Built in obsolescence - producing a product with a planned lifetime - occurs for many reasons. Things used to be built to last, now they're bult to last just long enough. But it has its problems. Mainly that the product may not play to required time scale.

I have a HTC Touch HD and it's one of best phones I've ever had, probably the best phone available bar its successor, the HTC Touch HD 2. I'm due a free upgrade through Orange in 2 days. My Touch HD broke down 2 days ago.

Under my insurance plan with Orange I've just received a brand new Touch HD. In 2 days I can upgrade my phone and be the proud owner of 2 brand new phones, all thanks to HTC's slightly out of sync obsolescence. However, I may use the fact that I have a brand new, undented, unscratched phone to allow me to wait until the Touch HD  2 comes to Orange (what is taking Orange soooo long? T-Mobile had it ages ago.)

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Crisp sandwiches are the perfect late night snack; easy to make, wonderfully "#omnomom" and very slightly naughty.

I blogged a couple of years ago about my rediscovery of the Crisp Sandwich after many years without them. Since then, they've been a semi-regular part of my diet. Particularly if I'm feeling slightly peckish shortly before bed.

Since that original blog post my preferred recipe has changed slightly.

• Medium sliced white bread
• Butter one slice with cold, spreadable butter.
• Apply a generous amount of Heinz Mayo Classic (remember the ad they pulled?) to the other Slice
• Add a full packet of McCoys Crisps, either Salt & Vinegar or Bacon Sizzler (individual packs seem the perfect size; pack from multi-packs seem smaller)#
• Press gently together and enjoy.
  

What's your preferred recipe?

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Resources are a little constrained at the moment, what with me being made redundant and Sharon's pay being cut by 1/2. So we decided not to buy each other presents for Valentines Day. Instead, we decided to buy one of @rachelcreative's wonderful, handmade pop-up cards to give to us from us.

Rachel even addressed it and sealed if for us so that it would be a surprise for us to open together this morning.

If you've not seen Rachel's work before, please do visit her online shop or, if you're interested in the processes and thoughts behind her art, have a read of her weblog.

I missed a call recently from an 07660 number (079660 960199). When I returned the call I got what appeared to be garbled answer machine message, in hindsight intended to keep you hanging on the line to work out what's going on.

It would appear that these calls are some kind of scam. The return calls are expensive (apparently 42.5p per minute) and not included in your mobile minutes plans. They are also, apparently, not covered by www.phonepayplus.org.uk/, the organisation set up to police premium rate services.

If you receive a phone call from a phone number starting 07660, by all means answer the call but don't return it.

There are some internet rumours that operators of payphone services are being stiffed by these numbers too. The person running the 07660 number earns so much they can pay to use a payphone to call the 07660 number and still make a profit with the phone operator ending up picking up the bill.

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Anachronym

noun: A long dead acronym

It occured to be today that there must a vast number of acronyms that were once almost ubquitous but that are no longer in regular use. Acronyms that out of date and evocative of the era when they appeared in almost every IRQ, Email or forum conversation.

Of the top of my head, however, I couldn't think of any. So I'm looking for people to suggest some here, in the comments, or on Twitter.

• WYSIWYG - What you see is what you get. A description of user interfaces that allow you to edit text / content in a representation of how it will look in the final product. Probably no longer used because this type of user interface is now expected as the norm. Suggested by samschoolstuff.

Boing Boing has just discovered, and consequently lost, the Game.

I've been playing the Game since 2002. I blogged about it in August 2002, when I'd already been playing it for 6 months. My blog entry, or rather the original post on my first Blogger-based blog, is one of the first permanent records of the The Game on the 'Net. I first learnt it, though, on the 4Clubbers.net forums. These have undergone several changes since that time though and the original entries do not appear to have been archived.

Since then I've tried to track the online coverage of The Game, until my old arseburgers.co.uk blog died.

Since then, I tweeted evidence that 118118 plays The Game.

If you see any other online or offline evidence of The Game, please let me know. Oh, and don't forget; You've Just Lost The Game!

As of Monday, I on am notice of redundancy at my current employer. I find my self looking for a new job, therefore.

I'm looking for role as a VAT Manager or Senior Manager in the Midlands or South West but I am willing to consider other areas for the right role. I copy my CV below.

In particular, I'm looking for a role that would allow me to stretch and develop my marketing and networking skills.

