People have been writing to me about End My Credit Crunch (http://www.endmycreditcrunch.com) and how it works, so here's a quick explanation.
There a twitter account @uncrunch, with a supporting website at the URL above hosting banner adverts and more info.
The adverts are sold at 5c per follower per month. With 220 followers, this means that an advert for a month in the twitter account and on the website would cost $11, i.e. $11 to reach 220 followers plus be seen on the site. Compare this to www.tweetvalue.com which values twitter accounts and at the time of posting, it values the uncrunch account at $125 per tweet. We're less than a 10th of the cost, and you get two tweets and a substantial standard size banner advert too, surely excellent value - and you're helping others too.
We're assuming worst case scenario that overheads including corporation tax, VAT, hosting etc will be 50%, so that leaves 50% profit. Out of the profit I'm hoping to take 1/3 to help my family through the credit crunch (debts due to loss of job; 2 family members with terminal cancer; two children at sick kids as well, one due an operation next month; having to sell house) and give away 2/3 to help others. The others will be in 3 forms - 1: a proportion as a winnings pot for anyone following the twitter account - win for free and an incentive to follow. 2: A proportion for people who refer advertisers and 3:a proportion for charities.
If we get 1000 followers and sell 150 adverts then this would mean we'd be giving away around about 1000 * 0.05 * 150 * 50% * 2/3 or about $2,500 per month - as the number of followers goes up so does the amount we can give away. The cost for advertisers to reach people stays the same at 5c per follower.
This could easily scale up to much bigger numbers once the momentum builds, there's twitter accounts with millions of followers out there. Feedback from the press has been really positive we just need more people to get the word out and to reach more people via blogs, newspapers etc. Even Max Clifford's PR company thought it was a good story but unfortunately couldn't take it on just now. The account is being followed by lots of media companies, including The Irish Times, The Times (London) and the Los Angeles Times amongst others.
I'd like to give away $250,000 which would represent 10 months work if we get 10,000 followers and sell the advertising space. It would be disappointing all round if it was a lot less than this and a dream come true if it was more.
thanks
Craig
08 November 2009
05 November 2009
Lunnainn nan Gàidheal - Gaelic London, November 2009
Once more another excellent edition of the guide to Gaelic events in London.
A rithist, seo agaibh leth bhreac air leth math mu dheidhinn ruidegin Gaidhlig ann an Lunnainn
A CHÀIRDEAN CÒIRE! / DEAR FRIENDS!
Seo agaibh (mar fhàidheil .pdf) an àireamh a’s ùire de’n chuairt-litir LUNNAINN NAN GÀIDHEAL – 11/2009.
Attached (as a .pdf file) is the latest edition of the newsletter GAELIC LONDON – 11/2009.
Le beannachd mar a’s àbhaist
EÒGHANN P.
Gaelic-London-Nov2009.pdf
A rithist, seo agaibh leth bhreac air leth math mu dheidhinn ruidegin Gaidhlig ann an Lunnainn
A CHÀIRDEAN CÒIRE! / DEAR FRIENDS!
Seo agaibh (mar fhàidheil .pdf) an àireamh a’s ùire de’n chuairt-litir LUNNAINN NAN GÀIDHEAL – 11/2009.
Attached (as a .pdf file) is the latest edition of the newsletter GAELIC LONDON – 11/2009.
Le beannachd mar a’s àbhaist
EÒGHANN P.
Gaelic-London-Nov2009.pdf
04 November 2009
End my credit crunch launches
We are now live at http://www.endmycreditcrunch.com
Visit. Follow. Win.
Help me. Help charities. Help yourself.
Visit. Follow. Win.
Help me. Help charities. Help yourself.
02 November 2009
Password and PIN problems
An article on the relative security and insecurity of websites and banks
Why is it that websites deem a 6 character all lower case password to be "very weak" when there's 306million+ possibilities. Yet a 4 digit PIN (9999 possibilities) is secure enough for banks?
The website one is almost 31,000 times more secure yet is deemed "weak". Surely a rule for websites that if the incorrect password is used a certain number of times the account is locked would be sufficient to make the weak password 31,000 times stronger than the bank's security.
We have to be practical about this. In reality, any rules around requiring a password to have upper and lower case letter and special characters such as $,% etc simply make it much more likely people will write the passwords down. Just because this makes it the person's problem rather than the website's is no excuse - the overall security of the account is the issue, including the likelyhood that the account will be broken into because the password was so complicated it, together with the dozons of other passwords from other sites, all had to be written down somewhere because it was too much to remember.
Can we please have simpler password rules for websites and some way of having one strong security mechanism which ties them all together?
Craig
Why is it that websites deem a 6 character all lower case password to be "very weak" when there's 306million+ possibilities. Yet a 4 digit PIN (9999 possibilities) is secure enough for banks?
The website one is almost 31,000 times more secure yet is deemed "weak". Surely a rule for websites that if the incorrect password is used a certain number of times the account is locked would be sufficient to make the weak password 31,000 times stronger than the bank's security.
We have to be practical about this. In reality, any rules around requiring a password to have upper and lower case letter and special characters such as $,% etc simply make it much more likely people will write the passwords down. Just because this makes it the person's problem rather than the website's is no excuse - the overall security of the account is the issue, including the likelyhood that the account will be broken into because the password was so complicated it, together with the dozons of other passwords from other sites, all had to be written down somewhere because it was too much to remember.
Can we please have simpler password rules for websites and some way of having one strong security mechanism which ties them all together?
Craig
27 October 2009
Government adopts common sense approach to credit crunch and interest rates
It was announced today that the government would revise credit card terms including importantly stopping the unfair practice of forcing people to pay off the lowest interest rate first, leaving them on a potentially crippling high rate until the entire balance is cleared. Long recognised as unfair, I proposed this to the Department for Business last year and they rejected the idea. Here is the response received.
I'm glad to see that a year later, common sense has finally prevailed.
Craig
Dear Mr Cockburn
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the regulation of financial
services interest rates.
The Government has no plans to make regulations regarding the repayment
of loans having differing rates of interest. However, the Government
has introduced strengthened information requirements under the Consumer
Credit Act 2006. Lenders will be obliged from October 2008 to give
their customers clearer and more regular information on the state of
their credit accounts in order to help them identify potential problems
before it is too late. From October 2008, statements must also include
information about the consequences of failing to make payments or of
only making minimum repayments. In addition, lenders are already
required to provide a summary box, as part of the pre-contractual
information, giving consumers a consistent and succinct summary of the
key features of the credit card they are considering and enabling them
to compare different products more easily. The summary box includes APR
and other rates; the interest free period; interest charging
information; allocation of payments; minimum repayment; the amount of
credit; fees; charges; and default charges. Furthermore, lenders have
agreed voluntary post-contractual information guidelines for summary
boxes to be sent with monthly credit card statements. This means that
consumers will be better informed about their financial commitments and
able to check the features of their credit card on a monthly basis.
The OFT recently conducted a study which rejected the idea of forcing
lenders to move to a standard system for interest rate charging.
Instead, it recommended the establishment of a comparison website to
enable consumers to compare the costs of different credit cards based on
their likely patterns of usage and the way different providers calculate
and charge interest. FSA have agreed to host this site on their
'MoneyMadeClear' website, http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov, alongside
existing price comparison functions for insurance and other products.
Furthermore, APACS, the UK trade association for payments and for
institutions that deliver payment services to customers, has set up a
website at http://www.choosingandusing.com/ to help consumers understand
how credit cards work, the factors that they should consider when making
their choice and the best ways to use their card.
I trust this response is helpful.
I'm glad to see that a year later, common sense has finally prevailed.
Craig
Dear Mr Cockburn
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the regulation of financial
services interest rates.
The Government has no plans to make regulations regarding the repayment
of loans having differing rates of interest. However, the Government
has introduced strengthened information requirements under the Consumer
Credit Act 2006. Lenders will be obliged from October 2008 to give
their customers clearer and more regular information on the state of
their credit accounts in order to help them identify potential problems
before it is too late. From October 2008, statements must also include
information about the consequences of failing to make payments or of
only making minimum repayments. In addition, lenders are already
required to provide a summary box, as part of the pre-contractual
information, giving consumers a consistent and succinct summary of the
key features of the credit card they are considering and enabling them
to compare different products more easily. The summary box includes APR
and other rates; the interest free period; interest charging
information; allocation of payments; minimum repayment; the amount of
credit; fees; charges; and default charges. Furthermore, lenders have
agreed voluntary post-contractual information guidelines for summary
boxes to be sent with monthly credit card statements. This means that
consumers will be better informed about their financial commitments and
able to check the features of their credit card on a monthly basis.
The OFT recently conducted a study which rejected the idea of forcing
lenders to move to a standard system for interest rate charging.
Instead, it recommended the establishment of a comparison website to
enable consumers to compare the costs of different credit cards based on
their likely patterns of usage and the way different providers calculate
and charge interest. FSA have agreed to host this site on their
'MoneyMadeClear' website, http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov, alongside
existing price comparison functions for insurance and other products.
Furthermore, APACS, the UK trade association for payments and for
institutions that deliver payment services to customers, has set up a
website at http://www.choosingandusing.com/ to help consumers understand
how credit cards work, the factors that they should consider when making
their choice and the best ways to use their card.
I trust this response is helpful.
22 October 2009
Nokia N97 problems
I thought I would write this to document the ongoing problems I have with my Nokia N97. It seems from the conversation in the phone shop today that my problems are far from unique. Hopefully you can add your problems into the comments field of this blog and if enough people link to the article, tweet it etc it will feature as prominently in Google as some of the other pages on this blog and it might inspire Nokia to respond in some way, perhaps by way of a few overdue bugfixes for their so called flagship product. Anyway, here goes:
1. I have an old Nokia E61 and last year got a N95 on contract. The two worked flawlessly together for 18 months, I could synchronise calendar entries, notes, contacts flawlessly. With the N95 and the N97, despite them both being on the same timezone, I get random calendar entries moving forward by an hour on synchronisation, meaning that I have to go in and manually check them all. This is a totally unacceptable bug, fix it. I also notice that if I have a contact entry with no phone number (e.g. its just a name and address) then this entry gets randomly duplicated as well. Another bug that needs to be fixed.
2. There is no facility in the browser to sort bookmarks alphabetically. This is again basic functionality you would expect in a flagship product especially if you have a lot of bookmarks to manage
3. The sound on the N95 was great for a mobile phone. The sound on the N97 is pants by comparison. This is a retrograde step, not something you would expect for a flagship product.
4. The N95 was responsive and fast. The N97 is not. Particularly after it crashes and you have to pull out the battery to restart it because it won't power up. Then the phone decides to do something in the background (I think it is rebuilding the music database) and this takes about 10 minutes, during which time the phone is unusable. I demonstrated this without difficulty in the shop today.
5. When I flip open the screen I expect a hardware switch to be able to tell the software the screen is open without any issues, not have to wait 20 seconds for the software to switch the screen to horizontal mode.
6. Having Adobe reader installed as a trial version that expires sucks especially if you get a PDF you need to read. If you do want to waste the time and money paying to get a full version of this product (the same product that was completely free on the N95) then don't bother unless you have a free evening to waste as you are directed to the quickoffice.com site to make the purchase. This is about the suckiest site I have ever used in terms of usability. Every payment method failed with either a timeout or an incomplete screen when attempting to purchase using IE on a broadband connection with a laptop. They have no help email address or phone number, instead you have to register for a support account, wait for the account to be validated, then log your request via a long form that asks all sorts of irrelevant and pointless questions about your phone even though its the website that is at fault.
7. The N95 allowed you to browse home media via Wi-Fi and to download media across Wi-Fi easily, the flagship N97 removed this extremely good functionality and replaced it with nothing. Well maybe Ovi store, but the least said about that the better. Gone are the days when I could download a whole album to my phone from another room, now I have to find the connection wire and sit next to my PC to do it.
8. After connecting my phone to my PC to download music, I then disconnect the data connection cable. Since the same connection is used to charge the phone from the mains, the phone gives me the stupid message "unplug charger from power supply to save energy". Except I wasn't bothered about charging the phone, I was transferring music, and the "charger" is my PC which I am still using. Stupid message.
9. Rather unhelpfully the useful facility to search email messages on the N95 is no longer present on the N97. The search messages function only searches text messages, not email messages. Fail.
10. I am using 40% of the 32Gb internal memory to store MP3s. Since I went from using 1% the phone goes slow, especially after a crash. If you give people 32Gb of memory, expect them to use it and write apps that can handle this rather than apps that run at a snails pace.
11. The compass sucks. Waving my phone around in the air for 10 minutes to get a pseudo lock for the compass makes me look stupid and should not be necessary.
12. The maps suck as well. The location finder is nothing like as fast and as accurate as it was on the N95 and on several occasions has been a few hundred metres out. Combined with the sucky compass, this wastes my time - I emerge from a London underground station and want to know which street I am on and which way I am facing not 10 minutes later after waving the phone around like a magic wand only to get an approximate position. When I'm using the phone for GPS I don't want it automatically turning off when the maps are updating thanks, I might be using it to navigate with and shouldn't need to keep waking the phone up.
13. Under "My Videos" there is a video clip promoting the E90. I don't care about the E90, I want to delete the video clip. There is no obvious delete in an obvious place.
14. The captured image count only seems to update after the phone is powered off. It doesn't update in real time. This is laughable.
15. My downloads area says it has 21 items but when I open it, I get 21 randomly twinkling broken image icons. There's no way to delete these. You get a general system error if your try. Here's a tip for your programming team:
if have_just_shown_randomly_twinkling_broken_image_icon then
note_image_isnt_there_and_patch_database()
remove icon()
How hard was that? You spent how many millions on R&D for this device?
16. Since the collective brains of the universe still haven't figured out how to link music files (ie you get the same piece of music as part of a greatest hits but also as part of the original album and it is on your phone twice rather than as one linked item) we have the problem of duplicate tracks. To conserve memory and also as part of a general tidy up and inconsistent naming I moved the tracks into consistently named folders. However, on doing this the "All" bookmark to the previous track still hangs around, so you if you rename "Beatles" to "The Beatles", there is still an artist reference to "Beatles" and it it there is still a reference to "All" which now points to nothing. You can't delete the empty references, if you do there is an error "File is corrupted: Operation cancelled". Here's some more code for your programmers.
if artist->all.bookmark()==null then delete(artist->all.bookmark)
how many millions did you spend developing this product?
17. You still haven't fixed the stupid email bug.
18. The usability of the email client is pants. Here is an example. I have my email open in list mode and I want to read a message, so I double click on it.
