IS the end of the printed book in sight?
The announcement from Amazon that is selling more ebooks in America than print books might show it could be.
Since April 1, Amazon has said it has sold 105 ebooks to every 100 print books in America. The company brought out its Kindle electronic book reader there four years ago.
In the UK the ebook is bought by more people than the hardback, according to Amazon. They released figures showing they have sold more ebooks than hardbacks. The Kindle was launched in Britain in August 2010.
You can buy up to 650,000 ebooks at Amazon.co.uk.
The bestselling ebook titles at Amazon.co.uk of this year are Stephen Leather’s The Basement and The Hanging Shed by Gordon Ferris.
Despite all the fuss of ebooks, I still think I would rather buy an actual book than purchase an ebook.
Although I have yet to read anything on an ebook, so I don’t know what they are like.
Talking about download books outselling print books in America Jeff Bezos, founder and chief executive of Amazon told the Guardian: “We had high hopes that this would happen eventually, but we never imagined it would happen so quickly.”
Meanwhile, it was a shame that Liverpool could not grab fifth place from Tottenham for a place in the Europa league. Let’s hope Liverpool do better in the league next year.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Double dose of The Apprentice last week
LAST week there was a double dose of The Apprentice.
The show, which this year sees Sir Alan Sugar give £250,000 to the winner to start a company, was just as watchable as ever.
Some of the people on The Apprentice often come across very poorly to the viewer and there are some funny moments.
The boys lost to the girls on the first two tasks they have had to carry out.
Last Tuesday night both teams were given £250, which they had to invest in food. They then had to sell the food to people in the city.
The girls mainly sold fruit salad, while the boys flogged soup. Alex Cabral was fired.
On the following night’s episode the teams had to produce a mobile phone application. I though that both apps were uninteresting and there seemed to be no point to them.
The boys app, I think was called Slangatang, and if you downloaded it you could hear different regional dialects.
While the app the girls produced was named Ampi App. Those who downloaded it were able to hear a number of annoying noises. At the end Edward Hunter was fired.
I think it is too early to pick out a clear favourite.
Meanwhile, last Friday’s £107 EuroMillions jackpot was won by a ticketholder from Spain.
That’s enough money to get you a place on the Sunday Times Rich List.
There is now a EuroMillions draw on a Tuesday night also.
The show, which this year sees Sir Alan Sugar give £250,000 to the winner to start a company, was just as watchable as ever.
Some of the people on The Apprentice often come across very poorly to the viewer and there are some funny moments.
The boys lost to the girls on the first two tasks they have had to carry out.
Last Tuesday night both teams were given £250, which they had to invest in food. They then had to sell the food to people in the city.
The girls mainly sold fruit salad, while the boys flogged soup. Alex Cabral was fired.
On the following night’s episode the teams had to produce a mobile phone application. I though that both apps were uninteresting and there seemed to be no point to them.
The boys app, I think was called Slangatang, and if you downloaded it you could hear different regional dialects.
While the app the girls produced was named Ampi App. Those who downloaded it were able to hear a number of annoying noises. At the end Edward Hunter was fired.
I think it is too early to pick out a clear favourite.
Meanwhile, last Friday’s £107 EuroMillions jackpot was won by a ticketholder from Spain.
That’s enough money to get you a place on the Sunday Times Rich List.
There is now a EuroMillions draw on a Tuesday night also.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Golfing great Seve Ballesteros has died
IT was sad to hear of the death of Seve Ballesteros who had been battling brain cancer for a number of years.
His life was cut short at the age of only 54, however he had achieved so much in the world of golf.
He won the Open Championship in 1979 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, at St Andrews in 1984 and again at Lytham in 1988.
Seve also clinched the US Masters in 1980 and 1983.
Many other European golfers were inspired by Seve after his triumphs in the majors.
His success was the beginning of a halcyon period for European golf with Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam all taking major after Seve’s first Open triumph in 1979.
The Spaniard also played a big part in the achievements of the European Ryder Cup team.
Great Britain and Ireland (GB and I) had not won the cup since 1957. In 1979 it was decided to let players from Europe play against America. Seve played a part in the first European teams that began to turn the table against the Americans.
Europe were to win the Ryder Cup in 1985 and again in 1987 in America – the first time America had lost the cup on their own soil.
