* Posts by OldBiddie

63 posts • joined 22 Feb 2008


UK govt sneaks citizen database aka 'request filters' into proposed internet super-spy law


Re: Can someone explain this?

"the only way I can see of them being able to do this - is to build up a profile of each user of that IP address - and I don't like the sound of that one bit"

The bill, of course, makes provision for expanding its remit to make this level of data gathering legal without any need to pass further laws, in fact, there are clauses in the guise of "training" and "R&D" dotted all over the place that are so loosely worded they could be used to bypass any kind of judicial oversight.



Re: It is banned, just indirectly

Won't they just break in through your window instead?

'Netflix bitch': CEO of vid-streaming site taunts HBO chief over results


It's difficult to compare them accurately - there are definitely more TV series such as Law and Order, for example:




It depends how fussy you are; the UK content is starting to catch up.

Microsoft introduces warning on child abuse image searches


What next?

Covering up lads' mags in supermarkets?

YES, Xbox One DOES need internet, DOES restrict game trading


Re: This makes the Ouya look highly impressive!

Not likely - Microsoft have cancelled their press round table and won't be talking to journalist.


That's saved me a bit of cash on next-gen games and consoles. Let's see if Sony save me a bit more.

Culture Sec: You - Google. Where's the off switch for all this filth?


Re: And again: WHO DECIDES?

If it's Keith Vaz you can kiss goodbye to video game websites ...

Reports: New Xbox could DOOM second-hand games market


Re: Game resellers as "parasites"

"Good luck buying visible body parts for a car that are identical in look to the originals. Not legal in the EU"

I can go the the scrap yard and get parts from there no trouble at all.

Humans becoming steadily STUPIDER, says brainiac boffin


He's right but for the wrong reason

It's because we're protecting the stupid. Previously they used to die from sticking their heads in the mouths of lions. Now we put fences up and make it illegal.

Egypt takes hard line on internet pr0n, calls for total ban


Good luck with that Egypt.

A single web link will WIPE Samsung Android smartphones


Re: Not Android.

Not the case - it affects my original HTC Desire and that's running VillainROM, not a Samsung and no TouchWiz in sight.



So ...

When will Apple be calling for a mass burning of existing Samsung handsets?

UK cookie law compliance takes effect today


Re: Does El Reg really think its compliant?

Isn't this the problem? The ICO guidelines are so vague it could be interpreted any number of ways. What is an essential cookie exactly?


Re: Annoying

Really? Not a single site I regularly visit has had any visibility of asking for cookie permission.

I get the premise, but stupid EU directives are stupid.

Spy under your car bonnet 'worth billions by 2016'


Re: compensate for hazard?

I'm glad more than one person has read and understood it :)


Re: Speed != bad driving

You'd have already adjusted your speed to compensate and mitigate against the hazard.

Observation for what's happening, what's about to happen and what you can reasonably assuming is going to happen outranks blinding sticking to a speed limit due to some arbitrary numbers in a red bounded circle regardless of what's going on around you.

MP blasts 'ineffective' games regulation


Better regulation of politicians would be a more productive pursuit to put forward as a EDM.

Got to make it look like you're doing something though, eh Vaz?

Parliament ponders £400,000 iPads-for-MPs plan


So ...

It's impossible to print from an iPad and therefore saves money?


Kinect plus tablet control insane skateboard


If it's anything like my experience with Kinect, I'm surprised he can keep it going in a straight line.

Apple was OK to fire man for private Facebook comments


Be inclined to have gotten rid of the snivelling, back-stabbing, arse-licking, self-serving, contemptible corporate drone myself.

Let's face it - if he's prepared to do that to a "friend" then he'd be prepared to do the same thing to anyone there, including his boss; especially to get up the next rung on the corporate ladder. Maybe that's simply the kind of culture Apple employees enjoy - "Be a company informer. Betray your colleagues & co-workers. Fabulous prizes to be won"

His boss should definitely have checked the conversation wasn't being recorded.

GM OnStar cars will upload all data unless owners opt out


It'll follow the Xbox360, PS3 model where the choice is Yes/No - you can choose No, but you won't be able to connect to certain roads if you decline.

Bug-Byte Manic Miner


This *is* a title

6031769 - that is all.

Lightbox Photos


Not too bad ..

But I think the recent Android release of Molome does this better.

Music on plastic discs still popular, apparently


Nothing barmy about it

Some of us prefer a physical product we can touch and do with as we please, often available for less than the cost of iTunes tie-ins if you look around the various online retailers.

Blu-ray sales to overtake DVD... next year


Definitely a noticable difference

It's in the smaller details where you spot it most of all.

My collection is around the same level, but I'll keep the physical media though thanks - I prefer having a tangible product in my hands. There's no way I feel that a file on my HDD has as much worth, plus those boxsets look smart on the shelves.

Sony restores PlayStation Network in full


I reckon

It just shows how much of a shambles the security of the network was in for it to take this long to get it up to scratch. Assuming they now, in fact, have made it up to scratch.

Microsoft replaces Xbox 360s after disc-format switch


Turns out

This story was being reported incorrectly - the problems have been caused by the last dashboard patch, not the upcoming one for the XGD3 format discs.


Hoping ...

... for once that the update breaks my aging launch console.

BMW tests laser-guided car junction buddy


Alternatively ...

... you could just learn to drive properly :/

Sony implicates Anonymous in PlayStation Network hack


Weaker ...

