Tell Me Something............Anything!

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

Ignore the above conspiracy theory, its since been debunked as a loadofoldbollocks, but it does seem we're closer to being fried to death, as Britain takes the brave leap into the unknown. Slava Ukraine!

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Picture the scene, 1,000 years from now. The air is finally good enough for the bunker-bound descendants of Putin and his cronies to venture outside for a kickabout. Only trouble is, the football has been deflated for more than 980 years now and nobody thought to pack a bicycle pump. What's worse, the factories that used to make them have been reduced to piles of ash.

I like to think that common sense will prevail - don't underestimate the power of football :)

If Putin's not bluffing, the UK will be the first to find out. Damn our govt.!!

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

If Putin's not bluffing, the UK will be the first to find out. Damn our govt.!!

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Well that will come as a shock - us Brits are used to queuing.

We had a power cut last night at 21:00 which lasted until 00:30 this morning. Haven’t had a power cut for years now, and it was a totally new phenomenon for my partner; who comes from a country where power cuts can last for a month and who had never experienced such in the UK. It was probably an accident such as an underground cable being severed, which it was why it took so long for the power to be restored.

When I came downstairs this morning to make breakfast I was surprised to find my PC had switched itself on, and my CDP telling me that there was "no CD loaded".

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Originally Posted by Barry

We had a power cut last night at 21:00 which lasted until 00:30 this morning. Haven’t had a power cut for years now, and it was a totally new phenomenon for my partner; who comes from a country where power cuts can last for a month and who had never experienced such in the UK. It was probably an accident such as an underground cable being severed, which it was why it took so long for the power to be restored.

When I came downstairs this morning to make breakfast I was surprised to find my PC had switched itself on, and my CDP telling me that there was "no CD loaded".

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Hmm, that's AI for you - getting on your good side by doing things for you without being asked, then next thing it'll use deadly force to keep you from switching it off :eek: If it ever says "You can call me HAL", run away!

Much of my audio system is designed to be left in standby mode when not in use, thus I can understand why when my CDP 'woke up' without a disc in it the display told me of the fact. But the PC is switched off when not used, so I can't really understand how when the power was restored it switched itself on. Spooky!

But when you switch off your computer, are you shutting it off at the mains, or just the on/off switch? Because even when "off" there will still be power at the input will there not? That could well be the difference... in a similar way to whenever my Sky box acts up - simply turning it off doesn't fix it, I unplug it and then plug it back in after a minute, my theory being that this minute of no power makes it forget it had a fault.

Off course I may well be mistaken, it's happened before.

You could be on to something there Steve. I 'switch off' my PC by selecting "Shut down and switch off" without actually switching off at the wall socket.

Conversely, I switch on the machine using the switch on the front of the tower and then log on with user name and password etc.

I told you all there'd be nuclear war, and now Labour want us to be the first to receive one of Poo-tins early Xmas crackers, what a fucking state of affairs. Run to the hills!! Or better still go to the continent where there not all suicidal fucking morons!!

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

I told you all there'd be nuclear war, and now Labour want us to be the first to receive one of Poo-tins early Xmas crackers, what a fucking state of affairs. Run to the hills!! Or better still go to the continent where there not all suicidal fucking morons!!

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I'm not saying this to make light of your concerns Mike, but I'm not going to let worries about something that may or may not happen affect the here and now for me. That won't change a thing.

Lets all just enjoy life while we can still live it - importantly we can still enjoy our music, well not you Mike, what with the poorly Sugden :( Getting that fettled should have your attention rather than any sabre-rattling by that shitbag Putin.

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Originally Posted by Pigmy Pony

I'm not saying this to make light of your concerns Mike, but I'm not going to let worries about something that may or may not happen affect the here and now for me. That won't change a thing.

Lets all just enjoy life while we can still live it - importantly we can still enjoy our music, well not you Mike, what with the poorly Sugden :( Getting that fettled should have your attention rather than any sabre-rattling by that shitbag Putin.

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'Shall I get my amp fixed, or run to the hills'?

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

'Shall I get my amp fixed, or run to the hills'?

