Dirk Maggs Wiki
I find it hard to believe but someone for some reason joined this wiki of mine and then started to edit it so that it sent you to well doge websites.
I am pleased to say that their account no longer exists and all the bad stuff they did has been remove.
I did learn a lesson from all of this, trust no one, so now all the folks who want to join the wiki and want to edit it have to be approved by me.
hard lesson learnt.
27 November, 2010
26 November, 2010
Boeing X-37 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Boeing X-37 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I thought that the x planes only went to X15, it appears that I am wrong in thinking this.
I thought that the x planes only went to X15, it appears that I am wrong in thinking this.
23 November, 2010
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
I know, I am taking about my website again, but then it's my main website so why not, it's not as if I make any money from it.
Any way I have noticed just how many pages are still missing from the site, I am afraid it's far more than I would like, I will really have to find some time to sort it out.
I think when that's done, which at the rate I am going could be years, I will do another website book in Hardback.
I know, I am taking about my website again, but then it's my main website so why not, it's not as if I make any money from it.
Any way I have noticed just how many pages are still missing from the site, I am afraid it's far more than I would like, I will really have to find some time to sort it out.
I think when that's done, which at the rate I am going could be years, I will do another website book in Hardback.
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
What's a bit sad is that this is my main website, that has grown and developed over the last five years or so, it has a lot of content, a lot of it is unique and is not found anywhere else, in fact the site it's self is also a very rare one in that how many Radio directors do you know that have a website all about their work?
Exactly and it does not stop there on just how different the website is.
The sad bit is that Dirk Maggs does not appear these days to be doing much audio work on radio, I suspect it may have something to do with how radio is commissioned these days(by the BBC), and money being tight and all that, and also the BBC does not think listeners want to hear great audio that can make the listener think and get involved with the audio production in some way or other.
So the Dirk Maggs website has not had any work done on it for a long time, and to that, that earlier in 2010 there was that very bad and unfortunate destruction of the database and the many backups, it's not surprising that the site is not fully complete as it should be, on a side note, free time has dropped big time, which has also meant that I have been very time poor when it comes to working on the site.
But I intend to keep the site going even if there is little new material to put on it as I think it will one day be a great resource for someone , when they want to know just a little bit about the work a radio director did in the 80-2000's in the UK on the BBC.
I think what I want to do is deepen the articles that I have on it, which will mean that it will take years to do, which is great for a part time project.
I will have to get in contact with Dirk Maggs just to see if there are any more radio productions in the pipe line, or if it is the end of an era, and the passing of a great bit of classic radio production.
What's a bit sad is that this is my main website, that has grown and developed over the last five years or so, it has a lot of content, a lot of it is unique and is not found anywhere else, in fact the site it's self is also a very rare one in that how many Radio directors do you know that have a website all about their work?
Exactly and it does not stop there on just how different the website is.
The sad bit is that Dirk Maggs does not appear these days to be doing much audio work on radio, I suspect it may have something to do with how radio is commissioned these days(by the BBC), and money being tight and all that, and also the BBC does not think listeners want to hear great audio that can make the listener think and get involved with the audio production in some way or other.
So the Dirk Maggs website has not had any work done on it for a long time, and to that, that earlier in 2010 there was that very bad and unfortunate destruction of the database and the many backups, it's not surprising that the site is not fully complete as it should be, on a side note, free time has dropped big time, which has also meant that I have been very time poor when it comes to working on the site.
But I intend to keep the site going even if there is little new material to put on it as I think it will one day be a great resource for someone , when they want to know just a little bit about the work a radio director did in the 80-2000's in the UK on the BBC.
I think what I want to do is deepen the articles that I have on it, which will mean that it will take years to do, which is great for a part time project.
I will have to get in contact with Dirk Maggs just to see if there are any more radio productions in the pipe line, or if it is the end of an era, and the passing of a great bit of classic radio production.
New Above & Beyond single and video announced
New Above & Beyond single and video announced This track or an earlier version of it has been one of my favourite tracks for a while, not sure if it the singer, the music or what but it always gives me goose bumps.
Now this version is even better at giving the old goose bumps, I suppose that as time goes by another tune will come along to replace this, but at this time this is one of my favourites.
Well worth a listen.
And if you are reading this and its not 2010 I can't guarantee that the links will still work, as nothing on the internet stays still these days for very long.
Now this version is even better at giving the old goose bumps, I suppose that as time goes by another tune will come along to replace this, but at this time this is one of my favourites.
Well worth a listen.
And if you are reading this and its not 2010 I can't guarantee that the links will still work, as nothing on the internet stays still these days for very long.
21 November, 2010
BBC - Earth News - Ancient seaweed is living fossil
BBC - Earth News - Ancient seaweed is living fossil
So if something is alive but very old in type or style then its described as a living fossil, I thought that the word fossil meant it was not alive.
So if something is alive but very old in type or style then its described as a living fossil, I thought that the word fossil meant it was not alive.
20 November, 2010
Reading
I have been a bit slow in putting this Blog up and on to the site, but I have completed the reading of another non fiction book.
Its by Alice Beard and as far as I can make out its also going to or has been on the BBC.
The book is called Pompeii and it gives a lot of information and corrects lots of things that I thought were true are in the main not. But its a book that tended to drag a bit for me in the odd chapter. I did want to know more about this Roman town and I did, but it would for me have been nice to see it compared with other towns of the period just so you could understand where it stands in the Roman world.
What I did get from the book is just how much we still don't know and that not all of the town has been excavated .
Its by Alice Beard and as far as I can make out its also going to or has been on the BBC.
The book is called Pompeii and it gives a lot of information and corrects lots of things that I thought were true are in the main not. But its a book that tended to drag a bit for me in the odd chapter. I did want to know more about this Roman town and I did, but it would for me have been nice to see it compared with other towns of the period just so you could understand where it stands in the Roman world.
What I did get from the book is just how much we still don't know and that not all of the town has been excavated .
Planet Calypso - Music
Planet Calypso - Music
I think this is music to surf by, as its not too distracting and is easy on the ears.
Not too sure about the game as it would I suspect eat into my free time in a big way.
I think this is music to surf by, as its not too distracting and is easy on the ears.
Not too sure about the game as it would I suspect eat into my free time in a big way.
13 November, 2010
10 November, 2010
07 November, 2010
Largerita 2010
Largerita is it a thing?
But it's very nice and very alcoholic. summer drink (nothing wrong with that?)
I would like to thank Nigella Lawson for pointing out and showing how to make this drink, all I need now is some hot summer sun, which in the UK could be a bit of a problem....
I have been asked by a reader how to make a Largerita.
So I will put up another blog post with the recipe I use and that works for me.
06 November, 2010
Mind Maping
Just got a book on Mind mapping just to see what all the talk is about it, and to see if its something I could use for my book writing and other creative things.
I did wonder though as all mind mapping seems to be in words or images, why can't I have mind mapping in sound?
Anyway the book is called The Mind Map Book and is by Tony Buzan, and so far, I am on page 21 its all going okay, I have not really learned anything new, I have been given another way at how the mind may or may not work which was interesting but as I am only right at the start of the book its really to early to say if its going to be something that is going to change how I get creative or not.
I did wonder though as all mind mapping seems to be in words or images, why can't I have mind mapping in sound?
Anyway the book is called The Mind Map Book and is by Tony Buzan, and so far, I am on page 21 its all going okay, I have not really learned anything new, I have been given another way at how the mind may or may not work which was interesting but as I am only right at the start of the book its really to early to say if its going to be something that is going to change how I get creative or not.
Book Read
I have finished another book by an author that I have read before, I can't decide if he is getting better at writing or not, but the fact is that I enjoyed the book and when I have found myself in Waterstones, like you do I have looked to see if there is a new book by him, so I suppose that does mean something.
The book is called "Almost a whale" an its a hard fact book on evolution and it is an update in a way to Darwin's book The Origin of Species.
Steve Jones I think does a good job in explaining what we have learnt from Darwin s time. One thing that surprised me was just how much stuff Darwin got right, even more so when you see the information that he had to work with. If nothing else it confirms to me just how good Darwin was.
