Salute

A Soldiers Poem

If I die in war zone
Box me up and send me home.
Put my medals on my chest,
Tell my mum I did my best.

Tell my dad not to bow,
He won't get tension from me now.
Tell my brother to study perfectly,
Keys of my bike will be his permanently.

Tell my sister not to be upset,

Her brother will not raise after sunset.

And tell my love not to cry,

Cause I'm a soldier and I was born to die.

Lest we forget

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I found that poem on one of my friends Facebook, I'm not sure if they wrote it or whether they found it but I thought I should share it regardless.

Now I am completely against war, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the sacrifices made not just by the men and women but by their families and friends who get left behind also. Also the animals: we don't think of them but they die for us too.

For many, today was a day of mourning and in the eyes of an eight year old, who may not even know why we do this, is a day of remembrance. You can see the people holding back tears from their eyes as they place a poppy on a piece of stone. Only a few will ever know their true story and yet a country will become almost silent to say thank you.

I've always found it remarkable: whilst you are thinking for two minutes in silence, so is everyone around you and the majority of the country. Sharing the same thoughts.

Nobody is born to die. This day isn't about one war or even two - it isn't even about a war as far as I'm concerned. It's about sacrifice for someone else, to put yourself in the line of fire to save a person you don't even know.

So for that, I am eternally grateful.

Until the next time,

Kris

Auditions

Hi everyone,

I have been quite busy this half term with homework, the bane of every teens life. So I haven't had time to post anything but after my exam tomorrow I will start working on some new stuff, however, I am organising for my Duke of Edinburgh project a group film project.

This project will consist of three trailers with the best idea being turned into a short film. As a consequence I need help! So if you are an aspiring writer, actor, musician, cameraman (or woman), or even a director and want to get involved I would love to hear from you.

My email address is kristurner1997 (at) gmail (dot) com or you can email me by clicking here which will open your preferred mailing software.

Until the next time,
Kris

How To: Physical Security

Hi, this week I'm going to be telling you how to secure your computer from those unwanted guests. This is a series of tutorials but the first issue we will be addressing is protection against someone who has physical access to your computer. These methods protect your computer not your files so if someone removed your hard drive they could open your files. In next week's tutorial we will prevent this.

Disclaimer

I am not responsible for any damage you cause whilst following this tutorial. Nor am I responsible for any actions you may take before, during or after reading this. In other words don't blame me, this tutorial is for educational purposes only.

Most of us only want to keep family out of your computer and often a strong password will keep the primitives at bay. But how do you know if your password is strong? It should:

• Have a Mixture of lower case and upper case letters.
• Contain one or more numbers in them
• Not consist of a word from any dictionary
• If possible contain punctuation.
• Not be easily guessed such as a pets name.

An example of a strong password is, for the chemistry geeks: P3riod1C.Table and just for the record this isn’t my password I only came up with it because I have a periodic table on my wall and using the online password checker howsecureismypassword.net you can see that it would take an average computer 4 billion years to crack your password and what sibling can ever be bothered to wait that long?

So that will keep out some of your family, but what about those whom are more technically able? A simple password isn’t going to keep them out. Why? Think about it: when you send your PC off for repair how do the technicians gain access to your computer?

You see what Microsoft fails to tell their customers is that they decided they want a backdoor in their system. This back door just happens to be in the form of a secret, hidden Administrator account. What’s worse is the security on this account; non-existent. That’s right folks, right now on your Windows computer there is a massive gaping hole in your perfect password.

Don’t believe me? I’ll prove it: on your computer goto Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt or type cmd.exe in your start menu. This will open a black window which makes you look very hackeresque. Type in ‘net user’ into this window, without the quotes of course, and this will list all the accounts on your computer and as you can see Administrator is there.

I have blanked out the computer name for security reasons

However we can quickly fix this. You have two choices you can deactivate the account which I prefer because I can always access the data should I ever need to or you can delete it however this is permanent. You will, however, need your own administrator privileges (normally the person who had access to the laptop first or install software) to make these security changes.

Re-open command prompt but this time right click on the icon and click Run As Administrator. Read the message box and click allow (or the equivalent)

To Deactivate (Recommended)

In Command Prompt type in ‘net user Administrator’ this lists all the details of the account including the last logon which can be useful. Now we are going to disable the account type:

 net user Administrator /active:no

You will receive a command saying that the command completed successfully. If you wish to reactivate the account just substitute no for yes.