1. Double click on message, expecting message to be shown (one action). What actually happens is:
Phone wonders why I might have pressed double click. Who knows maybe I just wanted to wake the phone up. Maybe I pressed double click for some other reason than opening the mail. So it asks me "E-mail not retrieved yet. Retrieve now?" There is no retrieve later option. Of course I want it retrieved now, I'm trying to read the message you stupid phone. So you click yes, then it connects to your mailbox. Then it considers that the most important thing on connection is to refresh your mailbox which may take a while. Perhaps in a future release the refresh might take place as a background task? Then note that message is empty, due to bug noted in point 17. So you have to delicately click on the HTML attachment icon, not easy on a moving train. Then rather than getting the attachment you get another screen saying "Attachment.HTML" which you then have to click on to open it. If this is an HTML mail with images, it prompts you if you want to connect to the server even though you are already online. You get this request multiple times, even if you say no. However sometimes saying no closes the message down so you see nothing, not even the text content the phone has already downloaded. All in all a usability fail. Do you think Apple would design it this way? Do you even have to think about the answer?
19. Application on the homepage which require a connection, e.g. the weather, randomly don't work. Even if you go to the application itself and download the content, the homepage view just sits there saying "content loading" indefinitely.
20. I would like to delete all the delivery reports for messages that have been delivered. No such option exists, it's an all or nothing affair. If you can individually delete a text message, you should be able to individually delete its delivery report. Seems like basic usability to me?
21. Remember how search messages only searched text messages? Well the emails are in fact stored in an area called messaging, just so that when you fire up the search messages thing you think it might search the emails because they are in the messaging area. Anyway, I digress. I set up my "messaging" area to be on the internal memory, there's more room there. Randomly however it resets to the phone memory meaning that I lose all sight of my email and text messages. Once when I set it back again to the internal memory, I found they had all been wiped. Whilst the emails were just a copy of what was on the Internet, there was no copy of all the text messages. I'm not backing up the phone twice a day and I don't expect this to happen. Stop it.
22. I'd like to turn off the stupid nanny messages such as "Exiting will disconnect the active mailbox connection. Exit anyway?" Yes, you fool, that's why I just pressed the exit button.
23. When I press the off button, I expect the phone to turn off. If an application has hung then too bad. Off means off. Consider the functionality for a second of the off button, it means the user is wanting to turn off the phone. It doesn't mean that they want the phone to remain on because an application has hung. This basic introduction to the functionality of the off button should be enough for a company of Nokia's size to code it up properly that the off button does in fact turn off the phone when the off button is pressed. Otherwise I will resort to removing the battery, that powers off the phone at the same speed the off button on the phone should work at and does in fact work even if an application has hung (unlike the off button). Take a tip from the old "reset" button on an Apple II. It reset the computer no matter what state it was in. That's what I want in an off button.
24. You can't independently put the browser in silent mode to stop those incredibly annoying websites that auto-play music when you land on them, yet still have the audio on so you can hear calls and text messages arriving. There is no audio control for the browser. A mute function would be expected in a flagship product. Try reusing the code from the media player.
25. When you open the contacts address book it's called "contacts" but when you go to search it, it's now called "people" rather than "contacts".
26. There is a grid view and list view for most things, but only a list view for settings. Why?
27. The delay on the camera is completely unacceptable. See earlier points about the phone being slow. There is a couple of seconds delay between pressing the button and the picture being taken which makes action shots almost impossible. Are the electrons for operating on the camera going on a detour via the moon when this happens? Seemingly a light beam could bounce off the moon quicker than it takes the message to travel the 6cm or so from the shutter button to the camera. Totally unacceptable. If you can get the phone to respond instantly there's an incoming call, you can make the other applications work the same way. Deal with it.
28. If you are going to write a phone with such sluggish performance try giving better feedback to the user, such as greying off a button they have pressed to give some feedback rather than just vibrating the phone and making it look like its hung.
29. You can configure your alarm on a N97 to go off on days you specify. I have mine on a Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri as I get up at 4am on a Monday but not on the other days. However, the same flexibility is not available to calendar reminders. So I can have an alarm for 6:30 on a Tuesday, but I can't have a calendar entry for a Tue-Fri that says "leave to get train". I can't even have it on workdays only. This is pants. Yet another example of useful functionality in one part of the phone that isn't reused everywhere it could be useful.
30. The previous and next buttons on the calendar and emails are pretty useless and work randomly. The sensitive area for these isn't under the icons as you might expect but somewhat near them.
31. When I open up the music player and select "All songs" in music library it says "7 days 11 hours" of music. When I go into playlists and select All songs it says there's only 1 day. Even if I open up the bookmark and add "all songs" to it, it still says 1 day. Huh?
32. In the music player, the term "song" and "music" is used randomly interchangeably. Guys, just call it music will ya? you don't know if it's a song or not because you have no idea how many tracks are instrumentals.
33. I would like the facility to show my contacts in order of most recently used, rather than having to favourite and unfavourite them. Besides the favouriting function is also buggy as they favourites get randomly lost when synchronising with another phone.
34. I still can't understand why there is such a conceptual difficulty between text messaging and emails and translating between the two. If I get an email I might like to forward it by text. If I get a text, I might like to forward it as an email. Why is this apparently impossible? How about a useful "select all text" option on the options menu rather than the hopelessly erratic slide and copy and context sensitive copy function that appears of its own free will?
36. The space bar belongs in the MIDDLE of the keyboard. See your PC/Laptop for a clue.
37. Why does the help for the calendar describe a function to view lunar data, but this function does not exist?
38. Why is there no facility to colour code entries in the calendar? How about a facility to have daily reminders auto delete themselves once the day has passed (user configurable)
39. Why does my phone light go out after 10 seconds when the display light out feature is set to a minute? I'd like a setting for the display to be permanently on, where is it?
40. Why is it that when I open the clock application it has nice rounded figures, but when the same digital clock appears on the homepage it looks like a bad digital LED display from the 1970's?
Any others anyone?
1. I have an old Nokia E61 and last year got a N95 on contract. The two worked flawlessly together for 18 months, I could synchronise calendar entries, notes, contacts flawlessly. With the N95 and the N97, despite them both being on the same timezone, I get random calendar entries moving forward by an hour on synchronisation, meaning that I have to go in and manually check them all. This is a totally unacceptable bug, fix it. I also notice that if I have a contact entry with no phone number (e.g. its just a name and address) then this entry gets randomly duplicated as well. Another bug that needs to be fixed.
2. There is no facility in the browser to sort bookmarks alphabetically. This is again basic functionality you would expect in a flagship product especially if you have a lot of bookmarks to manage
3. The sound on the N95 was great for a mobile phone. The sound on the N97 is pants by comparison. This is a retrograde step, not something you would expect for a flagship product.
4. The N95 was responsive and fast. The N97 is not. Particularly after it crashes and you have to pull out the battery to restart it because it won't power up. Then the phone decides to do something in the background (I think it is rebuilding the music database) and this takes about 10 minutes, during which time the phone is unusable. I demonstrated this without difficulty in the shop today.
5. When I flip open the screen I expect a hardware switch to be able to tell the software the screen is open without any issues, not have to wait 20 seconds for the software to switch the screen to horizontal mode.
6. Having Adobe reader installed as a trial version that expires sucks especially if you get a PDF you need to read. If you do want to waste the time and money paying to get a full version of this product (the same product that was completely free on the N95) then don't bother unless you have a free evening to waste as you are directed to the quickoffice.com site to make the purchase. This is about the suckiest site I have ever used in terms of usability. Every payment method failed with either a timeout or an incomplete screen when attempting to purchase using IE on a broadband connection with a laptop. They have no help email address or phone number, instead you have to register for a support account, wait for the account to be validated, then log your request via a long form that asks all sorts of irrelevant and pointless questions about your phone even though its the website that is at fault.
7. The N95 allowed you to browse home media via Wi-Fi and to download media across Wi-Fi easily, the flagship N97 removed this extremely good functionality and replaced it with nothing. Well maybe Ovi store, but the least said about that the better. Gone are the days when I could download a whole album to my phone from another room, now I have to find the connection wire and sit next to my PC to do it.
8. After connecting my phone to my PC to download music, I then disconnect the data connection cable. Since the same connection is used to charge the phone from the mains, the phone gives me the stupid message "unplug charger from power supply to save energy". Except I wasn't bothered about charging the phone, I was transferring music, and the "charger" is my PC which I am still using. Stupid message.
9. Rather unhelpfully the useful facility to search email messages on the N95 is no longer present on the N97. The search messages function only searches text messages, not email messages. Fail.
10. I am using 40% of the 32Gb internal memory to store MP3s. Since I went from using 1% the phone goes slow, especially after a crash. If you give people 32Gb of memory, expect them to use it and write apps that can handle this rather than apps that run at a snails pace.
11. The compass sucks. Waving my phone around in the air for 10 minutes to get a pseudo lock for the compass makes me look stupid and should not be necessary.
12. The maps suck as well. The location finder is nothing like as fast and as accurate as it was on the N95 and on several occasions has been a few hundred metres out. Combined with the sucky compass, this wastes my time - I emerge from a London underground station and want to know which street I am on and which way I am facing not 10 minutes later after waving the phone around like a magic wand only to get an approximate position. When I'm using the phone for GPS I don't want it automatically turning off when the maps are updating thanks, I might be using it to navigate with and shouldn't need to keep waking the phone up.
13. Under "My Videos" there is a video clip promoting the E90. I don't care about the E90, I want to delete the video clip. There is no obvious delete in an obvious place.
14. The captured image count only seems to update after the phone is powered off. It doesn't update in real time. This is laughable.
15. My downloads area says it has 21 items but when I open it, I get 21 randomly twinkling broken image icons. There's no way to delete these. You get a general system error if your try. Here's a tip for your programming team:
if have_just_shown_randomly_twinkling_broken_image_icon then
note_image_isnt_there_and_patch_database()
remove icon()
How hard was that? You spent how many millions on R&D for this device?
16. Since the collective brains of the universe still haven't figured out how to link music files (ie you get the same piece of music as part of a greatest hits but also as part of the original album and it is on your phone twice rather than as one linked item) we have the problem of duplicate tracks. To conserve memory and also as part of a general tidy up and inconsistent naming I moved the tracks into consistently named folders. However, on doing this the "All" bookmark to the previous track still hangs around, so you if you rename "Beatles" to "The Beatles", there is still an artist reference to "Beatles" and it it there is still a reference to "All" which now points to nothing. You can't delete the empty references, if you do there is an error "File is corrupted: Operation cancelled". Here's some more code for your programmers.
if artist->all.bookmark()==null then delete(artist->all.bookmark)
how many millions did you spend developing this product?
17. You still haven't fixed the stupid email bug.
18. The usability of the email client is pants. Here is an example. I have my email open in list mode and I want to read a message, so I double click on it.
1. Double click on message, expecting message to be shown (one action). What actually happens is:
Phone wonders why I might have pressed double click. Who knows maybe I just wanted to wake the phone up. Maybe I pressed double click for some other reason than opening the mail. So it asks me "E-mail not retrieved yet. Retrieve now?" There is no retrieve later option. Of course I want it retrieved now, I'm trying to read the message you stupid phone. So you click yes, then it connects to your mailbox. Then it considers that the most important thing on connection is to refresh your mailbox which may take a while. Perhaps in a future release the refresh might take place as a background task? Then note that message is empty, due to bug noted in point 17. So you have to delicately click on the HTML attachment icon, not easy on a moving train. Then rather than getting the attachment you get another screen saying "Attachment.HTML" which you then have to click on to open it. If this is an HTML mail with images, it prompts you if you want to connect to the server even though you are already online. You get this request multiple times, even if you say no. However sometimes saying no closes the message down so you see nothing, not even the text content the phone has already downloaded. All in all a usability fail. Do you think Apple would design it this way? Do you even have to think about the answer?
19. Application on the homepage which require a connection, e.g. the weather, randomly don't work. Even if you go to the application itself and download the content, the homepage view just sits there saying "content loading" indefinitely.
20. I would like to delete all the delivery reports for messages that have been delivered. No such option exists, it's an all or nothing affair. If you can individually delete a text message, you should be able to individually delete its delivery report. Seems like basic usability to me?
21. Remember how search messages only searched text messages? Well the emails are in fact stored in an area called messaging, just so that when you fire up the search messages thing you think it might search the emails because they are in the messaging area. Anyway, I digress. I set up my "messaging" area to be on the internal memory, there's more room there. Randomly however it resets to the phone memory meaning that I lose all sight of my email and text messages. Once when I set it back again to the internal memory, I found they had all been wiped. Whilst the emails were just a copy of what was on the Internet, there was no copy of all the text messages. I'm not backing up the phone twice a day and I don't expect this to happen. Stop it.
22. I'd like to turn off the stupid nanny messages such as "Exiting will disconnect the active mailbox connection. Exit anyway?" Yes, you fool, that's why I just pressed the exit button.
23. When I press the off button, I expect the phone to turn off. If an application has hung then too bad. Off means off. Consider the functionality for a second of the off button, it means the user is wanting to turn off the phone. It doesn't mean that they want the phone to remain on because an application has hung. This basic introduction to the functionality of the off button should be enough for a company of Nokia's size to code it up properly that the off button does in fact turn off the phone when the off button is pressed. Otherwise I will resort to removing the battery, that powers off the phone at the same speed the off button on the phone should work at and does in fact work even if an application has hung (unlike the off button). Take a tip from the old "reset" button on an Apple II. It reset the computer no matter what state it was in. That's what I want in an off button.
24. You can't independently put the browser in silent mode to stop those incredibly annoying websites that auto-play music when you land on them, yet still have the audio on so you can hear calls and text messages arriving. There is no audio control for the browser. A mute function would be expected in a flagship product. Try reusing the code from the media player.
25. When you open the contacts address book it's called "contacts" but when you go to search it, it's now called "people" rather than "contacts".
26. There is a grid view and list view for most things, but only a list view for settings. Why?
27. The delay on the camera is completely unacceptable. See earlier points about the phone being slow. There is a couple of seconds delay between pressing the button and the picture being taken which makes action shots almost impossible. Are the electrons for operating on the camera going on a detour via the moon when this happens? Seemingly a light beam could bounce off the moon quicker than it takes the message to travel the 6cm or so from the shutter button to the camera. Totally unacceptable. If you can get the phone to respond instantly there's an incoming call, you can make the other applications work the same way. Deal with it.
28. If you are going to write a phone with such sluggish performance try giving better feedback to the user, such as greying off a button they have pressed to give some feedback rather than just vibrating the phone and making it look like its hung.
29. You can configure your alarm on a N97 to go off on days you specify. I have mine on a Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri as I get up at 4am on a Monday but not on the other days. However, the same flexibility is not available to calendar reminders. So I can have an alarm for 6:30 on a Tuesday, but I can't have a calendar entry for a Tue-Fri that says "leave to get train". I can't even have it on workdays only. This is pants. Yet another example of useful functionality in one part of the phone that isn't reused everywhere it could be useful.
30. The previous and next buttons on the calendar and emails are pretty useless and work randomly. The sensitive area for these isn't under the icons as you might expect but somewhat near them.
31. When I open up the music player and select "All songs" in music library it says "7 days 11 hours" of music. When I go into playlists and select All songs it says there's only 1 day. Even if I open up the bookmark and add "all songs" to it, it still says 1 day. Huh?
32. In the music player, the term "song" and "music" is used randomly interchangeably. Guys, just call it music will ya? you don't know if it's a song or not because you have no idea how many tracks are instrumentals.
