I think the Panny TZ7 can zoom whilst in video mode. DOn't think any others do that?

No idea as to whether this would be indicative of overcoming the focus issues that you mention but perhaps worth a try in a shop somewhere?

grantway – I read (maybe bull) that lag on your connection can cause this to happen as you're essentially shooting something that has moved! Name badges are for comedy value only as far as I can tell?

Thanks for the tip on the colour thing Burts. I suit Free for All better I think!

Just buzzing (geeky I know) from a win in Rust and my first 30 kill game!

Sorry to hijack this but a couple of questions of my own: –

– What is an execution kill?
– Why is the Rust level so rare in Free for All?
– How the hell do I tell who is friendly and who is not in a Team Deathmatch? Is it purely on the colour of their name tag? Being colour blind doesn't help with that!
– If I and a mate are talking in Free for All and we've muted everyone else – can they still hear my foul language?
– Is possible to have a team game without some oik 12 year old playing gangster rap in the background?

My rank is 43 – got there through the bloody minded attrition method of kill someone, get killed twice (repeat etc) and with no skill whatsoever.

You could try http://www.jamesmiddlebrook.co.uk. He is a mate of mine that has been in the car trade forever. He has a nice ST for sale at the moment – pics on his website. He's a real enthusiast and has done a bit of rallying in his time so will be sympathetic to your taste in motors. He can pretty much source anything. I got a nice little hot Leon from him for the other half – very pleased with that.

no one?

Shibby

You should run the country mate – you're obviously very clever. Certainly more than my half a brain…

The guy says he is a beginner – very easy to be duped. Some of the ads on the bay are very convincing – its not a bloke called Mr Wu selling an Apollo with a Turner sticker on it!

Just offering the guy some advice…

EBay is most certainly not your friend unless you are buying from private sellers i.e. they have a single set of clubs for sale or a recognised online Ebay shop.

Ebay is stuffed full of fake clubs – I know, I've bought two of them. Got my money back both times but for one club, even the local golf pro couldn't tell it apart. TM, Callaway and others have started publishing Ebay account names to avoid because the problem is so bad.

If you are a beginner, I'd give Ebay a swerve

Steer clear of JJB Sports and their "special priced" Dunlops.

Get yourself along to the local pro shop as they often take in clubs in part exchange, otherwise try the likes of DIrect Golf, Online Golf or American Golf / Nevada Bobs.

You may have missed the best sales but you can certainly haggle in the shops.

200 is a tough ask if you want a full set and decent quality (poor quality clubs won't do much for your enthusiasm for the game!)

Here are a few options for iron sets for your price range – thinking second hand if you want woods, putter, irons and bag etc…

http://www.direct-golf.co.uk/golf_irons/cobra/sz_irons_lh_golf_irons/p9887

http://www.direct-golf.co.uk/golf_irons/ram/sdx_combo_irons_lh_golf_irons/p10064

http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/golf-clubs/irons/320scog/3261pog.asp

If you 'know' who stole them is it not worth spending £100 to find out where the Jones is? Galling but I guess you'd like the bike back. Haven't read all this thread so you may be sorted for insurance now?

Wish they were always that good in store..

Does nobody play Killzone 2?

Thanks – Ebay purchase, looks like I might have a problem!

Ski / otherjonv – very interested to hear about those drugs. Grateful for the info – email in profile if that helps.

Swede – if you have AS, it does have good and bad periods (flares). There will still be times when you feel pretty good! Just work on your flexibility and keep stretching (said in a do what I say rather than what I do fashion!).

Best of luck.

Is it AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis)? That's what I was diagnosed with about two years ago. One of many types of RA. This was after clueless GPs advising "rest", then physio etc etc. Went private in the end and got diagnosed within a week (including waiting for the blood tests and MRI results).

Mine started in the hip area (sacroilliac sp) joints and now affects ankles, chest wall and a finger. You can exercise to alleviate some of the pain (cycling and swimming help – running is a big no no). You have to get used to taking meds every day and being 'stiff' in the morning (insert joke).

I was similar in that I have always been active and it hit me suddenly and about your age. More common in men that women and younger men especially. If that is what you have, read up as your GP might not be much help (mine wasn't at all). Its not the end of the world but you do begin to feel your dad's age!

In my opinion – yes it is that bad!

onewheeltoofew – where was the stuff through the trees?

Look at Which. They carry out side impact tests as well as front on. BS don't require side impact testing to get a pass mark. Both isofix and non-isofix vary tremendously within the categories i.e. isofix alone doesn't necessarily mean safer. Most do perform very well though. Some non-isofix are shockingly bad!

Also, ring or google the manufacturer before buying as not all seats are approved for all cars.

We have Maxi Cosi Tobi (non isofix as our car didn't have the facility) and are very impressed with the quality, the comfort, the Which test performance and the cleanability which they need! Our next purchase was an isofix seat, which appears less of a quality feel for more money but is as firm as anything in the car.

Guess this is where I am coming from to an extent – seen a nice pair of 2nd hand forks that are tempting me but only a 195mm steerer. My bikes currently have 220mm but with lots of spacers. Too blonde (and tired) to work out if a 25mm reduction is workable.

I'm a landlord and unless you've caused the damage, he's taking the piss! He pays.

Killzone 2 anybody?

