First really nippy day of the year.
Well, this morning.
Now, with the sun... glorious.
Missus well happy at the 7am central heating kick-of and blissfully unaware that it goes off at 9am until 5pm, when it kicks in again until bedtime.
I noticed, at around 10am. Hence the jummy.
Thing is, am I doing the right thing?
As with the immerser, is it better to have it on all day, albeit 'ticking' over, or have two bursts to top and tail the day?
What is best for the overall thermal performance of a thick stone-walled building?
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Not to mention....
...oh go on then.. reuse!
UK losing £650m a year by binning and burning waste
Even less impacting on the environment. doesn't require the public to work free for others/targets/bonusses, can save oodles of munny and... is well fun!
UK losing £650m a year by binning and burning waste
Even less impacting on the environment. doesn't require the public to work free for others/targets/bonusses, can save oodles of munny and... is well fun!
What goes up , might not be a downer
Well, not as much of one.
What, exactly, makes a rocket fuel environmentally friendly?
I think, as with many headlines, adding an 'er' might be more accurate.
But any step in the right direction must be welcome.
At least it seems a tad more credible than some of the claims made by such as Virgin Galactic (and which have attracted a few eyebrow cranks of mine).
Exploration is necessary, so mitigating the consequences is the best option.
What, exactly, makes a rocket fuel environmentally friendly?
I think, as with many headlines, adding an 'er' might be more accurate.
But any step in the right direction must be welcome.
At least it seems a tad more credible than some of the claims made by such as Virgin Galactic (and which have attracted a few eyebrow cranks of mine).
Exploration is necessary, so mitigating the consequences is the best option.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Getting there...
Yesterday started in the pits.
I was being stalked by a nutter on a BBC blog, the boiler didn't work, the washing machine repair was 2 weeks' off, it was raining... and I was staring at a potential 'efinsaftee disaster to my proposed stand to next week.
Fire regs on non-certificated plastics.
Notwithstanding that any Junkk stand is usually 95% plastic junk anyway, this was going to be a real issue.
Anyway, in the course of the day the nutter got modded (might be back mind), the boiler fixed (on insurance), the washing machine fixed (on insurance) thanks to me being a home worker and getting a cancellation, the sun shone again, and.... the lovely organisers of BIS said they had no problem with my stand proposal. Especially as it is made from two reused climbing frames the boys are two old for.
Now all I have to do is figure out what to put in it, on it and around it, and then get it all to London to set up in a few hours on the 13th.
Data Day
Postcodes: Adam Crozier letter
From MP Tom Watson.
From me:
I will follow this issue with interest: thank you for raising it. And for pursuing it further.
I think a nice balance between sympathetic commercial realism and community challenge on matters of 'public' data.
My website has a postcode location facility to help, amongst other things, people to locate each other to facilitate reuse swaps, etc.
I think I paid for that, a long while ago.
Now many folk, especially new registrants, are complaining that their postcodes 'don't work'. I'm guessing boundary changes or additions.
Now as a commercial business I can see how things that take money to create need to be compensated, but I do get interested when the ways such data are gleaned are less clearly defined.
And, as stated above, when there is a clear public benefit to having access to information about themselves.
I believe the Guardian has been on this case also for quite a while: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/free-our-data
Taking a tip from another poster, as Junkk.com also finds itself followed in, but (until now, for monetary reasons, poorly serving) the USA, this is pretty significant, and cheering:
Federal Register in XML
From MP Tom Watson.
From me:
I will follow this issue with interest: thank you for raising it. And for pursuing it further.
I think a nice balance between sympathetic commercial realism and community challenge on matters of 'public' data.
My website has a postcode location facility to help, amongst other things, people to locate each other to facilitate reuse swaps, etc.
I think I paid for that, a long while ago.
Now many folk, especially new registrants, are complaining that their postcodes 'don't work'. I'm guessing boundary changes or additions.
Now as a commercial business I can see how things that take money to create need to be compensated, but I do get interested when the ways such data are gleaned are less clearly defined.
And, as stated above, when there is a clear public benefit to having access to information about themselves.
I believe the Guardian has been on this case also for quite a while: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/free-our-data
Taking a tip from another poster, as Junkk.com also finds itself followed in, but (until now, for monetary reasons, poorly serving) the USA, this is pretty significant, and cheering:
Federal Register in XML
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Bang goes my audience?
