People are quick to criticise the NHS so I thought it only right to add praise where it’s due. The back story (not very interesting) – last night, with all the athleticism of a drunken elephant, I went head over heels off my mountain bike and landed on my shoulder like a fat javelin. It [...]
Archive for April, 2007
April 25, 2007
WRITING: Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 review in shops next month
By benfrain in WritingI’ve just finished looking at the preview release of Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 for the Mac for Digital Video magazine. It’s nice to see the program back on the Mac and offering a little competition for Apple’s Final Cut Pro. The review should be in next months issue (issue 230) but if you are curious [...]
April 25, 2007
SPAM: Every so often one makes up for all the junk…
By benfrain in PersonalSpam mail and even those seldom amusing jokes that people forward often drive me nuts. However, every once in a while one comes my way that seems to make up for all the others. Here is the text of one I got this morning which rather tickled me. If you are easily offended by sexual [...]
April 19, 2007
CARS: Mini Cooper D test drive
By benfrain in Personal, WritingHad a test drive Monday. Before I get on to my thoughts, a little background… I owned a Mini Cooper 2002-2005, then a Cooper S from 2005-2006. I got rid of the Cooper S due to running expense and I was sick of having to go to the petrol station every 10 minutes I was [...]
April 16, 2007
TECH: Final Cut Studio 2? Not on Mac Mini. Why Apple needs a ‘Mac Middle’
By benfrain in Tech-tip, WritingI moved away from Mac towers (G5 and the like, now known as ‘Mac Pro’) around 12 months ago. I just didn’t need the power, expandability and frankly the noise that the towers provided. The Mac Mini has served me well since then, even running Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro etc. The only [...]
April 13, 2007
TECH: OSX – Next version delayed and it’s a very simple feature I am most eager to get my mits on!
By benfrain in Personal, Tech-tip, WritingSo Apple’s next OSX release (10.5 Leopard) is delayed until October. Funnily enough, the feature I am looking forward to most isn’t ‘Time Machine’, or even ‘Spaces’. It’s something far simpler… I am a believer that the simplest ideas are always the best and this little beauty is a stroke of genius. I am desperate [...]
April 10, 2007
MTB: Routes travelled, interactive map
By benfrain in PersonalHopefully I’ll be enjoying a few more jaunts on the good old bike across our green and pleasant lands this summer. You can see where I have been by taking a look at my interactive Google Map. I’m sticking a pin in after every journey. If you can recommend any in the locality be sure [...]
April 10, 2007
MTB: The MBR mountain bike trail in north Wales
By benfrain in PersonalTook the time to visit the MBR mountain bike route in north Wales this last weekend. A 3 hour plus journey (thanks to bank holiday traffic) but the stunning scenery of the area more than makes up for it. The MBR trail is situated at the Coed-y-Brenin, the dedicated centre enjoys showers, toilets and a [...]
April 10, 2007
POLITICS: speakout.co.uk – time for a referendum on Europe?
By benfrain in Personal, RantGood old Paul Sykes. Not only has he helped bankroll the UKIP party some time back, he has also invested in the ‘speakout’ campaign. This campaign is pushing for a referendum on returning 7 key powers back to Britain from Brussels. Anyone with a passing interest in the UK should take the time to take [...]
April 2, 2007
POLITICS: Politics Idol
By benfrain in Personal, RantQuestion to contestant, “Why do you want this?” Reply from contestant “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do” – it’s the reply most uttered by pop star wannabes on Pop Idol and the like. A phrase so vacuous and common it produces little more than a roll of eyes from anyone but the most kind [...]
