Nick Gibbins
@nick.gark.net
Computer science lecturer, film and SF geek, gaming nerd (particularly the #TravellerRPG), manned spaceflight aficionado (but nothing Musky). cis, he/him.
Rather fun piece from @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social on the UCAS personal statement.
I'd note that most places don't use them for selection in admissions (even in the Russell Group) and the most benefit comes from the applicant's self-reflection. Why do you want to study X? Are you prepared for it?
I'd note that most places don't use them for selection in admissions (even in the Russell Group) and the most benefit comes from the applicant's self-reflection. Why do you want to study X? Are you prepared for it?
Want to go to a UK university? Don’t ask me to help you write your personal statement | Zoe Williams
How do you impress admissions tutors? Apparently not by waffling on about babysitting experience, or a love of crochet, writes Zoe Williams
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Rather fun piece from @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social on the UCAS personal statement.
I'd note that most places don't use them for selection in admissions (even in the Russell Group) and the most benefit comes from the applicant's self-reflection. Why do you want to study X? Are you prepared for it?
I'd note that most places don't use them for selection in admissions (even in the Russell Group) and the most benefit comes from the applicant's self-reflection. Why do you want to study X? Are you prepared for it?
I mention microfiche and microfilm to my students as part of the history of hypertext (i.e. Paul Otlet and Vannevar Bush).
Alas, yesterday’s lecture was about early calculating machinery starting with the Pascaline, and I got blank faces when I talked about dialling in numbers like using a phone.
Alas, yesterday’s lecture was about early calculating machinery starting with the Pascaline, and I got blank faces when I talked about dialling in numbers like using a phone.
I have been trying to explain a microfiche machine to one of my dear, brilliant, talented, but clearly too young to be alive collaborators. And it is taking the last of my soul.
“Micro…fish?? I have never heard that word in my life.” I recorded the timestamp so it can be put on my tombstone.
“Micro…fish?? I have never heard that word in my life.” I recorded the timestamp so it can be put on my tombstone.
October 7, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I mention microfiche and microfilm to my students as part of the history of hypertext (i.e. Paul Otlet and Vannevar Bush).
Alas, yesterday’s lecture was about early calculating machinery starting with the Pascaline, and I got blank faces when I talked about dialling in numbers like using a phone.
Alas, yesterday’s lecture was about early calculating machinery starting with the Pascaline, and I got blank faces when I talked about dialling in numbers like using a phone.
Para la cena esta noche:
Tacos de birria de res
Arroz Mexicana
Guacamole
Salsa bandera
Elote
(worth having started last night so that the beef could marinate well)
Tacos de birria de res
Arroz Mexicana
Guacamole
Salsa bandera
Elote
(worth having started last night so that the beef could marinate well)
September 28, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Para la cena esta noche:
Tacos de birria de res
Arroz Mexicana
Guacamole
Salsa bandera
Elote
(worth having started last night so that the beef could marinate well)
Tacos de birria de res
Arroz Mexicana
Guacamole
Salsa bandera
Elote
(worth having started last night so that the beef could marinate well)
Bit late on the update here. The 18yo and his friends racked off the elderflower mead and bottled it earlier this month (cue a sticky kitchen and an explosion of fruit flies in the house).
Despite it having settled nicely, they still produced at least one bottle of cloudy muck in the process. 1/2
Despite it having settled nicely, they still produced at least one bottle of cloudy muck in the process. 1/2
And the next mead project: after the bread-yeast-redcurrant mead, I bought the elder teen more champagne yeast and a new hydrometer, as well as finings, yeast nutrient, and dried elderflowers. He set it fermenting while we were away, and it was lively enough to coat the sideboard next to it.
September 28, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Bit late on the update here. The 18yo and his friends racked off the elderflower mead and bottled it earlier this month (cue a sticky kitchen and an explosion of fruit flies in the house).
Despite it having settled nicely, they still produced at least one bottle of cloudy muck in the process. 1/2
Despite it having settled nicely, they still produced at least one bottle of cloudy muck in the process. 1/2
Our eldest got up early this morning and fed Steph the cat before he headed out. He left us a note telling us that she’d been fed.
Steph, on the other hand, would like to say that the note carries no evidential weight and should therefore be disregarded. #caturday
Steph, on the other hand, would like to say that the note carries no evidential weight and should therefore be disregarded. #caturday
September 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Our eldest got up early this morning and fed Steph the cat before he headed out. He left us a note telling us that she’d been fed.
