Iain

As far as I know, satellite internet connection recieves via satallite, and sends via phone line, so that doesn't help... (the insurance aspect amuses me - I think there is probably nothing you can do that won't invalidate your insurance, according to "forum wisdom")... 

I think the most important thing on using the "layered" stuff is the fitting - ie make sure all the edges are airtight, using batten, and leave a "static" air gap (minimum 20mm I think) between the insulation and the plasterboard. Also be wary of the metallic joining tape - it comes unstuck after a couple of weeks, so really needs a batten along all these joins as well. With regards to price, it's worth waiting untill it goes on promotion at one of the bricos, when it does seem to be significantly cheaper than elsewhere, whether that's the 9 layer stuff or the 15. Iain

I'd be very interested in the answer to this - I too am looking for a way to work part time, but legally. And ideally with the "burden" on me, as opposed to whoever I worked for... ie if someone asks me to paint a wall, I don't want to have to ask him to obtain a cheque d'emploi from wherever first, because they probably won't, they'll just get someone else to do it...

[quote user="Jonzjob"]It's quite simple for me, I like what I have seen in IE7 and I didn't take to the little bit I saw of Firefox. No bitchyness, just my opinion, which I am entitled to. It may change because I observe, compare and make my own decision. (oh for those bluudy smilies!) But IE7 is NOT going to go away whether you like it or not. Very simple![/quote] Jonzjob - you should know by now that on this forum you are NOT entitled to your own opinion. [:D]

[quote user="Deimos"]John is right - it isn't going to go away because you ignore it. I have not looked in detail at Firefox 2 but the main new features seem to be a "catch-up" to IE7 (i.e. matching rather than exceeding IE7). How the "market share" will then balance out when both are out will be difficult to predict. I actually have something of a natural bias against Microsoft (people on this forum have accused me of being a Microsoft hater several times), but I do prefer IE7 to Firefox 1.5 (much quicker and more secure). Ian[/quote] oooooohhhh... hang on - the best features of IE7 were already in Firefox before IE7 was a twinkling in MS's eyes, weren't they?...! (Isn't it funny how people get bitchy about IE/Firefox or Windows/Linux?.............. okay, it's just me then... [8-)])

Avast (in my very humble opinion) is even smoother... as well as free... and it looks better [geek]. But I wouldn't know if it's technically better than AVG...

Probably not related (I wouldn't recognise an oak tree 'till it started chucking conkers at me) but there seems to be a lot on the internet about "sudden oak death" - type it into Google and you'll see what I mean... but as I say, I have no idea if it's relevant to your situation.

Hi, You could buy a ethernet card for the PC (around €10) and see if it works with that... Older PCs (I think generally over - what - 5 years old?)  had slower USB ports than more moden ones. This could be the problem. Would have to agree with previous poster - a Livebox is possibly a bit of an overkill for her situation. Iain

From anecdotal evidence, the performance of flues seems to vary a lot between specific locations/installations; I would imagine though that the taller the chimney, the more the requirement for insulation, as the flue will cool more & more as it goes up. Personally I wouldn't use any insulation unless you find the flue starts getting clogged. Just capping the top of the chimney may stop enough heat escaping to prevent build up of soot in the flue. This is just my personal opinion - I'm certainly no expert. Iain

Actually what I don't understand is what the criteria is - eg on Skype website I just changed my "country" to France (was UK - not sure why) and it seemed happy with that... so if I'm in the UK perhaps I could change my (Skype) country to France, and get free calls to France... But perhaps I'd need to overide my IP address also... [8-)] Without turning this into an IT thread (!) maybe someone who has the time could do a bit of testing... Then again, normal Skypeout is so cheap anyway, why bother...! Iain

[quote user="Eslier"]As Ian says, the advantage does swing either way but I would say that Mozilla have had the edge in recent times despite a few problems. I see that Firefox-2 is not far off full release with the 2.RC3 Beta version currently available for download. The finished version should enable them to stay ahead of the game.  Has anyone here tried the v2 Beta ? [/quote] Hi, I'm currently using Firefox 2 (RC3) - only for the last couple of days - without problems. The only (slightly) annoying thing is that not all the extensions/add-ons work with it yet, but I expect they'll all get updated for the new version soon. I'll have to see if it works on the sites where previously it didn't... Having said that, I use IE Tab extension anyway, which means you can set specific sites to use the ie7 renderer inside firefox (in other words, you get the best of both worlds. In my opinion. Maybe too much hassle for some.) I was tempted to go back to ie7, but I'd miss the add-ons too much. Iain

Apparently, calls from Skype to France landlines are now free, until the end of the year... http://www.skype.com/intl/fr/illimite/ Iain

Why do the posts stop when it starts getting interesting?!

