Ridden with inaccuracies, half truths, and plain old news.
Archive for October, 2008
Super fast broadband, a worthwhile investment?
Oct 31st
The telecoms regulator Ofcom has said that in order to keep up with the world market the UK needs high speed, fibre optic broadband. Unfortunately the cost of replacing the copper telephone line wires currently being used will be immense. Currently most connections (including wireless broadband) use phone lines which are slower than fibre optic cables.
High bandwidth services such as online video can struggle on slower connections although most broadband users don’t encounter problems. The issues may arise as what we do online changes whilst the infrastructure stays the same. A good internet infrastructure is vital for business as well as home users. A good wifi connection in public spaces is also important.
There continues to be some debate about who should be paying for the upgrade given the current economic climate. According to The Broadband Stakeholder Group (who advise the government) the cost could be £28.8 billion connect the entire country via fibre optic cables.
A plague of rats hit Indian state
Oct 27th
Locals in the Indian state of Mizoram are trying to overcome a plague of rats who attack their corn and rice. The Mizoram government have increased wages and food supplies to help the population who rely on farming for their income. The unusually wet monsoon season has lead to an increase of bamboo which in turn has lead to an increased number of rats.
The influx of rats in know locally as Mautam. As the crop shortfall this year is expected to be up to 75%, each adult villager is given 2kg of rice per week.
“We have also decided to increase the weekly allotment of rice to the villagers so that they have enough to eat,”
Mizoram Home Minister Tony Tawnluia
The locals can earn two rupees per rat killed swapping the rats tails for the reward.
Villagers collect rat tails in Mizoram, India.
Natalie Portman and Rashida Jones video solves the ecconomic crisis
Oct 24th
Don’t panic anybody, the solutions is here, in the form of a video. Stop worrying about your stocks and shares, ignore the fact that you now own your bank but not your house, Natalie Portman and Rashida Jones are here to dispose of your money woes. Sit back, relax and watch the video below.
See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die
Strictly Come Dancing odds
Oct 23rd
Strictly Come Dancing odds
Who will win Strictly Come Dancing? It may be too soon to call it but the bookies odds show who are the favourites so far. Will Ola and Andrew Castle beat Austin Healy and Erin Boag? Will Rachel Stevens out dance Tom Chambers? Does anybody care?
Well yes people do care and if you are reading this far I guess you are one of those people. I do watch because quite frankly I stand very little chance of changing the channel as my girlfriend is addicted to strictly. Also some of those dancers are pretty hot.
bet365 have the Strictly Come Dancing odds available on their online betting site for those who would rather place money on the outcome of a nifty Salsa than on online bingo or horse betting. If you fancy a punt here are the odds for each celebrity to win:
1. Austin Healey 3.25/1
2. Tom Chambers 4.5/1
3. Cherie Lunghi 5/1
4. Rachel Stevens 5/1
5. Christine Bleakley 11/1
6. Lisa Snowdon 15/1
7. Jodie Kidd 41/1
8. Mark Foster 51/1
9. Andrew Castle 81/1
10. John Sergeant 81/1
11. Heather Small 101/1
Boris Johnson wants to make London a Wifi city
Oct 21st
Boris Johnson may have embarrassed the nation at the Beijing Olympics by suggesting that it was time to bring Ping Pong home but not everything he says is worthy or ridicule. The London Mayor has talked about his plans to make Wifi available all over London by 2012.
Bumbling Boris scoffed at the Prime Minister’s suggestion that school children should be given vouchers if their families cannot afford to get online. He said
I certainly think there is a case for dealing with people who are information technology-poor, and trying to help people get online, what we need is a city where anywhere you go, you can log on, you can get on the web.
This has come in response to the news that children growing up in broadband free homes can struggle to keep up educationally with those who have wireless broadband.
Wifi is currently avaliable in coffee shops and public areas of the city including Covent Garden. A list of other areas in which you can connect without the use of a phone line can be found here.
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