Thoughts invited

Well, you all know know how I am with decisions - terrible.

So, here's a situation for you all to comment on...

I've been offered the rent of a place, for a sane (or better then sane) price. It's more then I'm paying the parents rent wise - even more when you add little things like bills.

However, it's within the limits of available finances.

Now, the question is what do I do? What should I consider?

Sometimes I'm afraid to look...

We've all been there at some point.

You go to a web page, seeing and/or reading some that that you just wish you hadn't. Some graphic detail of someones life. Some quirk or twist.

You want to stop reading but you can't quite bring yourself to. It's the terrible fascinating that draws you along like a prisoner dragged to the executioners axe.

And then there are the pages that you see sometimes. Like this one....

(Open the picture if you can't read it as is)

I'm tempted to read the article. Find out what's so interesting that it's got to the top of The Times news website. Understand why it's the most read story today.

But will it turn into one of those "I really, really didn't need to know that" pages.

Problem is, I can hear the headman. He's sharpening his axe...

Grrr

Another thing on my list.

Politics is the art of persuading people that you are the best (or least bad) person for the job.

So I find this sort of thing infuriating.

First paragraph or four...

Hain voices fear over BNP victory

A former minister has warned that the UK's main parties are "complacent" about the British National Party, after the BNP won a local election.

Labour MP Peter Hain told the BBC that Labour's own supporters were being targeted by the far-right.

He said the government needed to make sure local, rather than foreign, workers were prioritised for jobs.

A BNP leader said the recession had helped the party win because potential supporters were being hit hardest.

Mr Hain was speaking after the BNP won a seat at a by-election for Sevenoaks Council in Kent.

Why does this annoy? Well, I'm not a huge fan of the BNP. They are a tad...extreme for my taste.

But if it's really such a problem why don't the politicians - the professional persuaders - get off their fat, lazy, government funded arses and actually campaign against them?

Address local issues. Talk to people. Perhaps fix the huge mess they've made of pensions, the economy and this little thing you might have heard of - a credit crunch?

Not complain when they win.

Winning not because of some tax give away. Nor bribes and lies.

But promising to try and do something about what people care about. What politicians are supposed to do.

Grumpy

There are many things that make me grumpy.

No, really - there's a long list. A really, REALLY long list.

And on that list is something that's inherent in society at large. It's called advertising.

Lets suppose we have two products, A and B. They are for all practical purposes identical. So to get you to buy B, not A they advertise. Be this TV adds, product placements or just great big posters dotted around the place.

This irritates me because if A and B were different then it wouldn't be needed. Imagine, if A was better for one purpose, and B for another. If you had to do something you would simply buy the better product for your task. Advertising would be pointless.

There are two reasons to advertise - your product is not clearly better then the opposition....or no one knows what you make.

It's one thing to tell the world "I exist". Its another to try and worm your way into peoples minds. To make them think "I prefer that one" simply because you've burnt more money on air time.

What brought sudden hatred on tonight?

Because I've just been subjected to a barrage of (really, really pretty) women on TV telling me that I need product xxx to leave my hair so much softer and shinier. That I need lotion yyy to leave my skin soft and wrinkle free. That for the perfect kissable lips I need zzz lipstick available in 4 billion colours.

But it wasn't the products that drove my mind to rage against the lies.

Or that this was in the middle of my sodding sci-fi show, on a channel aimed virtually exclusively at men who don't have to share the remote with someone who might actually want any of these products.

Nope - the truly offensive thing was that I could only spot this because I wasn't interested in the products.

If I was interested - if they were selling...perhaps....Masters of Orion 3, could I have been objective?

Or would they have slipped past my inner cynicism and persuaded me that maybe it's worth a try....

Not selling things because they work, but because they are well presented as being better then rivals by people calculated to distract you, leaving you vulnerable to the deceit.

As I said, it makes me grumpy.

That said, falling asleep and missing the ending really didn't help!

Graphics cards

Because people keep asking me to comment about them, here's a post to answer a few questions.

Firstly, a discrete graphics card is always preferable to anything else. Why? Because there's no performance advantage to being on the motherboard - except that the board manufacturer might be diverting system memory for it.

Either way, don't touch. The only possible justification is in the production of a really low energy system. But I'm assuming you want to play - at the least - warcraft.

Now, which is better - ATI, Nvidia, intel, your maiden aunt...

That's a different topic. You pays your money, you take your choice. However, if you look closely you will find charts like this.

It's not a perfect comparison. It doesn't tell the whole story - the effects of different shader versions, the true impact of mulitple processors, the joy of DDR5 or the like.

But it does give order of magnitude figures. So looking at texture fill rates - read, the amount it can paint on the screen - the cards you mentioned:

6500 GT - Call it the same as a 6600 LE - 1.2 billion/sec
7100 - That's 1.4 billion/sec

Might as well go for a old, creaking 6800 - at 3.9 billion it smokes the pair, put together.

