James’s posterous

James’s posterous

James Evans  //  It's just somewhere to post stuff that I find interesting - if you don't like it, feel free not to read it. Hang around here and you may learn the secrets of life, the universe and everything (but I wouldn't bet on it).

Jun 1 / 2:01pm

iTunes Update - OS3.0 Getting Closer?

TUAW has news that the latest version of iTunes, released today, supports OS3.0, feeding speculation that Apple might release the its upgraded operating system next week at the WWDC in San Jose.
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Jun 1 / 2:00pm

Video converters

I don't have a Mac but, as our collection of fruit-themed gadgets grows (one phone, one Apple TV, an iPod Touch, a Shuffle and a Classis, all in regular use) I keep thinking it might be time to make the jump. Something that's caught my eye is Evom, a one-click video converter, because I like to watch films on my phone when I'm on the daily commute. I can convert files at the moment but it's a bit of a pain (Handbrake, DVD43 etc.) and it would be really nice to have a simple application that ripped everything and dumped it straight into iTunes; Evom might be the answer (and it gives me another excuse to replace my obstinately long-lived Dell laptop).
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May 31 / 11:53pm

New iPhone feature

Here is my iPhone feature idea for June. I would like to be able to highlight a block of text, in an email or web page, for example, and create a new contact using whatever elements (email address, phone number etc.) can be identified within that text.
 
For all I know this might be in OS3.0 and hopefully there isn't too long left to wait to find out.
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May 31 / 9:03am

Relaxed Sunday Evening

The chores are done (lawn mown, garage door frame painted, strawberries picked etc.) so we're sitting in the garden with a G&T waiting for the barbecue to burn down so that we can cook dinner. All is quiet as the bees bumble around in the flowers; bliss.
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May 26 / 11:57pm

Vodafone, mobile working, and trains

It's taken a while, but having overcome various technical problems my Vodafone data card is now working again on my laptop, theoretically allowing me to be in touch with civilisation whilst on the train. This is of course a great relief, but it again highlights the coverage problems in rural Hampshire and Surrey, through which the train passes on its way to Waterloo. This, coupled with the Vodafone connection software's insistence on asking for permission to reconnect every single time and the fact that the connection progress screen is forced to be in the Desktop foreground, makes attempts at mobile working somewhat frustrating.

Having said all this, when it works it does work very well and it is possible to complete some useful work, although whether or not this is worth the stress and struggle remains to be seen. Luckily, this morning's train has been delayed by problems at Woking, so I have even longer to work on my emails and ponder my blog updates.
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May 25 / 11:52pm

Dara O'Briain and New Scientist

This week's New Scientists has an interview with Dara O'Briain, comedian and holder of a degree in mathematical physics. He really doesn't like pseudo-science, homeopathy, reiki, Gilliam McKeith or fad diets (does anyone?).
 
The rest of the magazine is also worth reading (in fact, every edition is worth reading), especially if you normally get your science news from your daily paper. Find it at www.newscientist.com.
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May 25 / 1:25pm

Saving for your next life

Here's a good scam (www.reincarnationbank.com). Invite people to deposit money that they can then retrieve in their next life. It's brilliant!
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May 23 / 5:16am

Mr Murphy-O'Connor shames Catholics again. No surprise.

Mr Murphy-O'Connor claims that "atheism is the greatest of evils" (source). This is exactly the sort of irrational comment we've come to expect from the (now ex-) leader of a Church that has routinely covered-up paedophilia in its institutions. Anyone who thinks the Catholic Church retains any moral authority at all should read about the Church's activities in Ireland: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ireland-braces-for-report-on-catholic-child-abuse-1687907.html.
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May 23 / 1:12am

New bikes

I haven't bought a new bike for about eighteen years and, since that bike was stolen in 1995, I've hardly ridden at all. In fact, it had been so long since I did any regular riding that I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it and it has been quite exciting, over the last few weeks, to head into the countryside on a second hand (and extremely elderly) mountain bike. I have, if you'll pardon the cliché, rediscovered the joy of cycling.

There are, however, three problems.

Firstly, it annoys my wife that I have a new "obsession", although I think she concedes that this one is less destructive than, for example, World of Warcraft.

Secondly, the immediate area in which I live is fairly flat and suburban so there's a certain amount of effort required to reach fun off-road trails (I know, the South Downs are nearby, but they're not that nearby).

Finally, and most easily solved, the bike I inherited from my brother ten years ago, and which he'd battered quite well over several years, is, frankly, rubbish.

I'll fix the first problem by buying the wife a bike an taking her along. Sometimes. Problem two is just a case of organising a bike rack for the car and planning my rides; easy. 

Problem three is the best, since it gives me the opportunity to buy a new bike. After extensive research, I think I want this one: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/core_10. I'm off to try it this afternoon. Can't wait. 
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May 22 / 7:38am

How to open a news article

This is a great way to open a news article:

FORMER MEMBER of the Hitler Youth and now infallible Pope, Benedict XVI thinks it is a nifty idea for the yoof of today to spam others with Christian messages.

The story itself is laughable; does the Pope really thing he can attract the youth of today via Facebook? You can find it here - link.
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