Seve was a successful Ryder Cup captain too and led Europe to a win against America at Valderrama in Spain in 1997.
He will be remembered for his flair and spirit. His driving was often wayward, but when he was at the top of the sport, his short game was the best in the business.
When he won his first Open, he was called the car park champion because he drove into a car park at the 16th, however Seve still managed to win.
Meanwhile it will be good to see The Apprentice return to our screens this week. The last series only finished at the end of last year and there are due to be some changes this time around.
His life was cut short at the age of only 54, however he had achieved so much in the world of golf.
He won the Open Championship in 1979 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, at St Andrews in 1984 and again at Lytham in 1988.
Seve also clinched the US Masters in 1980 and 1983.
Many other European golfers were inspired by Seve after his triumphs in the majors.
His success was the beginning of a halcyon period for European golf with Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam all taking major after Seve’s first Open triumph in 1979.
The Spaniard also played a big part in the achievements of the European Ryder Cup team.
Great Britain and Ireland (GB and I) had not won the cup since 1957. In 1979 it was decided to let players from Europe play against America. Seve played a part in the first European teams that began to turn the table against the Americans.
Europe were to win the Ryder Cup in 1985 and again in 1987 in America – the first time America had lost the cup on their own soil.
Seve was a successful Ryder Cup captain too and led Europe to a win against America at Valderrama in Spain in 1997.
He will be remembered for his flair and spirit. His driving was often wayward, but when he was at the top of the sport, his short game was the best in the business.
When he won his first Open, he was called the car park champion because he drove into a car park at the 16th, however Seve still managed to win.
Meanwhile it will be good to see The Apprentice return to our screens this week. The last series only finished at the end of last year and there are due to be some changes this time around.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Writer of Only Fools and Horses has died
IT was sad to see that the writer of Only Fools And Horses, John Sullivan, had died.
Only Fools and Horses was one of my favourite comedy programmes when I was growing up.
The exploits of Del and Rodney were followed by millions over the years the show was on BBC1.
Who can forget The Jolly Boys’ Outing – the Christmas feature length special from 1989.
Del Boy organises the annual trip to Margate, but the day goes wrong when the coach blows up on the way home.
It is lucky for Del though, as he bumps into an old flame (Raquel) who he later goes on to marry.
The day is also bad for Rodney, who ends up being arrested, much to the annoyance of his wife Cassandra.
Another favourite of mine was The Unlucky Winner Is. Here Rodney wins a competition to the Mediterranean after Del Boy enters a Megaflakes competition. But there is a snag as Rodney has to pretend to be 14 years old on holiday.
The show made household names of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
John Sullivan was only 64, but he was behind many other famous programmes, such as Just Good Friends and Dear John.
Meanwhile, I was surprised to find out that today (Saturday, April 23) was St George’s Day. April 23 is the day Saint George was supposed to have died in AD 303.
St George was a Roman soldier who fought against the Romans because they tortured Christians. He died for what he believed in.
He is believed to be popular in England because the Crusaders are said to have seen him in a vision before they won a battle.
Only Fools and Horses was one of my favourite comedy programmes when I was growing up.
The exploits of Del and Rodney were followed by millions over the years the show was on BBC1.
Who can forget The Jolly Boys’ Outing – the Christmas feature length special from 1989.
Del Boy organises the annual trip to Margate, but the day goes wrong when the coach blows up on the way home.
It is lucky for Del though, as he bumps into an old flame (Raquel) who he later goes on to marry.
The day is also bad for Rodney, who ends up being arrested, much to the annoyance of his wife Cassandra.
Another favourite of mine was The Unlucky Winner Is. Here Rodney wins a competition to the Mediterranean after Del Boy enters a Megaflakes competition. But there is a snag as Rodney has to pretend to be 14 years old on holiday.
The show made household names of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
John Sullivan was only 64, but he was behind many other famous programmes, such as Just Good Friends and Dear John.
Meanwhile, I was surprised to find out that today (Saturday, April 23) was St George’s Day. April 23 is the day Saint George was supposed to have died in AD 303.
St George was a Roman soldier who fought against the Romans because they tortured Christians. He died for what he believed in.
