Auroral

What the hell is wrong with this world. One week their happily taking our waste and the next their not.

A few months ago the dustbin men where throwing cardboard out of our black bins and leaving them in our garden after instructing us it couldn’t go in our green bins, for those not aware, black bins are for general waste things they consider not recyclable and green bins are for thin cardboard, grass cuttings and such. Now I always thought cardboard could be recyclable but they are the law so we respected this.

Well because they wouldn’t take it in the black bins, we started to put it back in the green bins and they took it hapilly. Well until two weeks ago when our bin wasn’t taken at all with no reason why. We left it and waited until this week and they plonked a big red sticker on our bin with the following information:

“Sorry, we could not empty your bin today as it contains thick or corrugated cardboard.

Please remove this and your bin will be emptied next time

Thank you

For further information and advice on how to reduce, reuse and recycle your rubbish please contact Doncaster Council on 01302 736000

www.doncaster.gov.uk”

So now we have a full loaded bin. The thing to remember is the wife and I live at home and with my mum to take care of any of her needs, medication, driving to appointments, etc. And she’s 72, now what if I was away somewhere with the wife, how the hell do Doncaster Council expect an old aged pensioner to manage, they still expect the expensive council tax which pays for this inadequate service, without doing the work that comes with it.

So put cardboard in the black bin and it’s removed, but put it in the green bin and they refuse to take it. This in my mind means the Doncaster Council is promoting fly tipping because right at this moment in time I’ve just emptied the bin behind my garage because there is no where else for all this rubbish and we can’t wait another two weeks for them to come again.

They either need to take the rubbish or stop charging extortionate council tax which covers this service. If they expect the public to do their job for them and sort through the rubbish then they should better educate the public on what’s required and then pay part of their wage to us.  Over the years, the public has done more and more of the councils work for them yet we pay more and more for them.

I called their number and was rather annoyed, admittedly I swore once to which the young chap on the other end told me he would end the call. I told him that not only did they not take the rubbish, a big stick was placed in the bin that wasn’t their before, he must of thought I meant sticker because he kept changing my words to sticker. He informs me someone will come out to inspect our rubbish. He also accused my of swearing a second time which I didn’t.

Well to be quite frank, this is not enough. We do our bit for the environment, we use reuse bags for shopping, we’re not wasteful with food and try to keep packaging of our foods to a minimum, we only use the car when needed for example picking the wife up from work on late nights because we don’t trust the streets, or the taxi’s. The rest of the time she will use public transport. Our gardening waste goes back into the ground and isn’t wastefully burnt.

Maybe we shouldn’t care for our environment with such idiots running the country, their only ruining it anyway so why not speed the process up.

So once we get rats and disease in our back garden I wonder where Doncaster Council would want us to fly tip next?

We do our bit and they spit in our face!

Over the years I been approached by various people with some wicked ideas, and have agreed to work on such projects on the proviso they run the actual website and the day to day things and I’d cover the costs and maintenance. How fairer could that be?

I then often find I’ve got the website on-line, dedicated hours, days, weeks and sometimes even months only to receive no communication from the third party. They’d disappear just about the time they were due to actually do some work.

Because of that I’ve got some domain names that could really do with being used so perhaps if your reading this with an interest running a paranormal website or you’ve already got a group and the domain would help then get in touch with me through our support website @

http://support.sjbowers.co.uk

These are some of the domains:

Yorkshire Paranormal:

http://yorkshireparanormal.net

http://yorkshireparanormal.com

http://yorkshireparanormal.co.uk

Northern Paranormal:

http://www.northernparanormal.com

http://www.northernparanormal.co.uk

Ghost Experiences:

http://ghostexperiences.net

http://ghostexperiences.com

http://ghostexperiences.co.uk

Haunted Locations:

http://hauntedlocation.net

http://hauntedlocation.com

http://hauntedlocation.co.uk

There are other domains also but this is a start, perhaps you’d be interested in running your club at one of these domains, or you’d be interested in a joint project.

