[Drezha]

I thought this was in regards to the news that he’s declared another state of emergency this time regarding tech, effectively banning Chinese kit.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>We’ve looked at it from a cadet perspective, as we don’t have a phone line running to the cadet hut since they rebuilt it. I think the only issue for us is that for some reason we need a business line, not a home user line (don’t know if that’s because we’re a registered charity?). Currently running a TP-Link 4G router that I use a Giff Gaff SIM in. Was fine with just me using it, but now I’ve got more staff, I think we’re going to have to upgrade the required download, was using about 4-5GB a month, which is quite a bit considering we’re only down for 5 hours a week! However, if it was unlimited, I couldn’t really complain. Not sure how it would cope with 5 or 6 machines accessing the web at once mind. Maybe we’ll try with my current one and see how we get on.</p>
Downside for home usage (when I looked) was ping for gaming and that we don’t have great Three signal.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Sounds like fun!

I’ve spent the morning tidying up the garden somewhat and trying to remove the weeds from the front garden. A downer on the day is that the Delta flight we were supposed to be getting to Hawaii from LA in October for our honeymoon has been moved and now we either have to travel down to Heathrow and get an earlier flight, or travel the day before from Manchester via NYC and then down to LA and then onwards to Hawaii! Neither is ideal, but Virgin will be stumping up some money for the changes as we booked it via a package deal.

Then I’ve also been considering upgrading my computer monitor – I bought a new one not long ago, an Acer Nitro 27″ screen as it has dual HDMI and it replaced my Samsung C24F396 curved monitor but I’m not as impressed with it. The colours don’t seem as good and the display isn’t great. I imagine it’s due to the size of it and the resolution, but the pixels can be visible as well. Considering upgrading to either a 4K monitor, or getting a Dell Ultrasharp 27″ monitor to match my old iMac screen as that was good.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

I was a member of Prospect at my previous job, but I wasn’t sure it was worth it at the time. I also felt it made the workplace a bit hostile – i.e. nothing was provided (no free tea and coffee, this had to be purchased ourselves and it was very much a case of us and them between what was considered the workers and the management. It was a fairly toxic place to work and I would have left within my three month probation period had I not been trying to join the RAF during that period.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

All the best! The last few days have had me considering how an early retirement would be nice, but considering I’m at least 20 years off that, I’ll have to make do with the rat race a bit longer, though I am going to be spending some time over the weekend reading up about Limited Companies and what it would entail with a seeing what would be needed to go solo…

Berlin is a good shout – we spent a few days there last two years ago. The spy museum was good, and we did some bike tours. A shame my German is so rusty, I want to start picking that up again!

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

We use something similar with the Duke of Edinburgh groups I supervise. We offer the kids a choice whether to carry them or not but most will. I’ll have to find out what ones we use as they just use a normal SIM card.

Some staff take that as meaning they can sit in a cafe all day which I disagree with but it does provide piece of mind and a bit of a backup, but that doesn’t substitute for boots on the ground.

Different use case I’m afraid which may not help!

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

The TP Link was the cheap one, which was a bit surprised at why I’d seen you recommend it on the thread with Les.

Whilst the Draytek’s are expensive, I’m considering avoiding it, on the basis that the Nighthawk was expensive as well and I’m already getting issues! However, if I did, I’d rather than then a similar priced consumer unit.

I will ponder over my holiday in Devon (during which, I’m expecting the current router to drop out whilst I’m away!)

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Just to be picky, the second one isn’t Battlestar Galatica, it’s Firefly ?

Reminds me I need to get my picutres up in the office that I got framed. Have the set of three of these that need to go on the wall!

Whilst I’ve got command strips downstairs for some of the decorations, I may end up using them in the office here for these as they are more convinient than the nails. That, and as it’s an outside wall I’d be putting them on, not sure I want to try and nail direct in to brick!

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Well at least you’re sorted – I’ve just seen this and could have pulled the graphics card from the machine I keep at cadets out as that has inbuilt graphics and as you work in Manchester as well, would have been easy to get something sorted.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

The mini GL-net routers are handy for travelling. I keep one in my bag for when I’m working. They can have VPN profiles added to them – I use PIA, as I have a yearly subscription to them. But the main use is to overcome Travelodge’s restriction to only 2 devices. With Mac address cloning, I sign up with my laptop, and then can connect my iPad and phone to the wifi as well.

I have the basic two models, and on VPN they have been slow – the previous time I’m putting down to the wifi in Travelodge Bangor!

