XSet is the personal website of Rob Dudley, a 29 year old software and web developer who lives in the Channel Islands...
// April 22nd, 2008 // No Comments » // Personal
This time it’s official:
Update your readers now!
This reminds me that I really should fix the Vimrod feed… give me a minute…
Rob
Oops, have just spent half an hour fixing the Vimrod feed only to realise that they moved to Flickr some time ago so it was completely unnecessary… doh!
// April 22nd, 2008 // No Comments » // Tech
I’ve just installed the new Google maps for Blackberry. The mapping application that comes with the Curve is nice enough but I happen to be very attached to Google’s search and the Satellite overview comes in rather handy when attempting to orientate yourself in a strange city (more on that in a second). I’ve also got a little Holux bluetooth GPS receiver which I paid considerably less than £56 for and this can hook into the Blackberry for instant “You Are Here” joy.
Imagine my surpise when, firing up the new version of Google Maps the damn thing zeros in on my position without the GPS unit switched on, paired or even within 7 miles (I’ve left it at home).
It turns out that the new Google Maps for mobile makes use of Radio Tower Triangulation to determine your location to within 1000 metres (approx) which means those of you without GPS enabled devices (or GPS add ons) can use this app to the very best of it’s ability.
Of course nothihng beats knowing that the Blue Dot is actually within 1.5 metres of your actual location but it’s better than nothing – if a little scary.
And yes, you can disable the feature if you’re worried about the Big G knowing where you are at all times … best brush off that tin-foil hat whilst you’re at it.
// April 4th, 2008 // No Comments » // Personal
No wonder I can’t keep that flaming total under control. I’ve not been well recently. Specifically, the GGF was not well and, having spent a few days nursing her back to health I promptly caught the same bug and was off work for 4 days 
That said am now back on my feet and looking forward to a busy couple of days. Tonight is the birthday bash of a very good friend of mine – chinese and drinks and things – which should be very cool. Saturday sees the Grand National (an event that for some unknown reason gets the entire country thinking they know a damn thing about horse racing) and lots more besides. Sunday? Well who knows.
Hopefully, once this weekend is done and dusted I’ll be back on top of everything.
