Journal Entries
Nov.27
Posted Nov 27, 2014
I've been following the tragic news about the Australian cricketer Phil Hughes who died as a result of a freak accident after being hit by the ball on the neck, below the helmet. Condolences obviously go to family, friends and playing colleagues. You also have to have sympathy for the bowler who bowled that ball. He must be absolutely devastated by what's happened, so much so, some pundits doubt he'll play again.
The full story is here:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30219440
A sad day for the sport.
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Latest reply: Nov 27, 2014
Nov.26
Posted Nov 26, 2014
Its been a real murky, dark and cold day here. In fact, its been so dark the street lights have been on all day.
I've been catching up with the feedback forums for the win 10 preview and have to say, there are folk out there who have failed to grasp exactly what this preview is about and worse, are whingeing at Microsoft about not being able to revert back to their main operating systems. It was made clear from day one, across all the win 10 pages/forums and feedback, that this was a preview not for the fainthearted or those who haven't got either experience or confidence in running such software in beta form. The number of people that have installed this over the top of their existing system beggars belief. Worse, they haven't even done a basic back up of their software/programs or data.
Microsoft have just released yet another build of this beta system and accordingly, I backed up what wasn't inc in the current beta and then installed the new release. Its as well I backed up because the latest version didn't keep ANY of the previous settings and programs, in fact I've been left with nothing but IE and the store's app. That is the reason folk are told they need patience, perseverance and able to start from scratch on occasion. This is one of those times. I now have to re-install all programs, browsers etc which will take some time. So, on that note, I'm going to re-fresh me 
and set to re-installing stuff. Oh, I decided the laptop was too slow for this so I've re=parttioned the hard drive on second pc and put this new build on that. Its at least going to speed the whole process up if nowt else.
Have a good evening folks.ttfn. 
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Latest reply: Nov 26, 2014
Nov.25
Posted Nov 25, 2014
Another flying visit today. Usual chores for a Tuesday, shopping, laundry and also changed/laundered bedding as well.
Its been grey, foggy and cold all day here and its still amazes me the number of motorists driving around with no lights on and worse, with windows either steamed up or still covered in ice and they've scraped just a hole in the middle of the screen. Nutters, plain and simple.
I'm now going to have some fodder then put me feet up for the rest of the night. I'll catch up on here tomorrow. Have a good evening folks, stay warm. ttfn.
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Latest reply: Nov 25, 2014
Nov.24
Posted Nov 24, 2014
Deb mentioned in her journal about how cold its got over the last few days and about de-icing the car ready for work.
One of the frustrating things for me is I was used to both working and 'playing' in the cold. I specifically had holidays in the Scottish highlands in January to take part in winter climbing, bivouacking in the snow, Ice climbing and other such mad things. Now I have to keep a careful eye on temps as if too cold it triggers angina, too hot the same. I tend to forget this sometimes and trot off to the shops without a coat or jumper and then wonder why I'm suddenly feeling
As there's no limit or extra costs for heating here there's no excuse now for me being too cold, I just have to remember to wrap up as and when I go out. 
I've checked my diary for this week and lo and behold, its the first week in bob knows how long, where I don't actually have any medical appointments. The first week in December will make up for this as from the 2nd to 8th I have 2
Nothing too dramatic mind, a repeat blood test and crown fitting by dentist. I'm still working on diet changes, this is a gradual process as sudden mega changes are just as bad as no change. I just wish some of the Christmas ads wouldn't show tons of mouth watering food and drink of which there is very little I'll be able to have.
One matter has been cleared up, that is, between the nurse, cardiologist and my new GP, its been made clear I don't need to lose the 3 stone recently recommended, I actually only need to lose about another stone and a half. I have until May next year to achieve this, or get close to it, as that's when I see the cardiologist again. So on that note I'm now off to prepare tonight's fodder which will be low fat, low salt, low sugar and low calorie. Have a good evening folks, stay warm and safe. ttfn.
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Latest reply: Nov 24, 2014
Nov.23
Posted Nov 23, 2014
One of the questions I get asked by my brothers is why I dual boot my pc's between win 7 and win 8. The answer is, software compatibility. I have programs that work well in win 7 but don't work either as well or at all in win 8. Some software vendors supply patches but others don't. For example, my webcam, (not that old) works well in win 7 but not in win 8. The manufacturer haven't issued any software upgrades, in fact they told me I needed to upgrade the webcam. Sorry, but no, I won't be forced into replacing stuff just because they can't be bothered to issue an upgrade/patch for their software. The same applies to games. I'm not a big games player but again, I won't buy new just because they can't be bothered to patch/upgrade. As and when the likes of Microsoft and other software folk stop all support, like they have with XP, then I'll continue to use both which prolongs the life of my existing software and saves me mega bucks by not having to buy new stuff all the time.
The next version of windows, win 10, is going to be a free upgrade for the first time by Microsoft, they're following Apples example of not charging anymore for these system upgrades. What needs to happen now is that all 3rd party software we install should follow suit. They should upgrade in order to make their software work on the new systems, not just force people to go and buy new again.
When the new win 10 system gets its final release in late 2015 I'll probably triple boot it for a time until I see exactly what works and what doesn't in terms of 3rd party software. My pc's have the capacity to do this though I appreciate most home pc's probably wouldn't be able to cope with such a set up.
So, there we have it, a rather long explanation as to why I dual boot systems.
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Latest reply: Nov 23, 2014
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