Member postings for Peter G. Shaw

I have to say that I don’t like it, although fortunately I’m at an age where it is unlikely to have much effect on my life. Nevertheless, it seems to be straying into the realms of certain science fiction films, eg Logan’s Run and one other I have a vague memory of where computers did everything.

My experience so far of attempts to computerise everything are not particularly good. For example, problems caused by using American (where else?) designed software which does not cater for us in the UK and causes such problems such as having to enter dates in what to me is an alien way, eg “mmm dd yyyy”, rather than “dd mmm yyy”. I also have bad memories of attempting to use software which demanded that I give them a mobile phone number, and locked up when one was not forthcoming. Now I know that these are relatively minor in the great scheme of things, but I wonder just how good, and how accurate, all this ChatGPT is?

I also have in mind all those ideas of recent years that have caused problems, eg, the “smart” tv’s that listened to, and videoed what was going on even when supposedly switched off; laptops with built-in cameras leading to teenage girls covering up the camera port just to ensure that they were not being photographed. And as I write this, I am thinking of the device named Portal which was bought for us by our elder son. Very clever it is, good video, good sound, ability to contact people for free etc. But, and it’s a big but, the camera is always on, so if you happen to wander about in a state of undress, it can capture you, not a good idea in my opinion!

Then there is the computerisation of cars. Ok, it does allow the vehicle to work more reliably, more efficiently, more safely, all good things, but what next? Some twerp in a centrally heated building a few hundred miles away deciding unilaterally that the weather conditions are too bad to allow driving so prevents all vehicles from being started/used? Some of you may think I’m over-dramatising it, but the plain fact is that it has already been proposed that as from a specific date all vehicles would have to incorporate the ability for the vehicles speed to be controlled remotely. I have to say that I don’t know what the latest is on this subject, but I would not be at all surprised to find that plans are still being looked at.

I know that I am railing against the future here, and that it will come, but really, do we need this? Where’s the fun in asking a machine to do something for us, and I’m thinking of the recent case where a driver used AI to appeal against a fine, when we could do it ourselves and probably learn something as a by-product.

I would also like to state that I am not against computerisation per se, indeed producing this response shows that I can and do use IT. I also use, in a minor way to be true, other IT programs, and equipment, eg a camera which can do the thinking for me, but is still under my control. And that I think is what may be missing, an individual's control of the system.

Tootle pip,

Peter G. Shaw

What is a "standard height"? When I set up my present workshop, some 25 years ago, I started with the basic idea of setting the vice jaws level with my elbow. That then fixed the main bench height, and since the lathe/drilling machine bench was to be adjacent to the main bench, I made the machine bench surface the same as the main bench. That might have been a mistake, but I didn't fancy different heights.

Now, I have Ankylosing Spondilitis and I was shocked some years ago when my GP casually informed me that as a result of that disease I was now 5ft 5" as that meant I had lost 3" off my erstwhile maximum height. Since then, I suspect I've gone down a bit more. Which means that I now have to use a 5" "step up", to get me to a comfortable height to use the lathe.

In addition, following on from an idea in either ME/MEW, I've extended my bench mounted vertical drill by 4". I now have to use an old caravan step when using it for any length of time. Plus, I've added a set of mounting posts for the lathe something similar to Tubal Cain's suggestion in one of his books.

So, rather than increasing Machine Tool height, I actually need to reduce them, and indeed, my milling machine, a Sieg X2 clone, is mounted on a trolley whose worktop is quite a few inches below the other two workbench tops.

It's horses for courses, and perhaps we should, if possible, custom build our workshops individually to suit our individual heights.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

Okey-doke, it, or rather they, came today. Both from Belfast. Both dated 11 Mar 2023. So that's the first query. Where the blazes have they been for the last 20 days? Answers in pencil on a fiver please!

Now, my wife's works out ok, especially if you discount the fact that 6 + 0 = 7!!! Mea culpa. But mine! Here we go back into the land of 'I haven't a clue what's going on'.

