Simon Hammond Blog

I could try and pretend that I’m linking to the Skins Blog as a case study in the unexpected consequences of a mediocre blog elevated to undue prominence on a hugely-regarded media platform.

Actually, it’s because it’s the funniest thing I’ve read this week. Not because of the original post which is is so-so. Skim through it to get enough of the flavour and then head down to the comments where the boy is sliced, diced and marinated overnight.

There’s an editor at the Guardian right now who has just given over their day to editing the comments so that they are merely hilariously abusive. Other comments are either calling nepotism by connecting the kid to a Guardian travel writer or boiling down his claim to be a Skins co-writer to a 10 minute Myspace clip. A friend who gallantly steps in gets equally acerbic treatment.

The result of this nepotism-meets-open-commenting experiment is the formation of some kind of distributed Charlie Brooker, a Sandman of cynicism. It’s awesome.

Thanks to Jon via del.icio.us/bounder for the early tip-off

Tags: funny by si
1 Comment »

Does the name ‘Simon Hammond‘ have a very personal significance for you?

Right up until the moment you typed it into Google did you fondly imagine that it was an almost unique thing? Do you sometimes wish you had control of simonhammond.com, simonhammond.co.uk or simonhammond.net? Does it kinda freak you out seeing your name bandied about like this?

I manage both simonhammond.net and simonhammond.com, which is maybe a bit superfluous. So, here’s the deal: if enough are interested to make the effort worthwhile, I’d be ready to turn simonhammond.net over to the entire community(?) of Simon Hammond’s as a hub of some kind — whatever you want (e.g. profiles, mail/web redirects, blog). I have the ability and the crazy inclination. Dave Gorman is probably partly to blame here.

The idea of setting up a virtual group for strangers with nothing more in common than the name with which they identify themselves deeply appeals to me. If you’d also get a kick out of joining one of the most exclusive groups on the Net, and optionally want to be easier to find on the web, then identify yourself below. I may need to see some ID later.

(You might want to pick a nickname to avoid future ambiguity.)

Tags: funny, self-referential, unfiled, web by si
1 Comment »

Humour a geek. It’s not just amazing. It’s amazingly amazing. And it’s on Amazon. The trailer for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Tags: funny by si
No Comments »

From some experience, I’m convinced this is how girlfriends, parents and housemates imagine computer science is taught:

Exam is set in a workshop. An undergraduate is being tested for ‘PC Fixing 101′ by the lecturer who is seated in front of a single PC running Windows 97.

Prof: Before we start, you’ll notice that this machine is starting to run very slowly. It’s grinding to a halt. What is likely to be the cause of this?
Student: Dust?
Prof: Let’s see. (he applies his mouth to the floppy drive door and blows vigorously. Dust flies out the back and the machine dramatically accelerates.) Excellent!
Prof: Now, we want to get on the internet for the first time. What steps must we take?
Student: Type ‘net’?
Prof: (aghast) Idiot boy! First we need to physically connect the PC! How do we do this?
Student: An ‘internet’ cable… (sheepish)
Prof:…plugs into…?
Student:..the ‘web-wall’ socket..
Prof: ..and the..
Student: …’PC-email’ socket.
Prof: ..and THEN we type ‘net’. Not before! (Taps in ‘net’ and IE appears bearing the Central Web Index)
Prof: Finally, I suspect I may have a virus. What might indicate this?
Student: Erm… crusty interfaces?
Prof: It’s possible, but there is a simpler way to check. (he turns the mouse over). Dirty ball, see? (student nods) How do I fix this?
Student: Replace the mouse?
Prof: Costly. Placing it in boiling water for 30 minutes will be sufficient. Okay, we’ve finished slightly early so I might as well test you on ‘PC Buying Advice 101′. I’m a 35 year old professional male. I like golf and the colour black. Which PC do you advise?
Student: Dell Inspiron 1000 with 30.. no, 40GB hard drive.
Prof: Very good.

Tags: funny by si
1 Comment »