davelevy . info / wiki
type: channel
description: things dave has discovered, brought to you by wordpress & 1and1
date: 2026-07-03T14:13:35Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Selling the Stamp Collection
items: Burnham on Manchesterism
items: Why Starmer had to go!
items: How does AI work?
items: Algorithms & safe harbour
items: Middle class activism
items: Ilyayev
items: World Democracy Indices
items: Maastricht Convergence Criteria
items: Configuring services on my ‘Pi
items: Sorcerers in 5e
items: UK Democracy in 2025

Selling the Stamp Collection
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-07-03T14:13:30Z
subject: Life & Death
subject: stamps
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/stamps-tolgadenizaran-3_r6jZiPf6s-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="postage stamps on a table" decoding="async" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/stamps-tolgadenizaran-3_r6jZiPf6s-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/stamps-tolgadenizaran-3_r6jZiPf6s-unsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />I have picked this up as a project, certainly it takes up enough room and I haven’t looked at it for a while. I am quite looking forward to reviewing the UK and iron-curtain eastern European stamps. It was put together by my mum and her family and so it covers an extensive time period....
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/stamps-tolgadenizaran-3_r6jZiPf6s-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="postage stamps on a table" decoding="async" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/stamps-tolgadenizaran-3_r6jZiPf6s-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/stamps-tolgadenizaran-3_r6jZiPf6s-unsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> I have picked this up as a project, certainly it takes up enough room and I haven’t looked at it for a while. I am quite looking forward to reviewing the UK and iron-curtain eastern European stamps. It was put together by my mum and her family and so it covers an extensive time period. It may contain some stamps from Pa-Jim’s collection too. … I got a copy of Stamp Collector, and ordered it again. I found the following sites, https://www.stamp-valuations.co.uk/, I have contacted them. Warwick and Warwick : how-to-sell-your-stamp-collection, point at https://www.thepts.net/, W&W offer valuations. And UPA stamp auctions which is what interested me last time I looked. They have a web form requesting a collection valuation. They require an accurate overview statement of the inventory supported by pictures, but not too many, this maybe ideal. Stanley Gibbons still buy them, although maybe only as an auction service.

Burnham on Manchesterism
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-06-30T08:09:44Z
subject: Politics
subject: Uncategorized
subject: andyburnham
subject: manifesto
subject: politics
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Andy_Burnham_NHS_Confederation_annual_conference-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Andy Burnham on Stage speaking" decoding="async" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Andy_Burnham_NHS_Confederation_annual_conference-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Andy_Burnham_NHS_Confederation_annual_conference-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Andy Burnham, the likely next leader of the Labour Party made a speech on Monday 29th June, from the People’s History Museum in Salford. I have linked to the Sky News video of the speech. I have captured the transcript and post it below/overleaf. This may differ from the speech due to inaccuracies in youtube’s...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Andy_Burnham_NHS_Confederation_annual_conference-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Andy Burnham on Stage speaking" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Andy_Burnham_NHS_Confederation_annual_conference-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Andy_Burnham_NHS_Confederation_annual_conference-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> Andy Burnham, the likely next leader of the Labour Party made a speech on Monday 29th June, from the People’s History Museum in Salford. I have linked to the Sky News video of the speech. I have captured the transcript and post it below/overleaf. This may differ from the speech due to inaccuracies in youtube’s speech capture and my editing process as I removed the timestamps and the applause markers. Enjoy, Thanks so much everybody. Thanks very much everyone. [applause] Wow, what a welcome. Good morning everybody. Are you ready for this? I’m sounding like I used to sound when I used to DJ across this uh this great city. And I’m probably doing that because I’m missing it so much. I’m missing all of you. I am missing all of you. missing this place, the people. You were just brilliant to me in my nine years as mayor. I could not have asked for better backing. You were there at my back all the way through and I will never forget what this place did for me. It’s been such a wrench to leave that I’ve had to get special permission from what people uh in Westminster call my Manchester clothes. So, I’ve had to get special permission uh to wear them this morning. Sorry, Kem, about that. However, I have bowed to public pressure on one front. I have bought some new running shorts. It was either do that or change the decency laws. and I opted for uh I opted for the former. But I can’t tell you how glad it makes m…

