http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/ The personal blog of journalist Rob Buckley en Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:52:19 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.21-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2005/12/i_couldnt_make_this_stuff_up_h.php#comment-27003 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:12:43 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2005/12/i_couldnt_make_this_stuff_up_h.php#comment-27003 I don't care one way or the other about Gillian McKeith but the aloe vera drink I and all my mates and even my dad have is really delicious! http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-26895 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:25:40 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-26895 I was, as always, wrong! http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-24964 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:40:36 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-24964 No. I've not heard a word. I'll probably give them a call at some point, but I'm pretty much assuming that one of the following will be true: a) they're dragging their heels and nothing's ever going to happen b) if something does happen, the administrator's fees will be so high, we won't get much c) there's been some legal challenge to the whole principle of the ring-fenced fund and legal fees, etc, will eat it all up anyway. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-24852 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:51:32 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-24852 Has anybody heard anything since? http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2005/06/tmobile_again.php#comment-24456 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:44:38 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2005/06/tmobile_again.php#comment-24456 Interesting info, thanks for sharing this. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/03/vanquis_bank_rears_its_head_ag.php#comment-23994 Fri, 30 May 2008 09:53:05 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/03/vanquis_bank_rears_its_head_ag.php#comment-23994 It's never made sense to me - borrow money because you're in debt and can't pay your bills.. consolidation makes sense, but borrowing at a rate of £2 for every £1 you borrow.. Not sensible in my mind... http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/03/vanquis_bank_rears_its_head_ag.php#comment-23423 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:38:05 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/03/vanquis_bank_rears_its_head_ag.php#comment-23423 I completely understand that when you look at an interest rate of nearly 2 to 1 it boggles the mind why anyone would ever dare advertise it. And that it may be perceived as exploitation. But consider that these loans are weighed by the risk the company takes on to give loans to people who otherwise would not receive them, and that they're meant for SHORT term, SMALL cash loans. Im seriously playing devil's advocate here, and do not advise anyone to get a loan at such a high rate. But I do consider the mother of three who cant afford to feed her children with one two weeks left till she gets paid, and just needs a little help till then... Used responsibly there is definitely a place for high interest/risk loans. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-23405 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:49:11 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-23405 Not heard - or had the time to find out - anything more. My suspicion is the BDO boys are going to keep finding reasons why it's too tricky to pay out yet. If you (or anyone else) want to try getting hold of Chris Coles, his number is 020 7893 3243. Let us know how you get on! http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-23397 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:58:58 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/11/payout_in_two_months_for_highb.php#comment-23397 Hi Rob Having just emigrated I lost track of what's happening with BDO. Obviously, two months have come and gone. I don't know who to contact since all my paperwork is still in boxes, so I was wondering if you had any further information yourself. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/02/now_kids_are_supposed_to_learn.php#comment-23341 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:19:34 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/02/now_kids_are_supposed_to_learn.php#comment-23341 I am keen on learning Mandarin, have been doing so for four years, self taught. I am fascinated by the characters. My secondary school thirty years ago never offered French. Thank God. Load of crap.The middle clases of this country, uk, are obsessed with the French. I'm still pissed off with 1066. I think it is silly to over emphasise the importance of Mandarin, the Chinese gladly learn English, yet as a valuable and enjoyable educational exercise I think it would be very useful to devote say two to ten hours total to an overview of what lies behind 'the squiggles' by the time they are fifteen. I am sure anybody would find it interesting. There is great poetry behind the characters. That of course depends on the teacher having the requisite ability and vibe to put this across. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/12/its_sad_to_see_prs_stabbed_in.php#comment-23232 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:41:20 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/12/its_sad_to_see_prs_stabbed_in.php#comment-23232 As I wrote to Apple only today: Why is it that, with modern communications, internet, email, mobile telephones, organisations such as yours are so patently unable to communicate? http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/the_ring_fenced_fund_progresse.php#comment-22614 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:39:54 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/the_ring_fenced_fund_progresse.php#comment-22614 They've been a bit slow paying up, haven't they? I've been meaning to call them about that... http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/the_ring_fenced_fund_progresse.php#comment-22613 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:46:24 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/the_ring_fenced_fund_progresse.php#comment-22613 Just read that BDO HAYWARD profits were up 270 million last year.....So id say congratulations to us mugs for donating some interest on the trust fund.. Highbury were SCUM SMD were useless, bald, sweaty toff SCUM BDO are SCUM Thats all... Phill M http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/why_dont_isps_and_hosting_serv.php#comment-22304 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:30:04 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/why_dont_isps_and_hosting_serv.php#comment-22304 You're welcome! Anything to stop people from having to brave Be's front line technical support. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/why_dont_isps_and_hosting_serv.php#comment-22149 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:01:23 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/why_dont_isps_and_hosting_serv.php#comment-22149 agree - just wasted 3 hours of time + a 20 minute call into the bethere waiting musice trying to figure it out until i read this blog. thks for posting it. v. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/speed_of_payment_after_liquida.php#comment-21929 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:24:04 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/speed_of_payment_after_liquida.php#comment-21929 I was comissioned by the editor of popular crafts 4 months before highbur liquidated.They were obviously aware of what was to happen and yet proceeded commissions knowing the partisipants would not be paid.My letters have never been acknowledged,it is if I never[conveniently]existed.LJ.Mason. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2005/12/kelvin_mackenzie_quits_highbur.php#comment-21551 Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:34:05 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2005/12/kelvin_mackenzie_quits_highbur.php#comment-21551 I THINK THAT MACKENZIE DESERVES EVERYTHING HE GETS FOR ALL THE REMARKS MADE ABOUT ANY OTHER COUNTRY THAN ENGLAND AND THE HILLSBOROUGH ARTICLE http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/ramada_jarvis_bristol.php#comment-21494 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:39:24 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/ramada_jarvis_bristol.php#comment-21494 Hi Mr Buckley I took over the hotel in January this year and we have since spent hundreds of thousands on the product and just been awarded four star status. I would be delighted if at some point in the future you were to come back and see how we have addressed all the issues you mentioned (all of which were valid at the time)! http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/out_subbing_again_1.php#comment-21036 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 06:50:02 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/out_subbing_again_1.php#comment-21036 Yes. Spread the word. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/out_subbing_again_1.php#comment-21035 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 06:48:29 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/out_subbing_again_1.php#comment-21035 29th February? Have we skipped a whole year, and are in a leap year now? :-P http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/smd_dead.php#comment-20975 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:06:49 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/smd_dead.php#comment-20975 Tracked this down - SMD Publishing Limited has been put into administration. What this means for Front and DVD World is anybodys guess. Publication Date: Friday, 9 February 2007 Notice Code: 2410 In the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) Companies Court No 923 of 2007 SMD PUBLISHING LIMITED (Company Number 05646460) Nature of Business: Publishers. Registered Office of Company: 43-45 Portman Square, London W1H 6LY. Date of Appointment: 5 February 2007. Joint Administrators?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ Names and Address: Andrew Gordon Stoneman and Paul John Clark (IP Nos 8726 and 8570), both of Menzies Corporate Restructuring, 43-45 Portman Square, London W1H 6LY. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/getting_an_ivisa.php#comment-20900 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 13:11:01 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/getting_an_ivisa.php#comment-20900 Cheers. Will check out Supersnaps. As for the contracts, I don't know about you, but pretty regularly, I don't have a contract - at least nothing that I'd want to have to explain the technicalities of to a US embassy official... http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/getting_an_ivisa.php#comment-20899 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:46:48 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2007/02/getting_an_ivisa.php#comment-20899 Supersnaps do US-style passport photos. And yes, even with a contract you're still freelance - after all, if we worked in another field we'd be called contractors... http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/speed_of_payment_after_liquida.php#comment-18891 Sat, 20 Jan 2007 08:49:10 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/speed_of_payment_after_liquida.php#comment-18891 Hi, I am a share holder in Highbury House. Have only just found out that they have gone into receivership. I have had no letter or other information. Could somebody please tell me the exact date of this calamity? I remember the days when HHO was 60p a share! and full of hope for a bright future. What on earth happened to this company? I certainly seem to know how to pick them! Another one of my "investments" was Leeds United! Also a total write-off! Any info on Highbury House would be gratefully received. Gertrude http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/future_us_folds_four_exhighbur.php#comment-18614 Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:50:37 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/future_us_folds_four_exhighbur.php#comment-18614 Scrapbook Answers was a Future original - the other three Highbury http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/06/smd_a_bit_of_a_slouch_at_payme.php#comment-18572 Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:32:10 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/06/smd_a_bit_of_a_slouch_at_payme.php#comment-18572 Just to add my bit ... as a freelance writer I'm owed several hundred pounds for Hotdog work. After much hassling I received a cheque for some of the amount just before Xmas. It bounced..! I'm still hassling them but it doesn't look good. Legal action may be only way forward...? http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/speed_of_payment_after_liquida.php#comment-16130 Thu, 07 Dec 2006 10:24:03 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/10/speed_of_payment_after_liquida.php#comment-16130 Highbury House Just stumbled on this blog regarding Highbury House. Having made a bid for the special interest division which was later apparently beaten by an unknown in the publishing world let alone the special interest sector I am interested to know if anyone has a copy of the report and accounts from either EY or BDO. I have yet to see proof my bid was beaten in terms of proof the purchasers actually paid the cash. Interstingly the new owners Magicalia who purchased from Encanta are owned and run by the same person. The sale netted ?Ǭ£750,000 profit for those involved. Not bad for 7 months work! It may be the case the intitial sale was an undervalued transaction which is underlined by someone making ?