November 2007 Archives

Some people won't use a computer - they say they are too old to learn something new. Others however, particularly as they get older, might find using a computer inpossible due to sight impairment.

Now available is a great piece of software for blind people that reads out the screen.

Called Thunder, it has been developed by blind couple Roger and Margaret Wilson-Hinds, and is offered free of charge. As it says on their web site

Thunder is a reading aid and restores the ability to write, keep up to date with information, learning and work, while remaining within the mainstream of Society.

Download the software and read more at http://www.screenreader.net/. It would make a great present for a friend or relative.

We have been all lead to believe (and by the way this is government policy and has been for some years) that broadband is good for us, good for business, good for education and good for the country.

How fast then is broadband? Well that depends, and we have always thought that broadband should mean really quick speeds that will allow good video download. Now Channel Five is running a campaign to get better speeds than our internet suppliers actually provide. The Gadget Show says that actual speeds are less then we might think from the advertising, and that the "up to 8 megabits" slogan should be dropped.

So how fast is your broadband? Welll at http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/speed_test.htm is a neat little test that shows the real speed you are getting. We tried it at the bish dot net office and hey! its an actual 1.892 megabits pers second, less even than the 2.2 the modem conncetion says (although the actual figure varies).

Line speed can depend on a range of factors, including the distance from the (Dringhouses) exchange), and whether there is suitable cabling in the building.

It might be worth checking your speed, joining the campaign, and asking your internet service provider to give you better speeds - some fibre optic cable down Sim balk Lane might help! 

Dr John Sentamu declined my request for an interview. It is not as if I am the Daily Mirror or the Sunday Times! I am a local person writing about local issues for local people. The locality also happens to be where Dr Sentamu lives! All I asked was for him to answer a few questions that I had pre - written. The questions were going to be put to him by his publicity secretary. Due to the pressures of an 'extremely hectic diary' my interview request was rejected.

I think that you can draw your own conclusions to this. All I am going to say is that David Hope was approachable and ALWAYS had time for the people in Bishopthorpe. I know this from experience as I often chatted to him outside the Co-op!!

Phil

Check this page out...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishopthorpe

A really interesting read!

Phil

The Marcia in Main Street is undergoing a makeover at the moment.

One theory as to the name of the pub is that it is named after Marcia, mistress and assassin of Emperor Commodus in second century Rome.

During the preparations the following illustrations have come to light on the walls of the extension of the current saloon bar.

 

Does anyone know when, by whom and what for these stylised roman-like drawings were made?

John has been involved in politics for 40 years. He started out in 1968 representing a suburb of Huddersfield. He was elected to Huddersfield Council in 1970.

John feels that Bishopthorpe and its surrounding area is a lovely area to represent without the 'inner city' problems. John sees his role as a contact point between the City of York Council and the people he represents. As a Councillor he is able to cut through the red tape and get answers from people who make decisions.

John wanted to make clear to me that he does and will continue to do his very, very best to represent people when they want representing. He said that people must contact him when they have a problem that they need help/ support with. Although he cannot wave a magic wand, generally he can make a difference to people's lives.

John spoke to me about issues that are concerning him at the moment,

1. Concern that the Post Office in Bishopthorpe could be under threat of closure.

2. More traffic with the development of the former Terry's site.

3. Lack of 'play' provision for all ages of young people in Bishopthorpe.

4. Parking on grass verges.

5. Speeding.

4. Road repairs that are needed.

John can be contacted on,

cllr.jgalvin@york.gov.uk - 01904 704829 - 07973 898402 - 8 Bridge Road, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2RR

Phil

I could not help but notice as I drove down Sim Balk lane...

Perhaps we in Bishopthorpe are lucky at the moment, as there appears to be nobody parking on our side of Sim Balk Lane bridge. But imaging living in these two streets close to the college...

A lucky escape so far,

Phil

31st October passed off fairly quietly this year. Some houses had decorations and lit pumpkins, and no doubt thay had the trick or treat visitors. One house however went all the way - the emergency services have been notified of this alarming situation...