* Posts by Velv

2756 publicly visible posts • joined 21 Jan 2010

London Underground cleaners to refuse fingerprint clock-on

Velv

Ever simpler. Carol who has the hangover can phone the automated telephone line to clock on from anywhere. Doesn't need Bob's help.

But let's turn this on its head. If there was a fire during cleaning, how would they know who was where? How do you take a headcount at the marshalling point if you don't know who started work, or worse, how many fireman do you commit to a search when Carol hasn't been accounted for?

Miners and plenty other hazardous environments use "clocking" to keep people safe. "I counted them all out and I counted them all back."

Zuck off, Zuck: Brit duo's JustDelete.Me nukes clingy web accounts

Velv

Re: But why?

Post your details here and we'll see if the Reg readership can find any trace of you ;)

BBC releases MYSTERY RIDDLE poster for Doctor Who anniversary episode

Velv

Re: Old who

Perhaps they should broadcast *EVERY* episode.

OK, maybe it's not prime time, but why not three episodes a night during the night - most people can record it to watch. Or every afternoon on BBC4 (i.e. before 7pm).

Give it back to the nation

James Bond's Lotus Esprit submarine car sells for £550,000

Velv
Coat

Not enough info

"which isn't road-worthy"

The BBC article referenced states "it is not a car that can be driven on the road"

Does that mean it's incapable of being driven on wheels, or just that it doesn't meet the MOT criteria. We really need to know these things, they're important!

David Attenborough warns that humans have stopped evolving

Velv
Terminator

Depends on how you define "Natural Selection" - just look at the Darwin awards.

We really should start removing the warnings labels and signs and fences and guards and let nature take its own course...

Opera unveils iPad-only browser

Velv

All going the way Douglas Adams suggested - eventually you'll need to sit extremely still just to stay on the same page. The slightest tilt and you'll be off in the weirdest direction.

ooooooooo, can I patent that - tilt the device left or right to move backward or forward (with the obvious extension of it being configurable for those who read the other way)

Microsoft's VDI deals make Windows Server cheapest desktop OS

Velv

Re: Buying in Virtual Windows Desktops is dangerous then

Every company wants to save money.

Most Enterprises however have a policy of only using vendor supported hardware, OS and applications - gives them someone to kick when it goes wrong.

So as soon as a viable Linux offering is available that is fully supported and runs all the supported applications then you'll seem Enterprises leaping at it (assuming the cost isn't more than Windows). But for now most Enterprises will continue to pay MS as the perceived risk of Linux is too high.

And I'm not defending Windows - I'd like to see more choice for the Enterprise - It's just not going to happen any day soon - Linux remains a specialised platform - try and recruit an experienced desktop support person for Linux and you'll pay through the nose, where Windows support staff are relatively cheap. Plus you've got to retrain all your staff (no, really, you do, despite how easy or similar you may think it is).

Don't tell the D-G! BBC-funded study says Beeb is 'too right wing'

Velv

Sometimes the BBC is to careful in its political correctness and its "in the interests of fairness" - when a Boffin explains why a new science discovery is pushing the boundaries of our knowledge of science, why do they also have to have a trick cyclist come on and argue it's the will of the Unicorns. (I exaggerate for effect, but seriously, watch them do it - maybe not News at Ten, but certainly on Sunday morning).

BAN THIS SICK FILCH: Which? demands end to £1.50-per-min 'help' lines

Velv
Boffin

Agreed it should be "local" to reach the complaints or customer care.

But when you offer technical services that go beyond pure customer service, why should you offer them for fee (other than its good customer service). If you need technical help, you either fix it yourself or you pay an expert (and I admit the term expert for some of these lines is a bit of an exaggeration)

"I can't get this computer to work"

"Have you plugged it in Sir?"

"Yes"

"And have you pushed the On button?"

"I can't see the On button"

"Why can't you see the On Button!

"The lights are off."

"Turn the light on please Sir"

"No point, the power's been cut off"

"OK, sir, have you still got the box, you're going to need to take the computer back to the shop"

"What should I tell them?"

"Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer"

Chrome turns five, gains new 'desktop apps'

Velv
Paris Hilton

Re: It's only evil if you care

"Predatory birds" - is that a euphemism, because my "cat" related ads all seem to be about Cougars

Fancy some BEER ON TOAST? Italy invents spreadable booze

Velv
Happy

Nice. I see what you did there.

Ministry of Sound sues Spotify over user playlists

Velv
Pirate

Re: Passing off

Who are the users passing the list off to? At worst they might be sharing the list with friends, I doubt there is any way to charge for a list

Not a spotify user, so don't know its full capabilities, but it sounds to me like MoS are bonkers.

But it's only wafer thin: Skinniest keyboard EVER is designed by Camby biz

Velv
Headmaster

OK, maybe I'm missing something but surely the thinnest keyboard ever is the one that projects onto a surface, cause really, light isn't that thick.

Doctors face tribunal over claims of plagiarism in iPhone app

Velv
Joke

So I might not be in a position to complain, but if I'm in need of critical appraisal the very last thing I want to see is a doctor referring to an app on their phone!

Facebook update: "GEES, look at this guy, ha ha ha ..."

Vodafone, can you get a signal at the top of your $130bn Verizon cash pile?

Velv
Go

Re: Nothing to the taxman?

Tax liabilities - depends on where the holding is held. If your Vodafone shares are in a Stocks And Shares ISA then the ISA rules should apply.

HMRC: You don't pay any tax on the interest or dividends you receive from an ISA and any profits from investments are free of Capital Gains Tax.

And an ISA can contain Stocks from any "recognised stock exchange", which would cover Verizon shares (although if you read the full press release, Vodafone have also insisted Verizon provide access for shareholders with <50,000 Vodafone shares to convert the element to cash).

Scots council cops £100K fine for spaffing vulnerable kids' data ONLINE

Velv

Re: Policies?

Which is why companies should be required to have whistle blowing policies (although if they can't get the Data Protection and Homeworking policies in place, they don't stand much chance of getting a whistle blowing policy that is considered safe).

Vodafone and Verizon update relationship status: $130bn worth of complicated

Velv
Flame

Nobody WANTS to pay tax. No, really, no matter what they say, nobody actually wants to pay tax. Most people accept it is something necessary, and the right thing to do .

However why should tax be paid if NO TAX IS DUE.

If you don't like the law of the land, CHANGE THE LAW, not attack the companies undertaking their normal business.

(Anarchists don't believe in law, so if they were to attack anyone I'd expect the Police to try and stop them)

Velv

Robert Peston over at the BBC has lots of further information.

Apart from the transactions taking place outside the UK (and therefore not being subject to UK tax), even if it did happen in the UK, there is an exemption for large holdings transactions like these. It was introduced by Gordon Brown when he was chancellor. It's going to be interesting watching Labour MPs complaining in parliament about Vodafone not paying tax...

Punter strikes back at cold callers - by charging THEM to call HIM

Velv
FAIL

Re: cold-calls..

"why the fuck do I still have to pay for landline rental anyway?"

BECAUSE YOU WANT BROADBAND.

Clue's in the name - LINE RENTAL. You want a copper cable into your house, you pay for a copper cable into your house (or fibre). How else do you expect them to deliver your broadband - subspace ether???

Velv
Go

Re: Not sure this is worthwhile

Multitasking.

Since he says he was fed up being interrupted watching Coronation Street, would you rather:

a) get nothing for watching Coronation Street

b) get £4.20 for watching Coronation Street

I prefer options c,d,e,f, etc which doesn't involve watching Coronation Street, but that's a different issue.

Velv
FAIL

Re: Ah but

Nice try, but fail.

I doubt you can register an 0871 number with TPS - kind of defeats the purpose of having a number you can publish so that third parties can contact you (which is the purpose of 0871 numbers).

It could be argued that if he didn't publish it, then nobody should be calling it, but as the article says, he did give the number to legitimate parties who requested his number. TPS specifically permits companies you've "given permission" to call you. The fact those companies leak your number is a different issue...

