tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23539651203976406202012-02-16T06:21:17.872ZDave Crosby; wiki enthusiast, movie lover, dog lover, wikiHowl founder, international man of mystery.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-69369825374347257612010-01-28T18:37:00.000Z2010-01-28T18:38:44.468Z

Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison KeillorMy rating: 4 of 5 starsWhat a charming book this was. The tale of a fictional small town in Minnesota, that started life as a radio show monologue (and continues) and has been expanded into this book, the entire history of the town of Lake Wobegon. The detail and characterisations are incredible, leading many to ask, is this really fiction? It was a pleasure

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-79148888148305738772010-01-09T18:40:00.001Z2010-01-09T18:40:59.284Z

Felonious Jazz: a novel by Bryan GilmerMy rating: 4 of 5 starsWell, what to say here. A new author but experienced writer, who I happened upon in the aisles of a Raleigh bookstore. This was cool, the chance to get an author to sell their book to me. Bryan managed it, his enthusiasm was infectious and I happily parted with my hard earned pounds dollars.So, how did it go? An uneasy start for me,

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-49097109111660625042010-01-03T18:02:00.002Z2010-01-09T18:04:23.715Z

Nikon D5000: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Jeff RevellMy rating: 4 of 5 starsAn excellent book. It is obviously very specialised, focusing on a sole camera, the Nikon D5000. The author combines photography instruction at what seems to suit all levels of experience with camera reference down to individual button level. You are talked through every method of using the camera with sensible

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-32806933407465582582009-12-08T14:04:00.000Z2009-12-08T14:08:36.921Z

Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet by Katie Hafner My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was an excellent read, rightly described as a definitive work on the birth and early years of the Internet. It was highly technical throughout, which was a treat when compared to more lightweight histories I have read, but might prove to be too onerous for those new to the subject. Recommended

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-33567826616169031312009-08-29T23:36:00.001+01:002009-08-29T23:37:52.463+01:00

Run at Destruction: A True Fatal Love Triangle by Lynda DrewsMy rating: 4 of 5 starsWell, what a read that was, very powerful and emotive. This isn't a genre I have dabbled in before - True Crime - or a subject I have much interest in - running. But that is what reading is for me, new experiences, people, emotions.I found this to be a book of two parts or styles. The first being the author's

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-74972398299104326472009-08-02T16:18:00.001+01:002009-08-02T16:18:56.022+01:00

My Political ViewsI am a center-right moderate social libertarianRight: 2.99, Libertarian: 2.8Political Spectrum Quiz

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-19234148106767146812009-06-14T15:26:00.001+01:002009-06-14T15:26:57.833+01:00

Frantic by Katherine Howell My review rating: 4 of 5 starsI read this following author Tom Reynolds recommendation on his blog. This is ex-paramedic Katherine's first novel and an excellent debut it is too. It seemed light on character depth at first but this was more than made up for by the pace of the storytelling. We are led through the mystery at breakneck speed from the viewpoint of many

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-90104062888815977972009-05-30T01:11:00.000+01:002009-05-30T01:12:46.555+01:00

Making Money by Terry Pratchett My review rating: 4 of 5 starsIt feels like a very long time since I have returned to the Discworld but as always it was a welcome return. This is a minor character novel that didn't disappoint. Clever writing, good characterisation and humour abounding. There is much to learn about the theory of money and would you believe it, greedy bankers. It was also nice

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-19681039911722126422009-04-30T23:07:00.001+01:002009-04-30T23:10:27.213+01:00

American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964 by William Raymond ManchesterMy reviewrating: 4 of 5 starsWell, this has been three months in the reading, but what a read. I had read that this would read like a novel and that was certainly true, quite the page turner. Douglas MacArthur's reputation had fleeted in and out of my awareness for many years so the opportunity to read this was one I

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-4301557377791183282008-12-28T13:19:00.002Z2009-04-30T23:10:50.552+01:00

Glasshouse by Charles Stross My review rating: 4 of 5 starsThis was my first Charles Stross and I liked it. It was a struggle to get started, if I were a try the first fifty pages person I would have given up. The technology and way of life at the start were introduced with a very steep learning curve, I had no idea that this would level out but am glad I lasted long enough to find out. The bulk

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-65395656725917594772008-12-06T16:52:00.001Z2009-04-30T23:11:16.234+01:00

Falling Man: A Novel by Don DeLillo My review rating: 3 of 5 starsAn interesting read, a meander through a couple of lives of the closely affected by 9/11. It's hard to praise or decry the book, I think having missed the symbolism mentioned by other reviewers didn't help. It held my attention throughout though, and I'll look out for more by this author.View all my reviews.