Why Starmer had to go!
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-06-24T11:12:56Z
subject: Uncategorized
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/53836009867_63fd6cdffe_b-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="portrait of Keir Starmer in Downing St" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/53836009867_63fd6cdffe_b-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/53836009867_63fd6cdffe_b-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />A lot is being written about why Starmer had to go, I think this sums it up. … Featured Image: from No10@flickr.com, CC 2024 BY-NC-ND
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/53836009867_63fd6cdffe_b-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="portrait of Keir Starmer in Downing St" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/53836009867_63fd6cdffe_b-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/53836009867_63fd6cdffe_b-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> A lot is being written about why Starmer had to go, I think this sums it up. … <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="302" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UK-Polls-2024-2026-w750.png" alt="" class="wp-image-14355" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UK-Polls-2024-2026-w750.png 750w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UK-Polls-2024-2026-w750-300x121.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /> From politico.eu’s UK poll tracker 24 June 2026 Featured Image: from No10@flickr.com, CC 2024 BY-NC-ND

How does AI work?
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-06-18T16:04:34Z
subject: Networking
subject: Technology
subject: AI
subject: artificialintelligence
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ai-stevejohnson-_0iV9LmPDn0-unsplash-h720-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="an image of a digital brain over a startrek style control panel" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ai-stevejohnson-_0iV9LmPDn0-unsplash-h720-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ai-stevejohnson-_0iV9LmPDn0-unsplash-h720-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Despite the many pages I have tagged AI, I need another to document my sources as I seek to understand how it works and why GPUs are required. This is by no way finished. Links I need something on neural nets and why Nvidia/GPUs are needed? This thread on linkedin announcing AMD’s desktop AI machine.
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ai-stevejohnson-_0iV9LmPDn0-unsplash-h720-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="an image of a digital brain over a startrek style control panel" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ai-stevejohnson-_0iV9LmPDn0-unsplash-h720-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ai-stevejohnson-_0iV9LmPDn0-unsplash-h720-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> Despite the many pages I have tagged AI, I need another to document my sources as I seek to understand how it works and why GPUs are required. This is by no way finished. Links What is AI RAG? More on AI Perspectives Augmentation Deep Learning for Dummies I need something on neural nets and why Nvidia/GPUs are needed? This thread on linkedin announcing AMD’s desktop AI machine.

Algorithms & safe harbour
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-06-18T15:32:19Z
subject: Culture
subject: Politics
subject: culture
subject: europeanunion
subject: politics
subject: safe harbour
subject: social media
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/safeharbour-bydeepai-cc0-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="a giant casting a fire bolt at a breakwater" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/safeharbour-bydeepai-cc0-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/safeharbour-bydeepai-cc0-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />The CJEU has been weakening “carrier immunity” also known as “safe harbour”, firstly in a case called X vs Russmedia but its come to light in my feeds recently, I am not sure why, important people have just noticed it. Here are some links … Links Here’s Gemini’s response to “ Show me the recent...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/safeharbour-bydeepai-cc0-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="a giant casting a fire bolt at a breakwater" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/safeharbour-bydeepai-cc0-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/safeharbour-bydeepai-cc0-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> The CJEU has been weakening “carrier immunity” also known as “safe harbour”, firstly in a case called X vs Russmedia but its come to light in my feeds recently, I am not sure why, important people have just noticed it. Here are some links … Links Judgement of the Court (Grand Chamber) of 2 December 2025. X v Russmedia Digital SRL and Inform Media Press SRL. Request for a preliminary ruling from the Curtea de Apel Cluj. Ruling in English Dec 2025 and the multilingual Host/Landing Page The EUs top court just redrew the lines on social media platform liability under GDPR by Captain Compliance EU – Does Russmedia mean indeterminate liability for online platforms? from Linklaters CJEU’s Russmedia decision: how online marketplace platforms could be held liable under the GDPR from Bird & Bird Here’s Gemini’s response to “ Show me the recent CJEU ruling on social media liability and algorithms “ It’s called a preliminary ruling because it’s been referred by a member state court for guidance on EU law. The final judgement is issued by the member state court. Featured Image: by deepai.org

