Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: David Nicholson on August 13, 2008, 07:34:42 PM
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In case anyone has Emailed me at my private Email address since yesterday and I haven't responded I will not yet have received the mail. Seemingly there is a technical problem with my Internet Service Provider and this will not be sorted before Friday.
I am still able to download Forum mail and to receive PM's.
These kind of things never happened with the quill pen, now, where can I find a goose at this time of night!
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Dunno, David, and my carrier pigeon has a sore wing, so cannot send that to you, either ::)
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What I would like to be able to do is, for example, look at a Crocus picture from the current Crocus thread, and, whilst it is on my screen bring up another picture say, from TonyG's Crocus Pages, and be able to see both pictures at the same time, on my screen, for easier comparison.
Is this possible, and how do I achieve it please, my operating system is Windows XP Home Edition? Any help gratefully accepted but should preferably be in words no longer than two syllables and in simple English not 'Techie Speak' ;D
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Very easy David. Open the Crocus page on SRGC web site and open a new page to look at the Crocus pages web site. At the top left of the pages, where you would close it using the red X, click the middle button that has the two squares. This will reduce both pages that you can manouver side by side
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ooh, er, that IS clever... I'm off to try that..... 8)
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David,
Perhaps if you opened Internet Explorer twice. I don't mean two tabs within the same one opening of the programme but to open the programme twice separately then open the crocus thread in one and Tony's crocus pictures on the other using the resize button on the top right of your screen so that both photos are visible at the same time.
Paddy
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Mark's method isn't working for me as I had several windows open on the one browser.... it does better using Paddy's tip to open the second window in new browser click.
when I want to closely compare two pix I open ACDsee and copy the m to there, where it is easier to get them the same size to compare .....that is rather fiddly, though. :-\
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Mark's idea doesn't work for me either one page 'overplants' (if you see what I mean!) the other and I cant separate them. Maybe I did it wrong! Haven't tried Paddy's idea yet.
Will have leave this until tomorrow, two chaps have arrived to take me for a pint or three and they are champing at the bit ;D
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Of course mine works. Left click and hold the button down on the top tool bar. You can then reposition the pages as you like
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Sorry, Mark... nothing's happening!!
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An easier alternative to clicking on the toggle icon in the top right hand of the window title to toggle between the window filling the screen and being smaller is to double click on the title bar
Once the window does not fill the screen you can resize it dragging the bottom right hand corner resize icon, or by dragging any of the four sides.
To extract pictures from web pages (so you can get them in other programs) right click on the picture and use the menu options that appear - handy for magnifying images.
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Oh yes it does I've just tried it again
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Now, if all you people got Macs you would find it obvious how to open 2 web pages side by side. I've just done it purely intuitively. Macs are made for idiots with intuition. After all, Microsoft is said to have pinched most of Windows from Apple & just made it more complicated.
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Mark,
I've not tried any of these, but keep in mind that different settings on different computers may mean that what works for one person doesn't work for another. It may work for Mark and not for Maggi, through no fault of her own because the settings for the web browser are different. ::)
Gerry,
I'm not sure you meant to phrase it quite like that..... you've just implied you're an idiot with intuition! :P ;)
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Paul - I am. And my intuition is fairly limited.
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Gerry,
From your previous postings I'm thinking that the idiot tag definitely does NOT apply. Besides which, putting yourself down takes all the fun away from everyone else who wants to. ;D (Yes, this is a joke.... just in case anyone reading this thinks I am being nasty! :o)
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OK Paul, I withdraw the remark. I would hate to deprive anyone of their fun, particularly in these unfunny times.
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And now I'm worried I have offended you. I think I should try to keep my humour (although some would perhaps question that description) to myself. :-X ::)
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Paul - you have not offended me at all. I repeat, not. I'm probably not phrasing very well - 22.34 & too much red wine together with the global financial crisis...... Am I going to be able to afford new bulbs next year?
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Gerry,
The bulbs net year may depend on whether you're willing to sacrifice some of the red wine. Priorities and all that! ;D
Hmmmmm.... could I sacrifice my Coca Cola? :o That's a tough question. :-\ One needs one's vices after all.... then again my bulb collecting addiction IS one of my vices. ;)
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Thanks everyone for trying to help me. I still can't get Mark's idea to work for me. Perhaps I don't understand what you meant Mark by '......... and then open another page......', or maybe I'm just thick!
Paddy's idea worked perfectly for me, and David Pilling's tip made thing easier.
I share your views on Macs Gerry, my son bought one recently and certainly wouldn't go back to using Windows. That's the way I shall go when my present system bites the dust.
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Mark's idea, is to have more than one web browser (usually Inernet Explorer) window (aka page) open at the same time - allowing you to look at the two pictures in the two windows, side by size.
There are various ways you can get two windows open at once - one way is to run your browser twice, from the start menu or by double clicking on its icon on the desktop. That approach means you have two copies of the browser running.
Another approach is to open more than one window using the same copy of the browser. To do that open a browser window and then use the File menu -> New Window (Control + N) to open the second window.
You will sometimes end up with more than one browser window open when you click on links on web pages - some open in a new window, some replace the page you clicked on. You can force a new window when you click on a link by holding down SHIFT at the same time as you click.
This is useful if you're going through the results from Google and don't want to keep having to click on the 'back' button.
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Well, having solved my problem with David Pilling's help can I ask for more help pleas on a problem that has only come up after I played around with Window sizes in an attempt to solve the previous problem!!
I have the SRGC Web Site as an Icon on my desktop. Now, when I click it (my system is set for single rather than double click) and it opens it now opens as a small page rather than the full screen size that used to happen. To get it to full size I have to click the square at the side of the closing X. What do I need to do to get it back to normal please?
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You could pull the page to the shape you want by hovering on the edge of the page until the double headed arrow shows and then holding the left button pull the page edge out
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To set the default size for Internet Explorer Windows.
Open just one IE window, adjust it to the size you want, hold down control and whilst it is held, close the IE window.
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To set the default size for Internet Explorer Windows.
Open just one IE window, adjust it to the size you want, hold down control and whilst it is held, close the IE window.
Thanks David, I needed to learn this , too! You are sch a help to many of us... greatly appreciated!! M
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Maggi, perhaps you should add 'Computer Guru' to David's profile?
David, it worked fine, thanks very much for your help.
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Thanks for the tip, I've always wondered why some windows open smaller but never got round to finding a solution.
David
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Thanks for the sobriquet, spot on. One cannot escape the past.
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Thanks for the sobriquet, spot on. One cannot escape the past.
My pleasure, David... you ought to have had it sooner!!
Now, I think we'll need a photo for your avatar of you as a bearded hippy type,that amply illustrates your nick-name! ;) ;D
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...a bearded hippy type
How did you know.
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;D ;D
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...a bearded hippy type
How did you know.
I'm also known as "Mystic Meg", David.....
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[attach=2]
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Maggi I always knew I could smell bats off you!
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Maggi I always knew I could smell bats off you!
Yes, my secret is out...
in fact, I am mixing a new batch of perfume in the top picture........... [attach=1]
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Back to computers 'n stuff
My computer now has a GB extra memory as an early birthday present. For me and not the pc! With no nerds to help I had to install it myself. First time for everything! Editing photos is now faster than ever from what I can remember.
The memory card was ordered this time yesterday and was in the letter box this morning. Excellent service from
http://www.offtek.co.uk/ (http://www.offtek.co.uk/). You can actually check what's already in your pc here http://www.offtek.co.uk/desktopmem.php?maincat=1&subcat=2 (http://www.offtek.co.uk/desktopmem.php?maincat=1&subcat=2)
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If you need to know what memory is actually in the computer and how it can be expanded I would recommend the Crucial site - www.crucial.com/uk
The site offers a scanner which is downloaded to your pc. It is very fast and accurate providing clear details of what is already there and recommending the best upgrade.
The memory is very reasonably priced and delivery fast, and as simple as ABC to fit yourself.
John
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John
Marks post reminded me I wanted to do an upgrade. I tried the firm you recommended and ordered yesterday afternoon. It arrived first class this morning and is now fitted. Thankyou for your advice
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John
Marks post reminded me I wanted to do an upgrade. I tried the firm you recommended and ordered yesterday afternoon. It arrived first class this morning and is now fitted. Thankyou for your advice
Goodness me, Tony, you're just back from Turkey, you've been decorating, posting and now re-jigging your computer.... do you never sit down with a cuppa and a choccie biccie??? :-\
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Maggie
I do the posting whilst the paper is soaking. Did the computer in my coffee break. Its too cold to sit down.
Somebody once told me stand still and you die.
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Maggie
I do the posting whilst the paper is soaking. Did the computer in my coffee break. Its too cold to sit down.
Somebody once told me stand still and you die.
I like it!! [attach=1]
Making my day, Tony!!
[attach=2] [attach=3]
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I noticed this thread latish so all my good advice is superfluous. However, I cannot keep my mouth shut ;D
I am using Firefox (Free download) because I dislike Mr Macrohard trying to get monopoly.
If I RIGHT-click on a link it will give me the opportunity to chose between opening the new link in
A: another tab in which case I cannot compare the pages but skip between them more easily or
B: another window in which case I can compare. Of curse I need to have both windows in "sizeable mode" (center icon at upper left) as already described.
If I LEFT click, that means that I leave the choice of opening in another tab or closing the present to the owner of the page.
Maybe Macrohard's browser has the same feature.
Computer vendors always try to sell you the fastest CPU but CPU speed is not always helpful.
Heavy programs such as image processors like photoshop need a lot of available memory.
If the installed memory is less than needed, the program will use part of the hard disk(-s) as virtual memory and that operation is painfully slow.
Extra memory is usually the best way to achieve speed.
Once upon a time the trick to get speed used to be to assign a part of memory as a virtual disk and let the program use that. This worked with programs written for DOS. DOS was not created to handle big chunks of memory because the CPUs of the time could not use a large memory. Early CPUs had narrow buses so they could not adress big memories. Later computers could but then the DOS program could only use that facility if it believed the extra memory were an extra super-fast hard disk.
For those using later versions of windows I recommend the task manager that comes up if one pushes Control-Alt-Delete ONCE. It shows a lot of things that go on. Alas not everything. It also allows one to shut down a program that has crashed without closing everything else.
Hope this is helpful to somebody
Göte
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I use the wonderful Norwegian (hello Norway!!) internet browser, Opera. It is very, very fast, and you can open countless tabs ("internal" windows) within the same copy of the browser (my record is over 90 - at the moment I have 26 open - Google to search various different websites, wikipedia in English and Portuguese, terminology sites, garden/food sites - Carlo's rosette recently spotted elsewhere :), etc.), and you can move between the tabs using the 1 and 2 keys. I've been using it for donkey's years and have gently tweaked it so that it does exactly what I want. Its only disadvantage is that there are a few websites that won't work properly - then I use Firefox, Safari and IE (in descending order of favour ...).
Plodding through an airline company annual report on this Portuguese bank holiday ... >:( >:(
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INTERNET EXPLORER- VERSION 8
Maybe it's a sign of my limited computer knowledge but until I read Chloe's post above I had no idea that there were other Web Browsers available other than Internet Explorer (no doubt this is what Microscum want us to think!)
Just after Christmas I decided to download the Opera Web Browser that Chloe mentioned and have a play with it, whilst continuing to also use Internet Explorer Version 7. I very quickly found that I liked Opera and have continued to play with it and try to get it tuned to my needs in terms of font styles I like etc.
Then last night something odd happened. I went on to the Internet through Internet Explorer version 7 as usual, but instead of opening at my usual SRGC Main Page, which I have set as my home page, it took me straight to the Microsoft Web Site and I was offered a new version of Internet Explorer Version 8 to download. Was this pure chance, or did Microsoft become aware, perhaps through Cookies or something, that I was playing around with an alternative Web Browser?
I downloaded the new version and this replaced version 7 on my computer. When I started to try to get used to it I found a number of problems. The first one was that IE Version 8 will not accept the Google Tool Bar. I used the Google tool,bar a lot in my IE Version 7 and wished to use it again and I don't like some self appointed 'omnipotent being' ie. Microsoft, telling me I can't! The new version does allow me to choose Google as my prime search engine though.
The other problem I found was to do with reading the Forum. Many threads came up with no Avatar photos showing. Some of these I was able to get the system to show but only after clicking and re-clicking on messages but others simply fail to show. I also found that in many cases the final message in a thread was scrambled and again I had to mess about re-clicking the message. Some times I was successful, other times not.
IF ANYONE IS CONSIDERING CHANGING TO INTERNET EXPLORER VERSION 8 I WOULD CERTAINLY ADVISE NOT TO BOTHER.
What am I going to do next? Well, I may try to download another copy of IE Version 7 and delete Version 8-if the system will let me! I shall also continue to play with Opera for a while with a view to coming to a decision over the next few days as to whether I decide t delete Internet Explorer altogether and just use Opera.
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Hi David,
I use an Opera driven browser on the Wii games console. I'm actually using it now.
Daughter is on PC doing homework, only been off 3 weeks. I use firefox on main PC, as I believe it is more secure and I find it more user friendly.
Regards,
Mick
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David, as far as I know, IE8 is still beta, I would never install an MS beta program.
Too many bugs etc.
I rarely use IE anymore, have been using Firefox since it first became available.
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David download Firefox and forget about IE altogether. It is much more friendly.
You will get it here. http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/
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I agree, I use Firefox on the laptop at work without any problems, it did take a bit of time to get used to. Updates are frequent but very fast.
Safari at home on the Apple as I got disgusted with Windows.
johnw
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David, after both my first (and then second) visit to my local PC doctor I was advised very strongly NEVER to download any updates etc that pop up on my screen. This even applies to the most official looking IE or microsoft updates.
If you are one of our Forum experts then you would know what to touch and what to leave well alone. My computer man knows an illiterate when he sees one.
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In all my years of computer ownership I have never used anything other than IE. I've never had problems.
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I was advised very strongly NEVER to download any updates etc that pop up on my screen. This even applies to the most official looking IE or microsoft updates.
Windows is not safe unless you have automatic updates turned on.
The reason is that every few days someone works out a new way to use web pages to infect Windows with a virus, if you don't have the updates that fix that particular route loaded, then sooner or later your computer will be compromised.
Using a browser other than IE probably makes the risks less.
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Well, I have now managed to get rid of Internet Explorer version 8, and yes Helen, it was a beta version and had I read that properly I would not have downloaded it. Buried away in the Microsoft Web Site was the remedy to uninstall IE Version 8 and at the same time re-install the previous version of IE. In case others have the same problem here is the action taken but note that this particular action only works on Windows XP, there are other remedies for other operating systems.
1. Close all programs except Windows.
2. Click 'Start', click 'Run'
3. type appwiz.cpl and then click OK
4. this takes you to the 'Uninstall programmes page' in My Computer
5. Select 'Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2' from the list presented and then click 'Remove'
I shall continue to play around with Opera, and indeed Mozilla Firefox (thanks for the Link Michael) with a view to eventually replacing Internet Explorer with one or other of them.
Just a word on general computer protection. I rarely am troubled by Spam etc and use AVG Free Edition as a general protector (updated every day); Mailwasher free version for Email protection as this allows me to check Emails and to delete any doubtful ones before they hit my In Box; Spybot, also free for Ad Ware etc protection. I can recommend them all. I also have Windows Update switched on.
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Just a word on general computer protection. I rarely am troubled by Spam etc and use AVG Free Edition as a general protector (updated every day); Mailwasher free version for Email protection as this allows me to check Emails and to delete any doubtful ones before they hit my In Box; Spybot, also free for Ad Ware etc protection. I can recommend them all. I also have Windows Update switched on.
David, forget all this. Buy a Mac, install Firefox & relax.
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Gerry, my son has a Mac and swares by it. But, the more I spend on computer tackle the less I have to spend on the garden, so I'll just struggle on ;D
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Just a word on general computer protection. I rarely am troubled by Spam etc and use AVG Free Edition as a general protector (updated every day); Mailwasher free version for Email protection as this allows me to check Emails and to delete any doubtful ones before they hit my In Box; Spybot, also free for Ad Ware etc protection. I can recommend them all. I also have Windows Update switched on.
I have disabled windows SP3 update for XP as it knocked out my sound cards. I tried everything I could think of to get it working again to no avail so I called in a computer specialist. After 2 hours he could not get it running again and suggested the only way forward was to reinstall XP. System restore was no use as it had wiped out all previous dates before SP3.
Two days ago, AVG told me I had a serious security risk with Flash Player and should install the latest updates. This I did and the sound went off on Vista. I consulted some newsletters to which I subscribe and discovered that AVG can be the cause of this so I have now uninstalled it, used system restore and have my sound back on Vista.
Can't these people get their act together and let us use the computers without wondering what will fail next !!
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I have disabled windows update as SP3 for XP knocked out my sound cards. I tried everything I could think of to get it working again to no avail so I called in a computer specialist. After 2 hours he could not get it running again and suggested the only way forward was to reinstall XP. System restore was no use as it had wiped out all previous dates before SP3.
Two days ago, AVG told me I had a serious security risk with Flash Player and should install the latest updates. This I did and the sound went off on Vista. I consulted some newsletters to which I subscribe and discovered that AVG can be the cause of this so I have now uninstalled it, used system restore and have my sound back on Vista.
Can't these people get their act together and let us use the computers without wondering what will fail next !!
This is interesting, I hadn't come across anyone else with this problem before. I also have problems with AVG and sound. Every so often (after an update?) the sound stops working. What I then have to do is uninstall the sound card, then reinstall it, which seems to work. Don't know why, but there it is (as someone used to say)
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There is obviously some other setting on the computer that are not correct, because AVG is listed by most of the computer magazines as one of the best on the market. I have been using it for as long as long as I can remember. As a matter of fact I always remove the whatever virus checker that is loaded whenever I get a new computer and load AVG. I do the same for all the neighbours and friends that are not familiar with the workings of a computer and I have never had a problem. I did one yesterday on a laptop that a friend had got for Christmas. There is something not correct on the sound card and AVG thinks it is a threat.
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My knowledge of computers would take up very little space if written on the tip of a pin.......we use I.E and AVG: so far without much difficulty.... I say so far because I'm superstitious and do not want to tempt Fate! ::)
I wouldn't recognise a sound card if it jumped out and bit me, though I do know that such things exist, along with graphics cards and birthday cards...... I'm learning :-\
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I have to say I have never had a sound card problem and I have been using AVG for at least five years now. Are those of you having the sound card problem using Windows Vista?? I use XP.
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And Credit cards ,Maggi
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I have had a go with Firefox. Now I can't access YouTube because it won't let me load the latest flashplayer. ???
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Anthony,have you all the updates loaded,? I only use Firefox and have no problem with Youtube
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Anthony,are you using Vista or XP?
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I won't allow me to. Says "The following applications need to be closed before the Adobe® Flash® Player Plugin can be installed" "Firefox" and that's with nothing open! I'm using XP.
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It usually works when you close all the applications,but the latest version is more for Vista than XP. Try restarting the computer and try and load it before you open any programs.
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And Credit cards ,Maggi
[attach=1]
Oh, yes, Michael, I do have one of those! Not that the company has ever made a penny on interest from me, they have to make do with the cut they take from the retailers...... that's another flippin' fiddle!
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I have had a go with Firefox. Now I can't access YouTube because it won't let me load the latest flashplayer
I have heard that to load the latest Flashplayer using some systems, you must first un-install the previous version.
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Maggi - that animation on your post 65 is truly horrible. I anticipate nightmares!.
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Maggi - that animation on your post 65 is truly horrible. I anticipate nightmares!.
Really, Gerry? I could post a pic of me, that would really keep you awake!
Have a stiff gin, my little Aardvark will soon be forgotten!
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Maggi - that animation on your post 65 is truly horrible. I anticipate nightmares!.
Really, Gerry? I could post a pic of me, that would really keep you awake!
Have a stiff gin, my little Aardvark will soon be forgotten!
I've decided to take pity on you, Gerry, is this better?
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Hi everyone and Happy New Year,
Maggi - even if Gerry doesn't appreciate the wink, I do.
We have decided it is time we had internet access from home so we can finally participate properly in the forum. This will also entail buying a new computer. I confess to being somewhat bewildered by the options available and wondered if any of you had views on the following:
1) One of those ‘free’ laptop mobile broadband deals. BIG pro for me is that I can get one from the shop ready-to-go with no installation etc to worry about. Cons are manifold, firstly I’m told it is an expensive option (though over the two year contract it seems to work out about the same as buying a separate laptop and getting a broadband contract in addition), secondly the one I have tried has a very small screen which I may find frustrating when looking at pictures, thirdly I worry that it may not be powerful enough for using Photoshop etc – my old laptop crashes if I try to do much digital image work on it, and that’s with my little 3.2 MP compact camera.
2) As above but buy a laptop to my own spec and get a separate mobile broadband deal.
3) Get a desktop PC OR a laptop and have broadband installed in the house, possibly with a wireless router.
Luddite of Lancashire
p.s. I’m not going to ask advice about my first digital SLR camera because the camera thread really hurt my head when I read it earlier…. Therefore I intend to go for a Canon Eos model simply because my existing lenses and accessories (from my 35mm) will be compatible.
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Hi Darren,
I can't give you any advice on the broadband part of your question, but if you are doing lots of graphic work and want to use photoshop on your new computer, I suggest you should start looking at laptops with Intel Core 2 Duo Processor ( or the AMD equivalent) , and at least 3 gig of memory, plus expansion slots so you can add more later if needed.
I would also look at some with a 17 inch monitor, you will enjoy it so much more.
Or, you could get a small screen laptop that can be plugged into an LCD monitor and use that when at home.
Acer make some very nice laptops for very good prices, you could look at some of those to start with, and it is a great time for buying as far as prices go.
