63 years ago was 1963. Somehow, that messes with my head 🤯

Kagi in the last six months

For those who follow along with my ramblings, you may recall my relationship with the Kagi search engine. On testing it, I loved the idea but was on the fence about paying for my search results. After the trial I returned to my more traditional DuckDuckGo experience. I quickly missed...

QR codes on the Web

Can we just agree that QR codes are only appropriate for printed material, or shown on large displays / TVs.  They are almost pointless on your Web page.  By far the vast majority of visitors to a Web page are using a mobile device. You know, that same device that...

Spontaneity is my middle name

It's no secret, I love being spontaneous -- doing something at a moments notice. Perhaps a random thing or a desire I have had for a while but I've decided now is the time. I appreciate it is not for everyone, but I have two friends who are absolute polar...

Wow, someone (thing) got sexy!

I've always been a fan of Scribbles. I'm big supporter of its elegance, and the work of Vincent (the dev). He's a good guy and we've chatted often. However, I have to be open and say I strayed away from the platform. Not intentionally, just organically.  Is that a defense...

Launching VerbaMea

When is a blog not a blog? When it’s a page! There are occasions when it’s great to get something written down online; something you can share with others, perhaps via email or social media. Blogs are great for that, but what about something random — a post/comment/opinion that has...

Linux, can you hear me? 🎤

For years I've dabbled with Linux... Like 10+ years. I love the idea of it, and the speed, but I always found little issues that annoyed me, so I'd revert to Windows.  In the olden days I struggled with video drivers and screen resolution, but the Linux boffins eventually fixed...

Komments, seven months on

Seven months ago I had an idea, which led to me creating a thing! I was using a blogging tool but there was no commenting feature on it.  I decided to write something myself, as a side-loaded app, to add to my blog.  It quickly became a bigger thing and...

UK energy pricing is broken

Most of us only see the cost of our energy via regular energy bills. The ever increasing cost can be painful. Despite all the investment in renewal energy, and the massive growth in wind farms all over the country, the cost is not reducing. Why? It's simple... The way the...

The internet -- missing in action

After almost a month with no internet connectivity, I've written about the experience. There's no denying it was tough. Read the full story here on my ForkingMad+ blog, AND you can also listen to a narration if you have six and a half minutes to listen to me reading to you.

Should I grow up?

It was my birthday this week.  I fell into 55 and wondered if I should grow up soon.  I decided that was over rated and I will continue being me.  It's bad enough having to adult, without having the added responsibility of being a serious grown-up. What did occur to...

Conversations with my mother

I decided I'd jot down some of the conversations I have with my mother.  They are often hysterical or bizarre. She's 80 year's old, and completely with it mentally and physically, but she has a different outlook on many things! Here's my first documented chat, for entertainment! Background:  Mum moved...

My default apps as I start 2025

I thought I'd share my default apps as I start 2025. Mostly as an aide-mémoire for me to see how I change during the year, but you may be interested too. I like reading other people's list. It sometimes prompts me to look at alternatives and even change my own...

Changing career in 2024

2024 was a significant year for me.  I took the massive step to redefine my career.   It's not easy, and in my view a brave decision.  I've been on the planet 54 years and for 32 of those my career of choice has been Technology.  I have loved every...

The Fediverse is awkward

The Fediverse, for those who are not familiar, is a collection of servers communicating with each other -- sharing data created by people like you.  It's generally considered a Social Network but it is wider.  For our purposes we will think of it as providing social interaction. It has a...

My contribution to the world in 2024

I don't like to look back on my year, or life, I'd rather look forward. However, I had this idea to blog about some of the contributions I feel I have made to the world this year.  So in the coming days I will be adding a few articles focusing...

Christmas Chill

Recently I redefined Christmas -- and it is much more relaxed. Now my partner and I treat it as a holiday time to spend with friends, having good food and laughs.  No pressure on gift buying. In years gone by we have done the traditional family thing, but as the...

Are we taking bets yet on when the Trump-Musk degenerates will buy TikTok USA? 

