The IT Skeptic - Comments for "Thoughts on itSMF Singapore conference"

Huge difference between "bollocks" and "the bollocks"

ianclayton — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:48:55 +0000

Skep

About David's comments - you are in great company - he offered some (grand)fatherly advice at a past conference to me about the accuracy of one of my presentations, I think he said it was the most inaccurate he had ever witnessed. I too was quite flattered. Its a real treasure when someone like David actually takes time out to listen to one of your presentations and stays around to offer a private critique!

David - if you are reading this - enjoy your retirement....

Now, the reason for me wasting mine and everyone else's time with this blog entry - In common English (that is what I speak) there is a huge difference between someone saying "bollocks" and "the bollocks". The first is of course sometimes used to cut off a meaningful conversation in favor of a bar fight. The latter is actually a term of endearment, a platitude, a compliment.

Also, its a traditional English culinary term used in great moments of shock, disgust or good old fashioned panic. :-) English and culinary in the same sentence....

As wikipedia suggests... "Bollocks is a word of Anglo Saxon origin, meaning "testicles". The word is often used figuratively in English, as a noun to mean "nonsense" or conversely to mean "top quality" or "perfection""

Clear as mud.

Given the environment are you sure he didn't say "the bollocks"?

Novell acquires Managed Objects

skeptic — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:23:10 +0000

Sorry didn't pay much attention :-D

All the stats about ITILV3 acceptance include those "planning to" adopt V3 which renders them meaningless. if it was stats on those who have ana approved and funded project underway then I'd be more interested.

The tip about Managed Objects proved to be correct: Novell seems to me a left-field candidate

Hello, I would expect some

Marcus — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:15:26 +0000

Hello,

I would expect some more gossip ! :)

What about V3 and its acceptance so far? Were there any comments (official or not) about how it is doing and how this is going to affect the future of ITIL?

Any news about the certifications? Any words about the "complementary books"?

Regards,
Marcus