Atomic

Hi khitajrah

I did OU Summer Schools at Nottingham University for Chemistry courses a few years ago and it was really excellent. The lab facilities and camaraderie were great, but they do work you really hard! We had 12 hour days 7 days in a row, 9am - 9pm with breaks for meals.

I agree with jz about arriving a day early if you're coming from Shetland. They are absolutely accommodating about this, and I really benefitted from settling into a very quiet campus overnight before it all started in the morning!

As far as travel goes, it was an absolute breeze. I flew straight from Shetland via Aberdeen to East Midlands airport, then got a taxi from the airport right to the door of the campus office for about a fiver (8 years ago). So effortless! And cheap at the time, as I recall.

Oh! I do remember having one evening off, probably the last one, and going on lookabout with a few other students. We came across (if I mind right) the Robyn Hoode Pubbe, which was allegedly the oldest pub in England. All that real ale may have clouded my memory, maybe DamnSaxon could enlighten me? I do have photos of it somewhere, a gorgeous whitewashed little building with incredibly thick stone walls and solid flagstone floors. Well worth checking out. Happy days.

Saw this on the news and thought of you. Glad to hear you're alright.

(if du's wha I think du is )

I flew fae sumburgh to edinburgh with my own wheelchair a couple of years ago. Got up on to the shetland plane via a hydraulic lift they had for the purpose.

When the plane arrived in edinburgh I was told to wait until everyone else was off then two burly men came with a handheld stretcher to manually carry me down the steps off the plane! No lift of any description for wheelchair users to get on or off planes at gigantic edinburgh international airport.

I asked the men how often they had to carry wheelchair users on and off planes in edinburgh and they said they have to do it about 40 times a day, every day.

Absolute piece o bruck!

Big Green D**ks

Please clearly identify your sources for quotes. It is not enough to merely insert a link to a website. Not everyone who values the virus-safety of their computer is going to click on every link you post. A couple of lines of reference within your post will easily indicate the validity of your source.

Any published scientific research papers have to go through stringent peer-review whereby pedantic studious boffins relentlessly analyse claims based on previously stringently analysed, published and proven research.

Any numpty can publish an opinion on the web. If you want to seriously pursue study of physics at this level I feel it is common sense to start with a solid proven foundation of what has been already established.

Now I don't mean hoover up anything you are told. But the peer-review method of publishing scientific research papers and PhDs is a process of building on what is already known, by strict empirical and logical analysis, not by mass-media indoctrination, but by 'real' scientists (for want of a better name) really pursuing the truth in pure science, for science's sake, not for a political or 'general consesus'' agenda.

after seeing The Damned playin live in Barrowlands, I was dat excited I banged into a lamp-post wi my boob.

hey you guys the votes are at 333 now..........it's 4.34am on 29th march here but my vote just got counted......if they're in america they're 5 hours at least behind us if the deadline's midnight 28th........i'm all for live bands coming to play here, the more diverse the better........i see in da small print their sticking to their side of the bargain is contingent on a venue paying them fees.........hope they don't price it out of shetland venues' reaches........but as you say a good argument for mareel........good for dee JA Stewart for startin the ball rollin......lang may your lum reek!

Indeed, I think it's more a case of the female populace rejecting the 'buyers'.................

Nae wonder when ridiculous things like this are floatin about:

which countries give the best value for money. Are they any more or less trouble than a British alternative and where do they excel and fail?

It's not cars we're talking about here!

You canna speak like that about individual people!

Yup, H2SO4 is Sulphuric Acid, and H2S is Hydrogen Sulphide, the gas with the rotten eggs stink bomb smell.

You may have seen on the news that there is a march in London today campaigning against these illegal bank charges. What is illegal about them is that they do not reflect the price of the work done by the bank if a customer does exceed the overdraft limit, or bounces a cheque, or can't pay a DD, etc. This is not just a matter of opinion, it is the law, in both Scottish and English Law. Many thousands of people are now applying for and receiving refunds of these charges, going back to six years.

The website

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/

is excellent at guiding you step-by-step through the process of reclaiming your money that your bank has taken from you illegally in bank charges in the last six years. The steps described are important, as they provide templates of all the letters you will need to send, the wording you need to use, and the timescales which you need to wait between letters.