33. I would like the facility to show my contacts in order of most recently used, rather than having to favourite and unfavourite them. Besides the favouriting function is also buggy as they favourites get randomly lost when synchronising with another phone.
34. I still can't understand why there is such a conceptual difficulty between text messaging and emails and translating between the two. If I get an email I might like to forward it by text. If I get a text, I might like to forward it as an email. Why is this apparently impossible? How about a useful "select all text" option on the options menu rather than the hopelessly erratic slide and copy and context sensitive copy function that appears of its own free will?
36. The space bar belongs in the MIDDLE of the keyboard. See your PC/Laptop for a clue.
37. Why does the help for the calendar describe a function to view lunar data, but this function does not exist?
38. Why is there no facility to colour code entries in the calendar? How about a facility to have daily reminders auto delete themselves once the day has passed (user configurable)
39. Why does my phone light go out after 10 seconds when the display light out feature is set to a minute? I'd like a setting for the display to be permanently on, where is it?
40. Why is it that when I open the clock application it has nice rounded figures, but when the same digital clock appears on the homepage it looks like a bad digital LED display from the 1970's?
Any others anyone?
10 October 2009
Web2.0, a definition
People ask me what Web2.0 is. This is my explanation, hope you find it useful. It's hopefully a bit more readable than the definition on wikipedia. I also follow this with some information about Web3.0.
You may have heard the term Web2.0, a term first used in 2004. If you ask an expert what it means you'll probably get differing answers depending on who you ask because there is no real clear definition of it. So this is my one.
There are two main feature of Web2.0 which distinguish it from sites that aren't Web2.0.
It is easier to explain Web2.0 if you set it in context of what there was previously.
In the early days of the web, despite it originally being conceived as a document sharing and editing environment, the editing part rarely happened. Early sites were generally about a company, organisation or individual producing content, publishing it on their website and then people reading that content or transacting with it, e.g. reading the news on-line or buying a book.
However, following the emergence of blogs it became easier for larger number of people to author their own content and have others comment on it, just as you can do here. Similarly, Amazon allowed others to post their own reviews. This activity, together with the very long standing Internet tradition of news groups, forums, bulletin boards and so on going back to the 1970's - all these came together to form the early implementation what we now call Web2.0.
When you consider that most people think of Web2.0 as twitter, facebook and other similar sites they think of it as a social platform which allows them to publish their own content easily and share it with their friends. However, this facility has been around on-line for almost 30 years. In 1979 with the invention of usenet groups it was possible to easily share content online and from my own personal experience I used to run a mailing list called Gaelic-L that was founded in 1989 and allowed people with similar interests to share content with their online connections even way back then. In 1990 I also proposed an early browser with user generated content and personalised news, based on the fact that many people were by that time doing much of that anyway.
Web2.0 is therefore more than just being able to publish content and share it with your friends, this has been possible for decades, it's about the types of technology that make it happen as well and how these combine together. In the early days if I wrote an article in a newsgroup, people might reply to it. With Web2.0 you can not only reply to it but you might be able to vote on it and even edit the original, this is how wikipedia works - people collaborate together using a wiki as a tool for sharing information. The articles in a wiki are often authored by several people rather than just one. Similarly it wasn't just that blogs made it easy for people to write their own content, the platforms they used to write their blogs held and published the content in a structured way and this allowed the content to be easily reused in other contexts using a technology called RSS (Really Simple Syndication). What this means is that you didn't have to go to the blog to read the post, you could pick up the notifications of new posts via an RSS reader or another website entirely. Sites can also publish a programming interface called an API which can support the same functionality as RSS and more besides. RSS feeds are particularly useful at following new content - e.g. new news article, new blog posts or more specialised searches such as new jobs matching your requirements on a job board. API calls are better for more generalised searches e.g. "how many twitter users are based in Edinburgh" or "Who posted the first tweet about Michael Jackson's death" or "give me the data to plot a graph of the number of times President Obama's Nobel prize was mentioned in the hours after the announcement was made", etc.
As an example of RSS in action, my posts here automatically feed out to twitter and friendfeed. My friendfeed is then published on my facebook pages. This sharing of data across many sites and applications and interpreting the content in different ways is one of the key distinguishing features of web2.0 over web1.0. This is quite a long post, too long for the 140 character limit for twitter, but the connection between my blog and twitter takes care of that. Similarly when I post something new to the photo sharing platform Flickr, it also appears via a link on Twitter even though twitter doesn't directly support photos - the sites all interact with the same content but in different ways.
Taking this example of data sharing further you can combine (mash) information from different sites to produce something new, this is called a mashup. An example might be pulling in data from Google maps, geotagged photos from Flickr, public rights of way information from the government or council and accommodation information and reviews from a hotel booking site. Combining this information together using the publicly available data would allow you to show walks overlaid on a map together with examples of the views you could expect to see along the way and recommended places to stay en-route.
So Web2.0 is about people creating content (blogs, photos, statuses) together with the supporting technology (facebook, wikis, twitter) allowing this content to be shared, connected and reused in many different ways. It isn't really about endless "beta", rounded graphics, pastel shades and large fonts although these are incidental elements of the Web2.0 scene.
Just as there's no single definition of Web2.0, there is even less clarity about what might come next for Web3.0. The leading consensus is this will be about the semantic web. This represents a bigger challenge than web2.0 because it is about taking the largely unstructured and often ambiguous content on the web and tagging it in ways that allow it to be more clearly defined and reused. For instance if I type London Bridge into Google, there is no way at present to distinguish if I meant the actual bridge itself, the railway station with the same name, the underground station with the same name, the hospital with the same name or the bridge that got shipped to Arizona. Another example is differentiating text with a particular meaning from the same text that occurs by coincidence - e.g. a Digital Will is a type of Will (a legal document for when someone dies) that covers digital assets such as your emails, photos, MP3s, on-line contacts, etc. However, if you search for this term in Google you get some references to both the legal document but also the same phrase occurring in entirely different contexts such as "Digital will overtake print" and "Western Digital will move to Irvine". The semantic web will not only help to classify how words are used from a linguistic point of view but it will also allow content to be queried as data - for instance on a restaurant website you could mark-up your opening hours and this would allow people to search using a semantic search engine for restaurants open at a particular time of day. The biggest challenges faced by Web3.0 are in agreeing the common vocabularies and then deploying them effectively across the billions of web pages that already exist.
As you can see, although Google is quite good at being able to find pages containing certain terms it is currently very poor at making sense of the data in a structured way. This is because without the data being marked up in a semantic way (either through the use of markup directly or by attempting to deduce the context), it is an exceptionally difficult task for a search engine to provide this functionality. Web3.0 will make this job a lot easier but the means by which Web3.0 will emerge is still unclear. What we do know though it that it should make searching for information a lot more powerful and specific. Google is also exceptionally poor at searching sites that already have structure - for instance if I wanted to find a hotel room for tonight I would use an accommodation search engine and Google would find me the site which listed the accommodation rather than the accommodation itself. Google can't tell me what rooms are available tonight but it can point me towards sites that are likely to have this information. This will all change with Web3.0 and the use of intermediary sites will significantly decline as the information they hold begins to open up to more generalised search engines.
I hope this has been helpful. If anyone is looking for a Web2.0 or Web3.0 specialist, please get in touch via craig@siliconglen.com, twitter, facebook or linkedin.
Craig
I do Internet things, manage large websites, play around with language, campaign for good causes, try to explain things and have fun singing along the way (not all at the same time!).
You may have heard the term Web2.0, a term first used in 2004. If you ask an expert what it means you'll probably get differing answers depending on who you ask because there is no real clear definition of it. So this is my one.
There are two main feature of Web2.0 which distinguish it from sites that aren't Web2.0.
- Web2.0 is about people creating their own content for publishing online
- it is also about the supporting technology for this content
It is easier to explain Web2.0 if you set it in context of what there was previously.
In the early days of the web, despite it originally being conceived as a document sharing and editing environment, the editing part rarely happened. Early sites were generally about a company, organisation or individual producing content, publishing it on their website and then people reading that content or transacting with it, e.g. reading the news on-line or buying a book.
However, following the emergence of blogs it became easier for larger number of people to author their own content and have others comment on it, just as you can do here. Similarly, Amazon allowed others to post their own reviews. This activity, together with the very long standing Internet tradition of news groups, forums, bulletin boards and so on going back to the 1970's - all these came together to form the early implementation what we now call Web2.0.
When you consider that most people think of Web2.0 as twitter, facebook and other similar sites they think of it as a social platform which allows them to publish their own content easily and share it with their friends. However, this facility has been around on-line for almost 30 years. In 1979 with the invention of usenet groups it was possible to easily share content online and from my own personal experience I used to run a mailing list called Gaelic-L that was founded in 1989 and allowed people with similar interests to share content with their online connections even way back then. In 1990 I also proposed an early browser with user generated content and personalised news, based on the fact that many people were by that time doing much of that anyway.
Web2.0 is therefore more than just being able to publish content and share it with your friends, this has been possible for decades, it's about the types of technology that make it happen as well and how these combine together. In the early days if I wrote an article in a newsgroup, people might reply to it. With Web2.0 you can not only reply to it but you might be able to vote on it and even edit the original, this is how wikipedia works - people collaborate together using a wiki as a tool for sharing information. The articles in a wiki are often authored by several people rather than just one. Similarly it wasn't just that blogs made it easy for people to write their own content, the platforms they used to write their blogs held and published the content in a structured way and this allowed the content to be easily reused in other contexts using a technology called RSS (Really Simple Syndication). What this means is that you didn't have to go to the blog to read the post, you could pick up the notifications of new posts via an RSS reader or another website entirely. Sites can also publish a programming interface called an API which can support the same functionality as RSS and more besides. RSS feeds are particularly useful at following new content - e.g. new news article, new blog posts or more specialised searches such as new jobs matching your requirements on a job board. API calls are better for more generalised searches e.g. "how many twitter users are based in Edinburgh" or "Who posted the first tweet about Michael Jackson's death" or "give me the data to plot a graph of the number of times President Obama's Nobel prize was mentioned in the hours after the announcement was made", etc.
As an example of RSS in action, my posts here automatically feed out to twitter and friendfeed. My friendfeed is then published on my facebook pages. This sharing of data across many sites and applications and interpreting the content in different ways is one of the key distinguishing features of web2.0 over web1.0. This is quite a long post, too long for the 140 character limit for twitter, but the connection between my blog and twitter takes care of that. Similarly when I post something new to the photo sharing platform Flickr, it also appears via a link on Twitter even though twitter doesn't directly support photos - the sites all interact with the same content but in different ways.
Taking this example of data sharing further you can combine (mash) information from different sites to produce something new, this is called a mashup. An example might be pulling in data from Google maps, geotagged photos from Flickr, public rights of way information from the government or council and accommodation information and reviews from a hotel booking site. Combining this information together using the publicly available data would allow you to show walks overlaid on a map together with examples of the views you could expect to see along the way and recommended places to stay en-route.
So Web2.0 is about people creating content (blogs, photos, statuses) together with the supporting technology (facebook, wikis, twitter) allowing this content to be shared, connected and reused in many different ways. It isn't really about endless "beta", rounded graphics, pastel shades and large fonts although these are incidental elements of the Web2.0 scene.
Just as there's no single definition of Web2.0, there is even less clarity about what might come next for Web3.0. The leading consensus is this will be about the semantic web. This represents a bigger challenge than web2.0 because it is about taking the largely unstructured and often ambiguous content on the web and tagging it in ways that allow it to be more clearly defined and reused. For instance if I type London Bridge into Google, there is no way at present to distinguish if I meant the actual bridge itself, the railway station with the same name, the underground station with the same name, the hospital with the same name or the bridge that got shipped to Arizona. Another example is differentiating text with a particular meaning from the same text that occurs by coincidence - e.g. a Digital Will is a type of Will (a legal document for when someone dies) that covers digital assets such as your emails, photos, MP3s, on-line contacts, etc. However, if you search for this term in Google you get some references to both the legal document but also the same phrase occurring in entirely different contexts such as "Digital will overtake print" and "Western Digital will move to Irvine". The semantic web will not only help to classify how words are used from a linguistic point of view but it will also allow content to be queried as data - for instance on a restaurant website you could mark-up your opening hours and this would allow people to search using a semantic search engine for restaurants open at a particular time of day. The biggest challenges faced by Web3.0 are in agreeing the common vocabularies and then deploying them effectively across the billions of web pages that already exist.
As you can see, although Google is quite good at being able to find pages containing certain terms it is currently very poor at making sense of the data in a structured way. This is because without the data being marked up in a semantic way (either through the use of markup directly or by attempting to deduce the context), it is an exceptionally difficult task for a search engine to provide this functionality. Web3.0 will make this job a lot easier but the means by which Web3.0 will emerge is still unclear. What we do know though it that it should make searching for information a lot more powerful and specific. Google is also exceptionally poor at searching sites that already have structure - for instance if I wanted to find a hotel room for tonight I would use an accommodation search engine and Google would find me the site which listed the accommodation rather than the accommodation itself. Google can't tell me what rooms are available tonight but it can point me towards sites that are likely to have this information. This will all change with Web3.0 and the use of intermediary sites will significantly decline as the information they hold begins to open up to more generalised search engines.
I hope this has been helpful. If anyone is looking for a Web2.0 or Web3.0 specialist, please get in touch via craig@siliconglen.com, twitter, facebook or linkedin.
Craig
I do Internet things, manage large websites, play around with language, campaign for good causes, try to explain things and have fun singing along the way (not all at the same time!).
03 October 2009
Gaelic events in Edinburgh in October
Please prefix numbers with 0131 (+44131 from outside the UK)
Saturday 03.10.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with Lothian Gaelic Choir & solo singers & instrumentalists. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 04.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 05.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Tuesday 06.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 06.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Thursday 08.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Thursday 08.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Friday 09.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 11.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr John A. MacMillan. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 12.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Tuesday 13.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 13.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Thursday 15.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Friday 16.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 18.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service (Communion), Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Angus Smith (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 19.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Tuesday 20.10.09 – 1.00pm Gaelic Lunch Club, Mount Royal Hotel, Princes St. Guest speaker: Prof. Matthew Maciver. (Cont: 07906 318561).
Tuesday 20.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 20.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 21.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 21.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Thursday 22.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Saturday 24.10.09 – 7.30pm Edinburgh Argyll Association Ceilidh with the Greenock Waulking Group, Linda Campbell (accordion) & Mike Turpie (small pipes), St John’s Church Hall, Lothian Road. (Cont: 453 5766)
Sunday 25.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Murdo Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 26.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Monday 26.10.09 – 7.30pm Annual Highland Lecture – “The Challenge of the Gaelic Language Act” given by Dr Wilson Macleod, University of Edinburgh, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Free admission. All welcome.
Tuesday 27.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 27.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 28.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 28.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Thursday 29.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Thursday 29.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Friday 30.10.09 – 7.30pm Saltire Society Edinburgh Branch Ceilidh – St George’s West Church, Shandwick Place. With Lothian Gaelic Choir, Spaegi (fiddlers) Calum Macleod (clarsach & voice), Amy Moar (piano & voice), Stenhouse Primary Choir. (Cont: 556 5900).