Human Pin cushion

At the ripe young age of 54, I have managed to avoid ever having blood taken for tests, and skipped the need for a doctor for the last 24 years.  I'm generally a healthy lump of human skin, and count myself as fortunate.  However, recently I've had discomfort in my...

It's been a while

After writing fifty blogs posts in 50 days, I took some time off.  It just so happened that I was going abroad around the time my challenge ended, so I ditched the creative juices and relaxed away from the keyboard during September. Hands up who missed me?  Oh, no one. ...

Listening In?

I am not one who subscribes to conspiracy theories at all. However, a recent run in with Facebook has made me wonder. My partner and I were sitting in the local cafe bar a few afternoons ago. As we chatted, I randomly mentioned that a local venue was hosting a...

It ends at Fifty

Recently I set myself a small challenge, and for those who follow along, you will know it was the FiftyIn50 blogging challenge.  I used a set of 50 blogging prompts created by Lou. I blogged one prompt every day for 50 days. The last day was yesterday.  I thought I'd...

A News event from my childhood

Write about a news event from when you were still in school and how it made you feel. I’m not sure I was very aware of news events when I was younger, and at school.  I was too busy being a child! When I read the blogging prompt, the first...

Life rules?

Do I have a set of rules or guidelines for life? Not that I'm conscious of.  I don't have a rule book, or list. However as you grow as a person, it is clear that you define your internal standards to deliver your personality.  I live my life on the...

Celebrity Status

I have, over the years, met a number of celebrities in a variety of circumstances. It would be vulgar of me to name drop. I prefer to think that THEY have met ME. I never get star struck and show them the same respect as anyone I meet; they are...

My Writing Process

After seeing Robert’s post on the process of blogging, it sparked me into action.  I’ve been thinking about explaining my own process but figured no one would be interested.  Perhaps I was wrong?! I have a very simple method. It usually starts with an idea, or sometimes a blogging prompt. ...

International Roaming

Do you consider yourself to be an international person? I would say yes --  I have a home in Scotland and one in Spain, and I try to split my time between both. I was born in Scotland, but have had a dream for a long time to live abroad. ...

Everyone is Beautiful

What is your all-time favourite story to tell from all the jobs you've held? Not my career, but this one has stuck with me for many years.  I used to help friends at farmers' markets.  I recall one day I was selling cheese at my stall.  And older lady was...

Youthful bliss

Today's prompt: What do you remember being a big deal to adults during your childhood or teenaged years? I've been thinking how to interpret this one and I have decided I am being asked what issues were adults dealing with when I was a child? I was probably oblivious to...

Observational Travel

Picture the scene.... Yesterday I am sitting on the train, as part of my day of travel.  I have three hours of confinement in the carriage.  A man and woman get on, move swiftly along the aisle and deposit themselves at a table.  I always avoid tables – while practical,...

Get Scribbling

The Scribbles blogging platform brought me back to blogging after a bit of a hiatus.  If your thinking of starting a blog, or moving to a new platform, I'd strongly suggest a good workout with Scribbles.  Quite simply, it does the job and let's you get on with the content...

Exercise and Me

Are you an exerciser? What physical achievement are you most proud of? Ever play any sports? No!  Do you even know me?  LOL.  Next question. 😊 That was my FiftyIn50 blogging prompt for today #44/50

Car, Train, Plane

What's the last trip you took? Today’s blogging topic is actually quite timely.  My  most recent journey is today and I am typing this as I travel. This morning I set off at 8am for a two hour drive. I then dropped my dog off at a friend’s, who is...

Favourite Bloggers?

Today’s blogging prompt asks me to write a #FollowFriday with the names of my favourite bloggers or social media follows and why I like them.  I’m not sure this hashtag has the same reach it once did on social media – certainly for me, as I don’t do the evil...

My Mobile and Me 📱

What is your relationship with your phone? I don't think I can deny that I love my mobile phone.  It has become a significant part of my life as you can do so much with it.  It's always by my side and I'd feel lost if it was missing. I...

Can you lick an ice-lolly?

I read a lot online, and I try to read quality not trash.  However, this has to be the worst thing I have seen this week: “Licking an ice lolly should be an essential part of the national curriculum for primary schoolchildren in England, according to scientists at the Royal...