If you are looking at an apple then I can't offer an opinion there.
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Hi, fellow Luddite
I approve of the suggestion by Helen of buying an Acer laptop and an extra large screen.
I have a 14" Acer and a much larger screen to plug in on my desktop. But beware! Plug in appliances require a specific screen resolution to give an accurate interpretation of your computer screen. No problem you think, just go into the screen resolution option in the Control Panel and move the slider along a little way. No. On my Acer I move the resolution slider and find that the resolution jumps in predetermined steps, none of which exactly match the requirement of the screen. This is something that I did not anticipate when I bought the screen and so I have found a compromise position for screen resolution for the large screen which is Ok but not perfect. I suppose that I am lucky that the projector makes a perfect match.
Darren, there is nothing easy about either computers or cameras and life is too short to get bogged down by them ;)
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Thank you both for your helpful advice - I will look at Acer laptops later and get some info. Your advice about memory is very sound and tempts me away from the 'package' laptop/broadband deals.
I laughed when I read your last comment David, I have gotten completely bogged down and can't see the wood for the trees any longer! Ironically I spend my working day using highly complex computer driven instruments but when I get home I just can't be bothered with technology(hence my wish for an easy way). I spent much of the Christmas holiday sitting in front of our wood stove and reading. Hardly used the TV (thinking hard about whether we want to bother going digital at all - just use the thing for watching DVDs anyway). Played the guitar a bit - acoustic. I couldn't cope without something to play CDs on though.
Cheers, D.
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I couldn't cope without something to play CDs on though.
Cor, Darrren, does this mean you've abandoned vinyl ? :o ??? ;)
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Darren, Helen's advice is correct, at least a17inch monitor, and 3gigs of ram. Get a proper broadband connection and a wireless modem. BT will do you a good deal, Telephone,broadband and line rental. I have 5 computers running on a single BT broadband connection and have no problems. Too many complications with that deal you were looking at.
I agree with your idea about Cannon, That is the brand I use.
Cheers
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Hi everyone and Happy New Year,
Maggi - even if Gerry doesn't appreciate the wink, I do.
We have decided it is time we had internet access from home so we can finally participate properly in the forum. This will also entail buying a new computer. I confess to being somewhat bewildered by the options available and wondered if any of you had views on the following:
1) One of those ‘free’ laptop mobile broadband deals. BIG pro for me is that I can get one from the shop ready-to-go with no installation etc to worry about. Cons are manifold, firstly I’m told it is an expensive option (though over the two year contract it seems to work out about the same as buying a separate laptop and getting a broadband contract in addition), secondly the one I have tried has a very small screen which I may find frustrating when looking at pictures, thirdly I worry that it may not be powerful enough for using Photoshop etc – my old laptop crashes if I try to do much digital image work on it, and that’s with my little 3.2 MP compact camera.
2) As above but buy a laptop to my own spec and get a separate mobile broadband deal.
3) Get a desktop PC OR a laptop and have broadband installed in the house, possibly with a wireless router.
Luddite of Lancashire
p.s. I’m not going to ask advice about my first digital SLR camera because the camera thread really hurt my head when I read it earlier…. Therefore I intend to go for a Canon Eos model simply because my existing lenses and accessories (from my 35mm) will be compatible.
Hi Darren, uninformed views from another Luddite. Computers are like greenhouses, go for the biggest (ie memory) that you can afford because that means less faffing about later adding memory (or replacing what you have with something else). I think £ for £ you can get a better spec desktop system cheaper than a laptop but then you are more tied to where you use it.
As far as Broadband is concerned you probably know of Web Sites where you can check the connection speed available to you on your local exchange and you are able, sometimes, to check if there are any developments pending that will make faster speeds available in the future. In actuality, in my experience, you rarely get the speed you are paying for, always slower, but there is no point in paying for a speed that your local exchange can't provide. This information will help you evaluate competing Broadband packages. Mine is from Virgin Media and is a 2Mb connection but is always much slower than that, but still significantly faster than a dial-up connection. With the bundle come free telephone calls after 1800 daily and all day weekends but still necessary to have BT line and hence line rental. When I bought it it cost £9.99 per month but I think the equivalent package is now £14.99
Hope this helps a bit.
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Darren dont assume your Canon lenses will be OK for your new camera. My old ones, 7 years old, will be OK but they need a new chip according to Canon. They say send the lens in and if it's OK they will return it. If it needs new chip they will tell you first. Around £30 for the chip.
For your new computer make sure it's at least dual core
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At the back of the January 'Gardeners' World' is and add for a book - 'Computing for Seniors - it's never too late to start'. Sounds like something I need and the price is £9.95 for one copy or £17.95 for two. TWO! Why do I want TWO! Either they think I am going to throw the first one to the back of the fire in frustration or that Carol will need the second to explain to the police why I threw myself, the book and the computer to the back of the fire ::) I think I will just save myself a tenner.
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There was an ad on TV just now for a Dell computer with a quad core processor
http://www.dell.co.uk/offers (http://www.dell.co.uk/offers)
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No dear the second copy is for me to hit you over the head with when you ask me for the umpteenth time to explain something... We both have laptops and bigger screens, mine is a Mac and David's a P.C. whilst I can get my laptop to do anything I want it to I can't work my way around his at all :'(
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Darren,
You get more bang for your bucks with a PC and it can be updated down the line if required.
I use talktalk's package for Broadband at a cost of £20.50 per month. This gives me, (in theory), unlimited downloads, up to 8 Gb speed depending on the area I live in, (actually about 2.9 Gb), telephone line rental and free calls 24/7 to all standard UK lines - not premium rated ones. In addition, I can call 32 international countries for free ! The last service I have never used as I have no relations living abroad. Other suppliers offer similar packages.
I don't think the "free" laptop is a good deal - you could buy better cheaper. Get hold of the latest computer magazine such as PC Advisor and look at their tests and pricing for computers.
When I came off BT's line rental and freeserve for internet, I saved £15 a month and got a much better service.
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Maggi - that animation on your post 65 is truly horrible. I anticipate nightmares!.
Really, Gerry? I could post a pic of me, that would really keep you awake!
Have a stiff gin, my little Aardvark will soon be forgotten!
I've decided to take pity on you, Gerry, is this better?
(Attachment Link)
Maggi - How thoughtful of you. I've only just seen this - far more suitable for someone of my age. I've never fancied aardvarks - a somewhat specialised taste I believe.
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TC, free calls no catches? Do still have to pay for BT line rental?
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Mark
The package from talktalk is for line rental, telephone calls and Broadband. The only calls I pay for are from numbers such as 0845 and 0870.
The only "snag" is that if the call lasts more than an hour the excess time will be charged. All you have to do is put down the phone after an hour and redial for the free call to continue.
Check out their web site and also Google broadband suppliers which should get you to some other sites.
I had BT line rental plus one of their phone call packages and Broadband from Freeserve. I dumped BT about 14 months ago and now pay £15 less for a better service. However, BT may have got the message and improved their service since then. It is always worthwhile checking on what is available as offers change frequently as suppliers vie for custom.
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Hi Darren,
If the pennies allow (?) then I would VERY STRONGLY recommend an iMac (23" screen and amazing digital capacity) and a wireless Broadband connection. I adopted this set-up after advice from Alan Grainger in Kentucky and I wouldn't change it for the world. If you decide later that a laptop is also required then a Macbook does everything that your little heart will desire. I run hour-long Keynote lectures and presentations from my Macbook (but compiled on the iMac) straight onto a digital projector and the iMac currently stores well over 60,000 images and masses of music.
Kind regards from East Lancashire.
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Hi Darren,
If the pennies allow (?) then I would VERY STRONGLY recommend an iMac (23" screen and amazing digital capacity) and a wireless Broadband connection.
I fully agree, this is exactly what we have, combined with Safari browser and Apple Mail it can't be beat. I dread going to work and using XP.
At home I found XP was disappearing under many layers of protection, to the point of being but a pinhole in the middle of the screen. We decided to take the plunge to Apple about a year ago. No regrets and fantastic for photos.
johnw
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At the back of the January 'Gardeners' World' is and add for a book - 'Computing for Seniors - it's never too late to start'. Sounds like something I need and the price is £9.95 for one copy or £17.95 for two. TWO! Why do I want TWO! Either they think I am going to throw the first one to the back of the fire in frustration or that Carol will need the second to explain to the police why I threw myself, the book and the computer to the back of the fire ::) I think I will just save myself a tenner.
David, save yourself £17.95 and not buy 2! Then you're more than halfway to buying a decent bottle of Malt. In fact, you are almost the whole way to buying a half decent bottle of Malt!;D
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Wow, thank you all for your advice so far. You have really helped clarify my thoughts on this issue. It looks like I may go for a good desktop and a wireless router, despite it not being the easiest option, but had not even thought about the Mac option and it looks well worth considering! Mark – thank you for your note about the Canon, my lenses are 14 years old so could be problematic, I can live with that though I’d really like to be able to use my EF25 macro extension tube which apparently is not fully compatible with some of the new digital lenses.
Maggi – I confess I bought a lovely little CD/DAB radio system then went and got a big separate turntable for the vinyl too. I honestly even considered buying an antique wind-up gramophone for my few 78rpm records as I’ve nowt to play them on….
I'm away now for the weekend but will look in again monday. I'll let you know if I decide anything!
Darren.
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A few latish comments.
A desktop is most certainly more bang for the buck. It can also be upgraded with various fancy stuff such as faster graphics cards, cards that interface your old printer that needs a paralel interface, disk players for that high definition that everyone will use next year and perhaps most important secondary hard disks. The second disk on a laptop is just a second partition on the same disk so if on crashes both do. Some good scanners require that you install a card in your computer they are not for laptop users.A desktop is also more likely to be able to run a large screen. I am now using a 1920*1200 pixels from Acer. Bare bones no Speakers not high speed. It is an enormous help since it will take two written pages or biggish pictures sidebyside or a large number of thumbnails for comparision and choices.
If you have one PC and one broadband acess why use a router?
A wireless router can be overheard unless your encryptation is good.
The broadband situation is different in different countries. Thus advice from Sweden or the US is misleading to someone in the UK.
Here in Sweden I get the same connection for broadband and cable TV. That is faster and more reliable than the wireless broadband I use when travelling with the laptop .
My Acer laptop came with wireless connection that will hook into the local wireless routers but in reality I nearly always use the wireless modem that runs from the 3G-telephone system.
Lots of memory is important if you do photographic work. The money is better spent on memory than on the highest speed CPU.
It is probably better to get the best buy in broadband and the best buy in desktop and then interface. This makes it possible to compensate when your broadband provider goes bust or increases the prices by 1000%.
Göte
The best advice is probably to visit people who already have made their mistakes. Then you can make your own original ones just as I do.
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I had a desktop computer for years - would not go back to if you paid me in gold... With my laptop I can work anywhere there is network availability - so when I am sat in the hairdressers for two hours I just carry on working as usual. Off down to Dunblane for Early Bulbs - the laptops goes with my and I can do whatever is needed... I could go on but wont! On the subject of a laptop effectively only having one hard disk, yes this is true but I back up daily when at home to an external hard drive and when my hard drive died in December this saved my bacon! It really depends what you need to be able to do with the beast - mine is vital for my work so I want something that I know can do what I need. David is very happy with his Acer laptop too.
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I have to jump in again, with regard to moving from a windows based PC to an AppleMac.
Apart from relearning things, if you have spent $$$ ( sorry don't seem to have a pound sign handy) on software such as Photoshop and filters etc, you will have to go and buy Mac versions.
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I agree switching from PC to Mac is a huge step and not one to be undertaken lightly. I'm just happy it is all I've ever had - I remember the little original Mac that did not even have a hard drive, you booted up from a floppy disk! Our son built his own Sinclair computer back in the early 80s probably worth something now as a museum piece if it were still around.
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Switching to a Mac IS a learning curve, but certainly not an insurmountable one (an old person here in Whitworth has nearly succeeded) - and the benefits (in my humble opinion) far outweigh the potential risks inherent in a Windows/Internet Explorer based environment.
I was very dubious about changing the habits of a lifetime, but wouldn't switch back for the world - but each to his own, surely a purchaser's prerogative.
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but each to his own, surely a purchaser's prerogative.
I agree, I was just pointing out that when you change from a Windows PC to a Mac you can't take your windows software with you .
Depending on what programs you are used to, eg, Ms Office, Adobe Photoshop etc, you could run into a huge amount of money to replace those programs. :(
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You do not NEED to buy a mac in order to get away from Windows etc.
Linux is an alternative and there are a number of complete linux packages that include all "normal" software such as word processors, spredsheets etc.
These are very cheap and sometimes free. However, if you do not already know this you may be reluctant to tinker with your machine.
If you value mobility higher than flexibility your choice will be a laptop mac or PC
If you value the possibility of letting the machine grow with your needs and future hardware development your choice is a PC.
The amount of additional hardware for PC-s is much larger and usually cheaper than for Macs.
Göte
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I still can't download flashplayer and I've removed older versions. Apparently this is a problem with Firefox. When I used IE updates loaded by stealth. ::)
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Anthony,
Have you tried the downloading from the following site??
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:7
Göte
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I was just pointing out that when you change from a Windows PC to a Mac you can't take your windows software with you .
Depending on what programs you are used to, eg, Ms Office, Adobe Photoshop etc, you could run into a huge amount of money to replace those programs. :(
You can run all your Windows programs on a Mac.
You have to install Boot Camp and then install Windows... and then
your Mac can run Windows programs.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html
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Helen / Diane
I bought Microsoft Office 2004 with Word, Excel and Powerpoint for the iMac. About $150 and no need for bootcamp or partitioning. It all runs very soothly.
johnw
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You can also run windows programmes on a Mac using "Parallels" or "VM ware Fusion", I use the latter with "Windows XP"and find it very good. "Parallels"is also reported to be good. Both can be run from within the Mac OS X and items can even be dragged from one to the PC to the open Mac desktop. I haven't felt the need to load up "Boot Camp" which involves booting an "Intel Mac" as a windows machine and using it as such.
Brian Wilson
a long time Mac user
Aberdeen
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I too use VM ware fusion on my Mac to run a pr interactive database... works fine.
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Thank you all again for your advice!
I guess I knew that different people would have different views on this. I am very tempted by the mac option, though somewhat taken-aback by the price difference. Either way - the 'free laptop' (actually a small netbook in most cases it appears) deals seem a non-starter for me. Still no firm decision though.
Cheers,
D.
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Anthony,
Have you tried the downloading from the following site??
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:7
Göte
Still get the same silly messages: "close Firefox" or "you need at least 5000kb of memory". Gosh, that much!?
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Anthony,
I hope you are joking?? ???
Or do you really think 5 meg being biggish?
What OP are you using?
It can well be that you should close down Firefox but leave the downloading window open. That is quite customary when dealing with upgrades.
Diane,
I thought that the idea of using a Mac was to get away from Microsoft software.
Today you can use an intermediate layer in order to run Microsoft software on Macs but is that not creating another layer of software in between?? Such layers notoriously decrease processing speed and available memory. Also: Windows may be full of holes but at least Microsoft are working on addressing them. Would a third party supplier of software be able to handle these issues better?
Göte
PS
In principle PC- (and Mac-) programming is based on snippets of code that is hardwared into the machine (BIOS) The BIOs works by sending sequenses of instructionss to the CPU which only understands a very limited number of these. The BIOS provides handles to these sequenses called interrupts. The OP then contains larger snippets at a higher level which call the BIOS-snippets and adds some of its own. DOS is an example.
The OP is then often layered. Windows 3.X, 95 and 97 were OP´s that used the handles provided by DOS. Programs running under Windows 97 use the handles provided by Windows97 which uses the handles provided by DOS which uses the handles used by the BIOS. Some programs bypass the OP and BIOS by commanding the CPU directly (usually because some of the lower level functions are slow). Here conflicts may arise and we get crashes.
Windows versions later than 97 are not layered on DOS instead they so to say create virtual machines on which the programs rums. Thus if a program misbehaves it can (usually) only lock or crash the virtual machine. The reat of the computer is still working. The drawback is that the need for memory increases and the speed goes down.
A program written for Windows will need to have the handles in Windws available. The original Macs had Motorola processors which have a different set of instructions from the Intel CPUs used in PC-s so the Windows handles are not originally available. There must be a kind of interpreter in between.
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No I don't regard 5mpg big. I'm quitting Firefox as it is more trouble than it is worth. >:(
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One man's poison ;D
Göte
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Still thinking about my computer and its operating systems etc. My wife's laptop has Vista and it seems to work fine. I wondering if it is a simple, worthwhile venture to change to Vista? Would it knacker all the stuff loaded on my computer?
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Still thinking about my computer and its operating systems etc. My wife's laptop has Vista and it seems to work fine. I wondering if it is a simple, worthwhile venture to change to Vista? Would it knacker all the stuff loaded on my computer?
Anthony, if you are serious about putting Vista on your PC, I think you would have to save what you want, and reformat and install it cleanly.
You already have some sort of problem, maybe nothing more than crosslinked files.
Vista is also a bit of a hog, so you need lots of RAM, plus, a lot of old software won't work with it, but I am finding lots of my old programs still work.
On the other hand, if you have a spare bay, you could buy a new HD and install the OS on the new HD, ( Vista or XP) and use your old HD as a slave.
The programs would need to be reinstalled but you'd still have all your graphics and other stuff you've saved.
However, if you are going to reformat, you might as well stick with XP, I would.
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I changed to Vista a couple of months ago Anthony - had to buy new printer and scanner.... the old ones didn't work with Vista... :'(
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Apart from that, how do you like it Luc?
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Hang on for a bit longer, Vista's replacement should be out by the year end. Beta versions of Windows 7 are already available to try out on your computer if you are bold enough.
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Anthony,
Vista is regarded as a pest by many users including myself. (The quick emergence of Windows 7 is a silent admission by macrohard that vista was a mistake.)
The last desktop we bought had vista installed and XP on CD as an alternative.
I started on Vista and found:
A: I never made it through all the safety barriers so I could connect to my LAN.
B: It was awfully slow because the high demand on computing power.
Because of the slowness I gave up figuring out how to get over hurdle 'A'.
I made use of the CD and we now have XP happily running on it.
I would advice against using vista on an old computer simply because it grabs so much memory and needs so much CPU power.
Generally speaking: "If it ain't broke don't mend it"
Good luck with whatever your choice may be.
Göte
PS
If you get yourself a LAN-hard disk that you connect through your LAN or directly through an USB-port you have additional storage capacity at a cheap price. One terabyte will cost me here between £150 and 200. If you only run this disk when you back up or look for something it will have a low mileage and low risk for crashing.
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I bought an external hard drive yesterday from Asda for £78.29. It was a La Cie with a capacity of 750 Gb. I will use this to back up all my pictures, videos and any other items from my main hard drives. As the drive will only be used for back up, it should last much longer than the main hard drives on the computer. All you do is plug it in through an USB port and it is ready to use. The only change I will make is to change the format from FAT 32 to NTFS as FAT 32 is restricted to 4Gb per sector. If this is double dutch then Gote can explain it better than I could. Tesco's and PC World also sell external hard drives from 250 Gb to 1000 Gb at about the same prices.
On a different note, I would recommend two free downloads for your computer.
Belarc Advisor. This scans your computer and produces a history and description of your computer and shows all the additions made to the system including Microsoft updates.
Secunia. This scans your computer and warns you of any dodgy programs that need to be updated, patched or uninstalled and tells you how to do it..
Neither of these two try to sell you anything.
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Apart from that, how do you like it Luc?
Difficult one Anthony, I'm not a specialist.
We bought a new pc and it had Vista on it, so not much choice, but the new pc had enough power to handle it, so no problems there. We did (and still do) struggle though trying to install our firewall called "Zone alarm". The same thing happened with other programms we wanted to install or download - it simply didn't allow it... in other words : Vista is the boss of your computer, it often does what it likes and not what you want...
Now again, I'm not a specialist and I might do some things "wrong", but I never experienced the same problems going from Windows 95 to 98 - 2000 - or XP.... maybe that says enough.
If we could change back to XP - I'd do it tomorrow...
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Göte, Tom and Luc
Thank you for the brilliant advice. :) I will stick with XP and check those free downloads. This info is far more helpful than any trawlling through websites etc. ;D
Anthony.
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Luc and Anthony, you should ask Michael Campbell what he thinks of Vista :o
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I have never had a problem with vista and would never go back to XP . All my family have vista and are very happy with it,but then as the old saying goes,Doctors differ and patients die.
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Heigh ho. :-\
My brother has just been round to see me. He has Windows 7. ::)
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Run this through the spell checker on your computer and find out if it is working correctly.
Eye halve a spelling chequer.
I have a spelling chequer,
It came with my pea sea,
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye cannot sea.
When eye strike a quay, right a word,
I weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar wright
It shows me strait aweigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
I nose bee fore two late
And eye can put the error rite
Its rarely, rarely grate.
I've run this poem threw it
I'm shore your pleased two no,
Its letter perfect in it's weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.
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Run this through the spell checker on your computer and find out if it is working correctly. ;D
Eye halve a spelling chequer.
I have a spelling chequer,
It came with my pea sea,
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye cannot sea.
When eye strike a quay, right a word,
I weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar wright
It shows me strait aweigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
I nose bee fore two late
And eye can put the error rite
Its rarely, rarely grate.
I've run this poem threw it
I'm shore your pleased two no,
Its letter perfect in it's weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.
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Michael, nu ye see what wonderful machines computers are.
Your English is almost as good as mine... ;D ;D 8)
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How about this?
ONLY THE ENGLISH COULD HAVE INVENTED THIS LANGUAGE !
We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men,
Then shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?
Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!
Let's face it - English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.
We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,
we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,
and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing,
grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.
If you have a bunch of odds and ends
and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?
If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English
should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a
recital?
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.
We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns
down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out,
and in which an alarm goes off by going on.
And, in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?
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;D ;D ;D
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Anthony for the part I understood I say: Great Poem
;D ;D
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What about Scots?
Hey, Daddy, wid ye get us a dug ?
A big broon alsation ur a wee white pug ?
Ur a skinny wee terrier, ur a big fat collie?
Aw, daddy,get us a dug. Will yi ?
Whit! An' whose dug'll it be when it durties the flerr,
An' wets the carpet and messes the sterr?
Its me ur yer mammy'll be tane furra mug.
Away oot'n play. Yer no getting a dug.
But daddy thur gi'en them away
Down therr at the SSPCA.
Yu'll get wan fur nothin, so ye will.
Aw. Daddy, get us a dug, Will ye?
Dji hear um? Oan aboot dugs again?
Ah think that yins goat dugs'n the brain.
Ah know whit yu'll get: a skite oan the lug
If ah hear ony merr aboot this bloomin dug.
Aw, Daddy, it widny be dear tae keep
An'ah'd make it a basket fur it tae sleep.
An'ah'd take it fur runs away ower the hull.
Aw, Daddy, get us a dug. Will ye?
A doan't think thurs embdy like you:
Yi could wheedle the twist oot a flamin' corkscrew.
Noo! Get doon aff my neck. Gies nane a yur hugs.
Aw right. THAT'S ANUFF. Ah'll get yi a dug.
Aw Daddy. A dug. A dug
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Anthony,
Thereaintnosichanimal as a logical language except
IDO, Esperanto and Wolapük.
All real languages are illogical because they contain the traces of jokes, puns, poems, speeches, loan words etc ad infinitum.
That is what makes them living, interesting and media for arts and feelings.
If I were a native English speaker i would here give examples.
The above three were in that respect stillborn.
And, being a teacher, you know this ;D
Göte
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The workshop burnt down last month but yesterday it burnt up again ;D
(Literal translation from Swedish actually)
Göte
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More moans. For some reason, I have lost windows explorer on Vista. The games programs (solitaire) would not open so I tried System restore and got an error message OX81000202. System restore has disappeared. After checking out what this message means, I am instructed to open up Control Panel. When I opened this there was nothing there! The fault seems to be a non Microsoft "windows safety alert" that has arrived on my system despite Malware detection programs. It looks as if I am going to have to reinstall Vista - oh joy !! At the same time I will have to reinstall XP as I cannot get any sound despite trying everything I could think of and and finally handing the problem to an I.T. specialist who also failed after working on it for two hours. I think I will go and eat worms.
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TC, If you are hungry, I suggest that a hamburger is better than worms. ;D
There is always the possibility to buy a new hard disk, install that one as C: and install a new OS on it. Your Computer Guru can do this for you. This post is NOT a manual of how to do it. ;)
The OS will find all your data in the old disk. The result of the excercise is that you have double the storage capacity and can backup onto the other disk.
Of course if you have a laptop this is rarely an option.
The other day I was contemplating buying an assemble-it-yourself computer from the major independent mail-order computer supplier here. It comes without OS.
I looked at the prices. XP costs more than twice the price of Vista. Obviously they have difficulties in getting rid of Vista.
I wanted to convert some vinyl records to CD and looked what would be available. XP can do it with a microsoft extension. However: Microsoft have discontinued selling that for XP. Obviously Mr Macrohard tries to force us to an "upgrade". It seems to me that Vista is the Ford Edsel of operating systems. Some people DID/DO drive edsels I saw one on theroad last year. ;)
Good luck
Göte
PS
I downloaded some shareware that did the vinyl job for me in an excellent way.
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Patience, Tom. ;)
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Göte
I have Vista and XP on my main 500GB, disk partitioned into C and D drives. I have two other hard drives of 500GB each which I use as back ups for pictures etc. In addition to this I have an external hard drive of 750 GB, as a back up of all my pictures and videos, so I have probably enough storage for most eventualities. It is just the aggravation of having to reinstall all the programs again, all the updates, service packs, drivers etc and hope that it all works.
Not to mention reconnecting to my email account with the help?, of an operative based in Mamba.
I got my copy of XP pro OEM for £78.00. A trawl on the net my find cheap, but genuine copies still available.
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TC
If you have several disks you can install another OS on one of them and just switch the letters. If you are unable to do this in the BiOS or wherever, you can always operate the dip-switches on the disks if there are any and/or switch position on the ribbon cable. This will always tide you over any glitches even if you have a serious problem with your main OS. It will give you a clean instance of whatever OP you install since the new disk is clean.
Göte
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Gote
My problem is not so much reinstalling Windows but the fact I have a Trojan somewhere in my system. Scans have not picked it up so I don't know to which file it is attached.
If I reload all my docs. videos etc, I might be re-infecting the system all over again and be back where I started from ! I will have to download different malware/trojan scanners to see if it can locate the problem and then make sure I do not transfer it back onto the system.
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TC
You are right of course.
You probably have NTFS.
Otherwise an interim solution would be to use a OS that is too "dumb" to run a trojan. (assuming that the trojan needs windows based services).
I have seen people claim that UNIX and also LINUX are malware proof.
Personally I do not know.
Göte
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Can anyone help please?
For about the last week each time I switch off my computer I find that I have a Windows Update awaiting download when I reach the shutdown page. This never seems to download properly although it tries and eventually the computer switches itself off only for the same thing to happen when I switch back on again.
I have Windows XP with automatic Updates switched on and with the Firewall switched off. In case it was a virus of some kind I have done repeated scans with AVG and with Spybot and each time got a clear report.
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Can anyone help please?
For about the last week each time I switch off my computer I find that I have a Windows Update awaiting download when I reach the shutdown page. This never seems to download properly although it tries and eventually the computer switches itself off only for the same thing to happen when I switch back on again.
I have Windows XP with automatic Updates switched on and with the Firewall switched off. In case it was a virus of some kind I have done repeated scans with AVG and with Spybot and each time got a clear report.
David, have you tried going to the microsoft updates site (googling microsoft updates should find it). The site should, when you go onto it, do a scan of your computer to see if you have the latest download software, then you can check for available updates and download them on the site. With any luck the download you're having problems with may download on the site, especially if your download software is updated, then it may stop trying to download automatically.
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Thanks for responding Martin, I tried that one and it didn't cure the problem.
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Thanks for responding Martin, I tried that one and it didn't cure the problem.
I thought it might not, but best to get the obvious out of the way first, so worth asking.
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For about the last week each time I switch off my computer I find that I have a Windows Update awaiting download when I reach the shutdown page.
I would be inclined to run Windows update from the Help and Support Centre from the Start menu, and apply the updates by hand. This probably amounts to what Martin suggested, the thing I'd add is to investigate what the updates actually are.
Usually there is a way of seeing, even in the automatic ones. I recall that updates waiting are usually shown by an icon in the "system tray" (bottom right little icons), clicking on that may get you to a list.
I believe you can disable particular updates or at least if you know the name Google to see if they're a particular problem.
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Sorted!! Did what you suggested David and although there was no indication showing in the System Tray, an XP Update KB967715 was showing as downloaded but not installed (for some reason!). Once I had installed it the problem had cleared. Many thanks.
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David
I would suggest that you download two useful (free) programs onto your computer.
Belarc Advisor. This will detail every hardware and software item on your computer including all the Microsoft fixes. Totally simple to use and safe.
Secunia personal software inspector. This runs a scan and lists unsafe or life expired programs which need to be removed or patched.
Google them both and the download site will be shown.
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Thnks for that Tom, I'll have a look at them.
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Sorted!! Did what you suggested David and although there was no indication showing in the System Tray, an XP Update KB967715 was showing as downloaded but not installed (for some reason!). Once I had installed it the problem had cleared. Many thanks.
Well I thought it was sorted but it isn't! The Windows update that appears to be causing me the problem is KB 967715 which appears to have the effect of "resolving an issue in which AutoRun features were not correctly disabled"
I took Tom's advice and downloaded Barlac Advisor and each time I run that it tells me that KB 967715 is present on my Computer, however whenever I switch the computer on I'm told there are Windows updates ready for downloading, and on checking the Windows Update site KB 967715 is the one waiting for download. I have tried downloading it again, numerous times, and all appears to go as it should but the next time I switch the computer on again I'm back in the old routine. Any advice please??
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David, it seems that you aren't the only one having problems with that update.
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?query=KB+967715+&cboDiscussionGroup=en_US_56d1dd45-de9e-4fc5-9bc1-2d1d0de6daee%3Amicrosoft.public.windowsupdate%3Aen%3AUS%3A%3A%3A%3A&=Go&dg=microsoft.public.windowsupdate&cat=en_US_56d1dd45-de9e-4fc5-9bc1-2d1d0de6daee&lang=en&cr=US&pt=&catlist=&dglist=&ptlist=&exp=&sloc=en-us
If you click on some of the latest helpful links you might find the answer to your problem.
Good luck, at least you know it isn't something you did. :)
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Thanks for that Helen. Have had a quick read-very scary stuff-but will read some more and then have a go.
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David, make sure you make a restore point before you do it ( just in case) ::)
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It is said that suffering is character building. Do PC users find this to be true?
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Maybe I've cracked it this time. Using the Links that Helen provided I found advice to download another Windows update which amended something called a 'shell', which is what the update I was having problems with was supposed to do. Now, fingers and toes crossed, all seems to be well. From the Links it seems half the world was having problems with the same update!
Gerry, if frustration is part of character building, then I agree.
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With apologies to our Irish friends.
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;D ;D ;D
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We DID have manual viruses - or nearly so.
They came in the form of E-mail messages warning for a super virus. The only way to save the hard disk would be immediately to shut down the computer - preferably by pulling the cord and send the mail on to all friends (With a shut down computer???).
The mail came with various claims which even a computer novice would realize were impossible.
I received it twice.
April Fool's stuff really
Göte
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Gote,
You remind me of a story from a friend in a computer telephone service. He was in a supervisory capacity and had the benefit of being able to listen to a recorded session between a caller and one of the service advisors.
The caller asked for help as there was no picture on the monitor.
She was asked to check if she had both the processor and monitor switched on.
After much explanations about which buttons and where they were: Yes.
Then to check if the lead between monitor and processor was in place.
More explanations - Yes.
Is the computer plugged in?
Can't see.
Why?
It's dark.
Can you turn on a light?
No
Why?
We have no electricity.
Have you the boxes in which the computer was delivered?
Yes.
You will have to put the computer back in the box.
OK
Then bring it back to the shop.
And what will I say to them at the shop?
Tell them that you are returning the computer as you are too f...ing stupid to have one.
Paddy
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Paddy,did he tell you that the service advisor lost his job for that comment. My son worked for that Co. for a while.
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Michael,
I couldn't possibly divulge that information.
Paddy
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May I request that if you wish to contact me over the next few weeks then would you PLEASE USE THE PERSONAL MESSAGE SERVICE ON THIS FORUM as my AOL mail service has been hijacked by a particularly virulent 'Paramount Holidays' request form that will allow all outgoing mail but prevents the reading of all incoming mail. Does anyone have any experience of this amazingly frustrating e-mail virus?
Any assistance would be MUCH appreciated ... they have finally found a way to attack Mac computers and I have been infected. Maggi, I will get back to you as soon as possible.
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My sympathies to you over this pooter problem, Cliff.... I would hope that some of the nice boffins that frequent the forum may have words of help for you.
On an entirely frivolous note.... does the virus still allow you out to the pub? :-\
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Oh yes, Maggi ... but no 'chips'!!!! ::)
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Help !!! :'( :'( :'(
Untill recently I had no trouble posting photos on the forum, although I did have to turn down the quality settings on the camera to about mid-way.
Now ,even trying to post just one photo I keep getting the message that the file is too large.
One such photo is the Pleione on my profile, but it loaded to this OK ???
Any ideas ?
Eric
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Can't think what the problem may be , Eric. The forum posting file size has been increased to allow leeway so there should be no difficulty that way. :-\ ???
The camera I use is only 1.3 m pixels but Ian uses ones with several million pixels and takes at pretty high quality resolution.... but he compresses the files to "fit" .... we use the ACDSee programme.... seems to work well.
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One such photo is the Pleione on my profile, but it loaded to this OK
That's because the profile photo resizes automatically.
Again, I advise against reducing the quality you take on the camera, because that reduces your file resolutions and who knows when you may want/need a high res copy??
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Help !!! :'( :'( :'(
Untill recently I had no trouble posting photos on the forum, although I did have to turn down the quality settings on the camera to about mid-way.
Now ,even trying to post just one photo I keep getting the message that the file is too large.
One such photo is the Pleione on my profile, but it loaded to this OK ???
Any ideas ?
Eric
I just by mistake clicked on the post button and re-posted Eric's query. sorry about that!
Eric.
I assume you load your picutres into a computer running windows. Windows explorer will show you the size of our file if you set it to VIEW - DETAILS. If you still do not see the size, set VIEWS-CHOOSE Details and tick size. If the size is too large, you will have to use a picture editing program and save a copy with smaller size, resoultion, quality or whatever. I use Photoshop but If you do not have it my instructions would not help you so I abstain for the moment.
Göte
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Gote,
You remind me of a story from a friend in a computer telephone service.
Presumably you have heard about the computer owner who could not find the "Any key" Caps Lock, yes. Ctrl yes, Alt, yes but Any???? ??? ??? ???
Göte
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An excellent free photo editing facility can be downloaded at:-
http://www.faststone.org/
When you open this editing package simply move your cursor to the top, bottom, left and right of the screen to access the multitude of options. Please note : This is not available for Mac users.
Highly recommended and I'm not even on commission! :D
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Gote,
You remind me of a story from a friend in a computer telephone service.
Presumably you have heard about the computer owner who could not find the "Any key" Caps Lock, yes. Ctrl yes, Alt, yes but Any???? ??? ??? ???
Göte
Yes, you are right, Gote ... there isn't one on either of my computers! ;D
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Help !!! :'( :'( :'(
Untill recently I had no trouble posting photos on the forum, although I did have to turn down the quality settings on the camera to about mid-way.
Now ,even trying to post just one photo I keep getting the message that the file is too large.
One such photo is the Pleione on my profile, but it loaded to this OK ???
Any ideas ?
Eric
I take my pictures at maximum size and then resize them for the forum using 'Irfanview' .This is a simple free program which always gets excellent reviews
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Just as a matter of interest, Eric ... I presume they are still being saved as JPGS and not as something that cannot be recognised by this forum?
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Hi
Thanks everbody for your help.
I did not realise I could view the file size of each photo on windows .This is a great help.
For some reason it appears ASDsee was not re-sizing my images for a while, but now seems to be working again. :) Perhaps I should try one of the other alternatives mentioned.
I must now try to take photos on a higher resolution and re-size ,because in the past these would not post either ,even after re-sizing. My camera has 5 resolution settings between 640 x480 and 2592 x 1944 ,with either 3 or 4 quality settings for each .In the past I have had to take shots at a mid-range for them to post after re-sizing.
To test all is working again , I will include here the photo on my profile.
Once again thanks to you all.
Eric
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Hi
I wonder if anyone could point me in the right direction to find a site I can download a copyright programme ?
I have had problems ,mainly on Ebay, of others using my photos without asking first . >:(
Eric
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Eric, I think that someone recommended a programme when we discussed the problem of photo theft in relation to Galanthus pictures.... I'll try to find it...... :-\
Mark Smyth wrote this.......I used to use a progrmme called Picture Shark that automatically puts a water mark across imges. Although it is opaque many people said it spoilt the images. I thought it didnt. I'll look for some and post them
http://www.picture-shark.com/watermark_freeware_image_protect_gallery_default.htm
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Thanks Maggi
I do seem to remember reading this sometime ago, but if I remember correctly the copyright information could easily be removed on the programme mentioned ?
Eric
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Yes, I believe that was the case..... :-X ...... but it seems that is possible in many types... :-\
Those Forumists using the copyright markings on their photos might tell us what they are using? ???
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I wonder if anyone could point me in the right direction to find a site I can download a copyright programme ? I have had problems ,mainly on Ebay, of others using my photos without asking first . >:(
Nearly any image editing program should be capable of this if it has two facilities: (1) the ability to add text to an image and (2) being able to apply a "mask" to an image. You create an b/w image with the text you want, then use that as a mask on the image you want to mark, then fiddle with things like color, brightness, contrast, and gamma. The mask will ensure that these changes are applied only to the text area. The details of menus and such vary from program to program.
Some graphics editors may have a watermark feature to do this directly; look for a "watermark" feature and see it does what you want.
Or you can just emblazon your image directly with appropriate text using the text tool.
"The Gimp" is a powerful free image editor, but I don't know if there's a windows version of it.
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I'm not that computer savy so hopefully this makes sense.
Wanting to free up some space on my computer i recently purchased a portable external hard drive and proceeded to copy my pictures folder totaling over 3 GB to the new hardware.
Unfortunately during this time there was a problem and i had to reboot the computer prior to completing the copying/saving with the result that when i returned to the my pictures folder it was empty---no trace of pics of my field trips of the last 3/4 years !!!!!! :'(.
No problem i thought --my automatic backups were going to an online storage website so i'd be able to restore all my missing pics from that site----well after 2 days of frustration no help there --it took 8 hours just to get to 60% before the restoring came to a go slow/stand still.....
Another go overnight and we got to 20% before another stand still---now i have exceeded my broadband limit and speeds have dropped to dial up ,(maybe because of the attempts at restoring???).
I then decided to reduce the size of the required restore by going into the storage website and identifying the individual folders i considered essential----no luck there either as i could only locate a small number of earlier dated field trips which i already had on C/Ds :-\
So in the process of 'flagging' all of it away this morning i decided to check the new external hard drive and bingo what should be there but 3GB of pictures. ;D ;D ;D
What a relief --now why didn't i check the new hardware as a first priority :-[ .
Cheers dave.
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Dave,
Since you think you found your pics again this is perhaps unnecessary info.
If you were very unlucky only the register was transferred to your external disk not the pictures. I sincerely hope this is not the case.
On the other hand: The pictures were not wiped from your disk. Only the register was.
As long as you do not write anything on top of it they can be recovered. The thing is to avoid overwriting at all cost.
I would have taken out the C: disk bought a new disk and put the OP system on that. Then I would have put in the old disk as E: or whatever and used recovery software on that.
I have always been worried about web site storage. Suppose the website goes bankrupt. What happens? Presently an external disk seems to me to be the best answer but we all have our idiosyncracies.
It is not difficult to write a program that does an automatic backup of all new/changed files and there are probably many available.
Göte
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Anyone using Internet Explorer 8 yet? It keeps appearing in my 'downloads ready for your computer' tray. I'd like to know it's worth it before I change.
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Had the awful experience of an SD card which was corrupted. :'(
All the pics were taken with our Lumix FZ18, and some had been on there a long time!
Googled 'corrupted SD' and found a piece of software called 'Zero Assumption Recovery', which has a free (yes, totally free :)) facility for the recovery of pics from SD cards.
Tried it yesterday and recovered over 260 pics from a 1gb card. ;D
It took around 45 minutes and around ten were not recovered - but that's a lot better than losing all of them.
The actual programme was ZAR 8.4. Look to choose the specific bit which is the free element as you go through the procedure.
Johnny
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Anyone using Internet Explorer 8 yet? It keeps appearing in my 'downloads ready for your computer' tray. I'd like to know it's worth it before I change.
We've been testing IE8 at work this week - I'll let you know the outcome.
IE7 is reported to have a lot of bugs
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Thanks Diane, I shall be patient and await your words of wisdom
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Thanks Diane, I shall be patient and await your words of wisdom
My technical advisor (that sounds posh!) has advised me today not to go with IE8 as the opinions are very mixed. We have decided to go with IE7 for the time being.
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Ta, I'll stick with 7 for the moment.
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I have always used Netscape and now its successor Firefox. No propblems in the way I use it.
Göte
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I'll second that Gote, Firefox is brilliant.
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I've had a run in with BT because they charged me a years broadband on one bill. They wouldnt back down and admit it was their mistake. They have cut me off the internet and the telephone and say I'm contracted with them until October 2009.
I'm logged on to the openzone using next doors internet but I'm sure they will catch on.
Who are you with for telephone and internet? Have you left one to go with another?
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Mark I am with Sky for both the telephone is cheaper with sky than BT and Sky did all the paper work.
Derek.
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Can anyone suggest why I can't now open pdfs attached to emails in Outlook Express (without first saving them to another location such as my documents)?
I was trying to open the latest Bulb Log pdf on the main SRGC site when my laptop started telling me that the pdf reader currently running couldn't open pdfs online. I'd had no trouble with this before. I downloaded the latest Adobe Acrobat reader 9, but then found that none of my pdfs would open, so I went into folder options in the control panel and had to manually set the programme that pdfs automatically open with to Adobe Acrobat reader 9.
Now all the pdfs stored in my documents, desktop etc open automatically with Adobe Acrobat Reader 9, but pdfs attached to emails in Outlook Express still won't open unless I first save them to another location. I keep getting the message to create an association with the pdf reader in the folders option, which I've already done, and when I re-do it, the situation remains the same.
Any ideas? I can simply save pdf attachments and then open them, but it's bugging me that I can't just open them in Outlook Express like before. >:(
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Others seem to have had this:
http://forums.techguy.org/web-email/577978-solved-outlook-express.html
The bottom line there is remove adobe reader by hand and reinstall.
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Others seem to have had this:
http://forums.techguy.org/web-email/577978-solved-outlook-express.html
The bottom line there is remove adobe reader by hand and reinstall.
