Richard Appleby
@rmappleby.uk
Ex-IBMer, currently "economically inactive". Interested in science, technology and the environment. Fan of rational thought, citizenship and the common good.
Other interesting things I've come across that I'm hanging onto:
A 5 port 10mb/s network hub (NOT a switch),
My collection of Model M keyboards (still simply the best),
A compact flash card sized hard drive (only 1GB, but gods, the miniaturisation!). IBM called it the microdrive, and it really was
A 5 port 10mb/s network hub (NOT a switch),
My collection of Model M keyboards (still simply the best),
A compact flash card sized hard drive (only 1GB, but gods, the miniaturisation!). IBM called it the microdrive, and it really was
November 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Other interesting things I've come across that I'm hanging onto:
A 5 port 10mb/s network hub (NOT a switch),
My collection of Model M keyboards (still simply the best),
A compact flash card sized hard drive (only 1GB, but gods, the miniaturisation!). IBM called it the microdrive, and it really was
A 5 port 10mb/s network hub (NOT a switch),
My collection of Model M keyboards (still simply the best),
A compact flash card sized hard drive (only 1GB, but gods, the miniaturisation!). IBM called it the microdrive, and it really was
Found a small pile of PCMCIA, PC Card, and Express Cards. Token Ring, Ethernet and WiFi cards, a CF adapter, a serial adapter, and my express card wireless presenter (ah, fond memories!).
Junk now, as laptops no longer have those interfaces, and the drivers are being pulled from the Linux kernel.
Junk now, as laptops no longer have those interfaces, and the drivers are being pulled from the Linux kernel.
November 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Found a small pile of PCMCIA, PC Card, and Express Cards. Token Ring, Ethernet and WiFi cards, a CF adapter, a serial adapter, and my express card wireless presenter (ah, fond memories!).
Junk now, as laptops no longer have those interfaces, and the drivers are being pulled from the Linux kernel.
Junk now, as laptops no longer have those interfaces, and the drivers are being pulled from the Linux kernel.
I have reluctantly admitted that 2.5" PATA drives are never going to have any use. And indeed, anything SATA smaller than 1TB is just a paperweight now. As are the two old school 56k dual up modems, a small collection of ADSL routers, and lots of early smartphones.
November 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I have reluctantly admitted that 2.5" PATA drives are never going to have any use. And indeed, anything SATA smaller than 1TB is just a paperweight now. As are the two old school 56k dual up modems, a small collection of ADSL routers, and lots of early smartphones.
The cost vs quality of the university catering was the start of my culinary journey. One of those “how hard can it be?” moments.
November 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The cost vs quality of the university catering was the start of my culinary journey. One of those “how hard can it be?” moments.
I wonder what percentage of the population even knows what that is, and what it does for us? My guess is single figures, percentage-wise. At best.
November 16, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I wonder what percentage of the population even knows what that is, and what it does for us? My guess is single figures, percentage-wise. At best.
Not to mention only 3 part-time channels of black and white TV, awful food, lots more illnesses, and oh yes, the National Front.
November 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Not to mention only 3 part-time channels of black and white TV, awful food, lots more illnesses, and oh yes, the National Front.
To be fare (!) I suspect only the very rich and powerful ate anything other than vegetable stew…
November 16, 2025 at 10:16 AM
To be fare (!) I suspect only the very rich and powerful ate anything other than vegetable stew…
Except the initiatives aren’t even that expensive, especially when you consider the costs of not having the initiatives.
As I’m sure the poor folk in Monmouth would currently explain to any politician prepared to show their faces.
As I’m sure the poor folk in Monmouth would currently explain to any politician prepared to show their faces.
November 16, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Except the initiatives aren’t even that expensive, especially when you consider the costs of not having the initiatives.
As I’m sure the poor folk in Monmouth would currently explain to any politician prepared to show their faces.
As I’m sure the poor folk in Monmouth would currently explain to any politician prepared to show their faces.
