COMPUTERS, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY

[PanBiker]

If it's any use, the IT support firm that my lad Jack works for supplying support into Primary Schools over in West Yorkshire use Scan Computers extensively for their supplies. Long time now since I was procuring IT for schools so my own suggestions from then would not really be valid today.

[Stanley]

Both posts helpful. I've ordered one and taken the deliver before noon delivery option for tomorrow, Friday. If I get into trouble I'll ring my guru Pluggy!
This means I'll have a 'normal' size LED screen surplus. If it's any use to anyone give me a shout.

[Pluggy]

I sent you a PM yesterday Stanley.

[Tizer]

I'm just a cheapskate - I enlarge what's on screen rather than buying a bigger monitor!
And when using the browser I often make the window smaller to cut out the ads, especially the flashy ones.

[Steven Chorkley]

Hi,

I have learned that the BT Exchange in Barnoldswick is FTTC capable and is accepting orders for some cabinets. Is this true?

The FTTC guys told me this over email although some information doesnt match: SamKnowshttp://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/LCBAN. He did say though he would update this information. I am hoping someone can confirm this!!! This 14meg line is killing me!!! Especially having 1gigabit at boarding school!!!

Edit. Quote from email

Exchange Barnoldswick
Cabinet 7
Postcode BB18 5SE


The exchange that your line is fed from BARNOLDSWICK is enabled and accepting orders for cabinets that have already been deployed.


However the cabinet feeding your line PCP 7 is not due for deployment until Phase 12a Which is Q3 2013/14 (Nov – Dec 2103), the cabinet in question is current planned as FTTC.

Please be aware that the engineering required to commission a Fibre Broadband cabinet is often complex and should conditions on the ground change, there is a small risk that the delivery date may be effected.

Please track the date for commissioning through the line checker of your chosen service provider.

Please note all orders are subject to line length and line loss checks.

I'm guessing no-one knows?!

[Gloria]

Another question from the very computer illiterate Gloria
We are going to have more than one computer linked to our wifi soon, the laptop Pluggy mended, an ipad and a new laptop. If one of these gets infected as before does that mean the others will also? Other half just wants to surf the net, so he can use the old one for that, but he is never 100% sure of what he is clicking on and I don't want it to affect what will be on the new laptop!!!

[PanBiker]

That would depend on the capability of whatever nasty infects your device Gloria. The fact they share a wireless connection does not necessarily mean automatic cross infection. Just make sure that each device has it's own defence applications or whatever method used up to date.

[Gloria]

Thanks Ian, I didn't know if it could cross contaminate...... the little beggars for want of another b.......

[Stanley]

Pluggy, checked my inbox, the PM didn't arrive. Was it a dire warning?
Tiz, enlarging the text works for many things but there are times when it is better to see more of the object. No pockets in a shroud so why struggle as I wait for my operation, especially as I'm spending about six hours a day in front of the screen at the moment doing the LTP.
Scan are performing well to date by keeping me updated on every stage of the delivery. Expect the screen this morning... Will read the instructions.....
By the way, the spare screen is 17" iiyama LED.
Scan delivered as promised at just after 10:00. I'll have a look at the rabbit when I've walked Jack and had my dinner....

[Stanley]

All seems to have gone well. The screen is up and running but at the moment seems very bright but that may be because it is new and I need to get used to it. Say what you will, worth every penny, I can see clearly now.....

[Pluggy]

Back to Gloria's question, unlikely even if the devices ran the same operating system, The iPad and Windows boxes are extremely unlikely to affect each other. Viruses which will infect a machine without the user doing anything are rare these days. Almost all malware requires somebody to actually do something on the machine to get it infected (click on a link, opening a dodgy email, visit a ropey/hacked website etc). Since Microsoft started taking security seriously (circa 2004/2005), even Windows doesn't easily spread stuff without human help, providing it has been doing its job and updating itself.

Stanley - I was offering to take your old monitor off your hands in exchange for setting up your new one. Now somewhat mute since you've done it yourself. But if yo're wanting shut, I can collect it.

[Gloria]

Thanks Stephen, will be in touch again no doubt.

