On 03/09/2014 17:28, Doctor John wrote:
> On 03/09/14 16:35, Stephen wrote:
>> On 03/09/2014 15:48, Doctor John wrote:
>>> The London codes are in the form 020 x yyy zzzz.
>>
>> Can you remember when it went from 01?
>>
>
> 1990: London split into 071 and 081 numbers. This should have doubled
> the number of lines available but the idiots forgot to allow the re-use
> of the first 3 following digits (the exchange code). Thus if 071 932
> xxxx existed, you couldn't have 081 932 xxxx.
> 1995: 071 and 081 changed to 0171 and 0181 for no apparent reason.
> (Actually I think they realised their previous mistake).
> 2000: 020 area code introduced and all local codes lengthened by
> prefixing with 7 (for 0171) and 8 (for 0181). The 3 prefix was
> introduced about 5 years later.
>

Thanks John.
I pine for the days when I could dial GOV 1234. The phone would ring, 
the television would be turned down and the whole house would listen in.

Now some people don't even leave the room to have a private 
conversation. So things haven't changed much. Except the string is longer.


-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 06/09/14 13:43, Stephen wrote:
> 
> Thanks John.
> I pine for the days when I could dial GOV 1234. The phone would ring,
> the television would be turned down and the whole house would listen in.
> 

You 'ad a television? You were lucky!

When I were a lad etc etc :-D

John

BTW I can still remember our telephone number from the good old days:
RIN 4773
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On 06/09/14 11:25, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
> 
> It isn't even BT. Ofcom have decided that this is what must happen. BT
> is merely the messenger.

True. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

John
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On 6-9-2014 15:06, Doctor John wrote:
> On 06/09/14 13:43, Stephen wrote:
>>
>> Thanks John.
>> I pine for the days when I could dial GOV 1234. The phone would ring,
>> the television would be turned down and the whole house would listen in.
>>
>
> You 'ad a television? You were lucky!
>
> When I were a lad etc etc :-D
>
> John
>
> BTW I can still remember our telephone number from the good old days:
> RIN 4773
>

Oh dear, so you had the same system I knew in France! I believe I 
remember our number was TRE 1456.

The good old days etc etc :-D

Thomas

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On 06/09/2014 14:06, Doctor John wrote:
> On 06/09/14 13:43, Stephen wrote:
>>
>> Thanks John.
>> I pine for the days when I could dial GOV 1234. The phone would ring,
>> the television would be turned down and the whole house would listen in.
>>
>
> You 'ad a television? You were lucky!
>

My grandmother's actually.

> When I were a lad etc etc :-D
>

Kat's whisker Radio?
</Joke>

>
> BTW I can still remember our telephone number from the good old days:
> RIN 4773
>

And I can remember my Grannie's Co-op Divie number, 87771.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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Le 2014-09-06 08:43, Stephen a écrit :
>
> Now some people don't even leave the room to have a private
> conversation. So things haven't changed much. Except the string is longer.
>
>

As my uncle said:  It used to be that when you saw someone talking to 
themselve on the street, you'd assume they were crazy, but now, you must 
first check for a Bluetooth earpiece, before making that assumption.

-- 
/*Francois Labreque*/#local a=x+y;#local b=x+a;#local c=a+b;#macro P(F//
/*    flabreque    */L)polygon{5,F,F+z,L+z,L,F pigment{rgb 9}}#end union
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/*   gmail.com     */}camera{orthographic location<6,1.25,-6>look_at a }

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On 05/09/2014 16:37, Saul Luizaga wrote:
> Why UK having such a strong economy doesn't renew its phone system and
> simply makes it xxx yyyy yyyy, xxx: are codes, yyyy yyyy: phone numbers,

It is more or less like that now, most numbers are 01xxx yyyyyy and the 
larger cities have 02x yyyy yyyy. Mobile numbers are 07xxxxxxxxx and 
then there are a load of special-rate numbers starting 03, 08, 09 etc.

The system works well as the larger cities have shorter area codes and 
longer local numbers. I think that system should just be rolled out more 
across the country with numbers like 04xx yyy yyyy for medium sized 
cities like Milton Keynes. This is how the system in Germany works. 
There would be no need to change the majority of existing numbers then.

> resources so UK make a general call to UK engineers and design it on
> digital, and have an analog backup system, in case the digital 1 fails.

