I really like using Linq, it is an elegant query language that can be applied to in-memory objects as well as translated into SQL dialects behind the scenes. What this gives is a common means of expressing filters, orderings, groupings and aggregations throughout your code. I have battled with massive reports using the CROSS JOIN with LEFT OUTER JOIN pattern in SQL, passing stacks of parameters into the stored procedure to get the report results out. Admittedly, it could be tweaked to make it run pretty fast, but it was sheer hell to maintain.

Linq allows queries to be composed ...

Had fun taking photographs around the church where the owner of the White Star Line ended up being buried.

There's something unreal about the way this Russian Sea Plane floats just above the water. Like something from a Philip K Dick novel. That would be some way to cross an ocean!

Heard here that domains ending in .ly where available from the Libyan Registrar so thought I might investigate. Libyan Spider seemed like the most respectable agent, although at $149.50/year, they are not cheap.

It was quite a lot of fun searching all the short words ending in 'ly', and believe me, there are quite a few left! I ended up going for:

• rap.id.ly
• luc.id.ly
• viv.id.ly

and

• app.ly

If you are interested in lightening me of one of these domains, then feel free to comment!

I think it would be fair to say that BitTorrent has already begun to radically change the viewing and spending habits of the connected world. I know how much I hate watching adverts and having my attention disrupted by non-public service channels. I also dislike having my viewing schedule dictated by television station controllers. Broadcasters are starting to awaken to this, and the BBC seems to be leading the way with its iPlayer offering. However, the content available on this conduit isn't exactly premium viewing.

So, along comes an interesting company by the name of Syabas with a product ...

For me it has been a bit of an off and on relationship with the world of blogging. I really enjoy writing, but find it hard to think of things that I want to share with the world! Jack has an excellent blog, full of journalistic content presented in a minimalist style. His writing is the first thing I check for when using Google Reader. One of his posts eventually led me to a really minimal blog which stuck out for it's elegant layout, intelligent navigation and a complete absence of crud.

Full credit must go to Jonas for ...

A short film I helped work on while at Sherbet. I really enjoyed that period of work and look back with fondness at what was done there:

Full film here.

Some short videos that we did at Sunderland University. Embarrassing but funny!

Jack journalistically describes a protracted interaction with our wonderful friends at City-Link!

It's Christmas, I want to go home to see my family. The media points out that there are terrible timetable delays to look forward to. I fear the "turn up at Euston and not get a seat, or even get on the train, because of overcrowding" scenario. I therefore try and make a seat reservation at www.virgintrains.com for travel tomorrow. I see things have changed, a new website design with a new fare matrix.

Bottom line: it used to be possible to buy a saver return on the website which meant as long as you picked the ...