Steph, on the other hand, would like to say that the note carries no evidential weight and should therefore be disregarded. #caturday
Steph, on the other hand, would like to say that the note carries no evidential weight and should therefore be disregarded. #caturday
Flipping Nora. Just seen (and heard) G-PBYA flying over our house again. The 13yo is going to be *so* gutted that he didn't see it - he's off at camp this weekend.
September 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Flipping Nora. Just seen (and heard) G-PBYA flying over our house again. The 13yo is going to be *so* gutted that he didn't see it - he's off at camp this weekend.
When you see "WSJ controversy" trending, and you wonder whether there's new fallout from the jamboree in Saemangeum back in 2023, or whether the organisers for Poland in 2027 are starting early. #scouting
September 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
When you see "WSJ controversy" trending, and you wonder whether there's new fallout from the jamboree in Saemangeum back in 2023, or whether the organisers for Poland in 2027 are starting early. #scouting
Received an email from Labour this morning begging me to rejoin and stop Farage.
It would be laughable if it wasn’t so blind to the reasons for the collapse in their support. 1/
It would be laughable if it wasn’t so blind to the reasons for the collapse in their support. 1/
September 7, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Received an email from Labour this morning begging me to rejoin and stop Farage.
It would be laughable if it wasn’t so blind to the reasons for the collapse in their support. 1/
It would be laughable if it wasn’t so blind to the reasons for the collapse in their support. 1/
Mouse Guard
Call of Cthulhu
And rather ironically, Traveller.
Call of Cthulhu
And rather ironically, Traveller.
Which #ttrpg have you run multiple times but probably never (or less than 5 times) played yourself.
September 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Mouse Guard
Call of Cthulhu
And rather ironically, Traveller.
Call of Cthulhu
And rather ironically, Traveller.
Given the conclusive denial from Stanford, this is more than just "doubts".
The Tories really aren't sending their best, are they?
The Tories really aren't sending their best, are they?
Doubts cast on Kemi Badenoch’s claim of US medical school offer
Stanford University staff and academic experts raise questions over Tory leader’s claim of place and partial scholarship offered at 16
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Given the conclusive denial from Stanford, this is more than just "doubts".
The Tories really aren't sending their best, are they?
The Tories really aren't sending their best, are they?
Horst Wessel, but from Temu.
Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt offered full military funeral, Air Force confirms
Babbitt, 35, was an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot by Capitol police while protesting Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 presidential election.
www.nbcnews.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Horst Wessel, but from Temu.
Jack Straw can fuck off into the heart of the sun (as obviously also can David Blunkett and the current Labour leadership).
Jack Straw says the UK should ‘decouple’ from the ECHR
Convention is being used in unintended ways to help prevent deportations, former Labour home secretary says
www.ft.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Jack Straw can fuck off into the heart of the sun (as obviously also can David Blunkett and the current Labour leadership).
Peter Kyle is dangerously deluded. His history of uncritical AI-boosterism (and of only listening to the same) makes him a poor choice for Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Deal to get ChatGPT Plus for whole of UK discussed by Open AI boss and minister
Exclusive: Deal that could have cost £2bn was floated at meeting between technology secretary Peter Kyle and Sam Altman
www.theguardian.com
August 24, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Peter Kyle is dangerously deluded. His history of uncritical AI-boosterism (and of only listening to the same) makes him a poor choice for Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Only in Norn Iron will you find sectarian (mock) Lego in toy shops.
That said, I’m kinda disappointed that the King Billy (and his horse) on the banner aren’t also Lego.
That said, I’m kinda disappointed that the King Billy (and his horse) on the banner aren’t also Lego.
August 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Only in Norn Iron will you find sectarian (mock) Lego in toy shops.
That said, I’m kinda disappointed that the King Billy (and his horse) on the banner aren’t also Lego.
That said, I’m kinda disappointed that the King Billy (and his horse) on the banner aren’t also Lego.
*planning a day trip from the north coast down to Armagh*
Me: well, there’s a route through Cookstown and Dungannon
Her (who was born in Norn Iron): …
Her: are there any other routes?
Me: via Portadown and Craigavon?
Her: Dungannon it is.
Me: well, there’s a route through Cookstown and Dungannon
Her (who was born in Norn Iron): …
Her: are there any other routes?
Me: via Portadown and Craigavon?
Her: Dungannon it is.
August 20, 2025 at 1:12 PM
*planning a day trip from the north coast down to Armagh*
Me: well, there’s a route through Cookstown and Dungannon
Her (who was born in Norn Iron): …
Her: are there any other routes?
