After what I can only describe as a bit of a disaster, when my original base computer crashed in what seems like a pretty terminal manner, I'm finally getting back on my technological feet!
The old machine I bought about 7 years ago, I think; it was an e-machines cheapy from PC World, and it eventually died when the power supply gave up. Someone locally put the original innards into a new box, and we were under way again.
But it died again a couple of weeks ago - and heroic efforts, including buying a new graphics card for £50, haven't resulted in any useable effect, sad to say.
So I've got a new Dell, which I'm gradually equipping with all the software I like. It doesn't run Vista; it's been "downgraded" by Dell to XP, so it'll still run my last major spend on softward without hitches. When I loaded by old XP dreamweaver onto a Vista machine, it promptly died!
Next week, I've just got to sort out my printer problems, take the old HD drive out of the old machine, and get the email system sorted . . . nothing much to do then!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Caravan Club National Rally - WOW!
Well, what a nice weekend, spent at The Caravan Club's National Rally, which took place at Prestwold Park, just north of Leicester.
We'd never been to a rally as large as this; three thousand plus caravans, around nine thousand people, all on one super site, organised by the mighty Caravan Club. It is a major feat of logistics, beautifully put together, and with very few visible or noticeable problems of any sort.
One of the really startling things about this major event is just how much of it is put together by volunteers - all of the show marshalls, and all the caravan and motorhome camping area stewards, are volunteers, and the major part of the background organisation is done by volunteers, who come along and do huge amounts of work - and pay for the privilege.
The Club does have a professional events section at their head office, but its just four or five people - who I image must be pretty hard workers! But the level of detail that this particular event must require would probably need three or four times that number if it weren't for those volunteers.
So here's a word for them - thank you all so much! Every one we spoke to was cheerful and bright, helpful and knowledgeable about the event.
And it wouldn't have happened without them.
We'd never been to a rally as large as this; three thousand plus caravans, around nine thousand people, all on one super site, organised by the mighty Caravan Club. It is a major feat of logistics, beautifully put together, and with very few visible or noticeable problems of any sort.
One of the really startling things about this major event is just how much of it is put together by volunteers - all of the show marshalls, and all the caravan and motorhome camping area stewards, are volunteers, and the major part of the background organisation is done by volunteers, who come along and do huge amounts of work - and pay for the privilege.
The Club does have a professional events section at their head office, but its just four or five people - who I image must be pretty hard workers! But the level of detail that this particular event must require would probably need three or four times that number if it weren't for those volunteers.
So here's a word for them - thank you all so much! Every one we spoke to was cheerful and bright, helpful and knowledgeable about the event.
And it wouldn't have happened without them.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
At the National Rally . . .
The Caravan Club is seriously good at organising large events.
This year's National Rally, other than being what it is, doesn't have a special theme or purpose, but it still is a massive "do".
There's things on all day; lots of sporting things in the morning, with arena items starting in the morning and running through until late afternoon. In the evenings, there are two seriously big entertainment marquees, with all kinds of bands, groups and entertainers.
There's also a low-power rally radio station, which puts out information about traffic, music and other material. It seems a little difficult to pick up - so far, despite hunting about, we haven't managed to locate it!
In the main central area, there are plenty of retail stands, a couple of caravan and motorhome dealers, and a food court.
A lot of the events are centred around Caravan Club Centres - Centre chairpeople get looked after well, which they deserve, I should think, and the Club's great and good roll up to do their duty - and mostly enjoy it, I should think.
It is quite entertaining, so I hope you manage to get to one of these events one day. Otherwise, take a look at www.caravanningnews.co.uk for a flavour, or watch our next edition on Sky 166 or Freesat 402.
This year's National Rally, other than being what it is, doesn't have a special theme or purpose, but it still is a massive "do".
There's things on all day; lots of sporting things in the morning, with arena items starting in the morning and running through until late afternoon. In the evenings, there are two seriously big entertainment marquees, with all kinds of bands, groups and entertainers.
There's also a low-power rally radio station, which puts out information about traffic, music and other material. It seems a little difficult to pick up - so far, despite hunting about, we haven't managed to locate it!
In the main central area, there are plenty of retail stands, a couple of caravan and motorhome dealers, and a food court.
A lot of the events are centred around Caravan Club Centres - Centre chairpeople get looked after well, which they deserve, I should think, and the Club's great and good roll up to do their duty - and mostly enjoy it, I should think.
