Posts by Ian Bonham
156 posts • joined Tuesday 6th November 2007 17:23 GMT
Good News
I'm actually really glad that there is another run at this. I worked for a while at NorthantsTV, am NTL hosted local cable station, and we managed to get an RSL for Northamptonshire based on our output over cable, OFCOM gave us some good support.
Yes, what we put out was utter shite when you look at Sherlock or Doctor Who, but the difference was what we put out was local. People tuned in to see themselves or their friends on telly. Why do you think X-Factor and stuff like that are popular? "Ooh, might see my friend on Telly tonight"! It gets an audience!
NorthantsTV went down due to the fact that TV takes a HAUGE amount of money, and to provide a local news service cost a fortune, even with one camera ENG shoots. You can't have the news sponsored (under OFCOM rules, only the weather) so the news teams have to be paid from the general airtime budgets. You are restricted to the amount of adverts you can bumper around the news in any one hour, so that became a big drain.
I hope this time around, OFCOM will be more lenient on the amount of advertising time, or what can be sponsored, because if not, the money hoover that is local TV is never going to work in a small market like the UK.
Canonical
Ok, I'm putting on a suit of Armour here, but I bloody LOVE Xubuntu. It's a cracking tool of an OS, built on Deb, tweaked by Canon, and then tweaked again with XFCE.
I use it on my laptop every day when here in Gibraltar I have to go deal with issues. The XFCE interface is quick and tidy, and Can# have done some nice work under the bonnet. I can find what I need quickly, easily, and it works. It takes me less time, so I end up billing clients less. I can see more clients in a day so I've lost no profit.
On 2 sites now, I have Terminal Server delivering to XUbuntu Linux clients over rdesktop, and a third site using Mint. Xubuntu causes me less call outs.
I'm with Mark on this, I think the guy has a bloody good idea. Also, it's working for me as an engineer. I once wrote an article that got slashdotted, where I argued Linux needed a killer game to make it into the desktop. I was wrong. Linux ITX boards can so host happily RDesktop or Citrix sessions, that makes it viable in the offide. We have proved it in Gibraltar. The games, I'll leave that to Valve, they seem on the case.
For me, Linux on the desktop is here. It's what we run on it that will be interesting
sshfs...
Am I the only one running sshfs on my tablet and phone (both Android). I get access to terrabytes of storage at home as though it's in my pocket, it's fairly secure, and with a cable broadband at home @ 100/10 it's perfectly usable. My data is not there for any cloud host to trawl through at will, and INGREDIENTS can expand it when I need. Also, because I only need to store things I need when away from wifi (rare) I could buy a cheap tablet at 130€ rather than spend a load on portable storage. I'll also not be crying if IT loose a device. Seems a win-win to me?
Cut off Date
I have a feeling this cut off will be in Beta for at least 6 years....
Keeel themmm....
See title, probs only relevant to people who watch "Armstrong & Miller"...
Terrahawks
He did Terrahawks too?
I loved that show!
RIP Gerry, thank you
(We need an RIP icon...)
Phil W is pretty much correct...
I totally agree with Phil W, the proof reading has been piss poor recently, and some of the articles on my favorite Lesbian journal (Yes, I've been reading the Reg for some time!) have been really bad. It doesn't take me 2 minutes to read most articles, so why can't someone there proof a colleagues work? It would so improve the quality and add gravitas to the article it's self. Is the plan to become the "Guardian" of the digital age maybe? (In reference to the news paper "Guardian"'s often terrible proof, historically?)
Technical reviews are excellent and really appreciated, and Reg Hardware has often guided me in purchase decisions. Most of which I've found have lead me to making good purchases. I wonder though, if Hardware can do a technical breakdown, and then another section, "Lifestyle" for example could give us a real world, life with said device story? Both styles would be absolutely excellent.
For example, I'm using Rasberry PI's at the moment in work. I need to know the technical specs because in this case I'm using them as Nagios boxes. I'm also now using them at home to replace some full on desktops, for the lower power usage. So two totally different applications there. I'd like to see the tech review so I have some back ground before I order something, but I'd also like to see how they are as Day to Day devices.
