I haven't got the time or the enthusiasm to write a regular blog, but thought that maybe a 'blog' thread that anyone can use or add to might be the way to go.
No rules to the thread except maybe the ones we make up as we go along. Either comment or add your own blog entry.
So, my first entry is down below.
Gsv Blog Thread
Moderator: Dangerous Bob
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Dangerous Bob
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Dangerous Bob
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I spend an helluva lot of time sat at my PC. Is it really that much a part of my life, or am I just addicted to it?.
Well, it is true, there are a couple of games that I spend a lot of time on, namely IL2 and WoW at this time, though other games do get played as well. But its not just games.
The internet, especially accessed through my Broad Bean means that there are a whole lot of facilities available.
I can access my bank accounts, pay bills and transfer money easily. Keeping track of statements online, downloading and storing them if I feel the need to, but cutting the amount of paperwork around the house.
I can track shares, find the best rates for insurances and mortgages, even swapping policies and accounts around reasonably easily.
I can buy virtually anything I need online, and it's usually cheaper. Of course I don't get to test goods out, but I can always do a lot of research online to find out what others think of the item before I spend any money anyway.
I keep track of the news & weather, both as a casual observer, and as part of work.
A large proportion of my 'office' work can be done at home, logging onto the Agency system at a faster and more reliable speed than I can do in my proper office. I can even keep track of incidents etc. from home without having to monitor VHF, allowing me to keep up to speed on an incident without the need to ask for initial briefings from the ops room.
Using the internet for news means I can pick what news I read about, rather than trusting some Editor to include the points that he thinks I, as part of the populace, would want to read. And lets face it, how many times is the headline news in the papers no more than overinflated claptrap? OK so the same people write the online news, but I don't have to read it or, more importantly, pay them for the privilege.
And if I do find a story that interests me, I can research more about it easily, picking up other viewpoints or even conspiracy theories if I like.
It does seem that at last the media is starting to realise and use the internet as a medium. 4oD and the BBC now provide a selection of programmes to download either free or as a pay on demand service. While this is still in it's infancy, a lot of the stuff is not what I would choose to 'video' and watch for myself, I expect it'll pick up.
And finally theres the community element. Online gaming groups, forums, IRC
To an outsider this may seem a little strange/ wierd/geeky, but I have as many, if not more, friends and acquaintances online than I do in real life. But there is a very blurred line between real life and my virtual life. Friends online, often once met, become friends in real life.
Well, it is true, there are a couple of games that I spend a lot of time on, namely IL2 and WoW at this time, though other games do get played as well. But its not just games.
The internet, especially accessed through my Broad Bean means that there are a whole lot of facilities available.
I can access my bank accounts, pay bills and transfer money easily. Keeping track of statements online, downloading and storing them if I feel the need to, but cutting the amount of paperwork around the house.
I can track shares, find the best rates for insurances and mortgages, even swapping policies and accounts around reasonably easily.
I can buy virtually anything I need online, and it's usually cheaper. Of course I don't get to test goods out, but I can always do a lot of research online to find out what others think of the item before I spend any money anyway.
I keep track of the news & weather, both as a casual observer, and as part of work.
A large proportion of my 'office' work can be done at home, logging onto the Agency system at a faster and more reliable speed than I can do in my proper office. I can even keep track of incidents etc. from home without having to monitor VHF, allowing me to keep up to speed on an incident without the need to ask for initial briefings from the ops room.
Using the internet for news means I can pick what news I read about, rather than trusting some Editor to include the points that he thinks I, as part of the populace, would want to read. And lets face it, how many times is the headline news in the papers no more than overinflated claptrap? OK so the same people write the online news, but I don't have to read it or, more importantly, pay them for the privilege.
And if I do find a story that interests me, I can research more about it easily, picking up other viewpoints or even conspiracy theories if I like.
It does seem that at last the media is starting to realise and use the internet as a medium. 4oD and the BBC now provide a selection of programmes to download either free or as a pay on demand service. While this is still in it's infancy, a lot of the stuff is not what I would choose to 'video' and watch for myself, I expect it'll pick up.
And finally theres the community element. Online gaming groups, forums, IRC
To an outsider this may seem a little strange/ wierd/geeky, but I have as many, if not more, friends and acquaintances online than I do in real life. But there is a very blurred line between real life and my virtual life. Friends online, often once met, become friends in real life.
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Rasputin
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Nice post/blog there bob. I have to agree with what you say I spend a huge amount of time on a PC doing all of the things you have mentioned.
Anyway time for a wee blog type thing from me.
Well I moved back into my dad's at the start of December which is not ideal but it is a must, as I left my Job thinking that I was going to get money for the house from my ex-wife but that never came when agreed, so it leaves me at a dead end for the time being. I was going to tour round Europe for a few weeks then move to Edinburgh and work until I started Uni in the summer. Had it all worked out but, as these things sometimes do, it came crashing down around my ears. That being said we, the ex and I, have worked out how and roughly when I should get the money, so part of my part is still actionable.
Anyway back to me staying at my dad's, My dad was the one that got me into home computing back in the day when I could barely reach a keyboard. So as you could imagine he has lots of PC's in the house then with my PC's added to the mix it looks some what like the London Underground control room, which I have seen as I used to support their network, with screens everywhere. As I have been preaching to him about the wonders of linux, he has had me install several different disro's on the PC's about he house. Man, his laptop has had about 4 different distro's on it since I moved as he is trying to find one that suits him, it also helps me with understanding Linux as a whole.
