JohnM

Just had this sent to me, it originated from a chap who I know is head of IT security for his company. It's quite logical anyway so is a safe warning to make. -------- Most viruses are transmitted as attachments within email. As user awareness grows and reluctance to open attachments increases, virus authors need to design alternative methods of infecting computers. One way is to include a hyperlink within an email. A new virus called "Wallon" is 'doing the rounds' and utilises this exact method to infect any unsuspecting user who clicks on the hyperlink .The hyperlink will be a shortcut to an infected file that, once downloaded, will infect your PC. This will not be prevented by a corporate firewall. Do not activate a hyperlink if you question the source. ------------- John (99 usually, but 73 sometimes and always in my dreams)

LAST EDITED ON 11-May-04 AT 08:05 PM (BST) Have they actually started yet? I've been onto both the Travelocity and BA websites and not found details. John (99 usually, but 73 sometimes and always in my dreams) Forget that, I now have it on Travelocity but not BA!

I'm probably going to sound like a boring stick in the mud about legal things, but I have a funny feeling that suggesting a criminal act could be considered to be on a par with inciting one. If you do that in a pub to a mate, then who knows about it and who can prove it, but on a public web site with a 100's of readers, I think it's a different matter. That said, all I ask is that you think for a moment and then ignore me if you so wish, all I want to do is stop people getting into inadvertant trouble, if you know the facts (opinions in this case) you can make your own minds up. John (99 usually, but 73 sometimes and always in my dreams)

When I told my French teacher that my house had a Bidet, she accused me of being posh. Now, she has lived in the UK for 20 odd years, so may be out of touch on such things, but she certainly thought they were not the norm these days. Mine has now gone to the tip and a second WC will soon take it's place (NO, not two WC's in the same room)! John (99 usually, but 73 sometimes and always in my dreams)

Sorry, can't help on the problem, but before anyone asks for a name and shame, be very careful about publishing too many details. At the moment no English Builders can claim that their reputation has been damaged by this posting as there a loads of English Builders in France and resonable people know that the vast majority are decent honourable people. However, if you say that you are in Something-ville and there are three English Builders in Something-ville, if they all think they've lost business because you said where you are, the two decent guys might be able to make a claim against you. I base this thought on the fact that this is an English site and you / he are all English, so guess English Law applies. Legal warning done, I am sorry to hear that you've got these problems. John (99 usually, but 73 sometimes and always in my dreams)

I know many of you know this, but to the others... If you have insured your French house with a UK broker, consider using a french firm. I initially used an english firm that did overseas insurance because I was scared of using my limited french. Last week, I popped into a french firm and with my still limited french managed to get better cover for a third of the price. I have wasted 200 per year for 2 years just because I didn't bite the bullet and try! John 73

Do any of you good people know what the vessel is like? (I see there is a comment about it being like the P&O Cherbourg boat). In particular I need to know how high the car deck is. I think the summer trip will be in a Vauxhall Zafira with rood box. Unfortuntly, I can't see any reference to vehicle height on the Speedferries website. I've email, perhaps they will respond before Christmas. John 73

The satellites are over the equator and shine a beam onto the UK. If you imagine hanging a torch in the centre of your ceiling, some light will spill all over the room, but there will probably be a bright area in the middle of the beam (point it near to one wall and pretend that it's on the UK). As you get further from the centre of the beam, the intesity reduces... imagine that France is in this area. The same applies to the beam from a satellite. It "shines" onto the UK, but there is a reduced signal in France. 28.2 east of 0 is somewhere near the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. If you were at 0 longitude on the equator you would point your dish exactly east (90). If you were at the North pole you would point your dish 28.2. In France or UK it is always south of you, but the number of degrees east will vary depending on where you are. I wish I could draw this it would be so much simpler. Is that as clear as mud? John

Quite the contrary. All the satellites are above the equator so you will still need to point south (ish). I can't remember how many degrees you need, but at least one of the threads will point you ata site which will calculate the right number of degrees for you exact location. Have a search and you will find it. John

