Google Goes Mobile

It's official - after months of speculation about a possible "Google Phone" (gPhone?), it has been announced that they are launching an Operating System for mobile phones. This will be in direct competition with the already established names like "Microsoft, Research in Motion, Palm and Symbian". However, one major factor that will affect phone manufacturers choice will be cost. In the best traditions of Google, they are providing their software "to handset makers free of charge". I don't know how much manufacturers pay for the likes of Windows Mobile, but you can bet the cost gets passed on (one way or another) to the end user - you and me. Will the free OS reduce costs for end-users, thus sparking a price war? Or will someone (or everyone) in the chain just increase their profit margins?

I wonder how well it will work with Windows. I have been using a Windows Mobile device for little over 6 months (and for a year about 3 years ago). I love the way you can synchronise it with Microsoft Outlook. However, I am also a fan of Google products. I have been using Gmail for a few years and have used Google Calendar, though since I've been unable to find a truly successful way of synchronising that with my Windows Mobile phone, I've abandoned it in favour of just using Outlook (I haven't had much success with RemoteCalendars, OggSync, gSyncIt or ScheduleWorld - but that story's for another day!). Perhaps this explains why Google haven't rushed to get their calendar to synchronise with Outlook? I would be very surprised if Google's new OS couldn't synchronise Google Calendar to an off-line version on the phone!

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Be Grateful For What You Have

Yesterday, I watched an episode of Frasier. In it, somebody else's mail got delivered to Frasier by mistake and one of the items was an invitation to some kind of new exclusive place in town that he hadn't heard of. He couldn't bear the thought that there was something too exclusive for him, so he found out what it was - a health spa. Next, of course, he had to go to it.

When he got there, he handed over the invitation, but they wouldn't let him in because his name wasn't on the list. After Frasier had been arguing with the receptionist for a few minutes, Niles walked in, pretending to be someone else. This was obviously a pre-arranged plan between them, and they were allowed in.

They thought it was wonderful and thoroughly enjoyed themselves - they thought it was perfect (if a little pricey!). Anyway, just as they were leaving, they saw a gold door. When they tried to go through it, they were told that they weren't allowed - it was for Gold Members only.

Now they knew that there was something better than what they had, they were unhappy. What they had now wasn't good enough, despite the fact they had thought it was wonderful before they knew about this higher level. They wanted more.

They managed to get into the gold level (by utilizing a friend's contact). They thought this was idyllic - much better than the Silver Level they'd had before, much more befitting to people of their social standing. But then, while they were in a relaxation room, they saw a platinum door.

Of course, they weren't satisfied with the Gold Level now they knew there was something better still - they had to see what was in the Platinum Level. On their first attempt to get through the platinum door, they were told they weren't allowed. Not to be put off, they tried again, this time getting through. As soon as they were through, they thought they were in paradise. There was a lovely warm bright light surrounding them - much better (they thought) than what they had just been experiencing in the Gold Level. Only, as one of them realised they could smell rubbish, it dawned on them it wasn't paradise - they were actually stood outside next to the bins, and the door couldn't be opened from the outside.

Moral of the story - it's OK to want to better yourself, but don't be ungrateful with what you've got.

Falcon 4: Mission Report 5

Takeoff: Day 1, 09:48

This mission is an escort. A flight of F-15E's are attacking an airfield just behind the front-line. Again, same as the last mission, I don't expect too much opposition, so I sacrifice 2 AMRAAM's for the sake of 2 AGM-88 HARM missiles (I leave the rest of my flight with 4 AMRAAM's and 2 Sidewinders).

The flight is very straight forward. After making the turn at waypoint 2, the closest enemy aircraft is 50 miles away to the North-East, and AWAC's can't see any threats. As we approach waypoint 3, I call up my HARM's, hoping to see a radar belonging to a missile system, but there is nothing apart from search radars. I send one missile at the radar on the airfield the F-15E's will be attacking, and another at a search radar nearby. No sooner have I done this than AWAC's declares a pair of SU-17's 30 miles away. I send the second element after them. We get a bit of AAA over the target airfield, so I turn on my jammer, jink and turn away South, towards the next waypoint.