What scares you?

What is the most scared you have ever been? I gave this a bit of thought throughout the day.  I'm not sure I've been in a situation that has scared me.  It's quite a strong word: scared.  Perhaps I don't put myself in situations where I could be scared. I'm...

One Hundred

Can you believe it, this is my 100th blog post here.  I've been blogging for years, but then I fell away for a bit and came back earlier in the year.  I've got back into the rhythm of things and I am really enjoying it. So this post is dedicated...

Enjoyment from reading Blogs

What do you like to read? Books, newsletters, doomscrolling, blogs, paper magazines? Firstly, I had to google doomscrolling!  I've concluded I don't do that.  I am far too intelligent 🤣 I'd say most of my reading time is taken up with blogs.  I'm genuinely interested in personal blogs, not Corporates...

Stuck for writing ideas?

I recent came across a website that gives you a random blogging idea, for those times when you're feeling creative but lacking a topic.  I'd been thinking of doing a similar website, so rather than reinvent the wheel I sent off my list of 80 prompts to Scott to use...

Writing is my happy place

How do I feel about writing? I love writing. Some days are better than others, but I love being expressive and writing for myself. In my career I've written for specific audiences but now I mainly write for me, on anything that pops into my head. I've written some short...

Social Media Relationship

Do you have any good or bad stories from your relationship with social media or Internet communities? Mostly positive, I am pleased to say.  I have discovered many great things, and people via socials.  I've even met some in real life, who are now good friends. I've been lucky enough...

My First Computer

What do you remember about your first computer and learning to use it? This prompt is part of a blogging challenge I set myself recently.  I am working through fifty posts in 50 days.  It's been great fun.  I am now at number 36. This prompt is along a similar...

My Typical Day

You might be surprised or shocked, but here goes. I always rise at 6:15am.  I feel refreshed and energised for the day.  If I get up any later I am lethargic.  Firstly I go for a quick run – usually an hour, no more, sometimes less if the weather is...

Book Reviews?

Write a book review of the last book you couldn't put down. (My blogging prompt for today)   I don't think I have ever written a book review.  I also try not to read them as they often contain too much information, and potential spoilers.  The only exception would be...

My political life!

Blogging Prompt: five issues that have affected your political life? I don't have a political life.  I take little interest in it.  I keep up-to-date on the major issues, but I certainly don't actively follow, criticise, support, or canvas for anyone. In general, I think most politicians are cut from...

Blogging Challenges: Are They Really Worth It?

I've read a few articles recently about the pros and cons of blogging challenges. I wanted to offer my thoughts.  I’ve been blogging for a long time, on and off (Forking Mad has been going for 12 years).  Before that I wrote a Tech blog for almost ten years.  I...

My fascination with a country

Blogging prompt: Is there a particular country other than your own that fascinates you? Why?    Yes, and it may surprise most people.  I am captivated by North Korea; the country, its leader, and the people.    It amazes me that a country can be so disconnected from the rest...

Random changes to Terms & Conditions

A few days ago I received an email from a firm -- we've probably all had them:  "Hi, we're updating our terms and conditions....." How many of us actually take a moment to read the detail?  I try to but mostly skim over them.   However, this one caught my...

Passion - Like or Loathe

Today's prompt:  What is something you are passionate about and why? Passion can be defined as many things: 1. a strong belief in something 2. a strong sexual desire; amorous or lustful. 3. showing or expressing strong dislike. In which case, passion can be something you like or loathe. As...

Sublime Moments : Twenty you say?

Blogging Prompt: Can you make a list of 20 moments in your current or past life that you would classify as sublime? Doubt I can do twenty!  And... 'past life'?  Wow, I wonder who/what I was?  • Being Born • Meeting my life partner • Finding a career I love...

/interests page

Blogging Prompt: Do you have an /Interests page on your blog? What is on it or what would you put on one if you made it? Yes!   Feel free to gaze in amazement. #28/50 in the FiftyIn50 blogging challenge.

