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Thread: Traffic wardens and capitalism

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 3 (view)

Traffic wardens and capitalism Posted: 11/20/2009 9:13:37 AM
Was he a civil enforcement officer (i.e. employed by the local authority)? It is time the Road Traffic Act 1991 was revoked and the policing of traffic handed back to the police. Local authorities have always abused the act to generate extra revenue.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 18 (view)

Virgin Broadband Posted: 11/17/2009 9:51:13 AM
First, you need to know whether you are a cable or ADSL customer (I believe your bills will be from Virgin Media if you have cable, Virgin National if you have ADSL). Second, you almost never get the advertised maximum speed no matter which connection you have. This is due to things like contention, line attenuation and the distance between your property and the exchange. The loss in speed is more noticeable on ADSL than cable. If you are a cable customer, the speed should be fairly close to that advertised. If you are an ADSL customer, it depends which type of ADSL you have. Virgin National have an LLU presence at some exchanges. Where Virgin have an LLU presence, they have their own connection to the exchange, and there is normal BT copper between the exchange and your property (this is the better service). You can check whether Virgin have an LLU presence at your exchange here: http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php If Virgin do not have an LLU presence (unlikely unless you live in a large city) then they are reselling BT's wholesale ADSL. This means that you can only have the maximum speed offered by BT at your exchange.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 14 (view)

Is there really a Santa Claus Posted: 11/12/2009 6:25:40 AM
send me a man with a brian Peter Griffin?

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 33 (view)

Hairy backs - are they an issue? Posted: 11/11/2009 10:06:37 AM
And dont ask a woman to do it for you. How else would I get rid of it? I'm not a contortionist.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 151 (view)

Baldness - is it an issue? Posted: 11/11/2009 5:16:58 AM
Baldness - is it an issue? only on a really cold day.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 34 (view)

Nidal Hasan Shoots & Kills 12 US Soldiers Posted: 11/6/2009 10:05:58 AM
If someone is a Muslim, or from a Muslim family, then it is sensible to ask if they would have a problem serving as part of an army of occupation in a Muslim country. Why? He joined the US Army, therefore he swore an oath to serve his country. The role of a soldier is, after all, to follow orders. I don't see why his being Muslim is such a big issue. He is also American, and we know how much Americans like their guns.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 12 (view)

Tech Support Firm Recommends to Wait with Windows 7 Upgrade. Posted: 11/4/2009 9:41:40 AM
Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked if he would be upgrading to Windows 7. Apparently his reply was "I still love Vista, baby"!

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Christmas card etiquette??? Posted: 10/23/2009 10:47:17 AM
10 months and you're asking us rather than him?

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 30 (view)

TV License robbery Posted: 10/23/2009 10:28:49 AM
So does that mean if I only watch programmes that are on the On Demand service provided by Virgin, I do not have to have a licence???? Depends... Technically you do not need a license for on-demand services as you are not watching programmes as they are broadcast. However... If the equipment is capable of receiving programmes as they are broadcast TV Licensing will insist you need a license, regardless of whether you watch live broadcasts or not.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 3 (view)

Ethical shopping dilemma. Posted: 10/22/2009 12:39:15 PM
To be honest I've paid more than that for one 'fashion brand' T shirt. The big brands also employ child labour. I believe one or more of Primark's suppliers was using child labour but Primark severed ties with them when they were presented with the evidence (I'm too lazy to Google it).

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 11 (view)

TV License robbery Posted: 10/22/2009 11:59:42 AM
it is not a tv license, it is a license to receive television broadcast, ie even if you dont have a tv in the house and receive tv on a video recorder you can be done, when i was at sea i had a usa tv at home with no license i told them when they came to the house he accepted this as it was not capable of receiving a uk broadcast also 110 volt This is what really pisses me off about the BBC. You have to pay the license fee even if you don't watch BBC programmes. Not only do they get to have it both ways, but if you don't buy a television license - regardless of whether you need one - you're bullied, harassed and generally treated like a criminal. And yet they are providing a service paid for by the public! Now that the digital switchover is well underway, I would suggest the following: 1. A vastly reduced TV license fee that funds BBC1, BBC Parliament, BBC News & BBC World Service (the 'public service' channels). 2. Make BBC2, BBC3 et al subscription-based as most of what is on them is rubbish anyway. I'd be happy with that.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 6 (view)

TV License robbery Posted: 10/22/2009 10:34:43 AM
It appears if I have either a pc, laptop or mobile phone I am legally obliged to buy a tv license at around £140. Bullshit. You only need a license if you watch or record BBC programmes as they are broadcast (which is possible to do with broadband, but I wouldn't worry unless you have a tuner card installed in a PC). [EDIT] Enigmatic Life beat me to it. The way the BBC/TV Licensing try to scaremonger absolutely everyone into buying a license is shocking, if not bordering on illegal in my opinion. [/EDIT]

