Darren Straight's Blog

ICT Enthusiast and photographer.

By - Darren Straight

Hogwarts Express Train Ride July 2009 London Paddington to Oxford

Following up from both my previous posts (post 1 & post 2) about the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Fan Trip Train Ride 2009, which gave you the chance to travel by steam train from Paddington to Oxford aboard the Hogwarts Express (GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 no 5972 Olton Hall) steam train on Saturday the 18th of July 2009. I have now had the chance along with

By - Darren Straight

Microsoft shuts down MSN Soapbox

As of the 31st of August 2009, it’s the end of the road for Microsoft’s MSN Soapbox, Microsoft attempt of creating a YouTube.  From the 29th of July 2009 you will no longer be able to upload videos to Soapbox and have till the 31st of August 2009 to download them. Guess I better start downloading my videos next week then and host them

By - Darren Straight

Hogwarts Express Tomorrow 18th July 2009

Following up from my previous post about the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Fan Trip Train Ride 2009, which gives you a chance to travel by steam train from Paddington to Oxford aboard the Hogwarts Express (GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 no 5972 Olton Hall) steam train this Saturday the 18th of July 2009. I can now confirm travel times as obtained from uksteam.info. HOGWARTS EXPRESS    

By - Darren Straight

Popfly is shutting down on the 24th of August 2009

 John Montgomery from the Microsoft Popfly Team has confirmed via a blog post on the Microsoft Popfly Blog and via email that as of the 24th of August 2009, Popfly (Beta) is closing down. Popfly is/was a fun, easy way to build and share mashups, games, gadgets, Web pages, and applications. Popfly consists of a set of online visual tools for

By - Darren Straight

Routers Of The Future Unveiled

Goldsmiths designers create Routers of the Future with TalkTalk The common internet router. Most of us have one. Whether hidden under a desk or shoved next to the TV, this ubiquitous chunk of plastic and wires may be functional – but it certainly isn’t sexy.  However, a new generation of ‘designer’ home routers will do far more than flash randomly

By - Darren Straight

Windows 7 pre-order goes live in the UK

At 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday 15 July, Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7, goes on pre-sale to people in the UK at a special promotional price, but you’ll have to be quick as prices are low, stocks are limited and it is first come first served! To say thanks to its loyal customers and enthusiasts, especially those who have taken

By - Darren Straight

Mobile Internet usage exploding thanks to obsession with Facebook and Twitter

Industry analysts CCS Insight today unveiled a report on what is driving the use of the mobile Internet among young adults in the UK today. The report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 adults between 16 and 35 years old, offers insights into the mobile Internet habits of this technology-savvy and demanding consumer group. Key themes to emerge

By - Darren Straight

Econav: Helping you reduce your carbon emissions on Green Britain Day

Green Britain Day is here, and if the campaign to go-green by 2012 has got you thinking of ways you can do your bit perhaps the Econav can help? In fact this new Sat Nav can assist you in saving more than 15% of your fuel consumption. The way it works is simple: as you drive, Econav gives clear commands

By - Darren Straight

The Future of Boxed Software according to Kashflow

The battle between traditional-in-a-box accountancy software firm Sage and web-based accounting software company Kashflow is heating up. Sage recently succeeded in their complaint to Trading Standards about Kashflow making price comparisons about Sage, Kashflow had to withdraw the price comparisons. Now Kashflow has dealt Sage another body blow with this new YouTube film whereby a Sage box is turned to