Category: learning curve

Feedly so far

Posted on

As part of that “What do we do now that Google Reader is disappearing?” post, I mentioned that I was going to try the “seamless transition” for Google Reader users promised by Feedly.

It’s been a few days since I “defected” (according to Engadget), but I took at least 499,999 others with me.

It multiplied its bandwidth ten times over, added new servers to cope with the sudden influx and hopes to keep the service up as much as possible as more users pour in. In an effort to keep its new clientele happy, Feedly has promised to listen to suggestions and add new features on a weekly basis as well.

What is interesting is that with so many different RSS aggregators out there and with Google Reader still working as usual until 1st July, if 500,000 Google Reader users have already gone to Feedly, exactly how many users did Reader have?

Lots of upset people.

As for me and Feedly, we’re getting on just fine. Syncing is quick and accurate across devices and the UI is decidedly similar to where I came from, which is nice as well. Sharing is easy and I’ve also installed Pocket, which integrates beautifully with Feedly and which I’ve already used more than I thought I ever would.

So, no problems thus far here: I’m happy with my choice and I’d recommend it if you’re still looking for an alternative RSS reader.

Slate: Earth Hour is all wrong

Posted on

Ah yes. Another annual opportunity for slacktivism approaches. If you’re all done with clicking LIKE to cure some Indian child with a facial abscess and you’ve signed that online petition against whales (or Wales), you too can switch your lights off for an hour and save the planet.

Or… er… not:

If switching off the lights for one hour per year really were beneficial, why would we not do it for the other 8,759?
Hypothetically, switching off the lights for an hour would cut CO2 emissions from power plants around the world. But, even if everyone in the entire world cut all residential lighting, and this translated entirely into CO2 reduction, it would be the equivalent of China pausing its CO2 emissions for less than four minutes.

Well worth it then? No.

As the United Kingdom’s National Grid operators have found, a small decline in electricity consumption does not translate into less energy being pumped into the grid, and therefore will not reduce emissions. Moreover, during Earth Hour, any significant drop in electricity demand will entail a reduction in CO2 emissions during the hour, but it will be offset by the surge from firing up coal or gas stations to restore electricity supplies afterward.

But if you do still decide to continue with switching the lights off, then don’t even think about lighting a candle:

[They] are still fossil fuels—and almost 100 times less efficient than incandescent light bulbs. Using one candle for each switched-off bulb cancels out even the theoretical CO2 reduction; using two candles means that you emit more CO2.

That won’t bother anyone taking part though, because they will feel that they are doing their bit, making a difference. And while a little bit of me wants to correct them on that fact, it’ll only upset them. And the only thing worse than a misinformed tree-hugger is a sad tree-hugger.

But, if you are one of those people who thinks that they can absolve themselves of all their environmental misdeeds simply by clicking a switch on Saturday, perhaps you should consider a better way of reducing your impact on the planet, because what you are planning is a complete waste of time – and electricity.

Ankle update

Posted on

Thanks for your comments on Facebook and on here. The news is good.

A quick squeeze and tug (ooer!) on my ankle revealed that things are apparently healing nicely. And that means that my surgeon (who never actually surged me) has suggested that I can see a physiotherapist and *gasp* start to learn to walk again. He even suggested that I would be “back to normal” in 6 months, which would be perfect for my first game of footy just ahead of my birthday, as I had planned.

The only problem with this scenario is my brain. Given that any slight knock, bump or bit of downward pressure on my ankle generally causes me brief, but blinding agony, my boot – which I had previously seen as rather annoying – I now see as a security blanket.
Even taking my boot off while sitting in bed feels weird. Getting my brain to agree to putting any weight on my bad leg feels completely impossible right now. I shudder even thinking about it. So maybe thinking about it is not what I need to do.

I’m off to Physio this afternoon and we’ll go from there. The road ahead might be long, but at least it’s now straight enough to be able to see my destination.

D-Day

Posted on

Today’s the day – in fact this morning’s the morning – when I get an updated prognosis on my ankle.

My overly-optimistic side thinks that I will be ready for a game of footy on the weekend, my more realistic side reckons I’m going to be stuck in my moonboot 24/7 for another few weeks.

boot The big thing for me would be permission to drive again.

But whatever the news from the orthopod, there will be some good news as I apparently get to (finally) pick up my apparently repaired camera from next door to the hospital.

Expect many photos of my bedroom walls in the upcoming days.

Cruise Ship Accident Exercise – Tuesday 12th March

Posted on

Disseminating this sort of information will do no good. It never does. Twitter will still be buzzing with “OMG!” and “What’s going on?” tweets on Tuesday morning. Facebook will catch up by next week.

Remember those fire drills at school? Well, they’re going to have a cruise ship disaster drill off Mouille Point tomorrow:

The City of Cape Town wishes to inform residents that a simulated major cruise ship ‘accident’ close to the Port of Cape Town will be conducted on Tuesday 12 March 2013.
The exercise will test the preparedness and ability of the authorities and related agencies to respond to an incident involving an international cruise ship running aground.
Code-named ‘Beachy’, the joint scenario exercise will be led by the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre.

Of course, even in these days of modern technology when you wouldn’t expect maritime disasters to even be possible, you don’t have to go too far back to remember the last time a cruise ship ran aground.

Italy Ship Aground

So this sort of preparedness is to be applauded.

The accident will take place off-shore from the Mouille Point Lighthouse and a verification and mass-care centre will be established at the Cape Town Stadium to assist survivors of the cruise liner disaster.
Residents living in the vicinity are alerted that the exercise will involve a large contingent of armed forces, law enforcement agencies and emergency and disaster management personnel.
Helicopters from the SA Air Force and the Western Cape Government Health: Emergency Medical Services  will be utilised to evacuate ‘casualties’ from the ship.

If you’ve got a camera and the ability to walk (sadly, I have neither right now), it might be worth going down there and having a look.

But if you can’t get down there, share this post, educate your friends and prevent unnecessary widespread panic on the streets of the Atlantic Seaboard tomorrow.