Hope that helps a little and makes some sense?
Keep up the good work, just keep cheeking the poof reading and the speeeling,
Bon
Garbage
Oh El Reg,
Your standards do vary but this article is beyond the pale. A lot of it makes no sense in English, are you outsourcing your writing to an Indian Call centre? If I was the editor, I'd pull this one down and get it right before publishing it again. It lets down the quality of the whole site.
Please, for your sake, and for mine as a reader and supporter of The Reg,
Sort the grammar
Vesta
Vesta, they made a right meal of it.
See icon...
Re: You snoop on everything...
His wife has already left him after finding encrypted emails on his computer and assuming the worst...
Faster at Java
Ok, so it runs Java much faster. Going on the last few weeks articles, and I'm no Java/Sparc expert, does this mean it will be faster at running Java exploits too?
First to say...
Deckchairs. Titanic?
I bet I'm not the first though...
Posted in China mutates plants ... IN SPAAAAAACE
Extreme Caution
Come on China, don't you remember the bloody Vervoids? STOP IT NOW!!!
Desktops
I'm using Xubuntu, after Unity got right on my Tits. I tried Gnome3, but that wound me up as it actually slowed up my work flow too. KDE got irritating too, for being a bit of a resource hog, and I never went back to it. So, XFCE for me, for now.
This is the thing though. At least with Linux there is choice. Yes, there will be flame wars between different desktops, but I pick whats right for me at the time. With Linux I can do that. I'm not being forced into Notro, or Apples decisions. I can slap any desktop I pretty much like on my machine. I will try anything, if it makes my life easier. I use Mythbuntu on my tellybox. I like it, but gave UbuntuTV a shot, and that went right away because of the amount of png thumbnail images it shoved into my video library.
We have choices on Linux, which is great. We don't need flame wars. If you like something and it makes your life easier, use it. If you don't like it, sack it off and leave it. I'm seeing the same thing in UK politics as 'Conservatives' don't like the new 'Dave-Desktop' and are switching to UKIP.
Choice is great.
Pierogi
Surely these are much easier for post beer grub, and most petrol stations stock them, produced by a company called "Ginsters" I believe...?
Foxconn
Will they be slapping it together? If so, can we expect a big Apple badge on it? Also, I'm not sure I'd completely trust the data coming from it, unless that data is properly open and it's got scientists from around the World working on it. They could claim anything they liked. I mean, DID America really land on the moon?
(Getting the conspiracy party started...)
Posted in Driving a car? There's an app for that
Real World...
So, my sister used to borrow my car, and leave the bloody tank empty. I did the same when I used to use Dad's car before that TBH, but to the point.
Sister has called up the car and it's taken her and a bunch of mates into town. She's left it there and not filled it up. I decide to call it to come home from work, and it's driving to me and runs out of fuel. What then? I walk to the car with a 5ltr can of petrol/hydrogen/fuel of the week? Another car of a friend is selected (maybe a friend on Facebook) comes and rescues me, takes me to the petrol/hydrogen station to get the fuel then takes me to my car to recover it? Then both cars take me back to the station to refuel mine and put the used fuel back into the rescue car? Car drives it's self to the nearest fuel stop, and gets filled up by a meat sack, who charges then who? Me? My friends I 'share' my car with?
Fuel is becoming so expensive I feel this may become a bit of a sticking point, knowing human nature.
Clean install....
A clean install of Windows is generally a pleasurable experience. 6 months down the line, maybe less so. Lets see how 8 fares in the long term. As for the UI, I think M$ is just coping the open source crowd (again) by pissing people off, a la KDE, Gnome, Unity...
The Register contacted Optical Express for comment, but it has yet to respond.
They couldn't read the email due to botched laser eye treatment (allegedly). I've booked a shark to do mine...
BBC
I looked on with utter jealousy at the services the BBC provided in the UK over the Olympics. Here in Spain we have NO red button service whatsoever, and although TVE was the official Olympic broadcaster, basically we got very little. TVE-HD showed events, as did the SD channel TDP. However, rather than make the most of the space, often both channels showed the same thing. TVE1 ran highlights shows. It was piss poor, and I was insanely jealous of what the BBC offered.