The site includes forums where people share their stories each step as they go through the process, and then they post when the bank does give them the refund. It is fascinating reading. At today's date (2/12/06), the site states that the

Total Returned: £4,456,042 to 3816 people

That is an average of £1167.72 each! Or over 4 million quid!

I encourage anyone with a history of bank charges to have a look at this site, and start the process of reclaiming the money that is rightfully yours!

Having tried to respond to my own poll, I think the options I gave were rubbish! Most feelings seem to fall between them. If anyone has any suggestions, fire away!

Right guys, a bit of a more Science slant tae dis wan, and very topical.

What do you all think about this GLOBAL WARMING?

It is very topical just now, all over the news and commentary programmes, the politicians are falling over themselves all of a sudden to make it big on their agendas, "carbon footprints" being tallied up and added to our airline bills by optional donations, energy companies hiking their prices up, the "oil wars", recycling..........

this debate could go anywhere.

Do you think there is a real threat to the planet from global warming?
What do you see as the main areas to tackle it on?
Is it just political points-winning and lip-service?
Is this a personal/consumer issue, is it national/legislative, or is it a global crisis?

How do you feel this issue compares to other giant global conundrums?

Let off steam here.........................................

(but please, no CFCs )


(PS If I've done the poll wrongly, or this is already in another thread, anyone please feel free to tell me! (My first one, awww!)).

.......Screamadelica by Primal Scream

.......Thunderstruck! AC/DC

...or, for another pick me up, stick on anything by The Stranglers

You can't beat The Best of The Who

Because I'm a bit of a Blondie and an analytical Chemist

There are two rules to success in life. The first rule is never reveal all you know.

Frances144 I think du is just a jewel! Thanks for saying what a lot o folk have been thinkin! And thanks everybody for replyin to say go for it anyway! I decided I couldna be buddered wi da hassle any more and hadna posted for a month, but then I couldna resist havin a sneaky look at shetlink to see whit news, and this thread has just decided me to get back into it and have fun! Cheers.

My particular favourite, this makes me laugh so much!

It's just like real life really. Most folk are quite decent, but occasionally you'll meet someone who's a bit of a dick. Pay 'em no heed and stick around, I say

i only tried to ask you guys to play nice.

if you canna do that wi me, i'm going to play wi someone else.

Cheerio!

In several posts it has been portrayed that "Shetlink" is responsible for conveying a particular message over and above others.

 

If anyone expressly feels issue with anything posted please do and feel free to refute any and or all of it and to post your own interpretation. That is after all the basis of discussion.[/quote]

 

I hadn't wanted to do have to do this, Trout, but as a moderator I assume you know about this already, so I'm going to post it for other Shetlinkers to know about.

 

On 17 June 2006 I sent the following email to the Shetlink moderators:

 

Hi Shetlink Moderators

With reference to the Forum terms and conditions, No 1 and No 8, and the following dictionary definition of the term "profane":

Forum terms and conditions

1. You agree, through your use of the Shetlink forums, that you will not post (or hyperlink to) any material or use language which is defamatory, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, inciting of violence, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or in violation of ANY UK law.

8. Anyone who feels that a posted message (or hyperlink) is defamatory or otherwise objectionable is encouraged to notify us by emailing admin@shetlink.com immediately. This is a manual process, however, so please realise that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately

pro·fane adj.

Marked by contempt or irreverence for what is sacred.

Nonreligious in subject matter, form, or use; secular: sacred and profane music.

Not admitted into a body of secret knowledge or ritual; uninitiated.

Vulgar; coarse.

tr.v. pro·faned, pro·fan·ing, pro·fanes

To treat with irreverence: profane the name of God.

To put to an improper, unworthy, or degrading use; abuse

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

I would like to draw your attention to recent postings by someone taking the username "GREAT-GOD-ALMIGHTY". This clearly breaks your terms and conditons, being a textbook case of profaning the name of God, as outlined above.

I'm all for having a laugh, but I think posting in that name is irresponsible and offensive. Recent threads on topics such as "why does no-one attend church?" are developing interesting debate on sensitive subjects, where people are being open and vulnerable enough to discuss their beliefs, whether atheist, agnostic, christian or something else. I'm concerned that taking the mickey in this way may deter some people from mentioning their beliefs which would lead to a one-sided and unrepresentative discussion. As someone who does believe in and respect God, I'm really not comfortable with this username, and I'm concerned that as people are replying to these posts some pretty ridiculous and potentially offensive threads could develop.