Saturday 03.10.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with Lothian Gaelic Choir & solo singers & instrumentalists. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 04.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 05.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Tuesday 06.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 06.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Thursday 08.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Thursday 08.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Friday 09.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 11.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr John A. MacMillan. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 12.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Tuesday 13.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 13.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Thursday 15.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Friday 16.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 18.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service (Communion), Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Angus Smith (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 19.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Tuesday 20.10.09 – 1.00pm Gaelic Lunch Club, Mount Royal Hotel, Princes St. Guest speaker: Prof. Matthew Maciver. (Cont: 07906 318561).
Tuesday 20.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 20.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 21.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 21.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Thursday 22.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Saturday 24.10.09 – 7.30pm Edinburgh Argyll Association Ceilidh with the Greenock Waulking Group, Linda Campbell (accordion) & Mike Turpie (small pipes), St John’s Church Hall, Lothian Road. (Cont: 453 5766)
Sunday 25.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Murdo Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 26.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School. (Cont: 559 4428).
Monday 26.10.09 – 7.30pm Annual Highland Lecture – “The Challenge of the Gaelic Language Act” given by Dr Wilson Macleod, University of Edinburgh, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Free admission. All welcome.
Tuesday 27.10.09 – 7.00pm Ulpan course (7pm-8.30pm) at Old Fire Station, East Norton Place. (Cont: ulpan@iletec.co.uk)
Tuesday 27.10.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 28.10.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 28.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Thursday 29.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Thursday 29.10.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan course, Tollcross Comm. Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 0131 664 228)
Friday 30.10.09 – 7.30pm Saltire Society Edinburgh Branch Ceilidh – St George’s West Church, Shandwick Place. With Lothian Gaelic Choir, Spaegi (fiddlers) Calum Macleod (clarsach & voice), Amy Moar (piano & voice), Stenhouse Primary Choir. (Cont: 556 5900).
Gaelic events in London in October
Please see the attached PDF
London Gaelic what's on Guide - October 09
many thanks to Eoghann for putting together this excellent newsletter.
London Gaelic what's on Guide - October 09
many thanks to Eoghann for putting together this excellent newsletter.
21 September 2009
Gaelic events in Edinburgh Sept/Oct 2009
Gaelic events coming up in Edinburgh during Sept/Oct
Please prefix the phone numbers with +44 131
Monday 21.09.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Tuesday 22.09.09 – 1.00pm Gaelic Lunch Club, Mount Royal Hotel, Princes St. Guest speaker: Roy Maciver. (Cont: 07906 318561).
Tuesday 22.09.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 23.09.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 23.09.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Thursday 24.09.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Friday 25.09.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Saturday 26.09.09 – 10.00am “Deasachadh airson an àrd-ùrlair” (Preparing for Performance) – Workshops for young people – various instruments – TX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: Fiona Mackintosh, 476 6611)
Sunday 27.09.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Alasdair Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 28.09.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Tuesday 29.09.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 30.09.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 30.09.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Thursday 01.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Friday 02.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Saturday 03.10.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with Lothian Gaelic Choir & solo singers & instrumentalists. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 04.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 05.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Friday 09.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 11.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 12.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Friday 16.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 18.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 19.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Saturday 24.10.09 – 7.30pm Edinburgh Argyll Association Ceilidh with the Greenock Waulking Group & instrumentalists, St John’s Church Hall, Lothian Road. (Cont: 453 5766)
Sunday 25.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 26.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Please prefix the phone numbers with +44 131
Monday 21.09.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Tuesday 22.09.09 – 1.00pm Gaelic Lunch Club, Mount Royal Hotel, Princes St. Guest speaker: Roy Maciver. (Cont: 07906 318561).
Tuesday 22.09.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 23.09.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Wednesday 23.09.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Thursday 24.09.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Friday 25.09.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Saturday 26.09.09 – 10.00am “Deasachadh airson an àrd-ùrlair” (Preparing for Performance) – Workshops for young people – various instruments – TX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: Fiona Mackintosh, 476 6611)
Sunday 27.09.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Alasdair Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 28.09.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Tuesday 29.09.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 30.09.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Wednesday 30.09.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Thursday 01.10.09 – 7.15pm Lothian Gaelic Choir weekly rehearsal – Tollcross Primary School, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Friday 02.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Saturday 03.10.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with Lothian Gaelic Choir & solo singers & instrumentalists. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 04.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 05.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Wednesday 07.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Friday 09.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 11.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 12.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Wednesday 14.10.09 – 6.45pm Edinburgh Place-names – origins & history, 4-wk Telford College course with Neil Macgregor. (Cont: 0131 559 4428)
Friday 16.10.09 – 7.00pm Ceilidh nan Amhrain Gàidhlig – Gaelic & Irish songs to learn, Tollcross Community Centre. With Deirdre MacMahon.
Sunday 18.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 19.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
Saturday 24.10.09 – 7.30pm Edinburgh Argyll Association Ceilidh with the Greenock Waulking Group & instrumentalists, St John’s Church Hall, Lothian Road. (Cont: 453 5766)
Sunday 25.10.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Monday 26.10.09 – 6.30pm Advanced Gaelic for Learners Telford College course, Boroughmuir High School.
10 September 2009
Gaelic events in London in September
Here is the exceptionally well produced 10 page newsletter in bilingual Scots Gaelic and English covering Scottish Gaelic events in London during September 2009. Enjoy!
London has the world's oldest Gaelic society (founded 1777) and the world's oldest Gaelic choir (founded 1892). Gaelic was also the first minority language to have its own mailing list I believe - Gaelic-L was founded in May 1989.
mar sin leat
Craig
London has the world's oldest Gaelic society (founded 1777) and the world's oldest Gaelic choir (founded 1892). Gaelic was also the first minority language to have its own mailing list I believe - Gaelic-L was founded in May 1989.
mar sin leat
Craig
03 September 2009
End My Credit Crunch campaign
All
The End My Credit Crunch group has now launched, please visit the group, check out what we're about and watch the group for imminent news of our launch. Free prizes, no purchase necessary and we help charities too.
many thanks
Craig
The End My Credit Crunch group has now launched, please visit the group, check out what we're about and watch the group for imminent news of our launch. Free prizes, no purchase necessary and we help charities too.
many thanks
Craig
19 July 2009
End My Credit Crunch
This post is to announce the holding page for End My Credit Crunch.
The site announcement is being made on 19th July at 19:48, exactly one month to the minute after having the idea. This moment was captured on twitter as I stood at Dublin airport.
The background is that a week or so previously I had been preparing an article for The Times following a tweet from Times Money about how the credit crunch had affected my family and the various problems with jobs, income and working extensively away from home we were having as a result.
That article was supposed to appear on 13th June but unfortunately, got knocked out by other news even though they thought the article would work really well and they felt my situation was really tough. However, such is the way of newspaper articles. Hopefully this one will get a lot more coverage :-)
So after a few days thought following that setback, I tried my hand at coming up with an innovative way of getting out of the Credit Crunch rather than having the story printed in The Times. A month later, here we are and the site behind the scenes is nearly ready.
We are now building the user base ready for a successful launch. Please visit endmycreditcrunch.com and follow us on twitter or drop me a mail on info@endmycreditcrunch. We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone wishing to advertise on this novel twitter related site, we hope to successfully monetise twitter to generate income that can be effectively shared out to good causes and people affected by the credit crunch. Our aim is to give away $250,000.
If this gets to be as popular as the Million Dollar Homepage then you will be glad you got in early. Unlike that site however, we are taking standard banner adverts 468x60 that make an impact. Also unlike that site, our aim is to give away a large portion of what we raise to help as many people as possible.
End My Credit Crunch - a British business helping charities and people world wide out of the crunch, let us uncrunch you!
Craig
The site announcement is being made on 19th July at 19:48, exactly one month to the minute after having the idea. This moment was captured on twitter as I stood at Dublin airport.
The background is that a week or so previously I had been preparing an article for The Times following a tweet from Times Money about how the credit crunch had affected my family and the various problems with jobs, income and working extensively away from home we were having as a result.
That article was supposed to appear on 13th June but unfortunately, got knocked out by other news even though they thought the article would work really well and they felt my situation was really tough. However, such is the way of newspaper articles. Hopefully this one will get a lot more coverage :-)
So after a few days thought following that setback, I tried my hand at coming up with an innovative way of getting out of the Credit Crunch rather than having the story printed in The Times. A month later, here we are and the site behind the scenes is nearly ready.
We are now building the user base ready for a successful launch. Please visit endmycreditcrunch.com and follow us on twitter or drop me a mail on info@endmycreditcrunch. We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone wishing to advertise on this novel twitter related site, we hope to successfully monetise twitter to generate income that can be effectively shared out to good causes and people affected by the credit crunch. Our aim is to give away $250,000.
If this gets to be as popular as the Million Dollar Homepage then you will be glad you got in early. Unlike that site however, we are taking standard banner adverts 468x60 that make an impact. Also unlike that site, our aim is to give away a large portion of what we raise to help as many people as possible.
End My Credit Crunch - a British business helping charities and people world wide out of the crunch, let us uncrunch you!
Craig
06 July 2009
Great money making idea for budget airlines
How about a charge to charge up my phone inflight? They would take my switched off phone, charge it inflight for a fiver and at the end of an hours flight or so it would be usable again for several hours. I would maybe pay a fiver for this as theres scant few places you can charge up when travelling except business lounges but often they are closed or you arent there long enough to make it worthwhile. OK Ryanair, how about 1000 euro for this idea then?
Craig
p.s. Please forward/retweet etc.
Craig
p.s. Please forward/retweet etc.
27 June 2009
Gaelic events in Edinburgh - June/July
A' chairdean,
Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu thachartasan Gaidhlig sa bhaile air feadh na
seachdainnean ri thighinn.
List of forthcoming Gaelic events in the city as follows.
Please note Bothan event on Friday 3rd July with two well-known personalities coming together for an evening's entertainment!
Sunday 28.06.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Alasdair Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 30.06.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 01.07.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly
rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn
Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of
Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Thursday 02.07.09 – 7.30pm Â"LuaidhÂ" group – Gaelic Community
Office, 137 Dundee St. (Above Fountainbridge Library). (Cont: 07906 318561)
Friday 03.07.09 – 8.30pm Â"BothanÂ" at new venue - White Room
at GRV, 37 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh featuring Gillebride MacIlleMhaoil &
Aonghas PÃ draig Caimbeul. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Sunday 05.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 07.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 08.07.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly
rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn
Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of
Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Saturday 11.07.09 – 7.30pm Edinburgh Argyll Association Ceilidh
with Satunum McElroy (songs & fiddle), St JohnÂ's Church Hall, Lothian Road.
(Cont: 453 5766)
Sunday 12.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr John Archie Macmillan. (Cont: 225 1900).
Sunday 12.07.09 – 3.00pm Gaelic service, St ColumbaÂ's Free
Church, Johnston Terrace. Rev. Murdo Macleod. (Cont: 228 3782).
Tuesday 14.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 15.07.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly
rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn
Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of
Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Sunday 19.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Callum Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 21.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 26.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 28.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu thachartasan Gaidhlig sa bhaile air feadh na
seachdainnean ri thighinn.
List of forthcoming Gaelic events in the city as follows.
Please note Bothan event on Friday 3rd July with two well-known personalities coming together for an evening's entertainment!
Sunday 28.06.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Alasdair Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 30.06.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 01.07.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly
rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn
Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of
Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Thursday 02.07.09 – 7.30pm Â"LuaidhÂ" group – Gaelic Community
Office, 137 Dundee St. (Above Fountainbridge Library). (Cont: 07906 318561)
Friday 03.07.09 – 8.30pm Â"BothanÂ" at new venue - White Room
at GRV, 37 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh featuring Gillebride MacIlleMhaoil &
Aonghas PÃ draig Caimbeul. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Sunday 05.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 07.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 08.07.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly
rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn
Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of
Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Saturday 11.07.09 – 7.30pm Edinburgh Argyll Association Ceilidh
with Satunum McElroy (songs & fiddle), St JohnÂ's Church Hall, Lothian Road.
(Cont: 453 5766)
Sunday 12.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr John Archie Macmillan. (Cont: 225 1900).
Sunday 12.07.09 – 3.00pm Gaelic service, St ColumbaÂ's Free
Church, Johnston Terrace. Rev. Murdo Macleod. (Cont: 228 3782).
Tuesday 14.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 15.07.09 – 7.15pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir weekly
rehearsal – SNP Rooms, 16 North St Andrew Street; an opportunity to learn
Gaelic songs in a supportive and friendly environment; prior knowledge of
Gaelic not essential as tuition is provided. (Cont. 669 6418 or see website)
Sunday 19.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Callum Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 21.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 26.07.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars
Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 28.07.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP
Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
19 June 2009
Business plan tips for angel finance
I'd been looking around for a while for tips on how to write a good business plan to attract angel finance and finally found this useful guide on bytestart. Would welcome comments on this and any additional guides like it that people know of.
many thanks
Craig
many thanks
Craig
15 June 2009
Facebook and Twitter URLs
I can now also be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/siliconglen and on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/siliconglen.
Craig
Craig
12 June 2009
08 June 2009
Scotland is the place
My recent interview with Scotland is the Place, Scottish government website.
Hope you like it, the space was a bit limited. There's so much more I'd like to say.
Craig
Hope you like it, the space was a bit limited. There's so much more I'd like to say.
Craig
01 June 2009
Leo's Tavern, Donegal
I visited Leo's Tavern during the Irish June holiday weekend 2009. It was somewhere I had been meaning to go back to for a while, having had a few very memorable nights there back in 1996 on the stage and being entertained by Leo himself. I had meant to go there when I was working in Belfast in 2007 but never made it and the opportunity to go during the holiday weekend in 2009 now that I'm in Dublin was too good to miss.
However, it's a changed pub indeed from 1996. Let me explain for those who went to the old Leo's and who might be thinking of returning. First off and not surprising at all considering his age, Leo himself no longer performs regularly - his accordion is still on the stage just like it used to be but his appearances are mostly limited to a few special occasions, coaches of tourists in the summer and playing at weddings. It was unfortunately inevitable that he wouldn't be able to carry on the 6 nights a week performances he enjoyed for so long, but for all that it's great praise indeed that he managed to play as long and as regularly as he did despite his age. We've certainly got a lifetime of happy memories from his younger days.
The pub was also redeveloped in 2005 and is now run by Enya's younger brother Bartley Brennan. The new pub includes a back room which has lots of Enya and Clannad memorabilia, a mini-shop and restaurant. These changes were necessary in part to accommodate the large crowds, particularly in the summer. The food is great - I didn't get to see the function room as it only opens for organised events. There is also separate public and lounge bars. The public bar is smaller than the old bar so has more of a cosy feel, however you need to go into the lounge bar/restaurant if you want to see the musicians. I was in the public bar and on the same ground where traditional music once filled the air, the TV was on instead with Britain's Got Talent final. There's fewer items of the band / Enya within the bars now, I believe that a lot of these are in the function room at the back.