IIRC we've been on digital exchanges for at least 20 years now. I can 
just about remember visiting our local exchange for the demo when they 
switched over (a few seconds to connect vs the phone ringing the instant 
you hit the last digit).

> If you need more numbers: xxx yyyy yyyy y that way you increase 10 times
> the availability,

You can't do that without everyone changing their phone number though, 
something I suspect they are extremely keen to avoid.

Post a reply to this message

On 08/09/2014 13:36, Francois Labreque wrote:
> Le 2014-09-06 08:43, Stephen a écrit :
>>
>> Now some people don't even leave the room to have a private
>> conversation. So things haven't changed much. Except the string is
>> longer.
>>
>>
>
> As my uncle said:  It used to be that when you saw someone talking to
> themselve on the street, you'd assume they were crazy, but now, you must
> first check for a Bluetooth earpiece, before making that assumption.
>

And headscarf's, as I noticed today. It seems that a headscarf can be a 
hands free device.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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Doctor John wrote:
> On 05/09/14 16:37, Saul Luizaga wrote:
>> Why UK having such a strong economy doesn't renew its phone system and
>> simply makes it xxx yyyy yyyy, xxx: are codes, yyyy yyyy: phone numbers,
>> because looks like UK is complicating it more needlessly over time, this
>> should be specially easy IMO since UK has engineering and other
>> resources so UK make a general call to UK engineers and design it on
>> digital, and have an analog backup system, in case the digital 1 fails.
>> If you need more numbers: xxx yyyy yyyy y that way you increase 10 times
>> the availability, of course the analog should have room for this as well
>> as the digital 1, why keep building on the old system? I know is money
>> but UK economy AFAIK is strong and it'd better I think, don't know the
>> feasibility of such a project but I'd bet UK Gov hasn't even weighed the
>> possibility of it.
>
> I beg to differ. Although the system being used at present adds nearly
> 10 million numbers each time you add another 'x' prefix (using my
> example 020 x yyy zzzz) and yours would add nearly 100 million, the
> present system is much easier to implement. Remember, if you're going to
> change existing numbers, you have to inform _every_ person what their
> new number is going to be - an impossible task to complete with 100%
> success. The way BT is proceeding means that you don't have to inform
> anyone of the additional numbers since existing lines keep the same
> number and only new lines get a new prefix.
>
> John
>
Well since my number set is bigger I don't see a problem everyone 
keeping their numbers, anyway looks efficient enough.

Post a reply to this message

Stephen wrote:
> In my opinion there are two reasons.
> To be funded, national projects have to be a vote winner and spending a
> very large number of Pounds Sterling to change phone numbers (again) is
> not going to be attractive to politicians. Our infrastructure is no
> longer in public hands.* It was sold off to private concerns. So there
> is also the question of who is going to pay for it.
> The other reason is we do not have a good track record for large scale
> IT projects. The only people who make money are the consultancies and
> often they are cancelled.
>
> *    The exception to this is Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire (say no
> more). They have the only municipal telephone system in the UK.
>   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KCOM_Group

That's the problem, politicians deciding on the feasibility by political 
reasons, when experts, in this case engineers, should evaluate and 
decide the best path, they should be the authority and the evaluation 
made public for people to vote on the Internet, if not, just go to your 
Town-Hall/Municipality and write your decision on a book, simple and 
fast then count, communicate to the Gov, made the count with witnesses 
and public on a newspaper, the newspaper will do it for free as a 
community service and regulated by a law, which would make all business 
do something similar in turn at sometime.

  Public services IMO shouldn't be private matters, should be paid, 
administrated and decide by the public, politicians aren't the oracle of 
truth, just an administration instrument with a contributing perspective.

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The probably my analog backup idea is a bad 1. Yes, more sensical system 
is better.

Post a reply to this message

> Well since my number set is bigger I don't see a problem everyone
> keeping their numbers, anyway looks efficient enough.

How can you have people keeping their existing numbers whilst adding 
more digits? If you have some people with 6 digit numbers and others 
with 8 digit, how does the system know whether to connect or not after 
the 6th digit?

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Le 12/09/2014 12:18, scott a écrit :
>> Well since my number set is bigger I don't see a problem everyone
>> keeping their numbers, anyway looks efficient enough.
> 
> How can you have people keeping their existing numbers whilst adding
> more digits? If you have some people with 6 digit numbers and others
> with 8 digit, how does the system know whether to connect or not after
> the 6th digit?

