. Not happy.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Idiot Driver of the Day
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Where did they find THIS guy? I am sure that on the first day of HGV school they don't say "When at a red traffic light, don't worry if a pedestrian has started to cross - just put it in gear and drive through the red light so that your cab is on one side of the lights whilst the rest of your truck blocks the crossing. The pedestrian will happily retreat and patiently wait for another whole cycle of the lights".
TOSSER: H443 MAJ
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Crisp/Savoury Snack Review 8
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Manufacturer: KP
Bag size: 250g
Calories/100g: 599
Fat/100g: 48.4g
First thoughts - You wait ages for a new peanut flavour to come along, then three turn up at once. All only seen so far in 250g bags. I can't remember the other two but do remember thinking that Cracked Black Pepper sounded the best. It's a big bag and the design looks a bit classier than your standard KP nuts bag.
These nuts look a bit weird. Covered in black and white speckles of something. Actually eating them gives an unexpected taste. It all comes down to that ol' favourite - the difference between "flavour" and "flavoured". These nuts are not "cracked black pepper flavoured". Therein lies the problem. These don't taste of cracked black pepper. I would have liked these to have been peanuts with a bit of cracked black pepper sprinkled on. Nothing else. That would have been good. Instead they are trying to mislead the public again.
I've had enough of this kind of blatant con. It is time to fight back against "flavours". I demand proper labelling that can even be understood by simpletons. These should be called "Peanuts that we've sprinkled some black pepper on but then masked the flavour with malic acid and dried skimmed milk, yes really, MILK". It is time for a revolution. I am issuing a call-to-arms for all those opposed to this kind of rubbish launching of snacks. Are you with me? We will march to Ashby-De-La-Zouch and storm the battlements! We shall fight on the friers, we shall fight on the loading bays, we shall fight in the offices and in the board room, we shall fight in the testing department; we shall never surrender. We will make them do flavouring properly or not at all!
I shan't be trying the other flavours.
Score - 2/10. Con.
Jane says - "urrrgh"
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
"stable door", "horse" and "bolted" spring to mind?
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Competitions
Monday, July 05, 2004
In the last fortnight I have been fortunate enough to have won a plethora of competitions. Just a small selection of the prizes I have won are:
5,000 pounds("guaranteed")
A 10 day Mediterranean cruise
500 pounds of holiday vouchers
All I have to do to get my paws on these is to ring a special telephone number, or press "0" when the nice lady says so. The nice lady fails to mention how much it will cost for me to press "0".
I'm used to the occasional unsolicited human ringing me to sell me stuff I dont want, but I'm new to the "automated lady" flavour. It's twenty times more annoying than the human. At least with the human you get to be rude to them and hang up. Not so with the "automated lady".
Quite how they got "consent" to call my number is a mystery. I am scrupulously careful to tick the "if you ever contact me in any form I will come round to your office and staple both your ears to the desk" box on any form that I complete (online or on paper). I remembered reading that in the United States there is a regulatory body that you can register with to stop this kind of call. Once registered, it is illegal for telemarketers to call you. In discussions with a colleague, I found out that there is a UK equivalent. Hurrah! However, I was doubtful that it would have the same powers as the US version. I set about finding it anyway.
And here it is - and they have teeth.
There's a couple of bad points though:
The TPS only "protects" against unsolicited calls, so if at some point down the line I've advertantly gave someone permission to call me, they still can. However, I hope that registering will still lead to a vast reduction in calls (after the 28 days it takes to set up are over)!
Secondly, to file a complaint you have to be savvy enough to get quite a lot of info out of the caller whilst under pressure to resist their sales speak.
The same site also has a link to the "Mail Preference Service", which provides a similar service for junk mail. Personally, I like junk mail - I find shredding strangely addictive.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Friday, July 02, 2004
Now we've started
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
If it gets built and you go, remember never to fiddle with another man's dials.
Mock him! Mock him!
Haven't had a chance to read all of this and decide whether to give it a whirl, but a quick glance looks intriguing.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Wheely Willy
"When I see dogs like him, I wish I could put them on a wheelchair." Agreed. But being Japanese, you'd probably then televise them racing each other.
EDIT: Oh no please! He actually has his own website!
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
A couple of technical discrepancies with other articles I've seen, but the picture in this article shows it as being one lovely gadget.
Edit: Nick clearly isn't impressed. I had been swayed from the iPod path, but he's got some good arguments. Will maybe try to have a play with his iPod in Edinburgh this weekend. But then again....the Karma is just SOOO nice. And yes, I have built scale paper models of each to see how they look/fit in my pocket.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
A return to my tiny insignificant campaign of naming idiotic motorists - 'Idiot Driver Of The Day'.
Today: YT51 NVD
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
