I've used GNU/Linux since (February?) 1999. I started with Slackware, and now I'm running Ubuntu. I think Linux is fantastic, but one thing always irritates me.

Whereas MS-Windows has a 'Program Files' directory with a sub-directory for each application, Ubuntu stores application files across the file-system according to type …

Last time it got to the end without me getting a chance to ask my question. This time at the Science Cafe, mine was the first question: 'What do you make of the Fermi Paradox?'. The speaker's answer was that there are other civilizations, but they're all too far away …

I'm trying to understand reversible computing. My friend Bill made the comment that it may well be of interest to academics, but it has no appreciable effect in the real world. So here's a rough calculation for the power an irreversible computer needs that's operating right at the Landauer limit …

Good Energy have replied to my question about a two rate meter. I can have one for free if I commit to staying with Good Energy for at least two years. The only thing is that comparing the tariffs, the night rate is a lot lower, but the standing charge …

I live in Trowbridge Central, and tomorrow there's a by-election for the Town Council and the District Council. Maybe I've not looked hard enough, but I couldn't find any info about the election on the Town Council website. I'd have expected to see a list of the candidates at the …

These are two separate things, the film 'Akira', and 'The Beach' by Alex Garland. It's not like Jonah and the Whale.

I remember everyone talking about The Beach, and then there was the film and the song. I never seemed to read the book or see the film, but I …

Thanks for your encouragement. I'm going through the council because I assume that they'll take care of the legal / financial bits.

They don't seem terribly keen on my small 38m2 back garden though! I may well take up your suggestion of putting a notice up.

I've written to Good Energy...

Hello, my friend has a day/night meter and gets cheap electricity at night. I've just got a single rate meter and so can't take advantage of the cheap electricity. I'm an existing Good Energy customer. What are my options?

Good idea, but why go through the council? Just put a notice up. To save CO2 you need to get someone very local so they don't drive to and fro.

I applied for my 1st allotment last week. Between a 4 and 10 year waiting list!!

I'd like to see my back garden put to use. I have in mind an allotment. The problem is that I haven't got the interest or enthusiasm to actually do the hard work of growing vegetables.

So my plan is to rent out my garden as an allotment, through the …