Wednesday, 19 December 2007
Livejournal Slow
I have amalgamated another blog with this one simply because most of the people I know use this than any other. But does anyone else have an issue with the speed of the site and about how slow it is to respond to simple clicks. Or is it just me?
Uncyclopedia
I just stumbled across this alternative to wikipedia and it made me chuckle.
Unclycopedia.
Probably funnier than The Onion.
Unclycopedia.
Probably funnier than The Onion.
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Better than all the Rest (Old Blog)
If you are going to do something worthwhile, it might as well be at least an attempt to be as good, if not better than the attempt before.
I mean, if you are going to conquer mount everest, and claim you are the first, or got the highest, then you are going to be very disappointed. There can only be one 1st man on the moon award!
If you are planning on producing a me-too type product then best of luck, emulate, tribute, but dont complain if nobody buys into your dream.
Originally posted 17/01/2006
I mean, if you are going to conquer mount everest, and claim you are the first, or got the highest, then you are going to be very disappointed. There can only be one 1st man on the moon award!
If you are planning on producing a me-too type product then best of luck, emulate, tribute, but dont complain if nobody buys into your dream.
Originally posted 17/01/2006
iPods and iDiots
Other people seem to be using their blog as an avenue to promote their music, or at the very least provide a forum for people (i.e. no one) to talk about music which they enjoy or like listening to.
Our London rail network has a free newspaper called the Metro, and in it their is a section called On My iPod, in which celebrities (usually vapour-heads with something to promote) recount what is on their iPod, but they are only to choose 5 songs. Which is odd, because I always though iPods could carry more than just 5 songs! Plus are you really sure EVERY famous celebrity has an iPod and ACTUALLY uses it. I mean it takes a certain amount of PC acumen to actually load music onto one.
Still, out of completeness I am not going to be telling you what is on my iPod, but more importantly what I listened to on the way into work.
1) Porcupine Tree - Deadwing - progressive pop rock from the UK masters
2) Steve Roach - Core - a one man aural equivalent of a universe - highly desire-ably listening pleasure.
XXX
When I encounter grown sane people who actually have a problem surfing the internet in so much as they don't understand what a URL or an Address bar is, I get worried especially when they start asking me questions about starting up an Internet Business.
Originally posted 23/01/2006
Our London rail network has a free newspaper called the Metro, and in it their is a section called On My iPod, in which celebrities (usually vapour-heads with something to promote) recount what is on their iPod, but they are only to choose 5 songs. Which is odd, because I always though iPods could carry more than just 5 songs! Plus are you really sure EVERY famous celebrity has an iPod and ACTUALLY uses it. I mean it takes a certain amount of PC acumen to actually load music onto one.
Still, out of completeness I am not going to be telling you what is on my iPod, but more importantly what I listened to on the way into work.
1) Porcupine Tree - Deadwing - progressive pop rock from the UK masters
2) Steve Roach - Core - a one man aural equivalent of a universe - highly desire-ably listening pleasure.
XXX
When I encounter grown sane people who actually have a problem surfing the internet in so much as they don't understand what a URL or an Address bar is, I get worried especially when they start asking me questions about starting up an Internet Business.
Originally posted 23/01/2006
Saturday, 8 December 2007
PC World aren't off the hook just yet.
Just an update, sent a lengthy email to PC World, which was a heavily edited version of my rant.
Ill be interested in seeing their response, as Im sure you will be.
Ill post it as soon as I hear something.
lawbag (83.104.27.178)
Ill be interested in seeing their response, as Im sure you will be.
Ill post it as soon as I hear something.
lawbag (83.104.27.178)
11th Dec, 2007 11:08 (local)
I sent the email on Saturday the 8th, and still haven't heard anything from them as at 11th.
I expected an acknowledgment if nothing else.
I expected an acknowledgment if nothing else.
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Woe Becomes a Tragedy
As reported yesterday, I had a problem with a new laptop which I took back to PC World, Lakeside. Now I fully expected them to look at the machine apologise, give me a new one and off I go. But oh no.
I spent 5 minutes explaining my problem to a girl on the technical desk in the shop who didnt seem to understand my issue, and eventually referred me to a more senior colleague, who took the machine from me and took it into their workshop to have a look and confirm the problem. After waiting 30 minutes and watching about 15 people in the queue behind me also have problems, but have them solved whilst I was waiting, I eventually asked was there any news on my laptop.
There was, they had diagnosed NO problem and someone should have told me 28 minutes ago. 2 technicians looked at it and said it wasnt a problem, so I asked to speak to someone senior.
Well Mr Senior did turn up after I insisted, and he proceeded to reiterate the official line that the HP laptop is not defective nor is there a problem. There would be no refund and no exchange. Seeing as he was a manager, I asked to see someone more senior than him, which he said wasnt possible, as he was the manager and that was that.
I am being very nice and calm about this, but my keyboard is burning with rage.
The manager (who like all "nice" people) will refuse to deal with anyone who isnt calm and reasoned and certainly doesnt swear, I tried my fucking hardest to remain cool, but still managed to attract the attention of 2 plain clothes store detectives who came to his defense. It was whilst telling one of these store detectives to not lay a finger on me, that the manager ran off to his office and refused to come out.
So I insisted I saw someone to resolve this mess that was rapidly getting out of control, hampered by the fact I had my 4 year old daughter with me, who had been waiting patiently who now needed to use the toilet.
Eventually another manager came out to me and told me that all HP laptops make this kind of noise, and we walked together to the display stands of 10 other HP laptops that ranged in price from 400-1800, and each and everyone make the same buzzing sound from the front face plate. This new manager also said he had one of these at home and hadnt noticed it until I mentioned it.
Just because he accepted defective goods, doesnt mean I should. I refused to accept a replacement at that point, and requested a refund like anyone else, but they refused me. On my return to the customer services desk, I found my laptop had been wrapped up and was waiting for me by the door held by both store detectives. I was asked to leave the shop.
On exiting PC World, I rung customer services and asked them about replacing a defective machine. I was told by a helpful chap that company policy on all refunds and replacements were done entirely at the manager;s discretion. I told him that this policy was absurd as it meant a high level on inconsistency regarding refunds. One manager one day may say yes, the next day a different manager says no. I asked to be put through to someone higher who informed me that only solution was to take the laptop back to the shop and call customer services on the phone at the same time.
I find this highly dubious. In my past experiences with PC World I have bought products in one shop and got a refund on them in another.
On my return home, my wife was supportive saying we'll keep the machine if they are all like that. But the thought that PC World have gotten away with treating me like that is incredulous. I am currently contemplating taking the machine back to potentially 2 other PC Worlds that are driving distance away and seeing if I get a different treatment and get the refund I am now seeking.