Ok, the Basic State Pension is as expected so no problems there. But, I also have Pre97 Additional State Pension (10.09% increase over last year so ok) less Contracted Out Deduction, COD, (which seems to be 1.17% increase) plus Graduated Retirement Benefit (which has increased by 10.2% so makes sense). It would seem therefore that it's the COD thats causing my problem. And for Howi's benefit, that's all before we start looking into Income Tax.

Ok, some people say, what the hell just do this or that and it'll be ok. Maybe so, but that's not how I have worked over that last 50+ years, and it has paid off! What we have done is to ensure that for normal living expenses we have never spent more than we have coming in. If we needed something, eg a replacement car, we have used loans, but only as long as we could cover the monthly payments within our monthly income. Some of you will remember the "screaming" that went on a few years ago when people with overdrafts started being charged high amounts of interest by the banks. We have never had a large overdraft, yes we have an agreed allowance of £256, I think it is, but we've never used it. So we were not part of the "screaming brigade" of people who seemingly were incapable of keeping control of their finances, indeed, when I commented negatively back then about people spending beyond their means and not reading the conditions etc, I got well and truly slated. OK, that's up to them, but not me. And that is important. I need to know just how much is coming in so that we can spend appropriately, hence my concerns about the delayed arrival of these letters.

True, I don't understand about all the bits that make up my state pension. And frankly I don't really need to although I probably could do so if I really wanted to. In respect of Income Tax, I don't really have a problem with it in that I understand how it works for me - and here again I've taken steps to eliminate anything that could throw a spanner in the works, eg all our savings are now in ISA's so nothing to advise to HMRC. Indeed, the biggest problem I currently have is that my personal savings have slowly increased to a point where IHT may well be a distinct probability.

So, that, as far as I am concerned, is it. My system works for us, but it relies on being given timely information about our pensions and as long as that is reasonably early, then ok that'l do.

Cheers one and all, it's been interesting to read other peoples experiences and opinions.

Tottle pip,

Peter G. Shaw

Following on from MadMike's comments, I decided to calculate the increase over last years pension. Her's was a little over 10% so ok. But mine works out at 15%. Which is worrying - did I mishear him? Quite possibly given the state of my ears. Or has something I don't understand/know about happened?

In general, attempting to work out my next years pension is fraught with all sorts of permutations. For example, the first few years - 15 or so? - of my career was as a civil servant with a non-contributary pension. Thereafter, it became contributary, contained strange things such as Contracted Out Deduction, Guaranteed Minimum Pension, 3% which is a figure above which the state pays the increase, or vice versa - don't know which, two dates which give three different calculations and so on and so forth. The end result is that It simply isn't possible to easily determine what my next years pensions will be: instead it's a case of doff the cap, tug the forelock, hold out the hand and say thankyou very much. Ok, maybe it's not that bad, but it's certainly not easy.

In respect of Income Tax, that is relatively simple - DWP inform HMRC how much I am getting. HMRC add it to my works pension, calculate the tax, inform the works pension paying authority how much to deduct and what's left is what I receive. Simples really in comparison.

But, it is a worry until I receive notification. For example, tomorrow I have to pay Council Tax, Water Bill, and a small standing order. Fortunately, we have built up a surplus to cover us, but what if we hadn't? Or perhaps even worse, suppose we had a large mortgage, or had to pay rental? Would the recipients be happy to wait because I don't know how much I'm getting?

There are indeed many problems along the way, and (in my case) not knowing for definite makes life somewhat difficult.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

Nigel,

I seem to recall that this closing of roads for investigations started with a Chief Constable of Wales who decreed that all road accidents were crime scenes and needed investigation. This was the same CC who started the system of prosecuting drivers who strayed over the speed limit by 1mph. Today, the Police don't seem to care about the disruption caused by these wholesale closures.