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 20 (view)

Argueing Step sisters/Brothers Posted: 10/22/2009 7:23:51 AM
... they argue whose gonna have the last buiscuit in the cupboard etc etc! Tell them if they don't stop they will both have to move out. It sounds like they need to do a bit of growing up.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 13 (view)

Robots to rule the world Posted: 10/20/2009 10:06:19 AM
I think we will be seeing collective intelligence long before true artificial intelligence. Collective intelligence is comparable to an insect colony - you have lots of small, mass produced, inexpensive robots with limited individual intelligence but the 'colony' stays in constant communication and becomes 'collectively intelligent'. The trouble with building a computer or robot that is equally as intelligent as a human is the massive complexity involved. It takes the approximate processing power of an average personal computer just to simulate a single neuron in a human brain (I will try to find where I remember that from). This means that true artificial intelligence will be prohibitively expensive even years after it becomes a reality.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 109 (view)

Airport body scanner optional, whats the point? Posted: 10/19/2009 9:38:37 AM
the images CAN NOT Be saved by the person operating the system as in the room is ONLY The screen & a control button to tell people at actual scanner if anything wrong, after a fix period of time , the image is DELETED ! Most mobile phones have built-in digital cameras. The images do show a clear outline of the genitals (though you cannot recognise the person). Whilst the images are not what I would consider being worthy of a tissue, there will be demand for them on the internet. Children are no longer being scanned: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8313335.stm

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 101 (view)

Airport body scanner optional, whats the point? Posted: 10/16/2009 10:19:57 AM
...also the image cannot be saved to the operater only has the screen & alarm button in the control room! Capturing an image from a screen is very easy to do. You can guarantee the pictures will appear on the internet sooner or later.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 80 (view)

Airport body scanner optional, whats the point? Posted: 10/15/2009 9:42:51 AM
The scanners are pointless. They will do absolutely nothing to prevent a terrorist attack. Even if the scanners are made compulsory, anyone could legally carry components and substances aboard an aircraft that are capable of being used as a very effective bomb.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 46 (view)

Airport body scanner optional, whats the point? Posted: 10/14/2009 9:37:41 AM
I find the Lockerbie references to be a little ironic. All luggage would have been x-rayed before it was allowed to be loaded on the plane. That's the problem when you have humans in the chain. Someone will always **** up.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 11 (view)

how many compainies can activate a phone line? Posted: 9/15/2009 10:22:00 AM
The point I was making is, if BT can waive the cost for people, which they can and do, they just don't advertise it, they can do it for every customer. I see your point, but you will probably find they only waive the reconnection fee if you sign up for a fixed-term tariff plan, as once you are tied to the contract they know they can absorb the cost. If I change elsewhere I will be getting rid of the BT landline full stop and getting broadband that doesn't require a landline. There are two basic types of fixed broadband - ADSL (which is provided over copper telephone wires) and fibre (cable). Before BT were forced to perform local loop unbundling (LLU) if you had ADSL it didn't matter who you paid for your broadband - they were simply reselling BT's wholesale ADSL. Once LLU came in other providers could install their own equipment in exchanges, meaning that it was their network up to the exchange (BT still owning the copper from exchange to premises). Not having to pay rental to BT for a broadband line means the LLU provider can provide a cheaper - and often faster - connection than BT or a BT wholesale reseller. You can find out if LLU is available at your exchange here: http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php Virgin Media now have a virtual monopoly with cable services. Even before they bought out most of the other cable providers I believe BT had already managed to ensure there would only effectively be one cable provider per region in a successful attempt to stifle any real competition with themselves.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 7 (view)

how many compainies can activate a phone line? Posted: 9/15/2009 9:38:11 AM
One reason why as soon as my contract runs out, I'm leaving them, if they can connect some people for nothing, they can do it for everyone. The new company will still be charged by BT - the new company is simply absorbing the cost. ...they told me bt can connect for free with the 18 month contract but can still choose another provider for broadband??? is this true as am a bit sceptical? It is true - BT own the line. Unless the broadband provider is an LLU they are using BT's wholesale ADSL.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 3 (view)

how many compainies can activate a phone line? Posted: 9/15/2009 9:12:52 AM
BT own the copper cable between your house and the exchange - only they can reactivate the line. You might be paying another company but they still have to pay BT. I think BT's standard charge for reconnecting a line is £125.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 33 (view)

Birmingham - Sunday 30th August - Pics & Comments Posted: 9/3/2009 9:34:40 AM
Sorry I missed this one, I had a very last-minute change of plans. Glad everyone had a good time, though.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 43 (view)

Offally good Posted: 8/21/2009 9:18:31 AM
Offal is delicious. I miss minced beef & chopped beef heart, but I haven't seen it around for years. I'm sure I was buying it well after the regulations were brought in after the BSE epidemic.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 29 (view)

Food - all in the visual presentation? Posted: 8/21/2009 9:14:53 AM
There's definitely a visual element to eating. Use a few drops of black food colouring when preparing custard and see how many people would be willing to try it (it still tastes the same).

