Competitive sports
Competitive sport shouldn’t be at odds with non-physical or non-competitive activities according to our CIXen, but how do we make allowances for the smaller in the class who don’t match up to the physical stature of their classmates? The debate covered the idea of ‘minor’ sports, as well as the problem of bullying. Should PE be streamed like Maths is? Should variety of one-on-one sports or even tai chi be introduced to cater for a more diverse range of students than football or athletics does?
You can share your stories in: forums:sasha_lubetkin/3controversy:9795

Bribe of the month
If our political elite seem to promise the earth and deliver nothing, then turn your eyes to Uruguay, where the once and future president is promising a free tablet to all resident pensioners. Vazquez is credited with a passable job at post-2002 economic recovery and used to be the nation’s number one oncologist.
In: forums:uruguay/general:3513

Taking Offence
I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue host Jack Dee threatened to quit this week after complaints about innuendo on the show. Dee maintained that innuendo was a common part of the show and if he was told to rein it in he wouldn’t stay with the show. CIXen agreed that the great thing about innuendo is it only means something to the already corrupted. But then perhaps any outrage is simply a nice bit of coverage before the new series starts.
Wade in on: forums:bbc.radio/r4i:8523

Books bound by… what?
A recent discovery of a book bound in human skin at Harvard University is not as uncommon a tale as you would think. Covering books in human skin, known as anthropodermic bibliopegy, was common practice in the 19th Century and in the UK, Bristol records hold a book covered in the skin of John Horwood, hanged for the murder of Eliza Balsum. The cover of the book was
embossed with a skull and crossbones, with the words “Cutis Vera Johannis Horwood”, meaning “the actual skin of John Horwood”, added in gilt letters.
Join the gruesome debate in: forums:wur/most_grueseome:2474

Jokes:

I had to call the AA the other day as my car wouldn’t start. The AA man said that the starter motor wasn’t engaging with the flywheel. I asked whether that meant I needed a new starter motor, he replied, “Maybe, maybe not. It’s all a matter of a pinion”.

Luis Suarez banned from any football-related activity. Arsenal are reportedly showing immediate interest.

An artist asked the gallery owner if there had been any interest in his paintings currently on display. “I’ve got good news and bad news,” the owner replied. “The good news is that a gentleman inquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. When I told him it would, he bought all fifteen of your paintings.”
“That’s wonderful!” the artist exclaimed, “What’s the bad news?”.
With concern, the gallery owner replied, “The guy was your doctor.”

Spirituality
CIXen asked (and answered) a very curious question this week. What do people mean by the term ‘spirituality’? Can anyone, even an atheist, be accurately described as spiritual? The discussion covered the idea that we are all spiritual but we approach it from different points, some from religion and some not. The discussion also led to wondering if science could ever truly represent what is going on in someone’s mind.
Join the discussion: cix:sasha_lubetkin/6ask_aunty:5739

How deep is my station?
Ever wondered just how deep underground you are when you’re waiting for the next tube? CIXen shared an interested website which is able to show you just how deep you are – not for the claustrophobic.
cix:london/transport:2396

How do they do it?
Bird lovers – how do blackbirds gather up so many worms at once without dropping them? CIXen wondered if, like a puffin, they have a backward-pointing horny papillae on the upper palette.
Offer your expertise: cix:birds/3twitterings:3073

Ok Go
CIXen shared the latest clever video from OK Go who produced the original treadmill video. You can view this one: cix:pointers/5www:4220

Online shopping
A businessman looking to expand to an online shop turned to CIX for advice this week. Suggestions from fellow business owners included ZenCart plus PayPal and Volusion which offers a fully managed system. Technical issues of upgrades and updates to what is available as well as payment compliancy were important considerations made.
Help out: cix:own.business/17chatter:2964

Jokes:

Football is a bunch of millionaires ruining a lawn – Charlie Brooker.

This week on the CIX forums:

eBay
Should eBay behave more like a normal auction, and adjust the time when a new bid is made rather than allow swiping in the last few seconds? This could end up with more chance for the seller to make more money on the items they’re flogging as it would force buyers to engage for longer. Or would it put people off completely as they wouldn’t be able to win at the last second? Join the conversation on cix:ebay/4general:4495

The American CIX
It would seem CIXen have found their overseas peers in conferencing forum ‘The Well’. The Well’s story and fortunes are very similar to CIX, though some members who have tried both didn’t think it had the same friendly feel.
Read more in cix:pointers/5www:4181