Once I have this refunded credit card slip, I will then return to PC World in Lakeside and ask to see the same manager who fobbed me off by running away today. I know his name, because they advertise it on a photoboard on the exit of the shop. When he comes, I will show him proudly of my full and unconditional refund, then gladly spit a lump of disease ridden spit right in the cunt's face.
I think I feel much better now. I had never intended this blog to be a ranting one, but there you go.
queenortart (212.183.136.194)
lawbag (217.43.41.167)
w00hoo (193.60.52.11)
lawbag (83.104.27.178)
I spent 5 minutes explaining my problem to a girl on the technical desk in the shop who didnt seem to understand my issue, and eventually referred me to a more senior colleague, who took the machine from me and took it into their workshop to have a look and confirm the problem. After waiting 30 minutes and watching about 15 people in the queue behind me also have problems, but have them solved whilst I was waiting, I eventually asked was there any news on my laptop.
There was, they had diagnosed NO problem and someone should have told me 28 minutes ago. 2 technicians looked at it and said it wasnt a problem, so I asked to speak to someone senior.
Well Mr Senior did turn up after I insisted, and he proceeded to reiterate the official line that the HP laptop is not defective nor is there a problem. There would be no refund and no exchange. Seeing as he was a manager, I asked to see someone more senior than him, which he said wasnt possible, as he was the manager and that was that.
I am being very nice and calm about this, but my keyboard is burning with rage.
The manager (who like all "nice" people) will refuse to deal with anyone who isnt calm and reasoned and certainly doesnt swear, I tried my fucking hardest to remain cool, but still managed to attract the attention of 2 plain clothes store detectives who came to his defense. It was whilst telling one of these store detectives to not lay a finger on me, that the manager ran off to his office and refused to come out.
So I insisted I saw someone to resolve this mess that was rapidly getting out of control, hampered by the fact I had my 4 year old daughter with me, who had been waiting patiently who now needed to use the toilet.
Eventually another manager came out to me and told me that all HP laptops make this kind of noise, and we walked together to the display stands of 10 other HP laptops that ranged in price from 400-1800, and each and everyone make the same buzzing sound from the front face plate. This new manager also said he had one of these at home and hadnt noticed it until I mentioned it.
Just because he accepted defective goods, doesnt mean I should. I refused to accept a replacement at that point, and requested a refund like anyone else, but they refused me. On my return to the customer services desk, I found my laptop had been wrapped up and was waiting for me by the door held by both store detectives. I was asked to leave the shop.
On exiting PC World, I rung customer services and asked them about replacing a defective machine. I was told by a helpful chap that company policy on all refunds and replacements were done entirely at the manager;s discretion. I told him that this policy was absurd as it meant a high level on inconsistency regarding refunds. One manager one day may say yes, the next day a different manager says no. I asked to be put through to someone higher who informed me that only solution was to take the laptop back to the shop and call customer services on the phone at the same time.
I find this highly dubious. In my past experiences with PC World I have bought products in one shop and got a refund on them in another.
On my return home, my wife was supportive saying we'll keep the machine if they are all like that. But the thought that PC World have gotten away with treating me like that is incredulous. I am currently contemplating taking the machine back to potentially 2 other PC Worlds that are driving distance away and seeing if I get a different treatment and get the refund I am now seeking.
Once I have this refunded credit card slip, I will then return to PC World in Lakeside and ask to see the same manager who fobbed me off by running away today. I know his name, because they advertise it on a photoboard on the exit of the shop. When he comes, I will show him proudly of my full and unconditional refund, then gladly spit a lump of disease ridden spit right in the cunt's face.
I think I feel much better now. I had never intended this blog to be a ranting one, but there you go.
queenortart (212.183.136.194)
3rd Dec, 2007 15:57 (local)
I hope you won't think I'm being facile, which is not my intention, but you have just summed up pretty much every reason for not using PC World.
I smite them on your behalf
I smite them on your behalf
lawbag (217.43.41.167)
3rd Dec, 2007 23:26 (local)
It was ONLY the calming influence on my wonderful wife that has quelled the burning rage.
I knew that any verbal abuse or threats or actual physical gestures would be interpreted in a negative light.
As a follow up, I did go to PC World in Enfield where I work, and am happy to announce that every HP laptop also BUZZED. Therefore PC World are selling defective goods.
But thanks for the smiting. All I wish is for a speedy alternative to Misco.
I knew that any verbal abuse or threats or actual physical gestures would be interpreted in a negative light.
As a follow up, I did go to PC World in Enfield where I work, and am happy to announce that every HP laptop also BUZZED. Therefore PC World are selling defective goods.
But thanks for the smiting. All I wish is for a speedy alternative to Misco.
w00hoo (193.60.52.11)
4th Dec, 2007 10:46 (local)
Out of interest, and I understand if you can't be asked to go in to that level of detailed investigation, but do HP recognise it as being an issue? It might be worth asking them if only to avoid buying one from somewhere else that has the same issues...
lawbag (83.104.27.178)
4th Dec, 2007 11:24 (local)
It affects their range of media widescreen laptops. as mentioned it affects all their machines in that range, whether they cost 499 or 1,499. I think this is a major issue, and I will be contacting them for further advice, but if it involves it being sent away and all that hooo haaa, then I really cannot be bothered.
I think it is unfortunate its an HP, which I wont be buying again, and certainly, because of the treatment I got from PC World, I wont be using them again, instead I will do my utmost to support Misco.
I think it is unfortunate its an HP, which I wont be buying again, and certainly, because of the treatment I got from PC World, I wont be using them again, instead I will do my utmost to support Misco.
Woes x 2
Missed out on Dragonmeet because of my 'flu. 2 days off from work, and 1 day of my pleasure!
So thats 1 woe, now for number 2. The wife dragged me to TK Maxx with the consolation that we will finally be buying a new laptop for home. Got to PC World and found the machine I was after. Bought and paid for it, and then drove home. So whilst the wife was trying on a million and one new clothes she bought, I was quietly setting the laptop up, installing the software and going through the initialisation sequence.
Everything was going fine until I started using the keyboard and it had the most awful buzzing sound from loose plastic I had ever heard of. In fact the entire faceplate of the laptop "buzzed" extremely loudly no matter what I did. Being a bit techy, I opened the machine up as safely as I dare to see if there was something loose inside, but to no avail. So Ive packed the machine up ready for a free replacement, you bastards, because I doubt they will compensate me for wasting an hour of my evening setting it up for nothing.
One thing I did also notice too was the lid of the laptop closed, but there was ample room still for the lid to be closed further, which I find odd, as my Dell, and in fact all the laptops I have ever used closed completely.
Oh, and there is one more woe, I didnt mention. 'Flu = no game tonight (Sunday), which is a pisser as our Legend of the Five Rings game is turning into something even more special. The game is perfectly paced and pitched, and we are talking about more L5R adventures for the future.
