Databases

So, I;ve just found a lovely way to store geographical polygons within a database - however its an addon for PostgreSQL - and microsoft dont seem to have a similar implementation - grrrr

A link to this great addon called PostGIS:

http://postgis.refractions.net/docs/ch04.html
http://postgis.refractions.net/

STOP CENSORSHIP - ANTI SOPA and ANTI PIPA

..

The taps are dry....

Oh joy, just received an email from the accomodation office saying that welsh water have cut the warter supply to PJM because while doing their works, they broke something - yay:

Dear Residents,

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we need to urgently inform you that the workmen working on the main Penglais Hill have had to turn the water supply off with immediate effect to repair the problem.  Please ensure your taps are turned off so it does not flood the area once the water is turned back on.

Sincere apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

Many thanks,

Trains, again, *sigh*

Need I say much more? The trains failed again last night. Some selfish person deicded to throw themself infront of a train at Bilbrook - meaning that the line was shut down.

Spent 2 hours at Wolverhamption waiting for information. Finally a bus arrived (a small 32 seater) that went straight to Shrewsbury where onward travel was waiting.

Oh wait, it wasn't. Another one and a half hour wait there in the freezing cold, arguing with station staff for a taxi, hotel or refreshments - none of which would be given because there was a bus coming, just no idea when or how many free seats it would have.

So after that cold hour and a half there, a bus arrived, and guess what, it was a 52 seater that did all stops from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, and was now going to Aberystwyth via Newtown and Caersws - so at least that avoided the wavey roads between Machynlleth and Borth.

Normal time of arrival at Aber = 23.24
Actual time of arrival at Aber   = 02.54

Joy :(

< R A N T >

Just failed my HGV Test - all because of some stupid BMW driver thinking he owns the road.

Scenario:

Yeading lane at Whiteheart Roundabout, next to the petrol station. I come up to the junction, wanting to turn left. However, as you can see in the google StreetView image below,  there is this little funny lane that appears. In a truck, you cannot take the whole of that little lane when turning left, otherwise you hit the curb (fail), therefore you can only cover part of it.

View Larger Map

This therefore means that the lane is still partially open for people exiting the petrol station. The BMW decided that he would attempt to use it to turn right IN FRONT OF ME. He was even partially on the curb. Obviously a big truck that looks like this with loads of 'L' plates all over it means that he is always right and can do anything, not: oh, I better be careful, there is a learner in there.

So I nearly take out this nice near-new black BMW because of his idiotic driving. The only reason I missed him is because the examiner shouted "STOP!" = game over :(

So that's ~£400 pounds down the drain because of a black BMW in my blind spot.

Note that if you own one, and I happen to have a golf club / cricket bat etc. in my hand, it may suffer a a consequence - you have been warned.

&lt; / R A N T >

Round 3, you say?

I guess the only mature (aka immature) thing I can say at this point is:

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

First email to say that I have passed online tests. Hey, why not paste it in here since its such an achievement for me:

Dear Kristian,

Congratulations, you have successfully passed the online tests. You have therefore progressed to the next stage in the process which is a telephone interview.

Your telephone interview will consist of both CV and competency based questions and will explore your interest in the BT Technology Graduate Programme.

We will be in contact in the next 14 days to arrange your telephone interview.

Proof - yay is the one other word that comes to mind.


Well, its nearly time to go for my HGV / LGV / Truck driving exam - lets hope it goes well

What is the world coming to?

So, many of you have probably heard about the "urinating on the dead" video that has sprung up over the past few days (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16538159 ).

Well, another has suddenly come to light on youtube:

CAUTION THE FOLLOWING LINK CONTAINS A VIDEO THAT MANY WILL FIND DISTURBING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2cmWMOJqk

So here are my two pennies on this:

Anyone considering starting a war, maybe it should be against these guys. Although not all US service personal are like this (I know some really nice ones - AFN guys in Wiesbaden) there do seem to be some really dumb ones too.
First urinating on the dead, now beating a poor sheep with a baseball bat.
Lets just home that this video and the others are fake trying to get people to turn against those who we trust to keep us safe.

**UPDATE** - Apparently some of the people in the urination video have been identified as actual US service personnel - oh deary me :(

Assignments Galore

hmmm, so, you get an assignment, and the lecture says the following in the doc:

Estimated effort: As a guide, it is expected that you spend in the order of 2 hours on this task. This includes time to read the articles, think about the issues and write a report.

Have I missed something here folks? The articles are like 20 page docs (or one of them is at least), and it seems to have somehow taken me an hour to read it (including some understanding time).

hmmmm, either the lecturer has mistimed this bit, or erm, I dont know.............
Well, anyway, the doc is nearly written and ready for submission using the (silly) blackboard system.

More Qualifications

WOO HOO XD

Yupp, thats right, I just passed my RSCM Silver Bishops Award exam in St. John's Church Boxmore. Thank you to the wonderful and talented Stuart for playing for me, and obiviously the two examiners for passing me.

As for how good a pass it was, I'm just going to have to wait for the results in the post.

Meenwhile, I now get a nice shiny medal to wear while singing. YAY

"So, how was it driving that beast?"

Thats the question I've had from a few people. The answer:

"Not that bad."

My instructor Simon seems to think there is hope in me. Just gotta remember the basics of driving that one forgets after driving a car for several years:

**MIRROR SIGNAL MANEUVER**

Otherwise, it seems that that the hard bits I'm getting right, the easy bits wrong. Well, thats not supposed to be right, is it?

Oh well, I'm not going to complain. Another lesson tomorrow and then more next week.

Test on Friday - eek :S

Truck drivin'

Arrrrr, I'm gonna be a truck driver......

Thats what I'd be saying if I were, however since I'm a computer scientist, I'm not going to say that. But I am doing my category C licence - first lesson tomorrow at 6am.

Review to come after the lesson.

Another Airport Security encounter

Why oh why do you, dear airport security people, not like moi? Whats not to like about me:
I'm not in the suspicios looking category - just look like any other student in smart casual with a Starbucks cookie in a bag.
I've nothing in my bag that I shouldn't.
I gave them everything off my person (even offered my jeans since they were almost around my heels after taking off my belt).

But no, you didn't like me today - apparently something to do with my shoe (not both, just one). Can't think what that can be, unless there was trace leftover firework on it?

Oh well, you had your fun today..... now to fly

Assessments :(

So, I'm up after a reasonable New Years party, alive, and not hungover (me not being a big drinker).

but why am I up at such an early hour on New Years Day? - because I have an online assessment to do.

Soneone at an undisclosed company decided that its a good idea to give people assessments to do over the party period.

Down to work then :(

Welcome to the last year 2012 - give us your worst

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!
from a very not snowy Germany

Peace xx