It’s 25 years since the World Wide Web was created
March 9th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
To mark the occasion, “Observer” writer John Naughton has written an article entitled “25 things you might not know about the web on its 25th birthday” which you can read here.
The web was, of course, invented by the British scientist Tim Berners-Lee who decribed the experience in his 1999 book “Weaving The Web” which I have reviewed here.
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Lord Biro of the Bus Pass Elvis Party beats Liberal Democrats
March 8th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
In a council by-election this week, a candidate standing for the Bus Pass Elvis Party managed to poll more votes than the Liberal Democrat candidate, such is the unpopularity locally of the Lib Dems.
The by-election was in Clifton North, Nottingham and the Elvis candidate was David Laurence Bishop who goes by the name Lord Biro.
Sportingly a national Lib Dem spokesman said: “We are all shook up by the result.” The European and General Elections may shake them up a lot more.
More information here.
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (0)
Almost 100 of my photos of our Central American tour
March 8th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Three weeks ago, Vee and I returned from our wonderful three-week tour of five Central American countries. I was able to create a narrative account for my web site quickly because I had been blogging about the tour day by day and just had to stitch together the separate postings.
I have now managed to upload a selection of my photographs to illustrate the text. I’ve added almost 100 so, even if your don’t read the account, do look at the pictures here. Enjoy.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
John Lewis overtakes Marks & Spencer in the battle for the consumer
March 7th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Following the crisis at the Co-operative Bank, it’s great to see another co-operative, the John Lewis Partnership doing so well. It does not have as many stores or as high profits as Marks & Spencer, but it does now have a higher turnover and a much better appreciation of consumer needs.
As a partnership. John Lewis awards an annual bonus to all its staff and everyone receives the same percentage award. This year it is 15% which is equivalent to about eight weeks pay. You can read more here.
One of my younger brothers works for John Lewis – something to do with supply chain management. He suggested we have dinner this evening. I guess he’ll be paying then …
Posted in Consumer matters, My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
A review of the new action-thriller movie “Non-Stop”
March 5th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Liam Neeson is back in another hard man role and you can read my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
The nearest I will ever come to an Olympic performance
March 5th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Posted in Internet, My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
Once we visited Central America, something had to happen
March 4th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Before our latest holiday, I did a posting about how, when we visit countries, things tend to happen while we are there or shortly afterwards.
It’s just two weeks since we returned from a tour of five countries in Central America, spending most time in Guatemala [my narrative account here] and this weekend we had the news that the Pacaya volcano in Guatemala – which we didn’t actually visit but were near – had erupted [see here].
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
What does an ordinary Russian think about the situation in Crimea?
March 4th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
An American friend of mine is still in touch with a Russian he met while visiting the country. She has just sent him this observation:
“The events in the Ukraine are in the focus of attention in Russia. We get a lot of information every minute from different sources which are very contraversial and diverse. The news are extremely complicated and alarming.
There are a lot of issues in one, the most alarming is the human factor, most of the people here are praying that they are not developed into open confrontation, bloodshed and war. The situation in the Crimea is extremely complicated with all the Russians living there ( 65% of the population).
You know it was the former part of Russia which was given to Ukraine by N Kchrushev in the 60s. Besides, Russia has got its fleet there. Most people here do not approve Russian military action in the Crimea, there were numerious demonstrations in Moscow. I am aware about the reaction in the West including the US.
I just hope that we shall not enter again into the period of cold war and isolation, most of the population of Russian people do not want it. And you understand that it will effect Russian common people.
The reputation of our president is not very high and the last events will not bring him any sympathy and support. It is a pity that the events may effect common Russians and bring to reduction of relations on grassroot level.
So far the news are not very encouraging, but I still hope that the wisdom will prevail.”
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
A short guide to the Russian political system
March 3rd, 2014 by Roger Darlington
On my web site, I have short guides to the political systems of 11 countries [see here]. My guides to the British and American political systems are constantly in the top 10 pages of my web site for visits.
In the past week, however, my short guide to the Russian political system [see here] has suddenly jumped into the top 10 rating for the first time. I wonder why.
In fact, understanding – and especially comparing – political systems is a complicated process and requires a number of key questions or tests. Therefore I am currently drafting a new essay for my web site entitled “How To Critique A Political System”.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
A review of the film “Away From Her”
March 2nd, 2014 by Roger Darlington
I only caught up with this little known Canadian film of 2006 this weekend. It is not cheerful viewing – it depicts a woman increasingly overcome by Alzheimer’s Disease – but it is beautifully told and finely acted. You can read my review here.
It is not the first film that I have seen showing the effects of Alzheimer’s on an elderly woman. “Iris” (2001) told the story of British writer Iris Murdoch who had the disease and – like “Away From Her” – was attended by a loving husband. You can check out my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)