So thats 1 woe, now for number 2. The wife dragged me to TK Maxx with the consolation that we will finally be buying a new laptop for home. Got to PC World and found the machine I was after. Bought and paid for it, and then drove home. So whilst the wife was trying on a million and one new clothes she bought, I was quietly setting the laptop up, installing the software and going through the initialisation sequence.
Everything was going fine until I started using the keyboard and it had the most awful buzzing sound from loose plastic I had ever heard of. In fact the entire faceplate of the laptop "buzzed" extremely loudly no matter what I did. Being a bit techy, I opened the machine up as safely as I dare to see if there was something loose inside, but to no avail. So Ive packed the machine up ready for a free replacement, you bastards, because I doubt they will compensate me for wasting an hour of my evening setting it up for nothing.
One thing I did also notice too was the lid of the laptop closed, but there was ample room still for the lid to be closed further, which I find odd, as my Dell, and in fact all the laptops I have ever used closed completely.
Oh, and there is one more woe, I didnt mention. 'Flu = no game tonight (Sunday), which is a pisser as our Legend of the Five Rings game is turning into something even more special. The game is perfectly paced and pitched, and we are talking about more L5R adventures for the future.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Mohammad is a Cuddly Toy
This little news story caught my eye about a British primary school teacher in Sudan who has been arrested for allowing her pupils to name a teddy bear Mohammad.
Now my first and only reaction is that this is a genuine mistake not worthy of the punishment that is being called for, imprisonment, a fine or 40 lashes.
After that, my reaction has to be the children. If Islam and the Prophet Mohammad that important to the primary school children, then they have willing to name a teddy bear after their religion. But if it is against their religion to name anything after Mohammad, or in his name, then surely it must be the blame of the parents of these children for teaching them the wrong meanings of Islam.
If, as we are told, that religion is part of their daily life, then great, but make sure you teach the right parts to your kids first.
Now my first and only reaction is that this is a genuine mistake not worthy of the punishment that is being called for, imprisonment, a fine or 40 lashes.
After that, my reaction has to be the children. If Islam and the Prophet Mohammad that important to the primary school children, then they have willing to name a teddy bear after their religion. But if it is against their religion to name anything after Mohammad, or in his name, then surely it must be the blame of the parents of these children for teaching them the wrong meanings of Islam.
If, as we are told, that religion is part of their daily life, then great, but make sure you teach the right parts to your kids first.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Playing Games with Information
I am in an odd daze at the moment, even 24 hours later when we (the British public) were informed that our government had allowed the mislaying of vital and sensitive information (including names, dates of birth, parent names, names of children, national insurance numbers and bank account details) of every family/person receiving child benefit in the UK.
No excuse, no reason can be offered, no satisfactory resolution can come from this.
The information was held on 2 computer discs and was sent by an internal courier to another department. The package never arrived.
Vigilence. If you werent vigilent before yesterday, you damn well ought to be. Not just of spammers, and fraudulent bank activity and dodgy emails from your bank. But you had better start be more vigilent about your personal information, about who you trust in the government.
By a twist of fate, this data might have been your personal tax records, it could (with the intention of introducing National Identity Cards) have included biometric data. The list and possibilities are endless and are the nightmare of an Orwellian future, mixed with a Cyberpunk ethos. "Data doesnt want to be hidden, it wants to be free."
I feel forpete_darby seeing he has kids too!
No excuse, no reason can be offered, no satisfactory resolution can come from this.
The information was held on 2 computer discs and was sent by an internal courier to another department. The package never arrived.
Vigilence. If you werent vigilent before yesterday, you damn well ought to be. Not just of spammers, and fraudulent bank activity and dodgy emails from your bank. But you had better start be more vigilent about your personal information, about who you trust in the government.
By a twist of fate, this data might have been your personal tax records, it could (with the intention of introducing National Identity Cards) have included biometric data. The list and possibilities are endless and are the nightmare of an Orwellian future, mixed with a Cyberpunk ethos. "Data doesnt want to be hidden, it wants to be free."
I feel for
pete_darby seeing he has kids too!
Friday, 16 November 2007
2 Blogs for the Price of 1
I used to have another blog on Xanga.com, but I have decided to merge it together with this one. So over the next few weeks you'll see lots of weird rants, swearing (both big and clever) about gaming.
The reason Im merging them is (a) I dont have that ranting passion about gaming any more. I mean that I enjoy the games I play and the way I play with the people I play with. I dont need to say or do any more than that. and (b) with the forthcoming DM of the Galaxy webcomic, I dont want to stretch myself across 3 blogs.
The reason Im merging them is (a) I dont have that ranting passion about gaming any more. I mean that I enjoy the games I play and the way I play with the people I play with. I dont need to say or do any more than that. and (b) with the forthcoming DM of the Galaxy webcomic, I dont want to stretch myself across 3 blogs.
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Microsoft Could have been Heroes
Re-reading that article on music downloading and DRM, Microsoft could have been deemed heroes of the industry had they not insisted that DRM becomes part of their operating system.
DRM = Digital Rights Management, the electronic system of tagging digital data (graphics, music, movies) so they only work on the original purchaser's equipment.
Had MS rebuked the RIAA and all the other musical cronies, they could not only have still made Vista the operating system of choice, but won over a lot of people as they would have sided with the users not the recording industry.
evilref
DRM = Digital Rights Management, the electronic system of tagging digital data (graphics, music, movies) so they only work on the original purchaser's equipment.
Had MS rebuked the RIAA and all the other musical cronies, they could not only have still made Vista the operating system of choice, but won over a lot of people as they would have sided with the users not the recording industry.
evilref
Oct. 31st, 2007 05:07 pm (UTC)
Vista is going to be the operating system of choice. Have you tried buying a new computer without it? Have you tried to use the latest version of the business software your customers and suppliers use without the latest hardware?
Don't forget that alongside the battle to protect the copyright of recorded works, there is a similar battle to protect the copyright of software. Micro$oft probably think that if users are prevented from using illegal copies of their products, their profits will vastly increase.
They may even be right, and since the users they want to target are the business users, stronger laws are probably enough to brow-beat those business users into paying up.
Once Micro$oft were behind things like DMCA, their side was chosen.
Don't forget that alongside the battle to protect the copyright of recorded works, there is a similar battle to protect the copyright of software. Micro$oft probably think that if users are prevented from using illegal copies of their products, their profits will vastly increase.
They may even be right, and since the users they want to target are the business users, stronger laws are probably enough to brow-beat those business users into paying up.
Once Micro$oft were behind things like DMCA, their side was chosen.
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Evolution of Spam and Scam
Evolution of Spam and ScamSurely everyone knows by now the Nigerian Scam emails, so why the hell are they still sending them? You must surely be keenly aware that most of the people sending out these emails are simply running their operation out of a internet cafe. You must have seen or be aware that there are Nigerian Scam-Bater websites (people who actually attempt to expose these scam artists by pretending to play along with their game) which show you clearly the people behind these scams are Black, mostly Nigerian, mostly living in Nigeria. My question should be, why havent these people not realised how useless their efforts are now?