Chris, Out of interest, is that what you use yourself? I'd be interested to hear how it performs (and how much hassle it is/isn't). Iain

I think the only difference between a Sky and and a French satellite decoder is that you can get channel 4, 5, and Film 4 on a Sky box, not on a "normal" French one. (Maybe other channels, I don't know). And you need to pay £20 for a veiwing card for Sky if Sky is what you choose... (sent to UK address only). Iain

Hi. There's a brilliant website here which lists most fruit trees and what they pollinate with. It lists some that sound similar to yours, but not an exact match. I would imagine the most important thing is to get another cherry tree - different variety - that blossoms at the same time. Most cherries look as though they need a another tree around for pollination. Iain

Hi, We asked the prefecture whether we should apply to to the DRIRE for a conformity certificate, but they said no, ask Toyota... Around three months (and €120) later... We also got a partial certificate of conformity - the engine matched one model, and the chassis another. The prefecture sent us off to the DRIRE who took partial certs from Toyota and copy of V5... then they wrote us a letter asking for a cheque for around €86.90 and the original CT, then we got letter informing us of appointment to bring car for inspection (only around 4 days notice given!). Inspection took around half an hour, maybe a bit more. Not too involved, but they did check I'd changed the headlights to LHD. A month later we got a letter from the prefecture to say they wanted a cheque & ID to complete the re-registration. Was surprised that DRIRE and prefecture talk to each other directly - DRIRE had sent certificate directly to them. Popped along to prefecture, half an hour wait, and we finally get a carte gris! Iain

... because I prefer a reliable car (Japanese in my case) as opposed to a... well...    unreliable make. And Japanese cars are few and far between, where we are anyway. And selling my UK car would have been a pain, as I drove over in it, and would have to take it back to the UK to sell somewhere, then a taxi back to the airport to come back home... etc etc... Apparently, a lot of people buy their cars in Germany as the price is cheaper, and even with the import tax and hassle it still works out better than buying in France. Don't know if this is true or not, but it's what I've heard. Iain

I reckon the worst bit is that (for me, anyway) you don't feel any different for stopping; I mean you know why you should stop, and that if you don't the chances are -what - 60%? - that you'll die from a smoking related illness... But (and again, speaking for myself here) smells and tastes are no different (after 18 months). My breathing feels no different (although I no longer have the occasional aching in my lungs when I wake up). I notice no real change in my overall health. Which, I s'pose is why it's important to focus on the reason you've stopped smoking. Because it would be really annoying to carry on smoking for another 10 years without problems, and then, just quickly, be diagnosed with smoking-related lung cancer. I don't know... follow the odds I guess... Iain

Hi, We gave up smoking (again!) from Monday; not very long I know... Previously (for around a year and a half, up to last Christmas) we also gave up smoking. Still not quite sure why I started again. Bit of a mistake. The Boots or Nicorette (sp?) gum works well for me, I used it for the first few months, starting on the 4mg, and then the 2mg, taking less & less. I think the gum is a lot cheaper in UK (around £18 for 105 pieces) than France, but someone else might know for certain. Day 3 is the worst for me (ooh - that's today then!). [edit - just found out it's only Tuesday today. I've only given up for a day and a bit. Why does it feel like a week then...? Doh].  Then it's just a simple task of not starting again... It's a bit of a cliche, but I think it's important to remind yourself from time to time why you decided to stop smoking. That & the gum (almost) worked for me...! Iain

[quote user="Ian Horn"]Happy to be British and more than happy to be living in France, but ................ Only in France can:[/quote] you go to a checkout in a supermarket with only one person with a basket in front of you and know - just know - that there'll be a problem which means she (normally) needs to call the back office, call the surpervisor, scan his/her barcoded lapel, type in a security code, get it wrong, have to call the supervisor back again, get the cash office supervisor to check the €100 note, oh I could go on. But I'm used to it now...there are so many rules. That are so routinely ignored...

Briconautes sell the 15 layered variety at €6.99 m2. Not sure if it's a permanent offer, or finishes on 15th October. If you can't see it on the shelf, ask for it. Haven't found cheaper. (But have yet to find out if it works!) Iain