Thanks David. I reinstalled adobe acrobat reader 9 but didn't do it manually and didn't uninstall the first installation first, so I'll try doing that. Sounds like it'll solve the problem.
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It could be a safety feature preventing you from accidentally opening malware. If so you would probably find it among the setings in your anti-virus software.
Göte
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I seem to have hit a little problem, well, more of an annoyance really. When ever I create a shortcut on my desktop and click it to open it it does open but is let than half of my screen size. To get it to full size I need to click the middle of the three buttons in the top right corner of the screen. This has started to happen only recently and I have not had the problem before. I'm using Windows XP and Internet Explorer. Can anyone help please??
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David, maybe when you saved the shortcut you had the window resized.
Try opening the shortcut, making it full size and then go to file exit, then reopen the shortcut.
If you resize a window and X out, windows won't remember the new setting, you have to go to file and exit.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks for responding Helen but it hasn't cured the problem.
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David, I find that windows will do that if you open more than one window/shortcut with the same programme. E.g. if you have a word document open on the toolbar at the bottom, then click a shortcut to another word document then the second doc will open in a reduced box which you have to click to enlarge to full screen. Is that the problem , in which case I don't know what you can do; that just seems to be bloody windows knowing best.
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If you right click on the shortcut, select properties, short cut tab, look at Run: it offers a choice of window which sounds like it should do what you want.
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If you right click on the shortcut, select properties, short cut tab, look at Run: it offers a choice of window which sounds like it should do what you want.
I just tried that, and it only gives you the option of having the window open normally (normal or maximised) or open minimised to the tool bar, so not sure it'll solve the problem.
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If you right click on the shortcut, select properties, short cut tab, look at Run: it offers a choice of window which sounds like it should do what you want.
Thanks David and Martin. Have tried to do what David suggested but have only two tabs "General" and "Web Document"?? ???
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David, are you referring to a shortcut to a website ( URL) or a shortcut to something on your computer?
If you have a shortcut to a folder on your computer and right click and select properties you will get different tabs, including a shortcut tab with run with a dropdown that lets you select normal window, minimized or maximized.
Although I have vista not xp.
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Helen, in this case it's a shortcut to a Web page.
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David, for a shortcut to a webpage I get the same tabs as you, plus a security and a details tab.
If this has only just started to happen, maybe cleaning up your temp files might help. ???
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Mmmmm. Just discovered that the same thing happens when I click a hyperlink from a web site ??? ???
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This sounds a bit like the old problem of the default window size in IE, which is set by holding down control when you close an IE window.
I was going to say is a short cut anything special or does the same thing happen when anything causes a new window to open.
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Mmmmm. Just discovered that the same thing happens when I click a hyperlink from a web site ??? ???
David, so it happens when you already have a window open with internet explorer then you try to open another with IE? That sounds like the problem I mentioned earlier, whereby Windows opens subsequent windows in the same program as smaller windows, not full screen. It just seems to be something that Windows does, curse its black little soul.
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My computer wants to install IE8. Do I or don't I?
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My computer wants to install IE8. Do I or don't I?
We are not. Hearing too many with problems.... we think we'll wait till the system has had the kinks ironed out!
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Download Google Chrome instead.
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.... or Opera is well worth a look.
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I am still being plagued by this interminable delay ( getting longer, too, sometimes fifteen seconds or more) in between key strokes when I'm posting. It will let me continue normally until I hit reurn or need to move the cursor to make a correction, for example.... then everything stops for an age until "it" finally allows me to start again. This is driving me crazy! I have asked all sorts of folk for help but no luck so far. Graeme Strachan suggested a system restore to a point before this began but I cannot remember when it all started!! Can anyone help me??!!!!
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Could your computer be too full? Mine is starting to run slow also like when editing photos or when I close open programmes
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pc is pretty chock full, I admit! Taking a lot off onto new external drive soon. But no problem when using Word etc, just when typing into forum posts or when searching/typing for searches. I was aware one day of clicking a box which appeared when I had been holding down one key for too long ( either ctrl of somesuch) when I was thinking about what I wanted to say and I just clicked this box without paying too much attention, only to realise as I did so that it was saying something about adjusting keystrokes and eight seconds etc! I'm sure that's where the trouble started but I'm dammned if I can get the box back or find the source. Robin gave me a link which she thought might help but I haven't found a solution there. Or I least, I thoguht I hadn't.... but now things seem better. Holy moly! I think it's fixed ..... Robin's link was about changes in control panel languages area and though I couldn't find the actual part mentioned, I did make minor changes, removing US English setting, and problem seems fixed!
Good grief! If I were of a religious persuasion I'd praise the Lord.... but in this instance, Robin will suffice! Thanks, Robin!! :-* :-* :-*
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I've been using Internet Explorer 8 for a few months - there's nothing to be scared of, but then again no compelling reason to upgrade.
Maggi - have a look at Start -> Control Panel -> Accessibility Options.
At least if you think you've turned them on, the above will let you turn them off.
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At least if you think you've turned them on, the above will let you turn them off.
HaHa! Thanks, David.... need all the help I can get! :-[
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Okay, minor probs now.... font has changed in email display, not in messages but in the lists and lefthand side menu of folders! Also, the mainimise/maximise/ close (X) buttons at the top of each page has shrunk! Help again, please!!
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Well if the changes are just to your email program look to the configuration for it. If they're general then it sounds like a right click on desktop background->properties->appearance job.
Depends what set it off, sometimes a shutdown, power on, fixes things like this.
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Well, David, your "right click on desktop background->properties->appearance job." sorted that just fine..... though in the meantime, with my previous posts the delay gremlin is back!
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Maggi, is another memory-hungry programme running in the background? Perhaps your antivirus is running automatic scans while you're trying to type. If you're short of memory that can use up fast what little memory you have available. You could try checking the settings in your antivirus programme for task scheduling to see if it's set to automatic scans and if it is then switch to manual scans and choose for yourself when and how often to do quick scans.
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All good advice, Martin, thanks. All these techy things are a real pain to me!
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I found when writing that sometimes I got delays in characters appearing and it stopped when I realised Norton Antivirus was running full system scans automatically. I'd previously set it to manual scans but somehow it switched itself back to automatic, probably during an update. I set it back to manual scans and the problem went away. There's no need to do full system scans regularly unless your web surfing is especially risky (Russian porn sites etc). Quick scans are enough most of the time.
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Maggi,
It seems from reading on the Web that if you have held the shift key down for too long whilst typing it can cause a delay in keystroke - this can be corrected by holding down both shift keys - right and left - simultaneously for a while....hope things are improving for you on the computer front.
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Thanks, Robin, I'll try that. Problem is as bad as ever again so I'm keen to try more remedies!
I've had a clearout of the temporary internet files too, that often clogs things up.
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This is David, not Carol. No problem with the WiFi but last night I was invited to purchase 'Security Tool'. This is a malicious program that blocks just about anything on your computer. I did NOT download it but I have a visit to the computer doctor this afternoon!!! >:(
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If you think the problem is something else using all your processor power e.g. virus checker, right click on the task bar, task manager, performance shows how much is being used.
It also shows if real memory is exhausted and disc is being used instead which is slow (page file usage).
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What's a task bar ::)
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"task bar" is the strip usually along the bottom with the Start button at one end and the little icons at the other, with icons for each open window in the middle.
...and when you click on the task bar to get the task manager, don't click over an icon.
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David, I think I need you to make a House Call!! :-\ ???
What is CPU? Physical Memory..........Kernel Memory....
Commit Charge? ???
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CPU - central processor unit, in the task manager it shows how much of the computing power of your PC is in use.
If 0% is in use then there's plenty left for doing things, if 100% is in use then there's none left and anything extra you do will be slow. The 'processes' tab shows you which things are actually using up processing time.
As to memory just stick to the graph and see if it gets off the bottom, don't get into the jargon.
A glance at the task manager shows you if the computer is running slow due to something using all the processing power - if that is the case you read off the name of culprit from the proceeses tab and do something about it. If there's lot of processing power left then you move on to other potential causes.
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David, without taking up too much of your time are you able to prompt a reasonably easy way of finding out what the programmes using memory are? Some of them I can translate but many of them don't give me a clue, for example sychost.exe.
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You can also bring up the task manager by pressing 'cntrl', 'alt' and 'delete' keys all together. The Applications tab will show what programmes are running (but I'm not sure if that shows background activity by, for example, antivirus programmes). The Processes tab will show how much memory is being used by various programmes. Don't worry about the bottom one - System Idle Process - showing a high number, like 95%. That is actually how much free memory the system has - i.e. how much memory you have on the CPU chip to run programmes and do stuff without having to use the hard disc (which, as David says, makes things very, very slow - it's when your chip runs out of space and programmes have to start using the much slower hard disc - you may need a memory upgrade, Maggi, if the computer is old and has restricted RAM memory of less then a Gb and you have a lot of programmes running).
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Sorry, should have said that the Performance tab in the task manager shows what I think David was suggesting - the total memory on the CPU chip and how much is available at any one time. If the available memory is very low compared to the total memory then you will be getting probelsm with slow running. If the total memory is low then again you may need a memory upgrade; an extra chip or a larger-memory chip put in, not at all difficult really.
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David,
Try doing a search in google I hope your post should read svchost.exe if it is more jargon to baffle you here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056
If it really is sychost then see here http://www.2-spyware.com/remove-sychost-exe.html
Better experts than me will be able to advise on this.
Cheers
Mick
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Process names are cryptic, if you can't guess, type the name into Google, there are web sites that specialise in explaining Windows process names. The process list can be a way of finding if software has been installed that you don't need or want.
System Idle is what the computer does when it is doing nothing else, so a high percentage is good here. Memory usage for System Idle is not relevant.
With a problem like Maggi's I'd have the task manager open on the desktop, wait for things to grind slowly and then look if something is using a lot of processing power at that time.
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Okay, here's another question for the Techy Buffs.... a chum is having trouble opening Ian's Bulb Logs as pdfs.... gets a message about lacking permission from the owner " ???? :P
Any suggestions to rescue her?
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David,
Try doing a search in google I hope your post should read svchost.exe if it is more jargon to baffle you here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056
If it really is sychost then see here http://www.2-spyware.com/remove-sychost-exe.html
Better experts than me will be able to advise on this.
Cheers
Mick
Gulp!! Thanks for that Mick, I'll check it out later.
Later edit: Phew!! It was svchost, I need new specs.
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happy about that David
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Okay, here's another question for the Techy Buffs.... a chum is having trouble opening Ian's Bulb Logs as pdfs.... gets a message about lacking permission from the owner " ???? :P
Can you tell us the exact error message, and which program is giving it (usually in the title of the error window). Does this happen when the link on the web page is clicked or has the bulb log PDF been saved to disc and is it then being loaded or double click run?
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David, I only have that info, vague as it is.... I will seek more! :-\
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Maggi, you having any luck with your slow-running problem?
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I had a slight respite for a few minutes yesterday but today my forum posts are as bad as ever. It is only while posting to the forum... if I were typing in an email or any kind of word document etc, it is not a problem. :-\ ???
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Maggi.open word in a new tab and type your replies there and copy and paste in the forum page. You are probably are doing this already.
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I had a slight respite for a few minutes yesterday but today my forum posts are as bad as ever. It is only while posting to the forum... if I were typing in an email or any kind of word document etc, it is not a problem. :-\ ???
So it's when you're online, having looked at stuff on the forum, which may be using up a lot of memory (I assume temporary internet files are held in RAM rather than on the hard disc, and those files could be big if they're forum pages with lots of pics). Have you tried deleting temporary internet files immediately before posting on the forum, to see if that helps? I still think you may be running with not enough RAM and may need an upgrade to your memory chips - an additional chip or a replacement with a larger-memory chip. Can you check your system (look in windows task manager, performance tab, to see what your total physical memory is, and how much is available)? A local PC World should be able to fit a new chip for you, or you can do it yourself quite easily. I've done it on two computers and all it took was a small screwdriver.
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To all you people suffering in the hell that is Microsoft. I say again, it is not too late; buy a Mac, install Safari or Firefox & walk off into the sunset.
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Next week Ian is going to remove all his photos to a portable hard drive, I think that will help quite a bit, then the plan is to add some gizmo or other to the blasted machine which he says will be a big help :-\It is an extra memory wotsit, I think... as you can tell, I am very backward in such matters : just as well I don't drive a car, isn't it? Can you imagine my problems with coping with an engine? :P :-[ :'(
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To all you people suffering in the hell that is Microsoft. I say again, it is not too late; buy a Mac, install Safari or Firefox & walk off into the sunset.
;D ;D ;D
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Next week Ian is going to remove all his photos to a portable hard drive, I think that will help quite a bit, then the plan is to add some gizmo or other to the blasted machine which he says will be a big help :-\It is an extra memory wotsit, I think... as you can tell, I am very backward in such matters : just as well I don't drive a car, isn't it? Can you imagine my problems with coping with an engine? :P :-[ :'(
The extra memory sounds like a good idea. The photos on the hard-drive probably aren't the problem though. They're taking up space on the hard-drive, which isn't what runs (or shouldn't unless you're very short of space) your programmes. The programmes, and the things you do in them like writing posts, are run on the RAM memory chip (or central processor unit) which these days is usually at least 1 Gb, but on older machines may only have a fraction of a Gb in memory. I expect Ian is talking about up-grading the CPU memory, which the programmes run on. You should notice a difference straight away. Fingers crossed.
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To all you people suffering in the hell that is Microsoft. I say again, it is not too late; buy a Mac, install Safari or Firefox & walk off into the sunset.
It is true, since swapping to Mac after years of being PC it is such a relief not to be plagued by problems and anti virus software slowing up my computer :o
No more 'doctors' trying to patch things up! No more crashes!
Apple stores are full of helpful, knowledgeable people and you can try a Mac out and take it back if you don't like it!
All this of course doesn't help you Maggi - I do hope someone can help you soon.
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Amazon had a hard drive sale a months ago. 1TB were going for about £60
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Thanks, Robin! And thanks to you all for your various suggestions. :)
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Robin - I'm on Windows at work :'( and Apple at home ;D. You know where I'd rather be. Highly recommended. Off to get a Time Capsule this weekend.
johnw
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John, there's no discussion ;) My other half imported the first Apple computers in to the UK but because of running a business the PC was the way to go and Apple have only recently made it possible to change. It's just such a different experience and you feel your Mac is on your side trying to make things run smoothly, not moody like a PC ;D
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John, there's no discussion ;) My other half imported the first Apple computers in to the UK but because of running a business the PC was the way to go and Apple have only recently made it possible to change. It's just such a different experience and you feel your Mac is on your side trying to make things run smoothly, not moody like a PC ;D
Endorsed completely folks ... I wouldn't swap back for the world! ;)
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...and a much belated thank you to your other half Robin ;D We are really pleased that a new Apple Store has opened in Norwich at long last. PC users have my sympathy :-\ Glad to know you are ambi-tech-strous John 8)
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Maggi, taking into account the hours you put in looking after the Forum you deserve a brand spanking new computer, with all the bells and whistles available, of whatever type you want, ON THE CLUB. And I'm not joking.
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I agree David.
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My own laptop is PC whilst Carol uses Mac. Mine is still in hospital with serious swine flu so I am temporarily using a Mac. The Mac is much nicer to use, as everyone says, but there are advantages in having both. Some the software for accessories can only be used with Mac and some only with PC. If we could only have the one computer I would be quite happy with the Mac.
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Maggi, taking into account the hours you put in looking after the Forum you deserve a brand spanking new computer, with all the bells and whistles available, of whatever type you want, ON THE CLUB. And I'm not joking.
Well said David, I felt the same but wasn't sure how to express it so eloquently ;) Maybe the Membership could go up a bit to help towards it to spread the cost over the Users - or will I be shouted down? ::) I'm game anyway to contribute as without Maggi online the whole thing would be unthinkable :o
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Your suggestions of a new machine are most welcome and may yet need to be put to the Web Boss
(though the BD/WebBoss is notoriously stingy!!) and the Club Council..... but I have not remotely given up hope of beating this machine into submission yet! A few more wallops with the trusty handbag and I may have it running as sweetly as a nut again! :-X :D
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Okay, here's another question for the Techy Buffs.... a chum is having trouble opening Ian's Bulb Logs as pdfs.... gets a message about lacking permission from the owner " ???? :P
Any suggestions to rescue her?
Okay, Folks, this further info from my Friend, Cath, who is getting this message when she tries to open the Bulb Log.... "You don't have permission to access/bulblog/bulblog.html on this server
Apache/2.2.3 Server at www.srgc.org.uk Post80"
Any ideas?
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So Cath is trying access the old bulblogs which live at:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/bulblog.html
That URL works at the moment, I'd be inclined to wonder if it was temporarily not working or if she managed to type it slightly differently.
Getting the extra info is a big step forward because we now know it is a server problem whilst originally it looked like it might be PDF related.
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Getting the extra info is a big step forward because we now know it is a server problem whilst originally it looked like it might be PDF related.
But whose Server?! Fred thinks it is not the SRGC server.... what would a solution be..... I think Cath has been having this problem for a while, though she has cracked the pdf versions.
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Yes, but it says "Apache/2.2.3 Server at www.srgc.org.uk Post80" so it looks like your server.
If I type in an illegal URL:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/
This is what I get:
Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /bulblog/ on this server.
Apache/2.2.3 Server at www.srgc.org.uk Port 80
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I think Cath has been having this problem for a while
Sometimes F5 - refresh, stops your browser repeatedly pulling the error message out of its cache.
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Does anyone know why my PC does not recognise my 8GB SD card? I can put other SD cards in the slot and the computer can see it. I have to edit the photos on my lap top transfer them to a memory stick and cut and paste to my PC
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Mark, your card is probably an SDHC card and if so you need an SDHC card reader.
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I think Cath has been having this problem for a while
Sometimes F5 - refresh, stops your browser repeatedly pulling the error message out of its cache.
Thanks, David.
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Help! Can anyone suggest why I can't get to the SRGC website online? It's the only website I'm having this problem with.
On my two newest computers (I'm writing this via my oldest, slowest laptop which hasn't been online for ages) every time I click any link to the website or the forum, via Google or anywhere else, after a few seconds I get 'navigation to website cancelled' or 'this programme cannot open the webpage'.
It's really wierd. This the only website where this keeps happening. I can get onto all kinds of other sites okay.
As I say, the old computer manages it okay.The problem is with the newer computers which have been online a lot recently. I'm wondering if it could be down to an Internet Explorer download/update that the old computer hasn't received. But why would it affect only one website on the whole net?! I've checked that my security settings are okay, and tried putting this website in the trusted sites box, but no use - and again, why would it affect only this one site anyway?
Anyone who can suggest an answer will get a huge virtual hug as I can't surf the forum as I work anymore, and can only do it on this old, very slow laptop if I unplug the wireless router and plug in my old wire router specially for this old laptop.
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P.S. It's been like this for three days now.
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When A.Darby was having problems he solved it by using Google Chrome ....... ???
Sorry to hear of your continuing probs, Martin. Virtual sympathy extended! :-*
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Martin, I can offer no useful advice other than to suggest you give it a bloody good kicking, I find it very satisfying ;D
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Martin I have read about users with similar problems accessing Forums using IE after upgrades - imagine you have have been through the the Microsoft help site on this matter?
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Solved it! I should have realized sooner what the obvious difference was between the two newer computers that couldn't access the srgc website and the old one that could - the newer ones use a wireless router connection and the old one doesn;t have wireless capability so connects via a cable through an old BT router.
Simply switched the wireless router off and on again, repaired the wireless connection and I can get onto the website again. Of course if I hadn't been able to connect to any websites then I'd have checked the wireless router. But only being blocked from this one website threw me - made me think it was a problem with the website server or the computers (but why both computers? Because they use the same wireless router, Stupid!!!!)
I normally switch the wireless router off at night, but I've been very distracted the last few days by work and domestic problems and forgot to turn the router off for a few nights in a row. If I'd remembered, it would have reset itself and the problem would have gone away the next day. Ironically, these few days of work and domestic problems piling up were exactly when I would very much have liked to access the forum to help take my mind off things!
Anyway, thanks for the advice posted and sent in emails and pms, and apologies for being stupid.
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Good to hear you have cracked the problem, Martin. With these computer problems it can be a case of not seeing the wood for the trees, I think.
I know that I wilt rapidly in the face of any IT glitsch and I sympathise with the need for a Forum Fix .... after the recent Discussion Weekend, without any forum contact, I was very twitchy... and I was surrounded by SRGC Chums the whole time! I guess the company of a couple of hundred chums is just not the same as the comfort of thousands!!
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It use do be that one took a rolled newspaper and hit the box - That worked beautifully on radios tape recorders and other appliances with tubes. ;D
Today everything is on silicone and the remedy is tho pull the plug to everything and put it back. ;D ;D
I was once thought by a very experienced automotive engineer that if your car does not start you do the following:
Step out. Walk one trurn around the car clockwise and kick each wheel once. Then do the same anti-clockwise. ;D ;D ;D
The funny thing is that it usually works. Yes it does (The motorminded will know why)
Cheers
Göte
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It use do be that one took a rolled newspaper and hit the box - That worked beautifully on radios tape recorders and other appliances with tubes. ;D
Today everything is on silicone and the remedy is tho pull the plug to everything and put it back. ;D ;D
I was once thought by a very experienced automotive engineer that if your car does not start you do the following:
Step out. Walk one trurn around the car clockwise and kick each wheel once. Then do the same anti-clockwise. ;D ;D ;D
The funny thing is that it usually works. Yes it does (The motorminded will know why)
Cheers
Göte
Probably because in the past if you were having difficulty starting a car, it was very common for the carburettor to become flooded with petrol (you could often smell the petrol) and after a few failed attempts to start the motor, it was a good idea to stop and wait for the petrol to evaporate before trying again. These days most cars don't have old-style carburettors, but fuel injection systems, and I don't know if the same thing applies.
