::Griffblog::

RouteBuddy and Ordnance Survey have released 1:50k maps compatible with RouteBuddy’s iPhone Atlas Application.

The maps, priced from £9.99 each cover the Ordnance Survey Landranger map series with over 200 to choose from with complete coverage of the UK.

These 1:50k maps join the 1:25k Explorer map tiles already available in RouteBuddy’s Online Map Store.

The RouteBuddy Atlas iPhone App is available for download free from the iTunes App Store and allows the loading and display of OS maps with full support for the 3GS compass and GPS features. Atlas is also compatible with iPod Touch but no GPS features are available on these models.

Maps purchased from RouteBuddy can be loaded from either a Mac or a PC onto the iPhone using a superbly simple iPhone server feature.

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I love my iPhone but even with the improved battery life of the 3GS it is still a struggle to survive a full day away from power.

There have been external battery pack ‘backpacks’ before but most were fugly and there is no greater crime than to spoil the fine lines of an iPhone.  And so it was with much hope that I ordered a Mophie Juice Pack Air.

Designed as a very svelte and slim case for your iPhone, the Juice Pack Air doubles the battery power of your iPhone whilst adding only a little bulk.  The case is so well designed that it could easily be mistaken as a standard case.

On the back is a small button and four LEDs to indicate the charge level of the battery pack.  On the bottom is the new micro-USB connector that is used to charge the battery and that of the iPhone if connected. It can also be synced via this connector and the requisite micro-USB lead is supplied.  A small switch allows to to switch the battery pack on/off as desired.  When on it will power the iPhone and charge the battery.

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Heart warming to see the #WeLoveTheNHS hashtag has attracted over a million posts following the US political criticism of our NHS system.

One of President Obama’s pledges was reform of the US healthcare system  which is built upon insurance funded health-care.  Those of us lucky enough to live in a country where health-care is free to all cannot imagine what it must be like to worry about what is and isn’t covered under your medical insurance policy and worse still what you do when you cannot afford to have insurance at all.

Now I’m about to undergo surgery next week on the NHS, surgery that will cost many tens of thousands of pounds but I know that I don’t have to pay and that all the treatments, after-care and follow up is free.  I frequent a usergroup where others who have had or are having this procedure (the ilizarov or TSF) can discuss their progress and some of the stories are truly frightening.  Imagine having an operation but being told that the follow up care wasn’t covered and would be billed, or that despite being unable to walk your policy would not cover you!  One family had even contemplated re-enlisting in the US Army so the wife could get medical care that she needed but was not available on insurance.

Yes at times our NHS isn’t perfect but I’ve always had a very positive experience and given the option of NHS or insurance based care I’d choose the NHS each time.  I don’t want a board of insurance assessors choosing what I need and if one thing is clear from the US example, there are a lot of very rich medical insurance companies and doubtless a fair number of senators who continue to get their backs scratched by them as they fight to maintain their position.

This weekend I’ve taken the opportunity to visit my family in North Wales ahead of the op.  Eleven days to go now and it may be some time before I can make the 5hr trip to see them again.

We split the journey with an overnight stay at The Village in Dudley, one of a chain.  A nice basic hotel for travellers with excellent facilities and most importantly hotel wide free WiFi.  Compare that with the Oakley Court hotel we stayed at last weekend where despite tit being an expensive (and very lovely) four star hotel, internet access was an extra £20/day!

So the weekend in Wales has consisted mainly of BBQ’s and alcohol and the weather has been relatively kind with the usual mix of sun and rain that is typical of a Welsh Summer!  I also took the opportunity to purchase some clothing that I will hopefully be able to wear with the frame.  Two pairs of runners shorts that are high cut at the sides should work fine for around the house and what remains of the summer and also a selection of trousers.  One set are pyjama pants, thin and stretchy and not dissimilar to track suit bottoms and another pair are track suit bottoms which are much thicker.  The plan for these is to cannibalise one pair to add a panel to the other that will allow them to fit over the frame.

It’s all pretty speculative at the moment as we have no idea how big the frame will physically be.  But so long as I have something I can wear in the hospital post Op and for the journey home I’ll be happy!

Having had a few days now in which to appraise the BE Broadband service I am delighted to report that it far surpasses expectations.

Not only am I now enjoying un-metered and un-throttled ADSL but I’m syncing at 18Mbps which is a huge improvement on the 5.5Mbps I was getting with PlusNet.  I should point out that PlusNet could not offer me ADSL2+ for some reason.

Although Be Broadband have recently redesigned their website which now looks hideous, if you can get past that you will get a great service.  Tickets are promptly replied to and updated via SMS and I’ve been amazed at the pleasant and helpful replies.

On Saturday whilst I was still awaiting my BEBox ADSL2+ router I opened a ticket asking for the IP details I needed so I could try connecting with my existing ADSL2+ compatible Netgear router.

Given my experience with PlusNet I wasn’t expecting a reply anytime soon but instead I had the answer via the ticket system and an SMS within an hour.  Again yesterday I asked where my router was and had a reply apologising, stating that the courier would deliver today and not only did that happen but they followed it up with an email to confirm I had received it. Fantastic!

So now I can enjoy Spotify, BBC iPlayer and other sites without worrying about bumping up against the limits PlusNet imposed and so far I’ve not seen any slow-downs during the normal peak periods.

If you’re looking to change, you can’t go far wrong with these guys.