Evening all, Hope everyone is well.
Car repairs came in at under £200 so I am impressed....
Heres a video to remind me - and you - what the hell this life is for!
Happy Travellin'
OverlandSi
http://overlandwannabe.blogspot.com
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Todays update is a video update
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Fwd: Food
Just on a fabulous train ride into london. Already late as usual. One point to note really today... Food production!
When on earth did we get to the stage when chickens are sucked up and blown out of a tube! These are live chickens... Not yet dead.
I know that we as the human race are growing, that we all need to eat, but how much suffering do others need to feel?
This has of course all stemmed from a television programme, as is so often the case in our modern lives. In fact it was possibly one of the best documentaries on for a while, no commentry. At all. No stupid sensationalist idiot banging on about this and that, just your thoughts and opinions and the images of, well mostly, suffering.
Now don't get me wrong, i am not planning to become vegetarian, but i wish i knew a lot more about the exact condition that animals were in before i ate them. And not just at the supermarket, but at fast food outlets, restaurants, even to milk in coffee. If we knew more i am sure more people will make ethical choices, and no I don't mean becoming vegetarian, just choosing ethically produced meat.
Now i had better get off to my direct marketing conference, where no doubt i will have the chance to collect more data about more people than ever before and use it to your benefit of course.
When on earth did we get to the stage when chickens are sucked up and blown out of a tube! These are live chickens... Not yet dead.
I know that we as the human race are growing, that we all need to eat, but how much suffering do others need to feel?
This has of course all stemmed from a television programme, as is so often the case in our modern lives. In fact it was possibly one of the best documentaries on for a while, no commentry. At all. No stupid sensationalist idiot banging on about this and that, just your thoughts and opinions and the images of, well mostly, suffering.
Now don't get me wrong, i am not planning to become vegetarian, but i wish i knew a lot more about the exact condition that animals were in before i ate them. And not just at the supermarket, but at fast food outlets, restaurants, even to milk in coffee. If we knew more i am sure more people will make ethical choices, and no I don't mean becoming vegetarian, just choosing ethically produced meat.
Now i had better get off to my direct marketing conference, where no doubt i will have the chance to collect more data about more people than ever before and use it to your benefit of course.
Monday, 7 April 2008
China vs. Tibet with the rest of the world
Clever buggers aren't they!
China has now managed to create a fantastic propaganda opportunity. It hosts the Olympics and every nation around the world is shown effectively arresting or silencing Tibetan protesters.
So now can you imagine the scenes on Chinese TV - Britsh and now French protesters being arrested, of course that means that China is right - that Tibetans should just shut up. m You see Tibetan people now Britain and France have arrested people it is ok for us to do it.....
So it is a bit of a pickle.
Next stop is the blame game. Well China of course is at the bottom of all this, but then again lets not forget that Western views always favour the smaller oppressed guy against the giant monolith.. David and Goliath appears to always be a favourite with the media. For this reason I am staying well away from the whole China vs Tibet thing. (yes I know this is all to do with it but I am focussing on the way it has been construed and how it could be used by China)
So next to blame is the IOCC - who decided that China should have a shot at the Olympics, despite poverty on record scale, despite mass pollution and despite their controls on the media (only recently the BBC website has been "allowed" by Chinese authorities, perhaps they knew that the Tibet protest were coming and knew what reaction the Western police would have to take!!)
So the IOCC goes and sticks the Olympics in turmoil and then just does nothing - puts no real pressure on China and just allows all this to happen. I personally cant wait for the games, will be a waste of time really though as every television network will use it as an excuse to film "expose" documentaries.... They might be interesting though
Probably more interesting than the games themselves.
China has now managed to create a fantastic propaganda opportunity. It hosts the Olympics and every nation around the world is shown effectively arresting or silencing Tibetan protesters.
So now can you imagine the scenes on Chinese TV - Britsh and now French protesters being arrested, of course that means that China is right - that Tibetans should just shut up. m You see Tibetan people now Britain and France have arrested people it is ok for us to do it.....
So it is a bit of a pickle.
