Daily Archives: Monday, November 11, 2013

  • Linux: suitable for business and personal use

    Steve WoodsOpen Source, Politics, Tech

    image of Tux, the Linux kernel mascotThe Netherlands’ Nationaal Cyber Security Centrum (NCSC), part of the Dutch Ministry of Justice, has recently published a fact sheet (PDF) about Microsoft’s impending withdrawal of support for its ancient Windows XP operating system.

    The fact sheet urges users to switch to more modern operating systems as alternatives, but also says some interesting things about Linux, for example:

    Newer versions of Windows, such as Windows 7 are 8, are still well supported. The same is true of Linux-based operating systems like Ubuntu and Red Hat.

    When it comes to operating system updates and suitable uses for operating systems, the NCSC remarks as follows:

    In addition to the newer versions of Windows, there are other operating systems which are also regularly provided with updates. There are various Linux distributions which are suitable for personal and business use. Ubuntu and Red Hat are two popular examples of these. It is also possible to replace the computer itself, or you could also choose a computer with a Mac OS X operating system. These are supplied and supported by Apple. Even older versions of Mac OS X or Linux-based systems reach the “end of life” status from time to time. It is therefore also important for users of these operating systems to use a current version.

    The NCSC’s main target groups for this working paper are the Netherlands’ ministries, national government councils and service organisations, Joinup reports.

  • Spalding Magistrates Court – an interpreting black hole?

    Steve WoodsLanguage, Politics

    image of Spalding Magistrates Court
    Spalding Magistrates Court
    The Ministry of Justice’s interpreting contract with Capita Translation & Interpreting is lurching along largely unseen by the general public, delaying and denying justice to many in contravention of Clause 40 of Magna Carta (posts passim) – one of the few clauses of that important legal document from 1215 still in effect today.

    Yesterday Lincolnshire’s Spalding Guardian (not to be confused with a similarly titled, typographically challenged offering originally from Manchester. Ed.) carried not one, but two reports of interpreters who missed assignments at Spalding Magistrates Court, which only sits day per week nowadays.

    Firstly, there’s the report of a 53 year-old man accused of stealing bolt croppers.

    The case of a man accused of stealing bolt croppers could not be heard by Spalding magistrates because there was no interpreter present.

    Secondly, the Spalding Guardian covered an adjourned drink-driving case involving a man called Piotr Nowak.

    His case is due to be heard on Thursday. There was no interpreter present at last week’s hearing.

    In spite of the constant stream of evidence to the contrary, the Ministry of Justice continue to assert that Capita T&I’s performance under the contract continues to improve.

    By that logic 2 + 2 = 5 (at least it does in Petty France, SW1. Ed.).

    Spalding may have an above average need for interpreters due to the high numbers of East European migrant workers employed in agriculture and food processing – something that must annoy the hell out of UKIP supporters.

  • Bristol Post Balls – bedding expenses

    Steve WoodsBristol, Language, Media

    I knew having children was expensive, but never realised cots – those small-sized beds for babies – could cost so much until I read this article in today’s Bristol Post about an expensive night out which sadly ended up in that local Palais de Justice also known as Bristol Crown Court.

    Bristol Crown Court
    Bristol Crown Court

    Apparently, the night out resulted in a huge bill for bedding, according to the relevant sentence in the article.

    The court was told Collins had to stump up £8,500 towards legal cots.