Technology, Friend or Foe

The weather today (7 May) has stayed dry enough for me to cut the grass. The weather is unseasonably cold for the time of year, but as the old adage suggests: 'ne'er cast a clout till May is out.' In other words expect cold weather snaps and over the last few nights, although we seemed to have avoided them, there have been rural frosts not too far away.

I've been in a contemplative mood these last few days hence why no blog and I'm doing lots of reading at the moment and a bit of tidying up. I'm thinking about a new computer to replace this ageing beast and I'll give this model to my son but looking for a new one is not so easy. Looking for reliability and sustainability and trying to future proof myself by making this new machine last a few years is the stuff of nightmares as technology rumbles ever on. 

Do I go over to the dark side and get an Apple Mac or do I stick with Windows? The trouble is they are all now so interlinked as I discovered when I decided to move into the modern world and get an Android smart phone. The Android stuff is not compatible with Apple and vice versa. My e-mails, Twitter, Facebook, G-Mail account are all synchronised neatly through my phone and on the move, I don't really need a computer - I have the phone. Okay, it doesn't have any Office stuff on it and writing a lengthy report or memo on a phone would be a pain in the ass and a strain on the eyes. 

I was looking at the iPad the other day (on the computer, not physically), smallish, light, simple and clever but no Microsoft Office (or so I'm told) and frankly not too robust looking for someone who is clumsy and has fingers like sausages.

Oh what to do - continue with Dell or move to something like HP; move from a desktop to a laptop; go from Windows to Apple? Decisions, decisions.

In an act of necessity and economic sense, I have decided not to pursue a new camera but to stick with the Canon 40D I have which is a lovely piece of kit and does what it says on the tin. I just need to use it more but it's not exactly the sort of thing you slip in your pocket which is why I am still in love with my Panasonic Lumix which goes with me everywhere. Even my Samsung phone has an 8mp phone on it although it is a little limited - for example on a bright day, it's virtually impossible to see the screen to set up and take shots; cameras are much preferred.

With the help of my son John, I managed to update my phones software last evening which seems to make it run much quicker and smoother and it looks slightly better too. Oh how we rely on technology to help us on a day to day basis. Banking is done on line, I rarely write personal letters any more, "what's your e-mail address?" I don't publish letters, I write a blog, I don't advertise in the newspaper, I am constructing a web site. I talk to my friends and relatives on Facebook (other social sites are available) and if anything exciting happens (no it hasn't) I Twitter it.

All good fun, but a little limiting. It doesn't cut the grass, paint the house, feed me, give me love and  affection, etc. Not that I would want it to.

I'm not complaining really, I have been using computers for over twenty years and the truth is that although they are a pain, I do enjoy them by and large.

You know I don't normally do much in the way of politics, except when I'm in rant mode (another technical term) but have been fascinated by a distinct move to the left of politics with resounding defeats for the Conservatives in this months local elections in the United Kingdom, a socialist President in France (congratulations Sir) and Greece turning away from centre/right politics. Ye the Chancellor in the UK says we must trundle on on our current course, (and presumably ignore the message they have received from the electorate - not very democratic is it?)

I've had a week off work on a bit of a break, back tomorrow - shame. I've rather enjoyed this start of the journey to rediscover myself again.

Chat soon

Ta-ra

Barack Hussein Obama II

I like to keep an eye on politics and whilst not being an expert on party politics, in my job you have to keep your ear to the ground for what's going on in politics with a small 'p'. The elections in the UK for some Members of the European Parliament have concluded although we haven't got the results yet and the council elections have sent an overwhelming message to the Labour Party.

"Governments are like underwear. They need to be changed - often - and for the same reason."
Italian Proverb

What makes all this small country politics pale into insignificance was the statesman-like performance of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama II.

He made a groundbreaking speech of major significance this week in Cairo Eygpt with a view to reinvigorating the Middle East peace process and giving a strong message to the Muslim world.

Why does this affect me sat here in rural East Yorkshire on the other side of the world? Firstly Obama showed that he is a clever speech maker and although he tripped up a couple of times, his 55 minute speech was consummately delivered, with passion and with substance. Contrast that with our current political leaders who lack confidence and concentrate on preventing self-destruction rather than issues that are affecting our country.

Secondly he was clearly not afraid to tell some home truths to an audience of an Arab nation. Criticising the Israelis, traditional and cultural friends of the USA as well as criticising the Palestinians, he unswervingly stuck to his overtures of the need to work together to solve differences and perceptions of differences - he said he was not at war with Islam. This means that he starts a dialogue of peace and thinking which may mean that the threat of terrorism and the threat to my freedom and my children's future is a little less dangerous than it was - only by a wafer thin margin, but it's a start.

He used words like 'tolerance, justice and mutual respect.' He talked passionately about democracy and religious freedom. He warned about the threat of nuclear weapons and how violence never achieved its desired result. Finally he talked about the rights of women, economic development and opportunity.

It was all very high level and strategic, no detail to talk of, but the message was clear that this man wants peace but not at a price and he is clear that the USA will continue to confront extremism.

I like him. He appears straight forward, open, on an even keel and knowledgeable with desire to succeed while being realistic enough that things don't change overnight. He's not a rabble-rouser, but I suspect he is to be ignored at your peril. Good luck to him and for what he wants to achieve.

I'm sure that his parents are mistaken - he was clearly born a Yorkshireman, forthright, intelligent and a stylish dresser (not sure I can get away with that one!)

"Mr Speaker, I withdraw my statement that half the Cabinet are asses - half the Cabinet are not asses."
Benjamin Disraeli (British politician, 1804 - 1881)

Have a great weekend.

Chat soon

Ta-ra