Next stop is the blame game. Well China of course is at the bottom of all this, but then again lets not forget that Western views always favour the smaller oppressed guy against the giant monolith.. David and Goliath appears to always be a favourite with the media. For this reason I am staying well away from the whole China vs Tibet thing. (yes I know this is all to do with it but I am focussing on the way it has been construed and how it could be used by China)
So next to blame is the IOCC - who decided that China should have a shot at the Olympics, despite poverty on record scale, despite mass pollution and despite their controls on the media (only recently the BBC website has been "allowed" by Chinese authorities, perhaps they knew that the Tibet protest were coming and knew what reaction the Western police would have to take!!)
So the IOCC goes and sticks the Olympics in turmoil and then just does nothing - puts no real pressure on China and just allows all this to happen. I personally cant wait for the games, will be a waste of time really though as every television network will use it as an excuse to film "expose" documentaries.... They might be interesting though
Probably more interesting than the games themselves.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Noorie - Hindi Remix - Drum N bass - Aaja re
mm funky - im now posting some good music as i dont have time for anything else
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Monday, 18 February 2008
Bye Bye HD-DVD
ENGadget.com reports that Toshiba - the main big brand supporter of HD-DVD is to call a halt to its HD-DVD production. >link
So it's Blu-Ray then for us lot... So all those that bought Playstations are ok and will win. Although I do feel a little let down, there was no real battle, no high street 50-50 split with people having to make a real decision. Just those that bought a Toshiba with HD have now lost out, and Toshiba (obviously) have no plans to reimburse those that are left with effectively a useless bit of technology that will be obsolete.
Altohugh I am sitting here smug, glad that i waited for the end to this and knowing i paid over £200 less for not having HD-DVD,or should that be I did not pay £200 for something now obsolete less than a month after i bought it.
It's been coming for a while -
Warner's decision to go to Blu-Ray
Walmart stops selling HD-DVD
Guardian report from CES 2008
Times online early explanation - highlights some of the pitfalls of HD DVD
Early lead for Blu-Ray
*UPDATE* it is officially over - read press release here
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Will Google take over the world?
That's quite something really. But in terms of online market share Google is alread huge.
So, what can you do with Google already?
So what's the problem?
Privacy - Google now has loads of details from me for hundreds of things. From my email to my business checkout. This information would be superb for any number of companies - who would be prepared to pay Google a very handsome sum for it.
So why do i still use Google?
Simple - It is fabulously easy. Integrated - everything links. Microsoft are crap at this, seriously - they could do so much more, plus having to load up each program drains memory. It would be great to simply run music without having to have the huge memory consuming media player runing and for any of you who have read my other posts will know that i think Vista is little more than a facelift for an ageing product.
Plus - Until Google start to use my information in a manipulative way i think i will be staying as I am.
Love integrated and effective products that take up only as much memory as the browser you're using? Love Google!
Google will take over the world, but it will be an integrated takeover
So, what can you do with Google already?
- Google Searches
- If you are not well listed on Google then you are loosing 80% of the UK Search Market and business
- Google Adwords
- Pay to display your website and business higher
- Google Checkout
- Allow all the people that have come to your site via Google Searcha and Adwords to purchase fom your site
- GMail
- Send all your emails with Google, even sort out all your Adwords and Checkout Items
- Blogger
- Add all your thoughts here please!
- Sketchup
- Design items for clients or design items to place in Google Earth
- Google Earth
- View the world, place Sketchup items in the 3d world and mark up where your business is and allow people to plan a route to you
- Google Analytics
- See how many of those Search Engine and Adwords visitors stay on your site and where they go
- YouTube
- Put up videos of your business for free and be found in Google Searches.
So what's the problem?
Privacy - Google now has loads of details from me for hundreds of things. From my email to my business checkout. This information would be superb for any number of companies - who would be prepared to pay Google a very handsome sum for it.
So why do i still use Google?
Simple - It is fabulously easy. Integrated - everything links. Microsoft are crap at this, seriously - they could do so much more, plus having to load up each program drains memory. It would be great to simply run music without having to have the huge memory consuming media player runing and for any of you who have read my other posts will know that i think Vista is little more than a facelift for an ageing product.
