Posts by Ben Gracewood

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  • Hard News: .... and the Rock 'n' Roll,

    Windows native support for video codecs is pretty dire.

    Thankfully Windows 7 has improve massively in this area (and many others). It really is a pleasant surprise to have 95% of hardware drivers and video codecs 'just work' on a fresh install.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Hard News: .... and the Rock 'n' Roll,

    Oh yes. It's the candyfloss that really does it.

    I have to admit, on the night, Dylan Reeve (my blind date) and others made passing comments along the lines of "hoo look at that, Google trademark and nipples. I wonder how that got past PR".

    Turns out maybe it never did.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Hard News: Another entry in the Public…,

    Quite. The care I got was generally outstanding, and, as I indicated, it involved involved human qualities as well as technical skill on the part of those giving it.

    And think, you didn't have to spend every lucid moment in the A&E worrying about any possible undisclosed conditions.

    We don't know how lucky we are.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Hard News: On the Waterfront,

    Perhaps this calls for a but of urban pranksterism and healthy disrespect of authority? Like the way the rogue koru sculpture drew attention to the butt-ugly "pohutukawa flower" thingy at the Hobson street onramp?

    Take a few folding tables and chairs down to areas of the waterfront that we want access to, and just plonk down with your latte and hang out.

    Perhaps some nice potted shrubberies along the edge of the wharf?

    Hell, I'll bring along my hammer and help build something architectural like a big homage to a paua shell with Gehry-esque reflective coating.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Hard News: There is History,

    Here's a different question: what happens in a country with private healthcare when a large percentage of the population visits the doctor and therefore makes a claim at the same time?

    Do health insurance policies have the same "act of god" clause that regular insurance policies have?

    Do we end up with more faux-capitalism whereby the insurers complain of extenuating circumstances and ask for a bailout?

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Hard News: There is History,

    I mean, come on, the evil right wing business set does enough ACTUAL bad shit without making them responsible for flu pandemics as well.

    Look, it's painfully obvious that Swine Flu is an engineered virus released by Big Banks to distract news organisations from The Current Economic Situation(tm).

    OMGWTFCONSPIRACY!

    But seriously, the media brouhaha over this is just stunning. Mexico is a "developing/emerging economy". As much as we wish it wouldn't be so, their level of healthcare is lower than developed economies, so they will (again unfortunately), have higher than normal exposure and mortality to this sort of thing.

    So far all cases in US/NZ/etc. appear to be "recovering well". Sadly for news organisations, this means no "WAR ON THE UNWELL" banners (with explosions and waving flags) will be required.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Busytown: Tweet as,

    Is that Twistori filtered in any way? Or is it a live stream of tweets with those words in them?

    I'm pretty sure it's just a live stream. It would be more hassle than it's worth to filter it.

    Love and Believe are my favourites.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Busytown: Tweet as,

    Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo regularly refer to wittering on twitter, and their official account is http://twitter.com/wittertainment

    But tuttering, that is brilliant!

    If you want one single indicator of the value of twitter, then go visit Twistori this instant. Click one of the words on the left. See you in a couple of days.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Hard News: Onwards and upwards,

    I'm reviewing the Nintendo DSi on Breakfast on Wednesday morning. It has, among other things, the ability to make playfully silly adjustments to photos you take e.g. funhouse mirrors, or moustache overlays.

    I'm scared.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

  • Hard News: Onwards and upwards,

    De-threadjacking and echoing Philip's point above, this is the morning news show on the nation's flagship TV station, right?

    No, it's an entertainment show, with sporadic news throughout. Although you could argue the same thing these days about dedicated "News" networks couldn't you?

    Regardless, yes it is the morning show on the nation's flagship TV station. I'm actually surprised this hasn't taken on "cheeky darkie" proportions yet.

    Orkland • Since Nov 2006 • 168 posts Report

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