peteconnolly.co.uk » Stuff

Snowy Day

pete — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:02:18 +0000

Not leaving the house today. Alas, that doesn’t mean I don’t work, but there’ll probably be time for a snowman or two.

This is Cold Ash hill this morning – that’s a 1:10 hill, so there’s sod all chance of anyone getting up it unless they have a good 4WD car.

It’s still snowing.

Cold Ash Weather

pete — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:13:33 +0000

I know, it’s a geeky, slightly sad and to some, boring thing. �I don’t care

Cold Ash Weather Page

Finally, I’ve uploaded my Grandad’s Recollections.

pete — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:32:37 +0000

This took way too long.� I’ve uploaded a scanned and OCRed version of a document that my Grandad, Jim Harpur, dictated to someone from the National Archives in Ireland back in 1950.� Since I’ve done some of the Connolly side of the family, I thought it would be great to get some Harpur notes on here as well.� I know I can’t find my paper copy of these notes, so my Ma was good enough to send them over again, as well as some other documents that I need to get scanned.� Hopefully, the good folks at Google will index this mine of information for the future.

You can read the Jim Harpur’s recollections starting here

Very little work today.

pete — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:35:00 +0000

This arrived:

Obviously it needs a full check up and test.� It’s 28-29 years old and these things need to be handled very carefully.� It’s just a shame� that I can’t play as well as I could when I was 17.� Best start practicing!

Just for reference, here are a few Defender Settings, accessed using the three buttons inside the coin slot:

BOOKKEEPING AND EVALUATION TOTALS (Functions 1-7)

1. In game over mode, set switch to AUTO-UP and depress ADVANCE. The CRT indicates Function 1 and total left chute coins.
2. Record audit totals and depress ADVANCE for functions 1-7. To review a total that has been advanced past, set switch to MANUAL-DOWN and depress ADVANCE.� Functions are displayed one at a time as follows:-

Function� � Total� � Description
——————————–
1� � � � � 0� � � (Total) COINS LEFT
2� � � � � 0� � � (Total) COINS CENTER
3� � � � � 0� � � (Total) COINS RIGHT
4� � � � � 0� � � TOTAL PAID (Games)
5� � � � � 0� � � (Total Bonus) SHIPS WON
6� � � � � 0� � � TOTAL (Play) TIME (Minutes)
7� � � � � 0� � � TOTAL SHIPS (Played)

3. Operate ADVANCE to display Function 28, SPECIAL FUNCTION. From Function 28 you can return to game over or zero audit totals and return to game over.
4. With switch set to AUTO-UP, perform a. or b. as desired.

a. To return to game over depress ADVANCE.
b. To zero audit totals and return to game over, operate HIGH SCORE RESET to indicate “35″ on CRT Function 28 and then depress ADVANCE.

GAME ADJUSTMENTS (Functions 8-27)

In game over mode set switch to AUTO_UP and then depress ADVANCE. The CRTindicates Function 1 and total left chute coins.
To raise Function number on CRT, operate ADVANCE pushbutton with switch set to AUTO-UP. To lower Function number operate ADVANCE with it set to MANUAL-DOWN.
With desired Function indicated, raise adjustment value by operating HIGH SCORE RESET with switch set to AUTO-UP; lower value by operating HIGH SCORE RESET with it set to MANUAL-DOWN. Value left on CRT is new� setting.� For values, see below and, for pricing, Table 1.

Function� �Factory Setting� �Description
—————————————-
08� � � � � �10000� � � � BONUS SHIP LEVEL (0=No Bonus Ships)
09� � � � � � � �3� � � � SHIPS PER GAME
10� � � � � � � �3� � � � COINAGE SELECT
11� � � � � � � �1� � � � LEFT COIN MULT
12� � � � � � � �4� � � � CENTER COIN MULT
13� � � � � � � �1� � � � RIGHT COIN MULT
14� � � � � � � �1� � � � COINS FOR CREDIT
15� � � � � � � �0� � � � COINS FOR BONUS
16� � � � � � � �0� � � � MINIMUM COINS
17� � � � � � � �0� � � � FREE PLAY (Set to 1 for Free Play)
18� � � � � � � �0� � � � STARTING DIFFICULTY (0=LIB; 1=MOD; 2=CONS)
19� � � � � � � 10� � � � PROGRESSIVE WAVE DIFFICULTY LIMIT (4-25)� e.g. 5-LIB; 10=MOD; 15=CONS;
20� � � � � � � �1� � � � BACKGROUND SOUND (0=OFF; 1=ON)
21� � � � � � � �5� � � � PLANET RESTORE WAVE NUMBER
22� � � � � � � �0� � � � NOT USED
23� � � � � � � �0� � � � NOT USED
24� � � � � � � �0� � � � NOT USED
25� � � � � � � �0� � � � NOT USED
26� � � � � � � �0� � � � NOT USED
27� � � � � � � �0� � � � NOT USED

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all desired adjustments have been made.
5. Operate ADVANCE until 28 0 SPECIAL FUNCTION is indicated on CRT. From Function 28 you can return to game over or restore factory settings. Perform step 6 or 7 as desired.
6. To return to game over, depress ADVANCE with switch set to AUTO-UP.
7. To restore factory settings and zero audit totals:

a. Operate HIGH SCORE RESET in AUTO-UP to indicate “45″ on CRT Function 28.
b. Depress ADVANCE. The game returns to audit Function 1.
c. Set switch to MANUAL-DOWN and depress ADVANCE to indicate Function 28 on the CRT.
d. Set switch to AUTO-UP and depress ADVANCE.

5 questions to think about when you talk to someone with power.

pete — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:34:37 +0000

Or even, come to think of it, anyone in a position of power from a member of a school association to the head of a multinational corporation. You don’t have to directly ask the questions, just maybe think about the answers to yourself and determine how you’re going to deal with the person:

What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interests do you use it?
To whom are you accountable?
How do we get rid of you?

Number 5 is most relevant to politics and elected positions but can be translated to work environments.

These are originally by the great parlamentarian Tony Benn

Tom’s pink nose

pete — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:29:17 +0000

Little Tom having a sleep on Mark’s bed.� Hes a very placid cat – as seen here. I was clicking away pretty close to him and he couldn’t be bothered even opening his eyes through the commotion.� No fear.

No Problems

pete — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:08:29 +0000

What I like to see, a lovely ‘No problems’ icon in my browser telling me that all is well in the world and I’m doing my job:

The addition of the ‘Zzz’ text, showing me that my duty is done for today and it’s time to get some sleep is especially welcome.� Tomorrow, we’ll be back on the job.

tom kitten

pete — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:29:32 +0000

tom kitten

One of our new kittens basks in the late september sun.� We have to keep a close eye on them outside since there are a few buzzards around here, and I’ve seen a fully grown pigeon plucked from the air and devoured in our garden in a matter of minutes.� This fellow would make a tasty snack from our local raptors!

Good Morning!

pete — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:09:06 +0000

Seen on our fence – a smiley face to start the day.

fly on my tongue

pete — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:51:43 +0000

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fly on my tongue, originally uploaded by Pete Connolly.

Last Febuary, we took a trip back to Dublin to see my Ma. Naturally, we had to go to Dublin zoo to show the boys the animals, get some awareness of the size, colour and what not of the real thing – something we can’t do here unless we drag ourselves to Longleat or London. This chappie, the Sumatran Tiger, was phleming away in his compound like the best of them. Just like a domestic cat who smells something interesting, like fish. Or steak, prawns, chicken or any of the myriad other foods our cats shout at you about when you try to make dinner.