Archives for January 2009

Blocked from my own sites

The other day I was helping a friend with her unused WordPress site. She had asked me to install Simple:Press (a forum plugin for WordPress) so she could try it out for a new site she will be creating. Her site is hosted by the same company that hosts several of my own and my […]

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When not-so-good singing helps a musical

The movie Mamma Mia was on pay per view TV today, and since I’d missed it at the movies I took the opportunity to watch it. Trailers I’d seen made it look fun, and friends had said they’d really enjoyed it. I watched while I worked. I thought the movie got off to a slightly […]

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Labour, National, what’s the diff? We’re still guilty if accused

Last year Labour passed an absolutely iniquitous amendment to copyright law, and this year our new government, National, are failing to listen to united opposition from key stakeholders: Calls to repeal a law that could mean Kiwi internet users have their connections cut if they are accused of breaching copyright have been knocked back by […]

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The tiara went to Brenda

Last night I went along to the 28th floor of Wellington’s Majestic Centre. It’s the tallest building in Wellington, and may not much impress readers from cities full of huge buildings. But then maybe they don’t live right on top of an earthquake faultline… I hadn’t been up there before and found the view most […]

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Torrent trojans are a concern

While I have little sympathy for those busily downloading software illegally, it does concern me that a Trojan is being delivered to Mac users who may then distribute it further: A security alert posted [22 January 2009] by antivirus vendor Intego reveals that the company has discovered a new Trojan horse that is being carried […]

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In line for a tiara

I’m hoping for a tiara. Tomorrow night I’m joining 3 of Wellington’s finest bloggers to make predictions for 2009: Once again, Wellington’s top bloggers will gaze into the future and tell us what the big news will be in the next twelve months. The wisdom of their prognostications will astound you — or amuse you, […]

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Vigilantes enabled by iniquitous law

Section 92a of the Copyright Act requires New Zealand ISPs to cut off Internet access for those accused of copyright breaches. Not those found guilty after due process of law, but after accusations by those who believe their copyright has been breached. This iniquitous piece of legislation subverts our justice system and enables vigilante action […]

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Radio times

I listen to the radio by choice in two places: the car and the bathroom. The only station I listen to is Radio New Zealand National, though during the working year I find the intense focus on politics and current affairs grating. Fortunately I hear only snatches though: the shower tends to drown out most […]

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Remembering how to ride a bike

It’s not true you know: you do forget how to ride a bike. I grew up riding bikes. It started when I was very little, in London. I recall learning how to ride up and down the hallway of our house. View Larger Map I don’t think it was actually a very large house, but […]

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Flickr pimping

Flickr’s an excellent service. I don’t actually use it much because I have my photos at Oddity59, but I have a handful of photos there. Occasionally someone I know comes across my photos there and adds me as a contact. Yesterday, though, someone I’d never heard of added me as a contact — I received […]

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Mushroom al fresco

This morning I spotted a huge slug in the garden. I’d never seen one this big before. Although I didn’t think to put something down beside the creature as a measure, it was around the size of my little finger. Later when I went back with a measure the slug was gone but a slime-print […]

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The Del Sol is dead; long live the Jazz

Around 11 years ago I bought a new second-hand car, a Honda CRX Del Sol. It was a little red two-seater sports car with a removable roof, and I loved it. It was shiny and beautiful and drove like a dream. Within a few days it had been banged into while parked. That was the […]

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