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-8480971353458893712008-11-29T13:20:00.002Z2009-04-30T23:12:16.446+01:00

Apple of My Eye by Helene Hanff My review rating: 4 of 5 starsThis was an interesting read. It was great to back in dear Helene's company, and her relaxed style of writing still doesn't disappoint. This fast trip around New York of the seventies was a struggle at times though, the detailed location/directions descriptions meant nothing to me having never visited New York. But this was more than

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-75144060802775813692008-11-14T21:23:00.002Z2008-11-14T21:24:18.638Z

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Site

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-20007284293614159592008-11-05T23:47:00.003Z2009-04-30T23:12:40.285+01:00

The Gargoyle by Andrew DavidsonMy reviewrating: 5 of 5 starsWow, what a read. An author's debut book that goes straight into my top ten reads is pretty special. The early descriptions of a car crash and fire will have you driving extra safely for weeks, the descriptions of treatment and suffering in a hospital burns unit will leave you wary of ignition sources for a similar time. There is a

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-47253785979576179352008-11-05T23:24:00.004Z2009-04-30T23:13:04.143+01:00

Poppyland by Peter J.R. StibbonsMy reviewrating: 3 of 5 starsThis was an interesting booklet covering the Victorian's discovery of the Norfolk coasts for rest and relaxation. More specifically it concentrates on the area around Overstrand, SideStrand and Cromer known as Poppyland. It is the giving of the name Poppyland that is covered most along with much history relating to the visiting

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-75616313098346792112008-10-31T00:31:00.001Z2008-10-31T00:33:50.465Z

You Are 75% BritishAre you British? Hell, you're more of a Brit than the Queen is!You're truly the dog's bollocks... and you know that's not an insult.So what if you're a slobbering drunk obsessed with football?At least you always remember your manners.How British Are You?

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-19246869880882560412008-10-23T14:31:00.002+01:002008-10-23T14:33:49.637+01:00

Underfoot in Show Business by Helene HanffMy reviewrating: 4 of 5 starsExcellent, I am truly captivated by dear Helene. These memoirs of her writing career were such a pleasure to read. I laughed, and laughed again, how did she do it? Well, this book highlights the genuine struggle she had in her chosen field, but she never seemed down. She saw humour in all situations and had the right response

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-45948179938094255602008-10-12T21:35:00.000+01:002008-10-12T21:36:17.698+01:00

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson My review rating: 4 of 5 starsThis was my first Neal Stephenson and certainly no disappointment. It was a massive read at over 900 pages but at no time did I stumble and move on to something else, I was very pleased to have it hold my full attention throughout.Codes, computers, U-Boats, war, treasure and more, quite a boys novel. I loved following both present

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-67921755111802762192008-09-26T21:37:00.000+01:002008-09-26T21:38:15.679+01:00

75%This quiz was provided by - Search & Social - Media Experts

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-68661446469108321062008-09-26T19:33:00.001+01:002008-09-26T19:35:40.696+01:00

I could survive for 1 minute, 3 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-44669438003766090372008-09-22T23:36:00.003+01:002008-09-26T21:12:40.130+01:00

Stupid White Men by Michael Moore My review rating: 2 of 5 starsThis was a second-hand impulse buy based on enjoying the author's documentaries. I found it a little too US-centric even with this being the international edition. Then again, we all suffer similar problems with our politicians and political parties. It is of course very dated now with another election imminent but the humour

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-61754926449239346812008-08-27T12:39:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:13:20.135+01:00

Kluge by Gary Marcus My review rating: 4 of 5 starsWell, that was an interesting read. My first foray into this subject and I wasn't disappointed.The flyleaf tells me the book is controversial, which I guess means it differs from the majority of current thinking. But to me the content made all too much sense, it is very interesting to have your lapses described in so much detail and reasons