My Workspace - Shoes and Cows

Today's prompt: What kind of decorations do you have in your workspace? What do they mean to you? I'd describe my setup as minimalist.  I am not really a things person.  I don't have items for the sake of it, or collect random plastic toys, or surround myself with photos....

It's too soon to retire

Blogging prompt: Are you retired or working? What are your plans for retirement? Can I say it seems to be both?!  Last year I left my job.  We were merging with another firm, and it was clear there was no room for two of me, or many others of the...

Artificial Strawberries

⏰ (A long read.  Just for fun there is a narration of the article) It may surprise you to know that, as a Technologist, I am very anti Artificial Intelligence (AI).  Everyone is jumping on the AI wagon and adding it as an enhancement to their software.  In my view...

Food from the heart, literally

Is there a special food from your region or heritage that you have a particular appreciation for? This is my FiftyIn50 daily blogging prompt. 🛑 Content Warning:  I'd suggest that those offended by meat eating move away now. Back to the question. I'm born and bred in Scotland, so I...

A Favourite album review!

Blogging prompt: Write a review of your favourite album. What lyrics mean something special to you? Although I listen to music a lot, I've not got the kind of relationship with it where I analyse the lyrics.  I can sing along and enjoy, but I don't think about what is...

Advice to a younger me!

What words of wisdom would you have appreciated from your younger self?  Today’s blogging prompt seems to be worded incorrectly.  I’m not sure my younger self could give me advice, given that I have already lived and experienced that life so far.  My younger self can’t give me wisdom I...

Memorable Concert

My blogging prompt for today: Have you been to a memorable concert? What made it stand out to you?  If you are following along with my blog (thank you, I shall pay you later), you will see from my Musical Madness post that I do not attend concerts.  I managed...

It pays to podcast!

Earlier today I was wandering around various blogs consuming their content.  I enjoy reading other people's work. While travelling around the blog list I came across a link to a new one, which had a podcast element to it.  This intrigued me as I wondered how they were linked and...

Adventures with Hobbies

What kind of adventures have you had pursuing your hobbies? (Post 21 in the fifty blogs posts in 50 days challenge) I guess this post is a continuation to the Hobby Auditor post from a few days ago. ⚠️ If you are not keen on reading about alcohol, I suggest...

Apathetic movie watcher

How do you like to watch movies? Are you a theatre goer, a streamer, or do you like physical media? A nice quick one for my FiftyIn50 blogging prompt today.  I don't watch movies.  It's true. I don't have the attention span to sit for a few hours. My mind...

Re: Dealing with the YouTube Addiction

After reading a post about someone's YouTube addiction, I wanted to offer my take on it.   There’s no ability to comment or communicate with the blogger so I thought I’d do a “Reply post” (apparently you start the with Re: and the title).  I’ve never really been a YouTube...

Food Favourites

What is your favourite food? Why do you like it? What is your history with it? Today, my blogging fans (yes, both of you!), we are talking food in my Fiftyin50 challenge.  Picking a favourite can be hard.  I love food that has great taste, nice spices, or even simple...

Relationship with Alcohol

How do you feel about alcohol? Is it something you enjoy? What do you like? What do you dislike? This is an interesting one for my daily FiftyIn50 blogging prompt.    I realise many people have a different relationship with alcohol, and one that can be challenging.  I'd suggest you...

Golden Age Reading

What are your favorite books and why?  I continue my FiftyIn50 blogging challenge.    Almost exclusively I read Crime Fiction, with a little bit of auto-biographical work thrown in for curiosity.  Crime Fiction has been my go-to for as long as I can remember.  I started off on the main-stream...

Anything goes with my writing

What things are easy for you to write about? What things are hard? Day 16 of my FiftyIn50 blogging challenge.  I hope you are all enjoying my random musings. I enjoy writing.  I've written a lot of technical verbiage during my career, as I effervesce to excite the audience.  Getting...

Komments integrates with Scribbles

I am excited to announce that the amazing Scribbles blogging platform now integrates directly with Komments -- the commenting engine. Each time you create a new post in Scribbles it can automatically do the behind-the-scenes work to create the Komments page and add a button at the end of your...