Great fun online and under 15 quid now. Loads of players online, though some clearly have no jobs to go to…

virgin, cross country, trainline – all seem to have the same issue for us.

several types of debit and credit card. Established address. Did work previously. Hence confusion – don't think addresses can be black listed can they?

BlingBling

Apologies for co-existing on your planet, I seemed to miss the sign saying that you are more important than everyone else. Walk to the cashpoint.

As an aside and directed to all apart from BlingBling, I visited an ASDA once that had card operated barriers to get into the disabled and parent spaces. Doesn't solve all the issues but certainly helps keep the idiots (see above) away.

JulianA – you weren't challenged in the nicest terms by the poster above but one day you might have kids and you or your missus might be grateful for the extra safety that those spaces offer. trying to keep two nippers safe and get in and out of the supermarket is not the easiest of tasks especially with the moron drivers that inhabit this country. I'm biased, I do have kids and know how useful that extra space is. Not entirely sure that you are suffering from them being there. Lazy fat bints unloading their teenagers in those spaces deserve shooting…obviously!

The main thing that annoys me is the way blue badge holders can park up where ever they choose blocking traffic and visibility for others. The fact that they never have to pay is beyond me. Place nearest to the door / shops / cinema / whatever is all fine but why do we have to pay and they don't? Disabled doesn't necessarily mean poor!

Now that Gordy is busy challenging the layabouts claiming disability benefits when they have no right, maybe we'll see a reduction in blue badges?

thanks

Thanks mate

Off to bike shop in the morning for a couple of valves!

cheers GP

Just been watching a vid on Notubes website and the bloke suggested that NO rim comes with the correct sized valve opening and he drilled it. Maybe the vid predates the Flow rim, or I just got confused! Will Bontrager tubeless valves work or does it have to be Stans?

Jesus – just about to venture tubeless myself – this thread is not filling me with joy!

I posted on here some time ago about 5 Spot frames that a US based shop was selling for 999 dollars. 24 inch frames that probably would do the job. Cheap even after postage.

Glad to hear the Rambler mentioned a few times. Used to be good when it was a real pub – now part of a mini chain run by people who hate people. Especially people like us that might not necessarily turn up in cords and a Lyle and Scott sweater! Vote with your feet. Last time I camped in Edale we actually drove to Castleton to eat – some much better places there.

Anyone remember the Intrepid Fox in Wardour Street? Full of weirdos and fierce looking people. Actually great fun though, albeit with a bouncer issuing lines like "you shouldn't have f***ing bought it if you can't drink it" when approaching time.

Don't blame you, incompetence is unfortunate, lying is just stupid from a service provider. Plenty of places to choose from. Don't be tempted to ever go back. Mental note made and their bookmark erased here…

richc – pretty good advice I'd say. The flat rate VAT scheme is a doddle and can add to profit rather than detract.

I was confused by the "bleed them out via expenses" comment when related to profit reserves – what do mean by that?

Also think about VAT registration – how much you turnover may take that decision out of your hands (above ~66k I think and you have to register). Get an accountant, pay his fees on time and he/she should become your new best friend. I did it 18 months ago and I still get confused.

Just can't imagine ever working for somebody else again…

Been a couple of times but we are golfers. Belle Mare Plage hotel on the east coast is fantastic. The Dinarobin as mentioned is even nicer if you like your luxuries. Both have golf courses 'next door'.

We actually prefer the slightly more laid back vibe at Belle Mare Plage and its really not that expensive. We went off peak the first time (January I think but memory fades) and peak the second (with a week at the Dinarobin beforehand). Off peak, the sea is coldish but its very relaxed with hotel at 30% occupancy.

About 1500 quid each for 13 nights off peak, 5 star hotels with half board. As previously mentioned, 'extras' particularly wine are very expensive.

anybody else?

Did any of you guys have to "register" with them first i.e. send ID etc? I had to photocopy a passport and the card front and back. Same with Cambria.

I had similar hip pain. Physio, osteopath etc. Turned out to be arthritis. AS – form of reumatoid (sp). Could be worth a check. Took a lot of private healthcare and a good surgeon to diagnose (it wasn't his field but he was sure I had no physical defect that would require his scapel).

Why so many suggestions to change his route "for a while"?

The bloke just had his face smashed in by a cyclist "built like a bear"!! HArdly likely to forget after a fortnight is he?! Not saying the guy didn't deserve it but I would be expecting a nudge from his car at some point. Good luck and keep safe.

First experience I had with them was of arrogance and a complete lack of customer care. Had agreed a demo of an Orange, they quite clearly stated that it would be free (in fact I had arranged for it to be shipped to them by Orange). Got there and they told me it had been booked out to someone else and I could have it the next day for £40. I don't disagree with paying for demos but these circumstances had been sorted weeks in advance and I had travelled three hours to ride it.

They have however, been top rate in subsequent visits so quite willing to accept the guy I dealt with was having a bad day. No shop is perfect but goes to show that an off day can have a lasting effect on customers' attitude.

And in terms of discount, if I were paying £3k (especially cash) for a bike, I would ask for a discount. Wouldn't be offended if they said no but might go elsewhere if I thought a better deal for me would result. Some brands are obviously too popular to attract discounts (simple supply and demand), but not many.

If a shop owner told me to eff off for asking for a discount then they would get their wish…and yes samuri, you would indeed go bust!