With Leo being a draw in his own right, his semi-retirement means that other artists take the stage with one act per night, generally starting around 10:30. A bit late compared to Leo's 9:30 or so. With the revamp what has been been lost is the authenticity of the place. Whilst accepting it needed to be larger, you no longer feel that you are on the same stage that Clannand/Enya began on - it's a bit like going into the room where W.B. Yeats wrote poetry, only to find it had been modernised as part of a refurbishment - the link to the past is weakened. The other thing which is lost is the ceilidh atmosphere which Leo brought with him. It wasn't just him on the stage but it was a real ceilidh with spontaneous performances from members of the audience, including myself and Moya Brennan on the same night in 1996. You didn't know what to expect, one night there was a brilliant Irish singer from Iowa. Such is the nature of a true, unorganised and spontaneous ceili but again that is lost. When I was there, despite it being a holiday weekend in June, the place was largely empty. Harder to draw people in with Leo not there and combined with the recession it's changed times indeed from the packed houses of a few years ago.
It's a pity I missed the 40th anniversary celebrations in September 2008, it would have been the best party ever but perhaps tinged with sadness marking the pub's former focus as probably the best music pub in Ireland.
Still, I hope to be back one day. Leo's tavern and Bunbeg are great places to get away from it all.
Craig
23 May 2009
localpages.ie, buggy, broken and not interested in feedback
Dear localpages.ie
I just encountered the following error when browsing your site, did you test it or have you outsourced this to customers? Never mind, I did try and send it to you so that you could fix it but as you've intentionally left out any means of contacting you on your website I was unable to do so. Since I would like the problem fixed and since I would like to tell you your site is broken so that you can fix it and I might enjoy using your site at some point in the future, I think the only way of telling you about your broken site is to post the details here in the hope that you find them on a web search.
If you weren't so rude and difficult and made it impossible for people to reach you I would have sent this in an email instead.
Cutting yourself off from customers is rarely a good tactic. Other websites take note.
Craig
p.s. Good programmers trap their errors.
Server Error in '/' Application.
DataBinding: 'System.Data.DataRowView' does not contain a property with the name 'glat'.
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.
Exception Details: System.Web.HttpException: DataBinding: 'System.Data.DataRowView' does not contain a property with the name 'glat'.
Source Error:
Line 29:
Line 30:
Line 31: point = new GLatLng(<%#Eval("glat")%>0, <%#Eval("glong")%>0);
Line 32: content = "<%#Eval("name").ToString() %>
<%#Eval("category").ToString() %>
<%# Eval("phone").ToString()%>";
Line 33: map.addOverlay(createMarker(point, 87, content));
Source File: c:\domains\localpages.ie\wwwroot\ajax\businessByCounty.aspx Line: 31
Stack Trace:
[HttpException (0x80004005): DataBinding: 'System.Data.DataRowView' does not contain a property with the name 'glat'.]
System.Web.UI.DataBinder.GetPropertyValue(Object container, String propName) +197
System.Web.UI.DataBinder.Eval(Object container, String[] expressionParts) +79
System.Web.UI.DataBinder.Eval(Object container, String expression) +107
System.Web.UI.TemplateControl.Eval(String expression) +120
ASP.ajax_businessbycounty_aspx.__DataBind__control7(Object sender, EventArgs e) in c:\domains\localpages.ie\wwwroot\ajax\businessByCounty.aspx:31
System.Web.UI.Control.OnDataBinding(EventArgs e) +99
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind(Boolean raiseOnDataBinding) +206
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind() +12
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBindChildren() +204
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind(Boolean raiseOnDataBinding) +216
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind() +12
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.CreateItem(Int32 itemIndex, ListItemType itemType, Boolean dataBind, Object dataItem) +130
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.CreateControlHierarchy(Boolean useDataSource) +454
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.OnDataBinding(EventArgs e) +53
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.DataBind() +72
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.EnsureDataBound() +55
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.OnPreRender(EventArgs e) +12
System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal() +86
System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal() +170
System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) +2041
Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:2.0.50727.1433; ASP.NET Version:2.0.50727.1433
I just encountered the following error when browsing your site, did you test it or have you outsourced this to customers? Never mind, I did try and send it to you so that you could fix it but as you've intentionally left out any means of contacting you on your website I was unable to do so. Since I would like the problem fixed and since I would like to tell you your site is broken so that you can fix it and I might enjoy using your site at some point in the future, I think the only way of telling you about your broken site is to post the details here in the hope that you find them on a web search.
If you weren't so rude and difficult and made it impossible for people to reach you I would have sent this in an email instead.
Cutting yourself off from customers is rarely a good tactic. Other websites take note.
Craig
p.s. Good programmers trap their errors.
Server Error in '/' Application.
DataBinding: 'System.Data.DataRowView' does not contain a property with the name 'glat'.
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.
Exception Details: System.Web.HttpException: DataBinding: 'System.Data.DataRowView' does not contain a property with the name 'glat'.
Source Error:
Line 29:
Line 30:
Line 31: point = new GLatLng(<%#Eval("glat")%>0, <%#Eval("glong")%>0);
Line 32: content = "<%#Eval("name").ToString() %>
<%#Eval("category").ToString() %>
<%# Eval("phone").ToString()%>";
Line 33: map.addOverlay(createMarker(point, 87, content));
Source File: c:\domains\localpages.ie\wwwroot\ajax\businessByCounty.aspx Line: 31
Stack Trace:
[HttpException (0x80004005): DataBinding: 'System.Data.DataRowView' does not contain a property with the name 'glat'.]
System.Web.UI.DataBinder.GetPropertyValue(Object container, String propName) +197
System.Web.UI.DataBinder.Eval(Object container, String[] expressionParts) +79
System.Web.UI.DataBinder.Eval(Object container, String expression) +107
System.Web.UI.TemplateControl.Eval(String expression) +120
ASP.ajax_businessbycounty_aspx.__DataBind__control7(Object sender, EventArgs e) in c:\domains\localpages.ie\wwwroot\ajax\businessByCounty.aspx:31
System.Web.UI.Control.OnDataBinding(EventArgs e) +99
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind(Boolean raiseOnDataBinding) +206
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind() +12
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBindChildren() +204
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind(Boolean raiseOnDataBinding) +216
System.Web.UI.Control.DataBind() +12
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.CreateItem(Int32 itemIndex, ListItemType itemType, Boolean dataBind, Object dataItem) +130
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.CreateControlHierarchy(Boolean useDataSource) +454
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.OnDataBinding(EventArgs e) +53
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.DataBind() +72
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.EnsureDataBound() +55
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater.OnPreRender(EventArgs e) +12
System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal() +86
System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal() +170
System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) +2041
Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:2.0.50727.1433; ASP.NET Version:2.0.50727.1433
09 May 2009
01 May 2009
Jammin' at the voodoo
Just back from an outstanding blues gig in Edinburgh, free. Tonight included Sandy from the legendary Blues'n'trouble that I was asking about back in 1993 and who have toured and guested with the likes of BB King and Robert Cray. To give you an idea of the superb standard of tonight's gig, BB King called B'n'T the "best white blues band in the world", read their reviews on amazon.co.uk.
Unbelievable for a free gig with such talent that there was such a small audience. Those that could hear the gig from the street outside were surprised by the unexpected treat. Watch the facebook group or myspace for details of the next jam! Many thanks to Ash Gupta for the event and an excellent performance himself!
Craig
Unbelievable for a free gig with such talent that there was such a small audience. Those that could hear the gig from the street outside were surprised by the unexpected treat. Watch the facebook group or myspace for details of the next jam! Many thanks to Ash Gupta for the event and an excellent performance himself!
Craig
Gaelic mailing list celebrates 20 years
The world's first online group for a minority language, Gaelic-L, celebrates its 20th anniversary today (latha buidhe Bealltainn, 1st of May). All the archives going back 20 years into the days before the web was invented are available at the Gaelic-L archives. Enjoy!
Craig (former co-owner, Gaelic-L - 1992)
Craig (former co-owner, Gaelic-L - 1992)
23 April 2009
Cheap printer cartridge replacements
I'm switching to MoreInks for my replacement printer cartridges as they are by far the cheapest I have found so far, and importantly the replacements they sell include the necessary chip in the compatible cartridges so you don't need to mess around for ages trying to pry the chip off the standard cartridge and onto the clone.
£3.99 for a replacement black cartridge (with chip) for a Canon printer, can't complain at that price, or a whole set of 4 chipped cartridges for £12.99
many thanks!
Craig
£3.99 for a replacement black cartridge (with chip) for a Canon printer, can't complain at that price, or a whole set of 4 chipped cartridges for £12.99
many thanks!
Craig
21 April 2009
Susan Boyle and the local talent contest
OK, I thought I'd add this piece of local info for the millions of Susan Boyle fans watching her on YouTube etc.
Personally I think she's a brilliant singer, even more so that she broke the mould for what the judges expected a winner to look like.
However, it seems that despite an incredible voice and world wide fame even she seems to have struggled at my local social club's talent contest, so reports this week's Linlithgow Gazette, a paper from the same county as Susan Boyle.
As if that wasn't surprising enough, three other UK talent finalists have also failed to win anything in the local talent contest. They are: Michelle McManus, winner of the UK wide Pop Idol series 2, David Sneddon, winner of the UK wide Fame Academy on BBC and Andrew Muir, a top ten finalist in the previous Britain's Got Talent.
Good going that West Lothian has so many singers capable of reaching the top in UK talent contests, if only they could win at the Linlithgow Rose social club down the road they'd have it made!
Craig
An occasional singer who is #1 on Google out of 500,000+ pages...
Personally I think she's a brilliant singer, even more so that she broke the mould for what the judges expected a winner to look like.
However, it seems that despite an incredible voice and world wide fame even she seems to have struggled at my local social club's talent contest, so reports this week's Linlithgow Gazette, a paper from the same county as Susan Boyle.
As if that wasn't surprising enough, three other UK talent finalists have also failed to win anything in the local talent contest. They are: Michelle McManus, winner of the UK wide Pop Idol series 2, David Sneddon, winner of the UK wide Fame Academy on BBC and Andrew Muir, a top ten finalist in the previous Britain's Got Talent.
Good going that West Lothian has so many singers capable of reaching the top in UK talent contests, if only they could win at the Linlithgow Rose social club down the road they'd have it made!
Craig
An occasional singer who is #1 on Google out of 500,000+ pages...
12 April 2009
Easter Holiday
Craig
09 April 2009
Fulltiltpoker.com, stickiest site on the Internet
Figures according to Nielsen on-line, February 2009. see here for full breakdown.
Craig, Web project manager, Full Tilt Poker.
Available from mid April for my next opportunity, LinkedIn.
Craig, Web project manager, Full Tilt Poker.
Available from mid April for my next opportunity, LinkedIn.
06 April 2009
Diomhair- The BBC documentary on independence for Scotland
Diomhair Part 1, Diomhair Part 2, Diomhair Part 3, Diomhair Part 4, Diomhair Part 5, Diomhair Part 6
Diomhair is Gaelic for "Secret"
This is a major eyeopener. Congratulations indeed to the BBC for broadcasting it. This story demands global coverage.
-original message-
Subject: Diomhair- The Secrets Out
From: David McCann <david.mccann24@btopenworld.com>
Date: 06/04/2009 17:59
Read my blog, make your comments, get the links to Youtube, and pass to all
in your address book.
http://www.scottishindependenceconvention.org/
David McCann
Secretary Scottish Independence Convention
24 Paton Street
Alloa
FK10 2DY
Tel 01259 211335
http://www.scottishindependenceconvention.org/
Tartan Day 2009
It's Tartan Day 2009 today.
For more information see Scotland's tartan day or Tartan Day USA.
Yesterday was apparently wear a kilt day, not forgetting 2nd April which was wear a kilt to work day. Make a note for next year!
For more information on Tartan Day, see the soc.culture.scottish FAQ, the first online guide to Scotland.
Craig
For more information see Scotland's tartan day or Tartan Day USA.
Yesterday was apparently wear a kilt day, not forgetting 2nd April which was wear a kilt to work day. Make a note for next year!
For more information on Tartan Day, see the soc.culture.scottish FAQ, the first online guide to Scotland.
Craig
17 March 2009
St Patrick's day fun
I like this, especially as I fly Aer Lingus twice a week to/from Dublin!
Aer Lingus Flight 101 was flying from Heathrow to Dublin one night, with Paddy the Pilot, and Seamus the co-pilot. As they approached Dublin airport, they looked out the front window.
"B’jeesus" said Paddy "Will ye look at how fookin short dat runway is".
"You’re not fookin kiddin, Paddy" replied Seamus.
"Dis is gonna be one a’ de trickiest landings you’re ever gonna see" said Paddy.
"You’re not fookin kiddin, Paddy" replied Seamus.
"Right Shamus. When I give de signal, you put de engines in reverse" said Paddy.
"Right, I’ll be doing dat" replied Seamus.
"And den ye put de flaps down straight away" said Paddy.
"Right, I’ll be doing dat" replied Seamus.
"And den ye stamp on dem brakes as hard as ye can" said Paddy.
"Right, I’ll be doing dat" replied Seamus.
"And den ye pray to de Mother Mary with all a’ your soul" said Paddy.
"I be doing dat already" replied Seamus.
So they approached the runway with Paddy and Seamus full of nerves and sweaty palms. As soon as the wheels hit the ground, Seamus put the engines in reverse, put the flaps down, stamped on the brakes and prayed to Mother Mary with all of his soul.
Amidst roaring engines, squealing of tyres and lots of smoke, the plane screeched to a halt centimetres from the end of the runway, much to the relief of Paddy and Seamus and everyone on board. As they sat in the cockpit regaining their composure, Paddy looked out the front window and said to Seamus "Dat has gotta be de shortest fookin runway I have EVER seen in me whole life". Seamus looked out the side window and replied…."Yeah Paddy, but look how fookin wide it is".
Aer Lingus Flight 101 was flying from Heathrow to Dublin one night, with Paddy the Pilot, and Seamus the co-pilot. As they approached Dublin airport, they looked out the front window.
"B’jeesus" said Paddy "Will ye look at how fookin short dat runway is".
"You’re not fookin kiddin, Paddy" replied Seamus.
"Dis is gonna be one a’ de trickiest landings you’re ever gonna see" said Paddy.
"You’re not fookin kiddin, Paddy" replied Seamus.
"Right Shamus. When I give de signal, you put de engines in reverse" said Paddy.
"Right, I’ll be doing dat" replied Seamus.
"And den ye put de flaps down straight away" said Paddy.
"Right, I’ll be doing dat" replied Seamus.
"And den ye stamp on dem brakes as hard as ye can" said Paddy.
"Right, I’ll be doing dat" replied Seamus.
"And den ye pray to de Mother Mary with all a’ your soul" said Paddy.
"I be doing dat already" replied Seamus.