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 96 (view)

Do you look good for your age? Posted: 8/17/2009 9:45:26 AM
When I get asked my age and give the correct answer, the asker usually bursts into hysterics and asks back "Yeah, right. How old are you really?" I've never once been asked for ID when buying anything, even when I was well under-age. I think I was born looking about 12.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 30 (view)

Your Birthday And What It Means For You Posted: 8/7/2009 9:11:51 AM
I turned 30 in May and I've still got a hangover. I hate getting older.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 16 (view)

Wind turbines?I Posted: 7/31/2009 10:00:15 AM
though the power is still being stored High voltage electricity is not stored, it is generated as it is needed. If you want to stop using fossil fuels completely, nuclear power is (currently) the only viable alternative.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 66 (view)

have you got an irrational hate ? Posted: 7/27/2009 11:59:43 AM
Ever seen that 'Evergreen' weed killer television advert with the singing frog? I really hate that frog. Every time I hear it's voice I want to smash it's ****ing head in with a shovel. I have nothing against frogs in general, just that one. It's the only hatred I have that I can't explain.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 45 (view)

~~ BIRMINGHAM 2ND PARTY AT FLARES - AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY - SUN 30TH, 9PM - 2AM ~~ Posted: 7/22/2009 9:48:05 AM
Does anybody know where's the best place to park if stopping over night? Cheapest options? A Council-run car park would be the cheapest. Map of car parks: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=1422&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=12077 Charges: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/Media/Car%20Park%20Charges%20-%20July%202009.pdf?MEDIA_ID=293034&FILENAME=Car%20Park%20Charges%20-%20July%202009.pdf

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 27 (view)

~~ BIRMINGHAM 2ND PARTY AT FLARES - AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY - SUN 30TH, 9PM - 2AM ~~ Posted: 7/13/2009 9:15:26 AM
I'm coming, this will be my second POF meet after attending the previous meet at Flares. Can they open the upstairs bar this time? Last time it took me, on average, around 25 minutes to get to the bar. By the time I had any degree of Dutch courage it was time to go home.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 19 (view)

Mobile phone numbers are to be made public by next week Posted: 7/9/2009 9:37:10 AM
From the BBC: 118800 gets numbers from three sources. First, market research companies who contact individuals and ask if they would be prepared to allow their numbers to be used for commercial purposes. Second, from online businesses who often ask customers to tick boxes during the normal course of online transactions. Thirdly, 118800 gets them from brokers who buy and sell lists of phone numbers. When submitting an online form (usually during a sign-up process, when ordering products/services, when posting comments, etc), always check whether the little box needs checking or unchecking by reading the smallprint. A lot of websites now leave the box unchecked by default, requiring you to 'check' the box to confirm that you do not give consent for your details to be used for marketing purposes. This is because most seasoned 'net users automatically uncheck the box before submitting the form. I can actually see this becoming more of a problem as email addresses lose their value (Bayesian filtering is a wonderful thing). Mobile telephone numbers seem to have become the next best thing for marketers/spammers.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 21 (view)

Anyone here with arthritis? Or swine flu? Posted: 6/30/2009 10:59:06 AM
I'm worried about suffering from arthritis in later life as I have broken a few bones, but I don't seem to be suffering yet. Swine flu is just a new strain of regular human flu. I have only ever had flu once - I was 14 and it was hell. I was in constant pain for two weeks, had a nasty fever, sore throat and felt really ill. It was nothing like having a cold.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 43 (view)

Birmingham Flares Pics & Comments 24th May Posted: 5/26/2009 9:36:05 AM
The only gripe I had was the place being so busy made it difficult to get to the bar (why didn't they open the bar upstairs)? I'll definitely go to any future Brum meets.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 11 (view)

What is the oldest trick in the book? Posted: 5/22/2009 9:11:17 AM
Some guy called "jesus" allegedly turned water into wine... I once turned a whole student loan into vodka. See if you can beat that, Jesus.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 21 (view)

Suitable songs to drown out the neighbours shagging Posted: 5/21/2009 5:55:13 AM
Black Lace - Agadoo.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 4 (view)

women who lie about being raped Posted: 5/5/2009 9:13:40 AM
If a man is falsely accused of rape, the stigma/ distrust attached with being accused of rape never goes away. This is why I think there should be no naming of the accused allowed in the press until after a verdict has been reached (for Crown Court cases, anyway). Women who do this receive minimal prison time and sometimes no punishment at all I doubt that to be the truth.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 11 (view)