Middle class activism
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-06-01T15:16:19Z
subject: Economics
subject: Politics
subject: economics
subject: politics
subject: whitepaper
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/demo-chrisslupski-LeHpD4Jq_cU-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="hands raised on the street in the sun" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/demo-chrisslupski-LeHpD4Jq_cU-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/demo-chrisslupski-LeHpD4Jq_cU-unsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />I came across “Aspiring for Change: A Theory of Middle Class Activism” and wanted to clear the physical version out from my cupboard and so made this note. Others may find it interesting. The paper citation is below, but this is the abstract, “We propose a regime change model in which people are uncertain about...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/demo-chrisslupski-LeHpD4Jq_cU-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="hands raised on the street in the sun" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/demo-chrisslupski-LeHpD4Jq_cU-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/demo-chrisslupski-LeHpD4Jq_cU-unsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> I came across “Aspiring for Change: A Theory of Middle Class Activism” and wanted to clear the physical version out from my cupboard and so made this note. Others may find it interesting. The paper citation is below, but this is the abstract, “We propose a regime change model in which people are uncertain about both the quality of a specific regime and governance in general. The poor perceive the current regime as bad, rationally infer that all governments are bad, and therefore believe mass movements are futile. The middle class are more sanguine about the prospect of good government, and believe that collective action is effective because they expect many fellow citizens to share the same view. This coordination game with incomplete information does not admit monotone equilibrium but exhibits multiple interval equilibria, where middle class people are more likely to attack the regime.” I don’t fully understand the mathematical language. It might be best summarised as discontent vs hope, with the suggestion that the middle classes have more hope that others will agree and join in, (the co-ordination game). I found & made the following links, Aspiring for Change: A Theory of Middle Class Activism at repec.org and Why middle class activism surprises economists by Heng Chen at the LSE Blog A gemini summary of the original paper, https://gemini.google.com/share/96336355c0f4 A gemini summary of the LSE blog h…

Ilyayev
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-05-26T14:40:38Z
subject: Culture
subject: art
subject: culture
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-150x150.png 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-300x298.png 300w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-1024x1017.png 1024w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-768x763.png 768w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-100x100.png 100w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />On the Norwegian Star, they had an art gallery featuring among others pictures by Ilyayev; they reminded me of Afremov’s style. Did he copy? See https://share.google/aimode/sOBHuvKuswSm4Sn4Q, seems consensus says no. Ilyayev’s inspirations predate Afremov’s work He is represented by https://www.parkwestgallery.com/artist/slava-ilyayev/ See also Collecting Afremov on this wiki. The picture is by me, taken on the...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-150x150.png 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-300x298.png 300w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-1024x1017.png 1024w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-768x763.png 768w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955-100x100.png 100w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ilya-norwegianstar-dfl1955.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> On the Norwegian Star, they had an art gallery featuring among others pictures by Ilyayev; they reminded me of Afremov’s style. Did he copy? See https://share.google/aimode/sOBHuvKuswSm4Sn4Q, seems consensus says no. Ilyayev’s inspirations predate Afremov’s work He is represented by https://www.parkwestgallery.com/artist/slava-ilyayev/ See also Collecting Afremov on this wiki. The picture is by me, taken on the ship. (I might make a slide show of some pictures.

