RMweb Gold ChrisN Posted June 1, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 1, 2015 I understand that the Vikings were able to navigate using latitude. So, sail to the bottom of Norway, turn right, keep going straight, Shetlands on your left, Faroes on your right, you are on course for Iceland. Missed it! Found North America! This is how a book on the Vikings explained it. Very impressive though when you see their boats. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emt_911 Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Can I comment on how pleased I am with the way this thread is going at the moment? We have distinct, but sometimes intertwined, discussions on: Maps Computer operating systems Experiences in the Armed Forces Navigation Light Pollution Walking and the environment Space probes Fantastic folks. I've NEVER tried to "drive" any of the threads I've started and I certainly don't need to here. A pleasure to sit back and let you go "at it". Add in the humour - brilliant. And Andy's been noticeable by his absence - wait until he appears.... Jeff You forgot photography 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ChrisN Posted June 1, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 1, 2015 Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 8.1. The NHS runs on XP, and IE -54 as well. Why? It works and is fairly stable. Don't ask what will happen when that falls over. That however is modern. I know one University research department which is running 80ks worth of kit using computers with Windows 98. The problem is of course when they finally fall over the kit is useless. It is not just a case of loading 98 onto a newer computer, they also need to ancient connectors on the back as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emt_911 Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 "but if you want to do anything useful - forget it!" I wouldn't agree with that. On all my computers there is no Skype, Farcebook, Twitter, no use of webmail, no porn. Just plenty of productivity, Database design, website design and maintenance, image manipulaion with Photoshop, lots of Excel spreadsheet work, desktop publishing, oh, and I pop on here when I get time. There is none of that on mine either. Plenty of database design and databases, website design, image manipulation, fire alarm installation schematics, spreadsheets and the bits I need for planning and getting paid 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Hi Mick. Not only myself but several others have tried compatability mode. Some of the fire alarm panels just don't like communicating like this. Sad but true Yeah, I sympathise, not all things work. There are an awful lot of gaming machines in pubs that are running XP which won't work on anything else, a one armed bandit is probably an apt desciption Bit ironic, I've got a program from 1996 that runs ok in win 8.1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted June 1, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2015 You forgot photography Very true! I must be going senile as I was the one who was asking about it! Or is it that I just can't keep up with all the stuff you guys are piling in here? What next? A discussion on Viking weaponry and how it evolved into the modern st**m eng**e? Oops - bad boy, wrong thread! Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 You forgot photography have we had music? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted June 1, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2015 I'll just say one thing regarding Windows OS. I was very happy - many years ago - with Windows 98, but when my computer passed away the new one, inevitably had an "improved" version. I'm currently VERY happy with Windows 7. I would happily go on with that, but when my machine wears out - here we go again.... I know there are security and technological improvements, but many people are quite happy with what they've got. But in that scenario, Microsoft makes no money. I'll say no more on the subject. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 8.1. The NHS runs on XP, and IE -54 as well. Why? It works and is fairly stable. Don't ask what will happen when that falls over. That however is modern. I know one University research department which is running 80ks worth of kit using computers with Windows 98. The problem is of course when they finally fall over the kit is useless. It is not just a case of loading 98 onto a newer computer, they also need to ancient connectors on the back as well. The 'new' of today is aimed at mobile phones and tablets. Business and those who prefer desktops are getting left behind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 There is none of that on mine either. Plenty of database design and databases, website design, image manipulation, fire alarm installation schematics, spreadsheets and the bits I need for planning and getting paid That should be first on your list Duncan and you missed off "so I can buy plenty of ****w** stuff" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Too much computing, time for a little light hearted music 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted June 1, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2015 Evening all! edited Interesting fact: Columbus landed in South America not the North. That was the Vikings which is something most American's tend to ignore! Pity really! Just think how much fun they could have had celebrating Ethelburt the Bloody-Handed Slayer Day! (EDIT: Just noticed Jock's already mentioned it. Sorry Jock!) Regards Bill Hi Bill Now you have brought up American history, they do not celebrate Let's Give Europe Lung Cancer Day instead of Thanksgiving either. Well before the Pilgrim Fathers had even set sail for the New World the London Company had established tobacco farming at their Jamestown colony. Funny that the Americans do not feel the need to say that their first major profitable export to the Old World was an addictive killer drug. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 The problem with all versions of windows is that they are designed for the masses with what Microsoft think you should have, unless you are able, willing or have the time to delve into the workings of the OS to tweak it. it will always be cr*ppish and fall over. Never had any trouble with Vista, unlike the other 95% of users. Did you try compatability mode with your old programs on Windows 7? I never use any of windows 'inbuilt' programs like IE, Paint, Windows Explorer, etc., just use all 3rd party stuff that I can configure how I want it to look and work. You will like the Mac for graphic work unfortunately it just lacks the wide variety off 3rd party software, and before someone says that it will run windows software, I know that but why buy a Mac when a cheap windows machine will do the same. "but if you want to do anything useful - forget it!" I wouldn't agree with that. On all my computers there is no Skype, Farcebook, Twitter, no use of webmail, no porn. Just plenty of productivity, Database design, website design and maintenance, image manipulaion with Photoshop, lots of Excel spreadsheet work, desktop publishing, oh, and I pop on here when I get time. Hi Mick! Like you I've never had problems with Vista, apart from the odd exception it throws up when using Poser (not helpful when you've just spent X number of hours on something only to have the computer crash when you try to save it!). The problem stems from Windows insistence on backgrading the graphics hardware drivers to something it wants rather than what you want. Not a lot of help when you've just paid £900 to upgrade your graphics card only to have Windows rubbish the software. If you re-install the drivers the next reboot produces the same result. My 'old' programs (Cinema4D, Maya, Mudbox, Bryce, Poser, Lightwave, ZBrush and Photoshop) are all automatically upgraded as and when available, and I pay a fair amount of loose change every year for the privilege so compatability mode is at best a stop-gap, especially when the parameters change every time an upgrade takes place! The question is why go to all that time and trouble (and loss of output!) just to keep things running when all my programs are available in Mac-compatable versions which run without problems and the solution is to advise vendors that the next upgrade will be downloading to a Mac OS. I have used Mac's in the past which is why the new WorkStation is a Mac. Windows will remain on my laptop but that's it! I will, however, change my statement to "but if you want to do anything useful with 3D graphics - forget it!" Regards Bill 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emt_911 Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Too much computing, time for a little light hearted music I kept being interrupted and had to watch it several times :jester: 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Try this one guys, Daughter gave her Dad an I-Pad for his Birthday and askes him how he's getting on with it. Its in German but you'll get the Gist of it. http://www.snotr.com/embed/8965 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PeterBB Posted June 1, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) Try this one guys, Daughter gave her Dad an I-Pad for his Birthday and askes him how he's getting on with it. Its in German but you'll get the Gist of it. http://www.snotr.com/embed/8965 This is a really great one! I have not been given an iPad yet and would probably not know what to do with it. Software wise one could say "bring back DOS" because it concentrated the mind to get it right using minimal software (the only problem being its limitations). I started to fill in a questionnaire on mobile usage once ... it asked me to indicate what type of mobile I had and gave a synopsis on the classification. The lowest form could make and receive telephone calls; send and receive text messages AND take photographs. Obviously they did not take account of those that could not do all of those things like mine which also has the annoying habit of turning itself off. It also does not have what I refer to as 'a proper telephone ring' and the response from the company was that it has a number of 'ring tones'. When I do not initially respond people still have to tell me that it is my mobile ringing. Going onto navigation. I carry the latest edition of a well known road map book but, in my work SatNavs have proved to be a very valuable tool. How can you find a specific address in loads of traffic if you have to remember all the turns in a street map before you start unless of course you have 'The Knowledge'?. They are in works vehicles, require you to log in and record everything you do. Not a worry to me but a general email has been sent informing employees to watch their speed or in this forum should I say velocity? Cheers, Peter Edit - spelling only PBB Edited June 1, 2015 by PeterBB 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Hi Mick! Like you I've never had problems with Vista, apart from the odd exception it throws up when using Poser (not helpful when you've just spent X number of hours on something only to have the computer crash when you try to save it!). The problem stems from Windows insistence on backgrading the graphics hardware drivers to something it wants rather than what you want. Not a lot of help when you've just paid £900 