To Delete

This is simple, yet I don’t think it is anymore secure but should you wish to purge this account simply type

 net user Administrator /delete

You will receive a command saying that the command completed successfully. This account will no longer be listed if you type in net user.

But for those who, like myself, are truly paranoid there is one more layer of security: a BIOS password. The Basic Input Output System is a layer of computer software which we will not go into detail over however it is separate to the OS and therefore it is harder to hack (however not that hard if you know how). Again this password protects your computer not the files stored on the hard drive.

Now this is the difficult part because it varies between different computers and you have to hit the button at the right time. When you turn on your computer you will be presented with your computer manufacturer logo. At this point read the instructions at the bottom of the screen. The option you want will say something like press [F2] to enter BIOS.

Now it doesn’t take a computer science degree to realise that you need to press F2. This will bring you to another ‘hackeresque’ screen, normally blue, you should note that your mouse will not work here. Navigate using the arrow keys to the Security tab. Now navigate to the ‘Set Supervisor Password’ and press enter. Now enter your password which is normally a maximum of 8 characters remembering our guidelines from earlier on.  One last thing is to ensure that Password Check is set to Always this will mean you have to enter your BIOS password every time you logon.

This approach is not practical, however, should you need to share the computer. Make sure you Save and Exit.

If you get stuck or run into any problems just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you.

And that's it, your computer is protected against your family.

Until next time,

Kris

PS: I have created some cool graphics for A New Perspectives. You can get our desktop background below by clicking on it. Don't just right click and save because you won't have the right resolution.

Dots

From close up the painting just looks like a random collection of dots - like the blurred lights of a city. But take a step back and suddenly everything makes sense, all those random dots form a perfect picture. I never understand drawing with dots but now? Now I think I do - either that or I am being far too philosophical but hey isn't that what life is about? Finding meaning when there is none.

Do you remember those dot by dot books we had when we were younger? The ones you had to link up following the numbers and you could never guess what it was until you were near the end - maybe that's what life is; a dot by dot but without the numbers.

How are we supposed to see the point we are too close to the page. Sometimes, we just need to take a step back and appreciate the beauty. And one day when we are old and grey and we've linked all the dots then maybe... just maybe we will have answered the question that we, the human race, ask all the way through our lives: what's the point?

It's just a short post today but I had a revelation. I thought it only right to share it with you; you know it will have been a year on Thursday since I wrote that first post Butterflies. It feels like a life time though it was just a year and yet I've changed I can remember writing it: where I was sitting, what I was feeling and I don't regret a second of our time together.

Yours looking back,
Kris
PS: Don't you dare stop reading. I love you all!

Away with the relatives

Firstly I would just like to say sorry for not posting for the past two weeks - everything's been crazy! I've had work experience and Grease, practically everything imaginable! But I'm practically back to normal now so lets get on with the post.

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For those of you who don't know I happen to be staying in Manchester with my cousin and Josh, who is my second cousin. Long story short - it's been eventful.

We went out for a bike ride yesterday, which is the first one I have been on for absolutely ages, I'd borrowed my uncle's bike. So imagine this:  my cousin, in front, telling their dog to heel, my cousins husband behind me telling Josh (who is almost two years old now) to put his feet back on the bike whilst at the same time they were shouting directions at each other.

It was hilarious but I suppose its one of those had to be there moments. This morning I was woke up by Josh jumping on me and finding it so funny but to be honest it was.

We also went to MotherCare and that is now my new favourite shop - I mean they had  a winking tree lift thing in the middle of their shop! It was amazing I want one in my house when I'm older and if anyone tries to argue with me they're out!

So blog posts are back to normal soon  but me and Gemma will be writing a special set of HowTo guides for in September so if you have any ideas feel free to contact us.

SYS, See you soon.
Kris

PS: I promised I would do this for someone they need to get as many views as they can to win some competition so please just watch the video its only a couple seconds long thank you. I can tell you want to know what it is now. Once again thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGoNBdpC5ro&feature=youtu.be

Olympic Torch

A pointless event; that was the view of a some and I suppose it is just another flame, I can do it with a match. What makes it so special? Is it that the flame comes from Mount Olympus?

