halfblind

I would go for a barebone PC and install Linux - free software for just about anything and "practically" virus free. Nothing is virus free, not even Macs. Linux predominates in the server market. As regards where to buy check on-line retailers like LDLC.com who will put one together for you from items of your choice at a reasonable price - at last reckoning about €15. Other sites to look at are Cdiscount.com and Rueducommerce which has recently been bought out by cdiscount. As regards relying on wi-fi around the house you can try CPL plugs which send the connection via the power sockets - works well if you are one the same phase but can be made to work across phases also. Just my 2cts.

Just a quick update. Have had a reply from Chez Nous and they have now changed the search criteria to 50 miles around a named town. Should be active in a couple of weeks. Some what of a result

[quote user="Théière"]Cheznous, if it isn't broken don't fix it!!! Thanks for the heads up, they really made a c0ck of it last year too. [/quote] Ever since they went "corporate" as part of Hoseasons they have got worse and worse, but they still bring in the bookings !

Chez Nous have announced changes to their website which could have a detrimental effect on certain properties in rural France, such as ours. They have instigated a search criteria called "places" which will list properties within a 20 mile radius of their list of major towns in France saying that this represents around an hours journey time. Although we are within 40 mins of 2 major towns we do not come up on this search criteria as the distance is greater than 20 miles. We have written to Chez Nous asking that they rethink this search criteria or give us a refund, lets wait and see. They obviously dont know much about rural France. Other advertisers need to check out this search and write to Chez Nous if they are "disappearing" off the radar !

My understanding is that you only need a declaration du travail for a pool - this was the case a few yrs back anyway but may have changed. As regards the swimming pool security law - which is a folly ! - it is my understanding that it is the responsibility of the pool installer to leave the pool when completed in a state to meet the regulations. Therefore if your contract calls for an abri as well then only when that is installed and you have signed off the work would the responsibility pass to you - until then it is a work-in-progress and safety is the responsibility of the installer.

Any changes made to the building will affect the taxe fonciere, not the taxe d'habitation. You will have a 2 yr "holiday" from the tax from the date you return the H1 form.

Just come upon this thread and read with interest. I installed my first Linux system about 6 yrs ago for myself after advice from a "french geek". Must say I have enjoyed the experience and now know a little around the gnu/linux world. Am currently using the latest Ubuntu 11.10 with Gnome shell as the window manager - I find it suits me, but the great thing about the whole Linux experience for me has been the choice and the ability to keep my old equipment running and sometimes faster than newer machines running Windows 7 - Vista was easy to beat, horrible system !

We have received notice via the local paper that our local town has to build a new "centre de epuration" - sewage farm - because the current one is in a flood zone so to meet Euro regs a new one has to be established next year. The Marie, in all its wisdom and because it has been given permission by a local business man to use his land for the purpose, the site is going to be near our property. The business man of course lives many km's away from this piece of land ! As taxe fonciere is derived from a notional rental value can we appeal against the latest demand as the implantation of a sewage farm in the locality has definitely changed the rental value !

pachapapa seems to be suggesting your problems are with a windows virus, I don't get that from your earlier posts.

Hi Clair, Linux is another operating system for computers and can be tried in a "Live CD" state to see if your computer is compatible and then installed to your hard drive if you wish. It is completely free of charge and uses "Free Software" for most of the actions you want a computer to do, such as Email,web surfing, writing, photo processing etc. These are nearly all included on the Live CD. There are many different versions or "distributions" as they are called and some are for geeks to get there hands dirty on and some are for computer novices. I would suggest you try Linux Mint which has a similar feel to Windows XP. You can get the live CD here http://mirror.linuxmint-fr.net/linuxmint.com/stable/11/linuxmint-11-gnome-cd-nocodecs-32bit.iso When you have downloaded the Image as its called to your computer, burn the ISO image to a blank CD using your computer CD burner. Use a slow speed to eliminate errors. When you have got the disc put it in the cd tray of the "dead laptop" and see if it will boot up. You will have to check the boot sequence in the bios - F10 - to ensure that the first option in the boot sequence is the CD drive. If the Cd boots then you know at least that the laptop is not completely dead, if not OOps !

Hi Clair, The bios allows you to determine the order of the boot sequence for starting your computer - amongst other things. Therefore if you had a windows disc you could set it to boot from CD drive insert the disc and reload the system. I am not sure if this will work for a "recovery" disc as I dont use windows normally, but it may. Sorry I cant be of any more help on your windows problem. You could download a Linux CD and boot from that - just my preference.

