Newest thoughts →

September 2011

I don't do FFs, but I've had some great chats with @qui_oui, @jovanevery, @ernestopriego, @theNHJ, @ElizaTalks, @BenoitLelievre today.

I can't see how the US having the death penalty is of relevance to Amanda Knox's appeal or why the prosecution are allowed to raise this.

What distinguishes long distance writing frm ordinary writing? If imagined audience is native English speaker, is there any impact? #phdchat

Bah. Forgot my British Library reader pass for first time in 3 years of daily visits. Note to self: it's expensive. Don't do it again.

Hoping to get my first year week 1 class engaged w/ relevance (& problems of) lit via Taylor's "A comparison betwixt a whore and a book".

Response on academia.edu to request for essays on nostalgia: "There used to be such good books on nostalgia." The old ones are the best ;)

Sigh. As libXSLT has no XSLT 2.0 support, looks like Saxon & Java are going to be additional dependencies for my XML->PDF OJS plugin.

"Ministers promise to take 'all steps necessary' to preserve stability of financial system" < 1) what stability are they preserving? 2) Why?

On dealing with PhD blues: some days are bad, others are good. They're often next to one another. I haven't found a reason for this #phdchat

Haven't contributed to #phdchat for a while, but I have a good, on-topic reason today; combating PhD blues by going to the gym! #serioustip

Hate turning down opportunities, but I'm going to pass on the PGCertHE for now. Need to teach and finish my PhD this year. #phdchat

How funny! My students have obviously been ordering their texts from Amazon judging by the "frequently bought with" list of obscure works.

My favourite task management system, @producteev, are offering premium accounts free of charge to educational users -- they're great!

This is why theory is legitimate and ... hated: without it, there would be no changing the practice that constantly calls for change--Adorno

Nice coffee with break w/ @drtomcrick, lamenting REF, talking interdisciplinarity & how on earth people can be disinterested in programming

Today marks the start of the final stage of my PhD research. Writing last chapter, then intro, conclusion & edit. Finish line=July. #phdchat

Managed to avoid Lady GaGa thus far. Just been introduced. 1st thought; "Bad Romance" uses same "hoover" sound as Human Resource - Dominator

Also tested my backup solution today. Wiped laptop, installed new Ubuntu beta. 4 hours later, all data and settings restored. #couldyoucope?

Excellent piece on Radio 4 at the moment. Every panelist agreeing that the bankers got off scot-free and need regulation. Never forget this.

I've finally decided that GNOME 3 just isn't working out for me. Slow and coercive. Let me work how I want and don't get in the way.