to upgrade your graphics card only to have Windows rubbish the software. If you re-install the drivers the next reboot produces the same result. My 'old' programs (Cinema4D, Maya, Mudbox, Bryce, Poser, Lightwave, ZBrush and Photoshop) are all automatically upgraded as and when available, and I pay a fair amount of loose change every year for the privilege so compatability mode is at best a stop-gap, especially when the parameters change every time an upgrade takes place! The question is why go to all that time and trouble (and loss of output!) just to keep things running when all my programs are available in Mac-compatable versions which run without problems and the solution is to advise vendors that the next upgrade will be downloading to a Mac OS. I have used Mac's in the past which is why the new WorkStation is a Mac. Windows will remain on my laptop but that's it! I will, however, change my statement to "but if you want to do anything useful with 3D graphics - forget it!" Regards Bill Mac's are fine Bill, where I worked a few years ago they would not use anything else. Although I got on ok with them, sometimes when I got files from pc users there were occasional problems with the format of them. Word for Mac just wasn't up to the Windows version, similarly Entourage and Safari IMO were not as good as Outlook and Firefox, although I did like Omnis as as database. As for hardware they were soooo easy to upgrade, five minutes to change the processor and put in more memory, reboot and just carry on. I haven't got a Mac now, just a relative of one, an ipad mainly for Facetiming my daughter who is travelling around the world, for that it is brilliant, it just works everytime. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jock67B Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) Evening all, Shaun, a bit late on tonight, but I have to say that you do live in a most impressive part of the world! I use Google Earth/Maps a lot for all sorts of tasks - for instance, a couple of years ago, it was our eldest girl's turn to host the family Boxing Day bash, and she was a little short of sleeping space. This meant that Joanna and I volunteered to stay in the local Inn, and when madam asked me if it was far away I said no, I walked it earlier - she looked confused as it was still October. I then owned up that I'd 'walked' it on Google, and showed her how it worked much to her amazement. Because I've never been lost anywhere in the world, I tend to get asked to drive when the destination is awkward to reach. My youngest daughter had a medical procedure at a private clinic in the centre of Cambridge (paid for by the NHS as she's a nursing sister).I 'drove' the route a couple of times on line the evening before and it was then child's play to negotiate a route I'd experienced before. As long as you are good at memorising routes after using them once or twice (which I have always been lucky enough to do), it really is a great method! mick, thanks for the Windows 10 info, I took the advice of Rick Maybury, the Telegraph's computer expert, and decided to wait a few months until '10' has the wrinkles ironed out. Good advice by what you say! Thanks for an entertaining read through tonight folks - agree totally with Jeff's comments about the thread, it is a tremendous facility for keeping the brain working! Kind regards, Jock. Edited June 1, 2015 by Jock67B 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) Ah! oops! Sorry all, My iPad has a bit of a poor reception here at the hotel so I didn't think my earlier post had worked, hence my second post and subsequent editing. What I would like to ask about is this; in the "new Scientist" of the 23rd May (great airplane reading btw) there is a wonderful story about the blip at the start of the universe and how there should have been equal parts of matter and antimatter, thereby fizzling into light and energy. That's fine and dandy, I can pretty well understand that but what I really struggle with are the various types of quarks! Is this something I'd need to be a physicist in order to understand, please? Cheers, John. Edited June 1, 2015 by Allegheny1600 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 In view of recent conversations... A quick test of your in-depth knowledge! Can you spot the deliberate mistake? Just to help you it's not Eric's location (the longship had one HELL of a following wind when it hit the beach!). Think in terms of Jeff's comment about Viking arms and armour + plus theres a music reference involved! Regards Bill 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 I kept being interrupted and had to watch it several times :jester: With you on that one Duncan. I had to keep stopping because my eyes kept watering! I thought the music was pretty good too when I caught it on the third viewing! Regards Bill 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 This is a really great one! I have not been given an iPad yet and would probably not know what to do with it. Software wise one could say "bring back DOS" because it concentrated the mind to get it right using minimal software (the only problem being its limitations). I started to fill in a questionnaire on mobile usage once ... it asked me to indicate what type of mobile I had and gave a synopsis on the classification. The lowest form could make and receive telephone calls; send and receive text messages AND take photographs. Obviously they did not take account of those that could not do all of those things like mine which also has the annoying habit of turning itself off. It also does not have what I refer to as 'a proper telephone ring' and the response from the company was that it has a number of 'ring tones'. When