It is quite entertaining, so I hope you manage to get to one of these events one day. Otherwise, take a look at www.caravanningnews.co.uk for a flavour, or watch our next edition on Sky 166 or Freesat 402.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
HHH - Hardly h'ever home!
Being a caravanning TV programme maker is a hard life . . . there are times when we're hardly ever home!
For instance, last weekend, departing Thursday lunchtime, home Monday early afternoon, combined a night at Newbury for the Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive awards, and then on to Devizes for three nights to see friends, and film some bits.
Tomorrow (Friday) morning, we're off to Loughborough for the same Club's National Rally - 3,000 caravans on site, with lots of interest and entertainment - home Tuesday lunchtime, I guess. I'll be trying to build a flavour of the event for people who haven't been, so plan to be busy while there.
Now this may appear to be the life of Riley (who was he, I wonder?), but it has it's drawbacks. For instance, this week, I'm editing like mad to try and make as much as possible of the next programme (edition 11, premieres 3rd June), because next week, when I should normally be making it, I have 2 days out of the 4 available devoted to filming for a project which is dear to my heart. That really leaves just enough time to do the voice-over, the titling and the final checks, so I've got to have most of it in the can ready to go.
Having said that, what would I do if I didn't do this? It makes for a life that I find full of interest, and manages to entertain Dot, who finds the whole thing quite amusing at times.
It also means that I get to meet loads of really nice, interesting and amusing people at times - and that's probably one of the most important benefits to me! So if you see us out and about, give us a wave!
For instance, last weekend, departing Thursday lunchtime, home Monday early afternoon, combined a night at Newbury for the Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive awards, and then on to Devizes for three nights to see friends, and film some bits.
Tomorrow (Friday) morning, we're off to Loughborough for the same Club's National Rally - 3,000 caravans on site, with lots of interest and entertainment - home Tuesday lunchtime, I guess. I'll be trying to build a flavour of the event for people who haven't been, so plan to be busy while there.
Now this may appear to be the life of Riley (who was he, I wonder?), but it has it's drawbacks. For instance, this week, I'm editing like mad to try and make as much as possible of the next programme (edition 11, premieres 3rd June), because next week, when I should normally be making it, I have 2 days out of the 4 available devoted to filming for a project which is dear to my heart. That really leaves just enough time to do the voice-over, the titling and the final checks, so I've got to have most of it in the can ready to go.
Having said that, what would I do if I didn't do this? It makes for a life that I find full of interest, and manages to entertain Dot, who finds the whole thing quite amusing at times.
It also means that I get to meet loads of really nice, interesting and amusing people at times - and that's probably one of the most important benefits to me! So if you see us out and about, give us a wave!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Technology . . . .
I do have a problem with technology . . . . it conks out!
I think the latest thing to go is my screen - I've had it several years (came with the computer before this one!), but the question is, is that what it is?
So what I'll do, I think, is replace the screen with a nice new one, and if that doesn't work, I'll get an new PC box . . . if that doesn't work, errrrrrr . . .
True, though, isn't it? We buy a car, service it, and know it'll last for years. Computers? No idea!
I think the latest thing to go is my screen - I've had it several years (came with the computer before this one!), but the question is, is that what it is?
So what I'll do, I think, is replace the screen with a nice new one, and if that doesn't work, I'll get an new PC box . . . if that doesn't work, errrrrrr . . .
True, though, isn't it? We buy a car, service it, and know it'll last for years. Computers? No idea!
Friday, May 01, 2009
Not a lotta people know that . . .
The Caravan Channel really didn't start out as a business, but it is now the way I earn a living.
The problem is that although I was once a person who wore a marketing directors hat, and before that a sales and sales management hat, I haven't really been fiercely interested in sales and marketing for this little business. I enjoy making the programmes . . . and sales of ads and sponsorship more or less come in from people who discover the shows and ask.
But today, I've actually had two people say to me "we want to advertise". One has already sent through the visuals and the voice script, while the other has yet to do that, but I'm sure they will.
It's quite impressive really. We're an overnight success, in two and a half years!
The problem is that although I was once a person who wore a marketing directors hat, and before that a sales and sales management hat, I haven't really been fiercely interested in sales and marketing for this little business. I enjoy making the programmes . . . and sales of ads and sponsorship more or less come in from people who discover the shows and ask.
But today, I've actually had two people say to me "we want to advertise". One has already sent through the visuals and the voice script, while the other has yet to do that, but I'm sure they will.
It's quite impressive really. We're an overnight success, in two and a half years!
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