Why Windows 7 won’t kill XP yet

When I was witnessing Live At The Apollo from my allocated seat a few weeks ago, one of the comedians made a joke about a silent studio member in stating the most exciting thing in his life was probably the anticipation of Windows 7.

This got some laughs. But of course a new operating system somehow arouses a mental erection in almost every computer user, even if just a little.

I’m however not that fussed. Not out being a killjoy, it’s just as I’ve gotten older I’ve realised that all I want is for my computer to work and the programs I want to run on it.

I’ve only had three desktop (therefore primary) PC’s in 16yrs (I juice the life out of them). The reason I had to replace the first was due to it giving up the ghost, the second was replaced because a lot of useful programs flatly weren’t designed for my ageing machine.
However my current machine which I’ve had for 6yrs doesn’t look set to be replaced unless it has an electronic coronary event.

The reason why this is is simply that a lot of programs I’ve wanted to install have met requirements whereas before chip/RAM requirements changed in months (even though I’m now at the margins), so I haven’t been forced to upgrade. On top of which XP has never caused me major problems; I’ve never had to reformat my hard drive unlike my older PC’s where they needed to be at least once in their lives.
So, stability and lack of necessity is not only keeping my OAPC alive, but Windows 7 isn’t being considered for it as though it may look nicer and offer new benefits, it’s probably just not worth making my machine struggle.

I’ve never used Windows Vista but I think where it’s failed in comparison to 7 is perhaps publicity. I remember a number of Vista reviews coming out that stated problems getting a mouse by Microsoft to work with it – and this kind of snowballed. Windows 7 was made sure to be born onto a silk mattress, on top of which low priced promotional offers helped.

I’ve often considered a Mac but what has continually put me off is the price, not really gelling with things like a single mouse button and a lack of some particular software and hardware that I can only find for the PC, or is at least cheaper and easier to find.
Mac users who criticise the PC were probably right at one point. Those who used it in the 80’s, where Mac OS gave a graphical user interface first and better multimedia capabilities have continued to push the cool, whereas in all honesty now, both platforms are very capable that it’s become as sad as a Dyson owner laughing at his bagless Hoover neighbour.

Slightly veering off topic now: I’m lamenting the lack of Linux powered netbooks recently. It has become evident that Microsoft has done deals with manufacturers and capitalised on some consumer fears over Linux.
I think my one year old Ubuntu netbook is great, and I have not needed to do anything confusing with it. It’s a consumer friendly operating system. Sure it doesn’t have all the programs you can get for Windows but I think the first wave netbook charm was that it reminded me a bit of the 80’s where there was a bit of individualism when you had the Amstrad/Atari/Commodore/Spectrum crowd and you were miffed that a certain computer game was better on another platform or just not available on yours.

Anyway, I won’t be getting Windows 7 until I get a new PC (maybe it’ll even be replaced by then) and I think most people who are not running into difficulties in using their software will be the same like me. 7 will do better than Vista but will not dislodge XP for at least a couple of more years.

Nutty World

I’m a fan of Gordon Brown’s govt. and I’ve no shame in that, but the sacking of the chief drugs adviser Prof. David Nutt drew my fingers to a keyboard.

Prof. Nutt has made comments that are steeped in common sense but when skewed make him appear as some kind of demon.
He’s alleged that tobacco and alcohol are more dangerous than certain hard drugs such as ecstasy and LSD.

If you have a knee-jerk reaction, which some people do, it looks absurd, but when you you look at it realistically, he’s right.
Why?
The simple fact is that tobacco and alcohol are drugs too – legal ones that earn the govt. money and because they’re legal there’s less taboo about their consumption.
I neither drink, smoke or take recreational drugs (I’m as boring as they get), but I  know that statistically the smoker or the drinker is more likely to die which is why there’s been aggressive campaigns at getting people to quit smoking and consume alcohol in moderation if they must.

While I’m no expert on LSD or ecstasy, the number of stories about deaths on these that have reached the news or indeed just local community gossip is far smaller.
I don’t think Prof. Nutt was that interested in comparing the like-for-like chemistry of chemicals rather than being very open about the risk of drink and cigarettes due to how socially acceptable they are and the fact that responsible drinking for those who do is becoming a minority.

Prof. Nutt also alleged that taking ecstasy was more safer than horse riding. Again, I’m no expert on horse riding but the numbers are there to show that the latter, due to its legality and popularity, means it’s more likely to take a life. That’s not to say people shouldn’t horse ride but they shouldn’t be in the dark about the risk.

