Columnist for onthewight.com, author, bit of a guru, tester par excellence, NLP Master Practitioner, hatwearer, accidental IWSO reviewer.
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Articles by Jonathan Dodd
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Season wrapped up with tribute to American composers
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed In the United States everyone knows what 4th July means. Independence Day. Whether we love them or are just puzzled by some of the things they do, we are bound to them as they are to us.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Overture, Nocturne, Concerto, Symphony
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed On Saturday 14th March 2026, despite the unfriendly weather, music fans and stalwarts converged on the Medina Theatre to attend the fourth concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra 2025-6 season. The house was full, and the anticipation of a great concert was visible on everyone’s faces.
AI in Software Development: A Mirror, Not a Magic Wand
“AI’s inflection point has arrived.” This statement reflects how deeply artificial intelligence is embedding itself into our daily lives. For software developers, that reality is unavoidable. Whether you’re using GitHub Copilot for small productivity gains or experimenting with more advanced agentic workflows, AI-assisted development is here to stay — and learning to use it well is quickly becoming essential.
5 Proven Strategies for Modernizing Legacy .NET Applications
As a developer, it is almost inevitable that you’ll eventually work on maintaining or modernizing an existing codebase. Rarely is this straightforward; the challenge can feel overwhelming, especially if the core logic is a tangled mess and a classic ‘big ball of mud’. This lack of clarity decreases your confidence and increases the risk of the system breaking in unexpected places whenever you make changes. Defining Legacy .NET Code A common misconception is that legacy code must be old code.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Standing ovation for trumpet soloist Aaron Azunda Akugbo
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra performed the third concert of the 2025-26 season on Saturday 14th March, at the Medina Theatre. As usual, there was a full house, and the entire audience was ready for an evening of inspiring music.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: An astonishing evening of music by female composers
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed I was very sorry to miss the first Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra concert in November, so I was doubly determined not to miss the first concert of 2026, on Saturday 17th January, at the Medina Theatre.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra celebrates season finale with concert at Havenstreet
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Ed When you’re a well-respected and skilful local Symphony Orchestra, and you’ve just completed an arduous programme of acclaimed concerts, what could you possibly do to crown your season and celebrate the joy and hard work before you go to relax for the summer, and before starting the whole roller-coaster again? The answer is obvious.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: An invitation to the dance!
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed How is it possible that we’ve gone through another whole season of concerts by the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra again? It seems like only yesterday that I listened to their first concert, back in 2024, featuring Bruckner’s 4th Symphony. It seems like so long ago, and as if it were only yesterday.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Immersive musical journey with Tallis, Vaughan Williams, Gliere, Malabar and Dvorak
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed The year rolls on, and the time flies by, and the fourth concert by the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra was upon us last Saturday, 17th May 2025. Driving towards the Medina Theatre, I reflected on the years I have now been lucky enough to review these concerts, and I was pleased that my enthusiasm remains as fresh as when I started.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Mathilde Milwidsky's stunning performances shine, including a world premiere
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed I was intrigued by the programme for the third concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-2025 season at the Medina Theatre last Saturday, 15th March. There were going to be two items by the same soloist, one of which I had never heard. The filler in a more familiar musical sandwich.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Concert captivates audience with Elgar, Wagnar and Rachmaninoff
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed I arrived with much expectation at the Medina Theatre Last Saturday, 18th January, for the second concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-2025 season. It was a bitterly cold night, but the theatre was warmed up considerably by a completely full house. I was delighted when I looked around and couldn’t see an empty seat.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: March, Suite, Concerto, Symphony
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed At the beginning of November, the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra began its new season at the Medina Theatre. The season was unusually unwintry, and the theatre was packed with supporters and visitors, looking forward to a feast of music.
Ukrainian clarinet virtuoso captivates at Isle of Wight's fourth concert series
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed The faithful supporters of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra assembled at the Medina Theatre last Saturday, 18th May, on an unusually balmy evening for the fourth concert of the 2023-2024 programme. We had heard rumours of an outstanding Ukrainian clarinettist. There were unheard pieces to listen to, and a big Russian symphony.
