Not even running everthing I normally would!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Office 2007 Beta
Downloaded this yesterday, installed it last night, and so far I am really impressed! Nothing fantastic, just everything is "better"...
Little things, like the fact that you can subscribe to RSS feeds in Outlook, so the list of articles appears like a series of e-mails, complete with notification when the are unread entries... saves visiting 7 ot 8 sites daily only to find nothing new has been entered...
Little things, like the fact that you can subscribe to RSS feeds in Outlook, so the list of articles appears like a series of e-mails, complete with notification when the are unread entries... saves visiting 7 ot 8 sites daily only to find nothing new has been entered...
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Happy Birthday Alex
Today is Alex's 8th Birthday, and he is SOOOOOOOO excited it's untrue. He want's to get up early, open his presents, and then go to Debenhams at Merry Hill for breakfast!!
EDIT:
Alex is now the proud owner of an iPod Nano, which - once I managed to work out iTunes - he kept glued to his head for most of the day, He finally got the folder he wanted to hold all his football cards, and fantastic Meccano (Motorised Funfair type) that I am really looking forward to helping him with, an Airfix kit (Subarru Imprezza) and a number of other items... He really is an happy bunny.
No doubt that list will increase over the weekend, his party is on Sunday afternoon...
And yes, he did get his bacon sandwich at Merry Hill
EDIT:
Alex is now the proud owner of an iPod Nano, which - once I managed to work out iTunes - he kept glued to his head for most of the day, He finally got the folder he wanted to hold all his football cards, and fantastic Meccano (Motorised Funfair type) that I am really looking forward to helping him with, an Airfix kit (Subarru Imprezza) and a number of other items... He really is an happy bunny.
No doubt that list will increase over the weekend, his party is on Sunday afternoon...
And yes, he did get his bacon sandwich at Merry Hill
8 MB Broadband - Update
After a week or so of it generally feeling a little unstable, and slower!!, my broadband conection seems to have stabilised at last..
I am currently downloading Vista Beta 2 ISO file, along with beta installions of Office & OneNote 2007 at a combined speed of 800 KB/Sec. The ISO file on it's own was running at 690 KB/Sec...
I have struggled to find many downloads that exceed 250, but am starting to realise that it may well not be my end that is causing the bottleneck!
I am currently downloading Vista Beta 2 ISO file, along with beta installions of Office & OneNote 2007 at a combined speed of 800 KB/Sec. The ISO file on it's own was running at 690 KB/Sec...
I have struggled to find many downloads that exceed 250, but am starting to realise that it may well not be my end that is causing the bottleneck!
| Line mode | G.dmt | Line state: | Show Time |
| Line up time: | 3:10:31:24 | System up time | 3:10:32:03 |
| Downstream speed: | 8128 Kbps | Upstream speed | 448 Kbps |
| Downstream latency: | Fast | Upstream latency | Fast |
| Trellis coding: | Enabled | Loss of signal | 0 |
| Line attenuation: | 19 dB | Loss of frame | 0 |
| Noise margin: | 11.5 dB | CRC error | 24 |
| Line up count: | 1 | Total error duration | 22 seconds |
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
New Toys
Nothing too exciting, but I have been getting a little miffed recently by my PC's performance... OK it's running a Linux PC in a VMWare session using 512MB RAM and Photoshop CS2 and Dreamweaver 8, and that's not including the Firewall, AV software, Outlook, Firefox, Messenger, PGP etc etc etc... swapping from one application to the next is taking a VERY long time... so I have decided that as I can't afford to buy a new PC at the moment, I will upgrade the memory... So today I have ordered 2 x 1GB DDR3200's from crucial.co.uk. Unfortunately, I only have two memory slots and they both have 512MB's in at the moment, so if anyone knows a good home for some DDR2700???
The other new toy is a replacement for the Intuos 2 graphics tablet, I am now the proud owner of a Graphire 4 XL A5 tablet. The working area is double my previous one, so that should make it a bit easier to do what I need to do in Photoshop. The Intuos tablet looks like it will be traded for a Fuji Finepix 3 Megapixel camera tomorrow - should do the job for Amy?
The other new toy is a replacement for the Intuos 2 graphics tablet, I am now the proud owner of a Graphire 4 XL A5 tablet. The working area is double my previous one, so that should make it a bit easier to do what I need to do in Photoshop. The Intuos tablet looks like it will be traded for a Fuji Finepix 3 Megapixel camera tomorrow - should do the job for Amy?