Technology Veteran

Are you an early or late adopter of technology? What makes you that way? (Day 15 of my FiftyIn50 blogging challenge) Simple answer: Early. I am of an age that desktop computers were very new when I was a teenager.  At the age of 14 my parents bought me my...

Musical Madness

What has your relationship with music been like throughout your life? (My next FiftyIn50 blogging prompt) Relationship?  Hmm.... not sure I have a relationship with music.  I'm certainly not a fanatical follower of anyone in particular.  I have only been to one concert in my life -- didn't like being...

Komments now has full documentation

I'm delighted to say that Komments.cloud now has a complete set of documentation on how to add commenting to your blog; including Scribbles (and any other blog or site). https://komments.cloud/docs is the place to start. With a 'How to' for Scribbles here. Enjoy Comments?

Regional problems?

What societal problems is your region known for and do they affect you? My blogging prompt to day for FiftyIn50. I'm not sure I can speak knowledgeable about this topic.  Like every region, I am sure we have our share of issues:  poverty, homelessness, drink, drugs.... I live quite rural,...

Hobby Auditor

What hobbies have you had in the past that you no longer have? What happened? (This is my FiftyIn50 daily blogging prompt). I wonder what the definition of a hobby is?  I try everything that vaguely piques my interest.  Some stick with me, many are never attempted again -- but...

Technology defines me

What is your current relationship with technology? Do you enjoy it? Does it cause you anxiety? This is my daily FiftyIn50 prompt to blog. Simple: Technology is my life.  Like most people, I use it every day to function.  It's amazing how much you rely on it.  If your internet...

Komments Usage

I pulled together a simple Dashboard in Komments to let me see current usage.  It's humbling to know that people are using it to add commenting to their blog posts and sites. It started as a simple idea for myself, but I opened it up for others to try.Comments?

'How to Video' for adding Comments to Scribbles blog posts

For those following along the Komments journey, I have created a quick video on how to add commenting to Scribbles post. Two and a half minutes of knowledge transfer. Enjoy Any questions, you know where I am. Comments?

Let's get physical - or not!

What's your relationship with physical labour? Do you enjoy, accept or avoid it? Physical Labour .... No thanks. Not for me! I potter.  (Definition: to busy oneself in a random and agreeable manner).  I like pottering in the garden, which is the extent of my physical labour. For the heavy...

Gratuitous Food Image

A little bit of food porn! Home made flat breads, with BBQ chicken pieces, pickled red and white onion, and a salad.  Spicy tomato chilli sauce on the side (home made too!) Comments

Personal Gratitude

Do you have a gratitude practice? Why or why not? What sort of things are you grateful for? (Day #9 of my FiftyIn50 Blogging challenge). Short answer: No! I see other people on social media commenting on what they are grateful for.  I follow @3goodthings@fedigroups.social on the fediverse and see...

TV Laughs

What is the funniest book or TV show with which you are familiar? Today's daily FiftyIn50 blogging challenge. I'm an avid reader of crime fiction, and it's rarely funny so I can't blog about that. TV -- I really do not watch much TV.  However, I recently blogged about the...

New York Times dumbs down puzzling

I am an avid Wordle fan.  I was playing before the New York times swooped in and bought it from Josh Wardle for an undisclosed seven-figure sum in January 2021. Naturally, they have attempted to monetise it and we endure daily adverts, and a constant nag screen to sign up...

An unpopular opinion

Do you have any unpopular opinions or dislike something that many people like? This is my next daily FiftyIn50 blogging challenge topic!  Hold on, it's about to get controversial. I have to be honest, I struggled with this writing prompt.  Not the content, but how honest I would need to...

Generation gap

What is or was your relationship with people from your parent's generation? (Daily Blog Challenge #6 in FiftyIn50) Quite simply, I have friends spanning many age ranges.  I love a mix of people in my life.  Specifically for this blogging prompt we are considering my parent's generation -- people in...