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It use do be that one took a rolled newspaper and hit the box - That worked beautifully on radios tape recorders and other appliances with tubes. ;D
Today everything is on silicone and the remedy is tho pull the plug to everything and put it back. ;D ;D
I was once thought by a very experienced automotive engineer that if your car does not start you do the following:
Step out. Walk one trurn around the car clockwise and kick each wheel once. Then do the same anti-clockwise. ;D ;D ;D
The funny thing is that it usually works. Yes it does (The motorminded will know why)
Cheers
Göte
Probably because in the past if you were having difficulty starting a car, it was very common for the carburettor to become flooded with petrol (you could often smell the petrol) and after a few failed attempts to start the motor, it was a good idea to stop and wait for the petrol to evaporate before trying again. These days most cars don't have old-style carburettors, but fuel injection systems, and I don't know if the same thing applies.
That is an important part of the reason. Another is that the battery recovered. It is a psychological trick really. We never wait long enough unless we do something to distract us.
Göte
PS
Yes it is along time ago around 1958 or so. Perhaps we should pull the plug nowadays???
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You don't usually have to pull the plug - just push each connection in
to make sure everything is connected. For instance, today my mouse
wasn't working so I pushed on its connection to the keyboard, the
keyboard's connection to an extension cord, that cord's connection to
a thingy with an array of USB ports, and its connection to the actual
computer. Then the mouse started working again.
It is easy to see how a connection can become loose, with cats playing,
and people walking by.
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I am afraid that I disagree.
The loose connection is something I hardly ever experience. I do not recall it happening at all in 2009
The normal computer problem is a software problem that causes a part of the program to freeze or the whole system to freeze.
That happens to me on a near daily basis.
A re-start helps.
This goes for telephones, microwaves, TV-boxes and other appliances run by computer chips too.
Cheers
Göte
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A couple of weeks ago, following a prompt from AVG, I downloaded the newest version of Free AVG, Version 9 build 698. I am finding this version runs very slowly on my computer and the updates process takes an absolute age to complete. Is anyone else having the same problem?
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David,I can't help you as I run the Professional version of AVG which is excellent, I think they are trying to faze out the free version so they are not making it easy to use. They don't want to encourage you ;D Actually for the sake of the few bob it is well worth buying it.
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I have AVG free and it's OK
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A couple of weeks ago, following a prompt from AVG, I downloaded the newest version of Free AVG, Version 9 build 698. I am finding this version runs very slowly on my computer and the updates process takes an absolute age to complete. Is anyone else having the same problem?
Have you really problem with AVG? Perhaps have you installed two or more antyvirus on one computer? Then computer work slowly or doesn't work at all.
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David try uninstalling it and then reinstall it.I would appear that in the upgrade for some reason the older version did not uninstall all the its components and the new version is competing with it . Uninstall it then restart your computer(very important) and install the new version.
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It's been raining, and blowing a gale all day, and David has been computer "fiddling". Results later ???
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We've received this message from a distressed Forumist and I though it appropriate to post it, and Tech Support's reply here in full......
INSTALLATION PROBLEMS;
Dear Tech Support,
Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0 .
In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programmes, such as:
. Romance 9.5 and
. Personal Attention 6.5
and then installed undesirable programmes such as :
. SKYSPORTS 5.0,
. Football 3.0 and
. Golf Clubs 4.1
Also Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system.
· Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.
What can I do?
Signed,
Desperate...
DEAR DESPERATE ,
First, keep in mind,
. Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while
. Husband 1.0 is an operating system.
Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update.
· If that application works as designed , Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewellery2.0 and Flowers 3.5.
However, remember, over-use of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5 , Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1 .
· Please note that Beer 6. 1 is a very bad programme that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta.
Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.)
In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 programme. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0 .
In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great programme, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend
. Cooking 3.0 and
. Hot Lingerie 7.7
Good Luck!
Tech Support
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Best laugh in a long time. Thanks Maggi
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Best laugh in a long time. Thanks Maggi
HA HA! Easy for you to laugh, Mark... a free man with no wife!! ;D
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;D ;D ;D
... and I always thought programming computers was dull ??? ::) :D
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Whenever I am desperate I will check into Maggi's post and have a chuckle - nothing like seeing the funny side as a cure 8)
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I have a problem which is most annoying, and I hope someone can offer some ideas....
Hopefully it is an internet options issue that I can resolve on my own..
I am on a relatively new computer (4 months old) and the issue has only been an issue since then (no problem with old computer system).
When I post on this forum all is fine until I get to a certain point in the prose (have never counted the actual number of lines or characters). Once that "limit" is reached, my writing screen starts to "jump around", making it impossible to continue (as though I am being limited in writing any more)....my normal routine is to then compose in a separate program and cut and paste into this window.
Because this is the only forum I am active in at this point, I am not sure if it would also happen elsewhere.
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Kristl,
I've changed laptops recently but experienced the same problem you describe on the old laptop. Never sorted it out and it has not happened on this one. When it happened I simply continued typing blind.
Paddy
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I have noticed the same problems. Typing blind is for me, using a foreign language is still more a problem ::) ::)
Using preview several times then.
I solved the problem by writing my longer postings in Word first and then copy and paste into the reply.
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Time-out on postings has caused me failure to post sometimes and also if you go back more than one page to reference something whilst posting you lose your post - I have overcome this by opening a new tab in the browser and searching for the reference of a quote or whatever that way with my post still right there in the original tab :)
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Robin, glad to hear that's its just not me having the problem with time out, I shall try opening a new tab and see how this works. One thing with this forum not only do you learn about your favorite plants but you also get a free class on computing.
Angie :)
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Those of you fortunate enough to be on my email contacts list already know who you are as I have, allegedly, been sending you spam messages. I have just been to the 'doctor' with my lap top and it is clean. The problem is coming from my provider, Hotmail, who has been compromised and many addresses have been hijacked.
The advice I received was that changing my password, and changing it regularly, should stop this happening. What do the Forum experts think?
My own though is to open a Yahoo account for my emails and to keep the Hotmail one for logging into sites like the Forum. Thoughts, anyone?
Advice would be welcome as I don't want to keep sending out spam to my friends.
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Open a G-mail account and don't use hotmail anymore. It is out of date now anyway.
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I agree with Michael, gmail is very good, I have been using it for years.
Hotmail servers do weird things at times they won't accept mail I send to friends using a hotmail account, they bounce the message back.
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You can also download Picasa for free,it is a picture editing program and very easy to use. It works perfect with G-mail for sending pics, and will give you free web space to save and show your pics. Very handy it your computer goes down as the pics are all on the web and will not be lost.
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What are the advantages of this type of account over the normal types of Email account?
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David, my normal mail supplied by my ISP only has a miserable 3MB mailbox, anything bigger than that bounces back to the sender, so my friends and family know to send big attachments to my gmail account which I think at the moment has a 20MB limit on each file size sent.
The account keeps growing the longer I have it, at the moment it allows 7393MB total size.
I have used up less than one gig so far.
I use it for all my subscriptions too, so if the unthinkable happened and I had a hard drive crash I would still have all the details for my subscribed accounts.
Because it is so big I don't bother deleting much mail and can use the search to find things quickly.
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Your selling me on a change, regardless.
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My text jumps around in the text box also but only when I'm writing a private message
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Well, I've gone and done it. I now have a gmail account. It looks good but I won't know how good until I have some more experience of it.
gmail has allowed me to pull over my contact list from Hotmail and I have now deleted the Hotmail list of contacts. Hopefully, this means that Mondays spam mailing cannot happen again :D.
My Hotmail account is still open and still gives me direct access to the Forum so I should be contactable by a Personal Message. If anyone wants my new gmail address just PM me and I will forward it.
Here's to happy google messaging!
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David, I am sure you will like using gmail.
Btw, why not just edit your profile and change your contact address to the new gmail addy. :)
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David,you have made a good decision,now go into your profile and change your email address to the gmail one. Your personal messages will not be affected as they are on the web.
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Helen,I think our posts crossed
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Michael, gmta ;D
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Because I didn't know that I could! On my other gardening blog site if I tried to change my mail address I would also have to change my user name. On this site I want my 'David Shaw' name to stay. Thanks for your support, folk, including Maggie who offered to help me out - again.
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My text jumps around in the text box also but only when I'm writing a private message
There seems to be a known bug in Internet Explorer 8 - as soon as I got it I started to have problems entering text. The SRGC forum runs on the Simple Machines Forum (SMF), there's been much discussion in that context e.g.:
http://dev.simplemachines.org/mantis/view.php?id=3354
Apparently the problem can be avoided by changing the forum design, but a mystery why there's been no IE8 fix.
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Download Firefox and you will have no more problems. I never use IE.
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Because I didn't know that I could! On my other gardening blog site if I tried to change my mail address I would also have to change my user name. On this site I want my 'David Shaw' name to stay. Thanks for your support, folk, including Maggie who offered to help me out - again.
Glad you're sorted, David! I've made a note of your new email in my address book.
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Aaargh, the printer's given up the ghost :'( :'( :'(. My Canon i550 says it needs a new print head....costs as much as a printer! Cleaning & service tips gleaned via google haven't fixed it.
So...who recommends what in the printer line at the moment? I use it for low frequency printing and printing photographs, again infrequently but I like a decent quality.
Suggestions please!
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Martin, we currently have the canon pixma iP5000 but will probably have to replace it when our current lot of ink is used up.
( It is getting hard to find places that stock the ink cartridges for this model )
I would seriously look at the Canon Pixma MP560
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/10/21/review_printer_canon_pixma_mp560_multifunction_inkjet/
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Thanks Helen, I don't need the scanner/copy functions as I'm more than happy with my current model. The pixma iP3600 looks like it has much the same printer functionality as the MP560 for a lot less money. More research ongoing as we speak.
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HP photosart should do the trick,cheap ink cartridges too if you buy the refills.
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I recently bought a HP Color laserjet CP1515n.
It is a great success - especially with Canon laser printer paper.
The pages look like very good professinal printing.
I had a HP inkjet before and it was cheap but I paid its price in ink before scrapping it.
This one cost me less than £200 - twice an inkjet but the running cost is about a third so it will soon be paid off.
Until nowCheers
Göte
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Kodak is advertising on TV just now and claiming to have the cheapest cartridges.
Tesco has half price printers.
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Thanks all for your inputs on printers. I can't justify a colour laser printer as I don't do the volume to make it pay for itself. I had an interesting hour on Amazon reading customer comments on a range of machines. I'd narrowed it down to a Canon iP4700 or one of the new Kodak range. After reading aforementioned comments I went for the Canon. Worth a read if only to make up your own mind about how cheap the Kodak ink is.
Then I went price hunting. Local big chain retail outlet £110, Online major retailer £78. Guess which one I chose!
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RE: jumping text : Fred tells me this......"It's an Internet Explorer problem, lots of people have had it on various forms. Sometimes happens, sometime not. There are lots of bugs in IE8
Tell them to use Firefox - I moved to it exactly for that reason. It's vastly better."
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Hi
I have just upgraded to windows 7 I never knew that windows 7 no longer comes with a email client for sending and receiving emails
You have to pay them an additional £160 for the software for sending and receiving emails what a rip off, it should be on each box in big bold print that you have to pay out for this
Can anyone please advice me of another email client that I can use or am I better just paying my money to micro soft
Angie :)
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Can anyone please advice me of another email client that I can use
Here's the shopping list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-mail_clients
Myself, I've been using Pegasus since 1996. These days I run it under Linux using the Wine interface; it doesn't run perfectly, but adequately.
One thing to look out for: whatever program you select, verify that it can import your old folders, address books and such (if, that is, you want to).
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Angie, don't know what you were using before. Did you have to do a clean install to put W7 on your machine. If not, your old client should be hiding in there somewhere.
I wonder if the lack of, I presume, Outlook Express is a result of the EU anti competitive rulings or, as you say, just a money making scheme. I'm assuming that for £160 you get home office and not just Outlook....or am I being naive?
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Martin you are right, £160 is for office 2007 which includes there email client. If you just buy there email client its approx £116 ( this makes word excel powerpoint etc less than £50 ) I found all my old messages and settings and managed to import them Thanks for your help.
Thanks Roger for that link.
Angie :)
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Hi All,
Just to get all the forumnist aware form downloading anything advised from Regcure recommended by Google as it is a malwhere and takes over Your computer included Your connections etc etc,advice do not download.
As I did last week with the result of a nice collection of virus and malwhere,re had to call my service with extra cost.
Regards,
Guy
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Don't ever download anything that pops up on the screen no matter who recommends it, Microsoft updates and antiVirus updates will download automatically.
If you have good antivirus along with the Microsoft security you don't need anything else. Set your antivirus to run a check daily and you should have no problems. Most of those that advertise to clean up registry etc are scams.
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I know You right michael,Just wanted to try to solve a problem with thumb nails not showing in pictures,I run Avast and spywere doctor and have had no prob at all,just got carried away as some of us sometime do he,believing Google.....!!! My mistake,just passing on the message.
Cheers,
Guy.
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I'm just considering migrating to W7. Has anyone any experiences, good or bad, to share about it? I'm still on XP at the moment, never trusted Vista....
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Re Vista, W7, new offices new clients etc.
Why mend what is not broken?
Göte
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Don't move yet,wait until all the bugs have been fixed. Better still wait until you need a new computer, then it will be already installed and you should not have any problems. Upgrades can cause problems.
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I'm a great believer in keeping what you know.
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Chris, I use Vista and have no problem with it
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My instinct tells me to wait a while. I think I will. I don't really need a new computer and I'm nervous about migrating really. But is anyone using W7 yet?
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Christine, I think Diane Clement may be using W7... or trialling it at work.... :-\.
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Christine, I think Diane Clement may be using W7... or trialling it at work.... :-\.
No I'm not. We are very old fashioned and are still using XP.
Maggi, I think you may be remembering a conversation we had about Internet Explorer 7 which we are using at work.
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Very likely, Diane . :-[ Sorry for the duff gen, Christine!! :-X
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Ok, but if anyone does get it, can you let me know what you think? I had a quick go on it at a friend's house yesterday and it looks decent. Better than Vista anyway. For now I'm sticking with my trusty xp.
thanks everyone
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For what it is worth. I run Vista on my PC and have a new notebook which has W7 on it. I like both. I have not found anything too bad with W7 yet, except for excel which I am still coming to grips with and that is possibly me not the programme.
I do not use either of the Windows email or web browsers. I use Mozilla Thunderbird for email, and Firefox and have for some years. No crashing, freezing or any of the other things that seemed to happen with the Windows based systems.
Susan
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Hi,
We have 3 computers at home, two PCs and a laptop. I've been running XP Pro on all three since its introduction. Prior to that I used Windows 2000 Pro; I never used Vista - too many issues as it wasn't ready for prime time when it was introduced, poor driver support etc. 6 weeks ago I bought the W7 three license pack and immediately installed it on my main PC - but in a dual boot configuration, so that I can select whether to use XP Pro or W7. Note that if you are moving from XP to W7 there is no 'upgrade' path - you have to do a clean install. You can upgrade from Vista but I'd recommend the clean install even then. I keep all my data on multiple hard drives separate from the drive that has the operating systems on it so the migration was very easy - I just had to make a new partition on the boot drive for W7.
The installation was seamless and quick and all the drivers for my various peripherals were downloaded and installed automatically. I reinstalled my apps and pointed them to the existing data paths. I've tweaked W7 a bit and turned off most of the visual gizmos except the ones that make it look really nice. I did the same in XP. Performance is great, faster than XP Pro under my conditions. It is incredibly stable and plays very nicely with everything I use. Networking is much friendlier than under XP - I have a wireless network here with 4 machines on it, and the phone, 2 iPhones/iPods, printers, scanners and the FIOS TV set-up - all shared on the new network. There's lots I could add but there are tons of reviews out there which do a good job of describing the features.
After using W7 for a month I went ahead and installed it on the laptop (dual boot also) and the other PC. Both went perfectly and I've moved over to it permanently on all 3 machines now. Does it do anything that XP didn't do that I really can't live without - no. Does it do a lot of things better, sure. Is it fun - yes. Whether you move or not is a personal choice but I certainly wouldn't stick with everything I had already just because it functioned OK - life would be very boring!
Best,
J.
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The web site Windows Secrets gives detailed instructions on installing Windows 7 as an upgrade to Vista or XP.
However, Microsoft states that it violates the license if the system is dual booted. Edit by Maggi: see info below....... in next post
Another interesting point is that you can do a clean install from the upgrade pack thereby saving money on the price of a new operating system. The articles make interesting reading if you have the understanding and skill to use the information. Not me unfortunately!!
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The comment "However, Microsoft states that it violates the license if the system is dual booted." is inaccurate. See for example
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Install-more-than-one-operating-system-multiboot
which starts off - "When you install the new version of Windows, you can keep an older version of Windows on your computer. This is often called a multiboot or dual-boot configuration."
Multi-booting has been a perfectly legitimate and legal procedure since the day when two OS were made available, as long as you have licenses for the products. If you buy an upgrade version of W7 and use it to upgrade an existing qualifying version of XP or Vista then it is correct that you are not supposed to continue using the version that was the basis for the upgrade. In my case I have full licenses for all the products. Whether you use the 'full' or 'upgrade' versions of W7 the only path for migration from XP to W7 is through a clean install.
Best,
John
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Have a look at this web site and see what they say. Possibly I have picked up what they say incorrectly as I am no expert in this matter. I have dual boot system also- Vista 64 - which is useless -and XP Pro so I can run my slide scanner and some other programs that Vista 64 bit will not support. I had thought of changing to Windows 7 until I read this article. By the way, this web site is run by computer software specialists not inexperienced "geeks"
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All this is most interesting to me. When I looked at W7 on my friend's computer, she said her whole computer ran more quickly than before, but she had been using Vista home ed. I wasn't sure if it would work better than my XP so thanks John!
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Chris,
One thing I do and that you might try is just do a clean reinstall of your existing operating system and applications, if you are just after a performance improvement rather than a new OS with new features. It is a bit of a pain but it is something I do once a year on all my machines. It is much easier if you have your data and OS on separate drives, then you can just format and go. Even on a well maintained machine it is amazing how much 'stuff' builds up that impacts performance.
The other quick win, that never fails, is to up the amount of RAM you have. Unless you have legacy RD RAM the memory is dirt cheap these days - so max out the amount your machine can handle and performance will rocket.
Best,
John
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something to amuse you.
first tech support guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J9-Qr7oz-4
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So, Kristl, this is suggesting that I would find it easier to read a scroll, hmm, yes, possibly?
I liked the video very much, thank you.
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I enjoyed that very much indeed Kristl. Just perfect for one who wouldn't recognise a "clean install" if it kicked him in the teeth :P
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A plea for help, I see when you are sending a private message there is an option to include an image. On clicking the button the system inserts (img)(img), great, what do I do next? Can't copy and insert an image and there does not seem to be any window for uploading an image.
Cheers
Chris
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I would like to know also. Why not email the person?
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True Mark, but not everybody has an e-mail option on their profile and, if like me, you leave the SRGC forum open most of the day but only open your email account once a day.......
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A plea for help, I see when you are sending a private message there is an option to include an image. On clicking the button the system inserts (img)(img), great, what do I do next? Can't copy and insert an image and there does not seem to be any window for uploading an image.
Cheers
Chris
I have never cracked this :-[ :'( ..... but I think either KentGardener(John Finch) or Martin Baxendale has...... HELP LADS!!
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Hang on... it WAS John.... I've found what he told me......
"Putting photos on PMs: I found some images that I liked elsewhere on the net - right clicked on the image and chose properties. Then I copied the url shown at the bottom of the properties window - and pasted this into the PM. All that was needed then was to highlight the pasted url and click on the 'image' button (the pictures frame). This put the opening and closing image tags in place. Or the image can be in flickr etc....."
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Maggi - Can I send an image on my computer within a PM? I have never figured that out but someone a few months ago said they had done it out but didn't elaborate. Perhaps they meant a URL photo link as you just described.
johnw
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Thanks all, I guess one can't have all the functionality one would like, a new mantra of mine as I progress through my forties!! :o :o
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It CAN be done, John Finch has sent them to me in the past.
Michael C and I are trying hard to get it to work, but no luck so far!
Maybe Fred has disabled the feature.... that would be a nice easy answer! I'll ask him tonight!
EDIT: Scrub that comment about failure.... Michael has cracked it.... two tries ago, only I was too thick to see it!! Now we can find out how Michael did it!...... 8)
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Michael has cracked it..... but I can only do it when I go to Michael's web album and use a file from there.... it won't work form the picture files in my pc. So still a mystery, but here iswhat Michael did:
"I went into my web album and right clicked on the pic,then click properties and then highlight and copy the location,not the address and then in the message click insert image and paste the location.
When you click on the pic and then properties you get a box with the address at the top and an location address at the bottom, it is the bottom one that you copy."
Trouble is that I do not get such a box when I right click on my pix. :-\ :-[ :'(
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Cheers Maggi, looks like the images must be web based and have a URL, if the images are only on your local PC they won't send as they haven't been uploaded. Thanks for your investigations!
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Hi,
usually when you right click on an image on the web, you can select Copy Image Location.
Then just paste into your message, select it and click on the Insert Image button.
Thanks for bringing this up, I learnt something.
Maren :)
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You cannot attach images in PMs, only use [img]tags to refer to an image hosted elsewhere.
Attachments in posts are allowed for the purposes of sharing on the open forum. Most sites do not allow this because of the very high bandwidth use it creates. It is not reasonable to place a heavier load on SRGC site by exchanging photos privately by PM, therefore it is not allowed. There is not even a setting for it in the admin controls.
