Ship of Fools: April Fool's pranks spotting

Thread: April Fool's pranks spotting Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :

BBC Radio 4's Today Programme has just run a story about train companies who are now putting bar codes on their locos: with a new specially designed smartphone app train spotters can now get all the information on that engine they want. They can also help train companies by spotting speeding trains with the app, which then automatcially uploads onto Facebook and Twitter. [Killing me]

In some local rag I noticed that apparently the new Pope is coming to town to visit an old friend, and that they're doing an 8am mass this morning. [Smile]

What did you spot, fellow Shippians?

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :

Here's the item in question:

quote:

0844 - Could trainspotting provide the key to the future of the rail network? The BBC's Nicola Stanbridge discovers that numbers on the side of trains, traditionally noted down by enthusiasts, are being replaced by bar-codes which spotters can more simply photograph on their smart phones and upload online.

A lovingly crafted report, with several people being 'interviewed', and pros and cons. [Smile]

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

I was thinking it might be a good day to finally start blogging. Not sure I'll get around to it, though.

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :

The Guardian is in fine form.

Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :

I rather like this mode of transport.

Posted by Robert Armin (# 182) on :

This page fooled me - I posted it on the White Smoke thread. [Help]

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Wesley J:
Here's the item in question:

quote:

0844 - Could trainspotting provide the key to the future of the rail network? The BBC's Nicola Stanbridge discovers that numbers on the side of trains, traditionally noted down by enthusiasts, are being replaced by bar-codes which spotters can more simply photograph on their smart phones and upload online.
A lovingly crafted report, with several people being 'interviewed', and pros and cons.

Audio available here. Sweet. [Big Grin]

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :

This one was my favourite. One for the sarf Londoners [Smile]

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :

I actually got fooled by this at first, and was rather excited to buy it. (for the children of course)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f487/

[ 01. April 2013, 12:47: Message edited by: nomadicgrl ]

Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :

iwantoneofthose.com has sent out advertising mail, offering free invisible gift with every order today only ...

Posted by Traveller (# 1943) on :

I read this on the BBC web-site this morning and was convinced it was an April Fool, but apparently it is not. (The final sentence wasn't in place earlier. I suppose too many people thought like I did [Roll Eyes]

)

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :

Someone went to a lot of trouble for this one, unless it is real [Eek!]

Only in Canada you say....

Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :

It looks like the Red Bull F1 issues can finally be laid to rest.

Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :

A plane with a glass floor actually sounds a good idea!

Posted by TomOfTarsus (# 3053) on :

I can't believe no one has posted Google's annual prank yet. They may have others, as well, but I thought this was pretty funny.

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

A ministerial colleague told me that Giles Fraser is top be the nexy Bishop of Durham.

Great, I texted back. He is well qualified as an academic priest.

Hang on, i later thought. they always an ounce bishops on Tuesdays.

Google helped me find the source:
here.

Posted by doubtingthomas (# 14498) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Traveller:
I read this on the BBC web-site this morning and was convinced it was an April Fool, but apparently it is not. (The final sentence wasn't in place earlier. I suppose too many people thought like I did )

The BBC have now rounded up some more too-good-to-be-true-but-true-anyway stories.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

Here's a few more that you may not have spotted, courtesy of the Telegraph.

quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Hang on, i later thought. they always an ounce bishops on Tuesdays.

Sounds like some of their candidates may be a bit lightweight.

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :

quote:
Originally posted by TomOfTarsus:
I can't believe no one has posted Google's annual prank yet. They may have others, as well, but I thought this was pretty funny.

You may want to check on the new feature of Google Maps. Arrrrr.

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :

quote:
Originally posted by lily pad:
Someone went to a lot of trouble for this one, unless it is real
Only in Canada you say....

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link there.

GG

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

quote:
Originally posted by lily pad:
Someone went to a lot of trouble for this one, unless it is real
Only in Canada you say....

This one is brilliant! My only quibble would be that Pam Anderson should not be the first image. Makes the joke too obvious.

quote:
Originally posted by jedijudy:

quote:
Originally posted by TomOfTarsus:
I can't believe no one has posted Google's annual prank yet. They may have others, as well, but I thought this was pretty funny.
You may want to check on the new feature of Google Maps. Arrrrr.

The main page joke was too obvious. Love the map link, though I believe they have done this before.

Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :

Of course, with the CofE one can never be sure quite what is an April Fool story and what, apparently isn't.

Posted by Antisocial Alto (# 13810) on :

My alma mater has transformed itself into "Meowberlin". I know we have a couple more Obies on board- hope you guys have enjoyed this too.

Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :

I like this one by commander Chris Hadfield at the International Space Station.

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

This one sounds like it should have been an April Fool - the Lake District is moving to Croydon. [Devil]

Sadly, the report that St. John's College Choir, Cambridge, will be accepting Female Tenors and Basses - which mysteriously appeared on April 1st, although dated to several days previously - has now equally mysteriously disappeared, so I can't link to it. But you get the picture.

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

D. said the other day (I can't even remember if it was on Monday or not) that he'd seen something on t'interweb about King's and St. John's college choirs in Cambridge admitting female tenors and basses ...

It wasn't until today that I thought, I suppose that must have been an April fool.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

However, there is some suggestion that Vivaldi's choir at the Pieta did have female tenors and basses - I remember seeing a BBC programme on this a year or two ago But some musicologists such as Andrew Parrott (Taverner Ensemble) argue that the parts were transposed up an octave.

But this is getting too serious - we want the Grauniad to bring back San Serriffe!

[ 05. April 2013, 08:51: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]

Posted by Pearl B4 Swine (# 11451) on :

NPR (murikan) interviewed a man in charge of the new retirement pool complex built for retired military dolphins. They had been trained to plant mines, and do other undersea nasty jobs.

The guy was most excited about decoding dolphin language, in hopes of finding out what they talk to each other about: "well, where do you want to eat tonight?"

The line at the end of the interview clinched it, in case anyone was still thinking it was serious: "Also, funding is being sought for a suitable site for Rescue Bunnies, veterans of the Korean War."

Posted by Mark Wuntoo (# 5673) on :

I fell for The Malta Times story about bringing back the old buses and getting rid of Arriva with it's bendy buses. Always been a hater of bendy buses and know there's a lot of opposition in Malta so publicly welcomed this idea.
[Hot and Hormonal]

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
St. John's College Choir, Cambridge, will be accepting Female Tenors and Basses

Not necessarily an April Fool - i know a female who sings tenor.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

So do I. But not bass.

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

I am one dozy piglet.

I've only just now read Chorister's post, which was written several hours before mine ...

[Hot and Hormonal]

I've been known to sing tenor when necessary, but not bass.

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :

I would not rule out females singing bass. The only time anyone tested my range, it not only went into bass but went lower than a decent bass. I am not sure I can still reach there, as a female I do not get much opportunity to try. When I am in a choir I have usually sung the lowest Alto part but even that is decades ago now and I know my voice is different.

Jengie

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Wuntoo:
I fell for The Malta Times story about bringing back the old buses and getting rid of Arriva with it's bendy buses. Always been a hater of bendy buses and know there's a lot of opposition in Malta so publicly welcomed this idea.

The old Malta buses were the original bendy buses! They had built in flexibility like modern manufacturers can only dream of. OK the chassis may have been rigid but everything else was variable, especially the maximum capacity.

It's been a while since I was there but unless the routes and roads have changed out of all recognition the bendy-buses aren't going to last long.

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