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-66868072459197323842008-07-29T12:36:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:16:47.053+01:00

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff My review rating: 5 of 5 starsA two book volume, a two part review.84 Charing Cross RoadWell, it was quite a route to get to this book. Having read Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945 I research the author, Leo Marks, and find that he wrote the screenplay for a movie about his fathers bookshop 84 Charing Cross Road. I am interested, the

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-65648484527251938932008-07-19T12:35:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:17:29.746+01:00

The Walking Dead by Gerald Seymour My review rating: 3 of 5 starsA very topical storyline, with an interesting insight into both sides of the picture.Not the best Seymour I have read though; at times I wondered if it had not been proofread, it may have been me but I found myself having to re-read some paragraphs that didn't seem to make grammatical sense. It has been a long time since I've

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-81832040598119190082008-06-22T12:32:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:18:09.932+01:00

Blood, Sweat & Tea: Real-Life Adventures in an Inner-City Ambulance by Tom Reynolds My review rating: 4 of 5 starsAs others have said, blogs don't seem to transfer well to books, but for me it makes a different sort of read. 1001 mini-stories that make for a book that can be dipped into at any time for any amount of time.The overall content of this book is fairly depressing but it is real life

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-14885299571372291762008-06-22T12:30:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:18:56.005+01:00

At Close Quarters by Gerald Seymour My review rating: 4 of 5 starsAnother good Gerald Seymour, standard fare, but nail biting all the way. Loved the ending, seemed a bit rushed at first, but on reflection it was just right. View all my reviews.

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-6337608628290646072008-05-22T12:28:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:19:22.956+01:00

The Heart of Danger by Gerald Seymour My review rating: 5 of 5 starsWow, just wow. An amazing tale of human tragedy, it goes straight into my top ten all time books list. View all my reviews.

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-37559458449588826362008-05-10T12:23:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:20:29.291+01:00

Expedition to Earth by Arthur C. Clarke My review rating: 4 of 5 starsExcellent. Very early Arthur C Clark and absolutely timeless. View all my reviews.

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-64687627267867501172008-04-24T12:25:00.001+01:002008-09-26T21:21:13.703+01:00

Generation Kill by Evan Wright My review rating: 4 of 5 starsVery good. A quite enthralling first hand account of an embedded reporter in Gulf War 2. Hard to put down, a very easy to stick with writing style. View all my reviews.

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-16062720955285596802008-03-23T12:04:00.002Z2008-09-26T21:21:48.799+01:00

Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945 by Leo Marks My review rating: 5 of 5 starsGood grief, what an excellent read. I'd settled down for what I assumed would be a dry but interesting read. Not at all, it was all about the characters, brought to life in a superb way. I was enthralled from start to finish, and only realised at the end that I had also been learning code breaking

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-39874269497389376082008-03-19T11:31:00.003Z2008-04-01T01:41:33.749+01:00

I happened upon this draft speech inside the internets, it would be an understatement to say that the fact that it remained a draft pleases me enormously."Fate has ordained that the men who went to the Moon to explore in peace will stay on the Moon to rest in peace. These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-35436326424382497082008-03-16T15:33:00.004Z2008-03-16T17:18:02.901Z

Here's a nice little anecdote from one of my previous lives, my telephone engineer phase.The job involved the installation of a payphone and telephone line into one of Oundle School's boys boarding houses. This was a two man job due to the size and age of the building (100s of years old with no modern infrastructure) and the necessity for multiple overhead wire spans to get the line into the

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-68784842137408336962008-03-13T11:34:00.000Z2008-03-12T23:33:24.696Z

Wild Country, this film was a pleasant surprise. The film was rented as a speculative try this new to DVD low budget horror movie. The selling point was that it was Scottish made with a cast of unknown actors that had received good reviews.I've seen a lot of horror movies, ghost movies, slasher movies, etc. It's not necessarily a favourite genre of mine, but is the preferred genre of a family

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-82593942244542460312008-03-10T19:48:00.006Z2008-03-10T23:01:00.420Z

