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Friday, 5 October 2007
Weekending things
Firstly, I've changed my web browser's homepage. Despite the fact that Firefox and Safari both have a search toolbar thingy, I always like to open up my browser on something clean and simple (and quick to load!).. sometimes it's iGoogle, but mostly it's the minimalist front-screen of bog-standard Google.
So.. what's grabbed my attention? Well, it's the environmentally aware Blackle.com; it's the same site, except with an ecological slant - if it was displayed on a standard 'CRT' monitor, it would save a small amount of electricity. Since modern flat-screen 'TFT' monitors have back-lights, and it's simply that the pixels 'let the light through', there's no great benefit, but it's a good reminder to be more careful with energy use.
A brief footnote to the expectation that's been building up over the week - I was successful in my interview, and have been offered a permanent Systems Specialist position, which is what I was hoping for. It feels a little strange, because this is my second stint at it, and I'd always had half an eye on going back to the 'main team', but this is my job for good, now!
On a slightly sourer note. While looking through the latest BBC News on my iPAQ as I sat on the coach heading home, I saw this story - a company being taken to court by (please excuse the bilious polemic) jobsworth scumbags who pander to the whims of a capitalistic 'music' 'industry' for playing their radios in what amounts to a public place. I have written to my MP about this. (You can read my letter here)
Now, I shall calm down and try and enjoy a peaceful weekend!
Posted by james at October 5, 2007 9:05 PM
Comments
Blackle isn't neutral on an LCD monitor, it actually uses more power. Therefore, it is more than a reminder to be more careful, it's actually a waste and harm to the environment. We tested this ourselves with a watt meter. Click on the link and then click on the view video button to see the test.
Posted by: Paul Holstein at October 6, 2007 12:01 AM
Nice letter. Hope you get response from the orange one (she graced us with her presence during the last gen election and a party minder stood in between me and her as I gesticulated wildly(she has her own chav guards it would seem). The copyright nazis really do seem to be getting very petty lately. Last days of a once great empire kicking against change and punishing all the wrong people.
Posted by: Emalyse at October 6, 2007 3:53 PM
Great letter.
Posted by: Christopher at October 6, 2007 10:43 PM
its a bit off getting your kids to congratulate you on a great letter....
I could lift it and send it to my mp.... he did at least respond to my mum about fox hunting ban albeit only to disagree with her. might need to remove the line about working for the bbc mind.
Posted by: jon von bird at October 8, 2007 7:34 PM
Well done in writing that letter to your MP! I have been trying to get the PRC to shut down my neighbours loud stereo without success because isn't that also a "public performance". The answer I received was "As Im sure you understand we cannot control music being played by the public in public. Whilst we licence millions of sound recordings we no not licence them all it would appear that you could approach your local council re your public disturbance problems." so it seems they have changed their minds about no being able to control music being played in public!
Posted by: Shaun at October 8, 2007 11:22 PM
as per "day today": new police measures for reducing noise pollution involves releasing a live tiger into the party.
Posted by: jon von bird at October 9, 2007 9:56 PM
