Jenjie

That's so crap! He may have driven me mad with his views on some of the phone-ins, but I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I am sat here in between calls. I never normally get bored, but there are only so many times you can read this board, read the news, update your celebdaq etc.

Joseph Barbera, one half of the team behind such cartoon classics as The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo and Huckleberry Hound, has died, aged 95. He died of natural causes at home with his wife, Sheila, at his side. With William Hanna, Barbera founded Hanna-Barbera in the 1950s, after the pair had earlier worked on the Tom and Jerry cartoons at MGM studios. "Joe will live on through his work," said Warner Brothers chairman and chief executive Barry Meyer. "The characters he created with his late partner, William Hanna, are not only animated superstars but also a very beloved part of American pop culture," Mr Meyer said. Cat and mouse collaboration Barbera grew up in Brooklyn, New York and started to pursue a career in banking. But his amateur sketches soon became the raw material for cartoons which were published in Collier's magazine, a breakthrough which then took him into animation. He met Hanna at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio, where they collaborated on a 1937 cartoon called Puss Gets the Boot, which led to the creation of cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry. Their 17-year partnership on the Tom and Jerry series resulted in seven Academy Awards and 14 nominations in total. Extended format The pair left MGM and formed Hanna-Barbera Studios in 1957, where they created numerous classic characters, including The Jetsons and The Flintstones. Hanna-Barbera extended cartoons beyond the traditional six-minute slots. The Flintstones, featuring two modern-minded couples living in the stone age, was the first animated series to be broadcast on prime-time television. In the decades that followed, Hanna-Barbera produced 300 cartoon series, with more than 3,000 half-hour shows. Scooby-Doo, a Great Dane who leads a group of teenagers in ghost-hunting adventures, made his debut in 1969 and the series ran for 17 years, a record for a TV animated series. "They were able to bring top quality cartoon shows to television," said actor Casey Kasem, the voice of Shaggy, Scooby-Doo's unkempt sidekick. "When they came along and they did it, they made it profitable for people who were big investors," he told the BBC. "It's a legacy that he has that has touched people around the world with what I call magic, they just kept producing one great show after another." Following Hanna's death in 2001, Joseph Barbera remained active as an executive producer for Warner Brothers Animation on TV series such as What's New, Scooby-Doo? and Tom and Jerry Tales. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6191999.stm

hurrah! I'm oficially in a minority group!! does this mean I can now sue people who discriminate against me because of my marital status?

F A C E S!!!

Manchester police did it last year as well. along with the seasonal "advent" calendar of wanted faces on the local paper

Police in Greater Manchester are sending Christmas cards to criminals in a bid to appeal to their better nature and persuade them not to offend. The cards, which are being sent to known law-breakers in Chadderton, near Oldham, have been produced with the Chadderton Area Action Team. They have been personally signed by the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector and feature the Crimestoppers number. It is hoped the festive card will cut vehicle crime and burglary in the area. The cards also bear the message: "We are looking out for you and the community". Neighbourhood Policing Inspector John Haywood said: "We hope that receiving a Christmas card from the police may discourage some offenders from committing crime this Christmas. "It is the season for giving, not taking, and some people need reminding of this as they consider trying to ruin somebody else's Christmas". Police claim the initiative is also aimed at families of offenders who may have information which could help police reduce crime. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6188241.stm

