Let's talk about technology.
Is there any technology you're looking forward too? I'm talking about real stuff that works at the moment, even if it's in labatories.

I'm constantly impressed with the direction things are going in. It seems that with the standardisation of formats, turning data into information is getting easier and easier. The fact that Yahoo, Google, Facebook [and more] have opened up their data means the likes of me can do stuff that would be impossible 10 years ago. For example, there was no way it would be possible to create my latest creation, minicab software.

This sharing of data is amazing, for example, I can get the information for every 'restaurant' inside a local area, and then do what I want with that information. 10 years ago, I would have had to enter all that info by myself. It's an advantage to everyone involved; the resturants get more reach with the more people using it, the data provide (Thompson Local in my case) can charge more to the buisnesses as it has a futher reach, Google (where I'm grabbing the data from) can charge more to Thompson Local and increase it's services to it's end users and developers.

Where as 10 years ago, data was protected, as information/data is key, and closely guarded, it's now put someone like me, someone without a team of people or huge budgets, being able to do something that would be impossible before. It would have taken me entering the information into every possible buisness.

I never thought I would consider myself a data-geek, tables and columns and rows and indexes are borring, but the things I can do with them now are stunning.

Alt1: This is quite cool ..... www.engadget.com/2010/09/16/quadrocopters-can-now-fly-through-thrown-hoops-the-end-really-i/

Alt2: I really like Plan B's new single "The Recluse".

Alt3: I found some amazing software for Macs, called "plex", it's an amazing media centre with plug-ins such as iPlayer, 4od and loads more.

Alt4: Tell me about the most embarassing thing you've done, in retrospect, in order to find true love.

Alt5: I need a name for my minicab software, I was thinking "ForCabsSake" and "JustCabIt", got any good ideas? Chop-chop now, I've never really given it much thought.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 14:26, 163 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

That last thread was Fucking Shit.
Do you not agree?

If I wanted to look at some gaylord's fucking work pictures I'd go on fucking Facebook, shortly before going all Moaty and hiding in a storm drain.

Alt: Who’s your favourite confused loner/slayer of the public/quality nutcase?

I loved the Virginia Tech boy with his ‘Richard McBeef’ play…but then Barry Bulsara has a special place in my heart, as does the Croydon Samurai.

I JUST CAN’T DECIDE.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 13:19, 146 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

What are you having for lunch at the weekend?

(PsychoChomp, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 13:12, 5 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Ok you cynical swine, have a look at something truly beautiful!
Astronaut from the ISS posts photos from space.

Wow.

www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/picture-galleries/7991622/Twitpics-from-space-astronaut-sends-pictures-back-to-Earth-via-his-Twitter-account-AstroWheels.html

No question, just something that's genuinely awe inspiring
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 12:30, 18 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Jeff wants a lunchtime thread so here it is.
What are you having for lunch?

Alt q: what is the Pope having for lunch?
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 12:26, 59 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Teehee...


Alt question: "Show us on the doll where the clergyman touched you, son..."

Alt alt question: The Platypus. Explain"
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 12:16, 6 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Pope for the day
So, this board seems full of quite bit of hatred for anything Dawkin's doesn't like. So, if you were the pope, what would you do? How different would you be?

Alt q - is it too early to have a beer? I'm working from home while on baby wait and cannot be arsed to drink tea.
( zulu eh?, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 11:21, 133 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Beer Memories
After perusing the delightfully cheap shelves of B&M Bargains I happened across some bottles of Double Maxim. This instantly took me back to being about 18 and drinking my own body weight in it each night at the Ivy House in Sunderland.

What drinks take you back to being a young'un?

Alt Q: Young'uns - what did you first get pissed on? Mine was Strongbow cider
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 10:10, 161 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Today is B3ta's Inaugural 'Be A Cunt Day'.
You are all the worst kind of awful cunts, so today's your day.

What are you going to do with your day, to confirm your status as a ghastly cunt? I'm going to punch a random disabled at lunchtime.

EDIT Also, I have already called Nelson Mandela a terrorist, denied the Holocaust AND made homophobic remarks so I reckon I'm in the lead.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 9:23, 156 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Hands up who likes the pope.
*ties shoelaces*
( girlinthehole, Thu 16 Sep 2010, 8:31, 142 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Hello!
I like songs about zombies! What do you like that has zombies in it?