Haunted Locations:

As you will see there are already two websites on this domain, one is hidden behind a template and is in fact wiki which was going to be a place for people to document historical information, ghost stories, location photos and the other website was going to be a directory of public domain contact details for locations

Ghost Experience:

The original owner of the domain wanted to run a commercial project but backed out.

I was then going to use it as video hosting website similar to that of Google, Youtube but for all things paranormal.

Northern Paranormal and Yorkshire Paranormal were originally for start-up paranormal groups that ended up not paying for the domains or using the website

Get in contact if your interested in some form of partnership or you wish to run your own website.

I was recently trying to backup one of my databases over PuTTY/SSH for a server move. Using the following:

mysqldump -hlocalhost -uUSERNAME -pPASSWORD <DATABASE

I was getting the following error:

mysqldump: Got error: 1105: File ‘./Database-Names/table_comments.MYD’ not found (Errcode: 24) when using LOCK TABLES

I couldn’t find a work around at first and most search results kept coming back to a bug in MySQL, which advised to make changes to the memory allowance, in this case that wasn’t an option.

I then came across http://www.webhostingtalk.com where a user by the name of SROHost mentioned that using:

–lock-tables=false

should fix the problem, well it did and for that I’m really grateful. As usual I tend to blog this stuff on my site, it serves to keep a personal record for me and to potentially help someone else in need.

mysqldump –lock-tables=false -hlocalhost -uUSERNAME -pPASSWORD <DATABASE

Note: This happening with a WordPress database.

Being new to cPanel and whm I’ve had a little bit of a learning curve, I’ve never really had this much access to a production server before. Our servers used to be with 1&1 but they are absolute crap and don’t ever know what they are talking about, now we’re no longer with them I’m happy. Being with them gave very limited access on a managed server.

Anyway I was trying to set a crontab and cPanel has this cool feature to set them up, but it kept displaying:

/usr/bin/crontab permissions are wrong. Please set to 4755

If you tried to set up a crontab in ssh you’d get a permission denied message.

To fix this you need root access to your server, log in and enter the following:

chmod 4755 /usr/bin/crontab

This will change the permissions for you.

If you don’t have root access then you will need to contact your service providers and ask them

It was recently announced that ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) will be opening the book on tld’s but I’m really not sure that’s such a good idea.

For those that don’t know ICANN are basically the guys who regulate domain name extentions like .co.uk or .com and tld simply means top level domain.

When they open this tin of worms initially it will be a costly process so we may not see too much change straight away however, but imagine the cost to protects ones brand once the costs come down. You already have idiots running around buying up cool domain names and then trying to make their millions reselling those names. So what when theyhave unlimited possibilities.

Personally I’d like to see more restrictions on how people can get those names and more laws to make them hand em over for real reason. If they use the domain fine, but it annoys me when they buy these domains simple to put them on a drop page or use a page generator, you know those annoying search pages with only google ad’s or some other form of advertising. They contribute nothing to any society or anything on the web, they only server as an annoyance.

So in the future we could see domains ending in .msn, .england, .wales, .scotland, .ireland, or any amount of endless possibilities. Could you image E-mail addresses like jim@college.england

The thought of it is cool, but I just hope it’s done with caution I’d hate to see become harder for the small guy or gal to protect their business brand and label. It will become more costly for them protect their brands and labels for sure. .com .org. co.uk .info .net .ws .sc .ca .fr .de .es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  and thousands more coming this way soon.

You can read more about this over at Yahoo

First of all this blog is thanks to Anders from http://www.andersramsay.com

I installed FireFox 3 and it was driving me nuts, there seemed to be no back button to go back several pages at once. So at first I was clicking and clicking until I was on the verge of going back to an older FireFox version. I did a quick google search after figuring out I couldn’t be the only one annoyed at this, it was then that I found anders website.