Music lovers treated to a vibrant concert by Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra: Cesar, and George and Viv
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed Finally, during the constant rainfall and lack of sunshine, an event took place on the evening of Saturday 16th March 2024, that stirred our blood and made us smile again. It was, of course, the third concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 programme.
Rachmaninov to Tchaikovsky: A musical mélange with the Isle of Wight Symphony
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed On the evening of Saturday 20th January 2024, a large crowd of enthusiasts converged on the Medina Theatre for the second concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 programme. Despite the cold January weather, practically every seat was taken, he auditorium was warm, and everyone’s faces were suffused with hope and expectation.
Effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan vs Valsartan on Left Atrial Volume in Patients With Pre-Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: The PARABLE Randomized Clinical Trial | Heart Failure | JAMA Cardiology | JAMA Network
Key Points Question Can neprilysin inhibition improve markers of cardiovascular structure and function in patients with pre–heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?
Three musical delights
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed This has been something of a difficult year. All sorts of unpleasantness everywhere, many old certainties showing themselves to be somewhat wobbly, and a lot of weird weather. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that occasionally we long for something solid, dependable, and uplifting.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra review: Tony and Maria at the Medina, with some friends
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed Last Saturday, 1st July, I attended the final concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s (IWSO) 2022-2023 season, and I was in a state of excitement, mainly because one of my all-time favourite pieces was to be performed, along with several others, either known and liked, or unknown and waiting to be discovered.
Giles Cole's masterpiece 'After All These Years' enthralls
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the Close Quarter Productions and Theatre Reviva!’s brand new production of After All These Years, in association with Julia Holofcener of Holofcener Ltd. Ed Last Thursday we went to see a new play, called ‘After All These Years’, at the Antony Minghella Theatre at Quay Arts in Newport. On a hot summer evening there was a good audience for a Thursday night, and there was a pleasant buzz of conversation before the play began.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra review: A marvellous musical evening
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed On Saturday, 18th March, I took my seat for the third concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2022-2023 season. I was looking forward to three pieces, two of which I had never heard, and one that I wasn’t familiar with.
Young Island talents shine at Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra concert: Review
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh LRPS. Ed Last Saturday, 21st January, I was privileged to attend the second concert of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2022-2023 season. And, to be completely honest, it was a corker.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: London Calling
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s 2022-2023 season began earlier this month at the Medina Theatre in grand style. The room was packed full of people looking forward to a varied and exciting menu of music. They all seemed ready for entertainment after the break, and they weren’t to be disappointed.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Sunshine and Steam
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed Last Saturday was a beautiful day. The Isle of Wight was at its best, with a deep blue sky and glorious sunshine.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Where There’s a Will
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed On Saturday 9th July, in sweltering heat, the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra performed a fantastically varied programme of music from many countries and periods, in a celebration of the end of this season’s concerts.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Elgar and Grieg, Edward and Edvard (watch)
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images from the rehearsal with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed Those of us who regularly attend concerts by the Isle of Wight Orchestra Symphony know that they consistently produce performances that delight and astonish us.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: From Croydon to Prague, via Newport
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images from the rehearsal with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed On the cold and damp evening of Saturday 22nd January, I made my way to the Medina Theatre to attend a concert by the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra. I had been unable to go to the first concert of the new season in November, and I was looking forward to an evening of varied and sumptuous music.
In-memory Automated UI Testing ASP.NET Core
Introduction In this article, we look at how to run in-memory automated UI tests for an ASP.NET Core web app using Playwright and NUnit. The article provides demo code and solutions to issues found along the way. Automated UI Testing Automated testing of any web application is essential to ensure it functions correctly. On the top of the “testing pyramid” proudly sits UI testing or end-to-end testing, above integration and unit testing.
