European

I wouldn't waste my money for Microsoft's overprizerd Office suite. I suggest OpenOffice, more or less the same functionality as MS Office and FREE. If still needed you can save the files in the respective Microsoft format (.doc, .xls...). You can download it from www.OpenOffice.org. (The website is currently under maintenance and will be fully available again within the next days.)

It took about 6 weeks for the Freebox to arrive. So I called several times their premium rate customer support number. At the end this was wasted money because they did not know exactly when the box was due to arrive. But at the moment I am very happy with the service, they also answer most of the support queries via their website. Fantastic are the free landline calls to the UK and other countries and the quality of the calls via the internet is surprisingly good.

I recently subscribed to Free's ADSL service online. It was confirmed by them that my France Telecom line is active as of 2 weeks ago. However I still have not received the Freebox. I am running out of ideas how to contact them. I have tried their premium rate technical helpdesk number; after 4 minutes in a loop paying the premium call charges I was cut off. They also dont seem to have an email address for general queries. Does anyone have a different number or email address?    

Free with their international call option sounds good. What are the criteria for a 'degroupage total' area. Does it have anything to do with technical specifications of the telephone lines in the area or are these some regularity measures to guarantee France Telecom some minimum telephone line business?

I am interested in Alice's DSL offer for less than 30 € per month which also can save on France Telecom's line rental. I checked www.degrouptest.com, my number is not marked for degroupage total. Are there any tecnical requirements to get a 'degroupage' line and does it simply mean that I have to continue paying the FT line rental?  

I am planning to set up an EURL. Spoken to an accountant who has quoted about € 1600 to set up the company. The yearly accountancy cost for the business would be around € 2000. I was also advised that a yearly legal report needs to be filed for a cost of around € 700. Are these reasonable fees? Is the legal report obligatory for an EURL (small business no additional employees)? Can anyone recommend any bilingual accountants?    

I am in the process of buying a car in France. I need it also to move my last things to France. Would I be able to go back with it to the UK (not more than 5 days) with temp Carte Gris and temp number plates?

Thanks for all your replies. If I decide to subscribe to Canalsatellite could I use their own receiver to receive the Canal package AND the BBC channels? I understand that I need my own dish with two LNB's.

thanks, I am trying to get the British FTA channels (BBC). I am not to keen on Sky, will try to focus on French TV to get accustomed to culture, politics and so on. Can anyone recommend a good digital receiver with CAM for Canalsatellite or TPS?  

I am moving to France shortly. I'm aware that the flagship public channels (France2, France3..) are digitally (satellite) available only via the payTV platforms Canalsatellite and TPS. I appreciate any comments regarding these two systems. Which platform from your point of view is the better one? I am not concerned re Football and general sports channels, but would not mind to pay for good movie channels. Is it correct that movie viewers have a choice between the French dubbed and the original language version?