I understand NBC in the USA showed it all delayed, so they could make the most of advertising, and cut out chunks of stuff as it wasn't relevent to the USA audience (in their minds).
For £6.38, you got complete coverage, on TV, on the Web, and on Radio. That to me seems a fair deal really, and from where I'm sitting I've have paid that nin a second for coverage like that. You could have probably got it for a bit less if you'd not paid for Trevor Nelson, Huw Edwards and that other one to natter inane comments over the opening ceremony though... I think well done BBC though.
Re: seems a fair price
Learn to type and use a spell checker, then get back to me...
"any thoughts of following my dad’s passion for bosons was replaced with a passion for boys. You know how it is ..."
Only too well... ;)
Re: Ads
Yeah, would use adblock etc but I do design some ads, so I can't really block them when testing, and I tend to open el Reg in same browser so I can flick tabs. I just don't design ads that are so bloody irritating though.
Perhaps this is part of MS's new policy, they are going to make their ads as annoying as their new desktop?
Ads
The mood Microsoft have me in at the moment is INCREDIBLY pissed off. If that HAUGE fuck off banner ad at the top of the Reg doesn't go very soon, I'm gonna stop visiting the site. I hate having to minimise an ad just to concentrate on the news I'm trying to read.
I know El Reg likes a $, but that much? Seriously?
Are they available in prescription?
Having been staring at CRT and LCD for many years, my eyes are already knackered. Whats going to be the eye strain on focusing between the HUD and the real World? What about us glasses wearers? Will the glass be available to your prescription? Bi focal?
This looks like a fun technology (fun, not necessarily useful). I think they'll only be any good for people with decent eyesight though.
Erm..
"Even better security could be achieved by using a made-up phrase to derive a password, Cluley suggests."
Which takes us right back to the Bible...
Thinks...
Pot? Check. Rebellious? Check. Bad photos as a Youngster? Check. Can hack an iPhone? Check.
Early Apple experiment with the iClone?
Heading to North Africa
I'm keeping an eye out for it here in Gibraltar!
Re: Hmm
Re-nationalise BT, and merge the two?!
My issue...
is that the dear Old Beeb (and I Love the Beeb) has in the past years decided quantity over quality. 3 & 4, Radios 5,6,7. What is the reasoning for these? To drive more digital uptake, or as I've heard before "The BBC must compete in a digital arena".
The BBC has GOT to loose it's focus on having a diverse channel line up. They should pare back to 3 TV channels (1,2,24) and limit the number of radio stations. Radio 7 (now 4+ I think) is just re-hashing old Radio 4 drama and comedy. BBC 3 turns out very little of quality (Snog, Marry, Avoid?). BBC4 turns out some EXCELLENT material (Holy Flying Circus?), but nothing that couldn't be on BBC2 as it used to be.
If the Corporation was trimmed right back with it's on air line up, and just remained committed to delivering World beating quality television, everything else it generated could be made available on demand, with a PayG structure. Shows like Sherlock and Doctor Who for example are hugely impressive productions. They should be on broadcast TV, as to advertise the BBC production quality. Snog, Marry, Avoid could quite happily be on YouTube or iPlayer and available as a Pay on Demand (although I think it would soon prove unprofitable). Repeats of Sherlock can be on demand on Kangaroo (or whatever it's called now) and you pay for each showing or buy permanent repeat rights. This is no different to what movie studios do now, but the BBC brand attracts attention because of the 'generally' very high quality.
So in summing up, trim the broadcast TV & Radio line up right back, and push the money into quality. Deliver library content on demand on line, and I think the Beeb will be with for another Hundred years. KBO, and I give it 20 at the best.
Erm...
Isn't this Microsofts standard model? Bloated code and wait for the hardware to catch up?
Wintel was a great little civil partnership, each drove the others business. However now Microsoft are also seeing other people, they (Microsoft) can't drive the show so much anymore. Their new Beaus have other things to consider like power draw etc. So Microsoft has to flirt again, not be the demanding Alpha partner.
