Oh, wow. Someone found this in 2023! It is an old, old, OLD post and is no longer relevant. IE is no more, of course.And the WordPress editors are nearly 15 years better!
If any of you notice that you’re getting an error when you visit webpages, don’t blame it on the website in question!
I haven’t been able to find out what’s caused it, or how to fix it, but it is obviously being experienced by quite a few people. I suspect a recent Microsoft or other update over the last week or so.
It seems to have something to do with Javascript, but it doesn’t appear to affect how the pages display.
EDIT: Actually, it appears to have screwed up the TinyMCE Editor – the change text colour function – in WordPress. I flipped back to the FCKEditor.
EDIT: 27/12/2010: Still no news yet on a fix. All I can find is references to the error occurring when programming in javascript. But judging from the number of hits I’m getting it is affecting a lot of people.
EDIT: 27/12/2010: Well, I found a way around it. I installed the Internet Explorer 9 Beta.
If you fancy going down this route, get IE9 Beta from here.
EDIT: 8/2/2011: It looks like a definite solution has now been identified. Mike blogging – a blog – seems to indicate a bug in DivX software. With hindsight this was probably what was causing it for me, although the IE9 route also solved it.
I noticed a thread on one of the forums about personalised number plates.
Someone who is an ADI says he has bought a personalised plate and is asking if the examiner “would mind” if he made it – for example – A12BC D instead of A12 BCD.
People who buy these things usually do what he is suggesting as standard (they also use yellow/black bolts to make/fill gaps in the letters to change what they look like). Favourite tricks include turning two adjacent 1s into an H by putting a black bolt between them and moving them closer together, and putting a yellow bolt in an O, 0, or other character to make it look like a G or something.
He immediately got a reply advising him that it would fail the MOT, so he should keep a spare set and switch them whenever he takes it in for its MOT. I believe that this reply is from an ex-traffic cop!
Next, there’s a brief argument on how easy it is/isn’t to get plates made which don’t conform to the standard.
Let’s just clarify something: it is illegal. The person who asked the question knows that, otherwise he wouldn’t have asked. All the people who have answered know it, otherwise they wouldn’t have advised on ways around it.
And then there is this comment:
How many posts have there been on this forum about “jobsworth” examiners?! Maybe not at your usual TC, but you’re bound to get one at another TC or someone covering that will refuse to go out.
So, any examiner who refuses to take the car out if it has plates which are illegal is a “jobsworth”. Now we know who the professionals are, don’t we? Can you believe that these people call themselves professional driving instructors, yet openly advocate breaking the Law and suggest ways of concealing the fact?
The original poster says he has a plate which reads A12BC D, so he apparently doesn’t realise the proper format is AB12 CDE or A12 BCD!
Then there was another post to the thread – subsequently deleted – informing everyone that there was no problem using any font you wished. All fonts were “road legal” according to this “expert”. In actual fact (obtained from UKSpeedTraps.co.uk):
A number plate must be displayed at the front and rear of motor vehicles (with some exceptions)
Number Plates must be easy to read and meet the British Standard
Lettering should be black on a white plate at the front and a yellow at the rear
The background surface should be reflex-reflecting but the characters must not
There are separate requirements for traditional number plates displayed on vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973
Lettering and spacing must be of a set size. They must conform to the specification for either plates fitted after 1 September 2001 or plates fitted before 1 September 2001 .
You must not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers
Characters must not be moved from one group to the other (e.g. A242 ABC must not be displayed as A242A BC)
After 1 September 2001 all new number plates must display the new mandatory font (shown above)
Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001 need not be changed provided the character font used is substantially the same as the one shown above
Number plates must be replaced if they have been customised with stylised letters and/or figures such as italics
Number plates must be replaced if they have been customised with fixing bolts that alter the appearance of the letters and/or numbers
I’d expect any professional ADI to be able to find this information quickly, and to abide by the Law. I mean, if you are likely to get points on your licence and jeopardise your career you really would expect someone to check properly first before doing it.
There is a final reply (so far) in the topic thread:
I don’t think that a mis-spaced number plate portrays the correct image for a driving school or any other company vehicle. It says that you don’t really worry about laws and regulations, or at least you choose which ones you will abide by. Not the type of image I’d want my business to portray…
…I have a couple of relatively good plates that rely on being mis-spaced to spell my name. I don’t have either on my driving school car, but do have one on my bike. I’m sure I’ll meet a stroppy policeman one day and I’ll have to change it, but I’ll take my chances until then, and won’t complain if I get done.