Paul Taylor

Burntwood
Staffordshire

Email: paul@theaardvark.co.uk

Key Skills

• Quick to grasp, develop and apply concepts.
• Excellent problem solving abilities often producing original solutions from lateral thinking.
• Quick to follow and produce logical arguments in negotiations and technical discussions.
• Communicates successfully with a wide variety of people.
• Extensive knowledge of UK and European VAT applications.
• Good 'user level' knowledge of IT systems and some support level experience.

Career History

VATease Ltd (became BTG-Tax LLP)   2008 - present

VAT Manager 

• Provide VAT Advice to wide range of clients including accountants, solicitors and industry clients.
• Act as in-house VAT consultant for 2 accountancy firm clients.
• Manage client relationships.
• Write and edit regular VAT newsletter.
• Assist with marketing projects and administration of the business.
• Attend and/or represent clients at VAT Tribunal
• Assist clients with VAT return, EC Sales List and Intrastat return preparation.

Dains   2006 - 2008

Senior VAT Consultant 

• Founded Indirect Tax Section.
• Advised small and medium sized enterprises, charities and non-profit making bodies on all aspects of VAT.
• Marketing activities to promote new Indirect Tax Section.
• Undertook client visits and evaluations.
• Assist clients with VAT return, EC Sales List and Intrastat return preparation.

VATease Ltd   2003 - 2006

Executive Consultant 

• Provide VAT Advice to wide range of clients including accountants, solicitors and industry clients.
• Manage client relationships, billing and credit control.
• Assist clients with VAT return, EC Sales List and Intrastat return preparation.
• Write and edit monthly VAT newsletter.
• Assist with marketing projects and administration of the business.
• Attend and/or represent clients at VAT Tribunal
• Assist with use of IT

NSK Europe Ltd    2001 - 2002

Indirect Taxation Manager  

• Responsible for VAT compliance of European group.
• Prepared and submitted monthly VAT returns for 14 VAT registrations in 6 countries.
• Created and developed processes for calculating VAT returns.
• Assisted and advised on improvements made to SUN accounting system to properly account for VAT.
• Assisted and advised on project to create process to complete Intrastat returns. Oversaw submission of returns.
• Extensive use of Excel and VisionXL to extract and manipulate account data.

BDO Stoy Hayward (Nottingham)    2000

Manager of 4 person VAT team. 

• Assisted VAT Senior Manager on the creation of VAT team.
• Advised small and medium sized enterprises, charities and non-profit making bodies on all aspects of VAT.
• Carried out VAT reviews as part of audits
• Undertook client visits and evaluations.
• Oversaw development and activities of VAT consultant.

PricewaterhouseCoopers    1996 - 2000

• Started as VAT consultant and promoted to VAT senior.
• Responsible for management of "Overseas VAT refunds" team, compiling and submitting 8^th & 13^th EC directive refund claims for clients.
• Advised medium, large and global enterprises, charities, non-profit making bodies and Government agencies on all aspects of VAT.
• Carried out VAT reviews as part of audits
• Responsible for client handling and billing for small portfolio of clients.
• Assisted and managed a number of information technology changes and acted as a local representative for the IT team.

HM Customs & Excise    1991 - 1996

• Started as EO visiting officer, spent some time on enquiries section, was a founding member of the "Cash Trader District" and finally moved to EO deregistration section.
• Visiting officer responsible for reviewing the VAT declarations of taxpayers. Visited their premises, interviewed taxpayer, audit VAT records, issued assessments for over/underpaid VAT.
• Enquiries officer responding to taxpayers' technical questions. Reviewed "Self-Builder" VAT claims.
• Assisted with the creation of "Cash Trader District" using more in-depth, investigation-type techniques to determine the correct VAT liability of different types of cash oriented businesses.
• EO Deregistration managing up to 9 staff processing deregistration applications from taxpayers. Responsible for reviewing action taken by staff and dealing with any technical queries.
• Assisted with the implementation of information technology by the department.

Education

9 GCSEs

2 A levels.

Professional Experience

VAT technical work undertaken for the following industries & sectors:

house builders, registered social landlords, retailers, privatised Government agencies, overseas companies with UK branches, family businesses, multinational companies, dentists, pharmacies, charities, universities, property investment companies, manufacturers, service industries, casinos, horse & dog tracks.

Various technical courses attended throughout my career to develop, refresh and update technical knowledge and skills. Studied for professional qualifications throughout 1999. 

Currently Chairman of the VAT Practitioners Group West Midlands Chapter

Personal details

Date of Birth: 24 January 1972     Status: Married, 3 Children 

Interests include: Computers & Internet, DJing and Music, Motorsport, Reading