I, however, have a different theory. The torch is special because its about being part of something; the olympics started in Greece 8000BC before restarting in 1894 and for every person standing in the pouring rain to see a flame travel past you know you've just become a part of history.

Quite proud of this photo I had to contend with giants to take it!

Through all the rubbish in the world, the crisis in the Euro zone, global warming, wars and yet millions of people are turning out to see a torch? No, they're coming in millions to see hope. You will be able to see that you saw the torch in person, but one thing did annoy me with the ceremony the carriers were supposed to be inspiration people and I know inspiration people but some of the people just aren't. 

Then afterwards it was the Carnival, now if you don't know this year I'm in the school show and for some unknown reason they managed to get us a float at the carnival and lets just say I know why the Queen doesn't ever wave properly. After two house of waving my hand was about to drop off! It was still amazing with everyone on the float even if we were about to have a breakdown from singing 'We Go Together'!

But just because you didn't carry the torch don't feel like you've never done anything important because what's the point of running with a torch if no one's there?

I'm on my work experience next week so I may not be able to get to a computer but I'll try and write in advance.

See you soon,
Kris

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Also because we feel that not everyone deserved to be awarded was rewarded for their inspirational behaviour A New Perspectives will be running its own competition to find the most inspirational person in our school. So get your top three nominations in soon with a the reason why you think they should; you will remain anonymous if you wish.

Hurry up and give someone the credit they deserve. In order to nominate someone click here and thank you.

I Miss You

Hiya guys my name is Jamie Martin! Before I say anything else I just want so say how happy I am to take part in Kris' blog! (KRIS: Ha! He doesn't realise its the audience who judge's the post not me!) 


Before I tell you what song I have chosen and why you need to know a little bit about me. Basically I'm bisexual and I really like this guy. The song i have chosen is BLINK-182'S I Miss You. The reason I have chosen this song is because the lyrics really fit into the situation I'm in: the guy I like and I have had an argument recently that has made me feel like I don't ever want to see him again; yet that I still care about him like crazy.

To me the chorus of this song indicates mixed emotions towards someone. When the singer sings "don't waste your time on me, you're already a voice inside my head" it's as if he's telling someone that it's too late, they're nothing more to him than a memory. Then he follows with "I miss you...", as if contradicting the previous statement. It's like this person has been hurt so badly by the one he loves that he just wants to them to leave and yet all he can think about is how much he loves them.

This is why I believe that this song is the perfect song to describe my relationships and how people never really get over their previous lovers as they will always have feelings deep down for them.

So I hope that the song means as much as it does to me and you can see my point of view.


Jamie

Anonymous

Freedom group or Terrorist organisation? That is what I asked the Internet hacking group Anonymous during my several online interviews to different 'members' of their collective. I say the word members lightly because Anonymous has no social structure; it has no manager or no members, they work on their own but towards one central objective.

They take their name obviously from the adjective Anonymous; to be without a name. During my interview I spoke with a member of Anonymous since 2004 however what I did notice is that they speak in a way which attempts to confuse people using terms such as IRC (Internet Relay Chat) but I managed to keep up.

She sent me a copy of a Cyber-report published by the American Homeland Security which related to an attack on a Chinese University in which she had participated known as Team Ghost Shell. When I questioned the structure of Anonymous she responded with "Anonymous is kind of like a state or country... all different individuals with different ideas, sometimes they come together and mesh, sometimes they clash." She continued describing how sometimes it was beautiful and yet other times it was chaotic.


She also said that she was being watched by several agencies including FBI and some Chinese agents however the most concerning thing would be is that she had access to government mailing lists so I think perhaps the FBI need to pull their socks up a bit or be at risk of losing a lot of credibility.

She finished talking to me by telling me how if you don't have someone question you may begin to run riot so she still does has the seem opinions as me.

Don't let yourself be fooled by the editing of the video. They are just sitting in front of a green screen with the computer talking for them; anyone could do it.

However the second member I interviewed seemed to get quite angry with me and we managed to start to argue (for which I am renowned for doing) and when I asked him what

Kris: what makes you different to terrorists organisations such as Al Qaeda who also do things in ‘protest'?
Anon: We practise nonviolence
Anon: Although some would consider disrupting a server violent-
Kris: Yet the definition of a terrorist is not necessarily linked to violence but rather the practise of causing terror
Anon: Meh
Kris: Is that a no comment?