So they approached the runway with Paddy and Seamus full of nerves and sweaty palms. As soon as the wheels hit the ground, Seamus put the engines in reverse, put the flaps down, stamped on the brakes and prayed to Mother Mary with all of his soul.
Amidst roaring engines, squealing of tyres and lots of smoke, the plane screeched to a halt centimetres from the end of the runway, much to the relief of Paddy and Seamus and everyone on board. As they sat in the cockpit regaining their composure, Paddy looked out the front window and said to Seamus "Dat has gotta be de shortest fookin runway I have EVER seen in me whole life". Seamus looked out the side window and replied…."Yeah Paddy, but look how fookin wide it is".
03 March 2009
Gaelic events in Edinburgh: March/April 2009
Info from Com-pàirteachas Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann (Edinburgh Gaelic Partnership)
Sunday 01.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr John A. Macmillan. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 03.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 04.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 05.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Saturday 07.03.08 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Friday 06.03.09 – 8.30pm “Bothan” at new venue - GRV, 37 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh with Mary Macmillan. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Saturday 07.03.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with Gaelic singers Kirsteen Grant, Ian Maclean, Dougie Gillespie, Rena Gertz, Martin Gourlay & instrumentalist Robbie Greig. Piper - Neil McClure. MC – Dougie Gillespie. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 08.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Neil Martin. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 10.03.09 – 1.00pm Gaelic Lunch Club, Mount Royal Hotel, Princes St. Speaker: Dolina Maclennan. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Tuesday 10.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 11.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 12.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Saturday 14.03.08 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Sunday 15.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Alasdair Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 17.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 18.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 19.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Saturday 21.03.09 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Saturday 21.03.09 – 1pm – 6pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir – Gaelic singing workshop for phrasing, vocal techniques, harmony, Gaelic pronunciation etc. Duddingston Kirk Hall, Duddingston Rd.W. £10.00.
(Cont: http://www.edinburghsaltiregaelicchoir.org.uk )
Sunday 22.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Neil Martin. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 24.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 25.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 26.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Friday 27.03.09 – 8.00pm “‘S math sin” Ceilidh/Dance for Edinburgh Gaelic Community – Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. Singers/musicians and Black Rose Ceilidh Band. Tickets from Ceilidh Culture Box Office (228 1155) or tickets@gaelic-edinburgh.net
Saturday 28.03.08 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Sunday 29.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 31.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 01.04.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 02.04.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 02.04.09 – 7.30pm Lothian Gaelic Choir - Gaelic Singing Workshop with Kenna Campbell, Colmcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Tce. (Cont: 07818 067524 or http://www.lothiangaelicchoir.org.uk
Saturday 04.04.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with 2008 Silver Pendant winner Lynn Phipps; Norrman Mackinnon (Gold Medallist), Ceitidh Smith, Angus Montgomery (accordionist), Scots singer Scott Gardiner, Highland Dancers & piper Neil McClure. MC – Angus Montgomery. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 05.04.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 07.04.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 08.04.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu ghnothaichean Gàidhlig an Dùn Èideann, cur fios gu Iain Macleòid, Oifigear Coimhearsnachd air 07906 318561 no post-d gu john@andarach.com.
For information on Gaelic activities in Edinburgh & to add your contact details to the circulation list, contact John Macleod, Gaelic Community Officer on 07906 318561 or john@andarach.com Weekly updates on Gaelic activities in Edinburgh now featured in the Stornoway Gazette (paper & website). See also http://www.duneideann.net
“’Is fheàrr a bhith lag, seòlta na bhith làidir, aineolach!”
(‘Better to be frail and perceptive than to be robust and ignorant!)
Sunday 01.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr John A. Macmillan. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 03.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 04.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 05.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Saturday 07.03.08 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Friday 06.03.09 – 8.30pm “Bothan” at new venue - GRV, 37 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh with Mary Macmillan. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Saturday 07.03.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with Gaelic singers Kirsteen Grant, Ian Maclean, Dougie Gillespie, Rena Gertz, Martin Gourlay & instrumentalist Robbie Greig. Piper - Neil McClure. MC – Dougie Gillespie. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 08.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Neil Martin. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 10.03.09 – 1.00pm Gaelic Lunch Club, Mount Royal Hotel, Princes St. Speaker: Dolina Maclennan. (Cont: 07906 318561)
Tuesday 10.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 11.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 12.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Saturday 14.03.08 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Sunday 15.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Alasdair Macleod. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 17.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 18.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 19.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Saturday 21.03.09 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Saturday 21.03.09 – 1pm – 6pm Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir – Gaelic singing workshop for phrasing, vocal techniques, harmony, Gaelic pronunciation etc. Duddingston Kirk Hall, Duddingston Rd.W. £10.00.
(Cont: http://www.edinburghsaltiregaelicchoir.org.uk )
Sunday 22.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Mr Neil Martin. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 24.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 25.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 26.03.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Friday 27.03.09 – 8.00pm “‘S math sin” Ceilidh/Dance for Edinburgh Gaelic Community – Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. Singers/musicians and Black Rose Ceilidh Band. Tickets from Ceilidh Culture Box Office (228 1155) or tickets@gaelic-edinburgh.net
Saturday 28.03.08 – 11.15am Family Gaelic Club, TollX Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 07729 307487)
Sunday 29.03.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Rev. Angus Smith. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 31.03.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 01.04.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 02.04.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. (Cont: 664 2228)
Thursday 02.04.09 – 7.30pm Lothian Gaelic Choir - Gaelic Singing Workshop with Kenna Campbell, Colmcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Tce. (Cont: 07818 067524 or http://www.lothiangaelicchoir.org.uk
Saturday 04.04.09 – 7.30pm Comunn Tir nam Beann Ceilidh, St. John’s Church Hall, Princes St. with 2008 Silver Pendant winner Lynn Phipps; Norrman Mackinnon (Gold Medallist), Ceitidh Smith, Angus Montgomery (accordionist), Scots singer Scott Gardiner, Highland Dancers & piper Neil McClure. MC – Angus Montgomery. (Cont: 334 7005)
Sunday 05.04.09 – 12.30pm Weekly Gaelic service, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. (Cont: 225 1900).
Tuesday 07.04.09 – 7.30pm Gaelic Conversation Circle – SNP Rooms, North St. Andrew St. with Calum Cameron. (Cont: 334 7005)
Wednesday 08.04.09 – 7.15pm Ulpan tuition class, Tollcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. (Cont: 664 2228)
Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu ghnothaichean Gàidhlig an Dùn Èideann, cur fios gu Iain Macleòid, Oifigear Coimhearsnachd air 07906 318561 no post-d gu john@andarach.com.
For information on Gaelic activities in Edinburgh & to add your contact details to the circulation list, contact John Macleod, Gaelic Community Officer on 07906 318561 or john@andarach.com Weekly updates on Gaelic activities in Edinburgh now featured in the Stornoway Gazette (paper & website). See also http://www.duneideann.net
“’Is fheàrr a bhith lag, seòlta na bhith làidir, aineolach!”
(‘Better to be frail and perceptive than to be robust and ignorant!)
02 March 2009
The Fred Goodwin pension problem
OK, so the Government and most sane people reckon that Fred's £16m pension reward for the biggest failure in UK corporate history is unjustifiable. I would agree it's an outrageous reward for the biggest fail ever in UK corporate history, however if it's in his contract what can be done?
1. First of all the government should realise that by trying to weasel around contract law and pension law by claiming back his legal entitlement, it opens the floodgates for all those hard-done-by benefit claimants that really need the government's support and are all too often eliminated from the basic money they need by government red tape. I know, I've had the chancellor of the exchequer tell me so personally (he used to be my MP). The government all to regularly hides behind legislation that results in the needy being denied money because of red tape (e.g. form says "please return this form within a month otherwise your claim may be delayed" without informing the claimant that the underlying legislation requires the form to be returned within a month otherwise the claim will be invalid and so on). If the government can twist and bend the legislation to get back some of Sir Fred's pension then it should certainly have a thought for the hard done by citizens of this country, struggling in a recession on a lot less than Fred's feather bed nest egg and who the government is all to happy to exclude from a basic minimum entitlement, despite paying national insurance etc. If the government can bend the rules to rake in money, it can surely bend the rules to pay it out to those who need it most.
2. If the government is adopting the new found stance of ensuring that failure isn't rewarded and that people don't want away from failure with large fat-cat salaries then we really need to question what example MPs are going to set. After all, Gordon Brown has presided over the biggest economic failure this side of the great depression yet in 2 years will walk away from that failure with a well paid job in the city and a pension that even Sir Fred Goodwin would enjoy. Surely if bankers are to be penalised for failure, the same rule should apply to the politicians which allowed the bankers to be so reckless in the first place. The buck stops with government. I'm sure the politicians that preside over failure would be a lot less keen on calling for Fred to pay back some of his pot if the same politicians were having their pension pot culled by the same percentage and for exactly the same reasons.
That's what I don't like about Labour. One rule for them and another one for everyone else.
Shoe on the other foot, Gordon Brown?
1. First of all the government should realise that by trying to weasel around contract law and pension law by claiming back his legal entitlement, it opens the floodgates for all those hard-done-by benefit claimants that really need the government's support and are all too often eliminated from the basic money they need by government red tape. I know, I've had the chancellor of the exchequer tell me so personally (he used to be my MP). The government all to regularly hides behind legislation that results in the needy being denied money because of red tape (e.g. form says "please return this form within a month otherwise your claim may be delayed" without informing the claimant that the underlying legislation requires the form to be returned within a month otherwise the claim will be invalid and so on). If the government can twist and bend the legislation to get back some of Sir Fred's pension then it should certainly have a thought for the hard done by citizens of this country, struggling in a recession on a lot less than Fred's feather bed nest egg and who the government is all to happy to exclude from a basic minimum entitlement, despite paying national insurance etc. If the government can bend the rules to rake in money, it can surely bend the rules to pay it out to those who need it most.
2. If the government is adopting the new found stance of ensuring that failure isn't rewarded and that people don't want away from failure with large fat-cat salaries then we really need to question what example MPs are going to set. After all, Gordon Brown has presided over the biggest economic failure this side of the great depression yet in 2 years will walk away from that failure with a well paid job in the city and a pension that even Sir Fred Goodwin would enjoy. Surely if bankers are to be penalised for failure, the same rule should apply to the politicians which allowed the bankers to be so reckless in the first place. The buck stops with government. I'm sure the politicians that preside over failure would be a lot less keen on calling for Fred to pay back some of his pot if the same politicians were having their pension pot culled by the same percentage and for exactly the same reasons.
That's what I don't like about Labour. One rule for them and another one for everyone else.
Shoe on the other foot, Gordon Brown?
26 February 2009
Banking observation
spot the odd one out:
Lord Stevenson, former chairman, HBOS Bank
Andy Hornby, former CEO, HBOS Bank
Sir Fred Goodwin, former CEO, RBS Bank
Sir Tom McKillup, former chairman, RBS Bank
John McFall MP, chairman, Treasury Select Committee
Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Sir Terry Wogan, presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
It's Terry Wogan, the only one with a banking qualification.
Lord Stevenson, former chairman, HBOS Bank
Andy Hornby, former CEO, HBOS Bank
Sir Fred Goodwin, former CEO, RBS Bank
Sir Tom McKillup, former chairman, RBS Bank
John McFall MP, chairman, Treasury Select Committee
Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Sir Terry Wogan, presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
It's Terry Wogan, the only one with a banking qualification.
22 February 2009
Aer Lingus cheaper than Ryanair
How Aer Lingus is cheaper than Ryanair. This'll annoy Michael O'Leary.
This is my weekly flight, so these are real figures based on looking at the relative websites today and booking my usual route with my usual baggage allowance and my usual credit card. I have excluded seat booking costs from this as I don't need to choose my seat in advance. Both airlines of course are guilty for advertising headline air fares without including all the mandatory charges (including tax and any booking fees).
Cost Aer Lingus = £109.75. Cost Ryanair = £194.20
Aer Lingus markup over flight cost = 214%
Ryan air markup over flight cost = 285%
Ryan Air are not only more expensive for my journey option but there's no loyalty scheme and I would have to queue at the airport to pay the excess baggage fee.
Booking parameters:
Route Edinburgh - Dublin on 02 March 2009 (need to fly from Edinburgh as it's an early start)
Dublin - Edinburgh/Glasgow on March 06 March 2009 (can fly back to either Glasgow or Edinburgh, doesn't matter to me).
Flying with 17Kg of hold bags
Compared on Sunday afternoon, 22nd Feb 2009
Aer Lingus Edinburgh-Dublin-Edinburgh
Flight £19.99 + £74.99 = £94.98
Including taxes and charges (except the processing charge) = £141.75
Handling charge = £8
Total to fly = £149.75
Bag charge £20
Total to pay = £169.75
cost for mandatory extras on top of the flight cost = ((169.75-94.98)/94.98)*100 =78%
Aer Lingus Edinburgh-Dublin-Glasgow
Flight £19.99 + £14.99 = £34.98
Including taxes and charges (except the processing charge) = £81.75
Handling charge = £8
Total to fly = £89.75
Bag charge = £20
Total to pay = £109.75
costs for Mandatory Extras on top of the flight cost = ((109.75-34.98)/34.98)*100 = 214%
Ryanair Edinburgh-Dublin-Edinburgh
Flight £0.49+£49.99= £50.48
Including taxes and charges = £96.20
Add bag handling = £28.50
Add Mastercard fee £9.50
Add excess bag costs 2Kg (over) * £15 per kilo * 2 (per flight) = £60
Total Ryanair costs = £96.20 + £28.50 + £9.50 + £60 = £194.20
Even without the £60 extra bag charge, this is £134.20
The costs of the flight were £50.48.
Cost for mandatory extras = 166% extra on top of the flight costs.
Plus the bag charge its 285%
This is my weekly flight, so these are real figures based on looking at the relative websites today and booking my usual route with my usual baggage allowance and my usual credit card. I have excluded seat booking costs from this as I don't need to choose my seat in advance. Both airlines of course are guilty for advertising headline air fares without including all the mandatory charges (including tax and any booking fees).
Cost Aer Lingus = £109.75. Cost Ryanair = £194.20
Aer Lingus markup over flight cost = 214%
Ryan air markup over flight cost = 285%
Ryan Air are not only more expensive for my journey option but there's no loyalty scheme and I would have to queue at the airport to pay the excess baggage fee.
Booking parameters:
Route Edinburgh - Dublin on 02 March 2009 (need to fly from Edinburgh as it's an early start)
Dublin - Edinburgh/Glasgow on March 06 March 2009 (can fly back to either Glasgow or Edinburgh, doesn't matter to me).
