I’ve been running…oh yes.

I never thought I would. I used to look at those people in the funny shorts with the smug look and think ‘why?’
Well then I decided that paying a fortune every month for gym membership and not using it (especially over the Summer). And then we were asked to take part in the Demelza Run which this year is at Mote Park in Maidstone.
So I thought I ought to get in some practice.
A strange thing happened…I started to sort of enjoy it.
It’s not absolutely necessary to be sponsored, but the thought of raising a bit of money is also an incentive. Give a couple of quid if you can by clicking on the button on the right. Thanks.

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Is the Nabaztag Rabbit dead?

There’s a rumour going around that Violet, the Company that produces the Nabaztag (Armenian for rabbit – or did I just dream that?) has filed for bankruptcy.
Does that mean the product and (somewhat dodgy) support and development will die too? There are various forums full of Nabaztag owners bemoaning the poor service (such as Nabaztalk and others)but, probably, some very delighted customer too.
If the story is true, it’s a pity as the internet enabled devices market could be really exciting – the convergence of media is inevitable, but clearly the road will be rocky. We’re getting used to home wifi and TV. This is/was a cute product (Violet had a couple of others) that could have done very well introducing us to the benefits of accessing real time information from the web in very different ways.
There are, incidentally, clear issues with the widespread use of RFID – which Violet were also exploring – when treated as if it is a secure technology. It isn’t, so therefore its use in passports and credit cards creates problems, but the applications Violet was working on were largely free of security issues since a) they were within a domestic or office setting and b) they were, broadly, for entertainment i.e. they didn’t really matter. Crucially, they were also fun.
Now, who will lead the way? If anyone has any news, let me know.
Updates …
Here – translation of another report
and an interesting development here. Want to own the company??

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Is the Nabaztag Rabbit dead?

There’s a rumour going around that Violet, the Company that produces the Nabaztag (Armenian for rabbit – or did I just dream that?) has filed for bankruptcy.
Does that mean the product and (somewhat dodgy) support and development will die too? There are various forums full of Nabaztag owners bemoaning the poor service (such as Nabaztalk and others)but, probably, some very delighted customer too.
If the story is true, it’s a pity as the internet enabled devices market could be really exciting – the convergence of media is inevitable, but clearly the road will be rocky. We’re getting used to home wifi and TV. This is/was a cute product (Violet had a couple of others) that could have done very well introducing us to the benefits of accessing real time information from the web in very different ways.
There are, incidentally, clear issues with the widespread use of RFID – which Violet were also exploring – when treated as if it is a secure technology. It isn’t, so therefore its use in passports and credit cards creates problems, but the applications Violet was working on were largely free of security issues since a) they were within a domestic or office setting and b) they were, broadly, for entertainment i.e. they didn’t really matter. Crucially, they were also fun.
Now, who will lead the way? If anyone has any news, let me know.

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For you the war is over…

I think I’ve finally done it. Click above for the soundtrack.
After building the compound, digging a trench, strategically relocating flower pots and now, building a cunningly angled inner wall…the tortoise is now contained.
She is currently sitting, sulking, in her hut either playing with a baseball or….or digging!
(By the way, she’s called Gerry…honestly)

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For you the war is over…

I think I’ve finally done it. Click above for the soundtrack.
After building the compound, digging a trench, strategically relocating flower pots and now, building a cunningly angled inner wall…the tortoise is now contained.
She is currently sitting, sulking, in her hut either playing with a baseball or….or digging!
(By the way, she’s called Gerry…honestly)

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For you the war is over…

I think I’ve finally done it. Click above for the soundtrack.
After building the compound, digging a trench, strategically relocating flower pots and now, building a cunningly angled inner wall…the tortoise is now contained.
She is currently sitting, sulking, in her hut either playing with a baseball or….or digging!
(By the way, she’s called Gerry…honestly)

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Put a few things in perspective

Thought I should just post this and see what happens. Probably none of it surprising, but at this time of year, when we’ve bee settling marks for students term papers and exams the bit about jobs that don’t yet exist makes you think about the skills they’re acquiring.
I’m so glad I didn’t do a vocational degree!

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Put a few things in perspective

Thought I should just post this and see what happens. Probably none of it surprising, but at this time of year, when we’ve bee settling marks for students term papers and exams the bit about jobs that don’t yet exist makes you think about the skills they’re acquiring.
I’m so glad I didn’t do a vocational degree!

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Appeal

I don’t often write personal things here, in fact I don’t think I ever do.
But just in case you’re taking a few minutes to read this, please click on the link above or on the ‘Just Giving’ panel below to read about Ray Hart who is raising money for a great cause.
Evie Hart was a friend of ours – the Hart family’s youngest who was taken away suddenly and cruelly by cancer.
We all know someone who has had cancer and one in five of us will develop some form. Survival rates are increasing and the UK Government and Barack Obama’s administration are putting a lot of money into research. But that’s the future.
Right now little girls and boys are living their life in a hospice as their families try and come to terms with an illness that has no cure. Hospice in the Weald does a fantastic job supporting them in Kent and here in Greenwich.
Just give a few pounds or dollars to help them keep doing it.
Thank you.

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Appeal

I don’t often write personal things here, in fact I don’t think I ever do.
But just in case you’re taking a few minutes to read this, please click on the link above or on the ‘Just Giving’ panel below to read about Ray Hart who is raising money for a great cause.
Evie Hart was a friend of ours – the Hart family’s youngest who was taken away suddenly and cruelly by cancer.
We all know someone who has had cancer and one in five of us will develop some form. Survival rates are increasing and the UK Government and Barack Obama’s administration are putting a lot of money into research. But that’s the future.
Right now little girls and boys are living their life in a hospice as their families try and come to terms with an illness that has no cure. Hospice in the Weald does a fantastic job supporting them in Kent and here in Greenwich.
Just give a few pounds or dollars to help them keep doing it.
Thank you.

Subscribe in a reader