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Further to the current issues of the ID cards pending disaster, So far the whole project has been critisied by The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry into the thinking behind ID Cards, published today, found the government had decided what it wanted to do before it had determined if it would even work.
Practical for stores, to track their stock, but once it's bought, is the things turned off? Do I know, not really. I just have to trust the cashier has deactivated it. That's all I have.
Back to ID cards, yes, RFID is usefull, all you have to do is scan the passport and your details pop up on a screen, if your Bin Laden in disgues, in a I Love George Bush T-Shirt, your gonna get caught. Yes, sounds good, it can catch the bad guys. Yippee, easy work for the home office.
BUT No, it's not that easy! If the Police and other autherities can read the card, then so can other people, people who I don't want to read the card. As all the cards have to be able to be read by all nations, it means a standard has to be thrashed out, with standards, come published stanards, once they are published, then any one can read your passport details without you knowing? right? yes, right they can.
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Government trials of the biometric technology it wants to use in ID Cards are planned to occur simultaneously with the procurement, which specifies the system, decides who will develop it, and how much it will cost. But the procurement process should be informed by evidence gathered from the trials.
Not only are the trials not really upto the real world, but they now one of the main technologies that underpin the ID card scheme, RFID, is now under attack. This technologie is now begining to be used in delevery systems, as it is, to be honest very good for tracking loads of boxes in a Lorry, no need to go through the whole lorry too see what's in there, just scan all the RFID tags and the jobs done. Practical for stores, to track their stock, but once it's bought, is the things turned off? Do I know, not really. I just have to trust the cashier has deactivated it. That's all I have.
Back to ID cards, yes, RFID is usefull, all you have to do is scan the passport and your details pop up on a screen, if your Bin Laden in disgues, in a I Love George Bush T-Shirt, your gonna get caught. Yes, sounds good, it can catch the bad guys. Yippee, easy work for the home office.
BUT No, it's not that easy! If the Police and other autherities can read the card, then so can other people, people who I don't want to read the card. As all the cards have to be able to be read by all nations, it means a standard has to be thrashed out, with standards, come published stanards, once they are published, then any one can read your passport details without you knowing? right? yes, right they can.
Read More
Jul 9: After the dust has settled
As we all know, it has been over one year since London was hit by it's first suicide bombers, but not the first time London has been bombed many times in the past 30yrs by the IRA, Did we get any draconian laws that took away our civil liberties? No we didn't, what's the difference now? A terrorist is a terrorist, be they Irish, be they English, be that black, be they blue, be they from anywhere, there is no difference between them, they all use the same method to try an put forward their view of the world, and they only know one way and we know what that is.
The London bomber say they had grievances, that the West tends to have a very hypocritical policy towards the middle east, This I hear, this I understand but I don't support their way of expressing their grievances.
I will pass you over to Rachel North a survivor of the London bombing who has so eloquently expressed what I think thousands of us have felt. Read her comments on A 'completely false' sense of grievance
The London bomber say they had grievances, that the West tends to have a very hypocritical policy towards the middle east, This I hear, this I understand but I don't support their way of expressing their grievances.
The prime minister told MPs it was down to moderate Muslims to stand up to extremism and tell those with "grievances" against the West they were wrong.
This shows that someone is just NOT listening to what people have to say, someone who clearly doesn't understand why some people will go to extremes to express things.I will pass you over to Rachel North a survivor of the London bombing who has so eloquently expressed what I think thousands of us have felt. Read her comments on A 'completely false' sense of grievance
Jun 26: London in June
Not much to say today, but it's London, It's June and it's raining... This can only mean one thing!
Yes, Wimbledon has started! Why can't they chose another month? August would be better? but then we might have the same issue, It's August, In London and It's Raining, Hey, must be Wimbledon!
So, Tim Henman will not be winning this year, less likely now than before, why? his only getting older and so the young blood comes in and will beat the crap out of him.
Who will win? No idea, but some one will win and all the rest will lose. simple and easy tip.
