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I haven’t posted for absolutely ages. I am can’t put it down to one thing but think it’s more a combination of the following:

1. Living on the Isle of Man is brilliant in the summer, the last think I want to do is sit inside in front of my mac writing blog posts
2. I sit in front of a screen for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. Our IT policy is really bad and I can’t access any social media/ blogging sites, so the odd post at work is out of the question
3. I have become a little bit bored of what’s going on the web, is it me or are  no really exciting things going on? I don’t so Foursquare or all this location bollocks so I guess I’m looking for the next big thing! That reminds me, I must check our TED
4. My two kids keep me busy!
5. I have had quite a lot of other work on outside of my day job, its slowed down just for the moment!

Any way I hope to be back on a bit more soon so I will keep my ear to Manx grapevine!

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A book blog by Richard Wilson

Late last week the BBC chose to delete from its website a damning Newsnight investigation into the Trafigura scandal, following legal threats from the company and its controversial lawyers, Carter-Ruck.
Previously, other media outlets including the Times and the Independent, had withdrawn stories about the case, amid concerns that the UK press is choosing to engage in self-censorship, rather than risk a confrontation with such a powerful company in the UK’s archaic and one-sided libel courts.
The BBC is a dominant player within the UK media, and its independence – supposedly guaranteed by the millions it receives from licence-payers each year – is vital both to its public service function and its global reputation.
Freedom of speech means very little without an effective and independent media – if it’s true that the BBC’s independence can so easily be compromised by legal threats, then this sets a very dangerous precedent for the future.
The mainstream UK media has so far assiduously avoided reporting on the BBC’s climbdown. Yet it’s an issue that raises serious questions about the state of press freedom in Britain, at a time of unprecedented attacks on the media.
To help subvert this latest attempt to muzzle the press, please embed this video on your blog, and link to this PDF of the original story.

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This is the taken from the Opinion Programme 25th October 2009.

A politician who doesn’t have an answer!

Cheers to dtiom.

For those of you that might have seen the teaser adverts in newspaper or on the isle of man today website, the cat is now out of the bag on what and who ed is?

Ed or www.edonline is the new name for Wimanx broadband. I wasn’t sure who or what ed was, but I had a feeling that the campaign had been created by the team at Home Strategic – they like there big chunky graphics and words down there!

I am not sure what I think about the name ‘ed’ for a broadband package but as a current customer of Wimanx I am very impressed with the level of service I receive so good look to them and ed is what I say!

They are giving away loads of ed goodies as part of the launch, so be sure to log on to http://www.edonline.im and you could be a winner!

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On Friday I noticed a new CCTV camera by Marks and Spencer facing over to Wilkins and KFC. Walking back to work today I spotted another one by the New/Old, Refurbished Courthouse (or what ever it’s called). They look like they are very much temporary structures on poles with a power box at the bottom. I reckon a few drunks or someone fairly nimble could easily move one or even climb up one – if they felt the need.

It got me thinking, who it is or what is they want to monitor? the customers/patrons of KFC v The customers and clientele of Wilkins and the New/Old, Refurbished Courthouse? The Isle of Man is awash with criminals and antisocial behaviour…..?

Who put them there? Douglas Corporation or the police? Or is this the work of Banksy as part of one of his latest stunts?

One thing is for sure. Big Brother is watching. On your way to work, nipping out for morning coffee, visiting the colonel and evening drinks with the boss. They even know what jewelery your buying!

Who is watching you and where?

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On the www.iomonline website today the Treasury Minister Allan Bell say that the ‘Isle of Man faces fresh challenges from a new world order created by the credit crunch.’

Yep fair enough I thought and then my eye catches a glimpse of another story that has had equal or more prominence on the Isle of Man news site for the past few days ‘Hospital cafe customers quick to criticise new operators.’

Oh my god, you want to see the right little hornets nest this one has stirred up! I didn’t know the people of the Isle of Man could be so passionate about two slices of bread and a filling and the price of a coffee! Check out the comments!

Me thinks there will be far more comments on this story than poor old Mr Bells new world order one! Oh well best not cry over spilt beans!

