You can start using BBC iPlayer Beta

-----Original Message-----
From: BBCiPlayer.Beta [mailto:bbciplayer.beta@bbc.co.uk]
Sent: 27 July 2007 18:46
To: dan.grabham@futurenet.co.uk
Subject: You can start using BBC iPlayer Beta

We'd like you to join the BBC iPlayer Beta . This email contains everything you need to get started. Please keep it for reference. Also please double-check the BBC iPlayer Terms and Conditions <http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayerbeta/tandc.shtml> you agreed to when you signed up.

Your BBC iPlayer Beta log in
As well as the log in details below, you need to be a bbc.co.uk member (you may already be a member if you're using other services on the bbc.co.uk site). If you haven't registered with bbc.co.uk, we show you how to do this later on.

First step: logging on to the BBC iPlayer Beta website Please wait an hour after the receipt of this email

1. Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer <http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer>
2. On the homepage follow the link that says Log in if you have BBC iPlayer Beta log in details
3. You'll then be prompted to enter your BBC iPlayer Beta log in details

Your Username is : xxxxxxxx

Your Password is : xxxxxxxx

We recommend that you tick the Remember my password check box so you don't have to type in these details each time you want to use BBC iPlayer Beta.

You'll now be taken to the BBC iPlayer Beta homepage.

Second Step: Downloading your first programme and installing BBC iPlayer Beta

1. Select a programme you want to download from the BBC iPlayer Beta homepage.
2. The programme's information screen will appear. You should see the pink Download button, though it may take a short time to appear. Click this.
3. The screen for BBC iPlayer Library installation will appear. Click on Install BBC iPlayer Library.
4. A pop up box will appear and you'll be asked for your BBC iPlayer Beta log in details (the ones contained in this email).
5. You'll then have the option to Run or Save the BBC iPlayer_Setup_exe. Click Run and follow the installation Wizard prompts until you have clicked Finish on the final screen.
6. You will now need to return to the BBC iPlayer website and the BBC iPlayer Library Installation page and press the Refresh button on your Internet Explorer toolbar to continue.
7. A window will appear that says: You are not signed in to BBC iPlayer

* This refers to the bbc.co.uk membership you need to use BBC iPlayer Beta. If you've used bbc.co.uk services before (such as message boards) click on Returning user log in with the details you used to create your bbc.co.uk member account.
* If you're NOT a bbc.co.uk member click New User create account. Registering for bbc.co.uk: the onscreen instructions will take you through the simple process of registering with bbc.co.uk. This gives you access to all bbc.co.uk services such as message boards as well as BBC iPlayer Beta.

8. Once you're signed in (you'll see your member name in the top right part of the BBC iPlayer Beta screen), click on the pink Download button again.
9. The programme will start to download in your BBC iPlayer Library. Keep track of the progress of your download in your Library and as soon as it's finished downloading you'll be able to watch it by clicking the Watch now button beside its title.

Help and support
To support you we've created an online Help <http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/> section and a Message Board <http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbiplayer> , a forum shared by those already using BBC iPlayer Beta and BBC iPlayer Beta team members.

If you still need more help, email us through the Contact Us <http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/feedback/> link you'll find at the foot of each BBC iPlayer Beta web page. You can also call us on 08709 000 223. We welcome and very much value your feed-back.

Thank you again for joining the BBC iPlayer Beta - we hope you enjoy being among the first to get BBC TV programmes through your computer.

Best wishes
The BBC iPlayer Beta team

Some woman comments on my One Laptop Per Child porn story

Yesterday I wrote a story on Tech.co.uk about the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project. It covered the rather unfortunate tale that Nigerian schoolchildren had been able to browse pornographic material on the laptops donated by the organisation.

But then I received the following email, sent to the founders of the One Laptop Per Child project and copied to my home address (bizarre), Reuters, the Wall Street Journal and a local US newspaper. And, to be honest, I was rather surprised by the comments, especially those in the third paragraph - read them for yourself.

The well-meaning guys behind the OLPC project obviously didn't mean for the students to be browsing inappropriate material and would have done anything to prevent this. I'm also sure they don't really need someone lecturing to them about the mishap.