Apparently the passwords of hotmail account holders have been compromised.
Now, which single grouping is the greatest sign-ups to Junkk.com?
And of which grouping who is least likely to inform us of a change of email addy?
Which I rather suspect they will do, along with a possibly compromised password.
And that... means we will be unable to get any future comms, such as newsletters, to them.
Brilliant:(
BBC - Top G-man in Phishing scam
Now, which single grouping is the greatest sign-ups to Junkk.com?
And of which grouping who is least likely to inform us of a change of email addy?
Which I rather suspect they will do, along with a possibly compromised password.
And that... means we will be unable to get any future comms, such as newsletters, to them.
Brilliant:(
BBC - Top G-man in Phishing scam
IRONY ALERT - Aunty says switch off. Not her, of course
Watching (on a PIP on my PC) Breakfast BBC News.
Just loved the way they intro'd a piece on an energy saving story about the Isles of Scilly.
'What one thing could you switch off now?'...pause... 'Er... not the TV of course'.
First image I see? A person switching off her TV.
Always a bit dubious about 'days', and this one seems no different. However, it did gain the community some PR to share notions like not running a power shower for 5 minutes before getting in it.
O....k.
Actually, all this energy awareness seems to be spinning on its own axis to me. Not that any that is shared is in any way not worth knowing, but there is a ton of money saying very few, blooming obvious things and... over and over. Good enviROI?
Just look at the latest EST ad that this would appear to be coinciding with.
If not having a bath and switching down your fridge is the best they can do after all this time, I think the money could really have been spent better elsewhere, on issues where folk may well be persuaded by pragmatic advice.
Addendum - the event site, sadly not shared by the national broadcaster. Interesting stuff, if a bit 'busy'
Just loved the way they intro'd a piece on an energy saving story about the Isles of Scilly.
'What one thing could you switch off now?'...pause... 'Er... not the TV of course'.
First image I see? A person switching off her TV.
Always a bit dubious about 'days', and this one seems no different. However, it did gain the community some PR to share notions like not running a power shower for 5 minutes before getting in it.
O....k.
Actually, all this energy awareness seems to be spinning on its own axis to me. Not that any that is shared is in any way not worth knowing, but there is a ton of money saying very few, blooming obvious things and... over and over. Good enviROI?
Just look at the latest EST ad that this would appear to be coinciding with.
If not having a bath and switching down your fridge is the best they can do after all this time, I think the money could really have been spent better elsewhere, on issues where folk may well be persuaded by pragmatic advice.
Addendum - the event site, sadly not shared by the national broadcaster. Interesting stuff, if a bit 'busy'
Monday, October 05, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY - And proud of it
Just heard on SKY News*
Guest commentator: "I'm afraid I don't get science"
Anchor: "Yes, well, I guess that is why we became journalists"
Ne'er a truer word. Sadly.
*Discussing 'elfinsaftee removing yet more experimentation opportunities to inspire students, this time in Chemistry.
Guest commentator: "I'm afraid I don't get science"
Anchor: "Yes, well, I guess that is why we became journalists"
Ne'er a truer word. Sadly.
*Discussing 'elfinsaftee removing yet more experimentation opportunities to inspire students, this time in Chemistry.
Knowledge is power
sourcemap.org
'Simply put: We believe that people have the right to know where things come from and what they are made of. '
Can't argue with that.
Hope it is accurate, mind.
'Simply put: We believe that people have the right to know where things come from and what they are made of. '
Can't argue with that.
Hope it is accurate, mind.
By example
British public refuse to fly less to reduce their carbon footprint
In many ways the headline is a perfect encapsulation of what I see as a significant issue.
'The British public...' is an odd bunch.
A 'them' that another 'us' seem to see as not cooperating despite near daily nags from those who somehow still don't find it ironic to be constantly climbing aboard (usually to wallow in the front) of aircraft to fly all about (usually to nice places) to either talk about climate, raise 'awareness' or, in the case of many media, stand in front of stuff to decry how flying is doing so much damage.
Even the Guardian is not immune, and of course is famously reluctant to drop lucrative ads suggesting its readers visit far flung places before the actions 'of others' ruin them.