After landing, I see that I killed 1 radar and a runway (my missile to the airfield's radar must have missed the radar but hit the runway instead - oh well, it still counts as a kill!). One of the SU-17's must have either got away, or killed by someone else, as our flight just gets credited with 1 air-to-air kill.

I suppose the most important thing about the mission was that the F-15E's survived and hit the airfield - hard. The results from the debrief say "East Incheon has been completely shut down and will be unable to launch any sorties in the near future."

Falcon 4: Mission Report 4

Takeoff: Day 1, 09:48


We have been assigned yet another sweep mission, but this time further North. There are again 4 of us and we have 4 AMRAAMS and 2 Sidewinders each. Bearing in mind the last couple of missions - how we seem to have achieved air superiority round the front-line, I decide to leave my 2 Sidewinders behind and take along 4 cluster bombs. There are some T-62 tanks between waypoints 3 and 4, so I'll see if I can take a few of them out.

After take-off, AWAC's declares all clear. By the time we get to waypoint 3, there are some enemy aircraft, but nothing that AWAC's thinks is a threat. I call up my air-to-ground radar and find some targets. AWAC's confirms they are enemy. I line up on them and drop all 4 CBU's. Meanwhile, we are closing in on some enemy aircraft (I think they are transport-types). We all pick and engage targets. We have already over-shot waypoint 4 and are supposed to be starting to head back South. The closest enemy aircraft are about 40 miles away now, so we head back.

At the debriefing, I am credited with1 air-to-air kill, as are numbers two and three. Number four gets 2 air to air-to-air kills, so that's 5 between us. The big news is, is that I got 19 air-to-ground kills! For that, I was awarded the Air Force Cross!

Rain and Responsibility

I think this must be about the wettest June on record for the UK. Two weeks ago, the building I work in got flooded, so we all got to go home at lunchtime. There has been a lot more rain at the start of this week (sounds like Sheffield and Doncaster got it worst). Now they're forecasting even more rain for the weekend!

Lots of people are complaining that the Environment Agency aren't doing enough to protect people's homes from flooding. People are blaming the government/councils for letting developers build on flood-plains. What are the home owners themselves doing though? Are they taking responsibility and action for looking after their own property? Or are they just waiting for and expecting someone else to do it?

There are companies that provide flood defences for properties. I accept it's not cheap, but what does it cost if you get flooded? From what they were saying on the radio the other day, there are a variety of options depending on the exact circumstances, such as water-proof air-bricks, water-tight door seals, perimeter skirts etc.

Don't get me wrong, I have complete sympathy with anyone who has suffered as a result of the floods, but I am very much of the opinion that we have to take action to look after ourselves, not just expect someone else (i.e. the government) to look after us all the time. To borrow a famous quote:

"You think safety is expensive, try having an accident!"

Champions League: AC Milan 2 - 1 Liverpool

Alas, it was not be. Liverpool dominated the first half, and although they didn't have all that many chances, certainly looked the more likely team to score. Then, right on the stroke of half-time, Alonso conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Pirlo takes it, Reina diving to his left would have saved it, but it got deflected off the head of Inzaghi (entirely by chance) who was running in. This sent it to the other side of Reina and into the goal. It was one of those "flukey" goals that no-one could have done anything about. So, entirely against the run of play, AC Milan are 1-0 up at half-time.

The second half was generally more balanced. Liverpool weren't playing just as well and AC Milan were playing better. There were a couple of chances at either end, and short spell where Liverpool were really on the back-foot, but they survived. That is, until Kaka threads a pass through Liverpool's defence to guess who? Inzaghi. He is one-on-one with Reina, who comes out to him, but Inzaghi goes round him and scores to make it 2-0. Surely it's all over now, or is there still time for a come-back?

