As you walk about Blackpool, you can’t help but notice the text filed vista before you. And, in almost all cases, it raises a smile. Not because it isn necessarily funny, mainly because it seems to be genuinely without irony. You have to admire the spirit that allows that to happen. Also, the denseness of the signs makes for some very silly juxtaposition, as...

Before I get into what I will loosely refer to as the “meat“, I’d like to start with a small disclaimer. There is a slight risk that this post could, to the untrained eye, make me look like a grumpy, ungrateful, tight-fisted, old curmudgeon. If you start to think that as you read, you’ve got the wrong man. That’s my Dad you’re...

They often say that the pen is mightier than the sword and, yet, there is very little jail time associated with carrying a biro in your pocket. Recently I was wondering if the same can be said to be true of that which is written online. In the past I’ve written about scale free networks in relation to the Internet and you can see how anything written by a big...

As we look back in history we interpret the scratches and debris left on the earth to determine as much as we can about their lives, loves and labours. This reveals much about the ingenuity of the people who, before the industrial revolution, devised a myriad of ways to survive in a far harsher world. Most of these skills are already lost to most of us, cosseted as...

When we looked at the route of our recent drive across Europe we realised that a visit to Krakow created the possibility of a stop at Auschwitz. This was something that we were all very keen to do and, despite a difficult week leading up to that point and a very long drive ahead of us, we committed to making the stop and taking the time. I’m very glad we...

As part of our fundraising for Byte Night, myself and a few colleagues agreed to get pelted in stocks with wet sponges. Please show your appreciation of my bravery in the face of cold water by donating here. Here are a few pictures of me receiving some soggy face treatment from my lovely colleagues. Many thanks to Dave Wright for the...

Had a cracking day team building in a raft on the white waters of the River Tay. Thanks to Hurricane Katia the river was big, fast and a lot of fun. Thanks to the guys at Free Spirits for a great day and looking after us so well. Here are a selection of the photos taken from the dryness of the bank. Great fun, well done...

It was 20 years ago today I started work. Proper work, not summer jobs – the start of professional life. The 40 odd year journey that fills the gap between youthful exuberance and death. My keen eyed reader will have noticed that I started work precisely 5 days after my graduation. Not exactly a relaxing summer of sun and exploration. Thing was, I had to start...

It was 20 years ago today that I graduated. 11th July 1991 I wore a silly gown and wandered about the quadrangles of Glasgow University feeling generally pleased with things. For the record (and in case I forget in my dotage), I received a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Systems and Microcomputer Engineering. I went to Glasgow as a young, startled 17 year old....

My sharp eyed reader will know that I provide an excellent chauffeur service for @stuartamdouglas for our commute to work. This is usually an entertaining jaunt with hilarity worthy of a wider audience*. Over the last week or so we have taken to entertainment to a whole new level by accidentally tripping over a very fun game. I mentioned recently that my robust yet...