Jones is an easy author to read and the examples of evolution at work are great and show to my mind at least that Darwin was right and has always been right on how evolution works and is still working.
The book is called "Almost a whale" an its a hard fact book on evolution and it is an update in a way to Darwin's book The Origin of Species.
Steve Jones I think does a good job in explaining what we have learnt from Darwin s time. One thing that surprised me was just how much stuff Darwin got right, even more so when you see the information that he had to work with. If nothing else it confirms to me just how good Darwin was.
Jones is an easy author to read and the examples of evolution at work are great and show to my mind at least that Darwin was right and has always been right on how evolution works and is still working.
Nothing Much
Its been some time since I have bloged, manly because I have had nothing I want to say, but the other reason could be that it now takes blogger so long to be ready for me to type something in.
Why?
I just don't know.
Any way here is a blog entry for what it is worth.
Why?
I just don't know.
Any way here is a blog entry for what it is worth.
10 October, 2010
10.10.10
I have noticed that today is 10.10.10 and I did think that it would be a great idea to write a blog at 10.10 on 10.10.10 but getting the timing just right was to me just too much like hard work, so I decided that it was just easier to write about it now.
Of course the next date that this all works for is 11.11.11 and also the time of 11.11 and 12.12.12 at 12.12
Sad
Of course the next date that this all works for is 11.11.11 and also the time of 11.11 and 12.12.12 at 12.12
Sad
Colds
I have decided that I really don't like having a cold, I am so glad that I only get them rarely
28 September, 2010
Reading yet again
I have finished the James Patterson book at last, in fact I have finished two of his books both in the same series.
I know how come I have managed to read two books so fast?
I think it's down to the fact that both books were written by Maxine Paetro 1st and then James then edits them and adds his bits to the story.
If I am wrong then the way the books with Maxine as the second author reads are totally different when the book is just written by James Patterson.
Any way the book that I have just read are 7th Heaven and 8th Confession both are credited as being written by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, both were a good read in that the stories were good and the main characters world and lives changed during the course of the books.
I know how come I have managed to read two books so fast?
I think it's down to the fact that both books were written by Maxine Paetro 1st and then James then edits them and adds his bits to the story.
If I am wrong then the way the books with Maxine as the second author reads are totally different when the book is just written by James Patterson.
Any way the book that I have just read are 7th Heaven and 8th Confession both are credited as being written by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, both were a good read in that the stories were good and the main characters world and lives changed during the course of the books.
19 September, 2010
Reading and Stuff
Just started to read yet another James Patterson book,in fact in the reading pile I have one more to read and it turns out to be the next one in the series of the book I am reading, which just shows how far I am in my reading or that James Patterson is writing and releasing the books far to quickly for me to keep up with, not sure which is the right answer to that one.
So I have to say with this current book I have found it much easier to read and that I find after only a short while that I am on page 141 of the book!
The story is good, and James Patterson's co-author is Maxine Paetro, who has co-author several books with James.
Now I did a bit of research and have found out that normally the 1st draft of the book is written by the co-author and then the final version by James, so I think it is noticeable that the books by different co-authors do read differently, well at least to me.
Is the book any good I think so, but until I have read the whole book I will not know.
The name of the book that I am reading is 7th Heaven and is part of the women's murder club series.
So I have to say with this current book I have found it much easier to read and that I find after only a short while that I am on page 141 of the book!
The story is good, and James Patterson's co-author is Maxine Paetro, who has co-author several books with James.
Now I did a bit of research and have found out that normally the 1st draft of the book is written by the co-author and then the final version by James, so I think it is noticeable that the books by different co-authors do read differently, well at least to me.
Is the book any good I think so, but until I have read the whole book I will not know.
The name of the book that I am reading is 7th Heaven and is part of the women's murder club series.
18 September, 2010
Cottage Pie
Go and try cottage pie made with sweet potatoes instead of them ordinary potatoes, I think you will be very surprised just how well it works.
As they say try something different at least once a year.
As they say try something different at least once a year.
Read
I have just finished a book by a well known author that for me to read has been a bit of a struggle. Now normally when I read this authors work its an easy read and the book is great fun and I have a good time and it's a good story, I could also say that I felt that I had been entertained as well, which is the whole point for me of reading a book in the first place.
For some reason, with this particular book by this author that just did not happen, strange that.
The author is James Patterson, yes that bloke who seams to release a book a month or at least it feels like it, looking at the local book shop shelf.
The book that has caused all the problems for me is called You've been warned its also written by Howard Roughan now how much of the book did James write? not an easy question to answer, but I have read somewhere that James may have come up with some of the ideas and that the other guy writes it, then James edits and adds his bits to it. I don't know if that is true or not
I just did not get on with this book, I think in the end it took me more than a year to finish it, in fact I read a lot of other books instead of completing this one.
One of the problems for me, with this book is that the main character who is a young woman, I just did not like and early in the book I just wanted to shout out at her and tell her to grow up and stop acting like a (insert favorite nasty words here) I am, that's how under my skin she got to me.
So for me this book was not fun but for you out there your experience may be very different.
For some reason, with this particular book by this author that just did not happen, strange that.
The author is James Patterson, yes that bloke who seams to release a book a month or at least it feels like it, looking at the local book shop shelf.
The book that has caused all the problems for me is called You've been warned its also written by Howard Roughan now how much of the book did James write? not an easy question to answer, but I have read somewhere that James may have come up with some of the ideas and that the other guy writes it, then James edits and adds his bits to it. I don't know if that is true or not
I just did not get on with this book, I think in the end it took me more than a year to finish it, in fact I read a lot of other books instead of completing this one.
One of the problems for me, with this book is that the main character who is a young woman, I just did not like and early in the book I just wanted to shout out at her and tell her to grow up and stop acting like a (insert favorite nasty words here) I am, that's how under my skin she got to me.
So for me this book was not fun but for you out there your experience may be very different.
Perhaps what I should do is go as see if there are any reviews and see what others thought of the book, it may be that I am completely in the wrong and that its a great book it might also be that it really is not a great book, who knows?
If I do look at some reviews of this book I shall update this blog post and put some comments on what I found.
13 September, 2010
Empire CD
Brought a CD the other day, well that's not quite right in fact, I brought the CD about a month ago its just turned up as the CD was only (published? is that the right word,) today.
The CD is by an act called Super8&Tab who I think, are from Finland or somewhere in that area of the world.
Anyway the album that I brought is called Empire, and its their first album, but not their first lot of released tracks as they have been going for a few years.
Now I took a gamble that their album would be as good as their some of their individual tracks that they have released over the years.
I have to say that I don't think I have wasted my money, as I ordered the album early I got a signed copy, which is a first for me and I was surprised to get such a thing. The album is very good with a mix of tracks that are different yet the same if that makes sense.
The CD is by an act called Super8&Tab who I think, are from Finland or somewhere in that area of the world.
Anyway the album that I brought is called Empire, and its their first album, but not their first lot of released tracks as they have been going for a few years.
Now I took a gamble that their album would be as good as their some of their individual tracks that they have released over the years.
I have to say that I don't think I have wasted my money, as I ordered the album early I got a signed copy, which is a first for me and I was surprised to get such a thing. The album is very good with a mix of tracks that are different yet the same if that makes sense.
12 September, 2010
Book reading
I have got through another book in the last few days, and this was a book that I did enjoy very much.
Its not a fiction book, its one of those books written for I suppose the man in the street or the woman in the street that want to know something more about a partcular science subject.
In this case its about the legacy of Charles Darwin and all his works, I did not know just how much other work Charles did, apart from his evolution work and the survival of the fittest.
This man did some really amazing work that appears to go unnoticed, and what is sad is that most of it he got very right far before anyone else and all that modern science technology appears to have done is filled in the fine detail using the science of DNA that he just did not have access to.
I liked the book that was all about what Charles knew and what we now know and sometime the extra information we have is one because we have ways of looking at a creatures DNA in ways and means that have only come about in the last 5 or so years.
The book is called Darwin's Island and its by Steve Jones, who writes in a very easy to read style and presents lots of facts that had men saying out loud, well I never! and stuff like that.
