Friday, 25th March 2005

Good Friday!

Having quite a hectic day today! Spent the morning dismantling the house alarm system as I've been getting a number of false alarms recently, just as I enter the correct disarm code. Suspecting a loose wire which was flexing as you key in the code I took the thing apart - always a worry because the 'bell box' on the wall outside is self-powered and tends to arm itself automatically if it detects tampering with the main control unit.

All the zone contacts appeared intact, at least according to my multimeter so, as I already had it in bits I decided to remove the PCB to check for dry-joints behind the PIR connectors (and remove the wires from the 130dB siren which tends to put you off somewhat!) After much searching and probing with a fine-tipped soldering iron I located and patched the suspected dry joint. Re-assembled, armed and went out for a walk! Arrived back, no false alarm and new pin code successfully entered. I do believe it's all fixed! Yay!

Stress over and time to make a cup of tea, listen to Simon and Garfunkel on ROTunes and decide to make a public release of v0.03. Nothing too much added; a couple of bug fixes, improved playlist management, including preliminary drag and drop of individual files, plus tarting up the dual volume controls.

Talking of stress, I think Orpheus Internet should actually be up and running by the end of next week. Those who've spoken to me in the past week or so will know the saga I've been going through opening a business bank account at The Abbey (my view of whom has dropped somewhat!), but after numerous phone calls I've been assured that everything is in order and the account is pending, so I should have the details within 48 hours. Of course, we're now into a double-bank holiday, so I suspect 48 hours may extend until next Tuesday (or even Wednesday, knowing 'Abbey time'), but at least it gives me an excuse to phone them up and hassle them every 24 hours starting on Tuesday. Activation of Orpheus services should be within 5 or so days of receiving bank paperwork, so YAY!!!

Time for another cuppa now methinks!

Thursday, 17th March 2005

St.Patrick's Day

Thought I'd get away from the stresses of work, take an evening off from programming, leave the computer and go to The American Bar for their St.Patrick's Day party.

An excellent, really good evening was had by all. Jimmy Will provided the music and the sing along and the food was excellent. The best Irish Stew I've had in a very long time. Had far too much Guinness though, so I hope I stay awake at work today.

Wednesday, 16th March 2005

ROTunes available to download!

Well, I thought I'd better get around to uploading something people can download, otherwise I'll be playing around with it and tweaking things for weeks. I'm a bit like that. I keep thinking of new features and bits I'd like, so I never end up finishing applications.

Anyway, it's now available to download from my software page so I'd appreciate any feedback, even if only to say it doesn't work properly (after all, I doubt everyone has organised their files using a similar directory structure to me!). It's working well enough for me to have re-wired the Iyonix through the hifi though and be listening to it now.

Saturday, 5th March 2005

RISC OS iTunes - Wooo!

(click on image to view full size)

Well, having decided to sell my Apple iMac, I was left with a dilemma as to how to play my 7000-odd MP3 tracks that I've got stored in iTunes.

The only solution was to write a RISC OS version of iTunes, so I decided to have a bash. I only started it a few hours ago so it's not even really in an 'alpha' state yet but I've done enough for it to be recognisable..... Yay!!

Friday, 4th March 2005

Disgusting waste of licence payers money!

BBC row over Martin burglar fee

I always thought the BBC licence fee was a waste of money. Now it's been confirmed, with the BBC's intention of paying scumbag Brendon Fearon about 4 grand!

My view - Norfolk farmer Tony Martin should have killed him too. I fully supported Martin's actions in shooting the burglars who attacked him and his property. Fearon is a convicted criminal and local scumbag. Tony Martin should be awarded the 4K as a reward for killing the ignorant low-life.

How the BBC can argue it's in the public's interest to interview the other low-life thug I've no idea. He broke into someone's house in the middle of the night. He took the risk. He faced the consequence. He got injured! Good!

No one cares about him now, why publicise him? I don't care what he has to say. He can join his accomplice in hell for all I care!

Link: Support Tony Martin

Wednesday, 2nd March 2005

Why the Pope Won't Quit

Have you ever wondered why Pope John Paul doesn't resign? His health has been extremely poor for years and it is likely he has been unable to carry out his duties for some time. So why not step aside and let some new blood take over? Well, it's quite interesting.

The first (and last) pope to ever step aside was Pope Celestine V (Aug 24,1294 to Dec. 19, 1294). Celestine was a reluctant pope, agreeing to accept the office only after much pressure from the church. But after 4 months he'd had enough and stepped down.

His successor Boniface VIII had him hunted down until finally apprehended in July 1295 and imprisoned in the castle of Fumone near Ferentino in Campupagna. After languishing for 10 months in very poor conditions, Celestine V died on May 19. 1296. The reason for the imprisonment? There is room for only one pope on this earth.

The pope, by Church proclamation, carries out the express wishes of God and is thus totally infallible. For this reason the Church can't risk a former pope hanging around criticizing the new one, or worse still, for followers of the former pope to gain strength and threaten the authority of the anointed pope. This would not bode well for the

Church's authority.

So Pope John Paul can only be retired if he slips into a state of unconsciousness or dies.

Isn't it interesting that the Pope is appointed by God but must first die before God takes a chance on selecting a new one. Or if he tries to quit, he must be silenced. Is this God's wish or is it all about the Church trying to avoiding exposure for fraudulent claims?