Monday, July 26, 2010

The more things change ...


... the more they stay the same. Except in the olden days, I'm sure the carriage return lever on the typewriter used to be on the right, not the left. Or am I remembering that wrongly? Someone has developed the MiTypewriter app for the iPad which has the look and feel - and sound - of an old manual typewriter. Very very satisfying in some ways - but very difficult to correct errors as you have to backspace over any - which is only marginally better than using Tippex correction paper or those typewriter ink erasers. Those were the good days weren't they? I think it gives a different timbre to one's scribblings.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

An inexact science

Depending on which you believe I was either the 999,999th or 1 millionth visitor to the WebShots photo site when I visited there earlier today.  I played it safe and didn't click on either of the large flashing areas that told me I had a won a prize - one of which was $66.  I think it could have cost me more than that in the long run - for the time I could have had to spend cleaning my machine of any unwanted "code" that might have been downloaded when I clicked on the link.  Not so lucky is a friend whose email account seems to have been hacked - with a request for $1,300 sent out to people in her address book as she was "stranded" while travelling ... when I called her to let her know of her supposed plight, she was surprised because she was actually visiting her mother at the time, not jetsetting around the world. Not quite sure what one does in a situation like that - or how the phishers expect to get a dollar out of the venture ... maybe it would be quicker for them to visit WebShots!

Friday, July 02, 2010

Time to give Planets a spin

One of the things we have loved since moving up here is the stars at night, which are big and bright, and, simply, breathtaking. Looks like we're in for some more action with comets, meteor showers and planetary groupings being clearly visible in the night sky over the coming months. Hmmm ... I wonder where that telescope is or where I can borrow one. And of course, finding Comet McNaught R1 and other night features is going to be a little easier with apps for the iDevices (you know the ones, iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches) like Planets which shows you the night sky - and labels it, and gives interesting information about what you're seeing. I looking forward to working out where Andromeda an Perseus are - because "close to the star Capella" doesn't help me much. (Although it does remind me that my first two cars, both Capellas, were "stars").

Music to the ears

Ukulele lovers in Cairns, Queensland, are all heart at the moment - to be precise "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus. This is the song that organizers hope over 1000 of them will play in an attempt to win a place in the Guinness Book of Records - beating the current 851-player record. "It's going to sound fantastic - one ukulele sounds great, 1000 will sound even better" organiser Gabrielle Thomasz is quoted as saying. (The Gold Coast Bulletin)