on 22-02-2019 10:14
Happy Friday everyone!
To end this week, we have a little treat for you: the first community spotlight of 2019, which will be focusing on ...
He's been a member for a very long time now, but is one of the few regulars who hadn't gone under the spotlight yet; better late than never! He answered a few of our questions to help you guys get to know him better but you can ask him some more in the comments if you're curious about anything further.
What’s your name and where are you from?
Sheepdog. Otherwise known as “oi you” , “move it mate" and more the commonly known “Paul”. Currently living on Anglesey though not originally from there or anywhere in particular having moved around a lot over the years.
What's the story behind your username?
A strange obsession with herding sheepdogs at the time. It's now cats but sadly, herding cats is a rather obscure past-time. I own neither before you ask.
What brought you to the forum?
Can’t remember why but I do recall the forum opening up in 2008 and I joined somewhere around June I think, Might have been before that. Ah you may be wondering why my current registered time is showing October 2010? Well thats the result of the infamous Mod14 being over-zealous with moderating everything and everybody. Short story, Mod14 deleted my original account over a link for Crackberry and lives on in spirit as the long running in-joke of the forum.
What do you like most about the Community?
It's one of the few forums that is lightly moderated - even with negativity - and users aren’t made to feel unwelcome unless it's their intention. It's not boring either with the subject matter and the Community Managers get involved which is a bonus.
What would you do if you ever won the lottery?
I have won the lottery. On my birthday of all things, 20 years ago. Granted it was a mere 4 balls and resulted in £65 at the time but a win is a win. Played it once or twice after that but generally it's a rip-off so don't bother with it.
Do you have any resolutions for this New Year?
I made a list on January 1st to play the keyboard and progress on the guitar. So far, not exactly keeping up with that and it's been a bit slow in progress. There’s another list of computer related things I want to learn which has completely changed since January! That and actually clear my Netflix list completely.
What would your ideal cake be like?
Not that keen on cake to be honest. Ice cream is more my thing though I have done a rather good Ice-box cake.
Apple, Android or Windows? Apple. Moved to an iPhone 5S a couple of years ago after getting really fed up of yet another app daily update breaking the user interface on Android. I still use my two Android phones, one for a VOIP phone as a landline replacement and the other a Chromecast controller/backup phone. Does Windows Mobile 6 edition count? I really loved my XDA Zest from years ago and still works.
If you had to watch a TV Show or a movie in a loop forever, which one would you pick?
Every time I go into the main room, it seems stuck on ITV3 and Midsomer Murders. Back to the question, it would probably be Star Trek (all of them) as the stories are more or less self-contained without being too heavy. STD (Discovery) would be the reminder that I’m stuck in a never-ending loop.
Which future development in tech are you looking forward to?
I’m more retro these days so whatever new tech arrives, it can wait. I am interested in seeing the phasing in of electric vehicles and how they can match the current combustion engine performance and range.
Any hobbies besides the Community?
There’s a cupboard full of small board computers and components just waiting for my time to assemble into something pointless. I have a thing for retro-computing books and there’s three shelves worth of the era I’ve yet to sit down and read. Reminds me, I do have a project to build a retro gaming system from the cupboard of components at some point. That’s not including the various bits and pieces for music I have around (thats both instruments and PA), music tech, photography, computer bits, wirebinding/crafting hobbies that are ahem, stored for later.
That was really fun, thanks again @sheepdog for your answers!
Feel free to say hi or ask any follow-up questions in the comments, and have a lovely weekend everyone.
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22-02-2019 12:38 - edited 22-02-2019 12:40
22-02-2019 12:38 - edited 22-02-2019 12:40
@Marjo wrote:Lovely spotlight @sheepdog, nice to learn more about you!
I have an additional question too. You mentioned liking cats but don't currently own one. What kind of cat would you get if you could? Also, what's on your Netflix list?
Also @Anonymous speaking of Netflix, I've seen some episodes of Star Trek Discovery on Netflix, if you have that, the series should still be available on there? It's quite different from the earlier series but I do enjoy it.
@Marjo Hmm, I find hairless cats hilarious so I don't think the cat would stay very long in my household if it wanted attention. Otherwise a Birman, MaineCoon or an Abyssinian.
Currently on my Netflix list: Nightflyers, Umbrella Academy and Titans, How to train your Dragon series.
Haven't started the first 3 yet as those are about 10-13 episodes and I have a tendency to complete a series or two in about a week.
22-02-2019 12:58 - edited 22-02-2019 12:59
22-02-2019 12:58 - edited 22-02-2019 12:59
Umbrella Academy (so far - i'm on ep.4) is intriguing. Some parts good, others bad. Didn't know what to expect from the trailer, but I'll see it through.
What about Titans or Altered Carbon?
Edited for spelling...
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on 22-02-2019 13:10
on 22-02-2019 13:10
@Glory1 wrote:Great spotlight @sheepdog, really nice to get to know a bit more about you and what interests you.
I'm not surprised at the job you do as you're pretty good at analysing what's going to happen on SCD and DOI each week.
I also like Star Trek and could easily watch all the series again. My favouite was Deep Space Nine and least favourite Voyager, though I did like the female captain.
Can I ask do you get the chance to read at all and what sort of books keep you interested? Or are you only into technical magazines and books?
Thank you for letting us get to know you that bit better and hopefully you'll be around the forum another 10+ years if not longer.
@Glory1 mainly technical stuff. Though I do have a selection of cooking books, drawing books and some humour ones. There's a small collection of graphic novels somewhere! Not a fan of fiction books though unlike my siblings. I have to read through logs and manuals for some obscure commands so unless it has a purpose, I don't bother with most books.
on 22-02-2019 13:15
on 22-02-2019 13:15
@gmarkj wrote:Umbrella Academy (so far - i'm on ep.4) is intriguing. Some parts good, others bad. Didn't know what to expect from the trailer, but I'll see it through.