Right then I'm off to go and eat porridge I haven't eaten since 5 o'clock this morning and then I need to read Pride and Prejudice.

So its up to you: terrorists or rebels? An even scarier idea, however, is that they are both. Is that how humans gain freedom in the 21st century: through terrorism?

Until the next time,
Kris

Longleat

Hope you had a great holiday everybody, I woke up at like 5am this morning for skating practise at Coventry so I'm tired and all but I couldn't forget my amazing readers now can I?

For my holiday I went to Longleat, which is where Animal Park is filmed, where there's loads (and I mean loads) of animals, so these are just the pictures.

Click here to open the photo album

Loving you and leaving you,

Kris
PS: A New Perspectives will in fact be doing a radio show but there will be more information soon.

1000 Views

Hi guys Kris here,

You may already know but I am nearly at 1000 views. So if the 1000th viewer takes a screenshot so I know they are the 1000th viewer I'll include you in my next post.

Send me the photo on my Facebook or email me at kristurner1997 (at) gmail.com don't forget to change the bit in brackets for the symbol it stops spam bots.

Thank you for getting me here,
Kris
PS: This my 50th ever blog post!

Homophobia in Russia

If someone says bullying this is probably what you think of, but that's not what I am writing about today.

In Russia at the moment there is a big argument in Russia second biggest city - Saint Petersburg. This following story has been going on for a while now. The equality group AllOut has recently released this letter from a man called Sergie who has recently been arrested in the city.

My name is Sergey and I'm an attorney in Russia. I'm straight - happily married for 16 years - and until last week I would not have been called an "activist".   But in just five days I will got to court, fined and maybe even thrown in jail because I held up a banner in Saint Petersburg and told the truth: “A dear family friend is lesbian. My wife and I love and respect her … and her family is just as equal as ours." 

I was among the first to be arrested, but thousands more could follow.  As I write this, Russian officials are fast tracking a plan to extend Saint Petersburg's "gay propaganda" law to the entire country.
I believe that it should never be illegal to defend the dignity of friends and family. 

(Watch this video to the end, there is a purpose to it)

This law is trying to make speaking about lesbian, gay, bi and transgender (LGBT) illegal in the city.  Now that lawmakers in the Duma (the federal legislature) are debating a version of the law, this despicable law could go national - unless we fight it now. They are making words illegal. I personally have words to describe how messed up this law is but...

Did you know that 76 countries still criminalize being gay, 10 countries make being LGBT punishable by death or life imprisonment. But you can stop this, sign the petition at AllOut. Would you want someone to be silenced because you didn't speak up?

Kris

PS: Send this post to everyone, you don't have to be LGBT to stand up for what's right.
PSS: All the videos in this post can be found on my YouTube channel here.

Wouldn't miss it for the world

This weekend I had my Duke of Edinburgh practise expedition, for anyone who doesn't know what D Of E is all about, its an award that is about being able to survive by yourself in the country. Two days, full of rain, followed by cows, sore shoulders, cold mornings and stared at by horses. But I wouldn't of missed it for the world!

That's what so great about camping, the experience. Its the sitting in a tent playing cards or talking to random people whilst doing the washing up. It's shouting at a man who has just splashed water over you and calling after a cyclist who decided to try and run you over with his bike. It's that impossible hill that you think you'll never make. It's the singing at the top of your voice whilst walking through a field.

It's a lot, so even though my shoulders are as sore as anything, they'll get better. Even though I was as cold as anything I got in the bath and got warm. But that camp, I won't forget it. But do you want to know the best bit... we have to do it all again.

(Click here for full gallery)

Kris.

Fearless

I feel like I haven't done this in ages. I really enjoyed doing this and I will release the results soon. But its the start of the March and the end of the month of music, which is a shame. But as promised I am going to write a post to.

Fear: A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger.
Fearless: A lack of fear.

Well those are the official definitions but being fearless has nothing to do with having a lack of fear its about knowing that there is something more important then your fear. Fear can be about anything: telling the truth, buying a home or even asking someone out and that's why this song is so amazing.

So, its time to throw everything on the line, to have no regrets, to speak now, to get stoned (no don't do that - John you totally ruined it for me) because your future is still unwritten: It's time to be FEARLESS.

Kris.