[Stanley]

I even found out how to lower the brightness, these touch buttons are so sensitive! As for the screen, all is not lost Pluggy! I put the 22" iiyama on the IBM but got no joy, no picture. Funnily enough it doesn't continue to load windows either because the mouse never came on line. Put the original screen back on and it was OK. So, if you can solve that one you can have the 17" screen. If not the 22" is up for grabs but I think that one is worth a few bob.

[Stanley]

Had to speed my mouse up. Hadn't thought of that!

[Pluggy]

That's one serious screen Stanley. Laptop owners eat your heart out

I've no interest in the 17" monitor, I have a S/H one in stock, how much would you take for the 22" ?

[Stanley]

Serious screen for a serious machine...., I'm completely at home with it now. Make me an offer for the 22", no point it sitting there doing nothing and it's a good screen.
By the way, when I bought the new screen there was no mention of it having speakers. I coupled them up last night, bit tinny but I can live with that. One more bit of clutter less on the floor of the kitchen as the existing speaker system is upstairs in store.... If anyone wants a speaker system, give me a shout!

[Stanley]

As I was working on the LTP yesterday manipulating a lot of images, I reflected on some of the comments about my predilection for fast machines when Pluggy built the FMIII. I can assure you that it's definitely paying off! A joy to work with and no delays waiting for the machine to catch up with me. Pics look good on the new screen as well, apart from size, better definition and I suspect a faster refresh rate.
Biggest update yet from my friends this morning. 140mb download of what looks like the whole 12.4 64 bit system. Wonderful service, thanks lads!
Talk talk are putting up their charges but not by much. Still cheaper than Orange was.

[Pluggy]

I'm still with EE/Orange and I'm glad I stuck it out. Since the nice Openreach men went up the pole, ,its been pretty solid. Sticking it out to the bitter end with the obsolete second line system payed dividends. I pay £20 a month for lhe lot (excluding odd calls I have to pay for). Line rental, Broadband, anythime UK calls, anytime foreign calls ( the popular countries). 500 minutes of of Mobile calls. It would be nearer £30 a month if I were a new customer. They sweetened the deal so I would stay with them. Just ran a speed test. 17.44 down 1.04 up. Faster than its ever been.

[Big Kev]

I'm still with EE/Orange and I'm glad I stuck it out. Since the nice Openreach men went up the pole, ,its been pretty solid. Sticking it out to the bitter end with the obsolete second line system payed dividends. I pay £20 a month for lhe lot (excluding odd calls I have to pay for). Line rental, Broadband, anythime UK calls, anytime foreign calls ( the popular countries). 500 minutes of of Mobile calls. It would be nearer £30 a month if I were a new customer. They sweetened the deal so I would stay with them. Just ran a speed test. 17.44 down 1.04 up. Faster than its ever been.

I ran a speed test on mine over the weekend and got similar.

[Gloria]

I'm with EE/Orange and I bet I get nothing like that

[Tizer]

If it's any consolation Gloria in our village we can't get better than about 6 Mbps no matter who you are with, it's the BT lines that are limiting. But I'd still rather live in the village with a `slow' connection than be in a town and have a `fast' one!

[Pluggy]

Best of both worlds in Barlick, it still has a big village mentality about it and we have speedy broadband (now).

[Stanley]

Did a test, just under 17mps, haven't checked it for months....

[hartley353]

My provider says I should get 25mbps on my service, I measured it at 19.51mbps At 2100 today not to shabby. The better off neighbours consider we live in a village, I am happy to say Manchester is now my home and accept the benefits of city dwelling.

[Steven Chorkley]

I'm still with EE/Orange and I'm glad I stuck it out. Since the nice Openreach men went up the pole, ,its been pretty solid. Sticking it out to the bitter end with the obsolete second line system payed dividends. I pay £20 a month for lhe lot (excluding odd calls I have to pay for). Line rental, Broadband, anythime UK calls, anytime foreign calls ( the popular countries). 500 minutes of of Mobile calls. It would be nearer £30 a month if I were a new customer. They sweetened the deal so I would stay with them. Just ran a speed test. 17.44 down 1.04 up. Faster than its ever been.

I'm jealous! I stuck with Orange until the last 4 months before the end. I had enough and switched to TT, thats when the trouble began... anyway I managed to leave them in contract without charge and moved to plusnet, we now pay £22 a month! Better than a new customer after the recent price hikes! Unfortunately I only get 14meg.... I live closer to the outskirts of barlick I guess!