I hear Tesco chickens are going cheap, thought chickens went cluck?!?
+ Bacon has reached an alltime high!!
and...only in America would they have an event called 'Super Tuesday!!'. Perhaps in the UK we could have an equivelent 'Apathy Thursday!!'. Ah, perhaps that's every day in Britain.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
ello John...got a new Laptop?
I recently had to advise a family member on a new laptop for work - here are a few tips to get you thinking about this so called "commodity purchase" below:
DESIGN:
Hinges / Latches
- The hinges that hold the screen on are worth a test + put the screen up so its vertical in the normal use position and "ping" the top with your finger to see how much it wobbles (a good sign how strong/firm the hinges are)
- Check out the latch/opening button as well when you unfold the laptop. Some only have one hook to hold the screen down when closed, this can bend the screen a little. It gives you some idea on whether it was designed or just "assembled" from parts.
Keyboard and buttons
- See how bouncy(or cheap) do the keys feel? Are they all full-size?
Where are the home, page-up and delete keys + can you switch the volume to mute easily?
START-UP TIME:
Windows Vista takes 1min 30 seconds to start on my new machine, including sign-on as a user to the point where I can open windows explorer.
My older XP machine takes 2 mins 10. If it’s taking over 3 minutes, check if you are actually using a laptop or operating some sort of coal-fired adding device from days gone by.
GEEK SPECS:
Memory:
2 Gigabyte (2,000 MB) or more for Vista.
I would say 1 Gigabyte for XP these days, given how media rich the internet has become.
Hard-Drive:
Yes - have one.
To me (a consumer/light business user) it doesn’t really matter if its 20GB, 40GB or 80GB if your just doing email and writing the odd letter or spreadsheet. I’d go for 40GB minimum incase you want to put a few photos on it, more if your going to build websites, edit images, design the previously mentioned steam powered vehicles in a 3D DTP package (in which case you need as much memory as you can get) or run some intensive publishing application on it.
The CPU/Chip/Processor:
Intel Pentium Dual Core or Core Duo family are good for Vista.
Intel Celeron is the poor cousin now, cheaper but slower.
USB ports:
Atleast 3 (for your printer, mouse, memory stick/ipod) + positioned somewhere easy to get at (not right next to the power outlet or next to another frequently used port).
Screen:
Yes, definately have one.
I’d say 12” (measure across the diagonal of the screen) is about as small as I would want to go for comfortable viewing. My other half has a portable DVD player which is 8” but then she doesn’t need a keyboard within the footprint of the device.
Power Adaptor:
I’d have atleast 2 (one home, one office) if your going to commute reglarly with it. They usually retail for about £40. Worth asking what the accessories cost – ah the hidden costs of computing!
Wireless:
Check it’s got whatever your home router has/will work with it.
Incase you care (!?!) there are more than 3 flavours now, including 802.11a and b and more recently 802.11g which works with the earlier a, b standards.
802.11g is fastest.
There may be a new one out called 802.11n soon (it’s a bit faster still…Zzzzzzz, ok...Enough!)
DESIGN:
Hinges / Latches
- The hinges that hold the screen on are worth a test + put the screen up so its vertical in the normal use position and "ping" the top with your finger to see how much it wobbles (a good sign how strong/firm the hinges are)
- Check out the latch/opening button as well when you unfold the laptop. Some only have one hook to hold the screen down when closed, this can bend the screen a little. It gives you some idea on whether it was designed or just "assembled" from parts.
Keyboard and buttons
- See how bouncy(or cheap) do the keys feel? Are they all full-size?
Where are the home, page-up and delete keys + can you switch the volume to mute easily?
START-UP TIME:
Windows Vista takes 1min 30 seconds to start on my new machine, including sign-on as a user to the point where I can open windows explorer.
My older XP machine takes 2 mins 10. If it’s taking over 3 minutes, check if you are actually using a laptop or operating some sort of coal-fired adding device from days gone by.
GEEK SPECS:
Memory:
2 Gigabyte (2,000 MB) or more for Vista.
I would say 1 Gigabyte for XP these days, given how media rich the internet has become.