You Belong in a Teenage Love Story

Hi guys! Happy Valentines Day!

I do sort of like Valentines Day not because you get to spend it with someone special because you should do that everyday anyways, but because you can see it. People celebrating it, whilst watching a film, whilst driving in a car. It just lets you focus on what's important.

But since its Month of Music, I tried (and failed) to make a mashup of some love songs and because its also really bad I also made a playlist of some of my favourite love songs so enjoy and even if you don't have somebody to spend Valentines day with this year: you can spend it with meeee.

Love Songs on YouTube

Kris.
PS: Happy Birthday to my friend Abi!

Speak Now

We have all had a time in our life where we wish we had spoken out and said something, but the only thing that's stopping us is the response we think we will get.

Taylor Swift's amazing talent for writing incredibly accurate lyrics has made her music so real which is what, in my opinion, makes her so attractive to her fans.

Speak Now is a song that highlights a moment in everybody's life in which they regret never speaking up to someone. It makes you think what would to happened if you had, had the courage speak up. The songs reaches out telling you that instead of keeping something locked up that you should follow your heart and if you don't get the result you wanted then at least you spoke your heart.

You will at least know you did everything you could, so be brave and Speak Now.

Much love,
Tina Vidmar xxxx

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I must admit I do love this post: If it's your favourite don't forget to vote for it at the end of the month.

Kris.

No Regrets

Hey guys! I want you to think as good old incy wincy spider as your inspiration in life. As weird as it may seem he has a good story. The poor 'fellah' keeps trying to climb up that water spout but then comes the rain and washes him out.

But does he give up?

NO! 'Cuz out comes the sunshine and dries up all the rain and incy wincy spider climbs the spout again. Incy never gives up and keeps fighting forward not thinking about the past but setting his own goals and heights. You never know maybe incy wincy will get to the top one day. But he has no regrets and will always keep climbing.

"Don't tell me that the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon."

Live life to the full, live it to the last breath and you won't have any regrets.

Love Gemma. X

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I met a spider called Wilbert before he was sweet. I'm sure you will agree with me that was an amazing post and there is still more to come!

Kris

A Month of Music

Hey everybody,

Today was the last day of January and so tomorrow, February A New Perspectives month of music begins.

In this time I will be joined by four special guest writers who will be writing inspirational posts based on a song of their choice, I have read some of the drafts of these posts and they are really good so I wouldn't want to miss out if I was you. Remember the links below won't become active until the 12:00 on the day of the post.


Schedule for February
 4th February - No Regrets
 11th February - Speak Now
 18th February - Unwritten
 25th February - Coming Soon

I will finish the month with a post, that will be kept secret from the public until the 29th February, that will hopefully sum up every single post with one word. Yeah you'd better be excited.

Kris
PS: Once all the posts have been published vote for your favourite post. The winner will receive a prize.

New Beginnings & Jaw Dropping, Eye Popping Moments

This is my first post of 2012, unfortunately due to technical difficulties my New Years show was not recorded however I have uploaded the VT's to my Youtube channel which I will post a link to shortly, you may have noticed I have changed the layout to my blog, I wanted to try something new. I have also started quote of the week which is on the right.

Jaw Dropping, Eye Popping Moments


So onto the main post, in one week, I have had two of these Jaw Dropping, Eye Popping Moments.

The first of these was Tuesday, in my history class. My history teacher yelled at the top of her voice

    "GET OUT OF MY CLASSROOM YOU CHEEKY LITTLE G*T!"

I swear my eyes had popped out and my mouth was touching the floor.

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The second was Friday when our substitute maths teacher yells at another student

"HAVE YOU CONSIDERED PUBERTY?!"

My face pulled the same expression has it did two days before but the lads face had pulled the best expression in the world. I wish I had been able to take a picture.

Yes my school is based on respect, respect and even more respect.

Kris.

Facebook

A New Perspective has just hit Facebook - Like our page today!

http://www.facebook.com/perspective97

PS: Fill in the poll on the left!

Kris

I feel all professional!

Hey, I just wanted to tell everyone that I have fully integrated my technology to the blog, this includes my tablet PC and my iPod.

I have also connected my emails to my phone so I can read them on the go and I have installed numerous security filters to them, in case you didn't know the blogs email is kristurner1997@gmail.com

Kris.