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You've got no proper hills down south.

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

'Shall I get my amp fixed, or run to the hills'?

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Well if you run to the hills in Yorkshire you might come across the Sugden factory, which could be handy :)

Just got a dehumidifier, used it for a few days now, it fills up overnight!! Amazing things though, how the hell do they work?

Well my guess (which has next to no scientific basis) is that air is drawn into the unit, where it comes into contact with a cold (refrigerated) surface and the moisture in that air condenses and drops into a container.

They are great for rooms which might be prone to dampness (maybe basement flats and rooms which are occupied much of the time and with inadequate ventilation.) They can be bought quite cheaply, the more expensive ones generally run quieter and with a bigger capacity.

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Originally Posted by Pigmy Pony

Well my guess (which has next to no scientific basis) is that air is drawn into the unit, where it comes into contact with a cold (refrigerated) surface and the moisture in that air condenses and drops into a container.

They are great for rooms which might be prone to dampness (maybe basement flats and rooms which are occupied much of the time and with inadequate ventilation.) They can be bought quite cheaply, the more expensive ones generally run quieter and with a bigger capacity.

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Sounds obvious now you've explained it, I paid £200 for mine, its brilliant, last night filled up again, there's no mold on the walls of my flat, but obviously there is a lot of dampness present. Probably because of its weird lay out and shite extraction (almost non existent) system

£200 is certainly not at the cheap end, should be a good 'un. But even if it was a bit noisy it doesn't have to be a problem - just run it during the night with doors closed (they should be closed anyway).

For several years we had one in the bathroom which we ran whenever we had a shower. Zero condensation on the mirrors, it worked perfectly. But electrical safety deems mains-powered devices unsafe in bathrooms, so eventually we had a good quality extractor fitted. Wasn't cheap, and still isn't as effective as the old dehumidifier.

One other thing Mike (apologies if you already know this), as warm air holds moisture better than cold air - which is why visibility on a cold winter's day is better than in summer - the dehumidifier will work better in a warm room than a cold unheated one.

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

Sounds obvious now you've explained it, I paid £200 for mine, its brilliant, last night filled up again, there's no mold on the walls of my flat, but obviously there is a lot of dampness present. Probably because of its weird lay out and shite extraction (almost non existent) system

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I got a big one for my kitchen, took a lot of water out of it first couple of weeks, these days not so much. I think it dried out the whole place. So you might find the same.

I mentioned the other day that we had a power cut, which was only restored in the small hours of the morning. When I came downstairs to make breakfast, I noticed that my (venerable, nay ancient) PC, which whilst 'shut down' is still plugged into the mains, had 'woken up'. I thought little of it and shut it down again.

Yesterday evening I fired it up and after a long time found the PC had become a time machine: the calendar displayed the date to be 7 September 2003 and the time was about an hour ahead of the correct time! Even worse, it would not connect me to this august Forum: displaying a notice that Firefox regarded AoS to not be sufficiently secure, and a possible pathway for virus or data theft.

Now when it come to "all things computer" I'm a complete numpty - but I wasn't going to give up. I fiddled around with the Google settings for the calander and clock, and manage to correct them. A message from Firefox then popped up inviting me to update to the latest version. I followed the instructions, and mirabile dictu everything is now back to normal.

But, there were two more messages to tell me that Microsoft no longer support Vista, and Firefox updated will no longer work with Vista. Methinks it's time to ditch it all and buy a modern laptop. (The trouble is I have a lot of Word files and hundreds of images which I would like to transfer, but don't know how, or if, it can be done.)

I can sympathise - I too am a techno-numpty, and even worse, I'm not willing to learn. Fortunately Anita has the gumption and patience to keep us afloat with all things computer.

I'm sure your files can all be transferred quite easily - depending where you were to buy a laptop from, perhaps you could persuade the sellers to transfer the files from your old PC to a CD or pen drive, which could then be put into your laptop. Always a way, you just have to find someone willing to do it for you :)

I have to get a new laptop next year as mine won't update to Windows 11

There's a computer place round the corner so I'll just get them to do it. They charge a fee but rather pay that then spend hours messing about. Nothing worse than fighting with a computer.