Than my 90 year old gran's bladder.

Sony wins subpoenas revealing visitors to PS3 jailbreaker site


It's in the manual


Kinect blamed for Red Ring of Death outbreak


Yup - observant *thumbs up*

Dust build up kills laptops and PCs too so I'm sure that doesn't help, but there's no doubt Xbox360 has suffered a higher than usual mortality rate though - I've suffered from two dead machines myself and my machines are kept on a proper well spaced TV stand - regardless of how much you clean that build up happens.

Runaway hydroponic fungus attacks real-world Starship Voyager



It did get a bit better when Jeri Ryan turned up.

This year's DSLR stars


Crop crop crop

If you're having to crop all the time, you're not close enough to your intended subject ;)

Txt tax would wipe out half UK deficit, claims union baron


This *IS* a title

Clown Shoes.

That is all.

Cutbacks strip speed cameras from Blighty's roads


On the other hand

One could possibly surmise, that the drop in KSI from 2000 to 2008 is due to improvements in car safety design from 2000 to 2008.

Microsoft prices up cheapo Xbox 360, Kinect bundle



That'll just get you banned from Xbox Live by the "enforcement" team.

Romford coppers try to stopper young snapper


Amatuer Photographer Next Issue


PS3 update to rid all consoles of Linux support

Thumb Down

Not a choice

Whether you chose to upgrade or not Sony is crippling the functionality of the machine you bought and paid good money for; the equivalent of, well, you can lose your left thumb or your right one. Either way you're still only going to be left with one thumb.

It's not right, and for those saying, well I don't use it so it doesn't matter, you're completely missing the point.

If Sony decide to remove DVD-R, Wifi, BluRay or Bluetooth support in the future due to "security" are you going to rollover and accept that as acceptable too?

Manchester's on fire for ID cards, claims ID minister


There is a box

it's just a white font on a white background


Do they ...

.. actually believe the crap they spout out themselves?

Are they really that dilusional? Or is it simply one big cocaine party on expenses at Whitehall?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Twitter bomb hoax man changes plea



Go to twitter, type "I'm going to kill" in to the search box and click search - be careful not to click post as you may well find yourself up for prosecution under the same act as this chap is being charged.

Now type in "I'm going to blow up"

Now type in "I'm going to bomb"

Now type in "I'm going to rape"

Now type in "I'm going to hurt"

Now type in "I'm going to punch"

Now type in "I'm going to steal"

How many of those people in the search results does the CPS intend to charge? It'd certainly help to meet government targets.

Hell, TheWileyOnes has stated on twitter, just 8 hours ago as I type this that: "In memory of Peter Graves: I'm going to steal a 747 to crash into that big glass window at LAX." - I'm scared, better get on to the authorities now ... it's just as credible.

I think perhaps we should get a little bit of perspective and put the common sense filter on for a moment.


Disturbing indeed

As per title.

Twitter 'airport bomb hoax twit' charged


Total Perspective Vortex required.

'do you think that he would have got a ban and been charged if he wrote "You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together or I'm going to organise a public demonstration"'

Given the current government who don't like that sort of thing, yes.

"But, remember there is a huge difference in the concequences of what you say depending where and when you say it"

I hope that when you speak that you're *very* careful anyone around you doesn't have a mobile phone, camera, recording device - or that CCTV cameras are trained on someone else and is lacking in audio.

As has already been pointed out - twitter "I'm going to kill", "I'm going to rape", "I'm going to mug", "I'm going to rob", "I'm going to be an Member of Parliament" ... that's thought crime right there - this is total and utter nonsense, lacks any credibility and makes security intelligence ever more an oxymoron.


If I retweet ...

... Do I then become an accessory to "sending a menacing message"?

If that's the actual text in the tweet, then yes, this is a complete waste of time - it's blindingly obvious it's not a credible threat.

I've just searched twitter for "I'm going to kill" - the police have got their work cut out, the number of potential serial killers on there staggering.

Warner Music gives up on free streaming services


Spotify Preview to Purchase

"Other people, such as myself have bought several albums I've listened to on spotify, while they were still available on spotify"

Yup, me too.

*Gives Warner gun, points at Warner's foot*

Compulsory perv scanners upset everyone


Or queues

Or ferry ports

Or hospitals

Or schools

Or the dentists

Or shopping malls

Or churches

Or libraries

Or pubs - I seem to remember that they use to be a good terror target

Or houses - scanners at every doorway, just to be *safe* - it's all in the name of security after-all.

DVLA makes £44m flogging drivers' details



Why everyone should be against the all-seeing National Identity Register ID Card database

The data in there couldn't *possibly* be abused for financial gain.

Legal highs now illegal


Mostly Wine and Brandy

There are six bars in the Houses

The Pugin Room: Bar lounge, also serving morning coffees and afternoon teas to Members,

Officers and their guests.

Members' Smoking Room: For Members only.

Strangers' Bar: For Members, Officers, senior staff, and their guests.

Terrace Bar: As for Strangers' Bar (Easter to July only).

Annie's Bar: For Members, Officers and Lobby journalists. Opened in 1968; relocated


Press Bar: For Lobby journalists, Official report staff and Doorkeepers

And the great thing is this: bars in the House of Commons operate without a licence, and do not keep to the permitted hours laid down by the Licensing Acts (and I'd suspected are highly discounted too).



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