Technology

While I don’t claim to have a perfect set up, it seems to be flexible and I have very few problems. So in other words, it works for me! And as a “one man” business it is very easy to integrate new technology very quickly if needed. Anything to make life easier has to be good!

Computers

I have two. A desktop and a laptop. The desktop is where I do most of my “business work”. It is not connected to the internet. It is at least 6 years old and works flawlessly.

My laptop is connected to the web. The only work on it is my tax return program – because I have to file returns online. I do not play games on it and rarely download programs

Why two computers? Well, if a virus comes along and knocks me out, I can still work. Also, how can you hack into my work machine if it’s not connected to the internet………Yes, I take security very seriously.

Telephones

I do not have a landline. Bet that surprised you! Instead, I use Skype. No line rental and very cheap call rates. Skype is loaded on my laptop and I also have a separate Skype phone. Call quality is excellent and I rarely have a dropped call. Oh, and can video conference as well via webcam. Highly recommended.

I also have a mobile. Well two actually. Ones for business calls. The other is a Smartphone for private calls. I can do the following on the Smartphone:

• write this article as it has word, excel and PowerPoint loaded along with Acrobat Reader (PDF)
• download email and surf the net using “3.5G” – if available in the area. £7.50 p.m. For 500mb download limit. Doubt I download 500mb in a year! Cheap at the price though 
• I can also surf via my home Wi-Fi network
• sync contacts and diary with Outlook when connected to my laptop
• if I need to use my laptop when out and no Wi-Fi connection is available, I simply plug my phone in and use it as a modem. Somewhat slow, but it works
• and I have a nifty free program called Fring loaded. This gives me Instant Messaging, Facebook, Twitter and Skype all in one program.
• Oh, and it has a 6gb memory card with music etc. And my entire client files as well. And yes, it password protected and can only be accessed on my phone. No one else’s. How clever is that!!

So it’s a “proper” business phone. Not an iPhone toy (ouch).

Fax

Unbelievably, I do have a fax number as the odd person still likes to do things the olde fashioned way. What they don’t know is that I don’t have a fax machine. Instead I pay an annual subscription to Faxtastic for the number. When a fax is sent it arrives as a TIFF file via email. So I can access it wherever I am. Neat. And way cheaper and more reliable than a regular fax machine.

Software

The best bit of software I have is a PDF conversion program. I can convert word, excel and tax returns into PDF files and then email them straightaway. No postage and  instantaneous receipt. Well worth the investment.

A month in my Life – October 09

The random happenings in my life during October 2009.  The names of the guilty have been changed. But they should know who they are. I might even be subject to some retribution…….

Burger Boy is progressing well with his driving lessons. Unless he’s a lying wotsit, he’s only bumped the curb a couple times so far.

I had my annual encounter with Big Pete. Gas bolier serviced and tap fixed. He’s my “Mr Fixit” and I don’t know what I would do without him. We always have a good bit of banter as well. His latest plan is to sell up in the UK, max out on credit cards – buying Gold – and then emigrate to Spain without telling anyone. If you never come back will anyone chase the card debts? Anyone know the answer to that one?

Internals of my gas bolier

Before you ask, I have no idea how old it actually is. Best guess is about 40 ish. It’s indesuctable and oh so cheap to run.

An obscure Skype tale for you this month. If you have a smartphone, you can plug it into your laptop and use the phone as a modem. Nothing new there. If you have a satellite phone, you can do the same thing. Somewhat costly though! Apparently this is how rebel groups in remote areas of the world keep in contact. This from a UN peace negotiator who has just got back from Darfur.

We have all heard the phrase “it’s a small world”. Here is yet another example: One of my oft quoted tales is that my Dad was on the 2nd to last boat off Dunkirk. This month I met the son of the last man off the beach – he was beachmaster. So our two Dads probably met. Amazing.

This might be just a UK thing, but did you know “margarine” does not exist? Go on, look at the tub in your fridge. You cannot find the word now can you? That’s because it’s a “spread”. Oh, and the natural colour is white. The yellowish dye is there to make it look like butter. And as you may know, it’s entirely a man made product. Change just one molecule, and it falls under the heading of …….plastic. Go on, do an experiment. Put a dollop in a dish and leave it at room temperature for a week. It will look exactly the same. No mould. No fungus. Fly’s will not go near it. And how much of it do you eat?