You couldn’t make some of this up, could you? This professionaldriving instructor (supposedly a “fit and proper person”) thinks personalised plates are wrong for a driving school and not the image he’d want his business to portray – then openly admits to having them and using them on a motorbike! He admits that he’ll probably get pulled one day, so he knows he is breaking the law.
I mentioned in a recent post about cancelled driving tests in the bad weather that you could see why we classed ourselves as “professionals”. I was being ironic, of course. I wonder if these people realise the DSA/DVLA can see these posts?
Addendum: Incidentally, people keep asking/searching on “UK car plate font” or similar. It’s called “FE-Schrift”, but there is a free version available here. I got it from dafont.com . However, I suspect many of those searching are looking for a prat font and not the legal one.
What number looks like a “G” on a car number plate?
Yep. Someone found the blog on that search term. If they have to ask, I suppose I could tell them it’s a “1” – after all, if they’re that stupid they probably can’t count up to nine in the first place and shouldn’t even be allowed out on their own.
I saw this news item on Plant Rock’s website (link now removed) :
Neal (sic) Peart Named Top Drummer Of 2010
23rd December 2010
Rush drummer Neil Peart has been named the world’s top drummer for the fourth year in a row by Drum Magazine.
The “Drummies”, as they are known, have picked the Rush drummer as their top drummer ahead of drummers from Blink 182 and Dream Theater.
Runners up for Drummer of the Year were Travis Barker (Blink-182, Box Car Racer), the late Jimmy Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and Aaron Gillespie (Underoath) – most of whom could take solace in other awards. Barker won Best Punk Drummer and Mainstream Pop Drummer, Portnoy won Best Progressive Rock Drummer and Aaron Gillespie won Best Live Performer.
Other Drummies went to Jim Riley for Best Country Drummer, Aaron Spears for Best Studio Drummer, Stanton Moore for Best Funk Drummer, Joey Jordison for Best Metal Drummer and Dave Grohl for Best Alternative Rock Drummer. Alex Acuña took home Percussionist of the Year, as well as Best Rock/Pop Percussionist.
I find it very strange that Rush have never been inducted into the US Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, and yet last week Alice Cooper was! Now, don’t get me wrong: I like Alice Cooper as a person, and I don’t mind his music one bit. But it is lightweight compared to Rush – and they’ve never got near being inducted.
It just seems to make a mockery of the whole thing.
I just noticed a Google ad from a local driving school trumpeting “Drive On Your First Lesson: don’t waste cash on cheap tuition. You won’t be wasting money with us. “
This is the same school which has one instructor who repeatedly practices bay parking inside the Colwick MPTC whilst driving tests are going in and out – even though the test centre has repeatedly asked instructors to stay away. He’s been personally asked not to on more than one occasion.
YouTube video: Driving tests in bad weather – what you need to do
DSA has published a new video on YouTube so driving test candidates know what they need to do if there’s snow or ice in their area on the day of their practical driving test.
If you run your own website, you can embed the video, or share it on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Watch the video on YouTube
I’ve fixed the link to YouTube – the one in the email is completely messed up and doesn’t work.
The video sound quality is terrible on speakers – why they chose to film it outside Nottingham Castle next to all the traffic is anyone’s guess. I can’t even figure out why it is a video at all – probably something to do with the target group, I’d guess.
Here’s a basic summary:
the service the DSA offers can be disrupted by bad weather
for safety reasons, they do not do practical driving tests in snow & ice
read your appointment letter/email and do what it says
phone the test centre on the day of the test only if there is snow or ice
call about 2 hours before your test
it might take several tries because examiners might be out checking the roads
if you have an early morning test, call as early as you can because they won’t know that it is cancelled the day before
the test covers all types of roads, so just because the main roads near you are clear, side roads might still be icy, and that is why tests cannot go ahead
they realise it is disappointing if your test is cancelled but they don’t do it without good reason
your test is rearranged automatically and you won’t be charged for it
the new date will usually come through within 3 working days, but it could take up to 7 working days during long spells of bad weather
they are trying to keep test waiting times down, but if the bad weather continues it might lead to longer waiting times in some areas
I would just add that some test centres are highly realistic and CAN cancel tests the day before.