Flat Bread Sensation

Tonight's evening meal included home made flat breads, with sesame and nigella seeds. Delicious

A career of memories

What is the most memorable job you've held? (Blogging Challenge day #5) In my professional career, spanning 34 years, I've only had four distinct jobs so not much to choose from.  I've been very lucky, in that each was very interesting and dynamic.  After working for a few years at...

Admiration from afar.

Blogging Challenge Day #4: What woman in your family do you most admire and why? This one made me think.  I also wanted to keep it quite generic as I value people's privacy. I'd say my response would be: I admire the women in my family who have children. It...

Black Rubber is the new Gold

I don't begin to know much about cars, nor do I really care.  They get me from A to B, and keep my hair dry.  That's it.  If you ask me what car I drive I will genuinely say "a black one".  🤣 I can go a little further and...

Favourite restaurant?

Blogging Challenge day #3: Why do you like your favourite restaurant? Favourites come and go, like so many fickle things in life. It's only your number one until you find a new thing vying for the top spot.  Rather than focus on a specific restaurant, I will use the "Why"...

Photo Overload

Let's get straight to the point.... I have 27,267 digital photos going back to 2008.  99% of them are not in an album or category.  Just one big chronological list Help! I don't wish to delete any as they are all memories.  When I am old I can look back...

Outspoken and Mute!

Day #2 of my self-imposed blogging challenge, FiftyIn50.  Today's topic: On what subjects are you outspoken and on what subjects are you mostly mute? As I reflect on the topic, I realised how a person changes over the years.  Topics I felt passionate about in earlier years are far less...

Day #1 Blogging Challenge

Day 1 of the FiftyIn50 blogging challenge: A road trip you've taken that was memorableFor years my partner and I have talked about buying a property in Spain.  There always seemed to be a (trivial) reason to wait. We'd looked online for years but taken it no further. In October...

Community Service

Yesterday, while visiting friends, we went for a walk along the sea-front of a charming near-by village. A tiny fishing village, once with many boats but now apparently only two active.  As we meandered along, I spotted something at the side of the road just as an older gentleman drove...

Fifty In 50

After reading the post by Lou Plummer about ideas for blogging, I thought it might be fun to use the fifty prompts as a daily blog.  I also chatted to a few people online, who seemed to think it might be fun. Last night I was with friends and I...

Embedded Komments

A small update to Komments tonight. If you have access to the HTML of your blog post/page, you can directly embed the Comments page using an iframe. See the note at the end of the about page for more info. I hope you find this useful?  Comments welcome

A mother's honesty

Let me do some scene setting. I don't visit my mother very often.  Depending on where I am, we're either in the same country 2 hours apart by car, or spanning Europe 1,600 miles apart (involving a plane and car journeys).  We've been in the same country most of this...

My Brain Juice Evaporated

Earlier today I was in the garden playing ball with the dog.  Between throws I cogitated one of life's great wonders..... Clouds  Looking up at the sky, a mix of white and grey cotton balls, I watched them hurtling along at speed.  There was not a puff of wind at...

Data thieves

Exactly what part of my privacy do you value, if you are sharing my data with 781 vendors? I see this all the time on the web now.  At no point do I think you give a jot about my privacy.  All you want is to grab my data and...

Growing Komments

My Komments app continues to grow.  More users with blogs and other sites have signed up, giving them a simple commenting feature on their site. I've made a few updates to the Admin, including an Edit feature for existing entries should you need to update the header section. It's great...

A sensational Empire

I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur of the Empire Biscuit 😊 Imagine my delight when I stumble across a stall at a local Farmers' Market whose baked delights included Empire biscuits of a size I have never seen.  Size doesn't matter -- right?  But the thought of more...

Alice goes large

Alice 🍏 has had her accommodation upgraded.  Last time we checked in she was still in her seedling pot.  Since then she's been placed in a larger pot.  However, I am not sure she is feeling it.  She's been in for almost 15 days and shows no signs of expanding...

Flypast - Did you see me?

I think we are being mapped! I stood in the garden waving, in the hope I one day appear on a Google Map aerial view 😊 See Comments

It's down to the biscuit!