Peter G. Shaw

Well now, still nothing in the post so I decided to telephone The Pension Service - the people who send out the letters. After having negotiated the menus (note the plurality!) and waited the requisite "hang on until one of our agents wakes up - sorry, is free!", I spoke to a man who confirmed that they are still sending out the letters. Anyway, and much to my surprise, I quoted my NI number and he told me firstly how much I would be getting and when it would start. I then quoted my wife's NI number, and even more surprising he quoted her data. So much for privacy!

So, in my case, all's well that ends well, and at least now I can make a start on financial planning for the next 12 months. And then at the end of April, when I receive notification of my works pension, complete it.

Hmmm,

A much surprised, and pleased,

Peter G. Shaw

As far as I can determine, both our NI No.s have different dates attached to them, eg my pay day is different to hers, and to be fair this has always been reflected in the different days it arrives in our accounts. In addition, her pay day appears to be at least a week behind mine, but all seems to work out ok in the end.

Yes, because of our birthdates, we both get the lower rate of state pension. Also, in both instances we had to pay extra to get the maximum we were entitled to because we didn't have the requisite no. of years. Wasn't much, and I can't remember how much, just the four or so cheapest years out of what was missing. Piece of cake really. 'Er indoors of course got allowances for having produced 3 children over 30 + years.

Rules and regulations seem unfathomable at times, but as long as we get it, I'm not too bothered. And let's face it, the important point is when it arrives in our account - the letters really aren't that important other than confirmation of what we are about to receive. And when.

So, once a again, thanks for the responses. At least I now know I'm not alone in possibly late receipt.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

Looking at last years advices (for my wife and me) the letters were dated 12 March. I haven't checked any further back 'cos I can't be bothered.

I suppose alphabetically could be the reason.

What I have done though, because I have a database showing expected dates of payment and how much, is to attempt to work out our expected pay dates based on what information I have gleaned from the government websites (starting 10 April for me, 20 April for my wife) and how much I think we should be receiving. It's going to be interesting seeing just how near I am!

I also have a works pension, but that is not due until the end of April so not that bothered as yet. Except that again, I think I've managed to work out what the new rate will be.

Anyway, all rather academic really, but at least It's nice to know that some people have received notification whilst others (Bernard) have not. Many thanks for the replies.

Peter G. Shaw

Ok, a query totally unrelated to model or indeed any engineering.

Has anyone received notification of their State Pension entitlement for the 2023/24 year? I haven't and it seems to me that it is late this year.

As a matter of interest, I find it erm, "interesting" that all those organisations "requiring" payment, have all sent out their demands. Even BT has told me that my telephone bill is going up! But, I've yet to receive anything telling me how much extra I'm going to receive this next year! Or even, in the case of the State Pension, if I'm going to receive anything!

Cheers, from a wondering "just what the blazes is going on",

Peter G. Shaw

p.s. This of course means it will arrive Monday a.m.

Why do Microsoft keep trying to sabotage my computer?

Because they want total control over it in a similar way to Apple!

Cynically yours,

Peter G. Shaw

Howard,

Neither am I! An expert that is. Indeed, if you look were to look through my scanned photos, you will see a definite improvement as I experimented! Still, not an expert, though. Incidently, Gimp is free software and available for Linux, Windows and Mac.

I have absolutely no idea how to recover photos from handouts. Having said that, I have also tried copying some B/W photos into the computer, and once there, they are then easy to improve contrast etc, but somehow I doubt if that is your answer. The big problem, which is really nothing to do with your problem, is that I don't know where I took some of them, except that they were during the 1963 winter and were likely to be somewhere on top of the Pennines between Sheffield & Huddersfield. Ah well, back to oblivion.

Good luck with your quest, I'm sorry I can't help anymore.

Peter G. Shaw

Suggest you try something like "stuttering dial tone" or "intermittent dial tone" on'i t'internet. There are some ideas there.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

p.s. It shouldn't be necessary to cancel 1571.

Howard,

I don't profess to be an expert in photography, but a few years ago I went through an exercise which may help in your problem above.

