I've not had my references checked in my last 3 or 4 jobs. I usually find as long as you haven't been job jumping alot and you can provide a good knowledge in your interview then people aren't that bothered (as long as you say you have some if you want them)

And never have a reference from a probation officer or cell mate.

True story this... I was doing interviews for office work one time and this guy came in. Very pleasant, very personable, decent qualifications. The main problem was there was a five year gap on his CV. Now, usually, people aren't unemployed for five years at a go. Generally, if you see a long gap on someone's CV, it's been because her Madge has been paying for their board & lodgings. Or they've been in hospital, or something else you really need to know about if you're going to give them a job. We get through the main parts of the interview and he seems OK in a 'not a violent looney' kind of way so I say to him 'Now, look, I think you've been fine so far but I really do have to ask you this one. What were you doing between <this year> and <that year>?'

Bloke shifts nervously in his seat - 'Well, it's a little bit embarrassing...'

I try to reassure him it's part of the interview process and I'm not allowed to go telling people his stuff anyway, but I do have to know. Unless he really prefers not to tell me, in which case I have to note he's not answered the question.

Bloke says 'Well, OK.. I was on tour with the Bay City Rollers playing bass guitar.'

I'll ref you if you want

To be honest most of my jobs come on recommendation anyway.

Last time I worked somewhere where I wasn't "known" e.g. the typical conversation had occurred between the IT director ( or equivalent ) and a mate of theirs, I need an XYZ do you know somebody ? was years ago 2003 to be precise.

p.s. I employee people on the same basis. I can't remember the last time i brought an unknown in, scratch that 2004.

Angry Birds on Blackberry -

I have an idea for a series of very short stories.

The residents of Arkham Asylum v Dr Frasier Crane.

Psychopath phones radio show. Talks to doctor. Feels better. Batman gets to sleep in.

You missed the part where Niles minces around for the duration of the show

Replacement Fractal R3 case arrived today, so going to get it installed on Sunday when I get back home, new HTPC case ftw

is that the Define? would you mind letting me know how good/bad it is, im looking at getting one for my next build

It's very nice, first one I got had a cracked door and broken fan mounts but it feels very good, will let you know when I get a pc running inside it too

That's genius!

Vaguely related, the evolution of the Batmobile:

http://www.worstpreviews.com/images/hea ... mp2485.jpg

As a general rule, if it wasn't part of a film or TV show, it looked like crap

new house is nice

Replacement one arrived more broken than the last one, going to order it from eBuyer next as I do NOT like Scan using DPD

Big Adam MSN'd me a link to the Batmobile image a few days ago. I was intending to share it on here, but you bat me to it.

You're right. Most of them are really embarrassingly crap, which is made worse by the awesomeness of the best!