£380k? Pah. Just wait till you see the servicing schedule and charges…
November 16, 2025 at 12:47 AM
£380k? Pah. Just wait till you see the servicing schedule and charges…
Crisis? Turkeys are immigrants! All the way from Mexico to take the place of our excellent pheasants, swans, pork and beef. Decent patriotic Englishmen should espouse such ridiculous fare, and insist on a roasted boars head instead.
November 16, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Crisis? Turkeys are immigrants! All the way from Mexico to take the place of our excellent pheasants, swans, pork and beef. Decent patriotic Englishmen should espouse such ridiculous fare, and insist on a roasted boars head instead.
Thanks for reminding me I need to find some time to watch it.
November 16, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Thanks for reminding me I need to find some time to watch it.
Madness, or self-interest?
“I’m just asking the question!”
“I’m just asking the question!”
November 16, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Madness, or self-interest?
“I’m just asking the question!”
“I’m just asking the question!”
My first floppy disk was an 8” floppy disk at university. I still have an external USB 3.5” floppy drive, and a couple of boxes of disks, because I just can’t bring myself to throw them out…
November 16, 2025 at 12:05 AM
My first floppy disk was an 8” floppy disk at university. I still have an external USB 3.5” floppy drive, and a couple of boxes of disks, because I just can’t bring myself to throw them out…
52% of our population couldn’t see how obviously bad Brexit was going to be. What chance they’ll understand climate change?
The other 48% of us can only panic for so long. We can’t do anything useful ourselves - that falls to our leaders, who appear worryingly uninterested.
The other 48% of us can only panic for so long. We can’t do anything useful ourselves - that falls to our leaders, who appear worryingly uninterested.
November 15, 2025 at 11:47 PM
52% of our population couldn’t see how obviously bad Brexit was going to be. What chance they’ll understand climate change?
The other 48% of us can only panic for so long. We can’t do anything useful ourselves - that falls to our leaders, who appear worryingly uninterested.
The other 48% of us can only panic for so long. We can’t do anything useful ourselves - that falls to our leaders, who appear worryingly uninterested.
Good point. Maybe this is finally the use for Marmite that I’ve so far failed to find 😂👍
November 15, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Good point. Maybe this is finally the use for Marmite that I’ve so far failed to find 😂👍
I agree the polling is terrible. But the challenges will not change with a new leader, and I don’t see anyone significantly better just waiting to step into Starmer’s shoes.
Better to fix the issues with the devil you know, rather than swap horses mid-race?
Better to fix the issues with the devil you know, rather than swap horses mid-race?
November 15, 2025 at 2:23 AM
I agree the polling is terrible. But the challenges will not change with a new leader, and I don’t see anyone significantly better just waiting to step into Starmer’s shoes.
Better to fix the issues with the devil you know, rather than swap horses mid-race?
Better to fix the issues with the devil you know, rather than swap horses mid-race?
Because he was very taken with the situation Zelenskyy is in, as president of Ukraine, where his constitution prevents elections while his country is at war.
How easily can Trump start wars? Or declare the USA at war?
How easily can Trump start wars? Or declare the USA at war?
November 15, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Because he was very taken with the situation Zelenskyy is in, as president of Ukraine, where his constitution prevents elections while his country is at war.
How easily can Trump start wars? Or declare the USA at war?
How easily can Trump start wars? Or declare the USA at war?
The advertising is just sooooo slick.
But the product? Soooo sick. ☹️
But the product? Soooo sick. ☹️
November 15, 2025 at 1:46 AM
The advertising is just sooooo slick.
But the product? Soooo sick. ☹️
But the product? Soooo sick. ☹️
So, definitely not last night then…
November 15, 2025 at 1:39 AM
So, definitely not last night then…
It will be the peak of fashion any time soon…
November 15, 2025 at 1:29 AM
It will be the peak of fashion any time soon…