Joggers using the iPod Sport kit to keep fit are putting their personal privacy at risk, warn scientists. The academics showed how easy it was to track those using the combination of music player and running shoe sensor. In the worst scenario suggested by the scientists, stalkers could use the tracking data to "engineer" encounters with victims. The researchers said gadget makers should do more to protect privacy and stop hardware being abused in this way. Hi-tech steps The Nike iPod Sport kit uses radio to link a sensor in a runner's shoe to another gadget that clips on to an iPod Nano. The clip-on gadget analyses the data gathered by the sensor and gives runners information about how far they have travelled and the calories they have burned as they exercise. A team of computer science researchers from the University of Washington has scrutinised the runner's aid and found that it "fails to offer even the most basic level of user privacy". The investigation, led by graduate student Scott Saponas, found it easy to eavesdrop on the unique identifier (UID) the sensor uses to ensure it talks to the right receiver. "When someone is engaged in a workout with a sensor using a receiver attached to an iPod, a second receiver can detect the sensor transmitting its UID," the researchers report. Once activated the sensor broadcasts continuously and nothing is done to encrypt the signal to hide it from eavesdroppers the scientists found. The unique identifier could be tracked up to 20 metres away outdoors and at speeds up to 30 mph. University of Washington Professor Tadayoshi Kohno, who was part of the research team, said the project was undertaken to get a better understanding of trends in the technologies being sold to consumers. "Are new devices still being introduced that do not address the full range of privacy issues, even if it is technically possible to address many of those issues?" he asked. To show how the data transmitted by the sensor could be abused, the team created their own receiver from cheap and easily obtainable parts that logged when a target sensor was nearby. This used wi-fi to pass on the information to a central database that plotted the location on Google Maps. By concealing a few of the small custom-made receivers in select locations, the researchers showed how it would be possible to track someone's movements. Another hardware prototype used by the team turned a Windows XP laptop into a logging station when the gadget was plugged into a free USB port. The team speculated that stalkers, thieves and others could use their own receivers to monitor a target. Surveys suggest that most people who use the iPod Sport kit turn the sensor on, slip it in their running shoe and never turn it off. Prof Kohno said: "Our study shows is that new devices are still coming out that do not address the full range of privacy issues." The researchers said they did not want to suggest that Apple or Nike intended that their devices would be used maliciously. "But," said Prof Kohno, "this situation begs the broader question: as manufacturers continue to introduce other new, sophisticated technological personal gadgets, will these new gadgets erode our privacy even further? "More importantly," he said, "what can we do about that?" To make the technology more secure the researchers suggest binding each sensor to a specific receiver so the datastream cannot be tapped. This data traffic could also be encrypted to reduce the chance that it could be used for malicious purposes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6179197.stm

Airport-style scanners will be used to search people attending a production of a Mozart opera in Berlin featuring the severed head of the Prophet Muhammad. Security has been tightened because of fears of a Muslim backlash against Deutsche Oper's version of Idomeneo. Jesus, Buddha and Greek god Poseidon are also decapitated in the show. But Islamic tradition bans images of Muhammad, and there were violent protests around the world when a Danish newspaper printed 12 cartoons of him. The production, by director Hans Neuenfels, received its premiere three years ago, and it was his idea to include the controversial twist with the religious icons. It gained little attention at the time, but the subsequent riots over the Danish depictions meant that Monday's performance has generated controversy. Criticism In September, Berlin's opera house scrapped the show on police advice. But this decision received a mixed response in the German capital. While some Muslim leaders praised the move, Kenan Kolat, who leads the country's Turkish community, branded it as a step back to "the Middle Ages". Chancellor Angela Merkel and Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble were also unhappy about the cancellation. And Mr Neuenfels himself was critical of the revival of his production, insisting his staging was not altered. The scene in question, where the king of Crete presents the severed heads, was a protest against "any form of organised religion, or its founders", he added. Police spokesman Berhard Schodrowski told the Associated Press that officers would be positioned around the venue and were "ready for any eventuality". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6189571.stm

Take That's domination continues Take That have scored a fourth week at number one with their single Patience, but Sir Cliff Richard put in a strong showing with his festive tune. The band are once again top of the UK singles and album chart in the penultimate week before the Christmas number one is announced. Sir Cliff's single 21st Century Christmas entered at number two, giving him his first top five hit since 1999. X Factor winner Leona Lewis is expected to reach number one next week. Fairytale of New York The 21-year-old's first single, A Moment Like This, goes on sale in shops on Wednesday but has already done brisk business in downloads. In the top five this week are Gwen Stefani with Wind it Up, Cascada's Truly Madly Deeply and Smack That by Akon featuring Eminem. The Pogues Fairytale of New York, which has now been released four times since it was recorded in 1987, has reached number 10. There were no new entries in the album charts, with top the top 10 largely dominated by greatest hits compilations. Oasis remain at number two, followed by Westlife, Il Divo and U2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6188245.stm

When James Worley paid a visit to Disney World in Florida his portly frame and white beard soon had kids asking: "Are you Santa Claus?" Not wanting to disappoint, Mr Worley, 60, played along with some "ho-ho-hos". But Disney officials descended, telling him to stop the impersonation or get out of the park. They said they wanted to preserve the magic of Santa. Mr Worley took off his red hat and red shirt but said: "I look this way 24/7, 365 days a year. This is me." 'Confusing' Even after bowing to the request to alter his appearance, Mr Worley, from Tampa, said children continued to ask if he was Santa. "How do you tell a little kid, 'No, go away, little kid'," Mr Worley told local television. He said Disney had told him "Santa was considered a Disney character". Officials at Disney World's Epcot park said they had had complaints from "several guests who were very upset". Disney said it had its own Santa at Epcot and Mr Worley was "confusing" the children. Mr Worley said he had played a jolly elf at charity events for a number of years, while his wife sometimes dressed up as Mrs Claus. Mr Worley said he still loved Disney and Christmas.