Blu Ray, is it all that??? Posted: 5/5/2009 5:29:43 AM
HD Ready = most likely can only display 720p, watered down HD. (1366 x 768 pixels or much less). Quite correct. Oddly, most PC's and laptops are more than capable of displaying HD quality pictures and audio (providing they have a recent processor, 5.1 audio and can manage at least a 1280x768 resolution). They do not usually qualify for the HD logo, however, as they do not always have the connectors that are a requirement for being HD ready.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 13 (view)

When does a guest become a part time lodger. Posted: 5/5/2009 5:07:10 AM
I think they need to get their own place and start living in the real world.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

When does a guest become a part time lodger. Posted: 5/5/2009 4:44:01 AM
So, should they ask the son or the girl to pay something towards the food bill.. They shouldn't need to, I would have thought she would have offered to pay something towards her meals etc. by now. what a piss taker.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Possible Imminent UFO DISCLOSURE!! Posted: 5/1/2009 9:13:15 AM
This has been on the cards for quite a while... Yeah, since the 1960's (lookup 'Donald Keyhoe'). I wouldn't hold your breath.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 27 (view)

Do you keep on Smiling ? Posted: 5/1/2009 6:02:40 AM
It doesn't bother me, I was a miserable****to start with.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 13 (view)

A word of warning Posted: 5/1/2009 4:08:38 AM
With regard to the Data Protection Act, which is as far as I can see a complete farce, handing out details like an address is not against the law, but revealing an email address is. No information that can be used to personally identify you (name, email, address, telephone number or otherwise) can be passed on to any other party without your consent. There are exceptions, such as passing on your details for the prevention or detection of crime (which doesn't apply in this situation). The act does state that information can be passed on to another party if there is an overriding legitimate reason to do so. This still doesn't really apply here. The Data Protection Act is very ambiguous when defining terms such as 'permission', 'consent' etc. but in my opinion Tesco have clearly breached the act here. They should have either contacted the person themselves to collect the keys or passed them onto the police with the owners' details.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 21 (view)

Is anyone else freezing their Private Parts Off?? Posted: 4/30/2009 5:17:30 AM
What a bunch of goldfish.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 26 (view)

Roast Dinner Posted: 4/29/2009 5:20:30 AM
I do love roast beef but have given up trying to cook it. I love it extremely rare and always manage to end up with it overcooked (i.e. it's stopped mooing ). Anyone got any tips? 1. Get your oven hot (over 200°C) BEFORE you do anything. 2. Heat a little oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Make sure it's at the 'smoking' stage. 3. Flash fry the joint until it is browned and sealed in the pan. 4. Stick in the oven for a) about 30 minutes for a small joint b) 45-60 minutes for a medium sized joint c) 80-100+ minutes for a large joint Then it will be nicely browned and sealed on the outside, cold, red, raw and bloody in the middle and ready for the English mustard, horseradish sauce and coarsely ground black pepper.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 24 (view)

Lilly Allen Posted: 4/29/2009 5:12:18 AM
...All about a boyfriend who has a problem with premature ejaculation? Men don't have a problem with premature ejaculation, only women do. In fact, us blokes quite enjoy it. After all - it's sex AND an early night.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 17 (view)

top three fragrances. Posted: 4/24/2009 7:41:23 AM
Sainsbury's Nitro Body Spray Sainsbury's Vortex Body Spray Lynx Click (on occasion) (I'm a cheap bastard).

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 49 (view)

St George's Day Posted: 4/23/2009 7:24:50 AM
Wishing all you Brits a Happy St George's Day! Are you trying to piss the Scottish, Welsh and Irish off?

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 27 (view)

The Dark Art Of Getting Served At The Bar !! Posted: 4/23/2009 6:21:56 AM
If a pub off the beaten path, then it used to be the folded £10 note. I see that this is not the recommended method, but it always worked for me. Me too - straight away it is obvious that you are waiting. I also find standing next to the till (especially if it is a long bar) works as whoever is serving has no choice but to notice you sooner or later.

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 19 (view)

MEN who look way older than what they say Posted: 4/21/2009 3:31:39 AM
I must look a lot older than what I am. I was at my youngest sisters' 20th birthday party in February. I went to the bar with her to buy her a drink and the bartender asked if I was my sisters' dad!

speedbird1979

Joined: 6/19/2008

Msg: 271 (view)

meat is murder! Posted: 4/14/2009 9:58:33 AM
What planet do you live on. It is a fact that if you wish to eat meat then it involves killing something. Eating fruit or vegetables involves killing something. In fact, eating just about anything involves killing something (apart from dairy products such as cheese or yoghurt).

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