Spam hasnt really evolved that much, ever since that first email that landed in your inbox promising untold wealth in exchange for a simple collusion. Send them your bank details, and the money is yours, allegedly.
You sometimes come across a news item or story where some idiot is suckered into trying their damnest to get what is rightfully theirs, some have even been lured to Nigeria to claim the money and ended up dead. But if the money doesnt exist, then they are twice the fool into thinking it does. Why should they randomly choose you to share the money with? Why is it that the appearance of an email in your SPAM inbox is all the sufficient evidence you need to secure these vast millions?
Spam hasnt really evolved that much, ever since that first email that landed in your inbox promising untold wealth in exchange for a simple collusion. Send them your bank details, and the money is yours, allegedly.
Now, winning lottery tickets with my email attached to them, arrive in my inbox along with the numbers that were supposedly on the ticket. The numbers are irrelevant so much so that the sender of the spam even duplicated the winning ball numbers, how stupid is that. You only need to read the email carefully to know something fishy is going on.
- the email address has a .hk or Hong Kong suffix - a little strange for a European lottery dont you think?
- there is a telephone number which is British, but is a mobile number - a little strange for a professional business to rely on mobile numbers for their trading.
- just because it looks like a UK mobile number, doesnt mean the person you are ringing is in the UK.
- the above forementioned duplicate draw numbers in the email - surely an administration error, as you cannot choose the same number TWICE.
Emails were being picked up by spam filters using words that were considered Spam, so then they went one better and deliberately mispelt words, then sent emails with gif images attached and now with PDF attachments begging me to buy stocks in dead companies.
The truth to why they keep sending these messages is that for every million spam emails sent out, one idiot, one person of low intellect, someone who has never been online before gets a sexy email inviting them to collect their winnings will be taken in.
I watched my Grand Mother for years believe she was going to win a huge Readers Digest prize. She eventually died before she got to the higher levels.
You sometimes come across a news item or story where some idiot is suckered into trying their damnest to get what is rightfully theirs, some have even been lured to Nigeria to claim the money and ended up dead. But if the money doesnt exist, then they are twice the fool into thinking it does. Why should they randomly choose you to share the money with? Why is it that the appearance of an email in your SPAM inbox is all the sufficient evidence you need to secure these vast millions?
Friday, 21 September 2007
Do They Really Know What They are Doing?
Yesterday the local free paper arrived in the letterbox, and with it came a common sight these days, a wrap-around-cover, usually reserved for advertising. So I was a little surprised when the advert wasnt a new shopping centre or health club, but rather from Dartford Borough Council's very own Jeremy Kite.
In this 4-page super spectacular he outlined the council's plan to regenerate Dartford, something which it has been in need of for the entire 20 years of my stay here so far, and he wanted feedback on his council's progress and where it should head in the future. Now Im quite insulted firstly by the fact that it would appear the council hasnt a clue in the direction it has gone in the last 2 decades, but also the fact that it is turning to the people for answers which it has been given time and time again.
To further incense me, and Im sure he was aiming to piss me, Mr Lawbag off, over and above anyone else in this wretched town of (careful Lawbag, might upset a few people) hard working upwardly mobile people, there was a questionnaire which you could send off to the council to help them in their decision making.
The questions were some of the most insulting remarks and multiple choices I have ever read from a government body. I wont list them here, but suffice to say they comprised of;
Should the council concentrate on regenerating the town YES/NO?
Should the council concentrate on providing a cleaner town centre YES/NO?
Should the council concentrate on providing new jobs and attracting new business to the town YES/NO?
Should the council concentrate on providing a variety of shopping experiences to provide a sense of good feeling YES/NO?
And so it goes on.
Am I the only one...? Who would ever say NO to anything listed above.
Once I have prepared a reasonably solid argument, I am planning on sending this to Mr Kite himself and getting him to answer why they need this inept attempt to curry favour and support for a council deathly vacant of ideas and spirit.
In this 4-page super spectacular he outlined the council's plan to regenerate Dartford, something which it has been in need of for the entire 20 years of my stay here so far, and he wanted feedback on his council's progress and where it should head in the future. Now Im quite insulted firstly by the fact that it would appear the council hasnt a clue in the direction it has gone in the last 2 decades, but also the fact that it is turning to the people for answers which it has been given time and time again.
To further incense me, and Im sure he was aiming to piss me, Mr Lawbag off, over and above anyone else in this wretched town of (careful Lawbag, might upset a few people) hard working upwardly mobile people, there was a questionnaire which you could send off to the council to help them in their decision making.
The questions were some of the most insulting remarks and multiple choices I have ever read from a government body. I wont list them here, but suffice to say they comprised of;
Should the council concentrate on regenerating the town YES/NO?
Should the council concentrate on providing a cleaner town centre YES/NO?
Should the council concentrate on providing new jobs and attracting new business to the town YES/NO?
Should the council concentrate on providing a variety of shopping experiences to provide a sense of good feeling YES/NO?
And so it goes on.
Am I the only one...? Who would ever say NO to anything listed above.
Once I have prepared a reasonably solid argument, I am planning on sending this to Mr Kite himself and getting him to answer why they need this inept attempt to curry favour and support for a council deathly vacant of ideas and spirit.
Thursday, 23 August 2007
moving in my mind
No this isnt a blog special about my mind powers (I'll save that for another day), but rather that moving house out to the country is still on my mind.
I think I mentioned before, or at the very least hinted somewhere out there on the internet that I am looking at moving after my fixed rate mortgage deal is up.
Trying to collect my thoughts as to why I want to move to Essex or the A12 corridor, I have come up with the following;
I think I mentioned before, or at the very least hinted somewhere out there on the internet that I am looking at moving after my fixed rate mortgage deal is up.
Trying to collect my thoughts as to why I want to move to Essex or the A12 corridor, I have come up with the following;
- Being closer to work - I work in Enfield and live in Dartford. A 45 minute journey each way if Im lucking via the M25 and Dartford Crossing. Realistically its a 2 hour commute round trip. Being closer to work eliminates this.
- Being closer to my friends (gaming and music) in Ipswich.
- Hoping to find a detached or semi-detached 4 or 5 bedroom house which can really accommodate our family needs.
- The area we do want to go closer to is one where there are good primary and secondary schools, so we start our research now.
Friday, 10 August 2007
Moving to Essex
The new job is going well in Enfield, and although I have 2 years to go on my fixed rate non-transferable mortgage, Im keeping an open eye on houses in Essex. Specifically the A12 corridor. For the same money my house is worth, I could easily buy something bigger (4+ bedrooms) and more remote.
