As we know state broadcaster TVNZ has the rights to cover the Olympic Games from Beijing this year. But so far their coverage has not been that terrific. They had yet another slip up of a very important moment last night:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/event/story.cfm?c_id=502&objectid=10528186
Tom Ashley, in the boardsailing, won New Zealand’s 3rd gold medal at these games. He won it just before 7pm last night, but of course that’s when TV One have to have their One News broadcast, followed up Close Up, hence no live coverage of a “golden” moment in New Zealand sporting history! In fact TV3 announced it before TV One did!! Campbell Live announced it just after 7pm. I bet TV3 are laughing their heads off right now about this! (Why did TV One need to continue to have its full One News and Close Up programmes during the Olympics?)
So why didn’t TV One show it live? Why didn’t they break away from their wonderful (I’m being sarcastic) One News? Oh hang on; TVNZ said they did screen it live - on their Freeview channel! How pathetic! Only about 5% of the country has Freeview (and by the way it’s not free – you need to pay a few hundred dollars to get it set up – that’s why I don’t have it). TVNZ promised four channels of Olympic coverage this year, which included one Freeview channel and two Internet channels (so only one channel really for most of New Zealanders – I haven’t even bothered checking out their Internet channels; even though I have broadband it’s no where near fast enough for this). TVNZ promised that all the important moments would be live on TV One. So far this has not been the case. This is our tax payers money at work people!
I’m just so glad Sky TV have the rights to Olympic coverage in 2012. They’re going to have 3 or 4 channels of live coverage!!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Classic Rock finally comes to the Manawatu!
At last, after waiting for months, Radio Hauraki started in Palmerston North today – on 105.8 FM!! I think this is the last main area in the North Island (and one of the last in New Zealand) to get Radio Hauraki – I don’t know why it has taken so long. I moved down here from the Waikato over three months ago and I’ve been suffering without my daily dose of Classic Rock! So if you’re in the Manawatu make sure you tune into the best rock music station in the country, Radio Hauraki on 105.8 FM, and check out www.hauraki.co.nz
Saturday, August 16, 2008
National Hugging Day
We were in Wellington today down Manners Mall and we saw a group of people with signs offering Free Hugs. We thought this seemed a bit weird, but first my Dad received a hug then my daughter. I was a bit hesitant at first but decided to join in anyway, and I received a hug from a nice young girl. I must say it was very nice. So if you were in Auckland or Wellington today I hope you got a nice hug - it's something we should do more of!
For more about National Hugging Day and a video clip see:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/2008866
(We were down there when One News were there but I can't see myself in the video clip)
For more about National Hugging Day and a video clip see:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/2008866
(We were down there when One News were there but I can't see myself in the video clip)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
You'll need to work for the DPB soon
Well, of course it’s election year, so it’s time for the political parties to come out with their policies in order to woe voters. National’s latest policy announcement is to get those on the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) to spend some time each week working:
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=142514
This is something that directly affects me because I am on the DPB. I became a single father near the end of last year so I’m on the DPB as this is the benefit I am entitled to having my daughter living with me. But I actually agree with this policy move of National’s. I think this is an excellent idea to go out and do some work during the week. I currently have a temporary job working 20 hours a week, so if I can do it then anyone can do it!
Now I’m sure there are some genuine cases where the single parent won’t be able to go out and work, so I’m not sure what they will do about those. But I’m sure the majority of single parents can go out and do some part-time work during the week while their children are at school. Of course there is the problem with illness and school holidays so hopefully National will bring in some way to get round that.
Getting single parents out in the workforce will stop them being “benefit bludgers”. It’s great that we have a welfare system in this country to provide benefits for people, however people need to become more self sufficient and not rely on the government all the time for handouts. As I said the job I have now is only temporary, so at the end of this month when it finishes I’m not sure what I’m going to do next. So having a scheme like this in place will hopefully help people to get jobs. I find it very hard to find work, and I would love to get back into full-time work. It’s so annoying as I have a university degree and lots of experience in the work force, yet I can’t get a full-time job that suits me. Hopefully this scheme of National’s will help me get a job!
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=142514
This is something that directly affects me because I am on the DPB. I became a single father near the end of last year so I’m on the DPB as this is the benefit I am entitled to having my daughter living with me. But I actually agree with this policy move of National’s. I think this is an excellent idea to go out and do some work during the week. I currently have a temporary job working 20 hours a week, so if I can do it then anyone can do it!