Plus - Until Google start to use my information in a manipulative way i think i will be staying as I am.
Love integrated and effective products that take up only as much memory as the browser you're using? Love Google!
Google will take over the world, but it will be an integrated takeover
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
An Answer to Englands housing problems?
Lets think like Tokyo - we have a housing shortage, yet at the same time thounsands of people cannot afford the houses that are available. In my town alone there are 1,000 empty homes yet there are not enough? seem silly, also stupid in fact. the fact is s that in England houses are boring, all look the same, seriously they all do.
So i have seen the future of housing ladies and gentlemen and here it is!
Quite damn ingenious! It is a real solution to the housing shortage in the future. Seriously, it is not some clammy lil tiny shabby box - ok it's small but everything is there. And I'm sure in the real houses of the future that it will all be electric - or is that not "green" enough for future housing?
Stylish - affordable and only takes up a tiny bit of space! You could fit four of these future houses into the space of just one current shambolic heap of boring design!
Microsoft Surface
Look more Technology from Microsoft.
This has been hanging in the background of rumours and images and videos etc for quite a a while. Looks rather good and fun - and unlike Vista actually different.
I'm having a nightmare here. My Nokia Mem card will not be read by my laptop and i
have billions (possible exaggeration) of images that i want off of it. Also my dear phone has decided to be an arse, BUT rather than let me upgrade it online myself Vodafone UK actually have to take it back and upgrade it themselves, tell me there are no real problems and attempt to charge me for the work.But anyway back to to Surface.
First things first.... it has a kinda post-millennium purple colour scheme that of course has to be that best part of it. Then you have the applications Microsoft want to use this for. In fact Surface is no longer just a computer it is now actually part of the furniture (Some of you might argue that it already has been for years).But this is real huge sized furniture like - a table.
Now has Microsoft thought about what this puts them up against?
Whilst they are computer people they are now going to take on IKEA, or will we see a flat pack version of surface, available from Swedish merchants everywhere?
Friday, 8 February 2008
Vista pt 3
Why?
That is my only question so far.
It looks better. Great... But what else?
I cannot actually see the huge benefit to using Vista. It feels a bit stop-gap, like there is something else that is coming soon or just that something new was needed but Microsoft was not sure what to do so it botoxed XP.
So what we're really looking at is a Operating System that has spent far too long in L.A... whereas the i-Mac has spent far too long in Paris.
Plus it is bloated - you simply cannot run it on a single core processor, now i know there are a lot of graphics to deal with but hey - why? what? confused?
Vista goes against the grain of things these days more power, more speed, more performance, but all at, less weight, less power consumed, less size, less memory used.
Vista is like a 60's child in the noughties - i want more of everything and i will be bigger, brasher and ballsier. True American.
That is my only question so far.
It looks better. Great... But what else?
I cannot actually see the huge benefit to using Vista. It feels a bit stop-gap, like there is something else that is coming soon or just that something new was needed but Microsoft was not sure what to do so it botoxed XP.
So what we're really looking at is a Operating System that has spent far too long in L.A... whereas the i-Mac has spent far too long in Paris.
Plus it is bloated - you simply cannot run it on a single core processor, now i know there are a lot of graphics to deal with but hey - why? what? confused?
Vista goes against the grain of things these days more power, more speed, more performance, but all at, less weight, less power consumed, less size, less memory used.
Vista is like a 60's child in the noughties - i want more of everything and i will be bigger, brasher and ballsier. True American.
Another one bites the dust - or can at least see it coming
The New York Times has a story today about the jobs cuts and shenanignans affecting the Newspaper industry.
The question has to be asked though, how did they not see it coming?
Everyday some old person dies - that in itself is not the issue, (unless it was your relative, sorry), but what is the issue is that these older folk are still of the Newspaper age - to whom the Sunday paper IS Sunday, not just something to pass time with.