Ǭ£750,000 buying and selling it to themselves in such a short space of time. I have no doubt if the real price had been paid this ?Ǭ£750,000 could have been distributed to the unpaid contributers. Any evidence would be helpfull as I do intend to press on with my own claim that the sale of the assetts of this PLC may not have been handled in the best interests of the creditors or indeed shareholders. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/whats_wrong_with_our_language.php#comment-14735 Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:47:29 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/whats_wrong_with_our_language.php#comment-14735 The British Academy's correct - making languages optional did enormous damage to language-learning in the UK. But let's face it, language teaching wasn't up to much even before then. That leads me to why you're also right: a trip to the Netherlands, or indeed Scandinavia (I lived in Sweden for a couple of years, where I became fluent in Swedish to add to Spanish and French) is enlightening. Kids in those countries enjoy learning foreign languages because they have a reason to learn; be it telly, Hollywood or making new friends. If you find a compelling way of making kids (or adults) want to learn a language AND you make it fun, you'll start to see results. Hardly the case when I was being forced to learn French verb tables at school. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/whats_wrong_with_our_language.php#comment-14534 Mon, 27 Nov 2006 13:45:35 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/whats_wrong_with_our_language.php#comment-14534 The Media Guardian and the Independent. I don't think Press Gazette really investigated the press, merely reported about it - or at least, not in the time I was reading it. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/whats_wrong_with_our_language.php#comment-14206 Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:21:16 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/whats_wrong_with_our_language.php#comment-14206 You think you've got problems - check out the Press Gazette website! Tragic. Who is going to watch the watchmen now? http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/i_sure_know_how_to_pick_em.php#comment-13895 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:07:08 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/i_sure_know_how_to_pick_em.php#comment-13895 Practical Web Design http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/i_sure_know_how_to_pick_em.php#comment-13894 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:05:00 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/i_sure_know_how_to_pick_em.php#comment-13894 Which one? http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/i_sure_know_how_to_pick_em.php#comment-13342 Sun, 19 Nov 2006 15:29:19 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/11/i_sure_know_how_to_pick_em.php#comment-13342 Rob, I am very sorry to hear about the demise of the mag over in the UK. I have been wanting to create a version of this type of magazine here in the states as there is nothing you can buy like it here. It's also kind of hard to find. I am converting my site over to a web design portal now, and would love to have your writings on the site. Please contact me. - Jeff Davis http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-7283 Wed, 18 Oct 2006 17:04:51 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-7283 Well thanks again: you strike me as a very nice person indeed! Feel free to add as many links as you like to my media blog. ;-) http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-7282 Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:55:53 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-7282 Rob, I really admire your media blog, I'll put a link on to it if I may from my "works" blog. I am writing for corrieblog from home of an evening. I always say it beats the hoovering. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-6996 Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:47:22 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-6996 Ta very much! Not writing for TV Scoop (slight clash over payments or lack thereof, plus a general decision their rates were too low), but my media blog continues elsewhere. How about you? http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-6994 Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:34:58 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-6994 I think the subbing could have been a little gentler - rather than an 'inquest heard,' maybe 'it was claimed at an inquest.' But hindsight is a wonderful thing. Great blog. Are you still writing for TV Scoop? (I found my way here from there, somehow!) http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-4646 Fri, 15 Sep 2006 14:40:52 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/09/the_gulf_between_journalists_a.php#comment-4646 There would be nothing wrong with the 'muppet' angle - apart from it's very overplayed - if the guy had, say, broken his leg. But he died, for heaven's sake. Therein lies the gulf. Journalists don't take death very seriously. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/08/encanta_sold_to_magicalia.php#comment-3613 Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:38:13 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/08/encanta_sold_to_magicalia.php#comment-3613 Do you or anyone know how much it was bought from Highbury for? I'd actually guess it is 'in actual terms' worth less now but it'll clearly have gone for more. Just wondering how many unpaid freelance invoices we are talking. http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/03/vanquis_bank_rears_its_head_ag.php#comment-3426 Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:51:31 +0000 http://www.robbuckley.co.uk/blog/personal/2006/03/vanquis_bank_rears_its_head_ag.php#comment-3426 Why don't you go online and apply today and get this unbelievable typical interest rate of 177%APR. I'M sorry to say that you can find this offer from Provident on the internet . I hope I'm making my point I will carry on until something is done about this and I hope you will too so please get in touch with your MP and help get the law changed to stop this kind of interest rate. Best wishes, Gary Moore. Top of Form 1 Up your street Cash Loans Apply Online Now Quick as a click - apply online for cash loans from ?Ǭ£50 to ?Ǭ£500 No surprises - home collection, no hidden charges A name you can trust - established for 125 years Example: Loan amount: ?Ǭ£300, 55 weekly repayments of ?Ǭ£9 Total amount payable ?Ǭ£495. Typical 177% APR Apply now for a Provident Personal Credit loan - it's quick and easy Provident Personal Credit specialises in straightforward personal credit that puts you in control. We offer small personal credit loans that can be arranged in minutes and delivered to your door in days. Our loans have regular fixed repayments - and the amount owed never goes up. With a Provident Personal Credit loan, you always know where you are.