British Values
Raffles called off have been dubbed an attack on British values – but aren’t we more than a raffle in a village hall? Is Gove’s British Values campaign facing the same fate as John Major’s Back to Basics?
The debate continues: cix:politics-open/15general:3011

Superstition tested
The BBC told the story this week of a man who has had to flee to Finland from India for fear of his life. Sanal Edamaruku took on a Hindu Fakir who claimed he could kill anyone with tantric chanting but after hours on live television Edamaruku showed little sign of even discomfort, let alone death.
Lend your voice: cix:humanist/5superstition:1616

Journalists under fire
Eagle eyed CIXen have noticed seemingly contradictory articles by journalists writing in different publications this week. Whilst in one, they are crying outrage at the sugar laden treats we’re all giving our children, in another, they are ‘fat and proud’. Another day, another dollar, or should journalists have more pride than that?
cix:private_eye/11wibble:2882

Well it’s very nice, but is it Art?
The BBC’s look at 10 important photographs from a new collection raised lots of queries about photography and whether it can be art. CIXen waxed lyrical over a photograph of two buckets – the Holy Pail, if you will – and noted that it speaks volumes. About 10 litres.
cix:photo/12general:1434

Jokes:

A classic every time:
The England World Cup team visited an orphanage in Rio today.
“It’s heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope,” said Bernardo, aged seven.

Steven Gerrard reveals that England are preparing for World Cup penalty shootouts by practising shaking their heads while looking dejected.

CIXen Wendy Grossman has published a few more pieces on CIX recently, including a look at the issue of insecurities in our networks and data breaches on sites like eBay and Target, and a piece on the lifespan of software and our need to think of it as a forever product, not a short-term one. She has also put forward her views on the ruling that Google must take down links that a user does not want to be associated with, saying that search engines are not the only way to find information online and we should be teaching less lazy alternatives.
cix:Wendyg.public/articles:104
cix:Wendyg.public/articles:105
cix:Wendyg.public/articles:106

Another week, another security breach and this time True Crypt had CIXen worried. In true CIX style, this has turned into a debate on religion and politics, but you can still make up your mind on the NSA conspiracy theory at: cix:linux/10lounge:2238

In cash we trust: A CIXen was concerned this week that supermarkets could potentially link a credit card to a customer in order to track items in a weekly shop even if no loyalty card was given. Fear not – this is likely to be against the data protection act, where information cannot be held longer than is necessary. Though of course, you might miss out on the vouchers.
cix:enquire_within/84general:10563

Jokes:

Steven Gerrard reveals that England are preparing for World Cup penalty shootouts by practising shaking their heads while looking dejected

Here’s what has been going on in the CIX Forums this week:

5:2 Diet gets a revamp

The popular ‘fasting’ diet which involves fasting for 2 days a week and eating normally for the remaining 5, has had an update from Michael Mosley, the doctor behind the Horizon documentary. This version combines the original 5:2 diet with tighter eating and more exercise too. The fast beach 5:2 followers should clear out their cupboards of any junk food, make sure to control their portions by measuring food, and avoid alcohol for a six week period. Dr Mosley advises having healthy snacks to hand to avoid temptation and exercising a few times a week with high intensity training through swimming or running.
CIXforums:fasting/general:1476

Is there more to horseradish than sauce?

Gourmet cooks were at a loss to suggest much more than a homemade horseradish sauce for a chef presented with the ingredient, though a medieval horseradish sweet did make an appearance. Do you have an exotic horseradish recipe? Share with cixforums:gourmet/12general:4297

Book Club

Reviews are coming through for ‘Never Let Me Go’ by Kazuo Ishiguro and CIXen tells of its slow moving horror which will stick firmly in their mind. Add your review, or join in next month, with June’s book ‘The Man in the High Castle’ by Philip K Dick.
cixforums:sasha_lubetkin/book_club:5544

Online Oldies

Radio Somerset were looking at the latest government initiative to bring more of the older generation online, which prompted an eager CIXen to phone in and discuss Europe’s oldest social network. Could internet forums be the solution for isolation that many older people face?
Join the debate: cixforums:sasha_lubetkin/16chatterbox:4536

CIX Jokes of the Week:

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No..
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practising law.

It’s a good job we humans no longer have to hunt for our food. I don’t even know where crisps live.

Here’s a rundown of CIX this week:

As Net Neutrality issues popped up on both sides of the pond, CIXen discussed the various differences in the system we have in the UK and the one our American friends have in the States. Their system allows has created a near monopoly of the last-mile of internet services, meaning users can have prices hiked in order to receive premium, or even generic, services.
Our sister company ICUK has also blogged on this issue: http://goo.gl/LNSvER.

