Posts by nohatjim

Diesel Server

Back when I used to actually touch computers for a living rather than drive a mouse and keyboard I was the lead engineer installing branch servers for a British company that made oxygen

These were tower servers to support a windows 95 rollout. Most were installed in stationary cupboards with no special environmental.

I was called to go and check on one we installed a few weeks later as it has stopped working. It looked find from the outside so I disconnected the power and cables put it on its side and opened the side panel.

What erupted from wiring was a black sludge that came out 15-20 cm from the case. It was sticky and disgusting but also a mystery.

After talking to the office manager we found out the computer had been making the room too warm so the little windows had been left open.

I walked around the side of the building and the building was actually built into a hill side and parked with its exhaust pointing directly at the window was a lorry. Each morning and throughout the day 10-15 small trucks would park there and when they started their engines pump a black cloud directly through the windows. The computer was dead

CEST says I am out

Client agrees but doesn’t want to risk is and KPMG advises them to rewrite my new contract so I am inside!!!!!!!!!!

So just been told my contract between my limited company and agency is outside IR35 but the one between my client and the agency is inside. So I am inside.

#couldn’tmakeitup

Head phone socket

My iPhone 6s is going to need a new battery again soon. Until this phone. Upgraded each time the S version came out but loss of socket means no upgrade path.

My 6s will keep being my phone

Until either

1 lighting headphones drop to £20 mark

Or

2 headphone socket comes back

Or

3 it dies completely

I tried android and found it difficult - 7 years of iPhone and iPad use is probably to blame

What phone to get

My iPhone 6s battery now lasts half a day. The phone is over two years old but I can’t find a replacement. I just want a decent smart phone that I can run Skype, boxer, Facebook, eBay, no games reasonable camera but must have headphone socket.

Guess I am going to end up with an Android but my one android phone I have had was far too frustrating.

Dodged the bullet

I was interviewed some time ago by Microsoft to head the program to rollout the new Windows environment for the Met.

I didn't get the job - don't think I was going to take it anyway but think I dodged a bullet

I had an account and ignored it for about four years. Then I found some groups that I was interested and ended up spending hours on the bloody thing. Has a holiday this summer with no tech and have now got rid of the iphone and facebook. Much happier

I have to admit I thought it was over priced and still do but I have spent the money and love my Sono's kit.

The flexibility and functionality are great. It finally managed to convince my wife to put the CD's in the attic. I put my 3 in the kitchen for a family get together then wasn't allowed to take it back to my office :) Had to buy another one

Where has the Asus PR-900 got too

The ebook reader I am waiting for is the Asus PR-900 but it still doesn't seem to have a release date. If the DX was avliable now in the UK I might just cut my losses and buy one.