Now I’m sure there are some genuine cases where the single parent won’t be able to go out and work, so I’m not sure what they will do about those. But I’m sure the majority of single parents can go out and do some part-time work during the week while their children are at school. Of course there is the problem with illness and school holidays so hopefully National will bring in some way to get round that.
Getting single parents out in the workforce will stop them being “benefit bludgers”. It’s great that we have a welfare system in this country to provide benefits for people, however people need to become more self sufficient and not rely on the government all the time for handouts. As I said the job I have now is only temporary, so at the end of this month when it finishes I’m not sure what I’m going to do next. So having a scheme like this in place will hopefully help people to get jobs. I find it very hard to find work, and I would love to get back into full-time work. It’s so annoying as I have a university degree and lots of experience in the work force, yet I can’t get a full-time job that suits me. Hopefully this scheme of National’s will help me get a job!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Trying to buy a new video recorder
My video recorder (VCR) which I have had for about six years broke down on Friday night. I knew after six years of excellent use that it would be a waste of time and money to try and get it fixed, so I needed to bite the bullet and get a new one.
So, on Saturday morning, with my Dad in tow, we set out to buy a new VCR for me. I thought this would be quite a quick and simple task. Boy was I wrong! First we went to Bond & Bond and we thought this would be the best place to buy one. We scanned around and all we found were DVD recorders! We saw one VCR which was a combo one with a DVD recorder for about $500. I don’t want to pay this much for a VCR as I already have a very good DVD recorder. So, we decided to pop into Noel Leeming just next door. Again no VCRs except for one Samsung dual VCR and DVD player for $200. Is that all you can get? Can’t you buy VCRs by themselves now? I guess not. And anyway, I’m not sure if I want a “Samsung” brand machine. I used to top brands like Sony and Panasonic. So next it was off to Harvey Norman. I thought we would have a good shot at getting one there as it’s a big store and I’m sure they would have a big range. I was wrong again! Heaps of DVD recorders again (including Blu-Ray) but only one VCR – again combined with a DVD player – the same Samsung one I saw in the previous store. I managed to have a chat to one of the salesmen there about it. He says that haven’t had any VCRs for a while and the dual DVD-VCR ones are all you can get now. So I said what do I do with the hundreds of video tapes I still have? He said I need to transfer them to DVD. Well, I am doing that, but it’s going to take a long time, and anyway, I need a new VCR in order to do it!! Next stop was Dick Smith. Here’s a store I’m sure would have one. Wrong again! It looks like they did have some VCRs (dual ones with DVD) but not any more! Off to Kmart next. Yes, they too had a dual DVD-VCR under a brand called “Sansui”. Sansui? Sounds more like Sansushi! (And it was $30 more than the Samsung one in Harvey Norman). We decided just to visit one more store, Leader & Watt 100%. All they had was an LG brand dual DVD-VCR for $200. I decided this was it and I just had to buy this one. LG is a brand I’ve heard about and it appears to becoming more popular. The machine on the shelf was the last one in stock, so I’m glad the salesman knocked an extra $15 off it.
So to sum up, it is very, very hard to buy a new VCR now. I think this is pathetic. Cheap DVD recorders have only been around for a couple of years so there are still many, many people out there who don’t have one (I actually don’t know many people who have one). Video tapes have been around for a long time so I’m sure there are many people out there who have hundreds of them like me. What are we supposed to do if our VCRs break down and we need to get a new one? Don’t tell me just to replace them all with DVDs because some things I have recorded in the past can’t be replaced – it’s just not available on DVD. Anyway, obviously VCRs are still in demand as I bought the last one at Leader & Watt, they were sold out at Dick Smith, and I saw only three left at Harvey Norman. I don’t like how videos have been dismissed as old technology so quickly. I just hope VCRs will still be available for a little while longer. (And what’s going to happen when we need to replace all our DVDs with Blu-Ray in a few years time???)