Nowhere did Prof. Nutt endorse any drug, but he made valid comments that it’s pointless hunting for cannabis users whose risk for mental illness is in general minuscule than that of the ‘happy’ big weekend drinker. The key word that describes Prof. Nutt’s stance is perspective.

For Alan Johnson to sack him may appease some people and make Labour look like moral saviours, but the fact of the matter is they’ve just brushed the issue under the carpet.

In my network of friends and their friends and family I can count quite easily the mortalities of those on drink and tobacco. And I can count too those on hard drugs, but it’s much less because less people do them. Public education has informed most people not to try them, and if they do, with caution.

Too much of anything is bad for you, and unless the govt. recognise this (what were they thinking when they allowed 24/7 pubs and putting large health warnings on cigarettes but ’still’ selling them? Oh, cash, of course.) they’re just going to go round and round in circles.

Another tragedy – that I agree with a Lib Dem MP on – is that even if Prof. Nutt was indeed ‘wrong’ (science evolves anyway) and universally abhorrent, he still shouldn’t have been sacked as he’s meant to be independent. The politicization of the role is wrong in itself. Debate is the order of the day. And we won’t have anymore if we now get a yes man.

Back where the Poundland is

As you might’ve guessed I’m back home in strangely mild (but initially cold) London. I came back a fortnight ago.
Though I enjoyed myself in the latter half of my stay, I was happy to see a black cab again (which took me home) and big red buses.

Why am I writing today? Well, just a few things. First of all, to those biting their nails about my vitamin D result (I like to think people have nothing better to do ), I’m still waiting on that. The result was delivered to my GP but not to me. I aim to get and post it on the relevant part 2 post next week.

I also noticed recently that the site in Portobello road that used to be a Woolies (Woolworths, if you want to be formal), and then briefly the shoddy ‘Bello Market’ (replete with cloth banner sign in a tacky fuzzy font) is now a Poundland.
I have no idea why this excited me (I admit it did to a fair degree), but when I walked in I became further glad it took over ‘Bello Market’ as it kind of resumes where the old Woolies finished by stocking many similar items, some different, and all for just one golden coin. So, yeah woo Poundland!

Now, to rescue my credibility, I’m going to share a brief review of  Live At The (HMV) Apollo last night with two friends. It was free gig of 2 recorded-for-TV shows that are to be televised on the BBC and Dave. It was the first time I’d been to the venue, which was nice and comfy (had a regal red theme that reminded me of the Royal Albert Hall) save for a big glaring light between performances.

And it was my first comedy gig. The show featured an on-form Al Murray as the Pub Landlord introducing the first two acts. The first one I thought was a bit funny, but didn’t hold my attention that well (and I haven’t registered his name – sorry, mate). The second was Tim Vine whose jokes bordered on cheesy but were so rapid fire that he really did win me over.
The next show after an interval featured a different host and then Michael McIntyre who just stole the night with all his material, voice and moves.

Some celebs were there too: The footballer Lee Dixon (who got loads of boos), Esther Rantzen and The Hamiltons (“cash for questions” Neil and his wife Christine).

Also, though I needed the toilet once myself, I noticed two mass exoduses of rows (to quote my friend) for either the toilets or the bar – which looked and sounded strange all at once (the clacking of chairs etc.).

I’d like to see more comedy events in future, so I’m glad I broke the ice there. One day I’ll see Harry Hill as I love his TV Burp. It’s perhaps the only thing on TV I will watch other than the news.

I’ll leave you with one Tim Vine joke I can remember off-hand (hope he doesn’t mind this?):
“I saw a sign saying ‘hairdressing for men’ (as it’s spoken). Inside I saw a rabbit (hare) trying on clothes saying ‘do I look good in this?’ and the men nodding and saying yes.”

Oh, and one last thing. Anyone who was offered the music software Sonar LE 8.5 was initially asked to pay between, it seems $10-30, depending on their location. But it was found out the software was meant to be free, which explained ordering problems for many.
Before I found this out before an email from them as after a futile order attempt I noticed Cakewalk’s e-store having links for it from 0, $2 or $10…Very strange.
But hey, I love the software they make and will forgive this booboo – but will point it out, as I have!

Bomb-bay(?)

I’m not in India (and even so Bombay is now called Mumbai), but I think various cities in Pakistan could compete for taking the former name, modified as per my subject.

