Twitter fun

Today I made my own Twitter app. Find out how I did it at http://xmodulo.com/2013/12/access-twitter-command-line-linux.html . Linux only, btw.

Books & Music

It's been a week of Squid (The Curious, Exciting and Slightly Disturbing Science Of) and Beck. Until now I've liked the idea of Beck more than the actuality, but nearly 20 years on I'm getting hooked on his inventive way with sound.

Jolly Tunes.

Amon Duul II - "Hawknose Harlequin". 9'52" of genuine 100% hippy shit; I love it. You will too, if you try.

Becoming Pope

Some time ago my friend W----- decided that it was his ambition to become Pope. Recent events have almost certainly reignited this ambition but W----- is now almost 21 and has some catching up to do. The following is a list of first steps W----- needs to URGENTLY take towards attaining Popehood by the time he's in his seventies: 1) Start believing in God. This may or may not be optional. 2) Become a Roman Catholic. Probably compulsory. 3) Start training for the priesthood. It is well-known that only Cardinals can get to be Pope, and you have to do the grunt-work first. Well, that's it for now. I'll report back when those 3 things are done. Please bless us in our endeavours.

Never worked for me either

In Last Week's News, someone had the idea that Richard Clayderman could induce erotic behaviour in tortoises and were proved wrong.

Louis v Rick

Louis v Rick: The Story of a Man Who Taught his Cat to Use Instant Messaging.

Valentine's Day

is soon, chaps. The 99p shop has Valentine's posters in the window... what shall I buy?

Cartoon fun

Thank you again. B3TA

Entertainment

The guys at work like Heart FM (I'm not doing a link): they must do, or else why would they have it on all day? You'd like it too if your idea of entertainment was being shouted at by Emma Bunton.

Why I like Linux

I knew that as soon as I had my own laptop as opposed to a shared PC that I'd want to try Linux. Windows Vista, which came pre -installed is a perfectly serviceable OS for general use, and my use is pretty general, but I wanted to see whether a modern Linux system could give me what I wanted.

After a few tryouts of other Linux distributions (and they make it easy for you to try them out without losing your Windows system) I'm using Bodhi, and I'm loving it: imagine a world where you decide what software to install or not, where help is community-based and actually helpful & friendly, where you can customise your system just how you want it, where you don't need to spend any time fighting viruses or defragging your hard drive. You need to be an inquisitive user, to want to get to know your computer and not be afraid to try something new or to get on the forums for help.

How to get Linux: Download an image file, burn to a CD or stick, and boot. If you like it, install. Instructions are always given. Try getting that with Windows! Did I mention the cost? £0:00 including VAT.

Janet is 50

Paging 'My Reader', (the massively overstretched and unoriginal Mrs Trellis of North Wales): go and visit Janet's blog as she works her way through her "Oh my God I'm 50!" bucket list, and give her your support (she'll probably need it more than you boom boom).

Jack White

If you've ever liked Jack White/ White Stripes here's 49 minutes of bliss. Big silly grin all the way through. (Maggie Bjorklund on pedal steel guitar - linked via Maggie's Facebook page.

Wilko Johnson

Lovely uplifting/sad interview with the great Wilko Johnson on "Front Row". Then watch Dr Feelgood live in Southend.