Life

Life - Technology

Daylight Savings Time and Unix Cron

March 30, 2009 by 0 Comments

Until recently I was of the opinion that, in Ireland, when the clocks change in Spring and Autumn to account for Daylight Savings Time, they always do so at 2am. Having never given it too much thought over the years, I was surprised to find out last weekend that the time they actually change differs depending on whether the clocks are going forward (Spring) or backward (Autumn).

In Ireland, the clocks go forward one hour at 1am (in Spring) but when they go back again in Autumn, they actually do so at 2am. You can confirm this for yourself on the Greenwich Meantime site for Ireland.

There is an important lesson in this too for administrators of the Unix operating system. Never schedule an import cron task between the hours of 1:00am and 2:00am because if you do, it will not run on the weekend when DST comes into effect and it may be run twice on the weekend where DST ends.

Life

Questions & Answers no more

March 11, 2009 by 0 Comments

After 21 years at the helm of the RTÉ current affairs programme, Questions & Answers, the presenter John Bowman has decided to call it a day (to focus on other projects).

For me this programme is famed for the appearances of the legend that is Willie O’Dea, who (it was once alleged) only ever seems to appear when the Fianna Fáil Government are knee-deep in controversy. There is no one quite like Willie to shout down every other panel member, no matter what the topic. One of my favourite quotes from him is, “Sure, sure, sure … the-the-the last time that crowd were in Government, they left the health service in rag order“  in reference to whether the current opposition could have any real impact on the heath service.

RTÉ did indicate that they are planning to unveil another current affairs programme to occupy the same slot but without John or Willie on board, will it be as entertaining? Only time will tell.

Source: RTE News

Life

Did you know 112 is the new 999?

February 11, 2009 by 0 Comments

I’m continually surprised by how few Irish friends and family actually know about the alternative/European-wide emergency telephone number 112. In a recent survey by Eurobarometer, only 9% of Irish citizens said they had ever received any information about this number and just 16% knew it could be used anywhere in Europe.

Considering the number was first introduced way back in 1991 and became a European-wide legal requirement in 1998, it’s amazing that so few people in my home country are still unaware of it.

Source: RTE News

Life - Waterford

Blaas win European Bakery Award

November 23, 2008 by 1 Comment

As a long suffering purveyor of the merits and delights of Waterford’s most famous delicacy, the humble Blaa (a square-shaped yeast roll), it was with an enormous sense of pride, delight and downright, “I told ‘ya so”, that Waterford celebrated international recognition for the Blaa earlier this week in the form of a Euro-toques award.

In particular, four stalwort Waterford bakeries, Hickey’s and M&D of Waterford City, Harney’s of Kilmacow and Barron’s of Cappoquin were commended for their continued traditional production of the famous roll.

Related Articles: Irish Times, The Munster Express

Life - Technology

Effective (but annoying) Smoke Alarms

November 10, 2008 by 0 Comments

I was greeted this evening upon my return home from work by a high-pitched chirping tone emitting from all 3 of my smoke alarms, every 40 seconds or so. Since each of the alarms appear to be wired to some sort of recessed connection in the ceiling, I presumed that they were being powered from an electrical circuit within my home (and not by battery).

However, I could not find any circuit breakers with an obvious connection to the smoke alarm circuitry, nor could I find any reason for the incessant (and increasingly more annoying) chirping. I even tried disconnecting each alarm in turn (not recommended I know) but the chirping persisted as did my rising frustration levels.

Upon closer inspection of the label on the rear of the alarms, I discovered a very well disguised (and not very obvious) battery compartment, with a 9V battery inside. Even more impressive (and annoying) was the fact that the chirping continued after I removed the (now suspect) battery. There was nothing for it, I simply had to get into my car and drive to the local shop to buy 3 replacement batteries and eventually, almost 10 minutes after I’d replaced the batteries, the chirping finally stopped. This was indicated on the label though (the fact that it could take up to 10 minutes for the circuitry to recover from a replaced battery).

In hindsight of course, I am highly impressed by this little piece of technology. Firstly, it was telling me that the battery was wasted (nothing new there) but moreso by the fact that, no matter what I tried to do, there was no way it was letting me away with replacing the battery.

I’m just glad it didn’t try to tell me at 4am in the morning!

Humour - Life

The Mom Song

October 30, 2008 by 0 Comments

As parents of a delightful and vibrant 4 year old (going on 40), my wife and I constantly find ourselves re-using phrases that our parents used (in vain) on us. This regularly brings a smile to my face and I frequently pause to ponder about our own parent’s emotions back then, and how they must feel now looking at us going through the same thing.

I guess if I find myself witnessing history repeating itself once more in 20-30 years time, I’ll have passed on a little magic of my own, and may even be able to answer my own question.

With this in mind, my brother-in-law sent me this fine piece of art that captures many of the everyday phrases that our mothers undoubtedly used on us all. Enjoy!

Life

Brain Surgery with a Banjo

October 15, 2008 by 2 Comments

We’ve all seen the documentary where the surgeon operates on a patient’s brain while the patient is still awake, placing electrodes at various points in and around the brain, observing the patient’s behaviour and responses to certain tasks they are asked to say and do, thus increasing the accuracy and effectiveness of their work.

Well, surgeons in the Nashville, Tennessee have just taken this to a new level with the legendary Blue Grass musician Eddie Addock. They actually asked Eddie to bring his Banjo with him to the operating theatre and had him play it while they operated on brain, ensuring that their efforts to cure his essential tremor symptoms didn’t adversely affect his livelihood and life-long passion for music.

So what would you bring to the operating theatre to aid the surgeons?

Source: SlashDot

Life

The facts about Kangaroo expulsions

October 1, 2008 by 0 Comments

Yet another fine example of the accuracy of the phrase, “You learn something new every day“…

The high levels of methane emissions from the belches and farts of the world’s many farm animals is becoming the subject of increasing concern due to the detrimental effects this could have on climate change. It turns out that when a Kangaroo breaks wind, it emits far less methane and is therefore less damaging to the environment.

Should we expect to see more restaurants serving Kangaroo from now on?

Source: RTE News

Life

Ronnie Drew R.I.P.

August 16, 2008 by 0 Comments

Today will go down as a say day in the annals of Irish folk music as it marks the death of Irish musical legend, Ronnie Drew. Most famous for his role as the singer with the Irish folk group, The Dubliners, Ronnie passed away earlier today in Dublin after a long illness. He was just 73 years of age.

Ronnie was almost as famous for his immaculately groomed white beard as he was for his unique voice. Whether he was talking or singing, or looking down the lens of a camera, Ronnie was unmistakably himself. He was truly one of a kind in every way possible and his passing will leave a void in Irish life for some time to come.

As we say in Ireland, “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” which translates to, “May his soul be on God’s right side”.