Monday, May 22, 2006
Weight Check
At 19:30 on 30-07-2005 : 14st 1lb, 26.7% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
At 22:00 on 21-11-2005 : 12st 7 lb, 23.9% BF
At 16:00 on 02-01-2006 : 12st 4 lb, 22.5% BF
At 17:30 on 30-01-2006 : 12st 3 lb, 22.3% BF
At 19:30 on 27-02-2006 : 12st 1 lb, 22.3% BF
At 17:30 on 27-03-2006 : 11st 13lb, 21.9% BF
At 17:30 on 24-04-2006 : 11st 10lb, 21.4% BF
At 21:30 on 08-05-2006 : 11st 11lb, 21.5% BF
At 18:00 on 22-05-2006 : 11st 11lb, 21.9% BF
Still pleased... That's almost three weeks now that I have been pretty well unable to do any exercise.
Started back to the gym today, and managed to cover 2KM on the treadmill in about 12 minutes, I need to get that improved over the next few weeks!
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
At 22:00 on 21-11-2005 : 12st 7 lb, 23.9% BF
At 16:00 on 02-01-2006 : 12st 4 lb, 22.5% BF
At 17:30 on 30-01-2006 : 12st 3 lb, 22.3% BF
At 19:30 on 27-02-2006 : 12st 1 lb, 22.3% BF
At 17:30 on 27-03-2006 : 11st 13lb, 21.9% BF
At 17:30 on 24-04-2006 : 11st 10lb, 21.4% BF
At 21:30 on 08-05-2006 : 11st 11lb, 21.5% BF
At 18:00 on 22-05-2006 : 11st 11lb, 21.9% BF
Still pleased... That's almost three weeks now that I have been pretty well unable to do any exercise.
Started back to the gym today, and managed to cover 2KM on the treadmill in about 12 minutes, I need to get that improved over the next few weeks!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Great Day
No kids today, they are spending the weekend with the Mother-in-law...
Out at lunchtime, bus into Birmingham, Coffee & a Muffin at Costa, Stroll around town (without having to visit 'Bear Factory' or 'Claires') before eating at the Mailbox (Red Peppers).
From there, a quick visit downstairs to Castle Galleries to have a look at one of the new Mark Spains they have in there...
damn, that would look Sooooooo good in the living room :(
Finally, cross the road to the Alex Theatre to see 'The Rock Horror SHow' - man that was a real hoot, it was the funiest, most entertaing piece of theatre I have ever seen - and that was only the audience!
Out at lunchtime, bus into Birmingham, Coffee & a Muffin at Costa, Stroll around town (without having to visit 'Bear Factory' or 'Claires') before eating at the Mailbox (Red Peppers).
From there, a quick visit downstairs to Castle Galleries to have a look at one of the new Mark Spains they have in there...
damn, that would look Sooooooo good in the living room :(
Finally, cross the road to the Alex Theatre to see 'The Rock Horror SHow' - man that was a real hoot, it was the funiest, most entertaing piece of theatre I have ever seen - and that was only the audience!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Faster Broadband
Yesterday, bang on time, BT upgraded my service from 2 to 8 MB. Has it made any difference? well the simple answer is - not really sure, yes some things do seem to be really quick, but nothing significant yet.
I ran the broadband speed test at http://www.dslreports.com/stest?loc=3 and that is telling me that I am currently able to download at 274KB per sec, and upload at 41KB per sec... OK not too shabby, but nothing close to the claimed figures... Ah well it's still early days yet, so leys give it a week or so to settle, and try again then.
I ran the broadband speed test at http://www.dslreports.com/stest?loc=3 and that is telling me that I am currently able to download at 274KB per sec, and upload at 41KB per sec... OK not too shabby, but nothing close to the claimed figures... Ah well it's still early days yet, so leys give it a week or so to settle, and try again then.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Weight Check
At 19:30 on 30-07-2005 : 14st 1lb, 26.7% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
At 22:00 on 21-11-2005 : 12st 7 lb, 23.9% BF
At 16:00 on 02-01-2006 : 12st 4 lb, 22.5% BF
At 17:30 on 30-01-2006 : 12st 3 lb, 22.3% BF
At 19:30 on 27-02-2006 : 12st 1 lb, 22.3% BF
At 17:30 on 27-03-2006 : 11st 13lb, 21.9% BF
At 17:30 on 24-04-2006 : 11st 10lb, 21.4% BF
At 21:30 on 08-05-2006 : 11st 11lb, 21.5% BF
Now, that I am pleased with... For over a week now, I have been pretty well unable to do any exercise, and the upshot is only 1lb gain..... W00t!!
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
At 22:00 on 21-11-2005 : 12st 7 lb, 23.9% BF
At 16:00 on 02-01-2006 : 12st 4 lb, 22.5% BF
At 17:30 on 30-01-2006 : 12st 3 lb, 22.3% BF
At 19:30 on 27-02-2006 : 12st 1 lb, 22.3% BF
At 17:30 on 27-03-2006 : 11st 13lb, 21.9% BF
At 17:30 on 24-04-2006 : 11st 10lb, 21.4% BF
At 21:30 on 08-05-2006 : 11st 11lb, 21.5% BF
Now, that I am pleased with... For over a week now, I have been pretty well unable to do any exercise, and the upshot is only 1lb gain..... W00t!!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Increased Broadband speed
some weeks ago, BT announced that all BB users would be eligable for a free upgrade to 8Meg.
At that time, I attempted to register for the upgrade and out intranet failed me dismally... I have been trying since - without much success - to get the upgrade, but seem to keep going around in circles.
Finally, yesterday I called the BT.COM website support number and explained the situation... I now have an order number, and am due to be upgraded on the 12th May. Initial estimates suggest that 6MB will be the maximum speed download that I can actually get, but that's still 3 times quicker than my current 2Meg connection - and should give me faster upload speed :-)
At that time, I attempted to register for the upgrade and out intranet failed me dismally... I have been trying since - without much success - to get the upgrade, but seem to keep going around in circles.
Finally, yesterday I called the BT.COM website support number and explained the situation... I now have an order number, and am due to be upgraded on the 12th May. Initial estimates suggest that 6MB will be the maximum speed download that I can actually get, but that's still 3 times quicker than my current 2Meg connection - and should give me faster upload speed :-)
No Pain Killers...
Today seems to be a significant step forward in my recovery from surgery. I got out of bed at 07:00 and did not go straight for the pain killers... In fact I have been sat up at the computer - leaning forwards! - for almost two hours with no noticible pain at all.
I will, of course, continue to take it easy today, and at the first sign of discomfort I am heading back to bed!
I will, of course, continue to take it easy today, and at the first sign of discomfort I am heading back to bed!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Eventfull Week
Not had too much spare time on the PC recently...
I have been working on a website for 'Rockbox Themes' : http://rockbox-themes.redbreva.com/, which has taken up a fair amount of time to date, and is still a *looong* way from being finished.
For the Bank Holiday weekend we had house guests - Arthur & Margaret Finikin, so no PC time to speak of there.
On Wednesday, I took a trip to Russells Hall Hospital and had surgery on my abdominal hernia, and since then sitting up for more than a few minutes at a time has been a little uncomfortable. Much better this afternoon, so hopefully I will be able to get about a little more easily by the start of next week.
Finally on Thursday, my iPod Nano 4GB arrived..!! It was taken out of the box, plugged into the PC and wiped, within 30 minutes it was wrapped in a pale blue 'iPod Nano Tube' and running Rockbox :-) I have managed to take a little time out and reworked my iRiver theme :
to work with some colour on the slightly larger iPod Nano screen
and again larger still for the H300 / iPod Color
So far I am really pleased with the Nano, I have 34 albums on there and a folder of 170 'Misc Singles' altogether some 42 hours worth of music. Battery life is quite poor at present: about 8 hours (The Apple firmware is good for about 14 hours) - Rockbox is still in the very early stages for iPod - but is adequate for it's intended use - in the Gym. Charging is via the USB connection, so I have ordered a 'Travel Kit'... It's a Mains Plug and a Car Cigarette Lighter adaptor that take a usb connection.
I have been working on a website for 'Rockbox Themes' : http://rockbox-themes.redbreva.com/, which has taken up a fair amount of time to date, and is still a *looong* way from being finished.
For the Bank Holiday weekend we had house guests - Arthur & Margaret Finikin, so no PC time to speak of there.
On Wednesday, I took a trip to Russells Hall Hospital and had surgery on my abdominal hernia, and since then sitting up for more than a few minutes at a time has been a little uncomfortable. Much better this afternoon, so hopefully I will be able to get about a little more easily by the start of next week.
Finally on Thursday, my iPod Nano 4GB arrived..!! It was taken out of the box, plugged into the PC and wiped, within 30 minutes it was wrapped in a pale blue 'iPod Nano Tube' and running Rockbox :-) I have managed to take a little time out and reworked my iRiver theme :
to work with some colour on the slightly larger iPod Nano screen
and again larger still for the H300 / iPod Color
So far I am really pleased with the Nano, I have 34 albums on there and a folder of 170 'Misc Singles' altogether some 42 hours worth of music. Battery life is quite poor at present: about 8 hours (The Apple firmware is good for about 14 hours) - Rockbox is still in the very early stages for iPod - but is adequate for it's intended use - in the Gym. Charging is via the USB connection, so I have ordered a 'Travel Kit'... It's a Mains Plug and a Car Cigarette Lighter adaptor that take a usb connection.
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