Posts by Slik Fandango

208 is more fun...

A few months ago changed my diesel 207 (1.4 72bhp [I think]).

Looked at 208, 2008 and 308. Now I like Peugeots - had them since 2001 so maybe I'm biased...

Liked to 308 - but I wanted something a bit fun - and wasn't sure about EVERYTHING going through the touch screen.

So chose a 208 GTi - bit different than the diesel, but the touch screen was much better - it controls the things you expect - Stereo, SatNav and fuel computer. Heating and everything else is still a physical control.

Honestly - that's the only reason I chose the 200bhp 208 GTi...

They got me too...

Well I run a tiny little Mac Mini running OSX Mavericks Server... just for use by my colleagues, an agency and me. Wiki and calendar access.

At first thought it was Virgin resetting my modem again (has happened where they cleared out my port redirects), then found I could access via IP address. Check No-IP site and GREAT - THANKS MS!

Was running perfectly, secure and no issues.

Apparently I can get a new host name... but I liked my old one. Going to pull a right hissy fit now!

Breaking Badly

I thought Walter White was a bit over the top with his equipment, when all he needed was a torch!

Local press - low cal content

Used to work for a domain & hosting company as PR / Marketing Manager. We were a small company with initially a big local following, which developed nationally.

One day got a call from the local rag, saying we were going to be front page! Great I thought, what I had been trying to do for ages! But unfortunately not for the reasons I wanted - someone had used us to host a 'Onion-like' website that had a clearly hoax ad for a local based paedophile. They wanted to slate us for allowing such bad things. In the end we contacted the websites owners and they moved to another host, the boss wanted to avoid negative local publicity as he was a well know business man! When it was in the paper it made them out to be the ones that stopped this evil in it's tracks.

It just proved to me that the press will look for anything to get an angle and make out that they are the crusading ones sticking up for local issues, etc. Nope - just trying to keep their job!

Not a power user

of Pages or Numbers - but I prefer to use them.

I didn't like the 'new' versions of Office, so took a choice to use iWork. OK some things are not as good, but for most things they are worth it. Atleast some of the stuff missing is coming back - and I can believe the explanation that as it was newly developed some things went astray!

When I first moved over it was also A LOT CHEAPER than Office.

And all UK staff get Macs we get it free now.

As for making pretty graphs etc - yep - at one place I worked a meeting was suddenly called - in 10 minutes I created a slick looking graph to compare the information that I had, dropped that into a Keynote presentation and blew the socks off people there, who believed that 10 minutes was not enough time to prepare anything (Civil Servants...).

And Keynote - much better than PowerPoint IMHO, but Powerpoint was Mac based originally anyway...

Loved mine

and what was interesting to me was that I worked closely at the time with MicroSoft...

Quite a few managers there were early adopters and got their hands on a few.

They loved them - mainly it seemed because they could beam notepad messages under the table in meetings, so enabling them to play noughts and crosses...

It worked for me and my needs - addresses, diary, expenses and email (when I could find a phone line).

Love Netflix

I get it through my AppleTV, and also on the Smart TVs that we have.

BUT - the Smart TV interface is no where near as good as the Apple TV.

AND I dread to think what the interface will be like on the TiVo! The interface for iPlayer is hideous and clunky - when we use it we tend to use the Smart TV interface. It tends to fall over less! I have been near the end of a programme and suddenly the TiVo chucked me out! Not nice!

Misread that

Thought they wanted Bros to fight for them...

Looking forward to it...

No - really I am!

I use iTunes Match to keep my home server and devices upto date, and it means I have my entire collection with me when I am in a place with wifi (my choice not to use 3G for this). This is ideal when my girlfriend suddenly decides she wants to listen to Keane's back catalogue whilst driving back from somewhere...

What I like about the iTunes Radio (from the reports) is that I can choose a channel to listen to - in my case probably 80s / Electronica. So with iTunes Match there will be no ads, and you don't have to listen to 'second rate so called music' if you don't want to!

Done it before

When I first moved over to Mac (my first was the 'anglepoise' iMac) I was still using a lot of Windows based software - MS Money, Publisher, Office, etc. Used the MS Virtual Windows things and it wasn't too bad...

Now where I currently work about 50% of the staff choose Apple, with the PCs split between Linux and Windows. As most things are web based (such as our CRM) or we use PDF / MS Office formats to save into - there is little need to use Windows if you don't want to. I use the Apple iWork suite and send PDF or .docx formats if needed.

But I know accountants will be wanting their SAGE - if they want MS Office - you can get that too.

ITV - where programmes interrupt the adverts!

The ITV Player app has never been used on any of my mobile devices, but I have a Samsung Smart TV and I did use the app there - once! Slow, flaky and not half as good as iPlayer.

