t_h

I've used Windows Vista/7 boxes and Macs DAILY for years and never thought "wow that's ripped off". Sure, they have similar features but there are only so many ways you can implement something like desktop search or the calendar. Apple could do with "copying" some of the good features from Vista like (proper) ASLR for a start.

My experience with Sky isn't great. My router died and it took more calls than it should have done to get them to send out a replacement - sometimes I got an Indian, other times I think the guy was Irish - pot luck really. It took three weeks for them to send out a replacement (during which time we were without broadband - luckily I was between courses otherwise it would have been a complete disaster) and wouldn't entertain giving me a refund for the month (almost) without access. This was a couple of years ago. The only reason I'm still with them is because it is actually dirt cheap but to be fair the connection is very reliable and I get a decent speed.

We use Kaspersky 6.0 which has been really good and always comes either top or not far away in the general AV ratings. They've just released an update to support Windows 7 and added a bunch of new features which I was pleased about. We previously used McAfee which bogged the systems down a bit.

Kind of a kick in the nads to the honest people who paid full price.

It's really difficult to say in my situation, as some weeks I did next to nothing when I was particularly busy with work and then others I'd spend full days at a time on it. You need to plan ahead though as occasionally you get questions that rely on cooperating with other students so you need to time those right. So long as you keep on the ball you should be fine. Officially, the OU say 1 credit point is worth 10 hours of study. So for example a 30 credit course requires 300 hours of study time over the duration. To be honest though, that's quite generous. I spent nowhere near as long as that and passed no problem, and wouldn't consider myself particularly exceptional. Bear in mind though that this is level 1, I expect level 2 to step up in difficulty.

I did/am doing almost the same thing. I did one year of a Computer Science degree (passed) and then kicked it into touch because I thought the teaching/delivery was terrible and wondered what I was paying for. I'm now working full time and doing an ICT degree with the OU. I've passed the first stage (giving me a Certificate in IT & Computing) and am now onto level two. So far I've been really impressed and the workload is quite manageable for me. I didn't bother transferring my credit.

I must admit I just like the look of the Adamo - never used one so can't really offer a solid recommendation. I think going with the MacBook is probably a good idea. I have one myself and they are great machines, although I'm not sure how well Windows 7 works with Bootcamp so you'd have to look into it. I dual booted Vista Ultimate on the last generation plastic MacBook for a long time and while it worked well enough I found the trackpad wasn't anywhere near as sensitive and usable as when booted into OSX. Generally the driver support was very good it was just little things like that that took the shine off it.

DELL ADAMO LAPTOP

Would be more useful for others if you left the original post how it was.

What sort of performance increases are you seeing? Personally, I don't rate these kinds of registry 'clean up' tools but I'm willing to keep an open mind if someone can convince me. Out of interest, do you back up the registry before running these tools?

I love the web based stuff. Generally I find the newer software not too bad - it's the older software that insists on 16 bit colour, violates the screen resolution and can't comprehend the fact your computer has 2GB of RAM that drives me mad.

If you click the Start button and then your username on the start menu, you should get an explorer window in which there is a "Downloads" folder - have a look in there. Are you using IE or Firefox?

Just tried it in a VM myself. Seemed to install ok, but on the first reboot it got itself stuck in a loop - I couldn't read the text it was giving me as it was flashing up too fast. Anyway I powered off and it started fine after that. I must admit it does boot fast, and the new software centre looks pretty good.

Quite surprised a technology correspondent doesn't know how to defrag a hard disk. From his about page: BBC - dot.life: About Rory Cellan-Jones Not really surprising at all then that he didn't get on with Ubuntu. If installing Wine is too much like hard work then you're a complete non-starter with Linux. However on the flip side: If it seemed more complex when they are easily available in the repos then could you argue the point that Ubuntu is less intuitive? I don't know, I'm playing devil's advocate a little. I disagree with the point about Spotify though; I think Linux is the best platform (I never hear any adverts when I use it with Linux!) Anyway I'm not sure why he would upset the Linux community. It's hardly a scathing review and from someone who admits he isn't the most technical. It's also presented exactly how it is - an opinion piece. I wouldn't take it too seriously.

I second this. I got mine for 200 and still consider it a bargain.

This is probably a good option. Also, if the staff are literally "cutting" consider a guillotine.

I took one look at the size of that list and decided against it. I have geekier things to do!

Do you want to keep these display settings? No.

Wow no wonder the original post was confusing - 2007! I was a long time user of VMWare but since trying VirtualBox I've not gone back.

Nov 8th @ 1700

Got mine today also but I probably won't bother installing it till the RC is due to expire or I get a new hard drive.

Who assured you copyright is not a problem? If these are "off the shelf" CDs that have been ripped or digital downloads then it is a problem. I'm 90% sure Apple specify in their iTunes AUP that sharing is only permitted on local home networks.

You'll need to access the administration page for your wireless router (usually 192.168.0.1 - check your manual) and then under "wireless security" settings switch it off. If you can then connect to the unsecured network then chances are it is a problem with the old wireless card not supporting the encryption properly on newer wireless routers. Remember to turn the encryption back on.

Been running the RC for months with 2GB RAM and hasn't skipped a beat.

Could be a problem with the wireless security, try it (temporarily) without and see if it connects.