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Archive for August, 2007

Glasgow Traffic Lights

August 29th, 2007 No comments

Red Traffic LightWhen traffic lights were first introduced, they worked purely on a timer basis, even if there was no traffic coming the other way.

As they developed, we saw the introduction of pneumatic sensor strips in the road which were then replaced with induction loops to detect traffic and keep the traffic flowing as best as possible (Anti-car Ken Livingstone’s meddling in London aside).

However, whenever I go to Glasgow, I find myself regularly sat at a red light for long periods, when there is no other traffic (road or pedestrian) at the junction. Even in the middle of the night. They don’t seem to take the actual amount of traffic into account.

Now this is a serious question, and maybe someone can clarify the situation – do the Glasgow traffic lights still operate on a timed only basis?

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Windows Genuine Disadvantage

August 28th, 2007 No comments

One of the very reasons I don’t want Windows Vista is the threat that Microsoft will screw up the WGA validation system, and surprise, surprise, guess what happened this weekend?

Interestingly, Microsoft’s WGA Blog says:

This validation failure did not result in the 30-day grace period starting and no one went into reduced functionality mode as a result.

but in the very next sentence then says:

The experience of a system that failed validation in this instance was that some features intended for use only on genuine systems were temporarily unavailable.

Err, sorry Microsoft, but temporary unavailability of features is very definitely reduced functionality.

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A Sad Day for ICI

August 13th, 2007 No comments

The once proud British Chemical Giant has today agreed to be bought by its rival Akzo Nobel.

ICI coined the word plastic, and invented numerous other everyday items.

Yet another British company swallowed up by a foreign competitor.

Categories: Misc Tags: