dick_turpin :essex: :cc:

Linux/FOSS /Creative Commons advocate.
I own far too many Raspberry Pis.
Former Podcaster.

"𝘑𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘐 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯."

𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: "𝘐 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵!"

𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: [email protected]

If you don't like me, don't follow me. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Public Key

npub194k53ka0pdeuunwwc0jll4cc39aktefmwwg5yx0046r4x2djguwsg4ftte

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsz6m2gmwhsku7wfh8v8e0l6uvgj7m9u5ah8y2zr8h6ap6n9xeyw8gpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsh7tfy3

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub194k53ka0pdeuunwwc0jll4cc39aktefmwwg5yx0046r4x2djguwsg4ftte

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Published at

2026-08-17T10:48:57Z

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Event JSON

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Last Notes

2026-06-18 13:22:11 GMT

Day three and another disappointed member of the Microsoft support team.
𝗠𝗦: "I have requested that the 2FA be cleared, and the team has come back with approval, so we can go ahead and log in."
𝗠𝗲: "Nope, it's still asking for a hardware token."
𝗠𝗦: "Can you send me some screenshots, please?"
𝗠𝗲: "Sure."
𝗠𝗦: "Hmm? Will have to go back to the team and call you back."
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/116/771/317/274/352/416/original/28547ec122d2cdbb.png

2026-04-13 09:38:31 GMT

Believe it or not, I'm working with 'Big Data' for the first time, and most people know the name, but boy, hands-on is overwhelming.
The data is that big it exceeds Excels limit.
I'm currently importing it to PowerShell to start manipulating it - The importing is taking forever. 🤯

2026-04-11 13:25:13 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg I find it incredibly tedious. And the problem is, once you paint one room, then another room looks crap.

2026-04-11 11:51:31 GMT

I have been painting again! 😭
Offerings to the Pond Gods have not worked. I hate DIY.

2026-04-06 15:17:58 GMT

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@nprofile…ws7h Sadly, some family, a former boss, and a couple of FOSS/Linux people I actually like only use FB; otherwise, I'd close my account.

2026-04-06 15:11:01 GMT

My phone no longer knows the password to Fakebook which is actually a good thing.

2026-04-04 16:35:53 GMT

I've spent seven and a half hours painting the great hall at #CastleCannon, and I've not finished!

2026-04-03 10:05:22 GMT

Requiem for "Linux can resurrect old hardware." 🎻
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/04/ubuntu-2604-system-requriments

2026-04-01 13:44:47 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg I suspect ChatGPT equates April Fools = Practical jokes. It possibly doesn't understand the nuance of fooling people as a joke. 🤷🏻‍♂️

2026-04-01 09:52:34 GMT

Remember, children, take everything with a pinch of salt today.
1st April
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/116/328/833/572/821/841/original/c3be53bfcecd9dcf.png

2026-03-31 13:30:04 GMT

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@nprofile…3eqn I'm not sure that's true. Printed news seems to refuse to die, and its demise was foretold over thirty years ago.
The thing you need to understand about sales is that it is the art of selling the things you didn't realise you needed.
This is why supermarkets not only move things around but also place stuff at the end of the aisle so that you impulse-buy when you pass it while looking for where they moved the tomato ketchup to.

2026-03-30 14:05:55 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg Yes. But I think it's a bit more involved than trying to find some football thug on the way to Millwall.
They had hundreds of CCTV and RingBell videos. The lad himself had his hood up, and it was literally a fleeting glance to the camera. As PC Plod said, "If I were reviewing the footage, I'd have probably missed that."

2026-03-30 12:35:35 GMT

I watched an episode of Forensics: The Real CSI this morning, as PC plod asked AI to search through hundreds of videos for footage of a young lad who was stabbed and killed. It found him within three hours! Something the rozzer said would have taken days if not weeks before.
There are lots of excellent applications of AI out there.

2026-03-29 17:41:46 GMT

It's nice to see Linux Support Companies growing.
"Linux is free" is a myth that costs IT departments thousands.
Too many IT leaders fall into the trap of thinking $0 licensing equals $0 cost. But at scale, "free" Linux is often the most expensive option you have.
The real costs aren't in the code; they are in the Senior Engineer Tax."
https://www.tiger-computing.co.uk/how-reduce-cost-of-managing-linux/

2026-03-27 13:02:47 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg
⚙️ The simple working setup (no nonsense version)
You’d have:
1. The AI (brain)
Runs locally (Ollama etc.)
2. Your Thatcher archive
Folder of text files:
speeches.txt
interviews.txt
quotes.txt
3. A retrieval layer
Finds relevant chunks
4. A personality prompt
Forces tone and worldview

2026-03-27 13:01:09 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg Apparently, it's doable in either Ollama or LM Studio
I like this:
With Margaret Thatcher material loaded:
You ask:
“What would you do about inflation?”
System:
Pulls 2–5 relevant Thatcher quotes/speech snippets
Feeds them in
AI responds:
In her tone, using her arguments, grounded in real material
🤣

2026-03-27 12:49:17 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg You're talking about a training model, which apparently is one level deeper than first timers should actually try, and possibly borderline Silicon Valley money.

2026-03-27 11:22:40 GMT

I'm thinking of building a Margaret Thatcher AI
Apparently, a #raspberrypi won't cut it.
My first misconception was that I needed a super processor, which is the mistake most people make. It's the GPU and RAM that's important. My 8GB GPU is adequate, but a 12GB GPU would be desirable and anything over 16GB of RAM
Also, it's no good just feeding it speeches, quotes, interviews, etc., and expecting it to just spit them out; you have to teach it those items.
RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)

2026-03-26 13:35:22 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg Here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2076645352740496

2026-03-23 11:42:47 GMT

On this day in 1919, Benito Mussolini founded the fascist movement in Italy.
And you thought it was Hitler who founded Fascism? 🤦🏻‍♂️
Musso had been a Socialist for 14 years before being expelled from the PSI for supporting Italy's entry into the First World War.
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/116/278/286/919/120/858/original/45482498207bf788.png

2026-03-21 14:53:30 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg Yes, it says: "Please tell me you don't have any children? In fact, please tell me you are not able to have any children? I don't want any more of you on this beautiful planet damaging other people's mental health!" 😛

2026-03-20 15:24:17 GMT

There is a special place in hell for people who bring their laptop into the office and then submit a support ticket because:
"My VPN is not working!"
🧠 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘵

2026-03-20 11:28:14 GMT

We have a support ticket.
"I need to be able to screenshot from Sage 50 , can you help with this please."
This begs two questions
1. Should you be screenshotting SAGE? A bit sensitive, wouldn't you say?
2. Yet again, another person employed whose job involves computer work and yet they don't know how to use the damn thing!
Depresses me so much. 😞

2026-03-20 10:11:38 GMT

Sometimes my missus has an "Ah, bless" moment. We've been watching "Handcuffed". I know, I know. Brain mush TV.
One of the contestants, Rob, has an OnlyFans account.
𝗪𝗶𝗳𝗲: "He'll be able to give that up, maybe he could become a plumber?
𝗠𝗲: "Bubb, he probably makes ten times in a day what a plumber makes in six months!"
𝗪𝗶𝗳𝗲: "Do you have to pay then?"
𝗠𝗲: "Not half, and probably the more you pay, the stronger the content."
🧠 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘴? 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺?
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/116/260/888/736/233/308/original/614724aa9189e31a.png

2026-03-09 14:53:53 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg Brings a whole new meaning to: "The fire was started by a discarded cigarette."

2026-03-02 16:41:34 GMT

Looks like everyone is starting to rattle their sabres. Old Trumpypoos has stirred up a right hornet's nest.
https://www.politico.eu/article/greece-warship-fighter-jet-cyprus-drone-strike/

2026-03-02 16:14:30 GMT

There is nothing worse than one IT guy emailing another IT guy with:
"The problem is at your end."
𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶!
#ShakesFist

2026-03-01 14:16:27 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg Err? No. Slightly worried, more like.
I can't believe morons think it's all over for the regime. Also, has America learned nothing from Iraq?
We're being told (Yest again, see WMD) that Iran sponsors terrorism. Do you honestly think they will say "Ooh, we best not plant bombs." It's the only form of combat they have against the USA and the West.

2026-03-01 05:37:17 GMT

Oh fuck.
#Iran

2026-02-25 15:30:11 GMT

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@nprofile…r9vg Sadly, the rich never got rich by giving it away.

2026-02-25 11:41:26 GMT

If working in IT has taught me anything, it's that you don't have to be intelligent to be a multi-millionaire. It's utterly depressing how chronically think some rich people are!

2026-02-17 12:40:01 GMT

Even chucked out some laptops.
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/116/086/012/363/212/046/original/00d11869a1be26ab.jpg

2026-01-28 09:34:42 GMT

Morning All
It must be nice to have a job where you are responsible for nothing and can pass the buck with impunity or shame.
#TZAG

2026-01-20 10:47:01 GMT

Somebody could have told me to install this!
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nvme-cli
sudo nvme get-feature -f 0x0c -H /dev/nvme0
#ShakesFist

2026-01-13 09:04:08 GMT

I'm convinced, some people have our number on speed dial? It's the only explanation for the phone ringing bang on 9:00 am.

2026-01-09 11:13:22 GMT

Pinched from Central Radio North West
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/864/840/449/911/749/original/a236ffb3ae9502a3.png

2026-01-08 11:43:56 GMT

"The PC in the showroom, needs resetting and is not on the internet"
Shoot me, shoot me now!

2025-12-09 15:21:11 GMT

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@nprofile…vfvp Mate, if it can't help with a simple "Does it have a report download capability?" we're all fooked.

2025-12-09 15:12:55 GMT

CoPilot is a steaming pile of ........ it basically keeps responding: "I can't do that, Dave."
"I wasn't able to generate a response. Send a new prompt or start a new chat"
#Pathetic
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/690/242/946/182/070/original/421f1657f9d1cb6b.png

2025-12-09 12:14:54 GMT

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@nprofile…vfvp Moi? As If? I'm hurt, truly I am. 😞

2025-12-09 12:03:15 GMT

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@nprofile…vfvp What odds will you give me on Trump getting a 3rd term?

2025-11-20 12:25:52 GMT

Managed to fix my very distressed QNAP TS-251B. Initially, the Admin account was foobar, and the reset wasn't working properly. My plan was to wipe it and sell it, but now, having messed with it since yesterday midday, I've taken a shine to it again. 😍
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/581/998/644/493/060/original/09fd6d5eadbbf584.png

2025-11-15 17:32:55 GMT

Anniversary afternoon tea. For thirty-four years, the daft woman has been putting up with me.
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/554/900/280/785/711/original/9243dc690f29269b.jpg

2025-10-31 11:32:31 GMT

What a morning!
On the plus side, illness is abating. Went to bed at 7.45 Last night and finally managed a good eight and a half hours' sleep.
#TZAG

2025-10-29 14:07:13 GMT

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@nprofile…vfvp TBH, you can probably get cheaper. This thing is from Amazon billed as a Childrens Tablet. Given, as I said, it'll have mainly 2FA authentication work it's more than enough for the job.

2025-10-29 14:00:22 GMT

£40 for this little tablet is pretty reasonable if you ask me. We're gonna use it for authentication as currently accounts are spread across staff mobiles. This 2FA lark is a nightmare if you manage multiple customers.
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/457/803/277/531/226/original/078ef6b0223df65c.jpg

2025-10-10 11:58:34 GMT

I am having two lunches today, stuff it! Just been out for about forty minutes, having a cup of tea with the wife at the local garden centre, and now I am having Kastu bean curry with an olive roll.
I really, really want someone to say something here, but I bet they don't.

2025-10-10 08:14:18 GMT

I'm going to laugh my nuts off if he wins. Mind you, didn't I say I'd laugh my nuts off if he won the presidency? Where did I put my nuts?
#NoblePeacePrize
https://news.sky.com/story/could-trump-win-the-nobel-peace-prize-and-who-else-could-get-it-13447068

2025-10-09 07:59:36 GMT

Morning All
Eating coloured tomatoes brings back memories of when we all thought sophistication had reached the UK in the guise of Blue Nun and Chicken Kiev.
#TZAG
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/343/147/038/310/765/original/617fcd07d8a46073.png

2025-10-06 18:55:22 GMT

Just done some upgrading.
1TB ---> 2TB M.2 (Storage)
500GB ---> 1TB M.2 (OS)
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/328/738/635/308/011/original/30106fc8cd8f5ed2.png

2025-10-06 12:14:46 GMT

I'm totally gobsmacked that the IT industry isn't overflowing with masochists.
𝗜𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘁: "I'VE BEEN HACKED!"
𝗠𝗲: "And what makes you think that?"
𝗜𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘁: "Beryl had an email supposedly from me asking her to change my bank details!"
𝗠𝗲: "And what was the sender's email address?"
𝗜𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘁: "xlitt.uk.gmail.com"
𝗠𝗲: "And is that your email address?"
𝗜𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘁: "No."
𝗠𝗲: "So what does that tell you?"
/me hums the theme tune to M.A.S.H

2025-10-06 09:19:36 GMT

If your so-called Web developer only knows how to upload your shiny new website to your hosting provider via Wordpress tools such as All-In-One WP Migration tool and dosen't know how to use FTP they might not be the best choice for the price.
Yet again, we have to set up a WP site so that a Dev can put one of our customers new site live. 🤦🏻‍♂️
#Amatuers #Lazy

2025-10-01 08:20:35 GMT

Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da
I am sitting in the morning
At the diner on the corner
I am waiting at the counter
For the man to pour the coffee
And he fills it only halfway
And before I even argue
He is looking out the window
At somebody coming in

2025-09-05 10:58:55 GMT

- reply

@nprofile…j624 People with no knowledge are far easier to deal with than smart arses who've learnt a bit and think they know it all. 🤣
TBH, the current two are possibly the best we've had. But don't let them know I said that.
𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘮' 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘦𝘮' 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘯.

2025-09-05 10:41:33 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 I dunno, they keep coming to my door and asking for help. It's a bit like a drug; it makes you feel needed. 🥺

2025-09-05 10:29:56 GMT

While having apprentices can be a pain sometimes, there's one aspect I do like. They stand and listen to what you are saying, whereas with some people, what you say goes in one ear and out the other!

2025-09-05 08:36:49 GMT

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@nprofile…rh2x It's a far better idea than LUSH shutting its shops, which I thought was stupid, as it only affected their customers.The dockers' idea hurts Israel's economy. 👍🏻

2025-09-05 08:23:05 GMT

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@nprofile…rh2x Now that's a better plan to show support!

2025-09-04 12:11:46 GMT

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Right, it's not funny, you mustn't laugh, OK?
We decommissioned a customer's site in London over twelve months ago and relocated most of the equipment back to the Midlands.
It's just come to light yesterday that the customer never ceased the lease line at £300 a month! 🙈 😱 💶

2025-09-04 11:56:51 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 Having observed a few governments over the years, I've come to some conclusions.
1. When we get into a mess, let the other party take over because they'll be forgiven for the harsh measures needed.
2. If there's a really unpopular step required, let the other party implement it, then they can say it was all our fault and they had no choice.
3. Never totally improve anything; it's better to give a little so that the voter still has something to moan about and look to be resolved.

2025-09-04 11:44:53 GMT

And you thought Labour were the good guys. 🤣
#DigitalID
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/starmer-electronic-id-cards-boat-migrants-3894663

2025-08-28 11:40:03 GMT

The first thing I intend to do when I'm elected is to reinstate the Treason laws. Obviously, we'll need to bring back hanging as the ultimate punishment, but it would seem that things like treading on flags and stepping on the cracks in pavements need to be addressed as well.
First off, I need a catchy name for my party, so I was thinking of PPF, Popular Peoples Federation, which is in no way a rip-off of the Peoples Popular Front.
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/106/165/963/917/980/original/2950ad16d1ba021d.png

2025-08-21 11:36:39 GMT

𝗜 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗡𝗢𝗧!
Hi Peter
I sent an email that was a little suspicious, but your server has rejected it, which I believe answers our question, as your firewall is possibly far better than our system.
We have deleted this.
Kind Regards,
𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 🤦🏻‍♂️

2025-08-21 07:46:55 GMT

Morning All
Driving through all the flags on my way to work and playing the Clash.
#TZAG
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/065/641/256/353/718/original/c41d421e6ef8c85a.jpg

2025-08-20 13:26:59 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 I'm gonna get Rick Rolled, aren't I?

2025-08-20 13:24:10 GMT

It comes to something when a Korean documentary on Netflix is far more interesting than UK terrestrial TV.

2025-08-20 13:07:26 GMT

This calories lark is complete bollocks if you ask me.
Mixed olives with feta cheese = 4 billion calories
Stuffed jalapeño peppers = 4 billion calories
Houmus = 4 billion calories
Corn chips = 95 calories
WTF?
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/061/241/970/804/630/original/9fb62bcfceac929b.jpg

2025-08-19 06:21:01 GMT

Morning All
Anyone for the waltzers?
#TZAG
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/115/053/979/163/324/254/original/4e019ff4f7a1e7cf.jpg

2025-08-12 13:24:29 GMT

If only I could post some people's names from our ticket system. You have to wonder if their parents hated their children's guts or they simply didn't realise what the name would translate to in English.

2025-08-12 12:23:46 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 TBH, I don't mind if they buy through us, that's par for the course. It annoys me when people do that in the first place, get you to quote them, then shop around with the info you provided, but in my book, that's taking the piss to actually state what you intended to do with my quote.
I have no choice but to quote them, but I'm a tad unhappy about it. (Can you tell? 🤣 )

2025-08-12 12:12:47 GMT

𝗜 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗡𝗢𝗧!
Hi Peter,
Hope all is well and you had a good holiday.
Please can you let me know what you would recommend for a replacement laptop for me.
Best spec v best price.
Open to suggestions so I can google and have a look.
𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗱
𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘲𝘶𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴.

2025-08-12 11:48:49 GMT

Watched the 19-year-old Reform Council Leader of Warwickshire on TV last night. He didn't exactly fill me with confidence. He came across as scared shitless.
I'm not sure, claiming that age is not important when you're responsible for a £2bn budget is reassuring. I did learn one thing. If you want to get into politics and you don't mind a little bit of stigma, join Reform. They've got so few candidates that the moment they win somewhere, you're in!
#Politics #Reform
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj61l526xlxo

2025-08-06 19:13:32 GMT

I often question my own sanity. If I'm of sound mind, then am I a dumbass?
Like a fool, I did a sale today. I sold twenty M365 Business Basic. I had constant demands to look at an invoice for our hosted exchange. My response was:
"I don't understand why you want me to see an invoice? He knows M365 comes with Exchange. We may well lose our Hosted Exchange with him. What would you like me to do? Tell him I'm not selling to him, and he buys from MS direct, and we still lose the hosted Exchange?"

2025-08-01 11:35:52 GMT

How much Houmous is too much?
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/114/953/298/080/608/513/original/5fef68f46fb1ced7.jpg

2025-07-30 11:58:02 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 I've put my phone on DND and made a cup of tea.

2025-07-30 11:39:29 GMT

And Pete has fucked up yet again. Just sent all my cost prices to a customer because I thought I was emailing my boss.
There's just too much going on at the moment. I can see it now: "Crumbles under pressure."
#Bugger

2025-07-29 09:37:04 GMT

It's going to be one of those days today.

2025-07-23 12:53:51 GMT

When did anyone start worrying about warranties?
We've all been there:
"Would you like to extend your warranty?"
"No thanks, mate, I just wanna pay and get out of here."
Customer is asking a bazillion questions about warranty on two options: New & Refurbished. It's a no-brainer. The refurbished is a much cheaper option for him, and to be honest, there's very little difference in terms of the age of the laptops.
"Just place the order so I can get back to drinking my tea!"

2025-07-22 14:36:59 GMT

Just to be clear. I'm really not bothered in the slightest if I'm blocked (or Muted). If anything, I feel sorry for you on two counts.
1. You just prove me right in that you can't take questioning of your opinion.
2. How are you going to grow or change things if you stay inside your walled garden, keeping everyone you disagree with out?
#LeSigh

2025-07-14 10:56:40 GMT

So I'm fully aware my self-confidence is off the scale. It's pretty often confused with arrogance. This may come as a surprise, but I do question my sanity on a regular basis.
🧠 "𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦? 𝘈𝘮 𝘐 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯?"
I wonder why people, who haven't spoken to me in probably five or six years think it's OK to drop [a midly] insulting comment on a post I made on another social media platform I'm on?
Of course, if I respond "Fuck off" it'll be me that's in the wrong won't it?

2025-07-10 11:34:33 GMT

Sadly, ALDI'S sushi tastes cheap. 🐟🌾
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/114/828/719/745/409/573/original/5a3a1b22066e645d.jpg

2025-06-22 13:46:12 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 I know other countries have it, I'm not sure we should. I'm not convinced UK society is [mentally] ready for it.

2025-06-22 12:44:38 GMT

Assisted Dying Bill
This is precisely why I'm not keen on it. I watched one of those fly-on-the-wall police documentaries. An 81-year-old man had struggled along with his wife to cope. Their son had learning difficulties, and he couldn't get any help. His wife died and the poor sod thought the only solution was to kill himself and his son by taking an overdose mainly because he thought nobody would look afrter his lad.
It was, tbh, a harrowing, sad story.
https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/R-v-Ivan-Potter-sentencing-remarks.pdf

2025-06-14 10:31:31 GMT

rsync reinstated on the #ArgonEON test run was successful. We shall see what happens on the 1st of the month.

