https://minimal.org.uk/categories/quirkies/ Recent content in quirkies on minimal.org.uk Hugo -- gohugo.io en-gb ian Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:45:31 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2013/04/02/the-real-uk-citizenship-test/ Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:45:31 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2013/04/02/the-real-uk-citizenship-test/ A while ago, I noted that the initial UK Citizenship Test was a) hard and b) pointless – the recently proposed revision isn’t much better, but thankfully Twitter and genuine locals are on hand to offer: The Real UK Citizenship Test I can proudly state that I scored 10/10 on my first go, without cheating and reading the JavaScript… I am pleased that this test addresses much more fundamental and important questions for those looking to live here and attempting to understand the behaviour of the natives. https://minimal.org.uk/2008/11/26/what-the-dickens/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:09:01 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2008/11/26/what-the-dickens/ An extract from an email I’ve just received: “As we are trying to have a carbon free Christmas this year…” So, no Coal as a gift this year ? Bah. Humbug. https://minimal.org.uk/2008/06/26/ad-to-the-bone-the-executive-coloring-book/ Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:57:13 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2008/06/26/ad-to-the-bone-the-executive-coloring-book/ ad to the bone – The Executive Coloring Book: http://www.adtothebone.com/tecb/theexecutivecoloringbook.html Via John Nack https://minimal.org.uk/2007/11/22/spec-writing-for-the-phb/ Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:34:42 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/11/22/spec-writing-for-the-phb/ Ok, so who thinks of Dilbert’s boss when reading this snippet from a product spec PDF: Dimension 25mm x 115mm x 75mm (when laying flat); 115mm x 25mm x 75mm (standing up) I really, really hope that was put in there after an inane comment in a meeting… If the writer was actually serious about that, then I fear for the future of all documentation: at the very least they could have included the size of the stand and made it a useful statement. https://minimal.org.uk/2007/06/26/lolthings/ Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:13:19 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/06/26/lolthings/ These last few weeks I’ve been rather distracted, thanks to a question from Duncan regarding lolcats, in particular linking to icanhascheezburger, which I can now say does run out of images. After 70 pages or more… But wait ! Finished icanhascheezburger and feeling lost? You can has more ! No need to worry that you might actually be productive this week (or have any bandwidth allowance left from your ISP) because there are also Meme Cats (with over 600 images ! https://minimal.org.uk/2007/06/06/wonderfully-titled-sales-email/ Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:14:40 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/06/06/wonderfully-titled-sales-email/ Following on from the misogynist email from Amazon, a rather more apposite one from iWorld: From: iWorld.co.uk@…. Subject: FREE Noise Isolating Earphones for Fathers Day! Doesn’t say which sort of noises they isolate against in particular, though. https://minimal.org.uk/2007/05/04/disneyland-in-china-japan-probe/ Fri, 04 May 2007 08:22:37 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/05/04/disneyland-in-china-japan-probe/ Disneyland in China? – Japan Probe: http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=1678 Classic quote: “It’s not a mouse. It’s a cat with very big ears” (via /. https://minimal.org.uk/2007/04/25/things-that-make-me-smile/ Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:21:49 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/04/25/things-that-make-me-smile/ Showbiz – News – ‘Spamalot’ team breaks coconut record – Digital Spy: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a45654/spamalot-team-breaks-coconut-record.html?rss Could only have been better if it had been reported on a Monday morning. https://minimal.org.uk/2007/04/03/whomix-doctor-who-theme-remixes/ Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:44:40 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/04/03/whomix-doctor-who-theme-remixes/ From Tim, who obviously thinks I need a distraction: whomix – doctor who theme remixes: http://whomix.trilete.net/ What a lot of work – a few select examples also came with the link, with my favourite being the Nyman one: Nyman: http://whomix.trilete.net/download.php?remixid=45 007: http://whomix.trilete.net/download.php?remixid=167 Flamenco: http://whomix.trilete.net/download.php?remixid=106 Morse: http://whomix.trilete.net/download.php?remixid=97 Piano: http://whomix.trilete.net/download.php?remixid=169 Cyberdisco: http://whomix.trilete.net/download.php?remixid=120 Ambient: http://whomix.trilete.net/download.php?remixid=128 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/04/03/behold-the-tyger/ Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:37:04 