The second day of testing seemed to be much quieter in terms of us all jumping on the pictures and times as they became available. However, it's all still interesting information to be poured over, so hopefully day three will give us more of the same. There's plenty of discussion going in the comments about various topics both related to F1 and not so much, and here's a quick run down of some of those things:

Regarding that testing and those drivers

  • How did Pedro de la Rosa get on in the Force India? Not great, but why was he there and will they be shipping him off to the back markers?
  • Ferrari unveiled some significant KERS work, so have they been playing down their achievements in this field so far?
  • The BMW boys believe the 2009 wings are as ugly as we think, so the question is, who in F1 does actually like them?

Outside the Formula 1 world:

  • There's Sidepodcast's Xmas party to be discussed, a Sidepodparty, if you will.
  • We're still covering the space station, apparently there's a sonic screwdriver on the loose
  • Which are better: traditional or iced mince pies?

256 responses

  • me19/11/2008 at 00:11

    How did Pedro de la Rosa get on in the Force India? Not great, but why was he there and will they be shipping him off to the back markers?

    according to grandprix.com very little chance:

    "De la Rosa is acknowledged to be a very good test driver and while the excitable Spanish media might like the idea of him racing next year, it seems rather unlikely as at 37 he is a little old to be battling with the youngsters. It is more likely if there is to be a change at Force India that the deal would go to another driver with McLaren links, such as Paul di Resta."

  • Dave In NZL19/11/2008 at 00:16

    "Ferrari unveiled some significant KERS work, so have they been playing down their achievements in this field so far?"

    It may be as simple as their relationship with Magneti Marelli (a FIAT subsidiary)-

    http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/people/281799/exclusive-magneti-marelli-reveal-f1-kers.html

  • Dave In NZL19/11/2008 at 00:17

    "The BMW boys believe the 2009 wings are as ugly as we think, so the question is, who in F1 does actually like them?"

    Not these guys, obviously, who lament the changes to recent racecars with images of some monstrosities.

    http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/opinion/282271/its-all-too-ugly.html

  • me19/11/2008 at 00:25

    Not these guys, obviously, who lament the changes to recent racecars with images of some monstrosities.

    someone needs to tell them rce boys that two wrongs don't make a right ;)

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 00:27

    “De la Rosa is acknowledged to be a very good test driver and while the excitable Spanish media might like the idea of him racing next year, it seems rather unlikely as at 37 he is a little old to be battling with the youngsters. It is more likely if there is to be a change at Force India that the deal would go to another driver with McLaren links, such as Paul di Resta.”

    PDR, not PDLR! :D

  • me19/11/2008 at 00:29

    PDR, not PDLR!

    :D

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 01:12

    De la Rosa is not going to be getting any further Force India gigs if he carries on like that. Not only was he very slow, but he hit Gary Paffett.

    Personally, I think di Resta will get a test seat in 2009 with a view to possibly promoting him in 2010. I cannot see McLaren letting di Resta do F1 without doing GP2 to a decent standard first.

  • Jordan Allen (Science trick here!)19/11/2008 at 01:14

    me said:

    Not these guys, obviously, who lament the changes to recent racecars with images of some monstrosities.

    someone needs to tell them rce boys that two wrongs don’t make a right

    Someone should also tell the RCE boys that it takes three lefts to make a right.

    However, Two Wongs can make a decent Chinese Restaurant....

  • me19/11/2008 at 01:22

    De la Rosa is not going to be getting any further Force India gigs if he carries on like that. Not only was he very slow, but he hit Gary Paffett.

    you.are.kidding?

    oh dear. maybe he was conducting some crash tests on the tub?

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 03:13

    sidepodspace update

    The post spacewalk briefing has just finished. The bag with the various tools in/on it that was lost is as big as a big backpack and weighs 30 pounds. Or at least it would on the ground. Despite comments at the time they are now saying it does not have one of their electric screwdriver PGTs. The bag which should have been tethered inside a much bigger bag had two grease guns tethered to it.

    One of these guns leaked/exploded and while this grease was being cleaned up the astronaut pulled the bag out of the bigger bag and sat it to her side expecting it to be tethered and it just floated away. They have video of it and you can see that she realises the problem when it is only about 2 feet out of her reach but there was nothing that could be done.

    They are tracking it and it is now 4000m ahead of the station and 200m below and heading away. So there is no chance of it hitting the station. Just before the bag went awol they opened a hatch and a bolt floated out and headed towards the cargo bay of the shuttle. No-one knows what happened to it.

  • me19/11/2008 at 03:26

    Just before the bag went awol they opened a hatch and a bolt floated out and headed towards the cargo bay of the shuttle. No-one knows what happened to it.

    sounds like they have a "christine" on board.

  • Jon Waldock19/11/2008 at 09:03

    what are iced mince pies?

  • Scott in Italy19/11/2008 at 09:14

    sounds like they have a “christine” on board.

    I'm only replying to this so it increases the chance of a certain person seeing the post:) seems a little harsh if you ask me. I blame whoever packed the grease gun although mission control was replying that what the astronaut said "sounds strange" with a slight hint in the voice that says "we think that's because you got it wrong".

    does Sidepodcast Towers have a postal address so I can send you a Christmas postcard?

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 11:02

    Is it just me or is YouTube having problems? Is anyone else currently having issues with it? Both me and my sister aren't able to watch videos, and we work on different PCs.

  • Dank19/11/2008 at 11:06

    The Mark Webber Challenge kicked off today in Tasmania. Well, yesterday I guess seeing as that side of the world is several hours in front of us.

    Shall we put together a Sidepodcast team? It looks like a relaxing few days in the Tasmanian countryside...

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 11:16

    Is it just me or is YouTube having problems? Is anyone else currently having issues with it? Both me and my sister aren’t able to watch videos, and we work on different PCs.

    I can play the videos on the front page but if I search for something I can't play anything the search returns.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 11:18

    you.are.kidding?

    oh dear. maybe he was conducting some crash tests on the tub? {me - 6 comments ago}

    me, I am sorry to say I am not kidding. However, I am not at all sorry to see McLaren's sense of humour afterwards...

    Crash testing? I hadn't thought of that one. Not sure doing that test when there was only one McLaren on track (as opposed to the two that were on track yesterday) was the greatest time to do such testing, however. And besides, I thought between the two race drivers, Raikkonen and Nakajima, there'd been enough crash testing of the 2008 Force India already...

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 11:19

    Is it just me or is YouTube having problems? Is anyone else currently having issues with it? {Journeyer - 4 comments ago}

    I'm happily listening to Evanescence over YouTube at the moment, and I searched for it.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 11:21

    Shall we put together a Sidepodcast team? It looks like a relaxing few days in the Tasmanian countryside… {Dank - 3 comments ago}

    Possibly not, as we'd have to raise lots of sponsorship to go on that little jolly (though it's worth saying four people could go). Plus I can't kayak or do camping, and I'll need practise if I'm going to manage either on a long expedition.

  • me19/11/2008 at 11:28

    does Sidepodcast Towers have a postal address so I can send you a Christmas postcard?

    you can email christine, but, without wishing to sound rude, we don't really want one.

    you know us, we love virtual, everything we do is online. same reason we don't send out any of those those silly old-school reflective disc shaped things containing our videos (people do ask).

  • me19/11/2008 at 11:30

    Shall we put together a Sidepodcast team? It looks like a relaxing few days in the Tasmanian countryside…

    didn't you challenge mark once already this year?

  • Dank19/11/2008 at 11:33

    didn’t you challenge mark once already this year?

    Yes. It's payback time.

  • me19/11/2008 at 11:33

    And besides, I thought between the two race drivers, Raikkonen and Nakajima, there’d been enough crash testing of the 2008 Force India already…

    ah-ha, is true. i love that pitpass piccy, but this whole mclaren sense of humour thing is becoming unnerving.

