The Welshman's Blog

A quick rant

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:26:00 +0000

// Updated and finally published

I can't believe that the EU is trying to go ahead with a shitty Robin Hood tax (tax on banks. MEPs voted 536 to 80 in favour of the proposal. Most of them love it because they are socialists, and can just steal a whole load of cash of people without them knowing, the rest are just ignorant and don't realise what they are doing, perhaps they think they are magicing up some money from somewhere. I read about a similar thing last month where some organisations came up with the idea of taxing UK banks by 0.05% on transactions between banks, then giving the proceeds to charity....lol fuck that - stealth tax on the public, forcing people to export wealth with no return. One comment by Bill Nighy - "Let's turn the crisis for the banks into an opportunity for Britain and the world." So you're going for the kick 'em in the nuts approach, what a great idea. Keep your snout out Bill.

Well this is one way to stop economy growth, their next wet dream is a European income tax. Oh joy. /rant

// previous version, unfinished (start of Feb)

A proposal of a global tax on banks' financial transactions has been put forward to political leaders, by a group of nearly 50 organisations. I think the idea stinks, and I don't like the way they put their ideas across of why its a good idea.

"You could ignore the big problems facing the world ... or you can work to find an innovative, modern, regular way of accumulating a fund of money,"

Hmmmm, inovvative, modern way of accumulating a fund of money - oh so you are thinking of tax, that is a very fresh idea. And what a great idea, simulataneous theft from financial institutions leading to a stealth tax to the public.

Bill Nighy goes on to say

"We would ask you to seriously consider the Robin Hood Tax as that radical new option -- a small tax on bankers that would make a huge difference to the UK, to the poorest countries and to our planet. Let's turn the crisis for the banks into an opportunity for Britain and the world."

Right, so you are going for the "kick 'em while they're down" approach, what a great idea. I especially love the ending, what does he mean?! How can you turn an economic crisis into an opportunity for Britain to save the world? We are already deep in debt as it is.

What they are proposing is a tax on transactions between financial institutions, with the average tax rate being around 0.05%

I think it is a disgusting way of doing things. Trying to persuade the government to force a special tax on banks. If people wan't to give aid, then they can, you shouldn't have to force people to do it.

Cardiff slag kicked out of Tesco

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:29:00 +0000

Elaine Carmody (pictured, right), 24 (Yeah I know!! lol), of Cardiff has been ranting and raving to newspapers because she has was kicked out of Tesco. How rude of them. Oh wait, the smelly basement dweller was shopping around for fags in her stinking pyjamas.

Ms. Carmody said: "We was only popping in for a pack of fags"

And then it she lets on that its one of her favourite past-times, the woman, who I suspect is an unemployed woman, in here defence said "Any other shop, you're allowed in with your pajamas on".

One of my favourite quotes by the woman is "Even though you're only going to get cigarettes, you do wear your best pyjamas into the shops" This means she pre-plans her trips, putting on pyjamas with the least cheap cider / rosé stains and semen marks so she can go out and get fags. If she can be bothered to do that, why doesn't she just get changed into clothes?

The reporter is no better, with scintillating questions like "What's the latest time you've been in, in your pyjamas" I bet the radio listeners were swealtering in anticipation after that, instead of questions I'd have chosen to put to her like "What the fuck were you doing you selfish shleeeeeeg, have the common decency to put some clothes on for fuck sake". I can't believe she even posed for a bloody photo.

Tesco notice at the entrance

This is a sad day. In a civilized society, a supermarket shouldn't have to remind customers not to wear nightwear and that footwear should be worn when entering a supermarket. I know shes wearing some form of clothing, but come on, you don't go into a supermarket in pyjamas and slippers, it's a place where other people also go to shop too! Have some respect for others, they don't want their shopping experience ruined by some Jeremy Kyle reject in pyjamas.

iPad or iDontgiveashit?

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:39:00 +0000

Right then, what better topic to start blogging again than with the launch of the giant iPod Touch, errr, Apple iPad.

Lets begin - why oh why? I simply cannot see the point of this new technological marvel (hardly). If you want the base model with 3G you are looking to spend at least £400 of your hard earned dough on this thing. I'll run through some of its key features and information.

