Mobile Phones

[Stanley]

I read these posts on the grounds that even though I haven't got a smart phone I might learn something.... You've got me going with WPS.
Whwn my smart TV was installed they picked up the wi'fi signal and connected it. I don't think I have ever got it to connect since. The Humax freesat box talks to the router via those wi fi plugs and works fine. I'm beginning to wonder if the reason why the set itself can't read the wireless signal is because the wps on the router is turned off.

[Tripps]

I'm a happy user of a laptop with a wifi connection, and a smart phone which also connects by wifi. I've never heard of WPS, still don't know what it is after reading this thread, and seem to have managed without it. Ignorance is bliss?

Tried to top up my mobile (see previous saga), at the village shop again without success. Rang Asda Mobile, told them it had happened twice now. Must be a faulty card. Got another and linked it to the phone. Still rejected at the shop. Then the very bright girl realised that the shop was a "One Stop" which is owned by Tesco. That's why it wasn't accepted. How childish. She popped into the Post Office kiosk, used their machine, and all was resolved.

[Pluggy]

I'd register my debit card with them, top up from the phone and leave all the petty politics behind.

[Tripps]

Spoilsport I'd have nothing to get indignant about then.
Actually it's just a trial as to whether I need a 30 day bundle or not. Looks like 'not' is winning, so I will probably change to 'pay as you go' next time.

[PanBiker]

You can top up at most ATM's as well.

[Tizer]

My reading of it now is that WPS is a security system that isn't secure and is best left off.

I've been watching those Giles Coren TV programmes called `Back in Time for the Weekend' where they put a family through the deacdes since the 1950s, changing their house, clothes etc to suit each decade. What struck in the 1960s one is how their children were so unaware of how an old-style phone box worked and how expensive it was per minute . The teenage girl said "But I spend 4 hours each evening talking to my friends on my mobile".

[PanBiker]

Whwn my smart TV was installed they picked up the wi'fi signal and connected it. I don't think I have ever got it to connect since. The Humax freesat box talks to the router via those wi fi plugs and works fine. I'm beginning to wonder if the reason why the set itself can't read the wireless signal is because the wps on the router is turned off.

If you are using the Talk Talk router (Huawei) supplied with you fibre package it does not use the WPS security protocol. It's not an option in the configuration settings. I would be checking the settings on the TV but would also ask why you need connectivity on the set when you already have it on the Freesat box?

I have a CAT5 cable run round to my Freesat receiver so I just use one of the ports on the back of the router. Same via powerline adaptors to my PC in the attic for my radio setup. WiFi is used exclusively for mobiles, tablets and the Chromecast adaptor plugged into the TV.

Edit: Just had a thought, was your TV installed on your old router before you upgraded to fibre?

[Stanley]

"why you need connectivity on the set when you already have it on the Freesat box?"
Because the Humax router doesn't access Youtube. I forget about the sequence but if I go through the connect routine on the set using the correct password for the Humax box it still can't connect. I suspect it's because of the thick wall between the router and the set.... That's why I installed the hot plugs....

[PanBiker]

I thought you had a new Freesat box with all the on demand services on there. Do you have some on the box and some on the set?

If YouTube is just on the set you will need to reset the password on there. If it cant see a WiFi signal you may need powerline adaptors again. Another approach maybe to see if there is a firmware upgrade for your Humax box so you get the whole range of on demand services via that.

[Big Kev]

Would you like someone to come and take a look, Stanley?

[Tizer]

Mrs Tiz is just now bubbling with excitement because she's found that simply plugging the Motorola phone into her Ubuntu PC via the USB cable she can transfer photos as she does from her Canon camera. After plugging in the USB cable all she had to do was look at notifications on the phone, click `Other' and choose `Transfer Photos'. No extra software/apps needed.

[PanBiker]

You can do it via WiFi as well Tiz, OK for the odd photo if you don't want to cable up.

I was about to say the same Kev, bit hampered myself though with my job at the moment. This bunch of exams are over though after next week.

[Stanley]

That would be nice Kev if you have the time. Thanks to Ian as well.....

[Big Kev]

I'll bob round in the morning.

[Stanley]

Good man! You know when I am about.....

[Big Kev]

Watched the procedure being used to connect the TV to the wifi, identified the issue and implemented a fix.
Conclusion: A minor incompatibility between pensioner and CAPS LOCK key

[Tizer]

As he always writes...BUGGER CAPS LOCK!

[Stanley]

I'm still laughing at my own incompetence! However it all faded into obscurity as I watched my friend Adam Booth (Abom79) doing wonderful things to large lumps of metal on the full screen in high definition for an hour last night. Pure bliss! Look him up and marvel at his skill. (LINK)
Once again, thanks Kev. A friend in need is a friend indeed! I think he was pleased with the fact that the montage is on the wall looking at me. The eyes follow you round the room!

[Tizer]

Natwest & RBS insecurity...LINK

[Stanley]

I heard that interview.... the evasive spokesman wouldn't answer the specific question, "did you know this was possible".....

[Pluggy]

From the sublime to the almost ridiculous - I must mention that I also bought one of these, though for a lot less than the price quoted in the link.

The Brick

Don't knock it till you've tried it.

I saw this and actually bought one, Fabulous piece of kit, it completely out classes a smart phone for making and receiving phone calls (real buttons are a revelation after pratting about rubbing your finger on a piece of glass). I'm deaf in one ear and when my mobile rings I struggle finding it, having a huge phone is a great help. It has a loud ring, clear sound both speaking and listening and you only need to charge it once a month or so. Unlike a smart phone which thinks about everything before it actions it, it responds immediately to button presses I bought it as a bit of a joke, its going to be my main phone I think. And if you don't want to get a sim for it you can use it as a bluetooth handset to your smart phone. Around 15 - 25 quid on ebay.

Thanks Tripps.

[Tripps]

Wow

If Occam, (who had a good razor), had a mobile phone - this would be the one.

[Stanley]

If I needed a new mobile that would be it.... Well done David!

[Tizer]

Stanley mentions elsewhere: "Got the itinerary for my teaching trip in the Midlands in July. I shall be off the radar for a week from the 17th of July. Looking forward to teaching bright kids and being with my mates Martha and Roger."

He put me in touch with Martha and Roger recently because they've moved from the US to Somerset. They're very busy and I haven't met them but have had some email conversations. In one of her messages she said: "Roger and I are about to vault ourselves into the 21st century and buy Iphones (we are required to have them for our Cambridge student group this summer), but I must say I doubt that we will ever be thrilled about them." This prompts me to ask the following question. Are there any conditions under which someone has to buy specifically an Iphone rather than, say, the Motorolas that Ian & Sally and Mrs Tiz own? She says the college `requires' them to have Iphones. Is this just the college supporting the Apple company or could there be incompatibilities that would mean a Motorola wouldn't do the job? When I was running my publishing business using Ubuntu Linux there incompatibilities with Windows but they weren't insurmountable. I hate the way educational institutions bring up kids to believe there's only one type of computer operating system, Windows, and waste vast amounts of money buying proprietary software when they could have just as good for free.

[PanBiker]

There could be an element of snobbery in this but it is more likely down to platform commitment, they run different operation systems. Consequently apps are not directly compatible, it really depends exactly what they are expected to use them for.