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 11:36

    Possibly not, as we’d have to raise lots of sponsorship to go on that little jolly (though it’s worth saying four people could go). Plus I can’t kayak or do camping, and I’ll need practise if I’m going to manage either on a long expedition.

    On Ollie's personal blog a few days ago he and I discovered that our attempts at kayaking ended similarly with us upside down in the water. Maybe we have four people around here who can do all this stuff but unless engines are involved it ain't for me.

  • me19/11/2008 at 11:42

    Maybe we have four people around here who can do all this stuff but unless engines are involved it ain’t for me.

    if it means going outside, count us out too.

  • me19/11/2008 at 11:44

    they look more alike everyday:

  • me19/11/2008 at 11:48

    now they look lopsided as too:

    it's like they're doing it on purpose.

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 11:56

    I can play the videos on the front page but if I search for something I can’t play anything the search returns.

    Hmmm. So it ISN'T just me then. I found out that I can play some videos, but not all. Maybe one of their servers is down?

    now they look lopsided as too:

    what's with those sidepods? very odd.

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 11:58

    now they look lopsided as too:

    No no no no no no no!

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 11:59

    No no no no no no no!

    Aren't these 2009 cars getting uglier by the day? Hehe.

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 12:15

    what’s with those sidepods? very odd.

    That is the Ferrari KERS system under the right sidepod. Looks like they will have to move everything tht is normally in the right pos to the left.

    If that KERS is as heavy and as high up as the bulk suggests that thing is never going to make it round a left hand corner.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 12:21

    they look more alike everyday: {me - 6 comments ago}

    Oh dear. Does this mean Button will take a sabbatical in 2010 to go on a round-the-world fishing expedition, then come back and lead a seemingly lost cause like the FIA?

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 12:29

    We have times:

    Vettel 1:19.245 (44 laps)

    Bourdais 1:19.839 (62 laps)

    Buemi 1:20.154 (64 laps)

    Paffett 1:21.140 (40 laps)

    Button 1:21.515 (43 laps)

    Klien 1:21.534 (46 laps)

    Heidfeld 1:21.592 (52 laps)

    Piquet Jr 1:22.148 (66 laps)

    Senna 1:22.826 (61 laps)

    Badoer 1:22.946 (71 laps)

    Hulkenberg 1:22.946 (19 laps - what happened to him?)

    de la Rosa 1:23.101 (44 laps)

    Fisichella 1:23.252 (58 laps)

    Source: http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=36607

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 12:45

    In our STR watch, Bourdais is very much ahead of Buemi right now. He's up by 3 tenths.

    Senna is doing respectably, but I don't know how close he is to Di Grassi's times yesterday.

    Vettel had problems at the start of the day, but it seems like he's bounced back from that.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 12:59

    So on times, you reckon Bourdais and Sato should be the STR duo for next season? It would certainly meet with my approval.

    The pace has increased half-a-second, but that doesn't tell us a lot without knowing what programme everyone is on.

  • me19/11/2008 at 13:22

    not sure, but le seb doesn't sound happy:

    http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/11/19/str-s-driver-decision-is-purely-a-financial-issue/

    mind you, when does he?

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 13:42

    mind you, when does he?

    Sounds like he will have a book out soon like Rubens

  • Scott in Italy19/11/2008 at 13:51

    you can email christine, but, without wishing to sound rude, we don’t really want one.

    okay.

  • Jordan Allen (Science trick here!)19/11/2008 at 14:11

    me said:

    not sure, but le seb doesn’t sound happy:

    http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/11/19/str-s-driver-decision-is-purely-a-financial-issue/

    mind you, when does he?

    Since when do these pays driver need to be good? Why can not we find a driver rich enough so that your other driver has decent equipment? I for one, would love to see the top leaders try to pass some of these drivers who have never even heard of the word "mirrors" and are colour-blind in the green-blue specturm. Bernadi, Inoue and Martini come to mind.....

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:12

    A rather odd yet somewhat funny moment, from 2002:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLnK8usoUM

    This was from the last ever race that F1Digital+ covered. Go straight to the 5:54 mark.

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:13

    YouTube comment in moderation.

    Since when do these pays driver need to be good? Why can not we find a driver rich enough so that your other driver has decent equipment? I for one, would love to see the top leaders try to pass some of these drivers who have never even heard of the word “mirrors” and are colour-blind in the green-blue specturm. Bernadi, Inoue and Martini come to mind…..

    Well, it IS dangerous to have very slow drivers around. Do you remember Chanoch Nissany? :)

  • me19/11/2008 at 14:17

    Well, it IS dangerous to have very slow drivers around. Do you remember Chanoch Nissany?

    erm, nope?

    found yer comment.

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:23

    found yer comment.

    thank you!

    me: 19/11/2008 at 14:17

    Well, it IS dangerous to have very slow drivers around. Do you remember Chanoch Nissany?

    erm, nope?

    Chanoch Nissany was this rich Israeli who wanted a go in an F1 car. But not just on any day, oh no. He wanted to be Minardi's 3rd driver for a day. And he bought a drive for a day, which I believe took place at Hungary in 2003. The drivers were stunned at how slow he was (I think he was... 8 seconds slower a lap?) and wanted him to stay in the garage, so that he wouldn't impede and endanger other drivers.

  • me19/11/2008 at 14:25

    A rather odd yet somewhat funny moment, from 2002:

    back when luca still had hair.

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:32

    back when luca still had hair.

    Oh YEAH! I didn't notice that. :) Pretty good coverage from F1D. But I have no idea why they'd keep 2 commentary teams. That was pretty odd. Can the BBC match them for coverage next year with the red button?

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 14:33

    A rather odd yet somewhat funny moment, from 2002:

    I assume you mean Ralf smiling and being pleasant. :D

  • me19/11/2008 at 14:34

    Can the BBC match them for coverage next year with the red button?

    the "email the teams" service is pretty cool. lord knows what the bbc are cooking up.

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:34

    I assume you mean Ralf smiling and being pleasant.

    As odd as that was, no, I meant the thing that they saw AFTER that. :P

  • me19/11/2008 at 14:35

    I assume you mean Ralf smiling and being pleasant.

    :D

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:35

    the “email the teams” service is pretty cool. lord knows what the bbc are cooking up.

    Yup. I love the bit where Eddie Jordan said something to the effect that he had faith in Honda's engines at around the same time Fisi's engine blew. :P

  • me19/11/2008 at 14:38

    hell of a grid walk isn't?

  • me19/11/2008 at 14:41

    just watching the second part. i don't think mario should be allowed to wear baseball caps.

  • Jordan Allen (Science trick here!)19/11/2008 at 14:42

    Journeyer said:

    A rather odd yet somewhat funny moment, from 2002:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLnK8usoUM

    This was from the last ever race that F1Digital+ covered. Go straight to the 5:54 mark.

    AS if Christine would not do the same thing if she were Bourdias' Grid Girl..... (regardless of the heat and humidity)

    Well, it IS dangerous to have very slow drivers around. Do you remember Chanoch Nissany?

    A Minardi third driver Give me a break? Try both 1997 Mastercard Lola driver's qualifying attempts in Australia. All of us could come up with a better team that mess. * and 9 seconds off the Pole. Think they got hit with the 107% rule.

    But still, who is more dangerous, the slow guy you can blow on right by, or the fast guy who makes passing attempts by forcing you off the road?

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:45

    hell of a grid walk isn’t?

    why? you mean very long? for it was VERY long.

    AS if Christine would not do the same thing if she were Bourdais’ Grid Girl….. (regardless of the heat and humidity)

    Ooomph!

    A Minardi third driver Give me a break? Try both 1997 Mastercard Lola driver’s qualifying attempts in Australia. All of us could come up with a better team that mess. * and 9 seconds off the Pole. Think they got hit with the 107% rule.

    Wasn't that the car's fault, not the drivers'?