So, on Saturday morning, with my Dad in tow, we set out to buy a new VCR for me. I thought this would be quite a quick and simple task. Boy was I wrong! First we went to Bond & Bond and we thought this would be the best place to buy one. We scanned around and all we found were DVD recorders! We saw one VCR which was a combo one with a DVD recorder for about $500. I don’t want to pay this much for a VCR as I already have a very good DVD recorder. So, we decided to pop into Noel Leeming just next door. Again no VCRs except for one Samsung dual VCR and DVD player for $200. Is that all you can get? Can’t you buy VCRs by themselves now? I guess not. And anyway, I’m not sure if I want a “Samsung” brand machine. I used to top brands like Sony and Panasonic. So next it was off to Harvey Norman. I thought we would have a good shot at getting one there as it’s a big store and I’m sure they would have a big range. I was wrong again! Heaps of DVD recorders again (including Blu-Ray) but only one VCR – again combined with a DVD player – the same Samsung one I saw in the previous store. I managed to have a chat to one of the salesmen there about it. He says that haven’t had any VCRs for a while and the dual DVD-VCR ones are all you can get now. So I said what do I do with the hundreds of video tapes I still have? He said I need to transfer them to DVD. Well, I am doing that, but it’s going to take a long time, and anyway, I need a new VCR in order to do it!! Next stop was Dick Smith. Here’s a store I’m sure would have one. Wrong again! It looks like they did have some VCRs (dual ones with DVD) but not any more! Off to Kmart next. Yes, they too had a dual DVD-VCR under a brand called “Sansui”. Sansui? Sounds more like Sansushi! (And it was $30 more than the Samsung one in Harvey Norman). We decided just to visit one more store, Leader & Watt 100%. All they had was an LG brand dual DVD-VCR for $200. I decided this was it and I just had to buy this one. LG is a brand I’ve heard about and it appears to becoming more popular. The machine on the shelf was the last one in stock, so I’m glad the salesman knocked an extra $15 off it.
So to sum up, it is very, very hard to buy a new VCR now. I think this is pathetic. Cheap DVD recorders have only been around for a couple of years so there are still many, many people out there who don’t have one (I actually don’t know many people who have one). Video tapes have been around for a long time so I’m sure there are many people out there who have hundreds of them like me. What are we supposed to do if our VCRs break down and we need to get a new one? Don’t tell me just to replace them all with DVDs because some things I have recorded in the past can’t be replaced – it’s just not available on DVD. Anyway, obviously VCRs are still in demand as I bought the last one at Leader & Watt, they were sold out at Dick Smith, and I saw only three left at Harvey Norman. I don’t like how videos have been dismissed as old technology so quickly. I just hope VCRs will still be available for a little while longer. (And what’s going to happen when we need to replace all our DVDs with Blu-Ray in a few years time???)
Friday, May 30, 2008
World's most popular politicians
This is very interesting. Facebook is a very popular social networking website. Many of the world’s politicians have their own pages on there. Here’s a list of the ten most popular politicians on Facebook ranked by the number of supporters.
1. Barack Obama - 866,398 supporters (Democratic Party candidate for US president)
2. Hillary Clinton - 158,561 supporters (Democratic Party candidate for US president)
3. John McCain - 132,806 supporters (Republican Party nominee for US president)
4. Ron Paul - 87,854 supporters (ex-Republican Party candidate for US president)
5. Mike Huckabee - 51,108 supporters (ex-Republican Party candidate for US president)
6. Mitt Romney - 34,057 supporters (ex-Republican Party candidate for US president)
7. John Edwards - 30,093 supporters (ex-Democratic Party candidate for US president)
8. Wen Jiabao - 26,850 supporters (Premier of China)
9. Dennis Kucinich - 22,967 supporters (ex-Democratic Party candidate for US president)
10. Arnold Schwarzenegger - 20,950 supporters (Governor of California)
By the way, John Key (leader of the NZ National Party) is at 55th place with 3,801 supports, and Helen Clark (leader of the NZ Labour party) is at 148th with only 1,305 supporters.
1. Barack Obama - 866,398 supporters (Democratic Party candidate for US president)
2. Hillary Clinton - 158,561 supporters (Democratic Party candidate for US president)
3. John McCain - 132,806 supporters (Republican Party nominee for US president)
4. Ron Paul - 87,854 supporters (ex-Republican Party candidate for US president)
5. Mike Huckabee - 51,108 supporters (ex-Republican Party candidate for US president)
6. Mitt Romney - 34,057 supporters (ex-Republican Party candidate for US president)
7. John Edwards - 30,093 supporters (ex-Democratic Party candidate for US president)
8. Wen Jiabao - 26,850 supporters (Premier of China)
9. Dennis Kucinich - 22,967 supporters (ex-Democratic Party candidate for US president)
10. Arnold Schwarzenegger - 20,950 supporters (Governor of California)
By the way, John Key (leader of the NZ National Party) is at 55th place with 3,801 supports, and Helen Clark (leader of the NZ Labour party) is at 148th with only 1,305 supporters.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Special Bulletin to All Radio Amateurs
Here's an email today which I found quite interesting. It's good to see when communications are knocked out in a disaster it's back to good old amateur radio!
