devilsadvocate

A slight case of Schizophrenia here I think, another Devils Advocate?? I've been away for several weeks and return to find the above post attributed to me! Is it possible to have 2 forum members with the same user name? Edit: Ah, I see there's a space missing in the new name! Post edited by moderator - yes it is possible to have two contributors of the same name, or certainly very similar.Personal rudeness will be deleted in accordance with the Code of Conduct

[quote user="Bugsy"][quote user="devilsadvocate"] Oh dear! Well exactly that! I meant "as opposed to those with the necessary skills". Knowing how these things work and being able to get into the nitty-gritty of the OS and hardware. I think your mention of unwanted dlls is a red herring. I've never found it necessary to go looking for these, and I'm speaking from professional experience; there are better and safer ways of removing unwanted applications and that just goes to show what I meant. A little knowledge......   [Www] If you know so much how about fixing our OP's problem instead of having a go at me? Yak yak yak. [/quote] Not sure where I have "had a go at you" but whatever. At least have the decency to quote my whole comment not just part of it. It was not aimed at you, but those who may read this thread and have limited skills with Windows, hence the warning "Remove them at your peril.................. (note for those without the necessary skills)" I defy you to describe how you have, or can, for example, completely remove an AOL or a Norton Antivirus programme from a PC, without ending up doing a re-format. Interesting that you can cast judgement on a persons skills without having any knowledge of that individual. But whatever.................... if it makes you feel good. BTW the OP doesn't have a problem that needs 'fixing' Must go Nev,  got a Commodore 64 to sort out..[Www] . [/quote] Eh??? Is this a joke? If so I think it's misplaced.  I understand that this forum doesn't disclose personal information and it is extremely bad form for you to name people when they prefer to use a nickname. However, you've missed by a country mile. I am DA [6], but Frank if you must. Using the search forum facility I found 2 people who matched the name you quote; one of them only posted once so I guess you're referring to a motorcycling poster. I'm a Jeremy Clarkson follower and I don't have a motorcycle, but I've PM'd "Sid" for you. I hope the moderators are tracking this. OK, this time I've quoted your full post as requested. All traces of Norton software can be safely removed using their specific removal tool, available from the Symantec website. I ran Norton for 3 or 4 years before it got out of hand. I can assure you that the removal works very well.  Definitely no reformatting necessary. What are you thinking of? AOL: I have never used it. Back in the early days AOL email addresses consisted of numeric codes; that was enough to put me off when all other ISPs were using what are now know as conventional, meaningful (mostly) addresses. So, I can't quote from experience. However, a quick "Google" reveals that AOL has an uninstall process which performs a scan of your system for all AOL related files. That would seem to be good enough for most people. Casting judgement on a person's skills? It's amazing what the forum search facility brings up! In one of your recent posts you said that you had managed a campsite in UK before you came here, five years I believe? That tells me a little about recent relevent skills; I can see that it wouldn't exactly equip you for evaluating computer equipment, at least not in any credible way. Then you take your daughter's advice and buy a MAC. Now there's nothing wrong with taking advice, obviously, and your daughter probably has good reason for advising you along those lines; she likes that kit and perhaps she recognises your skill level? [Www] In which case I'd have to admit it would a sound choice.   I, on the other hand, spent the last 25 years managing various teams of software developers and support staff UK-wide, and writing front-end stuff myself, and then running a company of my own. It's a little different, I'm sure most people would agree, and I think I can judge for myself what's best for me. When I said that you were a user, and I emphasise again that this wasn't meant in any disrespectful way, it was in contrast to someone who actually writes the stuff that you use. You didn't appear to understand this. I don't know what you do on your computer apart from write on this, and other forums, but you could probably manage nicely with an iPhone (now there's a piece of kit!). You use all this marvellous software but there whole legions of people out there developing it for you! I hope this makes it clear. I suppose a simple analogy would be two householders; one is just content to switch the lights on and off at home without wondering how it all works, whilst the other is an electrician by trade and installs the wiring and knows what goes where. He still switches stuff on and off of course, so they're both users. Not a brilliant analogy I admit. I could try a motorbike builder/rider but I haven't the first clue about that apart from what I've seen on American Chopper! I should also point out that I never said that MACs were no good. Just the opposite. BUT they're no good for my purpose. I couldn't advise someone to buy one because I don't know enough from my own experience. You are correct in that the orginal poster on this thread didn't report a problem, but he did ask why 2 MAC problem queries in other threads had gone unanswered. Was it for lack of finding anyone capable of working on these machines? And you said were going to try and find a solution when you had time. It's been days, and as you obviously have time now to post on this thread, I wondered whether you could put your money where your mouth is, so to speak, and solve either of them? I'm sure there must be, oooh, dozens of other MAC user out there waiting with bated breath, and thousands of PC users falling about laughing. [:D] So it's a little challenge really, having done the big build-up what IS the answer (to either of them)? I notice that both problems (Mail inbox and iMac volume) were posted on 3rd August, fifteen days ago. Fortunately there is one person genuinely trying to help there. Never mind, keep up the bluffing and someone else will have sorted it all out. If this sort of time lag is typical of how long someone has to wait for help with on a MAC, it's no wonder they're not as popular, and that's before you take account of the price.  I would fix my own PC problem certainly within the same day, or find a solution elsewhere, as there are loads of help resources out there. I rest my case. Go easy with the posts, all that hot air is contributing to global warming. Good luck with the Commodore [8-|] [6]    

