General Ramblings of an English Person
Gordon Brown - you have such a busy schedule lying and destroying our nation. To make things easier for you (as you muddle through) here are two picture messages:
Go on. You really need to do these things. Or even better, why not call an election?
Sphere: Related ContentAfter almost two years of battling away I have today (with the significant help of aka47, a Scundog member) overcome a real technical challenge.
Back in early 2006 I bought an IBM X306M 1U server with the intent of phasing it into my web hosting operation. Unfortunately, despite some pre-sales assurances, this server’s hardware (specifically the SAS RAID controller card) was not compatible with the distro & version of Linux I wanted to use (nor any from what I have seen).
After doing a lot of research and consulting many people who’s knowledge of linux and hardware is greater than mine I resolved not to give in. This server was, in my opinion, only ever intended to run Microsoft server OS’s. I won’t get on my soapbox about why I would never install a M$ server OS instead I will focus on the solution.
In the end I’ve bought another controller card, installed it and as of two hours ago have seen the linux login prompt blinking away on the server’s screen. This machine will replace an existing IBM server. The reliability of this brand lends credibility to the little used adage in the IT community:
‘No one ever got fired for buying IBM‘.
Sphere: Related ContentI 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?
Sphere: Related ContentGordon Brown (The Lying Scotsman) yesterday announced an overseas aid package of £825 million for India, one of the world’s emerging, economic giants. Large quantities of this funding goes into collective aid ‘pots’ in the recipient states that cover medical supply aid, infrastructure and books for education/literacy projects.
Assuming that amongst the smokescreens of the time period that this aid package is spread over and allowing for any New Liebour double accounting, that this is true, then I would like to say ‘bravo Gordon’. I quite honestly didn’t realise that Britain had that sort of cash to splash around to such a deserving cause (sorry about the sarcasm). I would like to list some of the reasons that this announcement was a surprise to me:
Perhaps anyone reading this blog would understand my confusion and surprise. In the meantime may I suggest that we start an appeal in India for aid to England?
In the meantime have a look at this - truly amazing.
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