Try Yamaha in preference to Denon – with Denon there always seems to be something missing that means you need to upgrade to the next level up – stupid things like audio delay missing from non-budget DVD players.

Kef or B&W (or Spendor) are probably a decent bet for speakers, but go for somewhere that can demo the system and then give you a cooling off period if the system soounds completely different at home (room makes a big difference).

Therefore avoid Richer Sounds unless they give you a cooling off period. Whereas they used to be a source of cheap bargains the are not so much nowadays.

Avoid Bose.

+1 for Burger King

having just broken my clavicle I note that a large percentage of fat people in hospitals appear to be the staff.

Not the best example to be setting…

testing can be pretty lucrative considering the lack of expertise you need to do it…

If you want to learn to program I would recommend learning C from Kernighan and Ritchie to start with, working through the examples and exercises:

– it won’t take long as there are only 32 keywords
– it provides a good foundation to all the C based languages, like C#, Java, C++
– you get a better feel for how a program executes and manages memory, so things that cain seem mysterious to some, like using value types for speed rather than reference types, or pinning objects, in C# will seem obvious instead.
– you will hopefully pick up your style from K&R and progress from there, maybe to Stroustrups ‘learn to program’ book

Never, ever read a book by Herbert Schildt.

I have a couple of NOS IBM Model M (1391406)s sitting unused at home, which had a very litle use before I switched to the Goldtouch keyboards as I didn’t want a keypad getting in the way of reaching for the mouse.

But I also see a couple on ebay if anyone is lusting after one.

lots of balancing weights on the wheels – means they are probably buckled

look at http://www.timefactors.com for good value watches… Also look at Sinn.

Tag are overpriced – it is what the company stands for – when they took over Audiolab they put new front panels on and hiked the prices up.

If you get a mechanical watch be prepared for servicing costs and loss of accuracy.

Swatch own a large chunk of the watch market, many brands and most movement makers.

A sieko divers watch would be a good compromise, or an omega quartz seamaster. Or if you want mechanical an omega speedmaster is worth a look.

there’s not much rotation in the bottom shock mount, but there is in the top…

another vote for hooking up on the MTBBritain forum. There is also a good route on their maps/route pages which I follow often.

The local mtb group to there is Berks On Bikes BOB and they often show new joiners around, so that is worth investigating as well.