Here in the UK it is polling day to vote in our representatives for the UK Parliament, and our next Prime Minister from tomorrow. I'm very disillusioned by politics.  No one lights my fire. This morning I had a look at the seven candidates running in my region.  Each represents...

The Big Bang Theory

I watch very little TV -- other than catching a snippet of news, there's nothing I generally sit down and watch regularly. I consume my news and other information reading online. That said, occasionally I will see something which piques my interest. My other-half, being the polar opposite, watches a...

Hablo español

It's true, I do speak Spanish.  I'm not fluent, but after three years of learning every day I can certainly understand, speak and respond slowly! To learn every day I, like many others, jumped in Duolingo for my bite-size daily language lessons.  I've progressed far in that time.  Since starting...

Komments have arrived

After talking about Comments on the Scribbles blog, I committed to working up an idea on how we could allow visitors to the blog to comment on our posts. It's been a few days, I've spent a couple of evenings working on my idea, and I now have something I...

Comments ahoy

Following on from yesterday's post, I have been flexing the brain cells a little harder and I have a plan. I think I could offer a way for you to add a link to your Scribbles blog post, or any web page, and allow people to interact -- comments and...

Say what

I would love Scribbles to offer the ability to comment directly on a blog post. So many great blogs appearing and I can't interact, or offer thanks or encouragement. I live in hope of my dream 😊

103 days on.🍏

Since our last visit, Alice the Apple 'tree' has been busy.   She is 103 days old now. I think it's time to upgrade her accommodation as she will need room to grown

Am I doing it wrong?

I often wonder how effective social media is at being social? I am a GenX baby (I only recently learned that when I had to search for the term someone else was using about being a GenZ).  I now know where I sit in that category.  As for my sexuality...

A smile and some luck

I'm feeling very lucky today.  I was stopped by two policemen for speeding. I was driving through a village on a rural road. More of a hamlet than a village.... ten houses. I'm normally very conscious and do slow down but today I didn't. He explained  that his device had...

Radio Silence!

It has been a few weeks since I scribbled.  Its amazing how life gets in the way of a good plan. I've got so many random things to discuss with you.

Too Many Teams

Microsoft Teams has become a Google mess.  You know, Google having so many chat apps! In the early days, when Teams exploded (during lockdown), it was simple.  Load Teams, turn on the camera, look interested, done. Now we have too many versions.  On my PC I have: • Teams Home...

Why is the vacuum cleaner cable never quite long enough!?

Do dogs have shoulders?

I think I have been forgiven by the dog.  Yesterday I was clipping her nails and I was perhaps a little zealous with one, which caught her nail quick.  She never even flinched but she did bled slightly, on and off for a few hours.   Last night I received...

And on the 3rd day ....

As expected, the dry spell did not last, and on the third day it rained.  However, we were  able to make it to the local beach for a walk with friends and dogs for two hours, then back home for lunch with our chums. The wind was bracing but the...

Mark the moment -- two days no rain

I feel I need to mark the moment, and mention that as of Easter Sunday evening we have had two days with no rain, and reasonable sunshine.  I think that may be the first this year. It did guilt me into doing some post-winter garden tidying.  A few hours later...

Step back in time 🥫

I had call to make use of a can-opener today.  I do not recall my last encounter with such a devil of a device. In this modern era it is the norm to have a ring-pull style gizmo on the lid for easy access. I had the A&E department on...

Too many photos? 📱

I recently moved my backup solution, which meant that all the photos on my mobile phone had to be re-uploaded by the software. I did not appreciate I had 8,324 images on my phone.  Too many?!

I was a slave to emails

I've done something quite radical -- I've disabled notifications for my emails. 🔕 There, I feel better now that I have confessed. It has become apparent that I (and probably you) are slaves to notifications.  As soon as your Desktop or Mobile device pings, you can't resist having a look. ...

End of an era

This morning was the funeral of my lovely elderly neighbour.  She was a gem of a lady.  I called her the duchess.  She was full of wisdom, grace, and mischief -- right until the end. I collected her after a brief hospital stay mid-December, where she learned she was poorly...

