Mortstiff

I am sorry I offended you.  However, you did take my comments out of context.  True, I did say that Orange (the company, not the fruit, just so there are no further misunderstandings) is comprised of 'scum-sucking liars,' but that was only part of the phrase.  More accurately, I wrote 'scum-sucking liars whose techies don't have a clue about computers.'  And I stand by that claim and have the documents, tapes, DNA, etc. to prove them.  Yes, they are French, but this was not meant as a slight against all French, which would include myself and my friends (also French) who have similar views about and experiences with the company.  I might just as well have said, 'and they are human beings,' although that would obviously have been less precise than 'and they are French.'  If we were living in Slovenia--a fine country, I might add--I probably would have written, 'and they are Slovenians.'  You see what I mean?  Maybe not.  Ask Jane.  And before you holler at me anymore, bear in mind that the only reason I took the time to contribute to this thread was to give benevolently-motivated advice and to share my experiences, however sordid they may be.  I guess you could say that my attitude is, 'misery loves company' (don't worry, I won't add, 'because misery is French.' so as not to further upset you!).  Meanwhile, back on planet Earth, the Netgear box looks promising and I plan to further investigate.

The reasons why I want Orange crap on my PC?  Okay, I can't think of any.  The reasons why I don't?  Well, they are scum-sucking liars whose techies don't have a clue about computers, they rip off their customers, and they are French. You didn't read my post clearly - I originally thought the only way I could get my Internet connection was by installing their software.  But their software isn't compatible with Vista anyway.  Then I learned you don't need their crap at all. Of course, I had to learn this on my own, because Orange runs a scam where they try to get customers to agree to their 30€ telephone rendezvous.  Have I ever had an Orange tech person help me with any of my problems since I've used their services?  No.  Have they been able to answer a single question I have asked about basic stuff, like how to connect?  No. When I used IE, my computer was overrun by all sorts of malware.  Maybe their more recent versions are more stable.  Good luck, but I've never had any problems with Firefox, and their add-ons (Firefox extensions) are tremendous. Also, what I like is that one add-on allows you to access IE through Firefox, just in case that is necessary.

I agree with LindaRichard.  It doesn't make sense that the livebox would have a limit on a third computer connection, so it must be something with the way you are configuring your connection.  I posted the following on another thread: I also recommend dumping Explorer and trying Firefox. I purchased a laptop recently with Vista x64, and when I tried to install the livebox software via the CD Orange originally furnished, the computer informed me it was incompatible with Vista.  I called Orange's help line - what a joke and what a waste of time.  After hemming and hawing, and having me run through the same configuration checks over and over, the techie told me I'd have to make a telephone rendezvous with an 'expert' who would help me with my problem, that apparently I had too many computers using the livebox and the expert would find a way to resolve this.  That sounded like total rubbish to me, especially when informed that the call would cost 30 euros!  After searching, I found the site below, followed the instructions and the Internet installed on the Vista laptop with no problems - I rarely if ever lose the connection.  In short, it was just a matter of pressing the little button on the bottom of livebox, which I'm sure is what the 'expert' would have had me do after about 15 minutes of useless reconfiguations. http://london-seo.com/orange-broadband-livebox-installation-help/78/

You should be able to connect as many computers you want to Livebox via wifi.  When you set your network connection on your computer, remember to push the button at the base of the livebox. See the instructions here:  http://london-seo.com/orange-broadband-livebox-installation-help/78/

I also recommend dumping Explorer and trying Firefox. I purchased a laptop recently with Vista x64, and when I tried to install the livebox software via the CD Orange originally furnished, the computer informed me it was incompatible with Vista.  I called Orange's help line - what a joke and what a waste of time.  After hemming and hawing, and having me run through the same configuration checks over and over, the techie told me I'd have to make a telephone rendezvous with an 'expert' who would help me with my problem, that apparently I had too many computers using the livebox and the expert would find a way to resolve this.  That sounded like total rubbish to me, especially when informed that the call would cost 30 euros!  After searching, I found the site below, followed the instructions and the Internet installed on the Vista laptop with no problems - I rarely if ever lose the connection.  In short, it was just a matter of pressing the little button on the bottom of livebox, which I'm sure is what the 'expert' would have had me do after about 15 minutes of useless reconfiguations. http://london-seo.com/orange-broadband-livebox-installation-help/78/

[quote user="TWINKLE"]Hi Mortstiff! But I'm still alive today[:)]   [/quote] Still alive, but are you truly happy?

Well, as I wrote, I did some checking today.  There are companies in Paris that offer it and will even take care of the problem of not having a UK address in case you want a subscription.  I received the prices from one company, and let me tell you, it would just be cheaper to buy my own TV station!

