Blog in isolation

Time to upgrade Drupal again. Yesterday version 7.12 was released and this blog is currently running a very outdated (and probably insecure) 7.4. Although Drupal 7 included automatic update for modules and themes, updating the core Drupal software still needs manual intervention and takes time.

Over the years, the main self-hosted blog platforms I have used are:

I think it is entirely right and proper that Sir Fred Goodwin has been stripped of his knighthood.

After all, I am a shareholder in the Royal Bank of Scotland and his incompetence has cost me a significant amount of money and pushed back my retirement age to 87.

In fact, why stop there ? Personally, I find it objectionable that Freddie's surname includes the word 'Good'. This man is not good - in fact, he is a very bad man so I suggest he should henceforth be known as 'Fred Win'.

Must. Blog. More.

This is part 2 of an interview with Kathryn and Daniel from 'I Am Not Left Handed'. The first part 'That Was Then' is available here.

This might seem like (another) weird question but then again I am slightly weird myself. I realise you're a relatively young band but are they any songs of your own that you don't like and would not contemplate playing live ? Maybe early songs that you have now outgrown. Or are you fiercely proud of everything you've ever produced ?

OK - let's get the boring stuff out of the way.

How did you all meet and form the band ? Please don't tell me you posted an ad in 'Melody Maker'.

'I Am Not Lefthanded' are a band who produce the most wonderful music. The band are a three piece - mainly from Ireland - and the lineup is:

• Kathryn - vocals, guitar, piano
• Daniel - bass, vocals
• Benji - drums

'I Am Not Lefthanded' have released a couple of EP's and are currently putting the finishing touches to their first album - 'The Fire And The Sigh'.

Seasoned bloggers knows people are rarely moved to comment on a blog post. Especially, one hit wonders sent from Google, who were simply looking for 'Train times between Clapham and Norbiton' and instead see some commuter rant aimed at South West Trains.

However, microblogging has taught us that people are slightly more likely to grudgingly acknowledge an amusing one-liner with a 'Like' or a 'Fave'. Clicking a button is quick and easy - even for lazy people.

A few weeks ago, I signed up for a invitation to Google Music. The service is only available in the US but, by a lucky chance of fate, I just happened to be connected to my corporate VPN so I was successful and an invitation duly arrived in my Inbox.

Initially, the Google Music Manager software didn't support Linux. Nor was the Ogg Vorbis audio format supported so I didn't pursue it any further as both of these were show stoppers for me. I don't intend re-ripping my entire music collection to MP3 format.

BBC Breakfast ran a story this morning about the sale of woodlands. The gentlemen responsible for selling woodlands was quite a comedian. He started his act with:

'In these difficult economic times, people are looking to invest in woodlands to hedge their bets...'

and then, referring to the potential investment opportunity and without a glimmer of a smile, he delivered the immaculate line

One of my favourite United players - for his sublime skills on the pitch and the modest, understated way he conducted himself off it. Thanks for all the memories, Paul.