I do not initially respond people still have to tell me that it is my mobile ringing. Going onto navigation. I carry the latest edition of a well known raod map book but, in my work SatNavs have proved to be a very valuable tool. How can you find a specific address in loads of traffic if you have to remember all the turns in a street map before you start unless of course you have 'The Knowledge'?. They are in works vehicles, require you to log in and record everything you do. Not a worry to me but a general email has bee sent informing employees to watch their speed or in this forum should I say velocity? Cheers, Peter I think those of us who have been around a long time from the days of the Spectrum, Atari, Commodore, IBM, BBC Micro, etc., that have done programming and know DOS inside out aren't phased when it comes to newer operating systems. Windows is just a nice interface for DOS, available through the Command Prompt. When I finished work five years ago I ditched the mobile phone for 6 months. It was sheer bliss, no more unwanted calls, no calls at inconvenient times, peace, pure peace. It was only my wife's insistance that I had a mobile if I went out on my own in the car and needed to contact anyone in an emergency. She bought me one for a tenner at Sainsbury's, put £10 pay as you go card in it, put her mobile number in, our home number, RAC breakdown and my son's number. I've done two calls to her and one text and I have still got £7.40 left, not bad for 4 years usage Never had a satnav, I used to do about 40,000 miles a year all over the country, pre-arranged appointments, usually one a day or sometimes upto three if in the same area but not very often. Google maps was my friend the night before. I would find the address and print a map from a very near landmark such as a roundabout or main road junction to the destination, have a look at the street view on Google and take in the surrounding view. I have a very good memory of the UK road network, more often than not I did not need the map. I can tell you where nearly every pot hole, speed camera, hazardous road junction, off camber corner and traffic holdups are. I can appreciate the usefulness of a satnav for those like couriers and commercial vehicle operators who may go to many destinations in one day but those private individuals who have them on, with voice, to go two miles up to the shops where they have done that same journey over and over just dumbfounds me. So satnav=spy in the cab So mobile=spy in the sky So CCTV=spying on your movements So ANPR=spying on your day trip So to the Internet, spy on us, no they wouldn't, would they? It was much more civilised when we only had x-ray specs to worry about 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythocentric Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Ah! oops! Sorry all, My iPad has a bit of a poor reception here at the hotel so I didn't think my earlier post had worked, hence my second post and subsequent editing. What I would like to ask about is this; in the "new Scientist" of the 23rd May (great airplane reading btw) there is a wonderful story about the blip at the start of the universe and how there should have been equal parts of matter and antimatter, thereby fizzling into light and energy. That's fine and dandy, I can pretty well understand that but what I really struggle with are the various types of quarks! Is this something I'd need to be a physicist in order to understand, please? Cheers, John. It is when you throw in strangeness and charm John! (Cue Hawkwind). Over to you Jeff! :scratchhead: Regards Bill 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 In view of recent conversations... Landing.jpg A quick test of your in-depth knowledge! Can you spot the deliberate mistake? Just to help you it's not Eric's location (the longship had one HELL of a following wind when it hit the beach!). Think in terms of Jeff's comment about Viking arms and armour + plus theres a music reference involved! Regards Bill Phew! That's a hard one on me! Is it something to do with the Viking speaking modern English?Whatever, that's a nice grey sky to go with the "grey"! On a slightly different tack, the old English short sword, possibly derived from a Viking sword, was called "Steadfast" - what a great name for a fighting ship! Cheers, John. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donington Road Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 I use Google Earth/Maps a lot for all sorts of tasks - for instance, a couple of years ago, it was our eldest girl's turn to host the family Boxing Day bash, and she was a little short of sleeping space. This meant that Joanna and I volunteered to stay in the local Inn, and when madam asked me if it was far away I said no, I walked it earlier - she looked confused as it was still October. I then owned up that I'd 'walked' it on Google, and showed her how it worked much to her amazement. Because I've never been lost anywhere in the world, I tend to get asked to drive when the destination is awkward to reach. My youngest daughter had a medical procedure at a private clinic in the centre of Cambridge (paid for by the NHS as she's a nursing sister).I 'drove' the route a couple of times on line the evening before and it was then child's play to negotiate a route I'd experienced before. As long as you are good at memorising routes after using them once or twice (which I have always been lucky enough to do), it really is a great method! I have just replied to Peter about Google, come back here and there you are saying just what I do, great minds think alike Jock 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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