But nowadays that's not the case. I attempted this week to introduce my father to online newscasts and T.V.O.D. (T.V. on demand)
This was to stop him watching the news when we were having tea - Why is this such an issue?
Well by the time i am having dinner i have already seen the morning news bulletins (Vista Sidebar RSS, 'Vista update coming soon') I will have also had the BBC up on screen all day and probably watched the News on the "BBC iplayer" which is rather fantastic.
But there it is - I am now almost completely "Newsed Out" why do i need to bother to get out of my chair and head to the shops to get a newspaper?
I get a more focused analysis on specialist websites than i do through a paper - News that i want, when i want it.... well done there internet?
If I were one of those sitting there wondering how to improve my newspaper I would simply do one thing - jack-it-in, save thousands on production costs and production staff costs and shift everything online and work on attracting advertisers and attracting users to buy from your advertisers.
I sure hope though that this effect won't trickle down into magazines. Surely it won't will it? i mean the internet isn't that good - oh shit we're screwed
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Yes We Can Obama Song by will.i.am
Obama certainly seems like a good change from the w***er that is George Bush. As far as it goes from this side of the pond a success from the democrats, either candidate, will be a lot better
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Vista pt 2
Vista is all good!
Loaded up fine - worked fine - connected fine
But
It does feel a bit like a hollywood make-over rather than a full scale new version of windows. Not much of the function on the front end has chenged, just another annoying confirmation box if ever you want to change the system settings... annoying
So yep its a nice upgrade - am glad i bought it with a system and didnt bother spending money on a facelift
Loaded up fine - worked fine - connected fine
But
It does feel a bit like a hollywood make-over rather than a full scale new version of windows. Not much of the function on the front end has chenged, just another annoying confirmation box if ever you want to change the system settings... annoying
So yep its a nice upgrade - am glad i bought it with a system and didnt bother spending money on a facelift
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Vista
Evening all, this promises to be an entertaining experience and one full of swearing i have just installed Vista
check back for whinges!
check back for whinges!
Damn Annoyed!
That’s what I am today.
I have attempted to install Google Checkout – fantastic little bit of kit that allows purchases to be made via Google, only 1.5% + 15p per purchase, bargain really!
- - - BUT - - - -
There is absolutely no telephone support line. Which is not good when there is hardly any information on tax or the invoicing side of things. It all feels a little half-assed. Why are they not competing with the might of Visa / other methods by not offering a full service?
Google is a name many on the internet trust. So it made sense to us to actually use their service, there is also little work involved from the Buyers point of view and Google gets them by the short n’ curlies by having them sign in to Google.
The sellers are also encourage to spend more on Adwords (Adwords spend x10 = free order processing amount) so for Google it’s Win-Win
If you have a forum for users, make sure you actually respond to their gripes – reading through the Google Merchant forum (Linked here) all you hear is scare stories! Not very promising from the true internet superstar.
Have Google lost their focus?
Or is this showing that really Google cannot compete against other firms who have been dealing with irate customers for years?
OR
Should these internet companies just leave it to the people who know best and actually keep their eye on the ball. Yahoo lost to Google when it put content on its pages rather than improve their search engines – Ebay is suffering from PayPal hatred – just keep your eye out over the next few years, the superstar of the internet may be heading for a big heap ‘o customer complaints~?
Speaking of which - hello Blogspot.com - yes Google aren't ya!
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Monday, 28 January 2008
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Laptops
3rd time lucky i hope - just ordered another laptop today so i hope to jehebus it arrives otherwise there will be some annoyed character on the phone - not angry of course, thats not the English way! just reallycross.com - hey you see that plug there! - no plug here move along now people. this site will be ready in a few somethings - just as soon as someone gets round to building it.
Yawn
RantOn had a very boring weekend
"Google - The World's Answer"
But we battle on - wondering where the non-internet users get their information? "Google - the world's answer" (i should trademark that). If anyone dares to ask you a questions without having Googled it first should be shot at dawn... I wonder how many people nowadays have gained their knowledge purely from Google.
I wonder if kids will be taught how to correctly identify false and legitimate information. Rather than teaching them boring stuff perhaps this one essential skill would allow them to actually have the answers to everything!
