Google has done it again, this time actually distorting time (Well in reality it was probably just a confused server, however - it is Google)… I had a rather interesting experience recently talking to a friend of mine on the Jabber-Based Google Talk message service.

Every message I sent was basically queued, and the person I was talking to was answering my message from about 2 messages ago. When I sent another message, they recieved the one two before that… and so on and so forth. I’ll post the full conversation log from both sides at some point.

I havent been able to reproduce this….. strange.

It did make for an interestingly nonsensical and amsuing conversation until we both realised what was going on.

This is potentially the beginning of something interesting, but I can’t talk about it on here - not yet anyway.

However, I would like to invite you all to ask what you think Mike looks like here? Worried / Happy / Odd ?… Will explain in due course what this photos was, and what it is he’s holding (which is relevant)

Watch this space… if I can get away with it you’ll hear it here first

p.s. any of you that do know what this is all about please don’t post anything that could give it away. It could cause a lot of problems as I’m sure you could imagine.

I despise shopping for presents. Largely because I’m not good at it but also because I suddenly realise I have absolutely no idea what most people I know actually like.

Turns out both my Dad (Old) and Brother (12) have developed a fascination with the game of Golf (this would be an appropriate point perhaps to introduce the infamous Billy Connoly video….. “You make them do all this once? … No…. 18 ****** Times!”…

Anyway, after 3 hours in Braehead (including 25 mins of that trying to navigate their car park and a subsequent 20 mins after leaving trying to locate the car again!) I finally managed to scrounge together a few pressies before going straight to my Dad’s to give them to the birthday boys (Dad & Craig share Jan 12th as their birthday - and before ANYONE points out it’s the 23rd - I know)

I’ve just realised that I dont think at any point since moving out of my Dads house in 2002 have I arrived with pre-wrapped presents… It always gets done with me hiding in the bedroom with sellotape and scissors. One day. (that will probably be the same year I start shopping for Christmas prior to December 22nd)

A customer wants to add wireless to their iBook, no problem - right? Well, yes, most of the time. Until, that is, Apple decide to manufacture an iBook where the antenna cable is approximately 4mm too short and DOESNT FIT INTO THE CARD.

They’ve been nice about it and made an exception to the warranty and stuff so they’ll get it repaired for free… But still, this is a clear manufacturing defect - whatever happened to quality control. Kit is using a Pismo G3 PowerBook with nothing wrong with it all these years later…

However, Apple did make it right quickly, which is good

After two years we have finally gained exterior signage at the shop that’s even in keeping with our new non-green company image (we’re still green in the environmentally friendly sense, just not the hideous colour :P)

This isn’t really relevant to iRoss.net, but most people who know me know the Shop. And it seemed mildly newsworthy.

You can now find us anyway

This is the scene of my living room this morning at around 1am, I know far too many people with PowerBooks… Strangely enough it didn’t actually slow it down that much… at times UKOnline can actually be not bad …

Sometimes I think the only reson people know me is for the internet…. ah well.

…A whole lot more than it ever did in any PC.

Apple have finally started the move to Intel, which I have mixed feelings about, particularly as a reseller. Firstly there’s the rather good ad campaign… releasing the chips from their life in “dull little boxes”. Very funny, very Apple.

They’ve also got a rather catching phrase to launch it all with “What’s an Intel processor doing in a mac?, A whole lot more than it’s ever done in any PC”, so what about the actual Macs…

There’s two new macs - The new iMac (just like the old one but Intel) and the MacBook Pro. Now I haven’t looked much at the new iMac, but I know I wont be giving up my PowerBook G4 any time soon for a MacBook Pro.

Firstly there’s the name - MacBook Pro - what does that make the iBook?, The MacBook Amateur?!. Seriously Apple, your product names have been brilliant until this. The PowerBook name has been around for 15 years, and represents the computer well - it’s a powerful book… what is a MacBook Pro?! … anyway, end of rant…

Looking at the actual Mac, there are a couple of features that I really like… The MagSafe Power Connector, considering how many power supplies I go through. The iSight built into the display bezel is also really well done. The processor is also fairly impressive, even if it is Intel.

Bad points… well there are many things my, now obsolete, PowerBook does have that the MacBook Pro does not including; a dual layer DVD burner, FireWire 800, PCMCIA, S-Video out to name but a few. It seems really odd of Apple to build a new “Pro” machine without these features.

I’ll have a chance to play with one when ours arrives in a few weeks time, but until then… I’m sticking with my PowerBook.

The Glasgow Paramount cinema/theatre opened on December 31st 1934, seating almost 3000 people. In it’s time it has played host to live concerts from the likes of The Beatles.

It closed today, with nothing changed from a normal day other than the half price ice-cream and pick and mix, and the outside information signage changed to say “Thank You And Goodnight, 31 DEC 34 - 07 JAN 06″

This building is now owned by Duddingston House Properties, the same company that
owns the Odeon in Edinburgh that has been used as Pod Deco and C Electric during the fringe. This usage (and public awareness) of the building in Edinburgh has granted it a short(?) stay of execution. Sadly no such use is likely for the Glasgow one and permission to demolish the grade B listed building, retaining no more than the facade has been granted.

To all at the Odeon, should you read this, you ran a good cinema. Unlike other nearby cinemas you cared about maintaining your building and maintaining your service. Never at a showing in the Odeon have I had a situation where;

You cant hear the film, The aspect ratio is wrong (wrong lens on projector), They don’t bother with houselights at the end of the film, inevitably causing people to trip. All of these have happened to me at the nearby UGC / Cineworld.

Ultimately the demise of this building is probably due to the UGC, and also partially things like the Disability Discrimination Act requirement to install lifts, which would be almost impossible given the nature of the building.

So to the Glasgow Odeon;

Thankyou and goodnight

It’s 11am (not 10am, because the lock stuck again) and it’s 9 degrees in here… 9!… That’s after switching the heating on (albeit only for about 15 mins but still!) … brrrrrrrrr.

Suppose, it was colder walking along Byres Road to get to a locksmith …

Two videos were aired on Sky One today that caught my attention. They’re technically adverts for AOL (which I’ll omit my opinion of) but are quite effective…

“Some people think the internet is a bad thing.
Thanks to the internet, your identity can be stolen, your home invaded and your savings robbed without anyone setting foot in your home.
The internet is one of the most dangerous weapons ever created. A way for the unhinged to spread evil, free of supervision or censorship.
A place for mankind to exercise it’s darkest desires.
An open market where you can purchase anything you want.
Orwell was right. The internet has taken us to a place where everything we do is watched, monitored and processed without us ever realising
Some people think the internet is a bad thing. What do you think?”

“Some people think the internet is a good thing.
The most powerful educational tool the world has ever known.
It’s preserving our history, making sure that in the future we never forget the past.
When disaster struck Asia, the volume of aid donated by ordinary people through websites outweighed that of their own governments.
The internet is a place that is free of state regulation, censorship and control. The only place where freedom of speech truly exists.
Orwell was wrong. It is not the state that holds all the power.
It is us.
Some people think the internet is a good thing. What do you think?”