Stevehudson

"the interface doesn't look like it was designed by a primary school class on a wet playtime" That's true, the mac is more aimed at infant school kids. "Oh - and you don't have to click on 'start' to close down..." Maybe not.... but you do have to drag the CD tray icon into the trash can to eject a CD.   Don't be taken in by probably one of only two mac user on this forum with his we are better than you rhetoric, this is an exert from a comparison website, answer the questions and then make your mind up. Don't buy a Mac if...you want to save money on your computer purchase.you want the greatest choice of style, shape, color, weight, size, etc. of your computer.you want the greatest choice of third party software.you want lower prices on third party software.you want the greatest choice of third party peripherals.you want lower prices on third party peripherals.you value the best future expandability of your computer.you want to be able to use 802.11a wireless technology.you want to be able to use 802.11g SRX/MIMO/Speedbooster/Super G wireless technology.you want to have prompt take up of new technologies.you already have a large investment in training on a Windows PC.you want firm "end of life" support dates set on your operating system.you want to buy from a reasonably forthcoming company about their future product plans.you want the greatest selection of games.you want the greatest choice for purchasing music online.you want the greatest choice of compatible MP3 (and other digital file formats) players.you want the greatest choice for purchasing movies online.you want to avoid the expense of too frequent and profound changes to the operating system and hardware that then require new purchases of up to date software and hardware to stay abreast of the latest changes.you would like to see lots of new functionality added to the operating system without paying for an all new OS every year (nine paid Mac OS upgrades in the last eight years '97-'05).

Thank you both for the info, it's a shame that it's not possible to use the digibox EPG to programme the recorder but I think I'll get one anyway as burning to DVD is a great way to keep films shown on the TV. Steve

Hi, Does anyone have experience of DVD hard disk recorders? Information is hard to find on the internet and I would like to know if they will work on a Sky digibox. The only problem I can see is with the EPG (Programme Guide), presumably a French version will only receive a French TV programme guide via an aerial and a UK model will do the same, making it unusable in France. Any information gratefully received. Steve

I'm registered with both, it's no problem. Steve

Now that the UK government have decided to implement a ban on free NHS treatment to anyone who cannot prove tax residency in the UK (including non resident UK nationals, ie most of us) does anyone know whether the good old E106 will cease to exist? I imagine that the other countries covered by this reciprocal agreement won't take kindly to this one sided approach. Steve

For the past 2 years I have been self employed in France running a micro entreprise specialising in the gardiennage of villas and houses. Two years ago I created a website and started offering a free booking and reservation service to the properties I looked after. To try and stay the right side of the French immobilier laws I always pay the total ammount of the rental to the owners and then invoice my gardiennage after the rental has taken place. However, I am constantly being asked to take on more properties and would therefore like to completely legitimise the business by establishing a partnership with an English speaking immobilier. I live in the South of the country close to the Spanish border and would like to contact anyone who may be interested in discussing a mutually beneficial venture. http://www.thelettingcompany.com

For the past 2 years I have been self employed in France running a micro entreprise specialising in the gardiennage of villas and houses. Two years ago I created a website and started offering a free booking and reservation service to the properties I looked after. To try and stay the right side of the French immobilier laws I always pay the total ammount of the rental to the owners and then invoice my gardiennage after the rental has taken place. However, I am constantly being asked to take on more properties and would therefore like to completely legitimise the business by establishing a partnership with an English speaking immobilier. I live in the South of the country close to the Spanish border and would like to contact anyone who may be interested in discussing a mutually beneficial venture. http://www.thelettingcompany.com

Are all you gite & villa owners with swimming pools aware of the "new" French government legislation. I say "new" because the publicicing of this requirement has been pitiful to say the least. The law was passed on 19/12/02 and as I read it, states that from 1/1/04 all rented properties must have a permanent physical barrier between a child and an inground swimming pool. All other forms of protection (alarms etc) should be additional to the barrier. The maximum penalty for breaking this law is a fine of 45,000 If anyone has a more definitive interpretation I would be very interested to hear from them as finding the facts on this matter has proved to be far from simple.

Are all you gite & villa owners with swimming pools aware of the "new" French government legislation. I say "new" because the publicicing of this requirement has been pitiful to say the least. The law was passed on 19/12/02 and as I read it, states that from 1/1/04 all rented properties must have a permanent physical barrier between a child and an inground swimming pool. All other forms of protection (alarms etc) should be additional to the barrier. The maximum penalty for breaking this law is a fine of 45,000 If anyone has a more definitive interpretation I would be very interested to hear from them as finding the facts on this matter has proved to be far from simple.

Are all you gite & villa owners with swimming pools aware of the "new" French government legislation. I say "new" because the publicicing of this requirement has been pitiful to say the least. The law was passed on 19/12/02 and as I read it, states that from 1/1/04 all rented properties must have a permanent physical barrier between a child and an inground swimming pool. All other forms of protection (alarms etc) should be additional to the barrier. The maximum penalty for breaking this law is a fine of 45,000 If anyone has a more definitive interpretation I would be very interested to hear from them as finding the facts on this matter has proved to be far from simple.

We would like to be considered. We look after a number of properties in the Pyrenees Orientales (66). Please can you let us have more info. [email protected]