Just dug out my "granddaughter's" unused laptop. It's an HP with a 15.5" screen; apart from that I have no idea of its performance.

Anyway, I'm using it now to talk to you. My next task is to see if I can 'cut and paste' images.

It's embarrassing: I have a PhD in theoretical physics; spent thirty years working in one of the largest commercial research laboratories in the UK, reaching the position of Principle Research Scientist, yet when it comes to computers I'm a complete numpty. Even my partner can do things with her smart phone that leave me baffled. If I could work out how to cut and paste with my smart phone I would use it solely to post on AoS.

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Originally Posted by Barry

Just dug out my "granddaughter's" unused laptop. It's an HP with a 15.5" screen; apart from that I have no idea of its performance.

Anyway, I'm using it now to talk to you. My next task is to see if I can 'cut and paste' images.

It's embarrassing: I have a PhD in theoretical physics; spent thirty years working in one of the largest commercial research laboratories in the UK, reaching the position of Principle Research Scientist, yet when it comes to computers I'm a complete numpty. Even my partner can do things with her smart phone that leave me baffled. If I could work out how to cut and paste with my smart phone I would use it solely to post on AoS.

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In the 80s I was programming games for the ZX Spectrum. Then did COBOL and machine code.

Now I have to ask 'young people' in the office how to change the colours on my spreadsheet tabs. (It's a right click. I think.)

I just used the website Fiverr to fix a bug on my website, it was done in minutes, £30, outstanding value. I tried fixing it myself and it was so bloody difficult! Also I recommend the laptop I just bought myself if Barry shopping around - Lenovo Yoga 7i, about £800, sturdy build, lighting fast, holds a long charge, good sound/graphics.

Mike's laptop sounds like a good 'un, but rather more than I was prepared to spend. I changed my laptop 18 months ago and got one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-Chromebo...s%2C136&sr=8-5

Does everything I need it to do, and a decent size screen. I get about 8-10 hours on the battery, I just leave it on charge when not in use.

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Originally Posted by Pigmy Pony

Mike's laptop sounds like a good 'un, but rather more than I was prepared to spend. I changed my laptop 18 months ago and got one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-Chromebo...s%2C136&sr=8-5

Does everything I need it to do, and a decent size screen. I get about 8-10 hours on the battery, I just leave it on charge when not in use.

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I could afford it cos of the refund I got on the original price of my old laptop, in their crazy insurance scheme which they no longer offer!!

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

I could afford it cos of the refund I got on the original price of my old laptop, in their crazy insurance scheme which they no longer offer!!

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Yeah, you were lucky with that one. Schemes that actually benefit customers tend not to stick around long, bad for business I suppose.

Gonna get the popcorn in for the Mullahs vs the Joos big showdown. But will Russia back Iran? ? ? Remember the narrative of 'Threads' was that it all started with the US and the Soviets fighting a proxy war in Iran.

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

Gonna get the popcorn in for the Mullahs vs the Joos big showdown. But will Russia back Iran? ? ? Remember the narrative of 'Threads' was that it all started with the US and the Soviets fighting a proxy war in Iran.

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The only thing I remember about 'Threads' was the traffic warden with the SLR.

So when are Israel gonna hit back, I wanna see fireworks!!

As a Quad enthusiast my current post count is auspicious: 33,303.

:lol:

Next one is 44,306

Another auspicious post number:

33,306^*

to be followed by

33,405
34,303^*
34,306^*
34,405^*
34,606^*
44,303^*
44,405
44,510^*
44,520
44,521^*
44,522^*

then a jump to

66,606

which I doubt I will exceed.

(Quad combinations marked with an asterisk have not been heard by me.)

i don't foresee my post numbers throwing up anything of note anytime soon.

Hate to be a downer but

https://www.realcleardefense.com/art...e_1064707.html

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

Hate to be a downer but

https://www.realcleardefense.com/art...e_1064707.html

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Had a quick read through - sounds a bit worrying (but then it's supposed to, the author won't make much money from writing articles saying we're doing ok), but I was heartened by seeing the text interspersed with adverts for Roseland sofas :) I'm inclined to think that Russia's air defence won't be much cop either.