I know Charles Darwin is to some just the farther of Evolution, but after reading this book its clear that he was the farther of far far more, its sad that his other work is mostly known to scientist's as I am sure that if the general interested publish knew about his other work they would realise just how clever and forward thinking Charles Darwin was.
This is a great book for lifting the veil on some of the other work that Charles did and is well worth the read.
Its not a fiction book, its one of those books written for I suppose the man in the street or the woman in the street that want to know something more about a partcular science subject.
In this case its about the legacy of Charles Darwin and all his works, I did not know just how much other work Charles did, apart from his evolution work and the survival of the fittest.
This man did some really amazing work that appears to go unnoticed, and what is sad is that most of it he got very right far before anyone else and all that modern science technology appears to have done is filled in the fine detail using the science of DNA that he just did not have access to.
I liked the book that was all about what Charles knew and what we now know and sometime the extra information we have is one because we have ways of looking at a creatures DNA in ways and means that have only come about in the last 5 or so years.
The book is called Darwin's Island and its by Steve Jones, who writes in a very easy to read style and presents lots of facts that had men saying out loud, well I never! and stuff like that.
I know Charles Darwin is to some just the farther of Evolution, but after reading this book its clear that he was the farther of far far more, its sad that his other work is mostly known to scientist's as I am sure that if the general interested publish knew about his other work they would realise just how clever and forward thinking Charles Darwin was.
This is a great book for lifting the veil on some of the other work that Charles did and is well worth the read.
11 September, 2010
Last Night of the Proms
So its last night of the proms, this means that winter is now on its way, still its nice to see it in HD for the very first time.
06 September, 2010
Blood
Blood
I have just given my 116th pint or unit of blood, what shocked me was that my next donation is not until Feb 2011!
I have just given my 116th pint or unit of blood, what shocked me was that my next donation is not until Feb 2011!
05 September, 2010
Sunrise
Sunrise just before 6am, winter is on its way in, wish I had the money to now fly to the southern hemisphere and get to enjoy the spring and summer.
04 September, 2010
Updates
The amount of updates that I now have to do to my two main websites the Dirk Maggs and James Follett ones due I think to the new cms software that I have installed to run both sites.
The other reason could also be because both Dirk and James appear to have gone quiet on new productions that I can report on.
Perhaps in the next few months there will be something to report on although you know what is going to happen.
The other reason could also be because both Dirk and James appear to have gone quiet on new productions that I can report on.
Perhaps in the next few months there will be something to report on although you know what is going to happen.
Alone
Alone, do you like being alone?
I do sometimes and other times it does my head in.
Just wanted to record that fact here for myself.
I do sometimes and other times it does my head in.
Just wanted to record that fact here for myself.
The wall in a book
One thing that I sometimes have a hard getting over is when you read so far into a book at some point it becomes for whatever reason very hard to read, its a bit like the wall that marathon runners talk about, why this should happen to readers of books or just to me I just don't know, but the fact remains that there are books out there that for one reason or another have this wall, so far very few of the books with this wall have I failed to finish.
That's not to say that there are books that I have failed to complete, there are few and far between, some of the books are by authors that have had big hits.
That's not to say that there are books that I have failed to complete, there are few and far between, some of the books are by authors that have had big hits.
03 September, 2010
Reading
I have read another book, it is one that I have been on the look out for for a few years now and its called Grouch & Me and its by Groucho Marx.
It was worth the wait to get the chance to read it, as he writes to some extent how I would expect him to speak, he has been dead quite a few years it was great to hear him again after all this time.
Was the book worth the wait?
Yes
It was worth the wait to get the chance to read it, as he writes to some extent how I would expect him to speak, he has been dead quite a few years it was great to hear him again after all this time.
Was the book worth the wait?
Yes
30 August, 2010
Ipad
I think I have Ipad envy I could have brought one but instead brought a laptop, result is that I hardly use the laptop...
28 August, 2010
James Follett
I have some how or other found time to do some more work on the James Follett website, which is good as I really like they way it looks now, even if I say so myself.
One thing that I have noticed since rebuilding the website is that some of the pages in the website have for some reason or another different fonts on their pages, I don't know why they have ended up like this but they have.
So I am slowly going through every page of the website to make sure they have the same font, I have not worked out how to get the programme that drives the website to do this for me yet.
I have looked at the Official James Follett site and compared it to mine, both sites look very different and both have a different slant on the information provided and also how that information is presented, my site still goes into far greater detail, which I think is something you would expect from a fan site, and I cover all of James's work, where the official site just does a broad brush.
I think its a good thing to have 2 different sites on the one subject and even better that one of them is independent of James.
One thing that I have noticed since rebuilding the website is that some of the pages in the website have for some reason or another different fonts on their pages, I don't know why they have ended up like this but they have.
So I am slowly going through every page of the website to make sure they have the same font, I have not worked out how to get the programme that drives the website to do this for me yet.
I have looked at the Official James Follett site and compared it to mine, both sites look very different and both have a different slant on the information provided and also how that information is presented, my site still goes into far greater detail, which I think is something you would expect from a fan site, and I cover all of James's work, where the official site just does a broad brush.
I think its a good thing to have 2 different sites on the one subject and even better that one of them is independent of James.
Dirk Maggs
The Dirk Maggs website has had some work done to it and the good news is that I have evidence that Dirk is still doing stuff, not radio but is till stuff, and that's all that counts right?
According to the credits list Dirk was the script writer for the video for Final Frontier by Iron Maiden.
I have seen the video and its good but the music is not to my taste a tall, but I do understand what the song was about and how the video had to relate to it all in all a good job. I think I read that the time allowed to do video was very short 4 weeks?
According to the credits list Dirk was the script writer for the video for Final Frontier by Iron Maiden.
I have seen the video and its good but the music is not to my taste a tall, but I do understand what the song was about and how the video had to relate to it all in all a good job. I think I read that the time allowed to do video was very short 4 weeks?
Reading
Have read some more books that I have not spoken about here yet, so here goes The first is by James Patterson and is called Run for your life, now as entertainment this book mostly worked for me, but and this is a big but, for me the end of the book and the bad guy did not work for the very simple reason that the bad guy suddenly changed the way they they though and acted, through most of the book the bad guy was always intelligent and acted in a methodical manner, then you get to the last few chapters and he starts acting like a completely different person.
Why?
May be the deadline for the book came to soon or the word count had to be kept to, I don't know all I know is that the book could have been so much more.
The other book the I have read cost me nothing as its an out of copyright book that I read on my Itouch.
The book is called The Ultimate Weapon and its by John W Campbell, who if you are into your science fiction and the golden age of science fiction was the editor of Astounding Science Fiction in the 40-60's he introduced to the world authors such as Asimov and Helien.
The book was written back in the early 1930's and it shows in how its written and the science in it, but as for something to read it was great.
Why?
May be the deadline for the book came to soon or the word count had to be kept to, I don't know all I know is that the book could have been so much more.
The other book the I have read cost me nothing as its an out of copyright book that I read on my Itouch.
The book is called The Ultimate Weapon and its by John W Campbell, who if you are into your science fiction and the golden age of science fiction was the editor of Astounding Science Fiction in the 40-60's he introduced to the world authors such as Asimov and Helien.
The book was written back in the early 1930's and it shows in how its written and the science in it, but as for something to read it was great.
15 August, 2010
Waverley Abbey
Had an idea while the weather was good, eg not rato have a look at Waverley Abbey the ruins of.
I thought that it would be nice a peaceful with very few people around how wrong was I? busy or what it would apear that of folks who appear to be on holiday here from Germany decided that Waverley was the place to have a picnic, and I can't say I blame them, as it is a nice place.
The end result is 50 or more people descending on Waverley Abbey so bang goes a quite peaceful place.
I thought that it would be nice a peaceful with very few people around how wrong was I? busy or what it would apear that of folks who appear to be on holiday here from Germany decided that Waverley was the place to have a picnic, and I can't say I blame them, as it is a nice place.
The end result is 50 or more people descending on Waverley Abbey so bang goes a quite peaceful place.