Hardly watch ITV at the best of times - and anyone that complains about BBC!! For all the bias, paying the licence fee, overpaid presenters, etc I can put up with for the quality of output, the news, the kids channels, investing in new talent, trying new things compared with ITV. I've been to the US a few times on business and the lack of quality TV is appalling, so many channels, so much choice, so much drivel! If we are not careful we will have that over here!

Psion...

I had several Psions - 3, 3a and 5mx - loved them.

Ran ACT single user better than my office PC at the time - easier to merge multi user data in ACT as well.

Think I still have one of them around somewhere - along with my Apple Message Pad 120...

Existing kit?

No mention in anything I saw yesterday about upgrades for existing devices. So I guess my Curve is not upgradeable anyway - but there have been plenty of rumours about the Playbook.

For me BBs are my backup phones - or if I want to make calls from different numbers, still have over a year to go on my main contract (iPhone) and I would want to play with the OS before making a choice that ties me in for 24 months. An upgrade to my Playbook might help with that decision!

I got one!

Got the Playbook 32gb and it's not too bad. Use my iPad 2 much much more though, hope the BB10 comes for it quickly as it might have a few more things I need.

Key problem for me is that the Playbook can't seem to log into CalDav servers properly - whilst all other devices don't have a problem. The calendar app looks good and the Bridge functionality is fairly good - but I can't access my calendar - even tried using Google Calendar to convert but that gives me more problems than I want! Maybe this will be fixed in BB10 - there certainly was a lot of people having the same issue on the support forums, and it would seem to be a block to organisations that can't afford / don't want to invest in BB specific software. Especially as BYOD is generating lots of iOS and Android users that can use CalDav!

Wait for the Jag

if you want class!

They are known to be working on a number of hybrid options - the XF 3.0S (oil burner) can already average 45+ mpg even with a heavy right foot (according to a friend that has use of one).

Paris - 'cos she would rather get in a Jag than a Nissan, sorry Infinti...

Connected TVs

I recently replaced a 'dumb' TV with a Samsung Smart TV... linked to it is a Virgin TiVo and Apple TV.

I've tried using the Smart Apps but much prefer the connected boxes - Netflix runs much better on the Apple TV and the interface is easier to understand. The aTV also links to my iTunes server for ripped movies and TV shows as well as being able to slideshow my vast collection of pictures (my girlfriend made me get rid of the projector...). The TiVo is good for most other things esp iPlayer (although Virgin why can't we play most stuff recorded on one box on another now I've linked them together??). Tried setting up FaceBook / Twitter the other day as I thought it would be interesting to have relevant hashtags scrolling below the programme being watched... nope seems to be full screen anyway!

Used to have an SE 910i like that

Would reset itself at bizarre random times.

Like once in the middle of a call when I was telling them that despite the snow and ice I was ok and hadn't crashed the car (using handsfree of course!) - then having to wait around 10 minutes before I could call them back to complete the conversation!

Called Sony Ericsson support who went - oh it does that! It's because it's had an update. Really - they updated it a lot then - reset almost twice a day at one stage...

Sure Signal

When it works its very good, but when it doesn't it's very very bad!

I decided to splash £50 because the signal in my house (from where I do most of my work) is just a little to weak to be able to make consistently good calls. One client pays for my mobile - so want to use that rather than landline.

So the ideal setup seemed to be Sure Signal with OneNet Express - get a landline number on the mobile so people think I'm calling from a landline, and can also call me at landline rather than mobile rates.

Well thats the theory - Sure Signal is currently waiting to be packaged to send back to Vodafone as it needs replacing due to a 'failure' and spent 3 hours yesterday trying to get Vodafone to sort out caller id, voicemail and other issues with mobile - which included 3 resets, being told that I had done something wrong, then they needed to do something, then me... argh!

Works for me... most of the time...

I got an SS as I work from home and sometimes the signal just decided to go 'bingy bongy' (that's the actual technical term) on me. So installed it - and generally it's been pretty good. Signal quality in up there with landline.

But last night ad to switch it off as it was hard to make out anything being said.

Gave it a brutal restart and now seems to be ok so far...

Who carries it 'as is'?

Guy I work with has one. Was interested in replacing my c902 with one, but it seems that on Vodafone they remove a number of the built in apps and replace with their own web based ones (use more of their data). He found connecting to WiFi a pain - it automatically preferred to eat data from Vodafone again rather than Wifi.

Another friend had the same phone on Orange - again crippled apps and refusing to connect to WiFi if any data signal available via network.

Now looking elsewhere - Nokia N97 or HTC Magic.

Perfect update

No probs at all. Infact never had a problem with ANY update.

It just works - but statistically there will be some that fail.

Strange - in the 8 years since I purchased my angle poise iMac, I have only had two major crashes (one where I powered off an external hard drive by accident), none caused by updates!

St Steve - I'm ready for you!

It could be soooo true

If it wasn't April 1st.

A lot about this story makes it so believable.

But - no. Sorry - April Fool!

