MemoryMap samples
Ahem.
DigiScoping
Having read about digiscoping over at Geren’s place, I had a try at this myself - none too successfully, I must admit.
The middle photo sets the scene - yes, I was taking a photo through a pair of binoculars through a glass door. This may explain why the photos weren’t really up to much. Hand-holding the bins and the camera probably didn’t help much, either.
The first photo was the result when I just held the camera up to the binoculars while the right-hand photo was the same setup but with the little Canon zoomed to its maximum x3 optical zoom.
Having read further at Digiscope Diary I’m thinking the 400D would be more successful than the 850 but at the end of the day, I think I’ll stick to my monster zoom lens rather than look at a completely different set of kit (at £50 for the adapter and £300-£650 for the scope).
They’re impressive results from those who know what they’re doing, though.
In other news, it’s time for DoveWatch 2007 (it’s an unofficial tie-in for SpringWatch). Trouble is, the photos are pretty much identical to those from last year so this may be the only post in this year’s series 
One dove, hiding the chick and egg in the nest
The user unfriendly e-commerce site award for 2007
The prize for the most user-unfriendly e-commerce site goes to … Memory Map.
It’s the worst bloody site ever.
Now it could be me and my feeling poorliness, but it was so difficult to use that I ended up phoning the company’s support line just to find the “Add to basket” link.
Ludicrous.
I don’t think it was me, though, because the chap who talked me through the links agreed - in fact, the quote above is what he said to me rather than my own opinion. I only think it’s the worst site I’ve tried to use this year!
The software appears to be bloody brilliant, though, although being poorly I’ve not had the chance to test its tracking abilities. It certainly finds the satellites for a GPS fix a lot quicker than TomTom.
As a mapophile … hmmm, no, that doesn’t exist … what’s the name for one who appreciates the beauty of cartography? … the idea of having the whole of the UK available to me on my PDA is very exciting. The software comes with a 1:250,000 road atlas as well as the 1:50,000 map - just as well, because the 1:50,000 maps are understandably huge. Fortunately it’s a doddle to scroll to an area then export that area to the PDA for use “on the go” - I’ve installed the area around Aaalburgh and Glamorgan, for example, in just a few minutes - much quicker than it took to buy the bloody things!
In case you’re interested in this sort of thing, the link to buy the maps are:
National Wrong Number Day
My phone rang this morning. I glanced at the caller ID before answering and saw that it was a local number. I wondered whether my cheque to Bayleaf had bounced:
“Is Binksy there?”
“What? Who?”
“Binksy. Is Binksy there?”
“Sorry. You’ve got the wrong number.“
“Binksy”? What sort of name’s that?
Call number 2 arrived just after lunch. This time it was a Manchester number. I was intrigued enough to answer:
“Hello, is that Mr Venables?”
“No, you’ve got the wrong number.”
“Oh, ok. Sorry.”
A third call arrived, mid-afternoon. How’s a poorly chap expected to get any bloody rest? Hang on - I recognised Stalag Pentwyn’s number. It seems Dad’s taken a tumble. He’s perfectly well but their procedures require the staff to ring up and worry the family, even if all is definitely well. Isn’t that nice of them?
At least this call was for me.
Now it’s later - seven thirty five if you must know - and the phone’s ringing again. Four calls in one day? This is unheard of - like the rain over the weekend, that’s a month’s worth in twelve hours.
A look at the caller ID screen showed me a familiar set of digits. From Manchester.
“Hello, can I speak to the homeowner?”
“That depends. What’s his or her name?”
“We don’t know. I’m calling from the Mumbled Financial company. You’re probably aware of our adverts? Where we offer to solve any debt problems?”
“Hmm. So you’re cold calling? You’re probably aware of the service where people can opt out of these calls?”
“The Telephone Preference Service?”
“That’s the one.”
“I’m very sorry about that. We must have had this number down under a different name.”
“But you’ve just said you don’t know the name.”
“Ah. … Sorry. I’ll make sure your number is deleted from our records.”
“But you don’t have records. Not accurate ones, at least.”
“Are you interested in our services, then?”
“No. Fuck off.“
You’ve got to admire her balls for that last question, though. Unfortunately the caller ID number isn’t on t’internet (as far as I can tell from Google. If you get a call from 0161 233 3010*, I’d suggest you don’t answer it.
* I know I could ring them to see who they are, but I can’t be bothered.
My what?
My Bloginality is ISTP!!!
So what does that mean?
As an ISTP, you are Intraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving.
This makes your primary focus on Introverted Thinking with Extraverted SensingThis is defined as a SP personality, which is part of Carl Jung’s Artisans (Sensation Seeking) type, and more specifically the Crafters or Mechanics.
Because of your desire for action and independance, you will change the format of blogging or design frequently to keep it interesting and different. Your loyalty may have you reading the same blogs over a long period of time. Even though you could be easily bored with blogging, you might find that because you like following a project through, this is a good way for you to use your alone time to sort the facts you pick up through the day.
Hmmm. It’s a bit of a curate’s egg if you ask me. Mind you, I do perceive that’s not how you spell “introverted”.
[via Croila]
Life, the Universe and Birthday Cake
As I have the nagging feeling that the card was posted too late, I’d just like to wish Wuglums a very happy birthday.
Wait a mo’
That photo of Kitten and Happy Jack - is it me or was he actually giving me “the finger“?
Back to work
I exchanged messages with Stubby.
Did you miss me? Let’s do lunch!
You’re back already?! I can’t - am meeting my mum for lunch
That’s a “No” to the first question, then.
She wandered over to see how the holiday had gone and to apologise for not being able to do lunch.
“You could come along, but you mightn’t find the conversation too interesting.”
“It might send the wrong signal, too, what with your introducing me to a parent. It’d only encourage me.”
“True - and my mum would leap to the same conclusion.” Stubby mimed an excited parent (quite convincingly, too).
“Really? Hmmmm.”
I declined, politely and have booked a lunch in her diary for next week. The next thing I knew Shazza was asking what I was doing for lunch.
Yes, I’m a tart.
Later in the day Tall Andy was asking whether I’d seen his comment. We discussed this as if it had been a text exchange (in case FtG started looking for my blog). In spite of the “gayness” of the Copen, Tall Andy was all too happy to accept the offer of a lift home. As we left Ganglion Square car park we spotted FtG walking home, so I pulled in.
“We’re not gay!”, Tall Andy shouted. Oh dear. I didn’t hang around to find out whether his yell had penetrated her earphones.
In spite of this I gave him a lift home and popped in to spend some time with Kitten, Happy Jack and Sam. There were bubbles and there was Tall Andy spilling hot drinks - note the plural - and generally being a disaster area. Dear me.