What about Titans or Altered Carbon?
Edited for spelling...
I've been recommended to see Titans by my sister who binged watched it in a weekend. Altered Carbon is more or less a tribute to Columbo with added sex. Disappointed really in it as it didn't explore the premise very well and when you think about it, its just another detective show (the last epsiode reveal is classic Columbo!).
on 22-02-2019 13:27
on 22-02-2019 13:27
Yes, I thought it would be more technical stuff, rather than fiction.
But you mention cook books. Are you a dab hand in the kitchen? And if so, what's your favourite dish/es to make?
on 22-02-2019 13:30
on 22-02-2019 13:30
Please note, this is not customer services and we cannot access your account. Do not publish personal details (email, phone number, bank account).
Link to our guide on how to contact them can be found here
on 22-02-2019 13:50
@EmilieT wrote:Happy Friday everyone!
To end this week, we have a little treat for you: the first community spotlight of 2019, which will be focusing on ...
He's been a member for a very long time now, but is one of the few regulars who hadn't gone under the spotlight yet; better late than never! He answered a few of our questions to help you guys get to know him better but you can ask him some more in the comments if you're curious about anything further.
What’s your name and where are you from?
Sheepdog. Otherwise known as “oi you” , “move it mate" and more the commonly known “Paul”. Currently living on Anglesey though not originally from there or anywhere in particular having moved around a lot over the years.
What's the story behind your username?
A strange obsession with herding sheepdogs at the time. It's now cats but sadly, herding cats is a rather obscure past-time. I own neither before you ask.
What brought you to the forum?
Can’t remember why but I do recall the forum opening up in 2008 and I joined somewhere around June I think, Might have been before that. Ah you may be wondering why my current registered time is showing October 2010? Well thats the result of the infamous Mod14 being over-zealous with moderating everything and everybody. Short story, Mod14 deleted my original account over a link for Crackberry and lives on in spirit as the long running in-joke of the forum.
What do you like most about the Community?
It's one of the few forums that is lightly moderated - even with negativity - and users aren’t made to feel unwelcome unless it's their intention. It's not boring either with the subject matter and the Community Managers get involved which is a bonus.
What would you do if you ever won the lottery?
I have won the lottery. On my birthday of all things, 20 years ago. Granted it was a mere 4 balls and resulted in £65 at the time but a win is a win. Played it once or twice after that but generally it's a rip-off so don't bother with it.
Do you have any resolutions for this New Year?
I made a list on January 1st to play the keyboard and progress on the guitar. So far, not exactly keeping up with that and it's been a bit slow in progress. There’s another list of computer related things I want to learn which has completely changed since January! That and actually clear my Netflix list completely.
What would your ideal cake be like?
Not that keen on cake to be honest. Ice cream is more my thing though I have done a rather good Ice-box cake.
Apple, Android or Windows? Apple. Moved to an iPhone 5S a couple of years ago after getting really fed up of yet another app daily update breaking the user interface on Android. I still use my two Android phones, one for a VOIP phone as a landline replacement and the other a Chromecast controller/backup phone. Does Windows Mobile 6 edition count? I really loved my XDA Zest from years ago and still works.
If you had to watch a TV Show or a movie in a loop forever, which one would you pick?
Every time I go into the main room, it seems stuck on ITV3 and Midsomer Murders. Back to the question, it would probably be Star Trek (all of them) as the stories are more or less self-contained without being too heavy. STD (Discovery) would be the reminder that I’m stuck in a never-ending loop.
Which future development in tech are you looking forward to?
I’m more retro these days so whatever new tech arrives, it can wait. I am interested in seeing the phasing in of electric vehicles and how they can match the current combustion engine performance and range.
Any hobbies besides the Community?
There’s a cupboard full of small board computers and components just waiting for my time to assemble into something pointless. I have a thing for retro-computing books and there’s three shelves worth of the era I’ve yet to sit down and read. Reminds me, I do have a project to build a retro gaming system from the cupboard of components at some point. That’s not including the various bits and pieces for music I have around (thats both instruments and PA), music tech, photography, computer bits, wirebinding/crafting hobbies that are ahem, stored for later.
That was really fun, thanks again @sheepdog for your answers!
Feel free to say hi or ask any follow-up questions in the comments, and have a lovely weekend everyone.
I knew all that..... mostly
.... except my concept of STDs is a completely different understanding 😔
I think we all fell victim to the zealot Mod 14 at the time but not to the extent that you did! Although I think you have mellowed over the last 10 years since those entertaining run-ins with the aforementioned ruler of his kingdom. I think he was deposed and fell onto his sword because of your rebellious streak.
... and where is he now? Just when you thought it was safe to take off the tin hat.... 😂
on 22-02-2019 14:20
on 22-02-2019 14:20
@Glory1 wrote:Yes, I thought it would be more technical stuff, rather than fiction.
But you mention cook books. Are you a dab hand in the kitchen? And if so, what's your favourite dish/es to make?
@Glory1 Long story but getting to use the kitchen is somewhat territorial in our house so I have to relent. Spaghetti carbonara is a particular favourite of mine though first time I did that, there was a typo in the receipe and ended a little er, dry. I tend to read for the techniques though rather than the end result!
on 22-02-2019 15:17
on 22-02-2019 15:17
22-02-2019 16:03 - edited 22-02-2019 16:03
22-02-2019 16:03 - edited 22-02-2019 16:03
Great spotlight @sheepdog! Good to see another Star Trek fan on the community. Got though re-watching all episodes just last year.
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