I was struck by an item a couple weeks ago in the International Herald Tribune, pointing to a silver lining in the economic cloud: 'more opportunities for fine dining at lower prices.'  Some quotes: 'Some well-known chefs have indeed started to cut their prices--especially on lunch menus--in order to adapt themselves to the tough economic climate.  One example:  Gerard Vie, the former chef at the Michelin-starred Trianon Palace restaurant in Versailles, where the average price of a prix-fixe menu is now 150€ ($195), is among them.  About two months after opening Les Terrines de Gerard Vie, a bistro on the Rue du Cherche-Midi in the 6th arrondissement, Vie is offering a lunch menu for 24€, with a glass of wine.  At 10€, his robust terrine of marinated herring with warm potatoes and white wine may be sufficient by itself, even for the starving stomach.' I don't know about you, but how about that 150€ bargain!  Can you beat it? For more suggestions, check out my blog:  http://parisrestaurantreviewsandbeyond.blogspot.com/ Just a quick suggestion - don't dine at a restaurant in Paris solely on the basis of it being cheap.  If that's all you know, you will most likely waste your money.  You're far better off in the countryside, where you're less likely to get a rotten meal by chance.

I would actually pay to not see cricket on TV!  But to each his own.  If you're a fan of cricket, I would recommend a book I'm currently reading called Netherland by Joseph O'Neill. It doesn't matter if we're talking American, French, or British TV, whichever companies are offering the cable or satellite systems are the same all over - completely incompetent ripoff artists. After spending my time today posting on the French forum sites about ESPN, and also doing some investigating about the possibility of getting Sky's satellite in France, tonight, before dinner, I turn on the TV and there is ESPN America, coming in loud and clear, along with all the other sports channels that had been off.  So after a good 10 days without it, and after having Canal Sat. tell me directly that ESPN is gone, here it is again.  I'm telling you, these people don't have a clue.  But it wouldn't surprise me at any time to see it gone again, for good.  It's not like they'll ever warn us or offer any explanation.  They probably don't even know they're providing the channel. If you come to live in Paris, beware Canal Satellite!

[quote user="WJT"][quote user="Mortstiff"]I didn't know Sky was an option in France. [/quote] Edit: Beware, once you start watching English television, there is no going back! [:D] [/quote] Gee, thanks for the warning.  The French give true meaning to the term 'idiot box.'

I didn't know Sky was an option in France.

On Super Bowl Sunday, the Canal Satellite channel North American Sports Network (NASN) completed its conversion to ESPN America (it was essentially ESPN anyway). That was the beginning of the end. Yesterday, I learned that ESPN America has now 'disparu' from Canal Sat's offerings. Au Revoir ESPN America, I hardly knew you. As an American ex-pat living in France, the channel was my only means of watching my dearly beloved American sports - football, college hoops, baseball (OK, true, I subscribe to mlb online for the latter). The Canal Sat rep tried to explain over the phone that I am still receiving ESPN - ESPN Classic, that is. I didn't bother to inform her of the relative merits of watching a real-time baseball game to a 30-year-old rugby match. Please, if you are a subscriber like me, contact Canal Sat and complain. Threaten to stop your subscription. Demand a return to sports sanity in this arid land of soccer, rugby, and (dear god) handball!

[quote user="Lisleoise"]Thanks again. We're staying in rue Gay Lussac and I've just googled and there is this restaurant  a few doors away - do you know it?  There is also a Japanese right next door but I'm not sure if my 15 year old would go for that! [/quote] Don't know Les Papilles, but it's described favorably in the Zagat guide.  Lively place, according to the description, but I think it's one of those spots with a one-choice menu. Could be a perfect place for lunch. I'd be wary of taking a chance on a Japanese restaurant that you haven't heard anything about.  Could be good, likely to be expensive - like most Japanese restaurants in Paris - and I always warn against dining anywhere in Paris on the basis of location and 'it looks interesting.'  The only way I'd do that is if I were in a neighborhood where virtually every place is empty except for the one restaurant that is packed.  Chances are, that's the good one.

[quote user="Lisleoise"]Thank you very much Morstiff! We're staying in a friend's appartement on the eastern edge of the 5° and going to a concert in the 11° on the monday so the 3° works well for us for either the sunday or the monday. [/quote] Also, have a look at the video here:  http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/france/paris/vegetarian-restaurant

[quote user="Lisleoise"]Can you recommend a good (inexpensive) vegetarian resto around the 5° please that's open on a sunday evening? I'm going in a fortnight with my veggie son. [/quote] If your son likes crepes, one possibility is the Breizh Cafe: 109 rue Vielle du Temple, Métro Filles-du-Calvaire, 75003 Paris +33 1 42 72 13 77 It's open on Sundays, but it's not in the 5th - it's in the 3rd. Otherwise, your best bet will probably be an Asian restaurant - many are open on Sundays, are inexpensive, and with tons of vegetarian plates.   Restaurant Sala Thai in the 13th is a good bet for Laotian and Thai food - a long menu with all sorts of offerings: 13 rue des Freres d'Astier de la Vigerie 01 45 84 13 22 Two restaurants I recently reviewed are very non-meat friendly - Urbane and Ze Kitchen Galerie - although neither is very inexpensive, open on Sunday, or in the 5th. If your son eats shellfish, there's always Leon's for mussels.