The Night Mail

[SM42]

57 minutes ago, Northmoor said:

No touch screen display within the driver's eye view should be operational when the engine is running.  I have always been staggered that they meet Construction and Use regulations.  We ban using phones while driving partly because the driver may look at the display, then manufacturers install displays for them to play with.

 

Meanwhile anyone who puts their mobile phone next to the A-pillar, creating an even bigger blind spot, should be sentenced to cycle repeatedly round a busy roundabout until they are either knocked off or soil themselves. 

 

They are allowed under the C & U regs as they give information about the state of the car and its position on the road only 

 

I put my sat nav by the A pillar 

 

It blocks my view of the first 2 ft of bonnet immediately in front of the windscreen. 

Any cyclist on that position is already in trouble. 

 

It's the people who put it dead centre  under the rear view mirror I can't undetstand. 

 

That's a bit ypu need to see out of. 

 

Andy

[AndyID]

10 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

 designed to operate all contactless.

 

"contactless" as in "employing fewer people"

 

We were having a problem with ants chomping on some of the woodwork in the house so we decided to get the pros in to sort it. We called quite a few outfits and all we got were automated responses except for one where a real person picked up the phone. They immediately got the business.

 

The field manager guy came round the same day. I told him about the phone business and he told me the company he works for had tried to do the same automated crepe. He went ballistic with them and they got rid of it.

[jamie92208]

45 minutes ago, Northmoor said:

This is like one of our office buildings.  The blinds can be operated by a menu in each corner of the building; up/down & tilt more/less.  Unfortunately they are also automatic so decide when it's too bright or not.  You set them how you and your colleagues like them and ten minutes later it over-rules you.  I've described it as like having an Electronic Mother-in-Law in the office.

I once went to a domestic where a real, not electronic mother in law was the problem.  My colleague and I separated the husband and wife and started asking them their version of events. The Mil was sat at the back of the kitchen.  Every time we asked a question of either spouse the fpdragon in law answered my colleague was not Pc and after a few questions turned to the gorgon and said." If you don't shut you f**king mouth woman, I'm goi g to lock you up.". Her jaw dropped open and she went silent.  At this point the husband held his hands out and asked us to take him away.  When we got outside he turned to us and said, I've been wanting to do that for years. I don't care what happens now, it was worth it to see her face. 

 

All good fun on a Sunday morning in Morley. 

 

Jamie

[PupCam]

On 29/09/2024 at 19:41, J. S. Bach said:

You don't have a ZOOM? I thought everyone had a ZOOM, even I have one!

 

I've got a ZOOM.    It's an old Vivitar 70mm-210mm.   Wasn't bad in its day  but its day is past and it hasn't be used or even seen for years.

 

On 29/09/2024 at 16:51, The White Rabbit said:

Speaking of keeping on the straight and narrow... 

 

Honey Wagon Mk 2... a reincarnation as a camera wagon. Not this weekend, the weather is ... pants. But after some invites to others' lines, the old grey matter started churning and I thought about getting a different angle on things. I don't have a camcorder, just a compact digital camera, with a video option. This is around 20 years old and is starting to slow down a bit now. But I've had some good results from it and thought I'd try a little experiment. As well as shooting the odd clip of trains passing, I thought a driver's eye view could be interesting. So I took the 'honey wagon' one plank and removed the timber insert. With care, the compact camera will fit on the wagon. For obvious reasons, I had to build a cradle for it to sit in - this time, I used some spare plastic sheet and Plaststruct as an insert.

The cradle is rather basic and crude but holds the camera securely in place. I tried it on my shunting puzzle layout and then on a neighbour's line at his next steam up. The footage came out well, it shows the camera's age but was well received by the others attending. Our 'official' group cameraman has used the idea since with better and more modern equipment and is threatening to show some at the Exeter show next month.

 

 

 

I won't post the You Tube links (they show some details which it may not be appropriate to publicise) but took a few screengrabs.

 

 

I coupled the wagon to a battery 'diesel' loco and ran this as smoothly and steadily as possible round the line. This shot is coming 'off shed'.

 

 

Another idea I had was to do something a bit different - reverse the direction of travel and get another group member to drive a train behind me, to get some footage of a train from a train. It took a little practice but this gave some interesting angles:

 

 

 

Anyone for a remake of 'The General'? 

 

I do like a video a driver's or pilot's eye view hence my forum moniker.    This is a good few years old now but was the culmination of my down-linking live video experiments from, in this case, a  good friend's 1/3 scale Sopwith Pup

 

 

 

23 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

The moronic lane assist  on the crap courtesy car I have just flashes an orange light on the dash panel and tries to steer the car - usually into the hedge - but at least it is fairly easy to override it. Tomorrow I'm going to spend some time playing with the onboard computer to see whether I can figure out how to turn it off. On Tuesday I have to drive the thing down to Bedford and back and the thought of what it will try to do on the motorways is too horrible to contemplate.