Yours, etc.

 

I have to date, four months later, never received a reply from the Shetlink moderators, (although I have been told in the pub that the message was received) and I note that the term "profane" is still in the website terms and conditions. As a registered user, who had made an official complaint, I felt I deserved a reply. As I had no reply, and the point was not taken seriously, it has sadly led me to feel that Shetlink does indeed have a tendency towards favouritism, and is not, as claimed, unbiased and open to all points of view.

Shetlink seems to be becoming more and more nastily ramming atheism and intolerance of any religion down people's necks.

 

Quote=technobob "Haven't as yet read anything on this thread to indicate this... suggest that this is your own personal point of view and personal views are what this forum is all about..."

 

Atomic reply "If you re-read most of the posts on the subject of religion in general, not just this thread, you will observe that there are some very specific comments that have been made advocating atheism using extreme critisicim of the personalities or behaivour of christian people, or people of other religions. Have a broad look for yourself, and just see the type of comments that have been made. Imagine yourself as one of these people in Shetland (christian) and imagine how it would make you feel. Please read the previous posts, to see that I am talking about Shetlink posts, not my personal experience outwith Shetlink."

 

 

This site is open for all Shetland residents

Quote technobob "Agreed... but again it is only your opinion if another persons truth is not pleasant reading. Likewise there are plenty of practising athiests who use this form."

 

Atomic reply "Yes I welcome practising atheists to express their views, but let's not forget basic decency and manners while conducting the debate. I emphasise that I encourage the debate, there are many staunch atheists in my life who I love to bits, and I welcome their views, my only request is that we keep the debate friendly and "above the belt" without vast generalisations about christians etc that make the christian users of shetlink feel hated, disapproved of, and unwelcome, before they've even opened their mouths and made friends with you.

 

We're not all focussed on conversion at all costs. That is such an ancient cliche. You know, we live in the real world. We know that all sorts of beliefs exist. I just find it hard to have any real debate or discussion with those who go for the jugular and don't have any basic decent manners when discussing these things. If people are going to be so basically inconsiderate and rude, it's quite unpleasant interacting with these people, frankly. If you look at what's been written about christians in this website, you would realise that it's going to hurt people of that faith. They might be your next door neighbour in Lerwick, they might be your colleague, they might be your cousin. But they may never ever have tried to enforce it on you. Maybe they just get their own private reason for living from their faith, and maybe they know deep inside that they couldn't live without it. And each time their fellow shetlander trashes it publicly, they feel less and less able to cling to their only hope which is their faith, because if they do, they are setting themselves up for a public dressing down and humiliation in a very very tiny place, that will stick and label them a freak.

 

I'm just saying, welcome the debate, but please realise, these are not just abstract philosophies we are talking about, but the real way of life for people we interact with in Shetland on a daily basis. Let's show them some basic Shetland friendliness."

 

Please don't forget that you are not just writing to like-minded non-believers

Quote technobob "Please don't forget that you are not just writing to like-minded believers"

 

Reply atomic "I obviously did aim my post specifically at non-like-minded, non-believers"

 

 

Quote technobob "But likewise, please don't have a go at other users because they are expressing an opinion which is contrary to your own.

Atomic reply "I am not having a go because they are expressing an opinon, please, I thought I made that clear.

My point is that you can make your point without being unfriendly, insulting or vastly generalising in an offensive way. I want other users to express their opinion, but I am less likely to reply if they are juvenile and horrible about people like me. You know yourself , when people are like that, you leave them to it. I would love a proper discussion about the age-old christianity-atheism debate, and I'm asking for that, and let's be decent to each other while we discuss it!"

I know several people who's lives have been saved by a bible.

Far from ramming the Bible and christianity down people's necks, Shetlink seems to be becoming more and more nastily ramming atheism and intolerance of any religion down people's necks.

This is not pleasant reading guys. This site is open for all Shetland residents, a substantial percentage of which are practising christians.

Please don't forget that you are not just writing to like-minded non-believers, you are writing for all shetlink users to read, and please take a little more care in the debate to not needlessly offend your fellow-users.

By all means, share your views, and say what you think, but please, there is no need to go below the belt with a mainstream local forum like this one. Thanks.