On the plus side, most of the cold callers use automated dialling - so unless the company writing the autodialler included rules to exclude premium numbers then it must be assumed they've consented to any charges associated with calling a particular number. No human dialling - no person can raise an objection to the charges.

NSA: NOBODY could stop Snowden – he was A SYSADMIN

Velv

The next time your business complains when you bang on about "security" and "rights" and "admins" and "risk" and "why can't we just do it", point them at Edward Snowden.

An admin did it and ran away.

HMRC nabs 5 after £500k 'cyber attack' on tax systems

Velv
Flame

Re: Good

It's flippant statements like this that do nobody any good.

Yes, keep the pressure up. Yes, go after the big tax dodgers as well.

But since the "big" tax dodgers make up less than 10% of the alleged dodged tax, keep after the little shitty fraudsters as well.

The biggies are usually working within the strict letter of the law (which I'm not trying to condone) - many of the little guys are not just cheating HMRC but are often engaged in much more serious criminal activity

Dopey dope-growing dope smoked out by own dope dope-growing vid

Velv
Childcatcher

Re: "manufacturing a controlled drug".

Prof. Nutt is a perfect example of politicians and governments - you higher the finest experts in the world to advise you, but if you don't like what they say, you sack them and find someone else.

It's about time this country woke up and smelt the coffee (caffeine's a drug) of acceptable "drugs" (alcohol, tobacco, dextromethorphan (Benylin)) and started making some tax from it. Legalised manufacture/growth and distribution should ensure a (comparatively) safe product is being used (well we seem to think the current legal lot is comparatively safe if the guidelines are followed, so why not others).

Vodafone mulls $100bn Verizon stake sale - now about that $10bn tax bill...

Velv

As someone pointed out on an investment forum, BTs market capitalisation is ~£30bn, and given Vodafone's interest in fixed line operators elsewhere they could be an interesting target for someone with £70bn cash in their pocket...

While the Competition Commission would need to be consulted, the overlap in their current markers is tiny.

Discuss

Three axes data-roaming fees in SEVEN countries

Velv
Coffee/keyboard

Data

I'm getting REALLY fed up of this "data" restriction from most of the networks (and not specifically when roaming).

If you pay for a set amount of data on your connection then you should be entitled to move that volume of data over the connection. Source and destination should largely be irrelevant. It would be like the government saying "we've increased the speed limit to 200mph, but only if you use a horse drawn carriage".

I left Three because they blocked me from using the data bundle I'd been buying for my SIM because "you can't use that SIM for data" (they didn't however stop charging for it!). In other words, "we'll quite happily sell you buy a bundle of data, but we won't let you actually use it".

Networks - we know you read this - GET IT SORTED. Give us the data we're paying for!!!

Quarter of a million quid fine for data-wipe gaffe? ICO told: Nae, laddie

Velv
Childcatcher

In fining the Council, you are in fact fining the Council Tax payers, which doesn't seem entirely fair (although clearly something is required otherwise there'd be no disincentive to abide by the law).

Councils (and other pubic bodies) should be held to the same standards and laws as the private sector.

Instead of fines against the "company", perhaps the law should focus on personal prosecutions of the "Directors" of public bodies for the organisations failings . There are many areas where private sector directors are personally liable, so why not public sector "Chief Executives"?

Make your Councillor work - don't re-elect them!

Eggheads turn Motorola feature phone into CITYWIDE GSM jammer

Velv
Black Helicopters

Here come the tinfoil hat brigade!!!

"This must have been written in to the standard so that governments can spy on the people!!!"

You won't find this in your phone: A 4GHz 12-core Power8 for badass boxes

Velv

Is it just me, or does that first picture of the chip look exactly like the picture of the Intel chip that looked exactly like the picture of the Apple chip? Is there just a Getty library of chip images?