He is believed to be popular in England because the Crusaders are said to have seen him in a vision before they won a battle.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Action for Happiness launched
SOME people raised their eyebrows at the announcement of a new group called Action for Happiness aimed at bringing about a happier society. The idea was launched on Tuesday, April 12 and was covered on the BBC and ITN news programmes. Action for Happiness wants to bring about an alternative culture where people are more interested in the happiness of others. If you join you have to promise to bring about more happiness in the world, in a number of different settings, whether it be at home, in the community or at work. The people behind Action for Happiness are Lord Layard, Geoff Mulgan and Anthony Seldon who come from the world of economics, education and politics. Those involved with the group have said people in America and Britain may have more material goods than people 50 years ago, but they are no happier. Mark Williamson, director of Action for Happiness, said: “Now more than ever we need to help people build their personal resilience and create a culture where we are less preoccupied with material wealth and more focussed on each other’s happiness and well-being.” Those behind Action for Happiness believe humans are made happy by their relationships, at work, at home and in the community. Meanwhile, this year’s Masters was one of the most exciting for many years. The final day was pulsating. You could not help but feel sorry for Rory McIlroy. He had been leading going into the final day and fell away dramatically after a terrible back nine. Tiger Wood’s charge on the last day was exciting too. Charl Schwartzel played terrific golf to win.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
The end of the single on CD?
IT’S a shame that some record labels have decided to stop producing singles on CD and vinyl because of lack of sales. Many people have fond memories of going into their local music store and buying the latest releases. In the past, I have been told there were booths in record shops, where you could listen to a record before buying it. Music label Mercury Records has announced they are no longer going to produce singles on CD, because most of their singles sales are now on downloads. Artists such as Elton John, U2 and Arcade Fire are with the label. But the company will release discs for charity singles. People are downloading music now. This way of buying songs again offers you a brief chance to listen to a single or album before you purchase it. It is also a lot more convenient – as you don’t have to leave your own home. Meanwhile, for the first time in years you won’t be able to watch the first two days of The Masters live unless you have satellite television. The tournament will be live on terrestrial television from the weekend though. This year’s event will start on Thursday, April 7 and finishes on Sunday, April 10. It is good the BBC has not lost the whole event, but I hope next year the full coverage can return. This year will also be 25 years since Jack Nicklaus’s famous win at Augusta. He took his 18th Major (and last to date) in 1986 at the age of 46.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Countdown to Olympics starts
THE Olympic clock stopped just a day after it was launched and let’s hope this is not a bad omen for the main event next year.
The clock was put in place to mark 500 days before the 2012 Olympics start next July.
It had been unveiled by Lord Coe, London 2012 chief and the mayor of London Boris Johnson.
Omega, who are the official Olympic timekeeper, admitted the clock had stopped.
The clock froze seven hours, 56 seconds after it was started.
Thankfully, the clock was re-started after six hours.
Also, the application process for tickets for London 2012 Olympic Games has started.
Those interested must put their application in by April 26 of this year.
The organisers have 6.6m tickets to sell for 645 sessions across 26 sports.
It is being considered as a “chance in a lifetime” because this is the first time the country has hosted the Olympics since 1948.
The most sought after tickets will be for Sunday, August 5 at the Olympic Stadium.
On that day you will be able to see the final of the men’s 100m.
When England last held the Olympics – the event was called The Austerity Games as it was only three years after World War two and rationing was still in place.
The Olympics were also held in London in 1908.
The clock was put in place to mark 500 days before the 2012 Olympics start next July.
It had been unveiled by Lord Coe, London 2012 chief and the mayor of London Boris Johnson.
Omega, who are the official Olympic timekeeper, admitted the clock had stopped.
The clock froze seven hours, 56 seconds after it was started.
Thankfully, the clock was re-started after six hours.
Also, the application process for tickets for London 2012 Olympic Games has started.
Those interested must put their application in by April 26 of this year.
The organisers have 6.6m tickets to sell for 645 sessions across 26 sports.
It is being considered as a “chance in a lifetime” because this is the first time the country has hosted the Olympics since 1948.
The most sought after tickets will be for Sunday, August 5 at the Olympic Stadium.
On that day you will be able to see the final of the men’s 100m.
When England last held the Olympics – the event was called The Austerity Games as it was only three years after World War two and rationing was still in place.
The Olympics were also held in London in 1908.
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