Sunflowers
For the first time in years we got given some seed in the Radio Times, so we planted them, a bit late but they have grown well and it looks like soon will will have some flowers soon if it warms up a bit, as you may or may not know at this time of year August it is supposed to be warm eg 20 centigrade with blue sky and sunshine.
What have we been having?
Cloud cloud rain cloud and cool sometimes as much as 10 centigrade cooler then it should be at this time of year.
Now I know that our UK weather s at best changeable, but I would just love some warm weather so I can chill-out in the garden, also so I can hear the great sounds of summer, like lawnmowers and strimmers you know that sort of thing you always seem to get when their is a nice day a head of you and so every man and his dog decide that the lawn needs mowing of some other job that requires you to make lots of noise just so your neighbours know that you are outside.
What have we been having?
Cloud cloud rain cloud and cool sometimes as much as 10 centigrade cooler then it should be at this time of year.
Now I know that our UK weather s at best changeable, but I would just love some warm weather so I can chill-out in the garden, also so I can hear the great sounds of summer, like lawnmowers and strimmers you know that sort of thing you always seem to get when their is a nice day a head of you and so every man and his dog decide that the lawn needs mowing of some other job that requires you to make lots of noise just so your neighbours know that you are outside.
14 August, 2010
weather
I have had to check to see if it really is Aug and not Oct that's how bad the weather has been the last week.
13 August, 2010
Reading
another book that I read and completed on the 12 August 2010 is Medusa by Clive Clussler well that's what it says on the book with the help of another author who name I am afraid to say escapes me as I write this and don't have the book near to me at this time.
I get the feeling that most if not all of the book was written by the other author and that Clive only had the job of saying yes or no to the book.
The story is good and works well, I think the bad guys are just your typical Hollywood bad guys which is a pity as much more could have been made of them, which would have make the story even better, but as it is the story works and so does the characters in it.
Was it entertaining?
Yes.
I get the feeling that most if not all of the book was written by the other author and that Clive only had the job of saying yes or no to the book.
The story is good and works well, I think the bad guys are just your typical Hollywood bad guys which is a pity as much more could have been made of them, which would have make the story even better, but as it is the story works and so does the characters in it.
Was it entertaining?
Yes.
Reading
Books that I have read but did not record here in my Blog are Glasshouse by Charles Stross, this was a good read but and its only a small but I did work out very early on what was going to happen. What was great was that it did provide me with some good entertainment which is after all the main reason why I read fiction books in the first place.
I have read other peoples reviews of books and for some reason they forget that when reading fiction books you want to be taken somewhere else by the author and if he does that in such a way that structure of the book and the words he uses are simple, who cares! as long as the author gets the story in your head in stereo and full HD 3d that's all that matters as far as I am concerned.
Anyway back to Glasshouse, it has some great ideas that make for a good story that will make you think ( well it did me).
Now I did read another book but I have forgotten the name of it and who the author is, it was a fact book on the Lancaster Bomber of WW2, to make matters worse I have lent it to someone else on the understanding that he can lend it out after he has read it.
I have read other peoples reviews of books and for some reason they forget that when reading fiction books you want to be taken somewhere else by the author and if he does that in such a way that structure of the book and the words he uses are simple, who cares! as long as the author gets the story in your head in stereo and full HD 3d that's all that matters as far as I am concerned.
Anyway back to Glasshouse, it has some great ideas that make for a good story that will make you think ( well it did me).
Now I did read another book but I have forgotten the name of it and who the author is, it was a fact book on the Lancaster Bomber of WW2, to make matters worse I have lent it to someone else on the understanding that he can lend it out after he has read it.
09 August, 2010
Reading
As I said in a blog post the other day I have done some reading but for one reason or another I have not recorded here what those books are.
Well the first book that I have read is by Charles Stross called The Fuller Memorandum, which is one of the Laundry series of books by Charles.
If you have yet to read one of these books you are in for a treat.
This book was good and its written in such a way that you as a reader are drawn into the story without trying. Good entertainment as far as I am considered.
Well the first book that I have read is by Charles Stross called The Fuller Memorandum, which is one of the Laundry series of books by Charles.
If you have yet to read one of these books you are in for a treat.
This book was good and its written in such a way that you as a reader are drawn into the story without trying. Good entertainment as far as I am considered.
08 August, 2010
BBQ
It was touch and go but we had a BBQ tonight, what with how the weather has been over the last few days we where not sure if it would even be dry!
The weather gods were good to us and it was dry and the sun was out for just a little while. The only other problem was that it was a race cooking all the food before we run out of BBQ gas, and thats with that gauge thing they have on gas bottles these days.
Other news I have read a few books that for one reason or another I have not yet recorded here on my blog, but I promise I will do soon.
One of the reasons for not doing the blog has been that for some time now it takes a very long time for it to load up no matter what computer I use to access it, why?
The weather gods were good to us and it was dry and the sun was out for just a little while. The only other problem was that it was a race cooking all the food before we run out of BBQ gas, and thats with that gauge thing they have on gas bottles these days.
Other news I have read a few books that for one reason or another I have not yet recorded here on my blog, but I promise I will do soon.
One of the reasons for not doing the blog has been that for some time now it takes a very long time for it to load up no matter what computer I use to access it, why?
19 July, 2010
James Follett website
The new James Follett website has some how or other had 55 visits which is really quite good as I have not told anyone the new site and the software changes
18 July, 2010
I have finally redone the entire James Follett Website using a CMS to store and control the data, so far it all looks okay, all being well the updating of the site will be much easier, somehow or other I have set up a domain redirect, which works so that by typing the normal address for James Follett website you will be sent automatically to the new website.
Cool or what?
Any way the basic site is up there is a lot of up dating that has to happen to make sure all the text ect is the same.
Cool or what?
Any way the basic site is up there is a lot of up dating that has to happen to make sure all the text ect is the same.
10 July, 2010
Drinks I am having a Pimms No 5
Well I am drinking Pimms No5 in the evening sun, and I must say its all rather nice...
Did get asked what does Pimms taste of? the only answer I could give is that Pimms tastes of Pimms
Did get asked what does Pimms taste of? the only answer I could give is that Pimms tastes of Pimms
07 July, 2010
XL LIVE IQ Routes™ Regional 12 months - Car navigation - TomTom
XL LIVE IQ Routes™ Regional 12 months - Car navigation - TomTom
Why are there so many TomTom models
Why are there so many TomTom models
Things
Its been a while since did any posts to this blog, mainly because Idon't have anything to say.
But I think twill change soon as I have been doing some readinand its been fun.
But I think twill change soon as I have been doing some readinand its been fun.
06 July, 2010
30 June, 2010
Reading
What I have been Reading
Well I have just read another book which is by an author called Alastair Reynolds. The book is called "Terminal World" now don't get me wrong, as a story goes, it's good, but I when I completed reading the book I was left disappointed by it, I think somehow the book was brought to an end with too many story threads not brought to a nice ending.
I am after all reading the book to be entertained and as I have said before I expect the author of the book to play fair with me the reader, and provide me wuth a story that comes to some sort of ending that allows me as the reader to have closure with the characters in the book, which I have come to know and have spent some time with, and so I do want to know what mostly happens to them next or that their story is complete ect.
Anyway back to the book, so like I said eariler in this book that does not happen, lots of the characters are left in mid air so to speak, and that's what has left a bad taste in the mouth.
Alastair's writing is good and the ideas in the book are good and so is the plot and all that stuff that makes for an intresting read and they all do work and do the job, its just that the ending is, well it sucks.
If I did not know better, I would say that the publisher has told the author to end the book in such a way that a second book could be written if needs be. There could aslo be a word or page count limit and that as written the book was too long and Alastair had to edit the book down to a certian size on page lenght or works. I dont know if its this or that the ending is how he wanted it and that I am just looking for the story to end in a particular way and this time its not what I wanted or got.
I think I shall look out for more books by him but if he keeps gining me stories that end like this one, then perhaps I shall have to look else where for my entertianment.
21 June, 2010
Reading
Another book that I read a little while ago, but have not had the time for some reason to record it here is by John O'Farrell and it's called An utterly exasperated history of modern Britain.