Best way is to email them or host them on photobucket or similar and refer to them in your PMs using the [img] tags.
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Thanks, Fred, eminently logical, as ever. 8)
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eminently logical, as ever.
Live long and prosper........................ ;)
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Can someone explain why the forum clock is one hour ahead of my clock? I am posting from the UK and it is 5:56 a.m.
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Is it still on summer time? My computer always knows how to change
back and forth automatically.
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Yes, it could be still on summer time but it is wrong on current time, which is currently the same as GMT. If it is stuck, it would be better stuck on GMT.
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Alan, we had a discussion in the Members Area a while back. It seems to me that the default "Forum Time" is actually British Summer Time. I clicked on "Profile" and then "Look and layout" and "Autodetect" and it changed the offset to -1 hour bringing the time showing on the top right of my screen onto GMT. See here http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3649.msg122207#msg122207 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3649.msg122207#msg122207). Whether I will have to change it in February I havn't discovered yet !
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This Forum is used internationally so allowing each to set their time zone seems fine by me.
I have no idea about the BST/GMT thing and the only answer I got from Fred before was that each should set their own profile time offest.
It is up to each person to set their time using the method described once more by Richard.
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Well following the instructions worked but it still seems a bit weird to me and I'm pretty sure I did not have to do anything in previous winters to make my forum time the same as Scottish local time. Will I have to make another adjustment when the clocks go forward???
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I think setting the forum to GMT and keeping it there would make sense. Its current setting of BST is puzzling.
(Sent just after 9 a.m. GMT)
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I have checked, again, with Fred, who tells me he has no control over this at all.
It is what it is... as someone once said..... I'm saying it now. :-X
So, for the avoidance of doubt:
Yes, there seems to have been a change to the forum system clock setting,wehich has only become apparent lately because of a SMF system change.
Yes, it may well be irritating, daft, whatever.
and No: there is nothing we can do about it. :(
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Hi I noticed this computer thread seems quite long. If this is any help it is one of the most used computer forums in the UK. Computer active forums is based round the top selling computer magazine in the UK.
It might be useful for future problems. See link http://forums.computeractive.co.uk/ (http://forums.computeractive.co.uk/).To register in small black writing below the log in part saying register. I have found they are great if you point out you are still a beginner with computer things.
Cheers David.
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Hi all ,
after some suggestions from other members I have decide also to upload a part of my pictures in Google/ Picasa webalbum .
If you click on the link in my profil so it should work :
http://picasaweb.google.com/hans.joschko
Enjoy
Hans
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Great photographs, Hans.
Lots of nice snowdrops
Paddy
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Paddy thank you ;)
If anybody looks for the names so look on the right side - there is a sign with "more information" -if you click it so you will get all informations ....
It's would better if I give every pic a name .....but thats too much work for me ::)
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I enjoyed your albums too Hans but now will go back and look again for the information - you have such a range of wonderful plants growing in your garden and greenhouse :D
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Robin ,
if you need any further informations so please let me know - sometimes I have used abreviations ....
Enjoy
Hans
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Thanks Hans, looking forward to a re-run 8)
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I have checked, again, with Fred, who tells me he has no control over this at all.
It is what it is... as someone once said..... I'm saying it now. :-X
So, for the avoidance of doubt:
Yes, there seems to have been a change to the forum system clock setting,wehich has only become apparent lately because of a SMF system change.
Yes, it may well be irritating, daft, whatever.
and No: there is nothing we can do about it. :(
Ruddy heck! Now I have had to undo the change I made the other week as the forum time has reverted to UK time. There may be nothing Fred can do about this but he could ask whoever can do something about it to 'stop messin' about'!
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Holy Moly.....I've been thinking that all my messages were taking an hour to get to me! Lord knows what's happening, Alan......... flippin' nuisance, right enough! :P
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Just before Christmas I resolved my computer problems by replacing my laptop. The old computer ran WindowsXP, the new one Windows 7. I have a slide scanner that is compatible with WidowsXP but not with Windows 7. Now, I have found an application disc for Works 8 which can only have come with the original computer.
My question is - can I try to install the Works 8 application on this laptop without screwing up Windows 7? It would be be nice be able to use the scanner but not worth taking any risks over.
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Are you quite sure you cannot run the scanner?
I know it is a stupid question but there might be a usable driver somewher in the OP.
If not try one of th download sites.
A search for drivers will turn up drivers in a lot of places.
Some of them free and good, bona fide and from the manufacturer of the device.
some of them free but suspect
Some try to charge you for accessing the free site!
I found that Canon did not upgrade the driver to my old A2-printer.
Thus I kept an old computer running W97 and ported all big prints to that.
Then by pure chanse I found that there is an XP driver for the machine supplied by Microsoft included in XP and I could run it from the computer I usually use.
Cheers
Göte
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With scanners there is also the choice of third party drivers - http://www.hamrick.com/
Might offer better performance than the original makers drivers.
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Gote's response prompted me to go on the web to look for alternative driver software. What I did find out is that a lot of people are having the same problem as me and the main computer forums don't have an answere. Actually, I am finding that I am getting usable images by using Ian Young's camera method, not nearly as professional as Ian but better than messing around with the copier.
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I use "Viewscan", the Hamrick driver. It works well for me but you do need to take the trouble to learn how to use it (Love it) and to get the right settings. I would recommend it.
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I would second what has been said about Hamrick software. I originally used the software suppled by Nikon but was not impressed. The Hamrick Vuescan is available as a free trial. It will not cost you anything to download it and see if your scanner works. Most applications that work with Vista will work with Windows 7. It will not cost you anything to try and if it works then the paid software is not expensive.
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I have just been on to the Hamrick website and downloaded an update for Vista 64 bit for my Nikon LS-5000 scanner. After my Windows XP collapsed on me a few days ago, I thought I was stuck. Nikon had no 64 bit drivers and left it at that. Now I am back in business. Hamrick have also updated drivers for Windows 7 and a list of all scanners that will work is posted on their site.
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Weird problem:
When I start the forum website I sometimes (like today) miss on the front page the section with bulbs ( Crocus, Bulbs General etc.)
I use Firefox.
I am able to find the pages only by reading recent posts then, but it is strange.
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I wonder if Firefox is pulling the front page from a version where you had the Bulb section "closed", that is to say, only showing the heading not the list of threads? It would be easy to overlook that section if that were the case. I have all the sections marked open all the time, and when I just closed them all to see what the page looked like, I discover that it would be easy to miss out some sections altogether because the page looks so very different.
I attach screen grabs of the different looks of the two pages.... the open page cannot be reduced enough to show all the sections on the grab....
If you have by chance "closed" the bulb section, might this be the answer?
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Weird problem:
When I start the forum website I sometimes (like today) miss on the front page the section with bulbs ( Crocus, Bulbs General etc.)
I use Firefox.
The home page for the forum is:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/
I wonder if you get any different results by clicking on that link, compared to how you currently navigate to the forum. I wondered if auto complete was tacking stuff on when you typed in the URL - anyway keep an eye on the URL/address at the top of the browser.
Type SRGC forum into Google and the top result today takes you straight to the old forum...
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I'm getting fed up with BT Yahoo broadband going on and off in recent days, usually when I'm trying to look at pics on the forum. Anyone else on BT Yahoo and been having problems recently with losing their broadband then having it come back on again, then off again? I'm wondering if it's a denial of service attack by hackers, or some other problem with the BT servers. Whatever it is, it's getting veryy annoying!
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We lost our broadband the other day for several hours, Martin...we're on BTYahoo. I HOPE it is not going to become an ongoing problem. :-\
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I wonder if Firefox is pulling the front page from a version where you had the Bulb section "closed", that is to say, only showing the heading not the list of threads? It would be easy to overlook that section if that were the case. I have all the sections marked open all the time, and when I just closed them all to see what the page looked like, I discover that it would be easy to miss out some sections altogether because the page looks so very different.
I attach screen grabs of the different looks of the two pages.... the open page cannot be reduced enough to show all the sections on the grab....
If you have by chance "closed" the bulb section, might this be the answer?
Maggi, when I just now came in I saw at the Bulb section a + instead of a -, I tried to open on a new screen and this worked o.k. (I always use My Favorites to go to the Forum directly!)
But when I tried again by using My Favorites to open I got the same error.
Then I tried to come in via Google to SRGC and opened the New Forum, but at Bulb the + was there too.
I solved the problem now by deleting the Favorite and making a new Favorite.
So far it works o.k. now.
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No problems I'm aware of here in the East Midlands of England with BTYahoo going off and on........although saying this is probably tempting fate :(
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It was tempting fate :'( :'( :'( Dial up would be faster than BT broadband tonight!
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A other question from me :
I have subscribe before some time also on the blog of Grimsaw .....but I get never any updates
Can anybody give me a advice what I have to do ?
Thank you
Hans
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My BT Yahoo broadband is still on the blink. Keep losing the connection, especially at busy times (e.g. wet weekends) for domestic web surfing (all the teenagers at home and on their 'puters). A nice gentleman in a call centre on the sub-continent tried to get me examining my phone sockets to see what they look like! And the other day I had an email from BT Yahoo saying they'd been working to IMPROVE the broadband signal in our area, and asking local customers to use their broadband as much as possible to to help settle the system in and improve your connection - how is that supposed to work?!! I wonder if the people at BT Yahoo just make it all up as they go along.
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They probably do! Was the guy called Reg or Dave and professed to know a lot about Coronation Street? ;D
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And now that it's Saturday night, and lots of people will have gone out, surprise, surprise...the connection is much more reliable, as it was during the week. I'm wondering if the local telephone exchange just isn't coping with the growth in broadband useage.
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I was helping a friend with a problem when their BT broadband was not working. On the fourth call to the sub continent after being asked to perform the same checks again and again and being told it was our equipment I came up with the solution.
You call the cancellation line and amazingly get through to a person in this country. They then discovered that India had not refreshed its screens and actually the system was down!! It was repaired a couple of hours later.
They only work to a script and always assume it is the users fault.
I left BT who I have to say I was happy with but got a better package from Virgin and I now phone the same person in India. Virgin are total crap at service,there just isn't any.
My Belkin router was a problem and they are the same.
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I have demon broadband. Around Xmas it stated to play up, going off completely for a few hours in the evening, some days of the week.
I got through to technical support in a far off land, I was pretty fed up with their response "get a new modem because if we send an engineer it will cost you 130 quid if there's nothing wrong with the line". No explanation, no attempt to understand the problem.
But it worked. My modem had not been updated since 2002, I guess that it was not compatible with newer systems.
I'm not suggesting a new modem would help anyone else, there are loads of reasons why broadband speeds may be poor.
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Fixed the broadband problem. New modem sorted it. Only had trouble after BT Yahoo made changes to "improve" the local broadband provision, so they must have made changes that weren't compatible with my old modems (wired and wireless) but they said nothing in their email about the changes to suggest that people with older modems might have problems. But then saying that would, I guess, admit the problems were caused by their actions.
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HELP!!!! Now my latest problem is that my main work laptop has crashed and I'm getting a black screen message that says Windows can't restart because a system file is missing or corrupted. It suggests using the Windows XP Home Edition installation CD to try to repair the file, by inserting the CD and clicking repair.
But all my computers had windows factory installed, so no installation CDs ! Is my simplest answer to buy the latest Windows XP Home Edition CD I can find on Amazon (i.e. with service pack 3) and use that to repair the system? And will that affect my files and settings? I have a lot of work stuff backed up to an external drive, but not all my latest stuff that I was working on when the laptop crashed.
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Martin when they are supplied without back up cd's they usually have a restore partition which can bring the system back up without losing data. I think pressing f8 as the pc starts will bring the option up if it exists
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Computer active forums are great at giving advice. Free advice, the magazine itself which the forum is based on is the top selling computer magazine in the UK so they are very good with helping with computer problems. It may be worth stepping outside the SRG forum for this.
Hope that useful see link-http://forums.computeractive.co.uk/ (http://forums.computeractive.co.uk/) The register link for the forum is underneath the log in box , its with in a short paragraph entitled 'welcome to the forums'. Before clicking register link there is another link in the same paragraph which tells you how to register correctly- The link says 'here' . If you do this as I say it makes it easier to register. They will take about 1 day to confirm your entry into the forum as they need to check you are legitimate.
Hope this is useful for someone even if not for the problems above.
David.
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Reposting this from another thread: Re the viewing of oversized photos on the forum
Re: Podophyllum flowering
« Reply #39 on: Today at 02:59:18 PM »
Q Quote from: Maggi Young on June 03, 2010, 02:38:30 PM
Quote from: Lesley Cox on June 03, 2010, 04:25:37 AM
These are quite magnificent Philip but can you downsize them so that they can be viewed across the page without scrolling and only a bit visisible at a time?
We generally suggest a pic size of around 760 x 500 pixels to maximise viewing ease on the forum but if bigger photos are loaded there is a way to see the whole picture... albeit one which will reduce the text size to miniscule Roll Eyes Lips sealed
If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse......
Hold down the Ctrl key/button (likely to be found bottom let of your keypad ) and scroll the wheel towards you... the picture will reduce. reverse the action to retrun to "normal" size.
If you do not have a scroll wheel on your mouse......
Hold down the Ctrl button and repeatedly press the minus key (it produces - and _ and is to the right of the 0 key)
and then Ctrl and the plus key (+=) to return.
Still a pfaff but easier than getting to the foot of the page and scrolling for these large pix.
I am reporting on some "interesting results" trying these computer screen size manipulations... different results for Internet Explorer 8.x and Firefox 3.x web browsers. These key-sequences are useful to know about, as a workaround to large photos on screen that require scrolling, but be aware of the caveats. It is still best that forumists use the SRGC image sizing guidelines.
1. When resizing using either method to see the entire overly large photo, your browser will keep this "zoom level" permanently, even if closing and then restarting the browser. The text does indeed get very small; the smaller text-size captions under the photos become too small to read. And in general, the reduced size text gets light and fuzzy looking. It will be necessary to use the reverse Ctrl button sequence, to get back to your original zoom level. It is not immediately apparent what the "original" zoom level was if one doesn't pay attention to how many clicks were used to enlarge or zoom in the first place, particularly true if one uses the scroll wheel option where you really can't count clicks. I don't know if there is a "home" of "back to original" zoom level, one just has to use the Ctrl key sequences to get back to "what looks right".
2. Different browsers work differently. In Firefox 3.x, resizing the screen zoom level for the SRGC Forum worked to just apply that change to the SRGC Forum destination. If I click on the NARGS Forum, or any other destination, the zoom level is unaffected. In Internet Explorer 8.x, resizing the screen zoom level for the SRGC Forum had the undesirable effect of resizing the zoom level on all "tabs" or destinations; not good. There might be a setting for controlling how separate "tabs" in Internet Explorer behave, but this appears to be the "default" behavior.
So, if you use these Ctrl key sequences, be careful... count the number of clicks used to change the display size to be able to reverse the setting afterward, or make a mental note of how the SRCG Forum looks at its original size, so that you can get back to that size after viewing the large images. If you use different web browsers, or even different versions of the two browsers I mention, who knows what the effects might be.
By the way Maggi, I had no idea about what "pfaff" meant. It appears to be British slang, and an alternate spelling for "faff". Huh Roll Eyes
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pfaff
(British, slang) Alternative spelling of faff.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/faff
perhaps more universally used:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/kludge
« Last Edit: Today at 03:04:18 PM by TheOnionMan »
Hope this is useful to some re outsize pix but, the main instruction remains, please keep photos to a maximum of 760 pixels wide for the forum!!
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In IE8 View->Zoom->100% to get back to normality.
The view menu can also be brought up with ALT+V
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Anyone have an HP printer that uses a Code 363 black ink cartridge? I've bought the wrong one for my printer (Mrs N is most displeased as I took it out of the packaging and PC World will not take it back :-[ ) So, I have one available, it cost me £14.96 but if anyone can make use of it for a tenner I'll pay the postage.
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Not a problem any longer. The said Mrs N took it back to PC World and refused to leave the shop until they replaced it with the correct cartridge. Formidable woman is Mrs N where money is concerned :P
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Not a problem any longer. The said Mrs N took it back to PC World and refused to leave the shop until they replaced it with the correct cartridge. Formidable woman is Mrs N where money is concerned :P
So glad I don't owe her anything, David ... I have enough problems with my own little finance officer!!! ;D
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Not a problem any longer. The said Mrs N took it back to PC World and refused to leave the shop until they replaced it with the correct cartridge. Formidable woman is Mrs N where money is concerned :P
So glad I don't owe her anything, David ... I have enough problems with my own little finance officer!!! ;D
Cliff, aren't we lucky blokes ;D
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Not a problem any longer. The said Mrs N took it back to PC World and refused to leave the shop until they replaced it with the correct cartridge. Formidable woman is Mrs N where money is concerned :P
See us women always get things done, sometimes we come in handy...well done Mrs N.
Angie :)
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Could someone explain what the Smiley means next to the thread "my oxalis garden"thanks bye Ray
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Could someone explain what the Smiley means next to the thread "my oxalis garden"thanks bye Ray
^ _ ^ ...... it's just that, Ray: a smiley face. Dabi is from Taiwan and I assume it is their version of our "colon bracket" ... :)
And, as Mark says below... it is possible to put an emoticon on a new topic heading .... :D
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Could someone explain what the Smiley means next to the thread "my oxalis garden"thanks bye Ray
^ _ ^ ...... it's just that, Ray: a smiley face. Dabi is from Taiwan and I assume it is their version of our "colon bracket" ... :)
I was wondering this too, how does one get a smiley face into the listing of topics? Never noticed the dropdown list, when creating a new topic, that allows one to select an "emoticon" image. Now I know. 8)
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My saved link to bring me to the site takes me directly to the forum page. From there I click "Show unread posts since last visit" and then survey what has been posted. However, this link hardly ever works on the first visit of any day. It does work on subsequent visits.
Any thoughts?
Paddy
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My saved link to bring me to the site takes me directly to the forum page. From there I click "Show unread posts since last visit" and then survey what has been posted. However, this link hardly ever works on the first visit of any day. It does work on subsequent visits.
Any thoughts?
Paddy
I use the same approach Paddy, but I don't encounter your problem. Do you log off after each visit? I simply remain logged on all the time and don't suffer at all. (Until now, of course ... :D).
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Well there you go,wasn't such a stupid question afterall.bye Ray
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Security Tool - virus or ...
I have somehow ppicked up the Security Tool pop up virus and following lots of internet instructions on how to remove it I cant find it on my computer. I've got as far as stopping it with the task manager.
Have you had it in the past?
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I had one a couple of years ago that was a virus masquerading as a security tool. Took me ages to get rid of it.
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I'm scared to shut down the computer in case it comes up again
My experience is
I dont know how it sneaked on to the computer. I have AVG anti virus and its up to date
the virus is very smart and kicks in within seconds of the icons appearing on the desktop
it blocks everything from opening including antivirus scans
you can stop it opening if you are very quick and start task manager before Security Tool opens. In task manager click on Security Tool and click end task. It took me a few goes of restarting the computer to get task manager open
This gives you access to everything except your desk top icons
I then installed microsoft security essentials and the free Malwarebytes. The latter found the virus first and via that I deleted the virus I hope
Despite following youtube tutorials my computer couldnt find the 8 digit.exe number of the virus
I've been using my computer all day but with task manager still on
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Mark, this insidious virus can be very bad, the hardest part is that there are many forms of it out there, it is forever changing. So, when you find directions describing which file names are the bad files, the file names can be different in your system. My daughter had this happen on her computer twice, and happen on my wife's computer once (my daughter using my wife's computer). I managed to clean the virus off twice, each time virus files were different than what those listed in the "clean up recipes". The last time she got the virus, it was such a malicious version, that the virus kept coming back, eventually it tainting at least one or more Windows XP system files causing it to not be able to login anymore. I finally had to bring the computer into my previous office and "re-image" the entire computer (computer "imaging" is like formatting the disk and applying a fresh base install of the operating system and all system updates), I then installed all software applications from scratch, and AVG once again.
My daughter had caught the virus each time by visiting a website for sharing artwork, she's no longer allowed to go to that site, and must think hard about the types of activities she does on the internet. Obviously that site she had been visiting was hacked and one can get a virus (in a new iteration of a virus, newer than what any virus-detection software might know about any given day), but after she was without a computer for about 3 months, she now has a greater concept of "safe computing". But, their remain lots of places one can get viruses, even hacked plant websites (I've found a few in my day, thankfully my virus-protection software warned me), and the WORST are Facebook "apps"... the whole concept of Facebook "apps" that anyone can write and make available to others, completely negates the world of virus-protection and opens the floodgates of virus possibilities.... just google: facebook virus applications to get a sense of the threat. If you really want to see one of my rants, get me going on this nonsense called Facebook (I do however, have a Facebook account).
Sorry to hear you have a virus, there's nothing worse (computer-wise) these days than getting a bad virus, such a useless waste of everyone's time and waste of resources, I don't know what inspires idiotic hackers to write this junk. I do hope you're able to get this cleaned up and back into safe-computing mode soon.
Now, even though I constantly espouse my matra of "safe computing", I do know just how easy it is to get a virus, it only takes a split second visiting an infected web page, and I suppose to some degree, I've been lucky so far. At my prior place of work, in the IT group for 350 people, we had viruses hit (despite having enterprise level virus protection) and within minutes the virus spread thoughout the network infecting nearly all computers, putting the company's network and users out of business for 2-3 days while we worked frantically to clean it up. The potential for virus risk remains huge... I'll do what I can to offer some tips for staying virus-free.