This might also stop eejits from spieling all kinds of shite that they heard on websites. Although i hear that the Sun is not pleased with this move as they fear that no-one will actually believe anything they write, wonder why that would be?
But we battle on - wondering where the non-internet users get their information? "Google - the world's answer" (i should trademark that). If anyone dares to ask you a questions without having Googled it first should be shot at dawn... I wonder how many people nowadays have gained their knowledge purely from Google.
I wonder if kids will be taught how to correctly identify false and legitimate information. Rather than teaching them boring stuff perhaps this one essential skill would allow them to actually have the answers to everything!
This might also stop eejits from spieling all kinds of shite that they heard on websites. Although i hear that the Sun is not pleased with this move as they fear that no-one will actually believe anything they write, wonder why that would be?
Friday, 25 January 2008
Reasons to Blog
I have never been into this before but actually found it quite a laugh! Am finding more stuff everyday, though I have no idea if anyone is actually reading this – Sort it BlogSpot – me wants stats.
Speaking of stats Spondooly INC has just started its first PPC Campaign for Spondooly Conference. Has been fun sitting there watching the page impressions go up, a click-through within 20 minutes was the highlight, the ad is currently being queued for review by Adwords guys I think so the fun has stopped.
It’s also quite fun checking out your competition on the keyword search, just enter their address and see what comes up – then steal all appropriate keywords and appear above them! Rock!
Also made me think a bit more about our own conference site; we mention the location far too much, Google suggested Hall’s and Hallway’s as phrases – not good for the content of our site then!
One final link is to a great little (oxymoron anyone?) site for SEO newbies, over @ http://seonoobs.com/. Fantastic for starting out at SEO – even though I haven’t the time yet to read it!
Internet Party: When Google's parents leave town...
Fantastic!
It's almost too true, where was the appearance from Blogger though - ranting about life?
Facebook appearance was very true but MySpace rules the day - very much what you expect it to be!
Rock!
Thursday, 24 January 2008
F@_*ng Laptops
Final post of the day (if i do it in the 5 mins before 12)
I have been trying to order a laptop off an online company - twice I have tried to get two different laptops, sent all the payment details across and twice i have received an email in return saying that it was out of stock and now discontinued!!!!!!!
ARRRRGGGG!
I have been trying to order a laptop off an online company - twice I have tried to get two different laptops, sent all the payment details across and twice i have received an email in return saying that it was out of stock and now discontinued!!!!!!!
ARRRRGGGG!
Up, down and a bit in the middle
So today things are looking up! The site I run has been picking up visitors left right and centre and today the advertising felt like it was also coming together - are people getting more grasp of what is actually changing - have we started something in our industry that will ensure that more of our target market actually go online?
I certainly think so -
But as usual this comes with a stark realization. Our sales force is 4, yet I am the only one looking after the online side of things, BUT this is as well as targets on all the "traditional" elements of the ad sales - with targets to reach on all of them.
To really give the site a chance I would have liked dedicated time, but as that is now not happening it would be nice if the other parts of our sales force would take the time to learn about the internet and what it can do.
So this is another lesson in do as we say people not as we do... A flawed theory as our advice is probably some of the best out there - WE are the ones making mistakes by not taking it on board.
Oh and our competitor is now advertising on our site - healthy competition and a good benchmark or terrible mistake, I'll let you know!
I certainly think so -
But as usual this comes with a stark realization. Our sales force is 4, yet I am the only one looking after the online side of things, BUT this is as well as targets on all the "traditional" elements of the ad sales - with targets to reach on all of them.
To really give the site a chance I would have liked dedicated time, but as that is now not happening it would be nice if the other parts of our sales force would take the time to learn about the internet and what it can do.
So this is another lesson in do as we say people not as we do... A flawed theory as our advice is probably some of the best out there - WE are the ones making mistakes by not taking it on board.
Oh and our competitor is now advertising on our site - healthy competition and a good benchmark or terrible mistake, I'll let you know!