Alt Q: What do you like that doesn't have zombies in it?
(Falstaff's Spiritual Successor, Wed 15 Sep 2010, 22:40, 44 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

So, like, yeah...
Obviously you lot have all got lives, whereas I'm prepping dinner while the missus takes Sweary Junior down to A&E with a dicky digit that he sustained in PE today - possibly sprained, potentially broken.

I have no idea when they'll be back, and am pondering on what to do; a task not made easy due to my general feeling of 'meh' thanks to work being the epitome of arse wittery at the moment. Or, cunt bucketry, as is possibly more apt.

What are you lot doing then?
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 15 Sep 2010, 20:15, 79 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

It would appear we're having another music day.
So what is your favourite driving song? Mine is Inside by Stiltskin.
And Driving home for Christmas for slushy sentimental reasons.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Wed 15 Sep 2010, 15:33, 157 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

It's already cold here
Since this year is my Finals year I will naturally be spending a lot more time out and about, not doing work and having fun. Bearing that in mind I want to increase my gig attendence. Any suggestions for between October and December gigs that are worth the attending, preferably in London, Oxford or bristol (or possibly Brighton)?

Alt Q: Favourite season and why?

Alt Alt Q: Just for the look of the thing: how soon till we have proper virtual reality?
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 15 Sep 2010, 13:40, 308 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Afternoon All
Taking the Mrs up to London on Saturday to see Dara O'Briain at the Hammersmith Apollo.

So my question for you nice QOTWers is simply this: Can anyone recommend somewhere nice to have a pre-comedy meal somewhere closeish to the venue? Anyone know of places to avoid?
( HSDriver was probably still at work on, Wed 15 Sep 2010, 12:17, 108 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Last night I made the most amazing Granary Loaf
Perfect consistency throughout and tastes amazing. I had it with corned beef and ketchup (reggae reggae thereof) in my sandwiches today.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS HAVING FOR LUNCH THEN?
(Bazongaloid, Wed 15 Sep 2010, 10:35, 200 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I've just had an awesome bus ride...
There was a kid on there this morning, travelling with someone I assume to be his older sister (she looked about 16, he looked about 5, both in school uniform), and he was asking loads of questions.

The concept of the emergency exit seemed to fascinate the kid, and so he spent 10 minutes asking questions about it. He then asked "Is it so superheroes can save us if we're in trouble?" She agreed, and told him it's so all superheroes can help, even if they don't all have super strength.

When he asked about this, she started going on about the emergency services. I only heard about the Fire Brigade being super-brave and the Paramedics being super-clever (her words) before I had to get off the bus, but this kid was loving it, and from the grins a few of us were exchanging, so were we.

So, when was the last time you overheard something that made you smile?

Alt Q: When was the last time you heard something that made you angry? Mine was hearing a lad in high school shouting 'Paki' at the bus as it drove past. Charming little shit.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 15 Sep 2010, 8:40, 258 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

i have a problem...
i have just broken my ipod. well to be strictly accurate it has broken itself. the clickwheel has JUST STOPPED WORKING at the top and bottom so i can't make it play or turn off - i can't even re-boot it because that needs the clickwheel. this is a total disaster as i can't even walk to the end of the hall without my ipod on and all my music is on my dad's computer 200 miles away.

can anyone think of a solution that doesn't involve me buying a new ipod and posting it to my dad and trusting him to upload everything onto it and then posting it back to me???? free drinks/legal advice/good thoughts to anyone who can help...

Edit - thanks for all the help below and gazzes. Randomly it has just decided to work again this morning as if it never fell out with me in the first place, fingers crossed it stays working!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 23:13, 38 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I haz a sad...
...or maybe it should be I haz disgust.

Some may remember my descriptions of my creepy next door neighbor whom I've christened The Choad. Well, things finally reached a sort of climax.

A couple of months ago my daughter wanted to build a fire in the backyard fireplace for a friend of hers and her to photograph for a school project. I was out of town at the time, but her brother was home and is an adult, so I gave permission. Apparently no sooner had she lit it than The Choad came out and told her it was against the law and if she put one more piece of wood on there he was calling the cops.

She called me, rather upset, and I assured her that there was nothing that he could really do as the fireplace and its use is completely legal, and to go ahead with it. There were no further problems and no cops were called, but it still pissed me off.

When I returned home I found him walking his dog and confronted him. The quote that apparently was most memorable- and the line that really set him off- was "You waited until I was out of town to harass my seventeen year old daughter! You are a bully and a coward, sir!" (This was said in my best Victorian drill sergeant voice, I might add.)

He yelled back, "You don't fucking talk to me like that! I don't have to listen to your shit! I oughta come over there and fucking knock you down!"