I have chosen the A12 corridor mainly because its kinda close to my work, and also for my work, but mostly because its closer to Ipswich, my home town, and also home to my old friends with whom Ive recently gotten back in contact with. They are still network gaming both LAN and online, plus they still game regularly.
Now while I am happy with my group, the general attitude to the game is mixed. Nothing specific, but a general feeling. Now I love gaming, but when you group is constituted of a gamer who is so-so about playing, another who cheats at dice rolls, another who really isnt cut out for gaming (not too smart) and the 4th a strange guy who plays female characters more often than not, Im left feeling empty after most sessions.
I dont expect miracles by being closer to Ipswich, and far be it for me to want to move closer just because of the above reasons, far from it, the closeness to Ipswich is a benefit as far as I am concerned.
w00hoo (86.152.93.183)
w00hoo (86.152.93.183)
w00hoo (86.133.101.70)
w00hoo (86.133.101.70)
I have chosen the A12 corridor mainly because its kinda close to my work, and also for my work, but mostly because its closer to Ipswich, my home town, and also home to my old friends with whom Ive recently gotten back in contact with. They are still network gaming both LAN and online, plus they still game regularly.
Now while I am happy with my group, the general attitude to the game is mixed. Nothing specific, but a general feeling. Now I love gaming, but when you group is constituted of a gamer who is so-so about playing, another who cheats at dice rolls, another who really isnt cut out for gaming (not too smart) and the 4th a strange guy who plays female characters more often than not, Im left feeling empty after most sessions.
I dont expect miracles by being closer to Ipswich, and far be it for me to want to move closer just because of the above reasons, far from it, the closeness to Ipswich is a benefit as far as I am concerned.
w00hoo (86.152.93.183)
11th Aug, 2007 18:13 (local)
Hmm, one of them doesn't happen to be called Brian and live a ways East of you does he?
w00hoo (86.152.93.183)
13th Aug, 2007 15:03 (local)
No, unfortunately not, Gravesend is a bit too far out of my area and anyway I think I've already 'hoovered up' all the free RPGers that I know!
Hmm, call me crazy but how do you feel about fortnightly gaming?
Hmm, call me crazy but how do you feel about fortnightly gaming?
w00hoo (86.133.101.70)
18th Aug, 2007 02:18 (local)
Unfortunately, Sundays 11 through to 5 or 6 and every other Sunday. This Sunday is a non-Gaming weekend, so the following Sunday is a gaming one.
My main reason for the question was the inkling of an idea that maybe if both groups linked up... Although that would require lots of discussion and pub meetings I feel.
My main reason for the question was the inkling of an idea that maybe if both groups linked up... Although that would require lots of discussion and pub meetings I feel.
w00hoo (86.133.101.70)
18th Aug, 2007 02:19 (local)
And the where is in Tonbridge itself, near the big industrial estate/retail park. 10 minutes from the railway station apparently. We play in an otherwise empty house around the dining room table.
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Microsoft Sending Me SPAM?
I am a Microsoft Action Pack Subscriber, which basically means for a small annual fee, I get full licenses to use pretty much everything Microsoft produce, software and operating system-wise they make. Plus you get exclusive beta tests of new software, as well as early looks at some of their future software plans.
The idea behind it is simply to make sure people out there selling Microsoft software is well versed and placed to recommend the product as they are currently using it.
You get quarterly updates of software and sales literature, as well as update emails from them.
Now this isnt a sales pitch for their software, but rather to use their online service (and who doesnt use online services these days) you need to have a Hotmail account. This isnt a problem for me as Ive had a hotmail account for years, back in the days before .co.uk, as my Hotmail account is .com! But oddly despite Microsoft's best intentions, Hotmail still identifies emails from Microsoft as being Spam, and puts everything in the spam folder. I have the option set up so it catches the most obvious emails.
So Microsoft's own weapon against Spam is actually catching its own emails to its sales force and partners. Does Microsoft actually know this?
In an effort to find out why, I will be sending a copy of this email to the Microsoft marketing people, and will post their reply to this very blog.
Im expecting a standard formula response, but Im prepared to be surprised.
The idea behind it is simply to make sure people out there selling Microsoft software is well versed and placed to recommend the product as they are currently using it.
You get quarterly updates of software and sales literature, as well as update emails from them.
Now this isnt a sales pitch for their software, but rather to use their online service (and who doesnt use online services these days) you need to have a Hotmail account. This isnt a problem for me as Ive had a hotmail account for years, back in the days before .co.uk, as my Hotmail account is .com! But oddly despite Microsoft's best intentions, Hotmail still identifies emails from Microsoft as being Spam, and puts everything in the spam folder. I have the option set up so it catches the most obvious emails.
So Microsoft's own weapon against Spam is actually catching its own emails to its sales force and partners. Does Microsoft actually know this?
In an effort to find out why, I will be sending a copy of this email to the Microsoft marketing people, and will post their reply to this very blog.
Im expecting a standard formula response, but Im prepared to be surprised.
Friday, 13 July 2007
Starving the Planet
Well with the advent of the Live Earth concerts, which from where I sat did nothing for me, the message is finally hitting the masses, beyond the "caring West".
With the idea that we are trying to reduce carbon emissions in Europe, with very little support from America, we are facing a new challenge from the Far East, specifically China who are pumping out more carbons emissions than the whole of Europe combined.
But living in a world in which we are told global warming is happening, surely this would be welcomed in places like the United Kingdom where our weather is notoriously bad, even in the height of summer. So why does global warming = rain?
Either way, we are being told to cut down the amount of carbon, CO2 Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Now this is good for humans, but Im surprised the entire world population of Vegetarians and Vegans are not campaign FOR global warming and more CO2 emissions. Why? Plants feed on Carbon Dioxide, and turn it into oxygen. So this is a good thing. By reducing the amount of CO2 blasted into the atmosphere, we are starving the planet's plants. Technically we are putting the vegetable kingdom of planet earth on a diet. No longer will our lettuce be crisp and juicy, no longer will that tomato be healthy and fit for eating, and no longer will women across the globe be able to compare cucumbers.
So lets revolt, spread to the message to every plant eating creature, human or otherwise, we want our vegetables FAT.
w00hoo (193.60.52.11)
lawbag (62.69.73.216)
w00hoo (193.60.52.11)
lawbag (62.69.73.216)
With the idea that we are trying to reduce carbon emissions in Europe, with very little support from America, we are facing a new challenge from the Far East, specifically China who are pumping out more carbons emissions than the whole of Europe combined.
But living in a world in which we are told global warming is happening, surely this would be welcomed in places like the United Kingdom where our weather is notoriously bad, even in the height of summer. So why does global warming = rain?