[quote user="Bugsy"] As opposed to what exactly? .............. (note for those without the necessary skills) [/quote] Oh dear! Well exactly that! I meant "as opposed to those with the necessary skills". Knowing how these things work and being able to get into the nitty-gritty of the OS and hardware. I think your mention of unwanted dlls is a red herring. I've never found it necessary to go looking for these, and I'm speaking from professional experience; there are better and safer ways of removing unwanted applications and that just goes to show what I meant. A little knowledge......   [Www] If you know so much how about fixing our OP's problem instead of having a go at me? Yak yak yak.

[quote user="Bugsy"] You really don't know what you're missing. [/quote] ...thankfully [;-)] When you've worked in a particular branch of the IT industry, software development and support, you learn what to avoid. I have a stack of accumulated software which is very expensive and there's no way I'd buy a machine which runs a completely different OS and then try and force it to run software designed for an altogether different beast. It's asking for trouble. Neither would I wish to replace it all with MAC versions if it was available. I found that MAC users are very loyal, partisan really, but they are still a minority, and as demonstrated by this thread, when it comes to sorting out a problem it's difficult to find solutions. You're probably "just" a user Bugsy (no disrespect); I'm guessing by your having been advised by your daughter, but those of us who still like to get our hands dirty don't mind removing unwanted dlls (whatever they are [:D]). The biggest problem I had was that MACs wouldn't connect into conventional large office networks which were running Back Office servers and the like. And it is still unusual to find companies supplying staff with MAC laptops with which to conduct their day to day business, UNLESS that business specifically requires a MAC application. Firms have budgets too, just like us. There is no doubt that the kit is well made and servicable. As far as I remember they started out being used for many types of graphic design application and typesetting etc One of my colleagues still makes a profitable sideline selling Apple spares on Ebay. Another benefit often quoted is that MACs don't get viruses. The real reason is that the idiots who write viruses don't find sufficient pleasure in inconveniencing a handful of people when Mr Gates and several million PC users can be irritated instead. Old dogs and new tricks springs to mind! There's a fairly balanced summary here http://www.wisegeek.com/should-i-buy-a-mac-or-a-pc.htm  I hope the OP gets his problem sorted, have you any ideas on that Bugsy? DA  

I can't help with your original problem I'm afraid, but the lack of other helpful responses is probably just because there are relatively many fewer MAC users than PC users, and consequently fewer experts out there. It's a factor one should consider when shelling out the higher purchase price for the kit in the first place. Whilst MACs have a good reputation for reliability you're more likely to have to find your own solution when things go wrong. In any case PCs are pretty reliable these days and you could probably buy 2 PCs for the price of a MAC. The thing that puts me off (besides the price) is the incompatibility with many software products which I already use and which will not run on MAC, although that situation is improving. Having spent 25 years using PCs I'm not ready to have to learn a new/different way of doing the same old stuff. Have you tried searching for MAC users forums? Surely they must exist!  