The same way we have here "short" number: dedicates a heading digit for
them.

As long as all the 6 digits numbers do not cover the whole tree, and in
particular, a first digit is still unused, you can make such scheme:

 all numbers starting with 1 to 5 have 6 digits.
 all numbers starting with 6 have 8 digits.
 all numbers starting with 7 have at least 9 digits.
 numbers starting with 73 have 10 digits.
 numbers starting with 74 have 11 digits, unless its 745 which have 12
digits.

Here (France), it's 10/9 digits. (sort of)
Locally, it's 10 digits: first is for choice of carrier by caller, then
it's the international number of 9 digits.

But, number starting with 1 (as the carrier) are in fact urgency/utility
number (police, fireman, and so on), and are 2 or 3 digits at most.
(including the European 112, but fireman is on 18, medical on 15 and
police on 17))
well, 118xyz is the privatized look-up system (previously 12)), so you
can pay more for a previously free service.

Number starting with 3 are short numbers for TV/radio/and other
commercial. (4 or 5 digits)

Number starting with 0, 4, 7, 8, 9 are carrier's choice by caller.
(well 0 is just: use default operator, not a dedicated operator)
So far, 2,5,6 are back in the pool.

Assuming you are not starting with 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6, the second number
lead to:
1 to 5: geographical mapping
6 & 7 : mobile phone
8 : variously taxed number (0800 is free, 08x.. might cost you 200€ per
call or more, even for 1 minute)
9 : land line, not geographically mapped (most ADSL/voip phone-box).
0 : international call (followed by country code and international number)

Well... last catcha, 16XY is an extension made allow to choose between
more carriers (XY being the identifier of the carrier).

So, if you are playful, you can actually dial 13 digits to reach your
neighbour. (4 of 16XY, and 9 of the actual line that an Australian would
have dialed too).

See, from 2 digits down to 13, without crossing a border.

-- 
Just because nobody complains does not mean all parachutes are perfect.

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>> How can you have people keeping their existing numbers whilst adding
>> more digits? If you have some people with 6 digit numbers and others
>> with 8 digit, how does the system know whether to connect or not after
>> the 6th digit?
>
> The same way we have here "short" number: dedicates a heading digit for
> them.
>
> As long as all the 6 digits numbers do not cover the whole tree, and in
> particular, a first digit is still unused, you can make such scheme:

Of course if you've designed the system that way from the start, but if 
you're in a city that's about to run out of fixed-length numbers, there 
won't be any large chunks of the tree left to use as a header for long 
numbers.

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On 12/09/2014 07:47, Saul Luizaga wrote:
>
>   Public services IMO shouldn't be private matters, should be paid,
> administrated and decide by the public, politicians aren't the oracle of
> truth, just an administration instrument with a contributing perspective.

I agree and I don't agree. :-)

Politicians aren't the oracle of truth, they are all devotes of Belial. 
The Lord of lies.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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yy yyyy running out
implement yyy yyyy
your number is 12 3456
new number 012 3456
publish nation wide daily for a week: just fill out with zeros to your left.
problem solved.

Post a reply to this message

On Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:36:25 -0400, Saul Luizaga wrote:

> yy yyyy running out implement yyy yyyy your number is 12 3456 new number
> 012 3456 publish nation wide daily for a week: just fill out with zeros
> to your left.
> problem solved.

Except that '0' as a phone number prefix has special meaning in various 
places around the world.

If I start a call in the US here with "011" (actually, now I think of it, 
that may be a global thing), that means it's an international call.

Jim

-- 
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and 
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

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There is a default wait time on phones, where the system decides that 
you've finished dialing, it's about 2-3 seconds, no modification at all 
could be the solution.

Post a reply to this message

Well blame the Monetary System, promoter of all corruption, that's why I 
advocate for TheVenusProject.con and TheZeitgeistMovement.com promoting 
a scientific alternative economy, kinda of ideal but moving towards it 
could start solving many problems. Learning and watching videos in 
YouTube about it have enlighten me a lot about politics and corruption, 
it's not mostly people, but the environment, if you're in the pit of 
corruption, or the cleanest most ethical place on Earth it doesn't 
matter, the non-written evolutionary law is the same: adapt or die; so, 
politics being the pit of corruption, shouldn't be a surprise 
politicians get corrupted.