I think I can say that I did not enjoy this book too much, don't get me wrong I did read it cover to cover but, and this is the but some how or other the author tone, voice? got under my skin and I was left with a bad test in my mouth.
So this is one of those books that to me was a bit of a let down, I think partly because the author appears to have gone out of his way to show how clever he is with hindsight and complete knowledge of events, while the people and events that he is talking about are of course unable to see everything.
I think I can say that I did not enjoy this book too much, don't get me wrong I did read it cover to cover but, and this is the but some how or other the author tone, voice? got under my skin and I was left with a bad test in my mouth.
So this is one of those books that to me was a bit of a let down, I think partly because the author appears to have gone out of his way to show how clever he is with hindsight and complete knowledge of events, while the people and events that he is talking about are of course unable to see everything.
Reading
Just finished reading that Stephen Baxter book that I spoke about a little while ago. The name of the book is Stone Spring I must say here that it was a good read and it kept me entertained.
The ideas that Stephen presents in the book are such that I even did a bit of a search on the internet just to confirm what he said was real and what he had made up.
I have no idea where book to in this series is going to take use, but I do know that I do look forward to seeing where the story goes.
On a side note this book would I think make a great radio show, as there is plenty of scope for some good acting and the use of some good and well chosen sound effects.
It's sad that such a radio show will never see the light of day on say the BBC as that's not the sort of thing they are into any-more, in fact just looking the other day at the radio Times the number of plays seems to have been cut such that at the rate they are disappearing a radio play once a week will be a treat.
The ideas that Stephen presents in the book are such that I even did a bit of a search on the internet just to confirm what he said was real and what he had made up.
I have no idea where book to in this series is going to take use, but I do know that I do look forward to seeing where the story goes.
On a side note this book would I think make a great radio show, as there is plenty of scope for some good acting and the use of some good and well chosen sound effects.
It's sad that such a radio show will never see the light of day on say the BBC as that's not the sort of thing they are into any-more, in fact just looking the other day at the radio Times the number of plays seems to have been cut such that at the rate they are disappearing a radio play once a week will be a treat.
13 June, 2010
Stephen Baxter
I am reading the very latest book by Stephen Baxter that has been published in hardback. Called Stone Spring and it's so I am told part 1 of a trilogy, I am wondering what the other books in the series are going to be called.
Now knowing just how long the publishing pipeline is has Stephen already written part 3?
I notice that a lot of his books now days feature things going badly wrong for the main characters in the books, I wonder why this change.
I know that authors move on, but some times I wonder if the books that they are having to write are being dictated to by the publisher and not what the authors muse wants.
It would I think be interesting to find out from more than one author if this is indeed true, I think personally that the answer will be more towards the fact that the publisher has to make a profit to stay in business and so an author like Stephen Baxter will have to be more flexible and open to the idea that commercial books are the way to go if he still wants to be published, with the coming of e books there may be a way of having some stories published that way that would not have been published in paper form.
It goes without saying that paper books will never go away and that there will always be a need for books in paper form. E books are going to be there in the market place but they will not take over the whole of the book publishing business.
Anyway I got off the track just a bit I just wonder if Stephen Baxter is ever going to do any hi science fiction stories in his Xeee universe? or has he moved on to other things that now get his writing muse more interested.
Now knowing just how long the publishing pipeline is has Stephen already written part 3?
I notice that a lot of his books now days feature things going badly wrong for the main characters in the books, I wonder why this change.
I know that authors move on, but some times I wonder if the books that they are having to write are being dictated to by the publisher and not what the authors muse wants.
It would I think be interesting to find out from more than one author if this is indeed true, I think personally that the answer will be more towards the fact that the publisher has to make a profit to stay in business and so an author like Stephen Baxter will have to be more flexible and open to the idea that commercial books are the way to go if he still wants to be published, with the coming of e books there may be a way of having some stories published that way that would not have been published in paper form.
It goes without saying that paper books will never go away and that there will always be a need for books in paper form. E books are going to be there in the market place but they will not take over the whole of the book publishing business.
Anyway I got off the track just a bit I just wonder if Stephen Baxter is ever going to do any hi science fiction stories in his Xeee universe? or has he moved on to other things that now get his writing muse more interested.
BBQ in the UK?
BBQ in The UK
So today (13th June 2010) we are having a BBQ for Chaz, so you can guess what the weather is going to do!
yep wet or so it looks.
I don't know how all the folks that are coming are going to cope sitting in the rain!
I don't know how all the folks that are coming are going to cope sitting in the rain!
But being English they are not going to be surprised or worrying about it, as its a normal state of affairs in the UK.
12 June, 2010
Dirk Maggs Website
Good news the following pages are now apart from photo's all now working again on the Dirk Maggs Productions Website radio productions from 1988 to 2006.
Yes I know lots of work....The website appears to have backup itself ( which is I think a very good idea) can't think why that is but hey its doing it.
So in the grand scheme of things that only leaves all the work that Dirk has done that is not radio from 1988 to 2010.. There is a lot of work, then there is the small mater of sorting out the photo's.
Photo's of actors that do mainly radio are by their very nature not easy to get at, so it goes without saying that I will beg steal and borrow to get them, Why? you may ask?
The answer is that I think its great so see who theses voices belong to, as some times the voice does not match the face, if that's a nice way of putting it ( I am sure there is a better way but I don't have a clue how to put it)
I have found that it also makes each page about tone of Dirk's radio productions far more interesting.
Yes I know lots of work....The website appears to have backup itself ( which is I think a very good idea) can't think why that is but hey its doing it.
So in the grand scheme of things that only leaves all the work that Dirk has done that is not radio from 1988 to 2010.. There is a lot of work, then there is the small mater of sorting out the photo's.
Photo's of actors that do mainly radio are by their very nature not easy to get at, so it goes without saying that I will beg steal and borrow to get them, Why? you may ask?
The answer is that I think its great so see who theses voices belong to, as some times the voice does not match the face, if that's a nice way of putting it ( I am sure there is a better way but I don't have a clue how to put it)
I have found that it also makes each page about tone of Dirk's radio productions far more interesting.
Itouch
I have a 2nd Gen itouch which I have to admit gets very heavy used, well just lately in fact since itunes was last updated I have found that the backup side of things is talking hours.
Why?
I do have a 32 GB touch but only about 12 GB is in use, backing up used to take only some 5 to 10 minutes. I wonder if Apple have some how broken something in the update of itunes.
I would do a Goggle search, but I have noticed lately that Goggle is returning more and more results that are very out of date, in some cases stuff from 2 years ago that clearly has nothing to do with what I have searched for, why is this?
Why?
I do have a 32 GB touch but only about 12 GB is in use, backing up used to take only some 5 to 10 minutes. I wonder if Apple have some how broken something in the update of itunes.
I would do a Goggle search, but I have noticed lately that Goggle is returning more and more results that are very out of date, in some cases stuff from 2 years ago that clearly has nothing to do with what I have searched for, why is this?
06 June, 2010
Website Updating
Work continues on the Dirk Maggs website, the good news is that most of the reference section is now done, in the sense that all the page content is there, the only missing bits being the images, which for some reason or other I find myself leaving to the last thing to do, perhaps because it takes so long to find each images and insert it in to the page in the right place, and then to make sure the links and all that stuff work with it.
The website as a whole is I now suppose some 60 percent complete, so as the rate of progress slows I still think it will not be complete until December of 2010.
The page count now stands at 195 ! which was a bit of a surprise, I did not think the website was that large.
On another note the backup of the website all appears to be working as it should this time, so that's good news.
The website as a whole is I now suppose some 60 percent complete, so as the rate of progress slows I still think it will not be complete until December of 2010.
The page count now stands at 195 ! which was a bit of a surprise, I did not think the website was that large.
On another note the backup of the website all appears to be working as it should this time, so that's good news.
01 June, 2010
Dirk Maggs Website
The good news is that the rebuild of the Dirk Maggs website is going well. Years 1987-2003 have now been done (a part from images) all the main text content is in place, so I only have years 2004-2009 to do on radio productions.
31 May, 2010
28 May, 2010
Reading
Another book that I have read, but up until now have not written about is called "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown.