World Democracy Indices
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-05-24T16:45:58Z
subject: Politics
subject: Uncategorized
subject: democracy
subject: politics
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/voting-arnaud-jaegers-IBWJsMObnnU-unsplash-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="someone voting at a ballot box" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/voting-arnaud-jaegers-IBWJsMObnnU-unsplash-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/voting-arnaud-jaegers-IBWJsMObnnU-unsplash-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />I was pulled to return democraciness by some comments on the UK and the Copenhagen Criteria. I replied in this blog article, where I returned to Economist Intelligence Unit’s index and gave a nod to https://www.v-dem.net/ and Polity IV. See also https://davelevy.info/how-democratic-is-the-uk/ 2018. On quora I was pointed at some further indices that I had...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/voting-arnaud-jaegers-IBWJsMObnnU-unsplash-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="someone voting at a ballot box" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/voting-arnaud-jaegers-IBWJsMObnnU-unsplash-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/voting-arnaud-jaegers-IBWJsMObnnU-unsplash-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> I was pulled to return democraciness by some comments on the UK and the Copenhagen Criteria. I replied in this blog article, where I returned to Economist Intelligence Unit’s index and gave a nod to https://www.v-dem.net/ and Polity IV. See also https://davelevy.info/how-democratic-is-the-uk/ 2018. On quora I was pointed at some further indices that I had not seen before. Today, I came across a reply to a quora troll. What interested me is the cataloguing of indices I’d not hear of before, including Cato Institute’s Human Freedom Index, the World Population Review, which has a map and Freedom House. The fact I have written critiques of the UK system entitles me to repeat the criticisms of the US system. See below for the thread, What are the second and third freest countries after the USA? I’m guessing Canada is one. Maybe Europe or Japan, even though they are ruled by kings? I have very bad news for you. The United States is the only country that believes its the freest country in the world, maybe because they can freely own guns or pay for their own medical care. Who really knows. Objectively, they’re not even close. The Human Freedom Index, which is compiled by the Cato Institute, a right-leaning American non-profit think tank, places the United States 15th in 2025. The World Population Review places the U.S. at 84 out of 100, tied for 54th place. Freedom House ranks it at 81 out of 100, tied for 63rd The reasons t…

Maastricht Convergence Criteria
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-05-24T13:52:14Z
subject: Business
subject: Politics
subject: economics
subject: euro
subject: europeanunion
subject: monetarypolicy
subject: politics
subject: rejoineu
subject: stability & growth pact
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/masstrichtconvergence-bydfl1955-viaunsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="a trading screen overlayed over the quay at Maastricht" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/masstrichtconvergence-bydfl1955-viaunsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/masstrichtconvergence-bydfl1955-viaunsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Despite claiming to be an expert, I had not heard of the Maastricht Convergence Criteria which define a readiness to join the Euro. I asked google gemini to summarise its role. These include Price stability, Sound public finances, to ensure they are sustainable, Exchange-rate stability, to demonstrate that a Member State can manage its economy...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/masstrichtconvergence-bydfl1955-viaunsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="a trading screen overlayed over the quay at Maastricht" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/masstrichtconvergence-bydfl1955-viaunsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/masstrichtconvergence-bydfl1955-viaunsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> Despite claiming to be an expert, I had not heard of the Maastricht Convergence Criteria which define a readiness to join the Euro. I asked google gemini to summarise its role. These include Price stability, Sound public finances, to ensure they are sustainable, Exchange-rate stability, to demonstrate that a Member State can manage its economy without recourse to excessive currency fluctuations, and Long-term interest rates, to assess the durability of any convergence. The EU monitors and reports on the status of the EU’s non-Euro currencies and the convergence rules. Google Gemini summarises them as divided into four main areas: [1] Price Stability (Inflation): The average inflation rate must not exceed by more than 1.5 percentage points the average of the three best-performing EU member states. Sound Public Finances (Deficit & Debt): The government deficit must not exceed 3% of GDP. The government debt must not exceed 60% of GDP. (If it exceeds this, it must be diminishing at a satisfactory pace). Exchange Rate Stability: The country must participate in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) for at least two years without severe tensions or devaluing against the euro. Long-Term Interest Rates: The nominal long-term interest rate must not exceed by more than 2 percentage points that of the three best-performing EU member states in terms of price stability. Another of the cri…

Configuring services on my ‘Pi
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-05-24T09:56:50Z
subject: Technology
subject: docker
subject: email
subject: raspberry pi
subject: roundcube
subject: web services
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/raspberrypi-jainathponnala-9wnAhRYdDzc-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="three raspberry pis" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/raspberrypi-jainathponnala-9wnAhRYdDzc-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/raspberrypi-jainathponnala-9wnAhRYdDzc-unsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />The ‘pi currently runs ‘transmission’ and a web site, but I want to offer mail using Roundcube, and to run a python2 service i.e. planet venus in a docker container. Also next stop is diaspora! See I have notes on how to do it at claude.ai i.e. installing the products, building the images and linking...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/raspberrypi-jainathponnala-9wnAhRYdDzc-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="three raspberry pis" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/raspberrypi-jainathponnala-9wnAhRYdDzc-unsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/raspberrypi-jainathponnala-9wnAhRYdDzc-unsplash-w1080-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> The ‘pi currently runs ‘transmission’ and a web site, but I want to offer mail using Roundcube, and to run a python2 service i.e. planet venus in a docker container. Also next stop is diaspora! See My notes on docker – https://davelevy.info/wiki/docker/ My notes on transmission are at my bittorrent page, check out the Ubuntu & Raspbian sections. I have notes on how to do it at claude.ai i.e. installing the products, building the images and linking them up. Also on chatgpt.