This was said in front of my neighbors across the street and their small children.

Well, here in the Land of Nabs saying such things publicly is a misdemeanor, especially when coupled with a threat. So this morning he had to appear in court, as did I, and explain himself. The result: he was fine $100 and told that such language was not acceptable.

I don't feel happy or victorious, just irritated and rather sad. All I really want is to be allowed to enjoy my own yard in peace without him standing by the fence glaring at us for a half an hour or letting his dog bay at us. Hopefully this will at least send him the message that being obnoxious carries a price...
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 14 Sep 2010, 21:36, 27 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

just got back from Tayyabs
My cow-orkers gave me top marks for picking it. I had the lamb chops to start, which were ok. The dry meat main was fabulous, though. Impressive how they got us in, fed and out in 50 minutes - loads of people waiting as we left explained that.

So cheers, Al and Monty, for going on about it so much!
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 21:11, 30 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I'd imagine you've seen this
www.b3ta.com/questions/easyjob/post863310

and the answer b3ta.com/questions/easyjob/post865051

Pretty cool reply, eh?

What has made you laugh recently?

I don't know, I'm feeling quite sick, so I can't think of a better question, I'll let one of you to ask something, go, you, ask something, go!
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 14 Sep 2010, 17:29, 27 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Those inclined to prattle
Are doing my head in this afternoon. Whilst processing data, a soul-destroying task at the best of times, my supervisor wandered in, spotted something that I would never have otherwise picked up on, and suggested I go back and check to see whether it had any important effect on the end result. I wouldn't have minded this so much if he could have explained this is in, say, 50 words as opposed to what felt like several thousand.

Just as he cleared off, one of my colleagues sent me a message asking if I fancied a tea break. Capital idea! I thought, and seized the opportunity to have a cup of tea and clear my head. Not so. Turns out all she wanted to do was have a whinge. Now I usually try to lend her a sympathetic ear, but at that stage I really could have done with a two-way conversation, rather than just being talked at.

Thank you for listening. Is there an easy way to deal with these people, short of taking earplugs wherever I go?
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 16:02, 129 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Can we talk about something else?
Can you all write a covering letter for me please, I want to say:

Hey I don't really know what this job is about but it sounds like a piece of piss and you're going to pay me very well I assume so hit me up with an interview.
(PsychoChomp, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 15:25, 22 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Where would you live in Bristol?
Hello my furry friends.

Me and 'im indoors and teh kitteh are moving to Brzzl (as I believe the local characters refer to it) in the forthcoming months (providing his job comes through). What with work and suchlike I am having limited time to look round for housing. We want a 2 bed minimum house to rent. I've heard:

Clifton is nice but poncy
Redland is nice but studenty
St Paul's is a bit scabby

Anything further? I would (ideally) like to be somewhere I can get onto the M4/M5 quickly) and he wants to be somewhere on a bus route or near a station as he doth not drive.

Ta muchly.
( Undercovercarrot got done for gross misconduct on..., Tue 14 Sep 2010, 14:24, 186 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

*looks around*
*sees coast is clear*


I looking for something to get Aberaccion for her wedding. Any thoughts outside the box?
( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 14:05, 134 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Hi folks, remember me?
If anyone else is in York today and likes good beer, Pivni by the market is hosting a Brewdog night.

I'll be there from the off: 7.00pm.

Anyone else?
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 13:34, 15 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Crow wants a lunch thread
I need to go get lunch today.
Probably from Tescos. Any suggestions?

Monty: Munch bunch and blue riband and a little sandwich cut in to four
TGB: ha ha ha you're so funny monty. What you doing this weekend?

Alt Q: There's a lot of good stuff on TV tonight isn't there! Anyone been watching that 71 degrees north thing?
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 12:31, 119 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Motherfucking book thread.......right here.
In the middle of reading The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell. I think Amberl recommeded it on here and it's definitley riviting. It's sci-fi mixed with religion and full of questions about what relevance God has when an alien life form is discovered far away.

I also read a book called Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. I found it by accident when I was googling random words, (boring afternoon), and it was fantastic. The prose was a bit flowery for my tastes but an excellent read nontheless. It's about a circus owner who gives his wife different drugs and chemicals to make her bear deformed children for his circus.
( girlinthehole, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:05, 189 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I've got my mojo working. Unfortunately it appear to have little or no effect on you.
Discuss.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 14 Sep 2010, 11:04, 16 replies, latest was 15 years ago)