Of course what’s been happening here hasn’t been funny, particularly for those involved. But I can’t take too seriously that a number of blasts happened when I finally arrived here. Firstly Islamabad while I was in Lahore, then Lahore when in Islamabad. And no this wasn’t my doing. Either way I saw nothing first hand and things looked more terrifying on TV news.

I’m due to fly back home to London on Monday. I did have some big problems adjusting (heat, poor local language adaption, stomach problems attributed to what I thought would be good for me: mineral water (stick with fruit juices here)) and homesickness, but right now I’m comfortable in my room on my netbook.

I achieved what was needed here (boring personal stuff I won’t go into) and also came to enjoy the sights and sounds. Islamabad was easier to deal with as it’s a very modern city which is also more cooler, weather wise, than Lahore. But I haven’t taken any video or photo here (yet) as there’s not much to document.

In Lahore however I went to four main historical sites: Shahid Mazjid (the first time I’ve ever been to a mosque as I’m not from a very religious family) which is a spectacular structure, the super-regal Mughal era Shalimar Gardens, Minar-e-Pakistan which is a tower structure so old that it has pre-partition Hindu scripture on it. Not far from it is where Sikhs come for their pilgrimage.

The sight I liked most though was the India-Pakistan border ceremony at Wagah. Compared to London’s changing of the guard, this is much better. More drama in it and it commanded a packed crowd. VIP seating meant I was just a stone’s throw away from India. I recorded the whole 30mins on my portable vid cam and will put that up on YouTube or something soon. A very good video if I say so myself.

I also met some relatives who should’ve been Indians were it it not for the partition. Always nice to meet family. I didn’t make any new friends (or enemies) but I found people here friendly, maybe overly so.
Though I didn’t venture in poverty stricken areas I was saddened to learn how little some people work for, and how cheap many things are.

I’ll be returning here (that is, Pakistan) next year and now that my stomach has hardened and I’m not so terrified by the difference to England (in some ways it’s been liberating) I actually like it. I regret loosening up a bit late. I didn’t need any malaria things too.

Anyway, approx. 500 words is enough to write. I’m well aware that I bored someone with a very long email about my sightseeing a few days ago; sorry!
So, that’s it. I’ll amend this post with photo and vid next week as it would take too long right now…But I’ll leave you with one from the border ceremony.

21 October 2009: My top 40 snaps are on Flickr.
26 October 2009 (last update): Video of the entire border ceremony (30mins) on YouTube. Also look here for one Lahore/Islamabad montage:

Dishonesty

Perhaps Dishonesty is an apt name for a music project I’m in because it seems my last post before flying isn’t actually.
This certainly will be as there won’t be time tomorrow.

This post really is just to vaguely promote that page as I’ve paid a bit of money to make it a pro profile for a little while so we can host all six of our demo tracks.

Since the profile was first made, earlier tracks have been re-uploaded with their levels tweaked a bit. However, there is a small disparity between the volume levels so you will need to fiddle with the volume dial. I’m also ashamed to say that the waveforms are brickwalled but they however don’t feature unwanted levels of distortion, at least to my worn out ears.

The six tracks were completed over six weeks, which was a short amount of time but they seem decent. The actual sounds are good and I can only excuse the allowable bits of sloppiness as adding to a live feel. I can’t say that we’re 100% proud of this but we think it’s better than a lot of well made stuff we hear even if I do say so myself.

All tracks are free to stream and download. It’s the only way to compete and my musical partner agrees it’s better a lot of people can hear and keep our tracks than having a few friends generate £5 for us and not getting it across further.

We haven’t really done a lot of promoting of this, so if you like it send us a comment good or bad and pass the link on.
When I return, we plan to start considering live shows and perhaps recording the 5 remaining songs of our album’s worth.

So I’m leaving you with this before I leave.

And vitamin D fans – unless I get my vitamin D result tomorrow it won’t be up for a while unless my local hospital generously email the figure. But anyway, I’m sure it’s more than 76nmol/L and that’s fine.

During October, novel editing will be what keeps me busy when not doing other things.

Innocent Abroad

It’s 12:34 AM on October 4 2009 and I’m two days away from heading to Heathrow to go far, far away from here.

This is possibly my last post for a little while, or maybe not (definitely from here anyway).  So I’m saying goodbye but not for forever.
I’ve found out I can get broadband in the hotel, although you’d think I’d fret more about sightseeing…And WiFi(?)

My subject is a title of a song I got from the solo album of an ex-drummer of a famous band from the 80’s. A kind of early childhood hero in fact. He’s even signed and sent copies of his first (or sort of second) album to all purchasers, so even though I expected it, it was nice to get a very personalised copy of the album.