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My saved link to bring me to the site takes me directly to the forum page. From there I click "Show unread posts since last visit" and then survey what has been posted. However, this link hardly ever works on the first visit of any day. It does work on subsequent visits.
Any thoughts?
Paddy
I use the same approach Paddy, but I don't encounter your problem. Do you log off after each visit? I simply remain logged on all the time and don't suffer at all. (Until now, of course ... :D).
Cliff, No, I never log off simply move along to another site and come back to the SRGC when I wish. All is OK after the first visit of the day. Subsequent visits will allow me to use the "Show unread posts..." option.
It's not a great inconvenience but sometimes is a nuisance.
Paddy
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I come in every day by clicking the action=unread link on my address tool bar. It works everytime
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This morning there is no sign of the Security Tool virus
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I come in every day by clicking the action=unread link on my address tool bar. It works everytime
Paddy;
There is a possibility of the link you're using being redirected, thus the server thinks your first visit of the day is in fact your second - so could you try bookmarking and using Mark's link to see if it helps?
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=unread
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Certainly worth a try.
Paddy
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secure memory stick with finger print recognition
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=104331&PHPSESSID=235f3e1795c607aa8d52687883f68fd8 (http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=104331&PHPSESSID=235f3e1795c607aa8d52687883f68fd8)
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I cant find my copy of Microsoft Front Page. Does anyone own copy?
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digital SLR for £210 get in quick. Argos on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360285107982 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360285107982)
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I cant find my copy of Microsoft Front Page. Does anyone own copy?
I do.
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How does one select an object in a picture and make the background disappear so it can be placed over a different background without having a white square round the object? E.g. say I found a picture of Nemo with a white backgound, I would like to make the background clear so I can insert it into another picture. So far, I can do it but he remains in a white square. I can crudely draw round in Paint so the background is lost in Paint but copy and paste into PowerPoint and the white square reappears.
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Anthony,
It would depend upon which computer porgramme you have available - do you have a copy of Photoshop (an old one would do), or perhaps Photoshop Elements? If so, then import into the programme, use the magic wand tool to select the background, invert the selection and create a new layer with the image. This could then be imported into a new file with a transparent background. It takes longer to describe than to do if you have a plain background as you describe.
That's one way (there's generally several in Photoshop). If you have that programme and need more detailed instructions, let me know and I could go thorough the process step-by-step for you.
Peter
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How does one select an object in a picture and make the background disappear so it can be placed over a different background without having a white square round the object? E.g. say I found a picture of Nemo with a white backgound, I would like to make the background clear so I can insert it into another picture. So far, I can do it but he remains in a white square. I can crudely draw round in Paint so the background is lost in Paint but copy and paste into PowerPoint and the white square reappears.
Peter is of course correct that the best way to do it is in Picture editing software such as Photoshop.
There is a way of doing it in Powerpoint, depending on the type of image. It won't work well for a photo which has lots of colours but it will work for a cartoon style picture which has the background in one colour.
Import the image into Powerpoint. Click on the image to highlight it, and the Picture toolbar will then appear floating if it is not already available on your toolbars. On the right side of the Picture toolbar is something that looks like a pen in a corner. Hover your mouse over it and it says "Set transparent colour". If the icon is "greyed out" then the picture is in the wrong format and it will not work. If the icon is available, click on it and your cursor will turn into that same pen shape. Click on your background and it will be rendered transparent. It will only work for one colour in your image.
Here I've done it with this fuchsia image
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Thanks Peter & Diane. I don't have Photoshop, but tried Diane's method. Wow! Instant result. Thanks. 8)
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Thanks Peter & Diane. I don't have Photoshop, but tried Diane's method. Wow! Instant result. Thanks. 8)
Glad you sorted it, Anthony. The Powerpoint method is quicker and neater than doing it in Photoshop but it doesn't always work depending on the file type of your image.
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Could someone give me advice...I am having problems attaching pictures using my iPad. When I press additional options nothing shows. As I have said before not very good with computers it's probally something I am doing wrong but any help would be appreciated.
Angie :)
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Angie, one way to send a photo from iPad is to open the photo in your photo Album (double click on it in an album ) and then use the arrow in the top left corner that offers you the option to send an email with the photo attached -not sure if you can do multiples - I do find that it is often difficult to do the simplest of things in iPad but one has to remember it is not a computer! Good luck Robin :)
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I'm giving a talk tonight, and Monday, but my laptop will not turn on >:(
Will my powerpoint talk work on any laptop?
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As long as the version of PPT is not old.
I traditionally use a Mac prodcued PPT on PC's
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I'm giving a talk tonight, and Monday, but my laptop will not turn on >:(
Will my powerpoint talk work on any laptop?
Mark, depending on whether your images are embedded or linked, be sure to package up your presentation to ensure you have no missing photos when the PPT is displayed on another computer. Of course your target computer will also new Powerpoint installed or a Powerpoint Viewer utility.
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Thanks for the input. I borrowed, after many phone calls, a laptop with powerpoint.
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I know this is a stupid enquiry but my computer running on Vista Home Premium just won't accept any blank discs I use and tells me they need formatting. Fine, the Microsoft website tells me to insert the disc and when the dialogue box comes up to click on a particular phrase. Trouble is no dialogue box comes up and Microsost seem to want to charge me to find an answer. Can anyone help? I admit to being only semi literate when it comes to computers so words of one syllable only please :-[
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Hi Shelagh,
Are we referring to CD'S or DVD'S?
Some CD players will not accept or even recognise + or - designated CD's in the inappropriate player.
Please check which player you have and see if you are using the correct discs?
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Hi Cliff, its a DVD disc writer and the disc I want to use is a DVD+R. I wouldn't mind but it has let me use CD-R discs in May this year to back up programmes but now it won't even let me use those either. Same message 'not recognised must format'.
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Hi Cliff, its a DVD disc writer and the disc I want to use is a DVD+R. I wouldn't mind but it has let me use CD-R discs in May this year to back up programmes but now it won't even let me use those either. Same message 'not recognised must format'.
Shelagh, can you confirm that you actually have a CDrom/DVD drive? There are many combinations of these, and depending when you bought your computer and what options you went for, it is possible to get a computer with a CDrom drive only (doesn't read DVD), or a combo CD/DVD drive that allows read & write capabilities on CD, but only allows "read" on DVDs, and there are drives that allow "read" and "write" on both CD and DVD. And, there is one more possibility. My Dell computer is 3-1/2 yrs old now, I bought it with the CD/DVD combo for read/write on both, but it shipped with software that only enabled CD read/white and DVD-read... I needed to find a software update or program (purchased an update for $30 US) that allowed the DVD-write capability... must have been a fine print situation ::)
So, the first thing to do, is try to find out what your computer shipped with or what hardware components are installed, you can look at the "Device Manager" which lists details about all installed hardware components. I can't give you specific directions where to find "Device Manager" under Windows Vista, I don't have that operating system; at home between my wife and I we have Windows XP and the newest Windows 7.
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If you're trying to write to a blank writable DVD, I think you either use dedicated software like Nero which has to be installed, and launched from Start->Programs.
Or, drag the files you want to write to the icon for the DVD drive in My Computer and then eventually right click it and select the option to burn the disc - this is the disc writing facility built into Windows. I think this only works on CD for XP, no idea at what stage it was extended to DVDs.
If that doesn't help, what are you trying to do, and what are you doing when the message about formatting appears.
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OK Thank you Mark and David. Mark I'm not sure I even understand the one syllable explanation but I will get on to it.
David I have Nero (an invaluable tool) but that too has been over-ridden (not sure if that's a word) also tried drag and drop and no go there either.
I think I may have to save to a stick and then plug that in my old PC and transfer to disc there, it's just such a fag when the laptop has a disc drive that only reads things. >:(
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Hi Shelagh, maybe you need to update the driver.
You can at least check to see if there is a newer driver available.
Perhaps yours has been corrupted.
If you decide to try, here are the instructions.
Upgrade the device driver.
================
Note: It is recommended that totally remove the previous driver before this.
1. Click Start, right click Computer and choose Properties.
2. Click Device Manager.
3. Navigate to your DVD drive.
4. Right click on it and choose “Update Driver Software”.
5. If the issue persists, please try to uninstall this device and restart the computer. Vista will detect this device automatically.
Can't hurt to try, good luck. :)
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Shelagh, my new advice is to find someone, a computer-savvy friend perhaps, or a service, that can help you out. Attempting to delete device drivers and reinstalling hardware device drivers should not be attempted by someone who is not more comfortable and experienced with the ins and outs of computers.
Step ONE: verify the type of CD/DVD drive you have; check your initial sales invoice or packing slip. If there is an "RW" after the DVD name, then it is a Read/Write capable one, not all of them are, some combo CD/DVD drives will only "read" or view the contents of a DVD but not write to them. If your CD/DVD drive will only view or "read" DVDs, but not capable to actually "write" to a DVD, then it is futile to attempt writing to a DVD.
So first step, is to learn what type of CD/DVD drive you have.
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I'd lilke more detail on exactly what is being done and what the error messages are.
The question I always ask, which no one ever knows the answer to, is "what changed", you know it once worked and now it doesn't, so what happened.
Anyone on the spot knows a lot more than ever comes out in an email or phone call.
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I have never had much luck with the search button on the forum. Today I entered "Lycoris" and "Re: Lycoris 2011" did not appear anywhere.
Am I doing something wrong?
johnw
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I have never had much luck with the search button on the forum. Today I entered "Lycoris" and "Re: Lycoris 2011" did not appear anywhere.
Do you first click Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum > General Subjects > General Forum > Computer problems and/or advice
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Mark - I entered the Lycoris search on whatever page I was on in Recent Posts. The search did successfully grab Lycoris topics from other Subjects but not the most recent one - i.e. 2011.
johnw
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If you searched for Lycoris 'in messages', as I just did, there are two pages of results, the 2011 thread was
second in the options.
If you searched for Lycoris 'in topic subjects only" then the 2011 thread was third in the pageful of options.
???
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Seen on a other forum working with SMF © 2006-2011, Simple Machines LLC
If you click on Notify
it changes in unnotify
I don't know how to change it here
maybe a trick ???
Roland
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Roland, in this Forum if you click on the "Notify" button you will get a box that offers you the choice to notify or disable notification of the topic. As you say, there is no change to the menu at the top of each page. We have no plans to try to alter that!
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Hello Maggie
I just mean the button changed from notify in unnotify
see pictures
Roland
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I know what you meant Roland. Iwas just saying that our forum is a little different and how our one worked, in case anyone else did not know. :)
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I just found it very useful on the other forum
you see direct if you are notified or not without clicking
and thought it was a improvement if it was possible here
Roland
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I've got this really crazy problem where my screen loses all the red tints, goes off and on. Is it the flat screen I've got or something else? Any ideas most welcome.
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wiggle the connecting lead at both ends...
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No joy.
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Any chance of using another monitor or computer (or lead) to isolate which end is causing the problem.
It can be that both the computer and monitor offer an analogue connection as well as a digital DVI one, if you're lucky you get both leads and can change to the other system.
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I'll check this out Dave. Thanks. Not sure if I have a cable the same or not, but I know someone who might. But on the whole I reckon I'd better invest in a new monitor, this one was given to me by a friend some time ago.
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Dave, I just found out, after spending £80 (ouch) on the new monitor, that the port or (whatever its called that the monitor plugs into) is faulty. Switched to the other port and hey presto, I've got red colour again. Isn't it amazing! Guess I'll keep the old monitor just in case.
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Sorry to hear that, it's how it goes, I've still not got over buying a new TV and then working out what was wrong with the old one.
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And now I realise that all the new monitors are wide screen and my graphics card doesn't support that format, so I'm back to the old monitor. Am in the throes of returning the monitor I bought, hoping to get my money back. What a fiasco.
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Thinking about changing my computer, like me, this one is getting past it's sell-by date.
Present spec. Pentium 4. CPU 3.06GHz. RAM 440Kb (not that I really understand all that) but I do know it's pretty slow.
Present Broadband connection-allegedly upto 5mbps on ADSL which I think is the current maximum I can get on our exchange. At 8.30PM I did a speed test and was getting Download: 0.38Mbps, Upload: 0.39Mbps. Again , sounds like I know what I'm talking about!
I shall go for a lap top to give me a bit more flexibility (the best I can get for the cash I shall have available probably from PC World). Would like a Mac but can't afford it. Thing is it will be wireless ready (my current computer isn't) and I intend to try to screw a free router out of Virgin Media. Am I likely to have a speedier connection than through the current ADSL line-I don't understand the processes at all?
HELP, please ???
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ADSL which I think is the current maximum I can get on our exchange. At 8.30PM I did a speed test and was getting Download: 0.38Mbps, Upload: 0.39Mbps. Again , sounds like I know what I'm talking about!
I shall go for a lap top
The A in ADSL stands for Asymmetric, download is supposed to be much faster than upload. Not much sign of that above. But 8.30 PM is probably when all your neighbours with whom you are sharing bandwidth are busy using the web.
I find the screen on my lappie is not as good as on the desktop machine, makes judging photos difficult. It's also not as easy to type on, and after 18 months one key is starting to stick and I presume this means a new computer. OTOH the laptop is wonderfully convenient. Battery life is a joke, it's really a portable computer.
You can stick Linux on any new machine - I'm finding Google Chrome plus Linux quite usable. Gets away from the horrors of Windows.
I believe wire has more bandwidth than wireless, but at the connection speed you mention above there's not going to be any problem. If all your neighbours are on wireless you can probably tap into their faster connections 8-)
Only thoughts.
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David - save your pennies & buy a Mac. I think I've said this before!
Incidentally, I'm lucky to get 0.5Mbps irrespective of the time of day - so much for 'Digital Britain'. BT accepts no responsibility. However, my ISP (Namesco) is quite attentive & gave me a free router when the old one began to misbehave.
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David - save your pennies & buy a Mac. I think I've said this before!
I can only echo Gerry, David (and you will hear it from others)!
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According to an online speed test my download is just under 8 mbps and upload is just under 1 mbps
Sky have been very good with me. Their router was acting up so the sent a new one next day. More recently I spent almost an hour on the phone - free - because my desk top couldnt recognise the router. Sorted
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Not from me :)
Windows and MacOS have their die-hard followers and neither is right or wrong or better. I love my Windows 7.
David, your ADSL comes down your copper telephone wire and the maximum speed is determined by the distance from the central office. Unless you have access to fiber or cable then that is what you are stuck with. 5MPS is respectable for download but not if you are getting a tenth of that. They either marketed rather enthusiastically or you have a problem. Here I have 30MPS down and up over fiber optic and that is the minimum speed I get constantly. Didn't they dig up the streets of Britain a few years ago and lay fiber everywhere - before repaving with gold? On your existing computer your CPU won't be limiting but your 440KB isn't RAM - that comes in multiples of 256MB. Adding lots more RAM to an older machine is by far the most cost effective way of dramatically increasing performance, if you have the capacity. I have 12GB - and I don't live in Texas. I would expect your ISP to give you a free wireless router - make sure it has the 802.11n standard - it is faster and has better range than predecessors and is backwards compatible with g/b/a. A new laptop should be wireless-ready with a built-in 802.11n chip. You'll always get less bang for your buck with a laptop because every component has to be smaller and lighter - so be sure you really need the portability.
John
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According to an online speed test my download is just under 8 mbps and upload is just under 1 mbps
Sky have been very good with me. Their router was acting up so the sent a new one next day. More recently I spent almost an hour on the phone - free - because my desk top couldnt recognise the router. Sorted
Why is that very good? Their router broke so they gave you a new one. Isn't that what you pay for?
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Windows or Mac?......this argument will go on forever.
I used Windows since the days of 3.1 up to the Millenium edition. Having had 3 major crashes and umpteen minor crashes, I decided 7 years ago to go with Mac. Would I ever buy another Windows PC? Absolutely not.
Are Macs virus free? Absolutely not......but they are a lot less likely to be infected than a PC.
Is there far more software available for Windows than Mac? Unquestionably.........but why does anyone need that much software. All the 'required' software is usually available for both platforms anyway.
They are a lot like cars. Do you want bells and whistles or reliability? From my experience, Mac's operating system is far more reliable than Windows.
You pay your money, you take your choice.
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I agree with John, adding more memory to the computer is far better in this case than getting a new one. Older types of memory are dead cheap and increase the performance tremendously. Unless David really wants to be more flexible in where he can go on the internet and really wants a laptop.
Wireless however in densely populated areas also has its disadvantages if many neighbors use the same router model or the cheaper stuff provided by ISP's as most pick the same default channel to work on. This give interference and restricts the range in which the router works so try to be "different" to your neighbours or ask the technician to manually configure the router to use a less used channel. Tools like Network Stumbler can scan the neighbourhood to see what channels are most used by the neighbors.
As for ADSL speed, the speeds ISP advertise with are theoretical speeds, they are not assured speeds and are rarely if ever met. Cable gets closer to the promised speeds, also because it does not have to cope with the distance problem John talks about. But lets face it, the limiting factor on the internet generally is not the download speed at the end-users side but the upload speed of the website you are visiting.
@David, the OS of Apple is basically based on Linux. It is the most user friendly distribution I know but Windows 7 is just as stable, I work with both but do not think one is better than the other. All other Linux distributions in my view are still more aimed at the tweaker, not the day2day user. Trying to get good drivers is often a problem as well as manually configuring things.
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Windows or Mac?......this argument will go on forever.
I used Windows since the days of 3.1 up to the Millenium edition. Having had 3 major crashes and umpteen minor crashes, I decided 7 years ago to go with Mac. Would I ever buy another Windows PC? Absolutely not.
Are Macs virus free? Absolutely not......but they are a lot less likely to be infected than a PC.
Is there far more software available for Windows than Mac? Unquestionably.........but why does anyone need that much software. All the 'required' software is usually available for both platforms anyway.
They are a lot like cars. Do you want bells and whistles or reliability? From my experience, Mac's operating system is far more reliable than Windows.
You pay your money, you take your choice.
Alan, you are comparing an old Windows version with Mac OS-X. Only if you would compare using Windows 7 with using Mac OS-X you would make a correct comparison. But I doubt the conclusion would be the same. Apple and Microsoft both react fast to new viruses and exploits so have learned their lessons and in my experience they are equally stable. Main argument against Max OS-X is the fact it is a single supplier which adds to the cost, often Apple costs too much for what it is offering.
Interesting link for this comparison: http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/snow-leopard-vs-windows-7.aspx
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David, your ADSL comes down your copper telephone wire and the maximum speed is determined by the distance from the central office.
This is not "distance" in the normal sense of the word as BT told me when I complained about the speed I was getting. I live less than 1 mile from the exchange. The speed my next door neighbour gets is an order of magnitude greater than mine.
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Not from me :)
On your existing computer your CPU won't be limiting but your 440KB isn't RAM
I have 12GB
I thought the 440K might have been CPU cache memory. Windows comes in two versions 32 and 64 bits - that is another decision to take. 32 bit only lets you address 4GB of memory. I'm not up to date on if 32bit Win can make effective use of more than 4GB - it seems applications at least will be limited.
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Unless David is considering a second career in x-ray crystallography, 4GB of RAM will be tons for pretty much anything he wants to do. 32 bit Windows nominally has a capacity for 4GB RAM but can actually only address 3.5GB. That said, I don't know why anyone in this day and age would choose to get a new machine with a 32bit OS.
I guess there are 3 types of speed then - the normal one, the one that makes you stay awake and is illegal, and the BT one.
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That said, I don't know why anyone in this day and age would choose to get a new machine with a 32bit OS.
Maybe because they have hardware which only has 32 bit drivers available.
32 bit applications will run on 64 bit Windows - but limited to addressing 32 bits worth of memory i.e. 4GB worth, although a lot of 32 bit software is limited to 2GB.
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I hope none of you guys are swearing, cos I haven't the faintest idea what language you are using..... :-X :-[
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The swearing comes later, after David gets his new machine.
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The swearing comes later, after David gets his new machine.
That I can well believe. ;)
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I'll try to respond later, I need to read all your posts again (and again) there's lots I don't understand.
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Windows or Mac
OK I appreciate the arguments. My son works in the Press/Media industry and Mac is standard for the industry. Lots I need to spend money on this year so I'm going for Windows on cost alone.
Lap Top or not
I favoured Lap top to give myself some flexibility, not sure now given some of the comments, may stick to a desktop.
Cable service
No cable services in my area and not expected to be for some years I'm told. I'm 0.4 miles away from our Telephone Exchange, of course the wires will be longer than that. Tried another speed test at 1955 today:- Download 1.61Mbps. Upload 0.24Mbps. I think neighbours on either side are on wireless connections, both are passworded as my son tried to access a wireless network this weekend whilst he was at home for a few days and couldn't get one.
My System Spec
I looked on System Properties for my kit and this is what it said:- Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz
3.06GHz, 448MB of RAM
Various geographical areas in the UK are getting government funding to increase Broadband speeds. My area is one of them so eventually I might have a better service available.
So, from what's been said so far, as I understand it, I have two options really
a) go for a new system either Laptop or Desktop, whatever suits me, with wireless connection, or
b) have some extra RAM added to my existing kit and put up with a slow connection
bits
I didn't understand the "bits" arguments at all, if I go for a new system am I going to be asked how many "bits" I want?
All comments welcomed but please take into account, in my case, it's an imbecile reading them ;D
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David
It all depends on what you use the computer for. If all you do is surf the net and email, there is no need to update.
I have a desktop that I built back in 2000, pentium 3, 760mHZ, 512 Kb RAM. 160GB hard Drive It does the job of surfing and emailing just fine.
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All new hardware is 64 bit capable. The 64 bits refer to the maximum amount of memory that can be used. The 32/64 bit thing is to do with software. Probably you need not worry.
