Northern Grep - The blog of Shaun Holt

Thin security - Fat load of comfort

I saw today that HP have brought to market a thin client laptop. Although this technology is nothing new I whole-heartedly agree with the sentiment that government employees should use them to avoid any more embarrassing data losses. Of course thin client is still beyond the comfort factor of some IT departments. I found this alot when working on the Future Workspace project. Not only was there a fear and lack of understanding of thin client technology there was a real resistance to change by both private and public sector organisations.

Talking of networks the ‘water’ of the internet plumbing system, TCP/IP is 25 years old this year. We take TCP/IP for granted in its vital role on any computer network. Happy Birthday!

At the moment the most basic tasks are becoming like a hard chore. I need to push myself to get things done. We all get these phases in life. I think for me this comes down to a distinct lack of sleep on account of a new baby in the house. My little son has also had a particularly nasty virus. Even if I could have slept I cannot sleep when he is seriously ill. Like all parents I find myself waking up regularly to go and check on him whilst he was sleeping and baking with a temperature. I got to watch two pretty good episodes of the Sopranos though!

This episode does raise the issue though (for the third time in two years) of how the NHS will do anything in its power to avoid home visits and/or commit to giving any kind of meaningful treatment.

My wife and I know the drill now. Unless we have major concerns we administer Calpol and plenty of liquids to Little Bill for at least 48 hours before we call a doctor. When you eventually get through to a doctor at our local Health Centre they are very reluctant to prescribe any medication.

The annoying bit comes when you have to return a week later to find that the virus has spread to your child’s ear drums and lungs.The GP then picks up their pen and writes out a prescription for antibiotics. Why do our children have to suffer before they see sense? This also brings disruption to employment (I have been helping my wife as she has also been ill).

Happy but tired I go to bed pondering, will it be Doncaster Rovers or will it be Leeds United?