You might also want to consider the option where it is icy where you are but the test centre says your test will be going ahead – make sure you explain this to them clearly, but just accept that if it is 12ºC at the test centre then it’s unlikely to get you anywhere.
My recent post about the upcoming Horslips gig in Glasgow has drawn in a huge amount of hits. A guy called Sean contacted me about it, and kindly gave me permission to reproduce this story he posted on the Horslips forums:
Hi
just felt the need to put this into words – I`ll try to keep it real brief. I`m 45, born in England to Irish parents. I`ve spent a fair bit of time in Ireland over the years, but as a child most summers we would go to stay with my Granny in Longford for a couple of weeks.
I`ve a cousin in Longford (Chico ya legend!)who was an absolute Horslips nut and sometime during the mid seveties introduced myself and my older brother to the incredible music of this band.
We ended up bringing a lot of records back to England, but never got to see them live. That was until 8th August 1980. My dad drove the family from Longford up to Bundoran, I was 14 years old and my first `real` gig would be Horslips – so excited!!
Well the gig started and can remember it as if it was yesterday, just standing there gobsmacked a matter of feet away from the band playing all these tunes I`d had in my head for the last few years.
Then, I can`t recall how far into the gig, but my father appeared next to me. They were meant to meet us after the gig. There was some kind of problem in the town and we had to leave the gig early. When we got outside everything became apparent. There was the most horrendous fire in the Central Hotel. Can`t remember how far from the gig it was but I`ll never forget watching it burn and actually hearing people screaming from inside the building. Ten people lost their lives in that fire, just awful, still upsets me when I think of it.
Anyways, as the band called it a day, I thought that I`d never see them again. I had almost become obsessed by the music and had never stopped listening (along with RUSH, who I`ve seen live 23 times).
Years later, Rollback appears. I purchased a copy in Killarney while visiting my brother and his family who had sinced moved from England to the other side of Killorglin in Kerry. That disc never came out of the player in the hire car all holiday. When the Belfast and Dublin gigs were announced, there was just no way I could make it – I was pissed off to say the least!
Then this year Cork was announced. I wasn`t going to miss this!! I have alot of family in Cork and go there quite regular. Tickets, flights and hotel all booked, you know what happened next. Oh well we still had a good craic in Cork that weekend and I knew it`s now just a matter of time until I will see the Lips again.
Fast forward to November and we fly into Cork, drive up to Killarney and check in at The Brehon Hotel.
This is it. It`s going to happen and nothing can stop it now. Friday afternoon and Im ordering a Murphys at the bar and Charles appears next to me. I shake his hand and mention the fact that I`d waited a long time and travelled a long way to see them.
He genuinely seemed amazed the we had come over just for the gig. he asked if he could join me and the misses at our table – like I`m going to say no!!!!
Then he called Jim over and we`re just sitting, chatting and drinking like old friends – I can`t beleive this is happening.
I won`t bore you with all the details, but over the weekend we spent a fair bit of time chatting even going through the set list with Barry on Saturday morning – I was in my element.
At lunchtime I ask what time they were going to soundcheck – about 2:30 – come over says Barry. Are you serious!! Didn`t want to be a pain in the arse, but I wasn`t going to miss this either.
I had bought tickets for my brother, his wife and his youngest son Joe. The lads singned a CD for Joe, he`s chuffed to bits.
Then after a few pints it`s showtime. 30 years on and me and my brother are standing watching Horslips. I actually had tears in my eyes. What a night – what a weekend.
I bid farewell to the boys on Sunday morning in the hotel lobby. Those of you aware of the `problem` after the Killarney show, well thank God everything seems fine. I can`t make the other 3 shows, but I don`t mind. I`ve had a great time, what more could I ask for and I know we`ll meet again sometime soon.
I think we will all agree that you would strugle to find a better band of musicians (along with RUSH obviously!!) but I KNOW you would strugle to find a group of gentlemen as gracious as these guys I cannot thank them enough for the memories I have of our weekend in Killarney.
Now I`ve tickets, flights and hotel booked for Glasgow. It just gets better. There are a few shots taken at the Killarney soundcheck below. I didn`t want to be a pain in the arse and I felt it would have been plain rude to take a camera or video, so just discreet shots from the phone. Shite quality I know, but something to remind me forever!!
