Updated 27th April 2009:

Magazine Reinstated:
We removed the magazine section temporarily after starting a revamp of the website. However, many of you missed it and that’s why it has returned. The website’s revamp is going to continue, but we’ll keep the magazine section alive - Tell RWF Talking Software What You Think

Something to Say?:
If you have something you’d like to share with us please drop us a line and let us know. We’d be interested in all stories and ideas you might have - Tell RWF Talking Software What You Think

RSPCA Does not Cover Scotland:
I learned yesterday that donations I was making to the RSPCA were doing nothing to help animals in Scotland, where I live. I cancelled my direct debit to RSPCA and set up a new one for Scottish SPCA. I have a strange feeling about this, like I’ve been a victim of fraud or something. Mind you, at least the money went to help animals somewhere. - Richard Fairbairn

The Scottish SPCA today challenges the RSPCA to stop stealing food from the mouths of Scotland's defenceless animals and tell the truth to the Scottish public.

Scotland's animal welfare charity has launched an unprecedented campaign calling for the English and Welsh charity to admit it can't save a single animal in Scotland.

Chief Executive Stuart Earley said, "Many people do not know that the RSPCA does not rescue or rehome any animals in Scotland and by advertising here it has been intentionally adding to the confusion to make money.

"The RSPCA is in breach of Institute of Fundraising guidelines it helped draw up which require charities to be explicitly clear about where they work. Occasionally using small print to tell the Scottish public it is registered in England and Wales is in no way explicit.

"We are a completely separate charity and have asked the RSPCA to make it clear it does not save animals in Scotland so people can make an informed choice about who to donate to. However, after six months of talks we are no further forward.

"This has been increasing the huge pressure on our resources for many years and enough is enough. It's time the RSPCA told the truth."

Research has demonstrated that 70% of the Scottish public believe the RSPCA saves animals in Scotland. High profile RSPCA campaigns in Scotland last year included a membership drive in Scottish supermarkets and adverts on Scottish radio stations.

"The RSPCA seems determined to portray itself as a UK charity, even if it is at the expense of animal welfare in Scotland," said Mr Earley.

"Further RSPCA advertising has included television adverts on UK channels. While these particular adverts cannot be restricted to England and Wales, they should not deceive the Scottish public.

"We are therefore calling for the RSPCA to be explicitly clear in its advertising that it does not rescue or rehome animals in Scotland.

"This could be by explicitly stating where it works or even describing itself as the ‘RSPCA for England and Wales'. Either would clear up the confusion almost immediately.

"We are also calling for the RSPCA to at all times make it clear to anyone donating from Scotland that their donation will not help animals in their country.

"This should extend to any legacies it receives made out to the ‘Scottish RSPCA' or ‘RSPCA Scotland'. We believe these should come to us and be used to care for animals in Scotland but even this basic and fair principle has been rejected.

"It is impossible to quantify how much we have lost to the RSPCA but any loss is damaging because we receive no government or lottery funding and rely on public support.

"While anyone can of course support any charity they wish, we know the majority of the Scottish public would prefer their donations to help charities in Scotland and it is on this basis, in defence of the abandoned and neglected animals in need of our help, that we are taking this stance.

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My Bebo Page:
I eagerly update the blog on my Bebo page quite regularly. I decided to include the link to it here so that maybe someone will read it!

I am considering moving the whole magazine section to this page so it might be in your best interests to join Bebo and become my friend.

Richard Fairbairn’s Bebo Page

The Best Mothers Day Ever:
It’s been the best Mother’s Day ever. My son and I managed to make it a very special time for my wife and we spent our time doing what she enjoys most. We had a lovingly prepared breakfast lunch (Peter helped butter the bread and made an excellent job if it) whilst daddy prepared a “feast of fatness” - bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding and beans. Oh, and toast too. It was a nice start to the day for my wife Bernadette.

Following brunch we went for a long walk in an attempt to shed some of the guilt - if not some of the fat. Then we played a DVD quiz together before getting little Peter bathed and ready for school in the morning.

This evening Bernadette and I are going to enjoy a “tasty but hasty” selection of Tesco’s Finest as daddy prepares another culinary delight. Then we’ll settle down to a quiet evening together in our beautiful quiet village. It’s been a perfect day, by our standards...

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Talking Dictionary Security Changes:
I want Talking Dictionary to be accessible to all, but at the same time I hope that users realise that its neither freeware or shareware. This has been a problem for us in the past. Many customers would share their CD or password with their colleagues, friends and aquaintances. Additionally, the downloadable demonstration version of the product was being routinely unlocked by access keys obtained by one or more illegal key generators found on the web. In some eastern countries we found that passwords and unlock details for Talking Dictionary were being distributed on discussion forums quite openly. The first we'd know of this would be when our web log would indicate thousands of downloads from a specific location.

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Free Space Available:
If your website offers a service, free or otherwise, that might benefit a\our visitors please do not hesitate to contact us. We’ll feature you in our magazine area, if we share your opinion that your story is relevant.

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Talking Dictionary Success Stories:
I’m starting to pull together some of the emails I have received over the years with a view to publishing some detailed testimonials about our products. I’m interested in how our software or services have helped you or a loved one. So if you’re a customer (old or new) and you want to say something about our software please get in touch.

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best wishes

Richard W. Fairbairn
Manager
RWF Talking Software
webmaster(at)rwfts.com

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