    But still, who is more dangerous, the slow guy you can blow on right by, or the fast guy who makes passing attempts by forcing you off the road?

    As they say, better the devil you know... :P

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:46

    just watching the second part. i don’t think mario should be allowed to wear baseball caps.

    Hahaha!

  • Jordan Allen (Science trick here!)19/11/2008 at 14:50

    Does make you wonder what would happen if Christine were Montagny's Grid Girl........

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 14:53

    Does make you wonder what would happen if Christine were Montagny’s Grid Girl……..

    Hmmm... If Montagny or Bourdais were to get on the grid next year, it'd make a good subtitle for the race preview vid! :D

    Another vid for everyone to see, from an era long ago: 2002. Some lovely bloopers, again from F1Digital+.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WATB3Tw2RLE

  • R.G (As insane as Bernie, as cute as Montagny, as dangerous as Sato)19/11/2008 at 14:59

    Afternoon all.

    Oh YEAH! I didn’t notice that. Pretty good coverage from F1D. But I have no idea why they’d keep 2 commentary teams. That was pretty odd. Can the BBC match them for coverage next year with the red button?

    Hope they do. Looks like sweet coverage.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WATB3Tw2RLE

    What was I saying?

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 15:03

    What was I saying?

    Um, it looks like sweet coverage? Hahaha! :P

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 16:31

    Got quiet here all of a sudden.

    Anyway, here are the final times for the final day of testing:

    Vettel 1:19.295 (75 laps) Bourdais 1:19.839 (121 laps) Buemi 1:20.154 (115 laps) Paffett 1:21.140 (81 laps) Button 1:21.397 (94 laps) Klien 1:21.534 (88 laps)

    Heidfeld 1:21.592 (106 laps)Senna 1:21.676 (107 laps)

    Piquet 1:22.148 (94 laps)

    Hulkenberg 1:22.410 (52 laps)

    Badoer 1:22.866 (120 laps)Fisichella 1:23.086 (93 laps)

    de la Rosa 1:23.103 (88 laps)

    Well, key things to look at:

    STR: Bourdais well and truly beat Buemi today (assuming they're on similar programs). Bourdais was up by 0.315. But again, it begs the question: given that Buemi got 3 days in the car when the others got 2, is he still really gunning for a seat, or is he already guaranteed one?

    Honda: Bruno Senna did respectably, but not exceptionally, finishing just under 3 tenths behind Button. But how did he fare against di Grassi's time yesterday? Senna beat it by 6 tenths. Senna also has a relatively smaller gap to Jenson compared to di Grassi, who was half a second behind by the end of yesterday's test session.

    Williams: Nico Hulkenberg had limited running in the morning, but it seems that this was due to any mechanical gremlins with the car. But he stayed all day near the bottom of the timing pages.

    Force India: After being last much of the day, Fisichella made a late surge to eke out a slightly faster time than Pedro de la Rosa, beating him by only 0.017. But this does not augur well for Pedro: after all, if he has any intention of replacing Fisi in the race seat, surely he should be faster than him? For Pedro, finishing dead last 2 days in succession isn't a nice sight.

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 16:32

    Williams: Nico Hulkenberg had limited running in the morning, but it seems that this was due to any mechanical gremlins with the car. But he stayed all day near the bottom of the timing pages.

    A correction: it seems that this was NOT due to any mechanical gremlins with the car.

  • me19/11/2008 at 16:37

    Got quiet here all of a sudden.

    sorry, deep in sidepodcode. new stuff coming, updates soon.

    please do keep us informed on testing though.

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 16:39

    sidepodcode. i like it!

    please do keep us informed on testing though.

    it's done: results are above. if anyone is willing to share some pics from today, post away! :)

  • me19/11/2008 at 16:40

    one bit of news:

    "The word in Formula 1 circles is that the paddock newspaper, known as The Red Bulletin is to cease production in F1 next year."

    http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20985.html

  • Journeyer19/11/2008 at 16:44

    “The word in Formula 1 circles is that the paddock newspaper, known as The Red Bulletin is to cease production in F1 next year.”

    Can you say: economic recession?

    'Tis a shame though. I thought they were going strong, considering they've increased their online ad presence as of late. I shudder to think: since they're cutting down on the glitz and glamour, is Red Bull becoming... corporate? :O

  • me19/11/2008 at 17:05

    ‘Tis a shame though. I thought they were going strong, considering they’ve increased their online ad presence as of late. I shudder to think: since they’re cutting down on the glitz and glamour, is Red Bull becoming… corporate? :O

    i was assuming they were always going to cut back when they ditched STR, if only because that team would need a motorhome of it's own.

    you're right about the online ads though. strange.

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 17:35

    After ignoring it for a couple of weeks I finally got round to reading the next chunk of EJ's book. Some of the things he did defy belief. At the end of Jordan's second season in 1992 when they scored one point all year with the awful Yamaha V12 he had already signed Barrichello and to partner him he tried to sign Ayrton Senna. Senna was looking for a way out of McLaren but ended up staying there for 1993 and winning 5 races.

    EJ offered him a deal which he says he later offered to Schumacher. At the end of his first season Senna would own 25% of the team and at the end of his second season he would own 49%. How can anyone dream up the idea of trying to sign the best driver on the grid to a team that only scored one point all season?

  • lou19/11/2008 at 17:46

    they look more alike everyday:

    Lol that's funny, specially as i saw a pic earlier on in the year of Nick Fry walking just behind Jenson, with all the stubble and a big pair of sunglasses Nick looked like he was trying to be Jenson, lol.

  • Dom19/11/2008 at 17:47

    Why is it that F1 drivers always seem to have their own set of stamps printed out?

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 17:53

    Why is it that F1 drivers always seem to have their own set of stamps printed out?

    Perhaps Royal Mail hopes he will speed things up.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 17:56

    now they look lopsided as too:

    oh my goodness... couldn't they have put a fake on the other side... just to balance it out.

    Sounds like he will have a book out soon like Rubens

    Rubens isn't going anywhere :( I'm sure Honda will see sense sooner or later... until they confirm anything I am clinging to the hope that he may still have a drive.

    “The word in Formula 1 circles is that the paddock newspaper, known as The Red Bulletin is to cease production in F1 next year.”

    Oh no! :( that's so sad. The Red Bulletin is awesome :(

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 18:08

    Why is it that F1 drivers always seem to have their own set of stamps printed out?

    I thought there was some law about no living person other than royalty appearing on stamps.

  • Dank19/11/2008 at 18:18

    one bit of news:

    “The word in Formula 1 circles is that the paddock newspaper, known as The Red Bulletin is to cease production in F1 next year.”

    NO! NO! NOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    Worst news ever :-(

  • me19/11/2008 at 18:19

    Worst news ever

    am inclined to agree. what are we left with now? bernie's silly little corporate nothingness rag?

  • Dank19/11/2008 at 18:25

    am inclined to agree. what are we left with now? bernie’s silly little corporate nothingness rag?

    I don't get why they just don't sell the damn thing and recoup some of the production costs that way? People would still want a copy at a low cost - I'd sooner buy a set of them over a race weekend than the rubbish over-priced official programmes.

    F1 without The Red Bulletin will be a much duller place!

  • R.G (As insane as Bernie, as cute as Montagny, as dangerous as Sato)19/11/2008 at 18:26

    Worst news ever

    What about the end of the end of F1?

  • Dank19/11/2008 at 18:28

    What about the end of the end of F1?

    That's second.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 18:31

    Why has Senna been wearing Honda overalls and Di Grassi plain white ones? Is it because Di Grassi is still under contract by Renault or something?

  • Kathi19/11/2008 at 18:38
  • R.G (As insane as Bernie, as cute as Montagny, as dangerous as Sato)19/11/2008 at 18:40

    Bad news everyone, might not be able to make it this Sunday after all. The idiots at Blyth put the kick off for my match at 2pm, which also means I'll miss the Spurs match.