A label to make you smile

Tonight's red wine is: La Cuvee des Copains Cotes du Rhone  🇫🇷🍷🐖 A charming vivacious red with raspberry notes and a juicy texture. Comments can be made via my post on the Fediverse

🍏 Two leaves make a tree?

It's all happening with the apple tree! If you missed the first instalment, check it out. The youngster is progressing.  After 6 days we have significant signs of life. Comments can be made via my post on the Fediverse

🍏 The struggle is real 🍏

I came rather close to one of the seeds while eating an apple earlier.  It would appear it was making a bid for life. Who am I to deny its ambition? I have potted it and await the first fruits of my love.  I have a feeling I may also...

Instant Support?

Why do many of the Open Source projects offer support/help via chat services like Discord ? Honestly, it's a dogs breakfast (aka mess).  It's mostly a linear chat; people join, ask a question, and expect an immediate response. Is that really possible? Shouldn't we be managing expectation better? The question...

Checking the Fediverse

Following on from my last Scribble about probing the Fediverse, I'm now ready to launch the project into the wild. I run a couple of Fediverse servers.  On a daily basis the delivery queue can build up as it tries to deliver to non-responsive servers. I need to know if...

Probing the Fediverse

I working on a small project, and as part of it I need to know if a Fediverse instance in live.   Some python scripting later and it is regularly probing every fediverse instance.  An interesting exercie. Currently, the stats are: 72,098 known servers 25,273 are dead 24,210 are erroring...

What's in a name?

Have you seen omg.lol ? I love the idea; love the site;  love all the little offerings; would happily pay twenty bucks for these great ideas. I just can't deal with having an omg.lol address.  A .lol domain is like Comic Sans font -- cringe. I appreciate loads of peeps...

Great Expectations

My other half decided to buy a few jigsaws at the local charity shop.  I later commented that it will probably have a piece missing. I'm thinking of taking up prophecy 🤭

School boy error

For about a week I have been, on and off, fighting my browser and Ubuntu Desktop to flush its DNS cache after struggling to reach one of my websites. After a few minutes of swearing I'd set the problem aside and revisit another day.  The domain name was resolving to...

At home with Git

Following on from my life changing discovery of Git, I've been busy testing various repositories.  I decided to have my public code on Codeberg, but for all my private work (websites, and various scripts, and dev work) I've rolled my own server. You might ask why I don't just make...

Git Me!

A new discovery in my life: Git As a hobby developer, and occasional dev. in my career, I have been aware of Git and GitHub.  However, I've never given it much head space; I saw it more as a tool for collaboration with other developers. Recently I decided to dabble...

My first python script, and published

A red letter day today -- I wrote my first ever python script, and published it publicly on a code repository! I consider myself a competent developer in a number of languages/scripts. My current strengths include the website suite of tools: PHP, HTML, JavaScript and CSS.  I've often wanted to...

Blowin' a hoolie

Sunday evening, 11:45pm and Strom Isha is passing through the UK.  I was happily working away on a project on the computer; my other half watching TV. And then it was pitch black.  Power failure. Time for bed. My weather station has so far recorded a gust of 58mph/93 kmph,...

Friendica test drive

I've been on the Fediverse for over a year now.  I'm quite settled in my main account, however I am always on the lookout for different, new, or interesting services to pique my natural curiosity. Friendica has been around for some time (July 2010), but it's not huge.  Statistics from...

Fork handles

Those who know the sketch from the Two Ronnies TV show will understand the title! This week I added another candle to the cake of life, and the old cliché: "it's only a number" comes out. I have always subscribed to that. My bag of bones chalked up another year,...

Top Wikipedia Editor

Today I made an edit to a Wikipedia article. That takes me to three since I registered in March 2015.  I doubt I will win any awards for Contributor of the Year! The editing feature has moved on quite dramatically.  It's more about visual editing rather than the wiki-speak codes...

Hello, again, World!

I'm back.  Did you miss me? I've been blogging for years under various guises, but Forking Mad was my personal ramblings through my life; random thoughts and interesting (?) articles.  I started it in 2013, and here we are 10 years later, and a gap of four years, the keyboard...