Author: Dan Q
Dan Q is a software engineer, a director of a voluntary organisation, a trainee counsellor, a keen geocacher, and an amateur magician. He lives with his partner and her husband in a polyamorous triad, and occasionally finds time to blog.
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From The Minutes Of Our Office Staff Meeting
Just extracted this from the just-released minutes of our last staff meeting. It's from a section about what tasks are assigned to whom:
Dan:
Hmmm, what new projects can we give Dan to do. Got it, Bovini version 2; Remote desktop connection; Something about Apache; Blah, blah, blah, terminal services, blah, blah, blah, on Pandora, blah, … -
Common OS Myths Debunked
[this post has been partially damaged during a server failure on Sunday 11th July 2004, and it has been possible to recover only a part of it]
In this era of pro-Linux and pro-Windows hoo-hah, it's good to see an article who's writer really has his head screwed on: Common OS Myths Debunked is a wonderful … -
Mmm… Pathogens
Typhoid in my left arm. Hepatitis A in my right arm, and a heap of Malaria tablets to boot. Decided that the best way to get this lot into my bloodstream as fast as possible was a quick sprint around Aberystwyth. Now I feel slightly dizzy and nauseous. Lovely.
On the up-side, I didn't have to … -
New XML-Based Markup Language: MRML
Take a look at this, fellow geeks.
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“To Test Security On Your PC, You Must First Make It Inherently Insecure”
WTF??? If you go to Symantec's Online Virus Scanner using most browsers, you'll be told that you need to use Microsoft Internet Explorer to continue! Isn't this just asking for trouble? It's like saying, "Yes, we'll check your house is secure. Now just unlock your door..."
Just plain weird.
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Re-Arranging The Flat
Yes, the the rumours you've heard are true - The Flat has been rearranged. In a mighty effort (and with the help of Claire, Paul and Bryn), we've pretty much 'mirrored' the room widthways. This change provides several benefits:
Space saved has been reinvested in floor space and room for two sets of shelves. … -
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The ID Card But Were Afraid To Ask
The Register are running an article about the new UK ID card, and what it all means. They're always a great source of information on such things, if slightly cynical... and this document is no exception. Go read it. Then throw rocks at Mr. Blunkett. <grin>
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Last Few Dreams
Last night's dream
Claire was complaining at me because I'd bought online driving lessons, which she considered to be significantly worse value for money than 'traditional' ones. I argued that I didn't actually want the lessons, but they were only 10p each and I only had 20p pieces and I needed 10p pieces, so I bought … -
Shit! Shit! Shit!
I still can't get my online bank working. Too close to the deadline to be at this stage. Shit! Shit! Shit!...
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Morning Mysteries 1 - 1 Scatman Dan
I woke up this morning to two mysteries:
1. Why had I set my alarm for 8:30am?
2. Why do I have a nose bleed?
I've solved the former: Claire needs to move her car (which is parked on double-yellows outside) or she'll get ticketed when the morning wardens come by (morning wardens? they're like traffic wardens, but … -
Sponsored Masturbation
Feel like taking part in a sponsored masturbatathon? The internet remains a strange and wonderful place, as this form [PDF] indicates. Go take a look.
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All Questions Answered
Have you seen AQA (All Questions Answered), a new online/SMS service? The idea is that you text message a question to 63336 (only on O2, Vodafone, and Orange, right now: costs £1) and their server uses a clever combination of intelligent algorithms, data mining, and human researchers to provide you with an answer.
They're working on … -
Long Deadline
[this post has been partially damaged during a server failure on Sunday 11th July 2004, and it has been possible to recover only a part of it]
[on 13 October 2018, I was able to confirm that only the image is now missing]
[chez geek card]
The problem with long deadlines is they creep up ever so quickly.
This … -
Just Plain Weird; And Other Observations About The World
[this post has been partially damaged during a server failure on Sunday 11th July 2004, and it has been possible to recover only a part of it]
[more of this post was recovered on Friday 24 November 2017]
This is just plain weird. How to perform a fecalectomy on a keyring.
I've got some damn cool new board … -
Dissertation Hand-In
[this post has been partially damaged during a server failure on Sunday 11th July 2004, and it has been possible to recover only a part of it]
I handed in my dissertation yesterday. What a farce. Here's the approximate order of things.
08:30 - Get up. Compile a postscript (.ps) copy of my dissertation, and upload both …