I’ve also used the Synology one on my router in the past to connect to my home network whilst out. That’s work perfectly fine as well – I guess that would be handy for linking two sites together as well – maybe not full time or for large files, but it’s working for general use for just me.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

It already is on the desktop? When I purchased my Intel NUC, there was an option there for one with Intel Optane.

https://www.ebuyer.com/789522-intel-optane-memory-16gb-m-2-hdd-accelerator-at-ebuyer-com-mempek1w016gaxt

Not quite the same form factor though.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Les. wrote:

It looks like time to give up on the Ebay Kobo BL linked to earlier. I asked my nephew if he would get it for me. He tried, got the message that only one left in Winsford, then an error message. Tried again later, same response. It is suggested it could be sold but listing not removed. It is still there. C’est la vie. Les.

Les, it’s in my local Argos if you want it? Only one near me mind (technically it’s even closer, as I’m sat in the office which is about 15 minutes walk away)

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Ed P wrote:

@Dave – you may want to read the Ars Article. They are guessing a new iPad is coming out today (West Coast time). Bad news of course is BIG £££s for the Apple Tax, better news is a slight reduction in second hand value for the older Pads.

In addition to the two updates to the iPad Air and iPad Mini they announced last week?

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

The only reason I use my iPad for reading, rather than my Kindle Voyage is purely accessing books on it I guess. I use Calibre a lot to store my library and read though I haven’t done so for a while, but I’m beginning to think that’s due to my tablet constantly popping up updates etc etc. I’ll have to dig the Voyage out again to read in the evenings – I used to a read a lot when commuting but now I’m cycling, I don’t really do anything near as much reading.

Best Kindle I had was my original Kindle Keyboard but it got ruined by getting wet in my bag (which turns out isn’t waterproof and hisotry may have repeated itself as I might have just ruined my Airpods after getting caught in the rain in Bangor on Friday!) – I should probably get rid of the bag!

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

I believe the biggest ones are the Kobo’s.

The Aura H20 is 6.8″ and is on sale on their website. (link), though they do have an 8″ here.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

The VFM Addict wrote:

The Duke wrote:

This is me being super lazy. But I know some own will know this off their top of their heads. I’ve just bought a new domain, what is the best and ceapest way to set up an email addy for it and for it to be managed via Gmail. At this point, I don’t care about a website. I just want a decent email addy.

I am uncertain what you mean by ‘decent’ in your last sentence. Are you seeking an address that is memorable -or- one that adds prestige -or- for some other reason. I found a way a while back that folks often have problems recalling even the simplest of domain names. If you are not merely after acquiring perceived prestige may I make a suggestion that I have given to many. Pretty much everyone has no problem remembering ‘gmail’. The comments so far surely evidence such. My recommendation is therefore a gmail address but tweaking the preface for example in the following fashion “FredBloggsdirect@gmail.com“. I assure you that if you set up a gmail account in this fashion no-one who knows your name will ever forget your email address. Its a case of – Wanna email me? No problem. Simply email <me>direct@gmail.com I’ve never found a better way of making recall so damned easy.

If I was dealing with a business that did that, I would be less than impressed and possibly take my business elsewhere. To me that seems unprofessional. I’d possibly consider it as reasonable for a sole trader or handyman, but if you were trading with that, I’d consider my details to not necessarily be secure.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Just out of interest, the Mini is no longer the cheapest option into the iOS world anymore (if you’re buying new at least). Newest iPad Mini is more expensive than the iPad (£399 Vs £319).

Generally most apps now are universal so will run on both iPhone and iPad. However, iPad can often download the iPhone app and run at 2x view (or windowed 1x view). Some apps are specific iPhone and iPad only (which can be a pain, but as the app store doesn’t really support upgrades, it was how developers kept the lights on).

If you’re not using it much, 32GB should be fine – probably even 16GB at a push if you’re not installing much. Never got all the hate from those that say the 16GB iPhone and iPad are to small – my work iPhone has a number of apps on (only really essentails), images and music and it’s not complaining about being full. However, my personal iPhone is a 128GB version but then that has most of my music with me and podcasts and audiobooks…

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

The Duke wrote:

Tbh we are still not sure how it passed planning given you’ll never get an emergency vehicle there in any good time. .

That isn’t really a planning concern, more of a Building Regs point of view.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

I’ll sticky this and follow – we booked our honeymoon for later this year in Hawaii and looking to make the most of the photos!

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Yeah, I can switch it in to modem mode and then use my own router which I’m planning on doing next weekend. I was advised to let the line settle and hub update over the weekend before I switched it to modem mode, so I’ll do that. In the meantime, I’ve switched the Nighthawk in to Wireless Access Point and disabled the Virgin wifi so we’re back online pretty much as we were before.

I don’t want to do it this weekend, as I’m away during the week and trying to troubleshoot with the wife over the phone whilst I’m away wont be easy !

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Author]

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