Either way, we are being told to cut down the amount of carbon, CO2 Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Now this is good for humans, but Im surprised the entire world population of Vegetarians and Vegans are not campaign FOR global warming and more CO2 emissions. Why? Plants feed on Carbon Dioxide, and turn it into oxygen. So this is a good thing. By reducing the amount of CO2 blasted into the atmosphere, we are starving the planet's plants. Technically we are putting the vegetable kingdom of planet earth on a diet. No longer will our lettuce be crisp and juicy, no longer will that tomato be healthy and fit for eating, and no longer will women across the globe be able to compare cucumbers.
So lets revolt, spread to the message to every plant eating creature, human or otherwise, we want our vegetables FAT.
w00hoo (193.60.52.11)
13th Jul, 2007 10:39 (local)
Should I be assuming there's a tongue in a cheek here? I think the problem encompassed by the term 'Global Warming' is more a kind of 'Global Climate Patterns Screw Up' equally with the plants, they need more than just CO2 to be happy.
Personally I found the Vegan society getting on the 'Cows & Methane' argument with the 'don't eat meat, we'll need less cows' line funny considering the amount of methane a vegetarian diet creates :-)
Personally I found the Vegan society getting on the 'Cows & Methane' argument with the 'don't eat meat, we'll need less cows' line funny considering the amount of methane a vegetarian diet creates :-)
lawbag (62.69.73.216)
13th Jul, 2007 11:07 (local)
Yeah, having read back what I wrote, I should have either ended on a light hearted joke, or made it plainly clear it was tongue in cheek.
As for farty veggies, I've never met an unflatulent vegetarian.
As for farty veggies, I've never met an unflatulent vegetarian.
w00hoo (193.60.52.11)
13th Jul, 2007 11:32 (local)
And that's not bloody surprising man.
I think there might be a grant funding for research in there, must be plenty of food corporations would love something like that, hmm, maybe a McGrant...
I think there might be a grant funding for research in there, must be plenty of food corporations would love something like that, hmm, maybe a McGrant...
lawbag (62.69.73.216)
13th Jul, 2007 14:57 (local)
Its weird how a little humourous rant on Global Warming has now changed to food.
There has been a lot of stories in the news of late about food, and the ill effects of poor dieting. Certainly the big one is the idea that the government want to tax foods high in salt and fat, and subsidise the foods that are healthy and good for you. I certainly would applaud this as we spend a small fortune on healthy and organic foodstuffs.
I used to watch what we spent on food carefully, but now have thrown that to the wind, concentrating only on quality healthy organic food irrespective of price.
One of the big anti-food tax comments was that it would mean we were moving closer to a "nanny-state" telling us what we could and couldnt eat. If I was the government official for food and agriculture, Id implement these taxes and subsidies and not tell anyone. We are talking about the health of the nation here.
There has been a lot of stories in the news of late about food, and the ill effects of poor dieting. Certainly the big one is the idea that the government want to tax foods high in salt and fat, and subsidise the foods that are healthy and good for you. I certainly would applaud this as we spend a small fortune on healthy and organic foodstuffs.
I used to watch what we spent on food carefully, but now have thrown that to the wind, concentrating only on quality healthy organic food irrespective of price.
One of the big anti-food tax comments was that it would mean we were moving closer to a "nanny-state" telling us what we could and couldnt eat. If I was the government official for food and agriculture, Id implement these taxes and subsidies and not tell anyone. We are talking about the health of the nation here.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Police Evidence
I was listening to the radio this morning about a police incident in which a woman was found of the Barking train line in London, and how the area had been sealed off and police were conducting their investigation and collecting evidence first before moving the body.
Well if they found some evidence to convict, say, me for her murder, and the conviction was based on THEIR evidence that THEY had collected, surely as some defence I would be allowed to collect my OWN evidence, and thereby call their judgment and findings into question.
Just a curious thought whilst waiting in a long queue of cars in Barking....
Well if they found some evidence to convict, say, me for her murder, and the conviction was based on THEIR evidence that THEY had collected, surely as some defence I would be allowed to collect my OWN evidence, and thereby call their judgment and findings into question.
Just a curious thought whilst waiting in a long queue of cars in Barking....
Friday, 4 May 2007
Does a Free Business Model Work?
I read an interesting article yesterday (it was yesterday when I wrote this, it might weeks later now that you are reading this, depends on when I posted this) in which it stated giving your work away for free is good for business.
Yes, you read that right, giving your work away for free is good for business.
The article was in direct relation to the DRM (Digital Rights Management), which is a method by which companies digitally watermarking their intellectual property directly to the buyer. So in this way a MP3 music track or photograph or movie that you legally obtain is then digitally encoded with your email address or data about you, so that should you copy the digital file, not only will they be able to track the person who copied the music illegally, but also prevent another person from playing that same piece of music or film on another computer.
This is a business model which has been brought to the PC world courtesy of Microsoft and its Vista operating system. DRM is nothing new, and Microsoft can't claim to be the first. In fact DRM has been around for many years, its just that there hasn't been widespread adoption of the method to control illegal sales and piracy within operating systems, and no one in their right mind would upgrade their Windows XP so that their entire movie and music collection was rendered useless?
The music industry (and to a certain extent most other digital media organisations) has had to face a massive turnaround in the way it sells its products. This has been painful, slow and very bloody, and while I should be very sorry for them, I can't but they only have themselves to blame as they have caused most of the problems, as well as being very very hostile against even genuine customers. I'll never forgive them for poisoning Metallica with their lies.
How? By not recognising earlier that their safe income was about to be blown out of the water, and that the traditional methods of making money within the industry were about to change completely. Previously ignored/unheard of methods of revenue would be thrust in our faces without regard. Whoever was in charge of product development, business development or just business strategy ought to be shot, this was something that should have been forseen years ago.
We all bought into music CDs knowing it was the medium of the future. But, sadly many years later it isnt. But this time Ive bought into DVDs knowing they are NOT the future. Not even Blu-Ray or DVD-HD will last. Technology is changing at a blisteringly fast pace.
But going back to my original point above about giving product away for free is a good business model. How does someone create an income when they are giving their product away?
Lets examine another point before I reveal the secret. If a business model for making money exists but isnt perfect, and that person does their utmost to protect that business model, then they shouldnt be surprised when someone eventually comes along with a much better business model, thereby making the old one obselete. This is happening right now, and the companies involved are doing their level best to destroy these models. You need only look at internet radio, and sites like www.pandora.com, which is actually doing more for the music industry than the music industry.
DRM is a terrible method of controlling sales, it bites hard against the typical consumer, treating them as a pirate, and a thief before they even enter their credit card details online to purchase a track. I wont lie and say getting hold of illegal music is easy, but its much easier that getting music legally at times. You download a peer-to-peer file sharing program select the music you want and away you go.