What I wanted to do was to transfer all my colour slides onto, or should that be into, my computer. What I did was something advocated by Harold Hall, and along with (eventually) the result of some experimenting was to create a light box with two 25W pearl candle lamps in it (ok it got hot) and with a small aperture in the front face. Inside I taped a translucent screen from a redundant hand held slide viewer over the hole and on the outside two pieces of cardboard to act as guides for the slides. I then made an adaptor out of chipboard and which correctly spaced my camera away from the slide being photographed.

I then photographed each slide and set about correcting the resultant photos. I ended up using Gimp and managed to correct both the pin cushion and barrel distortion this system produced, but best of all, I found an automatic colour correction facility within Gimp which produced nicely corrected photos, correct that is on the computer screen. Of course, there was also a manual colour correction facility which I had to use for some of the worst photos, but even so I finished up with an extremely high proportion of nicely corrected photos. I did have some that due to passage of time were too far gone to be rescued, but I did manage to recognise one of them, but another two totally defeated me.

I also, through experimenting, discovered that by using a combination of the Unsharp Mask & other filters, I could improve some of the blurred photos.

Overall though, I was well pleased with the results.

I offer this as a solution to your problems.

Good luck

Peter G. Shaw

James,

Those articles could have been written for me, not by me, but for me. I have a Canon A640 something or other digital camera. It has (seemingly) 100's of different modes - some I've experimented with, but always end up using the "Auto" mode because I simply cannot obtain the same results as the camera. Ok, it's me, that I readily acknowledge.

I have tried different settings, tried light boards to reflect light, tried flash with & wthout room lighting, additional lighting, whatever, all to get rid of unwanted shadows and to get reasonably correct colours. I've cropped photos thinking it better to just submit the article of interest not realizing that the editors can crop to suit the space available, so I've actually learned something from these articles. And so on and so forth.

I have no real interest in photography, taking snapshots being a better description, which means that I would never pickup a photography magazine. So articles like these, ok, not model engineering perhaps, should go someway towards improving any future photos I take for the magazine. Not that there may be too many now, but if I ever get round to writing up the three unfinished projects then these articles may help.

I wonder, if from Neil's point of view, these articles should be included with contributors notes for future writers.

Cheers, & happy flashing!!!

Peter G. Shaw

You can tell the target market from the brand.

Yeah, the gullible!

Peter G. Shaw

Harry,

One of the problems is that Linux as such is not advertised, or at least I never see any adverts for it. Another problem is that the vast majority of PC's in this country come with Windows. How then is the punter to find out about alternative operating systems? The poor bloke, or blokess, may be struggling like SOD/Dave above with a computer that takes forever to do a Windows upgrade when that same machine, under Linux might only take a few minutes for an upgrade.

(Dave, I don't mean that you personally are struggling - it's obvious that you are not.)

So, by me taking the opportunity to explain how to run Windows programs under Linux, either by program substitution, or via an intermediary program, I try to demonstrate that there is a usable alternative to Windows.

Another problem that a Windows user may have an old Windows/DOS program which they need. Now ok, there may be upgrades which allow the old program to work with the latest version of Windows. Or maybe not! I have this problem with an ageing, well perhaps obsolete might be better, DOS based database program which will not work with those versions of Windows designed for home use (apparently Microsoft does not give DOS access on these systems). Whether it will work with the commercial versions of Windows or not I do not know. (I'm sorry, I don't actually know the correct terms for these varieties of Windows - all I know is that the cheaper versions do not allow DOS access.) In my case, as mentioned earlier in this thread, I've got it working under Linux via DOSEMU2. Hence, Linux has got me out of a hole.

Now, you may well ask why I don't upgrade this program? A fair question. First I would have to learn a new program, and at my age that's just not on, and secondly, I would then have to transfer my data across. Perhaps not difficult, but why should I? I have a program which does everything I want, so why learn a new program?

So, as I say, I look upon my comments about Linux as a form of advertising in the hope that more and more people will come to realise that there is an alternative to Windows. True, it might need a bit more work to get running satisfactorily, but the end result will be every bit as good as, and maybe even better in some respects, eg updates, than Windows.