The laptops will now have content filters enabled.

-----Original Message-----
From: Girley Tegama
Sent: 23 July 2007 18:23
To: nicholas media.mit.edu; mlj joeinc.tv; walter media.mit.edu; jg
freedesktop.org; technology laptop.org; content laptop.org
Cc: editor reuters.com; email danielgrabham.com; newseditors wsj.com;
mboslet mercurynews.com
Subject: One Laptop Per Child

Dear Nicholas Negroponte, Mary Lou Jepsen, Walter Bender, and Jimmy Gettys,

As an African native residing in the United States for the past 7 years, I
am appalled to read the Reuters story of July 19, 2007 entitled "Nigerian
Pupils Browse Porn on Donated Laptops" showing that your organization has
enabled Nigerian schoolchildren who received your laptops to access
pornographic sites on the Internet. While your project idea is to improve
the future of African children for the better, this revelation is shocking
and a failure on your part to protect them.

While I have managed to protect my 10-year old son by filtering the Internet
and also verbally communicate with him about the pros and dangers of the
Internet, these children that are benefitting from your project do not have
parents who are familiar with the Internet world. Your organization has
enabled these children to babysit themselves on the Internet and explore the
new world without guidance. You are the remote parents, and have the
technical power to protect these children. Your team should have know
better, and in your initial steps addressed what the Internet brings to
these innocent children of Africa who already face tough times. You should
not underestimate the curiosity of children on what they can search on the
Internet.

For certain, life will never be the same for these children. Accessing such
sexual content via laptops will increase the spread of HIV/AIDS, erode
culture, promote child molestation, and increase child abuse.

Your organization should freeze any laptop donations until you revisit each
donated laptop and provide necessary protections to these innocent and smart
children of Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa.

Sincerely,

Girley Tegama
397 Panama Mall Rm 317A,
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305

Cross posted on my Tech.co.uk blog

Shotgun Rules

This comes courtesy of Dan Layzell:

History Lesson: The name for the seat (or seats) adjacent to that of the driver comes to us from the American "old"/"wild" west. During this period, Stagecoach was the only means of private transport aside from a railroad ticket. Stagecoaches were also a common means of transporting things of value (e.g... payroll money, high ticket merchandise). In this period of lawlessness and in an area home to hostile (with every right) natives, protection was necessary. Alright, admittedly pretty much everyone back then was packing some heat. But for added safety, a stagecoach would always utilize an extra man, right next to the driver armed with a shotgun. hence calling shotgun

Rules So far

1. The Shotgunner must be in clear sight of the car, and shotgun can be called regardless of whether the driver is in sight of the car

2. If you are the first to be picked up on a journey, you are automatically given shotgun, until you violate the other shotgun laws and thus, forfeit your position, and the seat is yours

3. You cannot declare shot gun if someone has previously declared shotgun for that journey.

4. When simultaneous shotgun is called, there is then a foot race to the passenger side door from the all the people who called

5. Shotgun cannot be called whilst inside a building (unless you are in a multi storey or underground car park!)

6. Shotgun can't be called in advance, only whilst on the way to the car for the journey

7. On the call shotgun if the driver wants to mix things up a bit he can call reload, this means that all calls of shotgun before that are void and the first person to call shotgun again gets the seat... and if you plain don't like the person who called shotgun. This is often used when there is a simultaneous call and the driver is unsure of the outcome, also a shotgun can have 2 barrels so a reload can only be called once

8. Rob rule...if he’s in the car shotgun now means back left so he cant punch you every time a yellow car goes past

9. Once shotgun has been called for the front seat then back left and back right can be called, thus leaving the fifth person who is travelling in the middle (or the "bitch" seat)

10. Being as how everyone is created equal, men have the same right as women to the front seat of the car. I.e. women don't own the front seat!

11. In the instance that the normal driver of a vehicle is drunk or otherwise unable to perform their duties as driver, then he/she is automatically given Shotgun.