Yes, Wimbledon has started! Why can't they chose another month? August would be better? but then we might have the same issue, It's August, In London and It's Raining, Hey, must be Wimbledon!
So, Tim Henman will not be winning this year, less likely now than before, why? his only getting older and so the young blood comes in and will beat the crap out of him.
Who will win? No idea, but some one will win and all the rest will lose. simple and easy tip.
May 16: Oh dear, We IT folk are the most Stressed
A poll shows what us IT folk (we are very nice really) have known for years, that IT support is one of the most stressful jobs around. Well so says Skillsoft after it polled over 3500 IT 'experts', if it's the same experts I have heard of, I'm not surprised they find it stressful, most don't even know how to install more than 1 operating system, know how to fix a BSOD (a nasty problem that when happens can be a bit of a worry, but most times it's ok)
So what are the other jobs? Well the folks at El Reg have a report on it, here are the results.
To go further, there are obviously far more stressful jobs, and again the folks at El Reg have delivered.
So what are the other jobs? Well the folks at El Reg have a report on it, here are the results.
- IT
- Medicine/Caring Profession
- Engineering
- Sales and Marketing
- Education
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Operations
- Production
- Clerical
To go further, there are obviously far more stressful jobs, and again the folks at El Reg have delivered.
- Iraqi police recruit
- US Army bomb disposal expert
- Baghdad A&E doctor
- British Airways pilot
- Naomi Campbell's personal assistant
- Naomi Campbell's housekeeper
- Dick Cheney's shooting buddy
- Steve Ballmer's office furniture supplier
- President Bush's grammatical consultant
- Wayne Rooney's fiancée
- IT journalist
May 13: Assisted Death, Good or Bad
Today, the Lords debated, very vigorously and with great emotion on the issue of Assisted Death. Both sides of the debate had a lot to say, but it was defeated. So, what's my view on this issue?
I personally, agree that one should be given the choice to decide when they leave this world. This is the same argument I have used over time on this issue. I am aware that this is a very emotive issue. I also do not believe in what religious folk describe as the sanctity of life, in that God gave you life, so he is the only one who can take it.
The main arguments against were the religious groups, and I have to say, people who are, I believe of strong religious background.
What is the requirement to be accepted, if one can say that, are (with my comments) Source
(2) The first condition is that the attending physician shall have
(a) been informed by the patient in a written request signed by the patient that the patient wishes to be assisted to die;
(b) examined the patient and the patient’s medical records and satisfied himself that the patient does not lack capacity;
(c) determined that the patient has a terminal illness;
(d) concluded that the patient is suffering unbearably as a result of that terminal illness;
(e) informed the patient of
(i) his medical diagnosis;
(ii) his prognosis;
(iii) the process of being assisted to die; and
(iv) the alternatives to assisted dying, including, but not limited to, palliative care, care in a hospice and the control of pain;
(f) ensured that a specialist in palliative care, who shall be a physician or a nurse, has attended the patient to inform the patient of the benefits of the various forms of palliative care,
(g) recommended to the patient that the patient notifies his next of kin of his request for assistance to die,
(h) if the patient persists with his request to be assisted to die, satisfied himself that the request is made voluntarily and that the patient has made an informed decision; and
(i) referred the patient to a consulting physician.
Ok, this part is very clear. It's the patient that makes the first approach. The doctor then has to check if the illness in question is terminal. If the patient has to be suffering intolerable pain, one can very well assume that they are or will be on morphine based painkillers or maybe stronger all the time. So can one be said to be of sound mind? Unless one is able to make a living will, that would say, if such or such situation arise, an example, would be that the pain and condition is being treated by aggressive drug treatment , which will in most cases have bad side effects. Making your life a misery.
One thing that is beginning to offered is palliative care, this is a very good alternative to staying in the standard ward where to be honest, are not very inspiring or inspired in the care for those who are dying and know that they are. i suggest popping over to this site on the BBC (How to have a good death)
Though I think palliative care is very good and serves a very good issue for the terminally ill. But in the end, you are going to die.
