Pot, meet kettle

From the Independent: Google may face antitrust challenge [from Microsoft] on Chrome.

Except Chrome is open source - so anyone can take the code and work with it. Unlike Microsoft products...

More on Chrome (if you haven't heard about it enought already!) including a video demo from the BBC.

Pot, meet kettle

From the Independent: Google may face antitrust challenge [from Microsoft] on Chrome.

Except Chrome is open source - so anyone can take the code and work with it. Unlike Microsoft products...

More on Chrome (if you haven't heard about it enought already!) including a video demo from the BBC.

Ken Campbell died at the weekend.

From the Independent: Actor, writer and director famed for his epic plays and one-man shows.

I particularly liked the last comment: "His death was unexpected. But then, so were most yhings he did."

Ken Campbell died at the weekend.

From the Independent: Actor, writer and director famed for his epic plays and one-man shows.

I particularly liked the last comment: "His death was unexpected. But then, so were most yhings he did."

SNP announces plans for Council Tax Abolition Bill

The Scottish Government has announced its plans for a “local” income tax to replace the council tax.

Back in July I wrote about my views of their proposals, which they put out for consultation. The other responses to the consultation that I saw (mainly from press reports) were uniformly negative – from a range of local authorities, unions and business interests.

The actual plans announced today include a 3p/£ “local” income tax; the full details will be announced in a bill later in the session.

Given that all opposition parties oppose the move – which is actually for a centrally-administered national tax which would remove any accountability from local authorities – and the UK Parliament is unlikely to acquiesce (the SNP would require £400m of “council tax rebate” and the full support of HM Revenue and Customs), it is unlikely to make it to law.

At which point, Shrek Alex Salmond will claim it was everyone else’s fault and what a shame it is the Scotland cannot control its own destiny. Heads he wins…

SNP announces plans for Council Tax Abolition Bill

The Scottish Government has announced its plans for a “local” income tax to replace the council tax.

Back in July I wrote about my views of their proposals, which they put out for consultation. The other responses to the consultation that I saw (mainly from press reports) were uniformly negative – from a range of local authorities, unions and business interests.

The actual plans announced today include a 3p/£ “local” income tax; the full details will be announced in a bill later in the session.

Given that all opposition parties oppose the move – which is actually for a centrally-administered national tax which would remove any accountability from local authorities – and the UK Parliament is unlikely to acquiesce (the SNP would require £400m of “council tax rebate” and the full support of HM Revenue and Customs), it is unlikely to make it to law.

At which point, Shrek Alex Salmond will claim it was everyone else’s fault and what a shame it is the Scotland cannot control its own destiny. Heads he wins…

"Anti-fascist walking tour of East London..."

Harry's Place (which I bizarrely got to via Boing Boing) has arranged for a walking tour of East London "antifascist footprints: stepping into the 1930s east end".

I thought it might interest some of you down in London!

"Anti-fascist walking tour of East London..."

Harry's Place (which I bizarrely got to via Boing Boing) has arranged for a walking tour of East London "antifascist footprints: stepping into the 1930s east end".

I thought it might interest some of you down in London!

Edinburgh Festival Fireworks: a bigger bang.

On Sunday, I went to see the fireworks that mark the end of the festival each year. It is a big display - sponsored by the Bank of Scotland - so nice to see them burn their customers' money (and let's face it, the way the credit crunch is playing, it might be the last time they sponsor the fireworks!).

Needless to say, I took hundreds of photographs.

Here are a few of them!

You can see more of my pictures from the fireworks here!

(In case you are interested, the building silhouetted on the left in several pictures is Oloroso. They must have had a brilliant view!)

Edinburgh Festival Fireworks: a bigger bang.

On Sunday, I went to see the fireworks that mark the end of the festival each year. It is a big display - sponsored by the Bank of Scotland - so nice to see them burn their customers' money (and let's face it, the way the credit crunch is playing, it might be the last time they sponsor the fireworks!).

Needless to say, I took hundreds of photographs.

Here are a few of them!

You can see more of my pictures from the fireworks here!

(In case you are interested, the building silhouetted on the left in several pictures is Oloroso. They must have had a brilliant view!)

(no subject)

I have been listening to s lot of the Proms this year. I have enjoyed the focus on Vaughan Williams - there have been some beautiful concerts - though the concentration of Messaien has left me a bit cold.

The past couple of days has had some excellent concerts. On Saturday, the Crouch End Festival Chorus - and friends - were excellent in Verdi's Requiem - powerful stuff.

Last night I listened to the Berliner Phil under Simon Rattle perform Wagner's Prelude and Liebestode from Tristan and Isolde, which was lovely - it reminded me of listening with a friend last year. Lovely, romantic stuff. The Messaien that followed it was better (for me) than the other of his pieces I have heard - I didn't want to turn it off...

But tonight's concert I realy, really love. I didn't know that I knew Brahms' 3rd Symphony; know I know what I know. It was brilliant, BIG music. I was dancing.

And now I am listening to Shostokovich Symphony 3. And again, it is brilliant; complex stuff. And I wish I were there.

Still, at least here I have a Caol Isla in my hand.



And the music is great.

(no subject)

I have been listening to s lot of the Proms this year. I have enjoyed the focus on Vaughan Williams - there have been some beautiful concerts - though the concentration of Messaien has left me a bit cold.

The past couple of days has had some excellent concerts. On Saturday, the Crouch End Festival Chorus - and friends - were excellent in Verdi's Requiem - powerful stuff.

Last night I listened to the Berliner Phil under Simon Rattle perform Wagner's Prelude and Liebestode from Tristan and Isolde, which was lovely - it reminded me of listening with a friend last year. Lovely, romantic stuff. The Messaien that followed it was better (for me) than the other of his pieces I have heard - I didn't want to turn it off...

But tonight's concert I realy, really love. I didn't know that I knew Brahms' 3rd Symphony; know I know what I know. It was brilliant, BIG music. I was dancing.

And now I am listening to Shostokovich Symphony 3. And again, it is brilliant; complex stuff. And I wish I were there.

Still, at least here I have a Caol Isla in my hand.



And the music is great.