Category: Uncategorised

Thankfully I work at a company where a lot of listening happens. IBM often  has “jams” where feedback is requested from the teams, open and honest, and sometimes reinforced by being able to be anonymous.

This strengthens us as the weird, wacky, sensible and positive ideas that often prove to be the winning move in a company’s long term survival, come from such beginnings.

I’ve played games for many, many years, been a developer (albeit for only 18 months as I found it wasn’t for me), been in retail, support and training, all of which have more similarities than most might feel they would or should in respect of how to solve any problem that is in front of you.

have a read of the two blogs below – and especially think through the rubber duck debugging one, I have to say I have used that sometimes, even when writing to find the obvious thing that you’d otherwise have missed. ???

Rubber duck debugging: https://rubberduckdebugging.com/

UE4 confessions blog: https://allarsblog.com/2018/03/16/confessions-of-an-unreal-engine-4-engineering-firefighter/

I was discussing this situation with  colleague earlier today and we were both horrified that the outcome of some of the Brexit work, would have this impact on people that had lived here for several generations.

Its good then that the government and the Prime Minister in particular are planning to address this, but I don’t see a definitive response that stops this occurring at all – at least not yet. There’s couched language that says those who should be here will stay.

Why not all who came over as Windrush immigrants just blanket say they can stay? They’ve been here long enough to say that.

Amber Rudd’s statement that this is appalling should have happened sooner.

I hate how this country has moved to a stance of “anyone not from here, should go away”. The murder of the 14 year old girl by a 16 year old boy, stabbings galore – 35 since the start of the year.

These are all signs of a country that is losing control as far as I can see.

So sad.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43780621

I’m not sure that closing all social media accounts is the best way to go, but certainly the scaling back of use is a good thing.

Its most telling that Weatherspoons has cited trolls as the key element, as I can understand that teaching people to be nicer online and even if you disagree with someone, don’t start calling their personal traits out as part of that disagreement.

We can all be nasty when we’re effectively unknown or even anonymous, but most would not if they could and would be traced and worse still, possibly prosecuted.

And remember, some folk have been prosecuted for their online actions.

Play safe, be nice and we can all get along much better with less nonsense.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43781281

Just watched this on Netflix and laughed out loud a few times. Language is a bit risqué, but that’s sort of expected from the Pythons these days.

I think its great that given their ages, their irreverence for authority continues and reminds us that some things shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

There’s been a few other Python recordings released today as well, so go ferret around on Netflix for some great comedy.

Enjoy!

https://www.netflix.com/title/80236470

Really looking forward to seeing what they do with this.

I must be one of a few who liked the film version from 1998 (yes, 20years ago), and equally enjoyed the original from the 60s.

Roll on this evening!!

http://www.euronews.com/2018/04/11/-lost-in-space-makes-a-comeback-courtesy-of-netflix-the-new-series-starts-on-april-13

If you own an Android phone, you’d be well advised to read the article below.

In summary, sometimes you may miss a security update and your phone will hide that fact from you.

Be safe.

https://www.wired.com/story/android-phones-hide-missed-security-updates-from-you

Whilst I believe in healthy skepticism, the theories which almost seem conspiratorial in nature, suggesting Russia was not the instigator of the Salisbury nerve agent attack, were to me just that – conspiracy theories.

The Guardian article confirming that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed the poison was a Novichok, all but closes the door on it being a Russian perpetrated attack.

The only remaining question, in my mind, was whether it was state sponsored or a rogue agent or agency. Based on how the Russian news agency has responded, I’d err on the side of state sponsored, even if Putin was not the one to sign off.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/12/novichok-used-in-spy-poisoning-chemical-weapons-watchdog-confirms-salisbury?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I watched Greg’s “You Magnificent Beast” show on Netflix last night and kept roaring with laughter.

He delivers his material so well, confident, conspiratorial and at times with a deadpan look that he just can’t help breaking and laughing out loud because he knows what he’s about to say is going to do the same to you.

His family must at times both hate and adore him, because of how he involves them in his shows, but I am so pleased he does, because it shows how normal most families really are ?

Please enjoy his show as much as I did: https://www.netflix.com/title/80158875?s=i&trkid=13752289

When you read the article below, any current gamer should not be surprised given the amount of effort some companies put into their games.

Rockstar’s GTA series was always highly regarded, but GTA 3 and onwards, when they switched from top down to “normal” 3D perspective marked the transition to superstardom in the gaming world.

The stories are fantastical, sure, but very well crafted, joined together and still give opportunities for doing things off the main story line.

Indeed, any of the AAA style titles, regardless of genre, offer that flexibility.

Can’t wait for GTA 6 ?

https://news.sky.com/story/grand-theft-auto-v-grosses-more-than-any-movie-ever-11326135

Social media is pervasive, this blog is only one channel. We’ve all experienced different forms by now, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and many, many more.

One of the biggest in the US, 4th, based on the link below, is Reddit. Personally I think it is also one that’s had the most negative press, as the article outlines yet another instance.

It only goes to show how much kore care we all have to take in validating sources that we reference in our social media journeys.

Read and see what you think…

Russian trolls posted fake Clinton porn http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-43725706

Addendum:

And in a twist, there is more social media related news linked to the Florida shooting. The TV host has rightly lost their job because of their negative use of social media about a Florida shooting survivor. If you’re on social media – use it as you would a conversation face to face.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43724889