As it is 6 months until the anniversay, a producer at the local Raio Station where I work, wants to look ahead and talk (on the phone) with somebody who has a normandy guest house / gite who would be happy to talk about how the bookings are. Ideally, she wants somebody who once lived in Wiltshire... who's parents live in Wiltshire... who got their cat in Wiltshire.... in other words, has some connection with Wiltshire. If that is you please email me! [email protected]. John

Don't think too badly on the journos, some of them get very close to the case and as they will have known the background of Huntley for ages (but have had to keep quiet during the trial) it would a been a personal blow if he had got off. John

Sorry, but I don't think using a UK mobile to phone the UK from France is not going to be cheap. I don't go to France often enough and when I do, I don't use the phone much, but I think the savings I have made by having a fixed line installed have already covered the cost of installation. This probably doesn't help you much as you need to use the mobile, but I share it just to illustrate that you need to use the phone sparingly! John

Last Updated: Thursday, 11 December, 2003, 11:08 GMT French headscarf ban recommended Two Paris sisters have been among the high-profile expulsion cases Muslim girls in France could be barred from wearing headscarves in schools after an expert commission recommended a ban on "conspicuous" religious signs. The official commission headed by former minister Bernard Stasi is publishing its findings on issues relating to religion and the state. French President Jacques Chirac will then have to decide whether to follow the commission's recommendation. The ban would include the Islamic veil and the Jewish skull-cap. Mr Stasi consulted a wide cross-section of public opinion, including teachers, religious leaders, sociologists and politicians before handing in the report to the president on Thursday. Medallions allowed A report by France Info radio in Paris said the ban would outlaw the Jewish kippa, large crosses and the Islamic headscarf, which would be considered overt religious symbols. Medallions and pendants which merely confirm the person's religious faith would be allowed, it said. We cannot accept ostentatious signs of religious proselytism, whatever the religion President Jacques Chirac French public life has a strong secular tradition which has existed since the revolution, but the commission has now recommended that the plan be enshrined in law. Mr Chirac has hinted that he could back a formal ban. Last week he said France felt "in a certain way under attack as result of the display of ostentatious religious signs, which is totally contrary to its secular tradition". He added: "We cannot accept ostentatious signs of religious proselytism, whatever the religion." Integration The issue has led to a number of celebrated cases where girls have been suspended or expelled for wearing headscarves to school. Other schools do not act against pupils who come to class wearing headscarves. France has the largest Muslim population in the European Union, with around five million people. The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says the Islamic headscarf has become the focal point of an agonised national debate in France. It reflects many of the nation's unspoken fears about its failure to fully integrate its Muslim immigrants or to give them a purely French cultural identity, says our correspondent. France's chief rabbi, Joseph Sitruk, has joined Christian churches in arguing against a ban. "What an aberration it is to want to muzzle religion in the name of secularism," he said in a newspaper interview. Some Muslims are also opposed to the wearing of headscarves, while others believe the debate has more to do with French concern over its growing Muslim population. Two German states have begun moves to ban headscarves in schools, after a recent court ruling that current law meant women were free to wear them if they chose. John

My understanding of the law is that this forum is a publisher and as such anyone of you who breaks the injunction could get the forum and themeselves in hot water. If you want to spectuate, it's better to do so on a forum that is not hosted in the UK. If I've got the law wrong, I'm happy to apologise later, but I'd rather stick my neck out now incase anyone gets into trouble accidentally.

I think they are all supposed to follow a Yellow Jersey.... but I've never seen any cows at all, let alone a yellow one. John OK, I know, not funny, I won't give up the day job.

Heck, I'll start worrying now. 1. Had a bill for Tax d habitation, sent cheque off but forgot to sign it. Signed and returned the cheque but it would have arrived just after the 15th Oct. To date it does not seem to have been presented to the bank yet. Should I contact the local Tresor or the Grenoble one that sent the bill? 2. Habitation bill came to my english address, but I've not had the Foncieres one (and not been to France since 1st Nov). Is it likely to be sitting in my Mail Box. Again, who should I contact??? How much of a grace period do you get?