 

12 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

This rant was brought to you on behalf of the Luddite Car Appreciation Society. Motto; keep things simple for the Luddites.

 

Please note that no sheds were harmed in the production of this statement.

 

Via La Shedless

 

All such "aids" should be banned in this Luddit's opinion.   Drivers should DRIVE the vehicle not the vehicle driving itself.   Anything that enables the driver to take their eye off of the ball are not a safety aid they are a hazard and an accident waiting to happen.

 

8 hours ago, polybear said:

At the very least all cars should have a spare wheel well big enough for a full-size wheel.

 

...... and a spare wheel to fill it.

 

1 hour ago, AndyID said:

 

Teslas are an abomination. From the manual:

 

"Use the touchscreen to control many features that, in traditional cars, are controlled using physical buttons (for example, adjusting the cabin heating and air conditioning, headlights, etc.). You also use the touchscreen to control media, navigate, use entertainment features, and customize Model S to suit your preferences. For hands-free access to common touchscreen controls, use voice commands (see Voice Commands).

If the touchscreen is unresponsive or demonstrates unusual behavior, you can restart it (see Restarting the Touchscreen)."

 

And you know why they do it that way?. It's cheaper than knobs and buttons.

 

(They even tell you how to reboot it when their crepy software goes haywire 😮)

 

Clearly they know their software is carp if they feel obliged to tell you how to reset it should it become "unresponsive".

 

1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said:

I still haven't managed to figure out how to shut down the 'driver assist' carp on the loan car and tomorrow I have to drive it to Bedford where I'm giving a talk in the evening.

 

Oh where and when?   Do tell us more.   Should I venture out to come and heckle enjoy an interesting hour or two?   Will you be speaking of those funny red coloured moving machines?

 

 

[BSW01]

When I retired, I ordered a car as I’d had a company car for 28 years. The car DIDN’T come with a spare wheel, just a puncture repair kit. So, I made sure to order a spare wheel (space saver type) when I placed my order. I’m glad I did, as I’ve used the spare a few times now. The annoying thing is though, the wheels off the car, won’t fit in the wheel well! 

Edited 1 hour ago by BSW01

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

Oh where and when?   Do tell us more.   Should I venture out to come and heckle enjoy an interesting hour or two?   Will you be speaking of those funny red coloured moving machines?

No, I’m talking about the great contractor Thomas Brassey who built so much of Britain’s railways up to 1870. It’s at St. John’s church hall St. John’s St. Bedford at 7.30 pm.

 

Dave

[iL Dottore]

Currently "enjoying"  (if that's the right word) Bangkok as transit to Tokyo.

 

Now the Thai Airways Business class may not be the very best around, but they dont skimp on the important things: I asked for "the 12 year old Glenfiddich and I'll add the water" and they gave me this:

At least a double treble I reckon (and the photo is of the glass before I added a wee drop of water....)

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from the Piedmont.

[BR60103]

I think that the engineers have a competition to see who can put the most functions on one button.  Our bedside radio is like that. (Extra feature: when the morning alarm comes on, pushing any button puts it in snooze for 5 or 10 minutes. even volume control.)

Ours has a random message "keep your hands on the wheel" even though it's been held in a terror grip for the last 20 minutes.*

Also, there is a beep, then I have to search all over the dash for the message.

 

* mentioned this to our service advisor last visit, then sang her:

"Keep your mind on your driving;  / Keep your hands on the wheel;/ Keep your soupy eyes on the road ahead."  She was too young to remember it.

 

[polybear]

7 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

The building our office is in is all app controlled, it's a pain in the behind. No access card, you can set up facial recognition or se an app, that allows you through the security gates which directs you to a lift, you can't just press floor 21 and wait. The office door lock is electronic (though with a mechanical override on the inside to get out if necessary). To invite guests, book a room etc you have to use the app. When it opened (we moved into it when it was new) it got a lot of publicity as it was during the pandemic and it was on local TV news as having been designed to operate all contactless.

 

There was a news article a few years ago about a Company in Singapore (?) Hong Kong(?) that had a "Fire Drill" and cleared the Building of all staff.  Once all were outside they were all collectively told that they could now re-enter the Building one-by-one using their electronic passes; if the Pass didn't work then unfortunately they were out of a job and their personal effects would be sent to them....

 

8 hours ago, Northmoor said:

No touch screen display within the driver's eye view should be operational when the engine is running.  I have always been staggered that they meet Construction and Use regulations.  We ban using phones while driving partly because the driver may look at the display, then manufacturers install displays for them to play with.

 

Meanwhile anyone who puts their mobile phone next to the A-pillar, creating an even bigger blind spot, should be sentenced to cycle repeatedly round a busy roundabout until they are either knocked off or soil themselves. 