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I personally, agree that one should be given the choice to decide when they leave this world. This is the same argument I have used over time on this issue. I am aware that this is a very emotive issue. I also do not believe in what religious folk describe as the sanctity of life, in that God gave you life, so he is the only one who can take it.
The main arguments against were the religious groups, and I have to say, people who are, I believe of strong religious background.
What is the requirement to be accepted, if one can say that, are (with my comments) Source
(2) The first condition is that the attending physician shall have
(a) been informed by the patient in a written request signed by the patient that the patient wishes to be assisted to die;
(b) examined the patient and the patient’s medical records and satisfied himself that the patient does not lack capacity;
(c) determined that the patient has a terminal illness;
(d) concluded that the patient is suffering unbearably as a result of that terminal illness;
(e) informed the patient of
(i) his medical diagnosis;
(ii) his prognosis;
(iii) the process of being assisted to die; and
(iv) the alternatives to assisted dying, including, but not limited to, palliative care, care in a hospice and the control of pain;
(f) ensured that a specialist in palliative care, who shall be a physician or a nurse, has attended the patient to inform the patient of the benefits of the various forms of palliative care,
(g) recommended to the patient that the patient notifies his next of kin of his request for assistance to die,
(h) if the patient persists with his request to be assisted to die, satisfied himself that the request is made voluntarily and that the patient has made an informed decision; and
(i) referred the patient to a consulting physician.
One thing that is beginning to offered is palliative care, this is a very good alternative to staying in the standard ward where to be honest, are not very inspiring or inspired in the care for those who are dying and know that they are. i suggest popping over to this site on the BBC (How to have a good death)
Though I think palliative care is very good and serves a very good issue for the terminally ill. But in the end, you are going to die.
Read More
May 2: The little Red Book Of Labour Sleaze
Iain Dale and Guido Fawkes have got together to publish:
What makes this even more fun is that they're asking Bloggers to help write it. Simply take a look at their list of top scandals and follow the instructions.
Apr 22: ID Cards - It will be so perfect in 10yrs time
So says the IPS ( Identity and Passport Service) corporate and business plan. Business Plan? A Business plan? Am I to understand that HMG are going to be attempting to make money from My ID ? Looks like it to me.
This is the vision, cue rosey flowery images of people who are all happy and there is no crime, no illnesses as all that will be banished by the almighty, all powerfull leader TB (humm that is an Illness in more than one way, but that's another story)
This is the vision, cue rosey flowery images of people who are all happy and there is no crime, no illnesses as all that will be banished by the almighty, all powerfull leader TB (humm that is an Illness in more than one way, but that's another story)
"IPS has been operating effectively for over 10 years since its creation in 2006. The success of the National Identity Card Scheme means that the majority of all UK residents have applied for an ID card and are now registered with the National Identity Register (NIR)," forecasts the study.
It goes on to paint a society in which "all major public services and government departments" are accredited organisations able to check an ID card against data held on the central register.
Accredited organisations? Who will give them accredication? I hear that cowboy carpark attendants can get access to your address by calling the DVLA and saying, 'I'm a Mr X and I work for BadParking Inc, and car number so and so is parked illigally but has done a runner, can I have the owners address so that I can send a fine?' Yes sir, here's the address ... That's it, fine sent on, no checks, nothing...
So what's to stop an 'accredited' organisation doing the same? A cowboy working in one? There doesn't seem to be any organisation that has teeth to challenge on behalf of the person affected.
Apr 11: Someone is Going To Be 80 Soon
Ok, I'm not much of a royalist, quite a disfunctional family as they are and not a good example for marriage advice. They all seem to end in failure, except one, Prince Edward. But there you go.
So, It's Ma'am's (that's supposed to be the correct way to say it) will be 80 next week, the 21st of April. So for this occaasion the roya website has put up 80 factoids about her life. Here are some that I think are rather entertaining in a way.
Ok, not 100% correct as he was born a whole month before her reign, but we can miss that one
Some one must have forgotten to bring one and poped into the local market and bought a pineapple, eggs. Someone else must have been peckish, maybe french, ate all the snails and just gave her the shells. No idea what one would do with 7Kg of prawns.
That's fact #20 and not #1 ? Read More
So, It's Ma'am's (that's supposed to be the correct way to say it) will be 80 next week, the 21st of April. So for this occaasion the roya website has put up 80 factoids about her life. Here are some that I think are rather entertaining in a way.
Fact #9
Tony Blair is the first Prime Minister to have been born during The Queen's reign. He was born in early May 1953 - a month before the Coronation.
Tony Blair is the first Prime Minister to have been born during The Queen's reign. He was born in early May 1953 - a month before the Coronation.
Ok, not 100% correct as he was born a whole month before her reign, but we can miss that one
Fact # 17
During her reign, The Queen has received many unusual gifts including a variety of live animals. The more unusual animals have been placed in the care of the London zoo, among them jaguars and sloths from Brazil, and two black beavers from Canada. The Queen has also received gifts of pineapples, eggs, a box of snail shells, a grove of maple trees and 7kg of prawns.
During her reign, The Queen has received many unusual gifts including a variety of live animals. The more unusual animals have been placed in the care of the London zoo, among them jaguars and sloths from Brazil, and two black beavers from Canada. The Queen has also received gifts of pineapples, eggs, a box of snail shells, a grove of maple trees and 7kg of prawns.
Some one must have forgotten to bring one and poped into the local market and bought a pineapple, eggs. Someone else must have been peckish, maybe french, ate all the snails and just gave her the shells. No idea what one would do with 7Kg of prawns.
Fact # 20
The Queen's real birthday is on April 21, but it is celebrated officially in June.
The Queen's real birthday is on April 21, but it is celebrated officially in June.
That's fact #20 and not #1 ? Read More
Mar 26: Just in Case, Clocks moved forward
Yep, small entry, to say, yep I'm still alive. The clocks in most of Europe go forward 1 hour today! and you won't get it back till late October... Have fun with that extra light in the evening. Hopefully we will get some semblence af a summer.
Anyway, that's that, spring is hear, and am looking forward to the old April showers as believe it or not, but the South East of the UK is heading for a drought this summer. They are saying that it 'could' be like 1976 when there were water taps in the steets, if not that, then water lorries. The UK a highly developped western country and we still have the old problems of the lack of water. There you go... that's it for me tonight!
Anyway, that's that, spring is hear, and am looking forward to the old April showers as believe it or not, but the South East of the UK is heading for a drought this summer. They are saying that it 'could' be like 1976 when there were water taps in the steets, if not that, then water lorries. The UK a highly developped western country and we still have the old problems of the lack of water. There you go... that's it for me tonight!
Jan 19: Cannabis 'can' cause problems.
Well yes, but so does drinking too much booze and smoking too much as well.
This entry has been inspired by the ridiculous discussion that has been on going since David 'Casznova' blunket reclassified cannabis from a class B drug to a Class C. OK, it's still not 'legal' so I really don't understand why people get confused with this statement
We know that cannabis can cause problem, but as far as I'm concerned someone who is high on cannabis is less likely to cause any fight than some one who is boozed up to the eyeballs.
If we look at the statics and the cost to the state of the two 'drugs' that are legal I really am confused. if we add to that the number of deaths and family breakups due to drink and all other problems (Which there are too many for me to note down) that it can cause. Read More
This entry has been inspired by the ridiculous discussion that has been on going since David 'Casznova' blunket reclassified cannabis from a class B drug to a Class C. OK, it's still not 'legal' so I really don't understand why people get confused with this statement
A government awareness campaign will warn young people that cannabis is neither legal nor safe, despite 2004's reclassification.
Source
Source
We know that cannabis can cause problem, but as far as I'm concerned someone who is high on cannabis is less likely to cause any fight than some one who is boozed up to the eyeballs.
If we look at the statics and the cost to the state of the two 'drugs' that are legal I really am confused. if we add to that the number of deaths and family breakups due to drink and all other problems (Which there are too many for me to note down) that it can cause. Read More
