southhamster

Working for the LA managed service many years ago, I visited a lot of rural schools down in the deepest darkest south-west. Barely any mobile signal and if it was late you'd need a torch to find your way back to the car. I've driven through floods, been held up by snow and had the car bashed by a herd of wandering cows (no-one has nice cars down here). Pre-GPS, a good way to find a hiodden village school was to head for the church as they were often built nearby.

There's an interesting (but very long) article here about the huge problems at the British Museum, including lack of money and systematic theft of items. I guess this lack of procedures, policies and their proper execution is just part of the ongoing troubles. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jan/16/the-ghosts-are-everywhere-can-the-british-museum-survive-its-omni-crisis * I am retired so am allowed time to read it all!

Mrs. SH and I are just watching the latest season of Slow Horses. I think it's probably the best thing I've seen since the last SH season. Sharp, witty and full of brilliant acting and loads of twists and turns. We love it.

Hello all. I've just seen this report of an arson attack which destroyed a really promising fuel cell research project in Liverpool, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/15/clean-energy-scientist-lab-destroyed-fire-liverpool They are running a crowdfunder to try and recover; I've just donated something and wonder if anyone else can help. I can't imagine what they are going through, as the main engineer was only months from presenting his PhD based on this. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-groundbreaking-technology-after-arson-attack#start

Mmm, gneiss.

It's certainly not the first time; Dartington Primary School. This was an effort to build something using unproven so-called "eco" options which had to be demolished after after only 3 years - it basically rotted and fell apart. A combination of over-ambitious architects and poor construction. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-29012084

That is pretty amazing! A computer spares provider I knew used to put all the keytops in a nylon mesh bag and run it through the dishwasher, as some were disgusting or from industrial sites. No idea what program he used, but the keyboards looked good afterwards! Also, this was back in the days when keyboards were solid (and expensive) with double shot moulded keytops. Disclaimer: no idea what would happen to modern painted on keytops - could end in tears and the extensive use of a Brother labeller...

Good point. You can see that already with e-scooters that are chipped to run at mad speeds, but without brakes or a rider able to cope with that.

Both Cream and The Jam were going to reunite for gigs in Devon and Cornwall this year, but the venues couldn't agree about who should go on first.

I'm currently reading Material World by Ed Conway. He takes 6 common materials, sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium and writes very eloquently about their origin, history and uses, some of which may surprise you! Would be a nice christmas present for someone who is just curious about "stuff"

Anyone else get the mobile emergency warning message? Quite scary until I realised what is was! Let's hope the roof stays on.... Stay safe everyone.

We've just started watching this. Interesting so far. I have amused myself by noting all the safeguarding fails by the teacher....

We just finished watching Joan (ITV). Stars Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark, Game of Thrones). Based on a real life story of Joan Hannington who was a prolific jewel thief. Some great acting and script and lovely 80's music, big hair and terrible cars... No dragons in it, but loads of annoying adverts for electric cars.

Collecting a few blackberries from the field across the road for my breakfast.

That's lovely. Nice interesting sky and I like the framing

My Mystic Meg prediction.. 1) Desks will have been randomly moved to a completely different place, breaking any leads/ports nearby. Extra points for leads either a) laid across the floor as a trip hazard or b) so tight you can play a tune on them. 2) Remote controls will have been "stolen" (by the classroom next door), or are "broken" (batteries have been removed - bonus points if they are inserted. but the wrong way round). 3) The hall AV will have had everything randomly unplugged/plugged, with some bits never to be seen again, although an ancient broken radio mike missing for 10 years will materialise.

Here is my biological method for fault finding on PV solar panels. Weird but true. Today I noticed some flies on one of my PV arrays; strangely a lot of them were clustered round one cell of the left panel. Then I remembered that's where a faulty cell is! They must like the extra warmth from the higher resistance - I've noticed it thaws out first on a frost sunny day. Clever flies!

From a model railway forum poster who for fun asked google AI to remove a steam loco from a photo of his rather brilliant work. Google made it into this!

Lovely little thing. Yes, probably a woodmouse as they are white underneath. we see them quite a lot here.

Circular saw attachment for the above. What could possibly go wrong... That reminds me (@mikeprice anecdote coming up), compulsory metalwork classes at school were potentially pretty hairy but somehow we managed not to burn/maim/kill ourselves in the forge/lathes/mills etc. I'm always grateful as it inspired a lifelong confidence of proper handling of tools and materials, even if we spent weeks learning how to saw and file metal . One project was making a steam turbine using a cocoa tin and soldered bits. Applying too much heat caused the lid to fly upwards causing great excitement and cheering from us and a stern lecture from our teacher, and demonstrated why safety valves are kind of essential... I'm delighted to see that such a thing still exists! Probably best not to to make one at home, or anywhere really. Definitely not in school.

I used to work for Olivetti many years ago and "someone" had great fun with the M380/LSX server towers in the repair workshop re-programming the EPROM which worked the little green dot display at the top.

If you can, try buying from Richer Sounds. They will nearly always match prices, proper warranty and local shops with actual trained staff (!) as well as online. Always been pleased with the service from them.

Is this the world's smallest toaster? Very heavy for it's size though..

New Kuga's may have dodgy discs, my mate has just had to have all his replaced after just 600 miles from the showroom! Made from some very weird metal there...

Just finished watchin Kin.We thought it was excellent. Nice to see some different actors too. Cracking script and acting with a bit of wry humour, but not for the squeamish...