    C'mon rain, snow whatever, just not sun.

    Why has Senna been wearing Honda overalls and Di Grassi plain white ones? Is it because Di Grassi is still under contract by Renault or somethimg

    I'd assume so

  • lou19/11/2008 at 18:41

    What are those for?

    oh good god! now they are just trying to make them look worse! It makes the car make it look like it has braces!

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 18:42

    oh good god! now they are just trying to make them look worse! It makes the car make it look like it has braces!

    Or it's been clamped!

  • lou19/11/2008 at 18:44

    Or it’s been clamped!

    haha yes! :)

    but seriously... what could they actually do for the car other than make pit stops harder...

  • me19/11/2008 at 18:51

    I don’t get why they just don’t sell the damn thing and recoup some of the production costs that way? People would still want a copy at a low cost - I’d sooner buy a set of them over a race weekend than the rubbish over-priced official programmes.

    note sure actually. i wonder if they've been "asked" to stop making it. because that would make a lot of business sense.

    What about the end of the end of F1?

    That’s second.

    :D

  • me19/11/2008 at 18:53

    What are those for?

    oh good god! now they are just trying to make them look worse! It makes the car make it look like it has braces!

    Or it’s been clamped!

    hehe.

    renault have been running them all year. no need to panic, nothing to do with the '09 regs.

    rf1pp explained it once, i'll have to check though.

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 19:03

    Or it’s been clamped!

    They have given Piquet stabilisers.

    A wild guess is that the bars contain temperature sensors to get baseline data for slicks. They are illegal for racing so you will only ever see them in testing whatever they are.

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 19:08

    They have given Piquet stabilisers.

    Hehe.

  • me19/11/2008 at 19:08

    A wild guess is that the bars contain temperature sensors to get baseline data for slicks. They are illegal for racing so you will only ever see them in testing whatever they are.

    i'd tell ya if i could get on the damn renault site. it must be time for a new one by now? i filled in the survey and everything.

  • Jordan Allen (Science trick here!)19/11/2008 at 19:15

    Are you sure me? Cause if Reanult made its rims out of some ferrous metal and if that black thing is a coil wrapped around the tyre like that I think it is we have a decent electromagnetic to store power as long as the wheels are moving.

    In another words, Reanult already have their KERB;s system working better than the 2014 regs....

  • lou19/11/2008 at 19:24

    renault have been running them all year. no need to panic, nothing to do with the ‘09 regs.

    ah phew :)

  • me19/11/2008 at 19:33

    In another words, Reanult already have their KERB;s system working better than the 2014 regs….

    good plan.

    have given trying to access renault, after 20 mins of trying, so am just gonna go with steven's explanation.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 20:13

    am inclined to agree. what are we left with now? bernie’s silly little corporate nothingness rag? {me - 18 comments ago}

    Bernie's magazine stopped being published about 15 months before Red Bulletin's began. It was called F1 Magazine and the last edition was February 2004 (it's about halfway down the vertical stack of magazines at home). So now there'll only be One Aim (Toyota's magazine) and possibly Racing Line (McLaren's magazine) in the paddock. The rest of us will have to stick with the usual websites.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 20:15

    How can anyone dream up the idea of trying to sign the best driver on the grid to a team that only scored one point all season? {Steven Roy - 25 comments ago}

    Admittedly it was a grandiose plan even by EJ's standards, but then again there is never a completely inescapable situation for the truly creative. EJ saw Senna and Barrichello as his escape routes, though in the end it was Barrichello's eventual team-mate combined with the arrival of tobacco advertising to the team that gave Jordan the boost into stability it needed

  • me19/11/2008 at 20:20

    Bernie’s magazine stopped being published about 15 months before Red Bulletin’s began. It was called F1 Magazine and the last edition was February 2004 (it’s about halfway down the vertical stack of magazines at home). So now there’ll only be One Aim (Toyota’s magazine) and possibly Racing Line (McLaren’s magazine) in the paddock. The rest of us will have to stick with the usual websites.

    sorry, should've been clear.

    bernie flogs a magazine at races, the official program i think he calls it.

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 20:22

    Admittedly it was a grandiose plan even by EJ’s standards, but then again there is never a completely inescapable situation for the truly creative. EJ saw Senna and Barrichello as his escape routes, though in the end it was Barrichello’s eventual team-mate combined with the arrival of tobacco advertising to the team that gave Jordan the boost into stability it needed

    According to EJ Sasol was responsible for the stability. After 3 races in 1992 in which they had achieved nothing Sasol signed up for another 3 years. In its first season 1991 EJ invested £5 million he had made and at the end of the season the team was £5 million in debt. By the end of 1992 both his houses were guaranteeing loans for the team. The Sasol deal safeguarded everything.

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 20:34

    Oooh, the one where they pick out the worst driver pictures possible!

  • me19/11/2008 at 20:38

    Oooh, the one where they pick out the worst driver pictures possible!

    yeah, that's the one.

    the red bulletin put it to shame, but i guess rather than improve it bernie decided to nix the competition?

  • Scott in Italy (who ate too many chips and feels bad)19/11/2008 at 20:41

    Oooh, the one where they pick out the worst driver pictures possible!

    who cares about pictures of the drivers? :)

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 20:42

    who cares about pictures of the drivers?

    But they are truly awful. I'd go so far as to say it's deliberate.

  • Dank19/11/2008 at 20:46

    Dietrich Mateschitz is likely to continue with the Red Bulletin brand, albeit as a 'glossy' high-brow publication. Much like the German/Austrain version here: http://www.redbulletin.com/

    So in theory that should incorporate all F1 coverage under the one roof, along with other 'extreme' sports and beauty and fashion tips. Can't wait...

  • me19/11/2008 at 20:49

    ok... anyone for some new sidepodcode?

    http://www.sidepodcast.com/realtime/

    if you fancy doing some testing for us, please note the "alpha" tag in the title bar. that means this is really new. in fact it's only about 7 hours old, so this is the rawest thing we've ever shown anyone... so please be gentle.

    real time is designed to solve a problem we had yesterday trying to follow conversations on multiple posts. one page shows you all of the active conversations anywhere on the site. it doesn't replace the live commenting page, it compliments it.

    feel free to take a look and let us know what you think

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 20:50

    feel free to take a look and let us know what you think

    I'm on it right now!

  • me19/11/2008 at 20:52

    also, thus far it's only been tested in firefox and on a mac. i doubt it'll work on anything that answers to the name "internet explorer".

    many of the bugs found in live commenting will be repeatable because they share the same code. notable things to watch out for:

    - removed the pretty editor until we can find a better one

    - you can't yet quote a whole comment, only a paragraph at a time

  • Scott in Italy (who ate too many chips and feels bad)19/11/2008 at 20:55

    But they are truly awful. I’d go so far as to say it’s deliberate.

    It's to keep reader's attention on the racing, where it belongs. And on the grid girls :) You'll never see a bad photo of a grid girl. Maybe sidepodcast should branch out into print or is that too 20th century? With a female editor in charge, you could choose the pictures and you'd have women sports fans across the world saying "Honest. I only read the articles."

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 20:57

    Looks good though, me. I'm liking the "tested in Firefox and on a Mac" bit :)

  • Ollie19/11/2008 at 20:57

    I'm on it too!

  • me19/11/2008 at 20:57

    should also point out, the reply button is to the bottom right of each comment. rather than near you personal details.

    this is because the page displays conversation threads from all posts on the site, and otherwise wouldn't know where to post the comment too.

    it also means you can have multiple conversations on multiple threads on the same page.

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 20:57

    It’s to keep reader’s attention on the racing, where it belongs.

    As an advert for the sport and an introduction for new people, I don't think hideous pictures are a good start.

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 20:58

    this is because the page displays conversation threads from all posts on the site, and otherwise wouldn’t know where to post the comment too.