Flying with 17Kg of hold bags
Compared on Sunday afternoon, 22nd Feb 2009
Aer Lingus Edinburgh-Dublin-Edinburgh
Flight £19.99 + £74.99 = £94.98
Including taxes and charges (except the processing charge) = £141.75
Handling charge = £8
Total to fly = £149.75
Bag charge £20
Total to pay = £169.75
cost for mandatory extras on top of the flight cost = ((169.75-94.98)/94.98)*100 =78%
Aer Lingus Edinburgh-Dublin-Glasgow
Flight £19.99 + £14.99 = £34.98
Including taxes and charges (except the processing charge) = £81.75
Handling charge = £8
Total to fly = £89.75
Bag charge = £20
Total to pay = £109.75
costs for Mandatory Extras on top of the flight cost = ((109.75-34.98)/34.98)*100 = 214%
Ryanair Edinburgh-Dublin-Edinburgh
Flight £0.49+£49.99= £50.48
Including taxes and charges = £96.20
Add bag handling = £28.50
Add Mastercard fee £9.50
Add excess bag costs 2Kg (over) * £15 per kilo * 2 (per flight) = £60
Total Ryanair costs = £96.20 + £28.50 + £9.50 + £60 = £194.20
Even without the £60 extra bag charge, this is £134.20
The costs of the flight were £50.48.
Cost for mandatory extras = 166% extra on top of the flight costs.
Plus the bag charge its 285%
14 February 2009
siliconglen on twitter
http://twitter.com/siliconglen
Still updating this blog but my whereabouts are more frequently updated on twitter. Thanks for following, Craig
01 February 2009
Banking ignorance
I liked this quote from the recent Davos conference:
Once again, as I have said repeatedly on this blog bankers seem to be completely out of touch with customer service, a vision of improving the quality of their products and are constantly engaged in an endless cycle of making as much money as possible and no consequences for either customer service or indeed the global recession their greed has now caused. The above is simply another statement of their ignorance of the real world. Put the bankers into an environment where it's about more than just making as much money in a risky a fashion as possible and it's into headless chicken mode.
Still, one thing appears clear - the above quote does at least indicate that in the last year months they have learnt something about honesty.
Top tip for banks: Now is the time that you need to start thinking out of the box and investing in startups that have a solid business model which works in a recession. That's where you'll get the great growth rates, not in buying other banks laden with sub-prime debt (Royal Bank of Scotland etc take note)
Craig
One top money market manager said: "If you believe that the world economy will turn the corner at the end of this year, or in [the first quarter] of 2010, I tell you we have not turned the corner, we can't see the corner, we don't even know where the corner is."
Once again, as I have said repeatedly on this blog bankers seem to be completely out of touch with customer service, a vision of improving the quality of their products and are constantly engaged in an endless cycle of making as much money as possible and no consequences for either customer service or indeed the global recession their greed has now caused. The above is simply another statement of their ignorance of the real world. Put the bankers into an environment where it's about more than just making as much money in a risky a fashion as possible and it's into headless chicken mode.
Still, one thing appears clear - the above quote does at least indicate that in the last year months they have learnt something about honesty.
Top tip for banks: Now is the time that you need to start thinking out of the box and investing in startups that have a solid business model which works in a recession. That's where you'll get the great growth rates, not in buying other banks laden with sub-prime debt (Royal Bank of Scotland etc take note)
Craig
25 January 2009
Robert Burns, 250th Anniversary
Today marks 250 years since the birth of Robert Burns, the world's best known poet.
For details of what's on to mark this occasion, please visit Homecoming Scotland.
This year's Burns night marks the 15th year of publication of the first online guide to Scotland, available at The soc.culture.scottish FAQ pages where of course you can read all about Robert Burns. See also the comprehensive information on Wikipedia regarding Robert Burns as well as the complete works of Robert Burns on Burns Country. A particular favourite of mine is the song is there for honest poverty (for a' that).
Enjoy!
Craig
For details of what's on to mark this occasion, please visit Homecoming Scotland.
This year's Burns night marks the 15th year of publication of the first online guide to Scotland, available at The soc.culture.scottish FAQ pages where of course you can read all about Robert Burns. See also the comprehensive information on Wikipedia regarding Robert Burns as well as the complete works of Robert Burns on Burns Country. A particular favourite of mine is the song is there for honest poverty (for a' that).
Enjoy!
Craig
07 January 2009
Richard Dawkin's letter to his ten-year-old daughter about belief
The wider this letter is distributed, the better.
To my dearest daughter,
Now that you are ten, I want to write to you about something that is important to me. Have you ever wondered how we know the things that we know? How do we know, for instance, that the stars, which look like tiny pinpricks in the sky, are really huge balls of fire like the Sun and very far away? And how do we know that the Earth is a smaller ball whirling round one of those stars, the Sun?
The answer to these questions is ‘evidence’.
Sometimes evidence means actually seeing (or hearing, feeling, smelling….) that something is true. Astronauts have traveled far enough from the Earth to see with their own eyes that it is round. Sometimes our eyes need help. The ‘evening star’ looks like a bright twinkle in the sky but with a telescope you can see that it is a beautiful ball – the planet we call Venus. Something that you learn by direct seeing (or hearing or feeling…) is called an observation.
Often evidence isn’t just observation on its own, but observation always lies at the back of it. If there’s been a murder, often nobody (except the murderer and the dead person!) actually observed it. But detectives can gather together lots of other observations which may all point towards a particular suspect. If a person’s fingerprints match those found on a dagger, this is evidence that he touched it. It doesn’t prove that he did the murder, but it can help when it’s joined up with lots of other evidence. Sometimes a detective can think about a whole lot of observations and suddenly realize that they all fall into place and make sense if so-and-so did the murder.
Scientists – the specialists in discovering what is true about the world and the universe – often work like detectives. They make a guess (called a hypothesis) about what might be true. They then say to themselves: if that were really true, we ought to see so-and-so. This is called a prediction. For example, if the world is really round, we can predict that a traveler, going on and on in the same direction, should eventually find himself back where he started. When a doctor says that you have measles he doesn’t take one look at you and see measles. His first look gives him a hypothesis that you may have measles. Then he says to himself: if she really has measles, I ought to see… Then he runs through his list of predictions and tests them with his eyes (have you got spots?), his hands (is your forehead hot?), and his ears (does your chest wheeze in a measly way?). Only then does he make his decision and say, ‘I diagnose that the child has measles.’ Sometimes doctors need to do other tests like blood tests or X-rays, which help their eyes, hands and ears to make observations.
The way scientists use evidence to learn about the world is much cleverer and more complicated than I can say in a short letter. But now I want to move on from evidence, which is a good reason for believing something, and warn you against three bad reasons for believing anything. They are called ‘tradition’, ‘authority’, and ‘revelation’.
First, tradition. A few months ago, I went on television to have a discussion with about 50 children. These children were invited because they’d been brought up in lots of different religions. Some had been brought up as Christians, others as Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs. The man with the microphone went from child to child, asking them what they believed. What they said shows up exactly what I mean by ‘tradition’. Their beliefs turned out to have no connection with evidence. They just trotted out the beliefs of their parents and grandparents, which, in turn, were not based upon evidence either. They said things like, ‘We Hindus believe so and so.’ ‘We Muslims believe such and such.’ ‘We Christians believe something else.’ Of course, since they all believed different things, they couldn’t all be right. The man with the microphone seemed to think this quite proper, and he didn’t even try to get them to argue out their differences with each other. But that isn’t the point I want to make. I simply want to ask where their beliefs came from. They came from tradition. Tradition means beliefs handed down from grandparent to parent to child, and so on. Or from books handed down through the centuries. Traditional beliefs often start from almost nothing; perhaps somebody just makes them up originally, like the stories about Thor and Zeus. But after they’ve been handed down over some centuries, the mere fact that they are so old makes them seem special. People believe things simply because people have believed the same thing over centuries. That’s tradition.
The trouble with tradition is that, no matter how long ago a story was made up, it is still exactly as true or untrue as the original story was. If you make up a story that isn’t true, handing it down over any number of centuries doesn’t make it any truer!
Most people in England have been baptized into the Church of England, but this is only one of many branches of the Christian religion. There are other branches such as the Russian Orthodox, the Roman Catholic and the Methodist churches. They all believe different things. The Jewish religion and the Muslim religion are a bit more different still; and there are different kinds of Jews and of Muslims. People who believe even slightly different things from each other often go to war over their disagreements. So you might think that they must have some pretty good reasons – evidence – for believing what they believe. But actually their different beliefs are entirely due to different traditions.
Let’s talk about one particular tradition. Roman Catholics believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was so special that she didn’t die but was lifted bodily into Heaven. Other Christian traditions disagree, saying that Mary did die like anybody else. These other religions don’t talk about her much and, unlike Roman Catholics, they don’t call her the ‘Queen of Heaven’. The tradition that Mary’s body was lifted into Heaven is not a very old one. The Bible says nothing about how or when she died; in fact the poor woman is scarcely mentioned in the Bible at all. The belief that her body was lifted into Heaven wasn’t invented until about six centuries after Jesus’s time. At first it was just made up, in the same way as any story like Snow White was made up. But, over the centuries, it grew into a tradition and people started to take it seriously simply because the story had been handed down over so many generations. The older the tradition became, the more people took it seriously. It finally was written down as an official Roman Catholic belief only very recently, in 1950. But the story was no more true in 1950 than it was when it was first invented 600 years after Mary’s death.
I’ll come back to tradition at the end of my letter, and look at it in another way. But first I must deal with the two other bad reasons for believing in anything: authority and revelation.
Authority, as a reason for believing something, means believing it because you are told to believe it by somebody important. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is the most important person, and people believe he must be right just because he is the Pope. In one branch of the Muslim religion, the important people are old men with beards called Ayatollahs. Lots of young Muslims are prepared to commit murder, purely because the Ayatollahs in a faraway country tell them to.
When I say that it was only in 1950 that Roman Catholics were finally told that they had to believe that Mary’s body shot off to Heaven, what I mean is that in 1950 the Pope told people that they had to believe it. That was it. The Pope said it was true, so it had to be true! Now, probably some of the things that Pope said in his life were true and some were not true. There is no good reason why, just because he was the Pope, you should believe everything he said, any more than you believe everything that lots of other people say. The present Pope has ordered his followers not to limit the number of babies they have. If people follow his authority as slavishly as he would wish, the results could be terrible famines, diseases and wars, caused by overcrowding.
Of course, even in science, sometimes we haven’t seen the evidence ourselves and we have to take somebody else’s word for it. I haven’t with my own eyes, seen the evidence that light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. Instead, I believe books that tell me the speed of light. This looks like ‘authority’. But actually it is much better than authority because the people who wrote the books have seen the evidence and anyone is free to look carefully at the evidence whenever they want. That is very comforting. But not even the priests claim that there is any evidence for their story about Mary’s body zooming off to Heaven.
The third kind of bad reason for believing anything is called ‘revelation’. If you had asked the Pope in 1950 how he knew that Mary’s body disappeared into Heaven, he would probably have said that it had been ‘revealed’ to him. He shut himself in his room and prayed for guidance. He thought and thought, all by himself, and he became more and more sure inside himself. When religious people just have a feeling inside themselves that something must be true, even though there is no evidence that it is true, they call their feeling ‘revelation’. It isn’t only popes who claim to have revelations. Lots of religious people do. It is one of their main reasons for believing the things that they do believe. But is it a good reason?
Suppose I told you that your dog was dead. You’d be very upset, and you’d probably say, ‘Are you sure? How do you know? How did it happen?’ Now suppose I answered: ‘I don’t actually know that Pepe is dead. I have no evidence. I just have this funny feeling deep inside me that he is dead.’ You’d be pretty cross with me for scaring you, because you’d know that an inside ‘feeling’ on its own is not a good reason for believing that a whippet is dead. You need evidence. We all have inside feelings from time to time, and sometimes they turn out to be right and sometimes they don’t. Anyway, different people have opposite feelings, so how are we to decide whose feeling is right? The only way to be sure that a dog is dead is to see him dead, or hear that his heart has stopped; or be told by somebody who has seen or heard some real evidence that he is dead.
People sometimes say that you must believe in feelings deep inside, otherwise you’d never be confident of things like ‘My wife loves me’. But this is a bad argument. There can be plenty of evidence that somebody loves you. All through the day when you are with somebody who loves you, you see and hear lots of little tidbits of evidence, and they all add up. It isn’t purely inside feeling, like the feeling that priests call revelation. There are outside things to back up the inside feeling: looks in the eye, tender notes in the voice, little favors and kindnesses; this is all real evidence.
Sometimes people have a strong inside feeling that somebody loves them when it is not based upon any evidence, and then they are likely to be completely wrong. There are people with a strong inside feeling that a famous film star loves them, when really the film star hasn’t even met them. People like that are ill in their minds. Inside feelings must be backed up by evidence, otherwise you just can’t trust them.
Inside feelings are valuable in science too, but only for giving you ideas that you later test by looking for evidence. A scientist can have a ‘hunch’ about an idea that just ‘feels’ right. In itself, this is not a good reason for believing something. But it can be a good reason for spending some time doing a particular experiment, or looking in a particular way for evidence. Scientists use inside feelings all the time to get ideas. But they are not worth anything until they are supported by evidence.
I promised that I’d come back to tradition, and look at it in another way. I want to try to explain why tradition is so important to us. All animals are built (by the process called evolution) to survive in the normal place in which their kind live. Lions are built to be good at surviving on the plains of Africa. Crayfish are built to be good at surviving in fresh water, while lobsters are built to be good at surviving in the salt sea. People are animals too, and we are built to be good at surviving in a world full of … other people. Most of us don’t hunt for our own food like lions or lobsters, we buy it from other people who have bought it from yet other people. We ‘swim’ through a ‘sea of people’. Just as a fish needs gills to survive in water, people need brains that make them able to deal with other people. Just as the sea is full of salt water, the sea of people is full of difficult things to learn. Like language.
You speak English but your friend speaks German. You each speak the language that fits you to ‘swim about’ in your own separate ‘people sea’. Language is passed down by tradition. There is no other way. In England, Pepe is a dog. In Germany he is ein Hund. Neither of these words is more correct, or more truer than the other. Both are simply handed down. In order to be good at ‘swimming about in their people sea’, children have to learn the language of their own country, and lots of other things about their own people; and this means that they have to absorb, like blotting paper, an enormous amount of traditional information. (Remember that traditional information just means things that are handed down from grandparents to parents to children.) The child’s brain has to be a sucker for traditional information. And the child can’t be expected to sort out good and useful traditional information, like the words of a language, from bad or silly traditional information, like believing in witches and devils and ever-living virgins.
It’s a pity, but it can’t help being the case, that because children have to be suckers for traditional information, they are likely to believe anything the grown-ups tell them, whether true or false, right or wrong. Lots of what grown-ups tell them is true and based on evidence or at least sensible. But if some of it is false, silly or even wicked, there is nothing to stop the children believing that too. Now, when the children grow up, what do they do? Well, of course, they tell it to the next generation of children. So, once something gets itself strongly believed – even if its completely untrue and there never was any reason to believe it in the first place – it can go on forever.
Could this be what happened with religions? Belief that there is a god or gods, belief in Heaven, belief that Mary never died, belief that Jesus never had a human father, belief that prayers are answered, belief that wine turns into blood – not one of these beliefs is backed up by any good evidence. Yet millions of people believe them. Perhaps this is because they were told to believe them when they were young enough to believe anything.
