Internet and Crossword

Windows 11 is on its way

DESPITEclaims that it wouldn’t change again, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be retired in 2025. Windows 11, its “next generation” operating system, will be available later this year, (likely late October) with a redesigned and refreshed look. The new software will let Android apps run on the Windows desktop. They promise smaller, faster security updates, and said they would happen in the background. (But they said that before!) It will also let users configure multiple desktops for work, home, and gaming, like on a Mac.

There is also going to be a yearly update of the new operating system, similar to Apple’s efforts with macOS. There is also a huge redesign of the Microsoft Store, allowing Android apps from the Amazon App Store to be used, so you can download TikTok and other apps if you wish.

Windows 11 will be available as a free update to existing Windows 10 users – although some devices will not have the right specifications. These include a minimum of 64 gigabytes of storage and four gigabytes of RAM.

Microsoft says there are currently about 1.3 billion devices running Windows 10. You can connect instantly to people with Microsoft Teams. Call or chat for free on any device. The Start button is at the bottom-centre of the screen rather than left-hand side. (Leads one to ask why!)

And the “blue screen of death” will now be black. (See previous query!) https://www.microsoft.com/engb/windows/windows-11

Quick note on text scams – if you get a text you think is a scam, you can report it by forwarding it to 7726, the network operator. 7726 are the digits on a telephone keypad that spell out the word “spam”. If you did agree to pay for something and then realise it’s a scam – contact your bank asap.

Submitted for I.T. for the Terrified by Lynne Duckett. Although we have stopped our one-to-one tuition, we will continue with this column to keep the name alive. This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified itfortheterrified@btconnect.com or it4ttcvh@gmail.com

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS

1 Central Asia desert one of the largest in the world (4) 3 Compensation paid to the family of a murder victim urging them to forego revenge (5,5) 9 Test on an old morning (4) 10 Red or white blood cells (10) 11 Wrote using symbols instead of letters (7) 13 Horizontal underground plant stem (7) 14 Occasions when an issue is decided by the electorate (11) 18 Where on a car its registration is displayed (6,5) 21 Maybe a poetic layer of railway tracks (7) 22 Village 15 miles south of

Bristol. The parish includes

Rowberrow and the hamlet

Star (7) 23 Dying out before rebellion (10) 24 The longer bone of the forearm (4) 25 American term for financial comfort (4,6) 26 A dull pain (4)

DOWN

1 Hamlet on crossroads not far from Nedge hill on A39.

Probably got its name from lead mining (5,3) 2 Elon Musk must be looking forward to it (5-3) 4 Comedian star of the silent movies renowned for his daring stunts. Safety Last (1929) saw him hanging from the hands of a street clock (5) 5 Of a time especially convenient or appropriate (9) 6 The fourth longest river in the world (11) 7 The admiral at the Battle of

Trafalgar 1805 (6) 8 Those who always agree with their superior (3-3) 12 Footballer born in Bath, went to Millfield on a scholarship, plays centre back for Aston

Villa (6,5) 15 The person who puts a candidate forward for election (9) 16 Broad-based, all encompassing (8) 17 What relationship Ezri Konda has with 12 down (8) 19 Village on A370 3 miles from

Bristol Airport has demolished a pub called the Lord Nelson and found the remains of a mail station that served Yatton before railways existed (6) 20 The opposite and anagram of unties (6) 22 Keep the boiler fuelled (5)

Clues in italics are cryptic

Wookey Hub supports foodbank

WellS Vineyard Foodbank has seen a huge increase in demand this year, providing over 43,600 meals to local people in need and additional food for their pets in the six months to June.

Pre-pandemic figures show that 9,000 meals were distributed during 2019, and 39,000 in the whole of 2020.

Pastor Sue Marland, of Wells Vineyard Church, who co-ordinates the foodbank, said: “So many people are facing unprecedented financial hardship as they have lost their jobs or have been on reduced salaries as part of the furlough schemes.

“The donations that people generously give are more essential than ever as we can only continue to help people as long as we receive support from the community.”

She welcomed support from Wookey Hub, village shop and café, which is asking people to donate money to its foodbank gift card, which helps to provide the foodbank with fresh fruit and vegetables and other essentials.

Owner, Andy Childs, said: “We have always wanted our business to be the hub of the village and to support our community in the best way we can. An important part of this is our foodbank gift card, which we created at the start of the pandemic last year.

“Anyone can put money onto the gift card either when you get the bill in the shop or café, or by donating over the telephone by ringing us on 01749 672784. All the money raised goes directly to supplies for the foodbank and we are able to buy all the items passed on to the foodbank at cost prices, which helps the foodbank’s fund to stretch even further.”

Sue Marland said: “These funds are absolutely vital if we are to provide a balanced and healthy food box. We urgently need your help to raise more money as donations have definitely been declining over the past four months, whilst the demand for food parcels remains high.

“Thankfully some of our clients are back on their feet now, but many are still struggling due to the pandemic. We are also concerned that client numbers may continue to rise further as the furlough scheme is withdrawn.

“i am so grateful for how Wookey Hub and the community have stepped in, with both fresh and tinned goods. This was unexpected but so welcome.”

Annette Healey from Wookey Hub delivering oranges to the foodbank

Details: Sue Marland: 07149 679 870 info@wellsvineyard.com Facebook: Wells Foodbank and Furniture Storehouse Project

Bird expert’s honour

Nigel Crocker, from Ubley, has been given a top award by the British Ornithologists’ Union. The Janet Kear Union Medal is awarded to members in recognition of distinguished service to the union and ornithology.

Neil Bucknell, vice president of the BOU, said: “Nigel Crocker is one such person, having served the union in two key roles over many years, as honorary treasurer from 1984 to 2000, and subsequently as chair of the trustees who look after the union’s investments.”

Nigel was brought up in Cornwall. His interest in birds was encouraged from an early age, both by a neighbour and his grandfather, who bought him his first pair of binoculars.

After school, he began a long career with National Westminster Bank, eventually reaching a senior management position, working in various parts of the country, before he and his wife, Beryl, settled in Ubley 30 years ago.

Nigel has participated in many BTO surveys and undertaken fieldwork for the Somerset Breeding Bird Atlas project. His particular interest is in waterbirds and waterside birds. He has been a member of the BOU for 35 years.

Nigel said: “i am both honoured and humbled to receive this medal today. The dedication of this medal to Janet Kear is most appropriate in my case as Janet served variously as editor of ibis and the Checklist Series as well as president during my tenure as treasurer and became a dear friend, still sadly missed.”