http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7910110.stm
http://jobs.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?5319
I’m not an open source bigot, although I do like to use it where I can. But it doesn’t look as though the government’s that interested in pursuing non-commercial solutions, does it?
I work in Camden Town in the north of London, a mecca for youngsters shopping for the more outlandish kinds of outfit, and one of the most difficult places in the known universe to park in. Jamestown Road, just off the Camden High Street, is a popular spot for parking with a good view of the pay-and-display machine. Of course, if you’re entitled to a disabled person’s badge then you or your driver can park without paying (within certain restrictions). Now there’s obviously nothing to prevent someone who’s disabled in some way from being the owner of a fast and expensive sports car. But when you see three or four of them a day parked along the road, proudly sporting their Blue Badge, you stop and wonder…
… and sure enough, there are periodic newspaper reports of a thriving black market in Blue Badges. Obviously, there are greater threats to humanity, but you do wonder whether the veritable swarm of traffic wardens which Camden Borough appears to employ for no better purpose than to maximise their income from parking revenues might not be employed to better effect by standing by Blue Badged cars and waiting with a video camera for the entirely able-bodied driver to show up!
Warning: this post will mean nothing to you unless you live or have lived in London. It may — and this is entirely the point — still mean nothing to you even if you do!
It boggles me how many people — including, apparently, professional sign-writers — still think that London is divided into two telephone codes: 0207 and 0208. Having lived through the 01/081/0181/020 debacle, I entirely understand where the misunderstanding comes from. But it’s been nearly ten years. And there are otherwise intelligent people of my acquaintaince who refuse to accept my explanation that all London numbers are eight digits long and have the exchange 020.
Not really a misquote, since the quote itself is generally perfectly accurate (mutatis mutandis). Rather a misunderstanding of what the quote means. In my experience, nine out of ten people who say “Wherefore art thou, Fred?” think that they are using some sort of Shakespeare-speak for “Where are you, Fred?” and completely miss the point that “wherefore?” means “why?”. Juliet is not asking “Where are you Romeo?” but rather “Why are you Romeo?” … and not someone else with whose family my own family is not at daggers drawn.