Hard-Drive:
Yes - have one.
To me (a consumer/light business user) it doesn’t really matter if its 20GB, 40GB or 80GB if your just doing email and writing the odd letter or spreadsheet. I’d go for 40GB minimum incase you want to put a few photos on it, more if your going to build websites, edit images, design the previously mentioned steam powered vehicles in a 3D DTP package (in which case you need as much memory as you can get) or run some intensive publishing application on it.
The CPU/Chip/Processor:
Intel Pentium Dual Core or Core Duo family are good for Vista.
Intel Celeron is the poor cousin now, cheaper but slower.
USB ports:
Atleast 3 (for your printer, mouse, memory stick/ipod) + positioned somewhere easy to get at (not right next to the power outlet or next to another frequently used port).
Screen:
Yes, definately have one.
I’d say 12” (measure across the diagonal of the screen) is about as small as I would want to go for comfortable viewing. My other half has a portable DVD player which is 8” but then she doesn’t need a keyboard within the footprint of the device.
Power Adaptor:
I’d have atleast 2 (one home, one office) if your going to commute reglarly with it. They usually retail for about £40. Worth asking what the accessories cost – ah the hidden costs of computing!
Wireless:
Check it’s got whatever your home router has/will work with it.
Incase you care (!?!) there are more than 3 flavours now, including 802.11a and b and more recently 802.11g which works with the earlier a, b standards.
802.11g is fastest.
There may be a new one out called 802.11n soon (it’s a bit faster still…Zzzzzzz, ok...Enough!)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Health at Work
A new survey from Norwich Union Healthcare shows how Employers, Employees and GPs need to act together to improve the state of the nation's health.
Following a considerable amount of personal involvement in this work, I thought it only right to
publish a link to it:
http://www.healthcarezone.co.uk/document-library/files/ge/gen2166.pdf
A quick summary of the findings include:
Following a considerable amount of personal involvement in this work, I thought it only right to
publish a link to it:
http://www.healthcarezone.co.uk/document-library/files/ge/gen2166.pdf
A quick summary of the findings include:
- Small companies have an 'information gap' when it comes to workplace health issues. They see things very literally and are concerned with legislation and compliance to cover their backs.
- The Ageing workforce is becoming a concern for larger companies.
- Family Life is seen as a major influence on absentee rates.
Publicity on this report to follow later this week !
The army marches on Winchester highstreet
Today on the 29th of January, the UK's armed forces were marching up the high-street in Winchester. I met a lady in the crowd as I was drinking my coffee from Cafe Nero opposite the Buttercross who said to me:"I just nipped down from Basingstoke to buy some curtains, wasn't quite expecting this!"
There is regular news coverage in the Chronicle, Echo and on South Today, describing who has been killed in action in Afghanistan and Iraq, but it's rare to see any real connection in Winchester, despite it being the home town for several regiments currently surviving in war-torn parts of the world.
Following the march past the high-street, the troops were dismissed or 'stood down' by the Great Hall and could be seen enjoying a welcome pint, glass of wine and a cigarette in the entrance to this historic building. Given Winchester's history and connection with the armed forces, it would be good to see more public evidence of our connection to the current conflicts.
It's all too easy for the technology enabled generation to ignore that the UK is taking a active part in several major international conflicts. London isn't being bombed from above, there is no blitz-kreig in the home counties, no conscription or national service these days!! The only hint I've seen of military connections recently are the young lads opening a few tins and exchanging banter about their activities following the completion of basic training at St John Moore barracks, heading home from Winchester station to all parts of the country.
Good to see so much support today and perhaps a welcome reality check of life outside of the cosy streets and cafes of Winchester.
Where ? Winchester High Street, Hants, UK.
When ? 29th January 2008.
Who was there ?:
- The Kings Royal Hussars
- 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
- 1st Battalion Irish Guards
- 4 General Support (Medical) Regiment
- RAF Odiham
- HMS Richmond
- The Rifles
For more information, see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7214686.stm
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