12. Once the journey is underway, the driver is the obvious controller of the tunes. However if they feel the road needs their full concentration, or they simply cannot be arsed any more, duty is passed to the shotgunner. However putting on crap tunes or allowing for silence when the iPod finishes a song or ANY instances of TAKE THAT will result in demotion to bitch seat.

13. Shoe Rule, anyone calling shotgun must have their shoes on, this is to stop people running outside and calling shotgun, then having to go back inside to put their shoes on, thus slowing the journey

14. Shotgun overrules Dibs, Baggsy's and other girly calls!

15. Despite the debate, shotgun can be used to shotgun things other than the front seat

16. If travelling with a couple, one of the couple must shotgun the front.....no one wants to chauffer two of their mates whilst they are sat in the back all over each other

17. If someone has successfully called shotgun, this gives them no right whatsoever to correct the driver on their navigation skills ("take a left here you dickhead!") or driving ability ("I'd be in third gear if I was driving") if the passenger does this then they forfeit their position as shotgun holder

18. If someone says "what's shotgun?" after it has been called then they have to walk

19. If you come up to the car and you already have shotgun. the driver gets in and reaches over to unlock the shotgun door. if shotgun opens it before its actually unlocked..(this happens when the driver is still trying to unlock it and person pulls on handle) they have to give up there rights as shotgun. Therefore…shotgun suicide!

20. The successful shotgunner, in the front of a vehicle, assumes the responsibility for all gate opening, off licence nipping into, takeaway ordering and question asking. He/she is, in essence the co-pilot and therefore the enforcer of behaviour in the vehicle and exacter of slaps/punches/water spraying/bag throwing at the passengers in the back.

21. Automatic "couple's rights act 1997". This is that, if the driver is the boyfriend/girlfriend of a passenger in the car, they have the right to the seat of their choice.

22. The Pirate Rule - If One of the potential occupants of the vehicle is dressed (convincingly) as a pirate then they are given automatic shotgun. In the occurrence of more than one pirate then a sword fight shall determine the successful shotgunner.

23. When driving past a woman walking a dog, everyone in the car must shout of the window "who's walking who", it is the shotgunners responsibility and failure to spot a potential heckling results in demoting to the bitch seat!

24. When riding in a 2/3 door car it is the role of the Shotgun Rider to allow rear passengers in and out of the back of the car NOT THE DRIVER'S!! Regardless of the weather conditions.

25. Obviously the previous rule on the subject didn't clarify things completely with everyone coming up with a new rule that over rules shot gun. NOTHING overrules shotgun. Shotgun is final therefore it cannot be overruled!!!!

WTF

-----Original Message-----
From: CupidBay PR [mailto:pr@cupidbay.com]
Sent: 18 July 2007 16:11
To: dan.grabham@futurenet.co.uk
Subject: Press Release

Two-thirds of Brits believe that Wills and Kate are back together, according to a survey by CupidBay.com <http://www.cupidbay.com/>

If you require further details, then please don't hesitate to contact me on 020 7070 0954.

Kind regards,

Kevin

News Release
July 18, 2007

Wills & Kate - are they or aren't they?

- survey finds Kate to be 'right girlfriend' but 'wrong Queen' -

Two-thirds of Brits believe that Wills and Kate are back together, according to a survey by CupidBay.com (www.cupidbay.com).

The poll, carried out by the international dating site, revealed that one-third of Brits believes that Wills and Kate staged their break-up to escape the pressure/rumours of getting engaged.

When asked if Kate Middleton was "the right choice" for Wills, 69% of CupidBay users answered "yes" with 64% also believing that the couple would get married. 62% of respondents, however, weren't of the opinion that Kate would make a "good Queen".

CupidBay users who didn't think Kate was "the right choice" for the heir to the British throne were also asked to name a possible alternative for Prince William. The most popular potential girlfriends were mainly American socialites and actresses, including: Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan.

"Too much weight has been put on the shoulders of two very young people from whom the nation expects a fairytale happy ending," said Francis Deacon, relationship expert for CupidBay.com. "In an age where an increasing number of young people prefer to wait until their late 20s or early 30s to marry, Wills and Kate find themselves in a situation of having every move of their relationship scrutinised by a public eager to see them marry at an age that very few of their contemporaries would consider."

-ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

About Cupid Bay

CupidBay.com (www.cupidbay.com <http://www.cupidbay.com/>) is an international friendship and dating Website.

CupidBay.com currently has over 1.5 million users from over 200 different countries. It receives over 30 million page impressions a month and currently has in excess of 350,000 monthly unique visitors.

For further details, please contact: Kevin Saidler on 020 7070 0954 or at pr@cupidbay.com

BBC SPORT | Football | Football turns to technology

Interesting BBC News feature talking about the experiments with the Wimbledon-used Hawk-Eye technology. A deployed system would be able to dictate when the ball as out of play or had crossed the line.



Football turns to technology

Hello Friend

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: edwardndebien@terra.es <edwardndebien@terra.es>
Date: Jul 16, 2007 1:40 PM
Subject: Hello Friend,

Hello Friend,

My name is Mr.Edward Ndebi, I work for the government owned Oil
Refinery Company here in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and
Principe, based in the United Kingdom. I wish you to help me lay
claims to balance funds derived from a contract executed by one of our
contractors. The total contract sum was US$158,109,000 and
US$140,000,000 has already been paid. Leaving a balance of
US$18,109,000.

It is my intention to form a company with you when the funds are paid.
My area of interest is Real Estate business investment. I also desire
absolute confidentiality and professionalism in this transaction, If
you are willing to handle this transaction with me, kindly forward to
me your (1) FULL NAMES (2) DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBERS and other
information's to enable us discuss in details to the following
address:edwardndebisao@yahoo.co.uk

Waiting to hear from you.

Regards,
Mr.Edward Ndebi.

Vista SP1 - Update

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Microsoft Press Centre
Date: Jul 10, 2007 3:02 PM
Subject: Vista SP1 - Update

Hi,

Following your enquiry yesterday about Vista SP1 beta we have just
received a statement which I can share with you now.

"There will be a Windows Vista Service pack but it's too early to
discuss specifics on timing. Service packs are part of the traditional
software lifecycle — they're something we do for all Microsoft
products as part of our commitment to continuous improvement, and
providing early test builds is a standard practice that helps us
incorporate customer feedback and improve the overall quality of the
product. The team is working hard on the service pack, and our current
expectation is that a beta will be made available sometime this year."

Please attribute to a Microsoft Spokesperson.

Kind Regards,

Liam

Microsoft Press Centre
For all UK press needs please use the following:
Tel: 0870 20 77377
Fax: 0870 20 77329
Email: ukprteam@microsoft.com
Website: www.microsoft.com/uk/press

Genesis at Twickenham

085, originally uploaded by danielgrabham.

On Sunday night we went to see the one and only Genesis at Twickenham. Fantastic gig. Phil Collins did a surprising amount of drumming and they played a few of the 70s classics from Selling England by the Pound as well as (predictably) a lot from Invisible Touch and We Can't Dance. Great stage set-up, too.

Rest of the pics are at: http://www.dangrabham.com/pictures/genesis080707.htm

At the Regatta

012, originally uploaded by danielgrabham.

HP Labs: Lisbon

IMG_0441
Originally uploaded by danielgrabham

The day after Glastonbury (two weeks ago, I'm a bit out of date), it was off to HP Labs in Lisbon, Portugal. HP Labs isn't a jolly, but three rather intensive days learning about the workings of printers, cameras and, in my case, the future of personal computing.

We also strolled around a park with GPS-enabled PDAs, saw a Cirque de Soleil rip-off and watched a great covers band. Needs must, see the rest of the pics at http://www.dangrabham.com/pictures/hplabs2007.htm

Glastonbury: the aftermath

IMG_0318
Originally uploaded by danielgrabham

You know, it's occurred to me that I haven't posted to my blog for ages. So here's a picture of Glastonbury (which was muddy), during The Killers (who were great). Shame about the stuff with the poor sound during their set, but there. I'm going to do a few retro posts today before I jet off to Poland for our yearly lads trip. I am really looking forward to sinking that first beer in Krakow...

Full photoset here: http://www.dangrabham.com/pictures/glastonbury2007.htm