Posts by mike2R

Stupid law

"It would be better for everyone if the IAB Europe's view is right," said Robertson. "It is a pragmatic way to interpret a very bad law that otherwise damages the user experience on websites."

Couldn't have put it better myself. If the EU really, really, really want to 'solve' this non-problem then they should mandate that browsers refuse cookies by default. Completely pointless of course, but at least it will cause less problems than the current idiocy.

Heard at work.

A colleague of mine was working on a customer's laptop. What I heard was "Urgh! I think I've just discovered where this guy scrapes off his earwax..."

The story of McMean

McMean was tired of being poor, so he prayed to God: "please God, let me win the nation lottery."

The draw came, and McMean didn't win. Telling himself not to grumble, he prayed again to God, "please God, please. I hate being poor, please let me win the national lottery."

Again, no win for McMean. A third time McMean got down on his knees and begged. "Please God, please! You have ignored my prayers twice already, please don't desert me. I have never asked for anything before. Please let me win the national lottery!"

The sky opened and an awesome voice boomed out. "For heaven's sake McMean, meet me half way! Buy a fucking ticket!"

Re: Deplorable, irresponsible and unnaceptable

No one outside Royal Mail cares.

Look, it's a business, we pay you money for a service. You either provide that service or not. If not, the internal details of the dispute are a complete irrelevance to us.

If you order and pay for something from me, and we don't give it to you, would you be happy if I told you that I was withholding it in order to put pressure on my boss to get a better salary?

Love the Yeats reference

Although I admit I only recognise it from Babylon 5 :)

[...............]

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.

[...............]

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Missed Opportunity

Pity the authors of this spam aren't xkcd fans - this could have made a real difference to the quality of online US political debate..

http://xkcd.com/481/

Reminds me of a Dilbert cartoon..

(which I can't find online) From memory:

The PHB tells Alice to "lock these proprietary documents in the safe" since it would be "dangerous if our competitors got hold of them".

Alice's response is "for them or for us".

NOT IMPRESSED

We got this email - I imagine it went out to all resellers - and yeah, our reaction is pretty much what you'd expect. What idiot decided on the wording?

It is just so completely unnecessary. I don't know anyone in this business who doesn't hate thieves with a passion - high value/low margin goods like computer equipment HURT when they go missing, and if I got any information that might help Ingram recover their products I'd tell them immediately (even after that email), just for the possible satisfaction of seeing the thieves go down.

But yeah, threats (that's how it reads to me anyway) are just so pointless. I've been rung up by local competitors when they've had kit stolen, and I've always said I'll keep an eye out and meant every word. I'd certainly do the same for an important supplier, especially one like Ingram who are actually normally a pleasure to work with.

Re: fajensen

You are falling for the central BNP lie (or are perpetrating it yourself).

Yes there are obvious problems with immigration.

Yes a lot of people agree with the more extreme things you have said (although I personally don't).

Yes the BNP's public platform is not all _that_ extreme, and you probably really could find millions who would agree with most of it.

But the BNP are not what they say they are. They aren't an "anti-immigration party", they are a neo-nazi party that currently sees an opportunity on the immigration issue.

If you vote for them you simply become one of their useful idiots, who help them towards their real goals (Google "Third Reich" for examples of the sort of state they aim for).

The BNP are, quite simply, scum.

Re: A few things

Your "Also: Why does the RAF permit:" was the first question I had. Having had a look at it I don't think it is bad as it sounds.

This seems to be the results of the most intense vetting process done by the MOD - called "Developed Vetting" I think, a FAQ can be found here:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/SecurityandIntelligence/DVA/DefenceVettingAgencyFrequentlyAskedQuestionsTheVettingProcess.htm

According to the FAQ:

"The usual criteria for requiring a DV are "long term, frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET information or assets.... or in order to satisfy requirements for access to material originating from other countries and international organisations"."

And the questions are about voluntarily disclosed past behaviour which could be used to blackmail, not the result of disciplinary procedures.

So I think it's more a case of, "I used to deal cannabis when I was a student, and people who knew me then would be aware of this" rather than, "when I fly close air support over Helmand Province I like to snort charlie and engage in phone sex with hookers."

Yes it's criminal

And the fact that they did a runner shows they know that very well...

But.. sod it, good on them! Maybe if they can stay free for a while they'll get enough material together to make most of it back by selling the film rights.

Yesterday

Yesterday,

All those backups seemed a waste of pay.

Now my database has gone away.

Oh I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,

There's not half the files there used to be,

And there's a milestone hanging over me

The system crashed so suddenly.

I pushed something wrong

What it was I could not say.

Now all my data's gone and I long for yesterday-ay-ay-ay.

Yesterday,

Need for backup seemed so far away.

Seemed my data were all here to stay,

Now I believe in yesterday.

--------------

-Unknown

And..

Another arbitrage site bites the dust. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Thanks

We sell computer products but specifically don't target the geek crowd. Nice of you guys to block our ads just to make sure you don't accidentally waste our cash by clicking on them.

Quidquidne latine dictum sit, altum viditur.

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

Article not so good

Got to say I agree with those who say this article doesn't have any place on El Reg. It's not so much the content but the way it's presented. Title it 'simple tricks you can play with Google' and tone down the excited language and it would be fine. But this isn't a hack and it isn't news.

As was said above, I could imagine reading this on the BBC site. Hell, you could probably read it out and it would make a perfect piece for 'Click...'

To be fair to PC World

Not sure why I'm sticking up for them but the article simply says they couldn't get him a replacement. They may have offered him a refund as they were unable to provide a suitable replacement, which would satisfy their legal obligation.

Chirpy Breakfast Companion

Given that God is infinite, and that the universe is also infinite, would you like a toasted tea cake?

sigh

"Amiga ... the 8-bit home computer"

oh dear oh dear oh dear. Geek card please...