Post a reply to this message

On 13/09/14 00:59, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:36:25 -0400, Saul Luizaga wrote:
> 
>> yy yyyy running out implement yyy yyyy your number is 12 3456 new number
>> 012 3456 publish nation wide daily for a week: just fill out with zeros
>> to your left.
>> problem solved.
> 
> Except that '0' as a phone number prefix has special meaning in various 
> places around the world.
> 
> If I start a call in the US here with "011" (actually, now I think of it, 
> that may be a global thing), that means it's an international call.
> 
> Jim
> 

BTW Saul seems to have changed his position. His original idea was a
suffix, now it's a prefix.

John
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On 13/09/14 03:14, Saul Luizaga wrote:
> Well blame the Monetary System, promoter of all corruption, that's why I
> advocate for TheVenusProject.con and TheZeitgeistMovement.com promoting
> a scientific alternative economy, kinda of ideal but moving towards it
> could start solving many problems. Learning and watching videos in
> YouTube about it have enlighten me a lot about politics and corruption,
> it's not mostly people, but the environment, if you're in the pit of
> corruption, or the cleanest most ethical place on Earth it doesn't
> matter, the non-written evolutionary law is the same: adapt or die; so,
> politics being the pit of corruption, shouldn't be a surprise
> politicians get corrupted.

... and now I cease following your replies

-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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Am 13.09.2014 01:59, schrieb Jim Henderson:
> On Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:36:25 -0400, Saul Luizaga wrote:
>
>> yy yyyy running out implement yyy yyyy your number is 12 3456 new number
>> 012 3456 publish nation wide daily for a week: just fill out with zeros
>> to your left.
>> problem solved.
>
> Except that '0' as a phone number prefix has special meaning in various
> places around the world.
>
> If I start a call in the US here with "011" (actually, now I think of it,
> that may be a global thing), that means it's an international call.

It's not a global thing; the prefix to dial out to the world differs 
between countries. For instance, here in Germany (and actually quite a 
lot of other countries) it is "00". Hence the convention to write down 
international numbers with a "+" instead.

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On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:25:27 +0200, clipka wrote:

> Am 13.09.2014 01:59, schrieb Jim Henderson:
>> On Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:36:25 -0400, Saul Luizaga wrote:
>>
>>> yy yyyy running out implement yyy yyyy your number is 12 3456 new
>>> number 012 3456 publish nation wide daily for a week: just fill out
>>> with zeros to your left.
>>> problem solved.
>>
>> Except that '0' as a phone number prefix has special meaning in various
>> places around the world.
>>
>> If I start a call in the US here with "011" (actually, now I think of
>> it,
>> that may be a global thing), that means it's an international call.
> 
> It's not a global thing; the prefix to dial out to the world differs
> between countries. For instance, here in Germany (and actually quite a
> lot of other countries) it is "00". Hence the convention to write down
> international numbers with a "+" instead.

Thanks, I've not had occasion to dial from other countries very often. :)

Jim



-- 
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and 
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

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On 13/09/14 03:54, Jim Henderson wrote:
> 
> Thanks, I've not had occasion to dial from other countries very often. :)
> 
> Jim
> 
> 

 ... so call me and/or Stephen a little more often :-)

John
--------

Starts another game (using the Stephen Fry variation):

Pimlico (southbound platform)
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:04:57 +0100, Doctor John wrote:

> On 13/09/14 03:54, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks, I've not had occasion to dial from other countries very often.
>> :)
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>> 
>> 
>  ... so call me and/or Stephen a little more often :-)

I'd still be dialing from the US. ;)  But I certainly wouldn't be opposed 
to doing a virtual get-together via a Google Hangout. :)

> John --------
> 
> Starts another game (using the Stephen Fry variation):
> 
> Pimlico (southbound platform)

Clever.  I see that you're starting a game of that game that we love so 
much, that game that has a long history of being played and loved by so 
many people around the world. ;)

Vauxhall Bridge Road (towards Trafalgar Square)

Jim



-- 
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and 
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

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On 13/09/14 04:12, Jim Henderson wrote:
> 
> Clever.  I see that you're starting a game of that game that we love so 
> much, that game that has a long history of being played and loved by so 
> many people around the world. ;)
> 
> Vauxhall Bridge Road (towards Trafalgar Square)
> 
> Jim
> 