I just don't see Ballmer or any of his team as the chocolates and flowers gang. I think they are more of the "Right, bend over..." mindset.
Posted in Orange 3G data network goes titsup
Erm, while I think of it
If any Orange staffers still have Internet, I think I've sussed it... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/03/07/sun_solar_flare/
Posted in Orange 3G data network goes titsup
So how...
"In the meantime don't be surprised if your Orange data connection fails: it's not your phone, or your coverage, the whole network is up the spout. ®"
So how are they going to read this article then?
Posted in Anonymous takes down Vatican website
Not bad....
but I think it could be a lot more fun to flash mod UK RC Churches this weekend. Make 'em think they've drawn a right crowd, and then totally disrupt proceedings. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/catholic-leader-issues-letter-warning-against-samesex-marriage-7541618.html
Well, if a Union Leader can call for Civil Disobedience, lets do it, just lets make it worth something!
I've been wondering what to do when Dad's old 6310 finally dies, all the smart phones in the World would be no use for him. This is a genius product and there's a lot of thought obviously gone in. It seems they've properly understood their target market's needs and issues. Bravo!
Posted in LOHAN is heading towards REHAB
All good fun!
We might be on the ropes financially here in Spain, and Rajoy may be wringing us dry, but it's great to see there is still a sense of fun and adventure!
Great start...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17267334
A slight distraction from the main event I feel!! Someone plug it in wrong?
@ Mahatma Coat
Brown, a clone of Blair? Really?
Tips
"Thanks to Paul M and John C for the tip" .. A Filter Tip presumably?
iPad?
I'm quite enjoying this kerfuffle, as a warm-up act to the possibly upcoming iTV battle! :)
Posted in PARIS soars to Guinness World Record
Congratulations!
Congratulations Guys! It was great following the project, and this is acclaim indeed!! Will be raising a beer for you at about 3pm! :)
Posted in Archos 35 Home Connect
FM
It is a shame it does not have FM or DAB, could these be added via USB?
Re: So when
Cosmo, isn't Google Talk built on SIP standards? I know I can hook Google Talk into Jabber on Asterisk easy. Not so much with Apple or MS products tho
Fair Do's Cisco
I can see their point TBH. As soon as M$ got their grubby mitts on Skype, the Skype for Asterisk project at Digium went out the window (excuse the pun), We don't need a replay of "Browser wars" with video & voice chat (and IM).
If Google can buy and open source WebM, lets see if this is Microsofts equivalent. Buying and open sourcing Skype... not holding my breath...
New Keyboard please...
Just laughed Bread sauce over my keyboard, I do believe in that sort of circumstance the Reg owes me a new one.
Happy Christmas everyone!
Resident Evil
Resi Evil has been quite enjoyable I thought
Top Gear next...
A brilliant effort and adventure. Now, can you launch and successfully land a Robin Reliant? That I WOULD like to see...
:)
Crack-Down on Crime
I'm only bringing one thing to the argument, and thats because I live on the Costa, being a UK ex-Pat, and this thing well, it's right getting on my tits.
The UK populus in general sees the Costa as the “Costa del Crime”, because a few bad apples made it over here. Well, they probably did, and are RAKING money in from UK wombats who think they should be a model or a movie star. Many Kids who see TV these days in the UK expect stardom, and when that's not delivered on a plate to them, they turn to the net.
We (All Reg readers) know it's a crock of shite, but if there is money to burn, someone will have it.
That could be anywhere.
I'm now going to defend Fuengirola, because I left Northampton to come and work and live here. It's a lovely town, with great people. The Spanish residents are a GREAT community, and are people I sup a bevvy with often. The English holiday makers, well, 'nuff said.
I'm NOT marketing for the Costa, I'm a programmer. Just stop dissing the Costa. It's a lovely place, and how many of you sad lot actually get off the beaches and explore a Country?
"Windows is better for photos than a Mac, hands down"
But Linux is better still...
<ducks> !