These snap shots are also taken from Anders website:

As you see in Firefox there is only one drop down next to the back and forward buttons, which implied to me that you could only go forward.

However as pointed out by Anders, this drop down allows you to back and forwards. It shows you which point you are at with the black dot next to the one your currently veiwing:

Personally I think this should be between the back and next buttons, but now I know it’s there I’m happy.

There are still a couple of other annoyances though, but on a whole I’m now happier with FireFox 3.

So once again, thanks Anders.

Well finally some justice in this world. I should of wrote this on Friday but had other priorities to take care off.

I finally got a response from the DVLA telling me they were sorry for the inconvenience and would drop the case against me, freeing me from the penalty and to right too. I will also get some form of compensation not as much as the stress has caused, but perhaps enough to cover some of those basic expenses. There sending me a grand total of……………… **Drum roll**……………………… Are you sitting down?

£10, yup they are sending me £10 to compensate me.

I’m just happy there is some justice in this world.

If I get a chance then I’ll post there letter up here at some point (but I’m rather busy at the moment).

Well it seems something is now starting to happen, apparently the DVLA have only just contacted Philips today to stop them harassing me, despite telling me in writing this would stop before now.

If you saw my last blog you will of seen I sent another E-mail to them both, and I got a reply from Philips Collection Service:

Dear Mr Bowers,

Thank you for the copy of the recent email sent to the DVLA.

I can confirm that we have been contacted by the DVLA today, 28.05.08 at 11:11 whereupon they have requested the case be returned back to them. This has now been done and further contact should not be received from us at this time.

Our records show that we noted your concerns onto your account and that an official Complaints Form was sent to you on 15.05.08. Once this has been returned by you we will be happy to investigate the matter in question.

In the meantime if you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Kind Regards

Philips

And I fired off a reply back:

I will continue to copy both Philips and the DVLA Here

The DVLA had informed me this would stop long before now, so in their slowness to act my family and I have continued to be harassed by text messages to a land line phone which gives out my personal details and circumstances without care for the data protection act.

Philips I write this E-mail because only a few minutes ago I received another text message to the land line telephone telling me my case is being passed for further action or my balance is still outstanding.

Yet more incompetence, and then to ask me to fill in another complaints form I care not for your procedures in hoping the public are to lazy to fill in a form and then no further action can be taken.I care only for the time lost and the cost incurred by myself in other words you have my complaint in writing I see no reason why I should waste more of my life on this matter except to receive justice.

I’m not sure of whom I dealt with on the phone, it could of even been you for all I know and care, my suggestion though is you send your staff on a customer relations course and train them that mistakes happen and therefore shouldn’t make accusations that a person is a criminal regardless of whether it was done direct or indirect.

Whilst typing this mail I have another message on my phone, that’s two but the first one I put the phone down on, perhaps that’s the message system redelivering.

And I won’t contact your office on the phone to discuss anything, last time we know what happened and look now I’m still being harassed.

Kind Regards
Tim Bowers

I certainly won’t contact them on the phone, the last time I tried to get help from a human in their company they basically accused me of being a criminal and a lier.

Can’t deal with automate systems and can’t deal with real people, this world is screwed.

Well they are still at it, yet another illegal message on an answering machine which my family and friends have access to. If the call had been answered the listener has the chance to key a button to get more of my details (They send some kind of text message to the land line phone).

I tried calling but again a message came on telling my about how they are busy and that I could renew my tax on-line and then it put the phone down on me, so I couldn’t deal with a real person, I couldn’t wait on the line for one either. AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I sent an E-mail to them.

Now I’m starting to get annoyed with your incompetence, your a useless bunch of people. This E-mail is being sent to both the DVLA and Philips Unprofessionally Collection Services. (note the e-mails this is being sent too)

You (DVLA) informed me that you would stop Philips Collection Services from breaking the data protection act on my telephone, by leaving messages for my family and friends to hear. You told me this would stop and you would look into the situation of you misplacing my details about my car being written off by my insurance company in 2006, but they are still hounding. Can’t you people and your own departments communicate, or do you lack some form of intelligence?