"Unbelievable price" - they are even up front about it

Hardware
Price:
Wi-Fi Only - $499 (16GB) / $599 (32GB) / $699 (64GB)
Wi-Fi + 3G - $629 (16GB) / $729 (32GB) / $829 (64GB)
UK: Price will be at least £329 (16GB with Wi-Fi) and at least £399 (16GB with Wi-Fi + 3G)
(I chose these as they are clean conversion prices with some extra added, but maybe not enough).
Weight: 0.68KG for the base one, just over 0.72KG with 3G.
Screen: 9.7" 1024x768 - they call it amazing, but its just good / expected really.

Software
OS: Based on the iPhone OS (and OS X).
Browser: You get a large Safari Mobile browser, with NO FLASH SUPPORT.
Video Support: Same codecs as the iPhone. (Dedicated apps for iTunes video and Youtube)
Other Software:
Maps - Ported from the iPhone but now includes StreetView.
Photos - Like iPhoto but with multi fondle support.
Apps - Supports existing apps which can be blown up, new ones being worked on specifically for the tablet.
iBooks - Will launch available in the USA only
There are some other bits of software too at launch, and as optional extras, Google it if you want to know more.

I can see this as a great device for media use - you'll be able to read books and magazines, watch videos, listen to music, view PDF's / presentations, fuck around with photos, use all sorts of apps and do some very light ~~porn~~ web browsing (or very heavy depending on which hand I'm talking about). However I don't really understand why a regular consumer would want it, after they have thought about it rationally.

It is a really expensive device, when I think money for a device like this would normally go on a phone, but here Apple play the roll of school bully, lifting you off the ground by your feet, emptying your pockets for that little bit more, then by feeding you with their crack advertising, you get hooked and have to buy the goddamn thing, and then you have to keep getting your fix with Apps. Sure you can say to me "get a cheap phone, and buy this", but then this isn't as portable as a phone, so while you are at work / school / in town you'll have to make do with your poor outdated budget phone, when you could be fucking around with something or browsing the interwebs on the move. Or you could tell me "This is aimed at the netbook market, ditch that and get this" - a netbook is designed mainly for web browsing and word processing, with the iPad there is no keyboard, only an on-screen one, which unless level on a flat surface, could become tedious, and has a browser with no flash support - so it is not good at going online either! There is an optional keyboard dock, which looks good, but this is just for home really and just adds more to the cost of owning this device. Sure you get the other good software and fun Apps stuff instead, but its not a very strong net surfer / word processor in my opinion. Also, a pretty fucktard and at the same time genius thing they have done is only support a special type of SIM-card, Micro-SIM, well done - currently nobody owns one of these, and no UK providers are currently offering any of this type of SIM.

It's also pretty funny that this is considered to be a new thing, I remember 5+ years ago at school, seeing inspectors with tablets like this, obviously nowhere near as good and running is ghastly Windows variant, but similar technology was there, just needing to be worked on.

If you have lots of money to spare, this would be something nice to own - a lavish luxury product which looks good (physically and graphically) which has lots of fun media uses. I think it would work well in a family household for everyone to use (make that upper-middle class to afford it), I could also see successful city people buying them. However in reality, lots of other people will be buying them - rich mummy's boys / daddy's girls, ~~asshole~~ trendy rich-kid (or stupid) students and plenty of other people just for the image. And that's the great thing here, Apple have such a great status, they can bring out any (what may seem to some as irrational) trendy product they like, and then sell it at a premium so you can join the exclusive club, as Apple do their jobs well in designing these things, and then they sell the dream with their excellent advertising. I hope they do well out of their latest addition, but I won't be touching one with a bargepole.

On a lighter note, this new advert has been leaked from Moneycentre HQ

Back to this blogging business

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:05:00 +0000

I might begin blogging some more shit for people not to look at here in the near future.

A lot has changed since last time I used this, and I need to update my details.

Once I have decided what the theme of my blog will be I amy begin writing again. I think it will be a mix of some random rantings by me, along with some technology / business / politics that happens to take my fancy that day.