And only yesterday I learn that Dame Ellen MacArthur is to give up sailing for climate change (sic) promotion. I doubt she will be do this exclusively using water-borne free air, which might lead to suggestions of hot air. 'Doing one's job' has consequences, and there is a certain arrogance in a reporter or campaigner (I can concede most pols, though Mr. Prescott took his commitments a tad far... and long) somehow figuring their 'job' is necessary and others are not.
I flew a lot in my Asia days, and I did not do it for fun. Crossing time zones in a stuffy metal tube will never be.
And when it comes to social travel I think we would need to change human nature first. The desire to go other places is ingrained. Which can only mean that the trend will be to making it unaffordable to any but... yes... a grouping I think all ready well represented above. Another social divide that cannot end well.
Just in my personal case, with half our family halfway around the world, it's already an ethical dilemma for those who care about such things, on top of a financial burden enough for those with no choice.
But when the government's latest climate quangocrat reckons he and his family might have to cut back on the long hauls...which they do for fun, annually... there is already a disconnect between the 'do as we says' and the rest. We're saving up to visit in the next few years.
So long as that is not appreciated by the nannies, I don't see much changing.
In many ways the headline is a perfect encapsulation of what I see as a significant issue.
'The British public...' is an odd bunch.
A 'them' that another 'us' seem to see as not cooperating despite near daily nags from those who somehow still don't find it ironic to be constantly climbing aboard (usually to wallow in the front) of aircraft to fly all about (usually to nice places) to either talk about climate, raise 'awareness' or, in the case of many media, stand in front of stuff to decry how flying is doing so much damage.
Even the Guardian is not immune, and of course is famously reluctant to drop lucrative ads suggesting its readers visit far flung places before the actions 'of others' ruin them.
And only yesterday I learn that Dame Ellen MacArthur is to give up sailing for climate change (sic) promotion. I doubt she will be do this exclusively using water-borne free air, which might lead to suggestions of hot air. 'Doing one's job' has consequences, and there is a certain arrogance in a reporter or campaigner (I can concede most pols, though Mr. Prescott took his commitments a tad far... and long) somehow figuring their 'job' is necessary and others are not.
I flew a lot in my Asia days, and I did not do it for fun. Crossing time zones in a stuffy metal tube will never be.
And when it comes to social travel I think we would need to change human nature first. The desire to go other places is ingrained. Which can only mean that the trend will be to making it unaffordable to any but... yes... a grouping I think all ready well represented above. Another social divide that cannot end well.
Just in my personal case, with half our family halfway around the world, it's already an ethical dilemma for those who care about such things, on top of a financial burden enough for those with no choice.
But when the government's latest climate quangocrat reckons he and his family might have to cut back on the long hauls...which they do for fun, annually... there is already a disconnect between the 'do as we says' and the rest. We're saving up to visit in the next few years.
So long as that is not appreciated by the nannies, I don't see much changing.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
RE:PAIR - Tip - Cleaning saws and sanders
Popped in to the local Tool Shop to get a new diamond cutter blade.
I was also asking the gurus there if it was OK to use my chop saw to cut plastic bottles (for my next Voucher Palm design) as I was worried about dulling the blade.
They said it was fine, and indeed mentioned that using plastic bottles actually can help clean both blades and even sanding discs.
I was also asking the gurus there if it was OK to use my chop saw to cut plastic bottles (for my next Voucher Palm design) as I was worried about dulling the blade.
They said it was fine, and indeed mentioned that using plastic bottles actually can help clean both blades and even sanding discs.
Buffer time!
As in... hitting 'em:(
That last post generated a new error.
Seems you can only have 2000 labels, and I have hit the limit.
How can I describe, and archive, an evolving world within this new restraint?
I guess a purge is in order... if I can figure out how.
That last post generated a new error.
Seems you can only have 2000 labels, and I have hit the limit.
How can I describe, and archive, an evolving world within this new restraint?
I guess a purge is in order... if I can figure out how.
The future's bright, the future's not looking too green
The latest Pentaward winners - Hat tip: Lovely Package
Friday, October 02, 2009
PR OPPORTUNITY - Another road trip, another possible chance to attract the media
Making and mending around Britain
Fresh from Ethical Man, it seems Newsnight is on the green trail again.
This one seems quite proactive and 'Doing-oriented', so worthy of waving at them in passing. Let's see if we can attract their attention before they hit London. Host Mary Jane Baxter is getting/generating a fair bit of coverage...