Liverpool are getting desperate now, throwing everything into the attack as the last few minutes count down. Liverpool win a corner. It is taken by Pennant, flicked on by Agger and headed in by Kuyt at the back post. Just one more needed to force extra-time!

It is announced that there are to be a minimum of 3 minutes added on. To be fair to AC Milan, they don't look to be particularly trying to waste time. They do make a substitution which does take a little while, but surely the ref will allow for it and add on another few seconds? There may still be a chance.

But no. The referee decides he's had enough and blows for full-time after allowing only 2 minutes 40 seconds for added time instead of the minimum 3 minutes! Liverpool manager, Benitez, is complaining to the referee, pointing vigorously to his watch, but of course its to no avail.

On the whole, Liverpool dominated the first half, and perhaps should have made more of that. They were unlucky with the first goal, but all credit to AC Milan - they took their chances when they had them. Never mind - there's always next year (and Benitez should have lots of money to spend over the summer, let's see if he can put it to good use!)

Falcon 4: Mission Report 3

Takeoff: Day 1, 09:06

This was another CAP in exactly the same area as Mission 2. It was a flight of 4 and we had 6 AMRAAM's each, so we were looking to do some serious damage to the enemies strike capability.

We took off and checked with AWACS - no bad guys anywhere near. We followed our planned route, but the whole way round, AWACS was reporting clear. After we finished our patrol, I wondered about just going North towards the border looking for a fight and did indeed go a few miles. However, it quickly became apparent that all the aircraft near the border were friendly and there were no obvious enemies nearby.

We went back to base feeling slightly disappointed that we didn't get any action, but at least we seem to have achieved air superiority around the front line. Lets just hope for some more action on the next mission - might have to adjust the mission priority sliders to generate more air-to-ground missions.

Cruel To Myself

I've got into a really bad habit of going to bed far too late recently. Look at me now - 12:15 on a Sunday night and I'm still up. I should have been in bed early because I was tired all last week (went to bed too late most nights) and really didn't want to be like it this week. I hate being tired - I feel so disorganised and I end up getting ratty with people I love (sorry Dee :( and others). It's not that I'm busy doing much, just for some reason I don't go to bed. I end up messing about doing silly little things that are of no importance, but waste time. Then, because I'm tired, I don't feel motivated to do things that DO need doing! I am tired and know I should be going to bed - I just don't!

Aargh! Why do I do this to myself?!?!

Why?

Murdering anybody is a dreadful and awful crime, but of all the people, why on earth would anybody murder a vicar? I can certainly see the arguments for the death penalty in such cases (providing of course guilt can be proven sufficiently).

For more on this story, see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6456035.stm

Falcon 4: Mission Report 2

Takeoff: Day 1, 08:15

There have been numerous air-raids in our area, coming from the North West across the bay. We have been tasked for a sweep mission in this area to try to reduce these raids. It is a flight of 4, each of us armed with 6 AMRAAMS.

We take off at 8:15, and upon checking in with AWACS, are informed of enemy aircraft within 40 miles. Wanting to go on the offensive straight away, I use afterburner and race for altitude. Picking the targets up on radar at about 25 miles, I pick one and set my second element after him. I send my wingman after another, and I shoot at yet another one. Once my missile is 'pitbull', I turn away to put a bit of distance between me and the enemy, and also so I can assess what's left after the rest of my flight have finished - the answer: nothing.

Turning back to our flight plan, it's not long before some more enemy aircraft are at about 40 miles. Again we engage. After we have shot most of them down, there is one left at about 30 miles and he is running back North (we are to his South). I am aware that we are all gettin glow on fuel, so I decide not to chase after him (it would probably have needed a good run on afterburner to catch him, and I didn't think we had the fuel).

One of my wingmen calls 'Joker', so I decide to cut the corner off our flight-path and head straight back to base (there isn't a tanker for 80 miles!). Thinking this would be about it for the action, I checked with AWACS one final time before starting my approach, and there were more enemy aircraft at about 30 miles! We turned and engaged yet again, downing them all in the first volley of missiles. It's a good job because my wingmen were all calling 'Bingo' fuel. We contacted the tower and asked for an approach. They were directing us around for ages (the tower doesn't seem to work very well in FF3, don't know if it's better in any other version) but eventually I was directed to finals with the runway in front of me.