And that's not even the GT version at 5.6 billion.

So my advice? If you're building a new PC and you want to play games...of any sort past solitare...spend a little money now. Call it £60 on a card you won't have to replace in three weeks.

Say, well, this. Not really a game card, but not complete junk.

Please note - that's not a recomendation. I wouldn't suggest anything less then an x600 for gaming. Anything less (ie, 9500, 8500) isn't designed for games. So start at 8600...

Early Christmas/Birthday warning

There are people who find me impossible to buy for. As such, they like me to suggest lists of things that they could pick from.

The catch with this approach is that (from my point of view) it's a little predictable. If you know what went on the list...then....well...

This approach remains problematic - if you ask me "what do you want" then my mind goes blank, memories of desire flee leaving a rather short list of things as a grope around for something suitable.

It's not a pretty sight.

So I'm going to lend a hand. When I think of something, I'll tell you about it. For two reasons - one, I'd like it. And two - because anything I like must be good, and worth sharing with others.

Today's choice is "V for Vendetta". It's a decent film, with some strong scripting and a cheerful ending. No, really - it ends with a bang. What's more, the original comic book is available in paperback.

Like most things, the box is longer, better and deeper.

And available for less then the DVD.

Go amazon!
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Edit to add:

There will be more things. Don't all buy me V. Talk to each other!

A white marker

At work, if we need stationary we speak to the receptionists who have a stock - or they can order things.

So there I was, after a new pen. All I wanted was a white permanent marker - nothing that special, right...?

Turns out I was the first person - ever - in our organisation or the those we serve - to order such a thing.

It required 2 specialist purchasing people. A justification of why I wanted it (I need to write on black things). A reason why I didn't want to stick a label on the thing and then write on the label in black.

Finaly it went to a manager.

And now they've ordered a box. Of a dozen.

And this will help....how?

Now, by this point I believe every reader here will know I have little time for the govenments IT policy here.

Bluntly, I believe that a legion of winged monkeys could do a better job.

Here's another example.

The first couple of paragraphs for those reading in interesting places:

The government is compiling a database to track and store the international travel records of millions of Britons.

Computerised records of all 250 million journeys made by individuals in and out of the UK each year will be kept for up to 10 years.

The government says the database is essential in the fight against crime, illegal immigration and terrorism.

But opposition MPs and privacy campaigners fear it is a significant step towards a surveillance society.

The intelligence centre will store names, addresses, telephone numbers, seat reservations, travel itineraries and credit card details of travellers.

And what could be wrong with that? Well, let's see...

First, we've got the massive invasion of privacy issues. Why should the government know where I go on holiday? More to the point, what good will it do them? Of these 250-million records how many will actually be terrorists or criminals?

On the other hand, if the plan was to run the name of every traveler against a list of known wanted people and then destroyed - I'd be happier. But that's not what they want to do. They want to know everywhere I've been in the last 10 years.

Then there's the usefulness of the information. Let's suppose...we're looking for a terrorist we know trained in a terrorist training camp in Canada. How useful is that information? None at all. Every year millions of trips will be from or to Canada.

The sheer volume of junk information makes this sort of exercise damn near useless. Even then, what if they traveled to Canada (ok, Palestine is more likely) via some harmless third party? Or even the 4th, 5th or 17th harmless country? Or booked a cruise and spent 6 months traveling around the world to get there?

So not only should the government not be collecting this, once they do it'll be useless.

And why are they doing this. To fight crime - hold it, we can do that by just checking and deleting the names on a current list. Otherwise what would it catch? Crimes against the environment? Incitement to travel?

Terrorism isn't going to be hugely effected. After all, if you're going to blow yourself up in a suicide bombing knowing who's entered the country in the last xxx days isn't going to help much....

It'll help still less against home grown terrorists - who this won't spot.

Even against illegal immigration - if they arn't allowed in the country why are they getting past the airport??

Here I was under the impression that the way to get into the UK was via a container or in the back of a lorry. Not first class on a 747.

Just another waste of money...

Unforgiveable? Really?

There are many things that are unforgiveable. Genocide, murder - this sort of thing.

But take a look here....

The top couple of paragraphs for those with limited net access:

Clarkson PM insult 'unforgivable'

Scottish politicians have reacted angrily to comments made by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson about Gordon Brown.

Speaking to journalists in Sydney about the economic crisis, the presenter reportedly called the prime minister a "one-eyed Scottish idiot".

Gordon Banks, Labour MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, said the comment was "unforgivable".

Number 10 would only say that Clarkson "is entitled to his own interpretation of the economic circumstances".

Now, I'll be honest. Of the presenters and entertainers employed by the BBC, Clarkson is one of the few I really like. Not because he's really smart, hugely funny or even because he's good at reviewing cars. (He is a little of all of these).