Kicking somebody during a fight can be more dangerous than using a sharp or blunt weapon, research shows. A study of 25,000 people admitted to A&E found use of feet was more likely to inflict serious injury than blunt or sharp objects or fists. However, the Violence Research Group in Cardiff, found weapons caused a greater number of severe injuries. Prevention of kicking and use of blunt objects should be a priority, the study in Injury Prevention concludes. In total, the researchers assessed 31,000 injuries inflicted on patients attending the University Hospital Wales A&E between 1999 and 2005. Men accounted for three quarters of patients who attended for violence-related injury. Almost two thirds reported being attacked by just one assailant, but one in four said they had been assaulted by three or more people at the same time. The age at which a person was most likely to sustain a serious injury peaked at 47. A total of 21.5% of the injuries were inflicted with a weapon - 11% with a sharp object, 10.5% with a blunt object. More than half the injured had been punched, and only 7% had sustained injuries through being kicked while on the ground. Overall, significantly more severe injuries were caused by the use of weapons, than by unarmed physical assault. However, the researchers found that people who had been kicked were most likely to suffer serious injury - even more so than those who had been attacked with a blunt or sharp weapon. Firearms injuries, which were very rare, were not considered. Although surprised that sharp objects were less likely to cause severe injury, the researchers, from the University of Cardiff, said they couldn't discriminate between use of knives or other sharp weapons such as broken glass in the study, which may have affected the results. Alcohol Study leader Professor Jonathan Shepherd, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, warned that alcohol was a large contributing factor in the use of kicking in fights as drunk people were more likely to fall over. "There's an important link with alcohol. Often in fights people are kicked when they fall over and one of the ways to reduce kicking is to reduce severe intoxication because fewer people would fall over. "It's very important that when there has been a kicking or a weapon has been used that charges are brought and the assailants are brought to book. "There are also messages about making sure that objects that can be used as weapons such as glasses are collected and cleared away." However, he pointed out that Cardiff was one of the safest cities in the UK. Mr Martin Shalley, consultant in A&E at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and president of the British Association of Emergency Medicine said the study reflected his own experience. "It is more unusual for people to be hurt by fists, it's much more common that people have severe injuries by kicking. "Once you are on the floor, you're at great risk." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6175633.stm

Its not the clothes that need the health warning, its the food. Does that mean that Thorntons will have to carry a health warning? Warning: the products in this store may cause you to become dangerously overweight if you stuff your face with them.

that's a little harsh!!! he's only expressing an opinion

He can put a fair amount away but I'm not sure even our Ian will be drinking that much over Christmas

SOmeone will be drinking a hell of a lot!! they'll be having some of my share! there's no way I could drink 137 units in that short space of time, my brain would be pickled!

hmmmmm, funny that! there's less on the shelves so the customers spend less? how much did he earn to come up with that statement?

It is very difficult to find traditional cards. But then maybe thats the way the market has gone. I always look for mid-range, I can't afford too expensive but don't want them to look to cheap either. All the mid-range ones I've come across have no robins, snow scenes, holly etc. As for the stamps, they supposedly do religious stamps every other year. But 2003 was cartoons, 2004 was Raymond Briggs, 2002 was plants, In the last 10 years, we had relgious stamps in 2005 Having said that, according to Stamp Online, in the 40 years they have been creating Christmas stamps, there have been 22 sets of stamps with a Christian theme against 17 secular sets.

Happy feet 10/10 I absolutely adore that film. THe penguins are ace, the soundtrack is brill. And you can even forgive the slightly over the top moralising.

hmmmm! wonder if thats why we had so much trouble sending text messages last night?