Me: via Portadown and Craigavon?
Her: Dungannon it is.
Me: well, there’s a route through Cookstown and Dungannon
Her (who was born in Norn Iron): …
Her: are there any other routes?
Me: via Portadown and Craigavon?
Her: Dungannon it is.
Rather excitingly, the hatch of the pillbox under Harry’s Shack has finally rusted away, so you can get a rather fine view of the interior, showing both embrasures.
(photos courtesy of child the elder)
(photos courtesy of child the elder)
August 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Rather excitingly, the hatch of the pillbox under Harry’s Shack has finally rusted away, so you can get a rather fine view of the interior, showing both embrasures.
(photos courtesy of child the elder)
(photos courtesy of child the elder)
And for those of us who are fans of British WW2 hardened field defences (and who doesn’t like a nice bit of reinforced concrete?) there are not one but two pillboxes, one at each end of the Strand.
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24495
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24494
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24495
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24494
August 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
And for those of us who are fans of British WW2 hardened field defences (and who doesn’t like a nice bit of reinforced concrete?) there are not one but two pillboxes, one at each end of the Strand.
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24495
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24494
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24495
edob.mattaldred.com/map/e24494
I don’t usually agree with what’s in the Times, but I think that they were right when they declared this the best beach in the UK.
#Portstewart #norniron
#Portstewart #norniron
August 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I don’t usually agree with what’s in the Times, but I think that they were right when they declared this the best beach in the UK.
#Portstewart #norniron
#Portstewart #norniron
I’m a bit late to this (I’m camping with the scouts, time is an illusion, etc), but the 9th was the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Jerry Garcia, lead guitarist and vocalist of the Grateful Dead. 1/5
August 11, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I’m a bit late to this (I’m camping with the scouts, time is an illusion, etc), but the 9th was the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Jerry Garcia, lead guitarist and vocalist of the Grateful Dead. 1/5
Needs more Nathan Barley.
August 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Needs more Nathan Barley.
N: Orkney, UK (59° N)
E: Chiba, Japan (140° E)
S: Margate, South Africa (31° S)
W: Victoria, BC, Canada (123° W)
E: Chiba, Japan (140° E)
S: Margate, South Africa (31° S)
W: Victoria, BC, Canada (123° W)
N: Reykjavik
E: Auckland, NZ
S: also Auckland, NZ
W: Victoria, British Columbia
E: Auckland, NZ
S: also Auckland, NZ
W: Victoria, British Columbia
N: Reykjavík, Iceland
E: Seoul, South Korea
S: Mexicali, Mexico
W: Crescent City, CA, USA
E: Seoul, South Korea
S: Mexicali, Mexico
W: Crescent City, CA, USA
August 7, 2025 at 6:07 PM
N: Orkney, UK (59° N)
E: Chiba, Japan (140° E)
S: Margate, South Africa (31° S)
W: Victoria, BC, Canada (123° W)
E: Chiba, Japan (140° E)
S: Margate, South Africa (31° S)
W: Victoria, BC, Canada (123° W)
And the next mead project: after the bread-yeast-redcurrant mead, I bought the elder teen more champagne yeast and a new hydrometer, as well as finings, yeast nutrient, and dried elderflowers. He set it fermenting while we were away, and it was lively enough to coat the sideboard next to it.
August 4, 2025 at 8:38 AM
And the next mead project: after the bread-yeast-redcurrant mead, I bought the elder teen more champagne yeast and a new hydrometer, as well as finings, yeast nutrient, and dried elderflowers. He set it fermenting while we were away, and it was lively enough to coat the sideboard next to it.
A belated update on the redcurrant mead. I helped the elder teen rack it off a week ago, and it’s actually not too bad. Fairly low ABV (he didn’t make note of the OG because he’d broken his hydrometer) which I’d guess was in the 4%ish range. A bit sweet, but otherwise drinkable.
The adult teen and his friends have been making mead again.
Decisions have been made but lessons have not necessarily been learned.
Decisions have been made but lessons have not necessarily been learned.
August 4, 2025 at 8:12 AM
A belated update on the redcurrant mead. I helped the elder teen rack it off a week ago, and it’s actually not too bad. Fairly low ABV (he didn’t make note of the OG because he’d broken his hydrometer) which I’d guess was in the 4%ish range. A bit sweet, but otherwise drinkable.
August 2, 2025 at 8:59 AM