Thanks again guys. May God bless you all and allow you to continue to produce the sweetest, most melodic music that I am so privilleged to have in my posession.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE THAT WAIT.
There are some photos on the forum, as well. This is a brilliant story from a really lucky guy.
The weather conditions at the moment are appalling. I doubt that driving examiners want cancelled tests any more than instructors do (well, certainly no more than anyone else wants to be kept off work because of the weather: it’s fun for a day or two, then it gets boring).
Many test centres are tucked away on industrial estates, so the roads don’t get gritted as a priority. The temperature has been below freezing (many degrees below in some cases) for days on end. Snowfall – particularly in Scotland – has been extremely severe. The second wave of bad weather came before the last remnants of snow from the previous one had fully cleared up. And so it goes on.
So, it might come as a surprise (on the other hand, knowing the mentalities of some instructors it comes almost as no surprise at all) to discover that examiners are being criticised for not going out on tests.
On one forum, one poster says:
You guessed it – 3rd test in a row cancelled!!
…Today has been very cold and remnants of a little snow and ice about but the council have done a great job of keeping the roads clear – That said DSA still chose not to take tests out.
Of course, he fails to mention that “very cold” means -5°C or less (it was -9°C here). And he expects the DSA to conduct tests where even the salty run-off has frozen solid.
Another one adds:
Went to our test centre yesterday morning, it was locked up, no cars, no lights. So clearly they all took a days leave.
To which there is the reply:
Nice to have a monopoly.
Then there is one of the best inadvertent attempts at comedy I’ve seen for a while:
The examiners could clear the car parks with spades and salt and conduct bay parks then leave the roads for driving.
Yes, that would be great. Then they could all go and melt the ice on the roads outside the test centre. Perhaps by breathing on it. And the same poster adds in another post:
Have a test [today], but because i have this Swine Flu I dont want to go if I dont have to.
If you’ve got swine flu, buddy, you’re a menace going out and interacting with anyone.
And a more direct attempt at humour (“attempt” being the operative word):
Xmnrs 3 dart average is 180.
You can see why we class ourselves as “professionals”, can’t you?
Holy cow! I popped over to the Horslips site and discovered they are playing a gig January 18th. It’s at the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow.
I’ve got my ticket ordered.
This will be the first time I have seen them in 33 years – they were the first band I saw live when I was still a nipper (at the Birmingham Hippodrome). They split up two years later, and I didn’t realise they’d reformed until I’d missed the reunion gigs earlier this century.
As I understand it, no tests went out from Colwick MPTC for two weeks during the snow. Apparently, Chalfont Drive had them all cancelled for one day longer than Colwick did!
I also found out today that no tests went out Saturday, and all of today’s were also cancelled. It was -8ºC last night, and foggy, so everywhere was iced up this morning – and since it never got above -3ºC all day, it stayed iced up.
EDIT: All Tuesday (21st – ice), and now Wednesday (22nd – snow) have been cancelled. I had one scheduled for the Wednesday.
There’s not a lot anyone can do about the weather (though to listen to some, you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise).
But I think people need to be aware of the effect this will have on test waiting times. Even before the snow, my pupils were picking up earliest-possible dates in March 2011. The current situation is going to push that out by at least another 3 weeks by my estimate.
EDIT: People are still foolishly using the internet to try and find out if their tests are cancelled.
Look on the letter/email you recieved from the DSA to confirm your test, and phone the local test centre . They – and only they – are the ones who can confirm whether or not your test is going ahead. If you don’t phone them (or turn up if you don’t have their number) then you will probably lose your money.
I’m informed that the AA has deferred part of the franchise fee it charges its instructors for the week of snow we had in early December. It is deferred until March 2011.
I only latched on to the issue when BSM was criticised for abolishing its own policy – which in its case was actually written into the contract – during the worst winter weather for decades. It makes sense that franchisers have some sort of policy for handling this sort of thing.
The AA doesn’t have a written policy as far as I know. It apparently does this through choice when the weather is bad (starting last year).
As I understand it, no tests went out from Colwick MPTC for two weeks during the snow. Apparently, Chalfont Drive had them all cancelled for one day longer than Colwick did!
I’m informed that the AA has deferred part of the franchise fee it charges its instructors for the week of snow we had in early December. It is deferred until March 2011.