Tom Doyle :: TALK

I wrote an article the other day about how I felt Big Brother’s producers (Endomol) were letting the whole bullyig and racism taunts go a little too far by continuing to show these scenes on TV.

At all times they could have simply edited the show with these scenes removed. But for some reason, they thought it would be great to get the publicity from it. Now it seems it’s backfiring.

Carephone Warehouse have suspended their sponsorship of the show with immediate effect. Jade Goody and Danielle (whatever her name is) have also lost some lucrative contracts because of the whole episode. I still blame Endomol for all this, they should have had more common sense.

I read an article on Dardoz’s blog today about a 16 year old kid that faced 90 years in jail for having 9 images of child porn on his computer.

It’s shocking to see something go this far because of people’s ignorance towards the dangers of not protecting yourself on the Internet. But who get’s the blame?

The Big Bad Internet…..

It’s as if the Internet is the creator and cause of all the worlds troubles. Anyway, it’s interesting to see how ignorant the prosecutor on the case is too! Read the story here>

I installed this yesterday and have had nothing but trouble since. Maybe it was the fact that I had to tryout as many of the “Do More” extras that they have available on the new version of Skype.

Skype 3.0 hasn’t changed much, but it does come with an interesting “Do More” feature. This gives you access to add-ins that allow you to communicate with others in many different ways.

There are a few good ones, such a Unyte and Battleships… but that’s about it really.

Uninstalling some of these features was an absolutel nightmare. One addon in particular - Jyve - caused me great pain.

So far it looks like their heading in a new, fun direction - lets hope they can keep a careful eye on the addons!

Just when we thought things were turning around for Newcastle after beating Spurs on Sunday, things now can’t get much worse.

A disgraceful performance, left them 5-1 down to championship side Birmingham in the FA Cup 4th round.

Poor Glenn…..

Not many people admit to watching Big Brother, so it should come as no surprise when I say that I haven’t been watching it this year. But I admit to have watched it in the past.

This year, I really just couldn’t get into the people that were lined up to appear in the show. With the return of Jade Goody to the show, it just shows how ridiculous reality tv shows have got. Jade Goody a celebrity? ok, fair enough……

Anyway, after watching Sky news yesterday and how people were protesting at the shows producers, claiming that there was bullying and racism taking place on the show, I couldn’t help but laugh. Last night I decided to watch the show to see what all the fuss was about, bear that point in mind as I go on.

After a few minutes, I felt myself falling asleep in boredom. I was quickly woken by a foul mouthed scream from Jade Goody, “Go back to the slums and find out what real life is about, lady!!!!!”. To some, that may sound like a racist remark, but for me, knowing that it came from Jade Goody, just confirmed that the girl is a slight bit dumb and completely ignorant to what is going on everywhere else in the world. It certainly wasn’t meant as a racist comment in my opinion, it was just a stupid girl that knew little of anything outside her own little world. I have to admit, the few scenes I saw of Shilpa instantly gave me a disliking to her. She herself is arrogant and believes she is above everyone else.

But neither Jade Goody or her two partners in crime are to blame for all this hype that is surrounding the show at the moment. I put the blame entirely on the shows producers.

Yesterday must have been a dream come true for the presenters. Their show was mentioned on news stations across the world, all bringing a huge amount of publicity to the show.

And rather than trying to deflect the criticism from the public, they just added more fuel to the fire by carfeully selecting more scenes of bitching, bullying and fighting between the 4 women.

This is reality tv gone too far.

The guys behind the VoIP success story - Skype - are involved in creating a new project, one in which they profess will change the way we watch TV. Originally names “The Venice Project” has now relaunched with the new name Joost.

According to their website:

“Joost™ is a new way to watch TV, free of the schedules and restrictions that come with traditional television. Combining the best of TV with the best of the internet, Joost™ gives you more control and freedom than ever before - control over what you watch, and freedom to watch it whenever you like. We’re providing a platform for the best television content on the planet - a platform that will bring you the biggest and best shows from the TV studios, as well as the specialist programs created by professionals and enthusiasts. It’s all overlaid with a raft of nifty features that help you find the shows you love, watch and chat with friends, and even create your own TV channels.”

I tried to sign up for a beta test, but you are put on a list of I’m sure thousands to get a first look at their new application. After signing up, they suggest another way for getting a look, which is to get an invitation from an already selected beta tester. Well if there are any of you out there - I’d be a willing receiver of an invitation donation!

It must be the biggest timewaster for most Irish companies. Trying to get paid by Irish businesses is an absolute nightmare.

For the last couple of months, we’ve been working closely with a solicitors firm in dublin who have set up an online demand letter service that allows you to create a solicitors letter online for only €25.

I expect this to be a huge success, however, the solicitors firm are taking a “let’s wait and see approach”. This means that the site isn’t developed in my opinion to it’s full potential. It’s biggest downfall is the payment options - paypal or cheque. Another slight downfall is the lack of a control panel to allow you to make more than one demand letter. I know we all hate the thoughts of having to do more than one demand letter, but from my experience, I’m always chasing money.
Once they see the site becoming even a little successful, this will all change, I’m sure of that. So let’s hope it doesn’t take too long - please start using it! www.debtcollection.ie

At the weekend, while on a night on the town, I visited a fairly upper class establishment in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. The locals are the middle class, D4 sounding accent type of people that you would expect from this upper class area of Dublin.

I was disgusted to notice though, that they had a fairly disgusting habit. I frequented the toilets after drinking way too much and each time there were at least 1 or 2 guys with their drinks on top of their urinals whilst urinating.

It’s not the first time I’ve seen this, but it seems to be becoming more and more popular. I know they say that your office desk carries more germs than a toilet seat, but surely this is unhygenic???

Well anyone that reads this blog, knows I am a non believer in Louis Saha. So to see Henrik Larsson join Man United on loan really makes me happy!

2 games in and for me he’s been an instant success, exactly what United need from a front man. His link up play with Rooney in his debut was brilliant, if only Wayne Rooney was on form, it could have been one of the best displays from front men for United since the Cole and Yorke era.

So what does he bring to the team that Saha doesn’t?

Well he has a huge amount of desire, he’s constantly running trying to get into positions for people to play him in. He can hold the ball up, everytim he receives the ball, he’s not thinking of having a shot on goal, his awareness makes him be alwyas on the look out for what play will be best for the team.

I’m so happy, I just hope we can hold on to him after March! 

Every morning of my working life, I have listened to The Strawberry Alarm Clock on FM104. Colm Hayes has to be one of the greatest morning radio presenters of all time. There have been many sidekicks that hosted the show with him over the years, but if he wasn’t there, the show just wasn’t the same.

Now the news is that 2FM have fired Marty Whelan, to be replaced by the award winning duo, Colm Hayes and Jim-jim Nugent. For me Jim Jim is just a clingon, if he wasn’t there you wouldn’t miss him. In fact you probably would because the show would be a lot better.

Either way, I will have to change my allegiance now from FM104 in the morning now to 2FM. I just hope they don’t ruin the show just like they did with Rick O’Shea!!!