ATM 40th anniversary

In a rather work-related issue, BBC News posted a story about the man who invented the ATM machine. The first one was installed in 1967, in Enfield, North London, in a branch of Barclays.

Although, sans the magnetic tape commonly used now by the ATM cards, first generations of ATM read pre-generated paper instead, which enabled people to withdraw a fix amount (10 pounds back then) of money.

Like all other inventions, the idea for ATM was found while in the bathtub (seriously!). It seems that surrounding yourself in a box of water while relaxing can produce amazing results...

Thanks Slashdot.

A late apology

Dear friend,

So sorry if we've gone too far,
never in our intentions to did you any mar.
It's just seemed to escape our radar,
jokes and jests just came out without any bar.

So please accept this apology, dear friend,
though it may be too late to make any amend.
Signs you've sent we should've got to comprehend,
but still, jokes and jests were out in the end.

Never again, I promise you that,
or you can force me to eat my hat.
Whether I have one or not is not the point to look at,
the important thing is what I'm saying out flat:

Please find it in your heart to forgive us, dear friend.

(Many thanks goes to: rhymezone and thefreedictionary)