Expect to not see some more updates from me soon.

I'm listing an item on ebay

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:04:00 +0000

Getting annoyed with listing on ebay. Upload image won't work properly. I'm trying to use my new account after I lost use of my old one

New phone

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:46:00 +0000

Hmmm, I might be in the market for a new phone. Nornally I hate to part with my cash, I prefer savings. But over the past few days I've been on a bit of a spree. So I've got a choice of spending 100's more while I'm at it, while I can. Or stopping myself and saving up again!

Difficult decision........The Bank of Jack has some thinking to do :D

I'm probably going to be after a new Sony Ericsson, a Nokia N95 or an iPhone

Downloaded Scribefire

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:38:00 +0000

I've just downloaded Scribefire. Its supposed to be a cool Firefox Add-On. I'm just testing it out to see if it works. It seems to be pretty cool, you can blog from a page instantly with one button.

Grrrr, still no GTA for me

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:59:00 +0000

I still havent got GTA. I'll just have to wait until tomorrow before I try that sweet sweet crack

Drunk Darth Vader's Jedi assault

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:36:00 +0000

"A man posing as Darth Vader attacked a Star Wars fan, who had founded a Jedi Church, a court has heard."
Lol, this is crazy - drunk darth vader attacking people - READ ON

No cheating!!!

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:42:00 +0000

This is how all cheaters should be sorted out

100 reasons to hate Xbox

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:34:00 +0000

This is for the Playstation fanboys out there, grrrr!

100 reasons to hate Playstation

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:42:00 +0000

Today theres a video for Xbox fanboys - 100 reasons to hate Playstation. An Xbox one will be posted later.

All your cops are belong to us

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:41:00 +0000

After the recent news of a police officer in The Pirate Bay trial being previously employed by warner brothers, thepiratebay have released a statement, and updated the picture on their hompepage!

See the blog and press release

Pirate bay trial - star witness employed by claimant!

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:35:00 +0000

Police officer Jim Keyzer is the leader and key witness in the Pirate Bay investigation. However he was recently employed by Warner Bros, one of the plaintiffs in the ongoing case against the Pirate Bay four. This should damage the case so TPB win - woohooo!

Hip-Hop Artist Refuses To Stand Against The Pirate Bay

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:41:00 +0000

A Swedish hip-hop artist who the IFPI used as leverage in their legal battle against The Pirate Bay, wants nothing to do with the case. Without consultation, the IFPI were claiming damages on his behalf from The Pirate Bay, even though they don’t even own the rights to his music! And The Pirate Bay dont actually store any files on its servers.The IFPI are one of those annoying companies fighting music piracy. And they love DRM.......sick.

read the full story here

The Dropkick Murphys

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:42:00 +0000

I reccomend this great band. They are Irish Americans from Massachusetts, USA. They've blended rock / punk and irish music together and some other stuff. They're new album 'The meanest of times' is out now - and its very very good. I'm buying and downloading some of their older stuff right now. I might upload a few samples tomorrow so you can listen.

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Now playing: Dropkick Murphys - Far Away Coast
via FoxyTunes

A pole dance cat fight

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:58:00 +0000

lol, you gotta see this video - a lesson turns into a fight while the cameraman just watches! "Quick, tell the police to send oil and scented candles immediately!"

See Video here, or watch below

iPhone reduced to £169 from TODAY! - April 16th

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:28:00 +0000

It has been confirmed today from O2, that they are reducing the cost of an iPhone to only £169. I'm not a big fan, but at that price it sounds pretty good. Instead of taking up an expesnive contract, you can just follow these steps.

How to get a pay as you go iPhone for £169

1. Buy an iPhone in a shop or online for £169

2a. Now you are 'supposed' to sign up to the 18 month contract when you get home / get the phone delivered

2b. Dont bother paying for a contract. Go to http://www.ziphone.org - ziphone is a free piece of software which is very easy to use, and has a guide with the download (also see video below, or see youtube)

3. You can unlock, activate and jailbreak your phone meaning you can use the phone without a contract, using any sim card, and install extra applications that apple dont let you have. All the work automatically done for you, you just need to click and wait a few minutes, following on screen instructions!