    First thing I asked too. Your super duper stuff is now so good that it needs to come with instructions.

  • Ollie19/11/2008 at 20:59

    Ahh, I see. I get the reply button now. At first I was all "extra clicks!", but as it's a site-wide feed-pull, it makes sense.

  • Dom19/11/2008 at 21:01

    ok… anyone for some new sidepodcode?

    Oooh, i likes it.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:02

    also, thus far it’s only been tested in firefox and on a mac. i doubt it’ll work on anything that answers to the name “internet explorer”.

    Looks really cool on Firefox :) i wouldn't believe it's only 7 hours old. One problem is that in you don't see any of the comments, just the top part (nothing below name, mail, website) and the 'About' bit at the bottom.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:02

    First thing I asked too. Your super duper stuff is now so good that it needs to come with instructions.

    sorry, shoulda said.

    yell if anything else isn't clear.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:03

    that was meant to be in chrome

  • Scott in Italy (who ate too many chips and feels bad)19/11/2008 at 21:03

    if you fancy doing some testing for us, please note the “alpha” tag in the title bar. that means this is really new. in fact it’s only about 7 hours old, so this is the rawest thing we’ve ever shown anyone… so please be gentle.

    And I really was thinking this place would go quiet with no major changes for a little while. We appreciate everything you guys do :)

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:03

    also, thus far it’s only been tested in firefox and on a mac. i doubt it’ll work on anything that answers to the name “internet explorer”.

    that sounds like a very big problem? surely that means it's not working at all?

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:04

    And I really was thinking this place would go quiet with no major changes for a little while. We appreciate everything you guys do

    it's all good fun ;)

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:04

    hold on, i quoted meself there? meant to quote lou.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:05

    that was meant to be in chrome

    riiiight. thanks you.

    yeah, not got that far yet.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:06

    I have both firefox and chrome on my laptop. it works fine in firefox, but not in chrome ;) sorry i should have been clearer

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 21:07

    I thought there was some law about no living person other than royalty appearing on stamps.

    It isn't the law, but a general policy. Royal Mail do make exceptions and mistakes e.g. Roger Taylor (alive) can be seen on the stamp featuring Freddie Mercury (dead).

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:07

    yeah, not got that far yet.

    ;) just thought i would mention it.

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 21:08

    Not working in Chrome should be seen as a feature not a bug ;)

  • Scott in Italy (who ate too many chips and feels bad)19/11/2008 at 21:09

    As an advert for the sport and an introduction for new people, I don’t think hideous pictures are a good start.

    Could be worse. There could be hideous cars as well. oh :(

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:10

    Not working in Chrome should be seen as a feature not a bug

    what's wrong with Chrome? i like Chrome, it has a lovely layout and is very quick.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:10

    Could be worse. There could be hideous cars as well. oh

    hahaha.

  • Ollie19/11/2008 at 21:10

    Not working in Chrome should be seen as a feature not a bug

    Indeed, isn't Chrome still in beta?

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:11

    what’s wrong with Chrome? i like Chrome, it has a lovely layout and is very quick.

    it's not available on the mac yet.

  • Scott in Italy (who ate too many chips and feels bad)19/11/2008 at 21:11

    it’s all good fun ;)

    some people think torture is fun. You're mad, but as long as we benefit from it, I'm not complaining :)

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:11

    me: 19/11/2008 at 21:11

    what’s wrong with Chrome? i like Chrome, it has a lovely layout and is very quick.

    it’s not available on the mac yet.

    oh i see...

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:12

    Ollie: 19/11/2008 at 21:10

    Not working in Chrome should be seen as a feature not a bug

    Indeed, isn’t Chrome still in beta?

    yes i think so.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:13

    some people think torture is fun. You’re mad, but as long as we benefit from it, I’m not complaining

    nah, it's education isn't it? knowledge is power n'all that.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 21:13

    sorry, should’ve been clear.

    bernie flogs a magazine at races, the official program i think he calls it. {me - 27 comments ago}

    Oh, I see. I didn't even consider it a magazine, just a programme with ideas above its station and a price tag to match. And yes, I'm sure that'll still be sold.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:14

    so if i write in the box (on realtime) does that include the previous message? this message will tell me...

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 21:15

    what’s wrong with Chrome? i like Chrome, it has a lovely layout and is very quick.

    it’s not available on the mac yet.

    Chrome may be fast, but XP/Vista only? and the layout looks as bad as a 2009 F1 car.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:15

    so if i write in the box (on realtime) does that include the previous message? this message will tell me…

    good. i was worried that reply automatically included the message. i didn't want it to so now i know what's going on. awesome. i like it. who care about internet explorer uses really? :)

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:15

    so if i write in the box (on realtime) does that include the previous message? this message will tell me…

    nope, you still quote in the old way - click a paragraph and it gets copied into the box.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 21:15

    According to EJ Sasol was responsible for the stability. After 3 races in 1992 in which they had achieved nothing Sasol signed up for another 3 years. In its first season 1991 EJ invested £5 million he had made and at the end of the season the team was £5 million in debt. By the end of 1992 both his houses were guaranteeing loans for the team. The Sasol deal safeguarded everything. {Steven Roy - 27 comments ago}

    Sasol saved the team, there is no doubt about it. The question is whether they'd have extended beyond the three years had B&H not intervened and taken up loads of advertising space. I thought not, but maybe I was wrong.

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 21:16

    Indeed, isn’t Chrome still in beta?

    Yes, so is Google Mail. :D

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:16

    nah, it’s education isn’t it? knowledge is power n’all that.

    So bernie is the knows the most in F1?

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:17

    who care about internet explorer uses really?

    hehe. well we'll get there, just figured the sooner it was available for us to use the better really.

    yesterday all i did was flick between posts trying to work out who was saying what.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:17

    So bernie is the knows the most in F1?

    we should get him on the panel to find out.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:18

    'me' have you changed anything?... cause i just reloaded the realtime page accidently in chrome and it now works fine.... maybe my computer was just slow loading the page first time round or something... either that or i'm going mad.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:19

    ‘me’ have you changed anything?… cause i just reloaded the realtime page accidently in chrome and it now works fine…. maybe my computer was just slow loading the page first time round or something… either that or i’m going mad.

    nope.

    that is good news. odd, but good.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 21:19

    nope, you still quote in the old way - click a paragraph and it gets copied into the box. {me - 2 comments ago}

    Unless you have my weird computer, in which case it puts the paragraph in the address bar and attempts to translate it into Bulgarian instead.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:20

    that is good news. odd, but good.

    it wasn't working on my desktop either, but suddenly is now.. hmm strange. must have been my internet or something.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:20

    Unless you have my weird computer, in which case it puts the paragraph in the address bar and attempts to translate it into Bulgarian instead.

    you couldn't make it up!

    does it still do the same on the realtime page?

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:20

    if i am writing a message, and a few new ones get posted while i am writing. my message keeps disappearing down the screen (and off it) this could be a problem during races when there is barely enough time to read what others have written. when i head down to click post comment, and somone just posts a message, it moves down again, and again if the comments are fast. i'd be annoyed during a race. can you frame it to the right or something?

    i like the way the time stamp at the bottom of the page reflects the users time zone - i get confused having to subtract one hour all the time. i may be employed as a statistician (yeah shock, I'm a nerd) but i get really concerned when i think noone has commented for a while, then i remember where i am.

    nice to see that an apostrophe in my name space gets handled correctly too.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:21

    it wasn’t working on my desktop either, but suddenly is now.. hmm strange. must have been my internet or something.

    can ya test it in IE for us too please?

    i don't hold out much hope...

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:21

    > that is good news. odd, but good.

    you mean Lou going mad is good? ;)

  • Ollie19/11/2008 at 21:21

    we should get him on the panel to find out.

    Sidepodquiz!

