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60 years ago today, the first BASIC program was run on a computer, a GE-225 mainframe.

READY
10 PRINT "HELLO ARMAGHNIAC"
20 GOTO 10
RUN

😅👏

Wikipedia suggests that the first program was PRINT 2 + 2
You have to admire those who wrote the Interpreter. 11 years later Gates and Allen wrote the interpreter for the Altair, although they did not have an Altair.

AI suggests that the answer is 5 for big values of 2

This article about Richard Martin (1754 - 1834)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Martin_(Irish_politician)

Active life
Martin also had a very eventful life. He was a colonel of the County Galway Volunteers.[29] He survived two shipwrecks.[30] He fought over a hundred duels with sword and pistol and earned the nickname "Hairtrigger Dick".[31] He travelled extensively in Europe and the Americas during the 1770s and was in New England when the American Revolutionary War began.[32] He initiated Galway's first theatre in 1783.[33]

Martin was on a first-name basis with many of the famous names of his age, including King George IV (who gave him the nickname "Humanity Dick"), Henry Flood, Henry Grattan, William Pitt, Queen Caroline, and Daniel O'Connell.[34] Despite his nickname he was considered a very harsh landlord in Ireland.[35]

On his death in 1834 his son Thomas became his heir.[36] A workhouse was built on his estate during the Irish famine. Although the workhouse was an apparent pledge to help the poor suffering from starvation, it is agreed that Thomas and his family did little to help and approximately 150,000 people died on their land during this period from starvation and fever.[36] Most of Martin's estate (approx. 200,000 acres (809 km2)) was in the west of Ireland and this area had one of the highest death tolls during the Famine.

You'd want to be a serious operator to be considered a harsh landlord at the time. Though 150,000 dead would do it

Doubt that he paid for the workhouse himself.

David, regarding the PPS. How many people work there?

So say a case comes to them from the cops. Do a small group of them look at it and decide to prosecute or is it discussed between a big group and an answer is given?

I was just wondering how it works. I hear PPS mentioned a lot but am just wondering how it is behind the scenes.

Not sure of the exact numbers but around 150 - 200 prosecutors and 300 - 350 support staff split across different regions and specialisms. Cases will be effectively triaged to the correct team and level of seniority. Ultimately it's the directing officers responsibility but they will know seek help and assistance from colleagues and superiors if necessary.

David, regarding the PPS. How many people work there?

So say a case comes to them from the cops. Do a small group of them look at it and decide to prosecute or is it discussed between a big group and an answer is given?

I was just wondering how it works. I hear PPS mentioned a lot but am just wondering how it is behind the scenes.

Not sure of the exact numbers but around 150 - 200 prosecutors and 300 - 350 support staff split across different regions and specialisms. Cases will be effectively triaged to the correct team and level of seniority. Ultimately it's the directing officers responsibility but they will know seek help and assistance from colleagues and superiors if necessary.

I have recently seen the police decide cases are not worth pursuing and a waste of public expenditure, but are passed to PPS for endorsement, yet the PPS dig in and proceed with the case.

Do the PPS have graduates who they throw minor cases at for them to gain experience?

I will be going to Clones, and not drinking, and will fight anyone who I think is going to start fighting.


(Apols for the Oxford comma. If you don't like it then I'll see you outside the Gerry Arthurs Stand at half time.)

Austria
Belgium

Can Cavan beat Monaghan? No, of course not.
Can Donegal beat Derry? No, don't be ridiculous.
Can Down surprise Armagh on Saturday? Hello no. Put your house and future salary on the orangemen.

Fine Gael favourite, crater face Hoey having a go at Jarlath Burns and the GAA
https://x.com/catharinehoey/status/1782365465433498036?s=46

What paper is  that article from? The Newsletter?

Yes, Newsletter

Dudley Edwards getting in on the act too

https://x.com/ruthde/status/1782437508644516335?s=46

Fine Gael favourite, crater face Hoey having a go at Jarlath Burns and the GAA
https://x.com/catharinehoey/status/1782365465433498036?s=46

I remember reading about this fella, Michael Davis, a comedy juggler of all things. The bit I read about him described his mastery of comedic timing as unsurpassed by anyone. Hard to argue when you watch him. If you've never seen him, I recommend you spend 9 minutes of your time to watch him in action as he performed for then US president Ronald Reagan:

Brilliant.

Dude, what does mine say?

https://youtu.be/BMuGjeoS3qI?si=tuPkilGDWdtKnDYh

I'm looking forward to Derry Donegal match this weekend.

Derry favourites of course, but there is that Jesus factor with Jimmy boy

Rumours that McIlroy is ready to jump to LIV.
That will be some u-turn for him, but maybe a sign that LIV are going to win eventually.
 

Also rumours that Rahm is heading back to PGA.

Things I don't expect to see:
- Rory joining LIV
- Ian Paisley hugging Martin McGuiness
- DUP sharing power with Sinn Fein
- Jim Alister in Stormont which is running the Irish Sea border
- Mickey Harte managing Derry hi

and of course
- Dublin being split in two (city and county) to give other Leinster teams a chance

Both sides struggled in Brewster Park with the severe cross wind, hence the low points total.