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There is a Mini gathering up at the TT Grandstand on Sunday so if you have any Manx registered Minis in your garage, shed or on the drive (the pre-BMW sort) why not head up there?

Its been orgainsed as part of the marque’s 50th birthday and it all gets going at about 10.30 in the morning.

For more information email John at jonetee@manx.net

Sounds like a bit of a do!

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It was reported today on www.iomonline.co.im that the boss of the Venda claimed that the Manx online shopping portal www.shopiom.com is ‘visionary’.

As I don’t really agree with what Dan Wagner (The Venda Boss) has said or the decision taken by the DTI to use a UK based company and pay such considerable fees using the Manx tax payers cash (Freedom to Flourish in action), I thought I would share with you a some song lyrics of that 1998 classic by the Vengaboys – The Venga Bus, that I have adapted only slightly to indicate my true feelings on the matter, so here goes.

If you cant remember the tune and how it goes, check out this link on youtube so you can get the jist of the tune!

Vendaboys – Venda Boss Lyrics

I like to party (Dan Wagner)

I like, I like to party

I like to party

I like, I like to party

I like to party

I like, I like to party

I like to party (I’m not flippin surprised!)

I’ve got something to tell ya

I’ve got news for you

Gonna put some online retail wheels in motion

Get ready ’cause we’re coming through

Hey now, hey now, here’s what I say now

Online retail happiness is just around the corner

Hey now, hey now, here’s what I say now

I’ll be there for you (for only £265,000)

The VendaBoss is coming

And everybody’s jumping

From Ramsey to Santon

A manx government fiasco

The wheel of fortunes turning

And the taxpayers pounds are burning

So if you like to part with your money

Get on and shopiom

I like to party

I like, I like to party

I like to party

I like, I like to party

Gonna put some online retail wheels in motion

Get ready ’cause we’re coming through

Hey now, hey now, here’s what I say now

Online retail happiness is just around the corner

Hey now, hey now, here’s what I say now

I’ll be there for you (for only £265,000)

The VendaBoss is coming

And everybody’s jumping

Ramsey to Santon

A manx government fiasco

The wheel of fortunes turning

And the taxpayers pounds are burning

So if you like to party

Get on and move your body

The VendaBoss is coming, the VendaBoss is coming

The VendaBoss is coming, the VendaBoss is..

I must admit I really hated that song when it came out, but I am quite liking the new version!

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Well if it already isn’t then it sure wont be long! And it won’t just be the Manx High street.

In one sense I find it really sad to see empty shops along the islands Strand Street, but in another I kind of of think they deserve it and many more shops deserve it too. The thing is most of the time that I physically go into a shop to buy something I am left feeling disappointed with the experience and the service. I often wish you could score the shop on the way out instead of whinging under my breath as I leave through the door.  I really do believe that the general service in shops is dropping whilst my own and that of the consumers in general, expectations are getting higher?

Surely in the current climate business should be bending over backwards to delight customers with high levels of customer service, but sadly this isn’t the case.

May be it’s because on the Isle of Man they have a captive audience so we just accept mediocre service as the norm, but I also think shopkeepers and retailers have just gotten lazy.

I don’t think it is acceptable anymore to simply hang stuff on a rail and expect us to buy it.

I think retailers need to be more creative, with more interaction and engagement with the public or potential buyers, so why not try something different today, instead of blaming the internet for your lack of business!

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The letter below arrived in the post this evening from my previous employer Abbey, part of the Santander Group.

1. The letter is written to me to confirm my resignation – I know I don’t work for you guys anymore and haven’t since the end of November 2008!

2. It confirms my last day will be the 28 November 2008 – I know I went out with all my colleagues that night for drinks! Its over 8 months ago!

3. The letter is even dated the 13 August 2009! So a big thank you to Anne Saunders HR Services Manager for taking such good care of me!

I am gonna write them an equally if not slightly more efficient letter back but in the meantime I just hope they are more efficient at looking after their customers and all their money as I hope they couldn’t possibly get any worse with there staff – and you wonder why I decided to leave!

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