16 November 2014

Human Universe - Final Quote

BBC - Human Universe

"Science is unreasonably effective. It's generated knowledge beyond all expectation. It's also delivered perspective. Yes, we are an insignificant speck, in an infinite universe, but we're also rare. And because we're rare, we're valuable.

So what are we to do to secure our future? Well, we must learn to value to the acquisition of knowledge for its own sake. And not just because it grows our economy or allows to us to build better bombs.

We must also learn to value the human race, and take responsibility for our own survival. Why? Because there's nobody else out there to value us or to look after us.

And finally - most important of all, we must educate the next generation in the great discoveries of science. And we must teach them to use the light of reason to banish the darkness of superstition. If we do that, then at least there's a chance this universe will remain a human one."

Professor Brian Cox - Human Universe (episode 5)

9 November 2014

Doctor Who - Death In Heaven unanswered questions

- How was Danny able to get over the Cyberman programming after switching his emotions on? Is it due to the power of love again?
- What was the point of being the President of the World? He didn't even use it to do anything. Is it because he didn't want it anyway?
- Why was Osgood so easily convinced to hear Missy whisper? Is she just that convincing? Either way she would have died anyway, Missy still got out of the handcuffs.
- Did Osgood etc. go to the Nethersphere after being killed by Missy's red death ray? Seems unlikely as she killed Seb.
- How does a full cyber conversion happen just by it raining? Proper machines were needed before.
- Why convert the dead and not the living? Is it because with the dead and the Nethersphere, people's personalities could be erased, resolving the problem of converted humans fighting against their programming? Which didn't work in Danny's case?
- Was that really Missy's plan all along, just to give the doctor an army and see if he turns to evil? What does she get out of it?
- How did the Master escape the Gallifrey in the pocket universe (here it is described another dimension instead) - Missy does hint at this
- The Doctor went to the Gallifrey coordinates, but surely he was looking at the real world, not the other dimension/pocket universe?
- How did Danny get converted even though he was on a table under a sheet? Did the water drip onto the sheet, drip up, or go into the air?
- How long has the Nethersphere been around? (It was hinted it's been around since humanity started believing in the afterlife) - so who set up the hard drive in the first place?
- Who setup the other Cybermen tanks in the world? How did they remain hidden? (TARDIS has the same ability?) Were there more of the Gallifreyan hard drives or was the only one in St Paul's? (Latter seems likely due to its size inside)
- Why did Missy have control over the Cybermen? (using the wrist device) Technology stolen from the Timelords?
- Why did the kid that Danny killed have a body, does he not need his original? This is a similar way to how Missy was able to fully enter and exit the Nethersphere however - maybe until she was apparently killed, she was the only person allowed to transfer in/out? (Assuming the hard drive records metal self image or physical properties of the person)
- Is 3w entirely responsible for the creation of the small handful of Cybermen in each city (the elite afterlife), the administration regarding being cremated or not)
- Why was the internal of the Nethersphere with the Cyberman logo in mind? Can it be redesigned as necessary against whatever Timelord defaults there are?

15 June 2014

Upgrading Cloud Storage: Comparison Chart (Updated)

If you need more cloud storage and aren't sure where you should put your money, here is a nice comparison chart showing some of the most popular cloud sync services and their annual costs based on storage sizes.

Any grey cells are where that storage size is not available. Some of the providers can give more than 1TB as well and some have more mixed ones in between.

If you'd like to see any providers, post a comment and I'll be happy to add them.

View full-screen version here on Google Drive (ha).

Money Supermarket have a chart of rates and providers, but it doesn't compare price per GB, which the one below does.

21 April 2014

Recommended Android Apps

Social Networking/Messaging

  • Facebook Messenger
  • Twitter
  • Foursquare
  • Whatsapp
  • mySMS

Games


  • Monument Valley
  • Quiz Up
  • Dead Space
  • Despicable Me
  • Wind Up Knight
  • Cut The Rope
  • Angry Birds
  • Flow Free
  • Cookie Clicker
  • Draw Something
  • PewPew
  • Memory Trainer
  • Wordament

Themes/Widgets

  • Freshbacks

Music/Photo/Video

  • Cartoon HD
  • Plex
  • Movies Planet
  • QuickPic
  • Shazam
  • Spotify
  • TVcatchup
  • VLC

Maintenance

  • Battery Notifier

Security/Access

  • KeePass
  • AirDroid
  • Authenticator
  • RD Client
  • Remote Control

'Find My iPhone'

  • Lookout Security
  • Android Lost
  • Prey
  • Android Device Manager

Location/Scanning/Shopping

  • Barcode Scanner
  • Google Goggles
  • Fancy
  • Wish
  • Just Eat
  • National Rail
  • RAC
  • Google Opinion Rewards
  • Tube Map

News

  • Feedly

Tools/Keeping Organised

  • Automatic Call Recorder
  • SolCalendar
  • Instant Heart Rate Monitor
  • Google Keep
  • Link Bubble
  • OI File Manager
  • PushBullet
  • Speedtest
  • Swype
  • Wifi Analyzer

12 March 2014

Most twisted things I've seen


Sometimes there are shows or movies that raise massive ethical questions or are just incredibly twisted/messed up, this covers some of them.
  • Heroes - when Sylar's physical image and memories were replaced with those of Nathan Petrelli
  • Jeepers Creepers
  • Saw
  • Human Centipede
  • Hannibal
  • The Thing
  • The Fly
  • The Matrix

And the most tragic/left me reeling:

  • Groundhog Day
  • Butterfly Effect
  • Oblivion
  • Up
  • Spirited Away
  • Wreck-It Ralph
  • Toy Story 3

24 February 2014

Android Daily Wallpaper changer app :)

Freshbacks for Android is an awesome wallpaper-changer-app that keeps your phone fresh with always changing, beautiful wallpapers! 

25 January 2014

Updated: Google Chrome: Flags you should enable

To edit your flags, go to chrome://flags/


Here's a list of flags that I use and would recommend. This is as of Chrome 58 - if using a newer version, the "default-ness" of these may have changed (it isn't clear what it means by 'Default' sadly). This focuses on Windows ones only. I've ignored any flags that are to do with purely experimental HTML and Javascript elements because they probably aren't in common use, are unstable, or could be insecure.

Link here for non-embedded version.



Some recommended articles with more:

5 January 2014

Should you upgrade to the Nexus 5 from the Nexus 4?


  • No: bugs/issues with handset - resolved
  • No: battery may be worse due to higher cpu - seems ok
  • Yes: if don't upgrade, then current nexus 4 will lower in value. But, nexus 5 should become cheaper as well?
  • Yes: 32GB storage
  • No: cnet review http://m.cnet.com/reviews/google-nexus-5/35828372
  • Maybe: size is actually same as Samsung Galaxy s4, which doesn't seem too large
  • Yes: WiFi ac, LTE (though not supported fully in UK yet)
Overall review on deciding yes:

  • Considerably and noticeably faster
  • Possibly better battery, definitely charges faster
  • Much lighter - a feather compared to the Nexus 4 which feels like a brick
  • Sell the Nexus for the "remainder" of how much you bought it for, divided by 24 months (normal length of a phone contract) and minus how many month's you've already had it

Google Glass questions


  • What if everyone on the train had one, and was talking on it, you wouldn't be able to hear yourself?
  • Could anyone's voice work with it just by walking past you?
    • Voice control would have to be built in - but what about people who can imitate your voice?
  • Is it waterproof? For wearing in the rain?
  • How much does it compare to Sixth Sense?