 

Bear once saw a woman driving in Kuwait that was using her Laptop whilst driving....

 

7 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

I once went to a domestic where a real, not electronic mother in law was the problem.  My colleague and I separated the husband and wife and started asking them their version of events. The Mil was sat at the back of the kitchen.  Every time we asked a question of either spouse the fpdragon in law answered my colleague was not Pc and after a few questions turned to the gorgon and said." If you don't shut you f**king mouth woman, I'm goi g to lock you up.". Her jaw dropped open and she went silent.  At this point the husband held his hands out and asked us to take him away.  When we got outside he turned to us and said, I've been wanting to do that for years. I don't care what happens now, it was worth it to see her face. 

 

All good fun on a Sunday morning in Morley. 

 

Jamie

 

Funniest thing I've read in ages....🤣

Bear has never had a MiL ......have I mentioned that?😁

 

5 hours ago, BSW01 said:

When I retired, I ordered a car as I’d had a company car for 28 years. The car DIDN’T come with a spare wheel, just a puncture repair kit. So, I made sure to order a spare wheel (space saver type) when I placed my order. I’m glad I did, as I’ve used the spare a few times now. The annoying thing s though, the wheels off the car, won’t fit in the wheel well! 

 

Which is really useful when you're driving to the Airport with the boot crammed with luggage....

[jamie92208]

Good morning from a very damp Charente.  Shopping to do. 

 

Jamie

[jjb1970]

2 hours ago, polybear said:

 

There was a news article a few years ago about a Company in Singapore (?) Hong Kong(?) that had a "Fire Drill" and cleared the Building of all staff.  Once all were outside they were all collectively told that they could now re-enter the Building one-by-one using their electronic passes; if the Pass didn't work then unfortunately they were out of a job and their personal effects would be sent to them....

 

One of my pet hates is managers and senior people doing that by e-mail, or zoom call so they don't have to look at their staff when they tell them to clear off. I know in a large company it'll be delegated to local management but I tend to think if someone has worked for you they deserve the courtesy of being told they're being sent down the road and why.

[Oldddudders]

10 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

 

One of my pet hates is managers and senior people doing that by e-mail, or zoom call so they don't have to look at their staff when they tell them to clear off. I know in a large company it'll be delegated to local management but I tend to think if someone has worked for you they deserve the courtesy of being told they're being sent down the road and why.

About 20 years ago, I recall Network Rail announcing that on a particular morning everyone who was no longer required would find a letter on their desk. I bet a lot of people had trouble sleeping! I was never in such an unhappy position, and in the later years never really knew why I was treated with a degree of deference. It was as if my having 'been there and done that' counted for something. It doesn't. Only your performance in your present role matters. 

[polybear]

41 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

 

One of my pet hates is managers and senior people doing that by e-mail, or zoom call so they don't have to look at their staff when they tell them to clear off. I know in a large company it'll be delegated to local management but I tend to think if someone has worked for you they deserve the courtesy of being told they're being sent down the road and why.

The last Blast Furnace in the UK shut down yesterday; that’ll have a big impact on Port Talbot

[Happy Hippo]

10 hours ago, PupCam said:

 

I've got a ZOOM.    It's an old Vivitar 70mm-210mm.   Wasn't bad in its day  but its day is past and it hasn't be used or even seen for years.

 

 

I do like a video a driver's or pilot's eye view hence my forum moniker.    This is a good few years old now but was the culmination of my down-linking live video experiments from, in this case, a  good friend's 1/3 scale Sopwith Pup

 

 

I waited and waited and waited, for that little Fokker to put a lot of holes in the wings of the Pup.

[Happy Hippo]

19 minutes ago, polybear said:

The last Blast Furnace in the UK shut down yesterday; that’ll have a big impact on Port Talbot

Cleaner air for starters.

 

It was the same with the opencast at Fos Y Fran.  Effectively shut down because of the dust pollution.

 

 

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, Oldddudders said:

About 20 years ago, I recall Network Rail announcing that on a particular morning everyone who was no longer required would find a letter on their desk. I bet a lot of people had trouble sleeping! I was never in such an unhappy position, and in the later years never really knew why I was treated with a degree of deference. It was as if my having 'been there and done that' counted for something. It doesn't. Only your performance in your present role matters. 

I heard a rumour that your job was always safe, due to the two gentlemen who followed you around, (Knuckles and Crusher if I remember correctly,) who were provided by your Uncles Ronnie and Reggie.

[Happy Hippo]

As those that are well acquainted with my scattergun thoughts know, I do tend to flit from fantasy to fantasy with a short break for the occasional lucid thought.

 

One such thought passed through my head this morning.

 

I am the nickname of a diesel multiple unit aka The Class 175.

 

 

 

 

I can think of Polybear:

 

The Great Bear

 

And the illustrious DH:

 

A Hughes....

 

...Crab.