Joe asks 'Is it me or what?'

Power to the People

Obviously someone does read the World's Least-Read Blog.

I wrote about the shortsightedness regarding withdrawal from the Gemini Project in a post recently. Lo and behold those in power have changed their mind and are continuing to pay their subs.

I'm a Suspected Terrorist

Apparently I'm one of those who should be suspected of terrorism.

A few weeks ago I inadvertently gave my mobile phone a swimming lesson, after drying it out with a hair dryer it seemed to be working fine but it loses its charge too quickly, I wasn't concerned, I thought I'd just get another as I'd had it a year. Unfortunately that wasn't possible, it's a Nokia e70 and they don't produce them anymore. I really liked it as it has a full qwerty keypad as well as good internet access, via wi-fi where possible, and you can use products like TruPhone to make free and cheap calls.

So as I wasn't prepared to pay £300+ for a new one from other suppliers and there is no phone similar in Nokia's newer offerings I eventually managed to get a second hand one from eBay for about £100.

Now I read in today's paper that people everywhere are to constantly vigilant for terrorists, one indication being people who have more than one mobile phone.

So does anyone want a Nokia e70, some water damage and needs charging twice a day?

Exams Are Stressful - Shock Report

The BBC reports on plans to scrap oral examination in GCSEs. Apparently the oral component of exams in French and other modern languages is putting people off choosing them as subjects.

Although news that exams are stressful ranks alongside the Pope admitting to Catholicism and members of the Ursidae family using arboreal areas for defaecation to most of us; it's obviously a revelation to Lord Dearing who chaired the original report and The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority who are reviewing it and planning to implement some of its suggestions.

Apparently the oral examination should be part of course assessment, why would this be any less stressful? Anyone who has tried to learn a second language knows that speaking it is more difficult than reading it or simply listening.

Next step is remove any exam component and award GCSEs based on the pupil having turned up for more than fifty per cent of their lessons.

Saudi Arabia Reaches New Low

Saudi Arabia, already one of the most backward of the developed nations in its treatment of its citizens, especially women, seems to reach ever more ridiculous and worrying heights. It is intending to execute an illiterate woman for witchcraft.

The BBC reports on the details.

This follows a high profile case whereby only a royal pardon saved a woman who had been raped by six men from receiving 200 lashes for travelling with a man who wasn't a close relative.

Any Bets?

The USA recently stated they may try to shoot down the satellite that is about to crash to earth after a malfunction has rendered it uncontrollable. According to them it will be safer than letting it come down at random.

Any bets that it will accidentally land on Tehran?

XML's birthday

XML is officially ten years old this week.

It became a W3C recommendation on 10 February 1998 and this coincides with when I returned to IT after a somewhat chequered career. As it was so new I didn't have to spend time catching up on it and I immediately saw some of its potential, now most of my work involves it in some way or other. Its now true to say that there's probably no computer on the planet that doesn't process XML data as a matter of course.

The W3C site has more details.

More Darwin Award Wannabees

The rising price of copper has apparently caused a spate of thefts of cabling around the world. Reuters reports that police in Derbyshire are looking for someone who maybe somewhat charred after taking a hacksaw to an 11,000 volt electricity cable. This caused a power outage of a few hours for 800 people in the village of Creswell.

Apparently a thief in Germany was recently charred beyond recognition by attempting a similar act on a 10,000 volt cable. He was only identified by fingerprints on a hand severed by the force of the shock.

Poor Typists Take Heart

For those of you who struggle with a keyboard take a look at this device which allows you to compose emails using a pen and paper.

Okay, it still seems like a working prototype and who knows how good its character recognition is but that has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. Something to put on this year's Christmas list perhaps?