Situation Normal – AFU
Apologies for the military slang – but what a couple of days I’ve been having. And no, not in a good way! For the last couple of months – perhaps longer – I’ve been suffering from the famous Apple spinning wheel of death. I had my suspicions about the causes, and was pretty sure that … Continue reading
The Trials of Typing
I have used many computers in my time. I started out with dedicated wordprocessors such as the Olivetti, and progressed to simple personal computers like the ACT Sirius (which was gorgeous) and Apple Ice. But I never could get to grips with Supercalc! I progressed from them to the lovely Wordplex machines, which I sold … Continue reading
Blood and Steel
Over the years I’ve worked with many firms that went bust, and it’s horrible, every time. For those who are in there, and feel the earth taken away from under their feet, who feel the embarrassment and fear as they tot up the monthly outgoings and look at the blank sheet of income, it’s much worse than … Continue reading
Immigration and Customs – Help!
OK, a brief diversion. I mentioned to a friend on Twitter yesterday that I had a chequered history entering Canada. There was the time I was picked up by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police to you) and driven off in the back of their cruiser, or the time when I was refused entry … … Continue reading
Lovely New Operating System. Shame about the software …
There are times when you just want to despair. Take a for instance. Last week, hit with a slight glitch on my iMac, I had a brilliant thought. Rather than messing about with a slow system, surely it was time for me to update the operating system. Now, I used to work in computing. I’m … Continue reading
Scams and Thieves
It’s always good to hear from people. A phone call is a wonderful thing. Yesterday, while aimlessly reading about some aspects of history (I won’t bore you) my phone rang, and I picked it up. There was a silence. Now, OK, the silence lasted perhaps five or six seconds, but when you’re thinking of detailed … Continue reading
The Emperor’s New Clothes
As an ex-computer salesman, this really grabbed my interest today. The idea that a man could propose stopping using emails is pretty remarkable for any business. But for a senior exec? The article’s here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16055310 The first thing to strike you is that it’s ludicrous that a senior businessman could suggest not using email. I … Continue reading
I Hate Losing Friends …
I am a pleasant guy. Honest. Look at me. Not terribly shifty, am I? And all I do is write books, after all. I am a very nice fellow. So why have I just ditched several hundred friends and friend requests from Facebook? It is a weird thing, that whereas in the past, authors were … Continue reading
Hacks and Hacking
Down here in Dartmoor, Hacking means taking the horse out. Not in London. There are all too few journalists who are trusted. I wonder why? They always show up as being less wholesome than estate agents – or even, God help us – ruddy politicians. I know a few journalists. Generally my own opinion is … Continue reading
