Thinker, Blogger, Hacker, Hiker.
Project December: a clip a week
Project December: a clip a week
23 November 2012
When we get to the end of November, after (hopefully) managing to write every blog post a day for an entire month, I'm keen push the boundaries and push on forward. For the month of December I'm going to try and put out a video clip every week – this is also partly reflective of […]
"can u help" :: Howto win at Friend-Tech-Support-Roulette
"can u help" :: Howto win at Friend-Tech-Support-Roulette
22 November 2012
Being a techie isn't always easy. The technology, yeah, that's easy, but the social implications can sometimes be tough. I recently got a rather flashy camera and, seeing it round my neck, a guy at an event asked, "Can I ask you something about cameras?" It was, of course, a rhetorical question – there was […]
Moaning, Brits and the Weather: How does it all fit together?
Moaning, Brits and the Weather: How does it all fit together?
21 November 2012
Every July or August, whenever there's a moment of cloud or rain, all around the country, conversations like this will spark between complete strangers: – "Not much of a summer this year is it?" – "Oh, it's just going from spring straight to autumn this year" I mean, it's almost like people are reaffirming their […]
When they're wrong, how can you change someone's point of view?
When they're wrong, how can you change someone's point of view?
20 November 2012
Frequently we encounter people that we disagree with, frequently we talk about why they're wrong, but rarely do we consider the steps to convince them to change their views. Many people seem content to tell people that they're wrong, without making the effort to explain *why* they're wrong in a way that they'll respond to. […]
Why am I vegetarian? A two decade retrospective.
Why am I vegetarian? A two decade retrospective.
19 November 2012
I'm vegetarian, but I talk about it as little as possible. Years and years of people asking me the same question, throughout my childhood, teenage years and adult life have rather blotted out any emerging desires to talk about it, but I think it's important to explain… I was raised in a vegetarian family. When […]
How does free software take over the world? What happens now?
How does free software take over the world? What happens now?
18 November 2012
I love free software, I owe a lot to the free software communities and I care deeply about them. However, I am a realist and a pragmatist, so I'd like to ask a question that's been bothering me. Free Software has proven itself technologically, and proven itself in terms of creating an efficient working environment for developers, […]
The danger your children escaped! Technology!
The danger your children escaped! Technology!
17 November 2012
At school, I was largely a goodie-two-shoes – however, that is to say – I was was aware of the line, and however close I was to it, I did my best to ensure I wasn't caught crossing it. I'm dubiously proud to say that I never got a detention. Unfortunately, this wasn't always successful, and […]
Motivation | Is it hidden under a rock?
Motivation | Is it hidden under a rock?
16 November 2012
When I watch one of of my favourite motivational videos A Story For Tomorrow, the narrator starts "You are on a quest, to search for the same thing that everyone is searching for." But what are you searching for? What are you looking for in life? What are you waiting for? Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysics […]
Shouting quieter makes things better :: How I learnt to yell less and win more.
Shouting quieter makes things better :: How I learnt to yell less and win more.
15 November 2012
At quite a young age, I realised I enjoyed arguments; a second to face up one's opponent of the moment – a chance to put them down with cruel language – an opportunity to let go and lose one's temper. Of course, it was all about being on the winning side, and with those wins […]
In theory, I'm dyslexic?
In theory, I'm dyslexic?
14 November 2012
I learnt to read, adventurously, from quite a young age. When I was about 7 or 8, I started to pick up real length books, without pictures or any kind of other shiny bits, and started to read to myself for fun. Within just a couple of years, I was reading books all the time. […]
Sponsored events without tears (or even losing friends)
Sponsored events without tears (or even losing friends)
13 November 2012
With charity hustlers, on commission, patrolling the streets with perspex smiles, engaging anyone who'll give them time with "hard sell" sales techniques, it's easy to be disenfranchised by the whole notion of supporting charities. My friend Ian was recently asked to support a charity and his response perhaps a bit more brutal than mine might […]
Scaling my blog for high traffic – WordPress + Apache + Varnish + Nginx
Scaling my blog for high traffic – WordPress + Apache + Varnish + Nginx
12 November 2012
On the 3rd of October, after some quite high load, my website crashed and went offline. Given I'd just gone to Sweden, this was a bit awkward. Looking at the stats – on the 2nd of October it was getting on average 5 page loads *per second* – except it wasn't evenly spread traffic – […]