Here's our pitch:
Oh, it is not a passing trend. We have been advocating reuse as not only helping planet, but saving pocket, too: http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2006/05/16/womble_man_feature.shtml And when such as the Guardian ask Junkk.com to help run a national reuse competition with them, then it can only be a good sign:
http://www.junkk.com/newsarticle.asp?slevel=0z608z609&parent_id=609&renleewtsapf=301 Already netted some notions from the sublime:
http://www.junkk.com/junkkdetail.asp?slevel=0z622&parent_id=622&renleewtsapf=1917 To the frankly so simple, why didn't anyone think of it before?...
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2009/06/idea-cup-stack-holder.html So when you're swinging through the West Midlands (though the route on the map seems a bit East-centric), do pop by, a lot can and does happen here...
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2009/09/voucher-palm-lives-again.html And, if you're quick, we have an entire cosy cottage you can use as a base (aged parent off to care home and being marketed to let as we speak). Always welcome a hand, along with a boost, here.
Oh, and if it is mainly about fashion... Vac:Sac anyone?
http://www.junkk.com/junkkdetail.asp?slevel=0z622z709&parent_id=709&renleewtsapf=1730 Or a repair.. http://www.junkk.com/junkkdetail.asp?slevel=0z622&parent_id=622&renleewtsapf=1330 ps: You might even find out how to save some money on fuel as well. http://junkk.blogspot.com/2009/01/journeys-with-veronique-now-our-life-is.html
Fired off a hello. Let's see what results. Let us know if you apply/get coverage, too. If you do, please 'gis a mention if you found it here. I was soooo tempted not to mention and keep it to ourselves.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
AWARD - Sustainable businesses - Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
AWARD
WHEN: Deadline - 2pm on 30 October 2009
WHAT: Sustainable businesses - Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
WHAT... MORE?: From the blurb: The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the UK’s most prestigious Awards scheme for business success. There are four categories of Queen’s Awards – three for business success (International Trade, Innovation and... Sustainable Development) and one for individual achievement in encouraging UK entrepreneurship (The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion). Companies apply for the Business Awards but individuals must be nominated for the QAEP
HOW MUCH: Free! Just how we like it.
URL: Application forms can be completed online at www.queensawards.org.uk.
COMMENTS: It's a biggie and commands a lot of respect. Might even try ourselves:) Shame the trophy couldn't be commissioned from reused materials!
WHEN: Deadline - 2pm on 30 October 2009
WHAT: Sustainable businesses - Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
WHAT... MORE?: From the blurb: The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the UK’s most prestigious Awards scheme for business success. There are four categories of Queen’s Awards – three for business success (International Trade, Innovation and... Sustainable Development) and one for individual achievement in encouraging UK entrepreneurship (The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion). Companies apply for the Business Awards but individuals must be nominated for the QAEP
HOW MUCH: Free! Just how we like it.
URL: Application forms can be completed online at www.queensawards.org.uk.
COMMENTS: It's a biggie and commands a lot of respect. Might even try ourselves:) Shame the trophy couldn't be commissioned from reused materials!
Freecycle - A cautionary tale?
What went wrong with Freecycle in the UK?
I have to say I never really had a problem with it, but must confess that, being at the junction of three counties, gave up paying much attention (and hence using) having joined the three groups that this geographical location necessitated (JunkkYard being radial and without limit).
The emails and posts first got side-directed... and then ignored.
Plus I also never quite 'got' the model, which seem to rely on volunteers to run it, but then, as suggested here, seemed to have a board running... meddling with... the show, and seemingly trying it figure out how to make money on top.
Anyway, I'll top up the Category next, though cranking an eyebrow at 'you can't keep taking without giving' on the, new 'musty' non-autocratic front.
Here, we kinda err on 'so long as it is genuinely helping the planet, and all sides are cool on the deal... knock yourselves out'. But that's just us.
I have to say I never really had a problem with it, but must confess that, being at the junction of three counties, gave up paying much attention (and hence using) having joined the three groups that this geographical location necessitated (JunkkYard being radial and without limit).
The emails and posts first got side-directed... and then ignored.
Plus I also never quite 'got' the model, which seem to rely on volunteers to run it, but then, as suggested here, seemed to have a board running... meddling with... the show, and seemingly trying it figure out how to make money on top.
