iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Earlier today in the UK we had loud alarms on our phones and a message about the risk of wildfires. We need the same kind of alert before viewing pictures like this.

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And how do severe alerts differ from extreme alerts in the way they are communicated? I.e. is there any difference for the end user? I do want alerts, but they do have to be balanced with the risk of distracting / panicking people when they are driving for example.

I do think the system should have been set up with 2 levels of alert. One for immediate action required (e.g. evacuation / take shelter) - with loud alarm. One for important information like this - with normal phone alert.

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We had to wait a bit longer. Not only did I have to reply on my husband (I did the same as you), he then had to copy it and put it into Google Translate.

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But ordering white is more fun (just because of how it sounds). #GwinGwyn

And those of us who clicked the alert (as a reflex to stop the noise) and made it vanish. When I went on the govt website it still said 'no alert'.

One of my teacher friends got his pupils to use that gesture if they needed to go to the toilet during input, so he could discretely indicate they could without disrupting the lesson. Do we think Donald is just indicating he needs a diaper change?

I clicked it to stop the noise. It vanished. I got no translation time!

I think there should be 2 possible options for the system... A loud 'take action now' warning (enemy attacks, storms etc) Plus, a 'general notification' for important communication like this.

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Kath M Cymru @kathmcymru.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Mine vanished as soon as I clicked it. I clicked it to stop the noise. I can read a bit of Welsh, but not that quicky, and key words don't jump out as they would in English. I didn't even see tân. The government website also took a few minutes to update, so it was left on 'no current alerts'.

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Likewise, I understand you writing in your cookery books. And to be fair, the best cookery books (written in or not) are never pristine. At least they aren't in our house. Splatters are a sign of a good recipe that is a still a bit of a treat (so not learnt by heart).

Kath M Cymru @kathmcymru.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Even cook books I tend to use post its instead.

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Kath M Cymru @kathmcymru.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I was working as a playleader on a summer play scheme. We had the afternoon (possibly full day) off because they didn't want to risk the children looking at the sun. I do remember having some of the cardboard eclipse glasses though.

Kath M Cymru @kathmcymru.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

We can even smell the smoke in N Wales (North Wales Fire Service put out a statement because they were having so many reports of smoke). It was very strong last night, but is still lingering. I am as far North as you can get without being in England, which goes to show the scale of the fire.

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Kath M Cymru @kathmcymru.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Excuse me for being dim - but hasn't this ruling made it easier for cis men with mal intent to use women's toilets? If trans men now have to use women's toilets (because of gender at birth), what is to stop pervy Dave from claiming to be a trans man?

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I'm not necessarily saying we need to adopt that. I know I was brought up to go in with a cold and the same for my children. I just can't help but wonder if it would make a difference. If everyone did the same, the viruses wouldn't be circulating so there would be less chance of getting ill.

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We barely vacinate anyone for covid now, unless they can pay. That doesn't seem like a way to protect the poorest in society. Flu jabs cost about £20 and children receive vax in school. Covid jabs cost about £100 each privately.

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What should have happened, and should be happening now - is looking at how schools could be open to all (if not at once) safely. Remember, they were always open to key worker children and vulnerable learners. Better ventilation? Smaller class sizes? Flexi-learning? Vaccination?

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Kath M Cymru @kathmcymru.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I work with a lot of children from around the world. Some countries have the opposite - first sign of a smiffle and they are kept off. I can't help but wonder what impact that has on attendance. If illnesses are more contained it might even reduce absence overall.

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One thing I did like in school, from the first lockdown - wellbeing was prioritised over learning, and outdoor time was encouraged. The children who were in, were given opportunity for free play outside. It was wonderful to see their creativity. I wish there was more of that in schools now.