Update Checker

I really like the new Filehippo Update Checker. It scans your installed applications and checks to see if you have the latest versions installed.

This is important because it's not just your operating system that can contain security vulnerabilities that need patching - applications need patching too, and many of your standard installed applications such as Realplayer and Adobe Reader are regularly updated by the vendors to plug security holes.

I also love the fact that this update checker is only 100k and doesn't need installing. You can just run the exe and off it goes - no installation files that adds the app to your Startup folder or makes changes to the registry of system files.

Diplomacy works!

Thank god we're not Americans. If it was yank sailors that had been arrested by the Iranians they would have either fired back, in which case they would have all been shot due to being heavily outnumbered, or Bush would have taken a hard line, in which case it could have led to another war and the sailors would never be seen again.

Green hypocrisy

According to a survey by the Energy Saving Trust, while 80 per cent of the public believe climate change is affecting Britain, almost half are doing nothing to halt its impact.

I predict that I'm like many: I'm concerned about climate change and am willing to do my bit (recycle more, stop leaving electrical appliances on standby, turn lights off when not needed, etc), but I'm reluctant to make major changes to my lifestyle because at the moment I don't believe it will make any difference. As much as I believe it's everyone's responsibility to take action, I don't want to stop taking flights when the opportunities arise, and I would very much like a 50 inch Plasma TV please. The fact is, whatever we do in Britain, it will make no difference unless the attitudes of American and China (and India, Brazil and others) change. Our carbon output is a fraction of theirs.

It seems like the government and the media in this country have finally woken up to the real and present threat of climate change. It's about time! It's even starting to become cool to be a tree hugger. What I hate though, is the amount of hypocrisy involved. The BBC, Guardian and others keep preaching to us every day about green issues, but what are they doing to combat climate change? Same with the Government. They're quick to bring in green taxes but what are the ministers doing personally? I can't see the ministerial car changing to a Toyota Prius. And what are they doing to force industry into making changes? Why aren't they forcing building companies to build more carbon neutral homes? Why aren't they banning the use of traditional light bulbs and forcing everyone to buy energy saving bulbs, like they're starting to do in Australia? Why aren't they putting more pressure on the motor industry to produce more hybrid cars? Why aren't they putting tax on aviation fuel?

For me and Rach, living in Australia will probably reduce our carbon footprint (our heating bill will certainly go down!). Up until we fly back to visit the family in the UK that is, as one long distance flight can apparently blow your entire carbon calories.

Things are looking promising!

The couple who are buying our house came around at the weekend to look at some of the furniture we're offering for sale (heavily discounted). We've been very cautious up to now to not start putting any plans into action until we've exchanged contracts, because we know the house sale could fall through at any moment. However, their visit gave us a lot of confidence that the sale would go through ok; they were clearly very excited about the purchase, frustrated that things weren't moving any quicker, and agreed to purchase a number of items. So I think it's fair to say that we would be very unlucky if things fell through.

With that in mind, and taking into account what could be an extremely short period between exchanging contracts and moving out, we're not going to wait any longer - we're going to start selling items this week and we're going to start packing next weekend. We're still not going to book the flights until we exchange contracts though. It's not that I believe in tempting fate and all that malarkey, I'm just learning to be more risk averse - practising what I preach in my day job.

Where does the time go?

I just thought I'd do a bit of research into the job market in Brisbane, and suddenly it's 3 hours later and I'm even more confused than when I started!

Everything I'm reading tells me that Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra are all better for IT Security jobs than Brisbane. That doesn't mean to say there aren't any IT Security jobs in Brisbane, there are - they're listed on www.seek.com.au and www.jobserve.com.au, there's just not as many as in the other cities.

I'm also getting the picture that the agencies aren't quite as efficient as the ones in the UK. Apparently in Oz many recruitment agents don't see it within their role to keep you updated - you have to chase them - constantly!

The general consensus is you're either lucky, and pick up work straight away, or you'll end up applying for about 100 jobs and have to wait 4 months before landing one. I just hope it's the former, because if it gets to 4 months I'll be starting to twitch and Rach will be in full-blown panic mode!

Contracting doesn't to be as lucrative either, so it looks like I may have to go back to being a permie (heaven forbid!), and permanent rates don't look that attractive either. Oh well, money isn't everything.

No seriously, it is standard of living, not income, that counts. All I'll need in Oz is a bit of petrol money to get down to the Gold Coast every weekend, or up to the Sunshine Coast, or over to North Stradbroke Island. Oh, and the big house with swimming pool, and sailing yacht moored at the bottom of my garden of course. I can but dream!

Brisbane Zombie Walk

The annual Zombie walk has taken place in Brisbane today. I might join in next year. I won't need any make-up - I always look like that first thing in the morning. I'm not a morning person!

April Fools

I completely forgot about April Fools this morning. Pity - as Rach just loves me winding her up, not!

The Sunday papers didn't forget though, here's a few of the April Fools stories in the papers today:

Several events in the 2012 London Olympics - including the opening ceremony - will be "farmed out" to Paris to save money. Eurostar carriages will be adapted so that athletes can continue training and stretching. (Sunday Telegraph)

A legion of tiny clay soldiers has been dug up near Hadrian's Wall, and archeologists have dubbed them the Terracotta "Toon" Army. (Sunday Express)

The world's first "Robot Ethics Charter", to be drafted at a conference next week, will prevent robots from being abused. (Independent on Sunday)

Tony Blair is to become an actor when he leaves Downing Street and has been cast in Arthur Miller's The Crucible by his friend Kevin Spacey. (Observer)

A revolutionary square dart board will be introduced to the sport at this year's World Darts Championship. World champion Phil Taylor said: "I've had a practice on it, and it will take some getting used to." (News of the World)

Councils are to introduce compulsory £5 'carbon offsets' for anyone wishing to have a barbecue in their garden this summer. (Mail on Sunday)

A German company has launched "digital Lederhosen" with a built-in MP3 player and mobile phone. (Independent on Sunday)

Compost bins in a range of Farrow & Ball colours have gone on sale for £150 each. (Observer)

Garden centres are being "besieged" by men after it was discovered that winter-flowering heather has the same properties as Viagra. (Independent on Sunday)

Thirteen plainclothes traffic wardens have already been assaulted after an undercover scheme was launched in Soho. (The First Post)

Courtousy of The First Post