2025-06-09 12:59:49 GMT

After @nprofile…34fk accused me of being a miserable fecker the other day I have tried to be Mr NiceGuy however looking through the tickets today I am desperate to phone one or two up and say:
"Please tie the largest printer you have to your neck and throw it and yourself in the canal basin and do me and the planet a huge favour!"

2025-06-04 07:50:31 GMT

See, now this is as sexy as hell, but as usual, while the promotion is "Affordable!", "inexpensive", I've had a quick look and can't find any pricing.
Anyway, shut up and take my money!
#SipSpeed #NanoCluster #Raspberrypi
https://mastodon.org.uk/deck/@[email protected]/114620930608307639
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/114/623/994/408/529/101/original/258a4331766f0956.png

2025-06-02 12:04:58 GMT

𝗜 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗡𝗢𝗧!
Today is one of those days when the most important and critical task for the company is someone reading the electricity and gas meters.
Three emails so far!
🤯 😱 🤦‍♂️

2025-05-27 13:11:49 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 What got me thinking was the fact that GPT4, for example, appears to be swamped with people creating images. Now, OK, they're probably memes, etc., but they're clearly using them.
And then there's the next thing. If all these people have great ideas and yet can't afford to pay an artist to produce their creativity, is using AI to produce their creativity such a bad thing?

2025-05-27 12:56:48 GMT

Here's a question.
If I ask AI to create an image for me, providing it with guidelines, requirements, and expectations, is that image mine?
If I asked an artist to create the same image using the same information, would that image be mine?
Surely the answer is yes in both cases?
🤔

2025-05-20 11:27:22 GMT

If I were a cynical man (Which everyone knows I'm not. 😉 ), I would have to wonder if Joe Biden's Cancer announcement is a cover story for what appears to be his chronic alzheimers.
Can you imagine the stink if it turned out he didn't know what day of the week it was while he was in power?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/05/20/joe-biden-cancer-diagnosis-donald-trump-cover-up/

2025-05-19 10:04:45 GMT

And the apprentice has handed in his notice. Still, makes a change from just not turning up.
He wasn't a bad lad, and when he was here, he was a good worker. His problem was that he allowed his personal life to affect his work life too much.

2025-05-16 14:10:22 GMT

It's very quiet today.

2025-05-07 12:18:07 GMT

So, we had an internal meeting this morning to discuss a customer who wants our Hosted VOIP service along with a whole raft of other solutions too. The customer wants roughly 700 handsets (there could be more) @ £11 a month each handset. All one person could think of was moaning about how much work it involved. 🤦‍♂️

2025-04-27 10:29:39 GMT

What a glorious Sunday.
#UKsun
https://cdn.mastodon.org.uk/media_attachments/files/114/409/457/044/807/153/original/d90e8cf0d30436c2.png

2025-04-07 14:57:14 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 Back in the day, when I ran Arch Linux, I would invoke Voodoo curse when it broke.

2025-04-07 14:49:54 GMT

📨 "Do you know my email password."
🐵 "No, but I can reset it for you?"
📨 "NO! I DON'T WANT YET ANOTHER PASSWORD TO REMEMBER!"
🐵 "Well, there's not much I can do then."
🐵 "As I said, the best solution is to purchase M365 Exchange online plan 2 or delete some emails. Archiving is no good because that counts towards your storage."
📨 "I don't want to delete any emails. I've got emails I need to send now. Isn't there anything else you can do?"
🐵 "Umm? No."

2025-04-04 11:00:13 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 Or lazy management. Demarcation is a thread that seems to run through this company for some people only from an opposite standpoint: "It's not my job!"
And yet my head, for the last 27 years years, has had to wear many hats.

2025-04-04 10:50:37 GMT

Ooh! My webmaster has just threatened to turn everything off and leave. Can you believe he's the only one that knows how to turn everything back on?
𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦!

2025-04-03 10:43:13 GMT

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@nprofile…j624 I wish I didn't get involved in fault calls. They're so depressing.

2025-04-03 10:20:03 GMT

"We cannot scan any documents. Does it have anything to do with the email issue?"
🧠 Shoot me, shoot me now!