I will seek legal action for your incompetence in this matter unless a prompt resolution is found along with substantial compensation for the increasing time and money I loose along with the immense stress you are placing me and my family under, breaking the data protection act is illegal, and you have no grounds to base any legal action against me I did my duty as required, you failed yours!!

http://auroral.co.uk/2008/05/14/dvla-philips-collection-services-ltd-are-taking-me-for-a-ride/

http://auroral.co.uk/2008/05/26/philips-collection-services-and-the-dvla-are-useless/

Note: When searching for Philips Collection Services on Google we display on the front page to your prospective clients.

I will continue to make public posts about your incompetence in this matter.

Kind Regards
The guy who will be suing you.
Timothy Bowers.

Well this still involves the DVLA issue which you can read on the link below:

DVLA & Philips Collections Services LTD Are Taking Me For A Ride

I received a letter from the DVLA informing me they were looking into the matter and would put a hold on the work by Philips Collection Services, well it seems they apparently can’t even control that. Philips Collection Services Left another few messages on my answering machine telling me they are taking further legal action, they again state my name, my penalty. This answering machine is accessible by my friends and family along with people who visit my house, because when you press play it plays out aloud.

If I were in shared accommodation then other people would know my business so the fact is that Philips Collection Services and the DVLA are now illegally breaking the Data Protection Act by making available personally identifiable information without my consent, in a way that others have access to it.

What a waste of tax payers money!!!

Well I called them to complain again only this time I was told my complaint and the original one (see link above) would only deal with the certain issues and if I intended not to pay the fine/penalty then I’d also need to write to another department within the DVLA which is ridiculous how can they not communicate together and sort the mess out they cause. Was it not obvious I’m not going to pay a penalty for something I don’t owe, my car was written off I informed them of such hence my work is done.

Here’s the new letter that’s being sent out to them:

 

Timothy Bowers
## #### ####
#########
Doncaster
#### ###

26th May 2008
Philips Reference: #######
DVLA Reference: ########

Re: Cover Letter - Renault Laguna RT – ### ###

Philips/DVLA

This letter is in addition to my complaint filed on the 12th May 2008.

I’m now being forced to waste yet more of my time on this matter, because apparently your departments cannot coordinate nor communicate with each other directly, This is ridiculous.

You will see in the complaint which is attached with this letter the issues which require addressing.

I have no intention of paying this £80 fine as I’m sure you understand it’s not my debt to pay. I also understand you may deal with tax evasion on a daily basis however even if you claim that you didn’t receive correspondence from me then you will be able to see that this vehicle was written off by my insurance company shortly after the SORN application.

Now there is another issue and one which I’m contemplating legal action on. The company Philips Collection Services, that you viciously set upon me have broken the Data Protection Act by leaving messages on an answering machine. This answering machine is available by my whole house hold, when leaving a message or playing back it’s done out aloud, my friends and family are now aware of this current situation. If I had been in share accommodation other people would know my full name, the debt you claim I owe and that your apparently taking further action. This message left personally identifiable information about me.

You informed me in writing and over the phone that you would stop further action and pestering from Philips Collection Services until you had investigated this matter, well they haven’t stopped they are now sending messages to my phone informing my friends and family of further action that your apparently taking.

I now expect suitable compensation far greater than I originally requested in my other letter, I also require a formal apology.

To notify you, I’m also documenting these incidents on-line along with all letters I send you.

Kindest Regards
Timothy Bowers

Philips Collection Services did send me a complaints form to fill in along with a letter informing me I should provide proof that I informed the DVLA that the vehicle was off the road, well sorry to say but I’m not wasting my time filling in this crap I’ll deal with the organ grinder and not the monkey. I should ask them for proof I didn’t, bloody pratts.