I couldn't believe the debrief - I won Air Medal and got promoted to Captain! When I looked at the statistics, it's maybe understandable. My flight killed 11 all together (I got 3, my wingman got 5, the other element got 2 and 1 between them). All in all, a good mission. Lets just hope we can keep this up and start taking the fight to them!

Falcon 4: Mission Report 1

Day 1, 06:39

I am told that the planners are wanting to concentrate mainly on gaining air superiority, and reducing the SAM/AAA threat, so we can expect a lot of air-to-air and wild-weasel missions.

The first batch of missions that are tasked to our squadron are all DCA, covering the West coastal area (South-South-West of our airfield). I take the lead slot on the first mission, take-off 06:39.

As our take-off time approaches, there is an unforeseen development - enemy special forces capture Seosan Airbase (our Alternative Field for this mission, which just happens to be right underneath our patrol area) and a radar station nearby on the coast (you might be able to make it out on the map). Needless to say I changed our Alternate. Recon suggests that both sites are fully intact. I have a word with my Commander, and he agrees to me taking 6 x Mk-82 bombs (dumb, 500lb, general purpose bombs) along to try to make sure they can't use the airfield. My main priority is to knock out the radar at the airfield, then damage the runway. I let my wingman go with just 4 AMRAAM's and 2 sidewinders - I have the same, but also the 6 Mk-82's.

We take off on time and climb to altitude. Querying AWACS, it sounds like an enemy strike is inbound to our area. Turning towards them, I quickly pick up targets on my radar, and AWACS confirms them as hostile. Aware that I am more heavily laden than my wingman (and not wanting to just ditch my bombs), I lock up the closest enemy (about 25 miles) and give my wingman the Chainsaw command. I switch targets, confirm with AWACS, and shoot at another. I slow right down and turn so that the enemy are right on the very edge of my radar until the missile acquires the target itself, then I turn away and try to put some more distance between me and the enemy. Listening to the radio calls, it sounds like there are some other friendly fighters going after our bad guys, which I was completely unaware of - a good job I was verifying targets with AWACS before shooting! Turning back towards the action, I now identify a couple of friendlies, but manage to find another enemy. Locking him up, I shoot another AMRAAM. I miss, but AWACS tell me there are no more bad guys anywhere near our area, so maybe someone else got him.

We finish our patrol period with no further sign of enemy aircraft. My wingman calls low on fuel, so I send him home - I still need to attack the airfield. I make sure I have selected CCIP and have it set for just 1 bomb to come off the rack. Going down to low level and high speed, I line up on the radar and pickle the bomb. Pulling off target I go around and come in a second time. I am lined up fairly well with the runway, but also not too far from the radar, so I can decide at the last minute whether to re-attack the radar, or attack the runway if the radar's already destroyed. Closing in, I can see the explosion just next to the radar, but it still looks to be intact, so I drop another bomb on it. This time I kill it, so on my third pass (there are no SAM's and practically no AAA, so I'm relatively safe) I drop my last four bombs down the length of the main runway. I know these weapons aren't designed for anti-runway (as I said, my main target was the radar), but looking over my shoulder as I head back to base, I see four explosion marks down the middle of the runway - it's bound to have done some damage!

Looking at the debrief after the mission, my wingman and I got one enemy plane each. I also destroyed the radar, and damaged four sections of the runway. Not sure it will make much difference to the war effort (I doubt they would station planes there anyway), but it was a bit of good practice if nothing else (my only fear is that we recapture it, then have to repair it before we can use it, thus hindering us more than them!).

Falcon 4 - Configuration

I have been playing Falcon4 for a few years on and off. I have started a few campaigns, but never actually completed one (win or loose) and I'm not very good! However, I'm just about to start a new one and thought I would try to write up my mission reports.

