Leeds UCU Rally

Pictures from last week's Leeds UCU Rally:

Twittering

I've succumbed and created a Twitter account for myself - not really out of a burning desire to start using it, but rather because last week I gave a lecture to my students on how Python could be used for Internet programming at the application level. I already had examples of how to access Flickr and Google services, but Twitter seemed like another good example to use because students are familiar with it as a 'Web 2.0' service and because there is a nice, easy-to-use library available for its API: python-twitter.

I showed the students a simple program to post a status update. I ran it using my newly-created Twitter account (python33r) and then showed them the tweet appearing on my Twitter page.

I didn't think I'd want to continue using the service, but I happened to start following a few people/organisations of interest to me and it has provided a couple of useful notifications already.

Relegation

It seems that the UK risks relegation from the 'Premier League' of scientific nations. Sir Martin Taylor, former vice-president of the Royal Society has said that "we are a bit like Manchester United, but if we are not careful we could end up a bit like Leeds United".

Ouch.

Back Trouble

Today, I was supposed to be supervising a couple of lab classes on object-oriented programming with Python, but instead I find myself lying in bed, blogging (thank <insert deity of choice> for netbooks :)

Yesterday morning, I suffered a prolapsed disc that popped back in but left my back in spasm. Of course, I didn't realise this at the time, and foolishly shuffled into work, thinking that if I could move around (albeit gingerly) I would be OK. I eventually made it in to the office and sat down to deal with emails and other chores. After about 30 minutes, I attempted to get up out of my chair and found that I couldn't straighten up, nor could I walk properly! I rang my wife, who came in to pick me up and take me to the doctor.

My problem was diagnosed more or less instantly, thanks to my "duck's arse walk", as the doc so eloquently put it.  I was prescribed bed rest and a bunch of drugs, and advised to seek physiotherapy once I am a bit more mobile.

So here I am, feeling somewhat relaxed courtesy of Diazepam and Codeine, wondering what to do with myself for the next few days...

Gnuplot in Action

I've used gnuplot for a long, long time without ever truly getting to grips with its intricacies - but I'm rectifying that with the aid of Philipp Janert's Gnuplot in Action. So far, I've learned three interesting and useful new things in the first thirty pages: a good sign!