From Google spokesperson: "...I think there are some left over elements of totalitarianism in China."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jan/13/google-hacking-us-reaction

The problems with my laptop are getting increasingly annoying, and it's getting to the point where I'd like something new and shiny that doesn't shut down randomly and without broken hinges. I'm finding this remarkably difficult. For a start, I've had enough of Dell. The build quality of this Inspiron was never really what it should be and I don ( Read more... )

A slightly belated Merry Christmas to all. I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas, and that the new year is equally good.

I'm back in Dublin and enjoying the usual family Christmas fun. It's wonderful to have a little opportunity to relax and unwind.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday was Dragonmeet, the local one day games convention. I dragged myself out of bed early in order to be there in time for the morning roleplaying. I really wish I hadn't bothered, but that will be a whole post of its own if I get around to it. After that, I spent most of the day socialising. It's a strange con. It somehow doesn't seem to ( Read more... )

At the weekend I made a trip to my first English holiday resort convention, in a chalet on a cliff on the south coast. The drive down was fine except for the driving rain, flooding and an accidental visit to Southampton. The rain and wind continued all weekend, which was mostly atmospheric except when the chalet seemed in danger of blowing away, ( Read more... )

There was a guy with a rat on his shoulder on the platform on my way to work today. He (human, not rat) was amazingly blasé about playing with his phone while the rat leaned out to examine the rest of the crowd. Obviously a very well trained and tame rat.

Very cute.

( Read more... )

I've had a car for a week. I can tell this because my one week drive away insurance expires at midnight. Please don't steal my car tonight. Tomorrow morning I will be forced to finally make a decision and buy real insurance. Right now the best quotes are Elephant, Direct Line and Quinn Direct. I have basis on which to make this decision ( Read more... )

Why do Google insist on filling otherwise excellent applications with UI glitches so annoying that they make me want to plot their destruction ( Read more... )

We've just returned from two nights staying in lodges in the jungle. I've spent more time on boats in the last 48 hours than not, so dry land is still rocking back and forwards in a disconcerting manner ( Read more... )