And you're done

See video review here - http://www.cnettv.com/9742-1_53-50001833.html

Thanks for reading, Jack

Gone in 60 seconds: Spambot cracks Live Hotmail CAPTCHA

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:16:00 +0000

We've all seen them. When you go onto websites, sometimes you need to enter those weird codes in boxes ('CAPTCHA') to increase security. But now, hackers have developed a method needing only six seconds per attempt, and with a success rate of 10-15 percent, new anti-CAPTCHA bots are dismantling fraud protection systems at Gmail and Windows Live Hotmail, and they are flooding the tubes with spam. Is CAPTCHA finished?

read more

Feed updated

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:32:00 +0000

I've updated the feeds on the site now. It is now possible to subscribe (see top right of the page)

GTA 4 - Out 29 April

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:05:00 +0000

I'm so looking forward to GTA 4, it should be amazing! One magazine has already given its review, and a 10/10

The magazine's verdict says:

Amazingly realistic world.
Stunning action set pieces.
Genuinely engrossing storyline.
Hugely entertaining multiplayer.
Vast in every respect.

In addition to this there's also a number of new screenshots on the magazine, including some which show off the game's new in game HUD. There are also other bits of information are scattered around the article, below is a summary of the more interesting facts:

Skipping a trip in a taxi costs more than it would if you sat back and enjoyed the ride.
The Statue of Happiness is actually clutching a coffee cup, not a Sprunk/beer can as many had previously thought.
Some celebrity voice actors play themselves in the game.
Similar to Crackdown, hidden packages in GTA IV make a quiet sound as you get close to them, helping your search.
Sometimes your in-game email account will get spam.
Driving through flames will set vehicle tires on fire, causing them to degrade and burst after a while.

A mission similar to "Dead Skunk in the Trunk" from GTA3 is in the game, this time there are two bodies in the trunk, and if you hit a bump and it opens, you'll have to get out and quickly close it again before any pedestrians notice.
The mobile phone you receive at the start of the game is an old, second hand model capable only of calling and texting. You'll need to wait for an upgrade later in the story to unlock the full functionality that people get from more modern models.
Downloadable content is confirmed to contain at least 10 hours of gameplay.

Go and pre-order it now @ Amazon.co.uk

Update 15/04/08

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:01:00 +0000

My first update in ages, I'll try and keep this regular from now on.

I'm just downloading the TRS podcast, to keep me busy until the next Diggnation one! I've only started using Digg again recenlty, I signed up a while ago. Diggnation is a podcast about stories on Sigg, some good, some funny and stuff - its worth a look - www.diggnation.com

Havent really done much today, thought about ideas for making a website with a friend, we'll make a test one soon, but it'll take ages, then i'll give some of the info here of how its coming along

See ya
Jack (Xbl: jackthewelshman)

02 August 2007

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:42:00 +0000

Hi

I was bored so I decided to sign up and see what blogger.com is like. I havent really written a blog before, but I did for a bit on my MSN Space a while back.

I might post some stuff up after tomorrow night if I do anything good or if it was a good night.

On Wednesday i'm off to Spain so that should be cool as well.

Jack

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Now playing: Rammstein - Reise, Reise
http://foxytunes.com/artist/rammstein/track/reise%2c+reise

My Phone

noreply@blogger.com (JackTheWelshman) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:52:00 +0000

I got a new mobile the other day. I've had the same crappy phone for a couple of years. A Nokia 6630 - It was a good phone when I first got it but its a bit of a brick now.

I bought a Sony Ericsson K810i on ebay, and it arrived a couple of days ago. Theres a picture of it on the right.

Its a pretty cool phone. I got it because I need a good MP3 player anyway, and this has one. Its also got a radio and you can turn it on its side to use it as a 3.2mp camera which is a good one to have on a phone.

I've already fille up half the memory with music and games and stuff. I've put a Jack Daniels theme on it at the moment (my favourite drink).

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Now playing: Rammstein - Moskau
via FoxyTunes