Sorcerers in 5e
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-05-08T18:18:57Z
subject: Games
subject: ADD
subject: dungeons & dragons
subject: sorcerer
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sorcerer-pintrest-w1080-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="an elven sorcerer" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sorcerer-pintrest-w1080-150x150.png 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sorcerer-pintrest-w1080-100x100.png 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />I fancy a change. I am building a bookmark list and need a URL for meta magic and font of magic, 2014 rules. Who knows I might say more another time. … Metamagic At 3rd level, you gain the ability to twist your spells to suit your needs. You gain two of the following Metamagic...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sorcerer-pintrest-w1080-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="an elven sorcerer" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sorcerer-pintrest-w1080-150x150.png 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sorcerer-pintrest-w1080-100x100.png 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> I fancy a change. I am building a bookmark list and need a URL for meta magic and font of magic, 2014 rules. Who knows I might say more another time. … Metamagic At 3rd level, you gain the ability to twist your spells to suit your needs. You gain two of the following Metamagic options of your choice. You gain another one at 10th and 17th level. You do this by spending “sorcerery points”, which are gained by level, and additionally by the feat “meta magic adept” and renew on a long rest. You can use only one Metamagic option on a spell when you cast it, unless otherwise noted. Click to toggle Content Careful Spell. When you cast a spell that forces other creatures to make a saving throw, you can protect some of those creatures from the spell’s full force. To do so, you spend 1 sorcery point and choose a number of those creatures up to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). A chosen creature automatically succeeds on its saving throw against the spell. Distant Spell. When you cast a spell that has a range of 5 feet or greater, you can spend 1 sorcery point to double the range of the spell. When you cast a spell that has a range of touch, you can spend 1 sorcery point to make the range of the spell 30 feet. Empowered Spell. When you roll damage for a spell, you can spend 1 sorcery point to reroll a number of the damage dice up to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). You must use the new rolls. You can use Empowered Spell even if you have already used a different Metamagic op…

UK Democracy in 2025
type: item
creator: Dave
date: 2026-04-27T15:03:14Z
subject: Uncategorized
description: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-150x150.png 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-100x100.png 100w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-50x50.png 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Time to look at the Democracy Indices again. In particular the EIU are suggesting that democracy is making a comeback. They say, “democracy stabilises after eight years of decline”. Here are my notes and links … LInks I wanted to see if specific events were reflected in the indices, I found these, This is one...
encoded: <img width="150" height="150" src="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-150x150.png 150w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-100x100.png 100w, https://davelevy.info/wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HoC-parliament-parlycopyrght-2023-crpd-50x50.png 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> Time to look at the Democracy Indices again. In particular the EIU are suggesting that democracy is making a comeback. They say, “democracy stabilises after eight years of decline”. Here are my notes and links … LInks The EIU’s annoucment page for its 2025 report with a tag line, “democracy-stabilises-after-eight-years-of-decline“, although the numbers are marginal over the last 10 years and “We’re doing better than Afghanistan” is not a compelling argument. They have another page, called EIU Democracy Index 2025, which hosts the full report , but its behind an identity wall. The World Bank data set also points to the EIU index, as does, Our World in Data https://www.v-dem.net/ are the alternative index. When I started this, I found their methodology more opaque. Chat GPT comment on the fall in V-Dem scores, this is worth a read as it explores some often unexplored issues, relating to “winner take all”, conventions and constitutions, power of the executive, ministerial accountability but not the role & power of local government & the devolved assemblies. I wanted to see if specific events were reflected in the indices, I found these, The Prorogue Crisis, https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2019/08/29/boris-johnsons-prorogation-of-parliament-a-challenge-to-the-uks-constitutional-democracy/ The Covid lockdowns, https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/def…