HTML5

There's a big fuss about the <|video> tag at the moment (ignore the |). Apparently, YouTube and some other place I can't remember have got test versions which use HTML5 instead of Flash. This is certainly a good thing.

However, some people have made a fuss about their use of H264. While I don't appreciate software patents, I don't think it matters what format they use. Of course, I'd rather have Dirac (Theora's not much good), but if we're picky, it'll just be as bad as keeping Flash.

Incidentally, if browsers on Linux used GStreamer, it'd make formats a moot point.

Lest we Forget

It seems as if this is a good day to bury bad news. The Government has announced that innocent peoples' DNA is to be kept for 6 years.

They hope no-one will notice due to this being Armistice Day.

Mind you, this doesn't apply to Scotland.

Gutter Press

The Sun ceases to amaze me. They've launched an attack on Gordon Brown. Nothing unusual about that you'd think. However, this is on the most embarrassing feature of him. His handwriting.

I'm amazed that the people of this country (or the Sun) think that Gordon Brown's handwriting is newsworthy.

I sincerely hope that this woman is not taking The Sun's fee for this story. This has been categorically denied. Also, taping private conversations is illegal, but I don't expect she'll be arrested.

UPDATE: It seems now that The Sun has manipulated this woman for their own political purposes. I'd like to point out it is The Sun who should be ashamed about this, not the woman. However, she chose to contact the Sun about this, so I suppose she only has herself to blame.

Tories

I see the tories have a list of pledges (when can we have some policies Dave). One of them is replacing the Bill of Human Rights with a British one. At best, this is surely an enormous waste of time, and at worst, this could be the continutation of the erosion of civil liberties.

Also interesting to note is that Ireland have voted in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. The Tories have said that they'd have a referendum on the treaty if they're elected. Support for the EU is higher in Scotland than it is in England. If there was a referendum, Scotland would likely vote in favour, and England against. Of course, the net vote would be against. However, this would be rather bad for us in Scotland. I wonder if the Tories would antagonise Scotland like this, but I don't know if they really care. Surely this approach would be a major vote winner in England.

GNOME

I'm a wee bit late in saying this, but I'm a official GNOME Git. What's even more surprising about this is that my main task is en_GB work.

Libya

There's a huge fuss all over the place about how Scotland is a disgrace and should be ashamed of the fact that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was released.

Clearly not many people know what compassion means.

This descision was a win for humanity, but it is so sad that some people refuse to see this. Of course, these same people would be wanting to bring back capital punishment; which will never happen.

Meddling

It's not often that I find myself commenting on the internal affairs on another country, but this time, I feel compelled to.

There appears to be rather a lot of opposition to proposed healthcare reforms in the USA. I can't comment on the merits of the proposals, as I don't know what they are. However, I do wish to comment on the ignorance that is being displayed by "the right" with regard the NHS.

The NHS may not be perfect, but all this talk of "death panels" is complete rubbish. I wouldn't expect Sarah Palin to check her facts before she says such scandalous things about our country's greatest insitution. The added hilarity of that newspaper saying that Stephen Hawking wouldn't be alive if he was British betrays the American right's complete ignorance.

Also, I'd like to comment on the pressure being put on the Scottish Justice Secretary by some American politicians, including Hillary Clinton. This is almost as bad as the rubbishing of the NHS. I was pleased to see the First Minister, Alex Salmond saying that Kenny will make his decision on the evidence from this country.

Countries should not comment on the internal affairs of others.