If you're offered both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows that is better than just 32 bits.
Don't expect to be able to use more than 4GB of memory on 32 bit Windows.
If you get 64 bits be prepared for driver problems - printers, scanners that type of thing.
Adding more memory to your current machine would make things substantially better.
Thing about upgrading is the cost versus that of a new machine - how much is a cheap laptop today, looks to me that less than 300 quid gets you 2GB memory and Windows 7.
I had one other laptop thought, I got a 15.6" one, and I found that was big enough, both for visibility and for weight/size.
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Thing about upgrading is the cost versus that of a new machine - how much is a cheap laptop today, looks to me that less than 300 quid gets you 2GB memory and Windows 7.
Given that it is a Pentium 4 he would need the older DDR memory types and with the current low memory prices it will probably cost ~35 GBP to upgrade to 4 GB memory. David N. probably can't insert the modules himself or know the correct type of memory modules but if he takes the computer to the shop they will do it for him, it's 2 minutes work. It is the cheapest option for him to have increased computer performance. It all depends on the question why he thinks his computer set up no longer suffices and if he wants to be more flexible through a laptop. His internet speed won't change anyway no matter what he does on the computer side.
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Does any of you use any of these? I have "Win Maximiser" which finds and removes 70 - 100 errors every time I switch the computer on, yet when I try one of these 'malware' removers hundreds more are found, and then they suggest you pay then a zillion quid to fix the problem! I have just used the free scan on "Speedy PC Pro" and it says I have 4677 problems, but then asks me to buy their product. Are there any free to use versions?
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Does any of you use any of these? I have "Win Maximiser" which finds and removes 70 - 100 errors every time I switch the computer on, yet when I try one of these 'malware' removers hundreds more are found, and then they suggest you pay then a zillion quid to fix the problem! I have just used the free scan on "Speedy PC Pro" and it says I have 4677 problems, but then asks me to buy their product. Are there any free to use versions?
Most of the "problems" are probably just tracking cookies and not serious. Try Spybot Search and Destroy. It's a free malware removal tool that will scan your computer and remove a lot of stuff like that.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
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Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-aware are top of the hill free anti malware programs, although not as good as they used to be. By the way, both of these have knock off bad malware programs with similar names: (just)spybot, adaware(no dash(-)). Better, in my opinion is Malwarebytes:
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
Be suspicious of those that offer free scans and then ask you to buy to rid you of something they found. As said, often it's not that important, but sometimes these are rogue programs that actually upload bad things into your computer and then want you to pay to remove them.
It's actually a good idea to have two (or more) anti malware programs, as one might catch something another might miss.
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Thanks guys. I'll try them both, if that's what you suggest. Belt and braces. My granddad would be proud of me (he never went anywhere without his raincoat). 8)
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My daughter's Dell laptop required a new battery earlier this year, so I bought her one that was a little more heavy duty. Recently it has started playing up and although it works when plugged into the mains, the battery doesn't seem to charge up and comes up with a message saying "zero % available, plugged in not charging" when she hovers the cursor over the battery symbol.
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My daughter's Dell laptop required a new battery earlier this year, so I bought her one that was a little more heavy duty. Recently it has started playing up and although it works when plugged into the mains, the battery doesn't seem to charge up and comes up with a message saying "zero % available, plugged in not charging" when she hovers the cursor over the battery symbol.
You have another dead battery - hopefully with a warranty. After market batteries are a crap shoot, and often a false economy even though they may appear to have higher capacity and lower price than the OEM one.
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Thanks John.
I will check the warranty. She's dropped it a couple of times, so has some interesting "Christmas tree" effects on the screen, so maybe a new one is called for?
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Can anyone give me some advice on resizing pictures for the forum. I was managing alright and then my computer broke. My husband bought me a macbook, it was nice of him but I would have been happier with what I had before.
Some advice please. The simpler the better for me.
Angie :)
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Hi Angie,
Drag or copy your image to your desktop.
Double click it and Preview should open.
Go to Tools and Adjust Size.
Alter Width to 780 pixels for landscape images or 670 for portraits.
Press OK.
Go to File on Preview and Save As.
Give the image a name and change the Where box to Desktop.
If the File size is over 350 kb then drag the slider to the left.
Press Save and your image will be on your desktop ready to send.
It sounds complicated but it soon becomes second nature.
Good luck.
E-Mail me if you have any problems.
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Thanks John.
I will check the warranty. She's dropped it a couple of times, so has some interesting "Christmas tree" effects on the screen, so maybe a new one is called for?
That sounds like a plan :)
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Can anyone give me some advice on resizing pictures for the forum. I was managing alright and then my computer broke. My husband bought me a macbook, it was nice of him but I would have been happier with what I had before.
Some advice please. The simpler the better for me.
Angie :)
Angie - if your Macbook has iPhoto use that. It is very simple.
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Can anyone give me some advice on resizing pictures for the forum. I was managing alright and then my computer broke. My husband bought me a macbook, it was nice of him but I would have been happier with what I had before.
Some advice please. The simpler the better for me.
Angie :)
Angie - if your Macbook has iPhoto use that. It is very simple.
Hi Angie again,
iPhoto is simple, but only if you know the correct procedure.
Highlight your chosen image and press Export under File.
The File Export should be highlighted at the top of the window that opens.
Open Custom window under Size.
Max width or Max height to suit landscape or portrait.
Export.
Another box will open asking Save As and Where?
Enter details and press OK.
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Can anyone give me some advice on resizing pictures for the forum. I was managing alright and then my computer broke. My husband bought me a macbook, it was nice of him but I would have been happier with what I had before.
Some advice please. The simpler the better for me.
Angie :)
Angie - if your Macbook has iPhoto use that. It is very simple.
Hi Angie again,
iPhoto is simple, but only if you know the correct procedure.
Highlight your chosen image and press Export under File.
The File Export should be highlighted at the top of the window that opens.
Open Custom window under Size.
Max width or Max height to suit landscape or portrait.
Export.
Another box will open asking Save As and Where?
Enter details and press OK.
Angie & Cliff - I don't know how much versions of iPhoto differ. Mine is 5.0.1. For this version Cliff's instructions need to be modified slightly:
Open iPhoto
Select 'Add to Library' from drop down 'File' menu & choose your image
Highlight your chosen image and press 'Share' from top menu; then choose 'Export'
Then follow Cliff's instructions.
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Lets see if it works ::)
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It worked boys. Did the way Cliff said will try the other way next time. Not to hard when you get good instructions :-*
Angie :)
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I keep getting a worrying message whenever I try to switch off my lap-top. I thought it was because I was very close to my memory limit and so I down/up/loaded? some pictures to a separate hard drive and now I have 10gb of free memory but it still keeps coming up.
I don't have a resident or local computer guru 'cos nothing has gone wrong before. Any help from forumists would be greatly appreciated.
I should also add that most of the language in this message is gobbledygook to me as I am only semi-computer literate.
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Shelagh, a bit of digging suggests this is associated with McAfee antivirus software. Do you use it?
The solutions I've seen aren't very helpful but the following low risk options might be worth a try.
1) run CHKDSK to see if there are damaged files on your hard disk (just don't ask me where you'll find it on your machine)
2) uninstall and reinstall McAfee
3) phone McAfee technical Support (internet suggests they have a solution they can talk you through.)
Hope that helps
Martin
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Shelagh - mfehidk.sys - suggests a McFee problem - I would uninstall McFee and down load AVG free it is a much better antivirus system and as it says free. We have used it for years and most PC literate people we know prefer it over the other main names.
If you do this run an anti virus scan with AVG just in case as some malware does disguise itself as mfehidk.sys - another good reason to go over to AVG.
Back up all your data before doing this just to be on the safe side - you will have no problems with AVG.
Ian
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The first thing I do when I get a new computer is to uninstall McAfee which for some reason always seems to be loaded and install AVG. Never had a problem with AVG
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Thanks Guys,
Have uninstalled McFee and installed AVG. Tried to find DSKCHK but to no avail. Got ARO which I didn't want and uninstalled that, it seemed to piggy back on AVG.
Sooo fingers and everything else crossed I hope it now works properly. ::)
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Thanks Guys,
Have uninstalled McFee and installed AVG. Tried to find DSKCHK but to no avail. Got ARO which I didn't want and uninstalled that, it seemed to piggy back on AVG.
Sooo fingers and everything else crossed I hope it now works properly. ::)
Shelagh, here is a link that explains how to access the "Check Disk" function in Windows 7, analogous to the old DOS CHKDSK function.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/using-windows-7-how-do-i-run-chkdsk/a68b3e4d-1a42-e011-9767-d8d385dcbb12 (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/using-windows-7-how-do-i-run-chkdsk/a68b3e4d-1a42-e011-9767-d8d385dcbb12)
Regarding uninstalling McAfee Antivirus and going with AVG, I can endorse such an action, AVG is very good, although I must say, the free version, which I have used for years, pales in comparison to the pay-for version. The ~$50 a year I pay for it is well worth the small investment. The purchased version has extensively increased protection for things like internet web surfacing, URL checking, and "rootkits"... one of the more insidious virus types. Finally, my daughter's computers have remained virus-free now using the purchased version.
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Well Gentlemen I have done everything as instructed. All scans by AVG and DiscCheck say there are no problems BUT I am still getting the same message whenever I try to switch off. So I guess I will just leave it switched on but put it to sleep instead.
Many thanks for your attempts to help and your suggestions, I have discovered parts of my laptop I didn't know existed.
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Shelagh do you ever do disc cleanup to free space on the hard drive?
start-all programmes-accessories-system tools-disc cleanup
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McAfee sometimes behaves like a virus itself and is often not completely unistalled by the add/remove of Windows. Try to run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool too after the unistall. This comes from the McAfee community forum:
1. Uninstall all McAfee programs through "Add or Remove Programs" in Windows "Control Panel".
2. Use the MCPR tool, see this article: http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?lc=1033&id=TS100507. This will remove all McAfee remnants from your computer. (you must have Windows Vista, XP or 2000 SP4 to use this tool)
3. Launch Windows Explorer and delete all McAfee files in "Program Files" but especially in "C:\Document and Settings\<user>\Application Data" and "C:\Document and Settings\All Users\Application Data". You have to set Windows Explorer to show all hidden files and folders (Tools > Folder Options > View tab). Just delete the McAfee folders even if they are empty in all the "Application Data" folders. Can be more than one!
In Vista: C:\Program Files, C:\ProgramData and C:\Users\yourname\AppData\Roaming
If you can't find these files don't worry. It just means that MCPR has done its job
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Pascal, I think your advice is sound.... I remember a long time ago we had the devil of a job to rid a pc of ALL the macafee files that were lurking after we uninstalled it!
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Hi,
Presumably McAfee is fingered by the file 'mfehidk.sys' in the BSOD (blue screen of death).
I would be inclined to locate this on disc and then rename it. Windows search should find it, as long as you tell it to look in system files etc. The other plan would be to locate it in the registry and remove the entries. However if you uninstall McAfee there should be no need for this, and it is a bit beyond what mere users should have to do.
Plan B would be to talk to McAfee, since they seem to have got you into this mess, they should be keen to get you out of it.
David Pilling
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David, I agree. For many that solution is too complex. We both probably are able to clean up the registry, most don't even know how to get into it..... Usually these messages originate in the registry (broken reference, corrupt file) and if they still do after an uninstall, something must have been left behind during the uninstall by Windows. And this tool by McAfee takes over for people that don't know how to edit the registry. But it is upto Shelagh.
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Regarding disks I have 224Gb hard drive, the computer is 3 years old and the computer got slowly and slowly and only 20Gb was left free. I run defrag regularly and cleaned the disk up, by using disk clean.
My solution was to completely restore the computer to its original settings, install all the programs again and copy all the files etc from the back up I have of them back on. The hard drive is now only 93Gb full and runs much quicker. It takes time to do this but in my opinion it solves loads of problems.
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I have been looking through files and although according to the Control Panel I have uninstalled all NERO products there still seems to be some llingering files could this be the problem?
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Shelagh, NERO is software to burn CD's and DVD's, it is unrelated to McAfee virus protection software. I very much doubt it would tirgger this problem.
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I have decided I want an eReader and am leaning towards a Nook Touch.
Have spent the past 3 days reading reviews on readers and Nooks get very well rated.
The only thing I am concerned about is flashing, looking at online videos, flashing on all these readers seems to be very noticeable.
Now I am concerned it might drive me to distraction and stop me from using the device.
Would like to hear from anyone who uses a reader if this is something you learn to live with after awhile.
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Helen,
my technical savvy is practically non-existent, but heigh -ho, I'll throw in my tuppence-worth anyway!
I know that film of TV pictures has got flashing and assorted distortion caused by the natural "flickering" of TV pictures ( maybe less now with digital???) so I'm wondering if a vi deo of a reader has the same problems? The images on both screens will be moving to one degree or antoher, I reckon, and that may well be the cause of the apparant "flashing". In which case, when one is simply using the reader/kindle type thingy to read then the movement will be a little noticed as when viewing television.... seems a reasonable thought..... ::)
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Isn't the flicker just an artifact of them being filmed?
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Probably has to do with the refresh rate of the screen of the reader versus the capture rate of the camera filming it. Readers have to show a more or less static picture that isn't moving much so the refresh rate of the screen is rather low. Camera's have to be able to film fast moving objects so take a lot of image captures per second to let the movement that is filmed appear smooth. This means the camera likely captures the reader just at the moment it refreshes giving the suggestion it flickers. No reader I think will be sold much if it would have a flashing image in real life. It could even trigger an epileptic seizure and will never pass the safety tests if it would do that.
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Isn't the flicker just an artifact of them being filmed?
Darn it! That's what I was TRYING to say! ;) .... only you've said it rather more neatly!
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The ereaders mostly refresh each page as you turn.
The Nook apparently only refreshes every 6 pages.
If I am understanding this right, what you see each time you turn a page is a negative view of the page.
Just not sure how long it lasts and how much it could irritate.
I am very sensitive to flashing lights.
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I don't think you have to worry at all, even if a screen shows a static picture (like a page of an e-book) it still refreshes the image several times per second as far as I know. And capturing that refresh moment is what I am talking about, the camera shows things we normally don't see. Filming a old fashioned TV with a tube shows the same effect. Or the better word Bjornar used: artifact.
Like I said, they wouldn't be allowed on the market if they would flash in any way. You have to look at it as a bigger version of the screen of a smartphone.
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Pascal, I think the flashing is due to the e-ink.
Lcd screens don't have the same problem?
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I own a Kindle and it is supposed to look like the printed page, which it does and can be read in bright daylight. I find that I no longer notice the page change and that I am able to read far more books than before (I usually have two or three on the go at any one time, plus Bulletins or plant books) and can keep it in my handbag and read whenever I have a spare moment - coffee, waiting somewhere etc. It will never replace paper books which I love, but it is a useful adjunct. I bought Martin's Snowdrop Garden for Kindle. Just couldn't get it autographed!
For me, Amazon has cheaper books.
Susan
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Susan, How are Kindles for pictures? Most of what I would want to read are downloaded Acrobat books or scanned IRGs or old SRGC Bulletins etc, and I am concerned that the reproduction of any pictures may be poor. The only ones I have seen on demo machines in shops are are black and white diagrams, but how do colour or B+W photos reproduce on the screen? Do they come out too contrasty in pure B+W or more like old newspaper photos in shades of grey?
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The new colour Kindle is out in the USA. It will be launched next year in the UK, but more like a tablet iPad type thing, and for around £100 - i.e. cost price. Makes a change! I notice the price of posting letters in the UK is going up and being deregulated, in spite of record and obscene profits. The GPO is being fattened up for sale! My granddad would be turning in his grave! :(
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The GPO is being fattened up for sale! My granddad would be turning in his grave! :(
Well there's not much left to sell, apart from the NHS that is.
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I notice the price of posting letters in the UK is going up and being deregulated, in spite of record and obscene profits. The GPO is being fattened up for sale! My granddad would be turning in his grave! :(
Not being very technical I find this section quite helpful but this stumps me,particularly the last sentence. Is it a computer problem or advice?
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Susan, I looked at a kindle today and the black background flash every page I found very distracting. The battery was very low so am wondering if that actually made it worse.
The text looked very good though.
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Helen, I don't think the low battery should make any difference. It does flash as it changes but while I noticed it at first, it doesn't bother me now.
Richard, I only have the black and white one. I don't download much with pictures and wonder whether you would be better to wait for a colour model or buy an iPad. I have a small Netbook so the Kindle for me is for convenience and mainly for fiction. I still cannot do without real books!
I do have a number of Lonely Planets downloaded onto the Kindle and found them excellent. You can turn on wireless and get onto a website that may be mentioned. I have just looked at one that is in full colour and on the Kindle it is easily readable and is shaded as you would expect, but clear. You can make the print and the maps bigger if you need by clicking on a button which increases the size of both. So much easier than carrying 3 large tomes around Europe. Hope this is of some help and don't forget that all the eReaders have their own particular formats so not sure how you download Acrobat or SRGC back bulletins onto any of them.
Susan
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Helen, I actually had to go and turn a page on my kindle to check that the black background flash exists - I really don't notice it any more! A low battery makes no difference. I am very happy with mine!
There are programs available that can change formats - I have one called calibre - but there are probably others too.
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Thanks Susan, I think I shall wait until next year and look at a colour model, or maybe choose an iPad. I currently read Bulletins and other books on a medium sized laptop, turning it sideways and holding it like a book. One page then fits the screen exactly in portrait format. The large size and colour compensate for using the awkward and heavy laptop.
Casalima: a friend has mentioned the different file formats, and that it is possible to convert one to another. Thank you for confirming this.
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One problem I found with the kindle was a lack of background lighting - no good in the dark. I have solved this by buying a leather cover with built in light, but it seems an obvious omission.
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Casalima, thanks for the information, have downloaded calibre and am ready to go.
Just have to get the Nook Touch now., the Nook is supposed to flash 80% less than other eReaders. ( at least that is what they claim)
Anthony, the reason it isn't backlit is that it uses E Ink so the text looks like a real book. You need good light to read a book.
The LCD tablets are backlit but are much harder on the eyes for reading over long periods.
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I have a cover with the built-in light - which is good when falling asleep while reading at night because it turns itself off after just a few minutes :) Now if only I knew how to persuade one of my cats not to chew it ...
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I have just been told that VAT is charged on Ebooks (in the UK) though still not on real books. Is this true?
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I have just been told that VAT is charged on Ebooks (in the UK) though still not on real books. Is this true?
Yes. Sneaky buggers. A book should be a book, whether it's on paper or digital.
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VAT is payable on digitally downloaded products and as such will be charged on ebooks at the standard rate, 20%.
As far as Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are concerned the defibnition of a book is a printed obeject , bound between covers of a thicker nature.... or some such definiton very closely approximating to that description. It may be that a case can be/will be made in the future to expempt e-books from the VAT duty, but for now the "old" definiton of a book being a lumpy paper oject between two bits of thicker card is the one HMRC is working on.
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You'd hope that they could move a bit faster in updating their definitions to keep up with new technology. The reason always given for not putting VAT on books is that the politicians don't want to do anything that might in any way discourage reading (or at least don't want to be seen doing so). It'd be a tad ingenuous of the politicians and the revenue to say that they can't recognise a book when they see one just because it it's not printed on paper. I suspect something deliberate is going on, a thin end of the wedge introduction of VAT in a new "print" media in the hope that people won't notice. Cynical? Me?
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I further suspect that, rather than level the playing field down by changing the definition of a book to include ebooks that the playing field will eventually be levelled UP, using VAT on ebooks to finally justify the introduction of VAT (or a tax on reading, to put it another way) on paper books too, the argument being that it's only fair, blah, blah, blah.
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Martin - Cynical? You? No, just realistic.
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Whenever has the playing field been level? If the playing fields were level, the sleeping bag I bought in 1983, made by Lightline (and signed in ink on the label by three different people who'd been part of the manufacturing process), would still be made in the UK and not China!
Back to things technical. Has anyone tried the Eye-fi cards? Do I need to sign up to Flickr or some such nonsense to be able to use it?
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Whenever has the playing field been level? If the playing fields were level, the sleeping bag I bought in 1983, made by Lightline (and signed in ink on the label by three different people who'd been part of the manufacturing process), would still be made in the UK and not China!
Reminds me of the hi-fi amplifier I bought in 1978 - a Sugden A48. All Sugden equipment was assembled by one person & mine is signed inside by the woman who made it.
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For anyone sick of google's tracking and collecting private information try duckduckgo.
The search engine philosophy emphasizes privacy and does not record user information.
I just made it my home page.
http://duckduckgo.com/
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Managed to sort out the Eye-Fi card. I take the pictures and they automatically up-load into a file on my computer remotely. I can now set this up wherever I am in the world. :o
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Managed to sort out the Eye-Fi card. I take the pictures and they automatically up-load into a file on my computer remotely. I can now set this up wherever I am in the world. :o
... But how do you KNOW ... until you arrive home? :o :'( :D
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Managed to sort out the Eye-Fi card. I take the pictures and they automatically up-load into a file on my computer remotely. I can now set this up wherever I am in the world. :o
... But how do you KNOW ... until you arrive home? :o :'( :D
It sends me an email, which can check.
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Managed to sort out the Eye-Fi card. I take the pictures and they automatically up-load into a file on my computer remotely. I can now set this up wherever I am in the world. :o
... But how do you KNOW ... until you arrive home? :o :'( :D
It sends me an email, which can check.
Now I'm impressed! Thanks Anthony.
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I've only tried it at home. As usual with these things, the instructions are minimal, unlike the constant shouting of instructions at Sydney airport. Couldn't hear my wife speak when I phoned her half an hour ago! Why can't all airports adopt the silent policy? :(