Botched court doc outs Google as respondent in national security flap

Velv

One can't help but think of Ford Prefect hiding his expenses account from the his publishers

BILLION-TONNE BELCH emitted from Sun to hit Earth this weekend

Velv
Go

Re: Proton Flux levels

Another handy link, which you can also get to email and tweet you alerts:

http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/

Hacktivists boast of English Defence League KO after website downed

Velv
Thumb Up

Re: Yeah, just because you disagree with someone..

Nope, not in the "vaguely petty" category, but not for the reason you might think.

If the core hacktivists are from Pakistan as indicated (and are probably therefore Muslim) then silencing the EDL actually strengthens the EDL case of a perceived threat since the silencing is implementing Sharia law by removing the blasphemy.

Censorship is CENSORSHIP. Doesn't matter if it's state, religious or any other reason.

The EDL may be scum (opinion), so let's not give them excuses.

Bradley Manning* sentenced to 35 years in prison

Velv
Childcatcher

Re: It's a sad state of affairs

He could have chosen to leak ONLY those documents that were evidence of war crimes.

But between Manning and Assange there were over 700,000 documents leaked. Manning was naive, wikileaks was lazy, Manning pays the price. One right does not make up for lots of wrongs.

If you want to bring murders into it, would you immediately free a serial murderer just because one of their victims turned out to be a paedophile? One right does not make up for lots of wrongs.

Velv
Black Helicopters

Re: No....

@Rampant Spaniel "I do wonder how much he was 'egged on' by Assange to take anything and everything he could get his hands on"

Agreed, to the extent that wikileaks is complicit in the depth of trouble Manning has ended up in.

Wikileaks HAD THE OPTION to conduct due diligence on content prior to publishing it. Wikileaks did not need to release the 700,000 documents, they simply chose the easy option of publishing everything instead of doing the legwork to find the important TRUE whistleblowing amongst the chaff of embarrassment.

I've been critical of Manning for this, and it remains my stance - if he was a true whistleblower then the volume of documents would be a tiny fraction of those released. To core dump everything was asking for trouble (and for that I really blame wikileaks laziness, since I fully support the concept of wikileaks).

US highway agency awards Tesla Model S record safety score

Velv
Trollface

Yup, stationary cars don't tend to hit pedestrians

Green German gov battles to keep fossil powerplants running

Velv
Childcatcher

Just pray to God you don't live in Scotland. They'll be 100% green by 2020. And dark.

Although like all good drug dealers they'll be pumping the fossil fuels out to anyone that will pay the premium.

Velv

Re: nuclear is not an option

@smartypants

It's not (just) about nuclear proving it is safe. It is about the cost. Dounreay hasn't generated a single KWh since 1977 yet it won't be returned to normal site until 2336 (no, that's not a typo).

If you factor in the full lifetime cost of ownership nuclear is expensive. Your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will be paying for your electricity today.

Card-cloning crooks use 3D printers to make ever-better skimmers

Velv

ATM makers will just need to make the front of the machine more complex. There's too much blank grey space at the moment, plenty of place to embed holograms at surface level or something else difficult to copy or print.

Or we just ban 3D printers - banning things seems to be the favoured option of most MPs these days.

Osama Bin Pwned: Al Qaeda mocked in Twitter counter-jihad

Velv
Black Helicopters

Hasn't anybody told them tweeters can be traced. Quite easily if recent court cases are to be believed.

What's that loud noise coming from above...

Google's Street View cars venture inside TARDIS

Velv
Happy

Re: Needs more work...

I don't care which Doctor you make me as long as I have Amy Pond with me.

Feds arrest rogue trucker after GPS jamming borks New Jersey airport test

Velv

Re: Crumbs

Planes have (largely) been landing successfully for a hundred years without this "augmented" service.

Apple trademark filing may provide peek into iTunes Radio capability

Velv

Why can't Apple just put a good old fashioned radio tuner into their handsets?

It's not as if there aren't the radio circuits already in the device. And it's not as if Apple aren't doing it because they won't pay any relevant patent fees since patents don't normally stop them.