On the principle that you'd be insane to travel to Victoria (serious
disruptions due to ongoing reconstruction of the station), I assume
you'll have to turn off down Regency Street. Therefore: Oxford Circus

John
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 15:35:49 +0100, Doctor John wrote:

> On 13/09/14 04:12, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> 
>> Clever.  I see that you're starting a game of that game that we love so
>> much, that game that has a long history of being played and loved by so
>> many people around the world. ;)
>> 
>> Vauxhall Bridge Road (towards Trafalgar Square)
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>> 
> On the principle that you'd be insane to travel to Victoria (serious
> disruptions due to ongoing reconstruction of the station), I assume
> you'll have to turn off down Regency Street. Therefore: Oxford Circus

That makes sense.  After all, during the reconstruction, it's kinda 
difficult to get around anyways, and things may not be on time.

Which reminds me that I have a vague recollection of construction at 
Leicester Square when we were there a decade ago, so that's where I want 
to move to, just to see how it turned out.

Jim



-- 
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and 
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

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On 13/09/2014 04:04, Doctor John wrote:
> Starts another game (using the Stephen Fry variation):

Unfortunately I must sit this one out on moral grounds.

Talking of which, I must gird my loins to defend the Uxbridge English 
Dictionary from a certain Latin spouting buffoon.

Twanker. What the present London mayor is called in
Yorkshire

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 13/09/14 20:06, Stephen wrote:
> 
> Talking of which, I must gird my loins to defend the Uxbridge English
> Dictionary from a certain Latin spouting buffoon.
> 

Are you in his putative constituency?

> Twanker. What the present London mayor is called in
> Yorkshire
> 

:-D

John
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On 13/09/2014 20:55, Doctor John wrote:
> On 13/09/14 20:06, Stephen wrote:
>>
>> Talking of which, I must gird my loins to defend the Uxbridge English
>> Dictionary from a certain Latin spouting buffoon.
>>
>
> Are you in his putative constituency?
>

Dolendum sane est, quod sic.
Unfortunately, yes.


>> Twanker. What the present London mayor is called in
>> Yorkshire
>>
>
> :-D

Fancy a drinky poo?



-- 

Regards
     Stephen

Post a reply to this message

On 13/09/2014 04:12, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:04:57 +0100, Doctor John wrote:
>

>> Pimlico (southbound platform)
>

I did not think that Jim would fall for that one. South of the river at 
this time of night.

> Clever.  I see that you're starting a game of that game that we love so
> much, that game that has a long history of being played and loved by so
> many people around the world. ;)
>

:-D

> Vauxhall Bridge Road (towards Trafalgar Square)
>

Good recovery, that man!
Watch for the diagonal, though.

PS I missed the whole of the last series. Been meaning to write.


-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 13/09/2014 03:14, Saul Luizaga wrote:
> Well blame the Monetary System, promoter of all corruption,

I do, I do.

>  so, politics being the pit of corruption, shouldn't be a surprise
> politicians get corrupted.

Some are born corrupt, some achieve corruption, and some have corruption 
thrust upon them. ;-)

Never trust a man who wants power.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

Post a reply to this message

On 13/09/14 21:56, Stephen wrote:
> 
> Fancy a drinky poo?
> 
> 

ATM I'm sipping a not-unpleasant Bunnahabhain 12-y-o. But, yes.
Unfortunately not until next week (post 20/09)

John (raising glass to Jim and Stephen)
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On 13/09/2014 22:15, Doctor John wrote:
> On 13/09/14 21:56, Stephen wrote:
>>
>> Fancy a drinky poo?
>>
>>
>
> ATM I'm sipping a not-unpleasant Bunnahabhain 12-y-o. But, yes.
> Unfortunately not until next week (post 20/09)
>

That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
I might need consoling after the 19th.

> John (raising glass to Jim and Stephen)
>

Lordy you are posh.

Stephen raising his bottle of Grouse to all and sundry. ;-)

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

Post a reply to this message

On 13/09/14 22:41, Stephen wrote:
> 
> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
> I might need consoling after the 19th.
> 

That's what we're here for.

>> John (raising glass to Jim and Stephen)
>>
> 
> Lordy you are posh.
> 
> Stephen raising his bottle of Grouse to all and sundry. ;-)
> 

To each his own

John
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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Am 13.09.2014 23:41, schrieb Stephen:

> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
> I might need consoling after the 19th.

Just wondering: Would that be in the yes- or the no-case?

