Super Duper Trough of Information

PhoneSuit MiLi Pro Video Projector

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:59 GMT

7 Can’t-Miss Ways To Kick-Start The Writing Habit | FreelanceFolder

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:06 GMT

The joy of the lyric

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:18 GMT

So, I posted a photo from it but I wanted to mention the Emiliana Torrini gig I attend last week. The venue, Oran Mor, is quite small and intimate, occupying the top floor of an old church and holding maybe 400-500 people, tops. The stage wasn't set very high and, upon taking to it, the diminutive Ms. Torrini admitted she was a bit taken aback that everyone was ‘right there'.

Musically she's a tricky one to pigeonhole. Her Icelandic roots make the leap to Bjork a bit too obvious and she's certainly more grounded in traditional songwriting arrangements than her Icelandic counterpart, but that's not to say it's all acoustic guitars and winsome melodies. Her last album covers such tracks as well as a reggae tinged number as well as bringing a pop sensibility to things. It makes it her most accessible album and probably accounts for the range of ages in the audience.

But it's her turn of phrase that caught my ear when I first chanced upon one of her tracks, and allows me to suggest that she's not far short of Mr.Garvey (Elbow) for a nicely visioned lyric.

A good gig then, an excellent venue that was small enough to be intimate, and a pretty slick set from the band. Her voice, whilst sounding quite delicate at times, can certainly hold it's own against 5 and 6 piece band, and her desire to give the audience the background story to most of the songs was endearing.

Not sure how she'd fair at a larger venue and whilst I hope she continues to build her fanbase (she's released three albums so far) part of me hopes she sticks to this size of venue as it seems perfectly suited to her sound.

A Six-Pack of Gmail Hacks

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:55 GMT

50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:55 GMT

45 Incredibly Useful Web Design Checklists and Questionnaires

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:53 GMT

monitores - Google Code

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:32 GMT

Perspective

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:54 GMT

Is it wrong that a little part of me is a tad disappointed I didn't quite manage to clock up 80 hours at work last week?

Is it wrong that when faced with a proper cooked dinner, served at approximately the normal time for said meal, that I wonder how on earth I'm going to eat it and couldn't I just have a roll and ham, then some crisps, then some chocolate, then some more crisps, a few digestives (or whatever else I can find lying around)?

Is it wrong that I've spent a large part of today wondering what I've forgotten?

Is it wrong that because I've been working so much I've now got even more things to do? Things I didn't get done at home, and things that cropped up last week at work that I didn't have time for (and this week I've only, currently, got one morning and one afternoon to myself as it is).

And is it wrong that I've spent the last hour daydreaming of retiring early and going to live on a beach somewhere?

No, I don't think it is either.

Coming soon…

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:11 GMT

As we approach the end of our migration from FrameMaker 7 to Author-it, I'm going to try and pull together some lessons learned, some tips, and useful links that I've found along the way. I'm not claiming to be an expert (I'll leave that to Rhonda Bracey and Char James Tanny, amongst others!) but, as they say, a problem shared is a problem that you might just find via a Google search… or something like that…

Pre-empting this, I thought I'd open things up to anyone who might have any questions about the process we've gone through. So, if you want to know my thoughts on migrating content (how NOT to do it, perhaps?) or anything specific to Author-it then leave me a comment.

Over to you!

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Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:08 GMT

Lifehacker - The Minimalist Windows Desktop - Desktops

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:05 GMT

Jumplist-Launcher - create custom jumplists in Windows 7

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:51 GMT

sold-out

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:49 GMT

something to explore

Emiliana Torrini

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:16 GMT

Emiliana Torrini, originally uploaded by Gordon.

Top gig, great venue, amazing voice.

Forty-Three of The Best Free Windows Enhancements That You Should Know About | freewaregenius.com

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:27 GMT

Taking a break

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:53 GMT

I'm in the midst of a hectic, hectic week so I'm taking a wee break from this here blog. I'll be back at the weekend. (Of course I won't be completely silent)

Until I return, here is a picture of Oll-E doing what he does best and what I'll manage little of in the coming few days.

Bye bye STC

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:32 GMT

Before I say anything on this topic I'll confess that I am not fully versed in the history of the organisation. I am not a member, this is merely my take on some of the blog posts I've read on this matter.

And there in is the my main point.

I've read a lot about the issues the STC are currently facing but have yet to read anything from the STC itself. No doubt there is an STC mailing list ablaze with such news but given the amount of negative press currently floating about on blogs and on Twitter I've yet to spy any sort of formal, or informal, word from the STC.

I'll let you read into that what you will.

Elsewhere there are plenty of suggestions to solve the initial woes, and many ideas of how to help the STC modernise and become the organisation the members want and, as I'm not a member, I can allow myself to suggest that perhaps the time has come to wrapup the STC and let a new organisation grow from the ashes.

Those who are interested, and who believe our profession needs such an organisation will rally round and rebuild something. If there is not enough interest then perhaps that is a further indication that the STC has had its time.

I'm not suggesting that technical writers do not need an organisation like the STC, there are many many good benefits, and I'm fully aware there is a lot of history and hard work that has gone into creating and building the STC. But sometimes it's better to cut your losses.

Of course, a large part of me hopes that it won't come to that.

But I must admit, part of me is intrigued to see what would happen if it did.

Kitchen Renovation

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:21 GMT

gmclean posted a photo:

Most of the internal wall has now been removed. Wall lining in laundry area is all gone. Tub has been removed from the corner.

Kitchen Renovation

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:19 GMT

gmclean posted a photo:

The window in the corner has been removed and framing begun to fill the gap

Kitchen Renovation

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:17 GMT

gmclean posted a photo:

Original ceiling height has been restored