Top Brit biz giants love to outsource IT so much, they're gonna do it more

Velv

Re: The promise of reducing costs is the main driver

Further, you get ONLY what you pay for. Anything else is you want is where the profit lies, and you will want something else and you'll pay through the nose for it.

It only looks cheap because it appears in a different column on the balance sheet. It's a thin line between good accountancy, cooking the books and fraud.

Google patents swish, swosh, swoosh pattern unlock app swipe

Velv
Coffee/keyboard

THIS IS NOT PATENTABLE

FFS, this is an extension of the unlocking by patterns which was barely patentable in the first place. Or is today April 1st?

Apple will swap fanbois' killer phoney phone chargers for legit adapters

Velv
Pirate

Re: A good opportunity to sell stock at cost and look big'n'caring

It doesn't help that Apple have chosen to ignore the treaties it has signed that mandate the Micro USB as the charging port. A treaty it signed before the iPhone 4 was released, and long before the release of the lightning port (i.e. early or before the development lifecycle).

Now the fanbois will tell you "ah but Apple will sell you an adapter" - well that has two faults - one, you need to carry it, so why not just carry the original cable that came with the phone, and two, you still HAVE TO BUY IT for £15.

Lawsuit: Infosys abuses visas to discriminate against US staff

Velv

Beancounters

Business doesn't want to pay. Now however it appears to have an option of "cheaper" IT through companies like Infosys who have access to resources in cheaper locations. And as discussed, they bring their "cheap" resource onshore to make it look like they're local.

You get what you pay for. Ask RBS how their batch system is these days?

While the beancounters remain in control we're going to see increased use of "cheaper" services, because, you know, "one techie is the same as another". No, seriously Mr Beancounter, they're not. You really do get what you pay for.

Jimbo Wales: ISP smut blocking systems simply 'ridiculous'

Velv
FAIL

Concept and Implementation

Concept - children should be shielded from inappropriate material. No sane person can disagree with this broad statement. And it is a very broad statement. It doesn't include the word sex or internet, it covers a multitude of sins, and doesn't mandate HOW the children should be shielded.

Implementation - we need to enforce censorship on everyone so that they think we are shielding their children from sex on the internet. Oh this fails on so many levels. Technically useless and entirely unethical.

In some ways I agree with the CONCEPT of ISP's providing a filtering service on each connection - if it stops 90% of kids reaching an inappropriate site (by accident or by curiosity) then it's probably doing good. But the high horsed Daily Mail reading "we must BAN it" does NOTHING to really protect anyone, and the cross-party proposal fails to address the issue, the concept.

Where do we stop - ban topless bathing at the beach, ban bikinis and budgiesmugglers, ban mini skirts, ban the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing. Perhaps the simpler answer would be to require all children to wear blindfolds unless supervised directly by their parents...

Tick-tock, Apple: Obama has just days to stop US iPhone iPad sales ban

Velv
Go

Re: It"s done.

That's a lot cheaper than the FRAND license Apple refuse to buy into, unlike all their competition who paid Samsung for the use of the patents.

Now if the Obama's administration want to show what democracy and freedom are about, they'll also strike down any bans on Samsung (or others) that are about FRAND patent infringement.

You're 30 years old and your PIN is '1983'. DAMMIT, biz mobe user

Velv
Terminator

Re: toooooo many passwords

So hacking your PayPal might cost you money. It might even cost you a few hundred, or perhaps into the low thousands.

Having your identity stolen will cost you your life (OK, not literally, as in death, but it will be "life changing")

It takes years to re-establish yourself as a trustworthy individual. Don't worry about that mortgage that got revoked, you won't even be able to get a mobile phone account and its PAYG from now on. No credit for a car or washing machine. No credit for fuel - pre-pay meter coming your way soon. And don't try and get a job in financial services, they check your credit score too.

It's YOUR information - its up to you to decide just how much to protect it.

Kevin Bacon avoids slapped wrist after TV pipe-fatness claims

Velv
Trollface

Re: Superfast

Mmeanwhile your wallet is emptying at a similarly impressive rate