(I have a hunch, but I might be wrong of course.)

Mandatory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FFRoYhTJQQ

Post a reply to this message

On 14/09/14 00:08, clipka wrote:
> Am 13.09.2014 23:41, schrieb Stephen:
> 
>> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
>> I might need consoling after the 19th.
> 
> Just wondering: Would that be in the yes- or the no-case?
> 
> (I have a hunch, but I might be wrong of course.)
> 
> Mandatory:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FFRoYhTJQQ
> 

I'm just guessing, Chris, but knowing Stephen personally I would say
he's a 'no' - we have an agreement not to discuss politics since he is a
bit further to the left than I am (and I'm by no means full-blooded
Conservative)

John
-- 
Protect the Earth
It was not given to you by your parents
You hold it in trust for your children

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On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:01:49 +0100, Stephen wrote:

> On 13/09/2014 04:12, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:04:57 +0100, Doctor John wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Pimlico (southbound platform)
>>
>>
> I did not think that Jim would fall for that one. South of the river at
> this time of night.
> 
>> Clever.  I see that you're starting a game of that game that we love so
>> much, that game that has a long history of being played and loved by so
>> many people around the world. ;)
>>
>>
> :-D
> 
>> Vauxhall Bridge Road (towards Trafalgar Square)
>>
>>
> Good recovery, that man!
> Watch for the diagonal, though.

Oh, yeah, that's something to definitely keep an eye on. :)

> PS I missed the whole of the last series. Been meaning to write.

I think we can resolve that. :)

Jim



-- 
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and 
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

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On 14/09/2014 00:08, clipka wrote:
> Am 13.09.2014 23:41, schrieb Stephen:
>
>> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
>> I might need consoling after the 19th.
>
> Just wondering: Would that be in the yes- or the no-case?
>
> (I have a hunch, but I might be wrong of course.)
>

You, wrang ma loon?
Ne'er ;-)

> Mandatory:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FFRoYhTJQQ
>

I've seen it before and think that is very funny and very true.

This news clip was shot in Aberdeen when Siri was launched.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EVnK-pNxaA

In some parts of Scotland they speak the purest English to be found. 
(Inverness-shire, I've also read that there is somewhere in Canada that 
does too.) But in other parts of Scotland the dialect is next to 
incomprehensible. I once spent an afternoon with a friend's old uncle in 
Aberdeen. I could make out one word in three.
My own accent is similar to the ones in the video you posted. So if we 
ever team up in ED with voice comms, beware! :-)
Or maybe not. Scots is a Germanic language.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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Am 14.09.2014 02:32, schrieb Stephen:
> On 14/09/2014 00:08, clipka wrote:
>> Am 13.09.2014 23:41, schrieb Stephen:
>>
>>> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
>>> I might need consoling after the 19th.
>>
>> Just wondering: Would that be in the yes- or the no-case?
>>
>> (I have a hunch, but I might be wrong of course.)
>
> You, wrang ma loon?
> Ne'er ;-)

Me, personally, I think whether Scotland would be better off with a 
"yes" or "no" is immensely difficult to predict; and you know what the 
Danes say about predictions, especially when they pertain to the future. 
But I suspect that the rest of GB would fare better with a "no", while I 
as an outsider would certainly profit from a "yes" result, if only for 
the added entertainment :-)

> In some parts of Scotland they speak the purest English to be found.
> (Inverness-shire, I've also read that there is somewhere in Canada that
> does too.) But in other parts of Scotland the dialect is next to
> incomprehensible. I once spent an afternoon with a friend's old uncle in
> Aberdeen. I could make out one word in three.
> My own accent is similar to the ones in the video you posted. So if we
> ever team up in ED with voice comms, beware! :-)
> Or maybe not. Scots is a Germanic language.

I've been to the Glasgow, Edinburgh and Southern Uplands region once, 
and had no problems whatsoever understanding the people there. Including 
the guy I had to deal with on the first day, who was indeed wearing a 
kilt at work (and no, he was not in the tourist business, but the head 
of an IT department ;-)).

That same trip later led me to Middle England; it was late at night when 
I arrived, and I had to ask for the way, so I did. Well, the guy seemed 
sober enough, but I swear: I did not understand One. Single. Freakin'. 
Word. And I mean that literally.