I eat brains, once weekly, on a Wednesday.Well, what I'm really referring to is faggots. The brand, Mr Brain's Faggots. I am an absolute faggot fan and have renamed Wednesday, Faggot Day. (No sniggering from over the pond, please.)I was reminded to blog this weekly treat of mine by a Wikipedia article. I am a plodding WikiGnome at Wikipedia making small edits throughout many articles, and had

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-82394261835256575072008-03-10T12:00:00.001Z2008-09-26T21:22:43.354+01:00

No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog by Margaret Mason My review rating: 3 of 5 starsI liked it. Yes, just a list book, but each entry is given plenty of detail. Of any use? Yes, it gave me 8 recurring usable ideas and 12 ideas I could use one-off. Along the way it gives good advice to both current bloggers and bloggers to be. View all my reviews.

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-8347921025387281912008-03-07T16:06:00.005Z2008-03-08T19:01:49.360Z

I recently read an interesting article in Time magazine (25th Feb edition) by Baron Lawson former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Energy. He describes how discussion of energy in Europe is dominated by environmental issues; carbon emissions, global warming, etc. But this is happening at the expense of security of supply. Europe's sources of primary energy are potentially

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-76880890085817181272008-03-04T17:00:00.000Z2008-03-06T23:38:02.764Z

I'm pleased to see the full listing in place now for wikiHowl's Google Gadget. Well, the screenshot's not in place yet, but will be soon.This is the full version of a trial we completed using the form created gadgets tool. That's one heck of a handy tool, but turned out to be limited with regard to sharing. Email sharing was cool, but directory listings turn up broken and there's no control over

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-44518696307122955012008-03-01T16:29:00.012Z2008-03-06T23:56:14.735Z

I am a part-time student with the Open University, Europe's largest university with 200,000 students. I am currently studying Computers and Processors (T224) an interesting module that covers the fundamental components of computer systems, practical issues in the design of processor-based systems, the use of a simulated processor-based system to perform simple tasks, and much more of a geeky

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-8874917947978288052008-02-28T18:16:00.004Z2008-03-10T22:59:42.002Z

Atonement; here was a movie that was going to pass me by. It had won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, was nominated for Oscars, but managed to stay well under my radar. Until the day a colleague tells me he was soon to see it as a birthday treat for his wife. He's not really looking forward it, "sounds a bit girly". I say that I think good things have been said about it and I'll have a look around the

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-40862067625736698492008-02-26T17:06:00.002Z2008-02-26T17:10:40.486Z

The day was Wednesday 11 August 1999, the time approximately 11:15 BST. The occasion, the last solar eclipse visible from the United Kingdom. Well, the totality track was going to cover the bottom half of Cornwall and we were looking at having a 95% partiality in the East of England. It was good enough for us though, many gathered outside to experience this. With Summer school holidays under way

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-10033654962624042632008-02-24T23:14:00.004Z2008-02-24T23:34:40.338Z

I am a volunteer administrator at wikihow.com, something you may get invited into once you've spent some quality time there. It's a great site for many types of people; the create articles from scratch person, the make good from bad person, the fussy I can't bear bad grammar person. I fell into the fussy/pedantic category and my early days were spent spell checking and grammar correcting. All

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-39366940459694504432008-02-21T15:50:00.004Z2008-02-22T11:16:11.803Z

Well, here's a thing. I am quite the movie lover, a fan of cult movies, but will watch anything. I believed I had covered all genres and styles of movie making, until now. A friend pointed out that I was missing an important element of modern film making, Bollywood. "Do you have a reason not to watch these?", I am asked. "Well... umm... no, none at all..." I guess it was the lack of this style of

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2353965120397640620.post-79286962062189555002008-02-20T16:24:00.001Z2008-02-20T19:10:07.315Z

Wish you were here.A customary salutation adorning humorous or scenery filled postcards, maybe. A longing for the companionship of a remote special friend, maybe. Or the title of a track from the identically named Pink Floyd album, yes.This is my all time favourite song; a guaranteed shivers down the backbone, close my eyes and live the music thing. Beautiful music, haunting lyrics and a

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643878387939864362noreply@blogger.com0