Practical Complex Data for Unit Testing
Unit testing is a long-established and essential part of the software development process particularly when using .NET. The basic premise, if you are not aware, is to test the public methods of classes so that they work as expected. Unit tests follow the 3As: Arrange, Act, and Assert. In other words, set up the conditions for the test, run the code and finally, check that it worked as expected. If it did, great the test passed! If not, then there’s some work to do.
“Why Wasn’t I invited?” - Navigating Creator Consideration
“Why didn’t I get selected for this activation? What did I do wrong?” ”I gave my heart and soul to this franchise, and I feel left out. What gives?” “What the fuck? This person doesn’t even play [INSERT GAME]! Why them?” Variants of the above statements hit my DMs and email inbox whenever we host a briefing, capture, launch, or live service event. FOMO is real, and a reality of working as a Content Creator.
Comparison of Object Mapper Libraries
In this article, we look at object-to-object mappers in C# .NET. Mappers solve the common problem of writing mundane and repetitive code when assigning values between objects. Three different mapping libraries are evaluated to give an idea of common themes and some differences which might be relevant for your development needs. The mapping libraries AutoMapper, AgileMapper, and Mapster have been used in a simple demo program to explore some simple mapping scenarios.
Sequential FDG-PET in the management of multiorgan sarcoidosis
Sequential FDG-PET in the management of multiorgan sarcoidosis Free Alan Kelly1, Michael P Keane1,2, David Keane3, Jonathan D Dodd4, David J Murphy4, Cormac McCarthy1,2 1 Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland 2 School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland 3 Cardiology, St. Vincent's Uiversity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland 4 Radiology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland Correspondence to Dr Cormac McCarthy,...
Sequential FDG-PET in the management of multiorgan sarcoidosis
Sequential FDG-PET in the management of multiorgan sarcoidosis Alan Kelly1, Michael P Keane1,2, David Keane3, Jonathan D Dodd4, David J Murphy4, Cormac McCarthy1,2 1Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland 2School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland 3Cardiology, St. Vincent's Uiversity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland 4Radiology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland Correspondence to Dr Cormac McCarthy, Medicine,...
Find out more about ‘The Dinosaur On Your Window Sill' through new Facebook Group
Jonathan Dodd shares this bonus article – well timed for Mental Health Awareness Week. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed Nobody really knows where their inspiration or interests come from. We can guess, and sometimes we can remember a moment when something comes alive for us. But we still don’t know why it was that moment, rather than another one, and that thing.
Jonathan Dodd: A glimpse of a possible future
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed Back in the day, when I thought I had a career, I used to meet lots of people who couldn’t wait to retire. They were mostly men, because in those days it was mainly men. Nobody noticed, or mentioned that, because that was how the world worked. I believe it has changed, somewhat, although every freedom, no matter how hard-won, is easily reversible unless you pay attention.
Jonathan Dodd: Summers Sale – A short story | Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight
Thank you to Jonathan Dodd for this latest short story. He writes a lot of them, so we might see more coming this way. soon. Ed Martin Bangor had never been much to write home about, as everybody had been telling him throughout his uneventful life. He would never be much of a catch either, and nobody had ever described him as the life and soul of the party. Martin wasn’t the sort of person who ever got himself invited to parties.
Jonathan Dodd: A Teller of Tales - A short story
Jonathan Dodd’s this short story. He writes a lot of them, so we might see more coming this way. soon. Ed Once upon a time, whilst everyone was sitting comfortably, a teller of tales took a deep breath, and started to speak. “There was once a Princess”, he said, in his deep voice, trained to travel to the far reaches of both great halls and woodland campfires.
Jonathan Dodd: Best Friends - a short story
Jonathan Dodd’s doesn’t have his usual column this week, but shares this short story. He writes a lot of them, so we might see more coming this way. soon. Ed “Pass the biscuits.” Neville was not known for his politeness, but Martin nonetheless passed over the pack of Hobnobs, keeping his eyes assiduously on the woman on the TV. She was doing something rather strange with what looked like a small plastic dolphin.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: From Russia With Love
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images from the rehearsal with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed The Saturday before last I was privileged to attend the third concert in the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s (IWSO) current season at the Medina Theatre.
