At 32" IMHO you won't see any advantage in having 1080P at normal viewing distances. If you can accomodate a bigger screen, I'd go for a bigger HD Ready panel.

If you are using them for applications where you don't use them often, but you need them to stay charged, you might be better off with Eneloop type batteries. They have a lower rate of self discharge, so even though their capacity is lower, they are really useful for things like flashguns, where them might only get used once every month or two. When I used traditional rechargables, I found they were always flat when I wanted to use them.

Yeah, your right druidh, my phisio was wrong too. Desipte having worked for David Coulthart, England rugby team, LUFC, Steve Redgrave, Daley Thompson, Linford Christie amd having 25 years experience in Biomechanics, he mistakenly suggested MBT's to help my back problems. What an idiot he is….funny thing is though, my back has actually got a lot better since I started to use them and I have not been to see a physio since.

Still, better throw them in the bin…the last 3 years have just been "this seasons ethnically inspired fashion arse".

I use them, they have helped greatly w/back problems. The only downsides are that they don't last that long if the shock gets wet (although you can get resoled), they are quite heavy, and they are not the most stylish (to say the least). The cost of MBT's has saved a lot in trips to the phiso, so cost (for me) is not an issue (in fact, thinking about it, they have saved me a lot of money). I do find I fall over more easily if i'm boozy in the pub. I wouldn't want to speak for everyone, but they have been very worthwile.

The marketing might be BS, but if something works well for you, what's the problem?

Sorry, that came out worse than it should have done;-(

Are you not a contactor? You can leave at any time. If you are so insecure that you repeatedly have to post on STW veiled boasts on how much you earn, then to you money is obviously more important than happiness, so stick with your contract. I work as a contactor, and TBH, the industry is full of people like you, who constantly have to reassure themselves of their self worth by how much money they are earning. I don't have a problem with it…but it's f***ing boring. The statement you made about "time off cost me xxxK" is something I hear all the time…who gives a s***?

Grow up, get on with the contact you are obviously going to take and save up some money while you do it.

Landal in Holland….like center parcs without the british underclass and very bike friendly.

Naim Audio. That's an amusing hifi tale in itself ;-)

I ordered from them last year, they did not deliver on time, so I cancelled the order. They promised to deliver within a couple of days, so I said OK. They did not deliver again. I cancelled the order. They took 2 weeks to refund the money, but I did get it back. I would not go near them.

What does your wife think? Surly her opinion counts above STW readers?

I have the Blackstar HT-5, combo is a little boxy sounding, but sounds great with an external cab. It’s loud as **** though, you still need a powersoak if you want to drive the output stage at domestic volume.

…but if I get on the phone to him and let him know, is there not a risk he will give me -ve feedback and get the roofbars for free?

The item was a pair of roof bars….can’t think why that would be high risk?

Think so, so I have more chance of being ripped off than the buyer ;-(. Unless he does not leave +ve feedback, I have to wait 21 days to get paid out!

Aye, saw one at the weekend, not impressed.

Stoney, dunno if that’s completely true, latest generation of plasma’s are more energy efficient, and i’ll only be using it for 8-10 hours a week. I’ll be getting it with a 5 year warranty, so not to concerned with reliability, I am really after the best PQ for the money.

Were you having problems with the previous box? We had problems a few years ago with reception,but only in the evening, turns out it was interference caused by a faulty streetlight across the road.

ps…matthewjb your garage looks amazing!

Got the CostCo stuff…really pleased, thanks for the tip Surfer.

Sorry to hear your bad news..it’s a horrible feeling. Keep your pecker up!

Whatever the question, Drac is right…you do need to get rid of symantec, it’s just a matter of time before you realise how right his answer was ;-)

Cool, I’m getting quite excited now!

My Mrs bought an Astra 1.6 Turbo (180ps) last year, they go for buttons secondhand (£8K for nearly new with less than 10K on the clock), it’s been great to drive, no problems and it’s pretty quick, does 35mpg without trying. I don’t like the ergonomics much, but overall I think it’s pretty good.

I’d be more worried about cows with young than with a bull.

That’s exactly what was in the field….should I have been worried?

I’d think very carefully about applying for family tax credit, it’s a total **** nightmare. Personally, if I you can manage without it, i’d avoid it like the plauge.

Sleater Kinney

What was wrong with your mates N85? (only asking because the keypad fell off mine last week ;-(

D5000 has just been announced though…

OK, I need some fence painting doing, but I live out towards Melton, so it might be a bit far to travel? I’ll drop you a PM when i’ve had chance to think when the work could be done. Think I we could probably stretch the budget to a little more than £20 too :-)

Where abouts in Nottingham are you & how much do you want for a hard days grafting?

OK thanks for your help :-)

Good call, not heard it for years.

How about 3ft high and rising? Rap was soooo much better back then ;-)

mail sent…

I have one, it’s a great guitar. The fretboard is made from a composite on ones made in the last few years, although you would be hard pressed to tell it’s not wood. I love mine, I had a Taylor 410 prior to the D16-GT, and although the Taylor was a more expensive guitar, I much prefer the ‘woodier’ sound of the Martin.

Martin’s tend to come with a fairly high action from the factory, so you may find you need a setup if you like a lower action (the previous owner may have done this).

I can’t think of a better guitar for a first quality acoustic, but different people prefer different things.

I’m going through this at the moment. Whilst I’ve never considered myself anything nearing an alcoholic, I was finding myself drinking a couple of pints a night (with perhaps 1 night off a week), rising to 7 or 8 on Friday and Saturday nights. I am trying to cut back to allow myself a couple of beers one midweek night, drinnk what I want on Fri / Sat nights and no booze on sunday.

I must admit, i am finding it a bit hard, but I think the best idea is to replace ‘not drinking’ with something, because there are lot’s of things which you can do when you have not had a drink, which you can’t when you have.

I’m still miserable as shit though ;-)

I would personally avoid any umbrella or any organisation which directs the way your business is run like the plague at the moment. The HMRC are gunning for people who use them. The managed service company legislation introduced a couple of years back is preparing the way for large scale capture of people employed by them. If it were me, i’d either go PAYE or set up a limited company, and do it properly, getting decent contract reviews (not Brookson type compliance reviews) making sure that your actual working practices reflect working as a company. It’s a fair bit of work, but (IMHO) it’s by far the safest way of working, unless you like paying tax and the penalties which can now follow.

The convenient nature of Parasol and Brookson is (again IMHO) a very dangerous thing as it gives a false sense of security and makes people drop their guard. In truth though, it’s a serious issue, and I would research and take professional advice, or just go PAYE.

Brad – Shame
Mansun – Six
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
Janes Addiction – Ritual…

Gideon Coe plays some fantastic music during his evening show. Stuart Maconies Freak Zone is always interesting on sunday early evening.

What the **** is Dave Pearce doing on 6 music? He needs to face up to shelf stacking reality.

Pick any lyric from the Oasis songbook…..

sorry, I meant carbon or aluminium…doh!