DickBlog - Not much original comment, but lots of great resources - Personal

Regular Expressions

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 09:23:00 +0100

Here's a good resource on Regular Expressions from Sun.

Discount Site

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 16:08:00 +0100

A great electronics discount website:

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/

How to make a Life Poster

Mon, 21 Mar 2005 15:24:00 +0100

Mike Matas show you How to make a Life Poster using iPhoto in about 20-30 minutes. A life poster is simply a collection of your photos printed on a large poster format.

New MX-5

Wed, 09 Mar 2005 11:09:00 +0100

Sounds like Mazda are bringing out a new MX-5 this year!

New Year, New Blog

Sat, 01 Jan 2005 11:13:00 +0100

I've decided to follow the rest of the ColdFusion blogging world by using Ray Camden's blogCFC code. I've migrated over all my entries from my old blog db, but some of the formatting is a bit off. I'll have to work on a presentation layer next.

Off On Holiday!

Sat, 31 Jul 2004 00:00:00 +0100

We're off on holiday today to Sa Coma in Majorca!

How to Prolong Lithium-Based Batteries

Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 +0100

"Battery research is focusing heavily on lithium chemistries, so much so that one could presume that all portable devices will be powered with lithium-ion batteries in the future. In many ways, lithium-ion is superior to nickel and lead-based chemistries and the applications for lithium-ion batteries are growing as a result."

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

Talisman Boardgame

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:00:00 +0100

My eldest lad has gotten into this boardgame by Games Workshop. Well we've just won an auction on eBay for a copy of, apparently, the 2nd edition of "Talisman: The Magical Quest". So now I'll start recording websites of interest so that I can increase my knowledge of this game.

There's no way he's going to beat me!

DVD Knowledge

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:00:00 +0100

Here's some really good site I've found concerning writing DVD's.

DVDrHelp

DVD Recordable Media

I've also found some great DVD copying software that I've blogged.

Next you need to find some DVD media. I won't try to compare the different brands, I've no idea anyway, so I'll just repeat the opinion of others by recommending Ritek. The best place I've found to buy these disk is KVJ Fairdeal on the Whitechapel Road, London.

A Little Treat

Tue, 06 Apr 2004 00:00:00 +0100

I've just treated myself to a new car. A Mazda MX-5 1.8 Euphonic.

Here's a review I've found:

"Mazda has launched a new special edition for 2004, the Mazda MX-5 Euphonic, equipped with a premium Sony audio system featuring MP3 compatible CD player, six-disc CD auto-changer and six Sony high clarity speakers. In Mazda showrooms now, the Mazda MX-5 Euphonic is priced from £16,500 on the road for the 1.6i model and £17,000 on the road for the 1.8i model.

The Euphonic adds extremely high levels of specification to the standard Mazda MX-5 featuring a chrome interior look designed to complement the premium Sony audio system. Two-tone heated leather seats, unique 16-inch alloy wheels, black cloth soft top and windblocker, are just some of the great value for money features on this special edition.

The Mazda MX-5 Euphonic takes cues from the successful Mazda RX-8 sports coupe with its black and red seats, black leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever with red stitching, red door inserts and stainless steel scuff plates. The Mazda MX-5 Euphonic is available in Velocity Red Mica, Titanium Grey Metallic, Brilliant Black and Sunlight Silver Metallic.

All the usual safety and convenience features are fitted as standard to the Mazda MX-5 Euphonic, including anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), seats with integral head restraints and remote central door locking. A Limited Slip Differential is also standard on the Mazda MX-5 Euphonic 1.8i.

The Mazda MX-5 Euphonic Special Edition is set to be a much sought after vehicle. Just 2,000 will be available in the UK until mid 2004, with a choice of the lively 1.6-litre 110ps engine or the spirited 1.8-litre, 146ps engine.

Recently named Britain’s Best Handling Car 2003 by Autocar, the rear-wheel drive Mazda MX-5 powered by either the 1.6i or 1.8i engine boasts dynamic driving performance for that pure sports car ‘fun-to-drive’ feel, and guarantees peace of mind thaaks to high levels of safety and reliability. With highly responsive steering, agile handling and a firm ride, the Mazda MX-5 Euphonic reminds you what true sports car driving is all about.

The 1.6-litre model has a top speed of 119mph, accelerates to 62mph in 9.7 seconds and returns 36.7mpg on the combined cycle. Powered by the 1.8-litre engine the Mazda MX-5 has a top speed of 127mph, reaches 62mph in just 8.5 seconds and returns 32.5mpg on the combined cycle.

The insurance group for the Mazda MX-5 Euphonic remains unchanged with the 1.6i at 11E and the 1.8i at 12A.

Over 56,756 Mazda MX-5s have been sold in the UK since launch, while 2003 was an all-time record year for the Mazda MX-5 in the UK with sales exceeding 9,000, an increase of 24.4 per cent over 2002.

The Mazda MX-5 Euphonic is available in showrooms now priced from £16,500-£17,000 on the road."

Recycle PC to Charity

Fri, 06 Feb 2004 00:00:00 +0100

Looking to get rid of your PC? Consider donating it to a charity.

Charity Aid

More to follow.

Scuba Holiday

Tue, 13 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0100

I know we've just got back from skiing, but our mind is now wandering to the next holiday!

I fancy trying scuba diving in the Maldives.

It seems like the best time is between December and April.

Here's a few websites I've found:

www.padi.com

www.scubascuba.com

www.hellomaldives.com

www.iglutropical.com

Skiing Holiday

Sat, 03 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0100

We've just got back from our first family skiing holiday. What a blast!

We went to a small resort called Passo Tonale high (1880m) up in the Italian Alps and stayed at the excellent 3* Gardenia Hotel.

During the week we were there the area had over 500mm of great ski snow. Added to that where were some great sunny days which made the skiing just perfect. It was New Years Day whilst we were there and we were treated to great 7 course gala dinner followed by crazy fireworks let off by the locals outside the hotel!

Our two lads, Tom (who turned 14 whilst we were away) and Will (9), took to the snow like natives. Mum was considered a semi-pro and Dad was, well, positively pedestrian :-) The lads also had an hours snowboarding lession on our last day and declared that they would choose to snowboard for the whole week next time.

IR35 Court Case

Fri, 28 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0100

This article in Computing sounds promising.

Sounds like you need to ensure you have a substitution clause in your contract with an Agent, a different pass and less employee benefits than permanent staff.

That sounds reasonable.

Underworld Film

Sat, 11 Oct 2003 00:00:00 +0100

Went to see the file Underworld today.

What a disappointment!

The soundtrack was poor. It sounded like most of it had been re-recorded on a telephone box afterward.

It was trying to be stylish, like a Ridley or Tony Scott film, but failed to impress. Even Kate Beckinsale clad in either a black leather or rubber catsuit was a disappointment. Her cultured english voice seemed so out of place in this mismash of US/Eastern European images.

The storyline was really confusing was well. One minute the vampires were the goodies and the Lycans (as in Lycanthropes - I didn't know that was another name for werewolves) were the baddies! The next it was the other way around. Very confusing. You ended up trying to work it out in your mind rather than watching the film!