Memories of COOLI

Leaving Dacorum College in 1974, I spent the summer working in Skegness on Butlins bars, and then returned to Hemel Hempstead where I had no idea how I wanted to earn a living. After filling in various applications, a week followed where I had interviews with Eastern Electricity, British Gas, RAF, and Shell Mex and BP Marketing. I was offered three jobs and had been put off the RAF. I took the oil company route as, with shift allowance it meant significantly more money, plus working on big computers seemed very future-proof. 

The company's office building used to straddle Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead. It's long since been demolished, partly through fears that tiles were falling off it onto traffic, and partly to make way for a bigger shopping offer at the southern end of Marlowes. 

SM and BP Marketing soon morphed into two separate companies with the Shell people moving to Wythenshawe, and the BP people remaining in Hemel. That's the background. Today I wanted to focus on COOLI.

In my early days at BP Oil Ltd  computer operations department per shift there were 6 people in the office area  (offline) and by the time I'd finished some 20 years later this had been taken over by COOLI (Computerised Offline System) run by one person.

 There was another 5 or 6 people running the computer tasks (online), that's 2 to load the tapes onto the decks, 1 or 2 to sit at a console and decide which jobs to run, a team leader and a deputy team leader to stand around and make sure everything ran smoothly. That's assuming no one was on annual leave, taking a tea (or beer) break or having lunch. 20 years later, at least on my shift, nearly the same workload was being done by one person assisted by the COOLI person now and then. 

All this through efficiency, and gradually improved programming which meant the jobs didn't error out during processing. 

Reflecting on COOLI, this was an area I particularly focussed on. One of the prime reasons jobs failed to process was that they had the wrong file versions going into the next sequential job. This was sometimes down to the console operator not knowing the correct order to run things in, or more often this was down to the order in which COOLI jobs were compiled in the first place. Over several weeks I took it on myself to check through paper records of the previous shift's work to understand why any jobs had errored out. I then made changes to COOLI so the jobs wouldn't fail next time.

I regarded it a major success when, one particular month end as the most complicated totality of jobs were normally processed, nothing errored out at all. A triumph, indeed!

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To Remove Graffiti

To remove graffiti, you can follow these general steps:

1. Act quickly: The sooner you address graffiti, the easier it is to remove it. Prompt action can prevent the paint from penetrating deeper into the surface, making removal easier.

2. Safety first: Ensure that you are wearing appropriate protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask to protect yourself from chemicals and fumes.

3. Determine the surface: Different surfaces require different removal methods. Identify the type of surface that has been graffitied, such as concrete, brick, metal, glass, or wood. The method you use may vary depending on the surface material.

4. Test cleaning agents: Before applying any cleaning agent to the surface, test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't cause damage or discolouration.

5. Clean with appropriate method:

   - Water and detergent: For non-porous surfaces like glass or metal, you can start by using a mild detergent mixed with water. Scrub the graffiti gently with a sponge or soft brush, and rinse thoroughly.

   - Pressure washing: High-pressure water cleaning can be effective on some surfaces like concrete or brick. Use a pressure washer with an appropriate nozzle and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

   - Chemical cleaners: There are graffiti removal products available that are specifically designed to break down paint. These can be effective for various surfaces. Apply the cleaner according to the instructions, and use a brush or sponge to scrub away the graffiti. Rinse the area thoroughly afterward.

   - Paint removal: In some cases, if the graffiti is on a painted surface and the cleaning methods mentioned above don't work, you may need to repaint the area. This approach is more suitable for walls or fences.

6. Repeat if necessary: Depending on the type and thickness of the graffiti, you may need to repeat the cleaning process several times to completely remove it. Be patient and persistent.

7. Prevent future graffiti: Consider applying anti-graffiti coatings or films to the surface. These protective layers can make it easier to remove graffiti in the future.

Remember, certain surfaces or historical structures may require professional restoration or conservation techniques. If you're unsure or dealing with valuable or delicate surfaces, it's best to consult with professionals in graffiti removal or restoration.

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꧁ The Elusive Promise ꧂

꧁ The Elusive Promise ꧂

In a world where promises are spun,

Governments declare, their will is done.

Targets set to halt the warming's might,

Yet they dance away, like whispers in the night.

Oh, the grand ambitions they proclaim,

To save our Earth, to douse the flame.

But as the years go by, and seasons change,

Their promises fade, like a distant exchange.

Target dates, they push, and push again,

A dance of politics, a game of pretend.

The urgency of now, it slowly fades,

Lost in the haze of bureaucratic charades.

They speak of hope, of a greener land,

But actions falter, like shifting sand.

The Earth grows weary, burdened by the strain,

While empty promises fall like drops of rain.

The clock keeps ticking, the world keeps warming,

Yet the targets move, forever transforming.

The elusive promise, a mirage in the air,

Leaving us longing, in a state of despair.

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