It’s a decent album. I’d reserve it for more relaxing occasions but it’s certainly well crafted in rhythm (majorly so) and melody. And I think the title in my subject will be the song for when I touch down in Lahore then Islamabad.

My local pharmacist – another Brit Asian, of course – told me that I can expect to be shocked at how European the place is. And perhaps not just due to the UK style power sockets but for for the buildings and amenities (many American contracted), which means I can also taste local cuisine like…Kentucky Fried Chicken.

I’m slightly nervous about going but also excited. Not because of news associations with the Taliban or the War On Terror etc (the modern cities there are very progressive and of course the country was never meant to be an Islamic republic but became so during the successive reign of dictators), but because I’m an Englishman through and through, so I don’t know how to behave, I think.
Of course people don’t see me as an Englishman in the Hugh Grant sense, but then they shouldn’t because that’s just an illusion you see in souvenir shops. I’m just saying, because my Newcastle based cousins got made fun of when they first went.  But that was years ago.

Anyhow, I have no idea what the plot of this post is. Time for bed. I shall return, but not too soon (or, I might).

Thirtynothing

One week from yesterday I’m going to turn 30.

That sounds like such a big deal but then I realise I’ll always be much younger than The Rolling Stones, who in turn will always be even more bigger kids at heart than me. And that makes me happy.

I’m going to write a few things here.

The first is that I have a couple of tracks online at a PureVolume profile. They sound a bit loose but they’re much better than our initial attempts and as they’re not tampered with too much they have that live punk rock feel. I’m hoping to add one or two more before the end of the month.
There’s also a nice suave picture of me in the photos section, taken using my new 10MP FujiFilm FinePix J22 (although it looks a bit blurry).
The J22 is the second digital camera I’ve ever owned, excluding ones on my mobiles. My first was in late ‘98 or ‘99 (among the first wave) which was also by FujiFilm (a MX1700 Zoom) and connected by serial port rather than the then upcoming USB (so it was very slow in transfer) and took SmartMedia cards.
Still, before the millennium it was magic to see photos appear on the LCD screen.

Yesterday I got given five (via two injections) travel jabs, so I’m now tooled up for a ‘business vacation’ in South Asia for about a month.
This will be my first time out of Europe ever and a rewind back to ancestral origins for me. I’m a bit daunted but also excited.

I’m also going to be abandoning my vitamin D posts for an indefinite period as after I get my vitamin D result there’s not really much for me to add. I’m not statistically significant as just one person. My aim was to show, not tell and let people make decisions based on what I present and whether or not they believe it. But I’m pleased with what I achieved and I do aim to channel this info into consolidated form sometime. When and in what way I will now no longer promise, particularly as my main writing priority is still my novel, which though ‘finished’ needs much work.

People can continue to contact me during October but I will most likely be emailing and posting here less than normal. But I am a bit of a net addict, so I don’t think I’ll be far from a computer and net connection if I can help it!

I’ve had a tough number of weeks (well, when I say tough, I look at others situations and realise that’s just too severe a word) on a personal level but my head is getting back into gear again. Which is good, as I’d only go nuts.

Before I forget…

I’ve seen on the local news reports about promising results of HIV infection reduction in a combined vaccine study. While I hope this is the case and what is known about HIV/AIDS is true, I have doubts. One thing the media hasn’t really put its jaws on is
“This result is tantalisingly encouraging. The numbers are small and the difference may have been due to chance, but this finding is the first positive news in the Aids vaccine field for a decade,” said Dr Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet medical journal.”

What we got was two vaccines that previously were useless and just somehow their use together yielded in 74 people not on the vaccine getting infected and 51 on the vaccine getting infected. While this can be calculated as roughly a third, 74 vs 51 still isn’t a contrast to get excited about.
A vaccine for AIDS was promised to be around the corner in the mid 80’s and it never materialised. In it’s thirty years of public knowledge it’s remained as an elusive disease which might just be mired in lots of politics.

You could argue similarly about my vitamin D intake and my results. However, there are many studies and plain logic to back up the D/cholesterol theory, and the bone effects on D are undisputed. The HIV/AIDS story has lots of black holes in it.

Musical hiatus

Just thought I’d to check in to say ‘don’t expect more music too soon’. The reason for this is simply because there have been problems.
We have actually made three recordings, but my cohort and I just aren’t satisfied with it. And he knows it’s his fault.
Until he addresses it, I think it’s time to shove it in the fridge. I called time.