New Magnie, I feel that people should not be afraid of religion generally, but feel free to challenge it within a liberal, democratic society (Iran excluded!!) If they have questions about it, ask them. I don't think that anyone says that the bible is black or white. For example, why is it some christians have different views upon drinking, sex before marriage and organ transplants. My point is that christians can't even agree, so there is nothing wrong with a person being a church/mosque/synagogue goer, (or whatever) but still openly challenging a lot of things that the bible or their religion says.

 

The point is to have faith is surealy a good thing - as long as it is not developed into extremism. I agree with your worries on religious extremism. But then, this is not isolated to religion. We have football hooliganism, educational minded extremists, political extremists. It is human nature to develop something perhaps, and then take it too far and become obsessed with it, and in turn often ruin it for others who enjoy it. I agree that there is much to be afraid of in religion, but there is also much we should welcome in terms of how we should treat and respect other human beings.

 

However, perhaps I am too much of an idealist!!!

Thank you Rourkes Drift for your very sensible comments.

As you say, it is well known that christians disagree about many aspects of the outworking of their faith, so someone could be a christian or a churchgoer and still openly challenge a lot of the things that are said and done in the name of that religion.

I think the single most difficult thing for me as a christian when relating to non-christians is when it is assumed I am automatically alligned with this or that kind of christianity or history of christianity which they have found particularly offensive. Before even finding out my own views, I have been aggressively targetted as some kind of representative for things which they and I find reprehensible but I am somehow being taken as advocating just because I am "a christian".

I stopped attending church a year and a half ago after being completely convinced for many years that I would be spending the rest of my life in full-time christian work. It was and is a huge decision to leave the church, which I am still trying to work through.

It is apparent from my leaving the church that I am questioning many christian activites myself and I am not a spokesperson claiming to have the answers or the strength to defend centuries of battle just because I still call myself a christian.

The most shocking extemism I have personally experienced is the extreme anti-christian hatred that I have had directed at me because of the activities of other christians which I am not responsible for.

No problem.

Raised the point in this thread because of the Shetland Times connection reporting stories of two Publications South printing diametrically opposite views of the isles in the same month. Saw the contrast and wanted to redress the balance of the Brummy Birse!

We've heard some of the pros for such a cable - as in it making the proposed 600MW wind power scheme the largest community-backed wind farm development in Europe and a potential reality!

 

Would anyone care to throw into the mix some of the cons against it:

 

Out to you guys ....

Hi-i Trout, to answer your question about the cons of an undersea power cable from Shetland to the mainland:

According to my 'source' employed in Scottish Power Glasgow's National Policy dept, the price of physically laying the cable, although astronomical, isn't the real reason why this isn't cost-effective for the National Grid.

It's all about how the Electricity network as a whole works in the UK. In essence, you have 3 steps:

the Electricity generator companies produce electricity and sell it to the National Grid;

the Electricty Businesses (Hydro, etc) buy it from the National Grid;

then the consumer buys it from the Hydro etc.

It's a lot like the city traders in the stock exchange, they bid, buy and sell like crazy to and from the grid desperate for the best possible price.

The relevant factor for Electricity is the dramatic fluctuations in demand. When it's getting dark, everyone in the area puts on their lights. At roughly mealtimes, demand increases hugely as cookers, microwaves & kettles turn on. In the UK the most densely-populated area is the south-east quarter of England. So at any time of the day, and particularly peak times, their usage will be disproprotionately higher than elsewhere.

Now back to the 3 steps. Electricity is produced, it is stored on the National Grid, then it is released on demand.

Most demand is in the south-east, but we are as far north as you can get. The problem is it's very expensive to transport Electricity. Power lines are transformed to high voltage/ low wattage to reduce heat-loss but is still really inefficient. This means that most Electricity companies will prefer to buy electricity from generators as near to their customers as possible, to maximize their profits. There are already generators in the rural highlands of Scotland who really struggle to compete with those further south because those several hundred miles of transportation can make a big difference when you're looking at millions of customers.

If we were producing electricity to join the Grid and we were in Aviemore we'd have a hard enough time being profitable but when you add on the burden of recouping the expense of a massive 200 mile undersea cable it is not financially viable until the Electricity watchdogs set new regulations to favour the more remote renewable energy producers. Hope this helps, and correct me if I'm wrong if anybody knows anything more to add. Ta.