Anyway, I'll top up the Category next, though cranking an eyebrow at 'you can't keep taking without giving' on the, new 'musty' non-autocratic front.
Here, we kinda err on 'so long as it is genuinely helping the planet, and all sides are cool on the deal... knock yourselves out'. But that's just us.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Ta twit, ta woo
I am a twit... erer. @JunkkMale:)
Jury's out still, but I can't fault the access I now have via those I follow to useful info, links and, on occasion, 140 characters or less of worthy philosophy.
And I also share. Not as often as some, but more than others. I hope those that read value what I post.
Also bearing in mind that, thanks to the aggregation software kindly loaded in here, this post will pop up on Twitter within 24hrs.
Anyhoo, as one still finding my feet, I value useful ways to improve, and even the odd critique to spot things to avoid:
RandyGage.com - The Twitter Manifesto Remix…
Jury's out still, but I can't fault the access I now have via those I follow to useful info, links and, on occasion, 140 characters or less of worthy philosophy.
And I also share. Not as often as some, but more than others. I hope those that read value what I post.
Also bearing in mind that, thanks to the aggregation software kindly loaded in here, this post will pop up on Twitter within 24hrs.
Anyhoo, as one still finding my feet, I value useful ways to improve, and even the odd critique to spot things to avoid:
RandyGage.com - The Twitter Manifesto Remix…
CATEGORY - Hydro
ARTICLES
Register - ‘NZ hydropower drought could see leccy rationing’ - Sorry to start on a negative, as I rather like Hydro, but the comments in support are worth reading.
Treehugger - NEW - Clever Floating Hydro-Electric Barrel Generator Works Almost Anywhere
INFORMATION
See the label links below for more/previous
Herefordshire Hydro - NEW
Register - ‘NZ hydropower drought could see leccy rationing’ - Sorry to start on a negative, as I rather like Hydro, but the comments in support are worth reading.
Treehugger - NEW - Clever Floating Hydro-Electric Barrel Generator Works Almost Anywhere
INFORMATION
See the label links below for more/previous
Herefordshire Hydro - NEW
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
PR OPPORTUNITY - When it comes to throwing stuff away, there's no such thing as "away"
How a rubbish idea could save the planet
I was intrigued by this as much for the the story (using pretty much every phrase I have used about Junkk & reuse) as the responses to it.
Shame the Telegraph (non blog) system doesn't hyperlink URLs.
Fortunately, we do:
But we are also offering 10 British residents the chance to tag their own property for an experiment over here. Nominations close tomorrow, so visit newscientist.com/projects/forms/trash to submit your ideas for what I reckon is the best rubbish experiment ever.
I was intrigued by this as much for the the story (using pretty much every phrase I have used about Junkk & reuse) as the responses to it.
Shame the Telegraph (non blog) system doesn't hyperlink URLs.
Fortunately, we do:
But we are also offering 10 British residents the chance to tag their own property for an experiment over here. Nominations close tomorrow, so visit newscientist.com/projects/forms/trash to submit your ideas for what I reckon is the best rubbish experiment ever.
The Voucher Palm lives!... again:)
Just had a call from my chums at EnviroAbility.
Seems they have had customers coming in all week asking why there is not another voucher tree in the place as the Morrisons Let's Grow promo is back.
Their wish... is my not really needed excuse to get back in the shed to make some more coconuts (as all the schools in the last one got their vouchers in theirs).
Nice to see a bit of reuse... reused:)
And to think I wasn't going to 'push it' by suggesting we do it again. Especially as, following the massive redemption success of the last one, Morrisons have again forgotten to mention it to me to see if we can put one in their foyer, where it would do most good:)
Curse this shy, retiring personality.
Seems they have had customers coming in all week asking why there is not another voucher tree in the place as the Morrisons Let's Grow promo is back.
Their wish... is my not really needed excuse to get back in the shed to make some more coconuts (as all the schools in the last one got their vouchers in theirs).
Nice to see a bit of reuse... reused:)
And to think I wasn't going to 'push it' by suggesting we do it again. Especially as, following the massive redemption success of the last one, Morrisons have again forgotten to mention it to me to see if we can put one in their foyer, where it would do most good:)
Curse this shy, retiring personality.
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