If you dont have any beeps then it is unlikely that the cd drive will work to try and restore the system. Have you tried to enter the bios ? Could be "del" key, could be "F1". Do a search on the internet with another machine to find out what key it is for your machine.

Totally agree with tonyv [:D] Chrome/Chromium is also OK, but I stick with Firefox.

I have used this type of tile successfully on a homemade hot tub. Make sure you purchase the "anti-slip" type, they have been sandblasted to roughen the surface, the ordinary could be dangerous for little feet. I dont know where you are in SW france but I purchased my tiles through Zyke.

As you mention Vuze I assume you are downloading torrents - can I also assume these are legal and not copyright protected ? In some cases ISP's will reduce the speed available to certain ports known for torrent downloading of copyright material.

Luberon floor sealer. French made but only seems to be available in 5 litre tins in the UK, but you may find otherwise. I wouldn't use vitrificateur as we used it on our gite floor and after 7 yrs had to resand and re-do with Luberon floor sealer as it cracked and faded badly.

[quote user="Quillan"] [quote user="halfblind"]If you don't use your computer for gaming and need it for websurfing, letter writing, email and Facebooking etc then a Linux system would be a good investment. They are becoming more user-friendly and are completely free to install and use. I have been using Linux Mint for several years and not a virus or malaware in sight. Here is a link to the version supported up to 2013 http://mirror.linuxmint-fr.net/linuxmint.com/stable/9/linuxmint-9-gnome-cd-i386.iso [/quote] Don't kid yourself. People who write Malware programs and worms love UNIX box's because they can replicate these things without anyone ever knowing. That does not mean they effect the programs running on the box. Most servers run by ISP's are UNIX based which is why these programs are designed to replicate without people knowing. You should run AV and Malware protection even on a UNIX box, Kaspersky is one of the leaders in this field for UNIX box's. I don't have a problem with UNIX or Mac operating systems but there is a lot of myth's floating around that falsely lead people to believe that both these operating systems are immune from all those 'nasties'. Of course there are more of them for Windows based systems mainly because there are so many systems running Windows but don't take it fr granted you are safe running UNIX. [/quote] I agree Q, but really only necessary if you have windows boxes in your LAN. For a standalone PC I think you should be OK, but I do scan my PC once in a while to see if I have been infected and as I said after 6 yrs no problem.

If you don't use your computer for gaming and need it for websurfing, letter writing, email and Facebooking etc then a Linux system would be a good investment. They are becoming more user-friendly and are completely free to install and use. I have been using Linux Mint for several years and not a virus or malaware in sight. Here is a link to the version supported up to 2013 http://mirror.linuxmint-fr.net/linuxmint.com/stable/9/linuxmint-9-gnome-cd-i386.iso

Whilst building my pool actually built a hot tub into the terrace. Octagonal in shape using solar panels to heat. Also installed 3kW heater but have never used. So have hot tub with massage jets and free heat for around €2000 - gets used a lot !

By operating as an insulating cover at night it will keep the pool warmer. During the day I fail to see how an insulator will suddenly turn into something that will allow the suns energy to pass through. Sales blurb I think !

If the gites are on the same power supply as your house then CPL is a workable solution.

If you have a copy of the original Etat des Lieux then it should state the condition of the property especially the unfinished state of internal walls etc. I have found that a chat with a Hussier de Justice can provide valuable information and they can in fact carry out an Etat des Lieux for a charge - around €250 I think. Having been on the "other side of the fence" with respect to a tenant who left without respecting the contracts, then you as the tenant have the law firmly on your side.

[quote user="pachapapa"][quote user="Lollie"]When trying to access my emails on Orange tonight a site called Metagate Orange appeared and asked for my log in details, I closed it and did a quick google search. It seems many others are having the same problem and are asking the question, is it a virus? I could not find a definitive answer. Can anyone advise? I have a MAC. Lollie[/quote] Couldnt possibly have been harmful; we all know MACs are impervious to malignants.[6] [/quote] Not wanting to start a flaming war but there are virusses (viri?) which can exploit Apple software, they are just not as numerous as Windows attacks. And if you are on a network with windows computers then you can "pass on" an infection. Be vigilant

Or one could approach it as most french gite owners will and in line with other french reaction to bureaucracy from either the EU or their government and completely ignore it

I've just received an email from Orange my internet and telephone provider that as from 2011 the vat rate will be raised for those that include TV in their contract. I do not have TV in my contract but they are still increasing my monthly charge. Anyone else seen this yet ?