Debated on: cixforums:internet/16general:2393

Is misogyny on the rise? Following the BBC documentary by Kirsty Wark, CIXen debated whether misogyny is indeed comparatively more of a problem now. The rise of social media has certainly brought more to light than may have been known before and can give the appearance of a rise where there is not one. CIXen also considered whether cultural changes meant society had become used to something and therefore the next generation had to be even more shocking than the last in order to get a response.

Find this on: cixforums:sasha_lubetkin/3controversy:9382

Vintage footage was shared in pointers this week, including a live instant coffee advert from 1953 and a pre-war BBC television compilation. The compilation, from 1938, is considered the earliest example of pre-war live high definition television – though it may not match up to our HD standards!

More here: cixforums:pointers/5www:4160 and here: cixforums:pointers/5www:4159

CeX, the gadget trading store of a very similar name, announced it would accepting bitcoin for three days this month to highlight the pressing issues around Scottish independence and currency. The Glasgow store hopes to show that they could go without the pound and it wouldn’t be a hindrance to the country.

Keep the debate going: cixforums:bitcoin/general:398

Resident CIX tech journalist Wendy Grossman published her latest piece entitled ‘The Cost of Surveillance’ through CIX, and you can read it on: cixforums:wendyg.public/articles.103.

Our sister company ICUK scooped an award at the Croydon Business Awards this week! The team won Best Customer Service and were also Highly Commended for Commitment to the Community.
Read more on the ICUK blog: http://goo.gl/kiF8Qb

A few CIX jokes:

At breakfast….
A husband says to his wife, ‘What would you do if I won the Lotto?’

‘I’d take half, and leave you’, she says.

‘Great’, he says…. ‘Here’s six dollars….. I won twelve dollars
yesterday. Stay in touch.’

I got a letter from the Origami Association this morning.

I don’t know what to make of it.

Here’s what’s been going on in the CIX forums this week:

Tributes were paid to composer Antony Hopkins who died earlier this week, though there was acknowledgement of the confusion with the Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins, who is still alive. He will be fondly remembered by many CIXens who enjoyed his compositions on BBC radio, that brightened up a Sunday afternoon.

As seen on: cix:bbcradio/5general:5711

Fans of Eurovision can rescan their digital radios to enjoy a dedicated BBC station to the events over the weekend. It will feature interviews and anecdotes from Eurovision contests past and present.

As seen on: cix:bbcradio/digital:5257

The redundant French cuff was debated this week, as CIXens questioned its need in the age of buttoned shirts. Cufflinks were initially a feature of shirts to hold them equally below the jacket, but many CIXens agreed that they, along with other clothing items like ties, are rather unnecessary in this day and age.

As seen on: cix:sasha_lubetkin/6ask_aunty:5529

CIXen Jokes this week:

There was a time traveller who travelled back in time to try and prevent the accidental death of his wife.

He failed.

He was beside himself with grief at the funeral.

FIVE Simple Truths

1. Money cannot buy happiness, but it’s more comfortable to cry in a

Mercedes than on a bicycle.

2. Forgive your enemy, but remember the a-hole’s name.

3. If you help someone when they’re in trouble, they will remember

you when they’re in trouble again.

4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to kill them.

5. Alcohol does not solve any problems – but then neither does milk.

An Irishman who had a little too much to drink is driving home from the city one night and, of course, his car is weaving violently all over the road.

A cop pulls him over. “So,” says the cop to the driver, “where have ya been?”

” Why, I’ve been to the pub of course,” slurs the drunk.

” Well,” says the cop, “it looks like you’ve had quite a few to drink this evening.”

“I did all right,” the drunk says with a smile.

“Did you know,” says the cop, standing straight and folding his arms across his chest, “that a few intersections back, your wife fell out of your car?”

“Oh, thank heavens,” sighs the drunk.  “For a minute there, I thought I’d gone deaf.”

This Month’s Book Club read ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ and it received mixed criticisms. It’s main plus point was how easy it is to read, but book club members were let down by the substance of the book, which saw very little happen.

The book for May is ‘Never Let Me Go’ by Kazuo Ishiguro.

As seen on: cix:sasha_lubetkin/book_club:5457

Will facebook bring down the government? Social media has been credited with the rise of revolutions in many countries in the last couple of years, but now Telegraph commentator Fraser Nelson is linking it with something much more sinister. Nelson writes that many terrorists can have their roots traced back to London, in a phenomenon that has led the CIA to dub London as ‘Londonistan’. But CIXens are far more rational, many more keen to play down waves of hysteria rather than encourage people to be scared.

