Those Gold Postboxes

Royal Mail have published a map showing where the Golden Postboxes that celebrate all those Gold Medals are...
Click here

Alternative medal table

This table shows the Olympic Medal table per capita or GDP - most revealing.  It turns out that Greneda, with one medal, are the real champions.

Click here

Great Olympic website

If you want to get an idea of where in the world
the medals are going, click here
to see a clever site put up by the
Wall Street Journal.

The Guardian just can't help themselves

How The Guardian manges to be accurate and take a pop at royalty simultaneously.

They really can't help themselves.  If you don't belive me the original is here.   

If electricity were sold like broadband...

The Page turner. The only way to do it.

Thanks to my son for pointing this one out to me.

Ad-Aware - a warning

In the past I have recommended the anti virus software Ad-Aware - but I have now withdrawn that recommendation.  

I have had reports from readers that the latest version (version 10) seems to be messing up some computers, and this is confirmed in online forums (click here and scroll down).  It is best avoided, at least for the time being.

They have also made it more difficult to get the free version, which is irritating, so I advise Oldie readers to stay clear until the news is better.  I'll keep an eye on it.

You can read about the software I do recommend by clicking here.

Update on June 15, 2012 by Webster

The reports online of problems seem to have died down, so the issue may have been resolved - however I have not tried it myself.

British Council Films

During the 1940's, the British Council was an enthusiastic commissioner of documentary films designed to promote an idea of Britain and ‘Britishness’. Over 125 films were produced as 'cultural propaganda' to counteract anything the Nazis might throw out and to refute the idea that ours was a country stuck in the past.  

Click here to go to the site or watch a film about the 1945 General Election here, from the perspecive of Kettering, which included John Profumo as a candidate who features heavily in the film.  He lost to the Labour candidate, an Old Etonian QC.  Plus ca change...

Competition: uncover a classic

Win the chance to see your name in print

Hesperus Press is a small, independent publisher and this year they are celebrating their 10th anniversary; they have launched a competition to celebrate.

They want you to recommend an out-of-print book that you would like to see back in print. You need to write a 500 word introduction explaining why you believe the book is worthy of re-publishing.  If they publish your choice, it will come out in September, and will include your introduction.

Closing date is 1st June, so there's no time to delay - more details here.

Fabulous response from Oldie readers

A little while ago I sent an email to everyone who has ever emailed me (impertinent, I know) to ask for support for my two eldest children's efforts to raise money for Cancer Relief UK.

I am thrilled to be able to say that the both finished - despite, in Celia's case, some injuries which threatened her participation.  The official results are here.

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit and openness of wallets that has been shown - thank you very much indeed.  So far, they have raised more than £6,500, over £2,000 of which has come from Oldie readers of my column.  You can follow the success by clicking here.

I shouldn't be surprised; all the emails I get from readers are charming and thoughtful. That's Oldie readers for you.