Caption Comp
Caption Competition –
My suggestion:
East Sussex Councellors are regretting their cost-cutting decision to purchase their new pier from Ikea -
Route!!! not Rowt!
My brain is officially on holiday - that's vacation to the Americans...
Speaking of which has anyone seen Channel 4 and More 4 News recently? The only worthwhile news programme that has more than one World/European story and more detailed reports than any of these others has been turned American.
Route: English pronunciation (Root) has been changed to American pronunciation Row. (as in argument) t.
Data: not "Darta".
John Snow even had to pause to re-pronounce Route.
What is going on?
Why?
I no longer watch.. i can't bear it!
Speaking of which has anyone seen Channel 4 and More 4 News recently? The only worthwhile news programme that has more than one World/European story and more detailed reports than any of these others has been turned American.
Route: English pronunciation (Root) has been changed to American pronunciation Row. (as in argument) t.
Data: not "Darta".
John Snow even had to pause to re-pronounce Route.
What is going on?
Why?
I no longer watch.. i can't bear it!
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Eddie Izzard- Death Star Canteen
Quite possibly THE best video I have seen, Foul Language but worth it!
What is this blog about?
In my rush to tell the world that Ginormous is a word i have forgotten to mention what this blog is about and who I am.
I work in advertising and my main interest is the fantastic internet.
Tomorrow is a problem because the internet is growing far too fast for many people to keep up. This is not the fault of the online guys and gals that are pushing stuff forward, but rather a failure of individuals to actually want to know more and find out more.
In the industry our advertising is targeted towards this is a particular problem. Many of them simply cannot give two hoots about the advantages of the internet. This on its own sounds like no big deal, however, i believe it reveals an underlying problem - the lack willing or want to change!
Ok so if somethings not broken don't fix it - but if that something does not have a backup plan then what happens when it does break? What will happen to the business? The lives of the people employed by the business? The customers of the business?
If it is not broken then analyze it, is there a better option?.... have a back-up plan for it... be open to new ideas for it.
If something is not broken then it probably will soon - it is just a matter of time, so Lady's and Gentlemen - Yes, Tomorrow is a problem, it wasn't broken yesterday but it is today!
I work in advertising and my main interest is the fantastic internet.
Tomorrow is a problem because the internet is growing far too fast for many people to keep up. This is not the fault of the online guys and gals that are pushing stuff forward, but rather a failure of individuals to actually want to know more and find out more.
In the industry our advertising is targeted towards this is a particular problem. Many of them simply cannot give two hoots about the advantages of the internet. This on its own sounds like no big deal, however, i believe it reveals an underlying problem - the lack willing or want to change!
Ok so if somethings not broken don't fix it - but if that something does not have a backup plan then what happens when it does break? What will happen to the business? The lives of the people employed by the business? The customers of the business?
If it is not broken then analyze it, is there a better option?.... have a back-up plan for it... be open to new ideas for it.
If something is not broken then it probably will soon - it is just a matter of time, so Lady's and Gentlemen - Yes, Tomorrow is a problem, it wasn't broken yesterday but it is today!
Ginormous is a word
Yes it really is....
....and has been since 1940's.
for those of you that knew that anyway feel free to call me a muppet.
The real reason I am surprised about this is that for many many years we have been dealing with my sister's ability to just make up words on the spot and mis-pronounce many things, leading to words such as "spiky" for spicy and Flinge (flicking fringe)
So there it is... the one that has never read a whole book, and hates any need to read has actually stumpted me, the one who wishes people would graffiti more so i can have something to read in public loo's!
Should i feel ashamed? I don't think so!
....and has been since 1940's.
for those of you that knew that anyway feel free to call me a muppet.
The real reason I am surprised about this is that for many many years we have been dealing with my sister's ability to just make up words on the spot and mis-pronounce many things, leading to words such as "spiky" for spicy and Flinge (flicking fringe)
So there it is... the one that has never read a whole book, and hates any need to read has actually stumpted me, the one who wishes people would graffiti more so i can have something to read in public loo's!
Should i feel ashamed? I don't think so!
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