This has been reported again, this time in the guise of "speed inhibitors" that force a driver to keep to the speed limits in force.
I am in favour of some reporting device that tells you the speed of a road - like modern GPS devices can do. This is a big help when driving in areas that are not well known and I think it does cause drivers to slow down once warned.
But the full blown inhibitor sounds bad - it would give a culture of driving as fast as the inhibitor will let you rather than what the conditions dictate.
Another step toward the black box system?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
National Archives 1978
There has been a news story about the release of papers under the 20 year rule from 1978.
One of the releases was the preparedness of the UK to respond to Soviet attack. Nothing earth shattering here but Callaghan was surprised to learn that the Phantom air defence fighters only had a couple of days of ammunition.
It is annoying it was a surprise and it is something our politicians have been guilty of since - knowing what you actually have to do anything with. I'm not convinced that any leader since then had much of a grasp on this either and the situation is probably worse today.
The reports do make interesting reading however - and they are quite detailed in some respects.
One of the releases was the preparedness of the UK to respond to Soviet attack. Nothing earth shattering here but Callaghan was surprised to learn that the Phantom air defence fighters only had a couple of days of ammunition.
It is annoying it was a surprise and it is something our politicians have been guilty of since - knowing what you actually have to do anything with. I'm not convinced that any leader since then had much of a grasp on this either and the situation is probably worse today.
The reports do make interesting reading however - and they are quite detailed in some respects.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Book read: Sink the "Belgrano" by Mike Rossiter
I picked up this book while Christmas shopping. I've read several other accounts of the 1982 conflict and this was a very controversial part of the war that has never really received much historical analysis.
The book does a reasonable job of describing the events of the time and their wider context. I imagine it was difficult to piece together the operational information which must have been sparse.
It does describe quite well the conflict between the task force command and Whitehall over the control of the submarines. In total three were sent to war, in some ways it was the only strong British advantage with surface ships long since over specialised in anti submarine warfare and with limited air power.
The sinking ensured that the Argentine fleet could not go into the open sea, and neutralised the danger of their aircraft carrier and escorts. In fact it was this ship that the British were trying to find, but never did during operations.
The description of how closely tailed the Belgrano was is interesting - I simply did not know that such close quarter trailing was possible without detection.
The book also describes the Argentine side, a ship full of conscript sailors and the loss and survival of those who were rescued.
The book does a reasonable job of describing the events of the time and their wider context. I imagine it was difficult to piece together the operational information which must have been sparse.
It does describe quite well the conflict between the task force command and Whitehall over the control of the submarines. In total three were sent to war, in some ways it was the only strong British advantage with surface ships long since over specialised in anti submarine warfare and with limited air power.
The sinking ensured that the Argentine fleet could not go into the open sea, and neutralised the danger of their aircraft carrier and escorts. In fact it was this ship that the British were trying to find, but never did during operations.
The description of how closely tailed the Belgrano was is interesting - I simply did not know that such close quarter trailing was possible without detection.
The book also describes the Argentine side, a ship full of conscript sailors and the loss and survival of those who were rescued.
Book read: Who runs Britain by Robert Peston
I got this book as a present - I wasn't expecting too much, at best someone describing the financial turmoil of the last year.
I'm glad to say I was very wrong. This is a description from a British point of view of the workings of goverment and big business in the last 10 years (and a bit further, but mainly focused on the "New Labour" era).
It describes private equity in detail, the buyouts of public companies and what implications it has for Britain. It covers the rather shady political party funding and how that clouds our leaders judgement - essentially giving powerful businessmen unfair tax breaks. This is by no means a new thing, and both our main parties are guilty - but I'm glad someone has written about it, the accusation that they are bought men can then be refuted if it can be.
It covers in detail the attempted buyout of M&S by Philip Green - a deal that failed but with an interesting history. Finally it covers the implications for everyday people, the failure of pensions investment, and the complete failure of the stakeholder pension schemes.
An excellent read if you have any interest in business or the workings of the British establishment. I read it in two days and that is something I would rarely do with a book.