/me stops himself from preaching the wonders of linux to you lot.
I have been amazed listening to the news and hearing whats been going on in the world, with whats happening in Kenya and in Pakistan to name a few really shows you what a small part of the world we all live and how lucky we are that we do live here.
Anyway that will do for now.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Rasputin
Anyway time for a wee blog type thing from me.
Well I moved back into my dad's at the start of December which is not ideal but it is a must, as I left my Job thinking that I was going to get money for the house from my ex-wife but that never came when agreed, so it leaves me at a dead end for the time being. I was going to tour round Europe for a few weeks then move to Edinburgh and work until I started Uni in the summer. Had it all worked out but, as these things sometimes do, it came crashing down around my ears. That being said we, the ex and I, have worked out how and roughly when I should get the money, so part of my part is still actionable.
Anyway back to me staying at my dad's, My dad was the one that got me into home computing back in the day when I could barely reach a keyboard. So as you could imagine he has lots of PC's in the house then with my PC's added to the mix it looks some what like the London Underground control room, which I have seen as I used to support their network, with screens everywhere. As I have been preaching to him about the wonders of linux, he has had me install several different disro's on the PC's about he house. Man, his laptop has had about 4 different distro's on it since I moved as he is trying to find one that suits him, it also helps me with understanding Linux as a whole.
/me stops himself from preaching the wonders of linux to you lot.
I have been amazed listening to the news and hearing whats been going on in the world, with whats happening in Kenya and in Pakistan to name a few really shows you what a small part of the world we all live and how lucky we are that we do live here.
Anyway that will do for now.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Rasputin
Rasputin
Blog time...
I have been computing for years, since the Amstrad CPC with disc drive that used to clunk away until something happened.
My first PC was a 486 SX and the most I have ever spent on a computer, since then I have upgraded and built computers for myself and others, but tended to stick with MS operating systems, primarily because I like to play games. I especially enjoy overclocking stuff cos I like something for nothing )
I don't play the likes of WOW cos it ruins relationships and makes me beardy and smelly cos I don't move from the keyboard for days.
I too have found the net provides me with all my shopping needs but having said that I miss the personal contact that shopping in shops with other people provides. Also the GF likes shopping and I can earn points to spend if I am a good boyfriend.
Also alcohol is much more enjoyable in company so I have refrained from going down the hermit route.
Andy fact: I am much less tolerant than 10 years ago and less compassionate.
I have been computing for years, since the Amstrad CPC with disc drive that used to clunk away until something happened.
My first PC was a 486 SX and the most I have ever spent on a computer, since then I have upgraded and built computers for myself and others, but tended to stick with MS operating systems, primarily because I like to play games. I especially enjoy overclocking stuff cos I like something for nothing )
I don't play the likes of WOW cos it ruins relationships and makes me beardy and smelly cos I don't move from the keyboard for days.
I too have found the net provides me with all my shopping needs but having said that I miss the personal contact that shopping in shops with other people provides. Also the GF likes shopping and I can earn points to spend if I am a good boyfriend.
Also alcohol is much more enjoyable in company so I have refrained from going down the hermit route.
Andy fact: I am much less tolerant than 10 years ago and less compassionate.
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Rasputin
- GSV Regular
- Posts: 1322
- Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:36 am
- Location: The Land of Do as Your Told
- Contact:
Well today was Megan's first day at pre-school. She looked so cute wearing her uniform. It's strange the emotions that I felt, I am sure that those of you with kids will understand, pride and fear at the same time. You know your proud the your wee one is growing up and scared that they might not handle it. She loved it and was really excited about going to school and meeting new friends and learning new things. While we were waiting to go in she was saying "Look daddy, that says m e g a n, megan" while pointing at her coat hook. Now I wait, chewing my finger nails, for her to finish and hear how it went. 
I am sure that she will be fine, coz she is [GSV] Mini Ras 
I have also been playing around with G.I.M.P *GNU Image Manipulation Program*, Now I am not an artist or a photographer in any means I leave that should of thing to Shadow Jax and Waxapple, but as I was bored over the past few days I thought that I would give it a try. Of course being me, I never looked at the manual and just fired straight in. I think that for a first attempt that it is not to bad. But I have searched the net to get the tutorials and manuals and got them bookmarked now and will be reading them later.
[attachmentid=155]
Shadow Jax is quite impressed with Gimp and the that the it is a free program, Shadow Jax has been using Adobe PhotoShop for years and says that he is quite happy to start using GIMP instead, so I don't have to mess around with WINE to get PhotoShop running on Ubuntu.
I am sure that she will be fine, coz she is [GSV] Mini Ras I have also been playing around with G.I.M.P *GNU Image Manipulation Program*, Now I am not an artist or a photographer in any means I leave that should of thing to Shadow Jax and Waxapple, but as I was bored over the past few days I thought that I would give it a try. Of course being me, I never looked at the manual and just fired straight in. I think that for a first attempt that it is not to bad. But I have searched the net to get the tutorials and manuals and got them bookmarked now and will be reading them later.
[attachmentid=155]
Shadow Jax is quite impressed with Gimp and the that the it is a free program, Shadow Jax has been using Adobe PhotoShop for years and says that he is quite happy to start using GIMP instead, so I don't have to mess around with WINE to get PhotoShop running on Ubuntu.
Rasputin