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 21:22

    if i am writing a message, and a few new ones get posted while i am writing. my message keeps disappearing down the screen (and off it) this could be a problem during races when there is barely enough time to read what others have written. when i head down to click post comment, and somone just posts a message, it moves down again, and again if the comments are fast. i’d be annoyed during a race. can you frame it to the right or something?

    Would you use this during a race? I'd just stick with the lclt because it's only ever going to be on one post.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:22

    if i am writing a message, and a few new ones get posted while i am writing. my message keeps disappearing down the screen (and off it) this could be a problem during races when there is barely enough time to read what others have written. when i head down to click post comment, and somone just posts a message, it moves down again, and again if the comments are fast. i’d be annoyed during a race. can you frame it to the right or something?

    there be a checkbox at the top right of the page. click it and the page stops scrolling.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:22

    touche.

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:24

    can ya test it in IE for us too please?

    yep.

    I get a message highlighted in yellow saying 'Please note:This page currently requires and modern browser such as Safari 3+, Firefox 3+ or Internet Explorer 7+'

    which is odd cause it is IE7.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:24

    touche.

    this was in response the Christine's valid point about this feature would not be during a race.

    was also going to post me's comment here too, but the clicking on it doesn't work from outside the message i am writing in (XP, firefox)

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:25

    there be a checkbox at the top right of the page. click it and the page stops scrolling.

    also, on my mac, ctrl+f will enable / disable the checkbox should you need to do so in a hurry.

    your mileage may vary on that one though.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:25

    yep.

    I get a message highlighted in yellow saying ‘Please note:This page currently requires and modern browser such as Safari 3+, Firefox 3+ or Internet Explorer 7+’

    which is odd cause it is IE7.

    i might need to change that.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:25

    i checked ie and got Lou's message too. i think i have IE7 too but can't remember how to find the version number. i never use this thing since they moved all the menus

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 21:26

    your mileage may vary on that one though.

    Haha, we've been through this before!

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:27

    was also going to post me’s comment here too, but the clicking on it doesn’t work from outside the message i am writing in (XP, firefox)

    that is by design. to stop people quoting comments between threads.

    may have to think about that a bit more mind you.

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:28

    Sidepodquiz!

    if bernie beat you would you be happy or sad?

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:29

    that is by design. to stop people quoting comments between threads.

    okay. a lot of us users sometimes try to do a catchup post across multiple messages from during the day, but once again, maybe cross topic reading won't be required that often?

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:29

    okay. a lot of us users sometimes try to do a catchup post across multiple messages from during the day

    i hear ya. that's a bug then.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:30

    i'd be happy if he just came on. should we ask him? Question 1: was the stewards decisions in 2008 (three options -choose one) dodgy, horrific, corrupt?

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:31

    i hear ya. that’s a bug then.

    you guys know this site more than i do. depends on how people want to use this cross-topic discussion.

    internet explorer - i do have version 7.0.5730 and i got the message mentioned before by lou that wants version 7+

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 21:33

    also, on my mac, ctrl+f will enable / disable the checkbox should you need to do so in a hurry.

    your mileage may vary on that one though.

    Ctrl+F works for me (on a Mac)

  • lou19/11/2008 at 21:36

    internet explorer - i do have version 7.0.5730 and i got the message mentioned before by lou that wants version 7+

    if knowing the version number helps i have version: 7.0.5730.11

  • Ollie19/11/2008 at 21:39

    if bernie beat would you be happy or sad?

    I wouldn't care either way, he's still a muppet for thinking medals is a good idea. :D

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:40

    if knowing the version number helps i have version: 7.0.5730.11

    exactly the same as me. i just forgot the last bit. oops.

  • R.G (As insane as Bernie, as cute as Montagny, as dangerous as Sato)19/11/2008 at 21:41

    Managed to bore myself to death by watching Wales v Denmark, and then Germany v England. And you thought Valencia was boring...

    I wouldn’t care either way, he’s still a muppet for thinking medals is a good idea.

    I don't think its a bad idea, it is a bad idea for a sport where points and difficult calculations are much loved.

  • R.G (As insane as Bernie, as cute as Montagny, as dangerous as Sato)19/11/2008 at 21:42

    Sidepodquiz!

    Speaking of which, any plans in the future?

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 21:44

    Speaking of which, any plans in the future?

    I have plans to set up a page in the Wiki.

  • R.G (As insane as Bernie, as cute as Montagny, as dangerous as Sato)19/11/2008 at 21:44

    Christine: 19/11/2008 at 21:44

    Speaking of which, any plans in the future?

    I have plans to set up a page in the Wiki.

    That sounds like a good plan

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:46

    I don’t think its a bad idea, it is a bad idea for a sport where points and difficult calculations are much loved.

    I want to see some half points this hear for some reason. Maybe just for finishing the race within 2 laps of the winner. that's my random thought for the night :)

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 21:47

    I want to see some half points this hear for some reason. Maybe just for finishing the race within 2 laps of the winner. that’s my random thought for the night

    Ooh maths!

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:48

    Ooh maths!

    and spelling would have been nice too :)

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 21:48

    I seem to have been moderated for mentioning that the control F key combination worked for me. On a Mac

  • Christine19/11/2008 at 21:49

    I seem to have been moderated for mentioning that the control F key combination worked for me. On a Mac

    I got that for ya.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:52

    do links work here

    http://www.corriere.it/gallery/Scienze/vuoto.shtml?2008/11_Novembre/marte/1&10

    so this is where you threw that stupid mac thing that stopped working?

  • me19/11/2008 at 21:54

    so this is where you threw that stupid mac thing that stopped working?

    haha. if only.

    it's where i'm gonna throw vista though. can't look at the IE bug until it's installed 44MB updates. that's 44MB of updates since sunday.

    just how bad can an operating system be??

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 21:57

    just how bad can an operating system be??

    two words: windows ME.

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 21:57

    I got that for ya.

    Thanks. Changing the subject completely, Monty Python have launched their own YouTube channel:

    For 3 years you YouTubers have been ripping us off, taking tens of thousands of our videos and putting them on YouTube. Now the tables are turned. It's time for us to take matters into our own hands.

    We know who you are, we know where you live and we could come after you in ways too horrible to tell. But being the extraordinarily nice chaps we are, we've figured a better way to get our own back: We've launched our own Monty Python channel on YouTube.

    No more of those crap quality videos you've been posting. We're giving you the real thing - HQ videos delivered straight from our vault.

    What's more, we're taking our most viewed clips and uploading brand new HQ versions. And what's even more, we're letting you see absolutely everything for free. So there!

    But we want something in return.

    None of your driveling, mindless comments. Instead, we want you to click on the links, buy our movies & TV shows and soften our pain and disgust at being ripped off all these years.

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:00

    Thanks. Changing the subject completely, Monty Python have launched their own YouTube channel

    christine's in need of some historical comedic education. should make her a python mix tape? what would feature?

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 22:01

    christine’s in need of some historical comedic education. should make her a python mix tape? what would feature?

    what an open question to stoke the fire.

    Because nobody suspects....

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 22:01

    just how bad can an operating system be??

    Forget ME, me :) Check out Microsoft Bob.

    Here's a spoof ad for a new OS from Microsoft:

    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-6FnE6y9JIM

    Warning - some naughty words

  • lou19/11/2008 at 22:02

    The parrot sketch! That's my fav... in fact anything from the Monty Python team is worth watching :D

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:02

    two words: windows ME.

    if i'm honest, they're neck and neck right now.

    millennium sucked at a time when there wasn't a whole heap of alternatives. now instead of vista, there's ubuntu, os x etc.

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 22:03

    Looks like the realtime page doesn't catch post edits - the video link I just posted has a rude word in it, not too bad but wanted to warn you all.

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:03

    Here’s a spoof ad for a new OS from Microsoft

    love it.

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 22:04

    Python Mix tape? Ooo. I'd start off with Holy Grail. easily their best work. That and Brian :)

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:05

    Looks like the realtime page doesn’t catch post edits - the video link I just posted has a rude word in it, not too bad but wanted to warn you all.

    same issue as with live commenting. fixing that is a pretty major rework.