Millions of other people believe quite different things, because they were told different things when they were children. Muslim children are told different things from Christian children, and both grow up utterly convinced that they are right and the others are wrong. Even within Christians, Roman Catholics believe different things from Church of England people or Episcopalians, Shakers or Quakers, Mormons or Holy Rollers, and all are utterly convinced that they are right and the others are wrong. They believe different things for exactly the same kind of reason as you speak English and someone speaks German.
Both languages are, in their own country, the right language to speak. But it can’t be true that different religions are right in their own countries, because different religions claim that opposite things are true. Mary can’t be alive in the Catholic Republic but dead in Protestant Northern Ireland.
What can we do about all this? It is not easy for you to do anything, because you are only ten. But you could try this. Next time somebody tells you something that sounds important, think to yourself: ‘Is this the kind of thing that people probably know because of evidence? Or is it the kind of thing that people only believe because of tradition, authority or revelation?’ And, next time somebody tells you that something is true, why not say to them: ‘What kind of evidence is there for that?’ And if they can’t give you a good answer, I hope you’ll think very carefully before you believe a word they say.
Your loving,
Daddy
RICHARD DAWKINS is an evolutionary biologist; reader in the Department of Zoology at Oxford University; fellow of New College. He began his research career in the 1960s as a research student with Nobel Prize-winning ethologist Nico Tinbergen, and ever since then, his work has largely been concerned with the evolution of behaviour. Since 1976, when his first book, The Selfish Gene, encapsulated both the substance and the spirit of what is now called the socio-biological revolution, he has become widely known, both for the originality of his ideas and for the clarity and elegance with which he expounds them. A subsequent book, The Extended Phenotype, and a number of television programs, have extended the notion of the gene as the unit of selection, and have applied it to biological examples as various as the relationship between hosts and parasites and the evolution of cooperation. His following book, The Blind Watchmaker, is widely read, widely quoted, and one of the truly influential intellectual works of our time. He is also author of the recently published River Out of Eden.
Craig
To my dearest daughter,
Now that you are ten, I want to write to you about something that is important to me. Have you ever wondered how we know the things that we know? How do we know, for instance, that the stars, which look like tiny pinpricks in the sky, are really huge balls of fire like the Sun and very far away? And how do we know that the Earth is a smaller ball whirling round one of those stars, the Sun?
The answer to these questions is ‘evidence’.
Sometimes evidence means actually seeing (or hearing, feeling, smelling….) that something is true. Astronauts have traveled far enough from the Earth to see with their own eyes that it is round. Sometimes our eyes need help. The ‘evening star’ looks like a bright twinkle in the sky but with a telescope you can see that it is a beautiful ball – the planet we call Venus. Something that you learn by direct seeing (or hearing or feeling…) is called an observation.
Often evidence isn’t just observation on its own, but observation always lies at the back of it. If there’s been a murder, often nobody (except the murderer and the dead person!) actually observed it. But detectives can gather together lots of other observations which may all point towards a particular suspect. If a person’s fingerprints match those found on a dagger, this is evidence that he touched it. It doesn’t prove that he did the murder, but it can help when it’s joined up with lots of other evidence. Sometimes a detective can think about a whole lot of observations and suddenly realize that they all fall into place and make sense if so-and-so did the murder.
Scientists – the specialists in discovering what is true about the world and the universe – often work like detectives. They make a guess (called a hypothesis) about what might be true. They then say to themselves: if that were really true, we ought to see so-and-so. This is called a prediction. For example, if the world is really round, we can predict that a traveler, going on and on in the same direction, should eventually find himself back where he started. When a doctor says that you have measles he doesn’t take one look at you and see measles. His first look gives him a hypothesis that you may have measles. Then he says to himself: if she really has measles, I ought to see… Then he runs through his list of predictions and tests them with his eyes (have you got spots?), his hands (is your forehead hot?), and his ears (does your chest wheeze in a measly way?). Only then does he make his decision and say, ‘I diagnose that the child has measles.’ Sometimes doctors need to do other tests like blood tests or X-rays, which help their eyes, hands and ears to make observations.
The way scientists use evidence to learn about the world is much cleverer and more complicated than I can say in a short letter. But now I want to move on from evidence, which is a good reason for believing something, and warn you against three bad reasons for believing anything. They are called ‘tradition’, ‘authority’, and ‘revelation’.
First, tradition. A few months ago, I went on television to have a discussion with about 50 children. These children were invited because they’d been brought up in lots of different religions. Some had been brought up as Christians, others as Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs. The man with the microphone went from child to child, asking them what they believed. What they said shows up exactly what I mean by ‘tradition’. Their beliefs turned out to have no connection with evidence. They just trotted out the beliefs of their parents and grandparents, which, in turn, were not based upon evidence either. They said things like, ‘We Hindus believe so and so.’ ‘We Muslims believe such and such.’ ‘We Christians believe something else.’ Of course, since they all believed different things, they couldn’t all be right. The man with the microphone seemed to think this quite proper, and he didn’t even try to get them to argue out their differences with each other. But that isn’t the point I want to make. I simply want to ask where their beliefs came from. They came from tradition. Tradition means beliefs handed down from grandparent to parent to child, and so on. Or from books handed down through the centuries. Traditional beliefs often start from almost nothing; perhaps somebody just makes them up originally, like the stories about Thor and Zeus. But after they’ve been handed down over some centuries, the mere fact that they are so old makes them seem special. People believe things simply because people have believed the same thing over centuries. That’s tradition.
The trouble with tradition is that, no matter how long ago a story was made up, it is still exactly as true or untrue as the original story was. If you make up a story that isn’t true, handing it down over any number of centuries doesn’t make it any truer!
Most people in England have been baptized into the Church of England, but this is only one of many branches of the Christian religion. There are other branches such as the Russian Orthodox, the Roman Catholic and the Methodist churches. They all believe different things. The Jewish religion and the Muslim religion are a bit more different still; and there are different kinds of Jews and of Muslims. People who believe even slightly different things from each other often go to war over their disagreements. So you might think that they must have some pretty good reasons – evidence – for believing what they believe. But actually their different beliefs are entirely due to different traditions.
Let’s talk about one particular tradition. Roman Catholics believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was so special that she didn’t die but was lifted bodily into Heaven. Other Christian traditions disagree, saying that Mary did die like anybody else. These other religions don’t talk about her much and, unlike Roman Catholics, they don’t call her the ‘Queen of Heaven’. The tradition that Mary’s body was lifted into Heaven is not a very old one. The Bible says nothing about how or when she died; in fact the poor woman is scarcely mentioned in the Bible at all. The belief that her body was lifted into Heaven wasn’t invented until about six centuries after Jesus’s time. At first it was just made up, in the same way as any story like Snow White was made up. But, over the centuries, it grew into a tradition and people started to take it seriously simply because the story had been handed down over so many generations. The older the tradition became, the more people took it seriously. It finally was written down as an official Roman Catholic belief only very recently, in 1950. But the story was no more true in 1950 than it was when it was first invented 600 years after Mary’s death.
I’ll come back to tradition at the end of my letter, and look at it in another way. But first I must deal with the two other bad reasons for believing in anything: authority and revelation.
Authority, as a reason for believing something, means believing it because you are told to believe it by somebody important. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is the most important person, and people believe he must be right just because he is the Pope. In one branch of the Muslim religion, the important people are old men with beards called Ayatollahs. Lots of young Muslims are prepared to commit murder, purely because the Ayatollahs in a faraway country tell them to.
When I say that it was only in 1950 that Roman Catholics were finally told that they had to believe that Mary’s body shot off to Heaven, what I mean is that in 1950 the Pope told people that they had to believe it. That was it. The Pope said it was true, so it had to be true! Now, probably some of the things that Pope said in his life were true and some were not true. There is no good reason why, just because he was the Pope, you should believe everything he said, any more than you believe everything that lots of other people say. The present Pope has ordered his followers not to limit the number of babies they have. If people follow his authority as slavishly as he would wish, the results could be terrible famines, diseases and wars, caused by overcrowding.
Of course, even in science, sometimes we haven’t seen the evidence ourselves and we have to take somebody else’s word for it. I haven’t with my own eyes, seen the evidence that light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. Instead, I believe books that tell me the speed of light. This looks like ‘authority’. But actually it is much better than authority because the people who wrote the books have seen the evidence and anyone is free to look carefully at the evidence whenever they want. That is very comforting. But not even the priests claim that there is any evidence for their story about Mary’s body zooming off to Heaven.
The third kind of bad reason for believing anything is called ‘revelation’. If you had asked the Pope in 1950 how he knew that Mary’s body disappeared into Heaven, he would probably have said that it had been ‘revealed’ to him. He shut himself in his room and prayed for guidance. He thought and thought, all by himself, and he became more and more sure inside himself. When religious people just have a feeling inside themselves that something must be true, even though there is no evidence that it is true, they call their feeling ‘revelation’. It isn’t only popes who claim to have revelations. Lots of religious people do. It is one of their main reasons for believing the things that they do believe. But is it a good reason?
Suppose I told you that your dog was dead. You’d be very upset, and you’d probably say, ‘Are you sure? How do you know? How did it happen?’ Now suppose I answered: ‘I don’t actually know that Pepe is dead. I have no evidence. I just have this funny feeling deep inside me that he is dead.’ You’d be pretty cross with me for scaring you, because you’d know that an inside ‘feeling’ on its own is not a good reason for believing that a whippet is dead. You need evidence. We all have inside feelings from time to time, and sometimes they turn out to be right and sometimes they don’t. Anyway, different people have opposite feelings, so how are we to decide whose feeling is right? The only way to be sure that a dog is dead is to see him dead, or hear that his heart has stopped; or be told by somebody who has seen or heard some real evidence that he is dead.
People sometimes say that you must believe in feelings deep inside, otherwise you’d never be confident of things like ‘My wife loves me’. But this is a bad argument. There can be plenty of evidence that somebody loves you. All through the day when you are with somebody who loves you, you see and hear lots of little tidbits of evidence, and they all add up. It isn’t purely inside feeling, like the feeling that priests call revelation. There are outside things to back up the inside feeling: looks in the eye, tender notes in the voice, little favors and kindnesses; this is all real evidence.
Sometimes people have a strong inside feeling that somebody loves them when it is not based upon any evidence, and then they are likely to be completely wrong. There are people with a strong inside feeling that a famous film star loves them, when really the film star hasn’t even met them. People like that are ill in their minds. Inside feelings must be backed up by evidence, otherwise you just can’t trust them.
Inside feelings are valuable in science too, but only for giving you ideas that you later test by looking for evidence. A scientist can have a ‘hunch’ about an idea that just ‘feels’ right. In itself, this is not a good reason for believing something. But it can be a good reason for spending some time doing a particular experiment, or looking in a particular way for evidence. Scientists use inside feelings all the time to get ideas. But they are not worth anything until they are supported by evidence.
I promised that I’d come back to tradition, and look at it in another way. I want to try to explain why tradition is so important to us. All animals are built (by the process called evolution) to survive in the normal place in which their kind live. Lions are built to be good at surviving on the plains of Africa. Crayfish are built to be good at surviving in fresh water, while lobsters are built to be good at surviving in the salt sea. People are animals too, and we are built to be good at surviving in a world full of … other people. Most of us don’t hunt for our own food like lions or lobsters, we buy it from other people who have bought it from yet other people. We ‘swim’ through a ‘sea of people’. Just as a fish needs gills to survive in water, people need brains that make them able to deal with other people. Just as the sea is full of salt water, the sea of people is full of difficult things to learn. Like language.
You speak English but your friend speaks German. You each speak the language that fits you to ‘swim about’ in your own separate ‘people sea’. Language is passed down by tradition. There is no other way. In England, Pepe is a dog. In Germany he is ein Hund. Neither of these words is more correct, or more truer than the other. Both are simply handed down. In order to be good at ‘swimming about in their people sea’, children have to learn the language of their own country, and lots of other things about their own people; and this means that they have to absorb, like blotting paper, an enormous amount of traditional information. (Remember that traditional information just means things that are handed down from grandparents to parents to children.) The child’s brain has to be a sucker for traditional information. And the child can’t be expected to sort out good and useful traditional information, like the words of a language, from bad or silly traditional information, like believing in witches and devils and ever-living virgins.
It’s a pity, but it can’t help being the case, that because children have to be suckers for traditional information, they are likely to believe anything the grown-ups tell them, whether true or false, right or wrong. Lots of what grown-ups tell them is true and based on evidence or at least sensible. But if some of it is false, silly or even wicked, there is nothing to stop the children believing that too. Now, when the children grow up, what do they do? Well, of course, they tell it to the next generation of children. So, once something gets itself strongly believed – even if its completely untrue and there never was any reason to believe it in the first place – it can go on forever.
Could this be what happened with religions? Belief that there is a god or gods, belief in Heaven, belief that Mary never died, belief that Jesus never had a human father, belief that prayers are answered, belief that wine turns into blood – not one of these beliefs is backed up by any good evidence. Yet millions of people believe them. Perhaps this is because they were told to believe them when they were young enough to believe anything.
Millions of other people believe quite different things, because they were told different things when they were children. Muslim children are told different things from Christian children, and both grow up utterly convinced that they are right and the others are wrong. Even within Christians, Roman Catholics believe different things from Church of England people or Episcopalians, Shakers or Quakers, Mormons or Holy Rollers, and all are utterly convinced that they are right and the others are wrong. They believe different things for exactly the same kind of reason as you speak English and someone speaks German.
Both languages are, in their own country, the right language to speak. But it can’t be true that different religions are right in their own countries, because different religions claim that opposite things are true. Mary can’t be alive in the Catholic Republic but dead in Protestant Northern Ireland.
What can we do about all this? It is not easy for you to do anything, because you are only ten. But you could try this. Next time somebody tells you something that sounds important, think to yourself: ‘Is this the kind of thing that people probably know because of evidence? Or is it the kind of thing that people only believe because of tradition, authority or revelation?’ And, next time somebody tells you that something is true, why not say to them: ‘What kind of evidence is there for that?’ And if they can’t give you a good answer, I hope you’ll think very carefully before you believe a word they say.
Your loving,
Daddy
RICHARD DAWKINS is an evolutionary biologist; reader in the Department of Zoology at Oxford University; fellow of New College. He began his research career in the 1960s as a research student with Nobel Prize-winning ethologist Nico Tinbergen, and ever since then, his work has largely been concerned with the evolution of behaviour. Since 1976, when his first book, The Selfish Gene, encapsulated both the substance and the spirit of what is now called the socio-biological revolution, he has become widely known, both for the originality of his ideas and for the clarity and elegance with which he expounds them. A subsequent book, The Extended Phenotype, and a number of television programs, have extended the notion of the gene as the unit of selection, and have applied it to biological examples as various as the relationship between hosts and parasites and the evolution of cooperation. His following book, The Blind Watchmaker, is widely read, widely quoted, and one of the truly influential intellectual works of our time. He is also author of the recently published River Out of Eden.
Craig
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