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On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:41:56 +0100, Stephen wrote:

> On 13/09/2014 22:15, Doctor John wrote:
>> On 13/09/14 21:56, Stephen wrote:
>>>
>>> Fancy a drinky poo?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> ATM I'm sipping a not-unpleasant Bunnahabhain 12-y-o. But, yes.
>> Unfortunately not until next week (post 20/09)
>>
>>
> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
> I might need consoling after the 19th.

Hope everything's OK....

>> John (raising glass to Jim and Stephen)
>>
>>
> Lordy you are posh.
> 
> Stephen raising his bottle of Grouse to all and sundry. ;-)

Jim raising his bottle as well - currently just water with lemon, at 
least until the effects of the medication I started last week are known 
(for hypertension).

Jim
-- 
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and 
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

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On 13/09/2014 23:30, Doctor John wrote:
> On 13/09/14 22:41, Stephen wrote:
>>
>> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
>> I might need consoling after the 19th.
>>
>
> That's what we're here for.
>

At least I can't be repatriated.

>>> John (raising glass to Jim and Stephen)
>>>
>>
>> Lordy you are posh.
>>
>> Stephen raising his bottle of Grouse to all and sundry. ;-)
>>
>
> To each his own
>
That's right. You use a glass and if I can't find a jam jar. I'll use 
the bottle. :-)


-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 14/09/2014 02:46, clipka wrote:
> Am 14.09.2014 02:32, schrieb Stephen:
>> On 14/09/2014 00:08, clipka wrote:
>>> Am 13.09.2014 23:41, schrieb Stephen:
>>>
>>>> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
>>>> I might need consoling after the 19th.
>>>
>>> Just wondering: Would that be in the yes- or the no-case?
>>>
>>> (I have a hunch, but I might be wrong of course.)
>>
>> You, wrang ma loon?
>> Ne'er ;-)
>

Sorry.I'll write that in English.
You, wrong young man.
Never. <wink)

> Me, personally, I think whether Scotland would be better off with a
> "yes" or "no" is immensely difficult to predict;

That does not stop people from being positive in their ideas.

>and you know what the
> Danes say about predictions, especially when they pertain to the future.

No I don't? I know what they say about bad weather.
There is no bad weather only bad clothing.

> But I suspect that the rest of GB would fare better with a "no", while I
> as an outsider would certainly profit from a "yes" result, if only for
> the added entertainment :-)
>

I'll throw a German word back to you.
Schadenfreude. :-P


> I've been to the Glasgow, Edinburgh and Southern Uplands region once,
> and had no problems whatsoever understanding the people there.

That's what I would expect. The North East of Scotland is more 
influenced by the Scandinavians who often came "first footing" ;-)

> Including
> the guy I had to deal with on the first day, who was indeed wearing a
> kilt at work (and no, he was not in the tourist business, but the head
> of an IT department ;-)).
>

Ah! the kilt. That well known symbol of lowland and upland dress. </irony>

> That same trip later led me to Middle England;

You probably mean the Midlands. "Middle England" is not geographical.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_England

> it was late at night when
> I arrived, and I had to ask for the way, so I did. Well, the guy seemed
> sober enough, but I swear: I did not understand One. Single. Freakin'.
> Word. And I mean that literally.
>
I believe you. The Birmingham accent has now beaten Glaswegian into 
second place for incomprehensibility to Southerners.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brummie#Stereotypes

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 14/09/2014 03:18, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:41:56 +0100, Stephen wrote:
>

>> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
>> I might need consoling after the 19th.
>
> Hope everything's OK....
>

It won't be for half the country, either way.

Indyref.


>> Stephen raising his bottle of Grouse to all and sundry. ;-)
>
> Jim raising his bottle as well - currently just water with lemon, at
> least until the effects of the medication I started last week are known
> (for hypertension).
>

Not too high, I hope.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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Am 14.09.2014 13:35, schrieb Stephen:
> On 14/09/2014 02:46, clipka wrote:
>> Am 14.09.2014 02:32, schrieb Stephen:
>>> On 14/09/2014 00:08, clipka wrote:
>>>> Am 13.09.2014 23:41, schrieb Stephen:
>>>>
>>>>> That's fine by me. I'm taking time off ATM.
>>>>> I might need consoling after the 19th.
>>>>
>>>> Just wondering: Would that be in the yes- or the no-case?
>>>>
>>>> (I have a hunch, but I might be wrong of course.)
>>>
>>> You, wrang ma loon?
>>> Ne'er ;-)
>>
>
> Sorry.I'll write that in English.