I have not watched the news this month as bored silly with the stupid stories they have run for several months now. Did I miss anything? And to further expand, I’m getting increasingly agitated with BBC TV. We all know they cannot advertise. But an increasing amount of airtime is spent on never ending self-promotion. They are preoccupied with the word “trailer”. I’m sure most programmes are now 3 – 4 minutes shorter than they were 20 years ago. So I’m voting with my feet and switching off or changing channel..

Whilst my TV viewing is mainly news and sport, I have watched repeats of the rather ancient Yes, Prime Minister. They must be 30 odd years old by now. And totally relevant to what is going on today. I’ve howled with laughter many times. Only goes to prove the quality of writing stands the passing of time.

Another month with not a lot of cycling done. I still feel fit though and my main season of riding is now here, so no more excuses!  Here is a photo if your interested:

Mountain Bike

General Randomness

I managed to sneak a day out at Exmouth on a rather lovely day. Treated to great cooked breakfast and a boat trip. Hope you like the picture of the Marina:

Exmouth Marina

Apart from all the jokes, the two articles I have pblished this month (shameless promotion!) are:

UK’s Financial Crisis https://smarty09.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/uks-financial-crisis/

MP’s Expenses https://smarty09.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/mps-expenses/

If you would like me to blog on a specific topic, you only have to ask!

Sports News

I’ll start with probably the last bit of cricket news for a while. Australia won the ICC  Champions Trophy, easily beating their neighbours NZ. It was one of those games won by bowlers.

OK, I fibbed. Right at the end of the month Gloucester cricket club announced a personnel change. The long standing 30 year old wicket keeper is replaced by a 36 year old – on a 3 year contract. “It’s for the club’s long term future” states the press release. Um, what’s the word? Bollock’s. Yes, that’s it…..

The British Superbike season concluded at Oulton Park. It was a great weekend, the highlight for me being the Saturday when the classic bikes went round. Most of them did it for fun, but 3 riders really raced. Fabulous. And the noise and the smell – nothing like it. Think I had a stupid grin on my face for the whole weekend. As usual, I walked miles, got some great photos and needed a day of rest after to recuperate. I hope the team I followed – STP – can raise the funds for next season. They are a good bunch.

Hope you like the picture of STP’s bike:

STP's 2009 Superbike

As usual I went to several Bristol City games with friends. Performances remain patchy.  The gang I go with managed to get two “shout out’s” on Geoff Twentymans radio show after the Plymouth games. Lots of cheers and chanting followed and it’s a good job we didn’t crash!

Ashton Gate night game

As for Mangotsfield, well what a run in the FA  Cup. A magnificent performance saw them beat Truro City after extra time and penalties. Probably the best game ever seen at Cossham Street. Then they played Forest Green Rovers but it was not as good a game. Mangotsfield lost 2 – 1 although the balance of play was about even. This game saw the biggest attendance for a many a year – just over 900. I reckon the club made about £20k in prize, gate and bar take from the 5 FA  Cup games they played. Much needed finance for a small club.

MUFC warm down stetches

The best sporting moment of the year has not changed. The Australian cricket captain, Ricky Ponting. He was fielding close in in a test match against England. Batsman thumped the ball straight into his lower jaw. Ricky just stands there. Glares at the batsman whilst spitting blood. No pain displayed. Got on with game. Compare that to a professional footballer………

As for the funniest sporting moment. Well Valentino Rossi winning the MotoGP at Misano (San Marino). In the previous race, he crashed out doing a silly manoeuvre. He wore an enormous set of donkey ears on the podium with a cheeky grin. Self deprecating humour at its very best. You are sir, a GOAT (Greatest of all Time), with apologies to your hero Agostini.

For those of you technologically minded, most of this blog was written on my mobile phone. All the pictures are from the phone’s camera as well. It’s a Nokia E90. Love it to bits!

And finally my usual final question for you. Basic simple common sense seems to have disappeared. So, whose stolen it? Surely someone knows!