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/04/03/behold-the-tyger/ Neil Gaiman’s Journal: Rabbits and Tygers and Butterflies oh my: http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2007/04/rabbits-and-tygers-and-butterflies-oh.html Oh, the Tyger ! Now that is a great 4m 30s film combining animation and theatre styles I would never have expected to coexist together into a most evocative story (worth having the music on too, as it does add to the film). Update: More info about the film, as well as higher quality downloads from the authors site (from an update on Neil’s site). https://minimal.org.uk/2007/03/20/no-suprise-to-anyone-that-knows-me-then/ Tue, 20 Mar 2007 07:15:30 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/03/20/no-suprise-to-anyone-that-knows-me-then/ Well, hubert put his score up, so I decided to have a go: Oh dear – and the more worrying thing is that I know I could have scored more, if my science history had been better ! https://minimal.org.uk/2007/02/24/one-thing-i-never-knew-i-never-knew/ Sat, 24 Feb 2007 22:56:17 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/02/24/one-thing-i-never-knew-i-never-knew/ “Knight Rider” (1982) – Trivia: http://imdb.com/title/tt0083437/trivia “According to Brandon Tartikoff, the head of programming at NBC during the 1980s, the inspiration for the series came about when NBC executives started complaining about the problems of casting handsome leading men in TV series, because many of them couldn’t act. Tartikoff and his assistant came up with a concept for a TV show called, “The Man of Six Words”. Each show would begin with the leading man getting out of a woman’s bed and saying, “Thank you. https://minimal.org.uk/2007/02/07/pigeon-frenzy/ Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:44:31 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/02/07/pigeon-frenzy/ Marksman Called In To Kill Kingstons Pigeons (from Surrey Comet): http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1039169.0.marksman_called_in_to_kill_kingstons_pigeons.php Uninspiring article, amazing comments: don’t read them whilst drinking any sort of liquid unless you want to buy a new keyboard… Via Scary Duck, a wholly inappropriate site. Wonderful. https://minimal.org.uk/2007/01/18/natural-ufos/ Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:52:43 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2007/01/18/natural-ufos/ Cloud Shapes: http://pic1.funtigo.com/valuca/?g=25544746&cr=1 Some amazing pictures here (page will take a while to render though) that make UFO stories so much more understandable. Assuming I haven’t been duped by excessive Photoshoppery: the ship heading towards the storm is something straight out of a special effects department. Via John Nack https://minimal.org.uk/2006/12/19/tony-hawks-tony-hawk/ Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:17:33 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/12/19/tony-hawks-tony-hawk/ Tony Hawks – The Official Website: http://www.tony-hawks.com/skatemail.php “As you can see, they are not the same person. Tony Hawk is an American whizz kid skateboarding champion, whilst I am a startlingly good-looking British male model.” Browsing his skatemail archive amused me no end: “Tony u is my number 1 fan I love the sk8ing you rox I loved the 9000 wot u did when r u coming to wigan I want to see u demo in wigan soon can I have ur autograph? https://minimal.org.uk/2006/12/07/scary-mary/ Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:20:18 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/12/07/scary-mary/ Neil Gaiman – Neil Gaiman’s Journal: By Request…: http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2006/12/by-request.html Now that’s a film I wouldn’t mind watching… (requires Flash) https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/29/atomfilms-animator-vs-animation-ii/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:34:50 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/29/atomfilms-animator-vs-animation-ii/ AtomFilms – Animator vs. Animation II: http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/animator_vs_animation_2 Superb flash animation: noisy and with so much action it’s almost impossible to take in on the first viewing. If you haven’t already seen it, do take time to watch Animator vs. Animation first. Via Userfriendly. https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/17/the-joy-of-tech-comic-laughter-is-the-best-tech-support/ Fri, 17 Nov 2006 07:47:46 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/17/the-joy-of-tech-comic-laughter-is-the-best-tech-support/ Botox face: http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/892.html It’s almost as if they read my last post: cool – I get my very own personal comic writers ! Or maybe not, but I certainly prefer my initial conclusion. https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/16/nothing-says-i-love-you-quite-like/ Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:17:08 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/16/nothing-says-i-love-you-quite-like/ Amazon. What a wonderfully crafted email they just sent my way (straight