Steve Hooker: News

Guardian: Vampire in Birmingham

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:30:26 GMT

Reports of a Dracula-style attacker on the loose biting innocent people has spread terror throughout neighbourhoods in Birmingham, causing many to fear the darkness of the night.

Eek! I've been over to Brum several times the past week or so. Fixing the Government Office for the West Midland's intranet. Luckily, during the daylight hours. Heh!

Michelin's Tweel combination air-less tire and wheel

Wed, 05 Jan 2005 13:10:48 GMT

What’s a future car without a future tire? Well, Michelin’s got us covered with a combination wheel and tire that doesn’t use air, making it impossible to go flat. The “Tweel” uses flexible polyurethane spokes and promises to last two to three times longer than traditional radial tires, and when it does wear out it can simply be retreaded. The first commercial use for the tires will be on Dean Kamen’s iBot wheelchair, with military applications likely to follow before you’ll be able to stick ‘em on your car. There is one potential drawback, however, it’s not clear whether they’ll be able to be chrome-plated or not.

Provided that this comes in cheap enough for the average driver, this perhaps has the potential to save many lives every year.

Tsunami

Thu, 30 Dec 2004 20:55:19 GMT

Slowly this is starting to sink into my little brain. I think it was the satellite images shown on TV last night that did it for me. Through these I could imagine the washing machine effect of bodies and debris.

The satellite images are available as high res downloads. MSNBC has an animation of the wave as it spread—watch for the reflections of the initial waves. The official description of the earthquake calls it a 'great earthquake.' If you want to see some video and have bitTorrent, this geezer has a large download, while this site has many pix and videos.

This was on the front page of today's Guardian

BBC: We will be able to live to 1,000

Fri, 03 Dec 2004 10:15:13 GMT

"...The first person to live to 1,000 might be 60 already"

Better night vision through cannabis

Wed, 07 Jul 2004 11:23:50 GMT

...who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa and is officially registered blind. She noticed several years ago that drawing on strong Jamaican skunk suddenly and temporarily enabled her to see things clearly. But Ms Arnold has since warned of side-effects that could impede night-time navigation. "Only trouble was," she said, "I couldn't stand up."

Europe reluctantly deciding it has less time for time off

Wed, 07 Jul 2004 10:58:19 GMT

And not just Germans. The French, who in 2000 trimmed their workweek to 35 hours in hopes of generating more jobs, are now talking about lengthening it again, worried that the shorter hours are hurting the economy. In Britain, more than a fifth of the labor force, according to a 2002 study, works longer than the European Union's mandated limit of 48 hours a week.

You are not alone

Sat, 03 Jul 2004 19:52:09 GMT

How many different species live on or in the average human body?.
...The microbial density on a square centimetre of human bowel is around 10 billion organisms. [via: MetaFilter]

Spit three times, and say "no germs on me."

Banks urged to ban credit card use for internet porn

Sat, 03 Jul 2004 11:26:20 GMT

Among those who called for a ban on sites promoting violent pornography was Liz Longhurst, 72, the mother of murdered Brighton teacher Jane Longhurst. She has demanded the removal of sites that feature images of necrophilia and dead women - such as those viewed by her daughter's killer, the musician Graham Coutts, hours before he strangled Jane.

I work, therefore I am

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 10:08:38 GMT

In a telling metaphor, the former head of brand communications at Orange described her attitude to the brand as a "love affair."

Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think.

Guardian: It's OK to smoke dope, England fans told

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 11:53:48 GMT

Portuguese police officers will turn a blind eye to England supporters who openly smoke cannabis during Euro 2004, having decided that a stoned crowd is easier to control than a drunk one.

Ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Hoo hoo hoo-ha. No, don't, ha ha ha ha. Heehee. Hee he he he. Stop it! No, ha ha ha ha ha.