Nothing to Declare

I’ve had a few requests for the solution to the 25×25 Alphadoku puzzle I posted last year, so here it is.

Here’s a snippet from Mike Oldfield’s Web site:

“Hello you !
It has surely been a time of big changes and realisations these last few months, not least of which has been the writing of my Autobiography. This is nearing completion with the help of my co writer Jon Collins and hopefully will be published this year if not early next. During the process of bringing this book to life I have realised a great many things about myself and my position in the scheme of things.( Oh for the gift of hindsight ! ) This will surely influence my future personally and creatively.
I have contractually three and a half more years to work on a new piece of music so this will give it a chance to evolve and mature nicely. Meanwhile look out for some promotion for the Platinum Collection , the book , and who knows what else
the fates may send . With all my best wishes : )”

It’s a cracking story, and I’m delighted to be involved.

Warnng - this may get a little nerdy. Eighteen months ago I wrote an article for The Register about voice recognition, in which I questioned why there wasn’t such a thing as a handheld voice recognition computer. It wouldn’t need new technology, I argued, just the clever use of existing components. I even speculated that even my trusty old Vaio PictureBook, despite losing several keys and being virtually unusable as a portable computer, might suffice as a voicepad.

Ever since then I’ve wanted to find out if it were possible. Over the New Year I finally decided to give it a go, taking apart said PictureBook and re-assembling it. And guess what - it works! There’s no reason why it shouldn’t of course, but its still good to test these things out. That’s what I’m sticking to, anyway.

There are some pictures here. I remain slightly bemused why the oh-so-innovative computer industry can’t create something like this - I’m sure the market is there, and lets face it there’s little to do other than package things up. I had high hopes for computer companies like Oqo selling a voicepad, but they don’t seem to be interested either - now the Oqo ships with Tablet PC, all they have to do is ship a mike! Oh well, if and when it comes, you heard it here first.

… and a very happy New Year!

I hate to scare anybody but, believe it or not its already the 12th of January. That’s more than a third of the way through the first of twelve months, is it any wonder that Christmas comes around so fast. A bit like builders who have unexpected complications when they’re half way through a job (i.e. all of them), we’re all a bit in denial when it comes to the passage of time.

All the better reason to pack it all in, that’s the plan anyway. And so it is that I have left that kindly bunch of fellows (male and female) at Quocirca, and I am taking a month or so off to write another book. I expect to be back on the analyst circuit before anyone notices I was gone - I’m already missing the company! For more information on what is an industry analyst, watch this space.

Meanwhile, the Rush book is doing well. It appears to have been generally quite well received - 8/10 in the latest (February) edition of Classic Rock for example, and there’s a couple of good reviews on Amazon UK. We managed to catch the next print run to fix any typos and clangers, so thanks to anyone who submitted them. Following being held up by customs the book still doesn’t seem to be available in the US, but the distributor has assured the publisher (who has assured me) that it should be released any day now. I was also told that most copies have been snapped up by Amazon, so it’s unlikely to appear in any retail outlet any time soon! Meanwhile, as you know you can always order from me, please specify if you want it signed. I decided not to put the postage prices up in the end, I’d rather take the hit than make it prohibitive.

There’s plenty of other things going on, all of which will unfold in good time. For the moment, I can say “… and I’m feeling good” - no doubt this year will have its ups and downs, but that’s only to be expected! Good luck in all your endeavours, and may our paths cross frequently.

Jon