Sorry if I'm sounding a bit flippant Mike, it's the way I deal with doom - in the words of the famous philosopher Bobby McFerin, Don't worry, be happy, fix Suggie :)

I won't read anything that requires you to sign up! Regardless of the authority of the source and the author's credentials, just looking at these links leads to being inundated with unwanted emails. I can get dozens of spam and junk emails and messages every day which I have to delete.

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Originally Posted by Pigmy Pony

Had a quick read through - sounds a bit worrying (but then it's supposed to, the author won't make much money from writing articles saying we're doing ok), but I was heartened by seeing the text interspersed with adverts for Roseland sofas :) I'm inclined to think that Russia's air defence won't be much cop either.

Sorry if I'm sounding a bit flippant Mike, it's the way I deal with doom - in the words of the famous philosopher Bobby McFerin, Don't worry, be happy, fix Suggie :)

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We're doomed, dooooomed I tell you.

Unusual milkman behaviour.

Left 4 empties out Sunday night. Monday morning he hadn't taken any of them but must have been as he left me a new pint.

Next delivery was this morning. This time no fresh milk at all but he has been since he's taken 3 of the 5 empties I left.

Not leaving any fresh is not a mystery since I told them if you don't have any proper milk left don't be leaving that skimmed crap and still charging me. But the thing with not taking the empties I just don't get.

I gave up with having fresh milk left by the milkman years ago. Despite my leaving notes to say "No milk today Thank you", a fresh pint of milk was always left which I couldn't use. Spoke to the dairy several times about it, but there was no real improvement, so sadly I had to cancel the contract.

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Originally Posted by Macca

Unusual milkman behaviour.

Left 4 empties out Sunday night. Monday morning he hadn't taken any of them but must have been as he left me a new pint.

Next delivery was this morning. This time no fresh milk at all but he has been since he's taken 3 of the 5 empties I left.

Not leaving any fresh is not a mystery since I told them if you don't have any proper milk left don't be leaving that skimmed crap and still charging me. But the thing with not taking the empties I just don't get.

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Maybe your milkman went to the same school as me - we do find life rather complicated at times, and are easily confused.

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Originally Posted by Barry

I gave up with having fresh milk left by the milkman years ago. Despite my leaving notes to say "No milk today Thank you", a fresh pint of milk was always left which I couldn't use. Spoke to the dairy several times about it, but there was no real improvement, so sadly I had to cancel the contract.

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These days if you don't want a delivery you just go on their website and untick a box.

I could just buy milk from the shop I pass every day on the way home, and it's cheaper, but I like the nostalgic aspect.

Plus the milkman is the only person I get a Christmas card off.

Spot the mistake with this er, thing being sold through Amazon:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...480_SY360_.jpg

We've become used to chancers cashing in on the 'vinyl revival', but to do it without even a basic understanding of how a record player works just takes the piss :(

It's for record enthusiasts who live in the southern hemisphere. :lol:

Not sure having about ten records can be classed as hoarding.

I'd need about 20 of those things and I've hardly got any records compared to a lot of people I know.

That's a left-handed deck btw, a bit like a left handed spanner.

I wonder what will happen after the big fire comes, what power axis will the world split into? The UK for instance might he gammons vs non binaries.

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Originally Posted by Mikeandvan

I wonder what will happen after the big fire comes, what power axis will the world split into? The UK for instance might he gammons vs non binaries.

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Sorry Mike, maybe I'm being a bit thick, but there's no part of that sentence that makes sense to me :doh:

Me neither!

I went for a flu and covid jab this morning (I wasn't going to bother, but Anita kept on at me to have it done). I think that just leaves a shingles vaccination, but looking at the blurb on the NHS website I really can't tell if I'm eligible. It's really confusing, see what you think:

People eligible:
Those who turn 65 on or after 1st September 2023
Those aged 70 to 79

Now I turned 65 before 1st Sept 2023, but I'm not 70 to 79 either. So what is it with those of us between 66 and 69? Are we already immune?