  • Jon Waldock19/11/2008 at 22:05

    People, people, people...

    Your all forgetting the most imporant question of the day

    Which are better: traditional or iced mince pies?

    Oh and by the way, what are ice mince pies??

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 22:05

    i haven't done a lot of hard stuff with vista and was still on Win95 when ME came out (thankfully)

    news last week(?) said parrot sketch was not written by Monty Python

    http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3085389.html

    and this is the photo that represents Massa's championship loss

    if looks could kill

    http://www.corriere.it/gallery/Extra/2008/formula1/vuoto.shtml?formula1/formula1/incidente_ferrari&18

  • lou19/11/2008 at 22:08

    Jon Waldock: 19/11/2008 at 22:05

    People, people, people…

    Your all forgetting the most imporant question of the day

    Which are better: traditional or iced mince pies?

    Oh and by the way, what are ice mince pies??

    iced mince pies - http://www.supercook.co.uk/find-recipe-ideas/iced-mince-pies-recipe/12073

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 22:09

    Here’s a spoof ad for a new OS from Microsoft:

    Thanks for that :)

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:10

    Oh and by the way, what are ice mince pies??

    they come in a box and live in the kitchen. that's as much as i can tell you.

  • Scott in Italy (nice to beta test code that isn't mine)19/11/2008 at 22:11

    and on an unrelated topic....re: impressions of F1 cars. I'd like to nominate my flatmate blowing her nose...

  • R.G (What need is there for fish to sing, when I can roar and bellow?)19/11/2008 at 22:13

    they come in a box and live in the kitchen. that’s as much as i can tell you.

    So they could be, in theory, germs?

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 22:17

    same issue as with live commenting. fixing that is a pretty major rework.

    I guessed it probably would be.

  • Scott in Italy19/11/2008 at 22:20

    i'm off to bed. night all :)

  • R.G (What need is there for fish to sing, when I can roar and bellow?)19/11/2008 at 22:21

    Might as well follow you Scotty, night all.

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:22

    i’m off to bed. night all

    cheers scott. thanks for your help today.

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:23

    Might as well follow you Scotty, night all.

    something we said?

    see ya.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 22:24

    you couldn’t make it up!

    does it still do the same on the realtime page? {me - many comments ago}

    Almost - I found a translation button in my browser, which means double-clicking on a paragraph translates it into English on the address bar at the moment instead. (It looks like it can do 30 other languages too).

    A more serious problem is that I can't find a comment box, so it wouldn't be able to work properly even if I hadn't found that I'd ended up with some obscure translation plug-in on my browser.

  • R.G (What need is there for fish to sing, when I can roar and bellow?)19/11/2008 at 22:25

    Oh by the way, no need to alarm you

    http://2008.weblogawards.org/nominations/best-online-community/index.php#comment-13003

    But the Inuits are ahead.

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 22:27

    Back to Python - how about the Witch scene from Holy Grail?

    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w1IJiAXjj7k

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:29

    Almost - I found a translation button in my browser, which means double-clicking on a paragraph translates it into English on the address bar at the moment instead. (It looks like it can do 30 other languages too).

    should be a single-click, rather than double. in order to quote.

    A more serious problem is that I can’t find a comment box, so it wouldn’t be able to work properly even if I hadn’t found that I’d ended up with some obscure translation plug-in on my browser.

    can you see the green "reply" links to the lower right of each comment?

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:30

    Oh by the way, no need to alarm you

    But the Inuits are ahead.

    it's a conspiracy, i tell ya.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 22:33

    Single-clicking only highlights, whatever site I'm on (unless it's a hyperlink or something).

  • Dom19/11/2008 at 22:33

    But the Inuits are ahead.

    Ooh, the environmentalists are beating us. That's quite a blow for an F1 site following the space mission... ;)

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:34

    Single-clicking only highlights, whatever site I’m on (unless it’s a hyperlink or something).

    but not in live commenting or on the realtime page surely?

    they're special.

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:34

    Ooh, the environmentalists are beating us. That’s quite a blow for an F1 site following the space mission…

    isn't it just?

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:37

    isn’t it just?

    here is some text. just making a demo video. pls ignore.

  • me19/11/2008 at 22:46

    alia, have made you a quick demo video to show how the page should work:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/realtimedemo

    can you let us know if this is / isn't what you're seeing?

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 23:07

    Sasol saved the team, there is no doubt about it. The question is whether they’d have extended beyond the three years had B&H not intervened and taken up loads of advertising space. I thought not, but maybe I was wrong.

    I haven't got that far in the book yet.

    The other thing I found interesting is that Irvine was being paid $800,000 a year to drive Japanese F3000. I thought he was being paid a fairly small amount and had made all his money playing the markets but it looks like he was playing the markets with a large stake.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 23:12

    but not in live commenting or on the realtime page surely?

    they’re special. {me - 5 comments ago}

    The same applies in live commenting as to the rest of the internet. If I had a comment box in the realtime page, then maybe things would be different there, but given that it uses a lot of the live commenting code, it wouldn't surprise me if that function wasn't there even after the box appeared.

    can you let us know if this is / isn’t what you’re seeing? {me - 2 comments ago}

    I can't get the video to work either. drop.io loads, but apart from the title and the usual embed/download etc., there is nothing there. No play button, no screen, no nothing.

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 23:13

    I thought he was being paid a fairly small amount and had made all his money playing the markets but it looks like he was playing the markets with a large stake. {Steven Roy - 2 comments ago}

    No wonder Eddie Irvine had trouble with the concept of paying money to race in F1!

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 23:15

    By the way, I'm now in Firefox 3 and I think it's the qtl translation plug-in that's doing the clashing.

  • Scott19/11/2008 at 23:16

    well, you seem to be going the right way about getting more.

    I accept it'll take some time, though. A lot of blogs have been going 12 months, or so, before they become truly established.

    if you’re in need of more promotion though, have you tried, say, participating in a formula 1 panel show? ollie’s the king of the free plug at the moment

    I should probably leave that to Lou, given her excellent debut a couple of weeks back. ;)

  • Alianora La Canta19/11/2008 at 23:17

    Anyway, I'm going to bed. I've got a meeting tomorrow morning, and I hope it goes better than last time (actually, given that last time I spent nearly an hour-and-a-half being lost in Nottingham without ever finding the venue, it would be difficult for the meeting to go worse this time...)

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 23:22

    Python Mix tape? Ooo. I’d start off with Holy Grail. easily their best work. That and Brian

    You need the dead parrot sketch, the fish slapping dance, ministry of silly walks & finish with always look on the bright side of life.

  • Scott19/11/2008 at 23:22

    it’s not available on the mac yet.

    http://www.codeweavers.com/services/ports/chromium/

    Indeed, isn’t Chrome still in beta?

    It is, but as is often pointed out, Google are incredibly cautious about removing products from beta status. Gmail is a good example.

    I don't think there's any real need for Chrome to be considered a beta application. It must have reached a state that Microsoft would consider to be stable long before the public ever saw it.

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 23:25

    But the Inuits are ahead.

    Can we organise an oil slick?

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 23:30

    Ooh, the environmentalists are beating us. That’s quite a blow for an F1 site following the space mission…

    Maybe Heidi aimed the tool bag at them

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 23:34

    I should probably leave that to Lou, given her excellent debut a couple of weeks back.

    Testing the new thing now that I have caught up with the comments.

  • Steven Roy19/11/2008 at 23:35

    Testing the new thing now that I have caught up with the comments.

    That works really well and completely intuitive which is just as well because I can't make the video work.