The campaign is Korea 2005 and the situation is:

"The DPRK has launched an all-out attack on South Korea. The Combined Forces of the ROK, the Us 8th Army and 7th Air Force must stop and repulse the invaders."

I am flying an F-16CJ with the 248th FS out of Osan. This is the situation map at the start of the campaign (Day 1, 05:00):



The version I am using is FreeFalcon 3.1 + Cobra 1.1.1 and have been using Frugal's Falcon 4 forum and FreeFalcon as my main sources of information.

Wish me luck!

Mood changes

Isn't it interesting how something like a little walk in the country can really change your mood. This morning I was feeling thoroughly depressed, felt like going back to bed and starting again, tired and irritable.

Me and my boyfriend had said we'd do something today, but by 1:30 this afternoon we hadn't managed to leave the house, or even decide what to do with the afternoon, which was slowly ticking away. We settled on taking a walk up the road into the nearby countryside.

It was a lovely afternoon, warm for February, didn't even need my coat which i took but had ties round my waist.

After only quarter of an hour of gentle exercise was starting to feel happier. We did a route that took us round in a circle, with not too much in the way of hills. It was fairly muddy, which would usually annoy me but didn't today. Walked for 2 hours straight and although i was getting tired by the end, i'd had a complete transformation mood from miserable to happy.

Junk Mail

I've just spent the best part of an hour sorting out post that has built up over the last week or so. Three quarters of it has gone straight into the bin/recycling. Most of the rest is stuff that I feel I ought to keep for a bit, so I'll file it away for now before disposing of it later. It isn't very environmentally friendly sending all this junk mail - besides the actual paper, there's the fuel involved in moving it all around the country! I wish companies would stop sending so much rubbish - it costs them (and therefore us) money, it wastes my time reading it, it wastes huge amounts of paper and the fuel used to transport it all! I really don't think anybody wants it!

Labels

Finally, I have finished labelling my posts. I might change things a bit over time, but I think I've got the basics set up! Now we just need to write more posts!!

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Animal Crossing Weather

After several weeks of snow in Animal Crossing, it has completely lost its appeal! Moaning snowmen, blue leaved trees, grey sky every time it snows and white ground have grown old! Bring on the green trees.

That darn cat

Guess who this is about? The other day Fancy, Jeremy and Sally were due at the vets. Sally and Jeremy were due boosters, flea jabs a routine medical check and Fancy was going to have his weigh in plus his flea jab.

So the day of the vet visit came, and Fancy disappeared completely, its like he knew! We asked the vet if they'd see him later if he turned up and they said that would be fine.

He didn't come home until 10 that evening, with a massive gash to his leg and large hole in the back of his ear. I cleaned him up the best I could, will now have to try getting him in for his flea jab, wish me luck!!!

Recovering From A Bad Flash

Dee has had a problem with her computer refusing to boot recently. It was just hanging at "Verifying DMI Pool Data..." I ruled out the hard-drive as the cause because when I plugged it into my computer, it worked fine. I cleared the CMOS and tried again - but that didn't work, so I decided to flash the BIOS to the latest version. It got most of the way through when disaster struck! It rebooted for no apparent reason. The worst thing was that when it booted, it didn't do anything! I shut it down and cleared the CMOS again, but when I powered it up - nothing happened. Everything powered up OK, but there was no 'beep' from the POST tests, no attempt to read the floppy drive - nothing!

Fortunately, all was not lost. I found a company called Biosflash UK who for less than £10 reflashed the chip with the BIOS file I e-mailed , and also sent me a chip extraction tool. When I got it back a couple of days later and put it in, everything worked! It booted straight back into Windows no problem!

Fancys Diet

Lucky old Fancy has managed to escape the vets for over a month now. He was meant to have a visit this morning but the nurse is ill. He missed out on his last appointment 'cos i got the day wrong. He isn't going to be seen now till the 23rd of Jan, lets hope he loses some weight in that time!!!