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 1:53 PM
Subject: Fw: SPECIAL BULLETIN - ALL RADIO AMATEURS
PLEASE PASS THIS EMERGENCY BULLETIN ON TO EVERY AMATEUR YOU KNOW, THE EARTHQUAKE IS VERY SERIOUS AND PLEASE KEEP THE LISTED FREQUENCES OPEN FOR EMERGENCYS.
Subject: FW: SPECIAL BULLETIN - ALL RADIO AMATEURS
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 21:41:39 -0600
This Bulletin is unverified, but respect the frequencies if you hear traffic going on. Remember in order to be a good communicator you need to be a good listener.
Todd Gansel AE7V
ARRL Montana Section Emergency Coordinator
TO: ALL RADIO AMATEURS
FROM: W7RRL - WORLD RADIO RELAY LEAGUE HQ
DATE/TIME: MAY 14 2008 1600 UTC
SUBJECT: CHINA DISASTER
REFERENCE: MESSAGES BELOW
PLEASE PASS THIS BULLETIN TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS ASAP:
Please do not use 14.270 MHz for the time being. It is being used for relief efforts in China.
--------- Forwarded Message ----------
A Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Sichuan, China on Monday, May 12,2008 at 06:28:04 UTC. Casualties and loss unknown up to now. Accordingto Chinese Radio Sports Association, 14.270, 7.050 and 7.060 MHzare reserved for amateur radio emergency service in the rescue.
A group of radio amateurs is now transmitting from Wenchuan, thecenter of quake. Their signal is reported to be very weak. They tried tokeep communication with BY8AA in Chengdu, seeking for all resourcesneeded. During a contact finished a few minutes ago, they were askingfor raincoats, water, tents, and outdoor living facilities.
Please spread this message as far as you can and keep the frequenciesclear for emergency use. Thank you.
Michael Chen, BD5RV/4
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 1:53 PM
Subject: Fw: SPECIAL BULLETIN - ALL RADIO AMATEURS
PLEASE PASS THIS EMERGENCY BULLETIN ON TO EVERY AMATEUR YOU KNOW, THE EARTHQUAKE IS VERY SERIOUS AND PLEASE KEEP THE LISTED FREQUENCES OPEN FOR EMERGENCYS.
Subject: FW: SPECIAL BULLETIN - ALL RADIO AMATEURS
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 21:41:39 -0600
This Bulletin is unverified, but respect the frequencies if you hear traffic going on. Remember in order to be a good communicator you need to be a good listener.
Todd Gansel AE7V
ARRL Montana Section Emergency Coordinator
TO: ALL RADIO AMATEURS
FROM: W7RRL - WORLD RADIO RELAY LEAGUE HQ
DATE/TIME: MAY 14 2008 1600 UTC
SUBJECT: CHINA DISASTER
REFERENCE: MESSAGES BELOW
PLEASE PASS THIS BULLETIN TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS ASAP:
Please do not use 14.270 MHz for the time being. It is being used for relief efforts in China.
--------- Forwarded Message ----------
A Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Sichuan, China on Monday, May 12,2008 at 06:28:04 UTC. Casualties and loss unknown up to now. Accordingto Chinese Radio Sports Association, 14.270, 7.050 and 7.060 MHzare reserved for amateur radio emergency service in the rescue.
A group of radio amateurs is now transmitting from Wenchuan, thecenter of quake. Their signal is reported to be very weak. They tried tokeep communication with BY8AA in Chengdu, seeking for all resourcesneeded. During a contact finished a few minutes ago, they were askingfor raincoats, water, tents, and outdoor living facilities.
Please spread this message as far as you can and keep the frequenciesclear for emergency use. Thank you.
Michael Chen, BD5RV/4
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The new Terrace End Blog
Just over a week ago we made the move from Te Awamutu (in the Waipa District) down here to Palmerston North. Terrace End is the name of the suburb that I live in in the city of Palmerston North, hence the name "The Terrace End Blog". This blog will continue to feature similar articles as before, as well as my views of local events in Palmerston North City and the Manawatu District.
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