I'm glad to say I was very wrong. This is a description from a British point of view of the workings of goverment and big business in the last 10 years (and a bit further, but mainly focused on the "New Labour" era).
It describes private equity in detail, the buyouts of public companies and what implications it has for Britain. It covers the rather shady political party funding and how that clouds our leaders judgement - essentially giving powerful businessmen unfair tax breaks. This is by no means a new thing, and both our main parties are guilty - but I'm glad someone has written about it, the accusation that they are bought men can then be refuted if it can be.
It covers in detail the attempted buyout of M&S by Philip Green - a deal that failed but with an interesting history. Finally it covers the implications for everyday people, the failure of pensions investment, and the complete failure of the stakeholder pension schemes.
An excellent read if you have any interest in business or the workings of the British establishment. I read it in two days and that is something I would rarely do with a book.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Listening: Automatic for the people by REM
This is my current listening in the car, a rather sentimental album but with some great tracks. For me personally it takes me back to my University years of the mid 90s, so another album of memories.
It helps set a nice and reflective mood for the year end.
It helps set a nice and reflective mood for the year end.
Film: Quantum of Solace
Finally got round to seeing this before it finishes it's cinema run. I'd heard mixed reviews but I thought it was a well done film.
It is absolutely all action, the stunt scenes just keep coming - and in some ways the plot struggles to get heard, it's a follow on from Casino Royale with Bond needing to stop a plan to take over a vital natural resource.
Overall worth seeing 7/10.
It is absolutely all action, the stunt scenes just keep coming - and in some ways the plot struggles to get heard, it's a follow on from Casino Royale with Bond needing to stop a plan to take over a vital natural resource.
Overall worth seeing 7/10.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
GCSE Standards - Some good news
I read today that there is a plan for a double GCSE maths qualification that includes a course on everyday finance and applying maths in finance. It's scheduled for 2010 - and admittedly it's for top tier students, which is a shame.
But it is an excellent idea, I think it's both useful and will make maths more accessible and meaningful. Also it will help the balance of the finance companies (who know lots) and the consumer (who learns through experience).
But it is an excellent idea, I think it's both useful and will make maths more accessible and meaningful. Also it will help the balance of the finance companies (who know lots) and the consumer (who learns through experience).
Listening: Time by ELO
An album of memories for me, and not too bad songs (slightly cheesy by today's standards and still suffering from a 1970s hangover).
But I remember these songs from a friend of mine playing them who was a fan.
Also quite a good album in the car - an almost but not quite classic.
But I remember these songs from a friend of mine playing them who was a fan.
Also quite a good album in the car - an almost but not quite classic.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Image editing Gimp
I only have an occasional reason to edit photos before getting prints. I'd always heard the the Gimp package was difficult to use, and in my Windows days I'd used a camera provided image editing package.
But now that's all gone with my move to Ubuntu so I tried Gimp. I have to say very impressed - it is extremely powerful - I'm only doing something very simple, but I got the task done easily.
A good example of open source packages not having to languish behind paid for or closed software.
But now that's all gone with my move to Ubuntu so I tried Gimp. I have to say very impressed - it is extremely powerful - I'm only doing something very simple, but I got the task done easily.
A good example of open source packages not having to languish behind paid for or closed software.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Film: Brick
A film directed by Rian Johnson about a high school student who discovers his ex girlfriends body after having received a disturbed phone call from her saying she was in trouble.
He goes about solving the murder through the course of the film and gets into a web of drug dealings and low life involved in the trade.
Slightly far fetched in story line, it's an engaging film none the less. Some of the dialogue is very fast though, it feels like you are having to listen in rather than it being performed for the benefit of the audience, although this does make it feel a little more authentic.
Not a bad film 6/10.
He goes about solving the murder through the course of the film and gets into a web of drug dealings and low life involved in the trade.
Slightly far fetched in story line, it's an engaging film none the less. Some of the dialogue is very fast though, it feels like you are having to listen in rather than it being performed for the benefit of the audience, although this does make it feel a little more authentic.
Not a bad film 6/10.
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