  • me19/11/2008 at 23:40

    That works really well and completely intuitive which is just as well because I can’t make the video work.

    haha. looks like dropio is having issues converting the video, so maybe not the best demo.

    incidentally i just checked out alia's "qtl translation plug-in" and the first mention on google says:

    "Be careful! the addon adds and changes your default search engine each time the browser starts. in addition, the translation feature turns itself on even ..."

    following that link informs me that the plugin also ruins a host of other sites, and it's limited to windows usage. my advice would be to remove it immediately, it's clearly doing more harm than good.

    either way, whatever issues it's causing with livecommenting are going to remain, because that bit of code isn't coming anywhere near our machines. quite frightening.

  • Scott19/11/2008 at 23:47

    I'll do the same.

    Having watched that F1 Digital+ clip again, it's reminded me just how great their coverage was. The BBC have really missed a trick by not having Matt Lorenzo (the presenter) involved. He's someone who knows about Formula 1, is a skilled presenter and very witty to boot. He should have been considered as much of a priority as Martin Brundle, in my opinion.

  • Scott19/11/2008 at 23:49

    Oops. Forgot to quote Steven Roy's comment about testing out the new commenting system. That's what 'I'll do the same' relates to.

    It works well, by the way.

  • me19/11/2008 at 23:52

    It works well, by the way.

    good stuff. the idea sort of came from here:

    http://friendfeed.com/rooms/sidepodcast-live/realtime

    which was an earlier attempt at a similar concept. couldn't get it to do what we wanted tho.

  • Andy Taylor19/11/2008 at 23:57

    I'e just discovered you can make Youtube links start at a certain time rather than the beginning of the clip.

    http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/10/14/youtube-allows-you-to-start-playing-embed-video-at-specific-start-time/

  • lou19/11/2008 at 23:57

    haha. looks like dropio is having issues converting the video, so maybe not the best demo.

    If you download the video from drop.io alia, it works fine.

  • Scott20/11/2008 at 00:00

    good stuff. the idea sort of came from here:

    Wouldn't the risk with that be that it ends up taking commentators away from Sidepodcast? A lot of bloggers seem to have this problem.

  • me20/11/2008 at 00:03

    Wouldn’t the risk with that be that it ends up taking commentators away from Sidepodcast? A lot of bloggers seem to have this problem.

    the biggest issue is that it was just plain slow. clicking the link takes you back here, but the additional comment option would've been confusing, yeah.

  • me20/11/2008 at 00:05

    I’e just discovered you can make Youtube links start at a certain time rather than the beginning of the clip.

    now that you've discovered it... what in the world are you gonna do with it?

  • Journeyer20/11/2008 at 00:07

    lou: 19/11/2008 at 18:41

    What are those for?

    oh good god! now they are just trying to make them look worse! It makes the car make it look like it has braces!

    rf1pp explained it once, i’ll have to check though.

    methinks this has something to do with monitoring tyre temps? Not sure though.

  • Andy Taylor20/11/2008 at 00:10

    now that you’ve discovered it… what in the world are you gonna do with it?

    Just don't spoil a good idea.

    How about the earlier post where whoever posted it said go to 5 minutes 57 seconds into the clip?

  • me20/11/2008 at 00:11

    How about the earlier post where whoever posted it said go to 5 minutes 57 seconds into the clip?

    ah-ha. ok, nuff said.

  • Steven Roy20/11/2008 at 00:47

    Two more Python necessities. The lumberjack song and the machine that goes PING!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcHdF1eHhgc

  • Steven Roy20/11/2008 at 00:48

    Just got moderated for posting a link to the machine that goes PING!

  • me20/11/2008 at 00:54

    The lumberjack song and the machine that goes PING!

    i thought the "machine that goes ping" came from spaceballs? what a revelation.

  • me20/11/2008 at 00:55

    i thought the “machine that goes ping” came from spaceballs? what a revelation.

    scrub that, it was airplane wasn't it?

  • Steven Roy20/11/2008 at 01:15

    scrub that, it was airplane wasn’t it?

    I think you could be right

  • Jordan Allen (Monty Python mis-qutoe here!)20/11/2008 at 01:52

    me said:

    Thanks. Changing the subject completely, Monty Python have launched their own YouTube channel

    christine’s in need of some historical comedic education. should make her a python mix tape? what would feature?

    Christine is a witch! She turned Steven Roy into a newt! :P

  • Jordan Allen (Monty Python mis-qutoe here!)20/11/2008 at 02:09

    Steven Roy said:

    But the Inuits are ahead.

    Can we organise an oil slick?

    Orange button marked "O", on your right side, below the gear up lever, on your Panda Racer steering wheel, Steven. Came with the "Spyhunter" mods.

    BTW, the new boffin, nicknamed "Q", and being the double of John Gleese, says it is "Not quite perfected yet"....

  • Steven Roy20/11/2008 at 02:12

    Christine is a witch! She turned Steven Roy into a newt!

    I am sure you will explain that to me if I need to know.

  • Steven Roy20/11/2008 at 02:13

    Orange button marked “O”, on your right side, below the gear up lever, on your Panda Racer steering wheel, Steven. Came with the “Spyhunter” mods.

    Bernie has given the Inuits a GP??

  • Jordan Allen (Monty Python mis-qutoe here!)20/11/2008 at 02:16

    November 20th, 2008 at 2:12 amSteven Roy said:

    Christine is a witch! She turned Steven Roy into a newt!

    I am sure you will explain that to me if I need to know.

    Oh good, you got better.

    Someone forgot to read my bracketed section.....But I was misquoting the being of the "Witch sence" to MOnty Python's holy Grail.

  • Jordan Allen ()20/11/2008 at 02:21

    Steven Roy said:

    Orange button marked “O”, on your right side, below the gear up lever, on your Panda Racer steering wheel, Steven. Came with the “Spyhunter” mods.

    Bernie has given the Inuits a GP??

    No but you and whoever drives the Test Sidepodcast Panda Racer has the ability to drop an oil slick when they want to. Will check with the other Race Engineer to see it if is finally installed in their race car yet....

  • Jackie20/11/2008 at 02:42

    Cool, I like it, no more F5, yipee!

  • The RCE boys20/11/2008 at 23:33

    Hey its not a case of two wroTngs making a right or not - the fact is the cars just look WRONG.

    as for three lefts making a right? no way three lefts make a lap and a half on a speedway.

    From 'The RCE boys' (We enjoy Sidepodcast and at least one of our number has a crush on the lovely presenter!)

  • Steven Roy20/11/2008 at 23:38

    From ‘The RCE boys’

    So do you always post as a group?

  • me20/11/2008 at 23:41

    From ‘The RCE boys’ (We enjoy Sidepodcast and at least one of our number has a crush on the lovely presenter!)

    i guess someone's got to ;)

  • Alianora La Canta21/11/2008 at 11:45

    incidentally i just checked out alia’s “qtl translation plug-in” and the first mention on google says:

    “Be careful! the addon adds and changes your default search engine each time the browser starts. in addition, the translation feature turns itself on even …” {me - 23 comments ago}

    Well I never! I have to say in several months of having that plug-in installed, I've never had either the adding or changing part of the first problem happen to me. Unless it's suggesting that Yahoo! is the default search engine it uses. The translator is on by default and disabling it only works sometimes, but I put that down to the rest of my computer being a bit wierd anyway. I've also yet to encounter any site it actually ruins (the effect I was referring to appears to be a simple case of one button combination doing two jobs, which will confuse the computer a bit irrespective of which two programs are causing the conflict).

    However, I will take your advice and look for alternative in-line translation software. Which is a pity, because the translations seemed to be better than the likes of Babelfish (though not by any means perfect - no automated translation software is).

  • me21/11/2008 at 12:20

    However, I will take your advice and look for alternative in-line translation software. Which is a pity, because the translations seemed to be better than the likes of Babelfish (though not by any means perfect - no automated translation software is).

    cool, let us know how you get on.

    my advice would be to avoid anything that is platform specific when using a cross-platform browser. almost guarantee's it's been badly written.