I have to say that for me it did not quite work and at the end of it I felt some how that I had been short changed, I don't know how to put that into words that feeling but that's what it was.
I think and this is only my opinion on this that the book needed to have been edited harder by an editor who was after a good story that would entertain and not worry about the author's feelings too much.
I was entertained in parts of the book but overall as I have said before I felt that the author has some how or other managed to short change me in giving me a full enjoyable story.
I have to say that for me it did not quite work and at the end of it I felt some how that I had been short changed, I don't know how to put that into words that feeling but that's what it was.
I think and this is only my opinion on this that the book needed to have been edited harder by an editor who was after a good story that would entertain and not worry about the author's feelings too much.
I was entertained in parts of the book but overall as I have said before I felt that the author has some how or other managed to short change me in giving me a full enjoyable story.
27 May, 2010
Reading
I have just completed reading "Why does e=mc2" by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw I had a bit of a problem with parts of the book, I got the feeling that the authors lost site of who they were writing the book for.
I must admit that I liked the book and it did explain some of the terms that I have heard on the TV and seen on some websites.
I must admit that I liked the book and it did explain some of the terms that I have heard on the TV and seen on some websites.
Posts
I see that according to Blogger this is my 782 post. I know that's not many compared to many other folks and there blog pages, but then again I only blog when I have some thing I want to say and also want to be able to find later.
I do wonder if Twitter has killed my need to blog, in fact I wonder if the rate of blogging has fallen off some what.
I have noticed that you don't see any one making so many comments about blogging, perhaps it's no longer flavour of the month or some thing.
Anyway I just noticed all that and that my level of posts has dropped right off, I shall just carry on a post at a time as and when I have some thing to say or report on.
I do wonder if Twitter has killed my need to blog, in fact I wonder if the rate of blogging has fallen off some what.
I have noticed that you don't see any one making so many comments about blogging, perhaps it's no longer flavour of the month or some thing.
Anyway I just noticed all that and that my level of posts has dropped right off, I shall just carry on a post at a time as and when I have some thing to say or report on.
25 May, 2010
Dirk Maggs
As you may or may not know I had a really bad day not so long a go, when I lost my Dirk Maggs website, and some how or other the six yes that's right six backups did not work and the database that ran the whole thing also broke.(Just don't ask)
It's easy to see how I was just a little bit upset( and that's an understatement!)
So what's a man to do?
Well start again!
That's what I have done and I am pleased that so far I think this version of the site is better than the last one. The good news is that all radio shows up to 1998 are now back on apart from the images that go with each show.
At the rate that I am redoing each page I think I will be done by Xmas 2010!
It's easy to see how I was just a little bit upset( and that's an understatement!)
So what's a man to do?
Well start again!
That's what I have done and I am pleased that so far I think this version of the site is better than the last one. The good news is that all radio shows up to 1998 are now back on apart from the images that go with each show.
At the rate that I am redoing each page I think I will be done by Xmas 2010!
22 May, 2010
BBQ
Has a good BBQ only thing is the noise from the kids next door, I have clean forgot just how much noise 4 kids can make.
Reading
Another book that I think I can say I have read is "The cloud collector's handbook" by Gavin Pretor-Pinney I hope that you can see from the books title why I said that I think I can claim that I have read it, I must admit that it's a great little book for working out what sort of clouds you can see and it will also give you extra information such as what height the clouds are at, and it always to me comes as a bit of a surprise just how heigh some cloud type are.
The other thing that i like about this book is that it goes on to give information on some of the stuff that you can see in the sky that is rare but is well known about.
Such as Sun-dogs I had heard of them, I have now since reading the book realised that I have indeed seen them and not realised just what they are.
This is not a book that is entertaining, it can't be but as a useful reference book it works a treat.
The other thing that i like about this book is that it goes on to give information on some of the stuff that you can see in the sky that is rare but is well known about.
Such as Sun-dogs I had heard of them, I have now since reading the book realised that I have indeed seen them and not realised just what they are.
This is not a book that is entertaining, it can't be but as a useful reference book it works a treat.
Hot
Looks like today will be the hottest day of the year, and about time to so I thinks, I mean we have had a very cold winter so I think that it's only right that we now have some warm sunshine.
Well I know for once that I deserve some sunshine.
Well I know for once that I deserve some sunshine.
21 May, 2010
Reading
I have had some free time, well leave. I managed to do some reading this first post is about the first book that I read.
Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson.
Not too much too say other than its a great book and I can see why it has sold more than 1 million copies, based on the qi shows some of the items in the book made me think how much stuff you think you know that is wrong.
Well worth the read.
Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson.
Not too much too say other than its a great book and I can see why it has sold more than 1 million copies, based on the qi shows some of the items in the book made me think how much stuff you think you know that is wrong.
Well worth the read.
Posts
I see that I have not done very many blog posts of late, mainly as I have not had anything to talk about, so why say fluff?
04 May, 2010
Reading
I have finally finished another book, for some reason this year I am not reading as many books as I do normally and also I don't seem to have as much time to read, which is strange as I don't feel any busier than this time last year, perhaps it's old age or something, who knows.
So the book is called "A little history of the world" by E.H Gombrich, all I can say is that it is great and I see why it sold 6 million copies, its easy to read and I did learn lots
So the book is called "A little history of the world" by E.H Gombrich, all I can say is that it is great and I see why it sold 6 million copies, its easy to read and I did learn lots
29 April, 2010
Website Updating
Years 1987 and 1988 of Dirk Maggs Radio productions are now live on the website.
But search which used to work real well does not for some reason search the whole site, strange.
But search which used to work real well does not for some reason search the whole site, strange.
27 April, 2010
Re Build Website
The rebuild of the Dirk Maggs website is on going in that I have 83 pages so far, but only 4 or so of them are done and are fully working, as I estimate that the Dirk Maggs website had some 200 pages to go until; I have the website fully back up and running.
I have taken advantage of the fact that the software used to drive the website has been updated, and so have updated the software, which I must say has made a very big difference to the rebuild.
I think if any thing it has made it quicker if such a thing is possible.
Still even with that I still think that we are taking weeks before the site is any where near what it used to be.
I have taken advantage of the fact that the software used to drive the website has been updated, and so have updated the software, which I must say has made a very big difference to the rebuild.
I think if any thing it has made it quicker if such a thing is possible.
Still even with that I still think that we are taking weeks before the site is any where near what it used to be.
24 April, 2010
Website troubles
So I have the software installed, the database installed and working. I have chosen a theme for the website I have even put up a holding page.
I think there is about 198 pages of information to now reinstall, which is going to take weeks and weeks to do.
Then there is the navigation system and all the pictures to sort out.
The plane and simple truth is that the Dirk Maggs website is not going to be back up and working fully for sometime.
Bum
I think there is about 198 pages of information to now reinstall, which is going to take weeks and weeks to do.
Then there is the navigation system and all the pictures to sort out.
The plane and simple truth is that the Dirk Maggs website is not going to be back up and working fully for sometime.
Bum
23 April, 2010
Website troubles
The bad news is that my Dirk Maggs website has gone bang and is now broken...which is not good not good a tall, I am hoping that my backups all work and that I shall have the website back up in a day or so.
If not then I will have to start all over again, which is not good.
If not then I will have to start all over again, which is not good.
22 April, 2010
Reading
Just completed a book that was really fun to read and I learned a lot which was nice and a surprise. The book as you can tell is a fact book and on a subject that I have not really thought about that much.
The book is called The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer and its a good read and well worth the time and effort to read it.
The book is called The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer and its a good read and well worth the time and effort to read it.
14 April, 2010
Reading
I have just completed reading a book that has left me not to sure about the main subject matter, and when I tell you the name of the book you will see that when I say that when they are dead we may then learn some of the truth then I think you will understand what I am going on about.
I did and did not enjoy this book I say this because the author appears to have become emotionally involved I was all ways told that with this kind of book that is the very last thing that you should do.
Any way the name of the book is Clint The life and Legend by Patrick Mcgilligan
I did and did not enjoy this book I say this because the author appears to have become emotionally involved I was all ways told that with this kind of book that is the very last thing that you should do.
