B&Q

[Tim S]

Dave Liquorice coughed up some electrons that declared:

In an ideal world...

In this case, I was project manager, lead engineer, programmer and purchaser of random hardware. Customer needed a prototype in 4.5 months from nothing.

And it was a new job, but I did already had some background with the products and some of the (tiny) company staff, otherwise it would have been impossible.

It worked. Not really the sort of stress I enjoy, but the overall result was quite pleasing and the prototype became the final product, with later additions and enhancements.

I don't begrudge those extra hours as the company was one of the very few I've worked for with truely honourable management (they wera all engineers - rather says something in itself). But I'm pretty sure my situation is not unique - and many people I know have to pull similar stunts for some fairly ungrateful bastards. At least my lot were grateful for effort and results.

cheers

Tim

[The Medway Handyman]

Kinell Dave, why aren't you Minister for Education?

Silly question, you have far too much common sense.

[Owain]

Do you know how much education costs to provide?

In Scotland 2007-08 Gross revenue expenditure on primary education was £4,638 per pupil. Gross revenue expenditure on secondary education was £6,326 per pupil. Capital expenditure not funded from revenue on primary and secondary schools was £599 per pupil.

comparison, independent school (day pupil) fees range from

Gordonstoun School £18,591 Merchiston Castle School £17,205 Glenalmond College £16,920 Fettes College £16,896 Loretto School £16,620

down to

St. Aloysius' College, Glasgow £8,010 Hamilton College £7,230

{incomplete}

The primary purposes of government-provided education are to keep the little bggrs off the streets and provide future employees at the "is it on the trolley?" level.

Owain

[Dave Liquorice]

Far to honest on expenses claims as well. B-)

With the current lack of work and the TV Ads pleading for teachers I did wander across the 'net to see if that was a possibilty. Nope, to teach you need a degree, the one I have is in "life" not written on a bit a paper.

[PeterC]

That's the principle in The Shed - they are apprentices and are taught from pre-birth. I met a 2.5 yo who had more common sense and knowledge than most 16 yo - but he still liked playing with his toys in the garden. He was at risk of falling on to a stone floor at one point (out of balance on a high stool) and his father made him think about how to get out of the position (did help that my GF there was an A&E doctor!). The lad managed it and learned something.

[Tony Bryer]

Ours here in Melbourne has a few designated short cuts but it's still a fair trek round. But here you only pay for what's on your trolley.

FWIW all the furniture in my flat here is from Ikea. No missing bits at all. But their stock control here is somewhat lacking: I spent my first seven weeks sleeping on a mattress on the floor, the bed I wanted being out of stock.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Same at the local one - it has a checkout like any supermarket. There may well not be stock of things on display when you try and collect them from the warehouse bit, though.

Can't see B&Q improving on that, somehow. Or indeed carrying the sort of stock that allows you to equip an entire house in one go like you virtually can at Ikea.

[Owain]

Habitat used to do (mail order only) Habitat Housepacks, where you could equip an entire house in one go.

Owain

[The Natural Philosopher]

Shudder.

Possibly even worse than Ikea..