An efficient model will come to replace the current way of selling music, and another model will follow that once that no longer becomes efficient. So how do you make money by giving your product away for free? If Microsoft gave away Vista for free, they would never make a penny on it. Yet they sell it for £ 200 roughly, and plough millions into advertising. I wonder how much they spend on advertising compared to actual sales. In this instance I'd imagine they are in for the longhaul, that they are expecting sales many years from now. They or indeed anyone would make money by creating a buzz, a demand for the product, for newer, revised updated product, and then new releases and associated software. If Microsoft gave Vista away for free, and then charged full price for the Microsoft Office package, thats how they create demand and interest.
This model will be attacked by larger companies, and any one who wants to challenge the status quo will be destroyed, taken over or absorbed and then destroyed. The only way a company is going to fight and win, is to be prepared to go the distance, not sell-out or change its track mid-point.
Today (well it is today for me), it was announced that Microsoft are looking to buy Yahoo for an amount of money considered to be the largest amount of money ever seen in an Corporate (IT) buyout, $50bn.
Yes, you read that right, giving your work away for free is good for business.
The article was in direct relation to the DRM (Digital Rights Management), which is a method by which companies digitally watermarking their intellectual property directly to the buyer. So in this way a MP3 music track or photograph or movie that you legally obtain is then digitally encoded with your email address or data about you, so that should you copy the digital file, not only will they be able to track the person who copied the music illegally, but also prevent another person from playing that same piece of music or film on another computer.
This is a business model which has been brought to the PC world courtesy of Microsoft and its Vista operating system. DRM is nothing new, and Microsoft can't claim to be the first. In fact DRM has been around for many years, its just that there hasn't been widespread adoption of the method to control illegal sales and piracy within operating systems, and no one in their right mind would upgrade their Windows XP so that their entire movie and music collection was rendered useless?
The music industry (and to a certain extent most other digital media organisations) has had to face a massive turnaround in the way it sells its products. This has been painful, slow and very bloody, and while I should be very sorry for them, I can't but they only have themselves to blame as they have caused most of the problems, as well as being very very hostile against even genuine customers. I'll never forgive them for poisoning Metallica with their lies.
How? By not recognising earlier that their safe income was about to be blown out of the water, and that the traditional methods of making money within the industry were about to change completely. Previously ignored/unheard of methods of revenue would be thrust in our faces without regard. Whoever was in charge of product development, business development or just business strategy ought to be shot, this was something that should have been forseen years ago.
We all bought into music CDs knowing it was the medium of the future. But, sadly many years later it isnt. But this time Ive bought into DVDs knowing they are NOT the future. Not even Blu-Ray or DVD-HD will last. Technology is changing at a blisteringly fast pace.
But going back to my original point above about giving product away for free is a good business model. How does someone create an income when they are giving their product away?
Lets examine another point before I reveal the secret. If a business model for making money exists but isnt perfect, and that person does their utmost to protect that business model, then they shouldnt be surprised when someone eventually comes along with a much better business model, thereby making the old one obselete. This is happening right now, and the companies involved are doing their level best to destroy these models. You need only look at internet radio, and sites like www.pandora.com, which is actually doing more for the music industry than the music industry.
DRM is a terrible method of controlling sales, it bites hard against the typical consumer, treating them as a pirate, and a thief before they even enter their credit card details online to purchase a track. I wont lie and say getting hold of illegal music is easy, but its much easier that getting music legally at times. You download a peer-to-peer file sharing program select the music you want and away you go.
An efficient model will come to replace the current way of selling music, and another model will follow that once that no longer becomes efficient. So how do you make money by giving your product away for free? If Microsoft gave away Vista for free, they would never make a penny on it. Yet they sell it for £ 200 roughly, and plough millions into advertising. I wonder how much they spend on advertising compared to actual sales. In this instance I'd imagine they are in for the longhaul, that they are expecting sales many years from now. They or indeed anyone would make money by creating a buzz, a demand for the product, for newer, revised updated product, and then new releases and associated software. If Microsoft gave Vista away for free, and then charged full price for the Microsoft Office package, thats how they create demand and interest.
This model will be attacked by larger companies, and any one who wants to challenge the status quo will be destroyed, taken over or absorbed and then destroyed. The only way a company is going to fight and win, is to be prepared to go the distance, not sell-out or change its track mid-point.
Today (well it is today for me), it was announced that Microsoft are looking to buy Yahoo for an amount of money considered to be the largest amount of money ever seen in an Corporate (IT) buyout, $50bn.
Monday, 30 April 2007
Primary Schools in kent Pt3
The next stage of this saga has seen me and my wife investigating private education, and have found a small private primary school (annual intake of 14) whose results and efforts are going to be worth the annual expense.
We are viewing the school this Wednesday, and if it meets our expectations, then my wife will be working just to pay for private education.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
30th Apr, 2007 13:48 (local)
Sounds like a great alternative, but the loss of an income can be hard hit. Any bursaries or grants available?
lawbag (217.36.27.65)
30th Apr, 2007 15:23 (local)
Hopefully my wife will be earning more than the schooling cost. But this school in question has a 100% success rate in all the key stages, and the exit route for all 14 children is a grammar school, of which in Dartford there is a very good one for girls which is free.
I will look, thanks, at both grants and bursaries, and also see how the school can help with the costs.
I will look, thanks, at both grants and bursaries, and also see how the school can help with the costs.
w00hoo (86.136.243.26)
30th Apr, 2007 16:32 (local)
It was suggested to us (too late to use the advice though) that if you have an accountant whose work you trust, it is worth paying them to do the work on the Bursary form because it's very likely to pay back dividends with the offer. I know we wouldn't be using private education if we couldn't of got a bursary.
Best of luck with it all.
Best of luck with it all.
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Primary Schools in Kent Pt2
Seeing as my daughter had already been allocated what everyone knew was the worst performing and least desirable Primary School in Dartford, and considering that the headteacher had taken offense when we said as much to her on the phone, my wife thought she would inspect the venue, after all, our daughter may end up going there, and maybe it wasnt THAT bad.
What she saw there shocked her terribly. Lacklustre children with no passion for living let alone learning, small stuffy rooms that reeked on decay, NO computer room, no computer assisted learning systems, a special Time-Out room they seemed proud of for handling difficult kids (that should read difficult CLASSES), children who didnt respond to any form of pleasantry from either the teachers or head teachers.
Sickening. This wasnt a school, rather it was a government funded, government run death camp for children.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
w00hoo (86.136.243.26)
What she saw there shocked her terribly. Lacklustre children with no passion for living let alone learning, small stuffy rooms that reeked on decay, NO computer room, no computer assisted learning systems, a special Time-Out room they seemed proud of for handling difficult kids (that should read difficult CLASSES), children who didnt respond to any form of pleasantry from either the teachers or head teachers.
Sickening. This wasnt a school, rather it was a government funded, government run death camp for children.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
24th Apr, 2007 11:26 (local)
And they were happy to show her round? Christ on a bike, they really are clueless.