Any way the name of the book is Clint The life and Legend by Patrick Mcgilligan
12 April, 2010
Dirk Maggs
I have just fixed a problem where by for some reason the link to the Dirk Maggs website was not pointing to the correct start point on the website, I don't have any ideas as to what broke it or even how long it has been broken.
It all now appears to be working correctly which is good, as I noticed the number of hits had dropped right off.
I also sadly noticed that I am no longer the No 1 on google search for Dirk Maggs so bloke called Dirk Maggs! is now number one I don't know how he managed that!
So it would appear that my Dirk Maggs website has disappeared from google, I wonder just for how long.
It all now appears to be working correctly which is good, as I noticed the number of hits had dropped right off.
I also sadly noticed that I am no longer the No 1 on google search for Dirk Maggs so bloke called Dirk Maggs! is now number one I don't know how he managed that!
So it would appear that my Dirk Maggs website has disappeared from google, I wonder just for how long.
08 April, 2010
04 April, 2010
Blue Sky
I just want to record this as it's happening.
Yes there is bright blue sky as I type this at 16.56 hrs on 4 th April, I know even I am surprised, I mean come on its Easter and some sunshine, even if its only for a few minutes is better than nothing.
Yes there is bright blue sky as I type this at 16.56 hrs on 4 th April, I know even I am surprised, I mean come on its Easter and some sunshine, even if its only for a few minutes is better than nothing.
03 April, 2010
Weather
As it's Easter you don't need to be told that the weather is as you would expect for a Bank Holiday, wet cold and dull
Simple question why?
Simple question why?
ipad
I see from looking at the internet news that in the USA today the ipad version 1 was on sale for the first time. Now the interesting thing will be just how much an ipad will be in the UK when they decide to sell them here, which is rumoured to be later in April.
I suppose that as normal we here in the UK will get charged more. So I will not hold by breath for the price to be similar to the USA one.
It has made me start to think what would I do now for version or generation 2 of the ipad ? and that's were it can get a bit difficult in just what do you add to a generation 2 device?
So of the things that you can do to9 a generation 2 device are easy in that you can update the operating system to a newer one with more features.
But do you start to add new hardware to your Gen 2 device?
I have been told by many that the Gen 1 ipad is not the right one for me and that a Gen 2 will be better, I have been told that Xmas 2010 is when a Gen 2 ipad is due and that before that a new OS will be realised updating or adding stuff that just was not ready for the launch of the Gen 1 device.
So as long as my itouch keeps working, and I hope it does I can afford to wait until Xmas 2010 to see what is or is not going to turn up.
I suppose that as normal we here in the UK will get charged more. So I will not hold by breath for the price to be similar to the USA one.
It has made me start to think what would I do now for version or generation 2 of the ipad ? and that's were it can get a bit difficult in just what do you add to a generation 2 device?
So of the things that you can do to9 a generation 2 device are easy in that you can update the operating system to a newer one with more features.
But do you start to add new hardware to your Gen 2 device?
I have been told by many that the Gen 1 ipad is not the right one for me and that a Gen 2 will be better, I have been told that Xmas 2010 is when a Gen 2 ipad is due and that before that a new OS will be realised updating or adding stuff that just was not ready for the launch of the Gen 1 device.
So as long as my itouch keeps working, and I hope it does I can afford to wait until Xmas 2010 to see what is or is not going to turn up.
30 March, 2010
Updates and cars
Ever had an update of the firmware to your car?
No nether have I yet My car was supposed to have its software updated today while it was being serviced, it did not happen as and get this the internet was down!
So due to this I will now have to loose my car yet again for a day.
I am not happy
No nether have I yet My car was supposed to have its software updated today while it was being serviced, it did not happen as and get this the internet was down!
So due to this I will now have to loose my car yet again for a day.
I am not happy
26 March, 2010
Wine
Just how is it that grapes from different parts of the world can taste so different when they are made into wine.
23 March, 2010
Read
I have finally finished the book that I spoke about the other day, it really is an easy read. But and there is a but, the book feels like its a draft for a longer book, it felt to me as if the author had run out of time and the manuscript was just handed in as it was. The because of who the author is the editor did not do a full edit on the book and demand changes.
Which I think is a real pity as I am sure the book could have been much better.
Before I forget the book that I have just read is called The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard.
I think that the book needed more time and also to be longer, that way part 2 of the book could have been better presented and done in such a way that this reader did not get the impression that this was a peace that had already been written and just the names changed, why I get that impression I just don't know but that's what I got. The parts that are set in the present might have been better presented as author notes or something like that, but the way that they have been present really jar's with the rest of the book.
As for how James and martin have decided there was a crime just does not ring true, when James describes a murder in his other books you get told far more about how and why, but in this book he does not do that, I found it was something that I missed.
Was I entertained?
The answer is yes, but I also came away feeling a bit cheated, like I had not been served the best meal or story that I think and know that James can deliver.
Anyway that what I thought your ideas and that may be different.
Which I think is a real pity as I am sure the book could have been much better.
Before I forget the book that I have just read is called The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard.
I think that the book needed more time and also to be longer, that way part 2 of the book could have been better presented and done in such a way that this reader did not get the impression that this was a peace that had already been written and just the names changed, why I get that impression I just don't know but that's what I got. The parts that are set in the present might have been better presented as author notes or something like that, but the way that they have been present really jar's with the rest of the book.
As for how James and martin have decided there was a crime just does not ring true, when James describes a murder in his other books you get told far more about how and why, but in this book he does not do that, I found it was something that I missed.
Was I entertained?
The answer is yes, but I also came away feeling a bit cheated, like I had not been served the best meal or story that I think and know that James can deliver.
Anyway that what I thought your ideas and that may be different.
21 March, 2010
Books
I have just picked up a book by James Patterson that I thought he would never write, and I must admit that so far its been a good read, its a while since I have read one of his books and the thing that for me always takes a while to get used to is just how short the chapters are in his books. I must admit that the short chapters do not get in the way of the story it's just something that he appears to do. It certainly has not hurt his book sales from what I can make out.
Any way the name of the book that I never expected him to right is The murder of King Tut, I know it threw me as-well.
but the story is good the way that he is telling it is very different to what i expected but so far it appears to work for me, your mileage may be different.
So I shall carry on reading it just to see how he is going to pull off this subject in his style.
Am I being entertained? you bet ye.
Any way the name of the book that I never expected him to right is The murder of King Tut, I know it threw me as-well.
but the story is good the way that he is telling it is very different to what i expected but so far it appears to work for me, your mileage may be different.
So I shall carry on reading it just to see how he is going to pull off this subject in his style.
Am I being entertained? you bet ye.
20 March, 2010
Rain
Why does it always appear to rain on Saturday, especially when there was stuff you want to do, but only if the weather is dry.
Problem
I find myself if an interesting problem, and its something that has happened many times before, but the last time this particular problem occurred is so long ago that I don't remember what I did.
The problem is this I have two new books that I want to read and I just don't know which one to start first as both books are about 500 pages long. One book is a biography the other is a SF book.
The SF book is one that I even pre-ordered, the biography is a book about a very famous male film star that I have been looking for, for some time, say years.
So which one do I read both are I am sure god books.
As a principle I don't read reviews of books that I am going to read as I don't want to be influenced by what others have said.
So it's a good problem, perhaps I shall use that most complicated of choice deciders and flip a coin!
The problem is this I have two new books that I want to read and I just don't know which one to start first as both books are about 500 pages long. One book is a biography the other is a SF book.
The SF book is one that I even pre-ordered, the biography is a book about a very famous male film star that I have been looking for, for some time, say years.
So which one do I read both are I am sure god books.
As a principle I don't read reviews of books that I am going to read as I don't want to be influenced by what others have said.
So it's a good problem, perhaps I shall use that most complicated of choice deciders and flip a coin!
reading
Well I have just finished another book, I know its scary this could be my second or third book that I have read this year, I wonder if I can keep up the pace.
The book is called Corsair and its by Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul. I think that means that Jack wrote most of it and Clive had the chance to change things that he did not like, or something like that.
