- BBC News – Lions and donkeys: 10 big myths about World War One debunked
Given how politicised/triumphalist the coverage of the conflict is, with the centenary coming up, I don't really know how skeptical of some of this to be – I'm sure the stats are right (and interesting) but some of the "mood" stuff is, well, I dunno… And interesting read, though. - The Definitive Ranking Of London Tube Lines
Personally, I think the Northern Line is unfairly maligned, but that might be a combination of research and Stockholm Syndrome talking. This is funny though.
Author Archives: Alasdair
Links for Wednesday January 22nd 2014
- The Conet Project – Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations [ird059] : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive
Loads of Numbers Station broadcasts archived here. Potentially useful for stuff. Maybe.
Links for Tuesday January 21st 2014
- generatedata.com
Useful for doing, well, what it says, so that you can test import scripts and other data manipulation tools.
Links for Monday January 20th 2014
- Cthuvian Ipsum Generator
Lovecraftian Lorem Ipsum Generator. Exactly what I need. - Have I been pwned? Check if your email has been compromised in a data breach
Handy website for checking if any of your commonly used usernames/email addresses have been leaked with password details attached recently. Happily, I have only been (ahem) "pwned" once, and I already knew about that and took steps. If you haven't checked, you should, and insert all the usual computer security advice here.
Links for Wednesday January 8th 2014
- Integrate a REST API into an iPhone App in less than 15 minutes
These two links are in no way related - Sandman.io
A way of slapping a quick REST API over any database.
Links for Thursday January 2nd 2014
- Mapped: London’s Independent Bookshops | Londonist
Not that i buy a lot of physical books these days, but handy nonetheless.
Looking Back/Looking Ahead
I’ve been trying to write a year in review.
I can’t seem to do it without whinging.
So let’s do this quickly, like pulling a sticky-plaster off. 2013: Professionally stressful, personally awful, my pleasure in my hobbies is more or less gone, and I’m in therapy.
On the bright side, (and it is a very, very bright side), my niece arrived and becomes more adorable every time I see her.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made a really rubbish year that bit more bearable.
2014: All the usual plans: write more, take more photos, exercise more. A few others that I’ll talk about when I’m ready to, which may be this year, or may be a few years away yet. All I’m really hoping for for 2014 is that I’ll be happier at the end of it.
Which is what I wish for all of you, too. I hope your 2013 was excellent, or at least better than mine, but much more importantly: I hope your 2014 is better.
Links for Friday December 27th 2013
- Laurie Penny: The 20 best online pieces of 2013
I want to come back to this when I have my brain switched back on, rather than firmly in "on couch for Xmas" :)
Links for Monday December 23rd 2013
- Writer Pro – Note. Write. Edit.
Noting this one as something to investigate in the new year.
Links for Friday December 20th 2013
- DeskBeers
London only for now, but this is a really good idea, that I will be joining at least one of my colleagues in agitating for in the new year. - Find The Thing You’re Most Passionate About, Then Do It On Nights And Weekends For The Rest Of Your Life | The Onion – America’s Finest News Source
This may be the bleakest, nearest-the-bone, thing I've ever read from the Onion. Which, I suspect, says it all really.