That's why I take the opportunity to rabbit on about Linux.

Cheers, & goodnight one and all,

Peter G. Shaw

Peter Greene,

The problem is that if Microsoft had their way, then PC's would become just another version of Apple with the internals locked down so tightly that no-one would be able to do anything other than what Microsoft (or Apple) allow. As it is, the likes of Linux, by insisting that they should be able to run on general purpose PC's (after all, what does PC stand for? Yes, Personal Computer!) help to prevent a takeover by Microsoft.

You've only got to look at some of the antics that Microsoft have got up to in their quest for PC domination: here in the UK & EU, Microsoft attempted to force us to use Internet Explorer and was it a music player program (I forget the exact details) by bundling them with the operating system. Fortunately, the EU stepped in and forced Microsoft to post a notice on initial installation that alternative pieces of equivalent software were available. You should also look at the amount of fines Microsoft has been given for abusing their position.

Now I know the above sounds like an anti-Microsoft rant, but they have had some good ideas, and a lot of bad ones. The trouble is that as someone above commented, the vast majority of PC buyers simply go with whatever is placed on their machines - just think what might happen if all the PC retailers were required to supply machines without an OS, and were required to explain the alternatives to Windows along with their relative costs, perhaps even having to demonstrate the different systems. Now ok, Microsoft would scream, but at the same time other OS's would become more readily available and their market share would grow.

So, far from "enlightening" people, I would like to think of myself as helping to keep the idea of competion alive. After all, when you buy a car, you have a large number of manufacturers to choose from together with countless variations in specification, including engine types and sizes. Why then, shouldn't that also apply to PC's instead of the two that we have - Apple & Microsoft?

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

Martin,

I was frustrated by the fact that I couldn't do anything at the machine code level whereas with DOS, CP/M, MP/M etc I could happily trot around at that level.

I suppose really it was the experimental part of me, and of no real use for everyday computing. Actually, that's not really true. I managed to recover some files on a DOS system after someone had screwed up the directory tracks, and I managed to merge 3 DB files into one after the official support group had said it couldn't be done, so it wasn't all play, although a lot of it was.

That's all.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 20/02/2023 21:17:55

Nealeb,

Agree with what you are saying, especially about the lack of knowledge of users, indeed, I found quite a few users whose machines were setup for US of A working, not UK, US of A being the default setup.

For me, the crunch came when with the loss of XP support, I discovered that upgrading to whatever replaced XP, was about to cause me to replace certain pieces of fully working equipment at my expense, something I objected to just to bolster Microsoft's bottom line.

Now it has been pointed out to me, on more than one occasion, that Microsoft are not responsible for the software drivers for , eg, HP printers. Fair enough, but Microsoft are responsible for making changes that caused these drivers to stop working, and that is a good enough reason for me to blame Microsoft, especially as the Linux version I eventually adopted did everything I wanted, all without changing equipment.

Incidently, Microsoft did have some good ideas, witness the fact that ever since I made the switch, I have always setup my Linux versions to as closely as possible, resemble the XP desktop.

As far as Apple is concerned, I have used early Apple equipment, Mackintosh was it? I found it very frustrating to be limited in what I could do after being used for the almost free-for-all of DOS. As a result, I'm just not interested in anything Apple.

Tootle Pip,

Peter G. Shaw

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 20/02/2023 14:11:41

Many years ago, certain Tech lecturers attempted to teach me the basics of electronics.

Then I transferred to a job where basic electronic design knowledge was a good idea - except that my tech training proved pretty useless!

Finally, one of my colleagues found a book in the local library, copied a part of it, showed it to me (that wasn't the reason for copying by the way), and suddenly I found I could understand what was going on.

The book was Electronic Designer's Handbook, and it had a follow up, Circuit Consultant's Casebook, and the writer was T.K.Hemingway. Both books are old, say 50 or so years, but may still be available via your local library. Highly recommended, indeed I used the knowledge gained from those books to design fairly basic test equipment, and to find design problems in other peoples work.

Cheers,

Peter G. Shaw