No need to; I got that (after, admittedly, having to look up "loon" to 
be sure it means what I thought it meant) :)


>> Me, personally, I think whether Scotland would be better off with a
>> "yes" or "no" is immensely difficult to predict;
>
> That does not stop people from being positive in their ideas.
>
>> and you know what the
>> Danes say about predictions, especially when they pertain to the future.
>
> No I don't? I know what they say about bad weather.
> There is no bad weather only bad clothing.

There's an old Danish saying (wrongfully attributed to Niels Bohr, Mark 
Twain and a few others) to be careful about predictions, /especially/ 
when they involve the future.

>> But I suspect that the rest of GB would fare better with a "no", while I
>> as an outsider would certainly profit from a "yes" result, if only for
>> the added entertainment :-)
>
> I'll throw a German word back to you.
> Schadenfreude. :-P

Yup, guilty as charged. Mostly concerning the rest of GB though. Will 
they continue to call themselves "Great Britain"(*)? The "United 
Kingdom" will probably no longer be so united, will it? How about the 
Union Jack, I guess they'll have to deconstruct it. Will they have to 
place guards at the Scottish border? Dismantle their nuclear arsenal? 
And so on.

Of course there are equally interesting questions regarding Scotland, 
especially relating to the EU and the Euro, but they're more of the 
suspense kind, rather than laden with Schadenfreude. To the contrary - 
I'd love to see an independent thriving Scotland teach the rest of GB a 
lesson.

(*) How about "Rump Great Britain" - that would make it "RGB" :-)

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On 14/09/2014 16:03, clipka wrote:
> There's an old Danish saying (wrongfully attributed to Niels Bohr, Mark
> Twain and a few others) to be careful about predictions, /especially/
> when they involve the future.
>

Now I now.

>>
>> I'll throw a German word back to you.
>> Schadenfreude. :-P
>
> Yup, guilty as charged. Mostly concerning the rest of GB though. Will
> they continue to call themselves "Great Britain"(*)?

I don't see how they can. "Great" in this sense means greater. Britain 
is the Roman occupied Britannia.

> The "United
> Kingdom" will probably no longer be so united, will it?

Never really was. Wales and Ireland were conquered by England.
Since we would have the same monarch it could still  be called UK United 
Kingdom.

> How about the Union Jack,

The Union Flag is its proper name and that would not fit.

> I guess they'll have to deconstruct it.

There has been talk about that.

> Will they have to
> place guards at the Scottish border?

Depends if Scotland has to sign the Schengen agreement if it gets to 
join the EU.

> Dismantle their nuclear arsenal?

Now that is something the SNP want. A nuclear free Scotland.
It will be interesting to watch. BTW we use "Schadenfreude" as well. :-)

> And so on.
>
> Of course there are equally interesting questions regarding Scotland,
> especially relating to the EU and the Euro, but they're more of the
> suspense kind, rather than laden with Schadenfreude. To the contrary -
> I'd love to see an independent thriving Scotland teach the rest of GB a
> lesson.
>
Yeah! Just like the Free State of Ireland did.

> (*) How about "Rump Great Britain" - that would make it "RGB" :-)

In Scotland we never put Green and Blue together. A religious sectarian 
joke.

It may not interest anyone to know. All four of my grandparents were 
from different countries of the UK. Yip! I'm a True Brit.

-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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> yy yyyy running out
> implement yyy yyyy
> your number is 12 3456
> new number 012 3456

Sure, if you are allowed to change existing numbers you have endless 
possibilities. Generally that's avoided though.

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> There is a default wait time on phones, where the system decides that
> you've finished dialing, it's about 2-3 seconds, no modification at all
> could be the solution.

I'm pretty sure the UK system has no such concept, you can dial as slow 
or fast as you like (within reason) and as soon as you hit the last 
digit it connects and rings.

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> Hence the convention to write down
> international numbers with a "+" instead.

You can also store numbers in your mobile phone with the "+" prefix, 
that way it will work wherever you are.

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Am 15.09.2014 09:12, schrieb scott:
>> Hence the convention to write down
>> international numbers with a "+" instead.
>
> You can also store numbers in your mobile phone with the "+" prefix,
> that way it will work wherever you are.

It's actually highly recommended to do it this way.

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