Jonathan Dodd: Of Tunnels and Poles, Greasy or otherwise
I’m finding it hard to engage with things lately. I’m not sure why. Sometimes it’s enough to be able to describe what you’re feeling, and know that you don’t know really why you’re feeling like that. I think depression is supposed to work in that way, except that it’s not just your feelings, it’s all of you. I remember a time in my life when I felt particularly bad. Life had given me a bit of a beating, and it seemed like I had lost everything that mattered.
Jonathan Dodd: Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
I may not manage to finish this in time. Sorry if I don’t. Life is short, and art may not measure up. Besides, I’m not sure I have much of a handle on either life or art.
Jonathan Dodd: But Is It Funny?
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed As a somewhat-reluctant member of a reading group (I’m not really a joiner), I’ve found myself in a quandary this month. We’ve been given a book that’s known as a classic work of comic fiction, and is well-loved by at least some people.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Hot Firebird
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed Last Saturday I attended the second concert of the current season of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra, on an unexpectedly mellow evening in January. The auditorium was crammed, and there was a buzz of expectation in the air as everyone settled down to listen.
Jonathan Dodd: The Real Sound of Christmas
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed Oh, what a year it had been! Marsha stood in her dining room, staring out through the French doors in the dark, just breathing. Right from the first week of January it had been all go. Mike being laid off, having to look for another job, struggling with money and making ends meet.
Jonathan Dodd: Once more unto the Polling Station!
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed OK. So there’s a General Election coming up this week. There’s a lot of talk about ‘Democracy’, and ‘the will of the people’, and other such trite phrases, uttered sometimes by rote, at other times sincerely, and occasionally accurately. But very few people have a real understanding or inner concept of what is meant by any of these things.
Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Sweet Karelia
Jonathan Dodd shares his review of the latest Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) concert. Images with kind permission of Allan Marsh. Ed Last Saturday night the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra played its first concert of the new season. And it was a cracker, raising the bar, and setting a fantastic standard for the concerts to come. The auditorium at the Medina Theatre was crammed with people after the tickets were sold out, and the audience and orchestra were buzzing with expectation.
Jonathan Dodd: Once More Unto the Breach
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed Well well, here we are again. Despite everyone’s best efforts, we’re being asked to vote for one of many evils. No wonder that so many people are confused and frustrated and angry, and all of the other things people feel right now, that they either didn’t feel before the so-called referendum was foisted on us, or that they did feel, but were too polite to mention.
Jonathan Dodd: Back to the Stone Age
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed Sometimes it’s a good thing to be made to realise just how much you depend on certain aspects of civilisation. That’s what I’m saying, and in my head I know it’s true. But the rest of me is screaming and gibbering in the corner. The events I’m about to relate are, frankly, rather unimportant and hardly life-threatening, but nonetheless, it’s been an interesting week, in so many ways.
Jonathan Dodd: No Past and No Future
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed Back in 1503, life was rather simpler than it is today. At least I think it would have been, but I haven’t the equipment yet to go back and verify that information. I shall have to keep working at it. Back in Italy, all those years ago, there was an artist called Leonardo, who was about to paint a lady’s portrait.
Jonathan Dodd: Punctuation Wars
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed Is it just me? I seem to be saying this a lot recently. I remember a time when I was young, when being young meant pushing up against the walls of established thinking and received wisdom. I was reminded of all that when I watched the recent Monty Python 50th Anniversary documentaries on BBC.
Jonathan Dodd: Late Night Line-Up against the wall
Jonathan Dodd’s latest column. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed This week I thought about writing a whole column that made absolutely no sense, with every sentence just full of encouraging words but no substance. Yes, you’re ahead of me. That’s what some people surely think already. And they might be right. I’m terrible at asking straight questions, unless I blurt out something so short it’s rude.
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