thought.photos

occasional snapshots of thought

Coloured buildings, London

Memoirs

Posted on 17th March 2014

Things are changing.

For the last 18 years, I’ve been driving. Up the M3, around the M25 to the University of Greenwich, a round-trip of 200 miles and I did this two or three times a week.

I like driving, so this never felt like a real chore and with Radio 4 to keep me company, I was never bored and I certainly felt better informed for listening to the Today programme as I drove.

People would ask me why I didn’t use the train for this journey and I would tell them that it takes longer (which it does) and it costs more (which it does) and it’s less reliable (which it is). Getting the train makes no sense.

Things will change. Next academic year, the car will no longer be an option. My department is moving into a wonderful new building in the centre of Greenwich. There will be no parking. The train will be the only travel option.

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Categories: Books, Life/Personal
Washington State Capital Building, Olympia

Happy 25th birthday to the Web

Posted on 12th March 2014

Like many people I know, I’ve been meaning to start a blog for a while. Well, let’s be honest, for years. But today I was prompted to do what I’ve been meaning to do because today the Web turns 25 and I figured it was as good a place to start as any.

25 years ago today, Tim Berners-Lee developed an idea that would become the most significant change to the lives of those of us lucky enough to be connected to the internet. Of course, it is important to point out that even now, 25 years later, less than 35% of the global population has access to the internet, the Web is still far from “world wide”.

But for the one third of us who are part of the Web, today is a good time to pause and consider the changes it has brought to our lives. Thank you Web, and many happy returns.∗

Categories: Web Design