Call Sign March 2004 - Page 36

Blogs, Blogs and Blogs
Nope, it’s not a firm of solicitors! What would you say to someone if they asked you "Vince, have you got a blog?" OK, firstly you'd correct them as your name's probably not Vince, but you'd have to be suspicious, wouldn't you? I obviously didn't know what a "blog" was and I half expected it to be something rude! Well, it's not rude and it's been around a while on the web and I never knew anything about it, tut, tut! In fact it's another Internet acronym - but this time for a journal, a we BLOG.
A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web - a weB LOG. The activity of updating a blog is ‘Blogging’ and someone who keeps a blog is a ‘Blogger’. Blogs are typically updated daily by using software that allows you to update and maintain your blog.
   Nothing exciting about that you'd say? Yes, I’d agree if it was my blog, but there are some very popular blogs out there. Even the most popular Internet search engine, Google, became involved by buying www.blogger.com , which also appears to be one of the most informative sites on blogging - and it's free.
   Here in the UK there are even annual awards for blogging presented by The Guardian at:
HERE

One of the sites listed in the December 2003 awards is www.nyclondon.com/blog/ , which is an excellent blog site dedicated to photography around London. Also in it, Tony Blair says he may blog the next election
HERE
I tried my hardest to find a London Taxi Driver's blog, but failed. Now that would be an interesting blog, especially if it had photos.

The MyDoom Virus
Yes doom and gloom! The most recent virus is getting wide public attention and it's called MYDOOM. Regular readers will obviously be protected from this virus as they'd have McAfee AntiVirus software on their system http://www.mcafee.com together with the free firewall ZoneAlarm http://www.zonelabs.com installed, which would have stopped this spoofing virus from infecting their PCs. It's a virus that appears to be coming from someone you know and attempts to infect your PC and open a port

for a remote hacker to gain
control of your PC. Just another version of an old virus, I'm afraid.

Mars Rover Expedition
If like me, you're interested in NASA's Mars Rover Expedition, then you'll definitely want this URL: HERE
It's updated regularly with details and photos of the expedition and is well worth a visit.

TaxiCab Website
It's now been over seven years since I registered my taxicab.co.uk domain, which I don't tend to update nowadays mainly due to time restraints. But there's one London taxi driver who is always updating and improving his sites, his most recent addition is www.taxitalk.org.uk . This site is an excellent portal for taxi related discussions, messages, forums and chats and is another site well worth a visit.

Be Lucky and see you next month…
Vince Chin

MIKE SON: "LONDON CHARITY ORCHESTRA NEEDS YOU!"
Dial-a-Cab Board member and Hon Chairman of the London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children, Mike Son, has once again asked DaC drivers for help with this years Children’s Music Workshop events, but would also like you to contact him if you or a member of your family have a musical background and would like to join the main orchestra. Former DaC driver David Todhunter, who sadly passed away in 2000, originally set it up. Mike told Call Sign: "David’s idea was to form a Taxi Drivers Symphony Orchestra and asked if I would be interested in helping? I felt he was over-optimistic to even contemplate such a project, but his charm and enthusiasm got the better of me. The orchestra was formed with sponsorship and support from many different organisations - including Dial-a-Cab. Charity concerts were organised and the orchestra performed at many venues including the Guildhall in the City of London. David was also
	invited with the orchestra to play on television. David’s dedication to the orchestra is still missed, but the orchestra lives on." The orchestra has now changed its name to The London Charity Orchestra and has gone from strength to strength, performing regularly and raising funds for worthwhile causes. There are many talented taxi drivers or members of their family out there who have a musical background and might consider joining the orchestra or support the project in some way. If so, give Mike a call. Last years Children's Music Workshops catered to 30 children living in South London,	culminating in a concert. The project was so successful that the LTFUC embarked on another this year. This time children have been selected from Tower Hamlets with six workshops being organised and a concert which took place last month. The Specific aims of the project are to enhance the musical knowledge and experience of children, principally those who would otherwise not have access to music making. If you are interested in either the Children’s Workshop or playing in the main orchestra, call Mike Son on 07710 388 588, email to chairman@ltfuc.org.uk or write to him at: 28 Dulverton Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0HR.