No - it's because every now and again he says in public things that the rest of us think...but would never be broadcast on the BBC. Can you imagine, even for a second, any other public figure saying this?

Some might think it. A few bold ones might whisper between themselves. But Clarkson - he actualy has the balls to say it.

And lets be honest - who is complaining.

Is it Gorden Brown...nope. He knows that there's nothing he can say or do that will help. If he complains, he lacks a sense of humour. Worse, imagine the negative publicity..

Gordon Banks - a scottish labout MP is complaining. All I can say is that voting against an investigation into the Iraq war is unforgiveable.

Never rebeling against your own party on a matter of principle is unforgiveable.

Calling someone an idiot? Even a scottish idiot? Calling the prime minister a scottish idiot?

That's honesty.

Oh so funny - terribly funny...

First of all - the site, here, is not safe for work.

In fact, it might not be safe for anyone without a rather sick and twisted sense of humour to read.

It's a terrible joke site where absolutly NOTHING is sacred. It specialises in bad jokes. They will offend you.

But some of them will have you in tears, laughing.

But if you go there - it's at your own peril. But feel free to post some good ones :)
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I've thought long and hard, and have decided on my New Year's resolution.

1024×768.

--

An elderly British gentleman of 83 arrived in Berlin by plane.
At the German immigration desk, the man took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry-on bag.
"You have been to Berlin before, sir?" the Immigration officer asked, sarcastically.
The elderly gentleman admitted he had been to Germany previously.
"Then you should know well enough to have your passport ready."
The British gentleman says, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."
"Impossible. The British always have to show their passports on arrival in Germany!"
The elderly gentleman gave the German Immigration Officer a long hard look.
Then he quietly explained;
"Well, the last time I was here, I wasn't here long. And...we didn't land."

Stealing from those who saved...

Lets imagine if you will, an old lady. Lets call her Doris.

Doris worked hard for years, putting away a little money so when she retired she could afford a pension. In her twilight years she finaly retired with £100,000 in investments.

Now, assuming she she had investments that tracked the base rate of interest (rather then, say, the stock market!!) a year ago she would have got about 5% on that, so a modest £5,000. Enough to live on, with prudence and a state pension - that is, if she qualifies for it, with all the means testing...

Yesterday she would have been getting £1500 a year - which isn't much. I very much doubt it's possible to live on £30 a week in the uk. Fuel bills and council tax alone...

And today? Why, today the bank of England dropped interest rates again, to their lowest EVER recorded figure in the history of the bank of England. They now stand at 1%. Cutting our Doris' interest by 33%.

The real question then really is - at this rate, is saving for pension in the UK actualy worth the effort?

And what can our Doris do now??

I hate being ill

But then, don't we all?

One of the few upsides its that it gives you a chance to get back on track of minor tasks you've allowed to languish. One of these was converting some audio files I have. One of these happens to reference a hymn - "Abide with me".

Which reminded me of a question people ask me sometimes "How can you sing so may hymns [in the choir] if you're not a Christian?"

Well, the answer is simple - in terms of music, the devil really doesn't have all the best tunes.

Abide with me. Amazing grace. Those two everyone should know. Sung the right way they can bring tears to the eyes.

True, so can a lot of secular music - but the Christians have a long musical tradition. Bach, Mozart - pick a great classical composer and the odds are you can link them to a Church.

While performers regularly abuse great music - everyone now and again you hear it done right. Not often, but when you do it can sound beautiful.

(Side issue - Amazing Grace being a favourite for abuse. I can't remember the last time I heard a soloist who didn't rip it to shreds. Sometimes simplicity really is more!)

But the question I ask in return is how can people prefer something like this..



To this...

Real Names

As you've probably noticed, I don't like names on the blog. I try to never refer to anyone by a real name. When I need an identifier - I pick something that won't identify people.

It's fine for people to identify themselves, but naming others - I have a thing about it.

So please, in the comments don't?

I've deleted one comment today because of it. I'm not going to go through the archive of comments though.

It's not me being a nasty meanie.

Well, no more then usual...

Weird Dreams

We've all had weird dreams - falling, dreaming of sleeping, dreaming of worlds where the dead walk and the streets are flooded with the blood of innocents.

Ok, alright, those last two might only be me...

Still, this one - this one deserves special mention. For you see, last night I dreamed I was having a bath. A bath isn't something I usually do - mainly because years ago mother ripped out the bath and replaced it with just a shower - so there was nothing prompting this.

I know, I know - baths aren't that unusual, so why is it weird?

Have you ever had a bath in a non-Newtonian fluid?

Neither have I...although I've now dreamt about it.

But now I want to know - what would it be like....

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And yes, as mentioned by someone in the office, the easiest and cheapest non-newtonian fluid is really, REALLY thick custard. So thick that if you hit it with a spoon, it bounces.

But if you rest a finger on it gently it sinks straight though...