Matthew J Richards - Freelance Web Developer North Wales

So, it's official. Spring's here. The Daffodils are lurking, the skies are blue and the sun is shining. The summer's on its way and I can't wait. The clocks have gone forward and April fools have had their fun, but in amongst those spring Daff's and Bluebells a nasties lurk; welsh smokers have had there right to smoke in public places removed and Malarkey has packed in the blogging game.

But I suppose it's all just swings and roundabouts. And as I said; The sun is shining. So it's all good ;)

Smoking Ban

I quit smoking tobacco over a year ago on the 31st December 2005 which left me with the difficult conundrum of what to give up this year. The one saving grace being that I'm not seeing my arse over todays welsh ban on smoking.

Yeh, fair enough, it's yet another one of our rights being stripped from us by Blairs' "Nanny State" and I will admit, I was very tempted to get pissed up, spark up some fat cubans and cause some trouble, but in all honesty my heart isn't in it. I've spent my fair share of time in pubs, both working and socialising and one thing I won't miss is coming home stinking of other peoples fag smoke, nevermind the health implications. I'm all for people exercising there right to free will but should this be at the expense of others?

Stuff and Nonsense

So, I logged onto Stuff and Nonsense, Andy Clarkes' web log for my usual Monday morning perusal to find that he's throwing the towel in... In the Blogsphere that is.

Whilst being deeply saddened by this decision I also fully respect it. Although I've only met him once, Andy has been a great role model for me as a great source of inspiration, his blog being a key resource. Something that will be greatly missed.

I look forward to checking out the latest incarnation of the Stuff and Nonsense site and reading inspirational articles that are bound to pop up (24 Ways?) around the web courstesy of the cow shed studio. Keep up the good work Andy.

I recieved a letter from the bank (HSBC Plc) today informing me that I will be refunded £2,250 in bank charges. Which was nice.

If I were you, I'd get onto your bank.

Teaser site online!

So, with big things going off at the moment for the North Wales Drum n Bass scene we thought we better get moving with a web site.

Being completly snowed under with work at the moment I only had time to knock up a single page teaser site. You can check out the fruits of my labour here over at the spanking new and aptly titled switchdnb.co.uk web site

And finally, just incase you still haven't heard... Switch, the premier drum and bass event in north wales is proud to present the infamous DJ Fabio (Radio 1) @ Hendre Hall on the 17th March 2007:

An eclectic selection of Hip Hop, Drum and Bass, Breaks, Dub and Funk, defo the best dance event North Wales has seen for the last few years, it's going to be a blinder, I'll see you there!

Don't you just hate bank charges?

If you're one of the unlucky ones, who like me regularily get fleeced by the bank you might be interested in this "technique".

According this article on the BBC Money web site you may be able to claim up to 6 years worth of bank charges by filling in the blanks of the following template and sending it off to your bank by recorded mail:

[Your Address]

[Date]

[Your Bank Branch's Address]

Dear Sir/Madam

Regarding: [Your Account Number. Your Sort Code.]

Due to recent media coverage on bank charges I now believe that you, [your bank's name] have been charging me charges that are contrary to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999. Schedule 2 (e) of the said regulations gives a non-complete list of terms, which may be regarded as unfair, such as a term that requires me as a consumer who fails in his obligation, to pay a disproportionately high sum in compensation.

I believe that your charges are disproportionately high and therefore they are contrary to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Regulations 1999. In addition I believe that your charges are a Penalty. Penalty charges are irrecoverable at common law. The precedent for this was Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co Ltd v New Garage and Motor co Ltd [1915] AC 79 along with Murray v. Leisure play [2005] EWCA Civ 963. It was held that a contractual party can only recover damages for an actual loss or liquidated losses. It is clear that your charges do not reflect any actual and or real loss.

Furthermore if you fail to comply with this letter, I request without further notice a breakdown and proof of all costs involved, in regards to your actual or liquidated losses involved in any breach of contract to which these charges relate with yourselves, and that these charges reflect your true costs in relation to the said charges, and are proportionate to the charges levied on my account as defined in Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999. Schedule 2 (e). Therefore I require you to refund me a total of £[XXX.XX], representing the total, unlawful amount charged during the last 6 years. I hereby give you 14 days to refund the charges back on to my account. For the avoidance of doubt, if this is not done within 14 days, I will commence my claim in the courts without further warning. This action will inevitably involve you in additional costs. I also hereby request a detailed report of which clause in your terms and conditions each charge has been applied against.

Yours sincerely,

[Sign here]

[Print your name here]

So How does it Work?

Basically, the way it works is by putting the bank into an uncomfortable position. Banks mostly wish to avoid confrontation, and would much happier settle a (relativley) small fee out of court as to avoid the risk of losing, case law coming into play and having to shell out a forkload.

If you like me are an HSBC customer, all of your statements for the last few years atleast are available through internet banking, how convienient.

I've not yet tried this but it is on my to-do list.

I'll keep you posted.

A year already! How time flies. That's right, 364 days ago, on the 31st of December 2006 I quit smoking tobacco.

"Hooray to health, Boo to the multi-million pound tobacco industry!"

So a year on, my lungs are somewhat healthier but as we rapidly approach the new year I'm left with a bit of a conundrum. What do I quit this year?

Being a competitive lad, the type who enjoys testing himself from time to time, and as I am, as I write this, literally oozing with good intention, I present to you my top 5 list of good intentions / resolutions for 2007...

1. Be more Productive

So in at number one we have the age old cop out "Be more Productive". Yeh yeh... heard it all before, so how am I actually going to be more productive?

What better a way than to start than with a list:

• Make better use of collaborative web applications such as; Base Camp, Backpack and Google Calendar.
• Plan better, learn some good planning techniques. Prototyping?
• Stay positive, keep focused.
• Be more organised

2. Contribute more.

Blog blog blog! That's right, I've got a shiny new web log and you're going to get an ear (eye?) full wheather you like it or not!

Seriously though, I need to contribute more. I mean I'm quite happy to take, take, take but now it's time to give a little something back. Over the years, web logs just like this have been a priceless asset in my web development toolbox, teaching me a significant quantity of my skills, time to pass on some of that knowledge methinks.

And it doesn't stop there, I can contribute (and raise exposure) through many mediums:

• Digg
• LastFM
• del.icio.us

3. Learn Learn Learn

That's right, I want to learn as much as possible in every aspect of my life, from web standards, development and design to music production, sports and other life skills.

4. Earn Earn Earn

Earn some serious £££'s. My financial situation is my biggest problem, rinsed those credit cards a bit too hard and now it's time to pay. I want to earn as much money as possible to clear those debts and lift the associated stress.

5. Go on Holiday!

The light at the end of the tunnel. I'm thinking Thailand, or some other South East Asian country for a good month or so soaking up the scenery, sun and socialising. Better get my ass into gear. ;)