Guest blog - PCs ain't what they used to be...

As well as being a platform for JKers to have a good old rant about the world of technology and PR, 'Whatever...' will periodically be running guest blogs from friends who live beyond the (fire)walls of Johnson King Towers.

Here's Nick Booth, veteran tech freelancer and PR trainer, on the boys in blue and their problems through the years with technology...

In the late 70s, the Met Police launched Operation Countryman, an investigation aimed at rooting out all the bad sorts in the force, the 'bent coppers'.

These days, Scotland Yard recruiters seems to positively encourage homosexuals!

How times change.

They've got technology now to help implement these kind of schemes. Mind you, they still can't get it to work properly.

They've bought in a biometric passport in an attempt to stop criminals abusing the current system, but some German bloke has already learned how to hack it before most of us have even got one.

Computers were much better in the old days.  I remember watching the Sweeney, where a young hacker (played by John Hurt!) managed to get into some freight distribution system.  He typed this command into the screen (in big letters too, so all the viewers could read it clearly).

"Divert gold bullion lorry down to the docks, where henchmen lay in wait"

And immediately (immediately, not after the advertising break), the lorry changed directions, and headed off to some disused dockside wastelands.

You try and get a computer to do that these days!

Mind you, Regan and Carter caught up with them, and arrested the villains.  (You try and get a PC to do that these days!!)

(We asked Nick who his friend was in the picture - he said, "This is me, with a robotic ironing machine, which I blagged off Siemens, when I was writing a supplement about Luxury Goods which went out with The Times.  The machine blows hot air into the shirt, and smooths out all the wrinkles. And it only takes five minutes longer than ironing it.")

Comments

[Helen Andrea Handcart]

Hilarious

[M Simmonds]

"As a regular reader and fan of your usually witty blog, I was a little disappointed in Johnson King for posting what can only be described as an uninformative and extremely offensive entry. This isn't what i'd expect to see on a commercial website and I'm surprised it made it to publishing."

[Joe Banks]

M, we're genuinely sorry if you find Nick's blog offensive, as this is clearly not our intention. Our view is that the quip in question is so old (and lame!) as to be relatively inoffensive, and Nick's tone is obviously irreverent throughout. However, we'd be interested to hear if any other readers have strong views on this blog.

[Nick Booth]

I'm sorry if I've offended you, but it was meant to be a joke that sent up outdated attitudes. I didn't think anyone would really think I thought like that.

[Guy Matthews]

So-called Nick Booth knows nothing and should probably be shot. People like him make me sick. Bring back that nice Guy Kewney. Now there's a journalist.