A new Christian video game has sparked calls for a boycott from groups who say it is "training for religious warfare". The game, Left Behind: Eternal Forces, is based on a wildly successful series of novels about the struggles on earth after true believers ascend to heaven. Players can command the army of good - the Tribulation Force - against the anti-Christ's Global Community. The game's makers reject criticism, saying their detractors "have a clear hatred of Biblical Christianity". An alliance of liberal groups including the Christian Alliance for Progress, the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, and Talk2Action, have urged the giant retailer Wal-Mart, among others, to stop stocking the game, which was released last month. "It's about religious warfare. The way to win is to convert or kill. You have both the Inquisition and the Crusades," says Frederick Clarkson of Talk2Action. "Anybody who is not a follower of Jesus is the enemy," he claims. 'Dehumanising the enemy' Mr Clarkson is particularly concerned that the $39.95 (£20) game - which is rated for teenagers due to violence - is being marketed through churches. "Pastors and youth leaders recommend the game to their parishioners," he says, giving its message the stamp of authority. And that message is the "dehumanisation of the feared other - Catholics, Jews, Muslims, the wrong kind of Protestants, people deemed to be sinners", he says. That dehumanisation, he warns, is a first step towards genocide. Jeffrey S Frichner, a co-founder of Left Behind Games, utterly rejects that characterisation of his game. None of the missions in the game has a "convert-or-die" objective, he insists. "It's the anti-Christ that desires you to convert or die, and you are defending yourself against that on the good side," he says. "You will absolutely lose each level and never win the game if you choose physical warfare as a means." 'Evangelising - respectfully' The word "convert" does not even appear in the game, he adds - and neither does the word "Christian". "The game itself is just a great game. People of other faiths could play it and not know it's Christian," he says. He freely admits the game aims to evangelise. "But it is doing it in a way which is very respectful, not Bible-thumping." When players successfully complete a level of the real-time strategy game, "you get a vignette that has some kind of Biblical truth and a find-out-more button", he says. That leads players to a website where they can discuss issues, say a prayer and "become a believer", Mr Frichner says. He thinks that will appeal to young people. "People are drawn to things that provide answers. My personal position is that the Bible provides all those answers." 'Summer blockbuster' Left Behind: Eternal Forces is not the first Christian video game, but it is the most ambitious to date, experts say. "This is the first Christian developer that tried to produce a triple-A title, the summer blockbuster of video games," says Brian Crecente, editor of the games blog Kotaku and a video games writer for the Rocky Mountain News newspaper. He is intrigued by the moral complexity of the game, which he saw played late in development, before its release. "Your characters can do physical combat, but when they do, they lose morale and have a greater chance of becoming evil. "In some sense, that can represent what happens. In the real world, you can't get involved in a gunfight and walk away and forget it." He is critical of the game on other grounds, though, saying that in trying to deliver entertainment as well as a message, the developers have fallen short on both. "It's a muddled message and a kind-of entertaining game," he says. Kill the president It is not the only violent video game with a message raising concern this holiday season. The Global Islamic Media Front has released a game called Quest for Bush, in which players aim to kill the US president. Adam Raisman, an analyst at the Search for International Terrorist Entities (Site) Institute who has played the game, calls the free download "propaganda", but stops short of labelling it recruitment. "We can't say this is preparation for jihad, but it puts out the idea that you can walk around with a gun and shoot American soldiers," he says. "It is putting the thought in your head that Bush, Blair and Rumsfeld are the guys you're going after." Mr Crecente, the games writer, has not seen Quest for Bush (also known as Night of Bush Hunting, the literal translation of its Arabic title). But he says both it and Left Behind: Eternal Forces are part of an effort in the gaming world to deal with important issues. "Whenever games take on something important, they are accused of trivialising the subject," he says. "This shows that video games have gotten past the birthing pains. They are no longer just about amusing people, but about trying to send a message." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6178055.stm

looking pretty cool so far!!! In defence of Big Brother, it worked really well on paper, but when it came to putting it together on the board it went a bit pear-shaped. The idea hasn't been completely shelved. BB needs to be multi-personality so he has 24 hour control of the house. If BB ever gets round to working out how to do it properly, CPBB may yet return with a vengenance.

I have taken the liberty of sticking this thread. liking the piccies!

a hand with what? I can't create anything myself. I take the code example I'm given and copy & paste things to suit my purposes. that's about as technical as I get. That's why I have been blessed with a husband like Ian, and a big brother like Stephen.

erm, not wanting to be completely controversial, but the date attributed to that article is 1871. which means that it isn't the view of the American Medical Association today but a Victorian viewpoint. the world has moved on alot since then and very many things which were accepted as common practice then are no longer common practice and vice versa. do we still hold the same views on slavery, homosexuality, the rights of women etc, as they held in 1871?