from the lads’ mag marketing department), entitled: Great gifts from £5.99 for her this Christmas at Amazon.co.uk There were the usual laughable excuses for presents, but they saved the best ’till last: Wow. Now that’s the way to a memorable christmas morning: “Merry Xmas darling. I think you’re fat.” Although the alternatives in that line up aren’t too great either: https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/15/xkcd-a-webcomic-of-romance-sarcasm-math-and-language-by-randall-munroe/ Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:31:38 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/11/15/xkcd-a-webcomic-of-romance-sarcasm-math-and-language-by-randall-munroe/ Matrix Transform: http://xkcd.com/c184.html Well, it made me laugh this morning but I think it merely confirms that even with so many camera posts lately I haven’t stopped being an all-round geek… https://minimal.org.uk/2006/04/23/the-sneeze-half-zine-half-blog-half-not-good-with-fractions/ Sun, 23 Apr 2006 12:10:24 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/04/23/the-sneeze-half-zine-half-blog-half-not-good-with-fractions/ The Sneeze – Half zine. Half blog. Half not good with fractions. : http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/cat_steve_dont_eat_it.php The phrase ‘Steve, don’t eat it’ just doesn’t do this page justice, but do make sure you’re not trying to eat anything yourself whilst reading… https://minimal.org.uk/2006/04/12/tv-scoop-american-cats-officially-funny/ Wed, 12 Apr 2006 13:34:59 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/04/12/tv-scoop-american-cats-officially-funny/ TV Scoop: American Cats – Officially Funny http://www.tvscoop.tv/2006/04/american_cats_o.html Do not watch the clips in that post whilst attempting to either drink or eat. You will probably be left wondering how any cats have managed to survive at all, given that these are only the acts that actually managed to get filmed… https://minimal.org.uk/2006/02/04/all-time-is-relative-lunch-time-doubly-so/ Sat, 04 Feb 2006 19:34:53 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2006/02/04/all-time-is-relative-lunch-time-doubly-so/ The eldest is having her first sleepover, and an argument was in full swing that needed some intercession: R: Nicci, how many hours are there in a day ? Nicci: 24 R: See ! I told you ! Hahahahahahaha! C: No. But. You. But… R: You said there were 30 ! C: Yes, but I was including the night Hmm, maybe Ray Bradbury was right, and we do have Martians amongst us already… https://minimal.org.uk/2005/12/18/thermodynamics-and-four-year-olds/ Sun, 18 Dec 2005 23:23:04 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/12/18/thermodynamics-and-four-year-olds/ I was trying my best to answer the neighbours daughter as she came out with the longest stream of questions I’ve ever heard anyone have about an oil filled radiator. Skirting around Specific Heat Capacities and Conservation of Energy[1](but laying the foundations, should she ask later), things don’t quite finish as I planned: H: Why is it wet ? Me: Because the radiator has been outside in my car and the metal is below the dew point of the room, so now that it’s been brought back inside the water vapour in the air is condensing on the surface. https://minimal.org.uk/2005/10/25/a-list-apart-articles-attack-of-the-zombie-copy/ Tue, 25 Oct 2005 07:32:40 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/10/25/a-list-apart-articles-attack-of-the-zombie-copy/ A List Apart: Articles: Attack of the Zombie Copy: http://www.alistapart.com:80/articles/zombiecopy Possibly the most amusing article on bad writing that I’ve seen: I wouldn’t have thought it possible to include the phrase “Zombie Milk” in a tutorial on English. The curse Kevin talks about is not just relegated to web pages, but is rife in corporate emails (it’s got so bad at work recently we’re considering retraining SpamAssassin) and has spilled over into one too many podcasts. https://minimal.org.uk/2005/10/21/which-fantasyscifi-character-are-you/ Fri, 21 Oct 2005 12:03:11 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/10/21/which-fantasyscifi-character-are-you/ Which Fantasy/SciFi Character Are You?: http://www.tk421.net/character/ Apparently, this is me: So now you know. I even took it twice and changed some of my answers, so maybe it’s a time based character selection ? Wil is John Sherridan, which is a nice cross-over for people not correctly grounded IRL… https://minimal.org.uk/2005/09/20/tv-shows-in-programming-languages/ Tue, 20 Sep 2005 18:01:16 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/09/20/tv-shows-in-programming-languages/ In Forth, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361217/">nip tuck</a> could also be described as swap drop dup -rot Which is why Forth programmers should never get to come up with names for TV shows. https://minimal.org.uk/2005/08/13/camilla-camel-google-search/ Sat, 13 Aug 2005 08:37:13 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/08/13/camilla-camel-google-search/ camilla camel – Google Search : http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=camilla camel&btnG=Search Ok, so maybe it’s not