I have no problem

but if some of this lot get their way - every time I take a snap of my girlfriend or my son in the street, I am going to effectively ask every person in the background for their permission!!

Its hard enough being a photographer as it is - and it is currently not illegal to take pictures in the street (although I didn't say that to the HUGE security guard at Canary Warf who told me that I need permission from the buildings owners...).

Mines the one with a Canon DSLR round the neck, Olympus compact in the left pocket and Sony Ericsson c902 in the right!

Major sense of humour failure!

As someone said in a post about Jezza's joke in another article - this country is losing it's sense of humour.

What is happening? We are going to loose all comedians as they leave to find a country that tolerates slightly extreme humour?

Some people just take things badly, ok so it may be near the knuckle but so what.

Already doing the streaming thing, as are many others!

For a few years now I have been streaming music via my Apple Airport network. Never a problem, linking to digital amps via optical out on my Airport Express as well as normal hi-fi.

Now got an Apple TV in on the act too. Works well - and there are so many other options out there too - Phillips Streamium, and Sony included.

Whole house has the same stuff playing - which I can control remotely via my iPod Touch....

Oh St Steve - we love you!

/hold breath wait for Webster...

Yow wont a kipper tie mayte

R, I live in brum and you aint alf right loik.

Easy enough...

A few weeks ago I couldn't see part of my network. Found out that I needed to reset my wifi. BUT it took time to notice because my machine had automatically logged me into a neighbours totally insecure connection. So it can happen.

And as for the caution - right - never accept one unless you are guilty. Once got road raged, ID'd the car and a copper said he would go and issue a caution. Then a much wiser plod told me that in that case it would be just as much work as making an arrest, etc as the guy can just deny it. Cos if he accepted it it goes on his record...

How about mobile phone cams?

Eh? It has been said before I'm sure - but terrorists don't want the attention until the act!

So they will be using compacts and mobiles! Yet it only seems to be people with decent SLR / DSLRs that are being stopped.

People called photographer paedo's out of suspicion, not helped by police or politicians, and the same is happening about terrorism - some big agendas somewhere...

Mines the coat with a mobile and a compact in the pocket, a bag over the shoulder with a DSLR and a film SLR (yes they still exist!) and a few BIG lenses!

@Martin VanderBoon

Installed iTunes 8 on Vista, no probs here!

Webster - 'standing on the shoulders of giants...'

Never ever ever!

Fine spelling on texts in that way - but as mentioned already - regional dialects?? No one would understand anyone!!

BTW - I just read of a case on the BBC News site where a guy was convicted of murder - conclusive evidence was given by his texting - quite interesting to read all the texts... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7600769.stm

Recently I looked at the sites where messages were left for the young girl murdered in the Shropshire fire. All text speak... where's the emotion?

Maybe I'm just too old?

Some examples of such idiocy...

This reminds me of some stuff that I have come across...

Worked for a charity for Deaf People, and some of the interpreters would help when a Deaf client gets a nasty letter from their bank.

The number of times that the bank asked to talk to the Deaf client was mad - but we only need to ask their permission...

hmmmm

More of DSG

Years ago I worked for a major provider of MultiMedia Hardware...

PCW were not part of DSG at the time - and we approached them to see if they would like free training for their staff about our products. They refused, on the basis that they really didn't need to know!!

Since then though I have used DSG when they are easier / cheaper / closer than others. Fun if you use the collect@store and the store is selling it at twice the price and they need to confirm that they can actually sell you the stuff!

They do get good offer - just because they are so big, and can push the manufacturers to make up the margin that others can't.

That said I got a Samsung LCD TV, some external hard drives and an Eee PC all from them cheaper than elsewhere, ok - got annoyed at the pitch, they clearly still know nothing about the products and push extended cover to the point where I start to scream...

Mr Jobs? Cos when I got a Mac from PCW 6 years ago - the sales guy told me it ran all the same software as a PC...

Who own's it?

I worked and had an employment contract at a major IT manufacturer.

It clearly stated that anything I produced whilst employed by them, whether in theirs or MY OWN time, was owned by them. UNLESS I had specfic permission, which a few of my colleagues had.

And he offered it to them and let them use it! Then he decides he wants paying?

I have little sympathy - he should have agreed something from the start.

@webster freaky and other apple none fans

I agree with everyone else! If Apple are so bad to you then stop hoggin their time and lets the rest of us get on with using them!

I used to be a fully paid up member of the Wintel user club, then finally got fed up of all the BSODs so got myself an iMac 6 - 7 years ago. Sure - today it's a little slow and I think the FIreWire is on the fritz but so few problems it like a dream! And it actually went faster with the latest OS installed, when did theat ever happen with Windows?

I also have a Eeeepc Lappy - thats not half bad, and looking at getting a MacBook soon.

Sounds to me that MS are getting a little worried, but I do use Vista at work...