That's interesting Krusty. I didn't believe it and had to go and lookup the spec for the 737-800. You are correct; there is an in-built staircase. However, I've never seen it in use; I'm positive that, at Limoges for example, they always use 2 of the normal mobile stairs, one each fore and aft. I wonder if there's a timing element involved? The in-built ones look a bit flimsy, perhaps they're meant for crew use only? Doesn't answer the question of responsibility though, sorry, except that I always took responsibility for my kids when they were that age. DA (official Ryanair Mafia [8-|]) Edit: I've managed to load the Guardian report now and the photo definitely shows the in-built stairs in use (if that's a photo of the plane at the time). The accident was on July 17th last year, so it's likely that they've implemented a revised procedure for the stairs since then. Only £5 extra? Is that news? Isn't it terrible what happened to the Titanic?  

[quote user="Bugsy"] So a motorbike and sidecar must only have two wheels, interesting. [/quote] Ha ha. That's an amazing leap in deductive reasoning, Watson. I was referring to your havng missed something about "bikes". What I've noticed is that you are never wrong, no matter what you said originally. It must be irritating for you having us mere mortals trying to put things right. A motorbike and sidecar is exactly that, a motorbike (ie two wheels) plus a sidecar (one wheel), so it's a combination if you remember the old term, we used to have an AJS combination when I was a kid. So as a unit it has 3 wheels, so it's a trike!! Simples! If you check the thread there are several references to "bikes". Look it up in a dictionary, I did to make sure I was right. Bike is a shortened form of bicycle (I thought you would be sure to know that), and a previous poster pointed out the same misuse. Like him, I've come to put up with yoof-speak and poor English, but I thought most people on here were more literate. Not for nothing did I sweat out my English Language exams. ANYWAY - YOU NEED TO WEAR A HELMET ON A MOTOR-BIKE OR MOTOR-TRIKE.  DA PS Haven't you got anything better to do? Nearly 6000 posts! Good grief you'd be better off sharing your exploits on Facebook with your "friends"!

I believe you ARE missing something. [;-)] bike = bicycle trike = tricycle So to be perfectly correct, you should refer to a trike not a bike for a three-wheeler. Always happy to correct shoddy use of English [Www] but of course many will say "what does it matter?". Well, what it matters is that soon we'll all be talking in "txt-spk", Oh no!!!!!!!!! DA

We've had this in our garden in previous years; I think it's some sort of fungus or mold caused by the damp, but mild, weather. When the sun eventually returns (ha ha) it will shrivel and disappear. Sometimes it looks a bit like seaweed!! Edit: I looked on Google images but couldn't find anything similar. It hasn't appeared with us this year... yet! DA

[quote user="Pickles"] .......... Her: "You'll have to pay for that add-on" Me: "ARRRRGGGHHHH"! Other colleagues had similar experiences. Regards Pickles [/quote] Ha, ha , Yes... me too! DA

Perhaps your username is already in use by YOU? Why do you need to register again? Has your login been deleted or have you just stopped using it? It's possible that you are allowed to use the same username because there is a cookie already on your pc from the previous time, so the forum "knows" that the username is really yours? Perhaps one of the techs could elaborate? DA

But you can claim tax rebates for some home improvements; some wood burning appliances, insulation, double-glazing etc, without pre-planning. Search on this forum. I doubt if a roof renovation would count though. DA

[quote user="Bugsy"].... the big one on the left. [/quote] ....unless you're coming from Charroux...!  [;-)]  

Na,then (I'm a northern lad) I did some more searching on here and found this post from Sunday Driver last year; no nonsense reply and it suits me! Quote I don't know why this always gets so complicated..... I submitted an on-line request via the main Impots 'contact us' webpage asking them to confirm what the allowable average exchange rate is for 2008 revenus étrangers. The reply came back in a hour in the form of an e-mail from the Direction Générale des Finances Publique reiterating the standard daily rate procedure, but confirming that for practical purposes, it is permitted to use an average rate.  For sterling, the approved rate for 2008 is 1,049868766. Simple request, simple reply, 100% official and binding - now printed out and clipped to my personal tax file..... (end quote) I'll follow his example and do the same! DA    

[quote user="cooperlola"] I appologise unreservedly, DA.  I am so sorry and I hope that at the least I gave you an answer to your question and  a link to the official French rates for every day of the last tax year so that you can fill in your form.[/quote] Apology accepted gracefully (and gratefully). DA