Anyway to me it does not matter as for this kind of book all I want is to be entertained, which I was and that's all that I wanted and that's what I got.
I suppose it would be interesting to find out just what the real work split is, but in the end its a good story with characters that after several other books in the series you know to a large extent just how they are going to react and they do react as you expect, which is nice.
I suppose as a reader its one of the reasons why series of books always do well in that you are on familiar ground with the hardware and the main reoccurring characters its how the characters react in the different situations is the play off for the reader and I suppose for the author.
So all in all yes if you want a pager turner of a book with lots of action then this is a book that will deliver.
The book is called Corsair and its by Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul. I think that means that Jack wrote most of it and Clive had the chance to change things that he did not like, or something like that.
Anyway to me it does not matter as for this kind of book all I want is to be entertained, which I was and that's all that I wanted and that's what I got.
I suppose it would be interesting to find out just what the real work split is, but in the end its a good story with characters that after several other books in the series you know to a large extent just how they are going to react and they do react as you expect, which is nice.
I suppose as a reader its one of the reasons why series of books always do well in that you are on familiar ground with the hardware and the main reoccurring characters its how the characters react in the different situations is the play off for the reader and I suppose for the author.
So all in all yes if you want a pager turner of a book with lots of action then this is a book that will deliver.
16 March, 2010
Updates
Work on the websites has stopped for 2 reasons.
1 I had a weeks holiday, which I needed.
2 Work and getting other stuff done has a higher priority, and as doing the websites cost me money life gets in the way.
1 I had a weeks holiday, which I needed.
2 Work and getting other stuff done has a higher priority, and as doing the websites cost me money life gets in the way.
15 March, 2010
Reading
I have just finished a book that I pre-ordered on Amazon, so I got it as a hardback book, which is some thing I don't normally do but for this author I thought I would take a chance.
I think that this may be one of those occasions were I may have had just a bit of a bad result.
On the book buying side I have no problems, the book was sent to me on time and I must admit that all the price promises that Amazon made where kept, in that there was a price change and I got to have the benefit of it. So thank you Amazon.
Now the book contents part.
I am not too sure on this one, even though I have had some time to think all about it, I still feel as if I have been let down in some way by the author.
The book is by Iain Banks and is call Transition, I will not try to explain the story as I think that, that is one of the problems, Iain has I think tried to do what a lot of other authors have done and that is to write a story from many view points and times.
I don't think to me that he gets it quite right, in that this poor reader was at times feeling left behind, even when I went back to reread the parts that did not make sense.
I don't know if its his use of language or prose, but sometimes it just did not work for me.
I was entertained that I am sure of, its just that I was expecting to have an easier time of getting entertained.
I shall now that I have read the book go and have a look at what others have said about this book, to see if it just me or if there is a perceived problem with it.
I think that this may be one of those occasions were I may have had just a bit of a bad result.
On the book buying side I have no problems, the book was sent to me on time and I must admit that all the price promises that Amazon made where kept, in that there was a price change and I got to have the benefit of it. So thank you Amazon.
Now the book contents part.
I am not too sure on this one, even though I have had some time to think all about it, I still feel as if I have been let down in some way by the author.
The book is by Iain Banks and is call Transition, I will not try to explain the story as I think that, that is one of the problems, Iain has I think tried to do what a lot of other authors have done and that is to write a story from many view points and times.
I don't think to me that he gets it quite right, in that this poor reader was at times feeling left behind, even when I went back to reread the parts that did not make sense.
I don't know if its his use of language or prose, but sometimes it just did not work for me.
I was entertained that I am sure of, its just that I was expecting to have an easier time of getting entertained.
I shall now that I have read the book go and have a look at what others have said about this book, to see if it just me or if there is a perceived problem with it.
Nothing to say
Its funny how at one stage I had lots that I wanted to say then all of a sudden nothing zip, why?
I don't know why it happens like that but it does and from some reading that I have done I am not the only one that it happens to.
I was given a bit of advice a while a go about writing blogs, and the advice was that if you have nothing to say then don't try and force it as what you will write will come out as something that will not read well and it will probably not really be the real you speaking.
So I have followed my own advice over the last few weeks.
Which is good.
I don't know why it happens like that but it does and from some reading that I have done I am not the only one that it happens to.
I was given a bit of advice a while a go about writing blogs, and the advice was that if you have nothing to say then don't try and force it as what you will write will come out as something that will not read well and it will probably not really be the real you speaking.
So I have followed my own advice over the last few weeks.
Which is good.
02 March, 2010
ipad
i have been looking at what apple have done in the past with the release of new products and it dos not look good.
What I mean is that when the ipod came out e.g gen 1 it had some shortcomings and the software had stuff missing, which in hindsight should have been there from the very start, even the Gen 2 and 3 devices had stuff missing, but by gen 4 its good.
Now I own and ipod touch, and I use it very heavily every day, I keep running out of storage on it, is a 32GB device, I keep finding that I run out of app space even when I have lots of storage space for the programmes, I have seen and used a gen 1 touch and its not very good and is underpowered and stuff that would drive me nuts.
So with all that it stands to reason that Apple will do it again with the ipad, so I am going to wait for the gen 2 ipad which I am told will be out at Xmas 2010, so not long to wait.
What I mean is that when the ipod came out e.g gen 1 it had some shortcomings and the software had stuff missing, which in hindsight should have been there from the very start, even the Gen 2 and 3 devices had stuff missing, but by gen 4 its good.
Now I own and ipod touch, and I use it very heavily every day, I keep running out of storage on it, is a 32GB device, I keep finding that I run out of app space even when I have lots of storage space for the programmes, I have seen and used a gen 1 touch and its not very good and is underpowered and stuff that would drive me nuts.
So with all that it stands to reason that Apple will do it again with the ipad, so I am going to wait for the gen 2 ipad which I am told will be out at Xmas 2010, so not long to wait.
Updates
As I think I sad in an earlier blog, I have just started to do some work on the new James Follett website, pretty much in the same lines as the Dirk Maggs one, well why not it all seems to work okay and once everything is in the updating of the website is to tell the truth really really very easy and that's one of the main things that I want to gain from all of this updating stuff.
I must admit that the James Follett site is smaller I think, in fact I'm not to sure how they compare size wise. I suspect that over the next few weeks it's something that I will find out from first hand experience.
So then, on the James Follett side of things the database is set up and the core elements that go to make up the website are now all in place, all and I say this lightly all I now have to do is get the content transferred into the new website. This is a task that has to be done manually which is a pain but there dose not seem to be any other way of getting the job done, so manual it is.
I have so far only put the very first page up, mainly to see if it all works and all that sort of stuff that you do when trying out new stuff, it all appears to be working how I would expect it to which is good.
So I now have the long task of converting it to the new format. I don't know if I should tell James or not, as I am not sure if he is that interested in his unofficial website these days.
I will set up the domain so that when complete it points at the new website, and when I have checked that it all works I will delete the old website.
If by any chance James does realise any new material it will be very easy to update and also as an added benefit he could also with the right permissions edit the site, or at least correct it or even add missing information to it.
So lots to do.
I must admit that the James Follett site is smaller I think, in fact I'm not to sure how they compare size wise. I suspect that over the next few weeks it's something that I will find out from first hand experience.
So then, on the James Follett side of things the database is set up and the core elements that go to make up the website are now all in place, all and I say this lightly all I now have to do is get the content transferred into the new website. This is a task that has to be done manually which is a pain but there dose not seem to be any other way of getting the job done, so manual it is.
I have so far only put the very first page up, mainly to see if it all works and all that sort of stuff that you do when trying out new stuff, it all appears to be working how I would expect it to which is good.
So I now have the long task of converting it to the new format. I don't know if I should tell James or not, as I am not sure if he is that interested in his unofficial website these days.
I will set up the domain so that when complete it points at the new website, and when I have checked that it all works I will delete the old website.
If by any chance James does realise any new material it will be very easy to update and also as an added benefit he could also with the right permissions edit the site, or at least correct it or even add missing information to it.
So lots to do.
Sky
Looks today as if we are going to have a cold but bright blue sky day, which is nice, as its been just a while since we had that sort of things.
01 March, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)