Otherwise though, I’m still continuing with writing work (or just editing now). I’m hoping to have a promo short story started in September and put here by the end of that month.

In October I’ll be away for roughly 2-4 weeks for leisure far away (albeit in accordance with malaria medication!) and to sort out something to set me financially. I will however be taking my netbook along and will likely blog about things that have shocked and/or pleasantly surprised me. More info closer to the time.

I’m hoping to very shortly start a dedicated vitamin D blog (de ja vu promise?) as I actually seem to miss writing something seeing as I’ve done it for 2.5yrs on a project.
I’m goaded on by the fact that I’ve recently had a brief email conversation with Dr. David Grimes (he had a powerful quote about statins and vitamin D) who has a book that came out in April this year, on what I’ve been yacking on about.
I’ve not read it, but I think the only thing he probably lacks is truly personal perspective. I want to talk less medical and more to the point.

That’s it for the time being.

One Day Goodbye Became Farewell

It’s August.

I know it’s August, because well, that’s what it says on my The Simpsons calendar (I’ve been buying their fun calendars for over a decade now) and I also got a leaflet this morning informing me about the Notting Hill Carnival which rolls in – a bit tiredly for some time now – every August end.

I think this my might be a long post, we’ll see.

‘One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell‘ (a Morrissey title – I’m not a big fan but I can very much see the humour of a National Front Disco) seems a fitting title (modified) as it sums up two or three things that are arising or have arisen on this colourful August.

The first is that after ten years in a relationship which had it’s limitations but also greatness, it’s all just popped like a balloon. I didn’t see this coming, maybe because I’m emotionally blind, or I have not wanted to accept such a scenario, which has become as familiar to my friends, happen to me. I have vented about it, in fact even tweeted about it somewhat, but in reality what happened to me is as boring to retell as it is to see in a soap opera. But I’ll have to get by and the little optimist in me is saying “give it time.” I just hope it’s not a lot of time.

But not all farewells are sad.

I’m just two thousand words from completing my novel which I started in 2007, launched from a novel writing course I started in 2006.
It’s still not entirely finished as at least 30-40% of the early part of the story needs fair rework as it was done prior to finishing my course and learning appropriate structures and devices; but the latter half will just need a read through most likely, so I’m hoping – depending on the speed of my approach – that I will have everything, or most things, wrapped up by year end. I was accurate in predicting that I would finish writing this before I hit 30, so hopefully this prediction will be right too.
And this might be the last of my journal entries on this project. Or maybe not; I’m not good at closing things.

The last thing is not so much as a goodbye or farewell, rather than a hello and welcome!

I think I’m only a week away from posting the first of a wad of songs (also started in 2007) after many frustrating moments with recording over the past few months (Mo cost included: A drum sampler [£150], a portable e-drum kit [about £1000] and a trigger finger pad [£60]).
There is still stuff to do, but seemingly not much. Also, even if it’s not a perfect outcome, we might revise this bit of music at a later date but neither me or D.P. want to keep this thing in the oven any longer. We plan to have three or four of our eleven tracks online, so once the first one’s done, the rest should flow out.

Last things to report are I’ve just ordered a copy of  ‘Science Sold Out: Does HIV Really Cause AIDS?’ by Rebecca Culshaw.
I’ve been fascinated by HIV/AIDS scepticism upon finding vitamin D articles occasionally road in, and have followed Henry Bauer’s blog on it.
I know the subject is controversial and it makes me seem a challenger to everything, but potentially anything without an answer after years deserves scrutiny and I think the arguments presented by some parties are very sound.

Very lastly, I’m looking forward to the imminent new Slayer album ‘World Painted Blood‘. I’ve heard two songs from it and they sound fine. It’s Slayer, you always get from them what you get from a can of baked beans; red covered goodness!
It mightn’t be the most cerebral music at times, but sometimes something to shake up your brain is all you need to get by.

More of the same…

It seems like I’ve neglected this blog – probably because I have. But I have been around online as you might’ve seen on the Twitter feed on the bottom right.
I have criticised Twitter, but I’m also able to be a great hypocrite. I still think it’s a waste of time, but I find time to waste.

At the moment there’s much to report since last time other than incremental developments. I’m writing the final parts of my novel, still haven’t started a music demo (though this should change after splashing more money to kill current recording issue) and the next installment of my Harry Potter like vitamin D saga will be around late September or so.

I would love to be more amusing or informative on this post, but this is all I can say at this time.