Suddenly very glad of the tiny village primary school I went to... not great for academics, but pretty OK for Joi de vivre.
Suddenly very glad of the tiny village primary school I went to... not great for academics, but pretty OK for Joi de vivre.
w00hoo (86.136.243.26)
24th Apr, 2007 16:38 (local)
I guess with local government elections coming up you could have a go at getting candidates to tell you what they intend to do about local education, possibly if you try really hard you could even get them to meet you at the school! IIRC you've a couple of years to go before she gets there so I guess you could try and argue the whole 'choice' thing that the government constantly talks about and see if that gets you anywhere.
Final options, if both of you don't work one of you could volunteer at the school, or there's always the good ole middle class method of moving house. Both a bit extreme I know, but options none the less.
The other thing worth considering (which we didn't do when we went through he process of getting our son in to a good Primary school is if they have links to a secondary school that will limit your choice at that level, you really need plan that far ahead.
Final options, if both of you don't work one of you could volunteer at the school, or there's always the good ole middle class method of moving house. Both a bit extreme I know, but options none the less.
The other thing worth considering (which we didn't do when we went through he process of getting our son in to a good Primary school is if they have links to a secondary school that will limit your choice at that level, you really need plan that far ahead.
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Primary Schools in Kent Pt1
Im kinda pissed off right now, and this isnt the normal place for me to let of some serious steam, but fuck you.
Our daughter has just dropped off the bottom of the Primary Schools Admission process, been eaten up and shat out like a turd.
For those of you who dont know, in the UK we have a system whereby parents are given choices to which primary (ages 5-11) school they would like their child to attend, and there are several criteria, none of which are academic, as to which children get in and which ones dont.
As is the usual, there are good schools and there are bad schools. Unfortunately the nearest school to us (and there are over 40 listed as being in our area for us to apply) is one of the least successful schools in terms of performance and reputation. So like a good parent, my wife and I, when not worrying about the congestion charge, went and visited several schools for a visit. At every meeting with the head teacher they were being informed by the education authority that expected intake this year is going to be lower than previous years. Based on this information we choose 3 of the schools, which sadly we didnt get any of them on our allocation.
In fact we were not consulted, but rather GIVEN a school, which was the closest, and least desirable school we could imagine.
So they writing and reasoned ranting begins again. We intend to appeal to the 3 schools who said no, as well as speaking to our local MP, Howard Stoate and also the Kent Education Authority. It would intake this year has been one of the highest ever seen, so how could they get it SO wrong by reducing the number of places. Education (allegedly) is all about choice, and yes while we were given a choice, I believe it was just smoke and mirrors and our daughter had already been allocated a "cheap" seat months ago.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
lawbag (86.132.97.107)
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
lawbag (86.132.97.107)
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
Our daughter has just dropped off the bottom of the Primary Schools Admission process, been eaten up and shat out like a turd.
For those of you who dont know, in the UK we have a system whereby parents are given choices to which primary (ages 5-11) school they would like their child to attend, and there are several criteria, none of which are academic, as to which children get in and which ones dont.
As is the usual, there are good schools and there are bad schools. Unfortunately the nearest school to us (and there are over 40 listed as being in our area for us to apply) is one of the least successful schools in terms of performance and reputation. So like a good parent, my wife and I, when not worrying about the congestion charge, went and visited several schools for a visit. At every meeting with the head teacher they were being informed by the education authority that expected intake this year is going to be lower than previous years. Based on this information we choose 3 of the schools, which sadly we didnt get any of them on our allocation.
In fact we were not consulted, but rather GIVEN a school, which was the closest, and least desirable school we could imagine.
So they writing and reasoned ranting begins again. We intend to appeal to the 3 schools who said no, as well as speaking to our local MP, Howard Stoate and also the Kent Education Authority. It would intake this year has been one of the highest ever seen, so how could they get it SO wrong by reducing the number of places. Education (allegedly) is all about choice, and yes while we were given a choice, I believe it was just smoke and mirrors and our daughter had already been allocated a "cheap" seat months ago.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
4th Apr, 2007 14:06 (local)
Good luck with that: as you probably know from my rantings, I think there's nothing more important than education.
lawbag (86.132.97.107)
5th Apr, 2007 09:24 (local)
For both our daughters we intend to fight to ensure they get a fair education.
I recall you education at home, or want to? Its an avenue me and the wife have considered as well as a local Public Primary School, but at £3,500 per term, it would mean whatever my wife earned, would be spent on Polly.
We intend to appeal all 3 schools, as well as put her name down on the waiting lists, but in the meantime if she ends up in this "less than perfect" school, I will be on the headteacher's case like a bad case of eczema.
The headteacher is a public servant like any other and will be accountable to me like any other...
Like I said at the beginning of this post I didnt want this blog to become a schooling rant, but Im fully expecting this wont be the last one.
I recall you education at home, or want to? Its an avenue me and the wife have considered as well as a local Public Primary School, but at £3,500 per term, it would mean whatever my wife earned, would be spent on Polly.
We intend to appeal all 3 schools, as well as put her name down on the waiting lists, but in the meantime if she ends up in this "less than perfect" school, I will be on the headteacher's case like a bad case of eczema.
The headteacher is a public servant like any other and will be accountable to me like any other...
Like I said at the beginning of this post I didnt want this blog to become a schooling rant, but Im fully expecting this wont be the last one.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
5th Apr, 2007 09:27 (local)
Yeah, I do home ed, but that knocks one of us (currently my other half) out of earning.
And yes, the whole "public servant" thing has been lost as NuLab has moved us closer to the Spartan Ideal...
And yes, the whole "public servant" thing has been lost as NuLab has moved us closer to the Spartan Ideal...
lawbag (86.132.97.107)
5th Apr, 2007 13:54 (local)
I take my hat off to you both.
My concern with home education is that the Government send inspectors around to your house to evaluate more harshly the progress of your child, as opposed to the evaluation of the very schools you opted out of.
My concern with home education is that the Government send inspectors around to your house to evaluate more harshly the progress of your child, as opposed to the evaluation of the very schools you opted out of.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
5th Apr, 2007 14:09 (local)
They try, they get turned away, I know my rights....
Though they're trying to get the law changed because, err, inspections never stopped Eunice Spry... sorry, I meant, they never saved Victoria Climbie.... oh, what was it again, oh yes, we're dedicated to bringing the world of Terry Gilliam's Brazil to life, that's it...
youts,
Harry Buttle.
Though they're trying to get the law changed because, err, inspections never stopped Eunice Spry... sorry, I meant, they never saved Victoria Climbie.... oh, what was it again, oh yes, we're dedicated to bringing the world of Terry Gilliam's Brazil to life, that's it...
youts,
Harry Buttle.
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