As seen on: cix:pointers/2pointless:2908

The conflict in Syria and those Brits who go to fight was up for debate too this week as David Cameron has called on women of the Muslim community to stop their husbands and sons going to Syria.  Should British residents who choose to either send funds or go themselves be arrested and charged with terror offences? Where is the line drawn over crimes committed in another country and whether the offender can be prosecuted here?

As seen on: cix:enquire_within/61discussion:10106

Jokes of the Week:

Alcohol was my dad’s answer to everything. He didn’t drink. He was just lousy at quizzes.

A young man was in love with two women and could not decide which of them to marry. Finally he went to a marriage counsellor. When asked to describe his two loves, he noted that one was a great poet and the other made delicious pancakes.

“Oh” said the counsellor, “I see what the problem is. You can’t decide whether to marry for batter or verse.”

I invited my American mate to the opening of my WW2 themed pub.

He was late.

Here’s what’s been going on this week in CIX:

Under which name does a woman sign the marriage register? Assuming a bride is to take her husband’s surname, is she married as she signs the register, before or once she’s signed it? Advice from registrars indicates to sign in the maiden name, but an interesting example of two sisters married on the same day suggested sometimes signing in the married name was the done thing too.

As seen on: cix:gene/2general:4372

There’s been a media storm around the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s trip to Australia and New Zealand, but was the headline news of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall’s brother’s death worthy of so much coverage? Mark Shand, the conservationist and travel writer, was dubbed an ‘inspiration’ after his shock death for his charity work with The Elephant Family. However his death may not have warranted so much attention had his sister not been married to the Prince of Wales.

As seen on: cix:bbcradio/5general:5654

The Beeb’s latest costume drama caused grumblings across social media and CIX this week. Jamaica Inn, an adaptation of the Daphne Du Maurier novel of the same name, was broadcast with such poor sound quality that viewers had to turn the volume all the way up to understand anything actors were saying. The BBC initially apologised saying a technical fault had occurred during transmission that couldn’t be rectified but when a quarter of the audience gave up during the second episode, they admitted the actors may not have been speaking as clearly as possible.

As seen on: cix:sasha_lubetkin/16chatterbox:2904

Nigella Lawson may need to be called in as a special advisor for one CIXen’s problem. Travelling to the US to film her next series of The Taste, Nigella found herself thrown off the flight because of admitting to using drugs, in court last year. CIXen’s concerns that this could happen to a friend with a drugs record was given some relief – the US seem to grant offence waivers around 15 years after. We could be waiting a while for that second series then…

As seen on: cix:uncle_sam/2general:3814

Puzzling football rules were discussed in the football forum as the season winds down. If you can shed any light on why players have to wait on the sidelines to return to play after an injury, then join the debate on: cix:football/3chatter:5474.

Just one joke this week:

Paddy texts his wife:

“Mary, I’m just having one more pint with the lads,

If I’m not home in 20 minutes, read this message again”

Here’s what’s been going on this week in CIX:

Would Nigel Evans have been entitled to legal aid? Should his costs be reimbursed now that he’s been acquitted? What would have happened to a poorer man in his situation? CIXens debated the ins and outs of the Nigel Evans case and his sudden change in support for legal aid when he needed it most.

The debate continues on: cix:law/3crimial:349

New gTLDs have been launched this week to mixed reviews on CIX. Though some CIXens have already purchased a name or two, others aren’t convinced they’ll serve any real purpose. Speculation that many people google the address and never learn the domain name extension could make the new domains relatively pointless.

As seen on: cix:photo/12general:1391

Legal themes dominated many discussions over the week, as workers questioned whether their employer should have hired them without finances to pay them, and landlords questioned their right to keys. Help and advice with legal issues is always needed on CIX, where a workaround is the best solution for most!

As seen on: cix:landlords/general2:4159 and cix:enquire_within/9legal:1404

The Guardian are said to be setting up a newspaper which draws content using algorithms and social media. Is this the death of good journalism? Many felt that the recycled nature of journalism would only continue if the majority of stories were found by analysis of twitter trends and by rehashing the MailOnline’s content. And, of course, it’s harder to complain about the Guardianistas…

Reporting straight from: cix:enquire_within/61discussion:8796

Jokes of the week:

Apparently the US flag on the moon has been bleached white by the sun. so if aliens visit us they’ll assume the French landed there.

Why are there no aspirin in the jungle?

Because, there isn’t a sufficient customer base to support the infrastructure required to sell pharmaceuticals.