something to be proud of quite yet but Camilla now comes in on the first page of Google for the term ‘camilla camel’, and is two out of the first four hits on Google Images. Now I have to get it into the top 10 for a search on just ‘camilla’, although there is something rather pleasing about it being result 42 at the moment… https://minimal.org.uk/2005/06/27/boffins-create-zombie-dogs-the-other-side-breaking-news-247-newscomau-27-06-2005/ Mon, 27 Jun 2005 23:03:01 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/06/27/boffins-create-zombie-dogs-the-other-side-breaking-news-247-newscomau-27-06-2005/ Boffins create zombie dogs | The Other Side | Breaking News 24/7 – NEWS.com.au (27-06-2005): http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15739502-13762,00.html This surely can’t be real, can it ? https://minimal.org.uk/2005/02/02/bbc-news-with-all-the-intelligent-discourse-of-a-discussion/ Wed, 02 Feb 2005 12:12:22 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/02/02/bbc-news-with-all-the-intelligent-discourse-of-a-discussion/ BBC NEWS | News Front Page: http://whitelabel.org/wp/wikiproxy.php Browse the BBC News website, and for each article an extra side box will appear linking to all blogs (from Technorati) that have an item about the story you’re browsing. So, for all those times you wished that the BBC News had the quality of discussion, argument and general discourse of /. wish no more: it’s here, right now ! https://minimal.org.uk/2005/01/25/spammed-by-an-avid-merrion-impersonator/ Tue, 25 Jan 2005 11:43:08 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/01/25/spammed-by-an-avid-merrion-impersonator/ “It was nice to hear from you during the xmas, it was cold but your call was very warm” I don’t usually like to let them know their email has even been received, but this one made me smile: it’s just a shame they didn’t take the joke beyond the first sentence. https://minimal.org.uk/2005/01/24/new-mac-for-windows-switchers/ Mon, 24 Jan 2005 12:17:19 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/01/24/new-mac-for-windows-switchers/ 22nd January 2005 Another new Mac to win over Windows switchers The new Mac Shuffle features key aspects of the Windows user experience to make ‘switchers’ feel right at home. The Shuffle feature randomly puts all your documents in a different place every time. Did I save it in My Documents? Or My Pictures? Or the desktop? Or the relevant bit of the Program Files folder? Or up the arse? https://minimal.org.uk/2005/01/14/the-real-cost-of-virii-exposed/ Fri, 14 Jan 2005 07:36:34 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2005/01/14/the-real-cost-of-virii-exposed/ BBC NEWS | Technology | Windows worm travels with Tetris: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4170903.stm “The virus does no damage to machines but heavily infected networks could slow down as scanning traffic builds. Productivity may suffer too if users spend time playing Tetris.” Finally, all those ‘cost industry 1bn’ claims might be justified… (Thanks Ben – just a bit late in posting !) https://minimal.org.uk/2004/12/29/peters-evil-overlord-list/ Wed, 29 Dec 2004 09:33:44 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/12/29/peters-evil-overlord-list/ Peter’s Evil Overlord List: http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html Looks like I’m even later than Wez in discovering this (8 years, but who’s counting ?) but it’s well worth remembering. For when you are about to take over the world with your eveil scheme, of course. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/11/20/oh-my-god-it-burns/ Sat, 20 Nov 2004 08:54:44 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/11/20/oh-my-god-it-burns/ Oh My God It Burns!: http://www.ohmygoditburns.com/ – Practical Applications of the Philosopher’s stone. For drunks. Now this looks fun to try and replicate – it’s vital (in the interests of good science) that brands on sale a few throusand miles from the first experiment are checked to ensure the accuracy of the original methodology. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/11/04/the-anti-bandwidth-waster/ Thu, 04 Nov 2004 08:43:52 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/11/04/the-anti-bandwidth-waster/ Dr Fun: http://www.ibiblio.org/Dave/Dr-Fun/df200411/df20041104.jpg Of course, one look at a Dr Fun and you just have to browse the archive, so anti-bandwidth wasters should not click on the link… https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/28/uh-oh-the-secrets-out/ Thu, 28 Oct 2004 15:28:59 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/28/uh-oh-the-secrets-out/ UserFriendly: http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20041028&mode=classic Oh dear – the Temple of Jobs is no longer a secret society ! The hidden message has been decoded… https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/25/dihydrogen-monoxide-research-division-dihydrogen-monoxide-info/ Mon, 25 Oct 2004 13:57:35 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/25/dihydrogen-monoxide-research-division-dihydrogen-monoxide-info/ Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division – dihydrogen monoxide info: http://www.dhmo.org/ This is a seriously dangerous chemical, and questions need to be asked of your local politcal candidate as to why there isn’t tighter legislation on the availability of it. For those interpid souls who are brave enough to experiment with it in your own home, do take care to read the appropriate datasheets concerning warnings and handling information: http://www. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/13/bbc-news-uk-cold-winter-due-says-forecaster/ Wed, 13 Oct 2004 12:55:57 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/13/bbc-news-uk-cold-winter-due-says-forecaster/ BBC NEWS | UK | Cold winter due, says forecaster: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3738824.stm Usual pro vs. not-pro (ie: anyone not the Met Office) spat, but with an absolutely stunning statement from the Met Office: When asked what the Met Office forecast could be for winter, he said: “We expect temperatures to drop in winter”. Superb. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/12/bbspot-which-os-are-you/ Tue, 12 Oct 2004 16:32:44 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/10/12/bbspot-which-os-are-you/ BBspot – Which OS Are You?: http://bbspot.com/News/2003/01/os_quiz.php Apparently, I’m Apple DOS 3.1, which confuses me no end. Oddly, that’s often the effect I have on other people when I try to explain things and get over-enthusiastic… Which OS are You? https://minimal.org.uk/2004/09/21/god-vs-bush/ Tue, 21 Sep 2004 10:28:31 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/09/21/god-vs-bush/ http://www.greenfaces.se/upload/uploads/godvsbush.gif Another link from Duncan – I was going to pass this off as being as loony as numerology, but now I’m starting to wonder… https://minimal.org.uk/2004/09/10/making-ms-word-more-annoying/ Fri, 10 Sep 2004 09:57:32 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/09/10/making-ms-word-more-annoying/ Waiting for my coffee to brew, I had a great idea: how to add in a new feature to Word that would be more annoying than Clippy ! (that’s great as in “I don’t use Word so I can laugh at those who must”…) How about a Bumble Bee (called Bumbly, of course) that looks at the action taken during a spelling check. S/he stores the original incorrect spellings for every word that is corrected so that after a few weeks s/he can learn the sort of typing mistakes that you make the most, as well as the words that you most commonly mis-spell. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/08/08/bbc-news-england-diamond-made-of-ashes-set-as-ring/ Sun, 08 Aug 2004 08:57:52 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/08/08/bbc-news-england-diamond-made-of-ashes-set-as-ring/ BBC NEWS | England | Diamond made of ashes set as ring: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3544076.stm https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/27/preparingforemergenciescouk/ Tue, 27 Jul 2004 17:28:57 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/27/preparingforemergenciescouk/ preparingforemergencies.co.uk: http://www.preparingforemergencies.co.uk/ So much better than the real thing. Oh, alright, for those of you who might not get a booklet, see the coma-inducing original for yourselves: http://www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk/ https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/14/the-fluttering-fringe-of-fecklnessness/ Wed, 14 Jul 2004 11:49:51 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/14/the-fluttering-fringe-of-fecklnessness/ RED MEAT . Meat Locker . the fluttering fringe of fecklnessness: http://www.redmeat.com/redmeat/2004-05-11/index.html Ah, Gnomes now, is it ? https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/14/letter-to-warner-brothers-a-night-in-casablanca-chilling-effects-clearinghouse/ Wed, 14 Jul 2004 09:48:22 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/14/letter-to-warner-brothers-a-night-in-casablanca-chilling-effects-clearinghouse/ Letter to Warner Brothers: A Night in Casablanca — Chilling Effects Clearinghouse: http://www.chillingeffects.org/resource.cgi?ResourceID=31 “I am sure that the average movie fan could learn in time to distinguish between Ingrid Bergman and Harpo. I don’t know whether I could, but I certainly would like to try.” Now that’s a letter to send to lawyers ! https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/09/ryanair-to-branch-out-into-toiletries-and-clothes/ Fri, 09 Jul 2004 10:47:19 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/09/ryanair-to-branch-out-into-toiletries-and-clothes/ BBC NEWS | Business | Luggage ‘ban’ for Ryanair flyers: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3878641.stm I can imagine their boardroom chats now: “If only we could ban those wretched customers, we wouldn’t need the crew or the planes and we could make a killing in airport taxes alone !” Failing that, simply ensuring that there are plenty of clothing and toiletry stores next to each RyanAir arrivals door (rent free in return for a profit share ? https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/09/how-not-to-get-rich-quick/ Fri, 09 Jul 2004 07:35:31 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/09/how-not-to-get-rich-quick/ BBC NEWS | England | Essex | DVD pirate’s pitch ends in arrest: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/3874417.stm Outstandingly dumb. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/08/spamalot-on-broadway/ Thu, 08 Jul 2004 13:16:07 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/08/spamalot-on-broadway/ CNN.com – Star names join Python on Broadway – Jul 7, 2004: http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/07/07/stage.montypython.reut/index.html Nice – the casting looks pretty good so far although I think I’ll wait to see if it comes a little closer before I go and see it. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/04/pretty-shiny-glowing-things/ Sun, 04 Jul 2004 08:46:36 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/07/04/pretty-shiny-glowing-things/ UserFriendly Strip Comments: http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20040703&mode=classic Hmm, ok. Maybe my obsession with LEDs is simply a geek thing and not that odd afterall… https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/29/disney-debuts-new-safer-quieter-and-more-environmentally-friendly-fireworks-technology/ Tue, 29 Jun 2004 09:23:10 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/29/disney-debuts-new-safer-quieter-and-more-environmentally-friendly-fireworks-technology/ http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040628/285741_1.html What a neat idea. I wonder how it works in terms of trigger tech – does a fuse get lit before the air launch ? What about misfires ? Can the trigger be armed only if the firework leaves at the right velocity ? Might be time for a patent search… https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/23/os-x-104/ Wed, 23 Jun 2004 16:05:56 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/23/os-x-104/ “My sources have told me that Apple will name Mac OSX 10.4 iOfTheTiger. The box will have a huge picture of BA Baracas with a huge golden X hanging from one of his thick golden chains. Don’t ask me for anymore information as my source could be sued and possibly fired by Apple.” (Thanks Duncan) https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/23/windows-sickies/ Wed, 23 Jun 2004 10:02:19 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/23/windows-sickies/ Computer ‘sick’ days revealed “Personal computers in Northern Ireland take more sick days than their owners” I’m sure it applies elsewhere, and whilst an amusing idea (what’s the punishment ? a delayed RAM upgrade ?) it just shows how serious an O/S monoculture is, especially when backed up by ‘broken’ software. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/16/a-python-take-on-child-rearing/ Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:03:20 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/06/16/a-python-take-on-child-rearing/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1239688,00.html Trust me, it is humorous, but only just, and only if you read the whole article… https://minimal.org.uk/2004/05/28/now-this-is-quality-tv/ Fri, 28 May 2004 21:53:23 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/05/28/now-this-is-quality-tv/ http://www.uktvstyle.co.uk/WhatsOn/WatchingPaintDry.cfm I can’t decide if it’s far better than current TV, or a sadly accurate portent of what the huge number of Digital TV channels have in store for us over the coming years… https://minimal.org.uk/2004/05/28/artburn/ Fri, 28 May 2004 16:41:38 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/05/28/artburn/ http://www.martian.fm/artburn.htm “…existential nausea…” “…something with ‘phoenix’ in it.” Classic. https://minimal.org.uk/2004/05/28/animals-on-the-underground/ Fri, 28 May 2004 15:36:40 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/05/28/animals-on-the-underground/ This is totally worth a look, especially if you’ve ever stared dully at one of these things for >20mins each day commuting…. http://www.animalsontheunderground.com (Thanks for the link Duncan !) https://minimal.org.uk/2004/04/07/small-sayings/ Wed, 07 Apr 2004 07:35:05 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2004/04/07/small-sayings/ head mystery teacher tukey == turquoise https://minimal.org.uk/2003/10/03/out-of-context-quote-of-the-day/ Fri, 03 Oct 2003 15:03:57 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2003/10/03/out-of-context-quote-of-the-day/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3161354.stm “General Eberhart said the pilots were being trained to overcome a natural hesitation to kill civilians” Well, it’s only fair that non-combatants should ‘experience’ the joys of friendly fire too, I suppose. Afterall, taxpayers did buy the bullets… https://minimal.org.uk/2002/08/21/linking-silliness/ Wed, 21 Aug 2002 18:35:48 +0000 https://minimal.org.uk/2002/08/21/linking-silliness/ Oh, [](<http://www.dontlink.com/]this oneis a doozy – a list of sites that don’t want you to link to them without all sort of mind-bendingly stupid rules. This site ? Link away – it’s what makes the ‘net so useful in the first place ! (Original story posted on /. – I didn’t find the site myself)>)