Unlike Wikipedia, it isn’t editable (I mean really, what would be the point?).

So if you’re looking for a page you know was on Wikipedia last time you looked, chances are it will be available on Deletionpedia.

I’m currently in love with Just a Minute. The object of the game is for panellists to talk “for just a minute” on a given subject, “without repetition, hesitation or deviation”. Sounds dull right? Wrong. It contains some of the wittiest improv comedy I’ve heard in… well forever.

Now what makes it so funny is the cast, Nicholas Parsons is the host and his guests, like Linda Smith, Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo and Peter Jones.

Now what I’m wondering is, why are these kinds of shows no longer popular? Are they too cerebral? Is the thought of someone being clever too much for the average Joe?

I don’t think so, shows like Spicks and Specks & Never Mind the Buzzcocks have loyal followings, willing to watch repeats from a month before just so they can get their fix. I think that as a nation we are ready to stand up and shout, “We like inteligent gameshows! Shows that are funny and witty, not just another version Wheel or No Deal with a fresh coat of paint on the sets so the punters won’t recognise it.”

To kick things off.

I’m addicted to Google Reader! It’s a web-based RSS feed aregator that has some features you won’t find anywhere else. The best of which is the ability to share posts with friends via email or with anyone with a Gmail account in your Google address book. Take a look at the GReader articles I’m sharing. I’m only subscribed to 14 feeds at the moment but it is already consuming a vast quantity of my day. Not that I’m complaining mind you

How did I get into GReader?

I blame Mark Pesce, you may know him from the ABC’s The New Inventors. I feel like I’m stalking him. I’ve subscribed to a few of his feeds (including Twitter), I don’t regret it, even if his Twitter feed does get a bit crazy, but thanks to Mark I am reading some very interesting blogs.Like:

• Alternet.Org – A unique model of journalism to confront the failures of corporate media.
• Brazen Careerist – A great collection of career and life posts.
• Cory Doctorow’s Craphound.Com – A mixture of articles and blog.
• The Fourth Estate – An insightful look at the changing face of the bussiness of media.
• the human network – What happens when we’re all connected?

It is these blogs (and anything eles I find) that will be the source of most of my posts. This isn’t going to be a “link list” or an angst blog, I’ll be talking to and answering the blog posts that spark something me.

I hope you stick around.

yWriter for PC

Easy to use and free,yWriter is a simple program but with the features a writer needs to organise and, most importantly, finish their novel. You can import your novel, after a few minor formatting changes in Word, and yWriter will break it up into chapters and scenes ready for you to start work. Once imported, you can add descriptions, status, goals, scene notes, viewpoint details, and more. yWriter will also give you a word count (by character if you want) and will even tell you how often you use certain words. You can also create character bios with images, location list and details, and a storyboard. The actual text editor is pretty low on features but this program is more concerned with helping you create quality content rather than making it look pretty.

Scrivener for Mac OS X

Scrivener is not free, but at around $45 it’s well with in the means of the struggling writer. Before you commit, download it for a free 30-day trial. After importing your masterpiece into Scrivener you can begin to organise it by chapter and scene. Scrivener also provides a “research folder” that can hold Word, PDF and RTF files as well as images, audio and video. Using the split screen feature you can view a picture of a character, video or notes in the lower half of the screen while you write about them in the top half. Using the Keyword feature you can tag chapters, scenes or research materials by assigning keywords that enable you to quickly find anything in your project. A virtual corkboard lets you storyboard you novel and move scenes.