Nick Jordan

Google’s RSS reader has just received a bit of a makeover. On the whole, I like the new interface - it’s faster, looks nicer and works properly in Konqueror as well as more mainstream browsers. I’m not quite so enamoured of the way it lists feeds under the tags but I can live with it. I also miss being able to hit the space bar to move to the next item in the list. You have to use ‘j’ instead, now. Apart from those very minor gripes I’m very impressed, though. If you’re looking for a good RSS reader and you have (or don’t mind signing up for) a Google account, I’d strongly recommend giving it a try.

When private locks shackle public works. A very nice piece by the ever-reasonable Bill Thompson on Microsoft’s new Zune media player and Digital Rights Management. Protecting the public domain and Creative Commons-type licensing is becoming increasingly important, and companies like Microsoft who would trample over the rights of users in order to mollify big business should be sent a clear message that we won’t tolerate their behaviour.

If you’re in the market for a portable media player, don’t buy a Microsoft Zune or similar. Find one that doesn’t impose unnecessary (and possibly illegal in the case of Creative Commons licensed material) restrictions.

We’ve run out of tea bags at work and I’m way too idle to go and get some more, so this morning I popped a few from home into a tin and put them in my bag. Unfortunately, the tin I used is an old cinnamon flavoured Altoids one and it’s imparted a rather strange flavour to my tea. Not entirely unpleasant, just a little odd. Think ordinary bog-standard tea but with a slight hint of mint and cinnamon.

I’ve just seen the new Conservative Party logo, courtesy of the Guardian. The first thing I noticed is that the trunk (as well as the ground around it) is blue. Have these people never seen a tree? A quick word of advice, guys and gals: step outside and look at a few trees. Note the colours of the various bits. Now try again.

Canal dreaming: solving the energy crisis. Guy Kewney is definitely onto something here. I’ve long thought that the canal network could still be useful for transporting non-perishable goods, but he’s gone way beyond that simple idea. I’m sure there would be massive difficulties but I think that there would also be massive benefits to putting the canal system to work in the way that he suggests.

Conductor criticises air security. It does seem to me that it shouldn’t be beyond the wit of the authorities to devise a means for maintaining security whilst allowing musicians to transport their instruments safely.

I’m back at work after a very relaxing holiday, made more relaxing by the fact that I didn’t go abroad and thus didn’t have to put up with the horror that is flying these days. On the other hand, the ride home yesterday was extremely windy and, on a couple of occasions, terrifying. Still, I made it in one piece and now have the joy of catching up on all the stuff that’s accumulated while I’ve been away. Never mind, it was worth it.